Then and Now Pt. 10

>You stare your would-be rapist in the eyes with newfound strength
>You’re determined
>She’s going to try shit, you know it
>But you have to stay strong
>It’s not just for you anymore, or your friends
>But for the good of the land as well
>By the time you two leave this room
>The past will be the past
>She’ll see things your way
>She has to
>”B-But… I don’t want anything else…” she says, head down, swiping at the floor with her hoof
>You sigh
>This is going to be hard
Fluttershy… I can’t give you my love.
>She looks up to you with sad eyes
>Sad eyes that can change in an instant
>Stay on guard
It… already belongs to someone. Back home.
>She squints her eyes at you
>”Y-You sure it doesn’t to someone here? Someone like—“
>She turns her head away from you
>You think you see tears form in her eyes
>”R-Rainbow Dash?”
>Oh good Lord…
>She saw Rainbow Dash in your bed, didn’t she?
>Time for damage control
>You walk up and kneel down next to her
>Using your finger, you wipe a tear from your eye
No, Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash is just a friend.
>”B-But—“
She couldn’t sleep. There’s nothing romantic going on between us.
>She lays down on the ground and looks away solemnly
>You bring your knees up to your chest and rest your arms on them
>There’s a silence in the room for a minute
>…you decide maybe you should break it
…her name’s Tiffany.
>Fluttershy’s ears perk up
>She turns her head to you
We’ve been friends forever. Ever since we were kids. She was actually with me before I first came to Equestria six months ago.
>Fluttershy doesn’t say a word, she just listens
>She’s… hard to read
>How will she react to this?
I’ve only recently discovered how I really feel about her. I was going to tell her. I had a plan and everything, but…
>You can feel a tear come to your eye
>Man, now YOU’RE getting emotional
>Pull it together, Anon
…I got pulled again. Pulled here.
>You sigh
Now I don’t know when, or if, I’ll ever get the chance to tell her.
>You unfold your legs and stretch them out, placing your hands on the ground
But that doesn’t mean I’ll give up hope. I can’t.
>You turn to her
Do you see what I’m getting at, Fluttershy?
>You’ll skip over the part where you don’t even find any of them attractive
>No need to hurt feelings any more than you already might have
>She looks at you with big eyes
>”I… I do…”
>Your eyes grow wide in surprise
>Holy shit, did this just work
>”But… maybe you could be just as happy with me…”
>Status of hopes: Raised, then crushed
>You sigh internally
>When will this mare get it?
Fluttershy… no. I don’t think I ever will.
>She gazes deep in your eyes
But I can offer something else. I can be a really great friend.
>You place your hand on her back
But that’s all I can be.
>She looks away
>Her eyes seem full of sorrow
>”I guess…”
>She starts
>”I guess… I’ll just have to show you then.”
>Oh sweet Jesus, you know where this is going
…show me what?
>You say, playing dumb
>”…my love. Maybe then you’ll see…”
>She flings her head toward you, tears trailing behind
>”That you can love me too!”
>She launches herself toward you, bowling you over once more
>She pins your chest with her hooves and plants a kiss on your lips
>”Let me show you!” She mumbles into your mouth
>You spin your head to the left, breaking off her kiss
>You grip her sides and lift her up off of you
>You sit yourself up and place her on the ground
>You wipe your mouth on your jersey
No, Fluttershy!
>You say, a little upset at her actions
>Even though you had a hunch it was coming
>She backs down at your voice
NONE of that!
>She timidly backs into a corner
Please, just listen to me—
>”No!” she interrupts
>Her timid demeanor shifting in the blink of an eye
>Her pupils shrink and her eyes squint a bit, glaring
>”I’ve listened to you, now you listen to me!”
>You can feel your mind start to strain
>Shit, here it comes
>Remember what Princess Luna taught you!
>”I-I told you I’d use this to get my way, a-and now look what you’ve made me do!”
>You squint your own eyes and focus
>”You’re going to love me!”
>She steps out of the corner toward you, having fully initiated The Stare
>You feel the pressure add on to your mind
>But you hold your ground
>Your arms crossed, eyes focused, you focus right back at her
>She beams another blast of concentration at you
>You don’t even wince
>It’s just like basketball
>You can tell she’s starting to realize your lack of submissiveness
>She focuses even harder
>It’s beginning to wear horribly on your mind
>But, like Luna said, you’ve been trained for this pressure
>It’s hard, but nothing you can’t handle
>You see a bead of sweat drop down from her forehead
>She’s trying so hard
>Weakening her own willpower
>…it’s perfect
Fluttershy.
>She winces in acknowledgement to her name.
…stop this nonsense.
>Her eyes flash confusion for a brief moment
>They then start to water up
>You can feel the strain beginning to weaken
>Her pupils return to normal
>Her eyes regain their normal shape
>And she collapses down to the ground, tears beginning to freely flow
>”Why… why didn’t it work…?” she cries, head buried in her front hooves
>Now’s the time to strike, Anon
>You walk over, sit down next to her, and pat her on the head
See Fluttershy? There’s nothing you can do.
>She sobs
…I know you really, um… “want” me. I mean it when I say I can’t do that for you.
>She peeks up at you, eyes full of sorrow
But I also mean it when I say I can be a really great friend. Let’s give that a chance.
>You bring your finger down to her chin and lift it
>Her eyes meet yours
Please?
>She looks away and sniffles
>”A-Are you sure you can’t—“
I can’t.
>She stares off into the distance
Let’s put all of this stuff behind us, okay? Practically start new.
>She turns to you again
Like the yellow mare I met that walked into Twilight’s place all those years ago.
>She’s nodding slowly
Just friends. Great friends. What do you say?
>She lowers her head, as if in thought
>”What about Twilight and Rainbow Dash? It’s nice that you’ve forgiven me, but they…”
>She places her head back on the ground
>Ah, the most important part
I’ll talk to them.
>She glances back up at you, almost as if in shock
>Did she think you wouldn’t?
I’ll tell them everything is great between us. No harm done. We’re all friends now. They’ll give you another chance, I know it.
>She smiles a little
>She actually smiles
>Did you do it?
>”A-And you and Rainbow Dash—“
Are nothing. Nothing but friends.
>She looks at you with those big teal eyes
>”Okay,” she says with a smile
>And just like that, it’s like a huge wave of relief passes over you
>Is it finally over?
>Did you get through to her?
>It certainly seems like it
>Well, only time will tell, you suppose
>You rise back up to your feet
C’mon, bud.
>You say, prompting her to stand up
Let’s go find Princess Celestia. I’m sure she won’t mind giving you a room to stay in for the night.
>Fluttershy takes off into the air
>”Yeah, let’s do it, f-friend.”

>”W-WHAT!?” Rainbow Dash yells, almost turning around toward you
Hey!
>You interject
>This triggers her memory, and she stays turned around
>You quickly slide on your jeans
Alright, all good.
>You say, beginning to switch shirts
You were saying?
>She spins around
>”Fluttershy tried her crap on you AGAIN!?”
>She flies right up in your face
>”She’s just trying to get into your pants again, Anon! You can’t do this!”
>She’s so worked up
Chill, chill!
>You say, pushing her back down to the ground
I assure you, we’re friends. I’ve been trying to do this for so long, and I’ve finally gotten through to her.
>You put your arms into your freshly washed T-Shirt, courtesy of the royal guards, and slide it over
I’ve forgiven her. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack all have. Why can’t you?
>You walk over to your nightstand and grab your basketball
She won’t try anything again, trust me. We’re all friends now. At least give her a chance?
>She still looks undecided
For me?
>She sighs a little
>”Well… if YOU have, I guess I can try too…”
>You bounce your basketball a few times
Thanks, Dash.
>You say, rustling her mane
Let’s go find Twilight and tell her too.
>You two head to the heavy doors and swing them open into the hallway
>Royal guards are positioned outside the door
>”Good morning, Anonymous,” they say, “and Rainbow Dash. The Princess would like to see her in the throne room.”
>You look to Dash, she to you
>What’s this about?
Alright… lead the way.
>The guards escort you though the maze-like corridors of the castle
>Eventually, you reach the throne room
>You push the heavy doors open and proceed into the room
>Princess Celestia sits atop her throne, with Fluttershy and Twilight standing before her
>They’re talking…
>You hope for the better
Hey guys, what’s up?
>You call over to them, walking toward them
>Rainbow Dash flutters next to you
>”Anon!” Twilight calls, running over to you
>”Is… is it true?” she says, almost in a whisper
>You laugh a little
Is what?
>She glances over to the yellow mare
>”…I found Fluttershy wandering the corridors earlier this morning. She said she was here with you, and that you two made up last night. I don’t entirely believe her, because—“
It true.
>Her face contorts to that of shock
>”Really?”
>You smile
Yeah, really. We worked everything out.
>You decide to leave out the pinning and staring
We’re friends now. All is forgiven.
>She looks back to Fluttershy
Can you forgive her, too?
>She looks back up to you
>She sees the look in your eyes
>You really mean it
>God fucking damn it, can’t we all just get along?
>”…yeah. I mean, if you have.”
Good. Thanks Twilight, I really appreciate it.
>You rustle her mane as well
>She giggles at your antics
So,
>You begin, walking toward the throne
what does the Princess want?
>Twilight trots up next to you, matching your steps
>”She said she had big news! She wanted all of us here, even Fluttershy.”
>You nod
>Big news, huh?
>”Wonder what kind of news…” Dash chimes
>”I don’t know, I suppose we’ll see…”
>You all arrive before the throne
Hey bud.
>You say to Fluttershy
>She smiles a big smile
>”Good morning Anon!”
>Ahh, friends at last. All this shit finally behind you
>You all turn your attention to the Princess
>”Greetings, all,” she says, “I’m most glad to see you all this morning. Especially you two,”
>Referring to you and Fluttershy
>”It happened much earlier than anticipated, but I’m glad you two have worked out your differences. It brings me much joy.”
>You and Fluttershy look at each other and smile
>Attention back to Celestia
>”Now, as for the big news…”
>You all listen intently
>”After examining Anonymous, I stayed up with some brilliant minds trying to figure out how we can help him.”
>Help you?
>Does she mean…?
>”After hours of testing and speculation, we think we may have figured out a way to… send Anonymous home.”
>What… did she say…?
>You feel some force well up in your chest
>Some deep, awkward emotion
>It bubbles and grows
>It disturbs itself, rising and rising
>Until it rockets up your throat
WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!
>You cheer
>You have the biggest open-mouth smile on your face
>You’re ecstatic
>You turn to the p0nies
DID YOU HEAR THAT!?
>They’re all open mouthed, eyes full of shock
I CAN GO HOME!
>They turn to you
>All three of them snap out of it and put on smiles
>”That’s great, Anon!”
>”My goodness, how exciting!”
>”Great for you, squirt!”
>You turn back to the princess
>She’s smiling too
>She knew you’d find the news exciting
>”Now, we’re still looking into it. We’re probably not finalizing anything for at least a couple of days. Until then, you can take Anonymous back to P0nyville, and give him a proper send-off.”
>This is amazing
>Finally, you can go back!
>All that time spent here wondering
>If you’d ever see home again
>If you’d ever see her again…
>All washed away
>Princess Celestia had really come through for you!
>Princess Luna, too
>I suppose this is her way of paying you back
>You glance over to Fluttershy
>She’s smiling at you
>You did her land a huge favor, after all
>Wow, what news!

>The train rattles back and forth as it scratches along across the tracks
>You, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy all sit in a train cabin
>You can hardly sit still
I can’t believe it…
>You say, looking out into the frontier, the morning sun bathing it in abstract beauty
I never thought how soon I’d get to go back. Finally…
>You sigh happily to yourself
>The p0nies in the cabin all solemnly hang their heads
>You turn toward them all
>They don’t notice you looking at them
>Then… it hits you
>…man, Anon, how selfish can you be?
>These are all your friends, who’ve done so much for you
>Well… two of them have
>And here you are, cheering your voice away about how you get to leave them
>You scan each one of their faces
>Sadness, sorrow, depression
>Man, they must really hate losing friends
>Time for one of your trademarked talks
What’s on your guys’ minds?
>You begin
>They all perk up to your voice
>”N-Nothing, Anon!” Dash says, “Just had a long day!”
It’s morning…
>She glances nervously over to Twilight and Fluttershy
Look guys,
>You say, shuffling in your seat and grabbing their attention
I’m not dumb. I know what you’re all thinking.
>They all glance to each other
I know me leaving this soon isn’t exactly what you all wanted. I’m really, really happy that you all see me as that good of a friend, really. I see you guys the same way.
>You scratch your nose a bit and lean back into your chair
But… I have a life back home. I have family, friends, and… a girl waiting for me. I have to be there for them. I know that means leaving you guys, but…
>How do you word this properly?
…I don’t really belong here. I’ve made absolutely great friends here, though, and the one thing that sucks about going is that it means leaving you guys.
>You look up to them
>They’re all listening intently
…but, that’s in a few days. Come on, we still have time. Let’s make these days worth it, huh? Days full of good friends. What do you say?
>They all look to you, then each other
>Twilight speaks first
>”…you really can read faces, huh?”
>You smile
>”…you’re right. We’ll miss you, Anon,” she continues, “you coming here again after you so abruptly left last time… it was like a second chance to have you as a friend. I mean, we’ve only known you for a short time, but…”
>She looks up and smiles
>”It feels like it’s been forever.”
>”Yeah,” Dash jumps in, “I’m nothing but glad for ya that you get to go back. But I wanted far more basketball games with my buddy before he decided to turn tail!”
>You laugh
>”We’ll all miss you. But we want what’s best for you, squirt.”
>Fluttershy doesn’t chime in
>She stays silent
>”Let’s make these last few days really worth it! If it’s really the last chance we get to see Anon, it’s going to be a blast!”
>You and Twilight cheer along with her
>You all share in a laugh
Thanks, guys,
>You say
 I’m really going to miss you all.
>”Hey hey,” Dash interrupts, “None of that yet, alright? Save it for the departure!”
>You smile and laugh
Yeah, sounds good!

>You are Fluttershy
>It’s late in the afternoon now that you’ve finally gotten off the train
>Twilight went off home real quick, while Anon and Rainbow Dash went to see Pinkie Pie about a simultaneous welcome/farewell party for Anon tomorrow night
>You know what they think of him…
>You’ve seen it in their own eyes
>But they seem to be taking it better
>Or at least plan to milk it…
>Anon doesn’t see them that way, though
>You know he doesn’t
>He doesn’t to you, either…
>You solemnly walk down the path to your cottage
>You were willing to give this friendship thing a try
>Anon really wanted it
>And anything to make him happy…
>But…
>You only wanted to because you thought he’d be here for a while
>Maybe forever…
>If you gave it time, maybe THEN he’d see
>Maybe he could love you
>But now that he’s leaving…
>You enter your house, closing the door and locking the locks
>You drag yourself upstairs and faceplant into the bed
>He’ll be gone forever
>Just like how he left you before
>But now you know he’s going, and you can’t do anything to stop it
>It tears at your heart
>You begin to cry
>…maybe…
>You lift your head from the pillow
>If you can get him not to leave…
>…he’ll want to stay
>But how…?
>…maybe if… maybe if he loves you…
>He’ll want to stay…
>…yeah!
>You were willing to wait for him to see before, but now that he’s going…
>You’ll have to take drastic measures
>You’ll make him see once more
>…but…
>He’s too strong…
>And he can resist The Stare now…
>What can you do…?
>Suddenly, an idea comes to your head
>Oooh… that might work
>Just like before…
>You smile into your pillow through the tears
>It’s been far too long now
>You want him
>Bad
>And he wants you
>He just doesn’t know it yet
>Within these days, you’ll show him
>You’ll show him your love
>And he’ll never want to leave
>Never ever.

End of Part 10