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# The Hearts of Man/ Drury Lane: -Prodigal Son-

By: PaleNarrator on May 3rd, 2012 | syntax: None | size: 33.19 KB | hits: 933 | expires: Never
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1. >Luna awoke with a start, her breathing short and frantic.
2. >White walls, a hint of antiseptic.
3. >The metronomic tone of an EKG machine.
4. >She was still in the hospital.
5. >HE was still in the hospital.
6. >Luna looked down to the spot her head was resting only seconds ago and saw the rise and fall of Anonymous' chest, his breathing slow and steady.
7. >It had been a week since she had found him by a cave in the mountainside, bloody and broken, barely hanging on to life.
8. >It seemed as though he had given up, even when she had been there to help him.
9. >But Luna wouldn't allow that.
10. >So she took him. She took him here, to this place of healing and medicine.
11. >She thought that they could fix him.
12. >She hoped they could.
13. >But when Luna saw what they had done to him, the doctors, she couldn't comprehend it all.
14. >Where his arm used to be resided nothing. They had to amputate it from where his shoulder was.
15. >The hardest part came when she had asked a question to one of the doctors there. His name was Shoal. He was supposed to be their best on staff.
16. >She had asked him, "Will he be alright?"
17. >It was a simple question. Straightforward.
18. >He had answered, "I don't know."
19. >How could he not know?
20. >He was a doctor.
21. >His life was dedicated to making sure things lived.
22. >That things were fixed.
23. >And he didn't know.
24. >They did x-rays on his body. They said he wouldn't be able to walk.
25. >Something about his spine being too damaged.
26. >The voices that told Luna this were cold, and pained. Not with guilt, but with the knowledge that they could not help it.
27. >So Luna stayed with him.
28. >She stayed, and everyday she fed magic into his crippled form.
29. >She couldn't make an arm grow back, but she could repair his spine, slowly but surely.
30. >What Luna longed for though was for Anonymous to just wake up.
31. >To wake up so she could hold him.
32. >So she could scold and yell at him for leaving her like this.
33. >She was angry at him, but she was also sorry for not being there for him when he needed her.
34. >Whatever emotion Luna was feeling, she couldn't describe it.
35. >It was a meld of despair and latent anger, but also of hope and longing.
36. >Luna looked at Anon's face, the bruises and cuts from his assault healing and fading into dim scars.
37. >She nuzzled his cheek, hoping every time she did so that he would open his eyes and look at her.
38. >He didn't.
39. >The sound of hoofs against the floor echoed from behind her as Doctor Shoal came into the ward.
40. >Dr.S: "My princess?..."
41. "Yes?"
42. >Dr.S: "Princess Celestia's guards have arrived. They say they've come for you. Princess Ce-... your sister has requested your presence, apparently."
43. >Luna rose and stretched her wings, and pulled herself away from Anon's body and past Shoal in a slow, deliberate walk.
44. "Thank you, doctor. Please make sure this one remains safe while we depart for the time being."
45. >Dr.S: "Yes I... I'll make sure he's alright. You have my word, m'lady."
46. >Luna strode from the doors of the hospital to be met by a small platoon of solar guards, a chariot standing behind them.
47. "That will not be necessary."
48. >Luna spread her wings and soared into the sky, her silhouette gliding past the setting sun.
49. >Hopefully her sister would offer her some relief from all of this.
51. -------
53. >You've been walking now for... some time. You lost count of the days, really.
54. >Your feet didn't hurt. Your legs didn't ache. You felt nothing.
55. >You simply kept walking.
56. >The world you walked through was barren, devoid of color.
57. >It was... white.
58. >Just white.
59. >For all you knew, you've been walking in place, not making any progress.
60. >But still you walked.
61. >And as you walked, the silence would wane. You could hear something in the distance.
62. >A voice?
63. >You couldn't tell. But you knew that you were getting closer to whatever it was.
64. >Sometimes it would feel like the voice was right next to you, it would blare in your ears and drop you to your knees, only to have it fade away into the distance yet again.
65. >It sounded female.
66. >Eventually, you stop walking.
67. >You have no idea where you even are. Are you asleep and dreaming? If so, when would you wake up?
68. >Were you dead? Then was this the afterlife? You were expecting something more... extravagant.
69. >You drop down and lay on your back, and begin going over what you knew so far.
70. >Your name is Anonymous.
71. >That's the name you gave yourself.
72. >You arrived in Equestria over a year ago now, with no memory of your past or where you came from.
73. >But you DID know everything about the world you ended up in.
74. >Only this one seemed... different. Slightly off kilter.
75. >You were banished to the moon by Princess Celestia, for the crime of being human.
76. >You spent over a solar year in isolation, your only solace being found in the company of Celestia's younger sister, Luna.
77. >She kept you from going mad in all that time.
78. >And in that time you grew to care for her.
79. >You began to rely on her.
80. >She didn't seem to mind, really.
81. >And then you came back. Back to Equestria, with Luna's aid. You would never had done so without her.
82. >You owed her your life.
83. >And then you almost through it away in a fools rush to find out more about humans in this realm.
84. >You had hoped to find clues to your past when you entered the shrine with Lyra.
85. >Instead, you found a horror that left Lyra in a pile of ashes and you in a sort of limbo.
86. >As you look back at your brash decision, you can't help but laugh at how impulsive you had been.
87. >You liked to think you were a level headed kind of guy, but there were times when you just... acted.
88. >Where you just went with an idea, not thinking it out. Just acting on...
89. >Impulse.
90. >You laid there for a while, the sound of the woman in the distance fading away into nothingness, allowing silence to return once more.
91. >Out of instinct, you started to hum yours and Luna's song, singing the lyrics in your head.
92. >Thank goodness for Frank Sinatra.
93. >"Since when did you start singing?"
94. >You bolt upright and scramble to your feet.
95. >It was the voice, except it sounded like it was whispered into your ear.
96. "Hello?"
97. >Nothing.
98. "Who... who's there?"
99. >Dammit. You could have sworn you heard her this time.
100. >"Concentrate."
101. >You flinch at the sound of the voice again, spinning around and looking for its source.
102. "Where are you? Hello?"
103. >"Can you hear me? Hello?"
104. "Yes! Yes, I can hear you! Hello? Where are you?"
105. >"Hello?"
106. "What?! Who are you? Where are you?"
107. >"Anon, if you can hear me, I need you to concentrate. Stop what you're doing, and clear your mind, like we practiced."
108. "Practiced? What the hell are you talking about? How do you know my name? Hello?"
109. >Nothing.
110. >Fuck. This was getting out of hand, fast. Who was that? Were they just messing with you? It didn't make sense.
111. >But... maybe you should listen to her.
112. >No! Think this through. It could be a trap, like in the cave. What if it was your shadow again? Be rational.
113. >Or... maybe you could be instinctive. Just, maybe, do what she says. See if it works.
114. >You wrack your brain with repercussions, and finally settle on indulging the voice, at least for now.
115. >You lie down yet again, and clear your mind of all thoughts, concentrating.
116. >...
117. <Okay, what now?>
118. >"Perfect!"
119. >You flash your eyes open again in shock, but brush it aside and clear your head again, desperate to find out what's going on.
120. <Hello? Who are you?>
121. >"You have no idea how long I've been trying to reach you! How are you doing? Did it work?"
122. <Did what work? What are you talking about?>
123. >An image begins to form in your mind, hazy but still visible. It's of... a human?
124. >A female human.
125. >"Come now, surely you haven't forgotten... well maybe you have, that was a potential side effect after all.."
126. <This isn't making any sense... who are you? Why... why can I hear you inside my mind?>
127. >The figure gets more and more into focus, and you can begin to make out some details of her form.
128. >Pale blue hair with streaks of white.
129. >Dark, purple eyes.
130. >A... wizard's hat?
131. >"If you'll listen, then I'll try to remind you."
132. >The woman approaches you, and reaches out to your forehead with an extended hand.
133. >This was going to be a long day.
135. -------
137. "We just... we worry for him, Tia. We did not expect anything like this to happen, at all AND this soon as well. We had hoped to live alongside him for sometime."
138. >"Luna he is human, it can only be expected of him to be brash and impulsive. To think otherwise is folly."
139. "We don't understand, why would he go off like that? He had not even heard of this, "Lyra." until he was told of her by your apprentice, Twilight Sparkle. She was the one who gave him Lyra's book. It was her book that made him seek her out... it is all very confusing to us.."
140. >Celestia sat at the top of her throne, looking down at Luna, who's head hung down in confusion and desperation.
141. "Tia, we did not go into the cave where we found Anonymous' body. It was choked with rubble and debris when we went to check, and we were more concerned with getting him medical attention at the time."
142. >"Your point, sister?"
143. "On our way to Canterlot, we spotted several of your court guards flying in the direction of the cave. Did you investigate, clear away the rubble? Did your colts find anything?"
144. >Celestia does not answer, but a slight smirk can be seen on her face, and just as quickly as she made it, it disappeared.
145. >"What I fail to understand, sister, is why you continue to protect him. He is a danger to not only himself, but to every last pony in Equestria."
146. "Tia, please, I-"
147. >"No. No, now I take things into my hooves and my hooves alone. Do you even know what my guards found once they were able to clear the rubble from that cave?"
148. "That is what we are asking you, Tia."
149. >"My guards found the body of Lyra Heartstrings."
150. >Luna stops talking and simply stares at her sister, her eyes widening in shock.
151. "Her... body?"
152. >Celestia nods, her eyes narrowed and brow furrowed.
153. >"That 'cave' was a shrine. A human shrine, from the old times, when they hunted us for our power. It was in that shrine that we found Lyra's body, bloody and broken. And it is for this atrocious crime that what happens next to that human must come to pass."
154. "What do you mean? You can't possibly tell us that you believe Anonymous killed that pony! I refuse to believe you!"
155. >"Luna... to fall so far and learn nothing. That is your failing. Lyra was found with a knife buried into her heart, in some sort of pseudo-ritual within that shrine. Considering that Anonymous was the only one with her at the time, it seems that he's the murderer. This is the truth, little sister."
156. >Celestia smiles softly to Luna, a gleam in her eye.
157. "But why? Why would Anon kill a pony who did nothing to him?"
158. >"It's in his nature, Luna. You were duped, deceived by a smile and a love song. I will now take over responsibility in dealing with him."
159. >Luna shakes her head, trying to sort everything she's been told in her mind. It didn't seem to make any sense at all.
160. >Anon was never violent. He could be brash at times, but caring all the same. For him to kill a defenseless pony in cold blood... it didn't add up.
161. >Celestia stood next to her younger sister, comforting her with her words.
162. >"Rest now, little Luna. The night comes, and you look tired. Do not worry over your beloved human. I will take care of him."
163. "...what will you do?"
164. >Celestia pauses, then smiles to Luna.
165. >"What I must."
166. >Luna looked to her sister, yearning for some sort of explanation for what she meant, but hung her head and left the throne room, heading for her chambers.
167. >A royal guard trotted up to Celestia, giving a quick salute.
168. >Guard: "Your orders, M'Lady?"
169. >Celestia gave pause for thought.
170. >She decided she would do something she should have done from the very start.
171. >"End it."
173. -------
175. >The woman in wizard's clothing flinched away after reaching into your mind, digging at your memories.
176. >A look of sheer confusion was etched onto her face.
177. >"What... Anon? That IS you, isn't it?"
178. <That's my name, if that's what you mean.>
179. >She's in your face, inspecting you as best as she can.
180. >"Yes... yes you're definitely him. At least on the outside. Same face, same hair... your eyes aren't as bright. Strange."
181. <Have we met?>
182. >"Your memories are... scattered. They're not gone but they've been too far dispersed... it's causing you to act differently than you normally do."
183. <How do I normally act?>
184. >"Well for one you used to spit in my mouth quite a lot."
185. <I... what?!>
186. >You weren't going to tell her, but for all the time she had been standing there, you had the urge to make a face at her. A... kitty face.
187. >You don't know why, it just felt right.
188. >You decided not to though.
189. >"My god you really have NO clue about your past. And the memories I COULD get from you, about your time here... Anon what happened to you?"
190. <How much did you see?>
191. >"The Everfree, shattered glass and hunger, a flash of light, and the surface of the moon. You fell, and found peace, but it was short lived. I saw... a cave. Corruption, pain, and loss... this place you've found yourself in IS Equestria, but not the Equestria you came from before. This one is twisted; wrong."
192. <I'm still a little lost. Who are you?>
193. >"Telling you would just confuse you beyond what you feel right now. Sufficed to say, you're in a messy situation, and in your current state you're no use to anyone."
194. <Well you didn't have to be so harsh about it.>
195. >"See? That, right there. The real you would have kept arguing with me, called me a cunt, something!"
196. <Why would I call you a cunt? Seems a bit brash.>
197. >"Yeah, this won't do. You're so pedestrian, that it's disgusting."
198. <I'm... sorry?>
199. >"Fixing this. Fixing this now."
200. >She raises her hands and shimmering light flows forth from them.
201. <What are you doing?>
202. >"Two things: One, I'm temporarily mending your memories. It'll only last a short while, maybe a day or so, so in that time I need you to get to the Canterlot Library and find a special tome. I can guide you through the book to make a scroll that will restore your mind completely."
203. <Uhm... great. And the second thing?>
204. >"Waking you up."
205. >The light cascades from the woman's hands and envelops your skull, the energy seeping into your mind.
206. >Visions and images of a life long forgotten flood to the surface, flashing before your eyes in rapid succession.
207. >Appleloosa
208. >Manehatten.
209. >Hush.
210. >Ponyville.
211. >Pinkie Pie.
212. >...Pinkie Pie...
213. >As the light faded, something in the back of your mind seemed to click.
214. >You looked at the woman, determination in your gaze.
215. >"Those are the eyes I grew used to. How do you feel, Anon?"
216. <Like shit, Trixie. I feel like I just woke up after a massive bar fight in fucking Appleloosa.>
217. >"Yeah, that's you alright. Ready to wake up?"
218. <You kiddin' me? Fuckin' give me the kick, Trix.>
219. >Trixie clenched her fist as more magic illuminated from within her grasp.
220. >"Gladly."
222. -------
224. >A small squad of Royal Canterlot Guards roamed the halls of Ponyville General, making their way to a room in the wards.
225. >Dr. Shoal quickly trotted up to them, a stern look on his face.
226. >"I'm sorry, but you need clearance to enter the emergency wards. Please, if you could just walk this way I can get you acce-"
227. >A hoof connected with the good doctor's jaw and he was sent flying into a wall.
228. >A guard in golden armor strode into the ward, as his men went and secured the area, darting from room to room looking for their target.
229. >Guard: "He's not here sir!"
230. >Captain: "What?! He's comatose you idiot, he's got to be here!"
231. >Guard: "Um.. sir?"
232. >Captain: "What?"
233. >The guard captain felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned around, bright green eyes meeting his gaze.
234. "Hi. Punching you now."
235. >Your fist slams into the guard captain's snout and you send him rocketing through two of the hospital's walls.
236. >His men charge you, but you give no fucks.
237. >It's been far too long since you've fought like this.
238. >They even had a tiny chance of winning, what with you having only one arm.
239. "TIME OUT!"
240. >The guards screech to a halt in response to your shout.
241. >You hold up a finger to get them to wait, then pull out a frying pan.
242. >And jam it into the nub of your left arm.
243. "TIME IN."
244. >Suddenly you're smacking their bitch up, the sound of good 'ole fashioned kitchenware connecting with jaws ringing through the halls.
245. >Fucking glorious.
246. >More guards storm through the doors and begin to surround you.
247. "Oh bring it you cocky cunts, I can do this all day!"
248. <You only HAVE a day, Anon. Make it count.>
249. "Yeah yeah, I get it, Trix."
250. >You stretch your legs a bit, amazed at how well Luna was able to heal your spine.
251. >You were going to enjoy seeing her again.
252. >Oh god would all this be awkward as hell to explain to her.
253. >Guard: "Mahonie! We found him! Call up the Lieutenant!"
254. "Oh no FUCKING way! Is that a rule? A Mahonie for EACH universe? Fuck."
255. >You charge the guards, letting loose a girly shriek of a battle cry as you fell more colts with your "frying-pan-guantlet," as you bounce from guard to guard, still in your hospital gown.
256. >You were kicking ass, while constantly mooning them.
257. >The irony was palpable.
258. >You're winning, but more guards burst into the hospital.
259. >Suddenly you're surrounded from all sides, the guards now wielding spears and pointing them right at you.
260. "...best two out of three?"
261. >They begin closing in on you.
262. >And then Night Guards swam them and wreck their collective shit.
263. >The Solar guards lie on the ground, unconscious, and the Night Guards surround you in their place.
264. "Wait, are you guys here to kill me too? Because I really appreciate the way you wasted those other guards, so if you're here to do me in that would be kind of lame. Just saying."
265. >Two guards step to the side and shadowy mist blasts into the space they provided, Princess Luna striding through it.
266. >You beam at the sight of her, ripping the frying pan from your stub and letting it fall to the ground and run to her.
267. "Luna!"
268. >You run up to her, your face beaming.
269. >"Luna, you don't know how happy I am to see-"
270. >Her mane whips out to you and strikes your face, cutting you off.
271. >"Quiet."
272. "But-"
273. >"We said be silent. Come with us."
274. >Her mane grasps your wrist, your clothes floating over from your room to where you are, and in a flash you're teleported away from the hospital.
275. >When your vision returns to you, you see that you're in a bedroom, lavished in dark colors and antiquities.
276. "Wait, are we in your bedroom?"
277. >"Yes."
278. "As in your bedroom in Canterlot?"
279. >"Yes."
280. "You sure that's the best idea? I just so happen to be wanted by Celestia's ARMY if you haven't noticed."
281. >"You will stay hidden here, for the time being. No harm will come of you."
282. >You walk over to a large table adorned with ancient gems, all glistening in faded blues and blacks, inspecting one of them.
283. "We need to talk."
284. >"We need to talk."
285. >The two of you pause as you both say the same thing at once.
286. <What's happening? Is that the princess?>
287. "In a minute, Trixie."
288. >"Trixie? Who are you talking to?"
289. "Long story. Should I go first, or should you?"
290. >Luna strides towards you cautiously, an eye of suspicion cast on you.
291. >"Anon, we have been told things... terrible things... things that make us question our trust of you."
292. "Such as?"
293. >"Celestia tells us that you... killed Lyra Heartstrings. That you sacrificed her inside that cave."
294. >You can't believe what you're hearing at this point.
295. "And you believe her?"
296. >"If we believed her fully, we would not have come to your aid in that hospital. But we need to hear it from you, and you alone. Did you kill Lyra Heartstrings."
297. >Tumbling the dark gemstone in your palm, you walk over to a small chair and sit in it, peering into the tiny stone.
298. "When Lyra and I entered the cave, we found that it eventually turned into a sort of shrine... a temple. There was an orb in the center, and it was glowing. Pulsating. Lyra went to grasp it, and tried to stop her. I couldn't though. Whatever that thing was, it corrupted Lyra beyond recognition. She became twisted, grotesque. She attacked me, piercing my arm with her horn. I fought for my life, and she eventually disintegrated into ashes..."
299. >You rise from the chair and hurry over to your clothes, digging into your jacket pockets.
300. >You find what you're looking for, the small golden lyre you found within Lyra's ashes.
301. >You walk over to Luna and show it to her.
302. >"What... what is this?"
303. "This is all that was left of Lyra Heartstrings. I found it in her ashes..."
304. >You pluck a string on the lyre, letting out a small, pure tone.
305. >"You say that Lyra turned to ash?"
306. "Yes. After that, a sort of shadow began to assault me. He tossed me about the room like a rag doll. He's the one who crushed my spine. Oh, before I forget, thanks."
307. >"For what?"
308. "My spine. You healed it with magic, right?"
309. >Luna blushes and looks down in embarrassment.
310. >"Yes. We stayed by your side for week, soaking you in magic. It was not much, but we could not idly leave you in the care of those doctors. They did what they could, but they are not alicorns, after all."
311. >You bring a hand to Luna's face, softly caressing her cheek.
312. "Thank you, Luna. You've been more than kind to me."
313. >"It is our pleasure. But we must now focus on the events at hand. If what you say is true, and Lyra was corrupted and turned to ash, then I fear my sister has deceived us. We have checked her personal logs. She has been in touch with her apprentice for some time, questioning her about your acquisition of Lyra Heartstring's book."
314. "Where are you going with this?"
315. >"We suspect that Celestia may have... manipulated events. She may have lured you and Lyra to the cave where you were nearly killed without your knowledge of the fact."
316. "Wait wait, hold on. You're telling me that Celestia, PRINCESS Celestia orchestrated an extremely elaborate and overly convoluted plot in order to lure me to a cave, where she knew that Lyra would be corrupted, try to kill me, and when it failed she tried to pin her death solely on my head, all in the attempt to be rid of me?"
317. >"Precisely."
318. "Yeah, I can totally see that raging cunt come up with something that goddamn stupid."
319. >"R-... raging what?"
320. "Oh, right. My turn I guess. You might want to sit down with me over here."
321. >You take a seat on Luna's bed, herself lying beside you, looking at you curiously.
322. >"Your eyes... they seem to be more vibrant than they normally are."
323. "Yeah I've been getting that a lot."
324. >"And why were you fighting off Celestia's guards with a... cooking appliance?"
325. "Well what else was I supposed to use? It's my thing."
326. >Luna cocks her head to the side, confused.
327. >You let out a sigh.
328. "Luna... I got my memory back."
329. >Her ears perk up and she smiles to you, excitement in her voice.
330. >"This is wonderful news! We are eager to hear of your life prior to arriving in Equestria! Please, if you do not mind, tell us: What is your true name?"
331. "Yeah, funny thing. Turns out my name IS Anonymous."
332. >"Oh what a wonderful na-... what?"
333. >You shrug and give a smile.
334. "Like I said, it's a long story. Can you do some of that magic of yours to go inside my head?"
335. >"What?"
336. "My head. Just, you know, link minds with me. I'll show you everything from my old life to now."
337. >Luna looks at you with trepidation, but nods in conviction and lights her horn, tapping your forehead with it's tip.
338. >You conjure up every last detail concerning your adventures in Equestria.
339. >From your time in Appleloosa, to your escape from Manehatten, all the way to your year in Ponyville with Pinkie Pie, going through each day you spent with her and the shenanigan's the two of you got yourselves into. Every day of your life flashed before Luna, who took them all in with stunning clarity. As the last of your memories make their way into Luna's mind, you can see tears rolling down her face silently.
340. >It's over, and Luna simply looks into your eyes, hers shining due to her tears.
341. >"You truly love that small pony with all your being, don't you?"
342. >You give a sad smile and nod.
343. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for the crazy ones."
344. >Luna gives a quiet laugh, and lowers her head in thought.
345. >"I will help you return to her."
346. >Your eyes widen and your jaw drops, a smile spreading across your face.
347. "But, what about-"
348. >"Anon."
349. >You stop.
350. >"I spent a year of my life making sure you had someone to comfort you in your time of need. Indeed, I love you, truly. But you already have a very special somepony in your life, and if I am correct in guessing, I can say with confidence that she misses you dearly. To keep you here with me, simply because I envy your company, would be wrong."
351. >She gives you a smile, but you can see the sadness in her eyes.
352. "I... I love Pinkie. Really... but..."
353. >You squirm on the inside. You'd never thought you would have such conflicting feelings like this, but the time you spent with Luna changed something inside you.
354. >You return your gaze to Luna, and give a small smile.
355. "I may be in love with Pinkie Pie, and she technically came first into my life... but I won't stop loving you. I can't stop loving you, after all."
356. >"Then... will you promise me one thing?"
357. >You nod.
358. >"Love Pinkie Pie as you would love me."
359. >You stare into Luna's eyes and feel your own begin to tear up, but you fight them back.
360. >You hug her tightly, letting all of this sink in.
361. "Okay... thank you. We need to hurry though. My thoughts will only stay with me for a day. We need to find tome in the Canterlot Library that will solve that issue. After that, Trixie is going to guide me through making a scroll to return home with."
362. <Oh how nice of you to remember me.>
363. "Shut the fuck up Trixie."
364. >"Pardon?"
365. "Trixie's in my noggin."
366. >"Oh. Well alright then."
367. "Now if you excuse me, I'm going to change into my clothes and out of this fruity hospital gown."
368. >"That would probably be best, yes."
369. >As you change into your get-up, you feel a pang of sorrow as you look at the sleeve of your left arm hanging limply to the side, no arm to be slid into it.
370. >"Anon, if I may? Would you mind producing your... frying pan?"
371. >You raise an eyebrow in curiosity, and do what she says, whipping out the frying pan with your 4th Wall breaking abilities.
372. >Magic envelopes the pan, and it shifts in size and shape, traveling up your sleeve and connecting with the remains of your arm.
373. >You feel pin pricks race across your shoulder as you suddenly begin to get feeling where your arm should have been.
374. >With a flash of blue light, you raise what can only be described as the best prosthetic ever made.
375. >You now have a new arm, completely made of cast-iron.
376. >You flex your hand, clenching it into a fist once or twice, and swing your arm around in the air.
377. >It feels like it was never even gone.
378. "Luna, how did you-"
379. >"Consider it a gift. Did we choose well in the material."
380. "Fuck. Yes. Now, let's get to that library."
382. -------
384. "Okay, and then this symbol goes here?"
385. <Correct. Place one on each corner, and you're done>
386. "Alright... okay, done. Now what?"
387. <Read it. It's that simple.>
388. >You spread the scroll and take in the runes and symbols etched upon it, and bright light bursts forth from where they are written.
389. >Your mind relaxes, as you let the healing magic mend your fractured thoughts.
390. >Luna stands beside you, a look of concern and wonder on her face as she watches the scroll go to work.
391. >Once the job is done, the scroll burns away in a small puff of smoke and fire.
392. >"Anon... how do you feel?"
393. "The same, really. Everything is just a bit clearer is all."
394. <Good, it worked then. Anon, how did the other scroll go?>
395. "I got it done. I even made a second."
396. <A second? Why?>
397. "It's a surprise, Trix. Trust me."
398. >You walk up to Luna, giving her one last hug and softly caressing her face.
399. "Thank you, Luna. I'll never forget you."
400. >"I would hope not. We will miss you, Anonymous. Take care of Pinkie Pie. She is lucky to have one such as yourself."
401. >Luna smiles, but you can see the sadness she must feel behind her eyes.
402. >You bring her face closer to yours, and whisper to her.
403. "Luna... I love-"
404. >The doors to the library explode in a burst of sunlight and energy, as Celestia herself strides into the room.
405. >"Tia!"
406. >Celest: "Luna, I am disappointed in you. I warned you about this vermin and yet you still aid him. Have you learned NOTHING of our past?!"
407. >Luna: "What I have learned is that you let your past get the better of you, sister! You made it so a pony had to die in order to be rid of one human! Your hatred of them has clouded your judgement, and now you have blood on your hooves."
408. >Celest: "Do NOT speak to me in that tone! I am your older sister, I am your ruler! If I deem it that this creature must die, then he will DIE. Now stand aside so I... can... where is he?"
409. >The two alicorns look around the room, but you're nowhere to be seen.
410. >Celestia begins to speak, but she stops in sudden horror, as she hears a faint sound in the distance.
411. >It's a familiar sound, one she heard not too long ago.
412. >A faint whistling sound, growing louder.
413. >With eyes spread wide in terror, Celestia slowly brings her head up to the ceiling.
414. >Celest: "No... there's no way he could be-"
415. "WHAT'S GOOD, BITCH?!"
416. >You slam through the roof of the library and bring all of your fury down onto Celestia's snout in the form of your new cast-iron fist, blasting her through the floor and into Canterlot's depths.
417. >Clapping your hands, you dust yourself off and turn to Luna, a smug grin on your face.
418. "What'cha think?"
419. >"Did... did you fall from the moon?"
420. "What? No. I just jumped out the window and jumped above the castle."
421. >"...how did you-"
422. "It's better to now question it. What will you do about Celestia?"
423. >"We will banish her for a time for the murder of Lyra Heartstrings, but with you gone I see her returning to her normal self. With that said, you should probably depart."
424. "Probably... Luna, what I was going to say before Celestia showed up. I was-"
425. >"We know, beloved. We know."
426. >Taking out one of your two scrolls, you unravel it and give Luna a final smile.
427. >She returns it with one of her own, and nods.
428. >Shimmering light engulfs you, and you wave shortly to Luna.
429. >And then you're gone, just like that.
431. -------
433. >You ran to Sugarcube Corner as fast as your feet could carry you, ignoring the shocked expression of ponies seeing you again after 5 years.
434. >Rainbow Dash flew next to you, shock in her eyes and voice.
435. >"Anon? Dude, where have you been? We all thought you disappeared!"
436. >You shove your hands onto Dash's face and brought her to yours.
437. "SHUT UP, I'M ON A QUEST FOR LOVE."
438. >You then proceeded to hop onto her back and use her as a hover-bike.
439. "FASTER. FASTER, YOU CYAN HORROR!"
440. >"Glad to see you haven't chan-"
441. "DID I SAY SPEAK? FLY, YOU CARPET MUNCHER, FLY."
442. >You arrive at the bakery, and burst through the doors, to be met by a pair of bright green eyes.
443. >Hush sat at the counter, looking at you in a long stare, her eyes growing wide and a smile growing on her small face.
444. >Your bandanna was tied around her neck.
445. >She bounds from the counter, knocking over a cake, and sprints to you as your wrap her up in a hug and swing her around crazily.
446. "You have no idea how much I missed you, you little, mute, sonofabtich!"
447. >"Hush? Is everything alright? I heard something fall and I-..."
448. >You spin around and lock your gaze with the brightest of blue eyes you've seen in a very long time.
449. >The same eyes that are now filling with tears and astonishment.
450. >You put Hush down and simply stand where you are, as you look at Pinkie Pie.
451. >"I.. I thought you were... when the portal-thingy closed I... I..."
452. >She runs at you as fast as she can, leaping into your arms and knocking you over, as she cries and sobs into your chest.
453. >But quickly you hear laughter in her sobbing.
454. >She's not sad. She's not sad at all.
455. >"You came back... you came BACK! I knew you'd come back! I told everypony over and over again that they were wrong and that you'd come back, and you DID! You came back!"
456. >You squeeze Pinkie tightly and leap to your feet, nuzzling her neck with your face and ruffling her hair.
457. <Did it work? Anon? Are you back in Equestria with Pi->
458. "TRIXIE SHUT THE FUCK UP I AM HAVING A ROMANTIC MOMENT YOU CUNT!"
459. >"Wha?"
460. "Trixie's still in my head."
461. >"Trixie! We are trying to have a climactic moment within the story to make the readers let out an audible "Daaaawwww" noise! You can't just pipe in and ruin it! Shame on you, you silly filly!"
462. >You've been gone for five long years, and still Pinkie never changed.
463. >Ever.
464. >Good.
465. >Hush trots up to you, the bandanna in her mouth.
466. >You take it and tie it to your neck, giving her a hoof bump.
467. "Pinkie, I love you, but I have to stop hugging you for a second."
468. >"Huh? Why?"
469. >You look to Hush and pull out the second scroll.
470. "There's something I have to do."
472. -------
474. >Trixie paced her dressing room, trying to re-establish her link with Anon's mind.
475. >Out of nowhere he had severed it, not allowing her to view what he was thinking.
476. >She was worried, maybe the scroll backfired again?
477. >She couldn't live with herself if she had failed. She was a sorcerer, after all, she hated to fail when it came to magic.
478. >Suddenly, a blast of light filled the small room and Trixie recoiled in surprise.
479. >When the light dimmed, Trixie could not believe her eyes.
480. >Standing in front of her was a small girl, no older than ten, with light brown hair and speckled in freckles, with bright green eyes.
481. >She looked at Trixie with an expression of disbelief, as she spoke for the first time in her life.
482. >"...Mom?"
483. >Trixie could not contain herself as she embraced the small girl, holding her tightly in her arms.
484. >And for once, all was right with the world.
486. >End of Hearts of Man story arc. More Drury Lane Zaniness to come. Thanks for reading, space cowboys.~

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>Luna awoke with a start, her breathing short and frantic. >White walls, a hint of antiseptic. >The metronomic tone of an EKG machine. >She was still in the hospital. >HE was still in the hospital. >Luna looked down to the spot her head was resting only seconds ago and saw the rise and fall of Anonymous' chest, his breathing slow and steady. >It had been a week since she had found him by a cave in the mountainside, bloody and broken, barely hanging on to life. >It seemed as though he had given up, even when she had been there to help him. >But Luna wouldn't allow that. >So she took him. She took him here, to this place of healing and medicine. >She thought that they could fix him. >She hoped they could. >But when Luna saw what they had done to him, the doctors, she couldn't comprehend it all. >Where his arm used to be resided nothing. They had to amputate it from where his shoulder was. >The hardest part came when she had asked a question to one of the doctors there. His name was Shoal. He was supposed to be their best on staff. >She had asked him, "Will he be alright?" >It was a simple question. Straightforward. >He had answered, "I don't know." >How could he not know? >He was a doctor. >His life was dedicated to making sure things lived. >That things were fixed. >And he didn't know. >They did x-rays on his body. They said he wouldn't be able to walk. >Something about his spine being too damaged. >The voices that told Luna this were cold, and pained. Not with guilt, but with the knowledge that they could not help it. >So Luna stayed with him. >She stayed, and everyday she fed magic into his crippled form. >She couldn't make an arm grow back, but she could repair his spine, slowly but surely. >What Luna longed for though was for Anonymous to just wake up. >To wake up so she could hold him. >So she could scold and yell at him for leaving her like this. >She was angry at him, but she was also sorry for not being there for him when he needed her. >Whatever emotion Luna was feeling, she couldn't describe it. >It was a meld of despair and latent anger, but also of hope and longing. >Luna looked at Anon's face, the bruises and cuts from his assault healing and fading into dim scars. >She nuzzled his cheek, hoping every time she did so that he would open his eyes and look at her. >He didn't. >The sound of hoofs against the floor echoed from behind her as Doctor Shoal came into the ward. >Dr.S: "My princess?..." "Yes?" >Dr.S: "Princess Celestia's guards have arrived. They say they've come for you. Princess Ce-... your sister has requested your presence, apparently." >Luna rose and stretched her wings, and pulled herself away from Anon's body and past Shoal in a slow, deliberate walk. "Thank you, doctor. Please make sure this one remains safe while we depart for the time being." >Dr.S: "Yes I... I'll make sure he's alright. You have my word, m'lady." >Luna strode from the doors of the hospital to be met by a small platoon of solar guards, a chariot standing behind them. "That will not be necessary." >Luna spread her wings and soared into the sky, her silhouette gliding past the setting sun. >Hopefully her sister would offer her some relief from all of this. ------- >You've been walking now for... some time. You lost count of the days, really. >Your feet didn't hurt. Your legs didn't ache. You felt nothing. >You simply kept walking. >The world you walked through was barren, devoid of color. >It was... white. >Just white. >For all you knew, you've been walking in place, not making any progress. >But still you walked. >And as you walked, the silence would wane. You could hear something in the distance. >A voice? >You couldn't tell. But you knew that you were getting closer to whatever it was. >Sometimes it would feel like the voice was right next to you, it would blare in your ears and drop you to your knees, only to have it fade away into the distance yet again. >It sounded female. >Eventually, you stop walking. >You have no idea where you even are. Are you asleep and dreaming? If so, when would you wake up? >Were you dead? Then was this the afterlife? You were expecting something more... extravagant. >You drop down and lay on your back, and begin going over what you knew so far. >Your name is Anonymous. >That's the name you gave yourself. >You arrived in Equestria over a year ago now, with no memory of your past or where you came from. >But you DID know everything about the world you ended up in. >Only this one seemed... different. Slightly off kilter. >You were banished to the moon by Princess Celestia, for the crime of being human. >You spent over a solar year in isolation, your only solace being found in the company of Celestia's younger sister, Luna. >She kept you from going mad in all that time. >And in that time you grew to care for her. >You began to rely on her. >She didn't seem to mind, really. >And then you came back. Back to Equestria, with Luna's aid. You would never had done so without her. >You owed her your life. >And then you almost through it away in a fools rush to find out more about humans in this realm. >You had hoped to find clues to your past when you entered the shrine with Lyra. >Instead, you found a horror that left Lyra in a pile of ashes and you in a sort of limbo. >As you look back at your brash decision, you can't help but laugh at how impulsive you had been. >You liked to think you were a level headed kind of guy, but there were times when you just... acted. >Where you just went with an idea, not thinking it out. Just acting on... >Impulse. >You laid there for a while, the sound of the woman in the distance fading away into nothingness, allowing silence to return once more. >Out of instinct, you started to hum yours and Luna's song, singing the lyrics in your head. >Thank goodness for Frank Sinatra. >"Since when did you start singing?" >You bolt upright and scramble to your feet. >It was the voice, except it sounded like it was whispered into your ear. "Hello?" >Nothing. "Who... who's there?" >Dammit. You could have sworn you heard her this time. >"Concentrate." >You flinch at the sound of the voice again, spinning around and looking for its source. "Where are you? Hello?" >"Can you hear me? Hello?" "Yes! Yes, I can hear you! Hello? Where are you?" >"Hello?" "What?! Who are you? Where are you?" >"Anon, if you can hear me, I need you to concentrate. Stop what you're doing, and clear your mind, like we practiced." "Practiced? What the hell are you talking about? How do you know my name? Hello?" >Nothing. >Fuck. This was getting out of hand, fast. Who was that? Were they just messing with you? It didn't make sense. >But... maybe you should listen to her. >No! Think this through. It could be a trap, like in the cave. What if it was your shadow again? Be rational. >Or... maybe you could be instinctive. Just, maybe, do what she says. See if it works. >You wrack your brain with repercussions, and finally settle on indulging the voice, at least for now. >You lie down yet again, and clear your mind of all thoughts, concentrating. >... <Okay, what now?> >"Perfect!" >You flash your eyes open again in shock, but brush it aside and clear your head again, desperate to find out what's going on. <Hello? Who are you?> >"You have no idea how long I've been trying to reach you! How are you doing? Did it work?" <Did what work? What are you talking about?> >An image begins to form in your mind, hazy but still visible. It's of... a human? >A female human. >"Come now, surely you haven't forgotten... well maybe you have, that was a potential side effect after all.." <This isn't making any sense... who are you? Why... why can I hear you inside my mind?> >The figure gets more and more into focus, and you can begin to make out some details of her form. >Pale blue hair with streaks of white. >Dark, purple eyes. >A... wizard's hat? >"If you'll listen, then I'll try to remind you." >The woman approaches you, and reaches out to your forehead with an extended hand. >This was going to be a long day. ------- "We just... we worry for him, Tia. We did not expect anything like this to happen, at all AND this soon as well. We had hoped to live alongside him for sometime." >"Luna he is human, it can only be expected of him to be brash and impulsive. To think otherwise is folly." "We don't understand, why would he go off like that? He had not even heard of this, "Lyra." until he was told of her by your apprentice, Twilight Sparkle. She was the one who gave him Lyra's book. It was her book that made him seek her out... it is all very confusing to us.." >Celestia sat at the top of her throne, looking down at Luna, who's head hung down in confusion and desperation. "Tia, we did not go into the cave where we found Anonymous' body. It was choked with rubble and debris when we went to check, and we were more concerned with getting him medical attention at the time." >"Your point, sister?" "On our way to Canterlot, we spotted several of your court guards flying in the direction of the cave. Did you investigate, clear away the rubble? Did your colts find anything?" >Celestia does not answer, but a slight smirk can be seen on her face, and just as quickly as she made it, it disappeared. >"What I fail to understand, sister, is why you continue to protect him. He is a danger to not only himself, but to every last pony in Equestria." "Tia, please, I-" >"No. No, now I take things into my hooves and my hooves alone. Do you even know what my guards found once they were able to clear the rubble from that cave?" "That is what we are asking you, Tia." >"My guards found the body of Lyra Heartstrings." >Luna stops talking and simply stares at her sister, her eyes widening in shock. "Her... body?" >Celestia nods, her eyes narrowed and brow furrowed. >"That 'cave' was a shrine. A human shrine, from the old times, when they hunted us for our power. It was in that shrine that we found Lyra's body, bloody and broken. And it is for this atrocious crime that what happens next to that human must come to pass." "What do you mean? You can't possibly tell us that you believe Anonymous killed that pony! I refuse to believe you!" >"Luna... to fall so far and learn nothing. That is your failing. Lyra was found with a knife buried into her heart, in some sort of pseudo-ritual within that shrine. Considering that Anonymous was the only one with her at the time, it seems that he's the murderer. This is the truth, little sister." >Celestia smiles softly to Luna, a gleam in her eye. "But why? Why would Anon kill a pony who did nothing to him?" >"It's in his nature, Luna. You were duped, deceived by a smile and a love song. I will now take over responsibility in dealing with him." >Luna shakes her head, trying to sort everything she's been told in her mind. It didn't seem to make any sense at all. >Anon was never violent. He could be brash at times, but caring all the same. For him to kill a defenseless pony in cold blood... it didn't add up. >Celestia stood next to her younger sister, comforting her with her words. >"Rest now, little Luna. The night comes, and you look tired. Do not worry over your beloved human. I will take care of him." "...what will you do?" >Celestia pauses, then smiles to Luna. >"What I must." >Luna looked to her sister, yearning for some sort of explanation for what she meant, but hung her head and left the throne room, heading for her chambers. >A royal guard trotted up to Celestia, giving a quick salute. >Guard: "Your orders, M'Lady?" >Celestia gave pause for thought. >She decided she would do something she should have done from the very start. >"End it." ------- >The woman in wizard's clothing flinched away after reaching into your mind, digging at your memories. >A look of sheer confusion was etched onto her face. >"What... Anon? That IS you, isn't it?" <That's my name, if that's what you mean.> >She's in your face, inspecting you as best as she can. >"Yes... yes you're definitely him. At least on the outside. Same face, same hair... your eyes aren't as bright. Strange." <Have we met?> >"Your memories are... scattered. They're not gone but they've been too far dispersed... it's causing you to act differently than you normally do." <How do I normally act?> >"Well for one you used to spit in my mouth quite a lot." <I... what?!> >You weren't going to tell her, but for all the time she had been standing there, you had the urge to make a face at her. A... kitty face. >You don't know why, it just felt right. >You decided not to though. >"My god you really have NO clue about your past. And the memories I COULD get from you, about your time here... Anon what happened to you?" <How much did you see?> >"The Everfree, shattered glass and hunger, a flash of light, and the surface of the moon. You fell, and found peace, but it was short lived. I saw... a cave. Corruption, pain, and loss... this place you've found yourself in IS Equestria, but not the Equestria you came from before. This one is twisted; wrong." <I'm still a little lost. Who are you?> >"Telling you would just confuse you beyond what you feel right now. Sufficed to say, you're in a messy situation, and in your current state you're no use to anyone." <Well you didn't have to be so harsh about it.> >"See? That, right there. The real you would have kept arguing with me, called me a cunt, something!" <Why would I call you a cunt? Seems a bit brash.> >"Yeah, this won't do. You're so pedestrian, that it's disgusting." <I'm... sorry?> >"Fixing this. Fixing this now." >She raises her hands and shimmering light flows forth from them. <What are you doing?> >"Two things: One, I'm temporarily mending your memories. It'll only last a short while, maybe a day or so, so in that time I need you to get to the Canterlot Library and find a special tome. I can guide you through the book to make a scroll that will restore your mind completely." <Uhm... great. And the second thing?> >"Waking you up." >The light cascades from the woman's hands and envelops your skull, the energy seeping into your mind. >Visions and images of a life long forgotten flood to the surface, flashing before your eyes in rapid succession. >Appleloosa >Manehatten. >Hush. >Ponyville. >Pinkie Pie. >...Pinkie Pie... >As the light faded, something in the back of your mind seemed to click. >You looked at the woman, determination in your gaze. >"Those are the eyes I grew used to. How do you feel, Anon?" <Like shit, Trixie. I feel like I just woke up after a massive bar fight in fucking Appleloosa.> >"Yeah, that's you alright. Ready to wake up?" <You kiddin' me? Fuckin' give me the kick, Trix.> >Trixie clenched her fist as more magic illuminated from within her grasp. >"Gladly." ------- >A small squad of Royal Canterlot Guards roamed the halls of Ponyville General, making their way to a room in the wards. >Dr. Shoal quickly trotted up to them, a stern look on his face. >"I'm sorry, but you need clearance to enter the emergency wards. Please, if you could just walk this way I can get you acce-" >A hoof connected with the good doctor's jaw and he was sent flying into a wall. >A guard in golden armor strode into the ward, as his men went and secured the area, darting from room to room looking for their target. >Guard: "He's not here sir!" >Captain: "What?! He's comatose you idiot, he's got to be here!" >Guard: "Um.. sir?" >Captain: "What?" >The guard captain felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned around, bright green eyes meeting his gaze. "Hi. Punching you now." >Your fist slams into the guard captain's snout and you send him rocketing through two of the hospital's walls. >His men charge you, but you give no fucks. >It's been far too long since you've fought like this. >They even had a tiny chance of winning, what with you having only one arm. "TIME OUT!" >The guards screech to a halt in response to your shout. >You hold up a finger to get them to wait, then pull out a frying pan. >And jam it into the nub of your left arm. "TIME IN." >Suddenly you're smacking their bitch up, the sound of good 'ole fashioned kitchenware connecting with jaws ringing through the halls. >Fucking glorious. >More guards storm through the doors and begin to surround you. "Oh bring it you cocky cunts, I can do this all day!" <You only HAVE a day, Anon. Make it count.> "Yeah yeah, I get it, Trix." >You stretch your legs a bit, amazed at how well Luna was able to heal your spine. >You were going to enjoy seeing her again. >Oh god would all this be awkward as hell to explain to her. >Guard: "Mahonie! We found him! Call up the Lieutenant!" "Oh no FUCKING way! Is that a rule? A Mahonie for EACH universe? Fuck." >You charge the guards, letting loose a girly shriek of a battle cry as you fell more colts with your "frying-pan-guantlet," as you bounce from guard to guard, still in your hospital gown. >You were kicking ass, while constantly mooning them. >The irony was palpable. >You're winning, but more guards burst into the hospital. >Suddenly you're surrounded from all sides, the guards now wielding spears and pointing them right at you. "...best two out of three?" >They begin closing in on you. >And then Night Guards swam them and wreck their collective shit. >The Solar guards lie on the ground, unconscious, and the Night Guards surround you in their place. "Wait, are you guys here to kill me too? Because I really appreciate the way you wasted those other guards, so if you're here to do me in that would be kind of lame. Just saying." >Two guards step to the side and shadowy mist blasts into the space they provided, Princess Luna striding through it. >You beam at the sight of her, ripping the frying pan from your stub and letting it fall to the ground and run to her. "Luna!" >You run up to her, your face beaming. >"Luna, you don't know how happy I am to see-" >Her mane whips out to you and strikes your face, cutting you off. >"Quiet." "But-" >"We said be silent. Come with us." >Her mane grasps your wrist, your clothes floating over from your room to where you are, and in a flash you're teleported away from the hospital. >When your vision returns to you, you see that you're in a bedroom, lavished in dark colors and antiquities. "Wait, are we in your bedroom?" >"Yes." "As in your bedroom in Canterlot?" >"Yes." "You sure that's the best idea? I just so happen to be wanted by Celestia's ARMY if you haven't noticed." >"You will stay hidden here, for the time being. No harm will come of you." >You walk over to a large table adorned with ancient gems, all glistening in faded blues and blacks, inspecting one of them. "We need to talk." >"We need to talk." >The two of you pause as you both say the same thing at once. <What's happening? Is that the princess?> "In a minute, Trixie." >"Trixie? Who are you talking to?" "Long story. Should I go first, or should you?" >Luna strides towards you cautiously, an eye of suspicion cast on you. >"Anon, we have been told things... terrible things... things that make us question our trust of you." "Such as?" >"Celestia tells us that you... killed Lyra Heartstrings. That you sacrificed her inside that cave." >You can't believe what you're hearing at this point. "And you believe her?" >"If we believed her fully, we would not have come to your aid in that hospital. But we need to hear it from you, and you alone. Did you kill Lyra Heartstrings." >Tumbling the dark gemstone in your palm, you walk over to a small chair and sit in it, peering into the tiny stone. "When Lyra and I entered the cave, we found that it eventually turned into a sort of shrine... a temple. There was an orb in the center, and it was glowing. Pulsating. Lyra went to grasp it, and tried to stop her. I couldn't though. Whatever that thing was, it corrupted Lyra beyond recognition. She became twisted, grotesque. She attacked me, piercing my arm with her horn. I fought for my life, and she eventually disintegrated into ashes..." >You rise from the chair and hurry over to your clothes, digging into your jacket pockets. >You find what you're looking for, the small golden lyre you found within Lyra's ashes. >You walk over to Luna and show it to her. >"What... what is this?" "This is all that was left of Lyra Heartstrings. I found it in her ashes..." >You pluck a string on the lyre, letting out a small, pure tone. >"You say that Lyra turned to ash?" "Yes. After that, a sort of shadow began to assault me. He tossed me about the room like a rag doll. He's the one who crushed my spine. Oh, before I forget, thanks." >"For what?" "My spine. You healed it with magic, right?" >Luna blushes and looks down in embarrassment. >"Yes. We stayed by your side for week, soaking you in magic. It was not much, but we could not idly leave you in the care of those doctors. They did what they could, but they are not alicorns, after all." >You bring a hand to Luna's face, softly caressing her cheek. "Thank you, Luna. You've been more than kind to me." >"It is our pleasure. But we must now focus on the events at hand. If what you say is true, and Lyra was corrupted and turned to ash, then I fear my sister has deceived us. We have checked her personal logs. She has been in touch with her apprentice for some time, questioning her about your acquisition of Lyra Heartstring's book." "Where are you going with this?" >"We suspect that Celestia may have... manipulated events. She may have lured you and Lyra to the cave where you were nearly killed without your knowledge of the fact." "Wait wait, hold on. You're telling me that Celestia, PRINCESS Celestia orchestrated an extremely elaborate and overly convoluted plot in order to lure me to a cave, where she knew that Lyra would be corrupted, try to kill me, and when it failed she tried to pin her death solely on my head, all in the attempt to be rid of me?" >"Precisely." "Yeah, I can totally see that raging cunt come up with something that goddamn stupid." >"R-... raging what?" "Oh, right. My turn I guess. You might want to sit down with me over here." >You take a seat on Luna's bed, herself lying beside you, looking at you curiously. >"Your eyes... they seem to be more vibrant than they normally are." "Yeah I've been getting that a lot." >"And why were you fighting off Celestia's guards with a... cooking appliance?" "Well what else was I supposed to use? It's my thing." >Luna cocks her head to the side, confused. >You let out a sigh. "Luna... I got my memory back." >Her ears perk up and she smiles to you, excitement in her voice. >"This is wonderful news! We are eager to hear of your life prior to arriving in Equestria! Please, if you do not mind, tell us: What is your true name?" "Yeah, funny thing. Turns out my name IS Anonymous." >"Oh what a wonderful na-... what?" >You shrug and give a smile. "Like I said, it's a long story. Can you do some of that magic of yours to go inside my head?" >"What?" "My head. Just, you know, link minds with me. I'll show you everything from my old life to now." >Luna looks at you with trepidation, but nods in conviction and lights her horn, tapping your forehead with it's tip. >You conjure up every last detail concerning your adventures in Equestria. >From your time in Appleloosa, to your escape from Manehatten, all the way to your year in Ponyville with Pinkie Pie, going through each day you spent with her and the shenanigan's the two of you got yourselves into. Every day of your life flashed before Luna, who took them all in with stunning clarity. As the last of your memories make their way into Luna's mind, you can see tears rolling down her face silently. >It's over, and Luna simply looks into your eyes, hers shining due to her tears. >"You truly love that small pony with all your being, don't you?" >You give a sad smile and nod. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for the crazy ones." >Luna gives a quiet laugh, and lowers her head in thought. >"I will help you return to her." >Your eyes widen and your jaw drops, a smile spreading across your face. "But, what about-" >"Anon." >You stop. >"I spent a year of my life making sure you had someone to comfort you in your time of need. Indeed, I love you, truly. But you already have a very special somepony in your life, and if I am correct in guessing, I can say with confidence that she misses you dearly. To keep you here with me, simply because I envy your company, would be wrong." >She gives you a smile, but you can see the sadness in her eyes. "I... I love Pinkie. Really... but..." >You squirm on the inside. You'd never thought you would have such conflicting feelings like this, but the time you spent with Luna changed something inside you. >You return your gaze to Luna, and give a small smile. "I may be in love with Pinkie Pie, and she technically came first into my life... but I won't stop loving you. I can't stop loving you, after all." >"Then... will you promise me one thing?" >You nod. >"Love Pinkie Pie as you would love me." >You stare into Luna's eyes and feel your own begin to tear up, but you fight them back. >You hug her tightly, letting all of this sink in. "Okay... thank you. We need to hurry though. My thoughts will only stay with me for a day. We need to find tome in the Canterlot Library that will solve that issue. After that, Trixie is going to guide me through making a scroll to return home with." <Oh how nice of you to remember me.> "Shut the fuck up Trixie." >"Pardon?" "Trixie's in my noggin." >"Oh. Well alright then." "Now if you excuse me, I'm going to change into my clothes and out of this fruity hospital gown." >"That would probably be best, yes." >As you change into your get-up, you feel a pang of sorrow as you look at the sleeve of your left arm hanging limply to the side, no arm to be slid into it. >"Anon, if I may? Would you mind producing your... frying pan?" >You raise an eyebrow in curiosity, and do what she says, whipping out the frying pan with your 4th Wall breaking abilities. >Magic envelopes the pan, and it shifts in size and shape, traveling up your sleeve and connecting with the remains of your arm. >You feel pin pricks race across your shoulder as you suddenly begin to get feeling where your arm should have been. >With a flash of blue light, you raise what can only be described as the best prosthetic ever made. >You now have a new arm, completely made of cast-iron. >You flex your hand, clenching it into a fist once or twice, and swing your arm around in the air. >It feels like it was never even gone. "Luna, how did you-" >"Consider it a gift. Did we choose well in the material." "Fuck. Yes. Now, let's get to that library." ------- "Okay, and then this symbol goes here?" <Correct. Place one on each corner, and you're done> "Alright... okay, done. Now what?" <Read it. It's that simple.> >You spread the scroll and take in the runes and symbols etched upon it, and bright light bursts forth from where they are written. >Your mind relaxes, as you let the healing magic mend your fractured thoughts. >Luna stands beside you, a look of concern and wonder on her face as she watches the scroll go to work. >Once the job is done, the scroll burns away in a small puff of smoke and fire. >"Anon... how do you feel?" "The same, really. Everything is just a bit clearer is all." <Good, it worked then. Anon, how did the other scroll go?> "I got it done. I even made a second." <A second? Why?> "It's a surprise, Trix. Trust me." >You walk up to Luna, giving her one last hug and softly caressing her face. "Thank you, Luna. I'll never forget you." >"I would hope not. We will miss you, Anonymous. Take care of Pinkie Pie. She is lucky to have one such as yourself." >Luna smiles, but you can see the sadness she must feel behind her eyes. >You bring her face closer to yours, and whisper to her. "Luna... I love-" >The doors to the library explode in a burst of sunlight and energy, as Celestia herself strides into the room. >"Tia!" >Celest: "Luna, I am disappointed in you. I warned you about this vermin and yet you still aid him. Have you learned NOTHING of our past?!" >Luna: "What I have learned is that you let your past get the better of you, sister! You made it so a pony had to die in order to be rid of one human! Your hatred of them has clouded your judgement, and now you have blood on your hooves." >Celest: "Do NOT speak to me in that tone! I am your older sister, I am your ruler! If I deem it that this creature must die, then he will DIE. Now stand aside so I... can... where is he?" >The two alicorns look around the room, but you're nowhere to be seen. >Celestia begins to speak, but she stops in sudden horror, as she hears a faint sound in the distance. >It's a familiar sound, one she heard not too long ago. >A faint whistling sound, growing louder. >With eyes spread wide in terror, Celestia slowly brings her head up to the ceiling. >Celest: "No... there's no way he could be-" "WHAT'S GOOD, BITCH?!" >You slam through the roof of the library and bring all of your fury down onto Celestia's snout in the form of your new cast-iron fist, blasting her through the floor and into Canterlot's depths. >Clapping your hands, you dust yourself off and turn to Luna, a smug grin on your face. "What'cha think?" >"Did... did you fall from the moon?" "What? No. I just jumped out the window and jumped above the castle." >"...how did you-" "It's better to now question it. What will you do about Celestia?" >"We will banish her for a time for the murder of Lyra Heartstrings, but with you gone I see her returning to her normal self. With that said, you should probably depart." "Probably... Luna, what I was going to say before Celestia showed up. I was-" >"We know, beloved. We know." >Taking out one of your two scrolls, you unravel it and give Luna a final smile. >She returns it with one of her own, and nods. >Shimmering light engulfs you, and you wave shortly to Luna. >And then you're gone, just like that. ------- >You ran to Sugarcube Corner as fast as your feet could carry you, ignoring the shocked expression of ponies seeing you again after 5 years. >Rainbow Dash flew next to you, shock in her eyes and voice. >"Anon? Dude, where have you been? We all thought you disappeared!" >You shove your hands onto Dash's face and brought her to yours. "SHUT UP, I'M ON A QUEST FOR LOVE." >You then proceeded to hop onto her back and use her as a hover-bike. "FASTER. FASTER, YOU CYAN HORROR!" >"Glad to see you haven't chan-" "DID I SAY SPEAK? FLY, YOU CARPET MUNCHER, FLY." >You arrive at the bakery, and burst through the doors, to be met by a pair of bright green eyes. >Hush sat at the counter, looking at you in a long stare, her eyes growing wide and a smile growing on her small face. >Your bandanna was tied around her neck. >She bounds from the counter, knocking over a cake, and sprints to you as your wrap her up in a hug and swing her around crazily. "You have no idea how much I missed you, you little, mute, sonofabtich!" >"Hush? Is everything alright? I heard something fall and I-..." >You spin around and lock your gaze with the brightest of blue eyes you've seen in a very long time. >The same eyes that are now filling with tears and astonishment. >You put Hush down and simply stand where you are, as you look at Pinkie Pie. >"I.. I thought you were... when the portal-thingy closed I... I..." >She runs at you as fast as she can, leaping into your arms and knocking you over, as she cries and sobs into your chest. >But quickly you hear laughter in her sobbing. >She's not sad. She's not sad at all. >"You came back... you came BACK! I knew you'd come back! I told everypony over and over again that they were wrong and that you'd come back, and you DID! You came back!" >You squeeze Pinkie tightly and leap to your feet, nuzzling her neck with your face and ruffling her hair. <Did it work? Anon? Are you back in Equestria with Pi-> "TRIXIE SHUT THE FUCK UP I AM HAVING A ROMANTIC MOMENT YOU CUNT!" >"Wha?" "Trixie's still in my head." >"Trixie! We are trying to have a climactic moment within the story to make the readers let out an audible "Daaaawwww" noise! You can't just pipe in and ruin it! Shame on you, you silly filly!" >You've been gone for five long years, and still Pinkie never changed. >Ever. >Good. >Hush trots up to you, the bandanna in her mouth. >You take it and tie it to your neck, giving her a hoof bump. "Pinkie, I love you, but I have to stop hugging you for a second." >"Huh? Why?" >You look to Hush and pull out the second scroll. "There's something I have to do." ------- >Trixie paced her dressing room, trying to re-establish her link with Anon's mind. >Out of nowhere he had severed it, not allowing her to view what he was thinking. >She was worried, maybe the scroll backfired again? >She couldn't live with herself if she had failed. She was a sorcerer, after all, she hated to fail when it came to magic. >Suddenly, a blast of light filled the small room and Trixie recoiled in surprise. >When the light dimmed, Trixie could not believe her eyes. >Standing in front of her was a small girl, no older than ten, with light brown hair and speckled in freckles, with bright green eyes. >She looked at Trixie with an expression of disbelief, as she spoke for the first time in her life. >"...Mom?" >Trixie could not contain herself as she embraced the small girl, holding her tightly in her arms. >And for once, all was right with the world. >End of Hearts of Man story arc. More Drury Lane Zaniness to come. Thanks for reading, space cowboys.~