>You are Anon >And unconsciousness be damned, you are now awake >The light from your window torments your eyeballs and you slam your lids shut >Shit, feels like you just fell asleep, wait...something's wrong here... >You pull your sheets off of your head and gaze around your bedroom >Empty...why is that off-putting to you? >It takes your sleep-addled brain a few minutes but you finally figure it out >Rainbow Dash >Usually she was the one who wakes you up >Normally, your now workout buddy busts into your house and drags your sorry ass out of bed for more exercise than Ahhhnold during his glory days >Tha Pump, it's lahk caahming, with a woahman [spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkUNKKgZ-1w if you're lost at the last sentence, I laugh everytiem[/spoiler] >Yes, and like the good governor from California you had been "caahming" for one week and three days non-stop >Just four more to go, thank Allah >But today...today Rainbow Dash wasn't here... >Had you woken up early? >You glance over at the clock on your nightstand >11:30?  Holy shit! >It was WAY past your usual workout time with Dash >Why wasn't she here? >Did she forget? >Did she also sleep in? >Did something happen to her? >Wait, why are you giving two shits about what might have happened to Rainbow Cunt?  She was the whole reason you dreaded the morning instead of embracing it as another chance to drink... >You sigh >...Alcohol...the glorious substance that had been denied you this past week and three days >Not that you were counting or anything >You rub the sleep from your eyes and sit up in your bed >Dammit, you'd like to take this opportunity to continue sleeping but it seems your stupid body had other ideas >With a heavy sigh, you throw the covers to one side and make your way to the bathroom >Piss time, which was easy considering the fact that you only slept in your super sexy boxers >Seriously, that's what was written on the elastic band, "super sexy" >Boxers don't lie, man, everyone knows that >As you let your body regulate its toxin levels by disposing of waste material, you look in the mirror >Damn...you looked pretty good >Since Rainbow Dash had decided to tentatively accept your apology in the form of killing you through exercise, you had put on quite a bit of muscle mass >And lost some excess fat in the process >You flex for the mirror >Aw, shit, look at that buff son of a bitch >How strange...you now had a body that would make almost any woman jump your bones immediately...in a world where no human women existed at all >The irony isn't lost on you and you chuckle, which causes your piss stream to take on a mind of its own and spew all over the sides of your toilet and the floor >Shit...well, piss is sterile, so no harm done >You finish up and ditch the boxers to begin your shower >Ahhhhh, warm water to soothe your aching body >As you let the glorious invention of indoor plumbing bask you in its comforting embrace you muse on the events of the past 10 days >Rainbow Dash... >The p0ny who had at one time caused you so much grief with her constant insults >Whom you had humiliated and made you catch hell from the townsfolk of Ponyville for doing so >Who had accepted your lying apology and agreed to work things out through becoming "workout buddies" >This fucking p0ny, this tormentor...was actually kind of cool... >You wince as your thoughts prevent you from letting some shampoo get into your eyes >"No more tears" your ass... >Anyway, through the events of being workout buddies, you had discovered a different side to old lightning bolt butt >She was actually kind of...nice to you >Well, nice in her way >You and her had traded barbs >She calling you weak >You calling her stupid >But...in a way that resembled friendship >Like old Army buddies or some such, you two had poked and prodded each other >Shared a few laughs >You had told her some funny stories from back home, she had really seemed to like them... >She had really seemed to like just listening to you talk >Dash had even asked questions, prodded you to go further, just...wanted you to keep talking to her >You can't recall any of these p0nies who had cared about you or your past like she had >You finish your shower and step out into your bathroom, grabbing your towel and wiping the water from your eyes before moving it to dry the rest of your body >It was as if Dash really cared...like she really wanted to understand you and know you >You elicit another sigh as you reach for your toothbrush and toothpaste >"Colgate brand toothpaste", that part was eerily familiar, except it had a smiling blue unicorn on the tube >Was that supposed to be a joke?  Because it was a pretty lame one at that >Why would any p0ny be named after a tooth care company from your world, that would just be stupid >You ignore it and begin brushing your teeth >You hated to admit it, but, like a deep cover operative, you were beginning to wonder how much you were playing the enemy and how much the enemy was playing you >Rainbow was...hell, she was a cool chick >The kind of girl who could take a joke in stride >The kind of girl who would throw one back at you with a smirk on her face >The kind of girl who just kept pushing you and pushing you, and then when you felt you could do no more, would somehow push you to do a little bit more >That kind of girl...shit, if she was human...you'd have a hell of a time keeping yourself under control >To be brutally honest, there were times when you wondered...when you contemplated... >You spit into the sink and wash your mouth out with some water >Dammit, Anon, remember what this is all for >Remember all the crap she had put you through >Remember that YOU were the one in control here, the one who was going to get you on her good side, get the town to stop hating you and get your booze back after all this "working out together" stuff was finished >You look in the mirror to see a tired, if not in perfect shape, Anon >Keep playing Rainbow on 3, ready? >one >two >three >break! >You grab your towel again and begin to dry your hair, moving it roughly across your scalp as you exit the bathroom >You aren't garbed, but fuck it >That was one of the perks of living alone >A man has to have his castle, and this little house in crazy magic horse land was yours >No one to tell you to clean up that piss around your toilet >No one to tell you you should wash your dishes >No one to say >"Huh.  So THAT'S what it looks like" >The familiar voice causes you to immediately wrench the towel from your head and instinctively move it to your privates >As your vision comes in to focus, you see her, fucking Rainbow Dash, her eyes still fixed on your crotch though it was now covered with your towel "What the fuck, Rainbow?!" >She moves her eyes to yours, an annoyed look on her face >"What?  You've seen me naked, well, every time you've seen me, what's the big deal?" >You can't decide whether to be embarrassed or angry at her suddenly barging in to your house like this >Oh wait, she constantly barges in so being angry doesn't make a lot of sense >Embarrassment it is "Y-Yeah, but I don't see your goddamn genitals all the time!" >You turn and saunter as quick as you can, hands still firmly holding your towel over your junk, back towards your bedroom to get some clothes >"Maybe you're just not looking hard enough..." >She's mumbling so you don't really hear her "What was that?" >"N-Nothing!  Just, get some clothes on if you're going to be a bitch about something nop0ny cares about!" >Okay, now you remember why you're doing this >Rainbow is a Cunt with a capital C, gotta play her for just four more days, Anon... >You get dressed in some boxers, these ones don't say "super sexy" unfortunately, some athletic shorts and a plain, white workout t-shirt >You make your reappearance triumphantly to Rainbow, who still bears the same expression of disinterested apathy >Is she not entertained? >"Hmmph.  You're going to wear THAT to Pinkie's party?" >You raise a brow at her "Uhhh, I thought we were going to be working out today, not going to a party" >You seize the opportunity to goad her, the invading bitch "Or is poor, wittle Wainbow Dash too tired to workout today?" >The anger on her face is more than enough of a reward for your barbs >"No, Anon...today, we're going to a party, one that Pinkie is holding for YOU" >What? >"Or do you not check your mail?" >Before you can answer, Dash has flown quickly out your door, opened your mailbox, retrieved its contents, and is back in front of you in a flash >Bitch be fast >"Tsk.  As I thought, the invitation to Pinkie's party is right here" >She throws the card at you >You catch it and read >"Come one, come all!  Sugarcube Corner is hosting Anonymous' getting sober party!  Don't bring a dish, just yourselves!  Help us celebrate Ponyville's newest resident kicking the booze!" >You scan down the card >"P.S. This, obviously, is NOT a B.Y.O.B. event, the festivities will begin at..." "1 Post Meridian..." >You look at the clock on your wall >A gift from Pinkie Pie, oddly enough "Oh, shit, that's in an hour!" >Dash just "hmphs" >"Oh, will you relax, Anon?  Come with me" >Rainbow quickly flies to your side, grabs you by an arm and whisks you to your bedroom >Before you can say anything, she's tearing through your closet >"No...no...this'll do...no...okay, there we go..." >Dash grabs a pair of slacks, a dress shirt, some black socks, and a nice faux leather belt and shoves them in your face >"Take that stuff off and put these on" >You just look at her, mouth agape, agitated expression on your face >"Did I stutter?  Move it, monkey-boy!  We don't have a lot of time here!' >You growl and snatch the garments from her outstretched hoof before moving to the bathroom to undress and put on the clothes she's given you >Once you're dressed...goddamn...you look pretty sharp >Black slacks, black belt, tucked in gray shirt with pinstripes >Since when did you have this stuff in your closet, anyway? >As you exit your bathroom, Rainbow plops some black dress shoes on the floor next to you >"I don't really know how you put these on...so, there you go" >You grab a chair nearby and sit down to slip the shoes on your feet before tying the laces >Rainbow watches your every move through the whole ordeal >You stand and mosey into your bedroom to see yourself in the full length mirror >Not bad...not bad at all... >"Hmmm.  That mane...let me fix this" >Dash flies into your bathroom and reemerges with your bottle of mouse >The bottle from Rarity that you never use >Before you can protest, she's squirted some into her hoof and is rubbing it through your hair "Hey!  What the fuck?!" >Dash gives you an annoyed grunt >"Just hold still, would ya?" >You cringe and try to swat her away, but she's finished before you can hit her >"There!" >Dash states triumphantly as she floats a few feet away from you and points toward your mirror >"Well?  What do you think?" >You look back in the mirror again >Same as before, except your hair is nicely styled >She's given you a slight bed-head look without it being too douchey >All in all, you look really good >Like, REALLY good...good enough for some meat head bouncer to let in to a club to dance with all the pretty girls he had let in before hand "Wow...Rainbow...how did you?" >She just rolls her eyes >"Please, Anon.  I may be tough, but I'm still a mare" >She flies up close to you, close enough so you see both of you in the mirror >"It kind of comes with the territory, you know?" >You look at both of you in the mirrored image >A well dressed and, for once, well styled man and a smiling, pretty, blue p0ny hovering by his side >Almost seems like a nice couple, don't it? >You shake off that last thought and just state "I guess so...so, shall we be off? >Rainbow doesn't answer at first, she's just staring into the mirror as if lost in thought >"Hm?  Oh, yeah, sure!  Come on, slowpoke!" >Just like that, she's flown out of your bedroom and is hovering outside your front door >You join her and begin your walk into town >A comfortable silence hangs over you both >Fuck comfort, you decide to break it "So, how long did Pinkie have this party planned for me?" >Rainbow gives you a quizzical look >"Dude, she sent out invitations, like, almost a week ago.  Do you seriously not check your mail?" "Well, I would, except SOMEONE manages to me make me so tired at the end of the day that all I can do is come home and fall asleep instantly" >Dash just grunts and looks forward >"Well, you should still check your mail...but, I guess I could have reminded you and all that" >She chuckles and turns back to you >"What would you do without me, Anon?" >Her question feels innocent enough...but, still, it seems loaded somehow... >You just shrug "I guess I'd be awake enough to check my mail" >You state with a laugh >She falls silent and goes back to looking ahead >Was that not the right answer?  Shit, why do care about what's "the right answer" with her? >These two weeks were seriously fucking with your head >You both continue on into town with the now less-than-comfortable silence that now hangs in the air >Good job fucking that up, by the way >As you approach the architectural audacity that is Sugarcube Corner, Dash signals to you >"Hold out your arm" >You turn to look at her, brow raised >"You call your forelegs arms, right?" "Yeah...but, why?" >She groans >"Just do it!" >You comply and she hooks a foreleg under your elbow whilst pushing your forearm back towards your body >You realize that you were walking to the party...with Rainbow Dash on your arm >You laugh "Whoa, whoa, whoa, Dash, don't tell me I'm your date to this little shindig" >She fixes you with an angry glare >"Hey!  You're the guest of honor at this 'little shindig', and the way I see it, I'm the one responsible for your recent sobriety!  And that means I'm the one responsible for this whole bucking party being thrown in the first place!  Which means I'm the one who deserves to be on your...arm, when you come in!" >She narrows her gaze at you >"Don't you think so, Anon?" >You surmise that she wasn't actually asking for your opinion at that last question "Heh heh.  Sure, Rainbow, whatever you say" >She suddenly smiles at you, god that smile...and turns back to the direction you two are walking in >She mumbles >"Whatever I say, huh..." >Sigh, you are absolutely, positively DONE at trying to read her cryptic ways today >Best put it out of your mind >You approach the entrance, arm in leg, and are immediately greeted by the pinkest, most excited creature in the known universe >"OHMYGOSHANON!IWASWORRIEDYOUWEREN'TGOINGTOMAKEITTOYOUROWNPARTYANDTHATMADEMESADSOITHOUGHTABOUTSENDINGOUTSCOUTSBUTTHENIREALIZEDTHATTHEYWEREN'TGOINGTOBEATTHEPARTYEITHERANDTHATMADEMEMORESAD..." >Holy shitdicks, Batman, you could barely keep up with this "Pinkie!  Pinkie!  Come on now, you know I wouldn't miss one of your parties for the world!" >You give a subtle wink to Dash who just rolls her eyes and chuckles >Pinkie gasps, the euphoria coursing through her body could make Edgar Allan Poe write a Teletubbies episode >And not one of those weird, unintentionally homosexual ones either >She immediately jumps you, wrapping her forelegs around your midsection, and burying her face in your stomach >"Awww, I never doubted you for a minute, Nonny!  Come on!  There's tons and tons of p0nies who want to congratulate you!  And after that, we can eat cupcakes!  And pin the tail on the p0ny!  And play guessing games, and monop0ny, and dominoes..." >She grabs your arm and begins to pull you in towards the party, still ranting about all the FUN FUN FUN you'll be having >You look back at Dash >You mouth "Help me!" >She just giggles and shakes her head >"Have fun, you two!" >Fucking backstabbing Dash >As much as you hate to admit it, the party is actually pretty enjoyable >The punch is tasty, the games are pretty fun, even the music is nice >What's more, it seems almost every resident of Ponyville wants to shake your hand and tell you how proud of you they are >Yes...yes...everything is going according to plan >The same p0nies who had looked like they were going to chase you out of their town a little over a week ago were now ready to suck your dick, metaphorically speaking >You still caught a few wary glances from some, but for the most part, it seems like most of them were just about ready to forgive and forget not just your drunken misadventures (passing out in flower beds doesn't exactly garner a lot of favor) but also your pissing off one of their beloved national heroes and an element of harmony no less >As one mint-colored unicorn shakes your hand violently, letting you know just how highly she thinks of you, and how she'd just LOVE to get you to herself for a bit before her beige-colored earth p0ny friend comes to whisk her away, awkwardly apologizing for her friend's "eagerness", you see Twilight out of the corner of your eye >She's sipping some punch in the corner and conversing with Cheerilee, watching you intently, a sly smile affixed to her face >She nods, knowingly, at you, as if to say "way to go, slugger, keep it up" >You return the smile and nod back at her >You turn your gaze to look at the party >Twilight wasn't the only friend of Dash and Pinkie's here >The whole elements of harmony crew was in attendance >Fluttershy was even trying her hoof at pin the tail on the p0ny >She didn't do too well, but it seemed like it didn't matter to the others in attendance >They all clapped for her and cheered her on, despite her bashful expression when she failed >Strange...for once in your life, you didn't feel so alone all of a sudden >You had been here a little while, the p0nies had gotten used to having you, evening hiring you, but even then you had felt isolated, alone >You had felt that way almost your entire life >But here, now, in this party?  You almost didn't feel that way...almost as if you had finally breached some cultural divide...as if you finally had real friends, a real community... >A real...family... >You find yourself internally thanking Pinkie Pie for doing this for you >Thanking Twilight for pushing you to make amends >Thanking, aw hell, she deserved SOME credit, thanking Rainbow Dash for making sure you were in attendance today, and for making sure you were sober long enough for this party to have a reason to exist >Before you can decide to make these thank-yous external, you hear a familiar voice in your ear >"Psst!  Anon!" >Rainbow Dash of course >She whispers in your ear over the din of the festivities >"Back porch!  Come on, I've got something you'll like!" >Her earlier pent up aggression at you seems to have faded and she has a playful expression on her face as she flies off toward the back door >Hell, you can thank her out there >You drain your plastic cup full of punch and set it aside, moving carefully through the throng of multicolored equines until you reach the back door >After opening the heavy door, you step out onto the back porch and shut the door behind you >You turn to your right to find two seats with a small table between them, both chairs facing out towards the small yard behind the shop >Rainbow Dash occupies the chair furthest from you >She turns eagerly to face you as you approach, her playful smile still taking residence on her face >"Hey, you!  Enjoying the party?" >You chuckle as you gingerly place your rear in the too-small-for-you seat next to her "Well, I'm usually not one for parties...or socializing in general..." >You sigh as you ease back into the seat and turn to face her "But, I gotta admit, this has been pretty fun.  Pinkie sure knows how to throw a good party, doesn't she?" >Dash beams at you >"Heh, yeah.  She sure does" >She quickly takes a look around, as if watching out for prying eyes "Something wrong?" >"Oh no, no...just didn't want anyp0ny to see..." >She quickly reaches down below her seat and grabs a few objects before pulling them out for you to view >"THIS!" >Is that...oh, god... >A bottle of Jose Cuerhooves and two glasses >Tu corazón... >She giggles >"Well, whaddya say?  Let a girl buy you a drink?" >She waves them in your face >You suppress your desire to lunge for the bottle "R-Rainbow, ummm, you know I can't have that, right?" >She smirks >"As I recall, I'M the p0ny who said no alcohol, but..." >She talks while setting the glasses down on the small table between you two and uncapping the bottle >"I figured since you've been on such good behavior and all that, I should probably reward you with a little bit of the Cuerhooves" >She pours some of the tempting liquid into a glass and lifts it up, offering it to you >"And if you're worried about the party goers, don't be, none of them come out here when the festivities are in full swing" >You can almost feel yourself sweating as she dangles the tantalizing substance in front of your face >"It'll be just you and me, Anon...having a nice little drink, what's the harm in that?" >Well...it's not like you have to drink the whole bottle... >Ah, fuck it >You take the glass and down its contents >Oh...oh, your god...oh, your nonexistent, mass murder advocating god... >The familiar burn scorches your suddenly dry throat with a comforting warmth >It's been far too long... >"Whoa, whoa, Anon, take it easy!" >Dash laughs raucously and refills your glass >"You may be going off the wagon for just a bit, but that doesn't mean you have to go ALL the way off!" >She fills her own glass and takes a swig, letting out a contented "ahhh" before settling comfortably into her chair >You follow her example and just take a sip >Mmmmm, that's good "Heh, sorry, just got a little carried away" >She shrugs >"It's no biggie" >For about 10 minutes or so, you two sit peacefully together, watching the clouds go by, chatting casually, and of course, sipping on the delicious tequila Rainbow Dash had smuggled into the party >She's one sneaky chick, must've left while you were enjoying yourself to go fetch it >But you don't care about that right now >All you care about is that this feels so right >Kicking back at Sugarcube Corner on a beautiful Autumn day, drink in your hand, good conversation in your ear >You find the whole experience soothing and you relax your tired muscles >You feel like you could listen to Dash go on and on about meteorology for an age >In all honesty, you probably could...she's so damn great, isn't she? >As Dash finishes naming all the different cloud patterns currently in the sky, she sighs contentedly once again >She turns to face you, dopey smile affixed to her face >Heh, she was probably a little buzzed, p0nies' alcohol tolerance was way lower than yours considering the difference in body mass >"So, Anon, I hope you haven't hated the past week or so TOO much" >Truth be told, you had...at first >Then once you had knocked the rust off, built up some muscle mass and cardiac endurance...it hadn't been so bad >Not to mention, Rainbow hadn't been so bad either "Well, you know, I wasn't exactly psyched about your little proposition right off the bat" >Her expression remains unchanged, waiting for you to continue "But, hell, I got to admit, it hasn't been ALL bad" >"Oh?  What did you like about it?" >She turns her whole body in her chair to face you, studying your face intently "Well, uhh, oh!  For one, I had been long overdue for a good workout so that was nice" >Dash just "hmmms", nodding at your remark >"And what about your workout buddy?  I hope she hasn't been that much of a bother" >What is she getting at? >Her expression yields nothing for you to go on >An idea strikes you >Perhaps you could use this to your advantage >Tell her she's been a fucking saint and she's sure to let you be on her good side, thus reinforcing the town's faith in you altogether >Wait, come on, man, were you really going to stoop that low? >Up until now, you hadn't lied to her face that heavily before >Well, okay, your heart-felt apology back at your place over a week ago now might have been a perfect example of lying, but... >You look into her eyes >Those soft, rose colored eyes... >You see it now >She wanted your approval, she wanted you tell her she had been a good p0ny, a good friend >You couldn't lie so brazenly to those eyes, could you? >But...would it really be lying?  After all, you had enjoyed her company to some degree... >Sigh, one day off the wagon and you're feeling all soft and shit, what's happening to you, man? >In times like these, sometimes the best route, oddly enough, is honesty "Well, 'workout buddy'..." >You begin, tentatively "Working out with you..." >She tenses a little "It's been kind of fun, actually" >She perks up, some of her tension dissolving >"Really?" "Well, yeah...I mean, we both seem to get along alright, you know?  I'll tell my stupid jokes, you laugh at my stupid jokes, you seem to like my stories, we throw insults back and forth at each other without actually meaning it, and in the end we both just...I don't know...have fun together, I guess" >You take a swig from your glass "Does that make any sense at all, or am I just spouting nonsense over here?" >She turns from you to look out at the yard, a warm smile on her lips >"More than you know..." >Dash sets her drink down on the table and breathes heavily "You alright?" >She looks down at the floor "Dash?" >Quick as a whip, she launches from her seat and lands on all fours...on top of you >The action surprises you and you lean back in your seat >Her face is positioned right above yours, eying you with a smug grin >She begins to speak in a low, almost seductive tone >"Oh, I'm more than alright, Anon, but you've probably figured that out by now" >She lowers her hindquarters onto your crotch, her belly follows and she now lays prone across your form "Dash?  What are-" >"Come on, Anon, we're both adults here.  I think we can cut the crap" "Uhhh, no I'm okay with crap, I don't think we need to cut any-" >"Shhhh" >She whispers, pressing a hoof to your lips, silencing you >It isn't so much the hoof that's keeping you quiet >No, no it's those lovely half-lidded eyes >That beautiful smile >That multicolored mane that she playfully shakes out of her face >That toned, tight body that rubs itself sensually on your crotch >Holy fuck, Anon, snap out of it!  This was not part of the plan! >Do something!  Say something! >"Anon, when I started working out with you...do you know why I did it?" >Not really looking for an answer, she continues >"I wanted to find out more about you...to find out what made you tick...what kind of p0ny, or person, you were.  And what I found, I liked..." >She leans in close to your face, you're still paralyzed by her advances >"...a LOT" >Her voice is only a whisper now, but you can feel her breath on your lips >Almost instinctively, your lips begin to open, begging for another pair to embrace them >"Anon, when you kissed me...my body told me it was good...REALLY good...I've never been kissed like that in my life" >Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!  You're leaning towards her now!  Get out of there!  Abort!  Abort! >"I see now I should've listened to my body that day...but I had to make sure those perfect lips and tongue..." >She moves closer still, her lips playfully graze against yours >She whispers even quieter now >"Were attached to somep0ny that I could like being with...and you ARE, Anon, sweet Celestia, you are...and what's more..." >She wraps her forelegs around your neck >"I know you like being with me, too..." "R-Rain-" >Without waiting for you to finish, Dash slams her mouth against your stunned, gaping maw, eliciting a moan as her tongue fervently chases yours >The two muscles find each other and, oh god, they're dancing together again >Try as you might, you can't help yourself, she's kissing you and you, you weak bastard, are kissing her right back >Oh, you might have tried to fight on some other day, but this...this was too much >The party, the alcohol, the way Dash moved sensually against your body, all those weird feelings that you hadn't been able to chase from your mind since you two started hanging out... >All your reservations just took a long walk down a short pier >Your hands, as if on their own, fly from your side.  One grasps her back, the other weaves its fingers into her mane >"Mmmmmmm" >She moans appreciatively at your gesture as you pull her in, deeper and deeper into the kiss >This is wrong, this is really really really wrong >Your brain tells you this over and over again >Kissing Dash is what got you into this whole goddamn mess in the first place! >You were just supposed to be getting along with her, not tongue fucking her cake hole again! >Oh, the mind is willing, but the flesh is so very weak >Dash suddenly breaks the kiss, panting heavily >Her face has now taken on a wild, animalistic look >"Your place.  NOW" >Brain says no, boner says yes >Before your dick can inevitably win the argument, you hear a noise from near the door, which causes both of you to freeze >"Where is that old boy, Anon?!  I wanna shake that alien's hoof, er, hand!  Well, go on!  Where is he?" >"The back porch, I think" some p0ny answers the voice >Dash growls >"Oh, you've got to be bucking kidding me!" >As quickly as she had advanced on you, she now retreated back to her seat and stuffs the booze away, just as soon as the door to the house swings wide to reveal none other than the town's friendly bartender >"HEYYYY!  There he is!!  How ya doin', Anon!?  Nice to see ya out and about!" >The barkeep grabs your hand and shakes it quite violently, ignoring your flushed face and tented slacks >"Oh, and Rainbow Dash herself!  How the hay are ya, miss?!" >Dash manages a smile at the old p0ny >"I'm just fine, Horace, just fine" >That was the weird thing about this guy >In a world where it seems almost every sapient creature had some crazy ass name that either described them or their profession, this motherfucker was just...Horace >Not taps, or suds, or brewski >Just...Horace >If you could, you would name him oblivious, considering that any other idiot could have probably been able to tell that he had just interrupted a heated make out session >Not this guy, though "So, uh, Horace...how's it going, man?  Enjoying the party?" >"Oh, it's great, Anon, just great.  What I'm more excited about is the reason for this party, though!" >He reaches up with a hoof and ruffles your moused hair >You think you feel Rainbow Dash flinch a little at her work being screwed up >"Look at this young blood!  Crawls out of the bottle and starts actin' like an upstanding gent!  I'm proud of you, son, damn proud!" "Heh, thanks Horace" >"Now, uh, this whole 'sobriety' thing is temporary, right?  I mean, I'm still proud of ya, but I'd hate to lose my best customer to being a teetotaler is all" "Hey, don't worry, old timer.  I'm only sober for about 4 more days, I can't promise I'll still be your best customer after that, but I'll be back at the bar, don't you worry, right Dash?" >You turn around to see Rainbow Dash, still looking quite peeved at the intrusion >"Yeah, uh huh, sure, right back at the bar" >She states flatly >"Shit, stallion, that's great to hear; great to hear!  Whew, man you've had a busy week, huh?  Kicking the booze AND smoothing things over with this little firecracker?  You really outdone yourself, kiddo!  Why..." >He laughs loudly >"For a little while there I thought we were gonna have to run you out of town for what you did!" >Dash suddenly perks up >"Wait, what?" >Oh, fuck >Dash flies from her seat and parks her self right in front of the old bartender >"What did you say?" >Horace looks a little confused >"What?  You didn't hear?  Celestia's sake, miss Dash, you need to come down from the clouds every once in a while, see what's going on with us Earth P0nies" >Oh, fucking fuck, this isn't good >Up until now, Dash thought you were doing this whole thing for her, not for the town >Who knows what she might do if she gets the sense she'd been lied to >But fucking Horace just keeps going, the dipshit >"Why, this town was powerful angry at ol' Anon here.  You know...for embarrasin' you like he did...and uhm, maybe also for bein' a public nuisance with his excessive drinkin' and everything" >Rainbow's face was rapidly losing its color, her eyes widening >You have to save this somehow "Oh, come on, Horace, quit your joking!  It wasn't all that bad, right?" >He turns to face you and you wink, not subtly at all, several times at him >But, of course, the simple bartender doesn't catch your drift and continues to bury you >"The hay it wasn't that bad!  Shit, I thought we were gonna have another Zecora episode, or worse!  I don't know if you've ever seen p0nies when they get a hold of torches and pitchforks, but, hoo boy, it is NOT a pretty sight!" >Dash remains frozen in place, not moving, not blinking, not even breathing >"But luckily for all of us, that's in the past now!  Now that you've made amends with miss Dash here, I'm sure the rest of the town will follow suit" >He laughs again >"Gotta hoof it to ya, Anon, you sure know how to mend fences!  Pariah to favorite son in just over a week!  Good on ya, sonny!" >He laughs once more before taking a look at your mortified faces >His laughter fades to awkward chuckles >"Well, then...guess I'll head on back inside and let you two continue chatting...congrats again, Anon!" >And with that, the bastard is off >You turn your gaze to Dash, still frozen in shock "Soooo, uhh..." >You turn around and reach under her seat, grabbing the bottle and glasses "Looks like you could use a drink?  Heh..." >When you turn back around, Dash is staring daggers at you "Or not..." >Rainbow's voice finally comes, it's only a whisper >"You used me..." "Now, hold on Dash, let me explain..." >She lunges forward, grabbing the bottle from your hands and winding back to hit you with all her might >"YOU BUCKING USED ME, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!" >She swings and, luckily, in her rage misses your face entirely >It whisks through the air right above your ducked head >You stand quickly and back up several feet >"You weren't trying to make anything up to me!  All this talk about 'burying the hatchet' and 'mending fences'!  You were just trying to get the town off your back!" "Would you calm down a goddamn minute and let me explain?!" >"NO!  There's nothing to explain!  You LIED to me, Anon!  You lied to cover your ass, to stop the town from hating you!" >Dash is positively shaking with rage, tears are beginning to well up in her eyes >"I trusted you, Anon!  I thought...I thought you liked me!" >Her voice is beginning to catch in her throat, hiccups and sobs start to follow >"I thought you were different!  I...oh, Celestia...I bucking told you how I feel about you!  I kissed you!" >She glares again >"And you just sat there, lying to my face, and let me think you were interested in me!  How long were you planning to let this go, Anon?!  How bucking long, huh?!  Lying to me to get this stupid town to stop hating you is one thing, but had to try to fuck me too?!?" >You can't take anymore "Shut up! Shut up!  YOU were the one who came on to me, you stupid cunt!  YOU were the one who made my life miserable in the first fucking place, and YOU were the one who, because the geniuses in this town think you're so fucking great for some reason, forced me to play along with your stupid "workout buddies" bullshit!" >She freezes, tears streaming down her face, wings flapping slowly, hoof holding the bottle >She sniffs >"You think you know anything about misery?  About being betrayed?  You don't know the half of it, Anon...but I'm going to give you a taste" >Oh shit, what was that supposed to mean? >You brace yourself for any kind of attack she might launch at you >But instead, she opens the door to the house and flies inside >Oh, what fresh hell is this? >You hear Dash's voice from inside >"Cut the music!  I SAID CUT THE BUCKING MUSIC, PINKIE!" >Oh, no, oh no no no no >You follow after her quickly >When you get inside, you see Rainbow, flying above the crowd of interrupted party guests, drying her eyes and still holding the bottle >"I know you're all here today to celebrate Anon's sobriety...but this, this SHIT-FLINGER...!" >She points at you, causing the guests to look at you now >"...hasn't changed at all!  Just now, I caught him outside with THIS!" >She holds up the bottle for dramatic effect >The p0nies all gasp and look at you, demanding an answer "That's a fucking lie, you gave me that bottle!" >"Pssh, please!  Who are you all gonna believe?  Me, or that drunk monkey?" >Now that's a battle you know you're not gonna win >Before you can think up a retort some stallion in the crowd pipes up >"I knew it, I just knew it!  I knew this was way too good to be true!" >He pushes through the crown of stunned p0nies and points a hoof in your face, you recognize him as being one of the p0nies who had eyed you warily during the party >"This alien monkey has been nothing but trouble since he got here!" >He wheels back around to the crowd >"He's been drunk as a fish every single day!  And all our lives have been worse for it!  Passing out in Daisy's flower garden, puking on the sidewalk, throwing rocks at windmills...!" >Shit, those were windmills?  You were so drunk you had thought they were giant monsters... >..."He even insulted my poor old grand mother just for looking at him!  And if that doesn't beat all, he humiliates our beloved Rainbow Dash, element of loyalty, and THEN dupes her into hanging out with him!" >He wheels back around to you >"Sobriety, my ass!  This one ain't changed and he ain't ever gonna change!" >Before you can put this uppity bitch in his place, he turns around and marches out of the shop >Several p0nies follow in a huff >"Now, wait a second, hang on everyp0ny" >Horace speaks up in your defense >"I was just out there on the porch, and I didn't see Anon with that bottle of booze at all!' >"Oh, can it, Horace!" >A mare from town, you can't remember her name, snaps at the old bartender >"You're just trying to defend your best customer!  You're partly responsible for all this you know!  Giving that monkey drinks all the damn time!  You probably gave him that bottle right there!" >"What?  No!  I didn't, I swear!" >Horace begins backing into a corner, several of the p0nies begin advancing on him angrily >The poor old stallion is shaking, it looks like he's about to cry >"C-c-come on, guys!  It's me, Horace!  Y-you know I wouldn't give a stallion booze were he on the wagon!" >Oh, fuck no >You are not about to stand by and watch as an old p0ny is ganged up on >Just before you can spring into action, a voice calls out above the din >"ENOUGH!" >A deafening boom and a blinding purple light blast throughout the tiny shop >When everyone inside recovers from the sudden loss of hearing and sight, you all turn to look at the culprit >Twilight stands on a table now, her horn still smoking >"Party's over!  Everyp0ny out, NOW!" >The guests comply, still grumbling to themselves about how much of a piece of shit they thought you were >Horace quickly makes his escape out the back door >You are suddenly bumped roughly as a stallion passes you >"You better watch your step, shit-flinger..." >A couple of other stallions pass by as well, the same menacing gaze is pointed in your direction >When the dust settles, it's just you, Rarity, Applejack, Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie in the fetal position in the corner... >"What a horrible, horrible party...p-parties are supposed to be fun..." >And... >Fucking >Rainbow >Dash >Still hovering in that same spot, staring you down >She drops the bottle and lets it smash on the hardwood floor >"Are you beginning to see, Anon?  Are you beginning to see what it's like to be betrayed?!  To be humiliated?!  Because that's what you did to me!!" >There are no words, just... >Rage >You scream in your frustration and lunge toward her >A purple force field pops up in your path and you slam into it >You smash it angrily with your fists "I'LL KILL YOU!!  I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU YOU LITTLE BITCH!!" >She sniffs, eyes beginning to fill with tears again >"I loved you, Anon!  I loved you so, so much!  And you betrayed me, used me!" >Her words don't register >Everything is a blur >You wildly flail against the force field, letting all your rage, all your frustration be unleashed on that purple, translucent wall "NYAAAAAAA!!! AAAAAAA!!" >All the lies, all the going along to get along, all the game playing... >Destroyed in a matter of seconds by one pissed off p0ny and a town that hated you anyway >You wind up for one last punch but something suddenly impacts your chest >Hard >You fly backwards several feet and strike your head on the wall behind you >That takes the fight out of you pretty quick and you slump down to the floor >Raising your head, you see two things >Thing A:  Twilight's horn, smoldering once again >Shit, did she do that? >Thing B:  Rainbow Dash, still hovering in one spot, her head lowered, tears hitting the floor below her >She's just repeating the same thing over and over again: >"I loved you, I loved you, I loved you..." "You stupid bitch...you think you're the only one?" >She raises her head suddenly to look at you >Say it >No, you're not going to say it, it's not true >Say it >No!  It's not fucking true!  She's an evil, heartless cunt! >Stop denying it, say it >No! >Say it! "I loved you too, you fucking idiot!" >Her face turns from sadness to shock >Goddamn it, why did you say it? >But...it was true... >You realize it now >It wasn't the party, it wasn't the alcohol, it wasn't the good mood that working out had put you in that had kept you in your chair, letting her kiss you >Kissing her back >Somewhere along the way you had stopped acting like you had forgiven her >Somewhere along the way you had fallen in stupid, STUPID love with this horrible person >She had got you, like no one else had >Made you laugh, listened to you, teased you, pushed you to be better... >Even got you to quit the booze and not want to kill yourself, no one had been able to do that >But now... >Now that was all gone up in smoke >Before the two of you can saying anything, Twilight rushes up to you >She grabs your head and yanks it forward, examining the back of your dome "Ow!" >"Quiet!  Okay...looks like you'll be fine..." >Fine?  Oh, you're fucking FAR from fine right now >"Come on, Anon.  We've got to get you out of here.  My place should do for now" >You open your mouth >"Don't even THINK about protesting, if you care about your own safety at all, then we are leaving RIGHT NOW!" >You turn to look at Dash >Still hovering, still shocked, and still crying >Bitch >You turn back to Twilight "Okay..." >She fires up her horn >The glow envelopes you both suddenly >You feel a pulling, tearing sensation >Oh Shit, she's going to teleport you out of here >"Anon..." >Rainbow manages you get out one last word before you're whisked out of the shop --------------------------------------------------- >You are Rainbow Dash >And...you bucked up >Really, REALLY bad >Anon loved you? >Was that even possible? >But he was a bucking user!  He betrayed you! >S-So you got him back, right? >You should feel good now, right? >Right?! >But you don't, you feel awful >If there was even a chance that Anonymous had loved you... >You sniffle and wipe the tears from your eyes >You look down to spot the wreckage that had once been the bottle of Jose Cuerhooves and its contents on the floor below you "Oh, dammit..." >You wipe your eyes again "I'm...I'm sorry Pinkie, I'll clean that up" >You turn to face your friends >But, they aren't looking too friendly right now >Rarity, Applejack...even Fluttershy...they're all staring daggers at you "L-look, guys..." >Applejack interrupts you >"Ya know what?!  Save it, just bucking save it, Dash!  Ah have had just about enough of you and your attitude towards Anonymous!  These past few days he's done nothin' but try and be friendly to ya, and you just spat in his damn face!" >No!  No it wasn't like that! "Oh yeah!?  Did you know about all of this?  Did you know that he was just using me to get Ponyville not to be mad at him anymore?  That he didn't care about mending fences at all?  That he didn't care about ME at all?!" >Applejack stays silent "Well, did you?!?" >Rarity butts in >"Only because you didn't give him a choice, Rainbow Dash!  The whole town was going to treat him like a pariah or worse!  All because you had to goad Anonymous since you met him, then get all in a huff over one little kiss!" >Pinkie's turn >"Yeah!  And you lied about that bottle of Jose Cuerhooves!  I saw you sneak that in...and what's more..." >She looks around the empty room, tears welling up in her eyes >"You ruined Nonny's party!  I don't know if that's a crime, but it should be!" >You can't believe this...these are your friends!  They're supposed to have your bucking back! "Girls, if you all wanted Anonymous and me to get over our differences, if you all wanted the town to stop hating him..." >You feel your anger boiling "Then why didn't you bucking tell me that THAT was the reason Anonymous wanted to be friends with me?!  Why didn't HE tell me that was the reason instead of lying to my face all this time?!" >The girls can't meet your gaze all of a sudden >You groan "You guys do this kind of shit to me all the time!  Remember 'Mare do Well'?  You guys could have just TOLD me I was being an ass, but NOOOO, you all had to go and lie to me and humiliate me and make me feel like dirt, just like bucking Anon did!!" >You are shouting now "It's like you all think I'm some kind of child who can't handle having the truth told to her!" >A moment of silence passes between you >A low, quiet voice suddenly speaks up >"Because you CAN'T, Rainbow Dash..." >You turn to see...Fluttershy? >And she's fixed you with quite an angry stare "What did you say to me?" >"I said, you CAN'T handle having the hard, honest truth being told to you!" >You can't believe your eyes, ol' Flutter-scared is glaring at you >Her legs aren't shaking >She's not stuttering >She's even raising her voice "Fluttershy, if you've got something to say to me, you better say it, 'cause I'm all ears" >You growl as you plop to the ground and march right up to her face >Your assault doesn't deter her, she's still standing her ground >"This is exactly what happened with Sky..." "Don't you bucking..." >"WITH SKY LANCE!  SKY LANCE!  SKY LANCE!" >Fluttershy's shouting makes you pull back a little >"Don't tell me to shut up about that anymore, Dash!  Don't bucking tell me to shut up at all!" "Geez, Fluttershy...take it easy" >"No!" >She takes a few deep breaths before continuing >"Back when you were with that...monster...I tried telling you he was no good, over and over again!  I wasn't the only one either, if you remember!  But you wouldn't believe anyp0ny else!  You couldn't!  You were faced time and time again by the truth and you wouldn't believe it!" >She's on the assault now >Fluttershy slowly walks towards you, forcing you to back up, shakily >"Oh, and you wanna talk about users?!  Like Sky Lance used you!?  Like your dad did?!  If you wanna see a user, Dash, all you have to do is look in the mirror!" >You stop walking backwards, this bitch had just pushed your last button "Don't you DARE compare me to them..." >"I SAW you out there on the porch, Dash, I heard everything you and Anon said!  And what did you do the minute Anon didn't turn out to be your oh so special somep0ny?  What did you as soon as he stopped being absolutely everything you need to fix your miserable, stallion hating, life?!  You bucking turned on him and threw him to the wolves!!  That's what your dad did to you, that's what Sky Lance did to you, and THAT'S what being a MOTHERBUCKING USER IS!!!" >Her screaming finally relents and she lowers her head, panting heavily >Silence hangs over the room >You can feel the tears beginning to fall from your eyes >No...oh, Celestia no... >She couldn't be right, you weren't like them >Oh, no no no no no, you weren't >You weren't, you weren't, you weren't!! >Fluttershy finally raises her head, tears were also starting to stream out of her eyes >Her voice comes to her >It's the same voice you remember from all your years spent together >The same quiet, calm voice >But now...now it's marked with sobs >"And until you figure that out...until you figure out how to face the truth and how to fix yourself..." >She sobs >"...Then I can't be your friend anymore!" >She turns tail and runs out of the shop, crying >You turn to face the other 3 girls >You want to say something to them, anything really >But nothing comes out of your shock-stricken face >"Come on, ya'll, Ah don't think ah can be friends with her neither..." >The other two huff in agreement >Please, voice, come back, come back... >It doesn't come back...and they walk out of the shop, and out of your life... "No...(sob)...girls..." >It's too late, they're gone "(hiccup)...don't leave me (hiccup) alone..." >Everything is crumbling, your head is spinning and your rump falls flat on the hardwood "Anon...(sob)...please, come back...Anon...An-" >You can't do it, you just can't hold it back anymore >You fall on your face and weep pitifully into the floor >Your long, loud cries ring throughout the empty shop >Cries of "Anon" are the only intelligible words that come out of you >As you cry and cry, it all comes back to you in a wave >Dad >Sky Lance >Rainbow Dash... >All users, all pathetic wastes of life >There you weep, entombed in your own misery before your cries begin to die down >Before you finally tire yourself out...and sleep takes a hold of you... >You dream about Anon >He's smiling that wonderful smile and you feel happy again >But a black void comes and swallows him whole and you can't reach him, no matter how hard you try ------------------------------------------ >You are Anon >And teleporting sucks, as you now know >Oh, sure it could've gone way, way worse >You could've ended up inside a wall or just...inside out... >You shudder, maybe you shouldn't have watched so much Star Trek back home >But Equestrian teleporing?  Yeah, apparently that shit just makes you vomit >Like all over Twilight's floor >After she had finished retching, Twilight had muttered something about how this was such a wasted opportunity to explore teleporting creatures from another dimension or whatever >Science shit wasn't exactly your top priority right now, as Twilight was explaining to you "I don't really want to hear about "top priorities", Twilight" >You growl as you mop up your puke "I just want to go home and forget this whole day ever happened" >Twilight slams the cabinet shut that she had been searching and turns back around to face you >She's...looking pretty pissed >And it's probably only partly about the vomit >She grits her teeth >"Okay, Anonymous, let me put this in a language you'll understand.  You have got to get the FUCK out of Ponyville right FUCKING now!" >Cute little p0nies saying the f-word?  It was funnier than you'd like to admit, but Twilight looked like she was about to set you on fire so you suppressed your laughter >"This town is about to go fucking crazy on you, so no, you can't fucking go home and you can't fucking stay here!" "Alright alright, shit, I get the message, take it easy!" >She lets out the breath she had been holding and goes back to searching the cabinets "What are you looking for anyway?" >"Train schedule, I know I have it here somewhere..." "Train schedule...do I really have to go that far away?" >"Preferably, yeah"  Twilight states, still rummaging through her various file cabinets "What...what am I supposed to do?  Where am I supposed to go?" >She stops rummaging and sighs before giving you a comforting smile >"I'm not going to hang you out to dry, Anon.  Once I find the train schedule, I'll gather up some bits for you and draft a letter to the Princess, explaining your plight.  She'll house you and you can use the bits for any thing you may require outside the castle" >You were going to be staying in a castle?  Swanky "Can't we just head down to the train station and get a schedule there?" >She frowns >To be honest, I really don't want to leave you alone and I really don't want to head out of here before we absolutely have to" >She motions to the window, before returning to her search >"You'll be safe here, for the moment, I can protect the house with a force field if needed" >A thought occurs to you "You can't send Spike to go get the schedule?" >"Royal Errand, won't be back for three days" >Damn, little guy was always absent when you needed him >You sigh as you mop up more of your puke "Am I ever going to be able to come back here again?" >Twilight finishes searching the file cabinet and turns to face you again >"Look, Anon...I know things seem really bad right now, but give it some time, I'll get them to come around...well, I'll give it my best shot..." "And if you can't?" >She breaks eye contact and hurries over to search a new file cabinet >Thought so >You finish the glorious puke mopping adventure and Twilight finishes searching her file cabinets >"Dammit!  Not here either.  Put that away will you?  I'm going to take a look upstairs" >She hurries up the steps while you move the mop and bucket to... >Wait, where the hell is the mop closet? >You decide to try the closest door in your field of vision >You open it and...nyoh my god... >This >This is where Twilight's been hiding all your fucking booze >It's all stacked neatly in the back of the closet...just sitting there...waiting... >A very, very irresponsible thought occurs to you >On one hand, you could take up Twilight's offer and go live in the swanky castle until all this shit got sorted out >But Twilight probably wouldn't let you take the booze >And they probably didn't like drunks at the castle... >On the other hand, you could just snatch this shit while Twilight was upstairs and head to the train station yourself to find some other town to head to >Twilight probably wouldn't like it if you did that >But then again, this was YOUR booze, she didn't have any right to keep it from you!  Especially now! >And you might have to stay at the castle forever, or at least until they got tired of you and kicked you out of there as well >Then not only would you NOT be a castle, but you wouldn't have your copious stores of alcohol either! >Fuck it >You spot a large burlap sack in the corner of the closet >Without hesitation, you grab the bag and begin stuffing it with alcohol >Finally you see him >Flask buddy! >You reach to pick him up and then stop >What would flask buddy think of you, man?  Snatching all your booze back and then skipping town?  That's just low >Then again, you are a grown ass man, about to be kicked out a town filled with cute pastel horses that are half your size >You can't get much lower than that >Flask buddy will just have to get over it, you think to yourself as you stuff him in your pocket >You hoist the bag over your shoulder and make your way to the door >It was surprisingly easy to lift, guess all that time working out with... >Your blood runs cold >No, you aren't even going to do her the courtesy of thinking about her...ever >You open the door slowly and peer out >No one >Perfect >You feel one last pang of guilt and look back over your shoulder >Twilight had been really nice to you, more than you had deserved, and now here you were, leaving her without so much as a goodbye, not knowing if you'll ever see her again >You sigh and glance up the stairs >You can still hear the faint sound of her rifling through papers and drawers "Thanks for everything, Twilight...May we meet again on a happier day" >You take one more glance out into the street and then dart off into the cool, evening air   End of Chapter 7