Fool Moon, Part 13 (Truth will Out)

"Rarity!?"
>You let out a shocked shout as Rarity topples to the floor, out cold.
>Fluttershy, surprisingly, doesn't seem all that fazed.
>You make your way to the unconscious pony, unsure of what to do.
>You turn around and look at Fluttershy behind you.
"Does she...does she do this often?"
>Fluttershy starts to answer, then she lets out a tiny squeak and throws up a hoof in front of her eyes.
>"Umm...yes...but could you, ummm, cover up, please?"
>Huh?
>You look down. Oh, right, dong.
>You dash out of the room.
>Rarity surely won't mind you borrowing some of her fabric for some makeshift cl-
>Turning the corner, you find a shabby, torn set of clothing. Your old clothing, stitched up and shined.
>You smile. You were sure she'd thrown those old duds away. You should have known better. She'd been saving them as a gift for yo-
>Was that...sobbing?
>You put your old-new clothes on and rush back into the room, only to encounter a pretty awkward sight.
>Fluttershy consoling a crying Rarity, awkwardly patting her on the back and hugging her.
>There is no way that wings that stiff can be in any way healthy.
>"Wha-what do you mean she's m-missing! Was she f-foal napped? I k-knew I shouldn't have l-left her!"
>The rest of what she was about to say breaks down into incoherent crying.


>"Sssshhhhhh"
>Fluttershy runs a hoof through Rarity's mane as the white pony sobs onto her shoulder.
>"I...I'm sure we'll find her. She can't have gotten far, could she?"
>Fluttershy looks at you for support.
>You give a very slow shrug. How the hell were you supposed to know how far a baby marshmallow could wander?
>Rarity goes into hysterics again.
>"But w-what if there's nop0ny to find! W-what if s-something in the forest hurt her, or worse!? What if..."
>Rarity's hooves tense, and Fluttershy eeps at the sudden pressure.
>"Blueblood."
>There's enough venom in that single word to poison a kingdom.
>"Blueblood did this. Its part of his little scheme, isn't it!?"
>"I...I don't..."
>"He wants to hurt me by going after Sweetie Belle! When I get my hooves on him, I'll..."
"Uh, Rarity?"
>Immediately, Rarity whirls and turns a terrifying smile on you.
>"Anonymous! How good to see you! I'll need you to help me strangle Blueblood. Those fingers of yours will be quite useful."
"Rarity, calm down. I don't know who the hell that is, and I'm sure whatever he did it was terrible and he deserves whatever's coming to him, but we need to find Sweetie Belle first."
>Rarity closes her eyes for a moment, and sighs.
>"Of course. I...I'm sorry. I just lost my head for a moment."
>Fluttershy smiles as she lets go of Rarity.
>"That's okay, Rarity. It's just...what are we going to do?"
>Rarity frowns.
>"We're going to find her, of course. We'll scour the Everfree until she's found!"


>Fluttershy is immediately terrified, her stiff wings falling flat as she shivers.
>"B-but Rarity, it's the E-Everfree Forest! We c-can't-"
>Rarity turns to her, and rebukes her very gently.
>"Fluttershy, dear, I know you're afraid of the Everfree Forest, quite reasonably, I must add, but my sister is in danger. I need your help."
>She smiles softly at Fluttershy, who quietly nods her head in acceptance.
>"O..okay. But the girls! Shouldn't we g-get them?"
>Rarity shakes her head in the negative.
>"We don't have time, Fluttershy. Sweetie could be in serious danger as we speak! There's a...that thing, Fluttershy. That monster could be after her!"
>Fluttershy nods solemnly, before looking over Rarity's shoulder and cocking an eyebrow at you, as if to say "you havn't told her yet?"
>You shake your head, frowning.
>Fluttershy closes her eyes, whether in acceptance or annoyance, you're not sure.
"Alright, Rarity. We'll find Sweetie Belle, I promise. She probably just got a little lost. We'll spend all day if we have to."
>Rarity nods at you, smiling.
>"Of course! And all night! I'll meet the pair of you outside! I have to get something first!"


>Seconds later, you and Fluttershy are shoved outside of Carousel Boutique by Rarity's magic.
>Fluttershy lands with an adorable "oomph," while you just sort of tumble and collapse.
"What the hell was that about!?"
>Fluttershy glances at you.
>"I...uh, think she didn't want us to see whatever it was that she's, umm, getting."
"Not that, Fluttershy. The wing thing. That looked uncomfortable as hell."
>Fluttershy's face turns a ferocious shade of crimson.
>"I..uh..oh my, it's...uh"
>The pegasus starts sputtering, and you raise an eyebrow as she works herself up into a shameful frenzy.
"Uh. Never mind, I guess. I'll ask later."
>Fluttershy is quiet for a long time.
>"T-thanks."
>You give out a meaningless grunt and lean against the house as the pair of you wait for Rarity.
>Stuck outside with little miss yellow and quiet, was there a worse fa-
>"Why havn't you told her, Anonymous?"
>You flinch.
"I...well. I can't. How could I?"
>"Ummm, what do you mean, you can't? She needs to-"
"I just CAN'T, Fluttershy!"
>Fluttershy gives out a quiet whimper, and you immediately feel like an ass.
"I'm sorry. I just can't, okay. I can't."
>"But...why?"
"If I do...she'll hate me, Fluttershy. She'll fear me. And I'll lose her. I can't-"
>The door bangs open, and Fluttershy shrieks while you jump.
>"I FOUND IT!"
>Rarity trots outside, a long composite bow slung over her shoulder, on top of an elaborate saddlebag.
>Filled with silver arrows.
>"Now. Let's go find Sweetie Belle!"


>Holy shit where did you get all those fucking arrows Rarity!?
>"Oh. I simply melted down some old silverware. Fletching isn't my strong suit, but I do think I've done a good job. Nobleponies tend to find it absolutely charming when a pony makes her own arrows."
>Oh shit you said that out loud, didn't you?
>You take a deep,shuddering breath, trying to damper the sudden intense anxiety you feel.
>You gulp, and Fluttershy glances at you with a worried expression on her yellow face.
>"Anon, are you alright?"
"Fine, just fine. What's the...err, bow for?"
>Rarity starts trotting off, still speaking, while you and Fluttershy follow her at a more reasoned pace.
>"That thing came after me last night, Anonymous. I won't be caught unawares again. When we fought it in the caves, I remember it fearing a silver spear. If we find it this time...if it hurt Sweetie Belle..."
>Her voice grows dangerously cold, and you shiver.
>"I'll kill it."
>You think about it. What you would do if you woke up with Sweetie Belle's corpse in front of you?
"It might want you to."
>"What was that, Anon?"
"Nothing, Rarity."
>Fluttershy gives you an alarmed glance, and you shake your head.
>Rarity eyes you over her shoulder.
>"Oh...alright then. Well come along! The Everfree is right next to Ponyville, but we need all the time we can get!"
>She hurries off, and you follow her, heedless of the looks Fluttershy is giving you.
>You meant it.
>If you hurt Sweetie Belle, or Fluttershy, or Rarity's friends, or the rest of the CMC...
>If you hurt Rarity...
>You would want to be killed.
>The three of you charge through Ponyville's streets, running headlong into the Everfree Forest.


>Your first thought about the Everfree was that it was...dark.
>It was daytime, afternoon, maybe, you weren't sure, but the forest was dark as night.
>And it was alive.
>You still remembered trying to point the dark half towards this set of woods, your first night.
>You remembered how it had smelled the loam, and the green smells, and the spoor of other predators, and turned away.
>There were dark things here, things that chittered and roared and slithered between the roots of the trees.
>Understandably, you were fucking terrified. So was Fluttershy.
>Rarity, though...
>"SWEETIE BELLE! SWEETIE, CAN YOU HEAR US!?"
"Rarity you're going to bring this whole fucking forest down on us."
>She glares at you.
>"And? If Sweetie can find us, that's a risk I'm willing to take."
>Can't argue with that logic, really.
"Fluttershy, can you try to fly over the trees, see if you can spot her from above, maybe?"
>An incoherent whimper is your only response.
>This was a terrible way to start a hunt.
>You'd find her soon, though. You had to.


"Rarity, you two need to rest."
>"Anonymous, we cant! You know we can't. We have to find her! I have to find her!"
"Rarity, look at Fluttershy!"
>The yellow pegasus, upon realizing you've all stopped, has fallen onto her own face.
>"M'fine. Less keep going."
"See!"
>Rarity slows to a stop, trotting in place as a manic look comes over her face.
>"We CAN'T stop! We just can't!"
"Rarity, have you slept since last night?"
>...No."
"Then you need to rest. You can't keep up a pace like this and stay sane! You're going to drop dead of exhaustion."
>Rarity stops trotting in place, but lets out another sigh, a few hairs sticking out of place in her mane.
>"Alright. Okay. Five minutes. Then we search more."
>You sigh as Rarity collapses on her flank, muttering to herself.
>She then promptly falls asleep
>You turn to Fluttershy.
"Are you gonna be okay?"
>"Gonna be...just fine...need to...catch breath."
"You rest, okay? Watch over Rarity. Make sure she's alright. I'm gonna keep looking."
>"Why...sit down...you gotta be...tired..."
"I'll be fine. And, Fluttershy, its almost, you know, night. I want to be far away from you guys if...that happens."
>Fluttershy shakes her head, trying to get her breath back.
>"Pick..pick me up, Anonymous."
"Uh, what?"
>"Take me...with you. Can't let...that thing out...here. Could hurt Rarity...or find Sweetie Belle before we do. I can...Stare it."
>Stare? You have no idea what that is, but it has to be whatever she did to keep that thing in check that time you were tied up in her house.
"Alright, Fluttershy. Hop on. You're riding piggyback. We'll search until the sun sets."


>Fluttershy is actually kind of heavier then you'd expected.
>You keep walking along the Everfree path, calling out softly for Sweetie Belle every few yards.
>So far, there's been no response, no animals screaming, no filly running out to you.
>Just silence and fear. A sour smell reaches your nostrils as your senses slowly grow sharper, the sense of many things fleeing one greater thing.
>The stench of prey.
>The sun has been sinking lower and lower on the horizon.
"Fluttershy."
>Soft snoring greets your query as you slow down.
"Fluttershy, I need you to wake up."
>You set her down quietly, glancing around.
>As what little light penetrates the Everfree canopy begins to dim, another smell reaches your senses.
>Blood. A lot of it. Spilled quickly.
>But you can't see any of it.
>You gently prod the pegasus, and she yawns at you.
>"Anonymous?"
"It's...Fluttershy it's that time. I need you to do whatever it is you do to keep it in check. And I need it now."
>You glance up at the sky, worry tracing its way down your spine as your senses begin to shift.
>"S-sure Anonymous. I-I'll try. Just, umm, get on your back."
>You raise an eyebrow at her, but comply.
>She trots over to you.
>"Now look in my eyes. If I get...it...before it has a chance to look away, I can keep it still for a while. Long enough for Rarity to find Sweetie, I hope."
>You nod, your ability to listen rapidly slipping away as the sun sets.
>You stare into Fluttershy's eyes, and freeze as those blue pools start to suck you in.
>There is a quiet rustling from the bushes, and Fluttershy turns her head.
>"Sweetie Belle?"
>Is that really Swee-

Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SqnN7AaTcY
>You wake up to the sound of screaming.
>The yellow one is back.
>No animals this time, no "stories."
>Just her. Easy meat.
>You roar, and her screaming rises in intensity as she backs away.
>She tries to catch you with her eyes as she retreats, but you're wise to that trick.
>You can smell her fear. Thick and acidic, hanging in the air like a spice for the meal to come.
>You lash out at her, and-
>Something breaks your hand.
>You don't see it, not at first.
>The bones in your hand just shatter, a blur passing over them, accompanied by hissing.
>You roar in surprise and shock, withdrawing your hand as your eyes dart around to follow the blur.
>Your eyes settle on a tiny white pony, with purple and pink hair. She's dirty, covered in mud and leaves, with dark smears on her snout. Smears of...
>You sniff. Now THAT was unexpected.
>She opens her mouth, probably to hiss again, and Fluttershy speaks up.
>"S...Sweetie Belle?"
>The tiny pony flinches, and you act.
>One heavy leap sends you past the tiny pony, and you land with a thump onto the packed earth, right in front of the yellow one.
>She screams, opening her wings and trying to jump away.
>She's not fast enough.
>You reach out and grip the feathered appendage.
>Then you rend it, tearing out feathers and muscle and skin in one swipe of your claw.
>The yellow one looses a scream that pierces the night sky with its intensity.
>A voice answers it.
>"FLUTTERSHY!?"
>Ah. The white one. With her precious Metal. You turn and bound away.
>The tiny white pony lets you go. She's staring at the yellow one's wing.
>At the blood that leaks from it.

Rarity's perspective
>You wake up to the sound of screaming.
>Fluttershy's voice, loud and piercing, jolts you awake, and it takes every ounce of your self control not to panic.
>You look around you, spinning in a circle, terrified.
>You're alone. Of course you're alone. Damn that Anonymous! He was so BUCKING insistent that you rest, and look what happ-
>Fluttershy screams again, and this time pain fills that scream.
"FLUTTERSHY!?"
>Your horn glows, slipping your bow off your back and nocking an arrow.
>It was back. Of course it would back. You felt like it had never left. Like it was a hunt without end. One that wouldn't end until it had killed you.
>Or you killed it.
>Tonight, you would both be hunters.
>Because nop0ny hurt Rarity's friends and got away with it.
>Fluttershy's screams die out in the distance, and you turn towards that direction, pulling the arrow back.
>There is only darkness and silence from the trees.
>You don't know how long you wait like that, bowstring pulled taut, arrow held, vibrating, in your telekinesis.
>You breath in and out, focusing, your eyes sharp, as you wait for it to break the trees.
>Its coming for you, you can tell.
>You breathe out.
>The tree's leaves rustle in the wind.
>And a massive shadow leaps at you from the trees, while you loose an arrow.


>You miss.
>You bite back curses as your arrow flies wide of your target, a victim of your weakened focus.
>The silver arrow streaks past the charging monster, but causes it to flinch away, growling at you even as it comes.
>You turn and run, your hooves striking the soft earth and gripping as you sprint away from that thing.
>You can't outrun it. You're still too tired.
>But you think you can outsmart it.
>You give a sharp turn, looping around a tree with your customary grace, smiling to yourself as the thing roars and slides, its heavy form sending up a spray of dirt as it turns to try and keep up with you.
>You keep running, nimbly leaping a fallen log before turning, arrow already drawn and nocked, at the clumsy beast running in from behind.
>It jumps at you as it sees you stop, and you loose another arrow.
>The shining silver arrowhead pierces the thing's shoulder, and it SCREAMS as its flesh burns at the touch of silver.
>Its charge turns into a stumble as it reaches up and tears at its shoulder, roaring and struggling to tear away the arrow.
>You nock another arrow, and the monster roars and leaps away, latching onto a tree and climbing up it like a massive monkey.
>You fire after it as it scampers away, but miss.
>Everything goes quiet.


>Darkness and silence dominate the wood.
>You occasionally hear it, scampering around in the trees above you, but a few panicky arrows fired into the tree canopy gain you nothing.
>You back up, putting your flank against a tree.
>There is a snapping sound, and then another rustling of leaves as something drops from the trees above.
>The broken halves of the first arrow.
>You grit your teeth.
"Come on..."
>Silence, tense and heavy, greets you.
"Come on..."
>You feel breath, hot and heavy, come onto your mane from above.
>You pretend not to notice, glancing around and squinting.
>It roars, and you jump away, blind firing behind you as the thing crashes to the ground.
>A pained roar greets your ears, and the smell of cooking meat fills your senses.
>You turn, and watch the creature scream into the dirt, blood running from it's maw.
>Its clawed fingers scrabble in its mouth, pulling at the inside as it struggles to pull an arrow free from its cheek.
>You slowly, casually nock another arrow.
"This is for Fluttershy, monster."
>It glances up at the sound of your voice, and hurls itself away as you fire another arrow.
>You're alright with that.
>The thing can wait. First, you need to find Fluttershy.
>You sprint away from the running beast, towards where Fluttershy's hoarse screaming came from.
>After what feels like hours of running, you break into a small clearing, stinking of something you can't quite identify.
>Fluttershy lies on her side in the dirt, blood running from a mangled wing.
>She's pale. Far, far too pale, and possibly in shock. But breathing.
>You hear a rustling from behind you, and turn around, raising the bow and arrow.
>And lowering it just as quickly.
"...Sweetie Belle?"


>She's staring at you from inside a bush, shaking in what must be terror. She's a bit dirty, and there's something red on her mouth, but she's here! And she's safe.
"Oh Sweetie! I'm so glad you're okay! You're safe!"
>You run forward to hug your sister, and she freezes.
>Then she shivers and backs away, deeper into the bushes and farther away from you.
>"Don't...don't come any closer, Rarity."
>Her voice is hoarse and raspy, sounding more like a pony dying of thirst than the sweet filly you know and love.
>You stop, pain twisting at your heart.
"Sweetie?"
>"I...I'm not coming out. I think I'm sick, Rarity. Really, really sick."
>Your eyes go to the red on her mouth.
"It must have been something you ate while out here in this dreadful wood. I'm just glad you're okay, Sweetie. Now just...come out."
>She shivers again.
>"I can't, sis. I'm too scared."
>You narrow your eyes as you add scaring Sweetie to the long list of that beast's crimes.
"Sweetie, what happened to Fluttershy?"
>"She...she got hurt, by that thing. It cut her wing."
>You close your eyes, weighing two heavy choices in your mind.
>Let that thing live, or take Fluttershy home yourself. An easy choice. You couldn't let it hurt anyp0ny like this again.
"Sweetie, I need you to watch Fluttershy. If she wakes up, help her get to safety. I'm going after that animal."
>Sweetie Belle's eyes widen.
>She opens her mouth to speak, but you're already gone, running off into the woods.
>You're going to hunt that thing down.


>You can hear it howling, deeper in the woods.
>Screams of agony and...something you can't define.
>Like its fighting something.
>But all you can hear is its voice, screaming.
>Your hooves beat new paths in the dirt as you race deeper into the wood, an arrow already drawn.
>It had scared Sweetie Belle, and Fluttershy...
>Her wing was mangled.
>You could hurt this thing. Make it bleed. You had to drive it away, or kill it, or something.
>The howling stops.
>It couldn't stay here. It couldn't keep doing this.
>As you run along the path, you fail to take note of the rustling of leaves, running parallel to you.
>And so the thing's first blow hits you square on.
>Open handed, its massive paw arrests your charge and slams you into a tree trunk.
>You yelp in surprise and collapse, gasping, as the thing steps out of the wood after you. Smoke curls from its fanged maw as it looms over you, one hand wrapping around your white throat and lifting you to eye level, your back scraping against the tree bark.
>It opens its mouth and draws a claw back, roaring, and your horn glows as you bring up your bow.
>It freezes as its eyes take in the silver glow of the arrow.
>You freeze as you take note of the moonlight glinting off those long black claws.
>The pair of you hold that position, frozen in the act of murder.
>If you fire, it would still kill you. If it swung, you'd release the bow, and send an arrow in its brain.
>It shivers all over, claws flexing as it holds you still. It works its maw, as if chewing on something, and then it speaks.
"Marshmallow."
>That...that voice...
"Do it."

Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYeYold6Uys
>It...it can't be.
>Your grip on the bow shakes like a leaf.
>It CAN'T be.
>The creature shivers again, its voice, that voice, HIS voice, becoming rougher, harder to understand.
>"Do it. Please. Can't stop it. Not for long. Do it, Rarity."
"A...Anonymous? Is that...you?"
>It's voice becomes a pained whine, like a wounded dog, and it shivers again before speaking.
>"Can't stop it. Silver...weaken...can't stop it."
>Its eyes, no, HIS eyes, focus on you, begging you.
>"Kill me."
>You stare at it, at him, your jaw dropping open.
"I...Anonymous, if you're in there...I can't. how could I?"
>Anonymous roars, and you wince as he painfully shoves you higher up on the trunk.
>"DO IT."
>You gasp as the bark digs into your back.
"I can't. I won't. I'm not losing you."
>"Already...lost...Fluttershy...you...end it."
>You shake your head, wincing again at the tightness of his grip around your throat.
"No. That's the one gift I won't give you, Anonymous."
>He struggles, shivering again, but the only sound out of his throat is a wordless roar.
"Anonymous, please. Please, stay with me. Fight it!"
>He roars again, and you watch as the pleading in his eyes is slowly replaced by mindless rage.
"FIGHT, CELESTIA DAMN YOU!"
>He roars again, and the clawed hand strikes out at you.
>Your grip on the bow loosens.
>The arrow fires.



>Anon's claws slam into the wood next to your head with a loud THUNK.
>The arrow slams solidly into his chest, and he roars, dropping you to the soft earth.
>Blood and smoke curl from his chest, thick, black blood dripping into the earth as the arrow burns its way into his body.
>You gasp, horror filling your mind as you realize what you might have done.
>His hands curl, twitching, as he turns towards you.
>You cough as your air flow returns, and you look up at him. Your horror solidifies into conviction.
>And you drop the bow.
>He watches this, and a sound, half furious roar, half pained yelp, escapes his maw.
>He crawls towards you, and you go to him, your horn already glowing.
>You get in close, and he lunges, clawed hands closing on your neck and back with a tense, twitching grip.
>You ignore it.
>Your horn glows, and you pull the arrow out.
>His hands twitch, claws drawing thin scrapes on your back as his grip tightens, but you continue to approach him, walking inside his reach.
"You won't hurt me, Anonymous. You won't."
>He roars, but you ignore him as you lean your head against his chest, nuzzling him.
>Light, the weak, yellow light of dawn, pierces the canopy above you, illuminating you.
>His roar becomes hoarse and ragged, and you close your eyes.
>His grip tightens, but the claws withdraw, vanishing, as he shrinks, as he changes.
>His killing embrace becomes a terrified hug, and sobs wrack his form.
>For a while, neither of you speak. You just hold each other.
>"Why, Rarity? Why do...this for a monster?"
>You smile as a memory of a similar question returns to you.
"Because monsters need it the most."

Anonymous' Perspective
>Fear fills your heart as a cascade of emotions break over you.
>Nothing seems real anymore.
>The dark half had never been strong enough to fight. Not even for a moment. Not even when it was weak.
>You hold Rarity for an uncomfortable amount of time, struggling not to break down, struggling to stay sane.
>You had seen the dark half cripple Fluttershy.
>You saw it nearly...you'd almost...almost killed Rarity.
>You tremble as a wave of horror washes over you.
>The thought of hurting her, of killing her, scared you more than you thought imaginable.
>That attachment, that fear, was something you'd never felt before. About anything.
"Marshmallow. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
>"Ssshhh. Its alright. I'm here."
"Why didn't I tell you? I should have told you. I should have told you from the beginning. I should have...Oh God, what have I done?"
>"It's alright, Anon. It's...we can fix this. Twilight can help you, or the princesses, or Zecora..."
>She trails off, and leans back in your arms.
>"You don't have to bear this curse alone."
>You can't speak. No words are enough.
>She smiles up at you as you look down at her.
>Then you freeze in her grasp as something comes back to you.
"I..it, I guess, it saw Sweetie Belle."
>"I know, Anonymous. She's okay."
>You frown.
"No. No she isn't."

Epilogue (Sweetie Belle's perspective.)
>You are thirsty.
>So very, very thirsty.
>You thought it would go away after...after what happened in the woods, after the necklace "Gifted" you, but it didn't.
>You had peace for an hour, and then the burning came back.
>The thirst.
>And then you'd found Fluttershy.
>And that...that thing.
>You hadn't understood what was happening. You'd just acted.
>You couldn't let that monster hurt Fluttershy!
>And then it cut her.
>And the thirst came back.
>You wanted to run away, but your hooves wouldn't take you.
>If you got too close, you knew you'd lose it. You wouldn't be you anymore. You'd be whatever was actually in the necklace.
>And then Rarity came.
>Your sister was like a breath of fresh air. She'd helped you think, even as the smell of her kept coming to your nostrils.
>Even as you heard her heartbeat, clear like a bell, while she begged you to come out.
>You hadn't lied to her.
>You are a very sick pony.
>And right now, you're taking Fluttershy back home.
>You can ignore the smell, strong as it is, as long as you focus on Rarity, as long as you focus on what you said to your sister.
>You're going to keep Fluttershy safe.
>You're going to get her home.
>She's leaning on you for support, stumbling as the pair of you make your way towards her cottage.
>She hasn't talked much, only wincing and whimpering about the pain in her wing.
>You can't trust yourself to talk without drooling.
>Instead, the pair of you trudge through the woods in silence, until you finally break the cover of the trees.
>And step into pain.

>Your mind goes blank as pain fills every sense.
>Even the SMELL of the air burns you as you step into the light.
>You shriek and run towards the cottage, bucking the door down and leaving a bewildered Fluttershy to stumble in after you.
>You race into her house, diving under a pile of covers on Fluttershy's couch.
>The second you're out of the light, out from under the Eye, the pain stops.
>You let out a sigh of relief, even as you hear, smell, and sense Fluttershy enter the house.
>"Sweetie Belle? Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
>That was Fluttershy, alright. Hurt THAT badly and worrying about HER!
>Your stomach growls ominously as you think about her wound.
"M'fine."
>You lie to her quickly, awkwardly forming words around the sudden growth of your canine teeth.
>"A...are you sure? I can jus-"
>You hear a sequence of sharp, high-pitched squeaking as Angel the rabbit and his rapid heartbeat bounce into the room, berating Fluttershy for worrying about you when she's so obviously injured.
>The rabbit goes on to tell her to go lie down while he goes and gets help.
>It no longer scares you that you can understand him perfectly.
>You hear Fluttershy respond and move to her room, and you let out a quiet sigh as the smell gets further away from you.
>You hear another rapid heartbeat near your head, as a squirrel comes up to you, chittering in concern.
>You look at the tiny squirrel as he holds out a nut to you. He wants to know if you're hungry.
>The question, mixed with the smell of him, the sound of his heartbeat, is just too much to take at once.
>You open your mouth, and lunge.