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The Enduring, the Quick, & the Agile (Edited)
Author's Note
Update 1: Originally to be finished before or on the date of Thanksgiving (Oct.12 for Canadians)
Update 2: Moved to month of November instead, between Nov. 1-4.
This is celebrating the episode "Fall Weather Friends " and even the Running of the Leaves event and is after the events of chapter 9 of AAE.
The Enduring, the Quick, & the Agile (Edited)
A week later after the events from the incident that happened at Ponyville, Anim has separated himself from everypony in the guest room for days without leaving the room. How he was eating is unknown but Twilight knows that Anim was still alright inside, she was unable to cheer her friend of the recent events with Anim staying in solitude for this long was the troubling part.
Ponyville, Sugarcube Corner; 11:00am
“Twilight is Anim still upset?” asked Rainbow.
“He is,” said Twilight, “girls, ever since that day from a week ago we all thought Anim was the real threat but now… I don’t know anymore.”
“Don’t worry sugarcube, Anim’s our friend and we need to be there for a friend,” said Applejack.
“I know but, every passing day he’s separating himself from us and I don’t know what to do,” said Twilight, drinking her smoothie. “Every time I try to convince him to come with me, he doesn’t respond and ignores me, do you think… he hates me?”
All of Twilight’s friends look at each unable to give them a clear answer, then Pinkie has an idea.
“Oh Twilight, why not try bringing Anim to this year’s ‘Running of the Leaves’, maybe the race will raise his spirits,” said Pinkie.
“I don’t know Pinkie, that might be a bad idea and Anim’s a unicorn he doesn’t have the endurance or the speed to make it or even finish it,” said Rarity pointing out the obvious.
“I know but he’s well… Anim,” said Pinkie giving out a smile.
Everypony looks at Pinkie then back at Twilight, she thinks of this and it might work but they still have one problem.
“This could work but, he’s too stubborn to listen,” said Twilight, “if only we knew somepony who was so impossible to say no to.”
When Twilight was about to give up she realized she knows somepony who matches this description, everypony looks at Fluttershy who was enjoying her smoothie too, when she finishes she sees everypony looking at her and gives off a faint gulp. Meanwhile at Golden Oaks Library, Anim looks through his journal still upset while Spike picks up some books that Anim was reading from the library… which was the fifth time he read them, as Spike continues to pick more books up, the door opens with the Mane 6 entering the room.
“Spike is he still in his room?” asked Twilight.
Spike motions his head slightly to the closed door which was Anim’s room, as Twilight tells Fluttershy to knock on the door Fluttershy moves to the door when she’s about to knock on the door Anim speaks.
“That you Fluttershy,” said Anim, from the other side of the door.
“How… how did…” said Fluttershy surprised Anim knew.
“Ever since I’ve been staying in my room, I’ve listened to the breathing of everyone, the pattern of everyone’s hooves and can sense a distinguishing aura between the three races and other creatures,” said Anim, “for example when Fluttershy was approaching the door, she keeps one of her hooves behind the other if she doesn’t want to do something she doesn’t like doing.”
Everypony looks at Fluttershy and see that one of Fluttershy’s hooves is behind the other and Anim is speaking the truth.
“Sorry, it’s a habit of mine,” said Fluttershy.
“So, you’ve been sensing every little detail of everypony, how?” asked Rainbow a little freaked out.
“I call it Aura Scan, it allows the user to see the details of a specific creature or a wide area of creatures, depending on the user’s mental state, the location they are at and the type of aura they have,” said Anim, explaining his unique spell.
“Wait aura, what’s that Anim?” asked Twilight.
“It’s the life-force of a being from my world, but it seems aura also exists in this world too, I’ll explain in greater detail later, but why did you want to interrupt my meditating exactly?” asked Anim.
“Well Fluttershy wanted to tell you about the ‘Running of the Leaves event’, darling,” said Rarity.
Anim doesn’t respond fearing that he went back to whatever he was doing, but instead of being quiet he opens the door and step outside, they see Anim’s features haven’t change except with a few other things; the color on Anim’s mane and tail seem to be fading, his belly is slightly smaller than they used to seeing it and he slightly smells a little from being in a room alone.
“Anim, you look…” said Twilight, trying to keep a positive mood.
“You look like you just came from the smelliest cave in Equestria!” said Pinkie abruptly.
Everypony stops Pinkie form continuing to speak, afraid of upsetting Anim but he gives a short snort in response to Pinkie’s comment.
“Pinkie you sure do know how to make somebody laugh, but back to what you’ve said,” said Anim, turning his head. “What is this ‘Running of the Leaves’event you mentioned?”
“It’s an event that celebrates the season of fall, sugarcube” said Applejack, “we were wondering if you’d like to join me and Dash in the race this year.”
“Well, when you mentioned it, it reminded me of another similar event from home known as the ‘Great Averia Games’, where each territory celebrate the founding of Averia and each represent a challenge based on their element,” said Anim, “since my homeland was the land of Wood we had a race where we raced through the ancient jungle of Bearatia and the finish line was at the ‘Tree of Beginnings’, I always remembered the wonderful scenery of the race, it was one of the reasons why most people joined them.”
“So… will you join?” asked Fluttershy still unsure if Anim wants to join or not.
“In retrospect, yes I think I will join,” said Anim.
Fluttershy was overjoyed and was about to hug Anim, but he slightly stepped back because he wasn’t… himself.
“Sorry, still a little shaky ever since Ive locked myself inside that room, that and I really need a shower,” said Anim, slightly rubbing the back of his head.
After an hour of taking a shower, eating some food and cleaning his mane and tail, Anim made his way to White Tail Woods where the location of the race was. Since at the race where Applejack and Rainbow competed, there was mostly earth ponies but now all three races are joining in for some fun competition to see which species will win. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity and the CMC are cheering for their friends while Spike and Pinkie are announcing the race from the air balloon, as everypony got ready for the race, Anim is listed as number eighteen in the race with a total of fifty ponies, half of them are earth ponies, while the other half are Pegasus with only Anim the only unicorn competing since many unicorns were either too afraid or didn’t had the endurance to make it with only Twilight being the only unicorn to be in any of the events before.
“Wow Twilight, it seems Anim’s representing every single unicorn that was unable to race this year’s race,” said Rarity.
“I just hope he doesn’t have a hard time racing,” said Twilight.
“IS EVERYPONY READY, WE’LL START THE RACE IN ONE MINUTE!” shouted Spike, through the megaphone.
As everypony got to their spots, Anim heads to the very back of the finish line but as to why though the crowd wasn’t sure why though; as Pinkie prepares to count down the crowd joins in with her too.
“TEN, NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN, SIX, FIVE, FOUR, THREE-”
Before Pinkie could fire her party cannon signaling the race, some of the ponies who were too anticipated for the race began start running and accidentally bumping into everypony causing a massive pile of ponies stuck on top each other with Rainbow Dash and Applejack stuck in the madness, as Pinkie counts down to the final two numbers.
“TWO, ONE, ZERO! LET THE RACE BEGIN!” shouted Pinkie, firing her party cannon.
As Pinkie fires the cannon, everypony is too stuck to start running but a figure jumps over everypony and starts running ahead.
“Oh it looks like somepony got too excited and caused a problem, but wait somepony has jumped over everypony else and is running ahead making that pony the first racer to leave the starting line, it’s…” said Spike trying to get a better look.
“IT’S ANIM, ANIM IS THE FIRST PONY TO RACE AHEAD!” shouted Pinkie, announcing it through the megaphone.
Everypony was completely surprised how Anim was ahead, but what really surprised them is how fast he was moving even though unicorns have the worst endurance and speed to be in any physical competitions.
“How did Anim knew that would happen Twilight?” asked Fluttershy.
“He must of noticed some of the ponies who were excited before the race began and stepped back and knew that they would causes a ruckus and took this to his advantage and ran ahead, Anim’s really good at this for a unicorn,” said Twilight explaining to Fluttershy.
“But darling, we must remember that Anim isn’t any ordinary unicorn,” said Rarity reminding them.
“I know he’s… Anim,” said Twilight.
Anim ran so fast that he was already a quarter far in the race, as some of the racers finally got out from the pony pile, Rainbow and Applejack blast through trying to catch up with Anim.
“Anim’s faster than we thought, right Rainbow,” said Applejack running beside Rainbow.
“This might be a more interesting race than the one we raced in,” said Rainbow going neck and neck with AJ.
As the two mares try to catch up with Anim, the other racers catch up with the others who made it ahead already, as with Anim he made it to a part of Sweet Apple Acres going by some rocks and stumps in the way, but notices something ahead.
“Hmm,” said Anim, taking a look ahead.
Anim sees two ponies making a fake entrance to a dangerous part of the forest, as the two ponies run away somewhere to hide, Anim blocks the dangerous passageway to the forest and decides to leave a sign for other ponies to avoid it and runs back to the race. Meanwhile with Rainbow Dash and Applejack racing they encounter somepony that Rainbow knows from her time back in Summer Flight Camp, it was Dumb-Bell, one of the bullies who bullied Fluttershy.
“Well look who it is, its Rainbow Crash!” said Dumb-Bell.
“What are you doing here!?” said Rainbow, gritting her teeth.
“Well since I’ve done my share of pegasus races, I thought I try an earth pony race and I’m going to win, see you later Rainbow Crash,” said Dumb-Bell, laughing as he ran ahead.
“Who was that Rainbow?” asked Applejack.
“A pegasus that bullied Fluttershy back in my Summer Flight Camp days, if he’s here that means Hoops and Score are here somewhere and if they’re here which means they’re cheating,” said Rainbow.
“Cheaters you say, not on my watch,” said Applejack running ahead with Rainbow.
As everypony continues to race, everypony avoids the dangerous pathway that those two ponies made; Anim reaches the waterfall part of the race and runs across the bridge reaching the other side, but as he made his way over the other side, the bridge collapses because somepony or ponies tampered with one of the stones holding it all together. As everypony approaches closer Anim decides to make a makeshift bridge with his magic for everypony to cross.
“Oh no Pinkie, somepony has destroyed the bridge but wait, Anim is using his magic to make a temporary bridge but, why isn’t he leaving?” asked Spike.
“I think Anim needs to be near the makeshift bridge in order for it to work which means, Anim needs to stay until everypony crosses,” said Pinkie in a worried fashion.
As everypony crosses by, Dumb-Bell laughs at Anim for helping everypony while running ahead of him with Rainbow and Applejack following behind.
“Anim what happen here?” asked Applejack stopping in front of Anim.
“Somebody destroyed the bridge and I’ve made this magic bridge for everypony to cross, whoever is cheating must of knew the race’s pathway and planned ahead, I saw two ponies but I’m not sure who they were,” said Anim, struggling to hold the bridge.
“Those ponies were Dumb-Bell and his friends, he’s the pegasus with the dark grey coat that passed you laughing, he and his friends Hoops and Score are tampering with the race!” said Rainbow.
“Well somepony has to stop him, go ahead I’ll make sure everypony makes it,” said Anim signaling the two mares to go.
As Rainbow Dash and Applejack catch with the other racers, Anim helps the few remaining racers to cross and begins catching up with the others near the finish line.
“Hey Dumb-Bell!” shouted Rainbow chasing him while followed by Applejack.
“Oh pony feathers!” said Dumb-Bell.
Dumb-Bell looks around for something to slow the racers down and sees a bunch of buckets of sap and sends them flying to everypony, but Anim appears and deflects them at Dumb-Bell.
“See yeah later!” said Rainbow running ahead.
“Oh it seems one of the racers are in a sticky situation,” said Spike.
“Good one Spike, also it seems Rainbow and Applejack is neck at neck of each other for first place with Anim at second,” said Pinkie.
“Good thing we stopped that no-good pegasus,” said Applejack.
As everypony continue to race, Rainbow and Applejack see two ponies which were Hoops and Score on the top of a mountain causing an avalanche as rocks are about to block the road, as the two stop with everypony else stopping from not being flattened, but Anim runs ahead of them into the danger.
“ANIM STOP THERE’S AN AVALANCHE!” shouted Rainbow.
“Rainbow he can’t hear us!” said Applejack worried.
As the rocks get near Anim, he ducks, dodges them, going through the path like a snake slithering out from a thin tunnel, but as one big rock was about to reach him Anim jumps over it with a back-flip while sliding near the end and continuing to run as the path is blocked by some rocks.
“Did Anim just…” said Rainbow too amazed.
“Those were some nice athletic moves by Anim!” announced Pinkie.
“Quick this way everypony!” said Applejack as everypony followed around the rocks.
As everypony catch up behind Anim, Dumb-Bell appears from nowhere and jumps on Anim as the two tumble on the road.
“Taste hoof!” said Dumb-Bell.
As Dumb-Bell was about to beat Anim, Anim blocks it being more skilled in fighting than Dumb-Bell, as Anim sends him into the air with a hoof kick so strong he flies into a pile of apples, but Rainbow and Applejack go pass Anim reaching closer to the finish line.
“Sorry Anim but it looks like you’re not winning this year’s race,” said Rainbow.
But as the two mares go neck to neck with each other, suddenly a figure zooms pass them almost scaring them.
“WHAT WAS THAT!” said the two mares.
“Spike can you see what went by Rainbow and AJ?” asked Pinkie.
Spike grabs some binoculars to look carefully and sees a mahogany pony.
“It can’t be,” said Spike, grabbing the megaphone. “Mares and colts, the pony that just passed Rainbow Dash and Applejack is no other than, ANIM!”
“WHAT!?” said both the racers and the crowd.
Even though Anim was distracted by Dumb-Bell’s attack, Anim has trained his body before he met Twilight or came to Equestria to last longer in situations like this and to be as swift as Rainbow, but not only that but trained his eyes, ears and mind to notice everything and because he didn’t do anything for the last week but meditate, has been storing that energy. In a final push, he uses all this excess energy he stored leaving a streak of mahogany, leaving a mahogany colored trail on the ground as he zooms past the finish line.
“Anim… how… how did you… what,” said Rainbow too amazed of what she seen.
“I think the words you’re looking for Rainbow is, awesome,” said Applejack mimicking Rainbow’s voice.
“Anim were you planning this the whole time?” asked Twilight.
“No, not really, I never knew there was a race like this in Ponyville, all I did was meditate since it was the only thing I could do,” said Anim, “speaking of which.”
Anim and everypony approached Dumb-Bell who was talking to Hoops and Score.
“You two dolts had one job and you couldn’t even do that right!” said Dumb-Bell.
“HEY DUMB-BELL!” shouted Anim.
“Uh, hey Anim, I see you won,” said Dumb-Bell trying to keep calm.
“You tried to cheat and me and my friends saw you and your goons here do it!” said Anim.
“And where’s your proof?” asked Dumb-Bell.
“Right here,” said Pinkie showing a camera. “When I was on the air balloon, I took pictures of the race to remember by and I got a few pictures of some pegasi.”
As they show the pictures, on all of them are Hoops and Score sabotaging the event, as they see this they begin running away.
“I’ll be back and when I do, you’re going to get it ANIM!” shouted Dumb-Bell running away.
“CHICKEN!” shouted Rainbow, making some clucking noises.
As everypony celebrate Anim winning, Anim decides to look around the scenery for a bit before returning to the library.
“Anim, are you alright now?” asked Twilight still worried.
“Yeah, thank you and your friends for doing this for me, I needed a good run,” said Anim.
“When we saw you run, you seemed… happy,” said Twilight.
“Well back home, even though the island I lived on was small, if you run you could feel the cool breeze of the wind and it reminded me of that, of being at home with my friends,” said Anim imagining the feeling.
“I’m so sorry about-” Twilight was about to mention Anim’s friend Kimila but Anim stops her.
“No, you shouldn’t not yet,” said Anim, “when I saw that memory, it felt like… something was wrong, the kind of feeling you get when you see something that looks or feels true but, you get that feeling that it’s really… a lie.”
“You mean...” said Twilight.
“I think, she might be still alive,” said Anim, “but let’s not dwell on the past and celebrate my first win in Ponyville and hopefully all of Equestria.”
As Anim and Twilight meet up with the rest of her friends, the hole in Anim’s heart has been fixed with his friends being there for him, there might be hope for him after all.
Social or Un-Social (Edited)
Author's Note
This is celebrating the episode "Sisterhooves Social " and the event itself too.
Social or Un-Social (Edited)
Outskirts of Ponyville; 11:00am
“Ah, now that’s some fine hot coco,” said Anim, proceeding to take another sip.
“Say Anim, do you have any family from where you come from?” asked Rarity.
Anim recalls anyone related to him but other than any of his past or future regenerations’ relatives, Anim doesn’t recall having any blood-related family members at all.
“No I have no family, I was adopted by Jackal, he’s my father and then there’s my gramps, Yasha who’s also not related to me. I don’t know or heard of anyone who’s possibly related to me,” said Anim pausing mid-sip to speak.
“Really Anim, I would of thought you’d have somepony who was related to you back home,” said Applejack.
“Speaking of which, why did you two call me here again by the way?” asked Anim.
“Well, do you know what today is,” said Rarity.
“No not really why, is there a holiday today?” asked Anim, still confused about why he’s here.
“Well sugarcube, today’s ‘Sisterhooves Social’, we’d thought you had somepony that you could bring to this year’s ‘Sisterhooves Social’,” said Applejack.
“Oh, you mean that holiday is today but I thought you have to be a mare to enter the holiday,” said Anim.
“Well yes, but only one of you has to be a mare and there are a few loopholes by definition of sister,” said Rarity.
“Well still though, I don’t know anybody who’ll join me in this event, maybe I’ll watch instead,” said Anim, “speaking of which, who has a sister because I know you two have Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, what about the others?”
“Oh, well Twilight has her brother Shining Armor and her step-sister Cadence, Rainbow doesn’t have any siblings but I guess Scootaloo might count as one, Pinkie has her family at the rock farm, I think she said she has four sister counting herself too and as for Fluttershy I’m not too sure about,” said Rarity.
“That’s good to know; well, thank you for the picnic,” said Anim, leaving the picnic site.
As Anim returns to Ponyville, he starts thinking about what Rarity and Applejack said about any family he may have who’s related to him.
Hmm, I wonder how everyone back home is doing.
“Hey Anim!”
As Anim turned around, he saw the CMC running up to him in a hurry.
“Oh, hey girls,” said Anim, “what are the three of you doing today?”
“Oh well Sweetie Belle and I are just waiting for our sisters for this year’s ‘Sisterhooves Social’, sadly Scootaloo couldn’t come to this year’s event,” said Applebloom.
“Don’t worry, Rainbow Dash was busy today and couldn’t come, so I’ll cheer you girls out,” said Scootaloo.
“Well, this ‘Sisterhooves Social’ must be that big of an event than I thought, just what exactly do you do in this event?” asked Anim.
“Well, there are many events and near the end is a race where you and your sister race side by side while going through different parts of the race,” said Sweetie Belle.
“Speaking of which…” said Anim, “when exactly does this event begin?”
“In an hour or two I think, say Anim do you know where our sisters are?” asked Applebloom.
“Oh well I was with them for a picnic, just go the opposite way I was heading,” said Anim, as he pointed with his hoof at the direction he came from.
“Thanks Anim, see yeah soon,” said Applebloom as she’s followed by Scootaloo and Sweetie as they leave.
Anim continues his walk back to Ponyville, nothing special today is happening other than the ‘Sisterhooves Social’, Anim knows that everypony is going to see the event but is unsure if he should, it has little to do with him and he’s not exactly a… mare.
“What to do… what to do,” said Anim, talking to himself to keep himself distracted today.
Anim was still a little shaken by the events that occurred a week ago when he realized the news that his friend Kimila is or could be… gone, but he’s making one step at a time to recover from the news, unable to decide he thinks of visiting his friend’s grave.
Outskirts of Ponyville; 11:30am
“Hello… Kimila,” said Anim in a hushed voice.
Before Anim was a simple wooden cross, but the unique part about it was that written on it was a message; only two living beings knew its meaning and what it was – Anim and Kimila’s promise.
“Strangers of a separate path, share the same ending.”
“Remember we made this promise, originally it was meant to be a joke but… no matter how far we are in the end, we both will see each other, someday,” said Anim, speaking to the tombstone.
“Who’re you talking to?”
Anim turned expecting to see one of the Mane 6, but instead meets eyes with Derpy, who seems to be in a mailmare outfit.
“Oh hello Derpy, what brings you here?” asked Anim.
“Oh well, I was making my rounds, delivering mail since the Doctor was busy with something else, I noticed you below and thought I could say hi,” said Derpy, “speaking of which, I have a letter for you.”
“Really, from who?” asked Anim curiously.
Derpy pulled out a letter with a lunar wax symbol imprinted on it, as Anim opens the letter it’s another letter from Luna, ever since Luna saw Anim become a nightmarish form similar to when she became Nightmare Moon, Luna worried Anim might end up like her a thousands of years ago. She decided to send letters to Anim to see if he’s okay and if any strange changes may have happened to him, for now nothing odd has happened, nowadays Luna is mostly worried of Anim’s mental condition more than him being a nightmare version of himself.
“Luna needs to calm down, but I’m happy she worries for me,” said Anim, reading the letter.
“Not to be rude or anything but, could you tell me, who’s grave this is?” asked Derpy trying her best to be polite.
“Grave, well it’s more of a reminder actually,” said Anim looking at the cross.
“A reminder, of what?” asked Derpy.
“Home, being with those who I care for, friends, family, that maybe one day I can go back but for now, I’ll wait even if it’ll take centuries even,” said Anim.
Anim looks far imagining home, Derpy decides to cheer him up about her daily life.
“Hey don’t be so gloomy, I have a pretty rough job and life and most times, I’m rarely home but that doesn’t mean you’re not alone,” said Derpy, “you got Twilight, Luna, the CMC and everypony else, you may not be home but that doesn’t mean you can’t make friends.”
Anim listened to Derpy a little more and sees her meaning, sitting around waiting won’t do anything, sometimes actions need to be done and help isn’t always an optional choice.
“You need that little push in life, if you stop then, you’ll never make any progress it’s the same for me to, I have to travel to the most dangerous locations to delivery important letters whether it’s from royalty or an average pony, every letter is important it can even save lives, so remember to never stop,” said Derpy.
“Thank you Derpy, for the talk,” said Anim, “you know what, maybe I can do something today, say are you busy now?”
“No not really, I don’t have any letters now and my break’s beginning soon so, yeah I can come with you,” said Derpy, “where are we going?”
“I was thinking of cheering somebody else,” said Anim.
As Derpy and Anim head to the ‘Sisterhooves Social’ obstacle track, the Mane 6 are watching from the sidelines to see AJ, Rarity and their sisters Applebloom and Sweetie begin the race, with Scootaloo watching from the stands.
“I feel sorry for Scoots, poor thing,” said Fluttershy.
“Well Rainbow had to head back to Cloudsdale, something about a massive storm happening there so they needed every able pegasus to help out,” said Twilight, “actually where’s Anim?”
“Oh there he is,” said Pinkie pointing her hoof.
Twilight and Fluttershy see Anim with Derpy as they take a seat beside Scoots.
“I wonder why Derpy is here,” said Twilight.
As Anim and Derpy sit on the bleachers, Scoots sits there and watches her friends do the ‘Sisterhooves Social’ obstacle course with their sisters.
“I wish me and Rainbow could be in this year’s Social,” said Scootaloo, “not only that but this got to be the worst spot to watch the event!”
As Scootaloo becomes more irritated somepony lifts her up, she looks down to see Anim lifting her up.
“Anim, I thought you weren’t coming to the event, why are you here?” asked Scootaloo.
“Let’s just say a friend helped me,” said Anim looking at Derpy. “And it seems you needed some help too.”
“Well, thanks for the lift, I just wish my big sis, Rainbow were here,” said Scootaloo looking a little glum.
“Wait, are you two actually related?” asked Anim.
“No not really, but me and her sure act like one, I wish she were here,” said Scootaloo.
“If Rainbow Dash is your big sister, then I guess that makes me your big brother,” said Anim.
“My… my big brother, but Anim your… well not awesome, well you’re cool and all but…” said Scootaloo shocked to hear what Anim said.
“Just because we are of separate race, doesn’t mean we can be there for each other and besides,” said Anim, “the last thing I want is somebody I care for to be upset, so put that frown upside down.”
Even though Anim can be odd sometimes today, Scootaloo was happy she wasn’t alone, the two smiled back to each other and continued to watch the obstacle course and they may be alone but they’re here for each other. After the race ended with AJ, Rarity, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle tied first, after they receive their badges, Rainbow arrives for the Social.
“Hey, sorry I’m late did I miss anything,” said Rainbow.
“Sorry Rainbow, you missed the whole thing,” said Applejack.
“Well I just hope Scootaloo isn’t upset,” said Rainbow.
“Oh don’t worry, she’s completely fine,” said Rarity, “she had a little support.”
Rainbow looked at where everypony is looking at and sees Scootaloo hanging out with Anim, seeing Anim look more like himself now.
“What changed his mind?” asked Rainbow.
“I think you need to ask Derpy that, whatever she told Anim convinced him to come here and it definitely helped with Scootaloo waiting for you to come, so everypony is happy,” said Twilight.
“RAINBOW!” shouted Scootaloo as she ran toward her.
“Hey squirt you missed me,” said Rainbow.
“Yeah, but Anim was with me, did you know Anim traveled to floating islands!” said Scootaloo.
“Really, now that be cool to see, let’s head to Sugarcube Corner and grab a bite,” said Rainbow as she carried Scootaloo.
“You did well Anim,” said Twilight.
“Well sometimes you need to give that push to move forward,” said Anim, “come on let’s catch with everyone, you want to come Derpy.”
“As long there’s some muffins,” said Derpy.
Everypony headed to Sugarcube Corner that day, today Anim learned that sometimes a little push is all you need and in return you move forward to live life to the fullest.
Memories of the Past (Edited)
Author's Note
Today is Anim's birthday, in honor of this day I made a chapter related with Anim's background and history.
P.S. There's some important information near the end of the chapter, so remember it for future chapters to come.
Memories of the Past (Edited)
Today’ s the day … that one fateful day, the day I fear of my whole life… I don’t know why but, this day just makes me, hate myself… I don’t know why, yet I do want to know… I never truly knew my parents or my heritage, my whole bloodline has been a confus ing road of left and rights, yes and no and even defying what is logical and illogical… but every year I put up a smile, I hate to lie but I’m not lying when I put a smile, it shows that something is bothering me and I don’t like or wish to talk about it… today is my birthday, and it’ll be my last.
Ponyville, Golden Oaks Library; 7:25am
Like every other day I wake up, look out the window and see the view from my bed, today’s weather isn’t so bad, the weather patrol that Rainbow Dash works at placed a few clouds with Celestia’s sun shining brightly but not too blindingly. I get off my bed and open the door and head to the kitchen, I look inside and the room is quiet and empty, it seems everyone is still asleep from the incident from yesterday, if I remember Pinkie found some kind of pool of water that if you say a specific chant, you can make another you from the portal, everyone was exhausted that day, I wonder how it would be if there was another me.
As I gather some ingredients to make a simple breakfast – well simple for me – I prepared myself a bowl of hay cereal, a cup of orange juice, an apple and a cup of yogourt, I like to eat big to distract myself on days like this. As I was busy enjoying my meal, I heard a knock on the door, I cleaned my muzzle from the milk with a piece of cloth, I answered the door with my magic and knocking on the door was none other than Rainbow Dash herself.
“Rainbow, now what brings you here?” asked Anim.
“Oh Anim, well I needed to speak to Twilight, is she here?” asked Rainbow, responding to Anim’s question.
“I believe she’s here, but she’s still sleeping but if you want I could wake her up right now,” said Anim, as he was about to head to Twilight’s room.
“WHAT- uh no that’s fine, just tell her when she’s awake that I need to speak to her, tell her to meet me at Sugarcube Corner,” said Rainbow, as she was shuffling her hoof where she stood.
I notice her hooves moving when you see somebody who’s anxious or needs to go and take a number two badly; me being me I curiously ask her or attempt to ask her what’s bothering her that she needs Twilight, one of the most logical ponies I know to speak to Rainbow Dash, the most awesome and tom-boyish pony I know about to be freaking out this badly... must be that bad a question if it’s the two of them.
“Wait, you aren’t going to ask Twilight about mare related problems are you?” asked Anim, as he pointed a hoof at Rainbow.
Smooth move me smooth move, well this is going to end badly… is what I thought.
“ANIM!” shouted Rainbow, as she started making faces which showed her disgust. “Just because I’m a mare doesn’t mean I think like one and also it’s not your business for you to know what I need to tell Twilight!”
“Sorry, I’m kind of in one of my moods, that and I just woke up,” said Anim, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
“Well, just tell Twilight what I told you, okay,” said Rainbow, “well anyway I got to go, see yeah.”
“You too,” said Anim, as he hoof bumped Rainbow.
As Rainbow spread her wings, she flew straight upwards headed to the direction of Sugarcube Corner, as I closed the door I felt something behind me.
“Who was that?” asked Spike, rubbing one of his eyes.
“It was Rainbow, Spike. Anyway is Twilight up and awake?” asked Anim.
“Yeah, actually she was awake a long time ago, I think 6:00am I think why?” asked Spike, wanting to know.
“Rainbow came by, she needs to ask Twilight something,” said Anim.
“Well okay, anyway is there anything to eat?” asked Spike.
“Oh right, well I left my breakfast and didn’t eat the rest, so you can have my yogourt and apple, I need to speak to Twilight,” said Anim, as he headed up the stairs.
As I headed up and entered Twilight’s room, she was busy writing something on a piece of paper, I’m guessing it was to Celestia, as she finished she placed her pen down and outstretched her hoofs from sitting on that seat for a whole hour of writing, she notices me and gets off the chair.
“Good morning Anim, is there something wrong?” asked Twilight.
“No not really... well actually Rainbow came her just a while ago and looked worried or upset, she said she needed to speak to you at Sugarcube Corner,” said Anim.
“Oh really, I wonder why, well anyway I’m pretty famished I might as well head there to eat, you want to come?” asked Twilight.
“Nah, I ate already, I think I’ll take a walk,” said Anim.
“Okay, well you have a good day,” said Twilight as she left the room.
As Twilight leaves, I look at Twilight’s letter but leave it alone, I decide to hang near the Everfree Forest but not too close to not attract any Timber Wolves nearby, today of all days makes me think a lot about myself. Who am I and what is my goal in life, my purpose in living and no I don’t mean by me being a realm guardian I mean my life in general, do I really have a family or am I simply a regeneration of many future regenerations to come, I have always thought of this whenever it’s my birthday but today felt different because… nobody knew it was my birthday.
“I need some food, maybe going to Sugarcube Corner might of helped my mood,” said Anim, as he sighed and headed to Sugarcube Corner.
As I reached Sugarcube Corner, there weren’t a lot of ponies inside, I saw Twilight and Rainbow with Applejack with them too and before I headed to them I decided to go buy a muffin.
“Hello, welcome to… oh Anim it’s you,” said Pinkie, “is there something in specific you want?”
“No not really, I could go with a muffin, with blueberries please,” said Anim.
“One blueberry muffin coming right up!” said Pinkie as she dashed to the kitchen and returned in mere seconds. “Here you go, Anim.”
As I take my muffin, curiosity hits me about what Rainbow needs to tell Twilight, I ask Pinkie if she could hear or ask them what they are talking about.
“Sure Anim, but could you watch the lineup?” asked Pinkie.
“Sure,” responded Anim, as he took Pinkie’s position.
I watched Pinkie as she spooked her friends from whatever conversation they were talking about, but they tell Pinkie what they were talking about and from the expression on her face, whatever she heard was big, big enough to surprise Pinkie, the pony of secrets. She returned taking her spot, I wait for her to tell me but she doesn’t respond.
“Uh Pinkie, what were they talking about?” asked Anim.
“Oh well, you know how you hate lying and all but they told me not to tell you, so sorry,” said Pinkie, as sweat starts dripping from her face in terror.
“It’s okay Pinkie, I won’t get mad I’ll just ask them what their talking about,” said Anim, “speaking of asking.”
I notice Twilight and Rainbow have left but Applejack is still seated eating, I decide to sit across from her on the same table she’s on; it takes her ten seconds to realize I was sitting from across her.
“Oh Anim, I didn’t see you there,” said Applejack.
“It’s good to see you too Applejack, are you working on the stand today?” asked Anim.
“Sure as my bucking, just taking a small break, Applebloom and her friends are watching it for now,” said Applejack, proceeding to eat her muffin.
“Is it safe to leave them alone, giving the CMC a job is like trusting Discord to be good for a whole day,” said Anim, trying to make a joke.
“Don’t worry, my sister has helped with the stand before I’m sure she and her friends can handle it,” said Applejack, “also good joke there, Discord being good is the last thing that would happen in Ponyville or even in Equestria.”
“Well enough about jokes, may I ask what it was that Twilight and Rainbow were talking about?” asked Anim.
Applejack stopped eating, and darted her eyes left to right trying her best like she knows nothing, even though Applejack is the element of honesty lying to me is like convincing a dragon to not be greedy. She’s sweating so hard, I could see her breath, I calm her down and ask a different question related to my original question.
“What was the subject that Rainbow and Twilight were talking about?” asked Anim.
Applejack looked at me for a good second and took a deep breath and answered my question as honest as she can.
“Well sugarcube, they spoke about… birthdays,” said Applejack, hiding her eyes with her hat.
What I heard was both surprising and worrying… for me, I tell Applejack to calm down that she told me everything she needed to tell me, I asked her again where they went and told me they were going to tell Rarity and Fluttershy about their opinion on… birthdays. Rainbow went to Fluttershy’s cottage while Twilight went to Rarity’s boutique, since Fluttershy’s cottage was too far a distance even when running, I decided to head to Rarity’s boutique first.
Ponyville, Carousal Boutique; 8:00am
I was standing at the front of Carousal Boutique, wondering what Twilight could be telling Rarity on the subject on birthdays, they probably couldn’t be talking about my birthday since I never showed zero signs about my birthday to be mentioned, but I was too afraid to be sure of what their really talking about and I didn’t need my new friends to celebrate the one day I fear of, I open the door and enter the boutique. Inside I find the room empty which means they’re both upstairs talking, I head upstairs trying to watch my hooves from stepping on any loose boards that could make any noise, as I reach Rarity’s room I hear two voices talk, one Rarity’s the other is Twilight’s, I listen through the door to hear their conversation.
“Rarity, you too would be interested on something like this too,” said Twilight.
“I would dear but, it’s Anim he would have told of his birthday himself, if he didn’t tell us maybe he doesn’t want his birthday celebrated,” said Rarity.
“But it’s Anim of all ponies, you think he wouldn’t want his birthday celebrated, is the one pony other than Pinkie who’d want a birthday!” said Twilight almost shouting.
“I guess so, but how do we tell it’s his birthday today or not?” asked Rarity.
“Well even though Pinkie doesn’t know his birthday, we have other ways of knowing, I could ask Anim to do a few tests, I’ll tell him it’s for my research on realm guardians and I’ll use that data to pinpoint his birthday and then we could celebrate his birthday,” said Twilight.
I nearly wanted to burst into the room, but I slink away from the door and head downstairs, as I reached the bottom of the stairs I reach for the door, but as I was about to open the door Rainbow and Fluttershy enter inside.
“So that’s what you wanted to tell me?” asked Fluttershy.
“Yes that’s what I needed to tell you, now let’s meet up with- Anim, what are you doing here?” asked Rainbow, looking pale from seeing Anim.
“Just… wanted to- I got to go,” said Anim, as he dashed by Rainbow and Fluttershy outside.
The two ponies see me run by, I thought they chase me but they don’t, I reach a park in Ponyville and think about what I heard as I sit on one of the benches.
“Celebrate… my birthday,” said Anim, “today’s going to be one heck of a day.”
“Anim, you okay?”
I look behind the bench and see the CMC behind the bench, I ask them why their behind me, they tell me they saw me running and were curious why I was running so they followed me.
“Is something wrong Anim?” asked Applebloom.
“If there is, you can tell us, the CMC!” said Scootaloo reassuring me.
“Yeah, we’ll help with whatever problem you have,” said Sweetie Belle.
“No, just… actually there is something wrong, you see… do you know what today is?” asked Anim.
“No why, is today special?” asked the CMC in sync.
“Well today is… my birthday,” said Anim.
The CMC have their jaws wide open from the surprise they begin jumping in joyful hops around me, but I tell them their sisters didn’t know and are planning on finding out when is my birthday and I tell them I’m uncomfortable of my birthday.
“Why wouldn’t you want to celebrate your birthday!?” asked Applebloom, shocked.
“Yeah, there’s like cake, presents, games and lots of cool stuff!” said Scootaloo.
“Did something happen on your birthday when you were a colt?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“No it’s just… I really never knew my parents and I want to know who I am but how can you find yourself if you have no map to follow,” said Anim.
“So your upset because, you feel like you don’t know yourself because you never knew your family or parents and because of this it makes you feel like you have no one close to you to celebrate with like family and stuff,” said Sweetie Belle.
Everypony was surprised from Sweetie Belle’s response, I tell her that’s exactly how I feel and that I’m lost, that maybe I don’t deserve a birthday, but the CMC give out one last try to convince me to have a birthday.
“Anim, celebrating a birthday doesn’t mean you have to be with family, you have us and you make you, you decide whether to change not somepony else, we’re not saying to go have a birthday but to live life to the fullest whether you don’t know you yet, in time you… will,” said Applebloom as she’s joined by Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle as they give Anim a hug.
I look at these fillies no, friends who are so lost to find their cutie marks convincing a being of pure energy to celebrate my birthday not for them or others or myself, but to live for those who gave me life and… it’s working. I hug back and decide to go talk to the Mane 6, but before I do that I make a plan with the CMC to bring them all in one spot to tell them how I feel.
Sometime later – Outskirts of Ponyville; 12:00pm
“Okay girls, what is it that you wanted to show us?” asked Twilight.
“Yeah Scoots, why are we here?” asked Rainbow.
“Well we brought you all here because, somepony has something to tell you all,” said Applebloom as she and her friends step away.
I walk away from my hiding spot and as the Mane 6 see me they realize they were led here by the CMC straight to me, before they could speak I speak first why I brought them here in the first place.
“I know what you were all talking about, you want to know when is my birthday don’t you,” said Anim, as he turned his head towards the Mane 6.
“Well… yes, we all wanted to celebrate your birthday for being there for all of us and for being such a great friend for us all, but if you’re upset with celebrating your birthday we can forget the subject,” said Twilight.
“I would like that but…. I had a change of heart and decided we could celebrate my birthday,” said Anim,
“REALLY!” shouted Pinkie, as she pulled out her party cannon. “LET’S PARTY!”
“Pinkie darling, we don’t know when Anim’s birthday is,” said Rarity.
“Well actually, today is my birthday,” said Anim as he smiled from telling them.
‘WHAT!?” shouted the Mane 6.
“Yep, coincidence right,” said Anim.
“Why didn’t you wanted to celebrate your birthday originally, Anim?” asked Applejack.
“Well because my birthday reminded me, my old me the one that wasn’t Anim of Equestria or Anim the Creator, but the Anim who knew… himself; I never knew my parents it made me upset that I had no memory of them, but I think they would wanted me to live for their sake,” said Anim, “sometimes the past needs to be remembered, but the future is my goal now, so I’ll live for their sake… for her sake.”
I place my hoof on the wooden cross, I could imagine them, my friends, family, even my parents watching me from home; everypony headed to Golden Oaks Library, the Mane 6, the CMC and Spike were there for my birthday it was small but that didn’t effect me, I was happy to be with those who care for me, I was so happy to have friends like this and someday I’ll repay that very kindness… someday, but for now I live for a better future.
After the party I have a dream, but this one was odd, I was standing in Ponyville I was with everyone, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Luna, Celestia, Derpy Whooves, Doctor Whooves, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Discord and Spike… but there was somepony else, she was a blue unicorn… she was crying… she stood in front of me… but I looked different in my dream, I was… black no not black, I had a dark aura around me, the sky was burning as the very sky was falling and near the end of the dream I heard a voice that said.
You must save her from her emptiness, go to the town of bison and apples!
I wake up, it’s the middle of the night, I repeat those words in my mind.
‘You must save her from her emptiness, go to the town of bison and apples’, was the dream referring to that blue unicorn, who was she? Better question; what the heck are bison!?”
Author's Note
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TWILIGHT! This is going to be an interesting month, I hope you enjoy today's new chapter.
P.S. This chapter and probably a few others may be felt rushed, since I'm losing ideas and being pressured with a few... problems.
Twinkle Day (Edited)
Ponyville, Golden Oaks Library; 5:00am
“Today seems very chilly, I should wear my scarf today,” said Anim to himself.
The pegasi started bringing clouds filled with snow since the winter season has started a week ago, Anim had heard but today was special and he had no idea why; as Anim headed downstairs he wore his scarf and boots to take a small stroll outside. Making sure not to wake up anyone when he heard a light knock or two on the door, as Anim approached the door and opened it with his magic, it was Pinkie who was knocking.
“Hey Anim, how are you doing?” asked Pinkie, in her cheerful mood.
“Fine, but what are you doing here this early?” asked Anim.
“I could ask you the same,” said Pinkie in response. “But I need your help with something, quick follow me.”
Anim was confused but followed Pinkie as he locked the door to the library behind him; as Pinkie and Anim walked through Ponyville's streets, the path was covered in a blanket of snow as Anim looked everywhere seeing nothing but white. As Pinkie and Anim reached Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie rushed to the kitchen and brought back a list of some sort and gave it to Anim which was titled, ‘Pinkie’s Party Planner’.
“Is it somebody's birthday?” asked Anim.
“Uh huh, but not anypony but Twilight's birthday!” said Pinkie, but quickly put a hoof on her muzzle making sure she didn't woke up the Cakes.
Really, if so I'm guessing the others know too correct,” said Anim.
Pinkie nodded trying her best to be quiet, she removed her hoof from her muzzle and pointed at the list as Anim looked down on it.
“The list has some things I need you to get, this has to be done before nine o'clock, okay,” said Pinkie.
“I see and I'm guessing everyone is preparing a gift for Twilight, so then what am I trying to get exactly?” asked Anim, still unsure about the plan.
As Pinkie showed Anim the list, it had some boxes on the left and on the right were objects for the party like, muffins, confetti paper, balloons and some other party supplies.
“While you collect this stuff, me and the girls will set up the party here at Sugarcube Corner, now let's start this party,” said Pinkie.
As Anim headed outside, his first destination was to get some muffins and beside the item was a note that said Derpy bakes the best muffins around, on the other side of the list was a map of Ponyville and on the map was a blue square which was highlighted to be the Doctor's home, so Anim thought maybe Derpy might be staying with the Doctor. As Anim reached Doctor Whooves home or whatever it was, he knocked on the door which had the words “Police Box” on the blue box, somepony answered the door and it was no other than Derpy.
“Oh hello Anim, what brings you here so early?” asked Derpy, looking outside noticing it's snowing. “Oh my it's snowing, quick come inside.”
As Derpy led Anim inside, Anim realized it was more bigger in the inside but however this didn't surprise him the slightest, inside he saw some sort of console in the centre as it made some dings and dongs. As Anim looked around the strange contraption, he heard a familiar voice which was none other than the Doctor, as Anim turned around he met face to face with the Doctor who gave him a curious look.
“Derpy, may I ask why Animatorsnake is here?” asked Doctor Whooves, focusing his gaze on Derpy now.
“Well he...” Derpy said but trailed off not knowing why either, “actually yes, why are you here Anim?”
“Well, Pinkie gave me this list and told me to collect the items on this list for Twilight's birthday and my first item to get is well... muffins from you Derpy,” said Anim.
“Really!” said Derpy, showing that she's happy that Anim came here for her help. “I'd love to make some muffins and maybe we could help you get those other items on your list.”
“Really and how are you going to do that?” asked Anim.
“Let me explain that,” said Doctor Whooves, “you see this beauty here is the TARDIS...”
One hour of explaining what the TARDIS is later – Inside the TARDIS; 6:00am
“So the TARDIS... is a time machine...” said Anim, looking deeply into Doctor Whooves eyes.
“Amazed aren't you,” said Doctor Whooves, in a prideful pose.
“Well not really, seeing strange anomalies is basically a regular thing to me and this ain't near to the more stranger occurrences that happened to me before,” said Anim.
Doctor Whooves crossed his hooves and looked away from Anim, but Derpy intervened and spoke that the TARDIS can take Anim anywhere to any time, to find the stuff on his list more quicker than the method that Anim was thinking of. As Anim thought for a good minute about this decision, he decided it could work, so as Anim, Derpy and the Doctor travelled through time and gathered the items on Anim's list; as it felt like weeks, only an hour and thirty minutes went by as they went on their little scavenger hunt.
Outskirts of Ponyville; 7:30am
The area where the TARDIS was before, a strange noise appeared as the blue box reappeared on the spot it was on previously, coming out of it was Anim, who was covered in a strange residue which didn't faze him the slightest, but as for the others Derpy looked worse from wear as the strange residue covered her everywhere, as for Doctor Whooves laughed in joy being happy with the experience.
“Did we really need to go through that thing's nose... just like that?” asked Derpy, shaking the residue.
“Well... not really,” said the Doctor in response.
“WHAT!” shouted Derpy, as she shook the Doctor. “Then why did we do it!?”
“Well it was either through the mouth which would of been dangerous or... the natural way,” said Doctor Whooves, as he moved his gaze away from Derpy.
Derpy gave a confused look not understanding Doctor Whooves but Anim went near her ear and whispered what the Doctor was talking about, after hearing it she shivered about the thought.
“I think I rather go through the nose any day,” said Derpy, “but now we got all the items we need, now we can celebrate Twilight's birthday... by the way, what time is it?”
“It should be...” said Anim, as he looked up at the sky, as he saw the sun beginning to rise. “7:30am right now, only an hour and thirty minutes until the birthday, it should be at Sugarcube Corner.”
As they headed to Sugarcube Corner with the items they brought with them, they entered inside to see everypony setting up everything just in time.
“Anim, you’re finally here, what took you so long?” asked Rainbow Dash, as she hovered in front of Anim.
“I was... busy,” said Anim with a grin. “I also brought these back with some help.”
Anim used his magic as he brought in some bags, full of exotic items which – Doctor Whooves said – are birthday stuff from different worlds, Pinkie looked at them and gave a hoof up which Anim couldn't tell if it resembled a thumbs up or a high five, but Anim just gave a smile as Pinkie gave a smile back too.
“Thanks for getting this stuff Anim, Derpy could you help with me in the back?” asked Pinkie, as she looked at Derpy.
Derpy nodded and followed Pinkie into the kitchen while everypony else helped setting up all the tables and balloons, but Anim had another job to do.
“Anim would you head to Twi's and tell her to come here, but remember not to give her any hints why,” said Applejack, as she carried a table to one spot.
“Sure,” said Anim, as he left the building and headed to Twilight's.
As Anim walked to Twilight's he realized he hadn't created or got any gift for Twilight, worrying he had to think of something, then he looked at his tome and had an idea which he knew wouldn't be any threat to anypony; as Anim quicken his paste to Twilight's, he arrived at the door as somebody opened it before he could.
“Oh hey Anim,” said Spike as he wore a fluffy hat.
“I'm guessing your heading to the party,” said Anim, as he noticed a gift on Spike's claws. “You’re also bringing a gift, so what is it?”
“You'll see soon, well good luck waking Twilight,” said Spike, as he dashed to Sugarcube Corner.
As Anim entered the library, he closed the door but kept his scarf and boots on instead of removing them, as he headed upstairs he quietly entered Twilight's room, not trying to wake her. As Anim headed up more stairs to her bed, he saw Twilight sleeping under the warm blankets, he gently opened the curtains to reveal the warmth of the sun, as some snow still continued to fall down. Twilight opened her eyes gently as she rose up and stretched her hooves as she saw Anim, she gave a yawn and gave Anim a drowsy look.
“Good-” said Twilight as she yawned again, “morning, Anim.”
“Good morning, Twilight,” said Anim.
“So what brings you to my room anyway?” asked Twilight, rubbing her eye with her hoof.
“I know I can't lie to you but... could you maybe follow me?” asked Anim.
Twilight gave Anim a curious look but played along, as she nodded and came off her bed, she followed Anim downstairs and wore her scarf, hat, boots and a saddle but before she headed outside with Anim, he pulled out something in front Twilight.
“I need you to put this on your eyes for now,” said Anim, as he used his magic to levitate a piece of cloth, “please?”
Twilight wanted to ask why, but knowing Anim can't and will never lie, she nodded as Anim placed the cloth on her eyes, blindfolding her as Anim guided her somewhere unknown.
“Where are we going?” asked Twilight.
“You'll see,” said Anim as he helped Twilight to their destination.
As Twilight was led wherever Anim is leading her, they make a halt after a few minutes later, as Anim slowly removed her blindfold the first thing she heard was a loud noise and what she saw shocked her.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TWILIGHT!” shouted everyone as they started blowing on some party whistles.
“Girls...” Twilight said in a hushed voice as tears started flowing from her eyes when she felt a hoof on her.
“Happy B-Day, Twinkles,” said Anim as he gave Twilight a warmth smile.
Twilight was so happy she nearly crushed Anim when hugging her, she stopped when she noticed Anim changing from red to blue suddenly, she let him go and helped to his hooves as everyone partied with Twilight.
“Let's get this party started!” said Pinkie as she blasted her party cannon sending confetti everywhere.
As everyone partied, they brought out the cake, ate some pieces, played some games, then finally came the gifts at last, first one was Rainbow Dash.
“Here you go Twi,” said Rainbow as she gave Twilight her gift.
It was shaped as a book as Twilight ripped the gift open and found a Daring Do book which hasn't been released to the public yet, Twilight wanted to know how but Dash told her it was a secret; the next ponies were Rarity, who gave her a beautiful tiara which had beautiful gems as it shimmered when Twilight used her magic. Next was Applejack who gave Twilight a seed packet of sugar apples, which were super rare seeds where the tree is the size of your hoof but the apples are so delicious that if you pick them from the tree, the tree disappears afterwords. After AJ was Fluttershy, who gave her a book on mythical creatures from beyond Equestria, which had a cute bookmark of a bunny; then there was Pinkie who gave her a delicious-looking cupcake and gave her the recipe too if she wanted to make some at home. Next was Doctor Whooves and Derpy who both gave Twilight, a book on astronomy which was made by a friend of Doctor Whooves and a globe which had a star in it, but finally was Spike's gift.
“Here Twilight, I hope you like it,” said Spike as he waited for Twilight to unwrap it.
Inside the box was a gem that was carefully sculpted, which had a baby dragon and a unicorn which represented Twilight and Spike together, Twilight hugged Spike for the gift, but then there was one pony who hadn't given a gift.
“Oh darling, Anim don't tell me you forgot to get Twilight a gift,” said Rarity.
“It's okay Rarity, Anim was busy helping get the supplies for the party, so I don't think he had the time to find a gift, thank you Anim for helping with the party,” said Twilight as she smiled at Anim.
“Actually, I did brought a gift,” said Anim.
“You did, then where is it?” asked Twilight, confused.
“I haven't made it yet,” said Anim with a mischievous look on his face.
Suddenly Anim's horned glowed as his magic surrounded his tome, an object appearing beside his tome that looked identical like his tome as it was levitated in front of Twilight.
“What is this?” asked Twilight as she looked at the journal.
On the journal was Twilight's initials while on the back had Twilight's cutie mark, she looked inside and it looked like an ordinary journal, when suddenly a bunch of words appeared on its pages.
“You impressed yet?” said the journal.
“Whoa what was that?!” said Rainbow as she hovered close.
“That journal is an identical clone of my tome, I can use my tome to communicate with you Twilight if we were far from each other, however that’s all it can do other than writing notes and such, if you want to communicate with me, simply send a piece of your magic into the journal and write down what you want to write down,” said Anim, as he showed Twilight.
“This is... thank you Anim,” said Twilight as she hugged Anim.
“Your welcome, Twinkles,” said Anim.
“Okay, what's with the nicknames?” asked Twilight as she curiously eyed Anim.
“Well since I've been with you guys for nearly three months, I thought I give you guys nicknames,” said Anim.
“Really, what are they?” asked Fluttershy.
“Well, Twilight's is Twinkles, Rarity's is Rares, yours Fluttershy's is Flutters, Rainbow Dash's is Dashie, Applejack's of course is AJ, Pinkie's is Pinks,” said Anim.
“Oh oh oh, what about me?” asked Spike who wanted a nickname.
“Well... I do have one for you but, I don't know,” said Anim.
“Come on, how bad can it be?” asked Spike.
“Well okay, your nickname Spike is... Spikey,” said Anim as he rubbed his head.
Spike stared at Anim, disappointed of his nickname, but Derpy seemed interested and wanted one too.
“What about me and the Doctor?” asked Derpy.
“Well Doctor Whooves doesn't need a nickname because, I can call him Doc, Doctor, or Whooves, but for you Derpy...” said Anim as he thought of a nickname. “How about Silver, your fur looks like the metal silver.”
“Ohhh, I love that one, yeah Silver,” said Derpy as she said her new nickname.
“Well, today was a wonderful day, thank you all for this,” said Twilight.
Everyone nodded in agreement, Pinkie continued the music as they continued to celebrate Twilight's birthday, Pinkie sneaked up to Anim.
“Yeah Pinks, what's up?” asked Anim.
“Well next week is another birthday, Spike's in specific, that's why can you...” said Pinkie as Anim stopped her from continuing.
“Sure Pinkie,” said Anim.
“Thanks,” said Pinkie, as she hopped back with the others.
Everyone partied that day where only joy, smiles and laughs were ever heard that day and next week was going to be the same... or was it?
Assistant of the Year (Edited)
Author's Note
This chapter is slightly... confusing and rushed because I started to run out of ideas, but don't worry I'll see if can make the quality of future story plots more better, for now enjoy this week's chapter.
P.S. Happy Birthday Spike!
Assistant of the Year (Edited)
The week before for Anim was interesting since he celebrated Twilight’s birthday, but today was another birthday, Spike’s birthday. Anim was doing what he usually does on this day or any other day, he would visit the wooden cross outside of Ponyville and say a few words then return to the library. He stared into the distance, deep in thought of what he and the girls should do for Spike’s birthday, Anim ran out of ideas for celebrating considering recently there have been a lot of celebrations happening more often, especially in Ponyville.
“Maybe we could… no I don’t think he’ll be interested into that,” said Anim as he continued to think.
Since Anim was Spike’s only and only male friend that he hangs out with more often, Anim is very important to Spike since he only hangs out with the girls more often that his same sex, well he is the only dragon in Ponyville so it makes the situation even more awkward.
“What am I going to do,” said Anim, as he sighed.
“You could maybe go out, you and Spike only?”
Anim turned around to see Twilight standing behind him; she gave a smile as Anim smiled back but continued to his thoughts.
“Thought of any ideas?” asked Twilight.
“No, none yet really, this would be so easy if I had more male friends,” said Anim.
“What about Discord?” asked Twilight.
“He’s busy either doing other things or is hanging out with Fluttershy… which is actually the two only things he does and I doubt Spike would hang out with him,” said Anim, lying on the snow.
“True…” said Twilight, as she stared up on the sky. “We could… give Spike, a gift but no ordinary gift, something he’ll really want!”
“Well the only things I can think of are gemstones, but I doubt those would last near Spike,” said Anim.
The two ponies thought hard of a good gift, but are both lying on the snow looking at the clouds.
“You know Twilight, when you first introduced Spike to me, I would of thought he would had wings,” said Anim.
“Really, well he is a baby and all so I don’t think he would have wings now,” said Twilight, placing her head on her hoof.
“Well most dragons I encountered, both two-legged and four-legged ones had wings, all ages but it took the younger ones to fly after a week or month at most,” said Anim.
“Well I hope Spike does get wings, I hate to see him not able to fly,” said Twilight.
The two ponies began thinking, then it hit Anim as he stood up as excitement shone all over his face.
“I’ve got an idea,” said Anim.
I have a bad feeling about this.
Ponyville, Sugarcube Corner; 9:30am
“Where is Twilight at?” asked Applejack.
“She said, that she would see Anim about something,” said Rarity, as she took a sip of some tea.
“Well I hope she can think of something quick,” said Applejack, “today is very special and she needs to think of something, fast.”
Rarity looks at Applejack and continues sipping her tea, Pinkie comes out of the kitchen with a fresh patch of pastries, as she sets them up on one of the stands, the door swings open as Rainbow Dash enters inside.
“Yeesh its cold out there, Pinkie can I have a cupcake,” said Rainbow.
“Okie dokey lokie,” said Pinkie as she tossed Rainbow a cupcake.
“Thanks,” said Rainbow as she took a bite of the cupcake. “So what’s everypony been talking about?”
“Well since Spike’s birthday is today, Anim went to go and think of some ideas,” said Pinkie. “I wonder what kind of ideas he has, because I have a few of my own too, like a cupcake the size of a cake or a cake the size of a cupcake.”
As Pinkie continues to talk, Anim and Twilight enter inside Sugarcube Corner after their talk about Anim’s idea.
“So that’s the plan,” said Twilight.
“Yep, but I need time to finish, that’s why I need you and your friends to distract Spike,” said Anim.
“What are you two talking about?” asked Rainbow.
Twilight turns to Anim and says something to him and signals Rainbow to follow her as the two mares headed with the other girls, while Anim headed off somewhere else.
“So what’s up Twilight?” asked Rainbow.
“Well Anim and I had an idea and we need everypony’s help, so that’s why as I explain the plan to Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie, can you head to Fluttershy’s and tell her to come to Sugarcube Corner,” said Twilight.
“Sure, I’ll be right back,” said Rainbow as she zoomed outside.
As Rainbow headed off to Fluttershy’s, Twilight explained the plan to the girls, Anim in the other hoof headed back to the library and went straight into his room, he went to one of the drawers and pulled out his tome. Opening the book, he skimmed through a few pages to find a certain spell, as he flipped through the pages he found the spell and read it carefully, Anim then closed the book and headed downstairs and used Twilight’s potion-making set to make something.
“I hope this works,” said Anim, as he turned on the burner.
Back at Sugarcube Corner, Twilight finished explaining the plan with everypony, but was slightly eye boggled by the idea… especially coming from Twilight’s own mouth.
“Twilight… are you sure this won’t backfire like your other uhm… spells?” asked Applejack, sweating a little from hearing what Twilight had said.
“Twilight, from experience I know the consequences from these sort of spells, are you sure this kind of spell is safe to use, especially on Spike,” said Rarity, fearing of what could happen to Spike.
“Don’t worry girls, Anim said everything’s going to be fine and also he said he used this spell before too and it worked fine…” said Twilight, who trailed off a little. “Well except when he did it, an explosion happened and the ground shook violently.”
Rarity and Applejack looked at each other and gulped, except Pinkie who was enjoying everything she heard and giggled to herself, then Rainbow with Fluttershy behind her reentered Sugarcube Corner.
“Its very chilly Rainbow, did we need to come here in such a hurry,” said Fluttershy, “I didn’t had any time to wear my scarf or boots.”
“Sorry Fluttershy but, Twilight needed to tell you something very important, I’ll buy you some hot chocolate to warm you up,” said Rainbow.
“Oh you don’t need to do that,” said Fluttershy.
“Come on, I rushed you here without even giving you an explanation, you deserve at least something for coming with me,” said Rainbow who bought two cups of hot chocolate for her and Fluttershy. “Here you go Flutters.”
“Th-Thank you, Rainbow,” said Fluttershy as she used her wings to hold the cup and took a sip of her hot chocolate.
“Okay now that Fluttershy is here, now I can explain what exactly this potion I’ve been talking about that Anim is making does,” said Twilight. “You see, from what Anim told me, the potion gives the user the ability of any creature for a temporary time by giving them a temporary body.”
“So it’s like a transformation spell,” said Rainbow.
“Correct but it’s far more complicating than regular Equestrian magic,” said Twilight, “that’s why Anim needs us to distract Spike should he be heading this way soon, so once he comes I need all of you to-”
As Twilight was about to finish talking, Spike entered through the door, covered in snow from head to toe as he shook the snow off his head and shoulders, he then looked at everypony curiously to why they were all surrounding Twilight.
“What’s everypony doing?” asked Spike, as he removed his snow cap.
“Oh well, Twilight was just telling us a story,” said Rarity.
“What, I thought we were planning to distract Sp-” said Pinkie when Rainbow hit Pinkie in the gut to shut her.
“Really, what kind of story?” asked Spike.
“Well, maybe I can tell you later Spike,” said Twilight.
“Okay… by the way do you guys know what today is?” asked Spike in a serious tone.
Everypony looked at each other then looked back at Spike and smiled, after Spike looked curiously Pinkie popped right beside Spike and held a party cannon beside her.
“Of course we do…” said Pinkie, as she fired her party cannon. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPIKE!”
Everypony joined in with Pinkie as they all celebrated Spike’s birthday, Spike thought everypony forgot his birthday but gave out a relieved sigh and joined with everypony. Meanwhile back at the library, Anim continues working on the potion for Spike’s birthday gift as he carefully adds the ingredients together.
“A pinch of salt, then two cups of gems, and finally…” said Anim, as he grabbed the final ingredient. “A pegasus feather from Rainbow Dash and I’m done, now I need to mix them all together, heat it up to one hundred Celsius, then place the liquid inside this gem and get Spike to eat this gem.”
As Anim grabs the gem with his magic and puts it inside his saddlebags, he makes his way to Sugarcube Corner; but with the Mane 6, they try to distract Spike until Anim can get back.
“Say Twilight, where’s Anim?” asked Spike.
“Oh… well he’s coming late that’s all,” said Twilight.
“Okay then, but I have a question, why are you guys so… focused on me?” asked Spike, as he looks around to see he’s surrounded by everypony.
“Oh w-well because, it’s your birthday and we’re just trying to make sure it’s an excellent day for you that’s all,” said Twilight.
“Twilight, are you okay,” said Spike.
Before Twilight could answer, a strange white figure entered inside and everypony freaked out from just seeing it.
“WHAT IS THAT THING!?” shouted Applejack.
“Well whatever it is, it better not cause a ruckus!” said Rainbow.
As the strange white figure slowly trudged forward, it looked straight at everyone as if scanning them or something, suddenly the figure shook violently as flurries of snowflakes went everywhere and then where the figure stood was Anim.
“Hey calm down everyone, it’s me,” said Anim.
“Oh Anim it’s you, what… happened to you?” asked Rarity.
“Well, all I can say is that out there…” said Anim as he looked outside. “It’s a mess, but anyway what I missed?”
“Not much, but anyway what were you working on?” asked Rainbow.
“Well if you must ask, I was working on this,” said Anim.
Anim used his magic and brought the gem out which had the potion he made inside it, Spike saw it and slowly started to drool from just looking at it.
“Is that… for me?” asked Spike.
“Indeed Spike, here you go,” said Anim.
As Anim gave Spike the gem, Twilight pulled him away and started asking if the potion will work or not.
“Anim are you sure this will work, because Spike better be safe doing this okay,” said Twilight.
“Trust me, everything will be okay… however I recommend that we should all take cover,” said Anim as he slowly went behind a table.
“Wait, WHAT!?” shouted Twilight.
As Spike chomped down the gem, he began shaking then trembling with his eyes open wide, suddenly a bright light started coming from Spike as everypony started to take cover, an explosion happened in the center of the room, a burnt mark appears in the exact spot that Spike stood.
“Wha- WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?” shouted Rainbow.
“ANIM WH-WHERE IS SPIKE!?” shouted Rarity as she began shaking Anim.
“Uhm everypony,” said Fluttershy.
“Okay Anim, where is Spike?” asked Applejack.
“Look I swear the potion should of worked, I have no idea where he is,” said Anim, now starting to panic.
“GIRLS!” shouted Fluttershy. “Not to be rude or anything but, look.”
As everypony followed what Fluttershy was pointing at, they saw that the door had burnt marks all over it as it led outside, everypony headed outside to see a massive circle that had moved all the snow away and something else.
“Wait is that,” said Twilight, as she used her magic to pick up the object.
As Twilight brought the object to her eyes, it was a feather, a pegasus feather which had a familiar color to it, green and purple shades.
“Anim look at this,” said Twilight as she gave the feather to Anim.
As Anim used his magic to see the feather more closely, he realized who’s it could be, he then looked up to the sky and noticed a certain patch of clouds gone.
“I think… I might know where Spike went,” said Anim, as he pointed his hoof to the sky.
Everypony looked up, but as they looked up they heard… screaming.
“What is that noise?” asked Rainbow.
“That would be-”
Before Anim could finish, the sound got louder and turned into screaming as something or somepony rammed right into the group.
“Hey, watch it where you’re flying!” shouted Rainbow.
“Sorry, Rainbow Dash.”
“Well okay- wait, how do you know my name?!” said Rainbow, now a little freaked.
“What you mean Rainbow it’s me-”
“Its Spike,” said Anim, finishing Spike’s sentence.
“Wha-What!” shouted everypony.
After a few minutes of explaining later, Anim explains what the gem that Spike ate did to him and what happened to Spike after he ate the gem.
“The gem that Spike ate altered his physical form into a pegasus, however he still will have similar traits he had as a dragon, but don’t worry this transformation is only temporary until the end of the day,” said Anim.
“This is… amazing,” said Spike as he looked at his new body.
“But however, since this is your first time flying, you won’t learn how to fly that quickly though,” said Anim.
“That’s fine, it was cool to finally feel soaring through the sky like that,” said Spike looking at his wings. “Besides, having the ability to fly is a good enough present for me, thanks Anim.”
“Your welcome,” said Anim as he bowed down.
“Anim, what exactly did you mean when you said that Spike would still have some of his traits as a dragon?” asked Twilight.
“Well, one is that Spike is resistant to fire and his body is denser than steel,” said Anim.
“Really, this is interesting but by any chance that I could… you know, try this potion later on?” asked Twilight, curious of the potions effects.
“Trust me Twilight, some things are best to be left alone, the only reason I made the potion and gave it to Spike is that only certain creatures can consume the potion, specifically the reptilian kind,” said Anim.
“Oh… okay then, but will Spike be safe,” said Twilight.
“Don’t worry, the beings who made the potion are similar to Spike’s physical and mental form, so he’ll be safe… however,” said Anim, as he continued to speak. “There are a few, side effects in which, the user will start gaining visions of some sort, but this is temporary for only a few weeks or so.”
“Speaking of Spike,” said Twilight as she looked at Spike.
Spike was talking with Rainbow about how to fly, the two decided to try and fly, while they were busy everypony else were ignored a little bit, Twilight broke the conversation returning both Rainbow and Spike back.
“Oh sorry Twilight, but is something wrong,” said Rainbow.
“No nothing, but what are you two talking about?” asked Twilight.
“Rainbow was just telling me how to fly before the day ends,” said Spike.
“Well, be careful flying okay,” said Twilight.
As Spike went with Rainbow, everypony looked at each other wondering what to do next, since it was still Spike’s birthday Pinkie decided to go with Rainbow and Spike to give them some refreshments. Rarity and Applejack returned back inside Sugarcube Corner to help clean up the party, Fluttershy returned to her cottage and then Anim and Twilight headed back to the library to think of today’s recent events.
“So… was this your whole plan, Anim?” asked Twilight, as she continued her way to Golden Oaks Library.
“Well, not exactly, yes I wanted Spike to be given the ability to fly and all but…” said Anim.
“But what, is there something wrong?” asked Twilight.
“Spike reminded of… me, back when I was alone, useless, hopeless, when I didn’t belong anywhere,” said Anim, as they reached near the library. “Well no time to be sad, let’s head inside.”
Before Anim could head inside, Twilight stopped him from continuing ahead, she then looked at him seriously.
“You’re not alone Anim, you have us, in here,” said Twilight, as she placed her hoof on Anim’s chest.
Anim stood there speechless of what to do next, but he smiled and gave Twilight a hug in return, they both headed inside that maybe, Anim could finally have something worth to live for… for once.
Warming One's Heart (Edited)
Author's Note
Celebrating the Heart's Warming Eve episode and holiday, hope you enjoy this chapter, have a good reading.
Warming One's Heart (Edited)
Dear Diary,
Today is going to be wonderful, I think but this year’s Heart’s Warming is going to be perfect; my name is Twilight Sparkle and this is my first journal writing inside the gift that Anim has given me, the last time I did Heart’s Warming was the pageant at Canterlot, my friends and I did a wonderful job there but this year we won’t be attending the pageant, instead some volunteers will do the pageant instead. My friends and I were getting ready to go to Canterlot to celebrate the holiday spirit, as we waited for the train to Canterlot everyone’s spirits were up, except for… Anim; I can’t blame him after the last time we visited Canterlot, even though he doesn’t remember, he sure does remember that Celestia did something that would of made him that enraged. I tried convincing him to come but he said he didn’t want to step a single hoof in that city, I was going to give up, until I mentioned Luna, it all started at noon when the train was coming to Ponyville’s station.
“Come on Anim, if you won’t come how are you going to see Luna,” said Twilight.
“Luna… well I… I could… hmmm,” said Anim, as he started to think of a good response.
I stood there staring at him, it seemed I got Anim’s attention when I mentioned Luna, now Anim and Luna aren’t that close like a couple but Luna is probably the only pony who’s gotten Anim to put down his barriers. I don’t if Luna did something or if it was Anim that convinced Luna to trust him, either way they became wonderful friends and sometimes Anim would get letters from Luna through Spike, but recently she stopped sending them.
“Well, will you come or not,” said Twilight, waiting for Anim’s answer.
Anim sighed, and looked toward me. “I guess I have no choice, I’ll come,” said Anim, “but if I see anything fishy or Celestia doing anything suspicious then I’m not going to stay.”
“I promise... and thank you for coming,” said Twilight.
When we were done talking, the train arrived and everyone went inside as the train headed to its next destination, Canterlot, even though Anim wasn’t excited going there, he wasn’t upset either too, he was more of… how you say, focused on something entirely different. On the train everyone was so happy, Applebloom and her friends wanted to come with us and we thought it wouldn’t be so bad for them to come along, we brought some gifts with us to give to ponies in Canterlot and the princesses, this year travelers from all over Canterlot and beyond are exchanging gifts and presents to everyone at Canterlot as a sign of peace and prosperity. When we all saw Canterlot at the distance, we noticed how the ice and snow around the walls and buildings glistened like gems, it was a truly beautiful sight to see.
“My look at Canterlot, it’s just marvelous,” said Rarity, awe shocked of the view.
“It sure is a pretty sight to see,” said Applejack.
“Well you can thank the weather team that handled Canterlot for that,” said Rainbow.
“Oh I can feel today is going to be so much fun!” said Pinkie, hoping on her seat.
“Twilight, can I ask you something,” said Fluttershy.
“Of course Fluttershy, what do you want to know?” asked Twilight.
“Well its just that... is Anim okay, he seems… distracted,” said Fluttershy as she looked at Anim.
“Anim is fine, he’s just wondering what we’re going to do at Canterlot,” said Twilight, “I hope.”
As the train neared Canterlot, Anim left his seat and went to the back of the train; I was worried and followed him as I went to the back to see him leaning against the metal bars that surround the train’s rear.
“Anim are you okay?” asked Twilight moving closer.
“Yes, I’m just a bit, on edge that’s all,” said Anim, looking into the distance. “You know, the more I see Canterlot, the more I wonder about this world of yours.”
“Hmm, what do you mean Anim?” asked Twilight, curious of Anim’s answer.
“You see, this world of yours is so peaceful, not a single danger or possible way of destruction, even the monsters and enemies you face are either friendly, cute or their goals aren’t what you say… threatening,” said Anim.
“Anim, the enemies I and my friends face are dangerous, Luna from before became Nightmare Moon and wanted nothing but the world in darkness; Queen Chrysalis impersonated Cadence and wanted to suck the love out of everypony in Equestria and the return of King Sombra wanted him to take control of the Crystal Empire once more and all of Equestria, how are their goals not threatening?” asked Twilight.
“Just think about it, Nightmare Moon wanted nothing more but darkness, however this happened because she wasn’t noticed or her role wasn’t considered to be more than simply the time for sleep; Queen Chrysalis and her changelings feed on love, that’s not a big issue considering love can be found anywhere, I’m surprised Equestria hasn’t made a pact with them yet, they would of made excellent friends and allies you know and then King Sombra...” said Anim, “I don’t know much about him, but what I know about ancient evils returning from the past, usually they end up becoming my friend or an ally than the other way around, what I’m saying is Twilight that everything I know from this world is, a loop.”
“A... loop?” said Twilight, confused.
How can I put this in a way that you can understand. “What I’m saying is, after each battle the same thing happens in this continent, peace doesn’t exist wherever I look, whether it’s in the history books or from seeing it, I see zero fights resolved,” said Anim.
“What you mean? Equestria is a land of peace and harmony how can you say it isn’t?” asked Twilight, feeling a little uneasy.
“Your way of peace is different from where I’m from, your peaceful to your neighbors or friends but when a threat arises you don’t seem to think of a second solution, for example with Discord, when he returned all of you were ready for anything but Fluttershy accepted him, not because it was to protect Equestria or the princess’s orders, but she did it because you can’t change someone like Discord,” said Anim.
I never seen Anim so dejected, even though what he was saying was depressing his words did make sense, Fluttershy the shyest of us all had no problem of accepting Discord as a possible friend at all.
“In my world, peace can mean something completely different,” said Anim, “imagine this, there those who have different points of view of peace, yes in the end they do become enemies either way but, when a force that dares to defy the very thing you want to protect appears, you must defend what’s important to them even with their own enemies, harmony in my land is to accept the difference within each other no matter the separate view of peace.”
“I… I never thought it that way,” said Twilight.
“I can’t blame you, this land is older than you or the princesses, there are some things in this world that can’t be held back and it’s better to support it than to deny it you know,” said Anim.
I was busy focused on Anim, I never realized that we were at the station already; everyone has left the train and were waiting for us at the station, actually they were looking at us, I think they were there the last few minutes of our conversation.
“You done talking or do we need to wait even more,” said Rainbow, crossing her hooves.
“H-How long were you all there?” asked Twilight, blushing lightly.
“Not long Twi, everyone else went ahead, we decided to stay and wait for you two to be done with whatever you were talking about,” said Applejack, answering my question.
“Oh well, I guess Anim was done telling me what he was saying, right A-”
When I turned around to face Anim, he was gone from where he stood from, I asked if they saw where he went but they too didn’t realize Anim left, so we headed to the station where everyone else was. When the three of us went inside everyone was there waiting for us, but I didn’t see any sign of Anim so I assumed he went ahead of us and checked Canterlot’s surroundings of the holiday season.
“Darling, what took you and Anim so long, we all thought something had happen,” said Rarity.
“I thought you said that you worried something happened to them,” said Pinkie.
“I don’t think there was a reason to worry, they were just talking or something,” said Rainbow as she flew down to the surface.
“Oh well still, there’s nothing wrong about worrying for a friend,” said Rarity as she started to pout.
“Say, has anyone seen Anim come through here?” asked Twilight.
“No, why is Anim not with you?” asked Fluttershy.
“Well it seems Anim sneaked by us and decided to look around,” said Applejack.
“WHAT!?” shouted Pinkie, surprising everyone. “Well come on, we can’t let Anim have all the fun!”
We followed Pinkie outside and see the streets bustling with ponies moving to one place to the next, Heart’s Warming is an important holiday since it celebrates the founding of Equestria and the three cities that comprise of the three tribes, Ponyville, Canterlot and Cloudsdale which are the earth ponies, unicorns and finally the pegasi. I know I’ve lived in Canterlot for most of my life but, for the first time I’ve never seen this much energy in this city, I’ve seen some ponies who could have came from Manehatten, there are even griffons from far lands here to celebrate the holiday.
“There is so much life, here Twilight,” said Spike, amazed.
“Yeah, I wonder how the princesses are dealing with so many travelers coming to Canterlot, I’m surprised the city isn’t overflowing yet,” said Twilight.
“Well let’s just hope all the candy canes and treats aren’t gone,” said Pinkie as she began to drool.
“Gross Pinkie,” said Rainbow stepping slightly away from her.
“Come on everypony, let’s head to the castle,” said Applejack.
“But sis, what about Anim?” asked Applebloom.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine, and besides I don’t think he’ll be very excited to come to the castle,” said Applejack.
“How come?” asked Applebloom.
“Well uhm, because he… he...” said Applejack, trying her best to give a good answer.
“The last time Anim came here, he never took the chance to explore Canterlot, that’s all,” said Twilight.
“Oh okay then,” said Applebloom, “come on CMC let’s look around!”
“Thanks Twi, if I told Applebloom what really happened, I wouldn’t forgive myself,” said Applejack.
“No problem, we can’t let anyone to know what happen that day… not even Anim,” I said, “well that’s enough depressing talk, we came here to be in the holiday spirit.”
When we caught up with everyone we went to different stands that had some treats and trinkets for the holiday, on the way to the castle we say some cool events happening like a parade and some holiday themed games. When we finally reached the castle, it seemed there was a crowd of ponies, it looked like a mob but we saw Celestia on a balcony addressing some news.
“Thank you all for coming to this year’s Hearts Warming, we are here to celebrate not just the founding of Equestria but of the bonds with all three of the tribes and now we are here to celebrate that very day to unite all the lands of Equestria from far and beyond!” said Celestia as she announced her news.
“It seems Celestia is really into today’s holiday this year, right Twi,” said Applejack.
“Indeed, but I just hope Celestia has nothing against Anim,” said Twilight.
“So you finally caught up huh.”
I turned around and saw Anim, he seemed okay but when he looked up, the look on his face changed, I couldn’t tell if he was angry or disgusted at the princess, but whatever the reason he started to leave the group.
“Wait Anim, oh not again,” said Twilight as I chased after Anim.
“Hold up Twilight,” said Applejack.
We followed Anim to who knows where, when we finally caught up we were practically out of breath by simply chasing him, Anim stood there with zero signs of expression to show.
“Anim, I know you’re upset at Celestia but, soon you have to forgive her,” I said.
“That isn’t the issue to why I left but, I feel uneasy when I’m near or even hear her name,” said Anim.
“It’s okay to be honest Anim, but disliking the princess might be a bad move,” said Applejack.
“This has nothing do with me being honest,” said Anim, “Celestia may be the ruler of this land but, she has no right to dwell in the lives of travelers who come to her land, it is by their own right their business to come in this land, it’s not like I intentionally came here or something.”
“Anim you don’t mean that,” said Twilight.
“It’s true that I never came to this land with a purpose, but to be honest… I’m happy being here, to see new things, to explore lands beyond my imagining, I don’t care if I have to live here forever, as long I have you guys then I’ll be just fine with that,” said Anim.
Oh Anim.
“Still, your leaders may be kind and wise in most situations, I can tell they’ve seen many things that may threaten you all, they have good instincts not to trust me but someday, they’ll regret making a choice that could threaten everything they protected from the beginning, so remember this,” said Anim, as he looked at Applejack and me. “Don’t depend on those who protect you, sometimes you must stand forward for what you think is right.”
Those words rang in my head for the last few hours, I couldn’t stop thinking of them, after that Anim changed to his cheery mood and decided to relax a little, he suggested to go somewhere with food considering he missed breakfast this morning.
Canterlot, Canterlot Food District; 2:00pm
“Canterlot’s food is delicious, especially the donuts,” said Anim, as he ate another donut.
“My Anim, you seem… ecstatic,” said Rarity.
“Sorry, just trying to get used to the mood that’s all,” said Anim, drinking some tea.
“Say Anim, where did you, Twilight and Applejack go anyway?” asked Rainbow.
“We just needed to ask Anim something,” said Twilight.
Everyone was enjoying their time but Anim was not himself, well he was himself but at the same time he was like he was somepony who I never met before, a complete stranger.
“Say Anim, they’re doing the Heart’s Warming event at the castle, I wondered if you’ll come or not,” said Applejack.
“Yeah Anim, are going to come, it be boring if you’re not there to party with us,” said Pinkie.
“Actually I changed my mind, I’ll come to the party after all,” said Anim.
“Really, before you didn’t seem in the mood,” said Twilight.
“Well I thought about it and I decided to just try out the festivities this once,” said Anim, “well come on, let’s head there right now.”
We made our way to the castle and when we reached there, travelers from everywhere partied and socialize with everypony, it was like one of the biggest birthdays to ever be celebrated, well if you think about it we’re celebrating the founding of Equestria. When we first arrived I thought Anim would turn around and leave but he seemed confident with whatever reason he wanted to come.
“Are you sure your fine coming here Anim,” said Fluttershy.
“Don’t worry Flutters, I’ll be fine, just enjoy today’s event,” said Anim, “I have somebody to speak to.”
“Well okay,” said Fluttershy as she smiled.
“Come on Fluttershy, let’s go and party,” said Rainbow as she tugged Fluttershy by the hoof.
We all partied, ate, drank, it was a fun celebration and we even did a few games related to the holiday, everyone was having a great time; when everyone was talking a voice from the stairs was heard and when we looked it was Celestia. When I first saw her I swore Anim would be mad or enraged by seeing her, but when I turned to where Anim was standing he was gone.
“Anim, where’d you go,” said Twilight looking around.
“Thank you for coming to the Heart’s Warming party celebration, I thank all our guests for enjoying their time here and to be in such a harmonized mood,” said Celestia, as she used her magic to bring a cup out. “To Heart’s Warming Eve!”
“TO HEART’S WARMING EVE!” shouted everyone, taking a drink of their cup.
“Hey Applejack, where’s Anim?” asked Twilight.
“That’s strange, he was right behind me right, I just hope he’s not doing anything regrettable,” said Applejack.
“Let’s go find him just in case,” said Twilight with a worried looked on her face.
“I would say to leave him be, but considering what he just said to us before, I’m afraid I have to agree with you, let’s go find him,” said Applejack, agreeing with Twilight.
We searched the castle to see if Anim was being Anim, we didn’t see him but surprisingly since travelers were visiting Canterlot they let everyone to go around the castle, but only the first and second floors while the third floor is guarded, but when we feared the worst we saw somepony who we thought was Anim.
“Anim wait!” said Twilight as she chased the figure.
“Hold on Twilight!” said Applejack as she followed behind.
When I turned the corner, I saw the figure enter a room and when I noticed who’s room it was, I knew exactly that it was Anim who entered the room, which was Luna’s room.
“Twilight, was it Anim,” said Applejack.
“I think so, but whoever it is just entered Luna’s room,” said Twilight, “come on follow me.”
“I’m not so sure Twi,” said Applejack.
“Come on Applejack, we need to check this out,” said Twilight.
When we reached Luna’s room, we heard some voices inside, one was Luna and the other was definitely Anim, I couldn’t hear what they were talking about so I had to take a better look and I saw Luna talking to Anim and she seemed both worried and happy but mostly worried.
“Anim, I’m so happy you’re okay!” said Luna.
“Well it’s good to see you too Luna, I have to ask why I haven’t received any letters from you?” asked Anim.
“Well I have my reasons why, I had to help my sister organize this event, that and after the last time you came here she sort of umm, banned me of making any sort of contact with you,” said Luna, as she blushed lightly.
“So your sister doesn’t trust me anymore huh, I guess that’s too be expected since I entered your room without any permission,” said Anim, “but I came here for another reason, Luna I need to ask you a favor.”
“A favor?” asked Luna, as she focused her gaze on Anim.
“Twilight, what are they saying?” asked Applejack, taking a look.
“Wait Applejack, don’t move or you’re going to—”
Before I could warn Applejack to not move, she trips and we both tumble into Luna’s room as both Luna and Anim stare at us, I tried to explain myself but before I could speak Applejack spoke first.
“Hold on Twilight,” said Applejack, “Anim don’t blame Twilight for spying on you, she saw you going somewhere and we followed you to Luna’s room, so we’re sorry if we intruded on anything.”
“It’s okay Applejack, I should have told you girls that I needed to ask Luna something,” said Anim.
“Ask her what?” asked Twilight.
“Well, a few days ago I had a dream, a very strange one,” said Anim.
“Anim, why are you asking Luna about a dream, doesn’t she already know your dream,” said Twilight.
“Actually Twilight, ever since Anim first came to Equestria, I can’t seem to see his dreams, I don’t know why but something is blocking me from seeing inside his head, not that I want to see what’s in his head,” said Luna, as she looked to the floor.
“Anyway in my dream, there was this weird voice and the voice said that I need to go somewhere that has apples and bison, to find some mare of some sort… by the way, what are bison?” asked Anim.
“Hmmm, whatever this dream was, it seems to be a vision or warning, but to where I don’t know,” said Luna, as she skeptically thought of what Anim said.
“I think I know what Anim is talking about,” said Applejack as she looked at me. “Twilight remember, we went to visit my cousin Braeburn at Appleloosa, I think that’s what the voice in Anim’s dream is talking about.”
“Appleloosa?” asked Anim.
“Appleloosa is a town that was formed a while ago that’s south from Ponyville, if what your dream says is true then maybe we could head there some time,” said Twilight.
“That is not a wise move, Sparkle,” said Luna, “these kind of dreams are tricky, it specifically said for Anim to head to Appleloosa and we are not sure if this mare he’s to find will be there, I believe we should let Anim decide at when to depart.”
“She’s right Twilight, I can’t simply walk into the town and start asking to find for a mare, this kind of things are delicate and I think that fate should find me before I find fate, trust me I tried it once… did not end well,” said Anim as he eyed Luna.
“What’s that look for?” asked Luna, a little curious.
“Oh nothing, just some fond memories and all,” said Anim as he grinned to himself. “We should probably head back to the party, come on everyone.”
We headed back to the party, but when I was about to leave the room, Anim was still there with Luna, I waited by the door and tried to hear what they were saying.
“There’s something else I didn’t mention Luna,” said Anim, turning around facing Luna.
“What do you want to tell me?” asked Luna in a hushed tone.
“I had another dream, it was around when I first came to Ponyville, I believe my second night,” said Anim, “I can’t say much but, in the dream there was the same voice from my other dream but it said, ‘THEY MUST NOT KNOW’, I don’t know what I have forgotten but whatever it is, I don’t think I can defend everyone from it.”
“Anim, where are you taking this conversation?” asked Luna, a little afraid.
“If things end of more than I can chew… I’ll try one last trump card… and this time… I won’t come back,” said Anim, giving a warm smile.
Luna slowly began to cry, she grabbed and hugged Anim not wanting him to be gone or even be away, Anim patted her on the back and whispered something, I don’t know what it was, but Luna nodded as Anim gave what looked like a piece of his journal. As he was about to leave, I ran back to the party and continue to socialize with everyone, they wondered where I was and I told them I needed to do something, after that the music changed as everyone began to dance.
“Come on Twilight, dance!” shouted Pinkie, as she danced wildly.
“I well… I,” said Twilight, a little shook from what I heard.
“How about I help you,” said Anim extending a hoof to me.
I took Anim’s hoof as we began to dance, he was a good dancer for somepony who wasn’t a pony, but never the less he danced well, for me… I probably needed some help, but Anim laughed and joined my odd way of dancing, I don’t know what to think about what Anim said, but no matter what we will always be friends… no matter what happens.
“Mistletoe!” shouted Rainbow, pointing up.
“Huh?” said Twilight, as I looked up to see the mistletoe above me and Anim.
“Well this is awkward,” said Anim.
“So… should we um you know kiss, we don’t need to do it if you’re not in the m—”
Before I could finish my sentence, Anim kissed me on the cheek and gave a cheeky smile after he finished, I think he was still smiling because I was blushing and started to whack him on the head, not too hard just some random taps for doing something that sudden.
“WHA… WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?” shouted Twilight, unable to process what happened.
“What, I’m just in the holiday spirit,” said Anim, as he laughed in a jolly way.
Everyone laughed at what Anim had done, even Celestia enjoyed the little incident as Luna joined the room to see everyone laughing and noticed me and Anim in the center of the room. I have no idea how Anim thinks, but he’s not that bad if you learn enough from him, but he’ll always be my friend; after that fiasco Anim continued partying with everyone, that night Anim showed so much life, I couldn’t tell if it was Anim that I was watching.
From Twilight Sparkle; Happy Heart’s Warming Eve
A New Year... A New Journey
Author's Note
Celebrating the New Year for all, I've been waiting for this chapter for a while. I kind of improvised so the chapter wasn't planned. Another note to know is that, another story for a separate POV was made, this other story will also be my first ever teen-rated story. Any order is okay to read in, so enjoy the story and... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Another thing to note is, this story also has a few teen-related stuff in it... SO BE WARY TO WHAT YOU READ!
A New Year... A New Journey
Snore… Snore… Snore… Huh, where am I. Oh right, I drank too much and fell asleep beside this tree, if I remember everypony is at the town hall celebrating the New year. I need to lighten up with drinking… even though all I drank was apple cider which didn’t got me drunk but, I thought it be funny to pretend to be drunk… in the end I ended up falling asleep outside. What time is it? It should be 10:00pm, almost two hours until the new years’ fireworks begin, and I better head back now.
“What did I sleep on,” I said, looking up to see a tree. “Oh, that was it.”
“Hey Anim, that’s where you’ve been at,” said Rainbow, flying right in front of me.
What was Rainbow doing? Whatever it was, she looked worried, horrified and… I think amazed? Anyway, I stood up but I felt groggy from sleeping an odd position, so Rainbow helped me up as we both headed back to the town hall. On the way back, I noticed some stands and a few pots and trees were destroyed, like some kind of tornado went through or something, anyway we made it to the town halls’ doors when—
“You got a lot of explaining to do!”
I couldn’t recognize the voice, but when I looked at Rainbow’s expression I knew that it wasn’t going to be good. I twisted my head where the noise was coming from, and met face with face with Ponyville’s mayor, Mayor Mare.
“Look what you have done!” said Mayor Mare, pointing at the destruction.
“Wait, I did that?” I said, trying to speak.
“What you mean, you’re the one who came bursting out and speaking nonsense,” said Mayor Mare, “it was funny the next few minutes until you started using your magic and blasting everything in your sights. After that you went to other parts of Ponyville and went missing afterwards!”
I have zero recollection what I did it, all I remember was what I was doing three hours ago.
Three hours before the destruction, Ponyville’s Town Hall, 7:00pm
“Let’s party everypony!” shouted Pinkie, firing her party cannons in sync.
“Excellent as ever Pinks,” I said.
“Thanks Anim, but it was your idea to do this,” said Pinkie, stepping off the stage.
“I guess so, but I wouldn’t be able to do this if you didn’t brought the games, Applejack bringing the food and drinks, Rarity setting up the decorations, and Twilight organizing the event,” I said.
“Anim, this was a wonderful idea to do,” said Twilight, “to celebrate the old year and wait for the new one.”
“Not only that, but we get an excuse to drink this,” said Rainbow, pulling out a mug with some liquid inside it.
“What is that?” I asked, curious of the beverage.
“Apple cider from Sweet Apple Acres, Anim,” said Applejack, taking a mug.
“Come on Anim try some,” said Pinkie passing me a mug.
“Sure,” I responded, using my magic to grab the mug.
“Say, why don’t we see who can drink the most mugs without falling asleep!” said Rainbow, announcing the challenge.
“YEAH!” shouted everypony.
Present time, Ponyville Town Hall, 10:05pm
“After starting the dare, I drank like what, thirty no, fifty, or was it between forty-five and sixty. But I was drinking so much that, everypony fell asleep after their six or tenth drink except for AJ, Dashie, and Pinks, who were still standing until they reached their thirty drinks. I kept on drinking and I lost consciousness, but whatever happened I must have went through a drunken state or something.” I said, telling what I remembered.
“Are… are you serious Anim you don’t remember!” said Rainbow, as she gasped in shock.
“Well Anim, it doesn’t matter if you remember or not,” said Mayor Mare, continuing her lecture. “You caused property damage, endangerment of other ponies, stealing, graffiti, and most of all... sexual assault!”
“What… WHAT!” I said, surprised to hear this as well.
“Oh don’t give me that surprised reaction, what do you have to say!?” asked Mayor Mare.
“I… I… I… I,” I said, fainting in the process.
I was unconscious and heard a little but, when I woke up I thought I would end up in prison, or house arrest or worse, Tartarus. I know Equestria is a peaceful continent and I bet the only crimes they usual get is if you didn’t say sorry to somepony, but sexual assault, I have no idea what you get if you do something like that. Better question, me of all ponies would do something like that, I just hope it wasn’t somepony younger than me… oh deities, its somepony younger than me isn’t it! Oh what am I thinking; everypony is younger than me… other than Celestia, also Luna, and probably Discord, but still!
“Anim, you okay?”
“Hmm, who… who’s that?” I asked, waking up.
“It’s me, Pinkie, you really partied hard didn’t you,” Pinkie said, as she stepped away from me.
“Where, am I?” I asked.
“You’re in the town hall sweetie, but don’t worry, we know your innocent,” said Rarity.
“Okay, exactly what did I do, when I was… drunk?” I asked.
“Should we start from the beginning or…?” asked Applejack.
“Actually I liked to ask a very important question,” I said.
“What would that be?” Applejack said.
“Did I… actually do, sexual assault on somepony,” I said, whispering something.
“Uh, sugarcube, you need to speak up,” said Applejack.
“Did I sexually assault somepony?!” I shouted and a little upset from saying it. “There, you happy!”
“Well… maybe,” said Rainbow who rubbed her head.
“What you mean, maybe?” I said, staring at Rainbow.
“Well, all I can say is… you and Twilight—” said Rainbow.
“OH DEITIES, NOT TWILIGHT, ANYTHING BUT THAT!” I shouted, slamming my face to a nearby pole.
“Whoa, Anim calm down!” said Applejack, restraining me.
“Please… let me die,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Look let me finish explaining,” said Rainbow, who continued. “When we we’re looking for you, Twilight found you, well actually you found Twilight and… things got a little… weird.”
“Uh no,” I said, continuing to hit my head on the floor.
“Anim, please stop hurting yourself,” said Fluttershy staring into my eyes.
“Okay,” I said.
“Anyway, when we found you two, you started saying some weird stuff that we couldn’t understand, but all we understood was that you liked the color of Twilight’s mane and fur, and started to rub your face against her neck. Which kind of caused Twilight to hyperventilate and freak out, we tried to get you away from her but you suddenly flashed a bright light and ran off with Twilight,” said Rainbow, who I thought was done but continued with the story. “When we started chasing you, we lost track of you, but we found Twilight a few minutes later who told us what happened, she said that you fell asleep on her and she tried to escape and sneaked away from you, and that’s when I found you not drunk on the base of that tree.”
“Did I… you know?” I asked, afraid of knowing of the answer.
“Actually that was it, all you did was sleep on her and thought her mane was soft, nothing happened between you two,” said Rainbow, who looked a little ashamed.
“Are you serious,” I said, “what in the world was I thinking when I was drunk.”
“Anyway, Twilight is outside with Spike to check on the fireworks, you should probably speak your side of the story so you two don’t feel awkward near each other,” said Rarity.
“I’ll do that,” I said, leaving outside to the back.
When I reached the back, ponies we’re looking at me, but not in the afraid or disgusted way, more like the kind of pity or curious way. Whatever I did when I was drunk, it was something, and reaching the back of the building I see Spike with Twilight.
“Uh, Twilight,” I said, spooking her in the process.
“AH!” said Twilight, turning around. “Oh Anim, uhm are you… you?”
“What do you thing,” I said, waiting for a response.
“Well, as long you’re okay, what happened with you,” said Twilight, calming down her nerves.
“I would like to know myself, all I remember was the drinking bet we made and waking up near a tree. So whatever I did wasn’t my intention,” said Anim.
“I’m happy that you didn’t… thought of me that way,” said Twilight, who just realized what she said. “No wait I mean, that we’re still friends and not in that sort of relationship is all.”
“Same for me, but seriously thought, what was that all about, with me going all bonkers and stuff,” I said.
“Well I learnt one thing today, and that’s not to give you an alcoholic beverage… ever,” said Twilight. “Say, can you help me with preparing the fireworks.”
“Sure, it’s the best I can do for everything that’s happened,” I said, helping Twilight to carry a barrel of gunpowder.
“Say Anim, about you being drunk… when you dragged me with you, you started mumbling about someone. You said she was somewhat like me and loved to research too, who is this pony who were talking about?” asked Twilight.
“She’s was somepony who was close to me, somewhat like family, she loved to know everything about realms and me. Not to mention she was also awesome and full of energy like Rainbow and Pinkie, she’s one of those athletic smart types, those who have rare genes.” I said, continuing about this person. “She… was one heck of a sister; I wish I could see her again.”
“I see, she must been great company,” said Twilight, smiling.
“Heck right she was,” I said, “well come on, let’s get these barrels into position now.”
I’ve been through rough times over, and over again. No matter the times I’ve failed, I got my friends to watch my back no matter what I’ve done. As I finished setting up the fireworks, we’ve headed inside to see everypony was cleaning up the mess that happened, until somepony trotted up to us.
“Anim, you still need to pay those crimes you’ve done!” said Mayor Mare, who was not happy.
“Not this again,” said Anim, “Twilight could you help me with this?”
“Mayor, what’s going on?” asked Twilight.
“Your friend Anim has broken so many laws, it’s practically impossible,” said Mayor Mare.
“Mayor Mare, we talked about this, Anim hasn’t harmed anypony, all he did was a few pranks and he was drunk,” said Twilight, defending me.
“Well, what about the graffiti and stealing, that has to be punished for something?!” said Mayor Mare.
“Anim found that cupcake in the sample pile at Sugar Cube Corner, those we’re free. That graffiti at Sweet Apple Acres, all Anim did was pile some apples together, used a stick to draw something on the ground, and grabbed some paint and drew on the Apple family barn, and besides the drawing was cute,” said Twilight, remembering the drawing.
“I guess it was…” said Mayor Mare, who pouted.
“Wait, cute, we are talking about me right?” asked Anim.
“But still, there’s that time when Anim started firing those blasts!” said Mayor Mare.
“Mayor, those were light spells, all they do is illuminate the area, the only harm they can do is if you get blinded,” said Twilight, “now, is there anything else you would like to mention?”
“Well, what… what about that one incident where you were kidnapped by Anim that your friend Rarity told me,” said Mayor Mare, who looked at both Twilight and I.
When I looked at Twilight, she blushed from Mayor Mare reminding that and Twilight stopped talking. I had to do something before I get punished for being drunk, so I did one last try to convince her.
“Yeah so, I got drunk and did some things that scared everypony, you going to arrest me for having fun!” I said, both shocking the mayor and Twilight.
“Having… fun?!” said Mayor Mare.
“You heard what I said, this started because of a harmless dare, everypony was in it, even you mayor, so if your arresting me for being drunk does that mean everypony has to be arrested?” I said.
“Well I… I… oh, fine I guess I could let this slide,” said Mayor Mare, who completely forgot she was also in the bet.
“And besides, we’re here to celebrate the old and welcome the new,” said Anim, “so come on and join in the party!”
Mayor Mare looked at us, and nodded as she joined everypony. I sighed that we went through that issue, and when we joined everypony else, even Discord was there, and for once his innocent and had nothing to with this.
“I heard you went a little…” said Discord, who started spinning his head and eyes. “Crazy before I came and I thought I was the party animal.”
“There some things you don’t know about me.” I said. “Actually that reminds me, something like this happened back at my world, where I drank so much I went unconscious but everybody got knocked out, literally, like somepony fought them all?”
“Fought… them… all,” said Rainbow who almost dropped her drink.
“Maybe you should stick with the punch,” said Twilight, who patted me on the back.
When we continued to party, it was one minute until the clock reached 12:00am which is the beginning of the New Year. So we headed outside to see the fireworks, everypony reached the hills to watch them, as the clock went by.
“Well to a New year,” I said.
“To a New year,” said Twilight, who looked up.
We counted down the final seconds until it reached the tenth second as we all counted together.
“Ten, nine, eight, seven…” said everypony.
“Six, five, four…” said the Mane 6 and Discord.
“Three, two, one… ZERO!” I said.
“HAPPY NEW YEAR!” shouted everypony as the fireworks blasted to the sky.
Everypony roared as the New Year had arrive, we danced, partied, and had games… other than the drinking one, that we we’re not going to do. The year was great and the moments were even greater.
“Happy new year Anim,” said Twilight.
“Happy new year Twilight,” said Anim.
We partied like never before and maybe for once… I can remember the day before I came to Equestria more clearly, and accept my past and thrive for the future.
Author's Note
In celebration of the episode "Family Appreciation Day", I'm using more characters than usual for this character to fit with the chapter. This chapter will have more of an serious tone than it's intended ones, but this is for the sake of story development, so me adding other genres is sometimes my thing, but I'll do my best to add more of the main genres, so enjoy.
The Definition of Family
Anim has been here for four months now, and has seen and knows most of the regular things about Equestria now… but there’s one holiday that seems to disturb him a lot… more than any other holiday. Today like any other day was the same… except there we’re more ponies lively than ever, today was “Family Appreciation Day ” or also called “Family Day ”. The day is mainly focused on the fouls of Equestria as a school project for them, but today’s festivities may be more different than usually planned.
The day started with everypony doing their usual festivities, being with family. The Apple family is making their famous zap apple jam, Rarity is going to be with her sister and buy some of the jam. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo are going to Cloudsdale to see the Wonderbolts performing, with only Pinkie, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Anim the remaining ones left who aren’t busy in the event. Pinkie’s family is busy, that and Pinkie are organizing some parties in Ponyville, Fluttershy is staying home, then there’s Twilight and Spike. Twilight decides to organize some new books that came to the library yesterday, with the help of Spike and Anim, but sometimes things don’t go as planned.
Ponyville, Golden Oaks Library, 9:30am
“And done, we’re almost done with putting away all the books,” said Twilight, wiping her head.
“Some new material to read, I was getting bored and thought I had to fine my own entertainment,” said Anim, lifting one book with his magic.
“Say Twilight, why aren’t with everypony else for today?” asked Spike, carrying some more books into the room.
“Spike, its family day… I think it’s best for our friends to be with family instead,” said Twilight.
“What about Rainbow then?” said Spike.
“Rainbow’s like a sister to Scootaloo, and it seemed Scootaloo’s parents seemed to be busy. It was nice of Rainbow to bring Scootaloo with her,” said Twilight. “Now, we have more books to stack.”
“Well… okay,” said Spike.
As they continued to shelf more books, Twilight used her magic to pull out one specific book, the gift that Anim gave her on her birthday, her journal. The second Twilight received the gift, from day one she has been writing down what she’s been doing every day. Twilight writes down today’s date and what’s happening on that day, as she writes it down a knock on the door can be heard.
“I got it,” said Anim, opening the door. “Hello, who is it?”
“It’s me Anim, Rarity. Can we come inside?” asked Rarity, with Sweetie Belle standing beside her.
“Sure, come in Rare,” said Anim.
“Thank you Anim,” said Rarity, followed by Sweetie Belle with a wagon with some jam on it.
“Oh Rarity, what brings you here?” said Twilight, finishing writing her journal.
“Just wanted to see my friends that’ all, and I brought some jam for you too,” said Rarity using her magic, floating one of the jars to Twilight. “Since you were busy organizing your library, I thought that I would bring one of these to you.”
Twilight caught the jar with her magic and handed to Spike, and asked Spike to put it away while to make some tea too. While Spike went to put the jar away and make some tea, the mares sat down and talked a little, while Anim was occupied with Sweetie.
“Hey there Sweet Bell, how’s my buddy doing,” said Anim, crouching down to her height.
“Fine Anim,” said Sweetie Belle, who turned her head and faced Anim. “I mean, special cutie mark crusader Anim.”
“To you too, cutie mark crusader Sweetie Belle,” said Anim doing a salute.
The two look at each other and laugh, afterwards Spike returns with the tea. While Spike, Sweetie, and Anim enjoy tasting some jam and playing some games, Twilight and Rarity have a quick discussion about today.
“So Rarity…” said Twilight, taking a sip of her tea. “Why did you actually come here? I thought you said you we’re going to be with your sister no matter what for today.”
Rarity continued to drink her tea, and lightly placed it down on the table, facing Twilight. “Well one of the reasons was that Sweetie wanted to see how Anim was doing… especially after what had happened at the New Year…” said Rarity, shivering from the thought.
“Please, don’t remind me. But why are you really here other than… that,” said Twilight, taking another sip.
“Well, it’s about what you told us when you escaped Anim when he was drunk. You mentioned that, when he fell asleep he was talking to you in his sleep and thought you were this… Kimila pony,” said Rarity, focusing her gaze on Twilight.
“Yes I remember, why?” asked Twilight.
“Well if I remember, didn’t Anim mention he had no family and his truly honest… so does that mean he lied,” said Rarity.
Twilight stopped for a second of what Rarity has said, even though they only known Anim for a few months, they definitely know his not the type to not lie. Twilight continued thinking of this and looked at Anim who was busy with Spike and Sweetie Belle.
“Well from what Anim was saying, Anim acts like a brother to this pony. But I’m positive their not actual family, still it’s sad that Anim is the only pony in his family,” said Twilight.
“I see… I feel wrong for reminding of this,” said Rarity, looking down on her tea. “But… I had an idea about Anim.”
“An idea, what sort of an idea?” asked Twilight, moving closer to Rarity.
Rarity whispered into Twilight’s ear about hanging out with Anim, while Pinkie and Fluttershy can prepare something at Sweet Apple Acres to surprise him. Twilight smiled at the idea in agreement, they stood up and told Anim that they should join in the festivities too.
“Really… well if you say so,” said Anim. “Come on Sweetie, let’s go and play some of those games you mentioned.”
“Awesome, come on Anim!” said Sweetie, heading outside with Anim following.
The group explored some parts of Ponyville, seeing families playing and enjoying themselves, while this was happened the remaining members of the Mane 6 prepared the surprise party. Even though they are all friends, Anim slowly felt like he was in a family… back when he was with his old friends, as they enjoyed themselves Twilight remembered when she was with her family on this special family, smiling to herself about the memory. When they turned one corner, Twilight heard a familiar voice… too familiar.
“Twiliy, it’s you!” said a stallion’s voice.
“It can’t be,” thought Twilight, turning her head to find the source of the voice.
Amongst the overcrowded market, Twilight saw somepony she thought to not see again… her BBBFF, Shining Armor. With him was his wife Princess Mi Amore Cadenza or Princess Cadence in short, behind her was Twilight’s parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light. The second Shining Armor saw her; he rushed over and gave her a big brotherly hug, everypony greeted each other… except for Anim who was confused by the sudden events.
“Uh Twinkles, who are these ponies, not to be rude of course?” said Anim, still surprised by what happened.
“Oh right,” said Twilight, signaling her brother to let her go. “Anim this is my family, the one who hugged me was Shining Armor, his wife and my step-sister Princess Cadence, and my parents Twilight Velvet and Night Light.”
“Greetings Anim… and who might you be?” asked Shining, curious.
“A yes my manners,” said Anim, “my name is Animatorsnake, I’m friends with your sister Twilight Sparkle, and are temporarily staying in her quarters.” Afterwards Anim bowed down in front of royalty, both at Shining and Cadence, now realizing they are both a prince and princess.
“I see… wait what?!” said Shining, realizing what Anim has said. “Your saying you’re staying at my sister’s home?”
Twilight has realized what Anim has said, and her brother is getting the wrong idea about Anim now. Trying her best not to cause a ruckus, Anim responds to Shining about his question, causing her fears to grow ever bigger.
“Um yes, is there something wrong with th—” said Anim, who was suddenly pinned to the ground.
“WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!” said Shining who was nearly about to choke Anim.
“What did I say, all I said was qua—” said Anim, as Twilight shoved a hoof into his mouth and began smiling at her brother.
“Heh, what a joker right,” said Twilight, giving off a weak laugh.
Before Shining could do anything, Cadence pulled him away with her magic. She then looked toward at Twilight with a concerned look, for both her and her… new friend.
“May we go talk at the library,” said Cadence.
“Su… sure, we can go,” said Twilight. “Rarity I have to—”
“Don’t worry, I’ll meet you later, you know where to find me,” said Rarity, leaving towards Sweet Apple Acres with Sweetie Belle.
“Bye Anim,” said Sweetie, waving at Anim.
“Buh,” said Anim, trying to speak with Twilight’s hoof in his mouth.
After Twilight’s family headed to the library, they sat down… and waited for a few minutes as Twilight prepared a few drinks and food.
Ponyville, Golden Oaks Library… again, 11:15am
“So… Twilight,” said Cadence. “How was your… day?”
“Fine…” said Twilight, staring at her tea.
“I’m sure it is,” said Shining, staring at Anim who was too busy reading a book.
“So anyway, Twilight are you dating this Anim fella?” asked Velvet, who looked at the two.
“MOM!” shouted Twilight.
“So… is that a yes?” said Velvet.
“What I would like to know is, why you didn’t tell us you were with a stallion,” said Night.
“It’s not what it looks like I swear, I can explain,” said Twilight, trying to fix the situation she’s in.
Twilight tried to explain herself, but was in such stress for the last few days after the drunken Anim incident, she doesn’t have anything to say. But before she could speak, Anim placed his hoof on her muzzle as he gently patted her on the head and placed his book down to face Twilight’s family, eye to eye.
“Before you start to think, let me just say something,” said Anim, acting serious.
Everypony suddenly felt intimidated by Anim, as if the wrath of the sun has appeared before them. Even Twilight felt intrigued by the sudden change in Anim’s tone, when Anim began to spoke… the situation changed again.
“What exactly did I say wrong when we met?” said Anim, back to his usual self.
Twilight simply facehoof herself in disappointment of what Anim had said, but when her family reacted the first to speak was her father, and what he said was unexpected.
“Well at least your boyfriend, knows how to change the atmosphere,” said Night.
“I’m sorry sweetie if, I asked questions you felt uncomfortable to ask after what happened at the market,” said Velvet.
“He seems nice,” said Cadence.
“I still don’t like him,” said Shining.
“No I’m serious, what exactly did I say wrong back at the market?” said Anim, now confused.
Twilight moved to Anim’s ear and whispered what he said wrong, in Equestria some words could have a different meaning, for example the words plot, hind, quarters, and more in Equestria for ponies means… butts. After hearing this, Anim blinked a few times and after a few seconds of silence, Anim suddenly laughing uncontrollably and began trotting away back to his room.
“I can’t believe that word means,” said Anim, continuing to laugh to his room.
“Is he alright?” asked Cadence.
“I guess you should know about Anim now and that his not… normal,” said Twilight.
Twilight told her family that Anim was a being from another world and appeared at Ponyville after Shining Armor and Cadence’s wedding when a massive meteor crashed at Ponyville. Inside the meteor was Anim, and has been living in Ponyville and with Twilight for four months now, surprising her family took it well… except for her brother.
“HOW COME YOU NEVER MENTIONED HIM TO US BACK AT THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!” shouted Shining
“Well for starters, we were running from a shadow monster, an empire long forgotten appeared out of nowhere, the return of an evil king was coming back, and we needed to find the crystal ponies’ ancient artifact, the crystal heart. So there was no time to be talking about my life at Ponyville was there!” said Twilight, breathing heavily from explaining.
“Now Shining, Twilight has been through a lot. She’s been taking care of an all-powerful being, while all you are doing is lazily sitting in a castle,” said Velvet.
“But I’m taking care of a whole nation!” said Shining.
“Don’t but, me mister!” said Velvet.
“Well… can’t he live somewhere else?” said Shining, wondering why Anim can’t do that.
“Well… Anim’s… special,” said Twilight, tapping her hooves together.
“Oh his special now, how come I haven’t heard of him from Princess Celestia!?” said Shining.
“Actually I received some letters from Aunt Celestia. Some of them mentioned about Anim, and that he might be dating Aunt Luna,” said Cadence, pulling out some letters.
“WHAT!?” said Shining grabbing the letters with his magic, reading them carefully.
“I… I, oh no,” said Twilight, placing her face on her hooves.
When Shining Armor began reading the letters, they mentioned about Anim’s recent activities from the previous months. The letters says that Anim is a being from another world, and has no memory of his past, some incidents that had happened across Equestria like the strange meteor storm that happened a few months ago may have something to with him. After finishing reading these letters, Shining looks at Twilight then back at the letters, then back at her before placing the letters on the table.
“His going to Tartarus,” said Shining.
“What you can’t do that,” said Twilight.
“Oh yes I can, and I have proof. And another thing, Cadence how come you didn’t give this to me yet?” asked Shining, wondering why his only heard this now.
“Well actually, these letters just came today. The mail service has been having issues sending letters to the Crystal Empire, so I thought I would bring them with us when we went to visit Twilight,” said Cadence, explaining why.
Shining rubbed his eyes and looked at Twilight in disappointment. Before he could respond, Anim returns snickering a little, calming down as he sat beside Twilight.
“So… what I missed?” said Anim, laughing under his breath.
“What’s so funny?” asked Shining.
“Nothing… well what Twilight told me, was funny. But I guess I need to properly introduce myself,” said Anim.
“Don’t worry, I have enough information about you already,” said Shining.
“Pardon… exactly where did you get this information?” asked Anim, now curious.
“Letters from Princess Celestia and from what she wrote down to Cadence… they don’t show a lot of good things about you. I don’t care if you aren’t in a relationship with my sister, you’re a threat to all of Equestria!” said Shining standing up.
Anim sat there, staring… then he stared at Twilight who was near breaking point for her mental state. Anim sighed and brought his tome with his magic from his room.
“That’s some impressive magic you have, to be able to get an object from that distance,” said Night.
“Now before we start pointing hooves here, you may be Twilight’s family but too me your all strangers. If somepony is harming my friends and family, whether it is physically, mentally, or emotionally, I won’t stand for it… now your daughter and her friends found me and helped me up my hooves, one step at a time. I’ve been through so much these last few months… and would have nearly blown up half the world… if it weren’t for her being there for me, so I would kindly ask for you to leave,” said Anim, opening his tome to look through some pages.
“Anim… thank you,” said Twilight.
“Now hold on here, you can’t tell us to leave!” said Shining, starting get more tensed.
“Then you give me no choice,” said Anim, slamming his tome shut.
Suddenly, Twilight’s family is teleported outside of Golden Oaks Library, somewhere near the train station. Twilight was about to shout at Anim for what he did, but he simply rubbed her head gently.
“You have a good family,” said Anim.
“You didn’t have to do that,” said Twilight. “Come on, there was somewhere I want to show you before my family arrived.”
Ponyville, path to Sweet Apple Acres, 1:00pm
Twilight led Anim to Sweet Apple Acres for the surprise that’s being prepared by the rest of the Mane 6. Nopony spoke on the way there, after what Anim had done even though Twilight knew he did out of protecting her, still she felt wrong for doing that to her family.
“Say Anim… I know you did what you had to do, but there could have been another way,” said Twilight.
“Maybe, but I doubt your brother was the listening type. I know they’re your flesh and blood but… from these few months being with everypony, you’ve been the only ponies I can truly trust, so I thought… that you were all like a family to me,” said Anim, feeling a little disappointed from his choices. “And I’m sorry for what I did, if you won’t accept my forgiveness I’ll leave everypony alone.”
“No… no, it was stupid of me to not tell my family about you, and now we’re both in trouble for our choices. I told myself and Celestia that I would watch you and care for you, and I won’t break that promise, so yes we are like family Anim,” said Twilight. “And we’ll stay a family, I promise.”
Anim smiled from Twilight’s response, the two walked the path to Sweet Apple Acres and when they reached their, all their friends were there, even Rainbow and Scootaloo who returned early from the show. They played games, ate, and had a wonderful time; Anim especially was very happy being with everypony.
“Run!” said Applebloom, in a playful tone.
“I’m coming to get you!” shouted Anim, who was playing tag.
“Anim would make a wonderful father figure you know,” said Rarity.
“F… FATHER!” said Twilight, nearly chocking from her drink.
Twilight thought of Anim of many things, but a father was the last thing she would imagine. After calming down, Anim let the fillies play by themselves and joined the girls.
“I’m surprise you’re able to have that much energy Anim,” said Rainbow.
“I’m more energetic than you think,” said Anim, using use magic to drink some punch.
“Say Twilight, I heard your folks came to town, where are they?” asked Applejack, looking around.
“Oh… well… they sort of,” said Twilight.
“Some family matters happened, didn’t it darling,” said Rarity.
“Oh put that frown upside down Twilight,” said Pinkie, moving Twilight’s face to make a smile.
“I hope you didn’t fight with them,” said Fluttershy.
Twilight hasn’t been in this big of a fight with her family since the wedding. When she went to respond Anim, stood in front of her with some flowers levitated beside him.
“Who are those for Anim?” asked Twilight.
“Well… I thought about what you’ve said and… I thought I would visit an old friend,” said Anim, looking off the distance.
Twilight knew exactly where Anim was going by the direction of where he was staring… he wanted to go see the grave of his friend, Kimila. “Of course… it’s okay to visit friends and family, it’s your decision who to see,” said Twilight.
“Just wanted to tell you all where I was, that’s all,” said Anim, beginning to head off. “Well I’ll be coming back soon, so don’t worry.”
After a few minutes, Anim left from eyesight of everypony. When the group was relaxing, Pinkie noticed somepony off the distance… or more specially four ponies.
“Hey isn’t that Twilight’s folks?” said Pinkie, pointing her hoof.
“What!?” said Twilight, looking too.
“So this is where you went Twilight,” said Cadence.
“Please dear, we’re sorry for asking about your private life,” said Velvet.
“Mom… I said it wasn’t like that,” said Twilight.
“Hello Princess Cadence, so may I ask why you’re here?” asked Applejack.
“We’re here for Anim… where is he,” said Shining, looking left and right.
“Shining Armor, what did I say!? I’m sorry, he’s still upset after we were teleported away, we say Twilight and her friend Anim heading to Sweet Apple Corner, so we followed behind,” said Cadence.
“Wait, Anim teleported you all… wow Anim’s getting more amazing each day,” said Rainbow.
“So… where is he?” asked Shining, looking at Twilight.
Twilight knew what her brother would do, and she couldn’t allow it. But she knew, the she couldn’t lie to her family… so she showed them where he was, with the company of her friends if things got… messy.
Ponyville, near the Everfree Forest, 3:00pm
“He comes here… too see somepony, but once we reach there, no fighting,” said Twilight.
“Twilight, his from another world I can’t allow him to—” said Shining.
“I SAID, NO FIGHINT!” said Twilight, intensifying her voice.
Shining Armor stayed quietly from that moment on, as they reached where Anim was, they saw him sitting at a cliff overlooking a magnificent view. Shining Armor was about to head right in, when Cadence stopped him.
“Cadence, what are you…?” said Shining.
“Twilight… you said Anim was speaking to somepony… who’s he speaking to?” asked Cadence. “I see nopony nearby here.”
“See it yourself,” said Twilight sitting where she stood.
Twilight’s friends sat down where they stood too, while Twilight’s family looked from another angle to see. When they moved to the side, they saw Anim with the flowers he had before placed in front of a wooden cross, stuck in the ground.
“Is that a…” said Night, shocked.
“A grave… but who’s?” said Velvet, wondering.
“It was the grave of Anim’s friend from his world,” said Twilight, standing behind her family. “When Anim was in our world, he did a ritual allowing him to see any past memories since Anim lost a fragment of his memories… and what he saw was that she died in a fire from a failed experiment. Anim has been living with that regret ever since… not only that, his immortal.”
“His immortal,” said Cadence, softly. “Celestia didn’t mention that in the letters.”
“Yes, but not only that,” said Twilight, “since birth he had no real family, she meant so much to him that she was his family. Losing her caused so much trauma… half of the time, I think Anim has been through more than Celestia or Luna.”
When the group stared at Anim, he began humming a tune of a song he heard in from one of his past regenerations. The tune was sudden so everypony thought Anim was speaking to them.
“What’s Anim doing?” asked Shining.
“Sometimes he comes here to… speak to her, I know it may seem crazy to this, but Anim’s gone crazy a long time ago. I think it’s his way of coping with the lost,” said Twilight.
After he finished the tune, he spoke to grave as if somepony was there. Everypony wanted to say something but stayed silent.
“We’ve been through so much, the adventures and all… the bad guys and enemies, adventures and journeys. You know, even though you were my only and probably first friend… you felt like a sister to me… but after the years, I felt something else between us… I think you knew too didn’t you, I hid this in my tome… waiting for the day until I was eighteen,” said Anim, using his magic to pull out a small decorated box. “I hid this ever since, after the fight with the demon lord. I waited for so long… but now, it seems as always that those who are closest to me will die… I wanted this to be the greatest gift who ever had… the one gift that could never be replaced.”
Anim opened the box and inside was a ring, but no ordinary ring; it was called a spectrum ring, it showed all the colors of the rainbow and more. It shined under the glow of the sunset, as its beautiful rays shone everywhere, Anim then gently placed the box on top of the cross with the box open.
“It was going to be your eighteenth birthday gift… but I guess I was too late, huh. Well happy birthday Kimila… I wished I could see that same smile of yours, it was the only thing that gave me hope that… that others like me we’re out there, somewhere… so, rest in peace,” said Anim.
“I see, so there is more to you than I thought,” said Shining.
Everypony was surprised to speak up after that, but Anim was more surprised than everypony together.
“How long were you all there?” asked Anim, slightly spooked.
“Wait, you didn’t see us,” said Rainbow, a little dumbfounded.
“Sorry Mr. Anim, we’ll leave you alone right now,” said Cadence.
“It’s okay… I think Kimila would have wanted to see you all too… she always said she wanted to see a unicorn with wings,” said Anim.
“So… you’re really from another world. When I received those letters from Celestia, I thought she was telling a joke or something… but you really are from another world,” said Cadence.
“More you think… and to clarify something,” said Anim, heading up to Twilight. “Twilight and I are just friends… nothing more,” said Anim.
“Then what about Luna, Celestia says you two have a relationship!” said Shining.
“About that… you see, when I first met Luna, I sympathized with her because she was sealed into the moon for a thousand years. After that we became friends not lovers,” said Anim.
“Seemed like more than that,” said Twilight.
“What you mean, we’re both immortal beings with responsibilities, but I consider her a dear friend too, it’s not like I accidently got an alicorn princess too… oh,” said Anim realizing what his done. “Look I didn’t knew Luna has the hots for me!”
“Darling, we all thought you two were… together,” said Rarity.
“I was friendly with her because she seemed nice, that and you guys ditched me so I went to find somepony to talk too. She was there, I was there, we talked and yeah we became friends, but now she has a thing for me!” said Anim. “Don’t tell her!”
“Good thing I’m not in your shoes,” said Shining, laughing.
“Yes… but you need to say sorry to Anim about earlier,” said Cadence, crossing her hooves.
“Ah pegasus feathers!” said Shining.
Shining said sorry to Anim, and after that they headed off back to Sweet Apple Acres. On the way there, Anim looked behind and saw something marvelous.
“Oh… my,” said Anim, amazed.
“What is it Ani—” said Twilight.
In front of them was the sun, but it was placed so perfectly it looked as if somepony was smiling back at them. Anim shed a few tears from seeing the sight, that he whispered a thank you, and followed behind everypony. Heading back, they continued before the day ended with Twilight’s family, after that everypony went their separate ways while Anim, Spike, and Twilight said goodbye to her family at the station.
Ponyville, Ponyville Station, 5:00pm
“See yeah next time, Twiliy!” said Shining, rubbing her mane.
“It’s good to see you all,” said Twilight.
“Hope we can hang out again,” said Spike waving.
Before they left, Cadence turned around and said something to Twilight.
“Hey Twilight, Anim makes a good father figure,” said Cadence, smiling.
“A… WHAT!” said Twilight, fainting.
“Did I say something wrong?” asked Cadence.
“She’ll be fine, I hope maybe next time we can meet in good terms,” said Anim.
“Take care of her, she can be a hoofful herself sometimes,” said Night.
“We’ll visit some time,” said Velvet, “goodbye!”
After the train got farther and farther, Anim carried Twilight back to the library. On the way back, Spike asked Anim a question.
“So, what did I missed? The girls left me at the farm, so I have no idea what’s going on,” asked Spike.
“It’s… a long story,” said Anim, chuckling.
Anim’s bonds with his friends and new ponies has grown, his learned that you don’t need to be connected with flesh or blood to be a true family. But to love one another and, be there for each other.
The Most Awesomest Day of All Time
Author's Note
Today is Rainbow Dash Day, Happy Birthday Rainbow!
The Most Awesomest Day of All Time
Another month, and another day... but this isn't any ordinary day, today's my birthday and the same day I moved to Ponyville. I've made friends with Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Twilight, the whole gang. After that fiasco with the meteor awhile back, Anim and I have been great buds... you know for a unicorn his pretty athletic, I even let him in some challenges with AJ and I. I think the only time I've seen Anim ever... focused, was when he joined in the Running of the Leaves event, I swear everyday he becomes more and more complicating by the day, like seriously what goes on in that head of his. Anyway back to my birthday, Pinkie is planning everything, Rarity is probably making me some sort of frilly dress, Applejack is bringing some apple cider (the non-alcoholic type), Fluttershy and Twilight are helping out with some of the activities and decorations, as for Anim… he said that he was going to do something with the CMC and Spike, I’m not sure what but it’s a surprise.
“When are they going to come back,” I said, flailing my hooves.
“Don’t worry Rainbow, Anim said he’ll be back soon,” said Twilight.
“Then we can go and party!” shouted Pinkie, dangling from a pole.
“Pinkie, how’d you get up there?” asked Twilight.
“What you mean?” said Pinkie, who was behind Twilight.
“But how, you were just?!” said Twilight, shocked.
“It’s Pinkie Twi, I don’t think there’s a lot to tell,” said Applejack, carrying some cider.
We’re celebrating my party outside in a picnic area, it’s cool and Pinkie has some ideas for games. When everypony was finishing up, we saw Spike with Rarity, but no Anim nor CMC with them.
“Hey Spike, where’s Anim?” I asked.
“He’s still finishing on that thing with the CMC, he sent me to tell you guys,” said Spike. “So are you done with the party?”
“Almost, say Rarity what have you been doing anyway?” asked Twilight.
“Just getting a gift for Rainbow,” said Rarity.
“I hope it’s not a dress,” I thought.
“It’s so nice that we do this outside, the weather today is wonderful,” said Fluttershy, looking at the sky.
Fluttershy is sort of right, the weather today is pretty awesome, might do a few tricks. However Anim is taking longer than I thought, if he doesn’t come back soon, he’ll miss everything.
“Guess who’s back?!” said Anim, with the CMC behind.
“Where were you guys?” asked Applejack.
“Been there, been here, the usual. Anyway, it seems you guys finished things here,” said Anim.
“Happy birthday Rainbow Dash,” said Scootaloo, running up to Rainbow with a gift. “Here’s your birthday gift.”
“Thanks Scoots,” said Rainbow.
"We’ve been helping out with getting some gifts for you Rainbow, and helping Anim with whatever this is,” said Applebloom, pulling with Sweetie Belle something on their cart.
“What’s in it?” asked Twilight.
“That’s a surprise. Now I need to set it up near the forest, I’ll be right back,” said Anim, taking the cart to the trees.
“So that’s what Anim’s been doing with the CMC?” asked Applejack. “What exactly is that thing?”
“I’m not sure sis, but Anim said it’s something has been working on recently,” said Applebloom.
“I’m thirsty,” said Sweetie, exhausted from dragging the cart with them.
“Here you go Sweetie Belle,” said Rarity, giving her sister a cup of water.
Curious I followed Anim, to the forest as everypony was busy socializing. Stalking behind him, he places the cart near the trees, removing the cloth reveals some sort of machine that I’ve never seen before. I take a better look by hiding in the tree’s branches, not realizing that somepony else wasn’t the only one who was curious.
“What is that thing?” said a voice, behind me.
“Huh?” I said, turning my head.
Behind me was Scootaloo, she must of climbed the tree and followed me… or she had the same idea like me.
“Scoots, what are you doing here?!” I whispered trying not to make too much noise.
“I was curious with what Anim since he didn’t told us what it was, that’s all,” said Scootaloo, giving an innocent stare.
Sighing I pat Scoots on the head. “Well, okay, but don’t make too much noise,” I said to her.
“AHHHHHHHHHH!” screamed Scootaloo and I, falling behind Anim.
When we fell, Anim stared at us with a look of confusion. We stood up and tried to explain to him that we were just curious and didn’t mean to ruin his surprise. Expecting him to scold us, he grinned and chuckled a little; confused I asked what’s so funny.
“Why aren’t you mad? We ruined your surprise,” said Rainbow.
“This isn’t my surprise, just a fraction of what’s to really come,” said Anim. “Say, can you two help me, I need to make more of these clouds and bring them to the others.”
Confused, Scoots and I helped Anim with whatever he was doing here. It took a few minutes but we finished, caring the satchels full of clouds, something felt odd about these clouds because they felt somewhat more… dense.
"Hey, I’m back and I got something to show everypony,” said Anim, opening one of the satchels.
"Is that… a cloud?” said Fluttershy, confused.
"Not any ordinary cloud,” said Anim.
Placing his hoof on the cloud, his hoof didn’t faze through the cloud but instead was physically against it. Everypony was awe-shocked by this, Anim had found a way to make clouds that can be physically touched by anypony, whether a pegasi or non-pegasi.
"How… how did you?” asked Twilight, astonished.
"Well, the clouds in this world are different from the ones in my world. You see the clouds above us, can’t move but only by pegasi, and I wondered how come… and it hit me, since all the pony races can use magic different ways, for Earth ponies is through their hooves, unicorns their horns, and for pegasi through their wings, but the pegasi can also use magic through their hooves but it takes a long time to master it correctly. So which is why pegasi don’t cause clouds to not easily break, then I thought of the clouds in the Everfree, they have freewill and can’t be affected by anypony. The reason is because, those clouds have extreme amounts of magic absorbed into them, for example, magic source against a non-magic source causes it to be together so they can work in harmony… but a magic source and another magic source cause it to bounce off each other. Doing some research on this, I made a machine to insert a specific amount of magic into the clouds, creating…” said Anim, grabbing the cloud and shaping it into boots.
Watching, Anim wore the pairs of boots on all his hooves and suddenly… he started flying. He simply walked upwards and was floating in mid-air; everypony was amazed of what Anim has discovered.
"I know there is already a spell which can allow you to stand on clouds, but these are clouds you can move while still allowing the pony to fly to any direction with ease,” said Anim.
"But how come you brought this to my birthday? I sort of have wings already,” said Rainbow, still confused.
"Well… I noticed there aren’t many pegasi you hang out other than Flutters, so I thought… why not make something that can allow us to fly with you,” said Anim.
I realized that Anim had made this to make me not so lonely in the skies, it was a nice gesture and I’m thankful for it. Everypony wore the special cloud boots, now everypony could experience flight even Scoots, not everypony had it easy, Applejack couldn’t fly probably and sometimes flew into a tree or somepony else. Rarity, Fluttershy, and I were the only ones who had it easy since we were pegasi and Rarity flew before once. Watching Scootaloo and her friends enjoying in the air was a happy sight to see, even though she’s couldn’t fly with her wings yet, she could experience flying now, everypony was having a great time.
"This is awesome!” shouted Rainbow.
"Best party, ever!” screamed Pinkie. “Oh I almost forgot.”
Pinkie headed down to earth, and pulled out her gift for me. Then everypony piled their gifts near the table, we were getting ready to cut the cake. I opened the first few from AJ, Rarity, and Fluttershy.
"What’s this?” I asked.
"It’s a new recipe I wanted to try out, apples from my farm and some cherries from Dodge Junction,” said Applejack. "Try it out.”
"Thanks AJ. So what did you get me Rarity?” I said, opening her gift. “Is this a necklace?”
"A custom made one, I placed your cutie mark on it, and found some colorful pearls for your unique mane,” said Rarity.
“Cool, and finally Fluttershy,” I said.
“I got you a flower wreath from the flowers I’ve been growing, hope you like it,” said Fluttershy, rubbing her leg.
“It’s wonderful Flutters, thank you for the gift,” I said, wearing it. “How you guys, what did you get?”
“I got you the latest book on Daring Do, and a history book about the Wonderbolts. You were running out of some new reading material recently,” said Twilight.
“Awesome Twilight, but I’m not so sure I will be able to finish that history book though?” I said.
“Don’t worry, I got you the one with mostly pictures,” said Twilight, giving me a small smile.
“Thanks I guess, and what did—” I said.
“I got you a custom-made… party cannon!” said Pinkie, revealing the gift.
When I saw the gift, it was amazing… just like me; Pinkie added some of my colors from my mane and placed my cutie mark on the side. I wasn’t sure why Pinkie got me one of her party cannons but, she said that this one is different from her others and is stronger to send a pony flying. Basically this is to help me to be sent flying to the sky quicker; it’s the ultimate launch off.
“This is awesome Pinks, how did you have the time to finish this?” I asked.
“I had some help,” said Pinkie, giggling.
“My turn,” said Spike, “I got you this cool gem I found the day earlier.”
“WHOA, isn’t that a diamond?” I said, amazed by the gift.
“Really, I thought it was a sapphire, I get the two confused,” said Spike, taking a look at it.
“How did you ever find this Spike?” asked Rarity.
“I was collecting some gems nearby, and I saw it on the ground,” said Spike, handing the gift to Rainbow.
“Well thanks Spike, maybe I could ask Rarity to make something with this sometime,” said Rainbow, putting it away. “So, what did you three have for me?”
The CMC picked a gift together; of course the idea was Scootaloo’s. Surprisingly I thought it’s something big, but when they revealed it, it was a smallish box wrapped carefully. Removing the wrapping paper, inside was something… interesting.
“What is this?” I asked, staring inside the box.
“Their tickets to the next Wonderbolt concert,” Scootaloo said.
“Are you serious, but the tickets for this are sold out, how you got these!?” I said.
“Well, me and the girls have been doing some small jobs, getting bits and when we got enough we bought as enough we could get,” Scootaloo said.
I stared at Scoots, then at the tickets, then back at Scoots. I immediately hugged her, I was so happy for what they’ve done; I decided to bring her and her friends with me to the concert. Finally, Anim was the last pony, I thought the gift was those cloud boots, but that was just a surprise, the real gift was coming up soon enough.
“So Anim… I wonder what your gift is,” I said, curious.
“I worked on this a few weeks ago, getting help from Rarity, and Twilight,” said Anim, using his magic to pull something out of a satchel.
When Anim revealed his gift, it was something I never expected… it was a bandana. The bandana had colored pieces of cloth which made it into a rainbow cloth, but there was something written on it.
“You made this… and what’s this?” I asked, looking at the writing.
Written into the cloth was a small message, it said, “Loyal & Awesome to Thee End”. The message was cool in a way; Anim smiled a little and placed his hoof on me, saying something to me.
“Happy Birthday, Dashie,” said Anim, hugging in return.
I wasn’t sure what to do, but Anim made this with everything he had. Everything Anim has done from this point on, all the things his created and choices his made, in the end were for us all. His great and wonderful friend, I wouldn’t trade him for anything… okay enough moody stuff, I have a birthday to celebrate. With everypony, we continue with my birthday celebrating, playing games, and enjoying our time, I’ll never forget the kindness Anim has given us.
Author's Note
Part 2.5 of the trio of chapters for Heart's & Hooves Day. This is the second half of the chapter... WHY ARE YOU HERE, YOU SHOULD BE HERE --> http://www.fimfiction.net/chapter/910094#edit .
(Another sidenote: A certain part of this chapter won't make complete sense, so if you have question's about it, comment below.)
An Immortal's Love
Ponyville, Town Square, 11:00am
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Anim thought.
This all started when Anim asked Rainbow Dash out to be his somepony… or in this case Anim is her somepony. It happened a few hours outside the boundaries of Ponyville, on a branch… a very unstable branch.
A few hours ago, Outside of Ponyville, 9:20am
“WHAT DID YOU SAY!?” shouted Rainbow.
Anim has fainted before he could respond, but when he was… the branch broke off the tree. Rainbow had quick reflexes and flew immediately, but Anim fell with the branch, dazed from the fall. “Anim, you okay?!” said Rainbow, landing.
“Goodnight,” said Anim, falling unconscious.
Afraid of what he said, Rainbow viciously shakes him to make sure what he said. “ANIM WAKE UP, WHAT DID YOU SAY!” said Rainbow.
“Rainbow stop, he just fell off a tree, we need to make sure his fine!” said Twilight, stopping her.
Checking Anim, he wakes up a few seconds later fine. His given odd looks from everypony, especially Rainbow who was blushing. “What… what was it that you said to me?” Rainbow asked.
“I… I said if you wanted me to be your somepony,” said Anim, who was embarrassed to say it.
Rainbow was about to pummel Anim, but she took a deep breath, and stared at him. “Well… okay then,” said Rainbow, bluntly.
“Wait, WHAT!? Just like that, you don’t think I’m screwing with you,” said Anim.
“Why would I, your Anim, this sort of stuff is your thing,” said Rainbow.
“WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN!?” shouted Anim.
The two argued as if they were already dating, while their friends watch with a blank emotionless stare. They then snapped to reality and joined the conversation.
“Anim, I know you’ve known all of us already, but don’t you think this is sort of sudden?” asked Applejack.
“I know… but, Rainbow deserves this,” said Anim. “Wait I mean… ah damn it!”
“I deserve what?!” said Rainbow, flustered.
“Well come on, let’s go start… dating, I guess,” said Anim, extending his hoof.
Rainbow stared at the hoof, and wanted to hit it away from her… but she also wanted to touch it too. Not sure what to do, she simply extended her hoof too and held Anim’s against hers. “Come on… let’s go…” said Rainbow.
Present time, Ponyville, Town Square, 11:10am
“So… what do you want to do?” asked Anim.
Rainbow was spaced completely; she nodded a minute or so. Their friends followed behind but keep their distance, to not interrupt them.
“Hey… you okay?” asked Anim.
Rainbow nodded softly, staring down to not make any eye contact. Anim led her the right way when another couple was passing by. Heading back to Sugarcube Corner, they can see Rarity and her date, Fancy Pants trotting up to them.
“Oh Anim, I never thought to see you here on this day… wait, darling why are you and Rainbow so close to each other?” asked Rarity.
“Is this one of your friends Rarity,” said Fancy Pants.
“Oh yes, where’s my manners. Anim this is Fancy Pants, I met him a while back at Canterlot, Fancy Pants this is my friend Anim, the pony I was talking about,” said Rarity.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Anim,” said Fancy Pants.
“Fancy Pants, so what is it that you do?” asked Anim.
“Fancy Pants is the most important pony of all of Canterlot, Anim” said Rarity, quickly answering.
“Important you say? What about Celestia or Luna?” asked Anim.
“Well I would say they are important all over Equestria, not just Canterlot,” said Fancy Pants. “Rarity this friend of yours is very interesting.”
“Your welcome Fancy Pants… say Anim, you haven’t answered my question with Rainbow,” said Rarity.
Anim was about to answered but, Twilight and gang quickly grabbed Rarity and her date (gently) away from the two. “Twilight, what are you doing?!” said Rarity.
“I’ll explain everything at Sugarcube Corner,” said Twilight.
A few minutes later, Sugarcube Corner, 11:30am
“Their dating!” said Rarity, gawking.
“Uh huh, we saw Anim said it to Rainbow, and she flipped,” said Pinkie, flipping a cupcake to imitate what she said.
“Well, is Rainbow okay?” asked Rarity.
“It’s hard to tell, she’s been quiet even quieter than Fluttershy,” said Applejack, looking over at the table where Anim and Rainbow are sitting.
Rainbow pokes her cupcake, not even taking a single bite of it. Anim has also been silent and not as sociable as usual. Talking about the two, an unexpected thing happens.
“Hey you guys, what’s up?!”
“Oh, hey Vinyl, I see you brought your friend Octavia with you,” said Twilight.
“Well just because we aren’t joining in this fine day doesn’t mean we have to stay shut forever. Speaking of shut, what’s with those two, their closed like a book?” asked Vinyl.
“Oh haven’t you heard, their dating,” said Rarity.
“FOR REAL!” said Vinyl, “Why are they dating in the first place?!”
“Well long story short, Anim asked Rainbow out, and Rainbow sort of said yes… so now their dating, but they don’t seem to know what to do… I think,” said Applejack.
After a long time of silence, Anim’s makes the first move. “So… your mane kind of looks like it’s glowing,” said Anim.
Suddenly Rainbow instantly moves her gaze upwards at Anim, with Anim returning with a slight shiver. “Thank… thank you, I think,” said Rainbow.
“It’s just, for some reason your mane looks adorable on you,” said Anim.
“A… adorable!” said Rainbow, slamming her hooves.
“ADORABLE, WHAT WAS I THINKING?!” Anim thought.
Watching afar, the group of ponies finally sees the two speak. “Finally, their speaking,” said Vinyl.
“I find it inappropriate for us to do this,” said Octavia.
“Oh come on Tavi, something like this is a onetime chance. I mean, Anim and Rainbow, that’s have to be the biggest things to happen today, Anim was crazy at New Year’s and Rainbow can do a sonic rainboom,” said Vinyl.
Anim stares blankly unable to speak anymore after that comment. “I… I need a breather, I’ll be right back,” said Anim.
Leaving the building, Anim steps outside and thinks about what he is doing right now. His dating one of his friends, his said a few things that weren’t his intentions, and the odd events that been having this morning. Before he can go back inside, Rainbow stands in the entryway.
“Rainbow… I was going to back, let’s go back and sit—”
“Why are you doing this?” asked Rainbow.
Anim couldn’t answer, why he is doing this, is it because he felt bad for Rainbow. Whatever it was, something was wrong, suddenly he was speaking except… he wasn’t trying to speak. “It’s because I love you,” said Anim.
Rainbow stare wide eyed, Anim saw her hooves tense up ready to land on his face. “Wait Rainbow, I didn’t mean to say that!” said Anim, waving his hooves.
“No, I mean I do love. What I mean is that I love you as a friend. Something more than… that is not… I’m trying… to say… is that… I don’t… I do… love… you…” said Anim, who was speaking oddly.
Before taking action, Anim was acting strange where one side of his would agree while the other side wouldn’t agree. Two faces, one Anim… Rainbow was so confused she didn’t what to do… until she saw it. “Anim… your face… it’s changing… shape,” said Rainbow, horrified.
Anim face no… his whole figure was being distorted. One side of him was still him, but the other side looked like him when he was drunk, as if another side of him was taking control. “Oh come on Anim, let me take control,” said Anim’s left side.
“I’m not letting you doing anything!” said Anim’s right side.
“What’s going on here?” said Twilight, who came outside.
After Twilight went outside, everypony else followed seeing what was happening. They watched their friend being tore apart from within, not sure what to do they panicked. “WHAT’S WRONG WITH ANIM!?” shouted Pinkie.
“I think I know what’s wrong,”
Everypony faced who spoke, and it was Zecora with the CMC. “Anim is under the love potion’s effects,” said Zecora.
“The love potion?!” said Applejack, who realized who made it. “APPLEBLOOM!”
“We didn’t mean this to happen,” said Applebloom.
“It’s not their fault, completely. It seems Anim isn’t truly under the potion’s effects, but something within him has awoken and is attempting to take control of him like when he went crazy at New Year’s,” said Zecora.
“Can we forget about that, please,” said Twilight, quietly so nopony could hear.
“What’s wrong with me?” Anim’s right side asked.
“Oh come on you know, you were or to be specific I was like this back at New Year’s,” said Anim’s left side, smirking oddly.
Anim remembers what had happened that day, and suddenly his personality changes completely and vicious forces his body to move. Doing this causes him to overexert himself, causing him to slightly faint. “I won’t… let you… do this… again,” said Anim.
Before anything could be done, Anim falls silently on the floor. Everypony stares quiet, until somepony speaks. “Well that was new,” said Vinyl.
“Vinyl, not now!” said Octavia.
“Quick, to the library, Twilight and Applejack I need you to help Anim up,” said Zecora. “You three fillies, I want you to tell me what you used in that potion.”
Quickly heading off, Rainbow is left behind in the dust. “…What just happened?” said Rainbow, dumbfounded.
“I could ask you the same thing,” said Vinyl. “You got some odd friends.”
“Indeed,” Rainbow thought.
Unconscious and mentally damaged, Anim is attacked by his very own soul. With his friends in turmoil, this year’s Heart’s and Hooves won’t be all great as it seems. What exactly did the love potion has done to Anim?
Author's Note
This chapter focuses on the "Great Dragon Migration" and in memory of the MLP episode "Dragon Quest".
Who Needs Wings?
“Ah, this… is nice,” said Anim, relaxing in the shadow of a tree.
Today was like any other day, Anim relaxing under his favorite tree, watching the residents of Ponyville enjoy their day. Except today wasn't like other days, Twilight and her friends were busy digging a trench outside of Ponyville, while the rest of the residents either stayed in their homes, or quickly ran under some cover. Curious what's happening, Anim gets off from his nap, and sees what's all the commotion is about.
“Twilight, why are you making a trench?” asked Anim, staring curiously.
“Today's the annual great dragon migration. It's when dragons from all over Equestria migrate to the volcanic mountains far from any civilization,” Twilight explained.
“Cool… wait, did you say dragon migration?” said Anim.
“And it's going to be awesome!” said Rainbow, lifting a chunk of dirt.
Looking down, Anim sees everypony, (well almost everypony) digging the trench before the migration begins. Fluttershy isn't helping out for good reasons, curious Anim decides to join them. “Room for one more?” Anim asked.
“More the merrier,” said Applejack. “Going to need this.” Applejack, passes Anim a shovel and helmet to dig out some more space in the trench.
2 hours of digging later
“Done, now… we wait,” said Twilight.
Everypony readied themselves for the scores of dragons, that are going to fly over Ponyville. But before the event could happen, Spike interrupts the group. “I don't know why, we need to be this close to watch,” said Spike.
“You seem grumpy, who woke you up early?” said Anim.
“Spike's probably upset from the last dragon migration,” said Rarity.
“What happened last time?” asked Anim.
Twilight, Rarity, and Rainbow looked at Anim and pulled him away from everypony else. Once away from the others, they began explaining what happened last time. “Well last time, Spike wanted to learn about what's it like to be a dragon? When he got there… let's say some differences happened,” said Rainbow.
“Three teenager dragons surrounded Spike when he tried to defend a phoenix egg. Good thing we were there to help him,” said Twilight.
“That's an interesting story to tell, but why would he be upset? Is he upset at the dragons, or something else,” said Anim.
The three gave Anim a confused look, when finished speaking with Anim they returned to the trench. The dragons would soon arrive and when that happened, the real action will begin. “This is going to be awesome!” said Rainbow, grabbing binoculars.
“The last time this happen, didn't Spike went off somewhere?” said Applejack.
“Maybe it's best we not dwell in the past,” said Rarity.
Once everypony was situated properly, Anim wondered where Spike wandered to. So he left the trench and decided to search for his reptilian friend. “I'll be back, need to finish something,” said Anim.
Heading into town, Anim realized that not everypony is happy with this event. Which begged a good question, why isn't nopony afraid of Spike? He may be small but, that doesn't mean he can't be threatening most times. Trotting through the streets, Anim finds a trail of gem bits, following the trail it leads him to Golden Oaks Library. Entering inside, Anim continues following the trail which led to Twilight's room, inside was Spike, eating a bucket of gems. “You okay pal?” Anim asked.
Spike turned around with a mouthful of gems, and went back to eating, only to swallow what was in his mouth. “Fine. Shouldn't you be with the others?” said Spike, tossing one gem in his mouth.
“It's not fun without all my friends,” said Anim.
“Look, I know your trying to lift my spirits but, I'm fine. Yes, somethings in this world I don't have, like dragon friends, being taller… having wings,” said Spike.
“What about that time I gave you wings on your birthday?” Anim said, remembering that day. “It was an awesome day.”
“Yeah I guess, but that was temporary, and I was a pony. When you fly as a dragon… it feels… different,” said Spike.
Anim realized that Spike was still upset about the wings part, but I think it was more complicating than that. Spike was upset because, he felt… incomplete, alone… he was the only dragon in ponyville and he hasn't met other dragons like him, dragons who also live side by side with ponies. “Look, you feel alone, isolated maybe. You have nopony else to talk to because they can't understand how your feeling. And for that I'm sorry,” said Anim.
“Well of course you'd understand a little, but your not a dragon,” said Spike.
“True… but I'm the only one of my kind in this world,” said Anim.
Spike gave Anim a confused look. Anim moved up to Spike and gave him one of his lectures… Anim style. “Ever since I came to this world, I've been… lonely. It's not like there's another realm guardian waltzing around here… is there,” said Anim.
Noticing what Anim means, Spike can see that there are worse things out there then not being understood… being alone is a far worse fate than others. “Just be grateful you have friends who'll be by your side,” said Anim, standing up. “Now come on, we got some dragons to watch,”
“Sure, let's go,” said Spike.
Heading back to the trench, Spike noticed that some of the dragons were flying up above, heading to their migration area. Nearing the trench, Spike can smell a familiar scent. “What's wrong Spike?” asked Anim.
Smelling the air, Spike can see smoke coming from the trench. “It's them, the teenager dragons,” said Spike, rushing towards the trench.
Arriving at the trench, Spike can see his friends surrounded by three dragons that were near the size of a door. The lead dragon was a tall muscular red dragon, that had a certain anger when met eye to eye with Twilight and her friends. “It's you!” said Garble, who had a smoke coming from his nostrils, “You remember these ponies, right boys?!”
The two lackey dragons, Fume and Clump nodded in agreement who also angrily stared down at Rarity, Twilight and Rainbow. “Yeah, I remember… you Clump?” said Fume.
Clump simply grunted in response. “Well, it's good to meet you ponies again. How's our friend Spike?” asked Garble.
“I'm not your friend!” said Spike, who stood behind Garble.
Garble turned around and looked down to meet eye and eye with Spike. “Hey Spike, seems you've haven't changed… at all. When you left with your pony friends, I thought you'd would of left them, and lived on your own,” said Garble. “But I guess I was wrong. Your still depending on ponies to care for you.”
Garble and the other teenager dragons laughed at Spike. Spike in return was mad from what they said, he would of immediately fought back but, Anim had other plans. Stopping Spike from whatever he was thinking, Anim stands in front of Garble, giving off a small smirk. “Some of us ponies aren't the type to stand around, you know,” said Anim.
“You tell Anim!” said Rainbow, encouragingly.
“Rainbow, not now!” said Applejack.
Garble crouches down to Anim's eye level, looking back with annoyed look. “Yeah, and what are you going to do, turn me into a bunny?” said Garble taunting Anim.
Garble and the other dragons laugh at Anim's attempt of a threat. But Anim's not the type to make threats, his the type to make warnings. “No that wasn't a threat, it was a warning. This is a threat,” said Anim.
Anim readied his spell, and suddenly Anim transformed into a massive dragon that nopony has seen before. Scared, Garble and the other dragons stood awe-shocked, and terrified by the sudden change. Anim slowly looks downward at Garble, and moves his claw towards him poking his stomach. “If you try anything on my friends, you'll get something far worse than this. You understand?” said Anim, with a deep voice.
Garble instantly nods, and signals his lackeys to follow behind, as they leave… hopefully to never come back. Watching them leave frantically, Anim's spell ends, turning him back to a pony. “Phew, now that was one strong illusion spell. I had to physically make that claw to touch him, or it wouldn't work,” said Anim. “You okay you guys.”
Everypony nods back at Anim, also shocked by what Anim did. Spike simply clapped his claws together, happy what Anim did. “Yeah, way to go Anim!” said Spike.
Twilight moves up to Spike and kneels down. “Spike… I know you've been acting… not yourself, but if anything is bothering you… you can tell me, you can tell all of us,” said Twilight.
“Sure Twi, I will,” said Spike.
“Good, and you've been pretty brave against those dragons, like that,” said Twilight.
“Indeed, for a second I thought you'd fight back,” said Rarity.
“Really… well, I might had,” said Spike, placing a claw on his head.
“That be an interesting story to tell if that did happen,” said Anim, chuckling.
Author's Note
Winter Wrap Up Chapter! Now officially the actual day of this holiday is unsure of but, I simply chose the most reasonable day Spring would start, and Winter would end. Time to prepare for the coming of Spring!
Time To Wrap Things Up
Now this was an event I never thought would happen. Every year in Ponyville, they celebrate an event known as “Winter Wrap-Up”. The event basically is about the citizens of Ponyville cleaning up all the snow to prepare for the coming of Spring. It's an interesting event because, originally the event was mostly celebrated with only earth ponies, but now even unicorns and pegasi celebrate this event too. I wasn't sure what to expect but, it happened like any other day. I was strolling through town, some snow fell down from the roofs of buildings and such, the winter season was ending soon and the spring season would begin. Indeed some days in winter their were no snow, but it had that chilly feeling in the winter season when you trotted outside.
“Cold as ever,” said Anim, his breath visible from the cold.
I trotted down the road, looking around and seeing that everypony was busy shovelling snow away... but more than usual. There wasn't much snow, but everypony seemed to worked more harder than they usual are. Heading to the town square, I see Twilight talking to Mayor Mare, once she was done speaking to her, Twilight noticed me coming to her. “Oh Anim, good your here. Could I ask you a favor?” asked Twilight.
“Sure Twinkles, what you want me to do?” said Anim.
When Twilight moved to her saddlebags, she pulled out a blue vest and levitated it to me. “Uhm, what's this?” Anim asked.
“Oh right, you don't know. Today's Winter Wrap-Up, it's when the ponies of Ponyville clean up all the snow and ice, and prepare the coming of Spring. There are three groups, the ones wearing the green vests job is to focus on the animals. Tan vests focus on plants, while finally blue vests focus on the weather,” said Twilight.
Staring at the vest, it looked like I was going to work with the weather team. “So who's in the weather team again?” Anim asked.
“Well Rainbow and Pinkie are, I guess you could help out Pinkie,” said Twilight, pointing where to go.
Following Twilight's directions, I found myself in front of a frozen lake. Pinkie was busy skating on it. “I didn't knew you skate Pinks!” shouted Anim.
Pinkie stopped immediately, turning around to meet Anim on the ground. “Oh hey Anim, yeah I learned to skate ever since I was a filly. So your helping me and Rainbow huh,” said Pinkie.
“Sure am, so what you want me to do?” Anim asked.
“Well before you help... do you know how to skate?” asked Pinkie.
I was confused by the odd question by Pinkie. I had encountered certain ice related situations before, but skating wasn't much an issue with me. “I suppose so, how come?” Anim asked.
“Well, a few years or so... Twilight tried to help all of us with Winter Wrap-Up, but it didn't go so well for her. Instead she became lead organizer and planner for most events now, like this one,” said Pinkie.
“Twilight isn't the type to do work, but she isn't the type to give up either. It wouldn't surprise me she'd led this event or future ones,” said Anim.
Pinkie laughed how right I was. Going back to her work, she told me we needed to weakened the ice by skating on top of the ice to make small incisions to make the ice into smaller pieces. Carefully sliding onto the ice, I remembered that I wasn't in my usual body and had some difficulties. Adjusting to the already difficult skates, I was able to skate freely on the ice. “Hey, this ain't so bad,” said Anim.
I skated for a few minutes, and once I was done, some pegasi picked up the ice pieces and placed them somewhere. “Thanks for the help Anim, maybe you can help Rainbow next,” said Pinkie.
Once I was done where I was, I headed toward to my next objective. On the way there, I met a familiar face. “Well, nice to see you helping out Trixie,” said Anim.
“Since Trixie is now staying here, Trixie might as well join the town's events,” said Trixie.
“So, who's group you in?” Anim asked.
“Trixie is helping out with caring the animals. Once Trixie completes her task, everypony will praise Trixie for caring all animals everywhere!” said Trixie, making a pose.
“Well you go do that, have a good time... little star,” said Anim, quickly running away.
“I SAID FOR YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT!” Trixie shouted.
Once I got a good distance away, I continued to search for Rainbow. Looking around, I heard snoring coming from a near by tree. “I wonder,” said Anim, approaching the tree.
I stood near the tree and looked up, small flakes of snow trickled onto my nose as I saw a blue wing laid on the tree's trunk. Climbing the tree, I met eye to eye with Rainbow, me being me I do what any reasonable pony would do... spook her. I inch closer up to her face, being careful not to fall or break the branch off. Once I'm near her enough, I heard her snoring and then I began my little scare. “Hey Dashie, wakey wakey,” whispered Anim.
Rainbow wouldn't budge waking up, so I did one thing sure to wake anypony up... I inched towards one of her ears... and I blew on it, the rest is history. “GAHHHHHH!” screamed Rainbow.
Instantly waking up, Rainbow's head slams toward the branch above her. Rubbing the bump on her head, she looks towards me with an annoyed glare. “ANIM, WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?” shouted Rainbow.
“Sorry Dash, but aren't you supposed to be clearing the clouds or something?” Anim asked.
“Yeah about that... when I arrived, nopony came. It seemed all the members for the weather team are either sick because of some flu or promised to help out with the other groups. Serious, I may be awesome but I can't do all the work alone!” said Rainbow, complaining.
I see what Rainbow's situation is on her end. Since I'm on the same group she's on I decide to help out with her dilemma. “Maybe I can help,” Anim said, getting off the trunk.
“And how you going to do that?” Rainbow asked.
“I got my ways. Now come on, we got some skies to clear up!” Anim said, trotting away.
Once I got to the spot that Rainbow and the weather team were supposed to clear, I stand in position and prepare a prototype spell of mine. Now the spell is unstable but can work for this situation, all I need to do is imagine I'm flying. “I'm flying through the air... I have wings... I can fly,” said Anim, repeating this phrase.
Once Rainbow arrived, she found me chanting a strange phrase and was probably weird out. “Er Anim, what in Equestria are you doing?” said Rainbow.
I was too busy chanting too respond but when I got to a certain point... I knew my spell worked. Looking down... I was levitating myself. “HECK YEAH, I DID IT!” Anim shouted raising both hooves.
“Wait you can fly!” said Rainbow, bewildered from my levitating.
“Indeed I can, now let's get to cleaning!” Anim said, zooming to the sky.
“Hey no fair!” Rainbow shouted, following behind.
We both began clearing all the clouds in the vicinity. Rainbow with her extreme flying skills and speed, and my quick maneuverings and precise shots with my magic. It took a while... I think some hours ago, but we finished soon enough and took our deserved break. “Now that... was awesome,” said Rainbow.
I nod in response and laid down, relaxing on the grass. “So Anim, when did you learn to do that?” Rainbow asked.
“Well I had some free-time to do it... now, are we done clearing all that snow,” Anim said.
Rainbow looked around as well as me too. When we got a good sight of town, nearly all the snow had been cleared and some of the animals and plants had returned. The only parts that weren't cleared were some of the roofs, Sweet Apple Acres, and Fluttershy's cottage. “Well I better check on Pinkie, see yeah Anim,” said Rainbow.
“See yeah!” Anim said, watching Rainbow leave. Once Rainbow left, I decided to take a long rest on the dry patch of grass I cleared earlier. When I woke up, I found another familiar face staring at me. It was Angel, Fluttershy's pet bunny I believe. When I first met him, he sure was the trouble maker, but we both made an equal understanding of one another, he was free to do what he wanted and he didn't disturb me and Fluttershy when I visited her. “Well hello Angel, good morning... or is it afternoon now?”
Angel stared at me with an annoyed glare, but looked up and went off. I heard a soft voice nearby, and it too was familiar. Looking up, I see Fluttershy looking for Angel with a trail of little ducklings following her. “Oh Angel... where are you?” said Fluttershy.
“Hey Flutters,” said Anim.
“Oh Anim, did you see where Angel went off to?” asked Fluttershy.
“Not sure Fluttershy, say what are you doing on Winter Wrap-Up by the way?” Anim asked.
“Oh, well I'm helping waking all the animals, but when I went to go to Angel's hole he wasn't there. I went to look for him if his already awake,” said Fluttershy.
“I see...” said Anim.
“But anyway, are you suppose to help with Pinkie and Rainbow?” asked Fluttershy.
“Ah yes, well I did help them already. I'm simply taking a break,” said Anim.
“Oh... okay. But when your done, I heard Rarity is having trouble with making the nests for birds. Applejack too also needs help,” said Fluttershy. “Well I need to go back finding Angel, bye Anim.”
Waving goodbye to Fluttershy, I decide to get off my lazy butt and see Rarity. Following a trail of scattered straw, I find Rarity trying to make a nest only to throw it away. “Ohhh, this won't do! Come on inspiration, where are you?” said Rarity, talking to herself.
“Do you need any assistance?” said Anim.
“Oh Anim, I didn't see you there. Well I have been having some trouble with these nests,” said Rarity.
“What's the problem? Are they not good,” said Anim.
“It's not that... it's just... when I look at them all... they all look the same don't they?” Rarity asked.
I looked at the nests and Rarity was right, they do look similar. All the nests were, made from the same material, straw. “Maybe you should try another material,” said Anim.
“Another... material?” said Rarity, thinking of the idea too.
Rarity thought for this a moment, and went off to get something. When she came back, she came with some sticks, string, wool, and other assortments. “Anim I think your on to something,” said Rarity, combining the items.
Once she put them all together, she created an odd but interesting nest. A bird flew onto the nest and, nestled right into it without any problems. “The bird loves it! Thank you Anim, now I must find more material to make new nests!” said Rarity, running off.
I watched Rarity heading to get more material. I decided to see Applejack next, and when I did she was busy planting some seeds into the ground, I wasn't sure what her issue was. I approached her if she needed any help. “Hey AJ, need any assistance with that?” Anim asked.
“Nah, but I could sure use some help if you could move that thing,” said Applejack, pointing toward a snow plow.
The snow plow was the only one near the area, the other ones were off somewhere else. “Who was suppose to move this one?” Anim asked.
“Big Mac, but his helping out cleaning the farm, and since I'm busy nopony could use the thing... but you could do me a favor, then maybe...” said Applejack continuing.
“I gotcha, one snow plow being moved coming up!” said Anim.
When I settled into the snow plow, I began moving it around to move some snow. Indeed it was heavy but I lifted heavier objects before. Once I got myself moving it a steady pace, I looked around to see I did a well done job. Most of the area was good and cleared of snow and other obstacles. “Done with the snow plow, anything else that needs to be done?” Anim asked.
“Oh done already, well could you help with planting these seeds,” said Applejack.
I grabbed a bag and continued to plant a seed in each hole at a time. Once done with that, I buried each hole and watered them a little. Now finished wit that, I asked Applejack for anymore work. “Nah, I think you helped me clear most off my list, I can handle everything else for now,” said Applejack.
Done helping with everypony I went to head off... but something was... missing. “What did I forget?” Anim asked himself.
Going back what I did today, Fluttershy was the only pony I didn't helped yet. Going to where I last saw her, Fluttershy was busy caring for the other animals, but still looking for Angel. “Still looking for him,” said Anim.
“Oh hello Anim, did you help everypony already,” said Fluttershy.
“Indeed, I could help you if you want me to,” said Anim.
“Oh... well I suppose so, if your not busy now,” said Fluttershy.
“Nah, come on let's find that bunny,” said Anim, searching.
Once I began helping Fluttershy we checked every nook and cranny. But no matter what we did, we couldn't find him, whatever Angel was up to, it wasn't something I was going to be happy about once I found him. “Where is that bunny?” Anim thought.
“I found him!” shouted Fluttershy.
I went to where Fluttershy was, she was near a hole far from where we were originally looking. Angel sat at the far end of the hole, not moving an inch. “Oh Angel please come out,” said Fluttershy.
Angel simply gave Fluttershy a thump of his feet and looked away. I knew me and Angel have a truce but seeing Fluttershy this worried crossed my limit. I knelt down, looking through the hole. “Hey Angel, if you can hear me, I'll care for you for the rest of the month, deal!” Anim shouted.
After a few minutes later, Angel came out and gave me a stern look. I gave him one back and I knew that was a promise I wouldn't break. Angel went up to Fluttershy and extended his arms toward Fluttershy, and in response she picked him up. “Thank you Anim, but are you really going to care for him, he can be a hoofful you know,” said Fluttershy.
“Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Let's go back to town now,” said Anim.
Once me and Fluttershy returned back, most of the town was cleaned up and was ready for Spring. Everypony was happy with this and celebrated, Twilight of course congratulated everypony for the hard work. “Thank you everypony for helping with this year's Winter Wrap-Up!” announced Twilight.
When Twilight got off the podium, the mayor took her place. I approached Twilight and congratulated for a good speech she did. “Nice speech, so now were done... do we wait now?” Anim asked.
“You could say that I suppose... say Anim, you helped with everyponies problem this Winter Wrap-Up, maybe next year you could help organize it,” said Twilight.
“I could... I could,” said Anim. When I finished speaking with Twilight, I noticed Pinkie wasn't here with us. “Hey... does anypony know where Pinks is at?” Anim asked.
Everypony shrugged when they heard something behind them. Turning around, it was Pinkie... except her tongue was stuck to a piece of ice. Pinkie spook in a garbled voice, but I could tell what she was trying to say. “Don't worry Pinkie, I'll get Spike to help you,” said Anim.
When I came back with Spike, he shot a small fire into the piece of ice. Once it melt, Pinkie began speaking normally. “Thanks Anim, I knew tasting the ice was a bad idea,” said Pinkie.
“Why did you had a piece of ice on your tongue anyway?” Twilight asked.
“Well, I spilled some of my juice on some ice, and I thought maybe I could get the taste from the ice... and I was right... except when I moved my tongue, the ice was stuck too it,” said Pinkie.
Everypony laughed, as well as Pinkie too. Today was an enjoyable experience maybe next time will be better for everypony... and hopefully Pinkie doesn't try to taste more ice in the future.
Author's Note
Happy April Foal's or Fool's Day... well it would be if it were April 1st but, it's still April... so that counts.
Fooling the Trickster
“TODAY'S THE BEST DAY EVER!” shouted Pinkie.
Hello my name is Pinkie, Pinkie Pie. I'm the best party planner in Equestria, and reside in Ponyville; I once lived in a rock farm my parents owned when I was a filly. I have many friends, but my biggest best friends ever are, Twilight, Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy… oh and there's this other pony my friends and I befriended a while back, his name is Animatorsnake, kind of mouthful but we call him Anim for short. Anim's a pony, who’s been living with Twilight in Ponyville ever since we met him, but Anim's isn't any “ordinary” pony; you could say Anim has a somewhat… unique personality. Anim's a big thinker like Twilight he also invents and experiments too, but his also honest like Applejack and can make a delicious potato-carrot soup. His also kind to anypony, but can be a bit of trouble-maker sometimes, an even though a unicorn Anim's more athletic than you think. There are many things to list about Anim… but there's one MAJOR aspect about him, you see Anim's… from another world… but you probably know that. He says that this world he comes from is a wonderful place (that's what I'm thinking of course), but a tragedy happened when he came to ours… I don't know much but it involves somepony Anim dearly cared for, but now he tries his best to make the worse of a situation into the best it can be. Ever since Anim arrived here, has been making Ponyville livelier than ever, and I thought I was the center of attention in an event… OH speaking of events, one particular event is today. Today's the best (or one of the best I like) event ever, today is (drum roll please)… April Foal's Day! On this day, we make the best prank or joke ever, everypony from foals to the elder ponies enjoy this day, and the best pranksters in Ponyville are Rainbow and yours truly, ME, but ever since Anim came to Ponyville… well let's say this year's event won't be the same again (oh don't worry nopony will get hurt… I think?), it all started on the morning I woke up, and I did what I usually always do… welcome the day with a smile!
“GOOD MORNING PONYVILLE!” shouted Pinkie, getting up from her bed.
I went around my room to clean myself up, I brushed my teeth, took a bath, clean my bed, ate breakfast, and fed my pet baby alligator, Gummy. Then finally I checked on my calendar for anything I'm doing today, but I found something interesting about today's events. “Let's see what I can do for today?” said Pinkie, looking through her calendar. “OH. MY. CUPCAKES! IT'S TODAY!”
Today was April Foal's Day and I completely forgot (I knew I should of written a note somewhere). I was so happy I began bouncing all over the place, but I bounced so much I flew right out a window outside, I came crashing into somepony… that somepony was Rainbow. She was talking to somepony else but before she could speak I came crashing into her. “So that's when I'm going to…” said Rainbow.
“AHHHHHHHH!” shouted Rainbow and Pinkie.
When I stood back on my hooves, I found Rainbow on the ground. She went up immediately and faced the pony responsible (it was me by the way). “WHO DID THAT!” said Rainbow looking around. “Pinkie, what was that for… don’t tell me that was your prank?”
“What no, that was an accident I just got too excited… BECAUSE TODAY'S APRIL FOAL'S DAY!” screamed Pinkie, excited of today.
“I know, you’re always like this whenever this holiday comes up and I can't blame you. So… who's your next victim this time?” asked Rainbow, curious.
“I would also like to know too?” asked the pony that was with Rainbow.
The pony that was trotting with Rainbow was Twilight; she came to see what the holiday was all about since she's not the type to make a prank. “Oh hey Twilight, and to answer your question my target this year is… I don't know,” said Pinkie, who sat down thinking.
“Wait, WHAT!? What you mean you don't know, you always plan to prank somepony on this holiday?!” said Rainbow.
“I do but...” said Pinkie, pulling out a long list. “I basically pranked everypony, you, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Spike, the princesses, Discord… well sort of…” said Pinkie continuing through her list. (I had a lot of ponies on my list that I used a prank on… there should be an award for that).
When I was nearing the end of my list… there was one name that hadn't been crossed. This pony has been on this least ever since he came to this town… it was Anim. It seemed I had a new target for this year but… Anim's a tough cookie, his perceptive, can read ponies like an open book, and isn't the type to let his guard down. (This one time, I accidentally dropped a whole plate of pastries on Anim, but he caught every one with his magic and hooves… it was a lot of pastries.)
“It seems Anim is on my list this time. Time to give him a prank he'll never forget, Pinkie-style,” said Pinkie.
“Oh you’re looking for Anim, well his at the library. He said he needed to get something ready,” said Twilight.
“Oh well, his preparing something? It seems Anim himself is also preparing a counter-attack… well, time for me to act,” said Pinkie.
I rushed toward Golden Oaks Library; I climbed my way to Anim's window to peak into his room. Inside I spotted Anim packing a suitcase, and I noticed some odd things in the room, for starters there was an assortment of gems and rocks inside the suitcase. When he finished packing up, he left his room with the suitcase, that's when I began my prank. “Now what are you planning Anim?” Pinkie thought.
Entering inside, I pulled my “needed” supplies. Which were a rubber ducky, an umbrella, my party cannon, and a lot of cheese… now all I needed was the final item. “Anim's book as bait,” said Pinkie, giggling.
I left Anim's room to look for his book since it wasn't in his room. It seems Anim was in the kitchen doing something… is what I thought. On the table in the library was a stack of books, which were old or fresh from book bakery. Amongst these books had to be Anim's, so I went a little swimming. “Where is that book?” said Pinkie, swimming in a sea of books.
After some swimming here and there, I finally found it (it was hard work but I did it). When I got it, I could hear Anim leaving the kitchen, I hurried back to his room. I prepared my prank, I placed his book on the ground, and placed the “alarm” device that will activate my cannon, and of course the umbrella will be used to cover explosion of cheese, I call it “Cheesy Surprise”. “This is going to be perfect!” Pinkie thought, hiding behind the umbrella.
I heard the door creek open, I didn't check who it was and assumed it was Anim. I heard a few steps moving but… they sounded offbeat, then that's when I heard the sound of the rubber ducky making its loud squeak. The cannon unleashed it's fury of melted cheese onto the target; while I revealed myself to be the culprit… what I didn't expect was who the victim really was. “HA, I GOT YOU NOW ANIM! APRIL FOAL'S… day?” said Pinkie, confused of what she's seeing.
Before me wasn't Anim but… Spike!? (Whhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?) “Pinkie, what are you doing here!?” asked Spike, who was covered in cheese.
“Better yet, what are you doing here? That prank was for Anim, where is he?!” said Pinkie, helping Spike out of her cheese trap.
“Well, Anim just left,” said Spike.
“But he was in the kitchen, I heard him!” said Pinkie.
“Oh… well, that was me actually,” said Spike.
I gave Spike a very disappointed look, but knowing this was my fault, I asked if he knew where Anim is now? “Where did Anim go?” Pinkie asked.
Spike explained to me that Anim was heading off to the place where Rarity gathers and finds her gems (it's also where she was kidnapped too). I headed off to follow, only to encounter another distraction. “I've got to find Anim,” Pinkie thought.
“There she is!” shouted somepony.
I turned around a noticed a massive mob right behind me, for a second I thought they were after me… in reality, they were. “THERE SHE IS, AFTER HER!” shouted one of the ponies.
Why they chased me I had no idea (not ye of course). I've been good to everypony I met… but I had been known to be… over the top, as to why this was happening to me was only the tip of the iceberg. That's when I encounter a good friend of mine… who was also with the mob. “Not so fast Pinkie!” shouted Applejack.
“Not you too AJ!” said Pinkie, stopping to a halt. “What do you want with me!?”
“Since every year on this holiday, you always catch everypony off guard and since Anim is the last pony on your list, we decided to catch you with every prank in our arsenal. Today will be your last day of pranking!” said Applejack, pulling out a pie.
Now the explanation Applejack had said actually makes perfect sense… just the only issue was that everypony was doing… at the same time… what a way to start a day, am I right (Uh huh, you got that right). “Well, time for plan B! Unleash the party barrage!” shouted Pinkie, pulling out a button, and then proceeding to click it.
A sudden wave of rumbling appeared and then came my greatest creation ever, the “Supreme Party Cannon Ultra”. It fires a barrage of confetti blasts every five seconds, not to mention the cake missiles, and cupcake artillery shots. I made my way through town to reach my goal; nopony is going to stop me from pranking Anim! (YEAH, YOU’RE THE BOSS PINKIE… I mean me).
I finally arrived to where Anim would possibly be at (after going through the intense prank war back at Ponyville). “Now, if I were Anim where would I be?” Pinkie said, wondering the answer of her own question.
Then I noticed a bucket of blackish rocks, they looks similar to the meteorite shards back at Ponyville. Curious, I decided to take a better look at them until… another unexpected obstacle appeared. “Oh Pinkie, what are you doing here?” said Rarity.
“Same for you too, but I'm here to find Anim. Do you know where he could be?” asked Pinkie.
“Well he was here a while ago but, he said he needed to check something near the Everfree Forest, so he asked me to bring these odd looking stones back to Ponyville. You mind helping me with this,” said Rarity.
Helped out Rarity with the rocks… but I was still curious why she was all the way out here? I decided to ask her why she's all the way here… other than looking for gems of course. “So Rarity, why are you here when there's event back at Ponyville?” Pinkie asked.
“Well you see, my sister, Sweetie Belle always go overboard with the pranks, so now I stay here until… the heat lowers down. I’m just glad she didn’t get her friends to join with her pranking, do you know every time she does a prank it either ends with me being burnt or the boutique lit on fire!” said Rarity, shivering from the memory.
“Maybe you should try pranking her back,” said Pinkie.
“Pinkie, it’s not my style to do something like that, especially to my sister. And if I were to do it, I don’t know what sort of prank to do on her,” said Rarity.
Before I can respond, I realized we were already at the library. We placed the cart near the library, and we went our own ways, but before I left I decided to give Rarity something to help her. “Rarity, here’s something to help you with pranking,” said Pinkie, handing Rarity a book.
Rarity looked at the book, and gave a small smile. “Book on pranks for beginner’s, why thank you Pinkie, maybe this might come in handy, have a good day Pinkie,” said Rarity, leaving with the book.
“You too!” said Pinkie, waving goodbye.
I continued my search for Anim at the Everfree Forest. I wasn’t sure where to look… but I think I might know where. “Oh Anim, where are you!?” shouted Pinkie.
I searched the area where Anim was first found, the filled crater with those massive looking black rocks, which were shards of the meteor. I noticed some strange lights coming from the forest, when I approached I saw a small twinkling light (it was pretty). When I got a better look, it was Anim… but he had something with him.
“I wonder what you’re doing Anim,” Pinkie thought. “Wait, this could be my chance to spook Anim.”
I sneaked stealthily to Anim, when I got close enough to him; I pounced right out of the shrubbery and appeared in front of him. “SURPRISE, ANIM!” Pinkie shouted.
When I saw Anim’s face, I saw the most terrifying thing in the whole world. He had the head of a Timberwolf! (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) When I saw him I nearly fainted, but Anim woke up again… still wearing the Timberwolf head. “DON’T HURT ME!” Pinkie screamed.
“Whoa Pinkie, it’s me!” said Anim, removing the Timberwolf head. “I was just carving a piece of a dead log, and made this. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“For a second I thought you’d turn into a Timberwolf,” said Pinkie, standing up. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“I have my reasons; I needed to check something here that… may give me a few answers,” said Anim. “But I noticed some strange racket going on back at town, what’s going on?”
“Wait… you don’t know what’s today?” said Pinkie.
“Uhm~… no?” said Anim, answering Pinkie’s question. “Why, what’s today?”
“Today’s April Foal’s Day, it’s when you prank somepony. I was planning to prank you but, it seemed you already did for me,” said Pinkie, laughing.
“…Uh Pinkie, that wasn’t a prank,” said Anim.
I gave Anim a confused look, didn’t Anim already know of today’s holiday? “But… that was a prank… was it?” Pinkie asked.
“No, that was an accident. I didn’t mean to scare you, I didn’t even know you were there,” said Anim.
“So I Pinkie, got pranked, and haven’t pranked anypony at all today…” said Pinkie, slumping in defeat.
It seemed I underestimated Anim abilities (and luckiness). Well maybe next time I can get Anim… at least I scared Rainbow Dash (one point for me, zero to Rainbow).
The Color of the Day is Pink
Author's Note
Pinkie's birthday (I think, it's so hard to tell which is her birthday, both in the show and the community).
(I "may" *pun intended* have rushed this, and probably the next chapter, because this was meant to be finished and posted on May 3...so sorry.)
The Color of the Day is Pink
Another day, another adventure… especially today of all days, as the day started off… with an explosion. KABOOM! “THE HECK WAS THAT!?” shouted Anim, woken by the explosion.
Anim ran out of his room, and headed outside. Opening the door he saw Rainbow, Twilight, Spike, and Trixie carrying some sort of cart full of stuff. “What are you guys doing, and what was that sound?” asked Anim.
“Were trying to prepare for Pinkie’s birthday,” said Rainbow, hushing Anim.
“Wait… Pinkie’s birthday is today?” said Anim.
“Wait Anim you forgot!” said Twilight, nearing shouting.
“No I remember now, but what’s with the cart?” asked Anim.
Trixie smiled when Anim said this, she slowly moved up to him and explained her “flawless” plan. “Well Anim, Trixie has a plan that will amaze anypony, even… Pinkie Pie,” said Trixie. “I will make the biggest surprise to one of the hardest ponies to surprise.”
Anim was a bit confused about what this plan had to do with explosions. A bit distracted, Anim realized were Pinkie was. “Say… where’s Pinkie?” asked Anim.
“Oh, Pinkie is being distracted by Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack. While we’re setting up the party back at Fluttershy’s cottage… but there’s a little problem,” said Twilight, pointing at the issue.
When Anim checked what was wrong, one of the wheels on the cart was broken, with a broken wheel. Unable to leave the front of Golden Oaks Library, the group needs a quick way to get moving again. “Why don’t we just teleport the thing?” said Rainbow.
“ARE YOU CRAZY!? This cart is full of items that if not carefully handled would cause a tremendous disaster, that’s why we need to move carefully to our destination,” said Trixie.
“I got an idea, maybe,” said Anim. “It’s a spell I made that can manipulate the forms of items, so maybe if I use it on this broken wheel…”
As Anim used the spell, the wheel repaired immediately, piece by piece. Ready to continue back to Fluttershy’s cottage, Anim decides to join them. “Better come, just in case,” said Anim.
After a few hours of heading to Fluttershy’s cottage, they reach the back where Discord is waiting for them to arrive with the party supplies. “Now what took so long, I had to find something to entertain me while I waited,” said Discord.
“Entertain yourself? Discord, what did you do?” said Rainbow.
“Oh nothing much, a little this and a little that,” said Discord, pointing in all directions.
Rainbow eyed Discord suspiciously, but went back to helping everypony unpack. Setting up the surprise party, Anim asks what he can do to help. “So what am I going to do?” asked Anim.
“You could help Trixie set up these confetti cannons,” said Trixie.
Anim settled the confetti cannons where Trixie wanted want of them, but one of them explode all of a sudden in front of Anim. “Anim are you okay!” said Twilight.
“I’m fine…” said Anim, coughing some confetti. “What just happened?”
Then a small rising laughter can be heard, finding the source of the laughing it’s Discord. Everypony stares at Discord except for Anim whom is busy with the confetti in his mane. “What, I had to do it. It was the perfect moment,” said Discord.
“Just try to keep a lookout for Pinkie and the others, okay,” said Twilight.
“Of course,” said Discord, saluting then disappearing.
“Finally his gone, I thought I had to deal with him forever,” said Rainbow.
Continuing with the party, a small incident happens. “NO THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!” shouted Trixie.
“What’s wrong?!” said Anim.
Looking where Trixie is, Anim sees that the cart is empty. Confused what Trixie is worrying about, he looks at her. “Uh yeah the cart is empty, what’s so wrong with that?” asked Anim.
“That’s the problem, we ran out of supplies for the party. How are we supposed to find more now?!” said Trixie, shaking Anim.
“If-you-stopped-shaking-me, maybe-we-could…” said Anim, getting dizzy.
“Trixie stop, your making Anim sick!” said Twilight.
Once Trixie stopped, Anim gotten so sick he ran to the bushes to puke with the help of Rainbow Dash. “It’s okay Anim, just let it out,” said Rainbow.
“Things can’t get any worse,” said Anim.
“We got a problem everypony,” said Discord reappearing.
Before Discord could finish his sentence, they could hear Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack coming. Not ready or nearly done, they need more time to finish. “Spike, distract Pinkie, Rainbow and Discord get those tables and decorations set up. Trixie your with me, we’ll find another way to find more confetti… and Anim,” said Twilight.
Anim simply raised his hoof, and continued to puke. While everypony was reading everything, they still needed to more confetti, with Pinkie coming nearer every second, Anim finishes with what his doing and does one final ditch attempt. “Time to go with plan B,” said Anim.
Anim told everypony to hide and get ready for the surprise, while Anim did the final results. After a few seconds later, Pinkie and the others finally arrive. “What are you trying to hide from me?” asked Pinkie, carefully searching the area.
Pinkie headed to the backyard, of the cottage a blast of confetti shot to the sky. With some of Anim’s spells which beautifully exploded with the confetti. Pinkie was mesmerized by the colors of both the confetti and explosions. Then everypony came out of hiding, and shouted out toward Pinkie, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PINKIE PIE!” shouted everypony.
“You remembered!” said Pinkie, hopping happily.
“We would never forget your birthday,” said Rarity.
“Yeah, you’re our friend!” said Rainbow.
“Hope you girls didn’t had any trouble preparing the party,” said Applejack.
“We had… our moments,” said Anim.
“Speaking of moments, Anim what was those explosions back then?” asked Twilight.
“Well… remember that incident that happened at Canterlot when I went commando… I used my flash spell but a lighter version,” said Anim.
“So you used miniature fireworks… Trixie might use that for one of her shows,” said Trixie.
After done with their conversation, they went to join the others and enjoy the party. There was cake, games, music, everything… after everypony gave their presents, Anim was the last pony to give his, and it was big. “So Anim, what present do you have for Pinkie?” asked Twilight.
“I’m happy that you’re curious. Well, when I was enjoying my day yesterday, I got my hooves on some… tickets,” said Anim.
“Tickets?” said Pinkie, confused.
When Anim used his magic, a bunch of tickets appeared, realizing what they are, its tickets for the gala. “HOW DID YOU GET THOSE!?” shouted Rainbow.
“I got my ways…” said Anim, smirking.
Pinkie was so ecstatic, but her birthday wasn’t over yet, for the group had plans in the afternoon… next top is the Crystal Empire for, the Equestria Games.
Author's Note
The continuation (sorta) of "The Color of the Day is Pink"... well it's more of a short or excuse for me to make a chapter where the setting takes place in the Crystal Empire, oh well.
(This was meant to be finished on May. 3, to clarify the chronological order of this chapter.)
Equestrian Gold
After two hours of riding the train to the Crystal Empire, everypony comes to the Empire to see the Equestria Games that happens every year. This event is where not just the nations of ponies but, other species compete in different activities; ironically it was the same day Pinkie’s birthday would be. To celebrate her birthday even further, everypony bought tickets to see the event and encourage their hometown team, Ponyville. But… it seems not everypony will enjoy this year’s festivities. “WHY THE HECK CAN'T I GET INSIDE!?” screamed Anim, frustrated.
It may seem that Anim may have been left behind when they arrived. How that happened? Well let’s go back, a few minutes ago. Crystal Empire Train Station, 1500 hours
“So we’re finally here, the Crystal Empire,” said Anim. “This is the first time I’ve been here.”
“Oh right I forgot, you never heard of the Crystal Empire but only on history books,” said Twilight. “Well my brother, Shining Armor and Cadence are the leaders of the Crystal Empire.”
“Well they got the crystal part right, so… about these Equestria Games. What exactly are they?” asked Anim.
“The Equestria Games is like, the greatest thing ever! Ponies across Equestria as well as other creatures come to compete, and it’s going to be… AWESOME!” shouted Rainbow.
“Calm down Rainbow, remember it's still somepony’s birthday here,” said Applejack.
“It’s okay Applejack, as long I have my friends, I know we’ll have a great time,” said Pinkie, hopping away. “Come on; let’s go before all the good seats are gone.”
The group continued their way to the Equestria Games stadium in the Empire. As groups of ponies approach and enter inside to see the events. Heading through the security check, the ponies show their tickets and pass a device to disable unicorn magic. “This year’s Equestria Games are going to be awesome,” said Rainbow.
“We heard… for the fifteenth time, Rainbow,” said Applejack.
“Well I do hope our team wins, I saw a lot of interesting ponies this year,” said Rarity.
Once inside the entrance, Twilight and her friends give their tickets to the pony at the entrance. Everypony is able to enter across, but Anim remains to enter… but a small incident happens. “Ticket please,” said the guard pony.
Anim looks through the saddlebags he brought with him, looking through to find his ticket… the worse news come to him. “Uh… I don’t have my ticket,” said Anim.
The guard stared at Anim, and simply nudged him to leave. “Sir, if you have no ticket, I can’t let you pass,” said the guard pony.
“Wait, ask my friends. Maybe they might have my ticket,” said Anim.
“I’m sorry sir,” said the guard pony.
Anim was then led out to leave, without a single word spoken Anim’s eye twitched, realizing his been left behind. “Did that serious just happen,” said Anim, sighing. “Well no matter, I suppose it’s time for plan B.”
Preparing a spell, Anim attempts to teleport inside the stadium… but ends horribly instead. Anim’s spell fails but, gets shocked from attempting to teleport inside. Dazed, Anim sways left and right keeping from falling flat to the ground. “Okay… did not see that coming. I guess using magic is out of the question, and I can’t sprout out wings now, especially at this situation. I need a more quicker way inside… time to go for the classic breaking and entering strategy… except without the breaking part,” said Anim, planning.
Using whatever items in his disposal, Anim finds a ladder, trampoline, stacks of boxes, and more. Anim uses each of these items from, climbing, jumping, stacking… but each attempt ends with him falling… or stopped by another obstacle. “This is frustrating! How the heck did I lose my ticket in the first place!?” said Anim. "WHY THE HECK CAN'T I GET INSIDE!?"
Meanwhile, inside the stadium, the Mane 6 and company find their seats… but notice somepony isn’t with them. “Hey… where’s Anim?” asked Trixie.
“I saw him at the entrance when we entered inside, but I don’t know where he went… you don’t think,” said Twilight.
Twilight checks her saddlebags, and realizes she has Anim’s ticket and forgot to give to him when they arrived. “Oh poop…” said Twilight. “We have to go and get him before—”
“I’m sorry, but nopony can leave until the games are over,” said the guard pony.
“Then how are we supposed to help Anim, to get inside the stadium,” said Twilight.
“Let’s just hope he can find another way inside,” said Applejack.
“And how’s he going to do that, it’s not like his going to launch himself or something,” said Rainbow.
Meanwhile with Anim, his next plan of entering the stadium involves, flying. “Welp, this isn’t my worse of ideas, but sure is my craziest,” said Anim. “Bon voyage!” Anim releases the lever and flings himself to the sky above the stadium, trying to land inside; Anim encounters a small dilemma in his mid-flight.
As Anim is nearing the stadium, he bumps into a force-field around the stadium. Unable to enter through the sky, Anim’s now empty of any possible ideas. Digging a tunnel is also impossible, since Anim doesn’t have the right tools, and trying to find a uniform to enter without being noticed is time consuming to even attempt finding one. Frustrated that this has happen in the first place, Anim bumps into somepony he met before. “Well look who it is.”
Anim turned around, and he saw that it was Twilight’s sister-in-law, Cadence the princess of the Crystal Empire. Luckily Anim and Cadence are in friendly connections, other than Shining and Anim since the last time they met. “Oh Cadence, it’s nice to meet you again,” said Anim. “I thought you’d be inside the stadium by now.”
“Well I would be, but there were a few things I had to do before I could come here. But I would like to know is… what are you still doing here, and is Twilight doing fine?” asked Cadence.
“Well Twilight is dandy, but as for me… well I may have lost my ticket, the rest is history,” said Anim.
“Don’t worry, maybe I can ask the guards to help with your situation,” said Cadence.
Anim followed Cadence to one of the stadium’s many entrances. Once there, the guard let Anim and Cadence enter without any trouble. “Is he with you princess?” asked the guard.
“Indeed he is,” said Cadence, telling the guard.
Now finally inside the stadium, the Equestria Games finally began. “Thank you Cadence, I swear if you didn’t come any sooner, I swore I had to do… other methods of entering,” said Anim.
“You sure know how to keep the atmosphere interesting,” said Cadence, giggling. “Well I hope the rest of your day goes well.”
Cadence waved Anim goodbye as she left, leaving Anim to find his friends. When Anim found them, he sat with them watching the events of the Equestria Games. “Hey you guys, did I miss anything?” said Anim.
“Not really, by the way where were you?” asked Twilight.
“Well… let’s say I had my own adventure coming here,” said Anim.
An event that happens yearly in the great city of Canterlot, the Grand Galloping Gala, the Mane 6 have been to the Gala before… and from what Twilight and the others have said, it wasn’t a pleasant one. This year will be different for a number of reasons; it won’t be just the Mane 6 coming to the Gala this time, Discord, the CMC, Trixie, Derpy, Doctor Whooves, and Mina are also invited to this special event with the help of Anim. Thanks to Anim’s anonymous source of gaining the right amount of tickets for all his friends and family, everypony is questioning how Anim was able to get them, thinking he used magic of some sort, the tickets seem to be genuine tickets. The source of how Anim gained them isn’t important anymore, as the friends prepare to go to the Gala… but something more sinister is planned in the shadows of Canterlot.
Canterlot, 1830 hours, Canterlot Castle Entrance
Anim and company have arrived, nearing the castle’s entrance, waves of ponies from royalties to the common pony. This year’s Grand Galloping Gala is possibly the largest to ever be dated, the princesses try their best to organize the event as best they can, and luckily nothing major has gotten bad yet. “This is the biggest party, ever!” shouted Pinkie, hoping joyfully.
“Wonderful for you to have done this Anim,” said Rarity. “But still… how were you able to do this?”
Anim simply shrugged, and continued to trot off. Ponies waited to enter the sisters’ castle, and when the doors finally swung open, the party began. Since this year’s Grand Galloping Gala has gotten a lot more complex, the whole castle itself was accessible to the public, of course some areas were still off-limits but, that didn’t bothered many. “I’m honored that the princesses asked me to help out in the kitchen,” said Applejack.
“Oh~, I hope I get to meet the cute adorable animals here,” said Fluttershy.
“WELL I CAN’T WAIT TO MEET THE WONDERBOLTS… AGAIN!” shouted Rainbow, rushing inside.
“Well let’s not wait here, come on girls let’s go and enjoy ourselves,” said Twilight.
“Ahem, but if your forgetting, we’re here too,” said Discord, pointing out himself and Doctor Whooves.
“Don’t worry Discord, I promise that nopony will think badly of you,” said Fluttershy.
“Thank you Fluttershy,” said Discord.
Everypony entered inside and were amazed by the decorations and events set up by the princesses, with a little help from Pinkie of course. Amazed, the one pony who was truly ecstatic was Trixie. “Hey Little Star, you okay, you haven’t spoken ever since we arrived to Canterlot,” said Anim.
“WHY SHOULD I!? I’m here, in the castle which the princesses live in, and not to mention the GRAND GALLOPING GALA!” screamed Trixie, hugging Anim tightly. “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU~!”
“Hey, this is the longest and probably the loudest you stopped speaking a third perspective,” said Anim.
Trixie realized sudden response, and stopped hugging Anim, slowly going to her usual “powerful” self. “Well… Trixie was just… excited, yes that what it was, excited Trixie was,” said Trixie, coughing.
Anim simply gave a small grin; oddly enough Anim realized that somepony or ponies in the group was missing. “Say… where is Mina and the fillies?” asked Anim.
Elsewhere, Mina and the CMC enjoy themselves by dancing, enjoying treats and snacks, and much more. Oddly enough before they came here, Mina remembers Anim telling her to not be seen by either of the princesses when they’re here. Curiously of this, Mina decides to get the CMC… in a little mischief. “Hey girls, I got an idea that would make this party… more interesting, so you in?” asked Mina.
“How come, the party seems fine already,” said Applebloom, stuffing another cupcake.
“Yeah, this has got to be the most fantastic party I’ve been in,” said Sweetie Belle.
“What they said,” said Scootaloo.
“Well… I just thought, that maybe if we made things more exciting, we’d make this the best party into the most, awesome, fantastic, greatest party, ever… but I see you’re not interested so~ I’ll take my leave,” said Mina, trotting away.
The CMC stop eating and look at each other than back at Mina, then at each other. Nodding in agreement they begin what would be the start of many troubles that day. In another part of the castle, earlier that night, Luna gazes upon the night sky, pondering how her dear Anim has been.
Canterlot, 1800 hours, Canterlot Castle, Luna’s Room
Luna sighed, staring at her starry sky. She heard of news that Anim was in… a relationship with somepony else, saddened but not upset for her to overreact, Anim may be immortal but he and Luna are in complete separate positions where they are. “I hope for the best for you… Anim,” said Luna.
“Luna, what’s taking so long?! We need to be downstairs in thirty minutes, quit moping and get of this room, right now,” said Celestia, her voice muffled from the door.
Celestia opens her sister’s room, and sees her leaning against the railing. She approaches Luna, making sure not to spook her. “Luna… are you, okay?” asked Celestia.
“Sister... have you felt that there’s somepony who’s perfect for you, but your both in positions in life that are completely different?” asked Luna, rambling.
“This has to do with Anim, doesn’t it,” said Celestia, with a disappointed look. “Luna his immortal too, so what’s the big deal!”
“The deal is that his not just immortal, but has bigger… no major bigger larger responsibilities than us! All I do is raising the moon when need be, control half a continent, assist ponies in their dreams, and occasionally go camping with the CMC once or awhile,” said Luna, continuing on. “While Anim… his a warrior whose seen things that nopony nor creature dares to see, fought in against armies that are made from the very nightmares of colts and fillies, allies and foes who both respect and challenge him in a daily basis, and is literally the only pony who’s not afraid of befriending a draconequus, an alicorn princess, and more! Now tell me Tia, WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE!?”
Celestia gave Luna a straight stare and simply placed both her hooves on Luna. She then slowly moved her eyes at Luna’s, and said… “THAT-DOES-NOT-MATTER!” shouted Celestia, shaking Luna. “Luna, Anim’s a pony now, not this… warrior you may be thinking of. When we first met him, yes he seemed harmless like a bunny, but is probably or maybe the strangest thing we have ever encountered. What I’m saying is… there’s no need to be afraid, his given up on his past… so go out there and have some fun.”
“Thank you sister, for encouraging me,” said Luna, hugging Celestia back, whilst crying. “Now… let’s get this party started!”
Present time, Canterlot Castle Ball Room
“I can’t do this, I want to go back to my room,” said Luna.
“Luna, what’s wrong this time?” asked Celestia, facehoofing herself.
“Well… I thought I get the chance to ask him on a dance… but he has a date, I can’t do that to him,” said Luna, cowering behind Celestia.
Sighing, Celestia pulls Luna with her, into a nearby table. “Luna, you met him before this pony. Besides you a princess, there’s nothing wrong with you dancing with somepony by your choice,” said Celestia, pulling Luna to her hooves.
“I… suppose not… but I… I—”
Celestia hushed her sister, and simply pushed her toward the dance floor. “Come you can do it Luna, so get there and dance with that stallion,” said Celestia.
Anim stepped onto the dance floor and was about to ask Trixie but… was interrupted. “So my Little Star, would like to da—”
“LOOK OUT!” said Trixie, pointing her hoof behind Anim.
Anim turns around, but before he could see what Trixie were pointing at, somepony lands and crashes right toward Anim. The two ponies stood up and look at each other to know who they fell on. “Luna… is that you, I haven’t seen you… well for a while!” said Anim, hugging Luna.
“It’s good to see you too, Anim,” said Luna. “C-c-could I, ask th-th-that you… dance with me?”
Anim looked at Trixie, and ask her if she was okay with this. “Trixie… you okay with this?” asked Anim.
“A-a-a of course Trixie is okay… Trixie is completely okay with this, Trixie feels no need to be… jealous or anything of the sort,” said Trixie, slowly leaving. “You two have a, lovely day.”
Trixie left immediately but watched behind a pillar, eyeing the two in secret, even though Luna could see her in plain sight. “I see she’s… interesting at the least, may I ask whom she is Anim?” asked Luna, curious.
“Long story but, she’s my special somepony... and please don’t panic right now,” said Anim. “Don’t want to make things turn worse now, do we.”
“Oh… well, I’m happy you found somepony, that you could be with… so… how you met,” said Luna.
“It involves a show and a whole lot of horrible honest decisions… but yeah, it ended well for the two of us. Then we met again in Ponyville, I hugged her, she hugged me, there was hugging everywhere… not really but you get the gist of it,” said Anim.
Luna giggled to Anim’s same old wacky way of making the atmosphere better. This calmed Luna, as the two continued to dance in a peaceful bliss. Celestia watched happily, Trixie watched shocked… and probably jealous, everypony danced, ate together, and had some laughs. Whilst elsewhere, Mina and the CMC decide to explore the one room that’s off limits, Celestia’s room. “Miss Mina…” said Applebloom.
“Just call me Mina, no need to be formal to me,” said Mina.
“Well, Mina, why are we here, there was a sign that said, ‘No trespassers’,” said Applebloom.
“I love doing crazy stunts, but something like this is going to get us more than just being grounded,” said Scootaloo.
“I’m more surprised why I haven’t thought of this,” said Sweetie Belle.
“There’s a reason why we’re here, I haven’t met the leaders of this nation, and not to mention Anim banning me from ever making contact with them, this is the closest thing to meeting them. Were just going to take a quick look, take some sort of journal or diary and leave, like that,” said Mina.
“Like that?” said the CMC.
“Like… that, now… time to find us some adventure,” said Mina, entering inside.
The CMC looked at one another, and followed Mina inside. At the castle’s garden, Doctor Whooves, Fluttershy, Discord, and Derpy enjoy the scenery… well mostly Fluttershy. “The last time I was here, the animals were scared of strangers. I didn’t knew this and overreacted the last time I came here, but I learned to be more patient,” said Fluttershy, petting the animals.
“How come I have to stay with you Fluttershy? I can handle myself no need for you to worry,” said Discord.
“Well I thought it be nice for us to be together…” said Fluttershy.
Discord looked at Fluttershy and sighed. “I’m sorry Fluttershy, but maybe we can try something I like… if that’s okay,” said Discord.
“That’s fine, as long you behave,” said Fluttershy, smiling.
The two smiled together, in the other part of the garden, Derpy and the Doctor watch. “Doctor Whooves, why are we watching them… in a bush,” said Derpy.
“I’m curious about this Discord fella; at first I thought he was unique resident in Ponyville. Nopony told me he was an ex-villain,” said Doctor Whooves.
“Well duh… can we go back inside, I haven’t gotten a bite of that delicious… sweet… muffin~,” said Derpy, drooling.
“Derpy, not again!” said the Doctor Whooves, wiping drool in his mane. “This is the fifth time this week.”
Finally, with the Mane 4, Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack, sit and enjoy themselves in the party. “Whew, that was quick. I sold so many apple-based products, that I should bring a second cart,” said Applejack, taking a seat. “So… how has everypony been today?”
“Well Rainbow is still waiting for the Wonderbolts to arrive; apparently they’ve hit a sort of snag coming here. I’ve been doing fine, and met some wonderful stallions here, and Pinkie… she’s been doing fine,” said Rarity.
Applejack toward Rainbow who seemed bored out of her mind. When somepony tapped on Applejack’s shoulder, she turns around to meet a familiar customer from the last Gala. “Hey Applejack, do you still have some of those pies?”
Rainbow immediately recognized whose voice it was, looking up its Soarin. “Soarin, what are you doing here?! I thought the Wonderbolts had some emergency to handle?” said Rainbow.
“Oh we did, but they didn’t need everypony so some of us got to go ahead… speaking of being ahead, is there any more pie?” asked Soarin.
“Sorry Soarin, we ran out of pies, moments ago,” said Applejack.
When Soarin heard this, he went down into his hooves and shouted. “NOOOOOOOOO!” shouted Soarin.
“Don’t worry Soarin, I think I can help with your pie problem,” said Rainbow.
“How so…” said Soarin, still upset from lack of pie.
Rainbow nudged her friend Pinkie, and whispered something in her ear. Pinkie nodded and went through her mane; suddenly she pulled out a fresh baked pie. “But-but-but… HOW!?” said Soarin, amazed.
“That’s a secret,” said Pinkie.
Soarin relished in his pie, happy to eat his delicious pie. Afterwards, Soarin told Rainbow about this strange sudden emergency the Wonderbolts had to check out. “So we got this call from some anonymous source saying, that something big is going to happen… here, in Canterlot Castle today. We thought it was just a prank, but supposedly this source told us to, wait in a certain part of Canterlot and wait for this supposed incident,” said Soarin.
“Really, do the princesses know?” said Rainbow.
“No, this anonymous source told us not to mention this to anypony. The only reason I’m telling you this is because, this source gave us a clue about this big incident, and it involves your friend… Anim,” said Soarin. “I don’t know what’s going on, but all the recent events these last couple of months all connect to him in some way.”
Rainbow and her friends look at Soarin and, at one another. They each worry for the safety of their friends, and what incident that will happen in Canterlot Castle. Whilst elsewhere, far from Canterlot Castle, overlooking from the mountains… a shadowy figure lurks, waiting, planning… hunting. “One goal, five targets… one decision… your move is next.”
The figure reveals five small mirrors; within each mirror are five symbols. The first is a rainbow, the second is a moon, the third is a star, the fourth is a hourglass… the final one is a wolf. The rainbow symbol brightens, as the figure turns into a shadow and moves toward the castle. “They must not know.”
A few minutes have passed, everypony is enjoying themselves, and Rainbow is enjoying her time with Soarin. Luna continues to dance with Anim, while Trixie watches carefully, eyeing every moment. Then Derpy and Doctor Whooves enjoy themselves in the garden’s scenery. Finally with Mina and the CMC exploring Celestia’s room. “Found anything girls?” asked Mina, looking through.
“Nothing here,” said Scootaloo.
“How long have we been here?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Not that long, but I’m surprised we haven’t been caught,” said Mina, chuckling.
Searching the room, Applebloom finds something interesting. “I found something!” said Applebloom.
The girls move to Applebloom, and see what she found. When they take a better look, it’s a bunch of papers and notes of some kind, but something caught Mina’s eye about these notes. Taking a better look, the notes are entries on Anim. “Why would Celestia have notes on Anim…” said Mina.
Seeing what the entries say, a sudden chill creeps on Mina, as if something sinister is here. “Okay girls, maybe it’s time to go back to the others, we had enough fun now,” said Mina.
“Ah, but we were getting to know some stuff about Anim,” said Sweetie Belle.
Leaving Celestia’s room, Anim too notices this sudden chill. The only two who can sense this, and probably the only two that knows. “Excuse me Luna, but I need to go for one second. Thank you for this lovely dance with you,” said Anim.
“Uhm, sure Anim…” said Luna watching Anim leave.
“You took too long with that dance; Trixie thought you’d be with her for—”
“Sorry Trixie, something has come up, and I need to deal with it… pronto,” said Anim, his attitude changing.
As Anim left, Trixie was both surprised… and agitated. “That little, Trixie has waited for him to be done, and that’s how he responds to Trixie… you know what Trixie doesn’t need him, Trixie will find somepony else to dance with,” said Trixie, pouting away.
Once Mina and the CMC gotten to the ballroom, Anim pulled Mina away to speak with her. “You girls mind if I speak with Mina,” said Anim. “Okay thanks.”
“Sure…” said Applebloom, watching the two leave.
Leading Mina to a secluded part of the castle, they reach outside. Speaking alone about that sudden chill, they both look at one another. “Did you felt that?” said the two, synchronized.
“Okay you felt that, I felt that… but what was it?” asked Mina.
“Something big… and bad, whatever it is… I don’t think it came here for the cake. We need to find the others, find Twilight. I’ll go find Rainbow and maybe she might know where everypony else is,” said Anim.
The two separate and find their friends, while the shadow watches upon Rainbow and Soarin. The two pegasi, speak about their lives, Soarin with being in the Wonderbolts, and Rainbow with her life with Anim and at Ponyville. “You got to be kidding me, he did that for your birthday,” said Soarin.
“Yeah, he can overdo things… but he tries his best,” said Rainbow.
The shadow slowly moves toward Rainbow… ever closer, and then Anim appears while the shadow ran to its hiding spot. “Rainbow we got a… who’s this?” asked Anim.
“Oh this is Soarin, his one of the Wonderbolts. Soarin this is Anim, that friend I mentioned,” said Rainbow, introducing the two to each other.
“Nice to meet you,” said Soarin, extending his hoof.
Anim shakes his hoof, but continues why he came here. “Why was I here again… oh right, Rainbow we got a… dilemma. I got no time to explain, but… something big is going to happen,” said Anim.
“You know too!” said Rainbow.
“Yes and… wait, what you mean?” asked Anim.
“Well Soarin told me that the other Wonderbolts are waiting for something to happen, and when this happens… something big will happen,” said Rainbow.
“So… how do you know about this incident that will come,” said Soarin.
“Well, Mina and I felt… this chill… whatever this ‘incident’ may be… it’s not going to be quiet,” said Anim. “Come on, I might need your help you two.”
As Anim, Rainbow, and Soarin left, the shadow reforms into a figure, watching as the three leave. “She knows nothing… the moon… maybe?”
Meanwhile with Mina, she finds the others enjoying some fireworks outside. “Everypony… we… got a problem,” said Mina, taking deep breaths.
“What’s happening Mina?” asked Applejack.
“We might, be in trouble… where’s Twilight,” said Mina.
Everypony thought where she could be, then Discord answers. “Well the only place she would be is with Celestia… but what would be happening exactly,” said Discord, curious.
“I… I don’t know but, something… is here, and it wants somepony,” said Mina, her tone changing.
Everypony looked at one another, afraid what’s happening. “Uh, not to be rude… but where’s Derpy and her friend the Doctor?” asked Rarity.
Canterlot, 2000 hours, Canterlot Castle Entrance
“I told you that we shouldn’t touch those flowers,” said Derpy carrying the Doctor.
Doctor Whooves hiccups, nearly passed out from examining some odd blue flowers. Nearing the exit, they encounter somepony important. “Why hello there but, aren’t you one of Anim’s friends?” asked Luna.
“P-p-p-princess Luna… y-y-y-yes we are… but-but-but-but my friend here has gotten a little sick. I hope you don’t think we’re being rude by leaving so early now,” said Derpy.
“It’s okay… say, could I ask you something?” said Luna.
“Um sure, let me just put him down,” said Derpy, gently placing the Doctor down.
Resting Doctor Whooves on a bench, Luna and Derpy sit on the bench beside, the Doctor’s bench. “What would you like to know princess?” asked Derpy.
“Well… how long have you known Anim?” asked Luna.
As the two mares spoke, the shadowy figure moves up to their conversation, listening each inch of information. “Well I only knew him for… well since that incident at Canterlot and Ponyville. We don’t hangout often, but we know each enough to be friends… but Anim and the Doctor can go overboard with each other,” said Derpy, giggling.
“I see… Derpy… is their somepony you care for, as in love,” said Luna.
This was sudden and Derpy blushing a little. “Well… Doctor Whooves I suppose so…” said Derpy, realizing why Luna is asking. “Wait; don’t tell me you’re… YOU LOVE ANIM!”
Luna shushes Derpy immediately making sure nopony heard. “Please not so loud, if ponies knew this, they’d spread rumors like the plague. That and I don’t want ponies to know about him, if they knew about… what he really is, it would case panic,” said Luna.
“Don’t worry, Anim’s my friend I’d never do something like that to him,” said Derpy, moving Luna’s hoof from her mouth.
The two continue to talk, while distracted the shadowy figure moves up to Doctor Whooves. The shadow examines the Doctor, then stares ominously at the Doctor, but moves its gaze to Luna. “Neither seems to know… sleep as you may, be in comfort of one another… your end… no, your beginning will come.”
The shadow moves away to its next target, slowly closer to its objective. As the shadow left, Doctor Whooves opens his eye, and watches carefully at the shadow, as to what’s the shadow’s goal is. “Well, well, it seems we got ourselves an uninvited guess,” said Doctor Whooves.
“Doctor your awake… is something wrong?” asked Derpy.
“Derpy… and Princess Luna, we may be in danger. Something is maneuvering in the castle’s grounds, and we need to find out what it wants, it went that way!” said Doctor Whooves.
“An intruder, I need to alert my sister, go find your friends, they might know of this,” said Luna, flying off.
Luna heads off to warn Celestia, as Derpy and Doctor Whooves chase the shadow. Disarray and chaos occur, everypony is connected, and everything is connected, with Anim in the center of it all. Speaking of chaos, Discord see Trixie solemnly sit all alone, with Anim or anypony with her. “What’s with the frowny face,” said Discord, teasingly.
“Trixie doesn’t want to talk about it… well… maybe a little. Anim went to dance with Luna, but after they were done he leaves Trixie and Trixie’s left all alone… so much for having a good time,” said Trixie.
“Well he may be stubborn, but his got his reasons,” said Discord.
“And what reason is there to abandon Trixie!” said Trixie.
“Well… that for starters,” said Discord, pointing at the ominous black shadow.
Everypony surround the shadow, jumping to catch it, it slips past everypony, rushing toward Trixie. “WHAT IS THAT THING!?” shouted Trixie.
“Well it’s about to be cooked up that’s what,” said Discord, firing a blast of fire.
Expecting to be nothing but a burnt mark, the shadow jumps toward Discord, and sends him flying. It then moves toward Trixie, carefully looking into her pupils “Wha-wha-what does it want!?” said Trixie, frightened.
“Empty…” said the shadow, looking across the room. The shadow sees through the ponies, and walls… spotting a single purple aura amongst the crowd. The shadow rushes toward the figure, and it’s revealed to be Mina. “Found you.”
“Oh no you don’t!” said Anim, jumping onto the shadow.
Surprisingly the shadow does have a physical form, but not visible enough to see. The shadow simply throws Anim off, landing on his friends. Mina attempts to defend herself, throwing some hooves into the shadow, but simply faze through. The shadow grabs Mina and scans whatever may be in her mind… only to find nothing. “Not even you… surprising, but no unexpected. All no nothing, but someone does… a sixth… maybe…” said the shadow, contemplating.
Anim hurries to Mina’s side, checking her vitals. “Mina you okay!” said Anim.
“I’m fine… but what is that thing?” asked Mina, scared.
The shadow suddenly makes a mirror appear; on the mirror is what looks of a star… but with smaller ones around it. “You… of course… the one creature for Anim to lay eyes on… you’re the one,” said the shadow.
Once done seeing through the mirror, the shadow spirals upward through the ceiling. Unsure what happened, the Wonderbolts arrive, to see what’s happening. “Soarin, we say that from the other buildings. What was that thing!?” said Spitfire, shocked.
“I-I-I-I don’t know,” said Soarin.
“It could be a Vashta Nerada… but if it were there should have been a corpse or something,” said Doctor Whooves.
“Whatever a Vashta Nerada is, that wasn’t one… it was intelligent… and, familiar for some reason,” said Anim, trying to remember.
“Whatever it is, it’s heading toward Princess Celestia!” said Rainbow.
“Wait… where’s Twilight?” asked Applejack.
“She said she was with… Princess Celestia…” said Rarity.
“TWILIGHT!” shouted everypony.
Meanwhile on a balcony somewhere in the castle, Celestia and Twilight have a small conversation about everything… especially on Anim. “Twilight, you’ve done well on making Anim welcomed here,” said Celestia.
“Thank you princess, I try for him to enjoy some the festivities these past few months,” said Twilight.
“Indeed… I checked your guest list, those were a lot of ponies in your party,” said Celestia.
“Oh Celestia, if it’s Discord, my friend Fluttershy wanted him to come and,” said Twilight.
“That’s not what I mean. Some of the ponies I recognize, others… not so much, but there was one in particular in your party that interested me… Minalia Xis?” said Celestia, eyeing her apprentice.
Twilight knew that Celestia was catching up that there was more than one inter-dimensional being in the castle. Twilight gulped waiting for Celestia’s answer… only for Luna to barge through the doors of Celestia’s room. “Sister, there’s an emergency!” shouted Luna.
“What’s wrong Luna?” asked Celestia.
“Did Anim accidently used one of his prototype spells,” said Twilight.
“No his… wait proto-what-spells?” said Luna, getting distracted.
“Ahem, sister,” said Celestia.
“Oh right, there’s an intruder in the castle and his… it’s looking for somepony,” said Luna.
“What does this intruder look like?” asked Celestia.
“Well, it’s a black massive looking shadow, at first it was small but began to grow over time,” said Luna.
“L-l-like th-th-that one…” said Twilight, pointing her hoof.
Luna turned around and saw the shadow has grown… and changed. Luna felt the same angry she had as Nightmare Moon, and it all directed toward Twilight. “SISTER GET TWILIGHT OUT BEFORE—”
The shadow sends Luna and Celestia into the air and outside, once outside the shadow envelops Celestia’s room into an impenetrable bubble that’s made of shadow. The shadow then transforms into a pony’s shadow. “What… what are you?” asked Twilight, stumbling.
“You know me… you don’t know me… met we have, but you know not of my name. Hidden and never to be known, we met… you did pick me up in that crash,” said the shadow.
Twilight didn’t understand what was happening, she tries to remember meeting this… thing, but nothing comes to mind. “I… I don’t remember meeting you,” said Twilight.
“You haven’t forgotten… you just don’t realize what I really am… what he really is…” said the shadow.
“…He…” said Twilight.
“You’re the only one he speaks; you two are simple friends… comrade maybe, but indeed friends. He told you most secrets he wouldn’t speak to any living creature… but why? He taught what he learnt, and you taught him your world…” said the shadow. “Yet, he knows you snoop through his things, his memories, his thoughts… I know your leader, Celestia, been watching him, to send information on him to her… but you lie… for something that can’t make a heartbeat.”
Twilight was so confused what this thing is, but before she could answer, the shadow moves up to Twilight, staring with a vicious look. “There are some secrets that can’t be told… I wished to not do this… but if it’s for him… I would do it…” said the shadow. “They must not know… NO ONE MUST KNOW!”
“And what would that be?”
The shadow turns around as Twilight looks too his speaking. Appearing out of nowhere, Anim leaves his little hiding spot. “ANIM!” said Twilight. “But how did you…”
“Hey, I’m Anim… that and I might have broken a hole through your barrier,” said Anim, pointing at the open hole.
“Doesn’t matter… she must vanish,” said the shadow.
“Says who, you? If you think twice, or even thrice of harming her or any of my friends… you’ll wish that you weren’t born,” said Anim, moving closer.
Silence falls upon everypony, but the shadow responds with an insane laughter. “You think that your threat can scare me… and to clarify, I wasn’t born at all,” said the shadow. “I was created to protect him…”
Once the shadow had its focus on Anim Twilight quickly left, moving to Anim. But before she could get near, the shadow sends three spikes toward Twilight. Anim however destroys the spikes with a simple swift of his horn, shattering them with a blast of his horn. “Got anything else in your sleeves this time?” said Anim, taunting the shadow.
“I would… if I had sleeves, but enough is enough I suppose… this game has to end sooner or later,” said the shadow. “But remember this… I know what you are… and you will never know,” said the shadow.
The shadow removes the barrier, Luna and Celestia rush in and try to attack the shadow, but it simply goes pass them and hovers in the air. Leaving the castle’s vicinity, Anim’s asks it one final question before the shadow left. “Wait… who’s this him, and what does he have to do with me?” asked Anim.
The shadow stood still in the air, slowly turning to face Anim. “…Whether what I say is a lie or not… you can’t deny it. This him I protect… is the same him I’m looking at,” said the shadow, staring at Anim.
A sudden chill came up to Anim’s spine, the shadow faded away… leaving with a few final words. “Even honesty can be cruel and dark,” said the shadow. “Never forget that.”
An eerie silence befell Canterlot that night… the residents left after the sudden event. Was this the incident that was promised to happen, how is everypony that know Anim connected to him as well. Shattered of everything he believed in… Anim’s world has fallen apart… and is closing ever near to the same demise, he tried to avoid. “Anim… what did that thing mean, how does it know you?” asked Twilight, approaching her friend.
“It means… goodbye, forever,” said Anim, teleporting away.
Anim teleported before Twilight could catch him, gone… Anim disappears for a week… never to be seen… until that day came… the day when honesty became, Anim’s enemy.
Author's Note
...The end finale... of the beginning of another end finale... so I guess that makes it a end-ception (jokes aside). AAE:SH is officially... over... but that doesn't mean it's over over, I could make bonus chapters... when the moment is to be needed, but for now... thank you for reading my story for another one... is about to begun.
Nightmare Night Madness (Edited)
Author's Note
Celebrating S2 E4 "Luna Eclipsed", the first Nightmare Night episode and Nightmare Moon's birthday, have a glorious Nightmare Night, everypony.
Right after the events of chapter 4 of AAE, for those who want to know the chronological order of the chapters of AAE and AAE:SH.
Nightmare Night Madness (Edited)
Ponyville, Golden Oaks Library; 7:00pm
"What is that you’re wearing?" asked Twilight, looking at Spike's costume.
"I'm a piece of candy, but as for your costume," said Spike as he looked up and down on Twilight's costume. "I have no idea what you're supposed to be."
"I'm a constellation Spike, anyway where's Anim?" Twilight asked.
"I think he’s still in his room changing," said Spike.
"Into what though?" asked Twilight.
"I don't know, he said he made it from stuff he found around the library and Ponyville, but whatever it is it's big," said Spike.
As they both waited for Anim, the door open from the guest room, walking out the door was Anim but as for his costume it was... strange.
"What is that you're wearing?" asked Spike, "That's got to be the weirdest costume I have ever seen."
"Spike, don't be rude," said Twilight, "sorry Anim about Spike, but what is it that you're wearing?"
"Oh, well it's my old clothes from my home, so I'm dressed as myself," said Anim, smiling.
Twilight and Spike looked at each other giving off straight faces and then facing Anim once more.
"Um Anim, do you celebrate something similar to Nightmare Night where you come from?" asked Twilight.
"No not really, this is probably my first Nightmare Night, by what you told me I think it might be an enjoyable experience," said Anim, as he happily but his hooves together.
"Well okay then, let's meet up with the others," said Twilight.
As they left the library they headed to Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie and the CMC are waiting for the others.
"Finally they’re here!" said Rainbow, looking over the distance seeing Anim, Twilight and Spike arriving.
As Anim and company arrive, Anim notices the different costumes everypony is wearing, Rainbow is costumed as a jet-fighter, Pinkie is dressed as a clown, with Applejack as a ranger and Rarity is dressed as a peacock that she made herself.
"Those are some interesting costumes everyone," said Anim, "say what is it you three are wearing?"
"We're the three musketeers!" said the CMC in sync.
"This is going to be the best Nightmare Night ever!" said Anim.
"Twilight is this really Anim's first Nightmare Night?" asked Applejack.
"It sure is, I just hope nothing surprising happens tonight," said Twilight.
As everyone begins to gather candy from house to house, Anim hasn't gotten a single treat yet because, he doesn't understand the holiday that and he keeps on giving candy to others instead of keeping them.
"Darling, I know it's good to be generous but you need to not give away all your treats," said Rarity.
"I'm sorry, I haven't got usedto this holiday yet," said Anim, looking inside his candy bag.
"Well don't worry darling, there will be more houses to visit," said Rarity.
As the Mane 6 and Anim explore more houses, the CMC plan something for their friend Anim.
"Come on CMC this is Anim's first Nightmare Night, he may be a full-grown stallion but doesn't mean he can't be a foul sometimes, so let's make this the most memorable moment of his life," said Applebloom.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nod in response and move to their plan in making the best Nightmare Night ever for Anim.
"Okay this is the plan, Sweetie will distract everypony from moving forward, Scootaloo will riddle the pathway they’re following with traps to make the night interesting, while I set up the final trap, let's move Cutie Mark Crusaders," said Applebloom.
The CMC put their hooves together and moved to their appropriate positions, as the group moves on Sweetie distracts them from moving forward while Scootaloo continues with the plan.
"Hey everypony, there's something I need to say!" said Sweetie Belle, as she caught up with everyone.
"What is it Sweetie Belle?" asked Twilight, wondering why they stopped.
"Well I was wondering, since Anim is new to Nightmare Night, maybe we could show him the Nightmare Moon statue near the Everfree Forest from last year's Nightmare Night when we're done collecting candy," said Sweetie Belle.
"Good idea Sweetie Belle, but first let's continue collecting more candy," said Anim, continuing down the path.
As Sweetie tries her best to distract them, Scootaloo finishes preparing the final trap heading to Applebloom's position.
"Done, now I need to meet up with Applebloom," said Scootaloo, as she head her way to Applebloom.
"Okay time to continue the hunt for candy!" said Anim, determined to get a piece of candy.
As they head down the path Applejack steps on a wire, activating one of Scootaloo's traps, sending a barrage of clothes which looked like ghost.
"Incoming!" shouted Rainbow, taking cover from the barrage.
As everyone jumped out of the way, Rarity gets covered in a pile of clothes from the supposed ghosts.
"Rarity, are you alright?" asked Twilight, moving the clothes with her magic.
"I'm fine Twilight, but wait a minute," said Rarity, "these clothes are from my boutique, what are they doing here?"
"Well whoever placed them here, I'm sure they placed more than what we seen," said Twilight.
"Oh this is going to be fun!" said Pinkie.
"Is this part of the holiday spirit?" asked Anim.
"Kind of sugarcube," said Applejack.
As everyone ventured forward carefully, Rainbow steps on a pressure plate activating a row of party cannons filled with spider webs, covering the Mane 6 and Spike in them except for Anim.
"Anim, how did you not get caught?!" said Twilight, trying to unravel the cobwebs.
"Oh, well I thought I saw a piece of candy on the ground but, it was just a bit," said Anim, levitating the bit in front of the Mane 6.
"Spike," said Twilight.
Spike shoots out a blaze of fire, burning the cobwebs on the Mane 6 and himself. As they continue onward, they start thinking who could have placed these traps?
"Uh girls, where's Sweetie Belle?" asked Anim, looking around for Sweetie Belle.
Everyone realizes Sweetie is missing and start looking around for her.
"This may not be a Pinkie Sense, but I feel like she has something to do with those party cannons," said Pinkie, examining her party cannons.
"But she couldn't have done this herself," said Twilight.
"Unless she had help, look!" said Applejack, pointing her hoof over some boxes.
As everyone look over the boxes they see more traps set up for them, with some familiar feathers near them.
"Yep, these are definitely Scoots," said Rainbow.
"What exactly could those three be planning this time," said Rarity, pondering to why they would do this.
" Well Sweetie Belle said to head to Nightmare Moon's statue, maybe we should go and check, but I know a shortcut to get there, this way," said Twilight leading the group a separate path.
As they reach their destination, before them is the statue of Nightmare Moon under the moonlight.
"So, this is Nightmare Moon," said Anim, taking a closer examination. "It would be a joy meeting her."
"Why would you want to meet Nightmare Moon!?" shouted Pinkie, bouncing carefully behind Anim.
"Well if I met her, she probably wouldn't be in the moon for a thousand years," said Anim.
Pinkie shrugged and went to meet with the others, as everyone gathered around the statue they discussed of the CMC's plan.
"So what exactly do you think Applebloom and her friends trying to do?" asked Applejack.
"Well I think their trying to either scare or surprise Anim, since this is his first Nightmare Night and all," said Twilight confirming her suspicions.
As they continue to talk, a strange green mist surrounds Anim, as Pinkie notices she starts yelling.
"ANIM LOOK!" shouted Pinkie, pointing her hoof at the mist.
Anim looks down and moves from the spot he's standing on, moving next to the Mane 6. The spot Anim was standing on, appears a big massive figure with a glowing pumpkin mask, with a black cloak with sticks as arms and floating in the air, slowly moving forward to Twilight and company.
"WHAT IS THAT THING!?" shouted Rainbow, taking defensive position.
"Don't worry girls, it's probably just the CMC in costume," said Rarity.
As Rarity tries to make her suspicion true she tries removing the pumpkin head with her magic, revealing instead Applebloom, Sweetie or Scootaloo but two glowing red eyes and a pony's skull. Rarity sees the pony's skull and starts screaming and running the opposite direction of the monster.
"Well that removes that being the CMC, anymore ideas," said Rainbow.
The creature surrounds everyone, as Twilight and everyone try to move back but Anim sits looking at the monstrosity before him without flinching at all.
"ANIM, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" shouted Twilight, trying to ward Anim away.
Anim sits there, his face emotionless of any reaction to the monstrous creature before him as the creature nears Anim; it meets face to face with Anim staring deep into Anim's eyes.
"ANIM!" shouted everyone, trying to get Anim to safety.
But as the monster nears closer to Anim, he begins to... laugh. He starts laughing uncontrollably at the creature almost fainting from laughing, before standing on all fours from laughing.
"Ah Celestia this is too much, nice prank girls but I know that's you, come out now," said Anim wiping a tear on his face.
Suddenly the cloak falls off, revealing three fillies on top each other with Sweetie on top using her magic to make them float and the skull glow, with Applebloom carrying the two fillies on top, and finally Scootaloo on top using two glowing red balls as the eyes for the fake pony skull. The girls drop down, and walk up to Anim awed at how Anim knew it was them.
"But... but... how, we made sure it wasn't us," said Applebloom.
"Trust me, nothing surprises me," said Anim, "and besides this costume reminds me a friend of mine who transforms into this massive hulking version of himself."
The CMC give off faces of disappointment, failing to make this Anim's greatest Nightmare Night, but Anim hugs them.
"We failed in making this the greatest Nightmare Night ever, but you’re hugging us why?" asked Applebloom.
"You're wrong," said Anim, surprising the three fillies. "This is the best Nightmare Night ever, because I'm with all of you."
The CMC are happy to hear this from Anim, but shortly let go of the hug to speak again.
"But you still didn't get a piece of candy," said Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah," said Scootaloo, agreeing with Sweetie.
"Are you sure about that," said Anim, pulling something from his goody bag.
Inside is a pile of lollipops from his bag, spilling out like chest full of treasure.
"Where did you get this?" asked Twilight confused to where Anim got all these lollipops.
"Well, when you were talking and I was looking at Nightmare Moon's statue, I saw a pile of lollipops near the statue with letter saying it was for me, from who sent these to me it didn't said, all there was were some initials saying P.L." said Anim, opening a lollipop. "Not only that but, lollipops are my favorite, well dig in everyone."
As everyone shared their treats together, Twilight thought who could have possibly made that letter and sent it to Anim, then from the corner of her eye she sees a figure revealing to be Princess Luna winking back at Twilight as she vanishes into the darkness.
"Well whoever it was, I'm sure she was watching your back," said Twilight, as she joined everyone.
That night everyone had an interesting Nightmare Night to celebrate, as Anim glorified the endless supply of lollipops making this his first and best Nightmare Night.
Somewhere in Equestria… and hot
“I HATE THE HEAT!” shouted Anim in frustration.
Now you may wonder, why Anim is shouting like a mad stallion right now. Well it all started this morning back at Ponyville.
Few hours ago, Ponyville, Sugar Cube Corner, 11:30am
“That’s a lot of snow,” said Anim, looking out the window.
“Well, we missed the specific quota yesterday for snowflakes, so there’s going to be extra snow than there’s usually going to be,” said Rainbow.
“Well this is sort of my fault, I did ask you to help me with that experiment I was trying out,” said Anim, turning to face Rainbow.
“I guess… actually, recently you’ve been busy a lot with your experiments… what’s going on?” asked Rainbow, staring at Anim intensely.
“Huh, oh nothing’s wrong,” said Anim.
“Actually Anim, you’ve been acting strange, you sure nothing is bothering you,” said Rarity.
“I’m fine… I’m going to be outside if you need me,” said Anim.
The second Anim stepped outside; everypony began talking about Anim’s recent… attitude.
“Was it just me but… did it sound like Anim was… lying,” said Applejack.
“From just hearing the words Anim and lying in the same time is just… weird,” said Rainbow.
“Maybe he needs a rest, he has been working very hard recently you know,” said Fluttershy.
“He has overworked more than usual,” said Twilight. “But his keep on denying that he’s tired, and when I try to convince him to take a break, he just continues with those experiments of his.”
“Yeah… but what’s with those experiments anyway?” asked Applejack.
“If I remember, he said that he needed to test a few things in our world,” said Rainbow. “Something called aura spikes.”
“Well whatever the reason may be, his tiring himself to the bone, we have to do something,” said Rarity.
“How about we get him to go somewhere he’s never been before… like a vacation,” said Pinkie, with a plate of cupcakes on her head.
Everypony stared at Pinkie from her idea, and for once… it was a good idea, but the issue wasn’t convincing Anim to go on a vacation but, was to find somewhere for Anim to vacation at. Many of the major cities and towns are overflown with tourists, and hotels are filled with zero vacant rooms, the only places that have some room are located in the most dangerous parts of Equestria… except for one.
“Wait, I know the perfect place for Anim to go to!” said Applejack, slamming the table with her hooves.
“What is it?” said everypony, staring at Applejack.
“Well, first this is what we have to do,” said Applejack.
Making sure not to be too loud for Anim to hear, Applejack whispers the rest of her plan to the rest. After telling them, Anim comes back inside, chilled to the bone but still functional enough to walk like it was nothing.
“Good thing I’m okay with the cold, if I stayed out there too long, I was going to turn into an icicle stick,” said Anim, shaking some snow off his mane. “So… what I missed?”
“Hey Anim, you know you’ve been working hard, well we thought that—” said Rainbow.
“I know what you’re going to say, and the answer is no,” said Anim. “I know I’ve been… busy and all, but there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Actually, we were going to tell you if you wanted a vacation,” said Pinkie.
“A… vacation?” said Anim, confused from the sudden response.
“Yeah a vacation, so that’s why your—” said Pinkie, when Rarity stopped her from speaking.
“What Pinkie is saying is that you’ve been only to Ponyville and Canterlot in your travels, so that’s why…” said Rarity.
“We thought that you wanted to go somewhere new to search and explore at,” said Twilight, finishing Rarity’s sentence.
Once everypony stopped talking, the room fell into silence as Anim starred at everypony. Unsure what to do, Anim coughed and broke the silence with a question.
“And where exactly am I going to?” asked Anim.
“Well, you’re going to a town south of here called Appleloosa, I sent a letter to my cousins to tell them about a friend of mine heading their way,” said Applejack.
“Appleloosa huh… yeah I guess I do need some new scenery to look at,” said Anim. “So what’s Appleloosa like?”
“It has fields of apple trees, great valleys and mountains, there’s also the local buffalo that live there too,” said Applejack.
“Wait… apples… buffalos, where have a heard these two words before?” Twilight thought.
After preparing his belongings to head to Appleloosa, everypony says farewell to their friend as the train arrives. Entering inside Anim sees his friends leave second by second, having some second thoughts about this whole idea, he remembers a long forgotten memory arising.
“Buffalos huh… I wonder but, what if…” Anim thought, remembering the dream.
Realizing about what Applejack had said, elsewhere back at the station, Twilight has something to discuss to Applejack.
“Applejack, I have to ask you something,” said Twilight.
“What’s wrong Twi?” asked Applejack, from Twilight sudden attitude change.
“Remember at that Heart’s Warming Eve celebration at Canterlot, where we followed Anim and he was talking to Luna,” said Twilight.
“Yeah I do, and if I remember, Luna told us that Anim had some kind of visionary dream of some sort,” said Applejack.
“Yes but… the location where this vision happens… is Appleloosa,” said Twilight. “In the vision that Anim mentioned, he said it would happen somewhere that haves apples and bison. Bison are another term for buffalo, which means the incident that’s going to happen to Anim is going to happen at Appleloosa. We need to do something before things become… complicating.”
“But didn’t Princess Luna said to not interfere!?” said Applejack.
“That’s why I told Spike to make a letter to Luna about this,” said Twilight looking at the distance. “I just hope that, whatever Anim has to deal with doesn’t end too badly.”
The train that Anim is on arrives at its stop after 4 to 6 hours later on, collecting his belongings; he steps out onto the platform… except, there was one thing that Applejack forgot to mention.
“I HATE THE HEAT!” shouted Anim in frustration.
Present time, Appleloosa, 3:30pm
Anim can handle many things, he can handle turning into a pony, face impossible odds, and most of all isn’t embarrassed to talking to girls… of any race or species. However there is one thing out of anything else he will not tolerate… heat, of any kind, fire, the sun’s rays, anything that causes or creates heat… he hates with all his being. Appleloosa is located in a desert-mountainous like terrain… which reminds Anim of another place he once went too… and would never go to again, ever.
“Next time, I’m choosing where I go this time,” said Anim, mumbling to himself.
“You must be Anim, guessing by how my cousin described you.”
Anim heard somepony behind him, turning he sees a yellowish colt with a cow-boyish apparel that’s similar to Applejack. Remembering from what Applejack told him, she mentioned that a cousin of hers lives at Appleloosa and will give him a tour of the place.
“I guessing your Braeburn, correct,” said Anim.
“Indeed I am,” said Braeburn, introducing himself. “And I’m guessing you’re this Anim feller that my cousin AJ was talking about, huh.”
“That’s one way of putting it, but yes, I am Anim,” said Anim.
“Well it’s nice to meet you Anim; I hope you’ll enjoy your time here at our town,” said Braeburn. “Appleloosa may be a small town to visit, but there are a lot of things to see here.”
Following Braeburn, Anim is led throughout the town where it looks like old western town with dusty wooden buildings, and small store carts scattered everywhere. Even though Anim isn’t enjoying himself because of the heat, he tries his best to make the experience the best it can be… but sometimes, things don’t go as planned.
“How come this place looks like Ponyville?” asks Anim, noticing a few familiar buildings.
“Well actually, the town is somewhat a duplicate of Ponyville, we started this town a few years ago,” said Braeburn.
“I see… is there somewhere for me to stay by any chance?” asked Anim.
“We have an inn here you can stay at,” said Braeburn pointing where to go.
“Thanks, I’ll see you again later,” said Anim, heading off to the inn.
“Your welcome,” said Braeburn.
After setting up his belongings in his room, he begins to thing about everything his gone through. Meeting Twilight and her friends and befriending godly beings like Discord and Luna, also angering a sun goddess, and enjoying some events from time to time now and then. Going through all of this makes him feel that… he can finally live a peaceful life, writing down what’s his been doing recently this week, Anim hears something outside.
“Hmm, what’s that noise?” Anim said, looking out the window.
Looking out, he sees something near the clock tower, some sort of stage. The strange part about it was… it wasn’t there when he arrived, curious of this sudden appearance, he heads out and take a better look of what’s going on.
“The day seems to get interesting every second,” Anim thought, moving closer.
Getting a better angle of what’s happening, a small crowd is near the stage. Curious, Anim heads straight to the front of the stage past the crowd, seeing what all the commotion is about. In front of him, he sees an open wide stage with a few props set up.
“Oh hey Anim,” said Braeburn, waving at Anim.
“What’s this all about?” Anim asked.
“Well I’m not sure, but I think it might be her,” said Braeburn.
“Her? It couldn’t be…” Anim thought.
If memory serves, Anim had a dream which was actually a vision. In the vision a mysterious voice spoke to him and said this, “You must save her from her emptiness…” was what the voice said, could this she that Braeburn is mentioning be the same pony who’ll show up on stage. Same as me, the crowd is also curious of what’s going on as a loud voice announces what’s happening.
“Come one, come all, come and witness the amazing magic of…” said a voice, as a blue smoke appears in the middle of the stage, “The Great and Powerful, TRIXIE!”
When Anim say her suddenly appear from thin air, he was somewhat awe-shocked but, when he noticed everypony behind stared not with awe but with a somewhat aggressive atmosphere. Anim wasn’t sure what was happening but, he knew something was going on… whoever this pony was; she wasn’t famous with the locals.
“The great and powerful Trixie will now begin Trixie’s most famous trick of all time!” Trixie announced, preparing a spell.
Once she was done preparing her spell, Trixie released an amazing arrangements of colors as if they were fireworks but Anim knew that this was real… and he was enjoying it, unnerved by the heat. Continuing with the show, one of the audience ponies shouts something at the mare… something not nice, but neither a lie.
“Your show is fake!” shouted somepony in the crowd.
“Hey, what’s with him?” Anim said, turning to face Braeburn.
“You should probably go before things get ugly,” said Braeburn, slinking away from the crowd.
Not sure whether to go with him, Anim decided to stay and continue to watch. After that rude comment, Trixie still continues with her act, next she prepares another trick where she creates a clone of herself through a mirror. Unsure if this was real or not, Anim is too distracted by the marvelous act that Trixie is doing, but another pony says something.
“Boo, that’s fake like when you said you faced an Ursa Major!” shouted somepony. “Not only that, but you ran away from one, when it was only an Ursa Minor!”
After that response, the crowd starts laughing at her, Anim was surprised at this and wanted to say something but Trixie responds back.
“How dare you, the great and powerful Trixie may not have faced an actually Ursa Major, but Trixie is the greatest unicorn in all of Equestria!” Trixie announces as more fireworks go off.
“Oh yeah, what about that one time when, you used some weird looking amulet and went bonkers?” said somepony, while other ponies agree too.
“Well… the great and powerful Trixie may have made some mistakes in the past, but she was forgiven by the towns-ponies of Ponyville,” said Trixie, looking less of her boastful self.
Unsure what to do next, Trixie tries to continue her act when suddenly out of nowhere… a tomato is thrown straight at her face. Shocked by the sudden tomato, more ponies start throwing tomatoes and shouting boo at her, unable to take it, Trixie trots off stage… crying. Upset by what has happened, Anim grabs a tomato off the ground and throws one… at the crowd.
“Hey, watch where you throw that!” said one of the ponies.
“You better walk away… right, now,” said Anim, his eyes filled with fury.
Afraid of what to do, all the towns-ponies head back to their usual things. Afterwards, Anim cleans up the mess from the crowd and heads up on the stage to see if Trixie was okay.
“Hey, their gone… you okay?” Anim asked.
Unsure whether to follow her, Anim hears somepony behind him. Turning around, it’s Braeburn with somepony, stepping off the stage, a pony with a mustache and a star on his coat approaches Anim… with the same authority like stare from anypony who has authority in this land.
“Look you, I know you’re on vacation and all but, you can’t throw tomatoes at ponies. And another thing, the name’s Sheriff Silverstar,” said Silverstar.
“I can say the same about everypony else,” said Anim.
“Look Anim, I know your new here and all, but you need to follow our rules here,” said Braeburn.
“So you’re saying, throwing tomatoes at travelers is considered normal,” said Anim, angered from what Braeburn had said.
Confused, Braeburn and the sheriff look at each other then back at Anim, then back at each other. Looking at Anim, they give him a look of disbelief but by guessing by his face, Anim had no idea what they were talking about.
“Look, from Applejack’s letter, she told me that you’ve been here only for some months ago. So there are a few things you don’t know,” said Braeburn.
After explaining what the whole tomato fiasco was about, Anim stares at the two colts with a face of rage and something else indescribable… disappointment maybe. Anim didn’t say a single word, but when he went to turn around and face the stage… it was gone, looking afar was a wagon, being pulled by the blue unicorn. Taking one final look at Braeburn and the sheriff, Anim dashes off after Trixie.
“I guess my cousin was right, he is the type who won’t listen,” said Braeburn.
“I could arrest him… if he didn’t make a point about the town being the ones who started it,” said Silverstar, sighing.
Following behind, Anim reached the side of Trixie’s wagon, and trotted right beside her. Anim scanned the look on her face… it had this, empty look on it like somepony who been through so many mistakes and regrets. Trixie didn’t notice Anim at all, until he stepped in front of her path, stopping she stares at Anim with an annoyed.
“If you are here to insult Trixie some more, make it quick,” said Trixie, her tone becoming more annoyed than her usual boastful tone.
“Actually I wanted to say, I liked your show,” said Anim.
Surprised by the sudden response, Trixie talks back with Anim. “Either you’re horrible at making insults or you’re making fun of Trixie,” said Trixie. “Now if you may please move, Trixie needs to go off to the next town.”
“Sorry but that’ll be a no, and I’m serious I liked your show,” said Anim.
“Okay… why are you really here?” Trixie said sighing.
“How come everypony… dislikes you,” Anim said.
“Wait… you don’t, know…” Trixie said, staring deeply into Anim’s eyes for any signs of dishonesty.
“Trust me, I’m the most honest pony you’ll ever meet,” Anim said, smiling.
“Trixie doesn’t believe you, Trixie has met one other honest pony before, and she was the only pony that was ever that honest,” said Trixie.
“Then I guess you haven’t heard of me either,” said Anim.
The two stopped and looked at each other; both had no idea about the other’s past at all… a clean slate, a new start. Anim being his usual self decides to help Trixie move her cart, for a unicorn Anim’s somewhat surprised she’s been lugging around this thing everywhere.
“How are you able to move this without a sweat?” Anim asked.
“A magician never reveals her secrets,” said Trixie, sticking her tongue out. “But why do you help Trixie?”
“I’m the type who won’t stand of somepony being bullied or in need of help… even when that pony has done some horrible things themselves too,” said Anim.
Anim moved Trixie’s cart to the inn, placing it near the entrance; Trixie thanks Anim and heads inside her cart when Anim invited her to come to his room.
“Thank you for your hospitality but, you have done enough for Trixie,” said Trixie.
“Well I was thinking we get to know each other some more… that’s all,” said Anim, rubbing his head.
“Trixie sees… well then, Trixie will accompany with you to your room,” said Trixie.
Following behind Anim, Trixie is led inside one of the inn rooms. Once inside Trixie noticed that not much of Anim’s belongings have been unpacked, with the help of Trixie they both unpacked a few of Anim’s stuff and had some tea to drink. Waiting for the other to talk, Anim began to stop the silence.
“So… what do you do for a living?” asked Anim.
“Trixie is a travelling stage magician, but recently not many towns want Trixie,” said Trixie looking at her reflection on her tea. “Now Trixie would like you to answer a question, why did you of all ponies… helped Trixie.”
“Is there something wrong with helping a stranger?” asked Anim.
“So you really never heard of Trixie,” said Trixie. “Trixie has done… some regrettable things before, and Trixie tries to show honest showmareship… but nopony will trust Trixie now.”
“Not to be rude, but what did happen?” Anim asked.
Trixie raised her head and looked at Anim; taking a deep breath she began telling her story. She began with her visit to a town called Ponyville, like any other day she was her boastful self, starting out with her usual routine. When she was sleeping, she saw an Ursa Major or thought was a Ursa Major outside her home, doing what anypony would do… she ran, one of the townspony named Twilight Sparkle stopped the creature from rampaging and returned it home. Afterwards, Trixie planned to get revenge and used an deadly ancient artifact known as, the Alicorn Amulet, after challenging Twilight she banished her to the Everfree Forest, but returned and trick Trixie to remove the amulet, learning what she has brought… she was forgiven, but news of what she has done have spread to all of Equestria.
“And now, Trixie is shunned, is thrown tomatoes at, and worse… Trixie doesn’t belong anywhere anymore… nopony wants Trixie,” said Trixie.
“Hey, that can’t be true, sometimes you need to shrug off that kind of stuff and look forward… and someday, everypony will treat you with respect,” said Anim, wiping a tear on Trixie’s face.
“How would you know, you’re not Trixie,” said Trixie.
“True… but I’ve done far worse things in my time… or should I say, past selves,” said Anim. “But it’s getting late, you should head back home.”
Leaving, Trixie took one final look at Anim and wanted one more question to be answered from him.
“Who… are you?” Trixie asked, a bit intrigued by this stranger.
“Who me, well… just your casual rogue hero is all,” said Anim giving out a smile. “Good night Trixie.”
“Good night… Anim,” said Trixie.
Returning to her cart she had some final thoughts about what Anim meant by “past selves”. Leaving the inn, she turned the direction where her cart was… but it was gone, thinking somepony stole it; Trixie sees it at the end of an alley.
“How did you get here?” Trixie said. “Trixie should have put a block of wood if you were going to move by your own.”
“The cart didn’t move by itself.”
“Who said that?!” said Trixie, scanning the darkness.
Stepping out from the shadows, a pony with a cowboy hat appears, and then more ponies appear wearing more western like outfits. Surrounding Trixie, she has nowhere to escape, unsure what’s happening she begins preparing a spell if things get hairy.
“What do you want with Trixie?” Trixie asked.
“We want you to leave our town,” said one of the townspony.
“Trixie was about to do so,” said Trixie. “Now if you would let Trixie go, Trixie won’t come back to this town.”
“I think you don’t understand, we weren’t asking you to leave,” said the townspony.
Suddenly Trixie is tied up with a giant rope strung on her legs. Unable to leave or teleport away, the townsponies surround her ever closer. Afraid of what’s going to happen to her, Trixie closes her eyes as tears flow out.
“Please… somepony… help me,” Trixie thought, waiting for somepony to stop this.
Unsure of her fate, Trixie gives up on anypony saving her… is what she thought would happen. Suddenly somepony is shouting at the group of ponies that’re surrounding Trixie, the voice is familiar and clear, looking up Trixie sees its Anim… and he isn’t the peaceful mood she say him when they met.
“Untie her… or you’re going to regret it!” shouted Anim, staring intensely at the ponies.
“This isn’t your business stranger,” said the townspony.
“Then I hope you’re a runner, because the last thing you’ll see…” said Anim, preparing a spell. “Is me kicking all your plots.”
A bright light appears where Anim was, unsure what to do one by one the townsponies are tied up and knocked out, except for the last one who led the others. Seeing what’s before him, Anim stands eye to eye with the last one, shaking in fear the pony faints out of terror of what his witnessing. Untying Trixie, Anim carries her and her cart outside the town’s limits.
Appleloosa Outskirts, Trixie’s Cart, 9:00pm
Waking up, Trixie looks around where she is… her cart, or home to be specific. Trixie’s not sure what happen but then it hits her, Anim saved her from the townsponies from whatever they were to do to her… but why is she inside her cart? Getting up, she heads outside to meet another surprise.
“Oh, your awake, good to know,” said Anim, cooking something.
“What are you doing here, where are we?!” Trixie shouted alarmed by Anim making what looks like dinner.
“Well short story so far, I saved you, I tied up those ponies, I carried you out of town so we wouldn’t get caught by the sheriff, and… I’m making dinner, hungry?” Anim asked acting like everything that’s happen is normal.
“YOU DID WHAT!?” Trixie shouted, growing ever more worried.
“I know, I’m making dinner… with a metal pot, some warm water and whatever nearby food there is here,” said Anim, tasting his masterpiece. “I think it’s almost done, needs more salt though.”
“I didn’t mean…” said Trixie, facehoofing herself.
“Hey, you didn’t say your name and said I,” said Anim, noticing.
Sighing from today’s events, Trixie sighs deeply and trots up to Anim and sits across from him. “What are you cooking, it better be something worthy of the great and powerful—”
“Trixie, I know I know, and to answer your question… it’s some carrots, with a bit of lettuce and some spring water and finally… potatoes that I found when I set up camp,” said Anim.
“HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT TRIXIE!” shouted Trixie.
“My mistake you’re most noble and powerful Trixie,” said Anim bowing respectfully.
“Tha…thank you for the gesture,” said Trixie, blushing. “Is the food ready yet?”
“Well, it’s done now,” said Anim using his magic to lift out two prepared bowls and filling them both with soup. “Enjoy your meal.”
Tasting small bits of the soup, Trixie starts slurping and gulping it down in one full stroke, leaving nothing left. Staring happily up, Anim smiles a little knowing she likes his cooking.
“It seems you haven’t had a good meal in days or months,” said Anim.
“Well, Trixie applauds you for making a wondrous dish,” said Trixie wiping a piece of cloth on her mouth.
After eating, the two think of what to say to the other. But Trixie speaks up first… and what she says both surprises Anim and worries him deeply.
“Okay… what do you want with Trixie?” Trixie asked.
“I don’t know myself,” said Anim, giving a weak grin.
“Don’t lie to Trixie!” shouted Trixie. “You’re hiding something, and if you won’t tell Trixie I’ll—”
Anim stops Trixie with a hoof, and stares at Trixie with a look that froze her. “You want the truth fine. My name is Animatorsnake; I’m a unicorn and have amnesia about how I came to this world. I’m a regeneration of a line of realm guardians that defend dimensions also known as realms; I’ve been living at Ponyville for the past months or so. I’m friends with the spirit of chaos Discord, I have accidently sneaked into Luna’s room and now probably her fiancé now, I’ve angered Celestia herself and caused so much panic that I was almost chased down by the Royal Guard and nearly destroyed a whole town by simply drinking sixty or seventy mugs of alcohol… anything else you would like to know about me?” Anim said, not stuttering once.
Trixie wasn’t sure to slap or scream at him, but Anim wasn’t lying what he said, Trixie walked up to Anim and stared at him. Trixie then asked one more question from Anim.
“Who are you?” Trixie asked.
“Just your average rogue hero… causing trouble once more as always,” said Anim.
Trixie began laughing after Anim’s response, she never laughed so hard in her life that she felt… happy. After talking a little more about themselves, they went to bed.
“Say before we go to sleep, what happened to your belongings?” Trixie asked.
“Let’s just say… I’ve have some tricks of my own too,” said Anim giving off a mischievous smirk.
The two said goodnight to each other, as they head to bed. As Trixie slept in her cart, Anim stared warily at the stars, did the vision want him to meet this pony… but for what reason.
“Um, Anim… you still awake?” Trixie whispered.
“Uh huh,” Anim responded. “Is something wrong?”
“Well… after what happened back at Appleloosa, Trixie is having a hard time sleeping… would it be okay if Trixie could… sleep with you,” said Trixie.
“Nothing weird about that,” said Anim.
Trixie lay down beside Anim; the two stared up at the stars. Trixie would never thought to meet somepony… who cared for her.
“Anim… is there somepony out there, you miss or you cared for,” Trixie asked.
“Was somepony… she… she perished in a fire incident, saving my life,” said Anim.
“Trixie’s so sorry,” said Trixie.
“It’s okay… sometimes, I imagine that, even though their gone… they will always be there for you, no matter what,” said Anim.
Trixie looked up, seeing that whatever Anim has been through, he was older than he seems… maybe older than the princesses.
“Anim… thank you, for being there for me,” said Trixie, falling asleep.
As Trixie fell asleep, Anim places a blanket over her, kissing her on the forehead.
“Your welcome… my little star,” said Anim, falling asleep too.
The next day, Appleloosa, Train Station, 7:00am
Anim helped Trixie set up her cart inside one of the train carts; Trixie gained new courage and inspiration from Anim, and is planning on travelling more than just Equestria, even beyond. Preparing to say farewell to her new friend, Anim gives something to Trixie, something to remind her to never give up.
“What’s this?” Trixie asked, looking at the object.
“It’s something I carved from a dead trunk, it’s a star. It fits you, especially your nickname,” said Anim.
“Trixie doesn’t have a nickname,” said Trixie.
“Well, those who become my friends, I give them a nickname, yours is… Little star,” said Anim.
“Little star… that sounds stupid,” said Trixie, a little upset.
“It means, from small beginnings you’ll shine the greatest from the journey you walk, and the experiences you witness,” said Anim.
Trixie stared at the trinket; she wore it on her neck. Trixie smiled brightly from Anim’s gift, but quickly stopped smiling to not give Anim the satisfaction.
“Oh come on, where’s that smile I know,” said Anim.
“Trixie doesn’t think so,” said Trixie. “Um Anim, but Trixie thinks it’s time to go.”
“Why?” Anim asked.
Turning around, Anim can see the ponies he tied up yesterday… and they aren’t happy. Heading inside the train, the train isn’t leaving yet, Anim looks at Trixie for one and probably the last time they’ll see each other.
“Anim what are you doing,” said Trixie.
“Giving you time,” said Anim, but before he could go Trixie stops him.
“Wait Anim… will we, ever see each other again?” Trixie asked.
“Someday… farewell, little star,” said Anim.
“Trixie still thinks that name is dumb,” said Trixie.
As the crowd was distracted by Anim, the train left the station leaving Anim behind. Trixie opens a window and looks back at the station, she sees Anim waving goodbye to Trixie, and waving back she whispers something to herself.
“We’ll see each other… someday,” said Trixie.
“See you again, Trixie,” said Anim. “Okay… I guess this is the part where I start running, well before that happens,” said Anim.
Anim dashes away from the town, running the opposite direction from where the train is going as he left nothing but a trail of dust. These two souls will someday encounter one another… but until that day comes, they will follow the path that’s been given
Author's Note
I've been waiting for this chapter for so long! Trixie has joined the journey, and don't worry there'll be more of the great and powerful Trixie in the future. Only one month is left... for AAE's hiatus to end!
