Lumen!
>You yell, hand outstretched in front of you.
>Yet Twilight’s basement remains unlit.
>The purple unicorn sits in the corner shaking her head, then returning to her book, flipping through the pages.
>You glance at your hand, get in position once more, and try again.
Lumen!
>The same result.
Hmm…
>You exhale, bringing your hand back to your body.
>”This doesn’t make any sense…” Twilight mutters, still trying to locate her page.
>You walk over to her, glancing over her shoulder.
>”…aha, here we go! Lumen!” she scans the spell quickly.
>Her face quickly contorts to that of confusion.
>”Oh, Anon…” she says surprised.
>You walk around her to get a better view of the page.
>After a quick scan, you pick the book up yourself and read over the lines studiously as you walk back to your practice position.
>You mutter a few things to yourself, then glance up and focus.
>You stretch your arm straight up, like a beacon, and keep your fingers together on your palm.
Lumen!
>A brief, dull light spits and sputters from your hand for a short time, then ceases.
>Twilight exhales a soft breath.
>”Oh…”
>You walk back over and drop the book in front of her.
>She’s already made the same realization about last night.
…I wasn’t even in the proper position.
>She nods at you.
>”But… that makes no sense…”
>She levitates the book to her as you two begin to exit the basement.
>”How were you able to cast them then? You can’t just make up spells.”
>You shake your head.
No, I can’t. And that’s what’s so perplexing.
>You walk to your room, as Twilight flips open the book back to the spell.
>”Well, maybe you… I mean… sometimes, if a p0ny knows the BASICS of a spell, he or she can—“
>You stop her, then crouch down, pointing to a phrase on the page.
>Class Two Combat Spell.
I’ve never once practiced any Class Twos.
>You get back up and grab your blade, fastening it to your belt.
>Twilight sighs, then closes the book for good.
>”Maybe you have a natural gift?”
>You laugh softly to yourself.
I don’t think anyone has the gift to make up spells on the fly, Twilight.
>You glance to the many spellbooks lining the walls of your room.
Must have been some… mistake.
>The air is still and silent in your room.
>Twilight shuffles awkwardly, then nods.
>You look back to her.
>…things have gotten a little serious.
>So you try to break the tension with a smile.
>She sees this.
>And smiles back awkwardly.
Please,
>You begin,
take note of those spells if you can, Twilight.
>You begin walking out of your room.
When we begin practicing Class Twos, I want those to be the first.
>She nods.
>”Okay, Anon.”
>You smile briefly at her.
Thanks, Twilight.
>You look to the door.
I’m… going to see Fluttershy for a bit, is that okay?
>She trots over with a solemn expression.
>”Is… it about Mr. Bear?”
>You grip the doorknob.
…Yeah.
>She slowly nods her head.
>”…Okay, Anon. Please be careful.”
>You smile to her.
Always.
>This cheers her up.
>You twist the knob and step out into the late morning air.
>The sun sits almost perfectly high in the sky as you walk through town, hand firmly on the hilt of your sword.
>The p0nies outside begin to stare, and soon after, the murmurs begin once more.
>You try not to pay attention, but you can hear a few words thrown around.
>”Bear” seems to be one of them.
>You sigh internally.
>How quickly do things get around in this town?
>Thankfully, no mares run up to you and start conversation this time.
>You’re not really in the mood to deal with such things anyway.
>Something’s been on your mind since last night.
>You aren’t sure what, really.
>You’re hoping a trip to Fluttershy’s can answer some questions, or, at least, put your mind at ease.
>You turn down the path towards her cottage once more.
>Again, the birds and animals play cheerfully, giving an air of lightheartedness to the atmosphere.
>…then why do you feel such a sense of dread?
>The path winds, and all manner of squirrels, beavers, and birds take notice of you approaching and dart out of the way.
>Up the path ahead, right before the entrance to the cottage is—
>!
>You swing your hand to your left side and draw your blade.
>Mr. Bear hears this sound and spins around.
>He takes notice of your aggressive stance.
>He lifts his paws up in front of him and shakes them side-to-side rapidly while simultaneously shaking his head.
>…No?
>You lower your sword, keeping it drawn just in case, and approach the beast.
>As you get close, he looks to the ground and scratches his arm.
>He growls a melancholic noise, looking up to you with sad eyes.
>You gaze deeply into the once-fierce pupils of Mr. Bear.
>The anger is gone…
>…you think you understand.
>You smile, and lift your blade to your side, sheathing it.
It’s okay, Mr. Bear.
>You say, holding out your hand to shake.
>His ears pop right up and a huge smile graces his face.
>He opens his arms wide and pulls you in to a back-crushing bear hug, swishing you side to side as he shows his affection.
Oof! WHOA there, big guy!
>You say, patting him on the back as if you were tapping out.
>He groans an apologetic groan and places you back onto the ground, smiling.
>You smile awkwardly at the sentient beast.
>A door creaking open catches your attention.
 
>You are now Fluttershy.
>You heard Mr. Bear growling and groaning, so you decided to step outside and see what the commotion was this time.
O-Oh…
>You mutter as your eyes lock to the tall human with your beastly friend.
>He takes notice of you as well.
>”Miss Fluttershy,” he says, beginning to walk over.
>He pats Mr. Bear on the shoulder twice as he passes him, the large animal smiling and groaning happily as he does.
>He walks up your steps and bows courteously.
>”Forgive me for my unannounced visit, but there are a few things I wish to discuss with you.”
>You cross your hind legs a bit and nod.
Of course, Anonymous…
>You lean back into your door, opening it, and guiding him inside with a hoof.
>He smiles and nods, as if to thank you, and steps inside.
>You watch him from behind as he walks further into your house.
>Oh, my… that plot…
>You… just want to grab him and—
>”I see your home has been fixed,” he says. He guides his hand, pointing behind you. “Even the door. That’s great to see.”
>You mentally shake your head and smile.
Y-Yes, Mr. Bear was kind enough to fix everything once he c-came to…
>He nods with a smile.
>He’s so handsome…
>With his cape… and clothes… you just want to tear them off and—
>”Anyway, Miss Fluttershy, Mr. Bear is actually the reason for my visit.”
>You snap to it once more.
>What is wrong with you?
O-Oh, okay...
>You motion him to the couch, and he takes a seat.
>You sit down next to him.
>He opens his mouth, then pauses a moment, as if to think more, then continues.
>”...You were face-to-face with Mr. Bear before I came out, right?”
>You nod slowly.
>”…Mr. Bear is never like that, correct?”
>You pause, then shake your head.
N-No…
>You’re finding it hard to concentrate.
He’s always… so peaceful.
>He nods, then looks away.
>You continue staring at him.
>Anonymous wears clothes all the time… how strange…
>What’s he hiding under there…?
>You want to reach over and… take a peek…
>Just a little one…
>A… forceful one.
>You doubt he’ll even—
>”Miss Fluttershy?”
>You blink a few times, then meet his gaze.
>Your foreleg is reaching over toward him.
>”What are you…?”
Nothing!
>You blurt, darting your leg back to you.
>Anonymous looks over to you questioningly.
>Then lets out a single, breathy laugh.
>It’s even accompanied by an awkward smile.
>So cute…
>”Well… as I was saying…”
>The smile wipes from his face.
>”I’ve never seen a creature with that… expression.”
>He looks to you.
>”You got a look into his eyes, correct?”
>You turn your head and gaze to the ground.
>You think back…
>…the terrifying, bloodshot, red-hot rage that seethed behind those eyes.
>It was… so unlike Mr. Bear…
Yes…
>He shifts a little in his seat and nods.
>”I see.”
>You turn to him.
But… but he’s better now! You saw him, right?
>He looks over to you, then gazes out your window.
>Mr. Bear happily jumps up at a bee’s next sitting in a tree.
>Anonymous smiles.
>”It would seem that way, yes.”
>You smile as well.
>”But his actions… they still worry me.”
>He lifts up his leg and rests it on top of his other, forming a sort of “T” with them.
>”I suppose it is none of my business, however. If you’re sure he’s normally so calm, and feel fine living with him, then there’s nothing I can do.”
>He looks over to you and smiles.
>”I’m just worried for your safety, Miss. That’s all.”
>You can feel the area between your legs moisten at these words.
>You hope you aren’t making a mess or anything.
I…I…
>You blush profusely.
…Thank you, Anonymous…
>He laughs a little and smiles again.
I don’t know what it was about, but I’m sure it’ll never happen again.
>He nods.
>”If you believe so,” he says, rising from your couch. “But if it ever happens again, or anything similar… you know where to find me.”
>You smile bashfully.
Th-Thank you…
>He nods happily.
>And with that, he takes his leave.
>Suddenly, a flash of emotion courses through you.
>It’s there for a split second, almost acted upon, before it vanishes.
>It almost causes you to vocally gasp, but you catch yourself.
>Anonymous notices nothing, opens the door, turns back to you, and smiles.
>”Good day, Miss.”
>And closes the door.
>You sit, dumbfounded.
>Your private area tingling and winking.
>What… was that…?
>You hop off the couch to your feet and pace around a bit.
>It’s like… you wanted to… pin him against the wall or something…
>And…
>…oh, my…
>You shake your head as if to free the desires from your mind.
>You remember feeling this way last night too.
>But… you just attributed it to the alcohol…
>What’s… going on…?
>And why do you… like it so much?
 
>You are now Anonymous.
>And the weight in your chest has been lifted… slightly.
>You grip the sheathe of your sword as you stroll back into town.
>Fluttershy knows her animals better than anyone, you suppose.
>Perhaps the bear was just angry about something.
>…very angry.
>…that’s what still bothers you.
>But hey, he even apologized to you and gave you an authentic bear hug.
>You smile, thinking about it.
>It was… kind of sweet.
>You’d still like to keep an eye on the area though…
>…
>…wow, look at you, still a trainee, and already thinking about guarding the people.
>You laugh to yourself as you walk.
>Maybe you’re overreacting…
>You bring your eyes up from the road below.
>Twilight’s library stands before you.
>You grip the handle and push, opening the door and letting yourself into the cool place of study.
Hello, I’m back.
>You call.
>Galloping hooves sound off incredibly fast.
>Twilight flies around the corner and screeches to a halt before you.
>She looks incredibly excited.
>”ANON!” she cries.
>You look to her with a perplexed expression.
>”You didn’t tell me my BROTHER was your blade instructor!”
>…what?
What…?
>How is this relevant?
>The sound of more approaching hooves grabs your attention.
>”Being the knucklehead he is, he probably forgot to mention it!”
>You dart your head up.
>Sir Shining Armor stands by the corner, looking at you with a smile on his face.
>Your heart skips a beat.
S-Sir Shining Armor!
>You rapidly approach him, drop a knee, and bow your head.
>He laughs.
>”Get up, you clod!”
>He playfully punches your shoulder.
>You can hear Twilight giggle behind you.
>You smile and blush a little before standing back to your feet.
S-Sir, what are you doing here?
>He laughs again, Twilight joining him by his side.
>”I found myself with some time off, thought I’d stop by to see how my favorite student and little sister are doing.”
>He drives his hoof onto Twilight’s head, rubbing it back and forth like a noogie.
>Twilight screams a playful laugh and pushes his hoof away, a broad smile on her face.
>Shining Armor turns to you again.
>”So, I hear you’ve already made quite a name for yourself around here.”
>He begins pacing around you.
>”Alpha timberwolf AND a bear, huh? You’re a regular hero, aren’t you?”
>You laugh, knowing very well he’s just being facetious.
Well, the bear was a fluke, that’s for sure.
>He shakes his head.
>”Naah! No way! Twily told me all about it, I bet you just invented those spells on the fly!”
>You laugh again.
Sir, you know that’s impossible.
>He shakes his head with a smile.
>”No way, man! I do it all the time!”
>He snickers.
>”For example, I’m going to cast my Damn-You-To-Tartarus spell right now unless you get outside and show me what you got!”
>He draws his blade with his magic.
>You let out a few breathy laughs.
Sir, it’s barely been a day!
>”Ah-ah-ah!”
>He flips his sword around and presses the hilt into your back, leading you out the door.
>”Blade training waits for nop0ny! Let’s go!”
>You look over to Twilight, who’s playfully giggling at her brother’s antics.
>You smile wide.
Alright, alright!
>You draw your sword, still being led outside.
We’ll go, we’ll go!
 
>The sound of clashing steel is so loud you’re surprised more p0nies haven’t stepped outside to see what the noise is all about.
>Shining Armor’s blade levitates around him, then strikes to the side.
>You bring your sword across your body to meet it, successfully blocking his attack.
>He recoils his weapon, then drives it straight for you.
>You swing your own down from its position and swat the incoming attack away from you.
>The levitating blade drives itself up once more, then careens from the right.
>You bring your sword up to defend.
>But just as you do, the blade takes to the air a bit, jumping your defense, and swinging to the other side.
>You aren’t quick enough, and the sword drives rapidly to your neck, stopping just short of it.
>You let out a sigh.
>”Come on, Anonymous,” Shining Armor says with semi-joking disappointment.
>You lower your blade to your side.
>”Tell me, man. Where were you looking?”
>Oh, you hate this question…
Well, I—
>”What were you looking at?”
>You sigh.
…your sword.
>He smirks.
>”Thought so. Now where SHOULD you be looking?”
>You smile a little, knowing he isn’t completely upset.
Your head.
>Shining Armor levitates his blade close to him.
>”Good! Come on, man. Always look at the head.”
>He brings his sword up to the sky, then swings it left and right as an example.
>”Any unicorn has gotta telegraph his swing by juuust a fraction of a second with his horn before the blade goes that way. Come on, you know this, right?”
>You laugh.
Yes, Sir, I know this.
>He brings the blade back to him.
>”You’re in a unique position, because your sword will ALWAYS be right with you since you hold it with your hand.”
>He taps your arm with the flat side of his blade.
>”You’re always ready to defend. If you can master reading a unicorn’s head movements, then you should be an unstoppable wall. Got it?”
>You nod your head.
I got it.
>He smiles.
>”Good. Alright then, one more time.”
>You bring your sword to a ready position once more.
>The sounds of steel clanging start up once more.
>Twilight happily watches as her brother and good friend spar in front of her.
 
>You are now Fluttershy.
>And the aggressive feelings you’ve been experiencing are still niggling away at your mind.
>You scrub a dish as you think about it.
>Normally, you’d never think of forcing yourself on anyp0ny…
>…But…
>It… just feels so right…
>You place the dish down into the soapy water and sigh.
>When did this start happening…?
>…
>”Fluttershy…”
>You hear your name softly, as if it was being carried by the wind calmly by your ear.
>It snaps you to attention.
Who…?
>You look behind you.
>Your cottage is empty.
>…
>You swore…
>…
>”Fluttershy…” you hear again.
Who’s there?
>You blurt out almost instinctively.
>…
>A warm feeling envelops you.
>It seeps around your body, and settles into your chest.
>It’s a good feeling…
>It’s… pulling…
>You step slowly, first out of your kitchen, then, out of your house.
>You walk out and around your cottage.
> Toward the forest.
>You barely notice Mr. Bear, roaring loudly at the bee’s nest above him, swiping his claws over and over at the base of the tree.
>You step into the dark entrance of the Everfree Forest.
>Fear soon starts to take you.
>But this feeling…
>This… guidance.
>You need to follow it through.
>You go off the path, through the trees and tangled growths that are set before you.
>Until you reach a hill.
>It climbs up slowly, for only a little while, until it levels back off.
>A cave rests at the top of it.
>This… this is where you need to go.
>You’re shaking, but with what little courage you can muster, you plant a hoof into the cave and shuffle your way in.
>A deep exhale is heard from beyond the darkness.
>”Ah, my dear Fluttershy… I’m so glad you could make it.”
>You freeze up, letting loose a small “eep.”
>Laughter reverberates through the cave.
>It’s… unsettling.
>”Fluttershy, please… there is no reason to be afraid.”
>You’re shaking.
…Who… who a-are y-you…?
>You can hear the heavy sound of breathing from beyond your field of vision.
>”I am… a friend…” the voice says.
>Its voice is deep and commanding, yet, at the same time, so soothing to your ears.
>It almost makes you relax a little.
>”I’ve been watching you for some time now, my dear Fluttershy…”
>You raise your head to this statement.
Wh…what…?
>”Yes… yes… from beyond the sights of those in P0nyville, I’ve kept an eye on you. Fluttershy… I am most impressed by your capabilities.”
>You look to the ground, tears almost forming in your eyes.
>But you’re too scared to move.
Wh-What ca-capabilities…?
>It exhales deeply.
>”…you are a caretaker, are you not…?”
>You don’t avert your eyes.
Y-Yes…
>”Ahh…” it releases, as if satisfied. ”Perfect. Exactly what I wanted to hear, my dear…”
>You scrape the ground with your hoof.
>”As it just so happens, I am… in need of a skilled caretaker.”
>You look to the darkness beyond the mouth of the cave,
D-Do you… have a-a-animals…?
>”No, my dear, not for animals… a caretaker for me.
>It pauses to breathe.
>”You see, I am just coming back to this world now. You could say that I was… gone a while.”
>You stay silent.
>”I find my personal strength is… quite lacking, for what it’s worth. And I need someone to help me back on my feet… do you understand?”
>You nod slowly.
I-I th-think so… b-but… why me…?
>”My dear, you are the only one capable…
>You shake a little more, your mind and heart unsettled.
A-Are you… a… bad creature…?
>Deep laughter echoes.
>”Fluttershy, would a bad creature ever have bestowed upon you and your friends the gifts that I have?”
>…you’re shocked.
>What gifts…?
Gifts…?
>A deep rumble growls beyond the darkness.
>”Of course… I am blessed with the ability to… lend my power, let’s say… as I see fit.”
>You don’t say anything.
>”Your bear friend seemed to enjoy my gift…”
>Your eyes shrink and your mouth gapes.
Wh-What did you do to Mr. Bear?!
>”I only gave him what he wanted. I was only… helping…”
>What he wanted…?
>”I can see right through that beast. Tea parties, manners, friendly get-togethers… when can a bear just act like a bear…?”
I… I…
>”Oh he may not have realized it, but he wanted that. He wanted it, and so I gave it. For him. For… you.”
>You shuffle in place.
But… but he attacked my friends!
>”Ah, yes, most unfortunate. However, that was his doing, not mine.”
>It pauses for a moment.
>”You should be thankful I spared his life and stopped him when I did.”
>You furl your brow.
Y-You didn’t do anything… Anonymous is the one who stopped Mr. Bear… he used his magic…
>”You know nothing of magic, do you Fluttershy?” Deep, disturbing laughter echoes throughout the cave once more. ”I suppose if the boy thinks that power was his alone, I doubt he does much either.”
>You look to the ground and whimper.
>”The power to stop the bear when necessary was my own… I had no desire to assist that human, nor do I any further. It was all… for you.”
>You look up from the ground.
>”You can bet that human boy would have fried that creature with magic if it was his only option…”
>You can feel tears well in your eyes once more.
>”Fear not, dear Fluttershy… the bear is important to you, is he not? And so… I spared him…”
>A drop  of water falls to the cave floor from your eye.
>”Speaking of that human boy…”
>This grabs your attention.
>”I can feel it… your most… primal desires for him…”
>Shock rings through you.
>You think you may feel yourself blushing.
>”Yes, I felt those too… and so, I thought I’d… assist you with that as well. Or, at least, give you just a taste…”
>The blood in your veins freeze.
S-So… what I was feeling… those… those impulses…
>The cave erupts in laughter.
>”But it felt so GOOD, didn’t it, my dear?”
>You look to the ground.
>…It did.
>That power…
>That… drive to take Anonymous.
>That feeling of grasping him and taking him for yourself…
>…primal desires…
>It’s so wrong, but… oh my… it feels so right… you want him… badly…
>”I can give you more, my dear…” it says, interrupting your thoughts. ”With my power, he can be yours. Power to take him. Power to claim him.”
>It pauses.
>”Power to put that white mare in her place… would you not want this…?”
>…
>…
Y-Yes…
>”Splendid!” the voice cries, followed by a quick laugh.
>Smoke jets softly from beyond the darkness.
>”And all I ask in return is your assistance… bring me back to strength…” A large, dark, scaly claw extends openly from the darkness.
>”Well, my dear? Do we have a deal…?”
 
End of Part 3