Author's Note

I’m going to stop the coloring of text names it’s getting rather annoying and time consuming so I’m stopping that. Please don’t ask why I stopped in the comments if I’m explaining it ahead of time thank you.

The courage of the weak

The courage of the weak.

Aaron was sleeping on the train ride back to Ponyville. Fancy Dance gave him a month off while she gets the other four’s choreographed performances perfect. Aaron stayed distant from Celestia and Luna. Aaron helped Cadence hide from the evil one by staying with Moon Dancer. Aaron was experiencing some exciting nightmares and dreams after distancing from the princess. But the one he was experiencing on the train was unsettling. Aaron was standing in the middle of a swirling black cloud, and as it entered his body, he felt like he was hardening into crystal. That’s when he was forced to watch himself head to a pristine crystal castle.

Aaron was trapped, beating on the wall of the physical world. The body looked back at Aaron and smirked at him evilly. Aaron beat the wall harder, and it cracked, and that’s when Aaron’s physical body fell to his knees in a hurt manner. Aaron, with a noticed expression, smugly grinned back. That’s when he hit the cracked wall more, and he was practically free. That’s when Aaron woke up to the sound of the train conductor yelling, "They had arrived at Ponyville."

Aaron hopped to his feet, and Trevor said, “It’s getting worse and more uncomfortable. What do we do?” Aaron was walking around Ponyville and noticed a lot of anthro pony Pegasus training their wings and flying. That’s when a bush bumped into his leg, and he frowned, knowing who she was.
Aaron grabbed her by her arms and said, “Why are you hiding Flutter Shy?”

Flutter Shy shyly smiled and said, “Just hiding fro-“
Aaron heard a familiar voice say, “Hold Flutter Shy for me, Anon!” Aaron looked over and saw Rainbow Dash in coach clothes. She walked up and looked at FlutterShy with a disappointed expression. Aaron moved Flutter Shy away from Rainbow Dash's sight and asked, “What is happening, Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow Dash backed off slightly and calmly said, “It’s Ponyville’s turn to supply the rainy water because CloudsDale needs water supplied by different towns and cities to help make rain clouds and whatnot.”
Aaron listened and then replied, “Let me guess, you need all hands on deck to get this water up to this Cloudsdale? When’s the day you need to get this done?”
Rainbow Dash nodded, and that’s when Aaron handed FlutterShy to her and said, “In several weeks.”
As Aaron walked to his house, Rainbow Dash said, “Thank you for holding her.”

Aaron waved gently and kept walking away. That’s when he made it back home, walked to his living room chair, and slumped in it, exhausted. Aaron heard something in the room off to the side of his living room. Aaron stood up, walked into his office, and saw Spike.
Confused and expressionless, Aaron asked, “Spike, why are you in my office?”
Spike smiled, scared, and said, “I was hiding in your house. It’s the only place Twilight won’t enter without your permission.”

Aaron said with more emotion, “WHY ARE YOU IN MY HOUSE? Spike?”
Spike replied, “Twilight is driving me crazy with all the crap she talks about out loud. She misses you, Anon, and it’s clear to all of us. She misses you so much that she has a body pillow of you with accurate information and pictures, too.”

Aaron sighed and said, “I suppose you came here for a good night's sleep?”
Spike nodded. Aaron said, “Go upstairs down the hall. On the left is my room. Touch nothing and sleep in my bed. This is the only time you do this, as long as I give you the go-ahead. Got it!” Spike nodded and ran up the stairs. Aaron went back to his chair and relaxed.
Aaron heard Trevor say again, “What are we going to do?”

Aaron said, “I don’t know! Look, if it’s any consolation, it’s probably Luna giving us nightmares for being an asshole and taking her job.”
Trevor frowned and said, “These nightmares seem oddly specific to be nightmares; they almost seem like future visions.”
Aaron stopped briefly and said, “Wait, so at some point, I will be launched into a mountain like a test dummy?”

Trevor nodded, and Aaron looked down, and in a sad look rested, he said, “Well, fuck.” After a few hours of relaxing, Aaron got up and started cooking dinner. Aaron was making pasta, and that’s when he heard Spike come downstairs.
Aaron, still softening the pasta, saw Spike enter and asked, “Can I have some? And what are you planning on doing while you’re back?”
Aaron sighed and replied, “Look, I’ll feed you, Spike. But I won’t let you in on all my plans.”

Spike frowned a bit and said, “Okay, I was just curious. What are you cooking? It smells good.”
Aaron said, “Just some chicken Alfredo without the chicken since Flutter Shy doesn’t like me taking her sick, dying animals to make food out of.”
Spike, confused, asked, “Wait, you eat meat! I thought you were a herbivore, like Twilight?”

Aaron replied, “Nope, I’m an omnivore. But I prefer meat.” Spike sat at the table and watched Aaron fix a plate of pasta. Aaron put the pasta in front of Spike and then sat down with his food. Spike used his fork to take his first bite of pasta.
Aaron also dug into his food and asked, “Say, how old are you, Spike?”

Spike, confused, replied, “What do you mean you were at my 12th birthday party?”
Aaron retorted, “You’re 12 years old? You act like a responsible adult for Twilight’s bullshit.”
Spike smiled pridefully and said, “Well, some buddy has to be responsible.”

Aaron then got serious and asked, “Spike, can you keep a secret?”
Spike looked at Aaron, focused, and said, “Yes, I can hold a secret. How long do you want me to hold it?”
Aaron responded, “For……I’d say several months.”
Spike nodded and said, “Hit me with the secret.”

Aaron said, “Come out, Cadence. I know you’re there!” As Aaron said, Spike heard footsteps moving to his kitchen. Aaron put his hands on his chin and watched Cadence sit at the table next to Spike.
Aaron said, “Now that the variable is in the room. I can start. Spike, as you know, Cadence is staying here for a few months, and no, it’s not because we are in love. I’m hiding her because a changeling queen is pretending to be her. Shining Armor is under her spell, and I’m protecting Cadence from being killed or kept under Canterlot catacombs.”
Spike listened with serious concern. As he heard the full story, Spike exclaimed, “Why are you telling me this when you could tell the Princesses that this is happening?!”

Aaron replied, “Spike, use your head. What about her guards or subordinates if this changeling queen is in Canterlot? We don’t know how many of them there are, and we don’t know how many have replaced the other people. That’s why I helped move Cadence to Ponyville for now.”
Spike looked at Cadence and said, “So this queen replaced you just to what exactly?”
Cadence replied, “From our knowledge of changelings, she took my place to feed on Shining Armor's love for me. But that’s just speculation because we haven’t seen any changeling’s for several decades.”

Aaron took the plates and started cleaning them and doing the dishes. Spike gathered his thoughts, and Cadence finished her third plate of pasta. Over the sound of cleaning, Aaron said, “What do you want to say, Spike?”
Spike asked, “How did you find this out?”
Aaron replied, “When I bumped into the fake Cadence, her face deflated slightly as a sign of my absorbing abilities. That’s where my dreamscape self came in, and thanks to the knowledge he had from the princesses, we were able to deduce her race.”

Spike nodded in agreement and said, “So Princess Cadence is just hanging out at your place?” Aaron looked at Spike and nodded. That’s when a knock on his cabin door was heard. Aaron walked over to his front door and saw Twilight and Flutter Shy by his door. Aaron asked, “What?”
Twilight said, “Is Spike in your house?”
Aaron responded, “Yep.”
Twilight said, “Can you please tell him he still has several chores to do?”
Aaron replied, “Yep, what do you need, Flutter Shy?”

Flutter Shy quietly said, “Can you train my Wings so I can fly faster.”
Aaron smiled and said, “Yeah, come back in training clothes and bring your animals over so we can help you with something else.”
Flutter Shy smiled and said, “Ok. Thank you, Anon.” Aaron nodded and watched Twilight and Flutter Shy head to their homes. Aaron walked back to the kitchen and said, “Spike, you can head home now and finish your chores, and don’t spill the beans. Got it!”

Spike nodded and headed out the front door. Cadence is still in the kitchen, drinking some water with ice cubes. Aaron pointed at her and said, “You go back to Canterlot in disguise like you’re supposed to be and get me more information on that faker!” Cadence saluted and said in a mocking tone, “Sir, Yes, Sir!”

Cadence teleported out of his house. Aaron sighed and lay back on his chair in the kitchen. He heard, “So that’s why you’ve been distant.” Aaron turned around and saw Celestia behind him. In a moment of silence, he looked away in a tired expression. Celestia walked over and hugged him from behind.
Aaron said, “I suppose you want some answers?”

Celestia faced Aaron and said, “Later, but I know you’re trying to protect Cadence from getting caught. So that’s enough for me, for now. But why are you and Luna not on talking terms?”
Aaron replied, “That’s because Luna caught me helping Cadence in her nightmare. When Luna didn’t want my help.”
Celestia frowned and said, “Oh, I see. Did you apologize to her?”

Aaron looked up as Celestia rubbed his shoulders, and her head moved slowly toward his. Aaron looked deep into Celestia’s beautiful purple eyes with desire. Celestia coughed, still waiting for his answer. Aaron responded finally, “Yes, I did, but she didn’t want to hear it.”

Celestia nodded and then moved back. She teleported back to Canterlot to find out more from Luna. Aaron stood up and walked out to the front of his cabin. He saw Flutter Shy in training clothes with her animals.

——Several weeks of montages and training——

Flutter Shy was toned up and now flying faster than before. Aaron watched her fly to the lake reservoir. Aaron walked over slowly, got to the lake, and watched from afar as the group of anthros Pegasus sent the water up to Cloudsdale. As the last bit of water left the lake, the group slowed down, and most of them landed. Aaron noticed Flutter Shy coming out of her shell more and talking to several other anthros. Aaron nodded and walked back to his cabin.

Aaron opened his door and sat down in his chair, slumped comfortably. As he was about to fall asleep, he heard a knock on his door. Aaron opened it and saw a newspaper. He yawned and opened it to read as he did something in the gossip section: Gabby Gums was there. Aaron read the gossip column and said, “That seems a little bit too much to reveal. Don’t they usually have an editor who re-reads this to determine the facts?”

Aaron put the newspaper on the coffee table and relaxed. He sat back, and that’s when Flutter Shy barged into his home, ran to Aaron, and straddled him. Aaron looked at Flutter Shy, who was sitting on his lap. Flutter Shy said, “Thank you, Woody! I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Aaron blushed and said, “No problem, Flutter Shy. I’d help you no matter what. But while we’re here, can you please get your knees off my left hand? It’s hurting a little bit?”

Flutter Shy saw it and stood next to him. Aaron then moved to the couch and laid down on top of it. Aaron looked at Flutter Shy and gestured for her to come over. Flutter Shy moved over and laid on top of Aaron. She hugged his chest and blushed softly at the comfort of his chest moving and his hand resting on her back. Aaron felt a tap on his shoulder, and when he looked down at Flutter Shy, he watched her move closer as she went in for a kiss. Aaron pulled her closer to her hips, and when his lips met hers, a level of warmth came from the kiss. Aaron pulled away from the kiss and laid back in a relaxed way. Flutter Shy moved her head to his shoulder off to the side.

Scootaloo watched them on the couch from the side of the window as she headed back to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. She opened their tree house door and looked at the other two. She showed her friends the picture she took as the photo slowly processed. They had several pictures of Aaron relaxing in different places and kissing various older girls, from the Mane 6 to the Princesses of Equestria.

Apple Bloom said, “We are not letting Diamond Tiara make gossip on Anon. If he realized it was us, we’d be not only in trouble but also dead to him.” That’s when Sweetie Belle pulled out a photo of Twilight Sparkle kissing a body pillow in the dark. They looked at each other and then frowned. “Hopefully, she’ll take this and let us report the news.” Sweetie Belle said with a tired expression.

———————The next day, Morning——————

Aaron headed to Sugar Cube Corner for coffee—Twilight Sparkle sitting with Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack, and Rainbow Dash. Aaron entered the front door and saw them looking at the newspaper, and Twilight pissed, exclaimed, “This is slander and an invasion of privacy. This Gabby Gums section needs to be shut down immediately!”

Aaron walked up from behind Twilight and read the section. He responded, “They kept it vague enough, and the picture was explicitly darkened to hide what’s on the body pillow. I mean, thanks to Spike several weeks ago, who was complaining about your intensity of certain people.”

Twilight angrily said, “I don’t care. This is against my privacy, and the only reason you are indifferent is because you’re not on this section. Mostly everyone has been exposed, and if you get exposed, Anon, what will you do?” Aaron looked at Twilight and stayed silent with a dark expression. Aaron turned to Pinkie Pie and asked, “Hey, Pinkie, can I get a coffee, please?”

Pinkie Pie nodded and headed to the kitchen to make his usual coffee. Aaron sat down at the table. He then looked at Twilight and said, “Thanks to Spike hanging out at my place, I know what’s on that body pillow.”
Twilight, blushing, said, “So Spike’s the Gabby Gum’s!”
Aaron replied, “No, he isn’t, or he would have put more detail into the gossip. But the newspaper is purposely vague to make it seem like anyone could be the gossip person.”

Twilight relaxed and frowned. Aaron put his hand on her shoulder and said, “I’m not creeped out, by the way. It’s flattering, but if you want a real cuddle buddy, then all you have to do is ask.”
Pinkie walked up with Aaron’s coffee, and as she was about to hand the cup to Aaron, Moon Dancer ran up to the group and said, “Is it true? Twilight! You have a body pillow. Because if you do, I’d have to welcome you to my body pillow club.”
Twilight was surprised to see Moon Dancer respond, “I do, but I’m surprised you’re here. Moon Dancer, what brings you to Ponyville?”
Moon Dancer said, “Oh sweet, well, this is the club meeting times in Canterlot, and I’m a student of Anon. He’s been teaching me about unseen emotions and phasing in sentences. It’s all fascinating stuff.”

Twilight, skeptical, looked at Aaron and then back to Moon Dancer. She said, “Anon, the same Anon that can’t handle needles and has a hard time keeping his temper down?”
Moon Dancer retorted, “Hey, that’s not fair. The same could be said about Celestia and her stance on sweets and lazing about on work.”

Twilight Sparkle and Moon Dancer both pissed and frowned, angry, and that’s when Aaron asked, “If you two mirror opposites are going to kiss, then kiss, don’t catfight while I’m trying to drink my morning coffee.” Twilight Sparkle and Moon Dancer both moved their heads to glare at Aaron; he took a sip of coffee and stayed calm, watching with a smirk. Aaron trying to piss off Twilight and Moon Dancer, said, “You both act the same. You know that right.”
Twilight and Moon Dancer said at the same time, “NO WE DON’T! WE ARE NOT THE SAME!”

Aaron sat back and smirked at their outburst. Twilight and Moon Dancer looked at each other and then blushed at Aaron in frustration. Aaron looked at the other girls and said, “I’m sorry if you don’t think so. But here, let me show you what I mean.” Aaron stood up and asked, “Twilight, teleport a mirror here and make it big enough to block both of you.”

Twilight teleported the mirror, and Aaron fixed Moon Dancer to look like Twilight and then did the same to Twilight. Aaron removed the mirror, and when they looked at each other, they looked exactly the same but in different colors. Aaron said, “See, the same.”

Aaron finished his coffee and headed back to his house. That’s when he saw the group that was supposed to learn from him waiting by his door. As Aaron walked past them and opened his door, he noticed Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo weren’t in the group.

———————Couple of hours later———————

Aaron sat back on his couch and relaxed, only to hear a knock on the door. Aaron sighed and walked over, only to see Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo standing before his door. Aaron looked tired and asked, “What can I do for you three?”
Apple Bloom, scared, looked away and said, “We would like to apologize to you. We were forced to print out something because of a certain individual, and we don’t want to be associated with them until the newspaper is published tomorrow.”
Aaron looked confused and asked, with a serious expression, “What do you girls mean by that?”
Sweetie Belle, with tears in her eyes, started crying and ran away because of her guilt. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were shaking in a frightened silence. Aaron knelt down and repeated, “What did you girls do, and why are you scared?”

Scootaloo explained what they were forced to write because of Diamond Tiara. When Aaron heard the news, he nodded his head expressionlessly. Aaron looked down and sighed in disbelief at the crap Diamond Tiara put them through. Aaron said, “Go and bring Sweetie Belle back here tomorrow morning. Got it.”
Apple Bloom asked, “You're not mad, Anon?”
Aaron responded, “Oh, I’m mad, but I have the perfect punishment for you girls. But Diamond Tiara will regret running the story.”
Scootaloo suddenly asked, “Why will she regret the story?”
Aaron replied, “Because it’s not true, and what goes around comes around in a very karmic way.”

Aaron sent Apple Bloom and Scootaloo to grab a bunch of people. Aaron hung back and waited for them to get to his house. As Aaron went upstairs, he left a note on the bed saying, “Don’t come downstairs. There is a meeting going on, and you can’t let anyone find out you’re here.”

Aaron headed back downstairs, and as he opened the door, he let all of Twilight and her friends in: Spike, Big Mac, and many others. Aaron stood in the living room, watching everyone sit and prepare for the meeting. As he waited for them to settle down, Aaron asked, “Can you guys calm down, please?”

Everyone quieted down and waited for Aaron to start. Aaron said, “How many of you guys were having problems with this Gabby Gum’s gossip section in the newspaper? Just raise your hands as a show of interest.” Aaron watched as the majority raised their hands. Aaron nodded in agreement and raised his hand with the group as well. When the group showed confusion and shock at the fact that Aaron was affected by the gossip as well, Twilight, confused, asked, “How did it affect you, Anon?”
Aaron replied, “It affects me because my students can’t even look me in the eyes because they feel guilty about the gossip they are spreading.”
Rarity, surprised, retorted, “You know who is Gabby Gum’s, darling!”
Aaron said, “I do, and you guys will, too, in a moment. But the gossip section will spread a lie about me tomorrow morning, and I brought you all here to tell you it’s a lie, and I hope you guys will prove those trying to sow chaos and make me look bad. I hope you all prove them wrong.”

Aaron watched the group look confused, and as they were about to ask, Aaron said, “Now it’s time for the big reveal. The culprit behind the gossip section of the Newspaper is….. Diamond Tiara!” As the group was shocked by the news, all started putting the facts together, and it started making sense. Aaron continued as they were about to say something, “But she’s just the brains behind the gossip section. The hands and feet of the machine are….” Aaron gestured to the door, and Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo walked out in front of the group.

Everyone was in an uproar of anger and disbelief. Aaron said, “Before you guys go into rage, “and stood there watching everyone in the group yell and berate the three little girls. Aaron, about to calmly try to calm the group down, noticed Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were tearing up and about to cry.

Aaron sighed, and then, in a moment of deep rage, he growled loud enough to scare and quiet everyone. Aaron, with a glare, said, “Shut the fuck up and let me explain the situation. Before you guys cast out your sisters and friends, little sisters.”

Everyone sat still and watched Aaron. He stared at the group and then coughed and said, “OK, Apple Bloom, please tell me why you did what Diamond Tiara told you to dig up gossiping dirt on people.”
Apple Bloom sniffed and said, “She blackmailed us and told us that if we didn’t dig up good dirt for gossip, we’d be put on the gossip section with lies and slander.”

Aaron said, “So, any of you guys want to yell at and berate them?”
Everyone looked away and scratched their heads, and stayed quiet so as not to piss off Aaron. That’s when Twilight asked, “What’s the dirt they dug up on you?”
Aaron said, with a slight hint of fear, “Oh, you know when you read it, it’s a lie.”

Aaron almost let it slip that the gossip wasn’t entirely a lie. Aaron said, “I know you guys want to punish these little ones immediately, but I’m already punishing them, so don’t bother.”
Apple Jack retorted, “Who said y’all had the authority over my kin.”
Twilight said, “Apple Jacks got a point. Don’t you think family members should punish the girls?”

Aaron responded, “No, the punishment should come from their teacher. I get you guys want to dictate punishment and discipline, but some of the things I taught hold a lot of value in this, and that’s why I blame myself for failing in my classes.”
Twilight thought about it and then said, “Let’s give Anon a chance to punish the little ones. If the punishment doesn’t fit the crime, then we’ll take over the punishment.”
Aaron nodded in agreement, and that’s when Aaron said, “Ok, now that the meeting has concluded, it’s time to head home. Send Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo to me tomorrow morning for the punishment, and don’t you even think about holding a grudge against these girls. They were forced into doing this. So you need to respect that they tried to lessen most if not all the gossip.”

————————The Next Morning————————

Aaron sat at the kitchen table and read the gossip section about him being a villain, taking dance and singing lessons to seduce the elements of Harmony and Princesses to control them hypnotically. Aaron shook his head and said, “Hopefully, they don’t learn about the dance choreography because they might believe this.”

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo showed up ready for the punishment. Aaron gestured for them to come in for the punishment classes. Aaron pulled out three staff and two buckets of ice-cold water for each staff. Aaron asked, “Why are you girls here?”
Apple Bloom replied, “We are here to be punished for our actions.”
Aaron retorted, “Wrong! Why are you here?”
Sweetie Belle said, “For punishment?”
Aaron responded, “WRONG! Why are you girls here?”
Scootaloo replied, “I don’t know. I thought you would punish us for something we didn’t even want to do?”

Aaron responded, “Correct, you’re being punished for something you didn’t even do. You guys brought the news to Diamond Tiara, who had all the power to publish it or just shut it down, so tell me, why do you girls think you’re to blame for things you could naturally talk about as friends or family.” Aaron, after finishing his speech, waved. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo looked behind and saw Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Golden Goal being brought into his living room with the help of Cheerilee. Aaron said, “I know you girls will not enjoy this punishment. But for your punishment, you are to lead these three to becoming better people, and you have to do it with what I’ve taught you so far in my classes.”

Apple Bloom, with an angry look, said, “What! I won’t lead some prissy, stuck-up, good-for-nothing. All she has ever done was make me and my friend’s life a pain.”
Sweetie Belle said, “Apple Bloom is right. These three have made it their life goal to make us suffer just because we are blank flanks.”
Scootaloo glared at Golden Goal and asked, “What does this leading entail?”
Aaron smirked and replied, “That’s what these staff and water buckets are for.”

Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Golden Goal heard Aaron talking to the other three and said, “Why are we getting punished?”
“Yeah, we were just doing what Cheerilee told us to. Which was to report the news!”
“This is unfair, and these girls are blank flanks. We shouldn’t have to listen to them.”

Aaron glared at the three girls behind Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. When he stared them down with a hard stare, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Golden Goal were shut up immediately and unable to speak.
Aaron then said, “Let’s get this punishment going then.”

—————a week and several days later————

Aaron had gotten into a situation where he accidentally threw his hat in the ring to help Pinkie Pie transport a cake. Little did he realize that cake would be heavier than any other cake he’d lifted in both his lives.

Looking at the cake in Aaron’s hands, Pinkie Pie said, “MARZIPAN MASCARPONE MERINGUE MADNESS! You guys have undoubtedly created a masterpiece, MR. And MRS. Cake.

Aaron held onto the cake while focusing on making sure the cake didn’t slip out of his hands, and he slowly turned to see Pinkie Pie about to go into one of her extended, drawn-out expressions. Aaron intruded and said, “As lovely as it is to see you glaze, Mr. And MRS. Cake, Pinkie, can we hurry this along? I’m dying here holding this half as big as your ass cake.”

Pinkie looked confused, but MR. And MRS. Cake looked at Aaron with judgment, and that’s when Pinkie said, “What?….. Oh, yeah I’ll help you get it down to the train station.” Aaron sighed and, with a swift movement, headed towards the station quickly and solidly. Aaron made it to the station with a quick manner and focused frown. Pinkie Pie watched as Aaron had a cold determination to his demeanor; with a smirk and warmth between her lips, Pinkie Pie was excited to see Aaron’s well-defined muscles.

Aaron slowly set the cake down on the table in the kitchen cart of the train. As Aaron put the cake down, he breathed heavily and sighed. Aaron wiped the sweat from his brow and saw Pinkie Pie jump into place; as he watched her from behind, he saw her ass jiggle just right.

Pinkie Pie turned around after hopping onto the train with the rest of the contestants and Twilight, Rarity, Apple Jack, Flutter Shy, and Rainbow Dash. Aaron sat next to the cake as everyone talked about their delicious dessert, which had culinary taste and excellence. Aaron stood up, tapped Pinkie Pie’s shoulder, and said, “I’m going to my room in the back of the train cart. I need some sleep.”
Pinkie Pie nodded and said, “Okie, Dokie, remember to help me move it to the competition when we get to Canterlot.”
Aaron looked around and noticed nobody was watching him. He kissed her cheek, and as he did, Aaron said, “For you, anything pink frosting.”

Aaron turned around and headed to his train room. He heard Pinkie Pie giggle and return to talking with her friends and the other contestants. Aaron made it to his room and closed the door as he set up the bed and went to sleep, not dreaming of anything this time. Aaron didn’t even leave the area of his grassland dream. He didn’t even bother talking to Trevor about anything. Aaron was abruptly awakened by Pinkie Pie knocking hard on his door. Aaron got up and walked to the door. He yawned and opened the door. Pinkie Pie was about to yell at Aaron but not to see his morning wood. Pinkie Pie blushed as she saw Aaron’s cock poke obviously out of his boxer briefs.

Aaron, now as awake as his wood, closed the door and put on pants and a plain black T-shirt. As Aaron opened the door to his train room again, he saw Pinkie Pie still standing in front of him and blushing. She asked, “Did you eat the cake? Mr. and Mrs. Cake worked so hard to make it.”
Aaron replied, “No, I never left my room.”
Twilight appeared from the side with a deeper blush and asked, “Can you prove that you didn’t leave your room.”

Aaron said, “If I had a room buddy, then yes, I could, but I don’t so that the answer would be no. What’s the matter? Why do you guys want to know?”

Aaron headed to the area with a frown and immediately noticed that the cake he had to carry had been sampled in a very peculiar way. Aaron looked at the group of suspects and started laughing. As Aaron laughed, Twilight looked at Aaron, and then she looked at Pinkie Pie. Aaron looked at Twilight and whispered something into Twilight’s ear. As he did, she looked around and then saw it as well. She nodded, and Aaron headed back to his room.

Pinkie Pie, confused, asked, “Why did you let Anon go?”
Twilight confused Pinkie even more by saying, “Anon proved he wasn’t the person we were looking for.”
Before saying anything, Pinkie Pie saw Twilight let Apple Jack go back to her room. Aaron sat in his room, and as he made it back to his room, he noticed Apple Jack heading back to her room as well. Aaron pulled her to his room, and as they were nose to nose, he smiled lovingly.

Apple Jack asked, “What did you say to get Twilight off your back?”
Aaron replied, “I told her I don’t do cake and desserts because they don’t sit right in my stomach.”
Apple Jack, still touching nose to nose, said, “That doesn’t help, and I have a feeling you didn’t say that.”
Aaron responded, “You’re right. I told her that if she lets me go, I’d cuddle with her tonight in the train cart room.”
Apple Jack gasped and said, “So if you were the one to take a bite of the cake, then you just threw one of those poor girls under the cart!”

Aaron laughed and said, “I never left my room, Jacky, and you know I’d never do such a thing. I’m too humble and nice to even lie. If you don’t believe me, then ask me something you and I know that I could have lied about.”
Apple Jack thought about something and asked, “Did you see Celestia’s nether region, the Nightmare Night?”
Aaron sighed and responded, “Sort of. It was more like I saw the slightest hint of pink when she bent down; even that was enough for my body to overreact. I know you were the closest to seeing it, but even what you saw wasn’t half what I saw. Look, if you’re scared that because I saw Celestia’s ass and the pink lips that came with it, then we can remain friends and keep it strictly professional.”

Apple Jack pulled away and looked out the train window as the world moved faster outside. She replied, “I don’t fear the thought of losing you; I fear we won’t be able to keep it professional, and either I come back, or you come back with a level of want that I can’t do, or you can’t do. Maybe we should just take some time apart and see if we want to be friends or more than that.”
Aaron frowned and nodded, agreeing. Apple Jack started to leave, but before she opened the door, Aaron grabbed her hand. As she looked back and turned, Aaron kissed her.

Aaron smiled and said, “The several months before the coma and after were probably my favorite when I helped with your Apple farm work. So I won’t say goodbye, but I will wait for you to call me when you need help or if you have the answer.”
Apple Jack gently smiled at Aaron, then she put her hands on his cheeks and kissed him back.

Aaron sat in his train cart room as he frowned, and that’s when Trevor said, “She might have been the first person to realize you couldn’t decide and removed her hat from the drawing.”
Aaron replied, “Yeah, and sadly, I liked her hard-working nature and sense of cowgirl mommy vibes.”
Aaron sat back and watched the outside world pass him by; he felt lonely, not in the sense of being misunderstood by those around him but more like the only human.

Aaron slumped in the chair and looked pretty much depressed. He remembered the good times he had with Apple Jack and her hardy cowgirl attitude. As he thought about it, a knock on the door and a voice could be heard asking, “Hey, Anon, can I enter if you’re okay with that?”

Aaron, with a frown, said, “Sure, come in.” As Aaron replied, Twilight entered, sat beside him, and said, “Thanks for the hint about who could have done it.” Aaron looked at Twilight and said, “No problem, you’d have solved it without the hint, but I'm happy to steer you in the right direction.”

With a blush, Twilight said, “So about those cuddles?”
Aaron sighed and replied, “Okay, come here, Twi. I've got your cuddles right here.”
Twilight smiled, hugged Aaron, and cuddled into him. As the night passed, Twilight stuck to Aaron like glue and slept like a log, with a snoring that kept him up most of the night.

While Aaron lay on the makeshift bed, he played tic-tac-toe with Trevor mentally. Aaron, with bags under his eyes, heard footsteps, and the door to his train cart room opened. Twilight, still sleepy, woke up to Pinkie Pie opening the door. As she did, she smirked and asked, “Have a nice sleep.”
Twilight blushed and said, “What! I mean, yes, no! I don’t know how to answer that?”
Still with bags under his eyes, Aaron said, “Let me guess, “someone/some anthro” took bites out of the other competition's desserts.”
Surprised, Pinkie said, “How did you know Anon?”
Aaron replied, “It wasn’t Twilight or I. We were in here the whole time.”

Pinkie giggled and said, “I know that silly. You haven’t slept, so I was going to ask if any pony passed your window door?”
Aaron thought about it and said, “Nope, I haven’t seen anything so far.”
Twilight, still hugging Aaron by the torso, said, “Use the knowledge I gave you, Pinkie. I’m positive you can find the culprit or culprits.”

Pinkie saluted Twilight and closed the door. Twilight pushed her head back into Aaron’s chest again and yawned. Aaron laid back down and sighed. Twilight suddenly asked, “Anon, what did Celestia want you for those past several months?”
Aaron said, “I’m obligated to keep it a secret tell the letter arrives. Sorry, Twilight, I have a special contract with Celestia and Luna to keep it confidential.”
Twilight, saddened by the news, blushed and asked, “I was wondering if it was just me, Celestia, and Luna, who would you be with?”

Knowing that was a loaded question, Aaron responded, “That’s a manipulative question, and you know it. I would have to pick all of you to keep you happy.”
Twilight smiled and blushed harder, then closed her eyes and said, “I’m glad I’m in the love square.”
Aaron replied, “More like love Pentagon if you ask me.”

Twilight, surprised, asked, “Who’s the other one?”
Aaron said, “Flutter Shy, and the way I see it, she’s first place, then Luna, Celestia, and then you, Twilight. The reason why is that I barely see Celestia, and you only want to do tests on me. Luna and Flutter Shy want to get to know me and care about me, and I mean no disrespect, but I’d love you and Celestia more if you guys wanted to understand me.”

Aaron lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling of the train cart. Twilight moved up to look at Anon. She asked, “What about Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash?”
Aaron said, “Well, Apple Jack is taking breaks from me, and Pinkie Pie only wants me as a fuck buddy, maybe. I haven’t spoken to Rainbow Dash since the Clouds Dale thing, so I'm not interested.”

Twilight got closer and asked, “What do you want me to know, Anon?” Aaron sighed and softly replied, “I don’t know, honestly I’m scared, and my heart is racing when I’m around Flutter Shy, Celestia, Luna, and you, Twilight, and I don’t want to fear and be nervous, but I am, and I don’t want to hurt you or your feelings-“
Twilight put her finger on Anon’s lips and replied, “That’s called love butterflies, Anon. You love all four of us and are scared to make mistakes.”

Aaron looked away and said, “I guess, but for the most part, I feel like something is wrong with me, and I don’t belong here, and my anger is growing out of control. I feel myself slipping closer to the edge more and more every day, and it’s driving me-.” Twilight kissed Anon and held her lips on his longer than usual as she pulled away and hugged him, barely getting her arms around his waist. She then said, “You know that I’ll still love you, and I believe you do belong here, and if you need help with your anger management, I can help you with it. That’s what friends and lovers do.”

Aaron heard that, and the color of love turned from a dark, instinctive lust to a lighter pink of true love from Twilight, Luna, Flutter Shy, and Celestia. Aaron knew tricking Cadence wasn’t right, but he was unsure about his feelings. Now, he was sure and ready to confront his emotions. Aaron finally passed out and had a good night's sleep before making it to Canterlot with the rest of the crew.