Fool Moon, Part 26 (Homecoming)

>You come to wakefulness fitfully, your dreams plagued by nightmares of glowing orbs in the dark, and wicked, winged things lurking just out of sight.
>You spasm slightly, drawing a whimper from the white mare wrapped in your arms.
>You freeze, trying not to move and wake her by accident.
>She yawns, and you get a sinking feeling that it's too little, too late.
>You hate that something as stupid as your own terrors was responsible for waking her.
>She stretches in your arms and yawns, and you let out a frustrated sigh.
>At least you had a good night before that...thing showed up.
>Rarity turns over in your arms, giving you a tired smile.
>"Well, good morning, Anon."
>You grin at her.
"Hey sleepyhead."
>She pouts.
>"I am certainly not a s-"
"Suns been up for two hours."
>She lets out a loud 'meep' and leaps out of your arms.
"Oh come on! Where ya goin?"
>"Shower! We don't have much time!"
"Time for what?"
>"The train leaves in two hours, Anon! I have to get ready!"
>Oh, right. Ponyville.
>Home of Applebitch and Rainbow Cunt.
>You grimace as you sit up in the bed, rubbing your eyes.
>On the bright side, Fluttershy and Pinkie would be there. They weren't so bad.
>And you'd be away from whatever the hell was stalking you.
>Not to mention...Blueblood.
>You grimace as you swing out of the bed and pull your pants on.
>Looks like it's up to you to rustle up something for breakfast again.
>You whistle to yourself as you toss your clothes on and walk to the room's fridge.
>Where your old nemesis awaits.
>Hay bacon.
>Wait a sec. This was your last day here, right?
>A thought strikes you, and a smile spreads on your face.


"I don't understand how you're upset."
>Rarity glares at you from her side of the train.
>"You threw the fridge. Out. The window."
"I repeat my earlier statement."
>"And then you BURNED it."
"Not seeing the problem here..."
>"Where did you even FIND matches?"
>You shrug.
>"And then you lied to the Royal Guard about it being some sort of human departure ritual!"
"That...technically wasn't a lie."
>She glares at you and says nothing.
"I was just putting to right a grievous wrong."
>She raises an eyebrow.
"A crime was committed against bacon, Rarity. I had to avenge it."
>She slowly raises her hoof to her face and shakes her head.
>You frown at her.
>This wouldn't do at all.
>It was just harmless justice, was all. You suppose the fridge was innocent, but it was tainted with the stain of hay bacon.
>You'd been doing it a favor, really.
>Rarity's still facehoofing.
>You reach out and give her an ear scratch.
>She doesn't say anything.
>You scratch harder, and her face starts to turn red.
"Fooooorgiiiiiveeee meeeee. Come on, I know you want to."
>She keeps her mouth shut, and you wiggle your fingers around the back of her ear.
>"Alright, alright! Stop!"
>She starts giggling and batting at your arm, and you switch seats as you stop scratching.
"There, see? No reason to get all pouty and upset, alright marshmallow?"
>She gives you a soft smile.
>"Alright, darling, alright. It's just...have you noticed the amount of ponies...staring at us today?"
>You frown. You'd just chalked it up to the burning fridge.
"...No, why?"



>Rarity makes an uneasy face.
>"Look behind us."
>You glance over your shoulder, still confused.
>A pair of mares meet your gaze and immediately duck down into their seats, whispering wildly to themselves.
>You turn back, raising an eyebrow at Rarity.
"Doesn't seem new to me."
>She flicks her ears at you in annoyance.
>"That would be because you don't have these, darling. They're talking about us."
"That doesn't seem-"
>"They're talking about US."
"You mean, us as in..."
>She nods her head, snout scrunched up.
"What the hell?"
>She unscrunches her snout and lets out an annoyed sigh.
>"While you were busy explaining to the Royal Guards why you hurled a fully stocked refrigerator off the roof of our tower and set it on fire, I picked up the Canterlot news."
>Your confused expression prompts her to continue.
>"We're the main article."
"Well that's still, I mean, they were whispering about us before in the-"
>"The paper had...detailed knowledge of certain...acts that we performed."
>Her ears droop a bit, and you wince.
>"I just don't know how they could have...known the things that they..."
>You embrace her with your arm, rubbing her shoulder for comfort.
"Doesn't matter how they know. Who would publish that? Who would be so..."
>You trail off, and you and Rarity look at each other.
"Blueblood."
>"Blueblood."
>She grits her teeth on the name, while you snarl it like a curse.
>"He was SPYING on us!? Probably enjoyed it, the perverted little beast! Ugh! What will my friends think? What will PONYVILLE think!?"
"They'll think you have good taste, hooking up with the most handsome man in the world."


>She starts laughing.
"I take offense to that."
>She starts laughing even harder.
"Seriously, OW. My feelings are being crushed here."
>She looks at you and chokes off a laugh behind a quiet snort.
>You pout at her, and she finally relents, stifling a few giggles.
>"I'm sorry, Anon. It's just...so ridiculous! Even for...HIM."
>She shakes her head.
>"And when we get home I just KNOW Applejack is going to-"
>You cut her off, curious.
"What IS her problem, anyway? I get why Rainbow hates me, but why's Applejack got sand in her c-"
>"Anonymous! Language, please."
"Sorry, sorry."
>"Applejack is...she's got a problem with...well, it's not you, dear, but Applejack is a very traditional-minded pony. To her, a pony becoming...involved, the way we are, with a non-pony, is obscene."
"...Do ponies get involved with non-ponies that often? I didn't even know there were non-ponies to get involved WITH."
>Rarity coughs and blushes.
>"Well, the occasional griffon paramour is not unheard of..."
>She trails off and taps her hooves together.
>You hug her tighter, frowning.
"Hey, it's okay. I can't say I'm...shocked really. Back home, we...well, to say humans would disapprove is the understatement of the century."
>She looks up at you, shocked.
>Before she can give voice to the silent question on her lips, you smile and give her a kiss on the forehead.
"Don't even ask. I told you, I care about who you are, not what. I think I proved that already, in fact."
>She blushes again and falls silent, leaning her head onto your chest as you ride the train.
>You lean your head back, your thoughts racing.
>That thing, whatever it was, was connected to Blueblood. .


>When the train pulled into Ponyville, you were on the edge of panic.
>Being on a gigantic moving metal tube wasn't exactly comforting at the best of times.
>Being in a gigantic metal tube while living with the knowledge that one of your mare's best friends thought your relationship was obscene didn't help matters.
>Nor was it comforting to realize that your incredibly rich, well-connected nemesis had sic'd some sort of nameless abomination after you.
>Even if that abomination looked like a pony supermodel.
>You glance down at Rarity as she naps, her head laid gently in your lap.
>You can't burden her with these kinds of worries. Especially not about...Fleur.
>You idly run a hand through her mane as she shifts her head.
>She was a gift for a man like you.
>A man whom life had given very few gifts.
>You didn't intend to lose this one over the scheming of some arrogant bastard and his smelly socialite henchmare.
>You glance up, ignoring the continued stares from the mares in the back, and look out the window.
>That was Ponyville, alright.
>You shake Rarity gently, smiling as she yawns and sits up.
>"Here already? I was having such a good dream."
"Was I in it?"
>She smirks.
>"Perhaps."
>You open your mouth to respond to her with some snark, when you feel a hoof tap you on the shoulder.
>"LYRA, NO!"
>You frown and turn around towards the owner of the offending hoof, a mint-green unicorn.
"Can I help you?"
>The unicorn offers you a nervous grin and a hoof.
>"Umm...hi. I'm Lyra! And I just...well...I...um...that stuff in the newspaper...is it true?"
>The other pony with her, a cream earth pony, rolls her eyes and groans.
>"Lyra, leave him alone!"


>The mint green unicorn grimaces and speaks to her friend over her shoulder.
>"Come on, Bon Bon, I'm just curious! I mean, did you hear what they said about his di-"
>Rarity coughs loudly from her seat next to you.
>Lyra blanches and turns back around.
>"Oh...uh...hey, Rarity. Didn't...uh...see you there."
>Rarity gives her a pleasant smile.
>"Indeed, you didn't, Miss Heartstrings. Please, let me introduce you to Anonymous. My special somep0ny."
>She places a heavy emphases on the last three words, and you see Lyra's ears droop in apprehension at her glacial tone.
>You snicker quietly at Rarity's frozen tone.
>"Oh come one, Rarity, I was just cu-"
>The creme earth pony trots up to the both of you, frowning at her friend.
>You open your mouth to say something when the stench hits you like a wave.
>"Sorry about Lyra, Rarity. We just got back from a Canterlot trip, and Lyra here was a little too curious for her own good."
>Rarity arches an eyebrow.
>"Indeed."
>There's so much cold annoyance in that one word that you'd laugh if you weren't busy gagging.
>Bon-Bon notices your condition and frowns.
>"Hey, are you alright Anonymous?"
>You wave a hand to her, one hand still covering your mouth.
"Yeah, yeah, fine."
>Bon-Bon keeps frowning, but turns from you to Rarity.
>"Well...okaaay then, I'm just going to take this one off your hooves and let you too get back to your day. Sorry about this. And about that rude stuff in the paper."
>Lyra protests, waving her hooves at her friend.
>"Aww, come on Bonnie, I was just having a little fu-"
>Bon-Bon scowls and bites Lyra's tail, dragging her away from the pair of you.
>And taking that familiar, vicious stench with her.


>Rarity scowls as the creme-colored pony drags her mint-green friend away.
>"Can you believe the nerve of some ponies? Honestly, confronting us in public about that DISGUSTING article, and then wanting to know about your...your....Anonymous, are you alright?"
>You stare after the departing ponies, one hand held close to your nose, terror clenching your heart.
>It had followed you here.
>That thing in the window from last night.
>It was the creme one, you were sure of it.
>It smelled...different, less pungent maybe, but the core of the scent was the same.
>For a moment, a dark, uncontrollable rage filled your thoughts.
>You trembled where you stood, and it took all of your willpower not to go tearing after that stinking beige pony.
>That stinking, fILTHY LITTLE GREENLING. COMING HERE, COMING AFTER YOU, TO WHERE YOU LIVED, TO FOLLOW YOU AND YOUR MATE LIKE SOME ACCURSED HOUND.
>YOU WERE GOING TO TEAR ITS LIMBS OFF AND FEE-
>"ANON!"
>You freeze, coming back to your senses.
>Rarity's got your left arm in a magical bind, and you take note of the fact that your other arm is clenching the head of your seat for dear life.
>You were standing up. Halfway out of your seat, your fingernails lengthened and sharp.
>You run your tongue over your teeth. Sharp and jagged, like fangs.
>You'd almost lost it there, for a bit. That smell...that fucking smell was just...
"I'm okay."
>"Anon?"
"I'm fine. You can let go. Let's just...let's just go home."
>"Anonymous, you're scaring me. What's going on?"
"Nothing. I'm just kinda tired. Trains still freak me out, ya know? Thought I saw something that wasn't really there."
>"...Anonymous..."
"Please, let's just go home."


>You push open the door to Carousel Boutique, frowning as Rarity pesters you.
>"Tell me tell me tell me tell me tell me tell me tell m-"
>Your eyes fall on the couch that has served you as a wonderful bed for the past few weeks.
>Your feet kick aside a small pile of letters that were apparently slipped under the door.
>"Tell me tell me tell me tell me tell me tell me tell m-"
>You collapse onto the couch, welcoming it's soft, quiet, not-metal embrace.
>A pair of marshmallow hooves maneuver into your field of vision.
>Followed by a pair of brilliant sapphire eyes.
>"Tell me."
>You grunt some muffled out words into the couch.
>Rarity's horn glows, and you groan as she flips you over onto your back.
>"Tell me, Anon."
"No."
>You jump as you feel a pair of teeth nip you on the ear.
"WHAT THE F-"
>You glance over at Rarity, who's giving you the most innocent look you've ever seen.
>"Tell me."
"It's nothing. Seriously Rarity. Nothing."
>"Anon, you looked like you were going to attack two p0nies today. That is NOT nothing."
"Nothing for you to worry about, then."
>She scowls.
>"Is this about...you know..."
>She lifts her hooves and makes a few clawing motions, along with an adorable attempt at growling.
>You laugh at her acting, and she blushes.
"Okay, okay. Yeah. Its been acting up lately. Like I said, nothing to worry about. I have it under contro-"
>You stop as the sound of knocking hooves echoes through the Boutique.
>Rarity rolls her eyes.
>"I'll get it."
>The white unicorn gives a resigned sigh and trots to the door, grumbling to herself.
>You stay face up on the couch, not bothering to look at the door.
>"Oh, hello Applejack."


>You let out a sub-vocal groan and sit up.
>Never a dull goddamn moment, is it?
>"Afternoon, Rarity. Ah heard you just got back in town. Mind if mah friend and I come in?"
>Rarity inclines her head and looks out her door.
>"Ah, Rainbow Dash. Of course. You girls are always welcome in my boutique. Please, come in."
>Rarity turns and gives you a wide, fake smile that has 'please kill me' written all over it.
>You give her a fake grin of your own that says 'Only if you kill me first.'
>Rarity giggles and walks past you to one of her mannequins, humming to herself as Applejack and a very subdued-looking Rainbow Dash make their way into the building.
>Rarity hums to herself as she turns and addresses her friends.
>"Welcome to Carousel Boutique. Did you both want a new outfit, perhaps? A dress maybe?"
>She gives them both a casual grin, and Applejack frowns back at her.
>"That ain't why we're here and you know it."
>Rarity feigns shock.
>"Whatever do you mean, darling?"
>Applejack gives you a pointed glare and sighs.
>"Listen Rarity, we read the paper. Ah just wanted a chance to talk to ya. Heart ta heart, ya know? Just a little girl talk, right?"
>Rarity huffs.
>"And I suppose I have nothing to fear from having Rainbow Dash in on this...'heart to heart'?"
>Dash jumps, as if she was only now paying attention.
>"Huh? No, no. My, uh...I gotta talk to Anonymous."
>You scream internally.
>Rarity looks a bit shocked.
>"Oh. Well then. As long as I'm not being ganged up on...fine, Applejack. You and I can talk in the parlour. Anon, Rainbow, stay here. Please don't break anything."
>Rarity and AJ trot out of the room.


"...So."
>"Yeah."
>She sighs.
>"Okay, this is stupid. We need to talk."
>You cross your arms.
>"I'm pretty sure we talked already. I said what I had to say."
>Rainbow Dash rubs the back of her head with a hoof.
>"...About that...yeah..."
>You tilt your head to the side.
>"I had a talk with...uh...Fluttershy the other day."
>You raise an eyebrow.
"Really. Do tell. Sounds absolutely fascinating. Did she come to you complaining about how I was evil incarnate for robbing her of her one true love?"
>"...No."
"Did she swear vengeance on me for ruining her love life?"
>"...No."
"Wait, so she DIDN'T commit suicide after plunging into a spiral of depression?"
>"Dude, what the buck? No!"
"So you're telling me she handled the situation like a mature and responsible adult and got over it?"
>"...Yes."
"Weird, huh. It's almost like she's her own person and can handle her own problems."
>"Pony."
"Hmm?"
>"Pony, not person."
>You throw your hands up in exasperation.
"My bad! I retract all previous statements, as my terrible mistake renders my words null and voi-"
>"I came to apologize."
"Bwuh?"
>"I...I'm sorry for being a huge jerk and trying to run my friend's life."
>You blink, confused.
>Dash kicks at the floor with a hoof, embarrassed.
>"B...But you're still a freaky monkey monster!"
>You frown at her.
"Well you're still an annoying cyan cunt!"
>The pair of you glare at each other.

Rarity's perspective

>You and Applejack trot into the foyer, the air already thick with silent tension.
>You already know how this is going to go.
"So...what is it you wanted to have a heart to heart about so urgently?"
>"Yer monster boyfriend out thar, for starters!"
"..Starte-"
>"And what you two were doin' in Canterlot! For everyp0ny to see! I read it in the paper! In the PAPER, Rarity! Ah got a sister, ya know! What if she'd seen what they wrote about y'all?"
>You scowl.
"Whatever filthy articles get published in the news are entirely out of my control!"
>She gives you a deadpan look.
>"Ah ain't talkin' 'bout the news editor."
"Well, Applejack, I assure you, when Anon and I were bucking our brains out we did it privately. Some nasty little reporter must have snuck in, that's all. Won't happen agai-"
>"THE REPORTIN' AINT' IMPORTANT, RARITY! IT'S THE BUCKIN AH TAKE ISSUE WITH!"
>You blink and feign surprise.
"Since when is who I take to my bedchamber your business?"
>"S'not the who, it's the what!"
>You give her a puzzled look.
"Why...Applejack...are you upset that I prefer male partners? Is this...jealousy?"
>She snarls in frustration, and you take a bit of private glee in riling her up.
>You would make her regret trying to match wits with Rarity!
>"Quit tryin' ta beat 'round the bush, Rarity. We both know that ain't why ah'm here. Tryin' ta get me mad won't make the issue go away!"
"I don't think there's an issue in the first pla-"
>"Consarnit Rarity! Dontcha want foals someday? A filly or colt o' yer own?"
>You narrow your eyes.
"Applejack, you don't want to go the-"
>"Cuz ya can't have em with a monster! Not with a freak!"

Anon's perspective.

>"And THAT'S how I saved the Wonderbolts!"
"YOU saved those guys? I saw em race in Canterlot. No way you're as fast as them."
>"That shows what you know! I did a sonic rainboom, motherbucker! I'm so fast I gave my friends puberty!"
>You raise an eyebrow at her in confusion over your chilled mug of cider.
>"Uh...I mean...uh, that wasn't..."
"Sweet God, what the hell is wrong with you?"
>She mutters something and takes a drink.
>The two of you have been sharing stories, arguing, and drinking Rarity's collection of cider while AJ and Rarity have their little chat.
>Rainbow finishes off her mug and scowls at you.
>"You know what I meant you bucking monkey!"
"Yeah, and it sounded crazy, ya silly cunt."
>You both glare at each other, and then you take a drink of your cider mug.
>Rainbow gets up and goes to the fridge, scowling at you as she goes.
>The sound of a door banging open catches your attention, and you watch Applejack float out, surrounded by a blue field of magic.
>"Now hold on there, sugarcube, ya know that's not-"
>"OUT."
>Rarity marches after her, her teeth grinding together, her eyes bloodshot and furious.
>"Ah'm just doin' what's best for y-"
>"GET THE BUCK OUT OF MY BOUTIQUE, YOU...YOU HICK!"
>You watch Rarity's horn glow brightly, and AJ goes sailing through the doors of Carousel Boutique, limbs flailing.
>Dash jumps up, shouting in surprise and flying after her friend.
>You leap up and go to Rarity as she slouches, gasping from the use of magic.
"What the hell was that about!?"
>The white pony looks up at you, her sapphire eyes glistening with pain.
>"I...oh Anon..."
>You embrace her as she starts to cry.


"Hey. Heeey. Ssshhh. None of that, okay?"
>Rarity continues to blubber into your shirt, and you run your hand over her mane soothingly.
"It's gonna be okay. Whatever it is. Whatever she said, it's not important. We're gonna be okay."
>"I...I just...I-I don't understand why s-she has to be so...s-so AWFUL about this! So cruel!"
>You hug her tighter.
"To her, I don't think it's cruel. She thinks she's doing what's right. I don't think one of your friends wants to hurt you."
>She glances up at you, wiping at the tears in her eyes.
>"R-Really?"
"Yeah, Marshmallow. She's still a cunt, though. And so is Rainbow."
>Rarity giggles and buries her face in your chest, sniffling away some of her tears.
>For a moment, you stay like that, half-kneeling on the floor, Rarity hugging your chest.
>"It's been a crazy day, Anon."
"Try crazy week. Or month. Months, even."
>She lets out a tired chuckle, before letting go of you and standing on her own two hooves.
>"...You smell filthy. Go wash!"
"I love you too, marshmallow."
>She scowls at you.
>"Go!"
>You chuckle and run up the stairs of the Boutique to the bathroom.
Rarity's Perspective.
>You wipe your eyes as you watch Anon make his way upstairs.
>Applejack had gone straight for the throat.
>You hadn't expected her to be so...so brutal.
>You shudder as you think about how twisted her worldview seems to you.
>And how rudely you tossed your friend out of your home.
>You need to take your mind off things.
>Time to sort some of the mail you got while you were out.
>The first letter, a gilded, scarlet affair, catches your eye.
>It is signed, "To the Lady Rarity, and her companion."
>"Prince Blueblood."