Old Anon in Equestria (a short story), by Anon

>Your name is Anon.
>You came here around seventy years ago.
>To Equestria...
>You got here a bit early, but hey...
>You never did specify the year you wanted to go to.
>Just the place.
>You got here long before the 'Mane Six' were even born.
>If you recall, you were well into your...
>Eighties?
>Something like that...
>But you still got to watch it all.
>Like the show playing out in front of your very eyes...
>With some minor changes.
>You remember the day that they all visited the 'Weird Hermit thing on the edge of town'.
>Hearing the knock on the door of your little cottage was the best day since you got here...
>How'd it all go again?


>"Twa'lot, are y'all sure about this?"
>"Of course! I would've visited this creature sooner if I'd known he was here."
>"Twilight, dear, you should really reconsider..."
>"W-what if he doesn't want visitors?"
>Twilight turned around, a scowl on her face.
>"Do any of you even remember everything that happened with Zecora? If what I've heard is true, everyone's just been avoiding this poor guy..."
>Everyone but Twilight collectively put their heads down.
>"We can't just pretend he's not there... We need to show him that we care!"
>The room perks back up, and Pinkie Pie giggles.
>"Nice rhyme, Twilight! I'll go get a cake to bring him!"
>She dissapears out the door.
>"Does he ever eat? Don't reckon Ah've seen anypony leave food for him... Ya think he likes Apples?"
>"Hey, I could show him some of my new stunts!"
>"The poor thing must be wearing rags... He's never ONCE stepped into my boutique!'
>"Maybe I could find him a pet to keep him company?"

>Twilight beams, all of her friends coming together for someone they haven't even met!

>"I GOT THE CAKE!"


>You were sitting on your old creaky wooden chair, in your old creaky home, taking a light nap.
>Most of your time was either spent napping, or watching the Ponies through your window.
>Jeeze, nothing's changed since you got here.

>Until that knock on the door.

>You were woken up by four solid knocks on your door.
>You always get food delivered on Tuesday and Friday...
>Today was Wednesday.
>You push yourself off your chair, hobbling your way to the door.
>You turn the knob, and pull it open...

>And there they are.
>All six of them.
>"Hello there! My name is Twili-"
>A pink mass throws itself in front of you.
>"Myname'spinkiepiewhat'syoursmisterdoyoulikecakebecauseibroughtsomecakeandiwashopingyoulikedcakebecause-"
>She takes a deep breath.
>"Ibroughtacaketosharewithyouandmyfriends!"
>You smile, grabbing the pony out of mid-air.
>You'll never know how she did that stuff.
>You chuckle, pulling her in for a hug.
>She happily obliged, wrapping her hooves around you.
>"You've got a really soft beard!"
>She snuggles into you, smiling.

>The rest of the day was spent with these ponies.
>You went all around Ponyville, and even though you had to walk with a stick to support you...
>It felt like you were walking on air.


>But that's all over now.
>You're almost a hundred years old...
>Somewhere in the late nineties. You can't remember.

>You lay in the hospital bed, hooked up to numerous machines.
>Your friends surround you.
>You could barely move anymore.
>Your breathing was becoming more shallow.
>The doctors estimated that you'd die today, so everyone made sure to come see you off.
>"We're going to miss you, Anon..."
>You smile, bringing a shaky hand up to give Twilight a pat on the head.
"Don't you worry about me... I've lived a long life. Longer than most Humans, even."
>You run your hand through her hair, but find that you lack the energy to keep doing so.
"Guess this is goodbye, then..."
>"Only for now."
>Twilight smiles, nuzzling your cheek.
>"We'll come see you again, eventually..."
>You can't help but smile.
>You close your eyes.
>"Goodnight, Nonny..."

>You hear more words, but they just sound garbled.
>What you can hear, though, is the life monitor slowing.
>Bleep...
>Bleep.......
>Bleep.............
>Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....


>Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust.
>Life is short when the body rusts.
>Make use of your time, because time is short.
>And submit that final friendship Report.


>Dear Princess Celestia...

>Today, Anonymous has passed away.
>He was one of the greatest influences of my life.
>And one of my best friends.

>Today, I've learned that friends come and go...
>But not all friends get to come back.
>That's why we need to make the most of our time together with our friends...
>Because they can leave at any moment...
>And never come back.

>Your Faithful Student, Friend, and Princess...

>Twilight Sparkle.