Anonymous in Nu-Questria 2

There is something innately comforting about the ocean. For all it’s churning waves and unseen currents, there is a promise of rebirth with every rising tide.

You listen to the waves rolling in with the evening swells. You are seated on the walkway of the lighthouse, looking out across the bay. It’s hard to comprehend that you were here not too long ago, getting unwillingly dragged along on a quest to explore Equestria’s fallen glory, and now you have returned, knowing too much.

Yet you have gained something along the way. Some might call it truth. Some might call it friendship. For you, it’s a bit more.

“Hey.” Sunny says as she steps around the bend.

You look at her and smile warmly.

“So, uh, any word yet?” You ask.

Sunny grins and nods once.

“Yep. Zipp says she found out how to open the archived data. She says it’s going to take a while to decrypt everything, but she’ll tell us when it’s ready.” Sunny says.

She sits down next to you. Her head lazily drifts to your arm and she nuzzles her cheek against it.

“Well. Alright then.” You say.

Without thinking, you lift your hand and run it along the length of her silky smooth mane. Your fingers pass through the rainbow streak, which is now beginning to fade at the roots.

“So, how long do we have?” You ask.

Sunny shrugs. “It will probably be done by this afternoon...”

“Oh.” You say, somewhat disheartened.

Sunny lifts up her head with a comforting smile.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” She says.

You look away.

“I just don’t think I'm ready to face it yet, Sunny.” You say.

“But why?” Sunny asks as she cuddles closer to your arm.

“Because, well, what if everypony agrees with Twilight? What if I am the downfall of this world?” You say.

Truth be told, you have been thinking a lot about the creatures and their guns. You wonder what will happen now that they have no reason to stay there any longer. What's to stop them from showing up again?

Sunny sighs slowly. She leans off of you and stands up in front of you.

“Anon, we’ve been over this. It’s not going to be your fault.” She says.

You look away. She has told you this many times, yet it’s still quite hard to believe.

"What about the creatures? Zelina? She mentioned she has a family. She belongs to a nation..."

She takes your hand in her hoof. She brings it up to her mouth and kisses your fingers gently. You gradually look over at her.

“Anon, please don't.” She says.

You squeeze her hoof gently with your fingers. She puts her other hoof over your hand and looks into your eyes.

“You can choose to give in to fear. You can choose to dread what might come next. But, Anon, that's not what I want for you. Whatever happens, whatever we face next, I’m going to be here with you. You aren’t going to do it alone.”

You look into her eyes and see the honesty therein. "I promise." She says.

“And if the world turns against me again?” You ask.

“Then I’ll still love you. Even though I shouldn't. I promise.” She says.

She brushes her mane back over her shoulder and smiles somewhat awkwardly.

“I mean, so what? I fell for a criminal from another dimension.” She says with a slight laugh. “If that makes me a bad pony, then I don’t bucking care!”

You chuckle and shake your head. “Wow! Sunny Starscout almost swore! Stop the fucking presses!” You say jokingly.

She giggles and gives you a cute little smile. You quickly put a hand under her foreleg and tickle. She her giggle turns into a small laugh.

Just as you are about to lean in for a kiss, there’s a ding from inside the lighthouse. Sunny tilts her ears towards the sound, and you glance over too.

“Oh! Muffins are done!” She says. She perks up a bit and starts walking back around the walkway of the lighthouse.

You follow her inside and take the elevator down to the ground floor. The smell of baked goods has filled the entire interior of the house.

“Mhm. Smells pretty good. I just hope you aren’t hyping them up too much.” You say.

Sunny carefully pulls out the tin from the oven with an oven mitt in her teeth. She sets them down on the kitchen island to cool.

“Okay, just let them cool down for a bit!” She says.

You poke at one any way. It’s still very hot, but you can’t resist.

“Anon!” Sunny says.

“What? Banana nut muffins are really good.” You say.

You peel off a steaming chunk of muffin top and quickly blow on it. Sunny shakes her head, but she has a light blush on her face.

You pop the bit of muffin into your mouth and chew. It’s the best damn thing you’ve tasted so far.

“Hm.” You say. “That’s pretty dang good.”

With an affirmative nod, you reach out again to grab some more, but Sunny bats your hand away.

“Stop! You’re gonna burn yourself.” She says.

“Oh? So what? I can take it.” You say.

“No. Don’t be silly, you big oaf.” Sunny says as she nudges your shoulder with a hoof.

“Yeah? What are you gonna do to stop me, huh?”

Sunny raises an eyebrow. You smirk at her and reach out a finger towards the muffin tin.

“Come here, you!” Sunny says. She bounds behind you and suddenly grabs your belt in her teeth. She yanks you down with surprising force, and you tumble back to the rug.

“Ah!” You shout and try to roll away, but you are blocked by a peach-colored hoof stomping down.

“Nope! You’re mine now, human.” She says in a playfully menacing tone.

She pins you down by the shoulders with her hooves. With a flirty giggle, she then rests her body weight on your chest and cranes her neck down over you.

“Now, submit to my affection.” She says.

“Shoot.” You say.

She giggles and nuzzles against your cheek. You let her rub her smooth fur against you. Even with such a simple gesture of pony affection, her touch sends tingles down your spine. You reciprocate the nuzzle.

She leans her head back with a confident smirk.

“So. Anon.” She says.

“Yes...?” You say.

“I think I know what we can do while the muffins wait to cool down.” She says.

“Oh no.” You say. “You don’t mean...”

“Maybe. What do you think I mean?”

She wiggles her eyebrows and her tail swishes behind her.

“Uh... I dunno, Sunny. It might not be the right time.” You say, trying to temper your response despite the building, fluttering passion inside your chest.

“Don’t worry.” Sunny says, narrowing her eyes and leaning closer to your face. “I’ll tell Zipp we’ll be there tomorrow. It can wait.”

You swallow.

“I just... I’ve been off the mare wagon for so long. It’s not just something you just... jump back onto, you know?” You say.

“Jump on? What is that, a human euphemism? You’re saying you want to... ride me?” She says in a sultry voice.

“I mean... I...” You say.

Sunny presses her lips to yours. She kisses you gently. Your inhibitions fly free, and you find yourself kissing back as you caressing her flank and back.

Her breaths are hot and shallow. She tilts her head and kisses you deeper for a moment, then quickly pulls back.

With flushed cheeks and a half-lidded eyes, she says, “Too bad. I’m gonna be riding on top of you.”

Damn she’s bold. You’re into it. You smile at her meekly, and she smirks.

Once more into the breech. Once more you are in love with a cartoon pony.

Shit. Here we go again.