Ask Crimson Fang

by Slendermare

Rating: teen
Tags: Cutie Mark Crusaders, Random, Adventure, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Other, Original Character
Length: 3701

A filly going to a new school? Some issues. Add being a batpony to that? You might run into a few bumps in the road.

Crimson Fang is new in Ponyville, after years of moving around with her older sister Arsonya. Finally hoping to not be judged over whether being a thestral or ginger, she's excited about school. The only main problem is that she keeps getting hit in the face with these weird, text bubbles. She just rolls with it.

This is an Ask themed story. Ask her questions in the comments section if your up to it. Tags and characters may change in time.

Published 2014-05-26 18:40:05 UTC
Last updated 2015-06-19 01:46:00 UTC

Arrival in Ponyville

"Crimson, did you get the front door? It's raining, and I don't want any more water getting inside."
With one swift leg kick to the door, it was closed.
"Yeah Arsy, it's closed."
Crimson looked through the living room that belonged to their current house. It was the third one so far this year, and it might not be the last. Ponies didn't take too kindly to bat ponies, which Crimson never really understood. I mean, the only differences were looks and the apple thing. I mean, it's not like they stalked ponies in the shadows at ungodly hours. That'd be ridiculous. Whoever came up with that stupid, idiotic idea needs to go find a cactus and-
"Crim, did you put your things in your room?" Crim groaned at the interruption, but did as her sister asked and carried the box of things up to her room. This was the last of it all, a majority of it being brought earlier in the week. Crim kicked open the door, and made her way to the center of her room. She set down the box, and looked around the sparsely furnished room. All it contained was a bookshelf, a bed, a desk, a side table, and a dark purple rug in the center. Crim then spent the next five minutes carefully putting a multitude of books on shelves, a lamp on the desk, and a family photo on the end table. Upon seeing the photo, she took off her glasses and wiped the salty tears off her face, before replacing the glasses to their respective spot. She walked over to her sisters room, where she found her putting up a few things.
"Hey Arsonya. Do you have any stories for me to pre-read?"
Her sister walked over to a desk, and took off a small packet. She leafed through it quickly, before hoofing it to Crim. Crim made her way back to her room, and as she walked by her mirror, seeing no change in her orange coat, blood red mane with eyes to match, and green glasses. She took notice that she was still cute-markless. Sighing, She got to her desk, and started leafing through the story. Some of her sisters stories had given grown stallions paranoia. Crim had built up a sort of immunity to the fear of them. About ten minutes later, Crim had brought back the packet to her sister, who was busying herself in the kitchen with lunch. Crim waited until her sister finished chopping some tomatoes before speaking up.
"Hey Arsy."
Her sister looked up from her cooking to say,
"Oh, hey Crim. So, what do I need to improve on?"
Crim leafed through the story, checking the notes in the margins, before telling her,
"Well, I think you could flare out the backstory a bit, because it's pretty much only a paragraph of explanation before you get right into the stalking bit. And I think the end could be a bit longer." She watched as her sister thought this over.
"Ok, put it in my room, ok?"
Crim nodded, and started to obey the simple task. As she headed up the stairs, she considered how it may not be a good idea to let a filly, who was still cutie-markless, read over horror stories. Although most others wouldn't be up for it anyhow. After tossing them onto her sisters bed, Crim walked into her own bedroom, and flopped onto her bed. She buried her face into the purple bedding, and groaned. Why was this today boring? Sure, she'd be starting school soon, but right at that very moment, life was boring. Very. She rolled over, and glanced at her bookshelf, knowing full well that she had read every book there at least three times. Crim rolled over again, but this time landed on the floor.
"Owww....."
After Crim picked herself up from her spot on the floor, she walked downstairs and passed her sister in the kitchen.
"Hey Arsy can I go look around town?" Without looking up, her sister said,
"Sure, but hurry back. And don't forget your sunglasses and cloak."
Smiling, her sister ran to the living room. After hastily throwing on a cloak and a pair of sunglasses, she ran across the room, and into the closed front door. Blushing slightly, she opened it, and rushed out.
"Wait! The... Door..."
With a groan, Arsonya made her way to the open door and slammed it shut. As she turned around, she smelled smoke in the air.
"Huh?" Her eyes widened and she cried,
"Oh no! MY SOUFFLÉ!"

Crim leisurely trotted through the market place, looking for any signs of action. Besides seeing three fillies crash into a tree and finding a bit, nothing exciting had happened. She groaned, and turned around to head back home. Before she could though, something caught her eye. It looked like a box, but... Cooler. She made her way over, and heard cries of anger. As she made her way around, she found a brown colt with a reddish brown mane moving a lever of some sort. He also had a really cool hat.
"Umm, whats that?"
She asked as she motioned to the box. The colt turned around, and looked shocked.
"You don't know what this is?" Crim shook her head no, not sure if she was supposed to know.
After thinking about it, he told her,
"It's an arcade machine. You play games on it." Crim cocked her head and asked,
"Can I try?" The colt shrugged, and took a step back. Slowly, Crim trotted forward and looked over it. After seeing a slot, she realized she needed a bit. After grabbing the bit she found earlier from a pocket, she put it in and the screen lit up saying,
Pac-Colt

Crim pressed the button and a yellow circle thing appeared. She heard the colt from earlier say,
"You move it with that lever, and try and get all the white circles. Don't let the ghosts get you though, or else you lose."

With a nod, Crim started to carefully maneuver the lever, collecting all the little white pellets. She found out that if you get a bigger one, you can eat the ghosts. After a little while, there were only a few pellets left, and the orange ghost was chasing her. She mentally counted down how many pellets were left.
7
6
5
The orange ghost almost gets her, and she narrowly escapes by making a series of sharp turns.
4
3
Now the pink and red ghosts appear, and she needs to take a sharp left turn to avoid getting caught.
2
1
After she gets the final pellet, some letters appear on the screen.
Level 2
As it counts down, she steals a quick glance behind her, seeing the colt is still there, and looks awestruck. She didn't get it, considering how easy the game was, but she turned around anyways when the level had begun.

Button's mouth was agape as he stared in shock. It had taken him 4 tries to finally figure out all the right turns to make to beat level one.
This filly got it on her first try. Earlier, she didn't even know what Pac-Colt was! How did she grasp the concept so easily? He stared as she was just finishing up the level. After she picked up the final pellet, she quit game and turned around. He looked up just in time to hear her start talking.
"Well, that was fun and all but I have to get going. I can't miss lunch, or else I'll get in trouble." She started to trot off, as he called, a bit eagerly,
"Wait! Do you think you can, umm, maybe meet me here tomorrow? Same time?" She smiled.
"Sure thing. By the way, I'm Crim." He grinned, and said,
"Button."
She giggled and told him,
"Well, see you tomorrow Button." And with that, she headed off. Button turned back to the game machine and put in a bit.
Tomorrow's gonna be a good day.

Crim started galloping as soon as Button turned around. In record time, she was home, upstairs, and in her room. She threw off her cloak and sunglasses and sat against the door. Her heart was racing, and she was sure that she was having a heart attack. But if that was the case, wouldn't she be in searing pain and writhing agony? No, she remembered her sister talking about this feeling but she hadn't understood it until then.
She was in love.

Author's Note

This is NOT going to center around her and Button, trust me. So, go ahead and ask question for her in the comments about anything.

What are these things!?

Crim had her head buried in her hooves, having no idea what she needs to do. Groaning, she looked to the ceiling and yelled,
"Why is life so complicated!?"
All of a sudden, a box appeared in front of her.
"What the buck!?"
"Crim! Watch your language!"
Cringing slightly at her sister's outburst, Crim read the box.

How old are you?

Crim gave the text box an uneasy look, but answered nonetheless.
"I'm ten, but what's it to you?"
Another text box appeared, and Crim groaned.

Art thou okay?

"Umm, not really."

How are you liking Ponyville?

Crim cocked her head and replied,
"I just got here today, but it does seem nice."

Does thou need help?

"I don't really think you used that right, but few speak like that much anymore besides a few. But if your talking about Button, then maybe..."
By the time Crim finishes answering the question, she blushing furiously. But she's saved from answering any more questions by her sister.
"Crim, lunch is ready, hurry up!"
Smiling with relief, Crim rushes down the steps and into the kitchen. After she jumps into a chair, her sister asks,
"So, what'd you do in town today?"
"I played an arcade machine with this colt. Oh! And I found a bit."
Crim's sister chuckled as she set a sandwich in front of her, and then herself. Prodding it with a hoof, Crim asked,
"What kind of sandwich?"
"Peanut butter and jelly."
Crim keeps prodding it, and her sister groans.
"It's strawberry jelly and smooth peanut butter."
Smiling, Crim starts to eat. But only a few minutes in, another text box appears.

Crim this is your subconscious speaking.....do you liek Mudkips?

Arsonya's eyes widened as Crim asked,
"Whats a mudkip?"
With what could only be described as a growl, she punched it put of existence and said,
"If it's what I think it means, then it's not appropriate."
They continued eating until Arsonya said,
"Wait, what WAS that?"
Crim shrugged and said,
"I dunno, but until you saw it I thought I was going crazy."
"Should we take care of it?" Crim waved a dismissive hoof.
"Nah. Besides, I don't think there's much we COULD do."
For awhile the two ate in silence, until Arosnya interrupted it.
"So, you said you met a colt?"
Crim took a sip of her juice and nodded. Aronsya smirked and asked,
"You like him, don't you?"
Crim blushed heavily and told her,
"Yes. no. Maybe. Sh-shove off..."
Arsonya laughed and a text box appeared.

So Crim, with my small amount of experience in the matter, are you sure you feel love? Or do you have a crush? You barely know dear Button Masher and you already think you're in love. Oh, and before you ask how we know, we're omniscient, so we can read your thoughts. Well, some of them. BUT NOT IN THE CREEPY WAY!

Arsonya grinned.
"You DO like him! And from the looks of it, his name's Button. Care to tell me about him?"
Blushing even more, she said,
"H-he's nice... And likes video games... And he has this cool hat."
Arsonya laughed.
"You SO have a thing for him, huh? When'll you see him next?"
"After school tomorrow at the same arcade machine."
Crim was bouncing excitedly in her seat. After she finished her sandwich, she ran to the fridge, grabbed a juice box and ran to her room. As she was ready to stick the straw in the juice box, she saw a label.

Are you a winner?

Excitedly, she tore off the label.

Sorry, better luck next time!

Angrily, she opened a window and threw it out. She slammed it shut and turned around...
Just to walk into a text box.

hay Crim? do you know any other bat ponies, aka Thestrals, and if so do you think of becoming a night guard? good pay, good food and the chance to scare the living daylights out of the pigeons known as the day guards. I swear we are the only competent soldiers in the castle...

A night guard? Hmm... I'm not sure, never really crossed my mind, considering I have no idea what my talent is... That text box was soon replaced with another. And I don't know any others, besides my dad who... Is gone...

To Crim: Wow, there seems to be a lot of bat-pony racism in Equestria. Just because they look a little different doesn't mean bat-ponies are bad. So where do your kind normally roam to get away from most of that?
Also are your kind normally nocturnal, or do you like daytime just as much?

"It really is ridiculous. I mean, your right! We don't do anything bad. As to where we go, Princess Luna had a refugee town near the capitol before some jerks came tearing through a few years back... Now, she's trying to reintegrate us back into society, although most travel a lot like me to try and escape it. And my sister was even dragged into this! I mean, she looks like me, but she's pegasus! Why do they drive her out!? Sometimes, I'm not sure why she bothers with me... As for the nocturnal thing, I guess it depends on your job."

Crimson, how did you get your name?

She blinked as it appeared.
"Umm, Well my eyes and mane ARE Crimson colored, so... Plus I think there was a blood moon thing going on the night I was born, so..."
Crim went to her bookshelf and looked through its contents, groaning when she came up short. Going to her saddle bags, she looked through them to make sure everything was ready for school. Smiling, she pulled out a rule book. She skipped through it before coming to an excerpt for the dress code. Her pupils shrank when she saw some of the things listed.

No Sunglasses
No Cloaks or Jackets

She started to nervously pace the room, her mind going into overdrive as it came up with every possible scenario. She was so wrapped up in thought that she ended up running into a text box. Rubbing her muzzle, she read it.

Do u like waffles'

"Who doesn't?"
Crim was happy for the distraction, as most worry slipped away.

So, Crim, my daughter Nightshade is going to be going to the same school as you, could you take care of her for me? I know I can trust you to be a good friend. From-Shatterwing.

Cocking her head, she said,
"Ok, sure. I'll keep an eye out for her."

Do u know slender?

"Who?" Crim shook her head. People were coming up with some pretty weird stuff.

Dear Crim

do you know that one chaos is a part of everything and two *whispers* I'm inside your head *stops whispering*
~sincerely Sheogorath Daedric prince of madness and chaos~
P.S. when is a raven a writing desk

Well, a little bit of chaos is enjoyable. And two, I'm not too sure about that. And third, both bring madness.

So...Crim...
I hear rumor that Button likes you...
I also may have heard that a certain filly (cough) Sweety Belle (cough) is getting a little jealous that you got his attention when she didn't.
So, would you be, uh, worried? - about competition -
I also may have heard, that a certain dragon (cough) Spike (cough) possibly likes you too...
What about him? You might be, uh, interested?

C-competition!? No, I-I can't compete, I h-hate pressure... Oh Celestia I'm screwed, I'm SO screwed... I'm a batpony! Who in there right, sane mind dates a batpony!? Besides my parents of course, but they always challenged status quo! ALWAYS! I hate attention... And Dragons are here? Cool!"

To Crimson Fang: Studies show that having "voices" in your head may be a symptom of schizophrenia, and judging from what these voices are saying I wouldn't rule that out as an option. Also, schizophrenia causes delusions, which may be the stallion with the game box. And it may effect your mood and overall ability to live. Just saying, don't trust that what your seeing is real. And you should probably seek some psychological help as well. I know I am just a voice in your head, but I am the only one making any damn sense in here.

"N-no, because A-Arsy sees them too..."
Crim then fainted from stress.

Author's Note

Welp, looks like Crim here needs some help with what to do about school and competition. Offer her some advice and ask more questions!

School

Crim awoke to darkness. She noticed that she was in her bed, and she could piece together what had happened. Turning on the lamp next to her, she saw a text box hovering above her. After she put on her glasses so she could read it properly, she saw that it said,

Oh, hiya!
I've never actually...Talked...to a bat-pony,so.....Er....
What's your....favorite...juice flavor?

Crim put a hoof to her chin, thinking.
"Weeeell, I can't decide between apple juice and grape... Does lemonade count?"
Crim then looked to the clock at the right of her. It read 5:54 AM, and in about five minutes she would normally get up. Well, there wasn't any point in trying to sleep again, so she decided to get up. In the near darkness, she almost walked into another text box.

Dear Crim,
What;s your favorite fairy tale? Something creepy? Something sweet?

Hmm, I like this one called The Mare Without Hooves... It's a bit creepy, but I happen to like it. Crim walked to the mirror in her room and started to brush her mane. As she was brushing out the last few tangles, a text box appeared behind her. Seeing it in the reflection, she turned around to read it.

To Crim: Try to realize that you aren't the only one to deal with these boxes. There are many ponies across the pony multi-verse that receive messages from us. Most of them are in dire need of our advice, so that's when we show up. Whether they are having love troubles or are just downright miserable, we show up to try and help. You fit into the former of those categories, so here we are.
TLDR: Your not the only one to have these things.

"R-Really? There are others in different dimensions with them?" Crim had finished brushing the tangles out, but her mane looked pretty much the same, but she paid it no mind. Running to her side table, she opened a drawer that held a bag of bits. Grabbing them, she stuffed them into her saddle bags, just to turn around and come face to face with a text box.

To Crim: Be careful when you head into school Crim. There's a certain pink filly and her little grey minion that don't take too kindly to blank flanks. And knowing other ponies opinions on your kind, that probably won't help. Just don't let them get to you.

"Bullies? Well, I've been bullied before, so I know the drill... And it probably won't help that another filly is out to get me... " Crim had by now opened the door and trotted downstairs. Walking over to the living room, she set down her saddle bags, and was now in the kitchen. As she started making a sandwich, she worried about the school dress coat. Her thoughts were interrupted by yet another text box.

Oh dear crim you are adorable and sweet and kind what colt in their sane mind wouldn't want to date you, also you don't have schizophrenia we are just all powerful beings that feel like having a bit of fun messing with you and also helping you at the same time see nothing to worry about we're nice

"R-really? You guys think bat ponies are c-cute?" Crim blushed as she set the sandwich in her dark green lunch box. Trotting to the fridge, she took out two juice boxes, one apple, and one grape. After settling on the grape, she grabbed an apple and a small baggie of baby carrots. After adding the required food items for her lunch, she read the time on the clock. Seeing that it was 6:34, she decided it was good as a time as any to head out. Knowing it would get her nowhere, she left her cloak and sunglasses and put on her saddlebags. Hopefully no one would try and run her out of town on her second day. On her way, another text box appeared in front of her.

Competition isn't that hard Crimson dear, just do what you think you have to and you will prevail to get what you want... These notes you read are from people from another dimension called "humans" show them to Lyra Heartstrings, she'll confirm it for you! -Shatterwing.

"H-humans? They sound familiar... And I don't want to hurt anypony's feelings..." Crim soon found herself at the the fence surrounding it. Tentatively, she trotted through and saw a swing set. Her ears perking up, she bolted over excitedly, dumped the lunch box next to it, and hopped on. Swinging contently, she was surprised to see a text box.

Dear Crim who is your best friend?

"I just got here yesterday, but I hope that Button is..."
All of a sudden, a pink filly with a tiara on her flank flounced up.

This cant be good...