Day Twenty Five In Equestria

It really is beautiful out here. You crawl through the wooden landscape. The light from the midday sun is more than enough to breach the canopy above your head and illuminate your path. There are more than a few areas that are completely blacked out by the foliage above, but those are easy enough to avoid or were small enough to ignore entirely. Why are ponies so scared of this place? You ask yourself as you step over another twisted tree root of a near dead tree, the grotesque plant, growing to more than 3 times the size of you. It's more than enough to give yourself the chills. You wouldn't dare touch it, through fear of breaking off a piece of rotting bark and a million tiny bugs crawling out to consume your form.

"A-Anon?" A meek little voice calls out from behind you. "Are we nearly there yet?" Fluttershy asks, keeping a close distance to your back. The whole display is enough to almost make you chuckle but, you wouldn't dare do it externally. Fluttershy was nice enough to accompany you to the Everfree forest - even though she's obviously terrified of the place - and you weren't going to be a jackass by laughing at her. But still she was the one supposed to make you feel safer. Scanning your surroundings, you approach a clearing that seems all too familiar to you.

"Here we are, shy." You announce as you ditch your backpack onto the ground and take a breather. Fluttershy does the same, placing her saddlebags onto the wild grass of the forest floor. "You remember this place?" Your little prompt was more than enough to see her face light up as she remembers what you're referring to.

"I remember a certain human climbed up a tree and throwing sticks at a nasty Timberwolf." She says with a nostalgic smile. That was how you all met. that was when you fully realized that this world was not your own. When six brightly colored miniature horses ran in and saved your dumb pink ass... and not when you were nearly lunch for a timber wolf, literally made out of timber.

"How was I supposed to know it would make it stronger?" You ask when you see Fluttershy's condescending smile.

"They're made of wood, sweetie." She finishes matter of factly. You'd think given her name, that she would be well... you know... shy. But once you got to know her, you found out that's not entirely the case. She was only really shy when she was in situations that made her uncomfortable, like public speaking or talking to new people. But in the short amount of time that you've had here in Equestria, Fluttershy and her five friends have been so accommodating that you couldn't help but feel welcome. You guess your comfort showed, because all six of them were getting more accustomed to you by the minute.

You roll your eyes, searching for the specific tree, and once that was done, you begin to retrace your steps from three weeks ago. Just down past the overgrown shrubbery that was still scarred by you storming through it, just a few weeks ago, past the large tree with the bark that looks like a face and a few seconds past that and maybe you'd find what you were here for. If you could just find out where you fell into Equestria, then maybe you'll find out how you got here and then all it would take was a little bit of reverse engineering and then hey presto! you're back in human world! You're letting your hopes get a little too high if you're honest. You're banking on something obvious being there, when in actuality you could just be setting yourself up for a harder fall.

"That way, I think." You say, eighty five percent sure that this was the way you came. You quickly grab your pack from the ground, Fluttershy doing the same. The next ten minutes is spent carefully watching your surroundings, keeping your eye out for any predators that could be watching. From what you remember, Timberwolves have these weird glowing eyes, that you can use as a reference, but that wasn't the only thing you have to be concerned about in this place. Anything can get you.

"A-Anon? W-where do we go now?" You were in a darker place in the forest, not dark as in pitch black, but it was certainly more shaded. It was more open than the rest of the forest, more space to move, without crawling through a bush or ivy or other crap like that. A few dead trees lay resting, probably until they rot, the darkness of this area was more than enough to make your yellow companion uneasy, but there was something else about this place that made your stomach churn with discomfort.

"T-this...this is it." You scan the area one more time just to be sure, but there is no denying it. "This is where I came to Equestria." A revelation like this, might make you feel better that you found this place. You found what you are looking for, so what's the problem? Well there's nothing here. You were expecting a bright shining portal, something obvious, that swirled with the sound of...well... a portal. But nothing. Your next hope would have been that it was simply invisible. That you couldn't see nor hear it, but that thought is soon dashed as you hear the gentle pitter pattter of raindrops, dropping against the leaves of the tree above you and then cascading down onto the forest floor.

There's nothing here.

Your companion who has been sitting quietly as you stare into the distance, taking in the surrounding, finally pipes up. "Anon...I'm so sorry." She says, her hoof placed on your leg comfortingly.

It's not here. You check again. The tree you fell into when you landed here, the dead tree you first saw the Timberwolf crawling over and looking right into your soul, ready to pounce, and...nothing. This was the place, but there was nothing here. You fall to the ground, your butt cushioned by the moss on the tree roots, your hair starting to cling to your head and the clothes drenching with the rain. Fluttershy, sits beside you, rubbing your shoulder comfortingly as your head falls into your hands and you try so hard to hold back tears of hopelessness.

Noticing this, Fluttershy wraps her hooves and wings around you in a comforting embrace, the heat is welcome in this rainfall, but it still isn't quite enough to stop you from whimpering in despair. "This doesn't mean anything." Fluttershy whispers reassuringly. Causing you to lift your head up. "The princesses are working hard to find you a way home. Twilight and some of the best magicians in Canterlot are pouring over books to find a way to send you home."

What she said helps a little, but what if they can't, what those magicians pour over every page of every book of every library in the country, but they never find anything to get you home? What will you do if you're stuck here? In this land of talking horses with absolutely no human contact for the rest of your life?

Almost sensing your thoughts, Fluttershy tightens her hug. "...And they can't. well... w-we'll just have to do our best to make Equestria your perfect home." Her words should probably make you feel worse. They should probably make you lose all hope of going home, because even she has doubt, but it doesn't. This yellow horse... she cares about you. You've only been here three and a bit weeks and she already cares about your well being. Hell, even if you couldn't go home. even if you're stuck here forever, you have friends. You have a home at the farm and a job, even if it is temporary. You have Twilight doing everything in her power to help you and make sure you have a friend. There's Rarity and her unwavering generosity, Pinkie's always trying to make you laugh, Rainbow Dash is Trying to keep your spirits up when you need it and then there's this one... Fluttershy. She came out here into the Everfree forest, even though it scared the shit out of her, even though it probably wasn't what she had planned for today, but she did it anyway... for you. Because you didn't want to go alone, and all you wanted to do was find the slightest glimmer of hope. You could easily build a life here, sure there probably wouldn't be other humans, but you won't be lonely. You'll always have them as your friends...

and maybe that'll be enough...

Present Day.

"Anon?" Grim asks as you make your way out of the orchard. Each tree completely bare of apples. In fact, the entire lot seems to be bare.

"She must have worked all night..." You all but whisper to yourself. Your body is just going through the motions now. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. You're too caught up in your thoughts to really... think.

"If she cleared the plot in one night, then how the hell would she have stolen the body?" You think to yourself as you pass under the archway to sweet apple acres. Grim following you silently. "Twilight's house was searched and there was nothing, as was Rainbow's, plus I'm more inclined to believe that she wouldn't do it" maybe you were being foolish, thinking that way, but your friendship with Rainbow seemed to be the most genuine towards the end. Plus that reaction she had towards Applejack, kind of cemented your theory...unless it was an act? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. "Grim and I searched Fluttershy and Pinkie's house and found nothing. Applejack physically couldn't have done anything harmful and inspector Hoofcuff searched Twilight's and Rainbow Dash's places, so that just leaves Rarity."

"We're heading to Carousel Boutique." You say to your ghostly companion. "I assume you wish to come?" You weren't expecting her to refuse, Grim has just been following you this whole time and giving stupid commentary. You assume that she either has a moral obligation to escort you through your final days or she has a sadistic sense of humor, maybe both?

At your sudden vocalization, Grim seems taken aback. You've been walking for about ten minutes now and you haven't said a word, but none the less, she responds. "I have to follow you, Anon. You choose where we go. I can only advise." She speaks in a mock-official tone, doing a curt bow to lighten the mood, but when you don't respond, her demeanor turns a little more concerned. "Are you okay? I can understand that this can be a little overwhelming for you..." She trails off as you don't reply. You don't have time for this. You only have so little time. You had five days and you've already wasted one of them, so now you should make the most of what time you have left.

"Anon?"

"I'm fine." You say, a little more harshly than you intended. Best get to the clothes house.

"Why are we going to Carousel Boutique?"

You stop in your tracks. You know the answer, but you're not sure if you want to tell her. Grim is funny, some things she'll support, but at this point in time, you're not sure if this will be deemed interfering with the rules or not. You guess there's only one way to find out.

"I want to find my body." You say, turning toward the mare behind you. "I want to find out who killed me. Rarity is the only one who's house hasn't been searched yet. If I find my body, I might find out who killed me, and who hurt my friends so much." Your tone isn't sad or angry. It's completely dead and you think that's what stops the Grim Reaper from reacting. She knows your look, she knows what you're thinking.

She's seen it all before.

You don't even hesitate when you get to the purple door of carousel boutique. You walk right up to it, then through it into whatever god forsaken hellhole your death has turned it into. From what you can see it's not much different to what it usually looks like. In fact, it was almost as if nothing happened. The purple walls were still clean, the curtains still hung from the roof to hide her next big project, mirrors still set up to capture every angle. Everything was orderly and despite prior assumptions, there weren't tear-stained tissues strewn all over the floor. It was quite refreshing. You were used to finding something wrong. Unfed animals, Friends fighting to the death, Secrets you never wanted to find out, but here... it's like you never even died.

Grim follows close behind you. "Well this is nice." She says sarcastically cheerily , and then the atmosphere is harshly ripped back to reality as you remember why you are here. You sigh in frustration.

"Can't you like...just leave me to it?" You ask, dejectedly. Grim just shakes her head with pursed lips.

"No can do, buddy." She says matter of factly. "I am duty bound to follow you until you pass into the afterlife."

You hang your head in defeat. "Then could you please just start looking for my body...? I'm not in the mood."

You start in the laundry room in the back. You don't really know where to start, so the smallest room was as good a place as any. There isn't really anything to search. the washing machine was running, a couple of baskets were full of piled up laundry and that's about it. Where could you hide a body in here? The laundry room is kind of a bust, so you move into the store room, which is also a bust. The only thing in here is the lines of fabric, the boxes of pins and needles and many different strings and spools dotted around the shelves. You just need to think, if you were Rarity, where would you hide a body. You'd want it to be close by and have ready access to it. You don't want to think why you'd want ready access to it, but if you were to steal a body, then it's probably likely, you don't plan on being respectful... unless.

"HOLY SHIT!" You shout aloud. A sudden revelation coming to your mind. Grim comes running out from wherever she was looking a look of panic crossing her face.

"What is it?" She asks when she reaches you, eyes darting around for whatever reason made you shout.

Your hand rubs your forehead in frustration. "I'm a fucking idiot." You say in answer. Grim just quirks a brow with a crooked smile.

"Well I already knew that, but-" You don't let her finish.

"Shut up for a second and let me think." How could you have been so assuming? "The body! I've been assuming that it's been taken because these ponies are insane..." Grim nods in understanding. "...and so I've been assuming that my body would be near whoever stole it..." Another nod. "...But what if that's not why they stole it? What if they got rid of it because it's evidence!"

Grim's brows furrow. "How'd you get that logic?" She asks, you just smile knowingly.

"That's why I'd steal a body." You walk towards the door. Grim rolls her eyes in annoyance.

"What about this place?" She asks condescendingly, you're about to respond when a gentle knock echos from the front door, alerting anyone inside of an intended visitor. You look at the offending wood and at first you're more worried it's going to be the inspector, coming to harass another one of your friends, but that knock wasn't rough or demanding. It was calm, gentle, almost...familiar.

A sad smile graces your lips as you realize who is on the other side of the door. "I guess we can wait." You listen as you hear hoof-beats from upstairs, moving across the ceiling and then down the stairs. You see Rarity for the first time since yesterday. You would be surprised at how... normal she looks, but you should know better. Rarity wouldn't put anything before perfectly styling her mane and keeping her coat clean and pristine. She's not wearing any makeup however and she doesn't seem to move with that same spring in her step or that enthusiastic smile she gets when offered a task. You suppose not everything can be the same after one day, but it's still nice enough to see someone who's not completely run ragged by your death. Rarity trots to the door, undoing the locks before opening the door to reveal exactly who you thought it was.

"Hey Rarity." Fluttershy says quietly, pawing at the floor in front of the white unicorn. Rarity just offers a sympathetic look and politely gestures that the Pegasus come inside with a free foreleg. Fluttershy takes the invitation without problem and canters in.

"It's good to see you, darling." Rarity says, locking to door behind the yellow Pegasus. "Though I am curious as to what this is about?" Strangely enough, Fluttershy just smiles, confusing the hell out of you. Earlier this morning she couldn't open her eyes without bawling them out, but now she's actually... smiling. It's relieving and concerning at the same time.

"I saw Anon today." That catches you off guard. You look to your silent companion. Grim just shrugs her shoulders and shakes her head, protraying the universal sign for I don't fucking know what's going on! Rarity watches Fluttershy with worry, as if her friend has just admitted that she's insane...which may not be far off from the actual case. "He was at my house this morning." She clarifies, your chest tightens. How the hell did she...?

Rarity rests a comforting foreleg onto Fluttershy's shoulder. "Darling, I know that this whole thing is affecting you. It's affecting all of us, but...A-Anon's...Anon's gone...sweetie. H-he...He was murdered..." Tears begin to stream down her face as Fluttershy gently takes Rarity's hoof and holds it tight in comfort as the white mare begins to silently weep.

"I..." She pauses trying to think for a second on what to say. "I know. But he's back!" Her words stop Rarity from "I just know it!" The way she said that made her sound as if what she was saying is fact. Like there was no disputing it, but she couldn't have seen you, you're dead. She can't know you're here. "He fed my animals, this morning..."

Your thought process is ground to a halt as you remember exactly what she is referring to. You remember the scythe, the bag of foul smelling food and finally a pissed off grim reaper who is no doubt glaring daggers at the back of your skull right this second.

"He's back, Rarity! I know it was him!" Fluttershy announces gleefully, as happy as you've ever seen her.

Rarity just stares at Fluttershy as if she suddenly changed into a changeling. A look of fear evident on her face.

You just turned looked to your demon-spawn friend behind you, who is understandably pissed off.

"What the buck have you bucking done..?" You just sigh in defeat.

Seems you may have made things worse.

Author's Note

Hey guys... so... it's 2016. been a while...huh.

Please don't kill me.

I do have excuses, most personal, some not so personal, but I'm back now. I want to get these stories finished and I *Cough*might*Cough* want to write some new stories. dependent on whether or not you guys'll still have me...

So with the year and a half hiatus. (for this story at least) Some things are bound to happen. What I am most worried about is my writing abilities going to shit (or further to shit) so if you guys could point out any mistakes, problem areas, or just want to yell at me for leaving this for so long, I'd feel eternally grateful.

Expect the next chappies in the coming weeks
and stay awesome!