(Bat) A Feeling of Resolve - 2

>Three Alicorn princesses, a bat p0ny, and you, all sit in a dining hall in Canterlot Castle.
>One very upset, and very disappointed white Alicorn sighs deeply as she begins to speak.
>"Anonymous. Please tell me everything about that tower."
>You groan and look over to Speck.
"There was a bed, a chest with clothes, some books, and a chest with old trinkets I had back on Earth."
>She nods slowly.
>"Anything else?"
"No."
>Speck looks up at Celestia.
>"There was a mirror on the top floor. Anon was sitting in front of it when I found him."
>"Thank you Speck."
>Celestia looks extremely smug right now.
>You glare at Speck.
>She hides her face behind her hooves and sticks her tongue out at you.
>"I'm disappointed in you, Anonymous. Is this mirror too unimportant to mention?"
>That mirror.
>The minute you first laid eyes on it, all you wanted was to forget it existed.
"That mirror was probably the most unimportant thing in the entire tower."
>You look up at Celestia.
>Her eyes meet yours.
>"Did you notice anything about the mirror, Speck?"
>She shakes her head.
>"No, Princess."
>"So, Anon. You mean to tell me that this mirror is just a simple mirror?"
>You nod without breaking eye contact.
>She smirks.
>"You are a terrible liar, Anonymous. Tell me everything."

>A small desk with papers scattered across it, a grandfather clock, a chest, and a mirror are all that inhabit this room.
>You approach the desk and shuffle through the papers.
>This certainly does not make sense.
>This is your handwriting.
"June 12th, 2011. My eyes are playing tricks on me. I thought I saw a little cyan horse run by my window."
>Weird.
>You don't remember that.
>You look through your journal for the same date.
"June 12th, 2011. Woke up with a headache. Took some aspirin, watched TV, went back to sleep."
>Nothing in either entry matches up.
>This stays true until you reach June 18th, 2011.
>You read the entry on the desk.
"June 18th, 2011. Started following the little cyan horse. She(?) has a horn. She looks... cel-shaded? She ran into an alley with a dead end. I'm going to run across the street and try to get a better look at her."
>You look at your journal.
"June 18th, 2011. Went for a run. I thought I saw something dart down an alley. When I went to check, nothing was there. I thought I saw the wall shimmer, though. Might check back tomorrow."
>The alley was the only part that you remember.
>You vaguely remember the day after, going back to the alley to check it out.
>That was when you came to Equestria.
>There was no entry for June 19th on the desk.
>You assume there was no need for it to be replaced in your journal.
>The entries on the desk say you started seeing a cyan p0ny before you came here.
>From the description, it sounds like Lulamoon.
>You definitely remember the alley though.
>You search the chest next.
>Rather, you open it and immediately pull a picture out of it.
>Nothing else catches your interest.
>The picture details you and several of your old friends from Earth.
>They all stand around you, posing stupidly for the camera.
"A picture tells a story."

>You carry the picture with you as you sit in the middle of the room.
>All the good times you had back on Earth.
>A smile crosses your lips.
>You look up from the picture for a moment.
>The mirror catches your eye.
>It's strange.
>It doesn't reflect the room.
>Instead, it acts similar to a television.
>It replays short clips of your life on Earth.
>From when you played outside as a kid, to your trials as a teenager, to your short life as an adult.
>Every single one of your relationships, be them good or bad.
>Your friends and your family.
>You hug the picture close to your chest, a few tears falling from your eyes.
>"If you could go back..."
>The mirror shimmers softly, the images displayed on it faded out.
>The mirror glows a bright white as it "speaks."
>"Would you?"
"What?"
>"Would you go back to Earth, if you could?"
>You look down at the picture, then think back to Speck.
>People you haven't seen in five years, but knew for most of your life on Earth.
>Or a little bat p0ny you've only known for two months.
>Things on Earth might have changed a lot in the last five years.
>Your friends and family might have moved on.
>Your friends, especially, might have lives of their own now.
>And you?
>Speck was here.
>Someone to love, somewhere to work, things to do, p0nies to be with.
>Two months ago, you would have gone back to Earth in a heart beat.
>But since you met Speck?
>Equestria was your home now.
"No. I don't think I would. I have much more here than I did on Earth."
>The mirror shimmers in response.
>The light from it fades as it starts to reflect the room around you.
>You look back down at the picture and smile.
"Sorry, guys. Maybe some other time."
>The picture continues holding your gaze for a short while.

>A little bat p0ny sneaks up beside you, and you tap her nose.
>She asks you about the picture, which you explain briefly before walking over to the chest where you found the picture.
>You start emptying it as she sifts through everything you take out.
>All of these little trinkets carry memories of earth that, while fond, you can reminisce without their aid.
>Besides, you have a journal that details a good portion of your life.
>You start to drag the chest to the stairs, but Speck stops you.
>She holds up a little black rectangle.
>You turn it on and smile to yourself.
>A few icons pop up and you swipe through them.
>More pictures of your friends and family, some old games you used to play, and loads of music.
"It's... It's nothing important."
>You drop it on the floor and it shatters.
>Both of you head downstairs with the chest.
>It can be filled with books.
>After all, books were gateways to other worlds.
>They never really reminded you of anything except themselves.

>Celestia continues to stare at you.
>"Anonymous? Are you going to tell me?"
>Your gaze shifts back to her.
>It shifts to Speck, then Luna, then Twilight.
"What's to tell? It was just a mirror. I picked up about a hundred books to read to Speck and burned the tower down."
>She rolls her eyes.
>"That's the story you're sticking with?"
>You smile at her.
"I'm an honest man, Princess. What would I gain by lying?"
>She shakes her head and stands from her chair.
>"You frustrate me, dear Anonymous."
"Good. I'll keep you on your toes while you rule a peaceful kingdom."
>She turns to leave the room, but stops just short of the door.
>"Anonymous. Whatever happened in that tower. I'm glad you returned to us safely."
>Waving a hand, you smile at her.
"Nothing's gonna stop me from keeping Speck safe."
>She leaves and you look at the remaining p0nies.
>Twilight nervously taps her hooves on the table.
>"Anon? D-do you think m-maybe I could read those books when you and Speck are done?"
"I'd have to try to make a rough translator you could use. Hopefully both languages can run letter-to-letter and you can decipher from there."
>She squees softly and bounds out of the chair, also leaving the room.
>You look at Luna.
"Are we done here?"
>"Yes, Anon. I believe we are done here."
>She smiles and trots off.
>Luna was always your favorite princess.
>"Anon?"
>Speck stands on the table in front of you.
>Speck, stop it.
>That's bad table manners.
>"Anon, can we go home now? I already got my dress back from the cleaner guy."
"Yeah. Let's go."
>Speck leads you through the castle, back to your room.
>The two chests sit in a corner.
>You'll just have Luna or Twilight magic those to P0nyville.
>All you take are your bags and one of the books from a chest.
>Twilight would probably appreciate a translation as soon as possible.

>Speck flies by your side as the two of you leave the castle grounds.
>The mid-morning sun hangs in the clear blue sky.
>A sigh of relief escapes your lips.
>A loud grumbling sound catches your ear.
>You look at Speck.
>She floats there with a sheepish grin and a light blush.
>"Anon I'm hu-"
"We just ate at the castle."
>"Bu-"
"No."
>Her stomach roars with the ferocity of a lion and she gives you a pouting look, complete with a lip quiver.
>You groan.
"Fine, we'll stop somewhere real quick and then go home."
>She throws her forehooves into the air and screeches with glee.
>You roll your eyes and walk into Canterlot City.
>She follows you as you walk down what you assume to be the main street.
>The street signs say it's called Mane Street.
>Brilliant.
>If it isn't bat puns, it's horse puns.
>Or puns in general.
>At least Speck isn't talking in puns.
>She hasn't really done that lately.
>Not even last night at the banquet, when Luna was there.
"Speck? Are you feeling alright?"
>"Yeah. Why?"
>You shake your head and scratch your head.
"No real reason."
>She stops in front of a fancy looking restaurant.
>It has tables with umbrellas set up outside.
>"Can we eat here?"
>You wouldn't mind having a meal outside.
>The air was nice and cool.
"Sure. It might not be bad."

>Upon entering, you notice that the restaurant has an air of nobility to it.
>There was probably a rigorous dress-code.
>You look down at your choice of clothes.
>What a day to pick a t-shirt and shorts.
>"Excuse me, sir?"
>You look down at a very fancy waiter p0ny.
>He looks up at you and points to Speck.
>"Is that yours?"
>You look at Speck.
>She's trying to put her dress on in mid-air.
"Yes, that is mine."
>You grab Speck, set her down, and help her put her dress on.
>"Well, sir. I hate to inform you, but we do not serve blood here."
>Blood?
>You laugh.
"Wow, you know what, Speck? I almost forgot that there are bat p0nies that drink blood."
>She snickers with you.
>The waiter regards you with a deadpan stare.
>"I was not joking, sir."
"Neither was I. She doesn't drink blood, she's a fruit-eater."
>"Well, regardless, sir. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"Dress-code?"
>He nods slowly.
>Speck places a hoof on your hip.
>"Anon? Why are you so insistent on crushing my hopes and dreams?"
>Her lips quivers for the second time today.
>Tears well up in her eyes.
>"All I wanted was a nice breakfast in a nice restaurant in Canterlot."
>You look up at the ceiling and sigh.
>She sniffles softly.
>The waiter places a hoof over his mouth.
>You look down at him.
"This is your fault, you know."
>Two p0nies enter the restaurant.
>One of them speaks up and approaches Speck.
>"Speck? Are you okay?"
>You look down at the white p0ny.
>Speck turns and nods.
>"No, Curio. I am not. My dearest Anonymous has forsaken me by wearing less than the best he can muster."
>A tear falls down her cheek.
>Curio looks up at you with a scowl.
>"How dare you make such a sweet little bat p0ny suffer in such a way that she can't enjoy a simple day out with her... friend?"
>You shake your head.
>"Coltfriend?"
>You nod.
>She gasps and shakes Speck, quickly pulling her into a hug.
>"Darling, you did not tell me you had a coltfriend!"
>You look from Speck, to Curio, to the waiter, and to Curio's companion.
>Her companion is an orange stallion with a brown mane.
>Curio starts talking to the waiter.

>You kneel in front of the stallion and extend a hand.
"Name's Anon."
>"Apple Seed."
>You tilt your head and raise an eyebrow.
"Any relation to the P0nyville Apples?"
>He nods.
>"Technically, I suppose. I run their Canterlot supply route."
"And Curio?"
>"My wife."
"I didn't see you at the banquet last night."
>"I tend to avoid those kinds of gatherings."
>The girls clear their throats.
>You turn to them.
>"Our table is ready, you two."
>What?
"What?"
>"Curio convinced the waiter to seat us, despite YOU NEARLY RUINING EVERYTHING."
>Speck yells in your face.
>You wrap your hand around her muzzle.
"Oh, please. I know what you were trying to do. You wanted to make the waiter feel bad and let us in."
>She smirks and sticks her tongue out.
>Curio and Apple Seed trot behind the waiter as you and Speck follow them.
>The three p0nies and you sit at a small round table.
>The waiter gives a menu to each of the three p0nies and then stares at you.
>You stare at him.
"Is there a problem?"
>He shakes his head.
>"No, sir. If you would consider not knowing what a customer eats, to not be a problem."
>You roll your eyes.
>Can't blame him.
>You've only been to Canterlot twice in five years.
>Speck hasn't witnessed you eating meat, but she grew up around blood-drinkers, most likely.
>You doubt she'd have an objection to you eating meat.
>The other two?
>You didn't know them very well.
>Curio was at the banquet last night, but there was no meat there.
>"Sir?"
>The smell of meat would probably make them sick.
"Give me whatever menu you gave them."
>He nods and gives you a menu.
>Looking over it, you sigh.
>Fancy breakfast cakes, fancy coffees, fancy fruit bowls.
>You can't even pronounce half of these words.
>Curio, Apple Seed, and Speck all have their menus folded closed and their eyes trained on you.
>Speck taps your arm with a hoof.
>"What're you having Anon?"
"Uhhh."

>You stare at the menu.
>Since when was breakfast supposed to be this complicated?
>And since when has Speck acted so... whatever this scene is?
"I'm gonna have whatever you're having."
>Nice save.
>Speck smiles and nods.
>"You have no idea what any of that is, do you?"
>You shake your head slowly.
>She leans in and whispers.
>"Neither do I."
>That figures.
"Curio? What are you having?"
>She hums softly and taps on the table.
>"I'm having the Tarte de Pommes a la Normande."
>Yeah, there is absolutely no way you will ever be able to pronounce that.
>Apple Seed sits quietly.
>He's not very talkative at all.
"I guess I'll have that, then."
>Apple Seed nods, as does Speck.
>The waiter also nods.
>Stupid unspoken fancy language.
>"So Tarte de Pommes a la Normande, all around? What would you like to drink?"
>Curio hums.
>"I'd like a small glass of water, please."
>"Likewise."
>Speck taps a hoof on her chin.
>"I'll have a glass of orange juice."
"Uhh. A glass of pineapple juice?"
>The waiter nods and takes your menus away.
>Apple Seed looks up at you and clears his throat.
>"So, Anon. What do you do for a living?"
"I work at Sugarcube Corner in P0nyville."
>He smirks a little, then turns to Speck.
>"And you?"
>She sets her juice down and smiles.
>"I annoy Anon day to day and he feeds me and lets me live in his house."
>"How did you two meet?"
>"I was lurking around outside his house on my way home one night and he took me in the day after."
>You look over at Curio.
"Where did you two meet?"
>Those five little words.
>Oh how you would regret saying them.
>The floodgates of hell hath opened to you.
>"Well, darling. I am absolutely glad you asked!"
>Apple Seed looks up at you with a pleading look.
>His eyes speak to you.
>They ask you why, why do you do the things you do.
>Speck is almost instantly enthralled by Curio's story.

>"And so, after finally finishing up my last batch of dresses for the Apple Family's annual hoe-down, this fine gentlecolt here arrived to pay for and pick them up."
>Curio leans on Apple Seed.
>"And the rest is history."
>That was a long story, but you loved every bit of it.
>Almost as soon as she starts snuggling up against Apple, the waiter arrives with everyp0ny's food.
>And Anon's.
>He almost immediately starts poking at his plate.
>"This is... awfully big for us to have ordered four of."
>Curio and Apple Seed shrug and start laughing.
>Apple Seed shakes his head and wipes a tear from his cheek.
>"I can't read half the words they throw into these dishes' names."
>"Neither can I."
>Anon places his head in his hands and sighs loudly.
>Good to know you're not the only one faking being fancy.
>You snicker at Anon and press against his side.
"Is something upsetting you, Anon?"
>"You mean, aside from the fact that none of us knew what we were ordering?"
>He laughs a little bit.
>"There's nothing wrong Speck."
>He hugs you tight.
>"There's absolutely nothing wrong, anymore."
>Well, Anon definitely got sentimental real fast.
>You give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Good."

>Breakfast was somewhat boring.
>Curio and Apple Seed had to leave as soon as everyone was finished.
>So you and Anon were left alone to walk down to the elevators that led to Canterlot Mountain.
>He made you carry the boxes of leftovers in your bags, though.
>Whatever, you'll just eat his food.
>Or maybe not.
>Anon picks you up and buries his face in your shoulder as you ride the elevator down into the mountain.
>Maybe he was just ready to get home.
>You know you were.
>You wrap you forehooves around his neck and nuzzle him.
>He sighs into your fur.
"Is something wrong, Anon? You've been acting... strange."
>He shakes his head and kisses your neck.
>"I could've gone back to Earth."
"Why didn't you?"
>You already know why.
>It made you feel a little guilty.
>He wasn't going to leave you in Equestria all alone.
>"Because. I have so much more here than I did back on Earth. I have the cakes, the Princesses, all of P0nyville."
>Oh, well.
>That was definitely not what you were expecting.
>Your Angel seems to have forsaken you.
>So you think, until he kisses you on the cheek.
>"And of course... you, my little Speck."
>You blush and smile.
"You didn't have to stay here, Anon."
>He shakes his head.
>"I've been gone from Earth for five years. I'm sure a lot has changed."
>He smiles.
>"And besides."
>He looks into your eyes.
>"You've grown on me enough to root me here."
>You giggle and hug him tight.
"I love you, Anon."
>He strokes your cheek with his thumb.
>"I love you so much more than I can say."
>You wiggle against him.
>Several of the passengers on the elevator clear their throats and glare at you and Anon.
>Anon ignores them and nuzzles your cheek a little more.
>You flash your fangs at them and they back off a little.
>The elevator stops on the ground of Canterlot Mountain.
>Anon steps off and carries you down its main street and toward the train-station.

>Anon approaches the ticket booth with you trotting beside him.
>"Two for P0nyville?"
>The teller leans forward and looks at a small list.
>"The next train to P0nyville will arrive in about ten minutes."
>You sigh and press your face into Anon's leg.
"I wanna go home."
>He strokes your mane lightly.
>"I know you do. It won't be much longer."
>He nods to the teller, slides her a few bits and takes the tickets.
>You lead him over to a bench.
>He sits down and you curl up beside him, resting your head in his lap.
>He scratches your ears.
>"Are you alright?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
>You look up at him as he shrugs.
>"You've been kind of quiet."
>You furrow your brow at him.
>"Is it what I said on the elevator?"
>He scratches your back as you start to shake your head.
"Not really. I'm just ready to be home."
>"I am too."
>You stretch across his lap and roll over on your back.
"What'd you see in that mirror?"
>He sighs and ruffles your mane.
>"I saw a lot of things. You, me, our future together."
>He scratches your ear.
"What of our future??"
>His thumb and forefinger squeeze your ear and massage it gently.
>"So many things, Speck. All I can really say is, I'm never going to leave you."
>A smile creeps over your face as you cuddle into him.
"Good."
>The train rolls into the station and screeches to a halt.
>Anon looks at it contemplatively.
>"The train's early."
"Let's go, then. I'm so ready to be back in P0nyville."
>You board the train together and get settled in, finally back on track to P0nyville.

>The pages of your journal flip between your fingers.
>Your fingers wrap around a small pen, extracted from one of your pockets.
>The little bat p0ny in your lap smiles up at you.
>You smile warmly back at her as you start to write about the day.
>There wasn't much to write, since the day was only approaching noon.
>But there was something you remembered from Earth that you wanted to write down.
>You don't remember who said it, or why.
>The words just rang through your ears, and you knew they would be appreciated by your little bat.
"Angels are not any extraordinary beings with wings and a halo. They are ordinary people living ordinary lives. But they have special qualities that touch our hearts and souls in special ways."
>Your p0ny sits up and kisses your cheek as you finish.
"They are truly our best friends."

RIP Grassie.
Strength and Honor.