Then and Now Pt. 8

>Just like that time all those years ago, the sun is starting to peek over the horizon
>You quickly take notice, then make one last fade-away shot, sinking it
There.
>You start
That’s 22-17.  I think we can call it a night.
>Rainbow Dash grabs the ball, then takes notice herself.
>”But… I was catching up! Come on, let’s finish this!”
>She starts dribbling the ball herself
>”How are we going to do best seven out of thirteen without our thirteenth game?”
>You rub your eyes and sigh
We’ll pick it up another time. Maybe even later today?
>You say, with another yawn
>Noticing yours, Rainbow Dash begins to yawn herself
>”Well, when you put it that way…”
>You walk over and rustle her mane
We’ll meet up later and finish it, alright?
>She looks up to you and smiles
>”Sounds good, squirt. But you better be ready to LOSE!”
>You let out a hearty chuckle
We’ll see about THAT!
>You both laugh together
>”Well, see you later, Anon,” she says, quickly nuzzling your chest before taking off
>You watch her rainbow trail fly off into the distance
>With that, you crack your back, sigh, grab your basketball, and head inside

>”Anon?” you hear
>You groan and roll over
>”Anon, wake up, it’s already noon!”
>You wave your hand dismissively and scooch closer into the now-far-too-small-for-you sleeping area
>”Anon, please.”
Ughhh…
>You sit up and rub your eyes
>Well, it wasn’t TOO bad of a sleep
>Twilight is at the top of the stairs to greet you
>She giggles a little
>”Finally. Good afternoon, sleepy head.”
Same to you, Twilight.
>You say, rising to your feet
>It’s a little chilly. You’re using your game attire as pajamas
>”So, Anon…” Twilight begins, kind of twiddling her hooves
Mhmm?
>You respond, walking over to your new duds
>”Remember last time you were here, the Princess was going to come see you?”
>You look over to her, shirt outstretched in your hand
>What’s she getting at?
Yeah…?
>”Well, last night, I let her know you were back in town, and… well, with the aging and all, she’s most interested in seeing you…”
>You take off your jersey to change into your shirt
> Twilight’s eyes linger a little longer than normal
I’m listening…
>”And, um, well… she’s really busy right now, so she can’t come to P0nyville, but… well, she invited us to Canterlot, and I, um…”
>Canterlot… that’s the city you heard about your last time here, if you recall
>You focus on Twilight
>She’s so nervous for some reason
>Why…?
Twilight, what’s on your mind? Why so jumpy?
>She looks away
>”Well, I was kind of worried you’d be mad at me for doing this without asking…”
>You look up to the ceiling and poke the side of your mouth with your tongue
>Yeah, shouldn’t you be?
Well—
>”And I know what you’re worried about! Applejack filled me in on everything after you left. We won’t put you in some lab, Anon, or force you to stay there. She just wants to observe and talk to you!”
>Oh yeah, you were worried about that, weren’t you?
>The things you forget, huh?
Well, if you can promise that, then I’m cool with going.
>You fold your jersey and laugh to yourself a little
Not like I’m doing much else.
>You grip the waistband of your shorts, then stop
>You stare at Twilight for a little bit
Umm… do you mind? Please?
>She looks up to you and blushes a little
>”Why? Um, what’s the matter?”
I’m changing my pants…
>She looks a little puzzled
It’s where my, um, “business” is… you know?
>”Is that a… a problem?”
>She has some kind of hopeful look to her face
…little bit, yeah. No one’s supposed to really see it.
>”But you changed your shirt just fine…”
It’s different, there’s nothing up here that… Twilight, please.
>She averts her eyes
>”Alright. S-Sorry, Anon.”
>She descents the stairs
>You quickly slip off your shorts and throw on your boxers and jeans
All good!
>You call out to her
>You begin to hear her trot back up
So, how far away is Canterlot?
>”About half a day away by train,” she says, “we can catch one departing in about an hour and a half or so.”
Yeah, sounds good to me.
>Suddenly, you remember something
Oh, crap…
>Twilight looks puzzled. “What is it?”
I promised I’d hang out and play basketball with Rainbow Dash later today.
>Twilight hangs her head a little bit and awkwardly scratches behind it
…hey, would it be cool if she came with us?
>Twilight thinks for a second
>”…well, sure, as long as she wants to.”
>You smile
Perfect. Well, we’ll run it by her on our way to the station. Sound good?
>Twilight smiles
>”Yeah, sounds like a plan.”

>”But what if they start doing all kinds of crazy experiments on him?” Rainbow Dash asks, fluttering around both you and Twilight
>You approach the boarding platform
>”Oh Dash, they aren’t going to treat him like some lab rat. I’ll make sure of it. The Princess just has some questions for him after those events six months ago.”
>You three approach the train and hand in your tickets
>Awkward gazes from the employees all around
>You step into the train and take your seat in one of the cabins, placing your basketball next to you
>Rainbow Dash and Twilight sit at the other end
>”I’m just looking out for the guy. How do we know these science p0nies won’t go ballistic and try to find out everything about humans from him?”
>”Because there won’t be any science p0nies. It’s just us and the Princess this time, she wants to speak to Anon, not study him.”
>It’s almost like bickering
>You put your elbow down at the end of the seat and place your face against your fist
>”You say that now! No one in Canterlot has seen a human! They could take him away on the spot!”
>Rainbow Dash is really sticking up for you
>You sigh internally
>There’s no reason for her to. You trust Twilight’s call
>”Because there’s no way the Princess would let that happen!”
>”But what if—“
Dash!
>You say. Not a yell, just firm enough to get her attention
>She turns toward you
Don’t worry about it, I’ll be fine. Nothing will happen to me.
>She looks deep into your eyes
>Hers show concern
>Hmm…
>The train starts moving
Let’s just enjoy our ride, alright?
>Rainbow Dash sighs and nods
>She’s really protective of you, huh?
>Must still think of you as that 12 year old kid
>The train climbs to its top speed; you’re officially on your way to Canterlot
>You gaze out onto the Equestrian landscape
>Pretty beautiful, if you say so yourself
>Reminds you of the American Frontier
>Maybe Ántonia is out there somewhere
>Or some p0ny version of her
>Toiling away…
>…
>”So Anon…” Twilight brings up
>You shift your attention away from the landscape to her
What’s on your mind, Twi?
>”Well, I was just wondering what happened with your visit to Fluttershy’s.”
>Oh shit…
>Of course she’d bring that up, how could you forget?
>What do you say?
>”Wait… Anon, you went to visit Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash asks
>That’s right, she didn’t know
Yeah,
>You answer
I went last night to talk with her. About that… “incident.”
>”She didn’t try anything, did she…?” she asks
>She’s got a few subtle tones hidden in there
>Anger and worry, you pick up
>How do you respond?
>Fluttershy’s not very threatening herself, but… man, what she can do to you is a little…
>…frightening
>”Anon…? Twilight asks
>They’ve caught on to your hesitation
Um, no. No, she didn’t try anything.
>Smooth. That came out suspicious as hell
>Twilight and Dash look to each other, then back to you
Guys, don’t worry. Even if she did, I could handle her.
>You’ve told this to Twilight already
>Now you know it’s not entirely true
>”Well what’d you guys talk about?” Rainbow asks, “I’m surprised you even WANTED to after what she did to you.”
>You lean back into your chair
Well, what she did to me is why I needed to talk with her. I need it resolved, you know?
>”And was it…?” Twilight chimes in
Well… not exactly, no…
>Rainbow Dash sneers
>”Well what did she say?”
Just that, um. That she’s, well… in love with… me…?
>Could you tell this part…?
>Too late now, you guess
>Twilight and Rainbow Dash groan
>”She told us that same thing when you left! That’s her excuse!”
>So it’s already known…
>”What else?” Dash asks
Well… I dunno, I didn’t get through to her. I didn’t stay much longer after that. It was like talking to—
>”—to a brick wall,” Dash finishes, “I know that all too well.”
>Twilight nods
>The questioning is making you really uncomfortable
>You don’t want to let it slip what really happened
>And they may catch you dancing around your words
>Bail out for a bit?
>Yeah, bail out for a bit
Hey… I’m gonna go use the bathroom, alright?
>The two p0nies nod in response. They look like they were just about to ask you another question
Cool.
>With that, you stand up and head out into the hall

>You wander for a bit, not really knowing the layout of the place
>You managed to spot a bar earlier
>You could really go for a beer
>But you don’t have your wallet
>They probably (most certainly) didn’t take American currency anyway
>And what’s the drinking age here?
>Ugh
>You didn’t dwell on it much
>Eventually, you find the bathroom, and manage to make yourself pee
>Might as well make that journey worth it
>After, you zip up and wash your hands
>You begin to travel down the hallway toward your cabin
>Through your peripherals, you’re noticing all kinds of p0nies and families in the cabin
>There’s a pink and red one there, a family of all colors there, a yellow and pink there—
>Whoa, hold up
>You halt yourself instantly and think for a second
>Was that…?
>You backpedal and take a look
>The cabin is…
>Empty
>That’s impossible
>You go to take a closer look, but just as you do, you catch your name being said from down the hall
>So that’s why your ears have been burning…
>You slowly walk up to your cabin and stand in the hall outside, out of their field of vision
>”…why are you so protective of him anyway?” you hear
>It’s Twilight’s voice
>”Me?” Rainbow responds, “I could say the same to you!”
>”Oh come on, you were so concerned about him being taken away in Canterlot, you worry more than me!”
>Are they having an argument about you?
>You put your ear a little closer
>”It’s because we’re friends” Rainbow retorts
>”I know, I’ve heard you guys playing base-kit-ball more than once!”
>”Yeah, so? He’s fun to play with and… wait.”
>Sounds like Rainbows on to something
>”Are you jealous?” she asks
>”Jea—what, me? Jealous? No!”
>Oh man, Twilight sounds flustered
>You can hear Rainbow giggling a little
>”You have a thing for the guy, don’t you?” she accuses
>Wait, hold the phone
>What?
>That can’t be right…
>It’s only Fluttershy that does
>And that’s because there’s probably some screw loose there
>Can normal p0nies be attracted to humans too…?
>Would that explain that wet spot during the petting…?
>Oh shit… fuck, that might have been—
>”I… I do not!” Twilight responds
>”You SO do!” Rainbow accuses again, snickering a little
>”I’d say YOU’RE the one with a thing for Anon!” Twilight counters, “It explains why you’re so protective and buddy-buddy with him!”
>Rainbow Dash stutters a little
>Now SHE’S flustered
>”N-No, we’re just friends! We hang out and play sports and stuff!”
>”You do!” Twilight cheers, “You do have a thing for him! That’s so cute, Rainbow Dash!”
>”Sh-Shut up, I do not!”
>Oh man, this has gone on long enough
>You gotta forget you’ve heard any of this
>You step back further into the hallway, then start walking toward the door
>You make your footsteps louder intentionally
>You round the corner into your cabin, open the door, and walk on in
>The p0nies are silent, looking in obscure directions
…got lost. Train’s bigger than it seems…
>You let loose a small laugh
>The other p0nies join in on your awkward giggling
>You’re horrible in these situations
Well… I think I’ll just sleep off the rest of the ride.
>You say, beginning to lie down on your side of the cabin
>These seats were not made for a 6’2” human
>You tuck your chin in to yourself and close your eyes
>It’s a little difficult, but eventually, you drift off to sleep

>”Anon, wake up, we’re here!” Twilight calls
>You open your eyes slowly
>Eeh, wasn’t too bad of a nap
>You rise from the seat and stretch your arms, yawning
>Twilight and Rainbow Dash are already stepping off of the train
>”C’mon, hurry!”
>What’s your hurry, Tex?
>Ughh
>You all exit the train, stepping out into the glorious city of Canterlot
>You notice you’re up on the side of a mountain
>Man, it’s like a place straight out of Lord of the Rings
>Except all the p0nies here are all dressed up something fancy
>Twilight trots ahead
>”This way, guys!”
>Rainbow Dash sticks behind with you, flying at about your eye level
>You look at each other and shrug, following her lead
>As you make your way through the city, all the p0nies are giving you strange looks
>”What IS that thing…?” one asks
>”Is that some kind of ape?”
>”What is it doing in clothes?”
>“Are those p0nies its keeper?”
>You put your hands in your coat pockets and lower your head
>Dash notices your uncomfortable situation
>”Aw, don’t let ‘em get to you, Anon,” Dash says, bucking you on the shoulder, “they’re just confused about you, that’s all.”
>You nod to her
>”They’re also snobs…”
>You laugh a little
>It’s not that they’re offending you, really
>You just feel so out of place
>For the first time, really, you realize how alienated you are
>You’re the only human on this entire world
>That’s… fucking lonely
>You sigh a little
>”Almost there!” Twilight says from ahead
>You begin to see a castle emerge from the distance
>It’s… huge. And beautiful
>You make your way through the crowds, eventually arriving at the tall piece of architecture
>Burly pegasus p0nies in shining armor guard the front gate
>Twilight says some words to them, they nod, and agree to let you pass
>As you begin to enter the castle, you take one last look at the city
>It’s so bustling and busy
>Some kind of weird mix of medieval architecture, but with more modern fashion and some contemporary businesses and whatnot
>…what a strange world
>You see a blur of pink and yellow through the corner of your eye, near the crowd of Canterlot p0nies
>Your eyes dart over, but whatever it was…
>Or whoever…
>It’s gone
>…are you going crazy?
>Are you nervous or worried? Seeing things?
>”Anon!” Dash calls from inside, “You coming or what?”
>You take one last look over
Yeah, be right there.
>Still looking in the general direction, you start walking into the castle
>The gates close behind you

>The castle is beautiful and large
>Exactly what you’d expect some enchanted castle to look like
>Twilight continues to lead you throughout the corridors, exchanging a few words with the guards as you all pass
>Even they are giving you weird looks
>At this point, you guess it’s just to be expected
>Eventually, you arrive at a large set of wooden doors
>Twilight stops
>”Now everyp0ny… be sure to be on your best behavior.”
Does that exclude me, then?
>Twilight looks over to you, almost frustrated
>She sees your wise crackin’ grin
>She just smiles
>”EveryHUMAN, too.”
>The doors open, and you, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash make your way into what appears to be the throne room
>On the throne, a large, white p0ny sits, her colorful mane flowing
>You recognize her a little
>You saw her briefly as a kid
>She takes notice of your entrance, and descends from her throne
>”My most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle,” she begins, “how good it is to see you again.”
>Twilight bows, Rainbow Dash follows suit
>You drop a knee, Tebow style, once again
>”Always a pleasure, Princess.” Twilight responds
>The princess looks over
>”Rainbow Dash, how very nice of you to join us.”
>Dash peers up
>”Uh, yeah. Thanks for having me.”
>Even she knows when to be extra polite, it seems
>”And Anonymous…” she says to you
>You bring up your head to meet her gaze
>”How you’ve grown since I last laid eyes on you.”
>You’re not sure what to say
Yeah, it’s… been a while.
>The Princess smiles.
>”Girls,” she starts, addressing the two p0nies next to you. “Thank you for escorting Anonymous here. But I’d like to have this conversation alone with him.”
>What?
>You look over to Twilight and Dash
>Both look a little confused
>You don’t think they were expecting this
>”Oh, of course, Princess.” Twilight says
>Dash looks over to you
>Not worried or concerned, just… wishing luck?
>This one was hard to read
>She nods as she flutters up into the air
>”We’ll see you soon, okay Anon?” Twilight says
Yeah, of course. See you guys in a bit.
>They nod back to you and exit the room
>You turn back to the Princess
>”Rise, Anonymous, you don’t need to stay kneeling forever.”
>She’s smiling
>Well… at least she’s not an uptight ruler
>That’s a bit of a relief
>You stand up on your feet
>You’re a little taller than she is
>”Now. I have much to ask you. About yourself, where you come from, and especially… what has happened to you in these six months.”
>Yeah… just about what you were expecting
>You put your hands back in your coat pocket
Alright, sounds good. Ask away, Your Highness.

End of Part 8