"Can I take the blindfold off now?"

"Not yet!" Pinkie sang, her voice echoing off the walls, hinting to Anon they were somewhere vast and grand.

To the best of his knowledge they were in a place called Canterlot. Something he easily found out from the other ponies conversations during the train ride. He knew very little of the place except that it was where the two alicorns, Celestia and Luna lived. The moment they arrived at the train station, Pinkie Pie tied the blindfold on him and lifted him on her back.

Anon could only rely on his hearing as Pinkie bounced to wherever it was she was taking him. The sounds of elegant ponies with their clipped accents filled his ears, their conversations a mix of giggles and gossip that floated through the air like a fine perfume. The cobblestone streets beneath them reverberated with the clack of hooves, the occasional jingle of bells, and the distant sound of a quartet playing a cheerful tune. He wondered if he hit his head somewhere and was now riding on Rarity's back.

Later on Anon began to hear something else. The steady clanking of metal grew clearer as they moved. Then everything went quiet.

"Alright, you can look now!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.

Swiftly taking the blindfold off, Anon was immediately dazzled by a burst of light. Blinking rapidly, his eyes slowly adjusted to the grandeur before him. They were standing in a large room with walls adorned with gleaming gold leaf and floor-to-ceiling windows that revealed a stunning view of Canterlot's bustling cityscape. The room was filled with elegant furniture upholstered in the softest fabrics, a fireplace and the floor was made of a polished stone that gleamed like a freshly minted coin under the crystal chandelier's glow. It was unlike anything he had ever seen.

Anon let out a low whistle. "Pretty swank hotel room, Pinks!"

"Oh, this isn't a hotel, Anon," Pinkie corrected, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "We're staying in Canterlot Castle!"

"Seriously?" Anon asked, not sure he could believe it. "Like, the actual castle?"

"Yuperooni!" Pinkie bobbed her head with a grin. "Saving Equestria does have its perks!"

Anon looked around in amazement, his eyes wide. He had heard tales of Canterlot's grandeur, but he never thought he'd actually set hooves in the castle. While it was indeed impressive, he still preferred the farmhouse. But he wasn't about to insult Pinkie's generosity. He set his saddlebag down and Carnage poked his head out, sniffing his new surroundings.

Pinkie looked at him expectantly, waiting for a reaction. Anon figured he should give what she was hoping for. He made himself smile wide and said, "This is totally amazing!"

"I knew you'd love it!" Pinkie exclaimed, beaming with joy.

She began to show Anon around the luxurious suite, pointing out the plush bed with more pillows than he had ever seen, the grand bathtub that looked like a small pond, and the walk-in closet that seemed to have enough room to host a small party. Each detail was met with a nod of approval or a quiet remark for Pinkie, but Anon couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't his place. Carnage appeared to be more appreciative of the surroundings as he chewed on a pillow.

"Alright, now that we're all settled," Pinkie announced, "It's time for some shut eye!"

Anon looked outside the window to see the sun still high in the sky. "Are you for real?"

Pinkie nodded vigorously. "Sure am! We got a big night ahead of us! So we're gonna need to get some sleep if we wanna be on top of our game!"

"Big night?" Anon asked skeptically.

"You'll see! Now off to bed!"

"But I'm wide awake!" Anon protested, glancing at the sunlit sky. It wasn't totally true. The long train ride had him somewhat tired, but not enough to go to bed.

"Would a nice, warm glass of milk help?"

"Warm milk hurts my teeth."

"Lullaby?"

"Do I look like a baby to you? Don't answer that!"

"I can put you in a sleeper hold?"

Anon blinked. "You can do that?"

"Only if you want me to," Pinkie offered, stretching her forelegs as if getting ready to apply it. "Been awhile since I've done it, but I'm pretty sure I could still knock you out with my fancy neck hug!"

Anon chuckled, shaking his head. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather not end up paralyzed."

Pinkie pouted for a moment before her expression brightened. "How about we chat until you fall asleep?"

Knowing Pinkie just wasn't going to quit, Anon let out a sigh and reluctantly agreed. He picked up Carnage and went to lay down on the bed, which felt like he was lying on a cloud, and propped his head up with his hooves. Carnage began chewing on the bed sheets.

"So," Pinkie started, laying beside him. "What's on your mind?"

Anon stared at the intricate patterns on the ceiling, contemplating. Should he give an honest answer of how he feared the future? Or should he keep it light-hearted like the atmosphere in the room? He decided Pinkie wouldn't be the one to understand what he was really feeling. So he chose the latter.

"Just wondering how I'm gonna get any sleep with you right next to me," Anon answered truthfully.

Pinkie's laugh filled the room, and she gave him a gentle nudge. "Tell me about your human world."

"Thought none of you believed me," Anon quipped, feeling irritated on how Pinkie wanted to talk about the topic he deliberately chose to avoid.

"I never said I don't believe you," Pinkie said, her tone earnest. "I know all the others doubt your story, but I've seen some pretty weird stuff in my life. That being said, I'd love to hear more about yours!"

Anon closed his eyes, deciding to indulge her curiosity. "It's complicated, Pinks."

"I'm all ears!" Pinkie said, her own perked up with excitement.

A waterfall of memories cascaded through Anon's mind as he began to speak of his human life. He talked about the mundane aspects, like the feeling of grass under his bare feet and the taste of pizza—things Pinkie could never truly understand. He shared stories of how he used to stay up all night playing video games, how schools worked, and the bittersweet nostalgia of raindrops on a car window. Carnage had long ago abandoned the bed sheets for Anon's shoulder.

Pinkie listened intently. Every now and then, she would ask a question or make a comment that showed she was trying to grasp the human experience, but it was clear that her imagination was stretching its limits. Anon's heart felt a strange warmth in his chest. It had been so long since he'd talked about his past, and even though Pinkie couldn't relate, she was making an effort to understand.

After nearly two hours of talking on his end, Anon was starting to feel the weight of his eyelids. He'd answered questions ranging from "What is a smartphone?" to "What's the point of cars when wagons worked just fine?" with varying degrees of success. Pinkie's curiosity was as boundless as the sea, but his energy was waning.

"I think it's your turn to talk now, Pinkie," Anon said, yawning. He felt the softness of the pillow enveloping his head as he sank into it.

Pinkie bobbed her head. "Alrighty, what do you want to know?"

Anon was asleep before Pinkie could finish her question. She looked at him with a smile, his breathing slow and rhythmic. She knew he needed the rest. They all had a big night ahead, and she didn't want him to be sluggish. She gently removed Carnage from his shoulder and placed him on the pillow beside him. The little creature was already fast asleep.

Pinkie looked around the suite, feeling the excitement build in her chest. They were in Canterlot Castle, and she had the entire night planned out for them. But first, she had to prepare. She gently hopped off the bed and trotted over to the large suitcase she had brought with her. She opened it up, revealing an assortment of items. Her eyes fell upon a can of pink spray paint, which she had brought along just for this trip. She looked over at Anon as she shook the can. He was sound asleep, completely oblivious to what was about to happen.

"Sorry, Anonnie," Pinkie whispered, smiling devilishly as she shuffled towards him. "But in order to prank, one must be pranked!"

The moon had replaced the sun hours ago when Anon woke up in the dark. He felt alert and well rested for whatever Pinkie had in store for them. Or so he hoped.

"Pinkie, you there?" he called out, his voice echoing slightly in the large room.

Suddenly, a match was struck right in front of his face, the sharp sound making him jolt. He blinked rapidly as the small flame illuminated Pinkie's face right in front of him; grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"It's tiiiime!" Pinkie sang softly.

Pretty much used to her weird antics now, Anon moved to put out the flame, but stopped when he saw his green leg was now a bright shade of pink. "What the-!" he exclaimed, jolting upright in the bed. "Am I a girl now?!"

Pinkie giggled as she held out the can of spray paint she'd used for the deed. "Don't worry! It's just paint!" she whispered with a smirk.

"Why the hell-" Anon began to scream.

Pinkie quickly shoved her hoof in Anon's mouth. "Shh!" she hissed. "You don't want to wake up the whole castle!"

Anon continued to mumble angrily into her hoof.

"It's just a prank, bro!" Pinkie explained quietly. "It washes off! Pinkie Promise! Now I'm going to take my hoof off your mouth. “You can yell at me later, okay?"

Anon nodded reluctantly. Pinkie removed her hoof. "I feel like I'm the main attraction at a circus now," Anon grumbled.

"It's the art of pranking young grasshopper!" Pinkie chuckled, blowing out the small flame, leaving the moonlight as their only source of light. "And tonight, we're going to prank the one! The only! Princess Celestia!"

Anon felt his stomach drop. "Wait, what? You want us to prank a goddess? Are you insane? Don't answer that either."

"It's okay," Pinkie assured him, walking back to her suitcase and digging through it. "I got clearance from Princess Luna, but as for getting to Celestia..." She tossed a black catsuit to Anon. "We're going to have to be sneaky!"

Anon caught the suit in his hooves. "I'm not sure this is a good idea, Pinks," he whispered, his heart racing at the mere thought of sneaking around the Castle. The guards were pegasi and unicorns after all. A lot could go wrong in so little time.

"It's just your nerves," Pinkie assured him, already dressed in her own black catsuit. She slung a small travel bag over her shoulder. "You'll do great! Just follow my lead!"

Knowing he was going to regret this, Anon slid into the catsuit, feeling the fabric cling to his body like a second skin. It was surprisingly comfortable, though the thought of being caught in this getup by royalty was anything but. Putting the hood over his head, he followed Pinkie out the door, the soft click of the lock echoing through the hallway. Why did everything have to sound ten times louder in the middle of the night?

They moved through the castle's corridors, sticking to the shadows like ninjas. Anon marvelled at how quiet Pinkie could be when she wanted to be. He tried to mimic her grace, only to trip and stumble to the floor. Thankfully, Pinkie caught him before he hit the ground.

"Slow down!" Pinkie whispered urgently, pulling him back to his hooves. "You're acting like Rainbow Dash! It's not about getting there fast. It's about not getting caught!"

Anon nodded, trying to calm his racing heart. He had never been good at this kind of thing—his human instincts were screaming at him that this was a terrible idea. But Pinkie's enthusiasm was infectious, and he found himself eager to see what kind of chaos they could stir up without getting caught. They continued their silent journey, sticking to the walls and peeking around corners before moving forward. The guards were sparse, mostly chatting with each other in groups, not expecting trouble in the middle of the night in the castle's most secure area.

Pinkie led them through a series of twists and turns until they reached a pair of large, ornate doors. "This is it," she whispered excitedly. "Celestia's chambers!"

While sneaking through the halls didn't seem like a good idea at first, Anon had to admit he found himself enjoying the thrill of it. He felt like a real Solid Snake (The video game character. Get your head out the gutter). But now they were at their destination, the reality of the situation set in. They were about to prank a goddess. Anon's doubts were starting to creep in again.

Pinkie, on the other hoof, was positively vibrating with excitement. She saw the look on Anon's face and hugged him close. "Don't go getting cold hooves on me now, Aaron. We got this!"

Anon nodded curtly. Pinkie's hug was like a warm cup of tea on a winter's night—it was surprisingly comforting. He took his place behind her and followed right behind her as she opened the door.

Celestia's room was much more serene than Anon had anticipated. The moonlight streamed in through the open balcony doors, casting a soft blue glow over the ornate furniture and the large, comfortable-looking bed. Celestia herself lay there, her alicorn form sprawled out, her mane fanned out like a waterfall across the pillows. She was snoring softly, the sound echoing through the stillness. It was then that Anon realized this was technically his first time meeting her. Also, he had no idea what they were supposed to do now.

Pinkie answered that by pulling out two black sharpies from her travel bag. It was now all too clear what they were about to do. Anon's heart hammered in his chest, but he couldn't deny the grin that was spreading across his face. This was going to be epic.

They tiptoed closer to the sleeping alicorn. Pinkie motioned for Anon to hold his breath. They were so close now. Celestia's face was a blank canvas begging to be drawn on. Anon took one of the sharpies, his hoof shaking slightly. He didn't know if he could actually go through with this.

Pinkie, on the other hoof, was already sketching a pair of goofy glasses over Celestia's eyes. The sound of marker against fur was like nails on a chalkboard to Anon's ears, but it was now too funny not to participate. He took his marker and began to draw kitty whiskers on her muzzle. His hooves steadied as he tried to be as discreet as he could.

As they scribbled on Celestia's face, Anon was beginning to struggle to keep in his laughter. Pinkie had just finished drawing a rather authentic looking goatee on her mouth. Pinkie gave him a stern look of disapproval, shaking her head slowly. The message was all too clear: laugh later or we perish now. He nodded solemnly, focusing his energy on keeping his laughter in check.

They continued their artistic escapade, Pinkie adding the word "BAMF" on Celestia's forehead while Anon peppered her with freckles. He had to restrain himself from drawing something that was more explicit. He liked where his head was at after all.

The two ponies exchanged looks of accomplishment before raising their hooves simultaneously and clapped them together. The sharp sound echoed through the silent room making the two freeze in terror. They both looked down at Celestia, who fortunately for them, had not been stirred by their hoof bump. Their eyes met again and they both nodded in silent agreement. It was time to bail.

Pinkie slid off the bed with surprising grace. Anon went to follow suit until he felt something firm and warm around his waist, freezing him in place. Celestia's foreleg. He looked down in horror to find the alicorn was pulling him back until he was nose to nose with her. His heart stopped. He was finished. He was dead. He was screwed.

Celestia's eyes fluttered open and became wide with surprise. She had seen many things in her centuries old life. Having a pink colt wearing a catsuit in her bed was definitely a new one.

Anon smiled nervously, his heart racing as he tried to think of an excuse for his current predicament. "Ah, good evening, your highness..."

What happened next was a tornado of chaos: Pinkie Pie screamed at the top of her lungs, which in turn caused Anon to scream at the top of his lungs. Celestia, now fully awake and quite bewildered, sat up in bed, her eyes darting from Anon to Pinkie and back again.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Celestia demanded in a booming voice.

Pinkie and Anon's answer was to continue screaming and bolt out her bedroom. Sneakiness be damned. The two didn't make it far before a swarm of guards, alerted by the commotion, converged on them. The corridors that had been so quiet and empty now rumbled with the stampede of armored hooves. The pair were cornered, but Pinkie had one last trick up her sleeve—or rather, in her travel bag.

"Don't worry, Anon! I got a way out of this!" She whispered to him, before addressing the small army of guards. "Gentlecolts! May you always remember this as the day you almost caught Pinkamena Diane Pie!"

Before anyone could react, Pinkie whipped out a small black pellet and threw it to the ground. It sizzled for a split second before a plume of pink smoke billowed out, quickly filling the corridor. Coughs and shouts of confusion from the guards could be heard as the smoke dissipated. When it finally cleared, Anon and Pinkie still remained under the guard's scrutiny.

"Strange..." Pinkie Pie mused, tapping her chin. "That should have made us teleport away or something... Must have been a dud."

Anon didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Two stoic guards escorted Pinkie and Anon down to the dungeons of Canterlot Castle, the clank of their armor echoing through the stone corridors. Anon couldn't believe what they'd just done. Pranking a goddess was one thing, but actually getting caught was another. As a True Crime buff Anon knew his best chance was to deny to answer questions and request a lawyer. But that was back at home. Here, he didn't even know if they had lawyers.

The dungeons were colder than the outside air, the walls damp and the smell of mildew thick. The guards pushed them into a cell that was surprisingly clean, albeit sparse. The only source of light was a flickering torch outside their bars. Pinkie looked around in awe as if this was a tourist attraction.

"Well, this is cozy!” Pinkie said, sitting on the plank of wood that to be their bed. Her enthusiasm unshaken by their current predicament. Anon just sat on the cold, hard floor, his hooves wrapped around the bars.

"Pinkie, this isn't funny anymore," Anon said, his voice tight. “We practically just graffitied on a deity!”

Pinkie bounced over to him. “Relax, Anon! It’s all part of the experience!”

Anon whirled around to face Pinkie. "Experience?! This isn't a game, Pinkie! We're in a dungeon! In a castle! I shouldn’t even be here at all! I should be at home at my crappy apartment, eating cheap raman noodles, working at my crappy job!"

Pinkie's expression fell. "But you are here, Anon, and we're together. That's what matters."

But Anon wasn't listening. Tears began to fall down his cheeks as he slumped against the bars. "This isn't right," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't belong here. I don’t even know if this is all real. Maybe I am a pony and was insane to begin with. It would explain why no one wanted me. So pitiful the heroes of pony land had to come and save me."

Pinkie's eyes grew wide with shock as she watched Anon's shoulders shake with sobs. She had never seen him so distressed. She trotted over and nuzzled his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "Hey, hey," she whispered, "Don't think like that. You're not alone. We're all here for you."

“Only because some stupid map told you to!” Anon's yelled, shoving her away.

Pinkie felt a pang of guilt. She hadn’t anticipated this reaction from him. Her heart ached as she watched him break down in the cold, unforgiving cell. She knew he was feeling overwhelmed and lost. This wasn’t the night Pinkie had planned for them. They were supposed to be having fun. But she had gone too far.

“Is that why you don’t like us?” Pinkie asked softly. “Because you think we pity you?”

Anon sniffled, not looking at her. “What else is it?”

Pinkie took a deep breath, trying to keep her own emotions in check. "It's because we care," she said gently. "I know I can be... a lot to handle, but I never pitied you. When we found you, all I thought that I was making a new friend. As for the rest of us, we just want to help. We believe in you, even if you don't believe in yourself."

Anon looked up at her, his eyes red and watery. "That was so cheesy.”

Pinkie gave a half smile. "Yeah, well, when in doubt, go for the heartstrings. And since we’re on the topic: why do you hate Rainbow Dash so much?”

Anon swallowed hard and looked away. “Because… I’m jealous.”

Pinkie cocked her head to the side. “Of what?”

Anon took a moment to swallow his pride. “Of everything. She saw what she wanted in life and just went for it. She's got friends, a place here... she's happy." He paused, his voice cracking slightly. "And she's got wings.”

Pinkie Pie blew a raspberry. “Wings are overrated. You know AJ is Rainbow Dash’s biggest rival?“

“Yeah, I know,” Anon murmured.

“Are you jealous of AJ?”

“Not as much, but yeah.”

Pinkie leaned closer. “Why don’t you tell me what’s really bothering you, Anon?”

Anon didn’t answer. Instead he walked over to the bench, climbed up on it, curled up into a ball and fell asleep. The silence between them was palpable. Pinkie knew she was so close to getting to the root of his problem, but she couldn’t force it out of him. A twinge of regret pierced through her for getting themselves put in the dungeon. It was all part of her plan after all. She had thought it would be a fun night, but she never anticipated Anon was hurting this badly. Still, progress had been made.

Leaning back against the bars, Pinkie watched Anon sleep. Her heart was heavy with worry for her new friend. She would make it up to him tomorrow or later today. Whatever the time was. Princess Luna was due to come let them out any minute now.

Author's Note

Not the chapter I wanted to do at all, but this is the best I could deliver. I literally wrote and rewrote this chapter all day. I actually have a whole other chapter written down of just Anon and Pinkie that was meant to be the original. But chapter stories are like puzzle pieces. I can't force them to fit. So it looks like Pinkie is getting more screen time.

You can thank CrimsonWolf360 for giving the idea to make this puzzle piece fit.