Author's Note

*Puts helmet on*

This is gonna be a heavy chapter so buckle in.

*CLANG*

HA! Nice try Pinkie!

Chapter 10: Close Call (Part 1 of 2)

Hello. My name is Laurence Maxwell. Not many people know me and the few that do just don't bother to call me by my real name. They labeled me as anonymous, Anon for short. I am just an ordinary man. I live my day to day life working at a local convenience store to make a living. I'll admit, my life isn't the best, but it is the only one I got. That all changed when I got transported to Equestria. I couldn't believe what was in front of me as I awoke in this land for the first time... Talking ponies!

Ever since coming to this place, my life still hasn't been going anywhere... that was to say until I met Silver Spoon. It was when I was babysitting Diamond Tiara for the weekend. She invited her over and things just got better from there. But it was so early in our friendship to think that this was going to happen...

My name is Laurence Maxwell... or... Anon to most... And this is the story... of how I cheated death.

I could say it was an average day, but I would be completely lying if I said that. I was walking down a solid dirt path with a filly more stunning than gemstones and the lord of chaos. Any other time if you were to ask me what the hell I was doing with such odd creatures, I would explain. But today, I choose not to question it and just enjoy it. I find that days that make no sense whatsoever are the best days to enjoy.

As we were walking, we would occasionally break the ice with a random topic. My personal favorite was when we discussed what flavor ice cream was best. I always went with strawberry because it was always so flavorful. Sil said vanilla because it was calm and delicious. Discord said chocolate because he loved sweets. By the end of it, Discord summoned up 3 cones with neapolitan ice cream on them. We all enjoyed a nice treat on the way to our destination.

After about an hour of walking and talking, we reached the edge of the Everfree forest. I saw the fear in Silver's eyes and went to comfort her. As i scratched behind her ear, a few soft coo's came from her. She was freaking adorable! She looked up at me with a smile and assured me she was ready to enter the forest. As Discord led us in, I carried her on my shoulders to protect her if harm came our way. As we traversed the trees, it seemed we were going in circles. I shrugged it off, assuming it was just the fact everything in this forest looks the exact same. We came across a clearing and decided to start our day there. As Discord snapped his fingers, a small dining area appeared alongside a marvelous buffet. I saw Silver's mouth water at the sight of it. I giggled a bit and put her down. Her and Discord rushed over and piled food on their plate. I was laughing a bit to much and they noticed. After looking to their plates and back at me, they joined in the laughter. A good 18 minutes of eating later, we were all stuffed. Discord snapped away all the food and the dining area. Another snap had revealed a life-sized chess game. I saw Sil jumping for joy. She must really enjoy chess to be this excited about it. We played until we knocked out everything but Discord's King. He was in full panic mode! Sil and I just couldn't hold in the laughter! He rolled his eyes and made the board disappear. We decided to rest under a shady tree for a bit where we struck the conversation up again.

"Hey Anon" Discord spoke up first, "do you ever want to go back to your world?"

I started laughing at that.

"Are you kidding?" I started, "No way! I love it here to much. Plus my life is improving here so I don't see and upside in going back home!"

This comment made but Discord and Silver smile. They seemed to enjoy my company, as I did theirs.

"What about just Canterlot?" Silver was next to speak up, "I heard Diamond say you stayed their for a week before deciding to stay with Fluttershy."

This was true. The minute I arrived here the princesses were all over me with questions. They told me that I was welcome in the castle as long as I didn't mind their constant questioning of me. I got used to it but eventually wanted to have a change of scenery. They thought this was a good idea and sent me to Ponyville. I tried all sorts of places and out of all of them, Flutters place seemed to be the most comforting.

I picked up Sil and held her in the air.

"Nah" I say, keeping my cool but also smiling super hard, "if it meant leaving you 2 behind, they would have to drag me back."

"THAT CAN EASILY BE ARRANGED ANON!" I hear Celestia yell from the castle, loud enough to be heard from the Everfree.

"Wow" Discord said, shocked, "and I thought I pissed her off!"

"Discord," I start, "Me and her are best friends. But she is still super pissed about the blowing up cake stash incident."

He straightens up and his jaw drops to the ground. He was in utter terror when I said that.

"How much of it did you-" I cut him off

"Every. Last. Crumb." I smile devilishly, thinking about it.

He applauds.

"You just earned my respect!" Discord smiled, which made my smile bigger.

You know, it was quite peaceful for a forest that was supposed to be filled with monsters and angry demon things. Surprising honestly. As we relaxed for a bit, Discord thought we should go deeper. Me and Sil both agreed as she hopped up onto my shoulders once again. As we headed deeper, we all thought about what we may find out here. Well whatever it is, hopefully it wont be to bad.

I should have cut my trail of thought over before that...

As we approached a darker area of the forest, we heard a strange growling. Now, I know my animals, here and in Equestria, so let me take my time here. It is either:

A: Bear
B: Manticore
C: Discord poking fun

or... oh lord please say that it isn't D...

"Anon?" Discord asks, looking into the forest depths.

"Do not say it!" I request of him.

He knows what was coming as well as I did.

"Run..." He states softly and he takes off in the opposite direction.

Between the trees, 3 sets of glowing eyes emerged from the darkness. I took a whiff of the air. It smelt more rotten than skunk spray mixed with flaming crap. But what really scared me was the aftersmell...

...Wood...

"TIMBERWOLVES!" I scream and bolt.

I look to see if Silver is alright, just to see she isn't on my shoulders. She is meters ahead of me. I run to keep up with her but end up tripping on a root, landing on my leg. I heard my bone shatter as I screamed in pain. Silver and Discord saw me and tried to help me up, but after I tripped, I got my leg lodged in the root. Discords magic was weak after all he did today and only had the power to teleport him and one other of his choice back to Ponyville.

"ANON! COME ON!" I hear Silver screaming, as the timberwolves start closing the gap.

No... I can't... I'm trapped... Only one thing to do.

"GET HER OUT OF HER DISCORD!" I yell.

He hovers over to me.

"What about you?" He asks, worried.

"I'll be fine. She wont!" I gesture towards Sil.

"But Fluttershy told me to protect you as well as befriend you! I can't disobey orders!" He looks at me firmly.

"My order overtakes hers. As ally to Princess Celestia, I dismiss you from your current orders and give you your new orders. GO!" I yell again.

I swear he was about to speak until he realized I was right. He nodded to me and snapped his fingers, teleporting him and Silver out of the forest.

"Keep her safe..." I whisper.

Just outside the forest, a very upset Silver was being held by Discord. She was struggling to get out of his grasp to run back into the forest to find me. He refused to let go even though he wanted to go find me to. I had only been with her for a few days, Discord even less... but they were already my friends... I could see that now.

"LET ME GO!" She yelled, kicking and screaming.

"Calm down!" He raises his voice to her, "He will be ok... I hope."

Silver smacks him.

"SHUT UP! HE WILL BE OK! NOT YOU HOPE OR YOU WISH, YOU KNOW!" She was louder.

"Why do you care so much for him anyways?" Discord asks.

"BECAUSE-" She stops yelling, "Because he is the only one that truly listens. Not even my mom listens to me properly. All she cares about is work and herself. Anon took the time the other day to make sure I was happy and took me out for a while. He treated me to a morning tea and took me to the park where I made up with Apple Bloom. If it wasn't for him, then Diamond may of killed the Cutie Mark Crusaders! He only acts for others and that is why I see him as a great friend!"

Discord was in tears. He had never heard someone speak with this much consideration before. Silver noticed him and joined him in tears. After a good 10 minutes of crying, Discord finally broke the tension by wiping away both their tears and looking out into the forest.

"He will find a way to get out of this." Discord says with hope.