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- >Be Sweetie Belle.
- >Another night's rest at your big sister Rarity's home.
- >Your parents are on yet another vacation.
- >As much as you love your sister, you would really like to go back home to your own bed to sleep in.
- >You spring from the bed to the floor.
- >The room was fairly plain, but the designer bed was of the finest quality.
- >And SOFT!
- >You fix the covers and go downstairs.
- >Maybe Rarity isn't awake yet.
- >Perhaps you could surpise her to breakfast in bed!
- >She would love that!
- >With a big grin, you trot downstairs and into the kitchen.
- >A knock on the door stops you in your tracks.
- >You trot over and answer the front door.
- "Anonymous!"
- >He down at you and smiled.
- >"Good morning, Sweetie Belle. You're up early."
- "I just thought I would get a headstart and make Rarity some breakfast in bed. Do you wanna help?"
- >"That sounds like fun."
- >He kicks his feet off and follows you into the kitchen.
- >You hop onto a stool and then up onto the counter itself.
- >"Anything in particular you think would impress her?" asked Anon.
- "Hm... How about eggs, toast, fruit, and some juice?"
- >"A meal fit for a queen. I like it."
- >You smile as Anon goes to the fridge to get the eggs.
- >You sift through the cabinets to find pans and bread.
- >Tossing a pan onto the stove and dropping the bread by the toaster, you wait for Anon.
- >He comes back with 2 eggs and a quarter slice of grapefruit.
- You pull a plate out as well for the grapefruit.
- >You turn the dial on the stove and Anon cracks the eggs.
- >The sizzle of the frying eggs slowly comes into hearing.
- >While they are cooking, you drop a slice of bread into the toaster and pull the lever.
- >Anon watches the eggs to make sure they don't burn.
- >After a minute or two, they are all well-done and the toast pops just as the eggs get plated.
- >A quick dab of butter and it's ready to go!
- "Rarity is going to love this!"
- >"It smells delicious. You've really outdone yourself, Sweetie Belle," complimented Anon.
- "You did the cooking. I just watched."
- >"You underestimate how important supervision is," smile Anon.
- >Anon picks the plate off the counter.
- >"Shall we?"
- >You hop down from the counter and trot back upstairs with Anon in tow.
- >You tip-toe up to Rarity's door and peek inside.
- >She was snug in her bed, a fuzzy blue sleep mask over her eyes.
- >You turn to Anon and shush him.
- "Wait here. Let me bring it to her," you whisper.
- >He nods and gently sets the plate on your back.
- >You crack the door just enough to fit through.
- >It squeaks awfully bad, though thankfully Rarity doesn't wake up.
- >You slip halfway in, but the plate bumps the door and wall.
- >You quickly stop and hold your breath, careful not to let the plate fall.
- >You take a step back and Anon silently fixes the plate's setting.
- >You push the door a teensy bit more and slip through.
- >You silently step towards the edge of Rarity's bed.
- >Her snores get louder as you approach.
- >She would never believe she snored if you had half of Ponyville tell her.
- >Apparently she's too lady-like to snore.
- >You set her breakfast on the end table next to the bed and walk around towards the foot of the bed.
- >You gingerly climb onto the tall, regal bed and crouch.
- >With a forceful pounce, you leap as high as you can and shout,
- "SURPRISE!"
- >You crash onto the bed and bounce high up again.
- >Rarity shrieks and starts kicking in a panic.
- >Her legs get tied up in the blankets and she manages to squirm her way off the side of the bed with a crash.
- >You peek off the side of the bed with a smile.
- "Good morning, Rarity! I made you breakfast in bed!"
- >Rarity grumbles and manages to pull her blanket wrap off of her.
- >"Sweetie Belle," she says, just above a growl. "Breakfast in bed implies that I am resting in my bed."
- "Oh yeah. But you're on the floor."
- >"Yes, I can see that. Now what in Equestria possessed you to startle me like that!"
- "I thought you would enjoy starting your day of with some fun," you respond with an innocent smile.
- >"Being rudely and abruptly awoken from my beauty sleep isn't my idea of 'fun'. I would much more enjoy brushing my hair and taking a bath."
- "Oh. Well, breakfast is here! I'm going to leave you to eat."
- >You trot out and close the door behind you.
- >Rarity examines the plate you left.
- >She's surprised.
- >You usually burn everything you try to cook.
- >Anon isn't waiting outside Rarity's door when you come back.
- >You search downstairs and he's not there either.
- >So politely knock on a closed bathroom door.
- >No answer.
- >You peek inside and find no one.
- >"Sweetie, darling? What are you doing?"
- >Raritiy's sudden voice startled you.
- "Oh, uh... Nothing. How did you like your breakfast?" you ask, trying to change the subject.
- >"I must say, Sweetie, That really was delicious. Perhaps mother was right about you earning a cutie mark in fancy cooking."
- >She walks away to go about her business.
- >Fancy cooking?
- >Your ears perk with the thought of being a world-renowned chef!
- >But Anon was the one who made most of the breakfast...
- >Your ears droop with this realization.
- >Where is Anonymous anyways?
- >Oh right. You were just looking for him.
- >As you walk through the upper level of the house, you spot a clock on the wall.
- >Oh no! You were supposed to meet Applebloom and Scootaloo for some crusading!
- >In fact, you told Anonymous this yesterday.
- >Maybe he's waiting for you!
- >You gallop downstairs and out the door, ignoring shouts from Rarity to close the door behind you.
- >Applebloom and Scootaloo wait in the park.
- >They lie on their bellies and sigh deeply.
- >"Where is she?" asked Scootaloo.
- >"Ah'm not sure," replied Applebloom. "It isn't like her to be this late."
- >"If she doesn't show up soon we may have to-"
- >"Hey there she is!"
- >Applebloom points towards you as you gallop towards them.
- >They stand as you reach them.
- >You take a quick look around but... no Anonymous.
- >"Sweetie Belle!"
- >Your attention turns to a tree behind your friends as Anonymous drops from one of the branches.
- >"Hey, Sweetie Belle!" greeted Scootaloo. "Are you ready to get started?"
- "You bet! ... What are we doing exactly?"
- >Both fillies replied with a facehoof and an audible "Ugh!".
- >Applebloom drops a pickaxe at your hooves.
- >"We're doing Cutie Mark Crusader Gold Diggers today!"
- >Anon chuckled.
- >"Gold diggers?" he asked.
- >"Gold diggers," confirmed Scootaloo, donning a hardhat with a headlamp.
- >"And even if it ain't, at least we'll stil get rich!" followed Applebloom.
- "Where are we going to find gold?"
- >"That's why we're going to be gold diggers," said Applebloom.
- >"Gold is found in caves, right?" asked Scootaloo. "Well I found some caves outside of Ponyville the other day! We can try there!"
- >"Yeah!" everyone cheered, each putting a hoof together.
- >"We just need to-"
- >"Applebloom!"
- >The four of you turned towards the source of the voice.
- >Applejack was running towards the group.
- >"Applejack? What's wrong?" asked Applebloom.
- >"The mama cow is about to have her baby!" replied Applejack.
- >"Aw really! No foolin'?"
- >Applebloom ran off with Applejack.
- "Applebloom, wait! What are we supposed to do?"
- >"She's gone," stated Anon.
- "Well, shoot..."
- >"Well this stinks," said Scootaloo. "What should we do until she comes back?"
- >The three of you sit in a circle and think.
- >Even Anon was trying to brainstorm with the two of you.
- "Cutie Mark Crusader... paint... painters?"
- >"That sounds horrible," replied Scootaloo. "How about... I don't know... gardeners?"
- >"Clock turners?" suggested Anon.
- "No..."
- >You all sighed and fell onto your backs.
- >Several minutes go by before Scootaloo sits up.
- >"Is it safe to assume crusadering is canceled for today?"
- "Yeah... We'll have to try this again some other time."
- >"Well then I'm going to go watch Rainbow Dash. I hear she's practicing her acrobatics today and I wanted to see if she would let me join her."
- "Okay. We'll have to try again in a day or two."
- >"Alright. We'll all meet up later!"
- >Scootaloo put her helmet on and skated off on her scooter.
- >"So..." started Anon. "Lunch?"
- >The two of you take off to Ponyville.
- >About two minutes out, Anon started humming.
- >A minute later had you two dancing in circles singing loudly with Anon clapping his hands rhythmically.
- "I'm walking on sunshine!" you sang.
- >"Whoa, oh!" chimed in Anon.
- "I'm walking on sunshine!"
- >"Whoa, oh!"
- "And don't it feel good?"
- >"Sing it Sweetie!" encouraged Anon.
- "And don't it feel good?"
- >"Hey!"
- "And don't it feel good?"
- >"Hey!"
- >A few ponies gave their awkward stares and happy smiles as the two of you walked through town.
- >But you were having fun with your best friend.
- >Back to the boutique you went.
- >Through the front doors and you were still singing and laughing.
- >"Sweetie Belle! Cut out that racket!" Rarity shouted from somewhere in the building.
- >She must be trying to work.
- "Oh, whoops..."
- >Even Anonymous was visibly upset at the abrupt ending, but you both understood.
- >Rarity had work to do, and that usally involved dead silence.
- >Without words, you went into the kitchen for some PB&J.
- >It wasn't quite lunch, but the light snack should hold you over for a while.
- >There was still a whole day ahead of you.
- >Celestia knows the boutique is a 'No Fun Zone' when Rarity is working.
- "You wanna go to the school?"
- >"Sure. Do you think you can handle the merry-go-round?"
- "I was thinking more along the lines of a relaxing swing ride."
- >"Fair enough. Lead on."
- >More sing and dance on your way to the schoolyard.
- "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone."
- >Anon snaps his fingers and pats his thigh to keep the beat.
- "It's not warm when she's away."
- "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone."
- "And she's always gone too long."
- "Anytime she goes away."
- >You stop for a moment and think.
- >Anon slows his beat until he realizes you aren't singing anymore.
- >"What's wrong?"
- "Nothing, but I just thought of something."
- >"What's that?"
- "Why do we always sing about sunshine?"
- >Anon turns his eyes away to show he's thinking.
- >"Because... I don't know. It's happy?"
- >You two start walking in silence.
- >"You would not believe your eyes," sang Anon. "If ten million fireflies lit up the world as I fell asleep."
- >You stare at him with a face that asked, "Really?"
- >"What? It's night, not sunshine."
- >You roll your eyes and take up the lead.
- >Anon whistles and continues his percussion.
- "'Cause they fill the open air, and leave tear drops everywhere."
- "You'd think me rude, but I would just stand and... Stare."
- >You don't notice, but Anon watches as you close your eyes and bob your head.
- >You get really into it, and before you know it, you're already at the school.
- >You take a quick look around to see if anypony actually saw you.
- >That would be embarassing.
- >Several of the other school fillies were on the playground as well.
- >You found yourself an open swing and took a seat.
- >Anon stood behind and gave you a soft push.
- >The smooth motion and light breeze was extremely calming.
- >Your eyes closed as the motions took you to another world.
- >"What are you thinking about?" asked Anon.
- >Your eyes snapped open and you turned your head back towards Anon.
- >He was watching you curiously; listening.
- "Nothing. Just relaxed."
- >"Well if you need someone to talk to, I always have an open ear."
- >You took his words to heart.
- >He always knows just what to say when you have an issue.
- >Like a good friend should.
- >Anon is almost like a second father to you.
- >He took a liking to you ever since he arrived in Ponyville a few years ago.
- >He had the most wonderful stories of far off lands and strange creatures.
- >You spent so much time with him originally, he had to be the one to tell you to spend more time with your other friends.
- >You felt kind of silly and a little ashamed of putting one friend above the others.
- >Applebloom and Scootaloo were really fond of him as well, even if your behavior was in regards to him.
- >Applebloom had an argument with Anon that her big brother was stronger than Anon.
- >Anon defended himself; conceding only after learning Big Mac could tow a house with ease.
- >Even Rarity took a liking to Anon.
- >You thought they would be a perfect match had they been married.
- >Too bad it never went beyond a mutual friendship.
- >It would be the best thing ever to have Anon as a big brother.
- >Anon had heard you singing one day when he came to ask Rarity for some clothes.
- >It was really embarassing.
- >You don't like it when other ponies listening to you sing.
- >But Anonymous wasn't just another pony.
- >He liked your voice and encouraged you to sing more.
- >As hesitant as you were, you slowly gained enough confidence to sing in the open.
- >Although Anonymous, ironically, was shy himself and usually sang and dances with you in private or when nopony else was paying much attention.
- >You learned songs together and some ponies thought you two were going to be the next big music stars.
- >Rarity was excited too, but mostly because she could make herself more well-known in Canterlot.
- >Unfortunately, Anonymous had to leave to go visit the Griffins every once in a while for some food.
- >The mayor didn't like him hurting the animals in the forest so he went to Gryphonia to get more food.
- >You didn't mind it though.
- >You knew he would never hurt the other ponies, and especially not you.
- >Although his house was really stinky when he made dinner.
- >He tried not to cook meat when you were around, but sometimes you dropped by to surprise him.
- >Looks like the joke was on you.
- >Wait.
- >How long have you been here?
- >The sun has shifted considerably since you last remember.
- >"Equestria to Sweetie Belle. Come in, over."
- >Anon was still pushing you on the swing.
- >"You alright? You spaced out for a few minutes there. I thought you were about to fall asleep."
- "Oh. Sorry."
- >"That's alright. You were smiling too. It was kind of cute."
- >You blushed from the comment.
- >"I think we've spent enough time here. Would you like to go back home?"
- >You shook your head.
- "Anon?"
- >"What's up?"
- "Can we go to your house? I don't feel like going home yet."
- >Anon stopped pushing the swing and thought for a minute.
- >"Are you sure that's a good idea? What would Rarity say?"
- "She wouldn't mind. I've been to your house many times."
- >"We should at least tell her where you're going so she doesn't get worried."
- "It'll be okay. Trust me."
- >Anon thought on it a bit more.
- >He shrugged.
- >"Sure, why not. Although I'll warn you my house is pretry dirty right now."
- >At Anon's houses
- >Anonymous holds the front door open for you.
- >You trot in and look around.
- >It's not that it was dirty, but little dusty.
- >The air smelled just a tad musky.
- "When was the last time you cleaned?"
- >"Uh... The last time you came over."
- "Ugh," you facehoof. "I already have my own chores at Rarity's. Do I have to have chores here too?"
- >"Who say you havw to have chores?"
- "You can't just live like this."
- >"I can."
- "Well it's gross. Grab a duster. I'll help you."
- >Anon groaned and went to find one.
- >You think it's funny when he acts like a filly.
- >His kind and childish nature is why you two get along so well.
- >You start on his book case; using your tail in place of a feather duster.
- >Anon has to reach the high places you can't reach by jumping on stuff.
- >It only took a few minutes to clean it up.
- >You held the dust pan while Anon swept.
- >"Well that was boring."
- "Hey. I can't allow you to live like a piggy."
- >"But little piggies are so cute!"
- >He tickled you belly as he said this; eliciting a fit of giggles from you.
- "But big pigs are ugly!"
- >Anon stopped tickling you.
- >"Why do you gotta go there," he said with an over-exagerrated frown.
- >Anonymous turned on his stereo and the two of you took a seat.
- >This is how the two of you pass the time.
- >By singing, learning new songs, and even making up your own on occassion.
- >Anon was surprised the CD he had on him worked with ponu technology.
- >Even though it was mostly love songs you didn't quite understand, he knew the words to others beyond the CD.
- >He couldn't remember all of them though, so you helped to fill in the spaces.
- >He wrote all the words down for every song so you two could remember them better.
- >You couldn't come to visit often, but it was always fun when you did.
- >Anon usually stuck with percussion and you sang with Anon occassionally chiming in or singing full parts himself.
- >Time always went by too fast when you were over.
- >Before you know it, it's late.
- >Like, way late.
- >Way too late for you to be walking home alone.
- >Anonymous could walk you home, but then again, why go home at all?
- >Anon looked out the window to spot the moonlit sky.
- >"Oh wow. I can't believe we lost track of time THAT bad."
- >He looked down at his sheet of paper with some new lyrics on it.
- >"I know we don't like to stop mid-process, but I think it's time we get you home."
- "Oh yeah, about that."
- >You look up at him with a straight face.
- "Would you mind if I stayed the night? Then we could finish this and then just fall right to sleep."
- >Anon stared back at you with an emotionless face.
- >Finally he spoke.
- >"I don't think that's a good idea."
- "Why not?"
- >"Well... Other ponies, especially your sister, might have serious reservations about letting a filly stay over night at an adult's house without permission."
- >You turn your head to the floor.
- "Rarity wouldn't even know I'm gone anyways..." you grumble.
- >"Don't talk like that. And besides, isn't it a school night?"
- >You look up.
- "I can go to school from here."
- >Anon shakes his head and you look away again to pout.
- >Several minutes of silence go by.
- >He doesn't kick you out, but he hasn't invited you to stay.
- >Several long minutes of silence pass.
- >As you hop off the couch and onto the floor, Anon lets out a deep sigh.
- >"You sure Rarity won't mind?"
- "Positive!"
- >He looks away for a second then back to you.
- >"Fine."
- >You jump up onto the couch and into his arms and cheer.
- >"BUT."
- >You stop and stare.
- >"You have to be up for school in the morning."
- "I promise."
- >"And I have be up real early tomorrow so I won't be here when you wake up."
- >Your ears droop and you make a pouty face.
- >What's the point in a sleepover if somepony leaves during it?
- >And the host no matter?
- >"Now."
- >Anon lifts you off his lap and sets you on the couch next to him.
- >"Let's finish this song."
- >Morning came when you woke up.
- >The sun's low position in the sky filtered it's rays into the darkened living room of Anon's home.
- >You were in the perfect spot for the light to hit you right in the eyes.
- >You roll over to hide from the sun, but remember that you have school today.
- >You slowly sit yourself up and take a groggy look around before you realized where you were.
- >Looks like the two of you had passed out on the sofa together.
- >And as promised, Anon was gone.
- >You had fallen asleep in his lap.
- >How moved you without waking you is a mystery.
- >On the table was your still unfinished composition.
- >Only missing a few lines by the looks of it.
- >You'll have to come over after school to finish it.
- >You find a scrap sheet of paper and scrawl Anonymous a note to meet you after school.
- >You didn't bring anything to Anon's house that you could take to school, so you just leave out the front door.
- >You think about your song and how you can end it.
- >You think you have a good idea, but you'll have to ask Anon's opinion on it later.
- >Your friends were waiting for you outside the school.
- >"Sweetie Belle!" they called.
- "Hey Applebloom. Scootaloo."
- >"Are ya ready fer some crusaderin' today?" asked Applebloom.
- "Today?"
- >"Yeah! It's gonna be awesome!" exclaimed Scootaloo.
- "What are we gonna do today?"
- >"We're gonna resume our previously stalled adventure of being gold diggers," said Applebloom.
- >That isn't really what you wanted to hear.
- >You were about to postpone it again, but you remember Anon's words of not putting all your time with one friend exclusively.
- "Oh, okay! When are we leaving?"
- >"Right after school!"
- >Oh no.
- >You can't just ditch Anon like that.
- >He'll be so disappointed.
- >WAIT!
- >A better idea.
- >He can come with you all to search your cutie marks!
- >A perfect plan!
- >School drags on.
- >It feels longer because the three of you are so giddy to go on your adventure.
- >The bell rings, signaling the end of the school day.
- >The crusaders split and run to find their respective tools.
- >Applebloom to find a pickaxe, Scootaloo to find a shovel, and you know just where to get hard hats for all of you.
- >Before you take off towards the boutique, you take a quick look around.
- >Anonymous is nowhere in sight.
- >You gallop as fast as possible to try and return before Anonymous shows up.
- >Into the boutique, up the stairs, and into Rarity's room.
- >You open a chest and find 4 hard hats with lamps.
- >You sift through some drawers and find 3 belts as well.
- >Perfect!
- >Rarity is nowhere to be seen either as you leave the boutique.
- >You're the first one back at the schoolhouse.
- >Applebloom had to go back to Sweet Apple Acres and Scootaloo went to the town groundkeeper's shed to get shovels.
- >You slow your step as you come up to the schoolhouse.
- >Anonymous still isn't here.
- >It'll probably be a few minutes before the others get back as well.
- >You walk around back to the playground.
- >And wouldn't you know it, Anonymous was here!
- >He was hunched over on the picnic table, his face buried in his arms.
- >How long as he been here?
- >Come to think of it, you never checked out back or told him to be out front.
- >Oops.
- >You walk over to where Anon was sleeping and poke him in the side with your hoof.
- "Anonymous?"
- >"Huh..." he grunted.
- >He picked his head up and looked at you with half-lidded eyes.
- >"And I was having such a nice nap, too..."
- >You smile when you see his own, now knowing you're not in too much trouble.
- "Hey Anonymous, we were thinking of going crusading like we going to do yesterday. Do you want to come with?"
- >You held out one of your hard hats to him.
- >He picked it up and inspected it.
- >"You sure? I mean, this is quality time with your friends, isn't it?"
- "But aren't you my friend too?"
- >"TouchΓ©. Well if the others don't mind, sure."
- "They won't. I promise."
- >"I'll hold you to it. But what about our song? Didn't you write me a note saying you wanted to finish it today?"
- >You look away from him.
- "I'm sorry, but this just came up. And I rememeber what you told me about ignoring my friends."
- >He didn't reply.
- >You look back up at him.
- "And besides, we can always finish it tomorrow!"
- >He nodded.
- >"Yeah, I suppose."
- >He looked past you and pointed.
- >"Hey, here they come now."
- >You turn around and, sure enough, here come your friends running up to the picnic table.
- "Applebloom! Scootaloo!" you call and wave your hoof in the air.
- >They run up and drop two picks and two shovels on the ground.
- >You in turn drop two helmets and two belts.
- >You place one helmet upon your head and wrap a belt around yourself.
- >You each kit yourselves out until you were a group of very convincing miners.
- >You each check your flanks, just to be sure.
- >To your disappointment, they were still blank.
- >Anon got a quick chuckle out of this.
- >"So are you all ready to go?" asked Scootaloo.
- "I'm ready!"
- >"Ah'm ready!"
- >Anon raised his hand.
- >"Question. Neither of you mind if I tag along, right?"
- >"Let's get to it!" said Applebloom.
- >Anon nodded his head and motioned for you three to lead.
- >Scootaloo took the lead as she was the one who knows where the caves are.
- >You, Applebloom, and Anonymous followed close behind.
- >Anon looks over your gear.
- >"Isn't that heavy?" he asked.
- >You shook your head.
- "This is actually pretty light."
- >"Yup!" said Applebloom. "These here shovels Applejack got are made of this fancy, lightweight metal."
- >"I'm starting to regret not bringing my wagon," said Scootaloo. "This stuff banging around makes it hard to walk."
- >"No kiddin'," said Applebloom.
- >As you walk, you decided to hum the theme song of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
- >The others joined in and eventually the three of you started singing the words.
- >Anon doesn't know the words, so he just claps to the beat.
- >Coming up on some open ground, you can see a series of tunnels in the cliffs and hills before you.
- >"This is it!" exclaimed Scootaloo, running a little farther ahead.
- >The rest of you catch up and look around.
- "Do you think there's gold here?" you ask, looking over the ground.
- >"It must be underground," said Applebloom. "Let's go get our cutie marks!"
- >"Yeah!" you all exclaim, each bumping a hoof together.
- >"Girls, wait," cautioned Anon.
- >You stopped and turned around.
- >"What's wrong?" asked Applebloom.
- >"I have a really bad feeling about this," said Anon. "Are you sure this is safe?"
- >You turned your head to the ground to think.
- >"There's no need to be scared," said Scootaloo. "These caves are empty. I called out to everypony and even tossed in rocks. It's fine."
- >You look back up Anon who had a serious frown on his face.
- "Scootaloo's right. It's sounds safe enough."
- >"I suppose," he said nervously.
- >You nod and turn around.
- >"That's the spirit!" encouraged Applebloom. "Let's do this!"
- >"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER GOLD DIGGERS!" you all shout in unison.
- >The three of you run off into one of the caves.
- >Anonymous hangs back for a minute before finally taking a deep breath and running in after you.
- >When Anonymous finally finds the 3 of you, you're already hard at work swinging your pickaxes at the walls and moving dirt with the shovels.
- >He takes a seat to watch you work.
- >You take note of how he is on constant alert, as if he expects something bad to happen.
- >You're about to say something when Applebloom shouts out.
- >"Eureka!"
- >Your attention snaps to Applebloom and you and Scootaloo run over.
- >Applebloom takes her shovel in her mouth and starts moving some loose rock.
- "Did you find the gold?"
- >Scootaloo helps Applebloom.
- >Something shiny glimmers from your headlamps, but sadly it isn't gold.
- >"No..." muttered Applebloom.
- >She picked up the object in her hoof.
- >"Just a big, stupid emerald."
- >She tosses it over her shoulder into the dark of the cave.
- >"Maybe we need to go deeper," suggested Scootaloo.
- "I was thinking the same thing."
- >"Well then what are we waitin' for?" asked Applebloom.
- >Your trio grabbed your tools and headed off further into the tunnel.
- >You look back at Anon rising to his feet and walking after you.
- >Now we see how far the rabbit hole goes.
- >"Does it ever end?" asked Scootaloo.
- >"Ah'm not sure. I think we should go back," suggested Applebloom.
- >You turn around and scan the tunnel.
- "I don't think I even know the way out..."
- >You look up to Anonymous with a worried face.
- "You wouldn't happen to know how to find the way out, would you?"
- >Anon takes a quick look around.
- >"I don't know. I'll be right back, though. Don't go anywhere."
- >He steps off down the tunnel and rounds a corner.
- >His footstpes can be heard echoing from the tunnels.
- >"We just need to go back the way we came, right?" asked Applebloom.
- >"That's sounds right. Let's get out of here," said Scootaloo.
- "But we need to stay here."
- >"Come on, Sweetie Belle," coerced Scootaloo. "It'll be easy. We just gotta remember which way we came."
- >Applebloom drops her pick and shovel.
- >"I guess we're not meant to be gold diggers..." she mutters.
- >Scootaloo drops her tools too and starts walking with Applebloom.
- >You shed your gear and catch up.
- >Your little lamps don't hold much battery life, and soon, your light burns out.
- "Oh no!"
- >You really start to panic when Scootaloo's also begings to noticably dim.
- >"We need to hurry!" shouted Applebloom.
- >You run through the tunnels, turning this way and that.
- >You don't know how much actually looks familiar and if you've been here or not.
- >Everything looks the same!
- >"We're lost!" shouted Scootaloo.
- >Her light finally blinked out.
- >Noticable panic was overtaking the three of you.
- >Footsteps could be heard coming from the tunnels.
- >Anonymous!
- >Maybe he found the way out!
- >You listen hard and think you have pinpointed the sounds origination.
- "This way!" you shout, leading your friends through the dark.
- >Appleblooms light shined past you, casting your shadow to the front and around corners, but nothing that made it impossible to see.
- >The footsteps draw closer.
- >Anon comes back to the room he left you.
- >Your shed gear and tools scattered on the ground.
- >He quicklys runs over and picks up the tools to inspect.
- >A horrible, blood curdling trio of shrieks can be heard echoing from every which way.
- >"GIRLS!" he shouts.
- >"HELP!"
- >"SWEETIE BELLE!" shouts Anon.
- >"Quiet pony!" echoes a strange male voice.
- >Anon takes off into the direction he believes most where the voices are coming from.
- >You try to scream.
- >You voice is muffled by your gag.
- >You tried to squirm.
- >Your struggles are in vain against these bindings.
- >Carried on the shoulders of several large dogs, your trio is brought through the tunnels in the dark.
- >You can't see where you are going.
- >You're not sure you want to.
- >You're being carried backwards, so you just hope that through the darkness, your savior comes running.
- >After a few minutes of muffled whimpers and cries, you are taken into a large, well-lit area of the tunnel systems.
- >Mine tracks follow the many tunnels and a few carts sit on the tracks.
- >A couple large dogs paw at the ground without doing much else.
- >The three of you are dropped on the ground in the center of the room.
- >The dogs pull of your gags, but after you scream, they put them right back on.
- >"Be quiet, little foals!" shouts one dog. "Now listen. I'm going to pull your gags off. If I hear one more scream..."
- >He motions a menacing finger over his throat.
- >You swallow hard at the threat.
- >The gags come off, but you all manage to suppress your screams for just soft whimpers.
- >"Wha- What do you want with us?" asked Applebloom, her voice shaking.
- >The dog tossed a familiar large, green emerald at her feet.
- >Several large picks were also tossed next to it.
- >"We want you to dig."
- >They seperate the three of you.
- >They hooked each of you up to a yoke.
- >Being so small, and the yokes so heavy, neither of you could move very fast.
- >The picks themselves were really large and heavy.
- >You could only swing it once so often.
- >You couldn't even hold it in your mouth, so you figured out how to hold it between your legs.
- >It was hard and the grueling work made you break down and cry.
- >You want to go home.
- >You were tired. Hungry.
- >The crack of a whip above your head caused you to shriek, but you quickly muffled youself.
- >"Keep working, pony!" barked a guard.
- >Tears flowed from your eyes as you swung the heavy pick once more.
- >You hope Applebloom and Scootaloo are okay.
- >The guard walked away, giving you a minute to yourself.
- >You sit back down and sniffle.
- >"Psst."
- >Your ears twitch.
- >Funny. You think you just heard.
- >"Sweetie Belle," the voice whispers.
- >You snap your attention up and you start looking around at the shadows in the tunnel.
- >"Over here."
- >You dial in on the source of the voice and stare into the dark.
- >Anon slowly creeps up from the shadows, his light off.
- >Your face lights up, but he quickly brings a finger to his lips.
- >"Shh."
- >You nod and watch as he continues until he reaches you.
- >He looks at you shackles and the yoke on your neck.
- >And horrible scowl comes over his face.
- >"Where are the others," he mutters in a cold voice.
- "I don't know," you whisper. "We got split up."
- >"We need to find them. Let me get you out of those cuffs."
- >Anon takes a peek at your bindings, looking them over thoroughly.
- >"I think I can get this."
- >After a few minutes of fiddling, he gives up.
- >"Spread your legs, hold your hooves out, and close your eyes."
- "Anon, what are you-"
- >"Do it."
- >You squeeze your eyes shut and hold out your hooves.
- >You wanted what he could possibly-
- >CHING!
- >Your eyes snap open and your pickaxe is buried in the rock in front of your face.
- >Anon had drove the pick through the rusty chains and shattered them.
- >"We don't have much time. Lead me to the others."
- >You nod and you both take off through the tunnels.
- >You found Applebloom before you Scootaloo.
- >She was under the same watch as you, but you weren't waiting long before the guard left.
- >You and Anon snuck up on her, Anon moved around to get a look at her shackles.
- >You put a hoof to Applebloom's mouth, effectively startling her, but keeping her quiet.
- "Shh."
- >"What in the hay?" Applebloom whispers. "How did you get away?"
- "We can talk later."
- >Anon reaches into her bow for some reason, but pulls out hair pin.
- >Appleblooms shackles were in better shape than yours, so Anon can't break them like he did with yours.
- >He fiddles with her chains and eventually gets her free.
- >Applebloom slips from her yoke and cracks her back.
- >"Thank ya kindly, but we need to find Scootaloo still!"
- "Do you know where they took her?"
- >"Ah do. Follow me!"
- >There were a few patrols you managed to sneak by, but remained undetected.
- >You found Scootaloo not long after.
- >She was sitting facing the wall, her forelegs crossed on her chest.
- >"Stupid dogs," she gumbles. "When I ever get out of, I'm going to-"
- "Psst. Scootaloo."
- >Scootaloo looks at you.
- >"Sweetie Belle!"
- "SHH!!! We're gonna get you out."
- >Scootaloo nods.
- >Anon picked the locks and got her yoke off.
- >A blood-freezing howl pierced the quiet atmosphere of the tunnel system.
- >"The ponies have escaped!" shouted a voice.
- >"Oh no what do we do!" you all shouted.
- >You all started to scream before Anon shushed you.
- >The vicious growling of the dogs on their prey grew ever closer.
- >Rounding a corner, they came into sight, running right for you.
- >"This way!" shouted Anon.
- >He flipped his light on and ran down a path.
- >Your trio ran after him, you in the lead.
- >"Where are we even going!" shouted Applebloom.
- >"Who cares!" replied Scootaloo. "Anywhere but here!"
- >You follow Anon's lead, turning left and right.
- >His light focuses on a gap in the floor.
- >"Jump!" he commands.
- >He clears the gap with ease.
- >You take a running leap as well. Your friends too.
- >Your shorter stature compared to Anon and you being the least athletic of the three only allowed for your front half to make it.
- >You screamed as you began to slip into the hole.
- >Anon quickly reach out and grabbed your hoof, pulling you to safety.
- >"Go, go, go!" he ordered.
- >Applebloom was in front, running through the darkness.
- >There were no turns, though, and it was just a single tunnel.
- >A white circle shone farther down.
- >"The exit!" called out Scootaloo.
- >The dogs were right behind you and gaining fast.
- >You could almost feel their hot breath against your neck.
- >A peek over your shoulder proved you were right, but you wish you weren't so spot on.
- >One reached out to grab you, but Anon brought a fist down into his nose.
- >The dog fell to the ground, showing the others were farther back, but still too close for comfort.
- >They howled and barked incessantly.
- >The earth began to rumble slightly and loose rocks and sand fell from the ceiling.
- >"Faster!" shouted Anon.
- >You ran as hard as you have ever ran.
- >The ground shook even more.
- >Larger rocks began to fall.
- >Time was running out and fast.
- >Suddenly, Anon stops.
- >You stop the moment you notice he wasn't by you anymore.
- >The other two stopped as well.
- >"What are you doing!" shouted Applebloom.
- >Without words, Anon scanned the walls and the ceiling in the dim light.
- >He started kicking a rock sticking out from the wall.
- >"We're almost out! Just run!" shouted Scootaloo.
- >You weren't leaving withouth Anonymous.
- >He kicked and kicked as hard as he could.
- >His breathing becoming harder and faster.
- >Finally, the rock gave way.
- >A few larger rocks fell from the wall.
- >And one large one overhead shifted hard.
- >Then it stuck.
- >One more hard kick to the large rock sent it tumbling down with a crash.
- >You scream as dust and debris fill the air, causing you to lose sight of Anonymous.
- >"Whoa!" shout Applejack and Scootaloo. "Did you see that!"
- >A few tears fill up your eyes and you start to choke up, caughing up a fit.
- "How could I have missed it," you whisper.
- >The dust clears to the dogs howls and barks on the other side of the collapsed rock wall.
- >To your rejoice, Anonymous stands before the rubble.
- >He turns around with a smile and takes a deep breath.
- >"We need to go," he says."
- >The dim light of the orange setting sun is your guiding light out of the cave.
- >The four of you walk out into the open air and take in a deep breath of fresh oxygen.
- >"I guess we should go home, huh?" asked Applebloom.
- >"Yeah," you and Scootaloo agreed.
- >You stop outside of Ponyville to recuperate.
- >"Well this adventure was a major bust," pouted Scootaloo.
- >"Yeah, but at least we're all okay, right Sweetie Belle?"
- "Right..."
- >"GIRLS!"
- >The three of you looked up and towards town.
- >Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight were racing towards the group.
- >"Sweetie Belle!" called Rarity, running over and sweeping you into a hug.
- >Applejack meets Applebloom and Rainbow Dash meets Scootaloo.
- >"Where were you!" barked Rarity, her voice of worry turning straight into anger.
- >"Yeah, Applebloom!" chimed in Applejack. "Y'all youngin's are in big trouble now!"
- >"We're sorry!" pleaded Applejack and Scootaloo.
- "We just wanted to try to get our cutie marks. We got... lost in some caves."
- >"Wait, what caves?" asked Rarity.
- >"The ones outside of Ponyville," answered Scootaloo.
- >The four mares' eyes went wide.
- >"WHAT!?" they shouted.
- >"Do you have any idea how dangerous that place is!" shout Rainbow Dash.
- >"We should give all y'all extra chores for being so careless!" shouted Applejack.
- "We're sorry! But we're okay, aren't we? Anonymous got us out after he found us and-"
- >"Sweetie Belle," Rarity stopped you. "What are you talking about, 'Anonymous'?"
- "Anonymous," you stated again. "He got us out. If it weren't for him, we'd still be down there."
- >Everypony was quiet and stared at you.
- >Even Scootaloo and Applebloom.
- >Rarity's eyes began to well up in tears.
- >"Oh, Sweetie Belle..."
- >She choked up as she opened her mouth to speak.
- "Rarity? Hey, what's wrong with Rarity?" you ask the others.
- >"Sweetie Belle," Twilight speaks up. "Anonymous... Anonymous has been dead. For a couple months now."
- >Your face scrunches up with confusion.
- "What are you talking about? I've been playing with Anonymous the whole time. I even stayed at his house last night."
- >"Is that where you were!" shouted Rarity.
- "Oops... Yes. We were singing and writing a song."
- >"Sweetie Belle," uttered Rarity. "There is no Anonymous. He died in a hunting accident in Gryphonia."
- >You turned around to face your friend.
- >Anonymous kneeled down so he was eye-level with you.
- "Anonymous? Tell them. Tell them you're not dead and that we've been playing together. That's you were with us the whole time in the cave!"
- >"Sweetie Belle, there's no one there," said Twilight.
- >Anon's closed his eyes and looked away for a moment.
- >He looked back at you and spoke, his voice soft and serious.
- >"Sweetie Belle, I don't think they can hear me," he said.
- >Your eyes began to well up.
- "What? No... No that's not true! What about our songs? Our adventure! How did I get out of those shackles? Who got the others out? Who made Rarity breakfast!"
- >The rest of adults began to cry, but still stood strong.
- >This sweet and sorry moment getting the better of them.
- >"Uh... Sweetie Belle?" spoke Applebloom. "That was you. You reached into mah hair and found a pin."
- >You turn back around.
- "What? No I didn't. I don't even know how to pick a lock!"
- >You thought about it.
- "Aha! Then who was it who pulled me out of the hole? Who collapsed the cave!"
- >"That was you," said Scootaloo. "You looked so angry, like you got a burst of strength. You kicked a Diamond Dog in the face when he went to grab you!"
- >You collapsed onto the ground and buried your face in your legs.
- >You cried.
- >You cried harder than you have ever cried before.
- >Anonymous kneeled down beside you and softly stroked your mane.
- >Rarity walk up beside you and lied down next to you, phasing through Anonymous.
- >"Sweetie Belle... please..."
- "No... What is the point?"
- >"Because you got friends and family who love you," said Applejack.
- >"And we'll support you and help you through this," chime in Rainbow Dash.
- >"Because that's what friends are for!" said Applebloom and Scootaloo.
- >You looked from your friends, to Rarity, and then up at Anonymous.
- >He nodded solemnly and took a step back.
- >You allowed Rarity to help you to your feet and walk you home.
- >The next morning, you skipped school to go to Anon's house.
- >The door was still unlocked.
- >On the table sat your still unfinished song.
- >And beside it, the note you left him.
- >You read over your song once more and picked up the pencil.
- >Anon stood behind the couch, looking over your shoulder.
- >"I trust you to finish it right," he said.
- >Years later.
- >It's the end of a big night in Canterlot.
- >You ride through the streets in an extended carriage.
- >Crowds line the streets and cheer your name.
- >Your cutie mark the symbol of your success.
- >It turns out, your last song with Anonymous was what brought you fame.
- >Fillies everywhere came to see you perform.
- >Stallions fell in love at first sight.
- >You sang your song at the end of every show.
- >You stare up at the night sky and wonder if you will see him again someday.
- >What you fail to see is a certain human riding atop your carriage, his legs dangling off the back.
- >"I'll always be closer than you think..." Anon whispered.
- >The carriage rides on as your name get chanted on into the night.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-3vPxKdj6o
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