Love Unwhole (Part 2)

>”You want to do WHAT?!” the sheriff yelled.
You heard me.
>”I didn’t think you ate... meat.” The sheriff confessed, still shocked by your request.
Why do you think I sometimes go out into the desert? Pick pretty flowers? No. I’ve been hunting small critters and eating them. All I ask is that you let me take care of the dead buffalo. It’ll be one less deadbeat filling the cemetery.
>The sheriff peaks over at the cart loaded up with the dead buffalo under a tarp you killed in yesterday’s struggle. “Out here, Anon? I wouldn’t want folks to be um... scared.”
>You cross your arms and huff. Fucking ponies and their bitch ass ways.
>If you sounded angry, you didn’t mean to. But this was a golden chance to stock up on a large volume of meat. Actual meat and not lizards or bugs.
>You decided gutting and carving a buffalo in the street was probably an insensitive thing to do. Slicing up a brother quadruped in front of the others would be cause for concern.
Just cart him behind my place; I’ll set up a tent so no one will see.
>As a pony dragged the cart with the carcass, you spot AJ down the street.
AJ! You heading out?
>AppleJack turned to you, “I sure am. Might take me the whole day, but when I’m done I’ll come back around here and rest before heading back home tomorrow.”
Well listen AJ, last night I saw this green glow in the sky.
>She raised an eyebrow, “Beg yer pardon?”
A green glow, but it was coming from Devils Spike.
>You point past town towards the looming rock formation.
It’s just past the Hoodoo Valley.
>AJ rubs her chin, “Never heard of mountains glowing. I’ll definitely check it out. You wanna come along?”
I can’t. I have to stay in town, my duty is to heal these people.
>You turn looking back at your clinic, and you see the pony arrive with the cart.
But maybe we can grab a drink later when you get back, let me know what you see.
>She tilts her hat, “Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you later!” And with that, he gallops off towards the Hoodoo Valley to begin her scouting mission.
>Walking back to the clinic, you greet the pony.
Thanks a lot, just bring it around back and I’ll take care of the rest.
>Setting up some tarps, you set about carving the meat off the buffalo.
>Taking a quick break, you plunge the butcher knife into its head and head inside for a cold drink.
>You couldn’t help but think about AJ and the fact she was heading out tomorrow. Should you confront her about finding you?
>Worry about that later, you got some meat to cut.
>As you finish the task, you did what you could with the bones. Boiled them, made stock and stored it for later use.
>You almost barely had any room for the meat in your fridge, and it had to be used up quick. You couldn’t afford a freezer out here.
>The rest of the day wasn’t too bad. Some pony folks came in asking for medicine, a few complaining about sore backs, the usual.
>Later that evening as you closed the clinic, you looked out the front window and saw AJ walking into town. She spots you through the glass and heads inside.
Did you find anything out there?
>She didn’t look disappointed or nothing, but she just shook her head, “Not a thing, Anon. We even took a peek inside that cave at the end of the valley. The rest of the surrounding area was all clear.”
>You sigh to yourself
I could’ve sworn I saw something last night...
>”Y’all sure you weren’t just dreaming?” AJ asked.
I’m pretty sure, AJ. Maybe stay up tonight and see for yourself?
>”I just might do that, but I’m gonna head on down to the saloon for a drink. Ya in?” she asked with a grin.
>You didn’t care about bars, but this was the last time you would see AJ.
You go on ahead and save me a spot, I need to finish up closing here.
>”You got it, partner.” She winks and takes off to the saloon. Finishing with your chores, you soon meet up with AJ and the others.
>It was nice seeing AJ after all this time, and you tried to have a good time.
>Just like Jubilee, AJ was a bit of a drinker and had too much AppleJack Daniels that evening. You helped her to the room in the hotel where she was staying at.
AJ, do you mind if we talk or should it wait till tomorrow?
>”Not at all pardner... *hic*... come on in...” she groggily opens the door and staggers in. She plops herself onto the bed.
AJ, I know you’re taking off tomorrow back to Ponyville and you probably know what I’m going to ask you.
>”Hm? Oh yea... I um... you want me to uh... not tell, yesh?” she laid on her bed, eyes closed.
Yeah, and I hope you understand why.
>”Is it cuz you’re afraid, Anon?”
>You pause. That was actually a good question.
I guess... but I would prefer it if you didn’t say anything. I’m happy living here and I found meaning in helping others.
>AJ turns towards you, her eyes half open and supporting her head on one hoof, “Ish dat what you think, Anon? I reckon you just running from something...”
AJ, I’m not running. I’m trying to live a quiet life now.
>”Anon, you can fool yerself but I can see through ya and you ain’t honest with yerself... *hic*” she smirks.
Are we done here? You need to stay up and watch for the green light from Devils Spike, I need to go.
>”See?! Thar ya go running off... again!” she points accusingly at me. Now she was crossing the line.
I’m not running away. I never ran away. I don’t know why you’re bringing this up!
>”Jubilee told me. She said how y’all thought if you... went on this escapade Pinkie would forgive ya.” You knew Jubilee had a loose tongue; you’ll have to talk to her too.
>”Anon... what happened ain’t yer fault.” You were clenching your fists, the tension in your face was peaking.
Well, things could’ve gone a lot differently....
>”Well they didn’t... know you can either buck up or wallow in yer own self pity for the rest of yer life, Anon.” Her words stung, but you refused to accept them.
>”There’s no guilt for you Anon, you’re just beatin’ yerself up over nothing...”
Nothing? Fucking nothing?!
>You spoke up, tempers started to flare.
PINKIE WAS TAKEN FROM ME IN COLD BLOOD! I love her with all my entire being and my fucking soul...
>You were starting to tear up at this point.
I’m doing this in memory of her, AJ. She loved making others happy, that’s what I’m doing!
>AJ didn’t look phased through her drunken stupor, “Y’all reckon that’s what she wants, or is that something you think will ‘redeem’ you.”
>Taking in a deep breath, you walk to the door and look at her one last time.
Fuck off.
>Slamming the door hard behind, you walk out of the hotel and head back to your place. You were fuming. AppleJack thinks she can lecture you on how to live your life?
>You could only see red as you head home, open the storage room and pull out a bottle of hard cider.
>You sat there in the kitchen drinking the night away, holding a picture of Pinkie. You broke into tears.
>Praying, wishing and hoping weren’t going to bring her back. You just wanted to see her, to touch and hold her. To feel something again.
>Anything.
>This crippling isolation you felt ever since you came to Equestria was finally pushing its weight on you.
>You got up and stumbled your way to bed, but in your sorrow and rage you punched a hole through the drywall.
God... fucking... dammit...
>Then you started to yell. Yell and scream like you never did before. Cursing and yelling with tears streaming down your face, you couldn’t understand why this had to happen to you. Punching and banging the walls as you went.
>You started to calm down after making it to bed, your head pounding and eyes burning.
>If only you found that relic, and maybe if you didn’t stay in P0nyville then Pinkie would still be alive.
>That’s why you didn’t belong in this world.
>As you stared out into the dark blue night sky, you stayed awake for a long as you could.
>There was no green glow to be seen that night.
>You woke up to the morning sun shining into your room and the buzz of the desert wildlife
>An empty bottle and picture lay on the floor beside the bed. Easing yourself up, you look down at the photo on the floor.
>There was Pinkie, smiling back at you. You sigh and with begin to rub your forehead.
This isn’t getting any easier, Pinkie.
>Picking up the photo, you place it back on the nightstand.
>Heading downstairs you rediscover the hole you punched into the wall. You could remember the rage associated with it.
>You cleaned up the place and opened up the clinic for another day, but it wasn’t long before AJ showed up.
>You sigh, figuring it was no use trying to be angry. The least you owe her is an apology for telling her off.
>She looked tired as hell.
>The door opens with the sound of the bell ringing. You just look at her.
AJ.
>”Anon.”
>Awkward silence. It had to come down to this. But you figured you’d have to say something first.
So... did you see anything last night?
>She shook her head disappointedly, “Not a thing I’m afraid. And Anon, let’s not jump around the bush here...”
>Oh thank God, she doesn’t hold a grudge...
I know I know... I didn’t mean to tell you off like that, AJ.
>”I reckon I’m to blame. I didn’t use the right words, but what I mean to say is... Pinkie meant something to you. To all of us. We miss her too, Anon.” That’s all she offered to say on that note.
It’s OK, AJ.
>You stretch your arms and head to the front door.
You heading out now?
>AJ nods.
I’ll walk you to the edge of town, could use the fresh air myself.
>Looking the door behind you, you both head out on a small walk. AJ was saddled up with supplies to keep her going till she hit AppleLoosa.
>”Don’t worry, Anon. I won’t say a word to the others but golly it’ll be hard. I just can’t believe you’re alive.” She exclaims.
If you hate me for doing so then you have every right, but understand where I’m coming from. It’s not just Pinkie, it’ Fluttershy too. Above all else, she cannot know. I would prefer it if we kept my whereabouts secret from everyone.
>”You have mah word, Anon. But what would y’all do if word got out somehow? Ponies talk and word travels ya know.”
I’ve been hear for 3 years, I think I’m safe. But if anyone were to show up, I’ll just move on I guess. Run away from it, I suppose.
>You glance at her, her eyes shy away.
It’s always good to see an old friend, AJ. Be safe.
>Nodding her head she replies, “I will Anon. Stay safe and don’t forget about us, ya hear?”
I won’t.
>Just like that, you both shake and she takes off to the east with a trail of dust behind her.
>There goes the last friend. Actually, Jubilee was still your friend and-
>Oh right, you better have a little chat with her.
>You head back to the clinic to go about your daily grind, the sheriff came around asking for medication on stiff joints.
The years are finally starting to get to ya, eh?
>”Yeah, yeah... I still got some years left now, don’t you worry. Be foolish to say you haven’t done most of the law enforcing here.” He comments.
Granted I resorted to intimidation and they turned tail, but that gang that came for Jubilee, that was the first time I was seriously injured.
>You pointed to the marking on your face.
>”Builds character, Anon.” The sheriff huffs.
You always say that. Oh, if you see Jubilee send her my way, will you?
>”Will do.” He nods as he walks out the clinic.
>It wasn’t until late afternoon that Jubilee came to the clinic, she must’ve been busy working.
How’s the orchard coming along?
>Cherry Jubilee seemed to be in high spirits, “It’ll take time, but the farmer says they’ll grow in just nicely. But the sheriff saw me earlier and said you wanted to see me?”
Yeah about that.
>You stalled for a moment, picking your words.
Last night when me and AJ were talking, she mentioned you told her about why I was here.
>She immediately became apologetic, “I know dear, but I didn’t mean no harm by it. I just... admire your spirit, hun. Not often a pony seeks redemption through the loss of a loved one.”
It’s not redemption. I owe it to Pinkie to make the world a better place, this is how.
>You gestured to your clinic.
>”Are the nightmares going away, sug?” she asked in a motherly fashion.
>With a grimace on your face you shook your head, you were certain they’re becoming worse.
>Later that day, you almost dread going to sleep. Perhaps if you think about the smiles you bring to the ponies faces when you help them, that’ll cheer you up.
>It was only until close to closing time that one of the local carpenter waltzed in with a nasty cut to his front leg. After treating it, you asked he could patch a hole in your wall.
>Showing him where it was, he inspects it, “How did this happen?”
I fell.
>”You fell?”
Yes.
>He nods his head, “I got a list of other ponies that need my help though.”
Whenever you get the chance, that’ll be fine. Thank you very much.
>Closing the clinic for the night, you got ready to head for bed.
>But that glowing from Devils Spike bugged the hell out of you. AJ didn’t see it and no one else talked about it.
>Maybe you were dreaming.
>Oh how you wish you were right.
>You were stirred out of your sleep when a green glow invaded your room. Peering out through the window you could clearly see Devils Spike giving off that glow again.
>You pinch yourself.
>Yep, you’re wide awake.
>That settles it, you’re investigating this shit.
>Putting on your duster set, you grab an oil lantern and head out into the night. Walking down the middle of the street in the dead of night, there were no other ponies around.
>They kept a pretty tight schedule, and you were open later than most just in case of an emergency.
>Hitting the back trail you headed north towards the Hoodoo Valley, and near the end by the caves there should be stairs to take you up to Devils Spike.
>There wasn’t much out here to be worried about, mostly small critters. Nothing big has ever harassed the town before, and as long as you got a light source, you’re fine.
>The tall standing hoodoo structures are dimly lit by the full moon as you made your way down. The green glow seemed to be even more intense than the last time.
>As you approach the lower end of the valley, something caught your eye. A glow was coming from within the cave.
The hell...
>You peered inside and could see the glow was deep inside. Whatever was making Devils Spike glow was also connected to the cave.
>Glowing fungus or something possibly?
>Venturing into the cave, the glow was so bright you almost didn’t need the lantern, but it was pulsating.
>The cave itself didn’t go far in, but there was a tiny crack in the wall that caught your interest. A long green vein cracked right into the rock, the light was the brightest from here.
>Whatever was behind here was probably going to show you the source.
>Picking up a large stone, you smash it against the wall. A loud clack fills the cave as you managed to chip a bit of stone.
Yeah, this isn’t going anywhere...
>Perhaps tomorrow you can bring some tools and start excavating.
>You wanted to get one last swing in, maybe the wall might give in.
>Holding the rock back with both hands, you swung forward. But before the stone made contact, the stone wall opened up like a mouth and you sent yourself hurtling forward. The stone wall closed behind you.
>Sliding down a wet tunnel cave, the green glow intensified as you continued your descent.
>You desperately reached out to grab, but the smooth walls offered you no hope.
>There was darkness at the end of the tunnel.
Fuck.
>The last thing you remember was becoming weightless as you fell. How long and far you didn’t know. You thought for sure you were going to die.
>You smashed into something, most likely a rock. And then another, followed by hitting more rocks. You did your best to cover your head.
>But when you finally hit the ground, you were unconscious.
>You remembered this kind of pain, like when you first fell into the river.
>As you started to come to, you felt your dull pain slowly melt away. A feeling of euphoria washed over you.
>Blinking your eyes, you looked up to see a familiar face. You couldn’t believe it.
>There was Pinkie Pie, smiling at you with tears in her eyes.
Pinkie? Is... I...
>No words. You reached up and hugged her, burying your face in her tiny shoulder. You wept, feeling so happy for the first time.
>Pinkie hugged you as well, she rubbed your back just like she use to.
Is it really you?
>You held her face in your hands, you couldn’t stop smiling. “I missed you so much Anon!” she smiled.
>Dead or alive, you didn’t care. Pinkie was here and that’s what mattered.
>Holding her face gently, you placed your lips softly upon hers. You break away, and you both rest your foreheads against each other.
I’m so sorry, for everything that’s happened.
>You were so thrilled you didn’t even notice the pervading blackness that surrounded you both.
>”Shhh... it’s OK. It’s OK...” Pinkies words soothed you as she rubbed your scalp. “Pinkie’s here.”
>Her soft lips pressed against yours, and you held her tight as you both shared a deep fervent kiss.
>You close your eyes, just letting your other sense take control.
>A bright green glow flashes.
>Next thing you realize, Pinkie is already starting to tug away your clothes. You might’ve stopped her, telling her to save it for later until you both got out of here.
>But something made you want her even more. You couldn’t stop thinking about her.
>Quickly removing your clothes, Pinkie rubs herself up against you. Her sweet natural scent fills your nose. Oh God how you missed that familiar smell.
>As she straddles you and grinds her hips fiercely against your already erect cock, your kisses become more animalistic. Almost trying to dominate the other.
>There was that green flash again.
>Pinkie playfully pushes you on your back and you felt your member fit snug and tight inside her wet love hole. “I miss the way we made love, Anon” she moans.
>You reached up to grab her hips, but she pinned you back and kissed you again. This time invading your mouth with her tongue; her sweet taste lingering in your mouth.
>Another green flash.
>Your hips started to move on their own as you pumped like mad. Her love juices dripping onto your crotch, creating a loud smacking sound every time her glistening wet crotch slapped onto yours.
>The erotic smell and pheromones were overloading your senses; you never felt pleasure like this. This was toe-curling ecstasy right here.
>The tight muscles of her vagina squeezed tight and milked your cock of its hot white seed as you both came at the same time.
>You look up to see Pinkie one last time before a green glow blinded you and you felt yourself fading into nothingness.
>Reaching out to the darkness and calling out, Pinkie was gone.
>Once again you were all alone.
>But you felt your consciousness fade into nothing, almost like a deep peaceful sleep.
>You don’t know how long you were out, but you woke up to the sound wildlife. Opening your eyes, you quickly it up.
Pinkie?!
>You look around frantically. Pinkie was nowhere to be seen.
>Instead you found yourself lying outside of the cave at the end of the Hoodoo valley. It was almost morning, but the sun has not yet risen.
What the...
>You were certain you fell through a tunnel in the cave. You got to your feet and checked the wall where you fell.
>No cracks, no glowing.
>You slammed your fist on the wall, but no response followed.
God dammit...
>You knew Pinkie was there. You felt her, you held her in your goddamn arms!
>Everything else seemed like a blur, but you also remember green flashing. But something else felt different.
>You felt... rejuvenated. As if you had the best damn sleep in ages.
>Looking at the cave, you decide it was best to head back home and recuperate for the time being.
>No one was up roaming the streets either as you headed down through the town. You hurried home quickly.
>Heading to the bathroom you washed your face, but something instantly stood out as you looked at your face in the mirror.
>The burnt marking was nothing more than a faded scar.
>Tracing the tip of your finger along the scar, it wasn’t even sore like it use to be. Remembering how you fell into the cave, you’re pretty sure you broke something, but not a single scratch was on you.
>Taking your shirt off, you looked at yourself. You felt and looked... stronger.
What the hell is happening?
>You flex your arm; the veins instantly bulge as your muscles swelled.
>This didn’t make any goddamn sense.
>There was a loud knocking at the door. You put on your shirt and head downstairs, it was the sheriff and he looked like he saw a ghost.
>Opening the door you let him in. He’s gasping for air.
What’s wrong?
>”They’re ... uh... they’re back... Those gangsters...” he huffed and puffed.
>By this time the sun was just beginning to rise above the horizon. You headed outside, disregarding your weapon.
>Sure enough as you head outside you spot the stallion at the other end of the street. The same one that violated Jubilee.
>And he brought more friends.
>Your eyes scanned and spotted exactly 6 buffalo and 8 stallions standing by his side. You walked towards them.
>A part of you felt this was suicide, but something made you feel... primal and angry.
>The leader spoke, “Well I do declare, the monkey survived the first ordeal. My good sir, I have no quarrel with you, I just want what’s rightfully mine.”
>You stopped and cracked your knuckles.
>”Where’s your little knife boy? Did you drop it on the floor?” she smirked.
>You limbered up.
Last chance to get out of here.
>”Or else what? You’re outnumbered my good sir and your sheriff is too much of a coward to help.” He chuckled. “But who am I kidding? Deal with him, Tomahawk.” He gestured to the buffalo at his side.
>The buffalo snorted and charged at full speed. You didn’t move, but held your ground.
>As the buffalo was barreling down on you, you spread your feet and held your hands out. You took a deep breath and felt the world around you slow down a bit.
>You grabbed the buffalo by the horns and dug your feet into the ground. You barely moved two feet past where you started.
>The buffalo strained but you held fast. He tried to shake his head, but your grip persisted. He even tried to pull away, but you didn’t give an inch.
>The gang looked on with mouths agape.
>”Don’t just stand there! Mow him down!” the leader shouted. Most of the stallions were hesitant, what chance did they have if you stopped a charging buffalo.
>Well, this buffalo felt he had a chance. He instantly took off towards you.
>Glancing to the side, you watch the raging beast as he thundered down the street.
>With the buffalo in your grip you deliver a death blow by twisting his head and hearing that satisfying snap of his neck breaking. His body drops to the ground.
>Just in time to, because the other buffalo was already at your feet.
>Clenching your right fist, you remember the state of which Jubilee was left in after the leader raped her. You swung your fist into the charging beast dead centre in its forehead.
>You felt your fist crack his skull as your fist smashed through his dome and into his brain, instantly stopping it in its tracks. Now two dead buffalo lay in front of you.
>You wiped off your bloody knuckle. You walked towards the leader and his group. They were about to piss their nonexistent pants.
>The buffalo and stallion turn tail and ran, the leader was flustered yelled at them. “You bumbling cowards! Don’t let this stupid monkey bamboozle y” *HURK*
>You seized him by his throat and held him in the air. The town by this time was already woken up by the commotion.
>Ms Jubilee was outside watching the whole thing.
>The leader managed to speak, “Let’s talk about this... good sir” he gasped for air.
I made a promise to these people to protect them.
>You scowled even harder as you tightened your grip, “I’ll leave... I’ll never bother... her again...”
I’ll see to that.
>With a final clench, you hear his neck snap as his eyes go walleye and his tongue hangs out the side of his mouth.
>You could hear a commotion from the townspeople as you tossed the lifeless corpse to the side. Needless to say, the sheriff and Jubilee were shocked to see what you just did.
>Ms. Jubilee hurried to your side, “Anon, what in tarnation was that? You just took out two buffalo like it was nothing.” The sheriff had to agree as well.
>You looked at the two dead buffalo and licked your lips. Ms. Jubilee spoke, but you were dead set on harvesting the meat.
>Dragging each one separately, you didn’t say another word as you brought both carcasses behind your house and begin to hack them into steak.
>Staring at the glistening meat, you held a chunk of the steak in your hand and brought it up to your mouth. The rich savory blood and protein filled your mouth, the red liquid trickling down your chin.
>Ms. Jubilee watched in shock but wanted to get your attention. “Anon? ANON!”
>Her words smack you in the brain as you drop the steak and coughed up the raw meat. You almost had forgotten what you were doing.
>You stood there breathing heavily, looking at Jubilee, “I uh... “
>”Is something wrong, sug?” she asked with that motherly concern again.
No it’s just... seeing that scum come back here for you after what happened. I guess I lost control.
>”Well, good riddance to him. He got what’s coming to him.” She still seemed upset over the whole ordeal.
>You continued to hack away at the meat, but you knew you couldn’t save it all.
I’ll be busy for a while, I’ll catch you later.
>Cooking and cutting the meat took up most of the day. You even cracked the bones and ate the marrow inside, you never realized how tasty it was.
>All this protein felt good in your body.
>But last night still disturbed you. The tunnel, seeing Pinkie and then the unexplainable primal strength. But you had to admit, that could not have been Pinkie. She’s dead and gone.
>No way after three years is she alive. You must’ve hit your head hard when you fell into the cave.
>You had to find out later tonight.
>Avoiding Jubilee for most of the day, you got a length of rope ready and headed out in the middle of the night.
>As you went into the cave, the green glow started up again. You picked up a stone and smashed it in the same wall.
>It slid open after a moment, revealing the slippery tunnel. You fastened the rope to a large rock and lowered yourself down.
>Easing yourself through the tunnel, you were lucky you weren’t claustrophobic.
>But you were running out of rope.
Shit..
>You lost your grip and you slid down the tunnel. As the rope reached it length, it snapped and you fell out of the tunnel and into the dark once again.
>But instead of hitting something hard, you landed and rolled down what you assumed to be a pile of sand.
>Brushing your head off, a green glow fills the room. You look around and saw that you were in a large chamber. The walls were rugged and covered in green pods.
>In the centre of the chamber high above was a large hanging green mass held by a stringy substance. The green pulsating glow was now becoming steady and you could clearly see the chamber.
>It was all coming together
>”I’m so glad you came back, Anon.” A voice spoke behind you.
>You turn to see it was Pinkie. She was looking at you with those eyes again.
You’re not Pinkie...
>She looked shocked and giggled, “Well of course I am, silly.”
Drop the charade; I know who you are... your highness.
>Her voice changed on a dime, and she smirked at me. “Perceptive one...”
I get that a lot.
>A green flame enveloped her as she grew taller; her black looming figure was unmistakable.
>You found Queen Chrysalis and her hive.