In Good Hands

Chapters

Chapter One- The New Job
Chapter Two - A Stage Magician's Delight
Chapter Three - In-cider information
Chapter Four - Poison Joke and Poison Truths
Chapter Five - The Audience

Chapter One- The New Job

Chapter 1 – The New Job

“And you’re sure you’re fine with that, Darling?” Rarity asks. “I promise I won’t become jealous if you continue.”

Genuine warmth beams out through your smile, and you reach out to scratch her behind one of her ears. The first time you did that to Rarity, she had become irate, accusing you of treating her like some kind of petting zoo animal. However, you were persistent, and she grew to adore the small, intimate gesture.

“I’m totally fine with it,” You reply. “Working at the spa was great and all, but I think after three months, I’m ready for something new. Besides, I have my house now, and I have plenty of bits to keep me afloat until I have something more meaningful.”

You and Rarity are sitting in your living room. The furnishings are meager, but comfortable. Two sofas sit perpendicular from one another, and a small wooden coffee table rests between them like the melted cheese in a sandwich. There are a few rugs on the floor, a fire place against the right wall, and a staircase leading to your one bedroom towards the back. It’s not a big place, but it’s yours.

Well, yours and Rarity’s since she spends a lot of time here.

The air is saturated with pleasant floral scents, which is totally thanks to Rarity’s addition of the five vases filled with flowers. Every time one of the vases catches your eye, you snicker to yourself. Nothing in the house, which includes the house itself, matches the level of indulgence and expensive investment than those vases.

Rarity rises to her hooves. “So then shall we go take care of this now?”

You stand up to, and a deep sigh slithers past your lips. “Yeah, I guess. You think they are going to be really upset.”

Rarity’s mouth forms a thin line across her face. She nods solemnly. “Oh, they are going to be DEVASTATED.”

***

You walk out of the Ponyville Day Spa for what will be the last time in a long while, and you can’t help but wince and cringe. As the door closes, you can still hear the vigorous wailings of your former employers. Rarity is still inside, and despite her best efforts to console Aloe and Lotus, the white unicorn had been correct in her assessment of the impending devastation.

You walk down the road a little bit, and you stop on the edge of the market. That had been the plan, after all; you drop the heavy news and then leave while Rarity uses her smooth silver tongue to ease the pain.

A sudden voice makes you jump, and judging from the sound of the tone, this pony is none too happy to see you.

“Hello, Anon,” Twilight said with a flat demeanor.

An uneasy spasm of weirdness flaps inside your chest, and you give the alicorn princess a little bow. Ever since you and Rarity had started seeing each other more romantically, Twilight’s manner of addressing you had been chillier.

For the first two weeks of your relationship with Rarity, it had been kept secret. Despite that, Twilight knew. Be it though magical spying or intuition, she knew before any pony else. Slowly, the other mares in the group discovered the nature of the warmth between Rarity and yourself. Naturally, Starlight took it hardest.

“Good Morning, Princess,” you say, with all the sincerity you can muster.

She arches an eyebrow at you. “Where is Rarity? It’s often rare to see you so alone and unaccompanied.” The last few words drip with disapproval.

“Oh, she will be along soon,” You reply. “I just quit my job at the spa, and she is helping running damage control.”

For a long moment, Twilight just peered up at you. She sighed, shook her head, and then averted her eyes for a second. “I suppose that alleviates ‘one’ problem.”

“I beg your pardon, ma’am?” You ask.

She starts to move off, “Oh nothing. Have a nice day, Anon.”

Sudden urgency sweeps through you. You maneuver so you’re blocking her path. Twilight steps back and leans away from you, as if you had transformed into a manticore before her very eyes.

“Hold on,” you say. “Please Princess; I have to ask you something.”

Twilight’s eyes grow more suspicious, but she gives you the barest of all nodes.

“Okay, what do you want to ask me?” Twilight can perhaps already anticipate your question, but you ask it anyway.

You ask, “Why are you upset with me? I don’t understand what I did to piss you off.”

Twilight Sparkle glances about, and for the moment, no other pony is around. She rolls her tongue in her mouth for a second, and then she locks gazes with you.

“It’s not that I’m angry with you specifically, it’s the situation I’m not pleased with,” Twilight said.

“The situation?” You ask.

She opens her mouth to say more, but then she peeks past you.

“This is not a discussion to be had out in the open,” Twilight said. “Or right now for that matter. Come see me when you are alone, that is if you really want to know what is bothering me.”

Before you can respond, Rarity trots up to you and Twilight.

“Why, good morning Twilight. How are you today?”

Twilight’s smile is genuine and endearing. “Oh, I’m great! I just ran into Anon here. He told me he quit his job.”

Rarity nods, “Yes, he did. Now we’re off to go see Mayor Mare to inquire about any other open positions.”

Twilight smirked. “But isn’t today Wednesday?”

Rarity tilts her head. “Why, so it is. What does th-“Her eyes widen. “Oh no! I’m supposed to meet with Fluttershy for our… weekly….”

A pressurized lump appears in the base of your throat, but you can’t help but chuckle.

Twilight’s eyes sparkle with an increasing degree of smugness. “spa treatments?”

Rarity takes several back steps away from Anon. “I had totally forgotten. Oh dear, it is going to awkward in there today.” She glances at you. “Are you going to be alright by yourself?”

“I’m not a child,” you reply. “I’ll be fine.” You laugh for a moment. “Have fun.”

Rarity gives off an awkward giggle, and then runs back toward the spa.

Twilight and you watch her enter back into the spa.

“I don’t envy her at the moment, “Twilight says.

You rub the back of your head with your hand. “So is now a good time to have that talk?”

Twilight immediately replies, “No. If you’re really interested in talking about ‘that’, then I need to collect my thoughts. This isn’t some little instance we’re talking about. It’s actually serious.”

Sickening dread pulls down on the insides of your stomach. “Wow, I messed up that bad?”

“It’s not you, per say.” Twilight winces. “It’s the effects you’re causing on all my friends, and on the ponies I am sworn to protect.”

“The effects?” You ask.

An icy stillness has taken hold of you, and you wait with baited breath for her to elaborate.

“Like I said before,” Twilight says. “Not the place for such discussions. We’ll talk soon, okay?” She pauses. “And don’t think this is personal. I’m not mad at ‘you’. Okay? I still consider you a friend. And I know that you’re not purposely trying to do what I’m afraid you’re going to do.”

“And what’s that?”

Twilight just stares at you, and you nod.

“Right, not now,” you say.

“Sorry,” Twilight said. “It’s not something that can be or should be uttered in the vicinity of other ponies.” She starts to trot off again. “Good luck with Mayor Mare.”

“Thanks,” You reply as you make your way toward City Hall.

With each step, the curiosity for foreboding imagination within you festers all the more. What could be bothering Twilight so much that she needs to collect her thoughts to talk to you? What did you do? Or perhaps, did you not do something you shouldn’t have?

For now, you had to worry about getting a job. The turmoil nestling in Twilight Sparkle’s mind could wait for later.

***

Mayor Mare’s office is a discordant kingdom of paper stacks, scroll pyramids, and towers of books placed in various places in the room. As you opened the door to enter her office, she glances up at you from behind her desk.

Her mane is a wild jungle of mess and scruff, her eyes are more crimson than white, and her mouth is forming the barest hint of a whimper.

“Yes, what is it?” she asked in a panicked tone. “Don’t tell me there is ‘another’ problem.”

You swallow hard as you move into her office. It takes some effort to navigate through the broken ruins of a once proud book, scroll, and paper civilization.

“Um, no… I don’t think I have any problems for you,” you reply.

Mayor Mare wets her dry lips with her tongue. “So what do you want? You’re Anon, aren’t you?” she chuckles with an insane-like demeanor. “Oh course you are. Who else would you be?” her chuckles get a little more vibrant and edgy. “Oh Celestia, I am cracking.”

You smile at Mayor Mare. “D-do you need help, ma’am?”

And then suddenly, the brown mare gazes upon you, as if you had become an alicorn. “W-what did you say?” her voice resonates with both disbelief, and weepy relief. Even her eyes start to get teary.

“I asked if you needed any help,” you say. “I was looking for a new job, and I could help but notice you are swamped in paperwork. Do you need any help?”

Silence drifts between the both of you, and then Mayor Mare starts cackling in ludicrous delight.

“Thank you, Celestia!” She leaps over her desk and lands in front of you, expertly avoiding knocking over any of the past remnants of the great book, scroll, and paper empire. “I would LOVE some help.” She bats her eyes at you. “Do you have any experience with event planning and coordination?”

“Event planning?” You ask. “And coordination?”

She nods.

“Um… no, not really.”

“Oh.” Her bluster is diminished for only a second. “Would you like to gain some invaluable experience with event planning and coordination?”

A grin spreads across your cheeks. “Sure, I’m always ready to learn new things.”

Faster than Rainbow Dash could muster, Mayor Mare zips around her office and collects several scrolls. Before you know it, you have three of them resting in your hands.

Mayor Mare gestures to each of the scrolls. “Great! Thank you. I am going to hire you as an assistant event planner in training then. These three scrolls outline tasks I need to have completed for the upcoming Creative Spark Festival.”

“The Creative Spark Festival?” You ask. “Oh yeah, Rarity has been in such a tizzy about preparing for some event.”

“Yes,” Mayor Mare replies. “I need you to confirm the food vendors, the entertainment and music, and lastly, fashion designers. I was so stressed out because I thought I would have to do this alone, but with you…” she stands taller. “It’s more manageable.”

“Great!” you say. “Where should I start?”

Mayor Mare waves you off with a hoof. “Oh it doesn’t matter. Just make sure all gets done. We’ll meet in five days to do last minute preparations for the festival.” She pauses. “Is it okay if I pay you after the festival?”

“That’s fine.” You smile. “If you don’t mind me asking, how much are we talking about?”

Mayor Mare pauses for a moment, and she rubs her chin with her hoof. “Let’s say… five hundred bits. Does that sound fair?”

Your chest starts fluttering with the lightness of a hot air balloon. “That sounds great.”

“Wonderful,” she replies. She ushers you out of the office. “Now, off with you. The festival is fast approaching.”

You leave Mayor Mare’s office, and you walk outside to a certain bridge that overlooks a small pond. It is such a beautiful day outside, and the sky is so blue and inviting. A few clouds hang here and there, but for the most part, it is the perfect ratio of sky and nimbus.

“500 bits,” you murmur. “That’s not bad.”

You look at the little labels for each of the scrolls. They say ‘entertainment’, ‘food,’ and ‘fashion’.

“Well, let’s get started then.”

You open the entertainment scroll.

“Okay, the first thing on the list is…” you pause for a moment. “Book the stage magician.”

Coming soon…. Chapter 2 – A Stage Magician's Delight

Chapter Two - A Stage Magician's Delight

Chapter 2 – A Stage Magician's Delight

“Well,” you say. “I guess I'm here.”

You're standing on the edge of Ponyville, about a fourth of a mile beyond the last building. A small purple wagon with yellow borders, light blue wheels, and a light blue roof sits beside a small cluster of trees. Star and moons have been painted along the shutters of the windows and on the roof. A pair of stairs extends off of one side of the wagon while a horse hitch stretches off of the other side.

There's a small camp fire several feet from the stairs, and a small black pot is currently cooking over the tips of the flame. Delicate scents float on the air, and its quite inviting.

“Hello?” you call out. “Is some bo-,” a small chuckle escapes you. “Is some pony here?”

The window opens, and a light blue unicorn with a light blue and white mane peeks out. At first, there is a sparkle in her eyes, and her face is creased with clear delight. Once she really sees you though, she frowns.

“Oh...” she lets out a humph. “Its you.”

You chuckle nervously. “Um, yes, it is. I'm sorry... have we met before?”

The mare closes the window, and then trots out from the back of the wagon a moment later. Her cutie mark is a magic wand with a star point, and a sliver of magic twirling out from it.

The mare sneers. “You have not had the pleasure of meeting the Great and Powerful Trixie, but she has heard of you.”

“She?” You ask. “So is Trixie still in the wagon then? And who are you?”

The unicorn groans. “Ugh... great, a plebeian.” She places her hoof on her chest and stands as tall as she can to gaze up at you. “You are speaking to Trixie.”

“Oh...” your lips had become quite dry ever since the unusual mare started speaking, and so you lick your lips to moisten them.

Trixie narrows her eyes. “Don't try to seduce Trixie with your otherworldly charms. Its not going to work! I'm too amazing to be swayed under your cruel and demented spells!”

“Spells?” you ask. “What are you talking about? I didn't even do anything.”

Trixie simply rolls her eyes. “Whatever. What is it that you want?” She gestures to the pot. “Can't you see that Trixie is busy?”

Your skin starts to crawl a little, and just being around this unicorn makes the pits of your stomach start to bubble a little. What could you have done to piss her off? You had never seen her at the spa, nor had you ever bumped into her at the market or anything.

The longer you remain quiet, the more perturbed Trixie is getting. Her brow crests over her eyes all the more menacingly, and her snout is starting to turn into an almost bestial growl.

“I'm here on city business,” you say.

“City business?” Trixie says. She lets out another humph. “Trixie has already told that dirty old mayor that she will have the bits to pay for her permits after the end of the month. Honestly, why is it that she insists on pestering Trixie. Its not fair.”

You reply, “No, I'm not here for that. I'm wanting to book you for the Creative Spark Festival. Mayor Mare really wants you to perform.”

In an instant, her demeanor alters. A smug smirk appears on Trixie's face, and her eyes take on the calculating speculative glimmer that one might expect from a super villain. She even lets out a slightly ominous chuckle as she starts peering you up and down.

“Oh she does, does she?” Trixie's joy soars higher. “And Trixie supposes that its your job to make sure she agrees to perform?”

Dread pools in the back of your throat. “Yes...”

A brief moment passes before she says, “No. Trixie will not perform. Good day to you.”

Instant chilling tension crawls up your insides. “What do you mean?! Why not?”

Trixie stops and peeks back over her shoulder. “Because you slighted Trixie.” Her grin remains, and she locks eyes with you... waiting.

You ground your teeth together. “Is there anything I can do to un-slight you?”

She bats her eyes. “You really want to make it up to Trixie?”

Another long moment passes. “Yes..., Yes, I do.”

She gestures to her wagon. “Great! Then go inside and wait for Trixie to return. You will make it up to Trixie when she gets back.”

“Get back?” You ask. “From where?”

“Trixie didn't ask for you to speak!” Trixie's face grows hard. “You will wait for Trixie to return INSIDE her wagon.” she pauses briefly. “And don't touch anything. Trixie works very hard to keep her wagon perfect.”

She trots off toward Ponyville as you climb the steps to her wagon. Because it is made for ponies, its slightly smaller than what a human wagon would look like, so you have to slump down a little to get inside.

The interior is quite cozy.

A small bed sits on one side of the wagon, which leaves a walkway for the back of the wagon, where a large vanity mirror is nailed to the far wall. A small dresser with an assortment of things is nailed just below the vanity mirror.

The bed isn't made, and the purple sheets and blankets are piled together in a disheveled fashion. Purple pillows are at the far end of the bed. A small, stuffed, white bear lays beside the pillows. The bear has been worn down with time, and there are several spots where it had been stitched and restitched.

You move over to the vanity mirror, and several pictures are tapped along the sides.

A sudden, chilly, but slightly pleasant tingle flickers in your heart. One by one, you study each of the pictures, going from the bottom right, up, across, and down the bottom left.

A tiny baby Trixie is smiling at the camera while waring an over sized purple wizard hat. The hat has stars of varying colors spread across it. A quick glance through out the wagon reveals that there are a few coat racks nailed into the wagon near the foot of the bed. You missed them before. A purple, star covered hat and cloak hang from several of the little racks.

In the next picture, Trixie is a little older, and she is standing with an older, blue stallion unicorn. This stallion is wearing the same purple hat and cloak.

Trixie is older in this one, and she is standing on stage with the same stallion as before. They both are so happy.

The sudden mood of the pictures starts to change when you start looking at the photographs along the top of the vanity.

Trixie is perhaps a teen in this one. She still appears younger than she does now. She is standing beside the hospital bed of the stallion from the other pictures. The stallion looks more haggard and beaten down by life, but despite that, he is smiling. Even from the stillness of the picture, your souls shivers in the presence of such warmth. Trixie has a smile on her face too... but her eyes are haunting. They are red rimmed, and the aura Trixie pours out is so much more somber than the stallion's.

There is another photograph of Trixie and the stallion on stage. Trixie is wearing the hat and cloak, and the stallion is standing beside her. Pride itself is manifested on the stallion's face. Like before, Trixie grins at the camera too.... but there is still the unspoken sense of torment, just behind the irises.

The last picture along the top of the vanity is crushing.

Trixie is standing beside the stallion, only the stallion is sitting in a wheel chair. The stallion is so nestled in that chair, as if he lacks the strength to rise from it. Despite the hollowness of his eyes, the stallion is still smiling with the same degree of warmth and vitality. Trixie and the stallion are gazing the ocean, only Trixie's attention isn't on the sea, but on the stallion. Tears trail down her cheeks, captured forever.

As you start to go down along the side of the mirror, your soul crystallizes in a casing of icy despair.

Trixie is standing alone on stage, perhaps after a show or something. She has a grin between her cheeks, but her eyes reflect the true feelings behind the stage mask. Her eyes are empty and in pain. That picture is at the top of the left side of the vanity.

There is only one other picture, at the very bottom corner of the left side.

Trixie is standing beside none other than Starlight Glimmer. This time, Trixie's smile is just as bright as what the stallion's had been. Her eyes radiate with the splendor of the sun, and there is just the hint of moisture on the bottom edges of Trixie's eyes. Starlight is wearing Trixie's hat, and clearly enjoying it.

“Alright you!” Trixie calls out. “You had better not be messing up any of Trixie's stuff. “Come out.”

As you move toward the door, you hear Starlight's voice.

“Who's in there?” Starlight asks.

Your heart clenches tightly, just as you emerge into view.

Starlight's eyes open wide.

“A-anon, what are you doing here?” Starlight asks.

You reply. “I'm working for the city now, and I'm trying to book Trixie as one of the entertainers, but I slighted her some how.”

Starlight peeks over at Trixie, who is smiling wide, and then returns her attention to you.

You continue, “I asked her if there was anything I could do to un-slight her, and she told me to wait here.”

Starlight says, “Trixie said she had a surprise for me, and asked me to come with her.” She turned to Trixie. “What's going on.”

Trixie steps between you and Starlight. “You are my best friend, and he hurt you. So now he's going to apologize.”

Starlight's face brightens as red as Big Mac's skin. “Oh no... Trixie.... please...”

You frown. “I hurt you? How? Was it during that horn job?” You wince. “I thought it made you feel good.”

Starlight averts her eyes. Her mouth clamps shut.

Trixie steps closer to you. “You didn't hurt her physically, you hurt her emotionally!” she shook her head. “Trixie sees that men of all species are dumb AND thick.”

“But how did I hurt her emotionally? Is it something I said?” You ask.

Trixie replied, “You chose that white unicorn over her.”

The air grew heavier, and the desire to throw up gripped you hard.

“Wait...” you say. “Did you like me?”

Trixie groans again. “It doesn't matter now, but you have to take responsibility.”

This entire time, Starlight kept her attention off of you, and she appeared on the verge of weeping.

You step closer to Starlight.

“I'm really sorry if I hurt your feelings,” you say. “I didn't mean to. Honest. The thing with Rarity and I... just kind of happened. I'm still not sure about things myself.

Great silence saturated the air, and you wait to break the barrier that had formed between you and her.

Starlight finally allows her gaze to meet yours. “I know you didn't mean to hurt me.” she casts a sudden hard look at Trixie. “And you didn't have to really apologize.” She drifts back to you. “But thank you for apologizing.”

Trixie trots closer and nudges Starlight with her shoulder. “Do you feel better now?”

Starlight hesitates, gazes into Trixie's eyes and then grins. “Yeah, a little.”

“Then Trixie is happy too.” She turns her attention to you. “Anon, is it? Trixie will be pleased to perform for the Creative Spark Festival.” She waves her hoof at you. “Now be gone... Trixie's soup is probably burnt by now.”

Starlight glances back to the pot above the fire and giggles. “Why didn't you take it off the flame before you came to get me?”

Trixie nuzzles Starlight's muzzle with her own. “Because you're more important than soup. Want to stay for lunch, if its edible?”

“Sure,” Starlight replies.

You turn around and move back toward Ponyville. As you slide the scroll from your pocket, you can't help but glance back at Trixie, the Great and Powerful. The warmth of her smile is even more splendid in person, rather than captured in stillness for all time.

Coming soon … Chapter 3 – In-cider- Information

Chapter Three - In-cider information

In-cider Information

Was it your imagination, or did the air outside of Ponyville proper smell sweeter than within? Minutes ago, you had left the edge of the town behind, and you started trudging down an old, country road. Long white fences line the edge of the dirt road, and a soft breeze blows past you. Trees as far as the eye can see stand just beyond the fences, although they aren't the kind that bear fruit.

The leaves dance in the wind, and it creates the most splendid natural bell sound. Its a little after mid-day, and the sun kisses your skin. Its still spring, and the dreaded summer heat has not set in yet.

You aren't walking especially fast, but more at a leisurely pace. Birds chirp in the distance, but for the most part, your only companions on the road are solitude and silence.

A warm smile creases your lips as you see that the trees start to transition from flowering trees to apple trees. You hurry your pace up as you move father along the dirt road.

You come across a rustic sight. A bright red barn stands in the middle of the agrarian kingdom, and its prominence is not lost on you. Even though you aren't familiar with architecture, the obvious mastery of craftsmanship.... or perhaps craftsponyship, is easy to see. The building looks to be somewhat new, perhaps build in the last few years. Rolling hills of apple trees stretch behind the barn, and a small carrot farm sits nestled beside the barn.

You don't see any pony around, so you stroll across the yard to the front door.

“Hello!” You say. “Is any pony home?”

A few moments pass, and a familiar pony sticks her head out the door.

Applejack's eyes are a little downcast and she meets your gaze with a chilly demeanor. A small frown rests under her snout. Its only there for a moment before she makes the attempt to form it into a half-hearted smile.

“Oh, Anon,” Applejack says. “What are you doing here?”

“Is everything okay?” You ask. “You look kinda down.”

“Oh.” Applejack averts her eyes for a moment. “It's nothing to worry about. So what are you doing here? Is there something I can help you with?”

Her voice sounds slightly insistent.

You grin at her in hopes to raise her mood to something more pleasant. “Well, I'm working for the city now, and I'm here to check on the cider.”

Applejack's eyes widen. “The c-cider?” She pauses and then sneers at nothing in particular. “Well, shoot....”

You frown. “Let me guess... that's what's got you so bothered.”

For a moment, it looks like she's about to snap back at you, but then whatever she was about to say dies in her throat. She lets out a humph.

“Its Big Mac,” she says in a low tone. “He's come down with bronchitis, and so not only is he contagious, but he's bed ridden until he gets better.” she sighs. “And that means I have to make the cider all on my own. If that's the case, it won't be done in time. It looks like Sweet Apple Acres isn't going to provide the cider after all.”

“Oh wow...” you reply. “Do you need some help?”

Applejack arches an eyebrow at you. “You want to help? Really?”

You shrug. “I've never made cider before, but I'm willing to learn.”

Applejack frowns a little more, but her eyes take on a more calculating sparkle.

“If you think you can help,” Applejack said. “I'd be more than happy to accept your offer. I have to warn you.... I can be a mighty fierce task master.”

You grin. “I promise I won't let you down.”

Suddenly, the grim sadness that had clutched Apple jack before fades, and a broad smirk replaces her previous discontent.

“Alright, follow me.” She leaves the barn and moved off to the orchard.

You follow her into the grove of trees, and a sense of delight blossoms within you. This is going to be an easy task.

***

This is not an easy task. Oh holy hell... it's anything but easy.

“What are you doing?!” Applejack said. “Hurry up, Anon. Pick up the apples!!! Even Applebloom is out doing you.”

You run as fast as you can, and your hands rapidly scoop up the apples from the grass. As soon as you toss one into one of the many baskets, three more drop from the trees above.

Applebloom runs beside you, and she has a basket on her head. With expert grace, she manages to catch the apples before they hit the ground. When you tried to do this with the baskets, it didn't turn out so well, and you even tripped over your feet. When you fell to the ground, you completely crushed one of the baskets.

That was the first thing that set Applejack off.

There were a dozen other things that followed that, and so you did your best to just collect the apples.

In between yelling at you, Applejack continues to sprint between the trees and buck the trunks. Sometimes, she is efficient, and she screams at you while she knocks apples out from the branches.

“Hurry, Anon!”

“Hustle faster!”

“Go! Go! Go!”

Little Applebloom smiles up at you. It isn't malicious, but one full of sympathy and amusement.

Your lungs heave, and your thighs and calves feel as if they are dipped in liquid fire.

Applejack groans. “You know what?! Just pick up the baskets and put them in the carts. Let Applebloom deal with catching the apples.”

Just as you were commanded, you start picking up the baskets. While they are only about twenty pounds each, picking up two dozen baskets in the span of minutes reeks enough toil on your body that you start to become winded.

Applejack stops and then starts helping collecting the baskets.

“This should be good,” she says. “Lets finish loading up the carts, and then get these babies back to the barn for sorting.”

“Sorting?” You ask.

Applebloom replies, “Yeah. First, we collect the apples, then we sort them between good apples and bad, then we press them.”

“And we have to do all this TODAY if we want them ready for the festival,” Applejack adds in.

“Today as in … today?” You say as the dread creeps into your voice.

Once more, Applebloom laughs softly. Applejack, on the other hand, stomps up to you.

“Don't tell me you're backing out now!” She says.

“O-of course not!” You say.

Applejack frowns at you. “Good. I need you, Anon. Sweet Apple Acre's reputation is on the line, and I mean to deliver all the cider I can.”

Your body aches, and yet, a sudden flicker of fire awakens within you. You move up to one of the carts, and you grab hold of the harness. “I'm here until the end. I may need to take a break or two, but I promise I won't bail on you.”

Both of the Apple sisters laugh out loud.

“What did I say?” You ask.

Applebloom says, “You said you need a break. We don't take breaks until its done.”

Applejack fastens herself to the other cart full of apple baskets. “That's right.” She starts to move toward the distant barn with ease. “We'll meet you back at the barn. Hurry up with that other cart.”

Applebloom trails after her.

When you try to pull it, you notice something very real and very unsettling. This wagon is HEAVY. You're able to move it, although its slow and it consumes so much of your energy. Applejack's cart looked just as full as yours, and yet she sauntered off as if the cart were empty.

As you pass by one of the trees, you glance up at the branches.

“You poor bastards,” you say. “What are these ponies doing to you?”

Though the trees don't say anything, you can almost feel their gratitude of someone finally understanding the devastating truth of an earth pony's strength.

***

You groan loudly as you continue to pull the massive weight of the apple cart. Applejack and Applebloom walk up to you.

“Let me take that,” Applejack says. “We're already done with sorting the other apples.”

Applebloom glances up as you as you let Applejack take your place.

“Wow... your kind ain't as strong as us, ponies, huh?” the little filly asks.

With ease, Applejack trots off.

“So... strong,” you whisper as you slowly trudge beside Applebloom.

Your muscles throb wildly, as if you had went to the gym on leg day. Applebloom doesn't complain about your pace, and she makes sure to stay beside you.

When you get to the barn, you notice that the other wagon is empty.

Applejack says, “How about you rest a spell while Applebloom and I sort your cart. I'm going to need you for the pressing.”

Rather than argue, you nod, and sit on the back of the wagon while Applejack and Applebloom move inside the barn with your wagon full of apple baskets.

You take a deep breath, and chuckle a little. The sun is close to setting, and the entire barn yard is blanketed in an orange glow. A small chicken coop is off to the side, but the little chickens aren't in sight. A distant ache is starting to tease your senses, but its still far enough that it won't be a problem until later.

It isn't before long that Applejack comes back up to you.

“Alright, are you ready?” Applejack asks. “The stuff earlier is nothing compared to what's going to come next. This is the hard part.”

A nervous laugh escapes you, but you nod anyway. “I'm not going to abandon you.”

“Thanks, Anon.” Applejack steps in and gives you a hug. “I appreciate it. Now... promise you won't hold it against me, okay?”

Reluctance festers within you. “Sure.”

Applejack leads you inside the barn. Two giant apparatuses greet you with titanic delight. A pair of massive grinding wheels sit in the center of two large wooden barrels. Chutes extend off of the barrels, flowing into the path of the grinding stones. On the other side of the apparatuses, pipes extend off of them. A pair of cider barrels sit under the open pipes. Resting beside each of the apparatuses are treadmills. Granny Smith is also in the barn.

Your heart sinks into your stomach.

Applejack says, “Granny Smith will feed the apples into the devices while Applebloom switches out the barrels. You and I are going to run.”

“Run on the treadmills?” You ask.

“Yep.” Applejack hops on one of the treadmills. “I realize you're not as strong or fast as us ponies, but please....” her eyes widen and her pupils shrink to dots. “Please do your best.”

Slowly, you get on one of the treadmills.

“Let's go!” Applejack screams as she starts sprinting.

Instantly, her wheel spins with immense force, and the apples that are falling down the chute get squished.

“Here I go,” you say under your breath.

You start to run, and to your surprise, the treadmill travels under your own generated power. The wheel spins, although not as fast as Applejack's. Despite that, the apples in your chute are being squished as well.

“Run faster!” Applejack screeches as you. “You can do better than that! This isn't a morning jog.”

Both Granny Smith and Applebloom peer at you with urging eyes. It isn't just Applejack whose stressed out by this, and they need you just as much as she does.

Your body is sore, but you run harder and move from a jog to a near sprint.

This task isn't one based in strength like the apple cart thing, but one steeped in endurance. Your lungs clench within you, and your legs beg you to stop. The sound of your ragged breathing is the only sound that pulsates the interior of the barn. A slow, dull pain crawls up your insides, and yet you continue.

From the corner of your eye, you notice that Applejack has maintained a breakneck speed sprint. Sweat seeps off of her, and yet the fire in her eyes is so brilliant. Your back is soaked as well.

When you start to slow, no pony says anything, but they still watch you with nervousness.

“Keep going, Anon,” You say to yourself. “Don't give up.”

Time looses meaning, and Granny Smith is constantly moving between both chutes of the apparatuses you and Applejack are operating. She's winded, but she isn't giving up. As you glance behind you, you see Applebloom also working hard. Her face is locked in slight panic, but determination flares in her eyes.

A sudden burst of energy fills your veins, and you start running a little harder. It isn't quite a sprint, but it is faster than what you did before. Your small gesture is not lost on the others, and Applejack smiles at you.

“That's the spirit!” Applejack says. “Show me what you got!”

Damn it, she doesn't even sound winded. In fact, Applejack increases her speed and continues to push harder.

You can't help but smile. These earth ponies might not be able to fly through the sky or cast magic spells, but they carry within them an even more impressive power.

The urge to hurl inches its way up your throat, and you battle it down with force of will. Every inch of your body begs for relief.... but you continue on.

“Anon,” Applejack says. “You can stop now.”

You glance at the spot where the pile of apples once stood, and to your immense delight, there isn't one anymore.

You slow down, and then stop. As soon as you do, you bend over.

The most disgusting sensation swarms over you, and you hurl beside the treadmill. Its mostly water, and your head feels super dizzy. Before you know it, you're falling, but luckily, Granny Smith is there to catch you.

“Oh no,” Applebloom says. “What's wrong?”

Granny drags you off to the side and leans you against the wall.

Applejack is beside you with a drinking ladle in her mouth. The end of it, the cup part, is beside your lips, full of water.

Without words, you slurp it down, and then lean back against the wall. Applejack repeats the process several times, and after several minutes, you start to regain your composure.

“I'm...” you gasp. “so sorry.”

To your surprise, the Apple family smiles at you.

“Don't be, sonny.” Granny Smith has a wet rag in her hoof, and she dabs it against your forehead.

How she is able to grab anything in her hoof is beyond you, and at this point, you don't care.

A great weariness pushes down on you.

Applejack says, “How about you sleep here for the night?”

All you can do is nod. You close your eyes and settle right there in the hay. The last thing you hear is Applebloom snickering.

Coming soon.... Chapter 4 Poison Joke and Poison Truths

Chapter Four - Poison Joke and Poison Truths

Poison Joke and Poison Truths

Man, does your body ache. It is a good thing that Rarity knew that spell for rapid recovery, otherwise you’d have been bedridden for at least a week.

You exit your bedroom to a pleasant surprise, which suddenly turns sour. Rarity is sitting in your kitchen, and the mere sight of her sends your heart a flutter. Usually when you see one another, she beams an elegant smirk your way. Today however, concern covers her face like a thick, oily beauty mask. Her eyes are downcast, and her bottom lip is forming the most adorable pout.

“Rarity,” you ask. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

For a brief moment, a twinkling dances in her eyes once they drift up to meet your own. However anchors drag her mood back down again.

“Oh, good morning, Anon,” She says dully. “How does your body feel? I certainly hope my spell eased your discomfort.”

You grin at her. “Yeah, I’m a little sore, but it’s nothing that I can’t handle.” You pause for a second. “I asked you how you were doing. Is something bothering you?”

An overly dramatic sigh flows past Rarity’s lips. “I suppose I can’t hide my inner most thoughts from you, can I Anon?”

To be honest, Rarity couldn’t really hide her inner most feelings from any pony. Her demeanor, her cadence in speech, and her poise all derived from her inner balance. When she was confident and delighted, it showed in every expression and interaction. And when she wasn’t….

You sit at the table across from her. “What’s up?”

She lingers for a moment before she lets out another loud sigh. “As you know, Big Mac is still very sick, and therefore not able to perform. I have been wracking my mind trying to figure out how to best restructure all the music for the Pony Tones without an underlying base… but no matter what I try, it still sounds lacking.” She lays her head on the table. “We’re going to have to cancel our performance at the festival.”

You frown. “There’s really no solutions?”

Rarity glances up at you, even though her head is still on the table. Her mane covers the table’s surface like an elegant and ornate cloth.

“The only solution we have isn’t possible because no pony has time to get it done,” Rarity replies. “Fluttershy is working on three other projects, I have my hoofs full with a dozen little things, and the other two members are also swamped with obligations.”

“Well, maybe I can do this solution for you all. What needs to be done?” you reply.

Slowly, Rarity lifts her head. “Oh no, I couldn’t ask you to do that. It would be dangerous.”

A small degree of fear dances at the back of your throat. “Dangerous? How dangerous are we talking?”

Silence dominates the room for a moment. “Well… it would require you to go into the Everfree Forest to retrieve a rather bothersome plant.”

You place your hands on the side of your cheeks and give Rarity your best mock frightened face. Even your voice warbles with ‘tremors’. “Oh no, not a plant.”

Rarity lets out a slightly amused chuckle that resonates with annoyance. “Did you forget the Everfree Forest is populated by manticores, timberwolves, and other such monstrosities?”

The mocking nature dissipates, and your eyes widen. Ever so softly, you mutter “oh yeah…”

“And that is exactly why I can’t have you traipsing into such a nasty environment.” Rarity placed a hoof of your shoulder. “Just forget it, Anon. It will be okay if we cancel.”

You brush off her hoof. “No! I don’t want you to cancel. You all have been working your butts off for weeks on these routines. If there is a solution, I can do it, no matter how dangerous. I’ll just be careful.”

Rarity winced. “Are you certain you want to do this?”

You chuckle, “How bad could it be?”

She sits back and eyeballs you for about a minute.

“The plant you are going to be looking for is called ‘Poison Joke’,” Rarity said. “We had first encountered it years ago, but we used it again last year.”

A sudden geyser of anxiety bubbled within your stomach. “Poison Joke? Is it actually toxic? Or is it more like Poison Ivy?”

Rarity frowned. “What is poison ivy?”

“Um… it makes your skin itch,” You reply.

“Oh.” Rarity titled her head for a second. “No, Poison Joke doesn’t make your skin itch and it won’t kill you directly.” She rolled her eyes. “You might die from ‘embarrassment’, but it's sort of a practical joke kind of flower.”

The desire to ask more questions pulsates in your mind, but you clamp your mouth shut. Rarity also waits, and when it is clear that you aren’t going to make inquiries, you continues.

“The reason this is relevant is because when Fluttershy becomes exposed to Poison Joke, her beautiful soprano voice deepens to that of a master base opera singer.”

You grin. “I get it. You want me to collect this plant and give it to Fluttershy, who can then stand in for Big Mac.”

Rarity nods. “ Yes, well, that is the best solution if you think you’ll be able to safely venture into and come back from the Everfree Forest.”

You shrug. “How bad could it be?”

***

When you were back on Earth, you had walked on a few forest hiking trails. It wasn’t so bad, and it was even a little peaceful.

This place is not like that all.

Maybe it was the fact that you know about the monsters who live here, or maybe it’s because you know that you’re the only one of your kind in all the world. You have never eaten human meat before, but you have seen plenty of horror movies where monsters do. If zombies, vampires, werewolves, and clowns are keen to get their feast on, then perhaps these monsters would also enjoy the taste of your sweet flesh.

Thousands of trees surround you, and it creates a somewhat relaxing haze of browns and greens. That’s misleading though, for while you are enamored by the splendor of nature, some terrible monstrosity could be sneaking up on you any moment.

Your heart thuds in your chest, and your palms become a little more slick. Even your back starts to get a little moist. There is no path, and so you are stepping on grass, sticks, leaves, and other such things. Silence is your only companion.

You are the only human in Equestria, perhaps the only one who has ever been here, and to the local fauna, you must be a bizarre oddity.

How are you even supposed to find this Poison Joke, anyway? All Rarity said was it is a deceivingly pretty blue flower.

A sudden voice stops you in your tracks.

“Oh my! This cannot be! Do my eyes deceive?
Amy? Is that you? I want to believe!”

A sudden chill slithers up your back, and you turn around. The voice sound so close that you co-

You step back as a strange pony peers up at you with observant eyes. The pony’s eyes are blueish green, and her coat is light grey with darker grey stripes at various places. Her mane is a tall, 1980’s style punk mohawk.

The pony creature squints.

“Wait a moment, you are a man!” she says in a husky, thick accent. “Is that you Brad? Or are you Stan?”

You step back again. “W-what? My name is Anon.”

She tilts her head, and her eyes take on a pensive sparkle. The pony nods a second later.

“Another one has come at last.
I confused you for another from the past.
Forgive my inconsideration,
I am Zacora from the Zebra Nation.”

“Wait, you’re a zebra?” You ask.

She frowns. “Why are you saying it like zee-bra? How strange.
It is pronounced zeh-bra. It's only a little change.”

“Oh….” a wave of heat flows through your cheeks. “Zebra. I didn’t know this world had zebras.”

Zacora smiled. “This world has many strange things, indeed.
Some things are locked away, while others freed.
What brings you into the forest today?
You are far where most ponies stay?
Is a risky walk what you are seeking?
Or is there something else that has your interest piquing?”

You reply, “I’m seeking a flower called ‘Poison Joke.’”

Zacora tilts her head again. “A strange boon to be hunting for,
what has caused this peculiar chore?”

“Oh, well Rarity needs it to make Flutt-” You start to say.

Zacora’s eyes light up. “Flutterguy! Voice as deep as a valley,
Ponies collect to hear her sing, as if it's a rally.
Your quest is wrought with good intentions,
So its location I’ll be glad to mention.
Follow me, to the spot I shall take you,
We are looking for patches of blue.
But be careful not to touch its petals,
For it you do, the flower meddles,
Your greatest trait will turn to a curse,
The changes are somewhat terse,
After a night of sleep, you will see,
You might be different as different can be.”

“Thank you,” You say. “I appreciate you helping me.”

She simply nods and starts walking down a somewhat trampled path of grass. Perhaps she uses this trail often enough to mark her way.

Silence drifts back around you, and a twisting set of quandaries demands to be spoken into creation.

“Um…. Zacora,” you ask.

She stops and glances back at you, waiting for you to continue. No sense in wasting rhymes for clarification, you suppose.

“So… have there been other people like me in Equestria before?” You ask.

“Why yes, of course. Many in fact!
There have been so many that I have lost track.”

“Well, then how come every pony treats me like I’m strange?” You ask.

For a moment, Zacora’s delight falls from her face, and she beams a sad frown at you.

“Some of your kind are wonderful, others … are not,
That is a bitter lesson that we pony folk were taught.
When things go sour, and they always do,
Precautions are taken to cover what is true.”

A wild tingling flares within you. “What do you mean, cover what it true?”

Zacora replied, “The first time it happened, I fell under its sway,
What ever memories I had of certain folk refused to stay.
I knew something was off from the tinglings I felt,
But it was too late, the damage was dealt.”

“The first time what happened?” You ask.

The tension in the forest amplifies, and it’s harder to catch your breath.

Zacora glances about warily. She licks her lips and speaks in a whisper.

“A great magic wave sweeps through the world,
And a sort of mental erasing is unfurled,
The first time I didn’t know what was taken,
After the second, I became quite shaken.
When the wave came again, to rob me of my thoughts,
I coated myself in arcane draughts.”

You frown. “What’s a draught.”

Zacora eased her head back for a moment. “A draught is like a magic potion,
Only I made it thick like some massaging lotion.
I smeared it on my coat and closed me eyes,
When the wave passed, I was not compromised.”

You move over to a small hill beside the path you two are traveling on. Your legs give out under you, and you sit on the grassy patch. Zacora sits next to you.

“So…” you start to say. “A magic wave of energy swept through the land and made the other ponies forget about the other humans that have been here?”

Zacora nods.

You wince. “You said some humans are wonderful, but others are not.” You swallow hard. “ What did the bad humans do?”

A brief moment of noiseless drifts between you two.

Zacora says very carefully and meticulously, “There have been broken hearts and bitter wars, ponies have become hunted victims, and insatiable whores,
Kingdoms have crumbled, and defenses were braced,” she pauses.
“But multiple times, this all has been erased.
And destruction had become undone,
Everything was the same, except for one.
A creature was missing from memory and from existence,
Equestria continued with its relentless persistence.
Some of these creatures I did call friend,
And others I fought against to the bitter end.”

You don’t say anything for a great while, and to Zacora’s credit, she just sits there waiting. Maybe she’s thinking about what consoling words might settle the troubled storm that brews within you. Maybe she is reflecting about the other humans who she had met before. Maybe she was savoring the beauty of the forest. You didn’t know.

“So even your friends got erased from people’s memory?” You ask.

Zacora nods. “Reality has been rewritten many times, I’m afraid,
The dead restored, the land reworked, and peaceful times replayed,
I’ve seen what’s to come in the next few years already,
I’ve lived through it before, so I am steady.”

She holds up an old, worn charm around her neck. The cord had been created from vines or twine, and the actual charm had been carved from what looked to be ivory or bone. Little etchings covered the sides of the circular shape, and a small blue gem sat within the middle of a carved out alcove in the ivory.

“This has taken the draught’s space,
It keeps my memory in its place.”

You ask, “So I can understand why the bad humans had to be forgotten, but what about the good ones?” A sudden sickness festers in your stomach. “You said things ‘always’ go sour?”

She nods.

“But why did they have to be erased?” you ask.

Zacora replies, “I do not know, and I wonder,
What could have been ‘their’ grievous blunder?
But that's not the question we should be asking….” she stops and stares into your eyes.

You finish her thought. “Who cast the spell?”

She smiles and tilts her head.

“Oh, right…” you pause and give a quick mental consideration. “Who is the one doing the ...casting? Wait… that doesn’t rhyme. Asking.... masking, …. Casking…. Basking…”

She places a hoof on your shoulder and smiles. Zacora doesn’t say anything, but her eyes radiate with a certain degree of sympathy.

“Am I destined to be forgotten too?” you ask.

Zacora shrugs. “ I wish I could give you more insight,
Just keep living well, rather than cringe in fright.
Whoever cast the spell, it's unknown to me,
But they altered the world, most powerfully.
Keep an eye open, and your ear keen as well,
Otherwise you might find yourself in Hell.”

Immense terror smacks you across the face, but then Zacora laughs.

“I’m just kidding about the last line,
I’ve been told my humor is quite refined.”

“Yeah,” you say in a flat voice. “Very refined.” Your mouth is quite dry, so you swallow a little to moisten your throat. “Is there anyone I can ask about this?”

Zacora frowned. “My advice is quite simple, don’t,
Like the answer, you won’t.
To darker places your quandaries will lead,
And your fears are the things you will feed.
Savor the moment, before the storm arrives,
To rush it will endanger many lives.”

“Before the storm arrives?” You wince. “What do you mean? That it is unavoidable?”

Zacora replies, “This and that should never mix,
And yet it has happens through cosmic tricks.
Unseen forces will start to gather and swell,
And soon they shall be apparent as a bell.
You don’t know it, but you are a sign,
A tiding of things far from fine.
And yet the prophecy is not absolute,
That is why the pony folk have not been resolute.
To judge one for the another’s impending sins,
Is how the evil ones will win.”

She paused before getting up to her hooves.

“Each one of you is watched with a careful eye,
Could you be the one to make so many die?
Or are you just here by chance?
Here to savor life’s curious dance?
Trust me, Anon… just laugh and live,
I must cut this short, please forgive.”

Without saying another word, Zacora trots off in the direction you two had been going. She doesn’t look back, but at least maintains a slow pace long enough for you to catch up.

Your mind is a buzz, and for some reason, you can’t find the words to pierce the air. Humans have been here in Equestria? More than Zacora could count? How have you not known any of this? Was there a means of getting home?

Your stomach gurgles. Whoever casted the spell must have had princess level-

A certain purple alicorn flashes in your mind.

Before you can manifest that thought into a question, you and Zacora come to a small patch of beautiful, blue flowers.

She stares up at you. “Be careful not to touch the petals,
Or in your life these flower mettle.
Fluttershy only needs five of these,
Though, take as many as you please.”

Slowly, you reach down and ease your hand to the flowers. Each one peers up at you with a deceptive splendor, and they are all asking for you to bend down to sniff them. Your forehead starts to sweat a little as you grab one of the flowers by the stem.

With great precision, you manage to pluck about ten of the flowers. As Zacora had mentioned, you only needed to get five, but what if Rarity or some pony else messed up on the mixture. It was better to have a little more than necessary, right?

Thank God you actually brought a bag with you. Casually, you throw the flowers into the bag and then turn back around.

“Thank you, Za-”

You’re standing alone in the grove, and the zebra is nowhere to be seen. However, you do notice a small collection of sticks making an arrow in the grass. The arrow points toward a barely visible path that has been overrun with grass.

“I guess, I’ll go that way,” you say softly to yourself.

As you walk along the path, the conversation between you and the strange pony, er… zebra echoes in your mind. A great chill wiggles inside you.

“Okay… first thing’s first. Step one… get out of this freakin forest,” you say. “Step two… drop off the Poison Joke.” you swallow hard. “Step three… Twilight.”

Coming soon… Chapter 5 - The Audience

Chapter Five - The Audience

Chapter Five : The Audience

“Whoa”, you say. “I’m confused. What do you mean some pony was yelling at Rarity?”

Magma like scorn festers in your words, and your skin starts to itch. After you had left the Everfree Forest, you went to your house. When you got there, you found it empty, which then led you to coming here, to Carousel Boutique.

Rarity wasn’t there, but Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s younger sister was. When you first arrived, you found her sweeping up a potted plant that had been broken on the floor. At the moment, you two were standing in the lobby area of the boutique.

Sweetie Belle sighed. “It wasn’t anypony. It was Hoity Toity, the super famous fashion designer from Canterlot.”

You narrow your eyes. “I’m about to stomp his hoity toity balls into super famous designer jam. Why the hell was he yelling at Rarity?”

Sweetie Belle cringes a little under your rough stare. Its a little concerning, and then you remember one important fact: you are bigger, taller, and more muscular than she is.

“Sorry, Sweetie,” You say. “I’m not trying to take it out on you. I just… hate thinking about someone… or rather some pony mistreating your sister.”

“I know…” Sweetie replies. “I think he was yelling at her because of …” the air becomes dominated with invisible electricity, and the sparks zap at your nerve endings. “You.”

“Me?” You ask. “I’ve never even met this Hoity Toity. Why would this pretentious bastard be yelling at Rarity because of me?”

Sweetie Belle moves over to one of the many couches positioned along the walls. Often times, Rarity had her clients sit and wait while she finished up on improving the garments that they brought her to work on. Rather than sit down as well, you remain standing. Your blood is boiling like hot soup, and there is no way you could settle down in a relaxing state.

“I didn’t catch all of it. I was napping when they started fighting.” Sweetie Belle averts her eyes from you. “I heard the words ‘abomination’, and ‘unnatural’ being thrown around alot.”

The anger that you felt before transforms into a cooler, and almost chilly sense of nakedness. “What happened to Rarity? Where did she go?”

Sweetie Belle replies, “My best guess? The castle.”

“Thanks,” you reply. “I’ll head there now.” You spin around and run out through the still opened door. With every footstep, your heart slams against the interior of your chest cavity, demanding to be set free.

The crystal castle comes into view, but it can be seen from anywhere in Ponyville. It still takes you a good fifteen minutes of running, jogging, cursing/walking, and jogging again before you’re able to step up to the castle’s front doors.

As soon as you step into the castle, you hear the tell-tale wailings of a pony in distress. As much as you care for Rarity, her dramatic, overboard, tantrums are often emotionally taxing. This particular instance is different though.

You follow the sounds of Rarity’s dismay, and you eventually enter a large room with an enormous crystal table in the center. Seven ponies and one dragon are clustered together, although six of the ponies are doing their best to console the one leaking tears like a waterfall.

Spike is the first to notice you, and he gasps. That causes Fluttershy and Pinkie to also look up, followed by the others. Rarity is the last to meet your eyes. Everypony's eyes widen, and an unspoken shame swirls around the room like windy vortexes.

Concern, remorse, pity…. Why are they looking at you like that?

You move over to where Rarity is sitting, and the other ponies shift out of the way to let you kneel beside your mare friend.

“So what happened?” You ask.

Rarity averts her eyes. “Oh, Anon… it’s terrible. My life is over.”

“Because of Hoity Toity?” You ask.

She doesn’t look up at you, but she nods as tears plummet to the marble floors below her face.

“What did I do to him to make him so mad?” You ask. “And what does this have to do with you?”

Rarity’s chest quivers a little. “Oh Anon… it’s not you per say. It's what I did…. I’m the one he’s mad at.”

You frown harder. “But why?”

She finally turns to you. Her eyes are bloodshot. “Because he knows we have had sex! He says that I am a sick freak, and I have no business making strides in fashion.” Her chest quivered harder and she whimpered. “He… he … he said I was an -”

You wince. “An abomination?”

Rarity collapses into your chest and she bawls harder. Floodwaters flow down your shirt, but you don’t care. As you wrap your hands around her little white body, you glance at all of the other ponies. Five of the other ponies are wrought with vicarious sadness, but one isn’t.

Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, studies you with mysterious, cold eyes. Oh sure… to the unsuspecting individual, they might assume she also felt great empathy for her friend, and for you for that matter.

But you are not unsuspecting.

Rarity wipes her face on your shirt. “He s-said he is going to ruin me by telling all of his important socialite friends that I like to …. Fornicate with beasts.” She glances up at you. “I know you’re not a beast, Anon…. But this is going to ruin me. I’m over…. I’M A FAILURE!!!”

Once more, she sniffles against your nasty, wet, snot covered shirt.

You glance at all of the other ponies in turn. “Is there anything that can be done? Can we make him not tell ponies about us?”

Twilight shook her head. “Not any way that’s legal or good. Don’t forget, Anon, we’re the heroines of Equestria. Every pony looks up to us and expects us to d-”

Your mind explodes with energy, and before you can control yourself, you blurt out, “That's it! Forget! Maybe you can make him forget that Rarity and I are dating.”

Your statement might as well have been a sudden clap of thunder, for complete silence followed in its wake. Six ponies and one dragon stare at you curiously, for what you suggested probably seems so strange to them.

One pony, on the other hand, peers at you with absolute horror. Twilight’s eyes flicker with constant vibration, and her mouth is agape. She recovers in time to conceal her surprise as Rarity and the others regard her.

Twilight’s eyes lock with yours, and they are not warm, nor are they welcoming.

Rarity asks, “I-is that possible? Can we really make him forget?”

Twilight Sparkle opens her mouth to speak, but you cut her off. You figure, ‘what the hell…. I’m slightly fucked anyway. Might as well go full balls to the wall, right?’

“It’s probably not that simple, is it Twilight?” You ask with a neutral tone.

You’re trembling inside, and yet, you’re nearly overcome with a sudden and alarming sense of bravado.

Twilight’s mouth forms a small line on her face.

You continue, “If Hoity Toity knows, that means that countless other ponies probably know too. Making him forget will be pointless if someone else remembers, right?”

Twilight’s jaw tightens for a moment. She says with clear and crisp diction, “That is correct, Anon.” There is slight, irritated emphasis on your name.

Starlight’s ears lean back a little, and several of the other girls react to the unexpected tension in Twilight’s voice.

“If this is going to work, we’re going to need a spell that will make more ponies forget,” You say. “Perhaps every pony. That’s the only way to be sure.”

Rarity sniffles a little. “Wait.... when you say everypony, do you…” her eyes widen. “No! Absolutely not! I won’t do it! I’d rather give up my destiny than give up you. I love you, Anon.”

Damn it! Why did she have to say it? For the entirety of your relationship, that concept had been an unspoken one between the two of you.

You wince. “Rarity, you love designing. It's what you live for.” You gesture to yourself. “I’m not even supposed to be here. I’m a mistake.”

Once more, six of the ponies in the room peer at you with confusion, and the last stares with disbelief and anxious terror. This time, Starlight catches a glimpse of Twilight.

“What a terrible thing to say!” Apple jack says. “You’re not a mistake, Anon.”

You reach down and run your fingers through Rarity’s mane. “Let me ask you; if you knew I had to either give up the thing I loved the most, or have you in my life, and you got to make the choice on which I kept, what would you choose?”

“But I love you the most!” Rarity said.

“What would you choose?” You ask.

Rarity shakes her head. “It’s not the same!!!!”

“But it is,” you reply.

“But why do I have to forget?” Rarity asks.

“Because if you don’t, this will happen again.” You kiss the tip of her horn. “What would you do?”

She doesn’t answer you, but the anguish in her eyes says enough.

“I love you too,” You reply. “Can you expect me to do anything less? I know you better than most, and I know that you love being a fashion designer. It’s what you have always loved. I know you love me, but I’m a new addition to your life. Your devotion to your fashion is something at your very core.”

You pause for a moment. “This is all moot until Twilight confirms whether or not this can even be done.” You lock gazes with the purple alicorn.

It's strange, but you have never seen hatred in Twilight Sparkle’s eyes before now. Its haunting.

Rarity doesn’t regard Twilight, but instead, she rests her head on your chest. Soft whimpers escapes her.

“Is it possible?” Fluttershy asks.

Twilight and you have a long staring contest, and the air crackles with awkwardness.

“Yes...., this is possible,” Twilight says. “However,in order to do the spell, I’m going to need to find the right spell book.”She lets out a slight snort from her nostrils. “Anon…. Would you mind helping me find it?”

“Him?” Spike asks. “B-but I’m your number 1 assistant. No one knows this library like I do!”

Twilight doesn’t turn her attention away from you. “I know that, Spike. But I need you to go get some donuts from town. I’m hungry. Can you please get them for me?”

She finally turns her attention away from you and moves toward a doorway. You start to rise, but Rarity presses against you, hard.

“No… please, just give me another minute,” Rarity says.

Twilight calls out. “You’re not going to forget him completely.”

Rarity leans up so she is standing on her two hind legs. “I’m going to forget everything that matters.” She gazes into your eyes. “Even if I don’t remember you, know that I will always love you.”

Her lips press against yours. There isn’t tongue, but what you get is so much more splendid. It is the dying passion of what would have become an undying love. Seconds pass, and you beg for the heavens to stretch those seconds into forever.

Your prayers are not answered.

Rarity pulls away, and she trots out of the room. The other six ponies and Spike follow her, although Starlight gives you one last critical look before she also disappears. You are frozen as you watch them go.

Twilight’s voice rocks you from your stasis.

Her voice is dark and sharp. “Let’s go.”

You follow Twilight, and she leads you to a back stairwell that you didn’t even know existed. She doesn’t say anything, and you got the impression that you probably shouldn’t try and speak either. You two kept climbing the stairwell until you found yourself in one of the top towers.

If you didn’t know any better, you might have been a little more concerned that Twilight was... going... to…. snuff….

Oh God….

You are led to a circular chamber with a desk in the center. A pair of chairs are on either side of the desk.

There are no books in the room.

“Sit.” Twilight’s voice is a bark.

You do as you are commanded, and Twilight sits on the other side of the desk.

Her eyes take on a demonic glimmer, and she places her hooves in front of her.

“Who told you?” she asks, eerily calmly.

“What are you talking about?” You ask. Sweat starts to bead on your forehead.

Twilight’s eyes narrow. “You just so happened to suggest a forgetting spell out of the blue? Just like that? Am I supposed to believe I led you to that line of thinking through our dialogue?”

“But you did,” You say.

“Bullshit!” Her voice raises an octave. “A creature like you suggesting something like that is way beyond suspicious!” Her eyes narrowed. “Wait…. Big Mac is sick, isn't he?”

A lump forms in your throat.

Twilight’s eyes sparkle. “He is! I remember Apple Jack talking about it, and about how you helped them prepare for the Festival.” She pauses. “The Pony Tones are supposed to perform aren’t they?” Her last question is ladened with grit.

You clear your throat.

“Which means you must have had to go into the Everfree Forest,” Twilight said. The muscles in her jaw tightened, and a vein pulsated out of her forehead. “What did Zacora tell you?”

You clamp your mouth shut.

“TELL ME!” Twilight slams both of her hooves onto the desk, and creates several large cracks in the wood. “DAMN IT, I WILL END YOU AND HER IF I HAVE TO!!!! THEY WON’T COME BACK!!”

You cringe in your seat. “Th-they?”

Twilight’s horn glows brightly. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll just make sure Zacora never tells anypony anything else again…”

She moves closer to the tower window, the one facing the Everfree Forest. A bright ball of energy forms at the tip of her horn.

“No! I’ll tell you everything!!! Just please don’t!!!” You say.

Twilight stops, and then glares at you. “Then spill it.”

You swallow hard. “We met in the woods, and she thought I was someone else.”

Twilight’s horn stops glowing, and her eyes become dominated by fear. “Who? Who did she think you were?” She gets close to you now, so close that her muzzle is nearly touching your nose.

You reply, “Um…. at first, she thought I was Amy, then Brad, and then Stan.”

Twilight sits down in front of you on the floor. “Br-Brad? Amy? St-Stan? Oh Celestia? How does she know about them? If she knows about them, then she must know about…” she gulps and looks around the room. “Have you heard any disembodied voices yet?”

“Voices?” You ask as you start to look around the room again. “No, am I supposed to?”

Twilight hangs her head and her voice sounds drained. “Yes, yes you will. They all do, eventually. And once they do, it’s too late.”

The urge to vomit clutches you, and you hurl right on Twilight Sparkle’s head. Chunks of your lunch dribble in her mane. For a moment, she glares up at you. Her horn glows, and the vomit is gone.

“Sorry,” You wipe your mouth.

Twilight returns to her spot behind the desk. “Don’t worry about it.” She lets out a heavy sigh. “If Zacora knows that much, she will have to be dealt with.”

You stand up tall, towering over Twilight and the desk. “You can’t kill her. You’re the Princess of Friendship, for Celestia’s sake.”

Twilight glances up at you and lets out a discordant chuckle. “Celestia’s sake? That’s rich. She’s the one who taught me to deal with… your kind. Don’t worry, I won’t kill Zacora… but I’ll make sure she forgets the time. She’ll never tell anypony about your kind again.” Twilight gestures for your seat. “Sit, there is no reason we can’t talk about this like civilized creatures. I like you, Anon. I really do, and you have to know that none of this is personal.”

You sit down, but you openly glare at her.

She glares back.

“Are you sure you don’t hate me?” Anon asks.

“No, I don’t hate you,” Twilight replies. “However, had Starlight not been there when you appeared, I would have killed you on the spot. I’ve seen Equestria devastated by human maleficence over a thousand times.”

Your eyes widen. “You can’t be serious.”

Twilight sits back in her chair. “I am.” She closes her eyes for a moment. “I don’t even know where I should begin with you.”

“Well,” you say. “Let me ask you some questions.”

Twilight’s voice was flat. “Sure.”

“So there have been humans in Equestria before?” You ask.

She glares at you. “No, I’m just super pissed off at you because I’m in heat and I want to murder fuck you into paste! What a stupid question!”

A barely audible voice whispers in your ear. “Wow, she is being a real bitch.”

“I know, right?” You say in response, before you even realize what just happened.

“Well at least you know it's a stupid question!” Twilight said. “Do you have another one for me?”

You sit there for a moment, and your eyes dance around the room.

“Hey! I’m right here!” Twilight says. “If you want to know so bad, then ask! You won’t get another chance!”

“W-who are they?” You ask. “Zacora mentioned “they”, and so did you.”

Twilight winces, and she remains quiet for a long time. You can tell by the way her eyes shift in and out of focus that her mind is buzzing with thoughts.

“Let me start off by telling you something Princess Celestia told me,” Twilight says. Once more, she glances about the room.

Your skin crawls a little.

“Once upon a time,” Twilight says, “Back when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruled the land together, a magical vortex opened. Creatures emerged from the vortex, and they were from another world.” She peeks at you. “They started out being nice, but that quickly changed.”

You swallow hard. “What happened?”

Twilight lets out a hollow laugh. “From the way Princess Celestia remembers it, she had to do something unspeakable to save our people from yours. That was the first time she had to use the ‘Cosmic Rewrite’ spell. She discovered it in an act of desperation.”

“What kind of act?” You ask.

Twilight replies, “The humans had taken over the world, killed or enslaved all of the other ponies, and ruined everything. Princess Celestia was about to be executed by their leader, a vicious man named Patrick.”

The sound of a distant laugh echoes in the back of your mind. Your spine shivers, but you say nothing.

“Well, Princess Celestia used a small sliver of her soul as the cost for rewriting history,” Twilight said. “And she turned back time to when the humans first arrived. Only two individuals knew what happened before she casted the spell…. Herself and Patrick. Well, Princess Celestia was not about to let her people be tormented again”

“Wait… you said she used a sliver of her soul?” You ask.

Twilight just nods.

You ask, “What did she do?”

A glossy sheen covers Twilight’s eyes. “She murdered them all right then in there.”

The air grows hot and sticky… and unseen fingers made from pure anger tickle your mind.

Twilight says, “As Patrick died, he placed a curse on Equestria. He swore that humans would continue to come to our world, and when they did, he and his army would return to finish what they started.” She sniffles a little. “I know you’re a good human, but all of the terrible human villains were good at one point. No offense, but you all are monsters.”

The mysterious voice whispers to you. “We’re not the monsters. They are. What she doesn’t know is that we didn’t come to this world as conquers. We came as refugees. When we came, Celestia welcomed us… and then she enslaved us.”

Your eyes widen, but you remain quiet.

Twilight shifts in her seat, and then she continues. “Princess Celestia mentioned that humans started appearing again several decades after she banished Luna, so she alone had to bear the terrible price for rewriting Equestiran history over and over.” Her licks her lips a little to moisten them. “You know what’s funny?”

The both of you sit there, gawking at one another. Seconds melt away, and then you realize she is waiting for you.

“Um… what’s funny?” you ask.

“There have been more human encounters and historical resets after I joined my friends in Ponyville than ever before in the entirety of Equestrian History,” Twilight said. “The Princesses have no idea why.”

“M-maybe you’re special?” You reply.

Twilight Sparkle gives you a flat, borderline annoyed glare. “Oh yes…. I’m so special.” she sighs. “I wish your kind would stop coming to Equestria, especially when I’m alive. And now that I’m a princess….” Her voice becomes a little choked up while her eyes take on a wet appearance. “I’m going to have to deal with you forever. I’ll never be allowed to die or have a reprieve.”

You lean forward. “What are you talking about? What do you mean ‘you’ll never be allowed to die?’”

Twilight locks gazes with you. “Princess Celestia can’t do the ‘Cosmic Rewrite’ spell anymore. When I was born, Celestia had about ¾ of her soul left….”

A deeply, sickening film of acidic filth coats the insides of your throat. Your voice comes out as a harsh rasp. “H-how much of your soul do you have left?”

Twilight lets out a hollow chuckle. “I have a little more than half of it left. Once I reach about ¼ of it, I’ll have to raise another pony to Alicorn status. That’s the only way….” another bitter laugh escapes her. “Good thing we have Flurry Heart as back up. I’d love to avoid passing this burden on to her if I can.”

“Wait! What about Princess Cadence?” You ask.

Twilight doesn’t hesitate. “Both she and Luna got burned out long ago. I’m the only one left who can still do it.”

A great pain grips your heart. “Is that why Starlight Glimmer is your ...student?”

Twilight averts her eyes. “If you tell anypony of this, I will kill you slowly, and make them all forget you ever existed. For now, I’ll erase ponies’ minds about you and Rarity. Don’t make me take it farther.”

You swallow hard. “Will it cost you a sliver of your soul?”

A small, genuine smile appears on her face. “Not for this, no.” She looks at you again. “You haven’t heard any voices, have you?”

The mysterious voice whispers in your mind. “Tell her no. If you do, I’ll show you my life so you can know for yourself.You can know the truth, and then...” the voice laughs. “You can join us.”

“Anon!?” Twilight urges. “Have you heard any voices? Please tell me! This is important!”

Your heart feels as if it is being torn in two. What should you do? What should you say? On one hand, these ponies had become your friends and loved ones. They cared for you, gave you a home, and allowed you to live. Then again, if what Twilight said was true, would you ever be accepted? Would you ever be allowed to fall in love again without totally destroying another pony’s life? And what about this voice speaking to you? You can’t see it, but the feeling in the air is so hot and wretched. This voice is angry, and its spiritual touch burns the tips of your soul with every second it interacts with you.

You close your eyes. “Yes! He is speaking to me now…”

The voice curses at you. “Idiot!!! They will never accept you. You FOOL!!!”

Twilight screams, “He?! Stay with me, Anon! Resist what he is saying. Patrick is a liar!!!”

A pair of ethereal hands grip your mind as if trying to choke you. “I won’t let this opportunity pass me by! I will have my vengence. Equestria will be saturated in their blood!” The hands squeezed. “LET ME IN!!!!”

You collapse on the floor. Savage pain rocks your mind, and invisible needs stab into you from otherworldly places.

“Anon!!!!” Twilight leaps over the desk and lands beside you. “LEAVE HIM ALONE, PATRICK! I WON’T LET YOU RETURN!!!”

The voice laughs hard. “Stupid princess! She can’t stop me forever. Even if you die, I’ll just possess the next one who gets swept away here. This hurts now, Anon, but once you let me in, I’ll give you all the pleasure you want.”

You scream out, and your eyes roll back in your head. Your arms thrash, but no amount of mental force is making a dent in this villain’s relentless attack.

Patrick whispers, “I will give you Rarity back. Hell, If you like pony twat, I’ll give you 100 Rarity’s. Just let go and let me in. You have great potential in you. You have the magic I need to kill Twilight and take the land back. Let go, and I’ll fill the land with humans. I’ll even turn Rarity human, so you can live happily ever after. LET ME IN! LET ME IN AND IT'S ALL YOURS!!!”

In a loud voice, you bellow “NOOOOOOOOO!”

“Then I’ll take it from you,” Patrick says. “You can’t stop me.”

You clench all your muscles as you try and resist the immense force trying to meld with you. Despite your best efforts, you know you are losing. Every cell in your body starts to warp, and you feel super dizzy.

“Forgive me for what I am about to do,” Twilight says. “It’s for the good of Equestria. I’m sorry!”

You look up at Twilight and her horn glows so bright. A sudden flash engulfs you, and then…. Everything is bright white.

Patrick screams!

***

You hear the voices before you see them.

“Are you certain that he’s going to be alright?” Rarity asks. “He’s not moving, and it’s been hours.”

Somepony chuckles, and then Twilight says, “Trust me. He’s going to be okay. This won’t ever happen again.”

“Are you sure?” Rarity says. “My poor Anon.”

The white haze that has engulfed you fades, and you’re laying in your own bedroom. Twilight and Rarity are in the room. As soon as your eyes open, Rarity dives on you. Her lips meet your own, and the kiss is only brief.

“Thank Celestia you’re alright,” Rarity says.

You try to push yourself up, but something is wrong. Your body isn’t working the way its supposed to, and so you look down at yourself.

Your eyes widen, and your breathing starts to get faster.

“Calm down, darling,” Rarity says. “Its going to be okay.”

“W-what happened to me?” You ask.

Your hands are gone, and in their place, you have a pair of hooves. Actually, by technical standards, you now have four hooves. Your body is covered in hair.
There is a nearby mirror, and so you gaze deep into it. The reflection reveals the truth. In your mind, you always had an idea of what you might look like as a pony, and sure enough… you look exactly as you thought you might. [insert the image of your pony OC here. For all future stories about this version of Anon, you will look like how your OC is…. Be it earth pony, pegasus, or unicorn]

“It is the worst case of Poison Joke I’ve ever seen,” Rarity said.

You look back at her. “W-what?”

Twilight lets out an awkward chuckle. “Yep, and I messed it up with a mis calculation. I tried to cure it with my magic, and I’m afraid it’s permanent.”

You can’t help but laugh a little, and your eyes water. “Permanant?” and then a sudden flash of memory strikes you. “What about Hoity Toity?”

Rarity kisses you on the lips again. A flood of energy pours in you.

Rarity says, “ Twilight already made everypony else forget.”

“But not you?” Tears streak down your face.

Rarity nuzzles against your … your muzzle.

“Not me, darling,” Rarity replies. "Never me."

Twilight clears her throat. “Can you give Anon and I a moment? I want to make sure he is 100% healthy.”

Rarity nods, and then gives you a smile. “I’m going to go get you some food. You must be starving.”

Your stomach rumbles on command.

When Rarity leaves, Twilight closes the distance. She peers at you with a serious stare, and yet there is still warmth in her irises.

“Are you feeling okay?” Twilight asks.

You nod. “What happened? I don’t remember much…. Only pain.”

Twilight replies, “It doesn’t matter. The only thing you need to worry about is getting accustomed to your new life.” She gazes toward the door. “I’m sure with Rarity, you’re going to be fine.”
“I thought you were going to kill me,” You say.

“I was going to kill you.” She frowns. “I thought you were too far gone…. But then I remembered a promise I made to a girl just like you once.”

“What was her name?” You ask.

Twilight Sparkle looks back at you. “Her name was Lauren. She was my best friend when she was here. Patrick almost got her too. To save her life, I did the best thing I could.”

You ask, “Which was?”

“I sent her home.” Twilight said.

You two are quiet for nearly a minute. “What was the promise?”

Twilight merely smiles at you.

“Have you ever turned humans into ponies before?” you ask.

“Me? No.” Twilight’s smile gets bigger. “Do you know Mr. and Mrs. Cake?”

“Well, of course I do.” Your heart starts to flutter.

Twilight confirms your innermost thoughts. “Once upon a time, they were named Brad and Amy.” She moved to the door. “Don’t say anything to anypony about this… ever.”

“What about Zacora?” you ask.

Twilight’s face grows dark. “Who’s Zacora?”

Your stomach gurgles wildly, and it's not from hunger.

And then the pony princess bursts out laughing. “I’m just kidding. I will have to have a talk with her though.”

You stare at her weepy eyed, and then she beams at you.

“I will talk to her and tell her to never tell anypony about ‘you know what’ again,” Twilight says. “Okay?”

You nod.

She leaves, and Rarity comes in a few minutes later, with a plate of food floating in the midst of her magical aura.

“So Anon, will you be date for the festival?” Rarity bats her eyes at you.

You grin. “I’d love to. Can you teach me how to walk first?”

The End