(Bat) A Feeling of Joy - 3

>You are Anon.
>Speck kissed you when Celestia raised the sun that morning.
>You panicked and ran home.
>She tried to catch you, but you were somehow able to outrun her.
>The minute you got inside the house, you sprinted upstairs, into the bathroom to wash your hair and neck.
>Speck sat outside the door, waiting to pounce.
>She wasn't going to get that opportunity.
>You open the door.
>She looks up at you.
>You do your best to ignore it.
>You're busy being conflicted over your feelings.
>You don't need that adorable little bat swaying your feelings.
>"Anon? Are you okay?"
>Ignoring her, you walk past her and down the hall, to her room.
>You collected as many bricks as you could and sat down in the corner.
>A small box made of bricks was quickly erected.
>Speck watched you the whole time, and now sat outside of it.
>She wasn't doing anything.
>She knows you'll have to come out eventually.
>And you know the same.
>You were doing good on time so far.
>By your guess it was already noon.
>She taps on the box.
>You remove one of the bricks in the side and peer out.
>Her dull orange eyes peer in at you, a look of sadness glazed over them.

>This pulls at your heart, so you look away.
>"Anon?"
"Yeah?"
>She sticks her muzzle in the hole.
>"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
>You look at her nose.
>Her fangs poke out from between her lips.
>Why are you just now noticing the small things about her?
"It's alright, Speck. It was just... surprising."
>She smiles softly.
>Oh, come on.
>You push the brick against her muzzle and she backs out.
>You reblock the hole.
>She taps on another brick and it falls to the floor at your side.
>"Can you come out now?"
"No."
>She sighs and starts tapping on another brick.
>You replace the previous one before she knocks the new one out.
>"Please?"
"No."
>She starts stomping around the room.
>"Why not, Anon?!"
>You know why.
>You're scared.
>You're scared that you might actually love this bat p0ny.
>And you're scared that you might screw it up somewhere down the road and lose her as a friend.
>But she hasn't given up yet.
>Do you really think that she could ever hate you for anything you did?

>You are now Speck.
>Anon's being a little filly right now.
>He won't come out of his brick box, nor will he let you in.
>It's upsetting you, because you're scared you messed up.
>You thought he liked you like that.
>You thought that was why he put up with you.
>Wasn't that why he let you live with him?
>That was why he let you sleep in his bed, right?
>You're so close to crying, but the tears won't fall.
>You start tapping on more bricks.
>He replaces them as soon as you knock them out.
"Anon, please. I want to come inside."
>"No."
>You stomp your hooves again.
"Anon, if you don't let me in, I'll knock these walls down!"
>He pulls a brick out and looks through the hole.
>You can see tears in his eyes.
>Is he... crying?
"Anon...? I'm sorry, please don't cry! I'll go away, I won't bother you anymore!"
>He shakes his head and puts his hand through the hole.
>He caresses your face and scratches under your chin.
>Your tears finally trail down your cheeks.
>You lean into his touch, but he removes his arm as soon as you do.
>Looking up, you can hardly see anything through your tears.
>But it looks like Anon is removing the bricks from around him.
>He reaches under your front arms and pulls you into the small brick house.
>It's cozy in here.
>You whisper faintly, trying to cover up how shaky and cracky your voice is.
"I'm so sorry."
>He hugs you tightly and buries his face into your mane.
>You hug him back, nuzzling into his chest.
>"I don't want to see you cry, Speck."
>He strokes your mane.
>"I want you to be happy, but I don't think love is something we can really give each other."
>You're starting to feel sick.
>You try not to cry.
>You try as hard as you can to keep it down, but you can't.
>Anon's shirt soaks almost instantaneously as you begin to sob against him.
>He just holds you tighter as he strokes your back and mane.
>You feel him smile into your mane.

>"I think it's something we'd be better off sharing."
>You look up at him.
>You have the most angry expression on your face right now.
>He grins and reaches for your face.
>You back off of him and start hitting his chest with your hooves.
>He responds with a few faked 'oof's and 'ouch's.
>Your sobs don't stop as you hit him.
>He reaches for you and pulls you in for a hug as you slow your assault.
>You rest your chin on his chest, hooves wrapping around his chest.
"You're such a jerk, Anon."
>"I know."
>You snicker and press yourself closer to him.
>He hugs you tighter.
"Can we go enjoy the rest of the festival now, you drama queen?"
>"Me? A drama queen? I'm not the one who -"
>You place a hoof on his mouth.
>It's time to stop talking.
>He crawls out of the brick house with you in tow.
>You fly beside him as the two of you head downstairs and out the door.
>The entire town is filled with p0nies.
>So much so that Anon has a hard time moving through the crowds.
"Having trouble, Anon?"
>He grabs you and tucks you under his arm.
>"Yup. But now I'm not alone."
>You wiggle your hooves and try to flap your wings.
>You wish he'd stop holding you like this.
>But at least he's holding you.
>He makes you so happy, and even more-so that he feels the same way about you.
"Anon?"
>"Hm?"
"I want to ride that."
>You point off into the horizon, far to the other side of town.
>A large wheel with small carriages looms in the distance.
>"The Ferris wheel?"
>You nod and smile.
>He shrugs.
>"Sure, why not? We just have to get through this crowd."
>He continues shuffling through the many p0nies gathered around.
>It took a while, getting across town.
>Between you and Anon getting hungry and playing a few games along the way.
>Plus the massive crowd of p0nies all clambering to see the princesses or find food of their own.
>The clocktower says that about four hours have passed since you and Anon left home.
>Six hours until the sun sets and the festival ends.

>You are now Anon.
>Speck continues to wriggle under your arm as you carry her through the crowd of p0nies.
>She really is cute.
>And as much as you hate to say it, you do kind of feel the same way about her that she does you.
>You figured, why not?
>You've been in this world for five years and you've been alone the whole time.
>You gave up on any hope of returning to your world a long time ago.
>So again, why not?
>Speck was an absolute joy to be around.
>She was sweet, caring, funny.
>Albeit, a little obnoxious with her puns, but you guess you could get over it.
>"Anon? Why are you being so quiet?"
>You shrug.
"Just thinking about stuff."
>"What kind of stuff?"
>She smiles up at you and you smile back.
"Just stuff."
>She wiggles in your arm.
>"Can I sit on your shoulders?"
>You let go over her as you move into a less crowded space.
>She flies up behind you and wraps her hind legs around your neck, her forehooves holding herself steady as she leans against your head.
>She was still sticky from that mango this morning.
>And you still really hope all of it was just mango juice.
>The clocktower starts to chime.
>5PM.
>Five hours til sunset.
>You want to get to the Ferris wheel by then.
>Time seems to progress so quickly in this world.
>But you know that isn't the case.
>During your first week in Equestria, you sat in front of a clock and counted thousands as it ticked.
>Sixty thousands for a minute.
>Speck taps on your head and points toward a small tent.
>A Fortune Teller.
>That could be interesting.
>"Can we go?"
>She's excited over a carnival style Fortune Teller's tent.
>You are too, but you don't show it.
"Sure, I guess."
>Nonchalant attitude.
>Chicks dig it.

>You push through the crowd of ponies and look at a sign by the tent.
>Madame Lulamoon's Fantastical Tent of Fortune Telling.
>Ten bits per reading.
>Eh, why not.
>You had plenty saved up from your job.
>You never bought anything.
>"Ah, welcome, welcome. I have foretold your coming."
>This is so cheesy.
>"Let me guess..."
>The blue mare waves her hooves around a small crystal ball.
>"You are here to have your fortunes told?"
>Speck nods enthusiastically, taking a seat at the table in the middle of the tent.
>You sit next to her and slap ten bits on the table.
>Madame Lulamoon flips her white mane and waves her hooves in front of the crystal.
>She closes her eyes and hums a tune.
>It's calming.
>Speck has also closed her eyes.
>She smiles as she listens to the tune.
>Madame Lulamoon opens her eyes and gazes into the ball.
>She has a look of absolute pain and sadness as she addresses Speck.
>"I see... much pain and loss in your future."
>She smiles warmly.
>"But I see... much happiness and joy and love too. And what you believe the most, may very well be true."
>Speck stares up at you, a look of awe on her face.
>Madame Lulamoon turns to you.
>"And... and you..."
>You raise an eyebrow in anticipation.
>"I see much conflict in your heart. I see a fear in your soul."
>She has a look of absolute amazement now.
>"I see just as much happiness and love in your future as I do hers..."
>You raise an eyebrow.
>"But I see that you are not what you claim to be."
>No.
>This is real.
>This isn't some cheap trick, or flashy magic, or lucky guessing.
>You start to glare at the fortune teller.
>She takes the hint and backs off, quickly coming up with some fake ending.
>"You are not the amazing baker everyone believes you are..."
>Speck giggles and bounces in her seat.
>"Oh, Anon this is so cool."

>Speck walks out of the tent, expecting you to follow her.
>You should make this quick.
"If you tell anyone what you saw, I will not hesitate to find you."
>Madame Lulamoon smiles.
>"I understand completely, Mr. Anonymous. You love that mare, and you would protect her from anything. Even the truth."
>You glare at her and stand, getting ready to leave the tent.
>"You know Princess Sparkle, do you not?"
>You turn and nod.
>"My great-great-grandmother was... a friend of hers. Before she became a princess."
"What does that have to do with me?"
>She smiles at you.
>"I'd like you to give her the Lulamoon family's regards the next time you see her."
>You sigh.
"Yeah. I'll do that, on one condition."
>Speck yells from outside the tent.
>"Anon! Hurry up!"
"Give me a minute, Speck!"
>You look at the fortune teller.
"Tell me what you saw in Speck's future that would cause her pain and loss."
>She sighs and stands from the table.
>She turns from you and shakes her head.
>"I'm not supposed to tell specific details, but for you... I can make an exception."
>She turns to you, tears in her eyes.
>"It is not her who will feel pain and loss. It is you, Anonymous."
"Me? Why?"
>She covers her mouth with a hoof, her voice barely audible.
>You make it out and feel absolutely sick to your stomach.
"Speck will perish in a great battle. You will not be able to stop it. I'm so sorry."

>You are now Speck.
>Anon is carrying you on his shoulders again, and you are having the time of your life.
>He's enjoying himself too, as he runs around.
>Everything you've suggested so far, he's gone out of his way to take you to.
>Ring toss.
>Bumper wagons.
>That lame, rigged bottle game.
>He's acting different.
>But not the bad kind of different.
>The good kind where he's more pleasant to hang out with.
>The clocktower chimes nine o'clock.
>Anon scratches your ear and you press yourself against the back of his head.
>"Ready for the Ferris wheel?"
>You nuzzle into his hair and smile.
"Yes."
>He starts walking over to the Ferris wheel.
>You weren't very far from it.
>He sets you down as you get in line.
>You walk forward, ready to take your seat in one of the carriages.
>Anon whispers something to the operator.
>The operator nods and smiles slyly at you.
>Anon steps back to your side and strokes your mane.
>"Ready?"
>You nod and smile at him.
>Your heart flutters when he smiles back.
>He climbs into the carriage and you follow him in, sitting beside him.
>The massive machine begins to whir and glow as it rotates.
>It does this several times as more p0nies board.
>The sun was starting to set as the ride began turning fully.
>Oddly enough, it stops as you and Anon are near the top.
"Did it break down?"
>"Probably. These kinds of things were shoddy back in my world, and I doubt they'd be much better here."
>You snicker and look out on the horizon.
>The sun was absolutely beautiful.
>You turn to Anon.
"So, about this morn-"
>You're interrupted as Anon grabs your face and swiftly pulls you close to his.
>He locks his lips with yours as you gasp from surprise.
>The kiss breaks off and you cover your mouth with a hoof.
>Your face must be more red than the sky right now.
>He chuckles and pulls you close to him, holding you tight.
>He whispers in your ear as you bury your face in his shoulder.
[spoiler]"I love you too, Speck."[/spoiler]