Anon's Tail

>Morning
>Wake up
>Go to bathroom
>Go outside
>Beautiful day
“I’ve got my eye on you, Anon!”
>It begins.
“Please leave me alone Rainbow Dash”
>She’s been guarding since you showed up
>More like guarding everypony from you
>Not that you’re going to do anything
>No response
>Could it be?
>Look up at the clouds, right at the cloud that always floats right above the pine tree in your yard
>Pegasus silhouette
>Damn.
>She’s still there
>She’ll follow you during all of her free time
>Surprising; your friends say she’s usually a slacker
>She does a lot of exercises and practices while she guards you
>You have to admit, her moves and routines are stunning
>She still harries you endlessly.
>Dash. (12)
>head to breakfast
>Wakey-Wakey Restaurant
>Dash follows you
“Morning Anon! How are you today?”
“Same-old, same-old, Eggs. You’re looking good for filly who’s been up since before me.”
>Sit at the table Eggs gives you
“What’ll it be today?”
>Order a veggie omelette with cheese and pancakes with hemp seeds
>Delicious
>Crave meat
>Suppress craving
>Not so bad really, you just need protein supplements sometimes…
>…
>Die a little
>Pay
>Thank eggs and her husband/cook: Bakey
>Walk outside
>Gust of wind in the face
>Dash (13)
>Head to Sweet Apple Acres
>Halfway down the road
“What do you want with the Apples, Anon?”
“I’m going to work Rainbow Dash, so I can earn money?”
“Why do you need the bits anyway? Why don’t you go back where you came from?”
>You can’t
>You explained it to her before
>It’s been explained to her by others before
“Just go back to Sombra”
>She thinks you’re affiliated with some dead tyrant
>Ignore her
>Hop the gate
>Head to the shed
>Applejack sees you
“Howdy Anon.”
“Hi Applejack
“Got more seedlings for ya’ to plant. Thanks in advance for the help.”
>That’s your job here
>You’re sort of like a botanist
>Plant plants
>Care for flora
>If you had a cutie mark it’d probably be a sapling or something
“Alright, I’ll get right on that Applejack. I’ll just go visit the ladies first.”
“More like the ladies’ room, Anon!”
>Dash is taunting you
>Dash. (14)
“Rainbow, you know Anon’s not a-”
“Yeah, yeah, ‘not a servant of Sombra.’ But what if he’s just Sombra himself in disguise? You saw him pop out of Sombra’s smoke after he got hit by the shield.”
>Taking you back to the moment you were taken from your world
>She knows what she’s doing
______________________________________________________
>Head to the cows
“Morning ladies. Apples treating you right?”
>The cows here are sentient
>Really kind too
>Their kindness is probably why you’ve never tried to get a burger
>The cows provide manure for fertilization. Good Ph balance, very kind of them
>Still weird as hell
“ooh, they’re just as kind as they always are, don’cha know. Thanks for askin’.”
>Collect wheelbarrow full of manure from under the cow’s outhouse
>Slide empty one back in
>Try to stay up wind of the smell
>Notice Dash notice you
>oh no.
>One flap of her wings and she’s put herself in place
>Dash looks you in the eyes and grins
>Dash flaps a few times and the wind shifts
>Manure scent right in your face
>Eyes water
>Try not to gag
>Gag a lot
>Power through the pain
>Start planting the young trees in rows
>AJ showed you how to do it just right
>Just the right mix of soil and manure is important for the high quality Apple family apples
>Then a fair bit of water to settle, then more soil on top
>You love getting the roots settled
>A sapling can’t support itself if it’s just stuck in a hole. But once you’ve settled it, it stands on its own, like you taught it to
>You’ve learned to find fulfillment in your work
>Almost forget that Dash is out to get you
>Catch perfectly placed waft of stink in your nose
>Dash. (15)
>Getting tired of your manure Dash
>Finish
“So what are you going to do now, Anon?”
>You’d wanted to go to the park with Twilight
>Just the thought of her following you for the rest of the day kills any ideas you had for your day
>Sad mood overtakes you
>Sigh heavily
“Home, I guess.”
>Is this what you’re condemned to? Trapped in a world that is not your own? Held prisoner by an antagonistic pegasus pony?
>melancholy sets in
>walk home, guarded by Rainbow Dash the whole way
>get to your door
“’night Rainbow Dash.”
>no mean remark
>look back as you make eye contact before you close the door
>She pauses as you make eye contact before opening her mouth
“Hey, Anon, I-“
>Seal the door before she finishes
>It was probably just another insult.
_______________________________________________________
>Next day
>Going to go to Fluttershy’s
>Outside
>Dash’s head and hooves hang over the cloud above the pine tree watching you
>Across town to Fluttershy’s
>You live on the outskirts of town
>Fluttershy lives on the opposite side of town
>Dash does flips and tricks as you walk
>Still pretty impressive
>This has been going on so long that you know her routine
>There’ll be a flip in a moment where she swats the back of your head with her tail.
>*fwoosh*
>No swat
>Huh?
>Keep going
>Greet Fluttershy as she feeds the birds outside
“Hello Anon”
>She’s soft spoken, but even kinder than Mootilda and the other cows
“Hi Fluttershy, you’re taking good care of the animals I see.”
>You’ve figured out how to compliment her without embarrassing her
“Hi Rainbow Dash, would you like some daisies?”
“No thanks Fluttershy, I got an apple from Applejack’s stand on the way over.”
>She’s fast enough to go and get something to eat without you missing her?
>Wow
“You managed to get an apple that quickly Rainbow Dash? Props.”
>Gotta give credit where credit is due
>Even though she hates you.
>Compliments cost you nothing
“Yeah, whatever.”
>She won’t even accept a compliment from you
>Guess that shows what she thinks of you
>Head inside
“What have you been up to anon?”
“Just work really, I haven’t been able to do anything else for some reason.”
>Not naming names
>Fluttershy figures out anyway
“Oh Rainbow Dash, I think it’s time you gave up on this feud you’ve got going on with Anon. I think he’s made it clear that he’s not an agent of Sombra, even my animals agree!”
“So what! What if he’s just Sombra in disguise? You saw him pop out of Sombra’s smoke after he got hit by the shield.”
>Taking you back to that moment you were stolen from your world
>Those painful memories brought up again
>She knows what she’s doing
>Dash. (16)
“Forget it Fluttershy, she just hates me.”
“Oh, please don’t say that Anon! I’ve known Rainbow Dash most of my life and she isn’t the kind of pony who spreads hate. She may not like you but she doesn't hate you”
“Okay, sorry Fluttershy, sorry Rainbow Dash.”
>She turns her head away.
>Guess that apology isn’t accepted.
"So I.was wondering if you could suggest a different way for me to get proteins Fluttershy.
>She knows more about dietary needs of an omnivore than pony doctors might
>Get a few suggestions
>Dash sticks to herself
>Good
>Go to a store to try out Fluttershy's suggestions
>Dash stays outside
>Consider running
>No, you know that wouldn’t work, she's too fast
>Out the store
>Dash follows like a tail
>Hit up the library for a book
>They're English, conveniently
>Heading home now
>Dash still on your tail
>Think about how she hates you
>It's like she radiates malice towards you
>Sad, once again.
"Where are you going now?"
>like she's your parole officer
"...I get it"
"What was that Anon?"
>She flies closer to hear you
"I get it. You hate me alright? I get the point! You've done everything in your power to make my life miserable, and you've succeeded!!! So I get it Rainbow Dash. 'Anon's life must suck at all times, no fun allowed.' I'm miserable because of you! Would you leave me to my misery now?! Is that what you wanted to hear? IS IT!?
>glare at Dash, panting after your tirade.
>She gives you an incomprehensible look
>Flies off
>Get into house
>Slam door
>Slump to the floor
>Now you fully comprehend what she’s done to your life
>Try not to rage
>Rage hard
>Flip tables
>Smash chairs
>Scream your objections to the heavens
>Collapse
>Sleep takes you
>Dash. (19)
_______________________________________________________
>Awake
>Work today
>Get off floor
>Bathroom
>Still dark outside bathroom window
>Clock says it should be past sunrise
>Maybe Celestia is hung over…
>Try to laugh
>You know what you’re going to face today
>You can’t even laugh at the image of a hung-over god
>Dash. (16)
>Open door and see why it’s dark
>Your house is surrounded by a 50 foot wide circle of thick, dark, storm clouds, 15 feet off the ground
>Dash. (17)
>Stick head out from under porch
>Look up
>Pegasus pony silhouette
>She’s gonna drop a monsoon on you as soon as you step outside.
>Go back inside
>Grab secret defense
>Go outside
“Sorry Rainbow Dash, but that’s not going to work today.”
>Deploy umbrella
>Dash pulls open hole in the clouds
>Sees you under umbrella
>Scowls
>Zips up hole in the cloud
“You think you’re so smart Anon?”
>All your hair stands on end from her tone
“You think you’ve got it all figured out?”
>Smell ozone
“Figure this out!”
>A flash off to your right
>Your hand burns
>Shooting pain up your arm
>Darkness

Rainbow Dash lazed on her sea of clouds waiting for Anonymous to come out and face the music. She giggled to herself at how bad she would get him for yelling at her.
She was just playing it safe with him. She didn’t trust anyone associated with any of the villains she had faced. Not after Discord.
Discord.
“Damn him” she thought.
He made her betray her friends, made her break her vow of loyalty just because she listened to him for a few seconds. She would never forget what she did.
Every flap of her wings which he bought her with was a reminder.
So that’s why she shouldn’t like Anonymous. He had popped up after Sombra caught a face full of magic shield, he must be associated with Sombra; he was just lulling everyone into a false sense of security. He was evil.
But…
But she wished he wasn’t.
The truth was… was that she liked him. He was kind, and smart, and got along with everypony. His friends were her friends. And it was totally weird of her but she, but she found him attractive.
Anonymous’ voice broke Rainbow Dash out of her reverie. “Sorry Rainbow Dash, but that’s not going to work today.”
He’s on to me! She blanched.
She pulled open a hole in the cloud to see what he was up to and was greeted by the top of an umbrella.
So much for soaking him. She scowled.
She needed a Plan B.
I’ve got storm clouds but can’t get him wet. Oh! I’ll scare him like I scared everypony else on Nightmare Night.
Rainbow Dash zipped the cloud closed and got to work.
She knew this was a harmless trick. On the few occasions that a pony is struck by lightning, the current runs through the high point on their body: their head- and straight down their neck and out through their front legs. Scary, but harmless.
“You think you’re so smart Anon?” Dash called as she kneaded the clouds like dough, building a charge.
“You think you’ve got it all figured out?” Dash probed when she stood up on the cloud.
“Figure this out!” and she brought her hooves down with a thunderous report out of the storm cloud. The accompanying flash sent sparks across Dash’s vision and the saturated storm cloud set to emptying its contents on the ground.
And now to see the results. Dash grinned to herself before pulling another hole open in the cloud and peering down.
Sure enough, there was Anonymous, face-down on the ground, umbrella clutched in his hand, splayed out like a rag doll.
“Figure it out yet Anon?” Dash taunted.
The Anonymous body on the ground did not deign to respond as the rain continued to pour down on him.
Dash was all ready to watch him freak out, or cry, or take of screaming, or; ideally: reveal himself as the villain he always was. What she was not expecting was him to do nothing at all. The least he could have done is get out of the pouring rain.
“You going to get up or are you just going to fall asleep there Anon?”
Anon was ignoring her.
Dash alighted upon her wings and drifted down to ground level.
“Come on, nothing to say?” she probed.
“Anon?”
No response
“…Anon?” She crept closer, ready to dodge whenever he sprung up and grabbed her.
“…Anonymous?” Dash was at his side now, and still, no response.
“A-Anonymous?” Rainbow Dash pushed him with her hoof, flipping him over. His mud caked form began to clear of filth as the rain continued to pour upon the pair.
What IS that smell?! Dash reeled back at the burning smell which assaulted her senses.
Dash took a moment to examine Anon’s limp form.
He’s – HE’S NOT BREATHING!
Dash grasped the body in her front hooves, pulling his head to her body. Oh Celestia, what had she done? She killed him! Dash choked back a sob.
“He-HELP! Somepony! Help!”
Dash continued to call out, rocking back and forth, Anon’s head cradled between her hooves; as the rain continued to pour down.
“HELP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”
_______________________________________________________
>Groggy
>So groggy
>Eyes feel gunked shut
>Odd noise nearby
>Try to open eyes
>Too bright
>Close eyes enough to adjust your vision
>Uncomfortable
>Odd noise persists
>Weight on your midsection
>Look down
>Three startling realizations
1: You are lying on top of two pony-sized, mechanical beds, pushed together.
2: Rainbow Dash is laying partly on you, her head and fore-legs draped across your midsection, her arms crossed and concealing her face
3: Rainbow Dash is sobbing into your lap
>The odd noise is her crying
“Ruh-“
>So hard to speak
>Dash’s head raises up
>Trail of tears stain her face
>She’s been crying for ages
“Anon!
>She calls in a tone so happy that her voice cracks
>Wheeze out response
“Why… are you…”
>Can’t finish
“Anon… Anonymous. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen… I… I hit you with lightning. The Doctors say that it messed you up so much worse than it would have a pony because you walk on two legs instead of four. I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry. I’m sorry I’ve been so mean to you and I’m sorry I hurt you so much.”
>She starts crying earnestly
“And I’m sorry I hit you all those times when I was flying and I’m sorry I wouldn’t leave you alone ever and I’m sorry you yelled at me that time and made you think I hated you; because I…”
>Dash grits her teeth and looks away, tears streaming down her face
“Because I love you.”
>What?
“Y-You…?
“As soon as I saw you on the ground, when you-“
>She chokes back a sob
When I saw you on the ground. When you stopped breathing. I realized how much I couldn’t stand to lose you, realized how much I messed up. How I mistreated you and hounded you. And I’m sorry, just thinking about the stuff I did… I’m sorry…”
>She trails off and continues
>Speechless
>Why?
>You need answers
>Wait for her to stop crying
>She calms down
“Why did-“
>Cough
>Need water
“Water”
>Dash pushes herself from her chair and gets you a cup of water
>Feels good to drink
>Finally able to talk
“Dash, why did you do all those things if you liked me?”
>She looks sad and ashamed
“What happened?”
>She pulls her chair closer
“It was a year before you showed up; the girls and I were called to Canterlot to fight Discord.”
“Who?”
“He’s a powerful supernatural being of chaos. He split us up, took us down one-by-one until only Twilight was left. When he got me, I… He tricked me, made me think Cloudsdale was in danger if I didn’t leave my friends…”
>Oh.
>That’s serious
>Very serious, from what you know about Dash
>Dash is tearing up again
“After only a few seconds of listening to him, I betrayed all my friends like they were… like they were nothing. After we beat him, I promised myself to never even associate with a villain, not listen to a word they or their lackeys again, not even talk to them; who knows how easily they could get me?”
>You realize why now.
“So after I showed up in the Crystal Empire after you guys took out Sombra… You thought I was associated with him?
>You take her hoof, stroking it gently with your thumb
“Mm-hmm.”
>Feel so bad for her
“I understand.”
>Pull her into a hug
“I forgive you.”
>She hugs back
>Lay there stroking her mane, her nuzzling into the nape of your neck
>Dash. (4)
_______________________________________________________
“CONGRATULATONS!”
>Chorus of ponies congratulating you at your own human cutemitzvah
>Ponies get these parties when they earn their cutie marks
>When the lightning struck you, it left root shaped burns all up your arm
>When it healed, the scar tissue retained its shape
>Dash decided it was like a human cutie mark and arranged to throw you this party
>You actually really liked the idea
>Get presents from everypony
>Rarity made you a set of shirts
>Holes in the sheets to showcase your ‘cutie mark’
>Twilight got you a hard-bound copy of a fiction series you wanted to read
>Pinkie Pie made you a huge box of gingerbread men
>Iced meticulously with lightning stripes on the arms
>Eggs and Bakey got you coupons to their restaurant
>Applejack got you a fine Paneighma hat
>Swear to wear it as much as possible
>Fluttershy got you a tub of your favorite supplements
>Sprinkle it on practically everything
>Love party
>Celebrate into the night
>Go home
“I’ve got my eye on you Anon!”
>Dash is on the cloud above the pine tree in your yard
“And I like what I see”
>Dash flies down to you, pushing the door open
“Wanna come get your present?”
>She’s headed for your bedroom
>Like where this is going
>Scoop up your marefriend
>Kiss
You don’t know where your time in Equestria will take you. You do know who you’ll go with though…
>Dash  (1)<3