"Thanks. It's not that this isn't a pleasant place or anything, but..."
>Anon takes a sip of his tea
>She nods, an understanding look in her eyes
>"However, I would really appreciate it if I could get the chance to tell princess Celestia about the situation and maybe others before you go out and create a misunderstanding. Would it be okay for you to stay inside for a while?"
>Anon nods
"Sure. I'll stay here, enjoy the tea, hang out with this cool little dragon fella"
>He reaches down and pinches Spike's cheek with a grin
>Spike does not look pleased, but Twilight giggles
>"I think the two of you're going to get along just fine. I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?"
>Anon nods, and with that she teleports away
>That's the weirdest fucking thing that's happened all day
>And that's saying something, given there's a fucking baby dragon in the room
"I don't think I got your name? Or hers, for that matter."
>Anon extends a hand for a shake
>"Oh, yeah! That's right! I'm Spike, and that's Twilight! We live here, in the ponyville library. Although, she's originally from Canterlot, but we moved here a while ago, and a lot of weird stuff has happened, but we've made a lot of good friends!"
>Anon smiles and sips his tea
"That's awesome, little buddy. Hey, I noticed you have a telescope up on the second floor. Mind if I use it to look around a bit? I'm kinda curious about this place, but I'd probably freak out anypony that saw me. Can't have that, can we now."
>"I suppose, yeah..just be careful with it, alright?"
"Of course"
>Anon ascends the stairs and adjusts the telescope
>He hasn't done it much before
>A few times as a kid
>But he finds a workable setup
>As he surveys the town, Anon spots the Apple farm, Cloudsdale (and what he's reasonably sure is Dash's house), the carousel boutique and Sugarcube corner
>With a little more looking, Fluttershy's cottage also comes into view
>Fuck, the Everfree forest is creepy as all shit, even just looking at it
>So he decides not to
>Refocusing on the town, he notices there's a crowd of ponies gathering around a stage in the middle of Ponyville
>...
>Put together 2 + 2
>No
>This can't be right
>Can it?
>What the fuck
>Well, Twi didn't seem like she's got wing'd or princess'd yet...
>So either this is earlier in the seasons, an alternate reality of sorts, or both
>Well then
>Suddenly, that characteristic sound of magical teleportation fills the air again
>"Anon?"
"Up here. Spike said it was alright for me to borrow the telescope, so I decided to get a grip on the lay of the land. It's a fascinating place. Also, seems like something's happening out in the square. You have any idea what it might be?"
>She looked up at Anon and shook her head
>"No, but it might be worth checking out. Will you be okay by yourself if I bring Spike with me and check on it?"
>Anon nods
"Yeah. Let's hope it's nothing serious."
>She looks up at him uncertainly, tries to give a reassuring smile, then heads out.
>Anon follows the whole thing through the telescope
>Everything goes according to script
>It's hard to not intervene, but it'd be hard to say what would happen if things went 'off the rails'
>Besides, there were lessons to be learned for the ponies
>Or something
>Look, this is a pretty weird situation to be in
>Best thing to do is not touch anything
>Don't be the bull in the china shop and whatnot
>Still, it broke your heart to see Trixie humiliated and driven from the town, her home and livelihood smashed
>Anon didn't cry
>But he goddamn well wanted to
>Of course, Twilight and the others were recovering from the experience
>The telescope was a godsend
>And now, judging by their expressions, Twilight was spreading the news of Anon's arrival
>With Spike nodding and gesturing enthusiastically
>And though they'd just had a harrowing evening, they were all headed towards the library
>Pinkie was as eager as ever, bouncing as she always did
>Witnessing it was rather surreal
>And he could swear she was aware of his presence
>She seemed to smile at him, even.
>Anon sighed and shrugged
>Well then
"Time to put on your best behavior and woo these ponies, you sexy stud."
>Oh, who was he fooling, he wasn't up for being charming or cheery at the moment
>Feeling too sorry for Trixie
>Even so, explaining a few things might be for the best
>So he finishes up that tea he'd been idly nursing for the last hour or so, then heads downstairs
>Time to pretend to be surprised
>Can't tell them about the whole 'show' business yet
>That would be a clusterfuck
>Or...would it?
>It'll come up eventually, at least
>So maybe sooner than later would b-
>"HEYA NONNY!"
>...
>Pinkie, what the actual fuck
>Confused and taken off-guard, Anon stood there looking dumbfounded
>"Pinkie!" Twilight chastised
>"I'm sorry, Anonymous, she just gets excited easily" she continued as all six of them - plus spike - drew into the room, gawking at him
>Pinkie bouncing on the spot and giggling