Confined (007) ((WiP, Anon, Luna, Romance, Long Story))

Original Thread(s)
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archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/S18639740
archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/S18671419
archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/S18711712
archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/S18852621
archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/S18905322
archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/S18949436
archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/S18988475
archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/S19019312
(too fucking many)


Reviews and Comments
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Anon: God I fucking hate this story. It's up there with noctis's shitfic.
Anon: I thought i was gonna read another greentext with boring stuff and full of clop.
	I was wrong, and im glad for that.
	Also im not a long greentext fan, but story is great by so far.
	Good details, excellent character developtment, i can not be more satisfied.



Confined by NotScribble
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>request for a story about anon appearing in canterlot castle, being forced to remain inside, and spends time with luna.
lets see what i can do with this.



>Anon ducked under some broken tree limbs and carefully navigated his way around the debris field left behind by the recently fallen meteor.
>It wasn't exactly large, but it did some damage to the forest near his house.
>Luckily he lived on the outskirts of nowhere, so he figured it gave him some time to explore the area before some sort of official organization showed up to claim the site as their own.
>He pushed a few more branches out of his way, and came to the heart of the mess.
>Small, shimmering shards were scattered about the area.
>They seemed incredibly odd, but he couldn't put his finger on what was off about them.
>He found a shard that was larger than most, and picked it up to get a closer inspection.
>It glimmered in the sunlight, and almost seemed to flow like mercury, but it was a solid crystal in his hands.
>How strange.
>The area around the crystal seemed to be distorted, as though it were releasing incredible amounts of heat, though none was felt.
>Suddenly, the every crystal around him began to hum gently.
>In rapid succession, they all seemed to vanish inside themselves in small, popping implosions.
>He forgot about the one he was holding as he continued watching in awe as they all vanished without a trace.
"What the fuck were tho-"
>He began speaking to himself, but was cut off but the extremely unpleasant feeling that he was suddenly lifted upwards and then thrust back downwards.
>He found himself flat on his back, looking up and expecting to see the bright daylight burning his face, but was instead greeted by a shadowy interior of what appeared to be a rather large structure.
>He sat up and looked around.
>Nothing looked familiar.
>The crystal was also gone. As he opened his hand, a tiny trail of smoke rose up and disintegrated into the air.

>He worked his was up to his feet and began taking note of what was around him.
>The whole room seemed to be made of marble.
>It was a brilliant white color.
>Torches lined the walls, and it caused the shadows to dance about on the floor.
>There were a few double doors on either side of the room, but other than that it was simply a large, empty room.
>It still looked rather impressive.
>Anon began walking around.
>The sound of his shoes echoed through the empty corridor, and he couldn't help but take notice.
>He ceased his short walk and let out a small audible sound.
"Oohhh." "-ooh" "-oh"
>His voice echoed throughout the room.
>He grinned to himself, allowing himself a moment to forget he had no idea where the hell he was.
>He released a much louder sound.
"Woooahh!" "-ooahh" "-ahh"
>He giggled to himself like an idiot.
>'Alright, no more of that, let's figure out where the hell I am,' he thought to himself as he began walking once more.
>Before he could get far, the sound of a door opening caused him to stop in his tracks.
>It slowly creaked open, and the echo it sent out resonated with a chill that worked its way up his spine.
>He froze where he stood.
>There were no hiding places here.
>He panicked internally, and slowly turned to face the direction of the sound.

>A shadowy figure entered into the room.
>It stopped shortly after passing the threshold of the doorway.
>A glow seemed to emanate from it for a moment, and the door slammed shut.
>Once more, the figure began moving towards Anon.
>An oddly familiar sound echoed through the large room as it moved.
>Is that... Hooves?
>The figure entered the range of the torchlight, and it became more visible.
>It looked very much like a small blue horse.
>A blue horse?
>Anon's head tilted slightly as he watched the strange horse approach him.
>Its hair had a strange flow to it, as though wind were gently moving it, though obviously there was no wind in the room.
>The blue horse stopped a short distance from Anon.
>It had a puzzled look on its face.
"What the hell?"
>Anon let the words slip out subconsciously.
>The blue horse was taken aback, but recomposed itself and replied.
>"Who are you? What manner of creature are you?"
>Anon's eyes grew wide and his reflexes flung him backwards and to the ground.
>A horse talked.
>That horse fucking talked.
"What the fuck?! You can talk? Horses can't talk. That's not possible. None of this shit is possible. Where the hell am I?!"
>The horse lowered its head and attempted to study the creature better.
>"I have never seen your kind. Pray tell, what manner of creature are you?"
>It talked again.
>It asked a question.
"Are you really talking?..."
>Anon fell back on his hands and began a rapid thought process.
>Suddenly he grinned and laughed to himself.
"Oh I get it now. I'm dreaming."
>Anon pushed himself back onto his feet and dusted himself off.
"I've had some weird dreams before, but this one is way fucking out there."

>The horse looked around, and then back at the strange creature.
>"You are what?"
>Anon began walking towards the horse with the confidence that came with the thought of it all being a dream.
>The horse backed away slightly, but then locked eyes with the strange creature and observed as he studied her.
>Anon walked around her.
"Weird, you have wings... And is that a horn? What are you supposed to be, like some kind of unicorn-pegasus hybrid? And why are you blue?This is a really nerdy dream."
>Anon reached out a hand in an attempt to feel one of her wings, but suddenly found himself being flung to the floor by an unseen force.
>The floor wasn't soft at all.
>In fact, it really hurt.
>It... Hurt.
>Anon's eyes went wide again once more and he looked up to see a now angry looking horse staring down at him.
>"I do not appreciate being ignored. Tell me who and what you are, creature."
>Anon tilted his head away from her and stammered out a reply.
"I'm, uh- I- My name is Anon."
>"And what are you, exactly?"
>What does she mean what am I? Are there really no humans here?
"I'm a human."
>The horse pulled her head back up away from Anon.
>"A... Human, is it? I have never heard of your species. Where do you hail from, human? Why are you here?"
>Anon glanced around.
"I don't even know where 'here' is."

>The horse snarled and narrowed her vision on the trembling creature before her.
>"Do not test me, human. There is only one reason anyone would be in this room, and I will not be so easily fooled by your ruse."
>Anon felt his body being lifted from the floor by an unknown force.
>It felt incredibly strange.
>It also felt incredibly terrifying, as he was entirely helpless as he waved his limbs about.
>The blue horse turned and trotted steadily yet swiftly towards the door she had entered from.
"How are you doing this? Where are you taking me? Let me go, I didn't do anything, I swear!"
>"Be silent, human."
>Anon continued thrashing about to no avail.
>He did as he was told and remained silent, as speaking was certainly not going to do him any good at this point.
>Horrible thoughts began rushing through his head.
>'Where the hell am I?'
>'What other weird creatures are here?'
>'Oh God, what are they going to do to me?'
>As she reached the door, she shouted a command.
>"Stand back. I have the intruder and will take him to the dungeon myself."
>A reply is heard from the other side.
>"Yes, your highness. As you wish."
>The door flings open to reveal a rather narrow hallway.
>It is a considerable length, and is completely lined with what appears to be horses, all wearing brilliant armor.
>They appear to be slightly smaller than the blue horse, and they all seem to have horns, but no wings.
>They all were bowing their heads towards the ground, eyes shut tight as the blue horse trotted passed them.
>Anon said nothing as he marveled at the sight of it.
>Just what the hell had he gotten himself into?

>The journey led them from the large, empty room, through the narrow hallway lined with guards, into another large corridor filled with guards, down many flights of stairs, around many twists and turns, and finally ended in what was certainly the dungeon the blue horse had mentioned.
>Anon observed the long, narrow pathway that sliced the room of bars in half.
>The iron bars of each cell seemed to hum with energy, and every once in a while, a crackle of what appeared to be electricity would leap from one bar to another.
>The overall size of the dungeon was impressive, but also extremely quiet.
>Far too quiet.
>It appeared as though it was entirely empty.
>The blue horse turned and Anon noticed her horn light up.
>Suddenly, the cell door flung open, and she tossed Anon inside, slamming the door shut behind him.
>He landed harshly on the floor and rolled once, letting out a gasp.
>The wind had been knocked out of him.
>"You will stay here until we can determine what you really are, human. Do not attempt to escape. Not only are these cells exceedingly strong, they also prevent the use of any form of magic by those held within."
>The blue horse leaned in closer to the bars.
>"So whatever magic you used to get inside that room will not help you here."
>With that, she turned and trotted away.
>Anon regained his breath, stood up and rushed towards the bars.
>He thrust his arms and face through a few of them before shouting his pleas.
"Wait! I seriously have no idea where I even am! You can't do this shit to me!"
>The echo of a heavy door slamming in the distance reverberated all around him.
>He let out a sigh, and realised he felt incredibly odd.
>His arms were going numb and he quickly found holding them up became a struggle.
>It wasn't painful, but the feeling was very uncomfortable.
>He tore himself away from the bars and his arms fell limp to his sides.
>With great effort, he managed to wriggle a few fingers, but not much else.

>Anon turned and observed his new prison.
>It had a very simple bed, a small sink, and an odd small oval hole in the ground, about the size of his head.
>His face grimaced as he decided that must be the john.
>He noted there wasn't even toilet paper.
>With a heavy sigh, he turned and sat on the bed, then worked his way into a laying position.
>One of his arms slowly lifted into the air, and he turned his hand about to observe it.
>Feeling was returning to his arms.
>He rolled over and stared off into the distance, focusing on nothing in particular, and allowing his mind to wander.
>The complete and absolute silence enveloped him like an unwelcome blanket.
>He closed his eyes, and attempted to awaken from what certainly had to be the most lucid dream he has ever had.
>Still here.
>He kept trying.
>Still here.

>After what felt like hours, the sound of a door opening in the distance yanked Anon from his stupor.
>He rolled over and jumped out of bed before rushing towards the bars again.
>This time he stopped inches from touching them, but attempted to get a view of who was coming as best he could.
>The first form he recognized as the blue horse that had imprisoned him in the first place.
>The form that walked along side her appeared to be larger.
>Another pegasus-unicorn thing, but this one was white.
>It almost looked like a normal horse, were it not for the wings and horn.
>Anon hadn't noticed before, but they also appeared to have some odd glyphs printed on their flanks.
>Just what the hell kind of horses were these?
>They reached his cell and turned to face him.
>Anon backed away from the bars, unsure of what to expect.
>The blue horse turned to her right and looked up at the larger horse.
>"You see, my sister? He is unlike anything I have seen. What do you make of this... Human?"
>The blue horse turned back to look at Anon with an unpleasant fire in her eyes.
>Anon backed up a little more.
>He was unsure why she already hated him so much.
>The white horse did not share her sister's hate.
>She was very hard to read. Her face was void of any notable expression.
>Her eyes narrowed as she studied Anon.
>"He is indeed a strange creature. However, were he a shapechanger of any variety, he would have reverted to his original form upon entering this cell."
>The blue horse snorted and retorted.
>"This does not mean he is telling us the truth, sister. It simply means we may have new enemies."
>Anon continued watching them discuss him in silence, unsure what to say.
>"Although he may very well be telling us the truth. Has this creature shown any aggression?"
>"No, I was able to restrain him rather easily."
>"Then what, other than the location you found him, has lead you to believe he's a threat?"

>The blue horse looked back over at her sister.
>"The location should be enough. As I explained, I found him in the forbidden hall, and none of the guards knew of his presence."
>The blue horse once again glared at Anon.
>"He is either a very powerful creature, or a very cunning one. I will not trust him simply because he 'may' be telling the truth."
>Anon stepped forward suddenly, fists clenched.
"Stop calling me creature, horse. I have a name. It's Anon. I told you that already."
>The blue horse stepped forward slightly and opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by the larger white one.
>"Anon, is it? Forgive me, I meant no disrespect."
>Both Anon and the blue horse glanced over at the white horse, equally surprised.
>Anon relaxed his stance.
"Well, thank you then."
>This white horse appeared to be more friendly than the blue one, and Anon thought it may be best to try to stay in her good graces.
>The white horse grinned.
>"So then, tell us Anon, how did you end up in this place?"
>Anon thought back.
>His memory was jumbled and fuzzy.
>He vaguely remembered a forest.
>Why was he in a forest?
>Crystals.
>Right, he had been exploring a crater left behind by a meteor that happened to hit a short distance from his home.
>He picked up a crystal and...
>And...
"I... I'm honestly not entirely sure. There was a forest, and then some strange looking crystals. I picked one up, and the next thing I can remember is laying on my back in that weird room."
>Anon moved closer to the bars and looked the white horse in the eyes.
"I swear that's all I know."
>The white horse stood there for a while, contemplating his story.
>The blue one stood idly by, waiting to hear how her sister would handle this.

>The white horse lifted her head slightly, but kept her eyes locked on Anon's.
>"I would like to believe you, Anon, but the fact remains you commited a grave crime. Whether you intended to or not, you entered a room that is forbidden to even our most trusted friends."
>Anon shook his head.
"But-"
>She continued speaking.
>"I will do my best to determine the validity of your story, but until such time, I can not allow you to leave this cell."
>The blue horse nodded, pleased to hear this response.
>"Thank you, sister."
>Anon attempted to protest again.
"Wait, you can't just leave me in this place. I need to get home! I don't belong here!"
>Desperation was leaking into his voice, along with panic.
"Please let me go. I won't come back, I swear!"
>The white horse bowed her head.
>"I am sorry, Anon, but my decision is final. I shall get started immediately."
>With that, the white horse turned and walked away from his cell, leaving behind her sister.
>Anon turned and met her eyes.
>Her eyes held a crude sort of joy in them, and she grinned to match.
>"Indeed, human, you shall sit here and contemplate your actions. I do not believe your rather vague and unlikely story, and I look forward to revealing the truth about your intentions."
>Anon frowned at her as she turned and trotted off towards her sister.
>Great.
>Fucking fantastic.
>Locked away for absolutely no reason.
>Anon desperately wanted to punch something, but everything within punching range would surely break his hand. Even the bed was merely a thin coushion spread over a solid surface.
>Instead, he began punching the air around him, unable to vocalize his rage without casting suspision on himself with the white horse, and frustrated he couldn't vent his rage at the blue horse.
>He was completely stuck.

>Anon began glancing quickly around his cell for any sort of exit.
>The gaps between the bars were far too small for him to squeeze through, not to mention the negative effect it would have if he tried.
>There were no windows whatsoever.
>He grimaced at the thought of forcing his way down into the john.
>He wasn't sure where it lead, and doubted he would even attempt to escape that way even if he could fit through the small hole.
>Defeated, he sank down onto his bed and covered his head with his arms.
>He remained in this position until the familiar sound of the distant door echoed throughout the room.
>It was, after all, the only sound that was ever heard in the empty dungeon.
>Anon rolled over so he could view the outside of his cell, but didn't bother standing up.
>The sound of hoofsteps gradually approached his cell.
>A rather displeased looking blue horse came into view, with a plate of food levitating in front of her.
>Anon and her locked eyes once again.
>She let out an exaggerated sigh before speaking.
>"As much as it displeases me, my sister has tasked me with bringing you your food. We decided it would be best to keep your existence a secret until we fully understand who and what you are, and obviously how much of a threat you are."
>With that, she slid the plate through the small gap under the cell door.
>Anon still wasn't sure how exactly she was able to move objects around without touching them, but her horn appeared to glow each time she did.
>It must have something to do with that.
>He shrugged off the thought at the site of his food.
>He was rather hungry, but the events that were taking place had largely distracted him from it.
>Without another word, the blue horse turned and left.
>Anon scoffed but didn't say anything.
>Suits him just fine. He'd prefer not to spend any more time with her than he had to.
>He sat up on his bed and leaned down to pick up his plate, eager to see its contents.

>It smelled just fine, but not for reasons he would have liked.
>The meal consisted of a generous portion of what appeared to be hay, a few small carrots, and some type of flowers.
>They can't honestly eat this crap.
>All at once, he seemed to fully realize they were horses, after all.
>Speaking to them had almost made him forget this fact.
>Well fuck.
>He picked the carrots off the plate, brushed the hay that clung to them away, and gently placed the plate back onto the floor.
>He then layed down on his back to stare at the ceiling as he ate his carrots.
>This just kept getting better and better.
>Many hours passed, and in that time Anon had began contemplating why he was here.
>Not so much the crystals, but why they had locked him away.
>A special room, so forbidden that even their own friends couldn't enter.
>So many guards for just one room.
>It must indeed be something important to them.
>As much as it pissed him off, he began seeing their side of the matter at hand.
>This was their home, and he was the outsider.
>Of course they're going to treat him suspiciously for intruding in such a place, even if he didn't mean to.
>They can't possibly know his true intentions.
>He sighed to himself, and soon afterwords, the door could be heard again.
>He closed his eyes.
>It's probably that blue horse again, coming to collect the plate and ensure him once more that he would rue the day he stepped foot into their sacred room.
>He looked up once more towards the cell door to see who it was.
>Indeed, it was the blue horse once again.

>The blue horse looked down at Anon, and then over at the plate on the ground, still full of most of its contents.
>She frowned.
>"Is our food not good enough for you, or is this an attempt to insult us?"
>Anon sat up and picked up the plate.
>He stood up and approached the bars, then looked down at the plate once more.
>"I just don't eat hay, or flowers. Not that you would know, since you never asked."
>He bent over and slid the plate out of the cell.
>He looked back up at the blue horse.
>Her gaze didn't leave his as she levitated the plate back up into the air near her.
>She rolled her eyes and began trotting away from the cell.
>Anon stepped inches away from the bars once more.
"Hey, wait."
>The blue horse continued her stride.
"I get why you may not like me, but..."
>She continued her trot towards the exit.
"Thank you for the food."
>Suddenly, the sound of her trotting ceased.
>Anon stood still, not sure what to expect.
>"You are welcome. Anon."
>With that, her steps resumed, and the door slammed shut.

>Anon retreated back over to his usual spot on the uncomfortable bed to continue staring at the ceiling.
>If this was what he had to put up with until they figured out what to do with him, he thought he might go insane.
>Complete isolation in this maddeningly quiet prison, with nothing to do but wait for his next meal?
>He cringed at the thought.
>Hopefully they would finish their investigation quickly.
>Images of the crystal popped into his mind, as well as the vapor that was left of it upon his arrival.
>Finding any sort of evidence was not likely.
>He sighed once more.
>In fact, it was impossible.
>Many hours passed with Anon simply staring at the ceiling, considering the situation.
>Considering the fact he won't be released anytime in the near, or even distant future.
>Considering they may not bring him better food.
>Considering they find it easier to simply let him die so the situation resolves itself.
>He shuddered at the thought.
>The white horse had seemed sincere enough, but that blue one...
>He wasn't sure what to think of her.
>Part of him hated her for being so cruel, but another part of him understood the circumstances.
>It made him sick to think about.
>His thoughts were interrupted once more by the door.
>He breathed a sigh of relief.
>Anything to break this solitude for a while was welcome.
>Even the blue horse.
>Anon rolled over on his bed and sat up, awaiting his visitor.
>He heard the lively clip-clop of hooves against the marble floor as whoever it was approached him.
>They almost sounded jolly.
>The faint sound of humming could be heard, getting louder as the visitor approached.
>This wasn't what he expected at all.
>Soon, a new figure stepped in front of his cell.
>Yet another horse, very similar to the other two he had met already, but she was slightly smaller than the blue one, and she appeared to be some shade of purple.
>Wings and a horn, as well.

>A multitude of objects hovered around her as her horn glowed.
>She turned and looked over at Anon, and every object gently came to rest on the ground around her.
>She sat down and what appeared to be a notepad and a quill floated up next to her head.
>She didn't say anything, but began scribbling notes onto the pad.
>Anon eyed her up and down.
"Uh..."
>She ceased her scribbling and looked directly at Anon.
>"Oh, uh, hi there! My name is Twilight Sparkle, and you must be Anon, correct?"
>She was awfully cheerful.
>Somehow that made Anon more nervous than he had been when the blue one had glared at him.
"Yeah. Twilight Sparkle?"
>"Yup, that's me."
>She went back to scribbling notes into her pad.
>"You seem to be more intelligent than Luna suggested. This is great!"
>He watched her lips move as she jotted down random notes and spoke quietly to herself.
>Every once in a while she would glance up and study him, then go back to her frantic writing.
>"Height, about... nhuh hm the... color... Okay, so tell me Anon, how exactly are you feeling right now?"
>Anon flinched at the random question.
>How does he feel?
>Like fucking shit, that's how he fucking feels.
"Not good."
>"I see. Can you be more specific? You're not injured, are you? What about hunger pains? Perhaps infections or diseases?"
>Anon shook his head.
"What the hell is this supposed to be?"
>Twilight scribbled a few more notes into her pad.
>"Apparently the subject is easily offended. Interesting."
"I'm what? Did you call me a subject?"
>Twilight glanced back up.
>"Oh, I don't mean to sound rude, it's simply the proper term. You see, you're the first species of, well, whatever you are that anypony has ever seen, so it's important that I document everything I can. It's so exciting!"
>Anon stood up and approached the bars.
"I'm not some lab rat."
>Twilight gasped.
>"No, I uh... I don't want to offend you. I just find you fascinating."
>Anon wasn't sure how he should feel about that comment.

>He never thought he was particularly interesting, but Twilight seemed absolutely enthralled by his every word.
>It seemed insulting and flattering all at once.
>Anon sat down in front of Twilight.
"And no, I don't have any injuries, or diseases, and I'm still pretty hungry."
>Twilight's eyes lit up.
>"Oooh, diet. What do you like to eat?"
>Anon grinned.
>Maybe this horse will actually bring him something good to eat when she's done with all of... Whatever this was supposed to be.
"Well, I like most vegetables and fruits."
>Twilight nodded and began her frantic scribbling.
"I don't mind milk, as long as I have some food to go with it. I also enjoy beef and fish, but dislike chicken and pork."
>Twilight ceased her scribbling for a moment, then continued.
>"An omnivore. Very interesting. You appeared to be an herbivore. Er, what exactly is 'beef?'"
>Anon shrugged.
"Steak? You know, like cows?"
>Twilight stopped writing once more and looked directly at Anon.
>"You... You 'eat' intelligent creatures?"
>He wasn't sure what to make of that question.
>Intelligent? No.
"What do you mean intelligent creatures? Are you talking about cows? Cuz they're not all that bright."
>The happiness seemed to drain from Twilight as she continued her notes.
>"That's, um..."
>She trailed off, her face twisted as she wrote.
>"Do you kill things often?"
>Anon's eyebrows raised.
"What?"
>"You know what? I think I have enough for now. I'm just gonna go."
>Twilight quickly stood up, and all of her objects lifted into the air with her.
>Anon stood up as well.
>She quickly turned and began trotting towards the exit.
>"Thank you for all of this information, Anon."
"Hey, I don't kill shit! You can't tell them that!"
>He heard her pace quicken and then the familiar echo of the door slamming was the only response he received.
>Fucking fantastic.

>Anon leaned against the bars.
>He was thoroughly screwed now.
>A strange sensation began coursing through his entire arm.
>He looked over and realized what was going on.
"Oh shit-"
>He yanked himself away from the bars, and his arm once again fell limp to his side.
"C'mon, I barely touched them!"
>He lifted a leg and gave the bars a hefty kick.
>A jolt shot through his leg and it went completely numb.
>It fell limp to the floor, and he quickly lost his balance.
>He began falling towards his now entirely numb side.
"Shit, shit, shi-"
>He landed harshly on the floor.
>Luckily he was completely numb on that side, so it didn't hurt nearly as bad as he expected.
>It was still very unpleasant.
>Moments later, the door opened once again.
>Anon rested his head against the floor and closed his eyes.
>He waited patiently for whoever it was this time.
>More questions.
>More answers.
>More waiting.
>The visitor stopped in front of his cell.
>His eyes remained closed.
>"Anon."
>Anon opened his eyes.
>That was the white horse.
>He struggled, but managed to get himself into a sitting position with his one working arm.
"I sure hope you found something, cuz I'm already sick of this place."
>He expected to see the same expressionless face as last time, but was instead greeted with one of anger.
>It threw him offguard for a moment.
>"What did you say to Princess Twilight? She was very distressed as she left my castle."
>Anon sighed.
>All of this questioning and being forced to explain every single action was getting old incredibly quickly.
"You know what? Why don't one of you actually stay with me for a while instead of only showing up to ask stupid questions. I've been in here for what, like a day? Maybe a day and a half? In that time, I've had close to 5 minutes of conversation before you guys rush off and ignore me."
>The white horse continued glaring at Anon.
"Oh, and I told her I was hungry."
>Anon let himself flop back down onto the floor.

>The white horse looked down, and then back up at Anon, who was clearly not interested in what she had to say.
>"Anon, I was up that entire time searching for ways to prove your story. Unfortunately, I found nothing."
>Anon already knew this was going to be the case.
>His eyes remained shut.
"I'm almost certain the crystal somehow brought me here, and it turned into vapor afterwords. You won't find anything."
>Anon opened his eyes and turned his head to look at the white horse.
"So what now? Am I going to stay here forever?"
>She looked down at the ground again and closed her eyes, carefully considering her words.
>When she was satisfied, she looked back at Anon.
>Once again, she wore that expressionless face.
>"I can not allow you to leave, as you may very well have been stopped just short of your goal.
>Anon looked away from her once more and closed his eyes.
>"I am very sorry, but the only evidence we have so far suggests you intended to steal our artifacts. I can not possibly allow you to have that opportunity, as it would put all of my subjects at risk. I wish you could understand."
"Just get out of here then, since you're obviously never going to believe me."
>He heard the horse sigh as she turned to leave.
>Anon opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling as his eyes filled with tears.
>A death sentence, then.
>The sound of the door slamming reverberrated through the prison.

>Anon flinched suddenly and opened his eyes.
>A puddle of drool covered the side of his face.
>He had fallen asleep on the floor.
>His stomach greeted him with pain.
>His climbed to his feet and wiped the drool from his face.
>A sleepy yawn escaped his mouth as he walked over to the hole in the gound, unzipped his fly, and relieved himself.
>Perfect aim.
>He wondered briefly if anyone ever struggled with aiming.
>Afterwords, he turned and flopped down onto the bed, eager to resume his ceiling staring.
>As he stared, he felt inspired to sing.
>Singing always put him in a better mood.
"You can't see, what's inside of me."
"Plain it be, formed in secrecy."
"Ask and receive, this locks key."
"Truths set me free."
>His feet tapped to the rhythm of the beat.
>He felt pretty good, considering the situation.
>Perhaps it was merely that he no longer cared.
>How he feels about it won't change the facts, so why bother?
>The door opened in the distance.
>Anon ignored it and continued his song.
"Hidden deep within, let us now begin."
"You hide your sin, the truth can not win."
>The familiar sound of hooves against marble approach his cage.
"Must destroy the key."
>The horse stops in front of his cage and listens to him.
"Return to secrecy."
>Anon didn't bother looking up at whoever might be there.
>"Is that a song?"
>It was the blue horse again.
"Yes, it's a song. I like music."
>The smell of food caught Anon's attention.
>He sat up to see the blue horse carrying a plate of steaming food.
>"I brought you some more food. I thought you might be hungry. Twilight was supposed to bring you something, but it seems she forgot."

>The blue horse slid the plate under the bars.
>Anon sat up and picked up the plate.
>Holy shit.
>Two whole fish, carrots and some sliced apples.
>Finally, something decent.
>Anon began devouring his spread.
>Bits of food fell around him, but he promptly picked them up and popped them into his mouth.
>About halfway through his second fish, he looked up and noticed the blue horse was still here.
>Why was she still here? She hates him.
>The blue horse noticed him staring at her as he sat still, holding a mostly devoured fish near his mouth.
>She decided perhaps she should break this odd tension.
>"I spoke to my sister, as well as Twilight. Twilight shared the specifics of your diet, to my displeasure."
>She looked away for a moment, then returned to look at Anon once more.
>A bit of food dropped from his lip as he remained motionless.
>"My sister suggested that you are most likely more dangerous than you're letting on."
>Anon rolled his eyes and continued eating.
>"However..."
>Anon didn't slow down.
>"I am no longer so sure."
>He dropped the rest of the fish from his mouth back onto the plate.
"You're wuh?"
>His mouth was full of food.
>"If you had truly intended to steal our artifacts, and were clever enough to avoid detection by even a single guard, why would you then stand completely still as I approached you? Why would you simply let me capture you? These thoughts have kept me awake."
>Anon's eyes lit up.
"Wait, are you saying..."
>The blue horse nods slowly.
>"I am... I am beginning to think we may be treating you unfairly. If you are indeed a victim of circumstance..."
>She studies Anon's eyes.
>He just keeps staring at her as his heart fills with hope.
>"I would... I want to help, I really do. If you are innocent, then we appear to be cruel. If you are guilty, than you're far more deceptive than I could fathom. We can not prove either one, which is the problem."
>Anon sinks back down into the bed.
>The blue horse looks away in sorrow.

>The blue horse continued speaking.
>"My name is Luna."
>Anon looked back up at her.
>She met his gaze.
>"You told us your name, and I realized we never told you ours. My sister is Celestia."
>Anon nodded.
"Luna and Celestia. I was content just calling you horse."
>Anon laughed slightly, but frowned again.
>Luna offered a weak smile.
>"Well, you may call me horse if you wish to be called human."
>This time, Anon grinned.
"So what are you, really?"
>"I am an alicorn. My sister and I rule this kingdom."
"Oh, so that's the reason for all the guards, and those crowns."
>Anon vaguely recalls a guard calling her 'your highness,' but he still just thought of her as a horse at the time.
>"And you, what are you, really?"
>Anon shrugged.
"Like I said, I'm a human."
>Luna frowned.
"I don't have any sort of powers, either. Speaking of which, how are you able to move things around without touching them?"
>Luna's horn lit up and the plate levitated from Anon's lap and slid back under the cell door, where Luna set it on the ground near her.
>"Have you truly never seen magic?"
>Anon scoffed unintentionally.
"Magic doesn't exist where I'm from."
>Luna blinked a few times, attempting to fathom a land with no magic.
>"No magic? How does your kind raise and lower the sun and moon?"
"How do we what? Are you crazy? The sun and moon rise and set on their own. That's not magic."
>Luna scratched her head.
>"My sister and I must raise and lower the sun and moon respectively."
>Anon propped up an eyebrow.
"You expect me to believe you guys can move the sun and moon? The sun is like, a trillion miles wide or something."
>Luna sat down.
>"What a strange land you must hail from, Anon."
"Actually, it isn't that much different from this one, as far as I can tell. Well, except where I'm from horses can't talk, and they don't have wings or horns."
>Before long, Luna found herself discussing their respective worlds at great length.
>This continued on into the night.

>After their rather lengthy discussion, Luna stood up, lifting the plate with her.
>"Well, Anon, this was rather... Interesting, to say the least."
>Anon stood up from the floor. He had moved to the floor to get closer to Luna during their conversation.
"You're leaving, then?"
>Luna nodded.
>"I shall return shortly. Worry not."
>Anon looked down and nodded.
>Luna began walking away.
"Thank you."
>She stopped and turned her head.
>"Thank you? For the food? It was not a problem."
>She turned again, but he responded before she continued her walk.
"No, thank you... For treating me like a person instead of a prisoner."
>Luna twitched and bowed her head for a moment, then lifted it and continued her walk.
>Anon returned to his bed and sat down.
>A grin spread across his face.
>Perhaps things might turn around after all.
>The door slammed closed in the distance, sending out that familiar and lonely echo.
>She would return shortly.
>Anon was sure of it.
>He laid down and stared at the ceiling once more.
>Time sure passed by slowly when you were isolated and had nothing to do.
>He didn't even feel like singing anymore.
>He simply waited.

>True to her word, Luna returned shortly.
>The sound of the door opening in the distance filled Anon with excitement.
>It still felt like forever.
>He sat up on the bed and waited.
>The sound of hoofsteps echoed through the prison until she reached his cell.
>Luna was levitating an object near her.
>"Here Anon, I thought you might enjoy this."
>She slid the object under the door.
>Anon bent over and picked it up.
>It was a book.
>A very large book.
>It also happened to be in English.
>Anon laughed to himself as he realized they had been speaking English this whole time, and even their written language was English. Truly the universal language.
>Luna tilted her head.
>"Do you find something amusing?"
>Anon waved his hand dismissively.
"No, just thought of something funny. What's this book about?"
>Luna grinned.
>"You shall have to read it to discover that for yourself."
>Anon shrugged.
>Reading anything would be a fantastic change of pace from his usual day.
"Sounds good to me. Thanks."
>Luna tapped her hoof on the floor.
>"I was also going to talk to my sister, to see if there is any way we can get you out of there."
>Anon jumped to his feet, nearly dropping the book in the process.
>"This is not a promise, mind you, but we shall see."
"Thank you. Thank you so fucking much."
>Luna blushed and turned to leave.
>Anon rushed over to the bars and pressed himself into them as hard as he could.
"Thank you!"
>The door slammed shut, and once again, Anon was all alone.
>An odd sensation filled his body.
>He felt numb all over.
>Before he could recall the magic in the bars, he was falling backwards towards the ground.
>His head slammed harshly against the marble, instantly giving him a throbbing headache.
>The book landed on his chest and bounced to the floor near him.
>He was unable to move any part of his body.
"For fucks sake, I fucking hate this magic so fucking much!"
>He had no choice but to lie there and wait for the effects to wear off.

>Anon occupied himself with thoughts of actually being released while he waited to regain his ability to move.
>He wondered what sorts of strange sights awaited him.
>From what Luna had described, it seemed as though this were some sort of fantasy world.
>Dragons, manticores, cockatrice, minotaurs, and of course unicorns and pegasi.
>Anon had grown up with such idle fantasies through most of his life, but over time the wonder seemed to have left him.
>What a strange turn of events that he should find himself in such a world after those ideas had left him completely.
>He attempted to lift his arms, to no avail.
>His thoughts then turned to Luna herself.
>It was merely a couple days ago when he and she were supposed enemies, and now she seems to be his only friend in this new place.
>Anon laughed to himself.
>Friends with a talking horse.
>Excuse me, a talking horse princess.
>He imagined himself doing a mocking bow.
>At least she appeared to have a sense of humor in the end.
>He turned and looked at the book laying nearby.
>He wondered what it might be.
>It looked like a dictionary or encyclopedia, to be honest.
>It better not be.
>Once again, he attempted to lift his arms.
>They twitched, and raised slightly off the ground.
>Not much longer now.
>He began thinking of the other two horses he had met.
>Celestia was difficult to understand.
>He originally thought she had all of the best intentions for him, but now he wasn't so sure.
>Twilight Sparkle was an odd one, to put it lightly.
>What were all those extra objects she had brought with her?
>He was somewhat glad he scared her off before he found out.
>It was most likely something he wouldn't have enjoyed, especially since he already didn't enjoy her simple questionnaire.

>Anon continued staring at the ceiling and allowed his mind to go blank for a while.
>It's not as though he was in a hurry to do anything, anyway.
>After what he sensed was an appropriate amount of time, he decided to attempt to move once more.
>Indeed, he had fully recovered.
>He sat up, leaned over to grab the book, then stood up to go sit on the bed.
"Alright Luna, what did you get for me?"
>Anon muttered to himself as he examined the intricate design of the cover.
>It had some marvelous raised patterns that seemed to tie together in impossible ways.
>He imagined magic had assisted in its creation.
>Without further delay, he opened to the title page.
"Scarlet Hold: Hunted in Darkness."
>Anon shook his head with a crooked, partial smile.
>He turned a few more pages to get to the first chapter, where he found a small parchment wedged into the book.
>He pulled it out and unfolded it.
"For someone who forgot how to dream. I hope you enjoy it."
>Anon let out a quick, singular laugh as a large grin spread across his face.
>Apparently she wanted him to remember what it was like to indulge in fantasies.
>Anon folded up the paper and set it to the side before beginning the book.
>He found himself changing positions on his bed quite often, attempting to get comfortable so he could continue reading.
>Only a quarter of the way through the book and he was already greatly impressed by the story.
>It offered many twists he didn't see coming, creatures he had personally been fascinated with since he was young, as well as very memorable characters.
>How he had missed these feelings.

>He would have been content to simply keep reading, but the sound of the door opening in the distance interrupted him.
>He placed the parchment of paper into the folds of the book as a bookmark and closed it.
>As the visitor approached, he stood up and placed the book on his bed before walking to the cell door.
>Luna must be back to tell him how her conversation went.
>A grin spread across his face as he imagined being released soon.
>A grin that quickly faded as a familiar purple horse entered his view instead.
>She had far less objects with her this time, at least.
>Anon slumped down to the floor in front of the door and sighed.
>Twilight sat down as well.
>She looked rather nervous, and glanced away a few times before finally speaking.
>She attempted to sound cheerful.
>"Uh, hi again, Anon! I hope you're not... Too disappointed to see me again."
>She began tapping her forehooves together.
"Well, I was sort of hoping you were Luna, but..."
>"She's got to be asleep by now. It's the middle of the day."
>It was impossible for Anon to keep track of time in his prison cell.
>There were literally no inticators available besides his own internal clock, and that was bound to be thoroughly messed up by now.
>He squinted at her as though she should have known all of that, but didn't say anything.
>She noticed Anon's rather condencending expression and flinched as though the realization dawned on her all at once.
>"Oh, right. Sorry. I'm not used to talking to prisoners. We haven't had any in ages, in fact."
>She cringed and sheepishly looked down at the floor.
>"N-not that I think you're just some prisoner. It's just the proper term-"
>Anon holds up a hand, cutting off her sentence.
"Don't. It's fine. So, what did you want?"
>He placed an elbow on his leg and rested his head on his hand.
>It was bound to be more questions.
>"I know I sort of... Well..."
"Ran away?"

>Twilight nodded and looked back at Anon.
>"Things didn't go as I expected. It was supposed to be a basic analysis followed by the short questionaire, assuming you were a sentient species. I just didn't expect to hear that you... And, well, I should have behaved more professionally. So I'm sorry."
>Anon lifted his head from his hand to give Twilight his full attention.
>She responded by looking away.
"Look, I don't eat intelligent creatures, alright?"
>"I didn't mean to offend you. What you do is your own business. I'm supposed to remain impartial, but I allowed my feelings to-"
"Hey, did you hear me?"
>Twilight snapped out of her frantic apology and returned her gaze to Anon.
>"What?"
"If you'd just listen for a minute I'd explain. I'm not from here, alright? Where I'm from, cows are less intelligent than dogs."
>Twilight nervously tapped her forehooves together once more.
>"Dogs are actually fairly intelligent..."
>Anon planted his face in his palm, trying his best not to get angry at this frustrating conversation.
>After the thought for a moment, he held his hand out in front of him.
"Okay, how about this. Where I'm from, humans are the only species that can talk."
>Twilight's ear twitched and she raised an eyebrow.
>"Wait, you're the only sentient species in your world?"
"Yes."
>Suddenly, that old notebook and quill are levitating near Twilight once more as she frantically scribbles more notes.
>"That's very... Unlikely. I can't imagine a world with only one dominant species. It's no wonder your kind eats- Well, you know."
"I don't have to eat cows, damnit. You asked what I liked to eat, I just answered you. If I knew you'd make a huge deal of it I'd have said I eat leaves and bugs."
>Twilight grinned and began opening her mouth to say something, but Anon interrupted her.
"No, don't tell me that bugs are fucking sentient here."

>When Anon finished speaking, Twilight continued.
>"I was just going to remark on the fact that many omnivores enjoy a diet of bugs. It's interesting that a species as large and intelligent as yours indulges on such things, however."
>For fucks sake.
"I don't eat bugs. That was sarcasm."
>The quill makes a few quick strides from left to right across her notepad.
>Did she really write that shit down?
>"Oh, I see. I wasn't aware your species enjoyed jokes. I'll keep that in mind."
>He would honestly love to see her idea of a joke.
>So far she just came across as extremely dry and logical, like some sort of machine.
>In fact, exactly like a machine collecting data.
>Perhaps he could speed up this unpleasant process.
"I eat fruits, vegetables, dairy products and fish. I enjoy swimming and hiking. I have no magical powers or special abilities. I've been known to tell jokes. I like the company of others sometimes, but am content to spend my time alone, which is why I lived on the outskirts of my town on a decent plot of land. I don't-"
>Twilight nodded as she noted everything he was saying.
>As she nodded, she looked up and noticed the book lying on Anon's bed.
>Her eyes lit up and she shouted with glee, effectively cutting off Anon's cut-and-dry description of himself.
>"Is that what I think it is?"
>She lept to her hooves as she levitated the book from the bed over to the cell door.
>With a quick glance of the cover, she giggled to herself.
>"It is! I didn't know you enjoyed reading! The Scarlet Hold series is one of my favorites! This is the first book, isn't it? What's your favorite part?"
>Anon scratched his head.
"Well, actually, I-"
>"Oh, I bet it's when they find the sacred lost artifact of U'rix beneath the caverns of- Oh, wait, no, I'm sure it's when they reveal the Hold is actually-"
"Hey! Stop with the fucking spoilers, I haven't read it yet."
>Anon was somewhat surprised to find he actually cared.
>This never really bothered him before.

>The book fell to the ground with a loud thud as Twilight ceased her rambling.
>"Sorry, sorry. It's just I like books, so when I thought maybe you liked books I may have gotten a little carried away."
>She laughed nervously.
>Anon recovered the book from the floor and held it firmly under his arm.
"Are you always like this?"
>Twilight stopped laughing and looked inquisitively at Anon.
>"Like what?"
>He wasn't sure how to explain it to her without sounding like an asshole.
"You're like, lost in your own world, or something."
>Twilight nods, much to his surprise.
>"Well, I admit I do sometimes overreact to things... Uh, hold on."
>She once again began scribbling notes onto her pad.
>A part of Anon wanted to ask her exactly what she was writing about him.
>A wiser part of him ensured he didn't say anything at all.
>"Just catching up on my research. I'm learning a lot about humans from you."
>Anon pondered how she considered her two brief visits as 'a lot.'
>Again, his better half thought it best not to ask.
"I hope so. You certainly seem enthralled by it."
>"Yes, research is one of my favorite hobbies."
>Research? Hobby?
>Suddenly her strange behavior was beginning to make more sense.
>Anon realized that he had been doing a little mental research of his own during his talks with everyone.
>Not anywhere near her obsessive level, but it was somewhat understandable.
>Anon had been enthralled himself when he discussed their world with Luna.
>However, the human world just seemed... Lacking.
>Strange.
>Why would he think of his own world as lacking?
>It may not have had the variety that this world supposedly has, but it still had it's perks.
>Right?
>Anon's thoughts about home were interrupted by Twilight once more.
>"Would you mind holding still? This won't hurt much."
"Huh? What wo-"
>Suddenly he felt a small pain in his arm.
>He looked down to see a small vial fill with blood, and then retract away from him.

>The vial hovered under the cell door and into a pouch near Twilight.
>"There, easy right?"
>Anon just stared at her, dumbstruck.
>Twilight looked up from her pouch back at Anon.
>His expression made her uneasy.
>"Uh, it didn't hurt, did it?"
>Without thinking it through, she quickly picked up her notepad and quill once more and began writing.
>"Are humans sensitive to pain? If you are, I'm sorry because I didn't know. I-"
"Are you serious?"
>"It's the reason I'm doing all of this research. We don't know anything at all about you so I'm just trying to get-"
"Are you fucking serious?"
>This time, Twilight stops talking and tilts her head.
"Am I just a project to you or what? Why the hell are you here?"
>Twilight shifted nervously.
>"Well, like I already said, I'm trying to learn more about your species. We don't have-"
"You know what? You're done for today, alright? Why don't you take your shit and leave me in peace."
>Her eyes watered slightly, but Anon didn't notice, as he was too busy turning and heading towards his bed, eager to ignore her.
>Twilight opened her mouth a few times to say something, but instead she just picked up her things and trotted away.
>Anon folded his arms and layed still on the bed, trying his best to get a hold of his rage.
>Who the fuck does she think she is?
>The door slamming shut in the distance sent out a familiar echo.
>This time, Anon was mostly glad to hear it.

>Anon layed there for a while, attempting to avoid thinking about Twilight again.
>All it seemed to do was piss him off.
>When he finally managed to collect his thoughts, he began to wonder if-
>The sound of the door opening once again in the distance broke his train of thought.
>Oh God damn it.
>He cringed as he waited for whoever it was to arrive at his cell.
>It was bound to be more bad news.
>Good news, then bad news, then more good news which was quickly crushed by more bad news.
>It was beginning to get to him in a bad way.
>He certainly wasn't prepared to deal with more bad news.
>"Anon."
>It was that damn white horse again.
"Celestia."
>Anon said bluntly without turning to look at her from his bed.
>"Anon, please look at me when I'm speaking to you."
>Begrudgingly, Anon turned in his bed to look at her.
"What is it this time? Did Twilight tell you that I got pissed off that she took some of my blood- without asking, by the way, and acted like it was nothing?"
>Celestia glared at him, though his own anger negated its effects.
>What more could she fucking do to him?
>"Twilight wanted to apologize for the way she has been treating you."
>Anon rolled his eyes.
>"Yeah, she does that a lot, but then she keeps doing it."
>"You don't seem to understand what you mean to her."
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I understand. I'm a fascinating experiment."
>Celestia thought a moment to decide how best to handle the situation.
>"You're more than that. I've read over her notes. You say your species is the only sentient creature in your world? Tell me, how would your kind react to a brand new sentient creature showing up on your doorstep?"
>Anon was less prepared to handle her rebuttal than he thought.
>Humans would go fucking apeshit over a new sentient creature.
>It'd probably be treated exactly like he was being treated.
>That idea didn't help in the least.
>In fact, that only pissed him off more.

"So you're saying it's alright to do whatever you wish with me?"
>"I'm saying Twilight has good intentions, although in this case she may not be handling it as well as she could be."
"Oh, well as long as she has good intentions, by all means. How about I just save you guys some time and slice myself open for ya?"
>Celestia stomps her hoof and a deafening echo reverberates through the prison.
>The sudden sound jolts Anon out of his bed and he falls to the floor.
>"You would do well to watch how you address me, Anon. You may be frustrated, but you don't seem to fully grasp how lucky you are."
>Anon desperately wanted to protest that comment, but something about her new stance made him think twice.
>Not even his own anger at the situation matched this.
>"The 'only' reason you are still here is because you are, in fact, a brand new species. Whether you accept this fact or not, it's the reason you were not banished from Equestria when we could find no evidence to prove your story."
>Anon clenched his fists, but remained on the floor.
>He propped himself up on one elbow.
"So banish me already. It'd be better than being trapped here like some animal."
>"I don't know enough about you to know how great of a threat you may be. I can't possibly release you onto another population and potentially put them in danger."
>Celestia's voice went solemn for a moment.
>"And the alternative would be far worse."
"If I was such a damn threat I wouldn't be in here in the first place. Do I really look that strong to you? You're a damn horse. You could probably kick my ribcage in. Oh, and you have magic, which as far as I know could turn me inside out."
>"One doesn't need to weild great power to cause great harm."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
>"It means you will stay there in the safe confines of this cell as my reluctant guest until I can determine exactly how dangerous you are."

>Anon stood up.
"I wasn't fucking dangerous when I got here, but I'm sure beginning to wish I were."
>Celestia returned to a neutral stance.
>"I'm sorry you feel this way, but it's how I feel the situation should be handled."
>Anon continued glaring at Celestia.
>As much as he wanted to try something, he was sure it would be an incredibly stupid idea.
>It was frustrating beyond belief to be this helpless.
>"Your rage only serves to steel my resolve on the matter. I will leave you to your thoughts. Good day, Anon."
>With that, she turns and walks away, leaving Anon standing there with all of his useless rage bundled up inside of him.
>He turns to pick up the nearest object to fling it.
>Before he lets go, he realizes it's the book Luna had given him.
>He stops his swing as quickly as he could and looks down at the book.
>His grip on it tightens.
>Luna.
>He sighed and sat harshly on the bed.
>Whether she realized it or not, she was the only reason Anon would continue behaving.
>Fuck those other two.
>With these thoughts, Anon allowed himself to lay down.
>He hugged the book to his chest.
>Despite his anger, sleep seemed to grip him rather quickly.

>His sleep didn't last long, however.
>Anon found himself being awoken by the sudden noise of the distant door.
>He rubbed his eyes.
>What the fuck could they want now?
>He swore to himself it was that purple horse he was going to lose his shit.
>He spun around and sat up on the bed and began rubbing his face with his hands.
>"Anon."
>He ceased his face rubbing and moved his hands to either side of his head.
"Luna. Thank fucking God."
>He stood up to go greet here near his cell door.
>"Anon, I spoke to my sister..."
>Oh shit, here comes that bad news.
>His heart sank instantly.
>"She told me it would be best for everyone if you remained here for now."
>Anon nodded.
"Of course she did."
>Anon spoke with a dry tone.
>Luna glanced around.
>"I, however, do not feel the same way, and therefore..."
>Her horn glowed for a moment and the cell door swung open.
>Anon stood still and his jaw fell open.
>Luna tapped her hoof on the floor.
>"Well, are you going to stay there or not?"
>Anon backed away from the door.
>No way was it that easy.
"Is this some kind of trick?"
>Luna shook her head.
>"I simply feel as though there is indeed more to you than you let on, but not in the same way as the others."
>Anon glanced around, half expecting guards and Celestia to come bursting in at any moment.
"So, what, you're just going to ignore your sister?"
>Luna rolled her eyes.
>"I am not ignoring her. I am simply disagreeing with her. Am I wrong to do so, Anon?"
>Anon shook his head and proceeded to exit the cell.
>Once out, he turned to look back inside.
>He hadn't spent much time inside, but it sure felt like forever.
>He then turned to face Luna, who was standing there waiting for Anon's mind to catch up.
>Without thinking, he threw his arms around Luna, embracing her in a desperate hug.
"Thank you."
>Luna jumped slightly as his sudden movement, but relaxed and returned his hug with one of her forelegs.
>There seemed to be a slight pain in her voice.
>"It is alright, Anon."

>Anon hugged her tighter as she spoke.
>It felt incredibly good to have real contact with someone again.
>As much as he wanted to continue hugging her, he could feel her wriggling around slightly under his grip.
>This was probably making her feel very uncomfortable.
>Anon pulled away from her and met her gaze.
>He nodded at her.
"Thank you, really."
>She blushed, but began trotting towards the door.
>Anon quickly followed.
>It felt strange to see it again after only being able to hear it for so long.
>They reached the door in no time, and she wasted no time opening it.
>Outside the door, two guards stood at attention for Luna.
>Anon stepped out of the door behind her, which caught their attention rather quickly.
>"Princess, the prisoner!"
>Luna nodded.
>"I am well aware he is free."
>The other guard spoke up.
>"Princess Celestia ordered us to ensure that-"
>"My sister rules the day, sir, and as you can see it is clearly night. Night is my domain, and I am giving you new orders to stand down."
>The guards glance at each other with unsure expressions.
>"Y-yes, your highness. Of course."
>With the situation handled, Luna continued her stride.
>Anon followed behind her, but turned to the guards to offer a small bow as he passed.
>They merely glared at him in response.
"So where are we going?"
>"You will share my chambers for the time being, until we can figure out a more permanent arrangement."
>If it wasn't a horse making that statement, Anon would probably have had a shit-eating grin on his face.
>Hell, he had one anyway.
"Sounds fine to me. Anything beats that cell."
>It felt largely the same as before, traversing these large halls, rooms and stairways.
>It was a wonder anyone could find their way around this place.

>After countless bends and turns, Anon and Luna finally find themselves at the top of a large stairway.
>"Here we are, Anon."
>Luna's horn glows that gentle shade of blue and the large, decorative door gently creaks open.
>Anon walks behind Luna as she enters her room.
>To say it was a room fit for a princess would be an understatement.
>Anon stepped through the doorway and stopped so he could take it all in.
"What the hell..."
>All along the walls, there draped light blue fabrics, each with a unique design emblazoned on it in a brilliant golden color.
>Each piece of furnature appeared to be carefully and expertly crafted with great care given to minor details.
>The designs on them, upon closer inspection, each had even more designs inside of them.
>It was incredible.
>Anon then noticed the bed.
>The glorious bed.
>It had to be the size of about 6 of the prison cells.
>It also appeared to be as soft as a cloud.
>He wanted to run and belly flop onto her bed so badly, but he resisted the urge.
>Mostly due to her interrupting his dumbstruck awe at her bedroom.
>"Anon, come and see this."
>Luna was standing near a set of giant glass doors.
>Beyond them, Anon could see the night sky.
>He quickly walked over to her as she headed out onto the balcony to wait for him.
>He walked outside and looked up at the sky.
>It was a perfectly clear night, and the full moon glowed with a brilliant light that nearly betrayed its aspect.
"Wow..."
>Luna watched Anon as he continued gazing at the moon.
>His fascination made her feel good.
>"Watch this."
>Luna stood up sraight, arched her head back and closed her eyes.
>Anon noticed her horn began to glow, and as it did, the moon moved through the sky.
>He fell down on his ass.
"No. Fucking. Way."

>Luna moved the moon back to its original position before opening her eyes and looking down at Anon with a satisfied grin on her face.
>"I believe you said that was 'impossible,' did you not?"
>Anon's mind seemed to have shortcircuited for a moment, as he had no smartass reply on hand.
"I said it was impossible in my world."
>"Welcome to our world, Anon."
>Our world.
>The phrasing made him think of his own world, and whether or not he'd even see it again.
>He was rather detached from his world, but he still missed it.
>He wondered if time worked the same way in both worlds.
>If it did, surely his friends were getting worried by now.
>They made plans to go out later that day...
>The day the meteor fell.
>The day he explored the crater because of his stupid curiousity.
>Anon didn't realize he hadn't replied to Luna, and she observed as his expression changed from awe to sorrow.
>"Did I say something to which you took offense?"
>Anon snapped out of his depressing haze.
"Huh? Oh, no, it's not you. Just thinking about home."
>He gazed up at the sky.
"I wonder if it's out there somewhere."
>She turned and looked up at the sky with him.
>"Where, among the stars?"
>Anon nodded.
"Among the stars."

>Anon crossed his arms in front of his chest and just sat there.
>His gaze shifted down towards the floor.
>Luna offered a polite grin.
>"Let us go for a walk."
>Anon stood up and looked up her.
>Her grin comforted him somewhat, and he grinned a little himself.
"Sure."
>They turned and headed back through the maze that was the castle interior until they came to a rather magnificent courtyard.
>They walked slowly, side by side, heading no where in particular.
>Just walking.
"You know..."
>Luna looked over at Anon, relieved he finally broke the silence.
>He had said nothing up to this point.
>Anon kept his gaze to the ground.
"I nearly gave up in there."
>She looked at him inquisitely.
>"Gave up?"
>Anon nodded.
"I get that from all of you guys' perspective, I was some sort of intruder."
>She looked down at the ground now as well.
"Celestia still treats me like nothing more than that."
>Anon kicks a small pebble in his path and watches it skip off into the distance.
"Twilight treats me like nothing more than a member of some fascinating species in need of studying."
>Anon stops walking.
>Luna notices and stops as well.
>For a while, they simply stand still and look at each other.
"But you were the only one to treat me like a person. I thanked you for that before, but I just wanted you to know that it was the reason i held on to hope in my cell."
>Luna's eyes watered slightly.
"So thank you, for everything you've done for me."
>She looked down in sorrow.
>Anon thought it might be tears of someone who felt his pain.
>"I am sorry. Truly."
"You don't need to be s-"
>"Yes, I do. I want you to know that everything I have done, I have done in order to help you."
>Anon was confused.
>That much was obvious to him already.
"Why are you saying that like I don't already know?"
>She looked back up at him and let out a sigh.
>"Know that I will be back for you."
"You'll what?"
>"I am sorry."
>Tears ran down her cheeks and dripped from her chin.

>Anon noticed movement out of the corner of his eye.
>His eyes widened in disbelief.
>The castle was apparently dissolving right before him.
>He quickly turned back to Luna, who was still staring at Anon with tears streaming down her face.
>The world melted around them.
>Luna then looked up towards the sky and began flying upwards.
>Anon reached out for her, but his movement was slow and difficult, like moving through water.
"Luna!"
>Anon sat up and looked around.
>No...
>No, no this can't be right.
>He was back in his cell.
>A loud thud caught his attention, and he looked down to see the book he had been holding resting on the floor.
>It felt so real, was it truly just a dream?
>A trick?
>Luna had tricked him?
>She seemed so saddened by it, though.
>Rage pulsated through his entire body, mixed with a crushing sorrow.
>He was extremely confused and unsure what he should think.
>It was making him sick.
>He rolled onto the floor and worked his way over to the hole in the ground, where he sat and dry heaved a few times.
>His body had nothing to give.
>When his body calmed down a bit, he allowed himself to roll over on his back.
>He grasped his face with his hands and began sobbing.

>Her words echoed through his mind as he laid there on the floor.
>'I did this to help you.'
>Help what? Build up his hope higher than ever just to tear it down once more?
>'I did this to help you.'
>He could still see her face clearly in his mind, covered with tears.
>He let out a pained and frustrated moan.
>As much as he wanted to believe she was telling the truth, he wasn't sure what he could believe anymore.
>Celestia promised she would do what she could to get him released, then turned around and told him it wasn't going to happen.
>Twilight never really betrayed him, but she still treated him as though his life had no purpose.
>Luna had treated him like a criminal for a while, but then seemed to turn around and treat him as though he were innocent, but then betrayed him like a criminal once more.
>Didn't she?
"Luna, why?"
>The door could be heard swinging open in the distance, and was followed by the sound of galloping hoofsteps.
>The pace slowed as it came closer to Anon's cell.
>Shortly after, Luna peaked her head around the corner of the cell door.
>She saw Anon laying on the floor.
>He looked up at her with swolen, bloodshot eyes, but didn't move.
>Upon seeing him, she instantly teared up once more.
>"I am sorry Anon, but I had to be sure."
>Anon sniffed and nodded.
"I know, your sister-"
>"It was my idea."
>Anon gave her a confused look with a hint of disbelief.
>"We needed a way to see what your true intentions were without risking the safety of anypony."
>Luna looked down.
>"It may hurt now, but it was the only way, I assure you."
>She looked back up and a tear escaped one of her eyes as she offered a weak grin.
>"However, this time I am truly here, and you are truly free."
>Her horn glowed and the cell opened once more.
>Anon continued staring at her and remained motionless.
"Why should I believe you?"
>He wiped his face with his shirt.

>Luna's horn glowed for a moment, and then ceased shortly afterwards.
>Anon suddenly found his body wrenching forward.
>The book had landed squarely on his stomach.
>He looked up at Luna, who shrugged lightly.
>"Twilight informed me that you enjoyed jokes..."
>It hurt.
>It hurt, and that was good enough for him.
>Anon chuckled slightly and stood up with the book.
"I said sometimes..."
>He commented as he walked weakly towards her.
>As they walked towards the exit of the prison once more, Anon began feeling better.
>He looked down at Luna, then reached out and rubbed his hand through one of her wings.
>She looked at him in confusion.
"Just wanted to see what they felt like. You stopped me last time, remember?"
>Luna grinned and quickly stretched out her wing, which knocked Anon off balance and into some prison bars.
>He instinctively lept away from them as quickly as possible, nearly dropping the book in the process.
>He was fully expecting the negative effects he knew all to well to wash over his body.
>He stood still and cringed, but he felt fine.
>"They only work from the inside."
>Luna chuckled as she continued walking.
"Of course they do."
>Anon turned and followed her once more.
"So where to this time? Your bedroom again?"
>He said so jokingly, of course.
>"I had some guards prepare the royal guest room for you."
"Oh. Well, alright."
>"However, if you are not tired, there are still a few hours left before the sun is due to rise."
>Anon really wanted to hang out with Luna for a bit.
"Sounds good to me."
>She smiled at his reply.
>"Then let us take another walk together."

>Anon quickened his pace until he was next to Luna again.
"I, uh..."
>She turned to look at him.
>He looked down at her and shrugged.
"I don't suppose we could walk to the kitchen?"
>She smirked.
>"I should have known you would be hungry. I shall notify our chef."
"Well, I kind of like cooking my own food."
>Luna shot him a genuinly surprised look.
>"You can cook?"
"I lived alone, remember? Of course I can cook."
>She seemed to be impressed by this, much to his pleasure.
>He really hadn't had much of an opportunity to show off his abilities since he arrived.
>Among them, cooking was certainly one of his favorites.
>Not to mention he was hungry as hell.
>Twists and turns, down a multitude of corridores, and they finally found themselves in the royal kitchen.
>It was just as impressive as the rest of the castle.
>Anon looked over at Luna, and she tilted her head in, signifying her approval of him exploring.
>He wasted no time in doing so, observing every nook and cranny to see what was available to use.
>The only thing on his mind was more fish.
>They didn't seem to have a royal fridge.
>Anon rolled his eyes.
>They don't have electricity, why would they have a damn fridge?
>He soon found himself standing before a grand cupboard, which he quickly flung open.
"What the... Fuck?"
>There was an impossible number of glass containers, each labeled with a different spice name.
>Luna had been following close behind Anon in his frantic search for the actual food, but he hadn't noticed.
>She tilted her head from behind him.
>"Is something wrong?"
>He shook his head.
"I have, like, five spices in my cupboard. I have no idea what any of this shit is."
>They appeared to be arranged alphabetically, at least.
>He grabbed a few basics and closed the cupboard.
"So, uh, where's the food?"
>Luna grinned and lifted a hoof towards a nearby door.
>Anon walked over to it and entered.

>A wave of cold are greeted him as thick fog flowed by his feet.
>It was almost as if the whole room was built on a cloud.
>The assortment was as impressive as he had come to expect, although still slightly overwhelming to behold.
>After some excited exploration, Anon left the chilly room with a various assortment of foodstuffs being carefully balanced on the large tome.
>After he kicked the door shut, he began preparing their feast.
>Luna waited for him patiently, standing a short distance back as to simply observe his work.
>Finally, with a wipe of his brow, Anon lookd over his handiwork and grinned.
>He was so fucking hungry, and this would work perfectly.
>He picked up the two overflowing plates and carried them over to Luna.
"Where to now?"
>Luna chuckled at the generous amounts of food spilling from the plates.
>"The dining hall is just through those doors."
>Anon held out one of the plates towards Luna.
"Here, this ones yours."
>"I see. Thank you, Anon."
>She didn't observe its contents, but instead politely accepted it by levitating it near her.
>Together, they walked to the dining hall.
>Anon had to fight the urge to run there.
>Through the doors was yet another massive room, absolutely decorated to the brim.
>From the magnitude of the table itself, it was obvious that this room had been created for the purpose of housing large events.
>He wondered briefly who they got to design this entire place.
>Surely it couldn't have been the work of one individual, or even a small team.
>He abandoned his thoughts when they reached the table.
>Anon wasted no time in setting down his plate on the first corner he came in contact with and began digging in with a vengeance.
>Luna was a bit more restrained and sat perpendicular to Anon, gently setting down her plate before taking her seat.

>Once seated, she watched as he sloppily devoured his food, seemingly oblivious to the outside world.
>It was oddly mesmerizing.
>When his food was about half gone, he finally broke out of his food-wrought stupor and realized she was staring at him.
>He swallowed the food in his mouth and sat straight up.
"What?"
>"Huh? Nothing."
"I was fucking hungry, alright?"
>"I did not say anything."
"Yeah, well, your expression did."
>His eyes drifted down to her own plate he had prepared for her.
>He never really cooked for a, well, a horse before, but he did what he could with his limited knowledge of their kind.
"Aren't you gonna eat?"
>Luna looked down at her plate.
>It seemed decent enough, but she wasn't hungry at the moment.
>"Actually, I think I shall wait a while longer."
>He shrugged and began eating his own food once more, although much more slowly.
"So, Celestia said it would be alright to release me, then?"
>She twitched slightly at the question.
>"Not... Exactly."
>He looked up from his food to give her his attention.
>"I have yet to inform her of what has transpired."
>All at once, Anon lost his appetite.
>Luna noticed his increasingly worried expression.
>"Do not be afraid. I will not let her lock you in prison again."
>Somehow he wasn't so sure she could fully deliver on that promise.
>"If she insists, then I shall not let you be locked in there alone."
>That, however, she could deliver on without question.

>Anon let out a sigh of relief, but still didn't feel like finishing the remains of his mutilated meal.
"Um... Thanks."
>She simply smiled.
>He looked away for a moment, contemplating whether or not he should proceed with his question, before looking back at her.
"I have to ask though. Why are you so willing to trust me? You just met me."
>Her ears drooped slightly.
>She looked down, as if she didn't want to say.
>"I did not find the way we treated you to be fair... You did nothing to make me believe you were telling anything short of the truth. When we first met, you were confused, surprised... Afraid."
>He flinched slightly as he realized he must have seemed pretty pathetic.
>His pride felt a little sore.
>She returned her gaze to him.
>"Despite all of this, I wanted to believe you were the monster I was creating in my mind. It was after you... You thanked me, that I realized exactly how I was behaving."
>He simply stared at her, waiting for her to continue her story.
>She looked down and nodded to herself for a moment before returning to his gaze.
>"I, too, have been received in a similar fashion. I insisted they had no reason to fear me, but it was for naught. They refused to listen. They saw me as a monster, and nothing I could say would change this."
>Her eyes watered slightly, but she ignored it and continued regardless.
>"However, there was one who did believe me. She fought for me, despite the fact I had given up myself. In the end, all it took was one pony to bring everyone else around."
>She blinked and a tear rolled down her cheek.
>"I thought that, perhaps, I could be that pony for you."

>Anon wasn't sure how to respond, so he simply nodded in appreciation.
>When they had spoken at length the other day, their conversation had mainly stuck to matters involving the world itself.
>They hadn't gone into many details on their own personal lives.
>It was interesting for him to hear that she had ever had a rough patch in her life.
>He simply assumed they had always been treated like royalty.
>Luna stared at him in silence, awaiting his response.
>Anon coughed in an attempt to dispel the awkward moment that seemed to be suspended in time.
"Uh, well... I, uh..."
>He ceased his stammering with grin.
"Thanks."
>She nodded in response.
>"It is the least I can do."
>Anon looked down at his plate, then pushed it away from himself.
"So, uh, who was this pony that stood up for you?"
>She chuckled slightly, knowing he might not like the answer.
>"It was someone you are familiar with already."
>What, her sister?
>It did seem kind of obvious, and he now felt stupid for even asking.
>"Twilight Sparkle."
>Anon cringed at the mention of her name.
>If he hadn't already lost his appetite, that would have done it for sure.
>"I understand you two have not exactly seen eye to eye."
>Seen eye to eye?
>She was batshit crazy.
"She may have treated you like you weren't a monster, but let's just say that's not how she sees me."
>"I have known her for quite some time, and in that time, I have learned that she always has the best intentions for everyone around her... Even if she sometimes displays it poorly."
>Displays it poorly.
>Poor choice of words.
>Anon stood up and looked away, trying his best not to let this new topic get to him.
"I really don't want to talk about her. Please?"
>Luna nodded.
>She didn't want to push the issue at this time any more than he did.
>"I understand."
>Anon scratched his head and turned back around to face Luna.
"So, uh, you gonna eat or what? I worked really hard on that you know."
>She offered him a grin, and began enjoying her meal.

>After she finished her meal, she complimented him on his cooking abilities.
>He knew full well that the chef of their castle had to be far superior, but he accepted the compliment regardless.
>Anon proceeded to gather their plates and insisted on washing them despite Luna's insistance that one of the maids would handle it.
>Just a force of habit.
>Plus it was a free meal, so he felt somewhat obligated to do something for it.
>With their bodies now stuffed with life sustaining nutrients, they took their walk back to the courtyard.
>It appeared to be sometime around the middle of the night, though Anon still hadn't had the opportunity to actually grasp the way time works here yet.
>For all he knew, the night lasted a few days.
>The whole view was strikingly similar to his dream, which began filling him with unease.
>Perhaps he should find something to talk about to get his mind off of it.
>Luna had merely been enjoying his company.
"So, what do you usually do around here?"
>She spoke as they continued walking, once again towards no where in particular.
>Just walking, enjoying the outside air.
>"It is my duty to keep watch over the night, in addition to raising and lowering the moon."
>Anon smirked.
"Right, the moon thing. Was that just something you made up to throw me offguard in my dream, or do you actually do that?"
>Luna chuckled.
>"I assure you, I actually do that."
"Speaking of that dream, how did you do all... I mean, it looked exactly like this, and felt so real."
>Luna looked down to consider the question a moment before looking over at Anon with a sly grin.
>"Magic, of course."
>Anon rolled his eyes at that answer.
>In reality, the entire process was very complex and involved a lot of preperation, but she felt like he wouldn't understand, even if she attempted to explain it.
"Of course it was."

>Luna looked around at the scenery as she spoke.
>"When you believe it is real, you act as you naturally would. In this case, I needed to prove you had no ill intentions."
>Her gaze drifted to the ground.
>"You thought you were free, and I gave you many opportunities to attack, or flee, or..."
>She stopped a moment and looked back up at Anon, who was quietly listening.
>He was tryiing to block out the memory of it even as she spoke.
>"But you did none of those things. You acted exactly as one who had been falsely accused."
>She grinned at him, but he spotted the hint of pain behind it.
"And you think that will be enough for Celestia?"
>Luna looked ahead once more.
>"Perhaps. You have to understand that she shoulders the responsibility of protecting all of our citizens, as well as the burden of making decisions to that end."
>They came to a stop near a large pond of water.
>The surface acted as a mirror to the night sky, and the moon and stars appeared to dance.
>"Since it is solely her responsiblity, she is sometimes overly cautious. She has spent far too much time ruling alone, and seems to forget that I can offer assistance at times."
>Anon nodded as he looked out over the water.
"So you decided to act on her behalf."
>She nodded.
>"And yours, as well."
>He had spent a very limited amount of time with Celestia, and even with Luna's explenation for her actions, he was having trouble getting over his bias towards her.
>Anon stretched and sat down near the waters edge.
"Think we can just hang out for a while? This place looks amazing, and I haven't been outside in a while."
>"It is one of my favorite spots. I am pleased you like it."
>With that, Luna takes a seat nearby, and they enjoy the sounds and scenery of the night together in silence.

>Both Anon and Luna sat there near the water's edge for a couple hours, both seemingly afraid to ruin the mood by speaking.
>Any topic that was relevant for the time being would certainly accomplish just that.
>Of course, you can only delay the inevitable for so long.
>"The sun will be rising soon."
"Hm?"
>Anon didn't quite understand the full meaning behind those words.
>"Come. We have delayed long enough."
>Luna stood up and proceeded back through the courtyard towards the castle.
>Anon stood up and followed nearby.
>Right.
>They raise the sun and the moon themselves.
>She meant they would have to confront Celestia.
>He shuddered at the sudden realization.
>Luna didn't appear to be fairing much better than he was.
>He spotted her mouth moving slightly a few times, though no audible sound came forth.
>Anon looked down and began contemplating what he should say.
>He shrugged to himself.
>Nothing could be said that he hadn't already said before.
>'Oh please Celestia, have mercy on poor little me. I didn't do anything, I pwomise.'
>He mocked to himself internally.
>'Ha ha ha... No. Go sit in that fucking dungeon until the rats get you.'
>She's such a bitch.
>He briefly pondered if he could even take her on in a fight.
>Maybe one good punch would do it.
>Assuming it landed.
>If it didn't he'd be-
>"Here we are Anon."
>Luna interupted his thought process.
>He glanced up and was met with a pair of doors that bore a striking resemblance to Luna's doors.
>Really?
>We came to her damn bedroom?
>Luna turned to Anon and grimaced.
>"Uh... Perhaps you should, wait here for a while."
>Fuck that.
"I think I've been talked about behind my back enough already."

>Luna glanced around slightly, attempting to find a rebuttal, but she ended up simply bowing her head before turning back to face the doors.
>"Then let me do the talking."
>With that, her horn glowed and the doors slowly opened.
>She trotted inside once the doors were fully open.
>Anon delayed slightly before stepping inside behind her.
>He observed the room as he followed her.
>It had a very similar design, except instead of a blue theme, this one appeared to consist of golden colors.
>After some mindless admiring, Anon turned back to find Luna already across most of the room.
>She was heading towards a balcony very similar to her own.
>Soon after, he spotted Celestia, who was already standing outside, looking up at the sky.
>He couldn't help but feel a chill run up his spine.
>Luna soon reached her sister, but was still within earshot on Anon.
>"Sister, we need to talk. Anon is not what we first believed. I have-"
>"I understand, little sister."
>Luna ceased her thought-out speech regarding Anon and blinked a few times.
>Celestia turned to face her, a stern look etched into her face.
>"You have found a reason to trust Anon, and I trust you."
>Anon stopped walking on the spot, directly under the archway to the balcony.
>What the fuck?
>That's it?
>Luna seemed almost as confused as Anon.
>"Yuh... You- What do you mean you trust me? You did not even hear my explenation regarding the situation."
>Celestia nodded.
>"I will hear it when it is needed."
>The fuck does she mean 'when its needed?'
>"I do not understand."
>Celestia grinned.
>Dear God this is very discomforting.
>"You are my sister, and we are supposed to rule together. However, you have never taken any initiative. If I'm making all of your decisions for you, we aren't ruling together at all, are we?"
>Luna looks down, and Celestia continues.
>"If you felt so strongly about your decision that you chose it over mine, then you must certainly have your reasons."

>Celestia used a forehoof to lift Luna's chin up, causing their eyes to meet.
>Her expression returned to that familiar, emotionless one Anon had come to expect.
>Luna searched Celestia's eyes as she continued speaking.
>"However, with your decision comes the burden of responsibility. Whether the outcome is positive or negative, it is on your head."
>Celestia lifted her head away from Luna and turned to face Anon.
>"If you find you are unable to handle your decision... Then know that I will."
>Her expression didn't change as she spoke.
>Anon felt as though she were staring right through him.
>That look.
>That was a look of certainty.
>A promise.
>Anon gulped and instinctively took a small step back.
>"Anon, please come closer."
>Celestia nodded slightly at him.
>Luna turned to face him as he approached them.
"What?"
>The word came out a little louder than he intended.
>"Though it is now my sister's responsibility to oversee you, I must insist you remain on the castle grounds. A very priviledged few know you exist, and I intend to keep it that way until we know more about you."
"Castle grounds. Sure."
>The castle was fucking massive, and he couldn't think of any reason he'd need to leave anytime soon.
>Luna nodded.
>"I understand, sister."
>She teared up slightly as she embraced her sister with a foreleg.
>"Thank you for trusting me."
>Celestia grinned and nodded.
>"You are welcome, little sister. However, the day will be late if we wait much longer."
>Luna pulled away and nodded in agreement, adopting a formal stance in the process.
>"Yes, of course. Then let us delay no further."
>With that, both of them raised their heads into the air and their horns lit up.
>Anon looked up into the sky and watched as the moon quickly set, being replaced by the sunrise.
>He shook his head.
"That's so damn weird."

>Once the sun and moon were in their rightful place, the two alicorns ceased their casting and lowered their heads back to a nuetral stance.
>Celestia turned to Luna and nodded before turning and heading back into her room.
>She looked into Anon's eyes as she passed by, reminding him of her promise.
>He simply watched her until she exited her bedroom.
>"That did not go as expected."
>Luna spoke plainly, and the sudden sound mixed with the close proximity caused Anon to flinch.
"Ya, I thought it'd take a lot more than that."
>He nudged Luna in the side with his elbow.
"So, it's your job to take care of me now, huh?"
>Luna scoffs and pushes Anon away from her with her wing.
>"Hardly. It is my duty to ensure you do not become a problem. Nothing more."
"Right, so you're going to force me to hang out with you all the time, huh?"
>Luna rolled her eyes and began walking towards the exit of the room.
"Help me Luna, Twilight is gonna cut open my head and Celestia is just gonna watch!"
>Luna attempts to hide a grin as she continues walking away.
>Anon flops to the floor.
"No, not the tiny saw! This is madness!"
>He begins making gutteral sounds.
"Curses! Why must I be so fascinating?"
>By now, Luna is fully outside the doorway.
>She allows herself to grin as she shakes her head.

>Anon realized Luna was no longer nearby and decided it may be best to follow after her.
>He ran out of the room and quickly found her heading down the nearby stairway.
"Wait, so what am I gonna do?"
>"I do not know, Anon. What are you going to do?"
"Um, what are you gonna do?"
>"I am heading to bed. It has been a long night and I am eager to get some rest."
>Well shit.
"What should I do then?"
>Luna turned her head to look at Anon as she walked.
>"Were you not just complaining that you would have to spend exceedingly large amounts of time with me?"
>Anon furled a brow as Luna quickly poked her tongue out at him before turning her attention forward once more.
>"Perhaps you should retrieve the book I bestowed upon you and continue reading."
>Anon shrugged.
"I don't even know how to get back to Celestia's room from here, and we haven't even gone that far."
>Luna chuckled.
>"Very well, then. I suppose it is my responsibility to escort you."
>Anon opened his mouth to say something he thought might be witty, but was cut off.
>"To make sure you do not cause problems."
>Anon scoffed.
"Like I've been anything short of helpful since I got here."
>Luna shook her head but said nothing.
>She quickly escorted him to gather up the book he left lying around, and then off to the royal guest room.
>Anon had attempted to start small conversations as they went, but Luna seemed disinterested.
>She must actually be pretty exhausted.
>He began to wonder what exactly she had put herself through recently.
>I bet the sun and moon thing takes a lot of effort on top of everything else.
>"Here you are, Anon."
>Luna motioned towards a large doorway.
>He stepped past her and pushed on the door, allowing it to swing open.
>He then began examining the room.
>It wasn't as grand as their personal bedrooms, but it was still very impressive.
"Damn. I get to stay in here?"
>Luna nodded.
>"Ineed. I shall see you when I awaken. Good day, Anon."

>With that, she turned and left him alone in his room.
"Uh, later then."
>Anon shrugged to himself and closed his door.
>As he slowly turned and took in a better observation of his room, eventually his focus came to rest on the bed.
>A stupid smile spread across his face shortly before he sprinted towards it and performed his best swan-dive.
>Some covers splashed up into the air as he landed before slowly draping around him.
"By the gods, is this fucking silk?"
>He spread his arms through the covers and laughed like an idiot.
>Glorious.
>Once his fascination with a real bed subsided, he went back to reading his book.
>Somehow, it didn't seem to hold his attention as well as before.
>Perhaps it's becuase he had no choice before.
>Still, it was enjoyable, and before long he found himself ready to get some real sleep.
>He marked his spot in the book once more with Luna's note and placed it on the nearby nightstand.
>He then climbed out of the cloudlike bed to strip off his uncomfortable clothes, right down to his boxers.
"Yeesh."
>He hadn't noticed how dirty his clothes had gotten.
>Guess that tends to happen when you do everything in the same clothes for so long.
>They already needed a good washing before he even came to this world.
>He kicked them aside and stretched his arms.
>'I'll deal with that shit tomorrow.'
>He slid under the covers.
>'Or... Later today. Or whatever.'
>His cares melted into the impossible comfort that now embraced him.
>He was going to consider what the bed might be made of, but sleep quickly took him instead.

>"ANON!"
>A booming voice echoed throughout the room.
>Anon's eyes snapped open and he flung himself out of bed, away from the voice's source.
>The floor turned out to be quite solid compared to the comfy bed.
>As he recovered, he could hear a giggle coming from the other side of the bed.
>He propped himself up and leaned against the bed before frowning at Luna who was simply sitting there and laughing to herself.
"You're so damn funny. What the hell was that?"
>"Just the royal canterlot voice."
"There was a voice like that dedicated to royalty? What, were you guys pissed off all the time or something?"
>Anon stood up and brushed himself off.
>He then froze.
>He was still only in his fucking boxers.
>Had Luna noticed?
>No time to wonder about that.
>He quickly yanked the top cover from the bed and wrapped himself in it.
>"Angry? Hardly. We simply had a multitude of subjects to address simultaneously."
>Luna took notice of Anon's weird behavior, and the fact his face was growing redder by the second.
>"Is something wrong?"
>Anon worked his way over to Luna to gather up his clothes.
>He walked around the corner of the bed and looked down.
>They were gone.
>They're fucking gone.
"Where are my clothes?"
>Luna shrugged.
>"They were filthy, so I had them washed. They should be ready by now, however."
>She poked his stomach with her hoof through the mass of blankets he had cacooned himself in and giggled once more.
>"Come now, Anon, do not be so embarassed. We do not even wear clothes on a regular basis."
>That only served to embarass him more.
>He never really put together that he had been hanging out with a naked sentient creature.
>She was a damn horse.
>They're supposed to be naked.
"Ya, well, where I'm from we wear clothes."
>He grasps at the falling bed covers that drape around him.
"At all times."
>"If that were true, you would be wearing them now."
>There was no way his face could grow more red than it already was.
"I need my damn clothes."

>Luna rolled her eyes.
>She couldn't understand what the fuss was about.
>"Very well. Let us go and retrieve your clothing."
>She turned and began walking towards the door.
"Whoa, wait, we? No, I'll just wait here, thanks."
>"I have to keep an eye on you, and I can not do so if you remain here."
>She continued walking away.
"If you recall, I spent the day here alone. It's not like you have to always watch me."
>The whole day?
>Anon realized it was dark outside through his windows.
>Did he really sleep all fucking day?
>Luna rolled her eyes.
>"Honestly, stop making this into an ordeal."
>Anon sighed.
>She was right.
>He looked like a damn pansy.
"Well I'm keeping this blanket for now."
>"Do what you must."
>Anon regathered the blanket around himself and began walking after Luna.
>He stayed a short distance behind her to avoid her gaze.
>This was not at all what he wanted to deal with.
>Without realizing it, he found himself stealing glances at her hindquarters.
>'We don't wear clothes, Anon.'
>Motherfucking fuck fuckity fuck fuck-
>Anon mentally slapped himself.
>She's a goddam horse, get over yourself.
>He quickened his pace to get next to her rather than following behind her.
>It was a good thing he was still flushed from their previous engagement.
>Luna looked over at Anon and furled a brow.
>"You really are not comfortable without clothes. I apologize. I had no idea they were so important to you."
"Huh? Ya, clothes. Clothes are awesome. Yup."
>He didn't make eye contact with her.
>He couldn't.
>This only confused Luna more, but she shrugged it off and continued walking.

>After what was certainly the most awkward walk of his life, he found himself standing at the entrance of a rather large washroom.
"Why is the washroom so big if you guys don't wear clothes?"
>Luna went ahead to retrieve his clothes, which she had ordered to be set aside once they were dry.
>"They mostly wash the guard uniforms here, but the beddings are also washed on a daily basis."
>She finally spotted the folded clothes sitting aside on a shelf.
"Every day? Are you guys really that anal over cleanliness?"
>Luna levitated the clothing over to Anon.
>"You may leave your blanket here. They will find it."
>The clothes floated in front of Anon as she waited for him to take them.
>He glanced around and rolled his eyes before letting the blanket fall to the floor so he could gather up his clothes.
>She nodded and resumed her explenation.
>"You have to understand that many of our servants are in fact volunteers. We do not make them perform these services. They simply wish to, in gratitude."
>Anon wanted to tell her to stop staring at him as he got dressed, but he had already made a big deal out of it.
>He threw on his clothes as quickly as he could.
>Luna was surprised to discover she felt somewhat embarassed for observing him in his boxers.
>She blushed and turned away slightly.
>"Ahem. Indeed, once you are properly clothed perhaps I could show you around the castle until you are familiar with its layout."
>Anon yanked up his pants and jumped from one leg to the other.
"Uh, ya, that'd be helpful."
>Once his pants were on, he pulled his shirt down over himself.
"I know where we should start, too."
>Luna looked back over at him.
>"Oh?"
>He sat on the floor as he pulled on his socks and shoes.
"Breakfast, of course."
>Luna smirked.
>"Of course."

>Once fully clothed, Anon stood up and gave himself a satisfied nod.
>They then began their trek to the dining area.
>Anon made a mental note to himself not to fall behind, at all.
"So, who are the priviledged few who know I'm here? Obviously, like, every single guard knows by now, right?"
>"The royal guards do not speak to anypony short of royalty. Knowledge of your existence is safe with them."
"They don't talk to anyone, ever? Sounds boring as shit."
>"They do not speak while on duty, and do not discuss important matters when off-duty. They are well trained, and well aware of the negative consequences a loose tongue can inflict."
>Anon shrugged.
"Still sounds boring as shit. Don't you guys offer to talk to them?"
>"It's not as treacherous as it seems. Their shifts are fairly short. We do not normally engage them in idle conversation, however."
"Why not?"
>"Their duty is to guard, not speak. Our duty is to oversee the many foreign and domestic matters. We adhere to our respective duties."
"Are you guys really that stuck on duty?"
>"Each pony has their particular talents, and a function that best serves with said talents. When each performs their duty, it makes the whole stronger."
"Is that the only way you see everyone? Like a large, faceless mass?"
>"Of course not. All of my subjects are important to me."
"Oh really?"
>Anon glances around and spots a few guards down an adjacent hallway.
>He stops walking and points towards them.
"So what are their names?"
>Luna turns to see Anon pointing at the nearby guards.
>She frowns.
>"I believe you are misunderstanding me."
>Anon lowers his arm and furls a brow at Luna.
"You could just say you never asked them."
>Luna hesitates before replying.
>"I have never asked them. We refer to each guard as 'sir,' just as each of them refer to my sister and I as 'highness.'"
>The guards seem to notice Luna and Anon staring at them.
"Whatever you say. I'll ask them later."

>Luna turned and resumed her walk towards the dining area.
>"Do as you wish, but do not expect them to respond."
>Anon began waving his hand towards them with a grin.
>The guards merely glared back.
"They sure seem like a fun bunch."
>Anon turned and began following Luna once more.
>'We don't wear clothes, Anon.'
>The words echoed in his mind once more as soon as she came back into view.
>For fucks sake.
>Anon quickened his pace to get near her side once again.
>"Is duty not important where you are from, Anon?"
"Huh? Oh, well, ya, I guess. We each get jobs, but everyone hates them. We just do them to survive, and sometimes have fun."
>Luna raised a brow and looked at Anon.
>"Everyone hated their tasks? Why would they choose to perform them?"
"It's really not much of a choice. Sometimes you just get stuck doing the shit work."
>"That sounds truly... Each pony here chooses who they wish to be. Once that choice is clear, their mark appears."
"Uh, mark?"
>Luna tilts her head towards her hindquarters.
>Anon glances back.
>Right, the butt symbols.
"So that's what that's supposed to be?"
>"Indeed. It is a mark of one's destiny. Each pony then performs a task suited to their destiny."
>Anon offers a slight laugh.
"Must be really damn nice to just do whatever you want."
>Luna nods.
>"Each task is important in its own way."
"So you guys get jobs just based on whatever you wanted to do? How does that work? There's people- er, ponies, out there who actually 'want' to collect garbage, or do construction, or... Whatever else?"
>"Well, a few tasks are performed out of necessity. However, most are performed out of desire. For instance-"
>Luna turns and nods towards what Anon is assuming is the chef.
>He seems somewhat gruffy, but his speech betrays his appearance.
>"Ah! Your highness. What may I cook for you this fine evening? Perhaps a dozen or so-"
>He ceases his speaking when he spots Anon.
"Uh, hey."

>Anon leans in close to Luna's ear and speaks sarcastically gently.
"Is he supposed to know I exist?"
>Luna pushes him away slightly with her wing.
>"Indeed, fair chef. Please bring me whichever course you believe I might enjoy. You seem to always know just the thing."
>Luna winks at the chef, who smiles and bows slightly in response.
>"Of course. I know just the dish to set your tastebuds ablaze with life, don't you worry."
>He then turns to face Anon once more.
>"And what shall I be creating for your... guest, your highness?"
"The name's Anon. What's yours?"
>Anon held out his hand for an instinctive handshake.
>The chef merely glanced down at it before returning his gaze to Anon.
>"What should I create for you, Anon?"
"Um... I dunno, something that involves meat and excludes grasses and flowers."
>The chef's ears perk up slightly.
>Luna grins as the chef speaks.
>"Oh my, an omnivore? It has been quite some time since I've had the opportunity to entertain tastebuds of this variety."
>With that he excitedly turns and walks towards the kitchen, still continuing his speech.
>"Not since the gryphons sent their ambassadors from the north to discuss..."
>His voice trailed off as he quickly put distance between himself and the two waiting at the grand dining table.
>Anon turns and smirks at Luna.
"He seems friendly enough. Why are your guards such jerks?"
>Luna shook her her in response, but said nothing else.
>Anon lets out a sigh and begins tapping on the table.
"So I guess it 'is' okay that he knows I exist, then?"
>Luna nods.
>"He has served here for many years. You are quite lucky to sample his quisine."
"Right. Lucky me. Maybe my tastebuds will explode."
>"Scoff if you must, but bear in mind the fact that he serves the royalty of equestria, and allow yourself to ponder what that means."
>Whatever.
>Not like there's a ton of shit you can do with food.
"I think I can cook just fine."
>Luna giggled slightly, but quickly stopped herself.

>"Indeed, you can cook just fine. I do not wish for you to think any less of yourself once your food arrives."
"I'm not gonna think less of myself. Cooking is just something I don't exactly hate doing. It's not something I'd have tattooed to my ass, if that's what you're implying."
>The chef eventually brought out their respective entres.
>Anon found himself cursing under his breath at how impossibly delicious it was.
>Luna continuously watched him, laughing internally at his love-hate reactions.
>Once the meal was over, they each thanked the chef and continued their walk.
>It was time to teach Anon the castle layout.
"Was it necessary to build such a stupidly giant castle for yourself and your sister?"
>Luna glanced over at Anon.
"I mean, you could've built a damn tower and it would have been just as imposing, but a lot easier to navigate around."
>Her gaze then turned to the ground for a moment before raising back up to face forward.
>"I was not around during its creation."
"Ya, I bet not. It looks really old."
>Luna said nothing for a while, as though considering whether or not she should allow this conversation to continue.
>"Its age is not the reason I was not around for its creation."
>Anon shrugged at her.
"You only need the one reason. I bet you weren't even born at the time. What's it matter, anyway? I was just pointing out design flaws."
>Luna turned her gaze upwards and laughed lightly.
"Oh Anon. You can not comprehend my age."
>Anon grinned.
"Uh, you're a horse. Horses only live for like, half of my lifetime or something. I think I can comprehend that just fine."
>Luna quickly slapped him in the back of the head with her wing.
>It didn't do much damage, but it got his attention.
>"I am not a 'horse,' 'human.' I am an alicorn."
>Anon scratched the back of his head.
"And?"
>"Pray tell, just how long is the lifespan of your species?"
>Anon grinned.
"Some of us live as long as a hundred years."
>Luna chuckled to herself.
>"Oh, a hundred years?"

>Anon looked over at Luna inquisitively.
"Ya?"
>She took in a deep breath and looked over at Anon.
>"I have been alive for over a thousand years, Anon."
>Did he just hear that right?
"A, thousand?"
>Luna nodded and continued walking.
"Bullshit. For all I know, your years aren't the same length as my years, anyway."
>"Unless you have an accurate way to compare them, I suppose you shall just have to wait and see."
>Anon shook his head.
>No way was she as old as she claimed.
>She looked young for, well, a horse, he guessed.
>their 'year' is probably like a month.
>Anon shrugged.
"I guess so."
>As they walked, it quickly turned from a casual stroll into what felt like a test for Anon.
>Luna was constantly asking him which direction what area was in.
>It became incredibly annoying, mainly due to the fact she wouldn't just correct him.
>No, she had to walk him in that direction after he gave his answer to show him if he was right or wrong.
"This is bullshit, Luna. Just say if I'm right or not."
>"Do you have something better you could be doing?"
"That's not the point. It's the waiting for the answer that's getting on my nerves. Why don't you just draw me a map?"
>"You are currently drawing your own map."
>Luna poked Anon in the head with her forehoof.
>"Right here."
>Anon rolled his eyes as she giggled.
>The walking and memory exam went on for many hours.
>Much to Anon's annoyance, it was actually working fairly well.
>Stupid clever horse.
>As they walked past a familiar corridore for what may very well have been the hundredth time, Anon had to ask.
"What's down that way? We keep passing it up."
>Luna propped up an eyebrow at him.
>"Do you not recognize it? That hall leads to the area you first appeared."
>What, that room and then that hallway with the bajillion guards, and then that giant empty 'sacred' place?
"Why would I recognize it? I barely saw it the first time. You were dragging me off to a dungeon with your magic, remember?"

>Luna tapped her chin thoughtfully.
>"Hm. I vaguely recall capturing you. You flailed about and screamed hysterically, correct?"
>Anon stumbled slightly.
"It wasn't hysterically. I yelled a few objections."
>"I remember it differently, it seems."
"Whatever. So, what's in that stupid room that's so damn important? I kinda want to know why I was imprisoned."
>Luna turned away for a moment, then looked back to Anon.
>Guess she thought he could be trusted now.
>"It is as we said before. It is a room in which we store our relics."
>Anon shrugged.
"You locked me up cuz you thought I was breaking into your fucking museum?"
>"These are no common relics, Anon. The most powerful relics from across Equestria, and even a few areas beyond its borders are stored within that room. It is our duty to protect them."
>Anon scoffed.
"Right. So you guys thought it was a great idea to gather all of these 'powerful' relics into one spot? Doesn't that seem a tad bit... stupid?"
>Luna frowned.
>"We have powerful barrier magicks protecting the room leading into the relic chamber, as well as countless more protecting the chamber itself. The fact you got into the first room completely undetected still baffles me. Neither my sister nor myself could accomplish that task."
>Anon grinned to himself.
"Well, I'm just awesome, apparently."
>"So, now you tell me Anon, how exactly 'did' you manage to get in there?"
"Really? This again? Like I said, that stupid crystal I found did it."
>Luna stared at him.
>"Is this all you know?"
"For fucks sake, yes. Why?"
>Luna looked away and began mumbling to herself.
>Anon glanced around for a moment before beginning to walk once more.
>Luna looked up and noticed.
>"Where are you going?"
"Doesn't matter. No reason to sit here. We're not gonna look in your magical room filled with magical treasure, are we? Probably got some shit in there like the ark of the covenant and porn, right? Not that you'd tell me anyway, so we're just wasting time."

>Luna walked after him.
>"Do you know your way around here, then?"
"I know enough to get to our bedrooms and the kitchen. Oh, and that gigantic royal lavatory. That's all I needed."
>Luna grinned triumphantly.
>"Indeed. So my training worked after all, would you not agree?"
>Anon sighed.
"Yes, despite your annoying as shit tactics, I guess it worked. Th-ks..."
>"What was that?"
"I said thanks ya damn horse."
>Luna giddely trotted past Anon.
>"You are welcome, human."
>He rolled his eyes in response and continued walking.
>Once again, his eyes subconsciously drifted to her flank.
>God fucking dammit.
>Why?
>He quickened his pace, which actually had to become a slight jog to reach Luna's side once more.
>Luna slowed to her normal walking pace and looked inquisitively at Anon, who was now slightly more red than usual.
>Anon avoided eye contact and walked with a subtle rigidness.
>Luna smirked.
>"I see."
>Anon glanced around before finally giving in and looking at Luna.
"See what?"
>"I am not a simpleton, Anon. I have noticed a change in your behavior since your clothes incident."
>Was it that obvious?
"I don't know what you're talking about."
>He attemped to sound as nonchalant as possible.
>It wasn't helping.
>In fact, it only served to transform Luna's smirk into a full-fledged smile.
>"Then why do you appear so uncomfortable when I take the lead?"
>Anon scoffed.
"Doesn't matter to me, dude. Just easier to talk to you when I'm next to you instead of talking to your ass."
>"Indeed. Well, since you have no preference as to where you wish to go, I shall lead the way. You are fine with this, correct?"
>Anon shrugged and continued walking.
>Luna turned her head forward and trotted on ahead once more.
>Fucking horse.

>After a short distance, Luna turned back to look at Anon.
>He was busying himself with the fascinating textures on the smooth marble walls.
>She laughed to herself and continued walking.
"So what did you have in mind?"
>"I thought we might enjoy eachother's company in my room for a while."
>She was joking, of course.
>Anon's face turned red once more.
>She was fucking joking, right?
"You made your damn point, alright?"
>"Oh? Pray tell, which point would that be?"
"Don't make me say it."
>"Say what?"
>Anon continued looking at the wall and said nothing.
>Luna grinned to herself.
>It was fun to have someone to mess around with again.
>She and Celestia used to prank one another quite often, but unfortunately for her, Celestia had lost most of her humor over the last thousand years.
"I keep noticing... Your lack of clothing."
>Anon sighed to himself.
>He just admitted outloud that he was stealing glances at a damn horse.
>He slapped himself mentally over and over, and even once physically for good measure.
>"Your powers of observation never cease to impress me, Anon."
>She kept walking.
>That's it?
>Did she really not get what that meant?
>There was no way in fuck he was going to ask her flat out.
>In fact, the issue was happily dropped as they reached her room.
>Her fucking room?
>She wasn't lying.
"Oh, I, uh, thought you were joking."
>Luna tilted her head at him.
>"Why would I jest?"
>Anon said nothing.
>This isn't what it appears to be, right?
>Sure, she's friendly enough, but that's all.
>She continued on into her room.
>He reluctantly followed.
>Once inside, she closed the door behind them.

>Anon froze near the doorway and began rubbing his hands nervously.
>He wished he understood their culture a little better.
>What if sex wasn't a big deal to them?
>He'd look like a damn pussy.
>Not only that, but the main fact that she's a motherfucking horse.
>He never had to deal with this idea back at home.
>He couldn't fuck a horse, he needed a girl.
>Human girls with their human bits that came at the cost of their human problems.
>Come to think of it, human girls weren't all that great, either.
>Anon slapped himself mentally once more, though he wasn't sure it was deserved.
>It's a no fucking win situation.
>Bottom line is she's a horse, so he can't do this.
>It's fucking weird.
>While Anon was castrating himself in his mind, Luna busied herself with the fireplace.
>She was able to start a glorious fire with relative ease.
>Damn magic.
>Once that was built, she began pulling various items from around her room towards the fire.
>Anon was too busy contemplating how he felt about the whole situation to notice what was going on.
>He had never really found horses to be attractive in 'that way,' but then again, he never had a reason to before.
>He wasn't sure what to feel now.
>She seemed alright, he guessed.
>If he knew her back in his world, they'd at least be friends.
>"Anon, why are you still standing there?"
>He looked up from the floor where he had been organizing his thoughts and gave Luna his attention.
>"Come."
>Luna patted a chair near the fire.
>Anon was finally able to regain control of his body and began moving toward her.
"I'm comin'..."
>As he approached her, she took a seat in the chair across from his.
>He couldn't help but notice the odd design of the chairs.
>Then again, they were built for horses, not humans.
>Once he got close enough, he noticed the table in between the two chairs.
"Well I'll be damned."

>Luna looked up at Anon from her chair once he reached his chair.
>"It is called 'chess.' It is a game designed to test your strategic abilities."
>Anon sighed in relief.
>He had freaked the fuck out for no reason.
>He took his seat and stared at the board.
>Same setup as the chess he was accustomed to.
>The figures were various types of horses.
>Or ponies.
>The pawns were regular looking ponies.
>The rooks were very detailed looking castles.
>The knights appeared to be pegasi.
>The bishops were clearly unicorns.
>Anon shook his head slowly in disbelief.
>Why is their world so fucking similar to his?
>As for the king and queen pieces, they resembled Luna and Celestia.
>Anon began to snicker as he picked the two pieces up to examine them.
>Luna stared at Anon.
>"What is it you find humorous? It is a very respectable game, I assure you."
"Is this..."
>Anon rotated the pieces in his hands and then pushed them in front of Luna's face.
"Are these supposed to be you and Celestia?"
>"Indeed they are."
>Luna smiled and stated such with some measure of self-satisfaction.
>Anon began laughing.
"Well, at least you get to be the female of your relationship, right? Does Celestia prefer to be on top? I bet she does."
>Luna frowned and pushed the pieces back in their places with her magic.
>"I fear you do not understand how this game works."
>Anon's laughing slowed a bit.
"Oh come on. You just spent the entire trip here fucking with me. I can poke some fun, the way Celestia pokes you, right?"
>Luna blushed slightly and turned away.
>"That is hardly appropriate."
>That's hardly what?
>Anon ceased his laughter.
"Hardly, appropriate? Why, cuz it's a sex joke?"
>Luna turned away a little more.
"You literally just waved your naked ass at me for like ten minutes and 'I'm' being inappropriate? If anything, you were coming on to me."
>Luna suddenly turned back to face Anon.
>"I did not expect you to confuse my intentions. We are differing species. It was a prank."

>Luna's eyes narrowed on Anon.
>"Hold one moment. Did you believe I intended to... Seduce you?"
>Now it was Anon's turn to feel embarassed.
>He leaned back in his chair and looked away.
"Well, not 'entirely,' but I did think it was a possibility."
>"It was harmless flirtation. You had done as much in our previous encounters."
>Anon turned back to face Luna.
>Both of them were flushed.
"Obviously we both suck at sarcastic flirting then, don't we?"
>"Indeed."
>Anon leaned forward slightly.
"Wait, what about you? Did you consider..."
>Luna shot Anon a look of disgust before turning away.
>"Of course not."
"Bullshit."
>Luna continued looking away, but eventually turned back to look at Anon once more.
>"Perhaps the thought, had crossed my mind briefly, but it was not something I dwelled on."
>Her look went stern.
>"And neither should you."
"I don't."
>"Then we are agreed?"
"Ya, fine. Never bring this shit up again."
>"Indeed."
>They both began glancing around the room for a short while.
>Anon performed a fake stretch before returning his gaze once more to the fantastic chess board.
"So we gonna play chess or not?"
>Luna returned her gaze to Anon and propped up an eyebrow.
>"You know this game?"
"Ya, actually we got it in my world too."
>"How odd."
"Right?"
>"You may go first, then."

>They both seemed more comfortable with the air freshly cleared.
>Hours passed in relative silence, save for the occassional comment on eachother's moves.
>Luna had won each of the matches with ease, but Anon still, surprisingly enough, had fun.
>Luna shrugged at him.
>"I have had many years of practice with this game. It was my intention to play softly, but it seems I can not contain my competitive nature."
"Meh, don't worry about it. It's all for fun, right?"
>It was pretty fun, but he still was hoping to win at least once.
>Stupid strategic horse.
>Anon leaned back while looking at the board, attempting to think of a move.
"Who do you usually play this with?"
>He reached down and moved a piece.
>"My sister and I enjoy the occassional game, though she is quite often very busy."
>Luna wastes no time in moving her own piece in response.
>Anon rubbed his chin as he continued studying the board.
"So you don't hang out with guards, your sister, or any of the other workers..."
>Instead of moving a piece, Anon simply looks up at her.
"Who usually keeps you company?"
>Luna nodded to herself, but kept her focus on the board.
>"I am content to spend my evenings in solitude."
>She glances up at Anon and smirks.
>"Most of the time."
>Anon grinned and returned his focus to the game as well.
"If you say so."
>He moved a piece, and she followed up with a checkmate.
>Anon sighed.
"Least you got this shit down to a science."
>"It is simply a matter of seeing the whole picture."
"Whatever. What else do you do around here for fun?"
>Luna sat back and thought a moment.
>"Usually I spend my time reading or relaxing somewhere under the night sky. On rare occassions, I dream-walk in order to assist others with their daily troubles."
>Dream-walking, huh?
"Is that whatever the hell you did to me? That super real dream?"
>Luna nodded.
>"Indeed, although your dream was the first I manipulated. I allow others to shape their dreams as they wish. I merely participate when needed."

>Anon frowned.
"You're not gonna be doing that shit again, are you? I better not wake up in a few minutes in that fucking prison cell."
>Luna shook her head.
>"There is no reason to, so I shall not."
>Anon nodded slowly.
"Good. I don't need to be asking myself if I'm actually awake everytime I do anything. That'd drive me insane."
>Luna looked off to the side.
>Anon stood up and stretched.
"Think I'll go read or some shit till I fall asleep."
>She looked back over at him.
>"Oh, indeed. I shall see you out, then."
>They walked the short distance to her door together, and she opened it with her magic.
"And don't forget what we talked about."
>"I thought we agreed to forget it."
"Well, we did. You know what I mean."
>"You brought it up."
"Well, just..."
>Anon waved his hand dismissively as he turned and exited her room.
"Later."
>She bowed her head slightly.
>"Good day, Anon."
>With that, she gently closed her door and Anon continued his trek back to his own room.
>It was pretty nice to actually have a clue where he was going.
>As he neared his room, however, he spotted a familiar figure waiting nearby his door.
>Anon sighed as he approached her.
"Came to check up on me, I guess? I haven't done anything."
>Celestia nodded to Anon once he got much closer.
>"I just wanted to see how you were doing."
>Anon shrugged.
"Doing fine. Your sister is actually pretty cool with everything. What about you?"
>"I am pleased to hear that. I'll admit, I was still uneasy when I put the situation in Luna's hooves, and I still don't fully trust you..."
>Anon cocked an eyebrow.
>This isn't news.
>"But I observed you and my sister laughing together, which set my mind at ease."
>Celestia bowed her head.
>"Perhaps it's not my place to inform you, but I rarely see my sister in such a mood. She's usually locked in her room or wandering around outside. I just wanted to thank you."
>This damn horse.
>She had to be bipolar.
>It was only a day ago she was giving him death threats.

>Anon shook his head.
"So from threats to gratitude? And why haven't you just spent time with her instead? You can't tell me you're too busy to visit your sister when you're in the same damn place."
>His care levels for his own well-being seem to have reverted to an earlier state.
>How odd.
>Celestia frowned, visibly offended by his sudden outburst, but then her face adopted a sorrowful expression.
>"We... Have a history you may not be aware of, Anon. For this reason, our time together is not what it once was. Some wounds..."
>She trailed off and looked away.
>He noticed the torchlight began dancing in her eyes.
>"They never fully heal. We still bring eachother joy, yet there also remains some measure of pain."
>Anon leaned against the nearby wall.
"What could be so fucking awful that two sisters avoid eachother?"
>Celestia closed her eyes for a moment.
>Once she reopened them, the flames had stopped dancing.
>She returned her gaze to Anon.
>"I don't know why she likes you, but you have done what I could not. Do not ruin this, Anon."
>She walked past Anon without meeting his gaze, but turned her head back shortly after.
>"Please."
>She then continued her walk down the hall.
>Anon scratched his head as he turned and continued on into his room.
>This was too damn much drama for him.
>Chicks and their problems.
>Nothing new.
>He grabbed his book and climbed up onto his bed.
>It's why he stayed single.
>Every chick he ever met, nothing but one long soap opera.
>Every little thing became its own centerpiece.
>Why didn't you call me back after your phone died?
>Is it because you don't care?
>Why won't you wear that shirt I got you?
>Is it because you don't love me?
>Why-
>Anon slammed his head into the backboard of the bed to silence his annoying train of thoughts.
>No reason to dwell on that bullshit.
>Not like he was gonna have to deal with it anytime soon.

>He stared off into the distance, focusing on nothing in particular.
>The book still rested on his lap and remained unopened.
>He wasn't sure how long he allowed himself to sit there doing nothing, but his room began to fill with light from the windows.
>Guess they're raising the sun.
>Anon chuckled slightly to himself.
>Manually raising the sun.
>The idea was still stupid.
>He yawned before returning his gaze down at the book.
"Eh, maybe tomorrow."
>He replaced the book onto the nightstand near his bed and layed down.
>Fucked up sleeping schedule.
>He'd have to fix it eventually.
>His thoughts turned to Luna.
>Or maybe he wouldn't.
>"Anon!"
>Anon groggily opened his eyes.
>A faint pounding was heard in the distance.
>Sounds like some fag at his door.
>He sits up and rubs his eyes before glancing around his room.
>Fucking mess.
>He was going to clean it up, but he never found the time.
>He never did.
>The door pounding echoed through his house once more.
>Anon moaned loudly before shouting.
"I'm up! Hold the fuck on."
>With some effort, he forced himself out of his comfortable bed, scratched himself, and began his search for less-dirty clothes.
>These haven't been on the floor long.
>He selects some clothing, throws it on, and heads to his front door.
>The pounding starts back up right before he reaches the door.
>"Get the fuck-"
>Anon swings open the door and a fist comes flying through the doorway.
>"-up-"
"Stop pounding on my fucking door."
>Anon's friend grinned and held up his hand to give the traditional broshake.
>Anon followed suit and offered a weak smile.
"You're gonna make my damn coffee for this bullshit."
>"It's like 5PM, dude. Where the hell were you?"
>Good question.
>Did he sleep all fucking day?
"I was here sleeping until some fag woke me up."
>"We waited for like an hour before I told them to go ahead without us. I came to get you."
"I dunno man, I don't really feel like doin' this shit right now."

>Anon's friend rolled his eyes.
>"You pussied out the last few times already. I didn't come to ask today."
>Anon leaned against his doorframe.
"You seriously think I'm interested in those idiots you guys keep introducing me to?"
>"You don't have to be interested, dude. Just fucking get some already. You really need it. You're like a damn shut-in now."
"I'm not a fucking shut-in just cuz I don't spend my entire day looking for cheap thrills anymore."
>His friend scoffed and folded his arms sarcastically.
>"'Cheap thrills?' Half that shit was your idea."
"Ya, well, it was stupid."
>"But it was fun, right?"
>Anon thought back a little bit.
>Despite his efforts, a small grin began spreading across his face.
>His friend smiled and slapped his shoulder.
>"Good, now c'mon, we're already late."
"Fuck it. Let's go."
>Anon grabbed some nearby shoes and threw them on before leaving.
>Suddenly he was inside a dimly-lit cave of a structure.
>He knew it well.
>It was the only bar they ever went to.
>He found himself there quite often, despite the fact he didn't drink himself.
>Nope, just following his stupid friends.
>It would have been a good idea to perhaps make more intelligent friends, but he had practically grown up with them.
>They were basically family.
>And unfortunately, you can't choose family.
>"So dude, this is that chick I was telling you about."
>His friend sloppily leaned forward on Anon's table, his drink spilling over slightly in the process.
>His other arm was wrapped around the shoulders of some chick.
>Usually his other friend swoops in to back up the story of 'how awesome Anon is' after his first friend passes the girl to him, but tonight he seemed to have gotten himself busy with a girl of his own.
>Anon lifted his cup of water up to the unfortunate chick and bowed his head slightly.
"Hey there, good lookin'."
>She grinned at him.
>"Hey yourself. Your friend tells me you were in the military?"
>Ugh.
>Seriously dude?
>Military?
"Ya, for a bit."

>The girl bit her lower lip slightly.
>Anon's friend backed off from her and gave him the thumbs up.
>Anon facepalmed internally as he then began making humping motions directly behind her.
>She was too busy staring at Anon to notice.
>"I find guys in uniform to be... Hot."
"I didn't keep that shit after I was kicked out.
>"Oh, kicked out? What'd you do?"
>She took a seat across from him and listened intently.
>Anon's friend finally fucked off and left them alone.
>Anon turned his attention to the chick in question.
>She wasn't entirely bad looking.
>Meh, why not?
"I got in a fight with my sergeant over some stupid shit."
>"Did you kick his ass?"
>Anon took a drink of his water.
"Nah, he kicked the shit out of me. I got in a few good hits, but whatever. I just didn't want to take his bullshit."
>"Ya, fuck those guys. You were right to kick his ass."
>Typical.
>Every chick at this damn place wants her man to have more testosterone than sense.
>Why does bad boy bullshit always go over so easily?
>Phase two, then.
"Just did what I wanted. So got kicked out, now I'm back in this shithole. There's never anything fun to do around here."
>"Ya this place sucks, but that doesn't mean there's nothing fun we could do..."
>Anon pushed his cup back to his lips and took his time taking another drink.
>He looked away, feigning disinterest.
"What'd you have in mind?"
>He knew full well what she had in mind.
>She giggled and stood up, grabbing his arm along the way and causing him to spill his drink.
>Neither of them cared.
>She leaned right up into his face.
>"I'm sure we can find something fun."
>Anon could smell the booze on her breath.
>She'd already had one too many.
>She pulled at his arm before letting go and began heading towards the exit.
>Anon followed.
>Across the room, he spotted his buddies nodding at him and cheering him on with their drinks.
>They'd be wanting details.
>It was part of the code.

>Once they left the bar, they didn't go far.
>Anon invited her to his own vehicle.
>She didn't realize it was only because she was too fucking drunk for him to put his life in her hands.
>They pulled off the side of the road a short distance away.
>It was easy enough to find secluded spots here.
>He hadn't even finished stopping before she plunged herself on top of him from the passenger seat.
>His eyes went wide and he stopped as quickly as possible, nearly hitting a large boulder.
>With some effort, he managed to get around her enough to shift the vehicle into park.
>Calm the fuck down.
>He turned to try to get into a more comfortable position.
>She continued clawing her way on top of him, kissing his face in random spots all the while.
>Or at least what passes as kissing when you're hammered.
>Least he would be getting some soon.
>That's always fun.
>She continued pressing herself into his face.
>Okay she's gonna need help.
>Anon grabbed her shoulders and pushed her off him enough that they could see each other.
"Back seat."
>She was already short of breath from her excitement.
>With a nod, she jumped out of the passenger door and into the back seat of his car.
>Anon took off his shirt and did the same.
>Once in the back, she tackled him once more and continued where she had left off with a renewed vigor.
>Anon began returning her sloppy kisses.
>She began grinding her leg against his crotch, eager to move this along to the better parts.
>Anon wrapped his arms around her.
>He then pushed his hands up under her shirt from behind and grabbed her back, pulling her closer and attempting to control her movements a little more.
>She giggled and continued grinding against him.
>He began working on her bra strap.
>She started rubbing his chest up and down with her hands, getting lower and lower with each stroke.
>The bra broke free, and Anon tossed it to the floor.
>Shortly afterwords, she sat up as best she could and smiled at Anon.

>She lifted her shirt off and tossed it behind herself.
>After readjusting her posterior to line up with Anon's crotch, she proceeded to grind against him.
>Anon sat up more and began kissing her once again, giving each of her tits some attention at regular intervals.
>An odd feeling began to crawl around his mind.
>Something was wrong.
>He could feel it, but he couldn't figure out what it might be.
>She continued grinding on him for a moment before backing off slightly to allow her hand to slip down his pants.
>She felt around for a moment before stopping.
With a frown, she pulled away from his face and looked him in the eyes.
>"What's wrong?"
>Anon wasn't sure what she meant at first, but quickly realized what her problem was.
>He was flaccid.
>And she wasn't happy about it.
>Not after all of her efforts.
>Anon became hyper aware of the entire situation.
>The repugnant stench of alcohol on her sour breath.
>The fact that she had probably been rutted more times than all of his friends combined.
>Her disturbingly simple personality.
>His body had been trying to get these messages across, but his mind was a little slow to pick them up.
>It had never been a problem before.
>He found it odd that it suddenly was one now.
>The fuck was going on?
>Why was this suddenly so fucking wrong?
>He found himself as annoyed as she was.
"I can't do this right now."
>She scoffed and grabbed her clothes.
>She then roughly pushed herself off of him before exiting the car.
>"Fucking piece of shit."
>He felt the car rock slightly as she kicked the side of it before walking away.
>Anon simply laid on the backseat staring up at nothing.
>Meaningless sex had lost its appeal.
"Oh fuck."
>His buddies were gonna rip on him forever cuz of this shit.

>He eventually sat up and returned to the driver seat of his vehicle.
>He stuck the key into the ignition and his car began making that annoying beeping sound, warning him he needed to buckle up for safety.
>Instead, he merely zoned out staring at the dashboard.
>He sighed and leaned forward onto the steering wheel.
>"So this is what you left behind, then?"
>Anon jumped at the sound of the voice.
>It was so fucking familiar.
>He sat back and looked over at his passenger seat.
>Luna was sitting there, staring at Anon.
"How the fuck did you get here?"
>She frowned.
>"You are dreaming, Anon."
>Dreaming?
>"Hold one moment, then I'll explain a few things."
>Luna closed her eyes for a short while.
>The longer this went on, the more aware Anon became.
>Another fucking dream.
>Of course he wasn't back home, he was stuck in their damn world.
"I thought you said you weren't gonna do this shit to me anymore?"
>Luna sighed and reopened her eyes.
>"There. Seems your higher brain functions are working once again."
>Higher-
"What the hell are you doing, manipulating me again?"
>She shook her head.
>"As I said, I shall explain in detail. You see, when I am in control of a dream, it allows the dreamer to use his entire mind to process information at a normal capacity rather than focus on creating the world. You had no idea you were actually dreaming until recently, did you?"
>Come to think of it, no, he didn't notice a damn thing.
>Seemed like just another day for the most part.
>"I only just now seized control of your dream, allowing you to become lucid once more."
"Why the hell did jump into my dream at all?"
>Luna looked away, slightly embarrassed.
>"I was... Curious to see what it is you dream of. It was my original intention to merely observe from afar. However, once you seemed distraught, I felt the urge to act."
>Spying on him.
>Motherfucking dammit.
"What the fuck, Luna?"

>She wasn't sure how to respond.
>Seems no matter what she said it wouldn't help the situation.
>She shrugged.
>Anon suddenly leaned away from her and began glancing around.
"Wait, how fucking long have you been watching me? What'd you see?"
>Her blushing intensified and she looked away.
>You gotta be fucking kidding.
>His face began turning red to match hers, partially in anger and partially embarrassment.
"You didn't... Don't tell me you just sat there and fucking watched me- That chick- And the..."
>She simply bowed her head in response.
>"I did not intend to stay after I realized what was going on, but you ended it before anything had happened, and then I noticed your sorrow."
>His sorrow?
>He actually had to think for a moment to recollect his thoughts and remember everything that had happened.
>It was a little foggy, like trying to remember a dream shortly after you wake up.
>He was gonna bang that drunk chick, but did he do it?
>No...
>No, he didn't.
>Why the fuck not?
>He knew for a fact he'd have banged her senseless given the chance.
>Right?
>His head began hurting.
>Actually, he had such a chance and didn't.
>The fuck was wrong with him?
>"So what's wrong, Anon?"
>What's wrong?
>He felt really fucking vulnerable right about now.
>She had witnessed his failed lay attempt and now was asking him how he felt about that.
>His embarrassment was finally consumed by his anger.
"What's wrong is you had no fucking right to spy on me."
>He knew that's not what she meant, but he had to defend what was left of his pride.
>She looked him in the eyes as his rage grew.
>"It was not my intention to spy on you-"
"'You' entered 'my' dream. What other fucking reason could you have?"
>"I simply wanted to see your world. I had-"
"Well next time I'll draw you a fucking picture. I don't come peek through your window when you're getting rutted. I think it's not asking too much for the same privacy."
>She quickly realized this could only get worse.
>"I'm sorry."

>Anon punched the steering wheel.
>After all, it couldn't hurt.
>In fact, it didn't, and he even managed to dent it severely which made him feel a little better.
"You have no idea how tired I am of hearing that word. Everyone should just avoid doing shit they'll regret in the fucking first place."
>He was too pissed off to really consider anything.
>All he wanted was to get away from this situation.
>Had to get away.
>He attempted to wake himself up.
>Wasn't working.
>He threw open the driver door and jumped out.
"Alright, wake the fuck up now."
>He grabbed his head.
>It was no use.
>Where he could normally feel his actual body when he realizes he's dreaming, he now felt like he 'was' in his real body.
>He turned back towards his car.
>It was gone, but Luna remained behind in its place, standing motionless and avoiding eye contact.
"Why the fuck can't I wake up?"
>"As I said, I took control of this dream. I have to be the one who ends it."
"So end it already."
>She closed her eyes a moment.
>Her expression became adamant.
>Once she reopened them, she gazed up at Anon.
>"I shall not. Not until you calm down."
>Calm down?
"Fucking calm down? I'll calm down when I'm not trapped in fucking limbo with a chick I barely know who saw me-"
>He grit his teeth and flipped around to avoid looking at her.
>Godammit.
>"I am not precisely comfortable with this situation either, Anon, but I must be sure your rage remains safely contained here. Should my sister-"
>She stopped abruptly and looked back towards the ground.
>Anon remained turned around, arms folded, tapping his hands against his sides.

>After a short while of nothing being said, Anon finally gave in and turned around to look at Luna.
>Her eyes were moist, filled with a sense of pleading.
>He suddenly found it difficult to remember exactly why he was so pissed off.
>Fucking pride.
>Your own piece of shit friends had walked in on you on multiple occasions, sometimes intentionally.
>Why should it matter so damn much that she did?
>Unintentionally, even.
>Anon only glared at her, but he loosened up his body until eventually his arms fell to his sides.
>The rage bubbled away afterwords.
>Luna nodded at him in gratitude.
>Anon shrugged and tensed up slightly once more, looking off to the side.
"So you gonna wake me up now or what?"
>"You have hardly been asleep for any amount of time. Why not continue dreaming for a while?"
>Anon turned back to say something, but was cut off by the sudden change in scenery.
>They were both standing in front of the bar he had just come from.
>Luna walked inside the door and began looking around at all of the people inside.
>Anon followed behind her.
>Everyone was frozen in time.
>It was weird as fuck.
>Anon poked a few people.
>Their bodies remained motionless.
>"Well, this is where you wanted to be, correct?"
>After she finished speaking, everyone started moving once more.
>The sound hit him like a wave all at once.
>He reeled back and blinked a few times.
>"Dude, what the hell happened?"
>Anon's friend walked up to him and slapped his shoulder.
>"You already bang that chick, bro? She was smokin' right?"
>Anon looked around.
"I, uh..."
>His friend took a large chug of his booze before speaking up once more.
>"C'mon bro, details, details."
"I..."
>His friend leaned in closer to hear him over the pounding music.
"I don't want to be here."

>Luna emerged from the crowd and approached them both.
>Anon stared at her until she got within arms reach.
>Anon's friend turned and looked at her.
>"Damn, is that a horse?"
>Before Anon could register a thought in his mind, his fist was being planted firmly into his friend's face.
>His friend collapsed to the ground, and everyone else stepped back slightly.
>Luna rolled her eyes.
>"You already know this is a dream."
>Anon shrugged.
"Ya, well, I needed that."
>The bar went quiet as everything froze once more.
>He flashed her a smirk.
"Besides, he's had that coming for years. Trust me... Oh, and only I get to call you a horse."
>"I do not believe I gave you permission for that, human."
"Actually you did, as long as you get to call me human."
>Anon slapped Luna in the shoulder and grinned before turning and walking out of the bar.
>No reason to stay there.
>Once outside, they began walking along the road, side by side.
>Anon sighed and leaned his head back to look up at the sky.
"Go ahead and ask."
>Luna turned to him with a puzzled expression on her face.
>He looked over at her and frowned.
>She broke away from his gaze and looked down a moment before speaking.
>"Does that mean you are prepared to have a real discussion?"
"It's not like I'm going anywhere for a while, is it?"

>Anon didn't really enjoy the thought of opening up to anyone.
>Seemed pretty pathetic.
>Although for some reason, the idea bothered him less knowing it was Luna.
>He shrugged off the thought and decided it might be best to just get it over with.
>Luna offered him a weak grin.
>"I suppose not."
>He returned his focus on the path ahead, leading nowhere in particular.
>Luna turned her gaze downward.
"So..."
>"Why are you unhappy?"
>Damn, that was quick.
>Anon glanced back over at Luna as he thought of a decent way to answer.
"I'm not, though. I mean, I was cuz you, well, you know."
>"No, you misunderstand."
>She looked up at him, struggling to find the words.
>He simply stared at her and waited.
>"You were unhappy with your friends. You were unhappy with that... Female, and you are unhappy in our world. Is there no situation in which you find joy?"
>They both look away from each other; Luna because she was afraid she may have been too direct, and Anon because she made him sound so damn depressing.
"Ya, my friends are kind of douchebags, that girl was kind of drunk, and your world doesn't even accept me."
>He looked back over at Luna.
"I suppose I just enjoy being alone most of the time. Not like that fucking prison sort of alone, just hanging out somewhere with my thoughts."
>Luna nodded.
>Anon grinned.
"Actually, you haven't exactly been the most terrible chick I've hung out with, either."
>That got her to grin as well.
>"Well, thank you. You have not fared so badly yourself."

>Anon looked forward once more.
"Speaking of unhappy, I actually had a talk with your sister recently."
>Luna looked away.
>"Oh? Pray tell, what was it about?"
"You, actually. She made it sound like you're not exactly happy, either."
>She flinched slightly before responding.
>"I... suppose I may not seem the most cheerful of ponies."
>He shrugged.
"You seem happy enough now."
>Anon looked over at her.
"You're welcome."
>Luna pushed Anon to the side with her wing and scoffed.
>"Yes, because I have you to thank for that."
>He chuckled slightly at her small outburst.
"Naturally."
>She shook her head and smiled at the ground.
>Her smile slowly faded and she looked back up at Anon.
>"My sister actually said I look unhappy?"
>Anon looked down at her as they continued their walk to nowhere.
>He frowned as she seemed somewhat distraught.
"Well... Ya. I mean, I can't really judge that cuz I haven't known you that long, but she seemed genuinely concerned for you."
>Luna looked back down at the ground.
>"I see."
"She even said 'please' when asking me not to fuck it up."
>She continued staring at the ground.
>Anon glanced around for a moment nervously.
>Shit was about to get deep.
>He never really handled emotional stuff directly before.
>Finally, he looked back over at her with concern in his eyes.
"So, since we're getting real for a bit, could you tell me what happened with you two? She said 'some wounds never fully heal.' I can't imagine it being that bad."
>Luna stopped walking and closed her eyes for a moment.
>Anon stopped as well.
>She took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled.
>She spoke without opening her eyes.
>"I suppose now would be a good time to share my story, as you have shared yours."

>Luna opened her eyes and looked up to meet his gaze.
>"I shall spare you the more intimate details and give you the important information. My sister has always ruled the day, and I have always ruled the night. I believe the night is unappreciated, yet beautiful. It simply didn't seem important to anypony. It was just there, existing in silence."
>She took another deep breath before continuing.
>"It is a sentiment I began associating with myself. While my sister was showered with love and admiration, I stayed in the shadows, unheeded by any."
>Her eyes began to shimmer as she spoke.
>"I wanted to feel what she felt. I wanted to be noticed. I wanted to feel needed."
>She looked up at Anon with angry, yet watery eyes.
>"Is that too much to ask? Do I not deserve the same admiration my sister receives simply because I chose the night and she chose the day? Is my destiny to be ignored for eternity, yet expected to be content with it?"
>Anon looked at the ground, unsure of what to say.
>Luna breathed heavily as she continued staring at Anon, but her expression changed back to normal as she realized what she was saying.
>She looked away once more.
>"I was not content with my destiny, and so I attempted to change it. If no one would notice me as I was, I would change who I was."
>She closed her eyes once more.
>"I knew it was a foolish idea, but I was desperate. Any change was welcomed. I used dark magic in an attempt to strengthen my own magic. I would need the extra power for what was to follow."
>Anon crossed his arms and continued staring at the ground, waiting for her to finish her story.
>"I attacked her, Anon. I was not in control of myself, but I could still see it. I attacked my own sister. By the time I realized the mistake I had made, I could not undo it."
>Luna looked up at Anon once more with tears dripping from her eyes.

>Her normally regal voice was beginning to crack.
>"I had to watch her fight back. I had to watch her... She had to defend herself against me, and it broke her. She was forced to do the only thing she could do. She could not destroy me, as she loved me too much. She could not imprison me, as that would mean she would have to either eventually judge me or at the very least, look upon my betrayal every day. No, she elected to banish me in an attempt to hide from her emotions."
>She couldn't keep eye contact with Anon any longer.
>She allowed herself to stare at the ground once more.
>"Even when... I came b-back-"
>Her sentence was cut short as she was surprised by Anon.
>A primal urge had risen up in him and he did the one thing he knew he could do in this situation to help.
>He wasn't good at dealing with emotional shit most of the time, but luckily this wasn't one of those times.
>Without thinking, he instinctively dropped to his knees, wrapped his arms around Luna and pulled her in for a tight hug.
>He didn't say anything, he simply held her there.
>She didn't say anything either, but let go of her inhibitions for a moment and allowed herself to cry without shame.
>He gently stroked her head as she released what was certainly many years of bottled emotions.
>Nothing needed to be said.
>He simply held her tightly until her crying died down into sobs and sniffs.
>They both seemed to agree simultaneously when the time was right to release each other, pulling away and looking into the others eyes.
>Anon offered up a small grin and a shrug.
"Feel better?"
>Luna sniffed once more and wiped her nose with her forehoof before offering a small grin of her own and nodding.
>"Indeed. Thank you. I... I did not know I needed that so badly."

>Anon stood up and gave her a little room.
"Well, I didn't either. It just kind of felt right."
>He scratched the back of his neck and looked away before returning his gaze to her.
"You know, you don't have to finish this if-"
>She held up a hoof and stopped him before readopting her usual, formal posture.
>"Please, I will be fine. I have been through much in my lifetime, Anon. Sharing pieces of my past are little cause for such concerns."
>She cleared her throat and looked away before continuing.
>"When I returned from my banishment, my sister could not face me. She scarcely managed to face me the first time and it tore her apart, she could not be asked to do so again. It would have likely killed her."
>Luna cleared her throat once more and wiped her eyes.
>"Twilight Sparkle managed to face me in my sister's place by harnessing the Elements of Harmony, along with her friends. They stripped the dark magic from me, freeing me from my torment. My sister sensed this and returned to my side as quickly as she could manage. I was exceedingly happy to see her once more... As myself."
>She looked back up at Anon, who was standing motionless with his arms crossed.
>His eyes watered slightly.
>"However, some wounds do not fully heal, irregardless of the amount of time that it spans."
>She sighed and looked down once more.

>Anon looked away.
"That, uh... That was much worse than I expected."
>Luna attempted a small laugh.
>"You did not think it would be something trivial, did you?"
>Anon curls his lower lip thoughtfully and nods gently.
"Actually, I did. This may come as a shock to you, but I don't really deal with cosmic banishment very often in my world."
>This time she managed a real laugh.
>"Yes, that is quite shocking. It seems like something you deal with on a daily basis."
>Anon looks up and folds his arms behind his head.
"Well, I guess it's how I got here. Apparently the universe banished me."
>"It would seem your misfortune turned out to be somewhat of a blessing."
>He rolled his eyes in response.
"Ya, banishment followed by imprisonment. I'm a fountain of luck."
>She chuckled once more before they stood in silence for a moment.
"Hm... So, I guess that's why you weren't around when the castle was built, then?"
>She propped up an eyebrow.
>"You managed to put all of the pieces together already, have you?"
"Of course. Don't let my appearance fool ya, I'm actually pretty smart in real life."
>"I shall have to take your word on that, I suppose."
>Anon looked down at the ground for a moment before looking back up at Luna.
"Is that whole thing about you being over a thousand years old true? I mean, I thought you were full of shit, but now... I realize I have no idea how this world works."
>She smirks in response.
>"Indeed I am, though I have been told I do not look a day over one hundred."

>Anon adopts an odd smile of disbelief and shakes his head.
"That's just... Damn..."
>His smile twitches a few times as it turns into a frown.
>He simply stares at the ground.
"You know, that thing about humans only living for a hundred years... It's usually a lot less time than that."
>Luna's smile fades into a frown as well as she realizes what he's saying.
>"Is it?"
>He nods and continues staring at the ground, contemplating how many of his lifetimes she's already lived.
>It's mind boggling.
"I'd say your average human lives to a ripe old age of sixty or seventy, and by then they're usually too crippled to do much."
>He looks back up at her and smiles.
"So I guess if I get stuck here, you'll be taking care of me for real eventually."
>Luna doesn't return his smile.
>It was obviously a false one.
>"I see... Well, we should endeavor to make the most of your time here then."
"Haven't we been doing that already? We hang out all night, and then you dream-stalk me all day. Our schedule seems pretty booked."
>Luna chuckled.
>Despite his revelation, he still hides behind humor.
>She would not attempt to reveal this to him.
>At least not yet.
>This conversation had already had its fair share of depression.
>"Be that as it may, I think there is more for you to experience."
>Anon folded his arms and continued looking at Luna.
"Well, I suppose I still have to go hang out with those guards. It's on my bucket list."
>"I would not dream of keeping you from doing such."
>Luna suddenly cringes slightly.
>"It would seem it is time for this dream to end. I have nearly reached my limits."
>Anon began looking around.
"I guess now's as good a time as any. So how-"
>The next instant, Anon is opening his eyes and
staring up at the ceiling of his room.
"Oh."

>Anon sits up and rubs his face.
"Oh, fuck..."
>He grabs the sides of his head.
>Fucking headache from hell.
>He also notes a slight ringing in his ears.
>After a few moments of cringing, the pain begins to subside until it dies down to a dull throbbing.
>He opens his eyes and looks around the room.
>Still light outside.
>Of course it's light outside, they haven't lowered the sun and raised the moon yet.
"Don't know if I'll ever get used to that shit."
>He pushed his legs to the side and forced his way out of the comfortable bed.
>He had slept in his clothes.
>No way in hell was he taking the chance of losing them again.
>He stood up and looked down at the floor while his eyes struggled to focus.
>Alright, first on the agenda.
>Coffee.
>Anon stumbled forward slightly and grabbed his head once more.
>Painkillers and coffee.
>With his arm raised to his head, he caught a whiff of himself.
>Holy shit.
>A shower, then painkillers and coffee.
>As Anon slowly made his way to the royal lavatory, he began wondering if he might find a towel or some other useful items already in there.
>They seem to have everything readily available.
>Do ponies use regular soap?
>They could just magic the dirt off of themselves, probably.
>Anon rubbed his increasingly stubbly face.
>He needed a damn razor.
>Ponies don't need razors, though, do they?
>Do they even have barbers?
>Whatever

>As he reached the lavish wonder that was the royal lavatory, his cares for anything existing in the near future dissolved and were replaced by present needs.
>He entered the room and closed the door behind him before looking around.
>The walls had large stained glass windows with images of forests and rivers.
>A whole wall was dedicated to towels of every size.
>Alright, they have towels in here.
>Not that it would have stopped him from showering, but at least now he won't have to deal with that uncomfortable drying period.
>He stripped off his clothes and kicked them to the corner.
>Hopefully they won't get wet.
>He then made his way over to the royal toilet.
>A fucking royal toilet.
>It had an awkward as hell design, but then again it was designed for miniature equine, so what the fuck can you do?
>Anon noted the water running inside the toilet.
>It almost looked like some kind of miniature aqueduct running horizontally a short distance below the hole.
>Still no toilet paper.
"What the hell am I studying this shit for?"
>He then relieved himself before heading back over to the showering area.
>An area because it could literally be a small room.
>It was a large circle in the corner of the room that sloped very slightly towards the center drain and had a fancy curtain that ran all around it.
>He entered the curtained area and started looking around.
>How the hell does this thing work?
>While Anon is busy looking at what is essentially a completely empty circle with an intricate floor tile design and a ceiling that seems to have been assaulted by a twenty-two caliber machine gun, the door opens without him noticing.

>The sound of hooves clopping across the hard tiled floor catch Anon's attention.
>The fuck?
"Hey! Hey, the fuck are doing just-"
>Anon parts the curtains enough to poke his head through without revealing himself.
>Luna jumps and ceases her walk towards the toilet, turning to see Anon.
>She began shouting, but toned it down as she spoke.
>"Anon!? I nearly just- What are you doing in here!?"
"I was trying to take a fucking shower. Why didn't you knock?"
>She begins rubbing her forehead with her hoof.
>"I have a pounding headache and simply wished to use 'my' lavatory in peace. I had forgotten you were here."
"Well I'm naked so please get out."
>She pulls her hoof away and rolls her eyes.
>"Again with the nudity issue. I do not understand why it matters so."
"It matters."
>She begins leaving the room, angry and frustrated.
>She mutters under her breath as she leaves.
>"Being kicked out of my own lavatory... You are lucky I am so polite!"
"Ya, lucky me you're polite enough to not stay in the bathroom when a man is showering."
>Anon turns around and glances around at the circle area again.
>Oh fuck.
"Wait! Wait, how the hell does this shower work?"
>Luna ceases her walk.
>"With magic, naturally."
>She smirks as she awaits the request she knows will follow.
>A short time passes in awkward silence before he finally speaks up.
"Could you, uh, turn the shower on for me before you go?"
>She continues staring forward towards the door and smiles.
>"Why of course. It would be my pleasure."
>Her horn lights up and the sound of rain fills the room.
"Fuck! Fuck it's fucking freezing! Luna!"
>She continues out the door, shouting a short message before closing it behind her.
>"You are welcome!"

>Anon trips as he attempts to flee the pouring water, falling harshly on the solid floor.
>Turns out wet tile and panic aren't exactly the best of combinations.
"Goddamit!"
>Before he manages to recover and escape, the water warms up to a comfortable temperature.
>He lays there on the floor, face down and moaning slightly.
>Well, the headache is back in full force, and now various other limbs have joined the fun.
>After wasting quite a bit of time doing nothing, Anon finally gets up and washes himself off.
>Apparently there's no soap, but it's better than nothing.
>Once he finished, he walked out, dried off, put his slightly dirty old clothes back on, and left the room.
>The shower was still going, but Luna will probably take care of it.
>To his surprise, she wasn't waiting for the bathroom outside the door.
>He shrugs to himself and continues down the hall.
>Painkillers.
>Coffee.
>Coffee can be found in the kitchen, and someone there is bound to know where some painkillers are.
>As he enters the dining area, he notices a few guards sitting at a table, along with Luna sitting alone.
>She's already drinking coffee.
>Anon approaches her, holding his head with one hand and his side with the other.
>She looks up from her cup and chuckles at him.
>"How was your shower?"
"I need some painkillers and some coffee."
>His face remained adamant.
>She takes another sip as she watches him.
>"I am certain the chef can make you a fine cup of coffee, as well as mix in a few herbs to help dull your pain."
>She looks down for a moment, then returns her gaze to him.
>"Er, Pray tell, what manner of pain are you feeling?"
>Anon had already began his short walk towards the kitchen as she asked.
"The painful kind."

>Anon pushes open the kitchen door.
>Seems a couple ponies are cleaning up.
>The day must almost be over.
>He spots the chef he had seen before and heads towards him.
"Hey, uh... Chef guy."
>The chef turns to face Anon and props up an eyebrow.
>"Chef guy?"
>Anon continues walking towards him.
"You were the one that didn't introduce yourself to me, remember? Anyway, I need some black coffee and something that can help this headache."
>"I am not 'Chef Guy.'"
>Anon closes his eyes tightly for a moment, before relaxing a bit and opening them once more.
"Look, I'm kind of in a lot of pain right now. Could we do this later?"
>The chef scoffs and walks to what Anon assumed is their coffee machine.
>He pours a hefty cup of joe before taking it to his spice cupboard and retrieving a few choice items and sprinkling them into the cup.
>He then returns to Anon and thrusts it into his hands.
>"Here, drink it up. The herbs will dull your senses."
>Anon embraces the cup with both hands, raises it to his face and inhales the aroma.
>He shudders slightly.
>Holy shit, that's some good coffee.
>His headache even faded slightly.
"Thanks, this is exactly what I needed."
>"Certainly. Now get out of my kitchen."
"Certainly."
>He exits the kitchen and sits down near Luna before taking another deep inhale of the aroma steaming from his cup.
"Mmmmm...."
>"Anon?"
"Hmm?"
>He looks up groggily and turns towards Luna.
>"The pain you are feeling, did something happen?"
"Actually, I tripped in the shower. Thanks for that, by the way."
>She chuckles once more.
>Anon takes a sip of coffee and melts into a state of bliss.
"Also the shower is still going I think."
>Luna takes a sip of her own coffee as well.
>"No, it shuts off when the area is no longer occupied for a short duration."
"Well that's convenient, I guess. Oh, I also woke up with a throbbing headache. Dunno what that was about, but this coffee is doing wonders."

>She glances up with a surprised expression and turns to him once more.
>"A... Headache, you say?"
"Ya, why?"
>She looks down at the table, her eyes darting back and forth a few times.
>"That is... Most strange, and mildly alarming."
>Anon shrugs.
"It's just a damn headache. I've had plenty."
>Suddenly she stands up from the table and trots away with a brisk pace.
>"I must leave you for now. There are things I must attend to."
"Uh... Alright?"

>Anon gives Luna a confused look until she's out of sight.
>He then shrugs it off and goes back to his coffee.
>That was odd.
>You'd think they've never had health issues before.
>Huh, maybe that's what it was.
>What if they never get sick or anything?
>Anon looks around the room.
>Well if that was the case, why would they have herbs for dulling pain?
>He takes another sip of the healing coffee.
>He guesses they could still fight or something.
>They have a dungeon, after all.
>It can't be peaceful all the time.
>As he looks around the room, his eyes lock onto the group of guards across the room.
>One of the guards was sitting with his back to Anon while two others were facing him.
>The guard with his back to Anon turned back to face the other two when he noticed Anon caught him staring.
>One of the other guards also looked down at his cup in the same moment.
>Friendly bunch.
>Anon chuckled to himself, then winced slightly from the sharp pain in his head.
>Nothing on the agenda for today, so may as well find something to do.
>He looks back over at the guards, who are now doing their best to pretend Anon doesn't exist.
>Well, he did tell Luna he was going to talk to them eventually.
>Eventually could potentially be right now.
>He takes another sip of coffee and exhales a contented sigh.
>Fuck it.

>He stands up from his spot and makes his way over to the small group of guards who are still pretending Anon doesn't exist.
>At least, they do so until he sits next to the guard who had his back turned to him.
>Just a few feet away.
>The guard sits up a little straighter and struggles not to turn his head.
>His two buddies glance over at Anon, but otherwise don't acknowledge him.
>Anon smiles and swirls his cup, watching the coffee inside move about.
"This is some damn fine coffee you guys got here. In fact, this might be the best coffee I've ever had."
>The guards flinch when Anon first starts speaking, but otherwise continue sitting in silence.
>The guard next to him is visibly starting to shake slightly.
>Anon ignores this and continues.
"Yup, I don't even think Starbucks was on this level- Uh, not that you'd even know what that is. I mean, why would you?"
>Anon looks back up at them.
>They don't seem to be enjoying his company one bit.
>He laughs like someone who just told a joke they know was bad and want to apologize that it escaped their mouth in the first place before taking another sip of coffee.
>He then sets his cup down.
"Do you guys even drink coffee?"
>He looks from guard to guard.
>The one next to him is making a small amount of racket with his hooves shaking against his own cup.
>Surprisingly, he's the first one to speak up.
>"Yes..."
>The sound is barely audible.
>Anon turns his head slightly to try to hear him better.
"What?"
>"Yes!"
>This time it comes out as more of a loud, surprised yelp.
>Anon leans away from him.
>His hooves begin making even more noise on his cup.
>This isn't working at all.

>Anon takes one final swig of coffee and sets down his empty cup.
"Well, it was nice meeting you guys. I guess I'll..."
>He stands up as he speaks, then stays near the table as he attempts to complete his thought.
"Uh... Well, I'm not sure what I'll do yet. I don't really have anything to do."
>They keep staring forward as he speaks.
"Right, well, later."
>He backs away from the table a few steps before turning and walking away.
>That was incredibly fucking awkward.
>He has no idea what he should go do, but all he worries about is leaving the room.
>He makes sure not to look back at the guards as he makes his way to the doors, opens them, and steps out.
>Once the doors close behind him, he allows himself to stand there and think for a bit.
>Inside, he can hear the guards laughing at each other.
>Must be ripping on each other for being pansies.
>This actually causes Anon to grin.
>No one's ever just been flat out scared shitless of him before.
>What an odd feeling.
>He didn't even have to do anything.
>He was really hoping to just hang out with them for a bit, but this was entertaining too he supposed.
>Now what though?

>Before Anon has time to contemplate his options, a familiar form approaches him from down the long hallway.
>She doesn't carry that usual expressionless face this time.
>There seems to be concern.
>Guess Celestia saw Luna.
>Why does she automatically assume it's his fault?
>Perhaps Luna was worried over something unrelated to Anon, she doesn't know.
>"Anon, I'm glad you're still here. Do you know what had Luna so upset?"
>Well, it actually 'was' his fault, but it would be nice if she didn't just assume that.
"Actually, no. I told her I had a headache and she ran off. Do you think she went to get better medicine?"
>It was a joke, but the sharp pain that pulsated in his head every few minutes made him wish it wasn't.
>She slows her pace a bit and looks down as she continues towards him, talking to herself.
>"That doesn't make sense. Why would she concern herself with something so trivial?"
"And hey, why are your guards so scared shitless of me? What have you been telling them?"
>Celestia ignored his question.
>"Are you certain that is all you know?"
>Anon frowned.
"She can enter dreams, apparently, but I bet you knew that."
>"Did she dreamwalk with you, then?"
>Anon tilts his head.
"That sounds like it, I guess. She did walk into my dreams, which itself sounds stupid to say out-loud."

>Celestia squints slightly as she thinks.
>"I suppose that has something to do with why she suddenly trusted you."
>Anon shrugs.
"You could probably just, you know, ask her like a normal person- er, individual, instead of trying to deduce shit."
>It seems as though she's going to make a habit of ignoring information she doesn't need.
>His statement went through one ear and out the other.
>"Do you know where she is going? She simply told me-"
"There are things I must attend to."
>Anon joins her in her explanation.
>"Well, yes."
"Maybe you can go find out what's going on. I think I'm gonna go find a nice rock to pound my head in with."
>Celestia eyes Anon up and down.
>"Is your headache really so severe, or do you simply have a low pain threshold?"
>She just asked if he was a pussy.
>Fuck that.
"I promise it hurts like fucking hell. In fact, this is easily the worst headache I've ever had."
>She sniffs the air lightly.
>"Hm, traces of our stag-brew coffee. I don't suppose you asked Luna to help with your headache?"
"Well, ya."
>She grins slightly.
>"She also said to speak to the chef, didn't she?"
>Anon nods a little.
"Uh, ya?"
>She chuckles.
>Anon's heart sinks.
>What the fuck did they do?
>She never fucking laughs.
>"You may want to find somewhere to sit for a while before their help kicks in."

>With that, Celestia leaves Anon and continues on into the dining area.
>Anon whips his head around.
"Wait, what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
>The door closes behind her and he doesn't bother following.
>Shit.
>Shit shit shit.
>Anon turns back around and walks with a brisk pace towards his room.
>That should be safe enough until he knows what he's dealing with.
>As he walks, he turns his head to look behind himself to see who is following him.
>Every time, there's no one there.
>He swears he hears another set of footsteps echoing behind him.
>Whatever.
>He blinks a few times as the hallway blurs slightly and the colors begin bleeding together.
"Those motherfuckers..."
>Anon shakes his head and continues towards what he hopes is his room.
>Fucking find somewhere to sit down before it kicks in.
>Bullshit, there was no time.
>Before long, he begins stumbling slightly.
"I can't feel my fucking feet."
>He stops for a moment and frowns.
"I can't feel my fucking tongue."
>He quickens his pace some more to the best of his ability.
>Dull his senses, he said.
>More like remove them completely.
>Oh how they would pay dearly for this shit.
>He had no idea how, but they would surely rue this day.
>With no small amount of effort and luck, he finally stumbles into his room, slams the door shut behind him, and allows himself to collapse onto his bed.
>He rolls over and stares at the ceiling.
>It begins forming odd shapes and he swears it's getting closer.
>He manages a stupid grin.
>At least the headache is long gone.

>Anon found he was surprisingly lucid, despite the sheer what-the-fuckery the 'herbs' had created in his mind.
>Probably more magic involved, as per usual.
>As much as he enjoyed the thought of magic being capable of a multitude of things, it was also beginning to become tiresome.
>It's too unpredictable, and he already knows next to nothing about it.
>Finding out first-hand was getting old very quick.
>He observed the odd movements, shapes and colors putting on a show above him.
>Then again, this wasn't that bad.
>At least he could still think while he sat here helplessly.
>Kinda.
>It was a little distracting.
>Alright, focus.
>So Luna apparently though something was up, otherwise she wouldn't have just ran off.
>Did she also know his headache was severe enough to warrant the use of what he was sure was an illegal substance?
>Anon thinks back and recounts the events.
>Perhaps she was having a shitty morning as well.
>He doubts she used the same herbs he got, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to run off.
>Where would she even run off to if she was concerned about him?
>He was still here, and no one else even-
>He sat straight up.
"God fucking dammit."

>He rolls over and off his bed, landing harshly on the ground.
>Right, no feeling.
>After some struggling, he manages to climb to his feet and begins walking near the walls to help support his stumbling.
>Should have figured it out earlier.
>It's incredibly difficult to navigate while everything is bleeding together, but he attempts to rely on his internal map.
>Thanks Luna.
>With much effort, and quite a bit of time, he manages to find his way back to the kitchen he had just left probably twenty minutes ago.
>He finds the doors and pushes into them.
>They don't budge.
>Shit, are they locked?
>He struggles to focus on the handles.
>He doesn't see any keyholes.
>The fuck?
>Suddenly it dawns on him.
>He pulls the door open.
"Right, then."
>With the door open, he flops inside onto the floor.
>A few guards stand up at the sudden burst.
"Cewessia!"
>He attempts to yell for her.
>God he sounds retarded.
"Cewessia I know where Woona wen!"
>He rolls over and looks up at Celestia.
>Dear fucking God her hair looks terrifying.
>It fills up his entire vision.
>"Anon? Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"I yus woke up wike an hour ago."
>She shakes her head.
>"Where is she?"
>He frowns.
"Wih Hwiwo."
>She raises an eyebrow.
"Ugh."
>He focuses and speaks slowly.
"The purple horse."

>Celestia pulls her head back.
>"The pur- You mean Twilight?"
>Anon rolls his eyes and nods.
>"Are you certain?"
>He shrugs.
"Is a guess."
>Celestia stands upright and pulls a paper seemingly from nowhere, along with a quill.
>She begins scribbling something onto a paper while mouthing the words to herself.
>Anon just watches her write, not really sure what she's planning to accomplish.
>Wouldn't it just be quicker to go and get her?
>By time a letter arrives-
>His thoughts are interrupted by the letter rolling itself up and imploding into nothing.
>The fuck?
"Uh fuck?"
>"She always sends very prompt replies."
>What, did she just teleport a piece of paper to Twilight?
>Fucking magic.
>They're using ancient text messaging and they don't know it.
>He wonders briefly if they all talk that way.
>The ones without magic sure can't.
>Wait, why does this even matter?
"Wuh you tell her?"
>"Hm? I simply inquired about Luna's presence, if she is in fact there, and what she has asked about."
>Celestia glances over Anon and chuckles.
>"You really should have paced your use of our Pigra Root. It is quite potent."
>Anon attempts to frown, though he's not certain what expression he's making in reality.
"I din fuckin know I was bein hrugged."
>Her amusement was cut short by a new paper appearing from a swirling vortex of smoke and something green.
>The fuck kind of magic is that?
>She unfurls the paper before her and begins silently mouthing the words to herself.
>Anon taps his hands on the floor a few times.
"Ahem."
>He opens his eyes wide at her and purses his lips in an attempt to convey a message that does not require speech.
>A universal language among most people he's met.
>She looks down at him for a moment.
>"Oh, pardon me Anon. I'm not used to sharing information from Twilight with anyone."
>She clears her throat to start the letter over.

>"Dear Princess Celestia-"
>Anon rolls his eyes.
>Who else could possibly receive what he assumes is a magical letter?
>Fucking Twilight.
>"I'm afraid I haven't seen Princess Luna in at least a few days. I had already told her I would update her if I discovered anything at all."
>Celestia tilts her head slightly.
>"Luna just walked through the door. Twilight wanted me to tell you that she appears to be fine. I don't know what they're talking about, someone named Anon?"
>The letter ends suddenly.
>Celestia rolls up the letter and poofs it out of existence.
>Where the hell does that even go?
>"It would appear as though our friend Spike had taken over writing for Twilight once Luna appeared, and then accidentally sent the letter."
"Wuh makes you say hat?"
>"Well, the scratch on the page for one. I think they may have startled him while he was writing."
>Scratches huh?
>Not that it mattered much to Anon, but a new name had appeared that seemed to be tight in this circle of ponies that were supposed to keep his existence a secret.
"Who is Spike?"
>Celestia props up an eyebrow.
>"He wasn't mentioned in your discussions with Twilight?"
>Anon shrugs.
"No? Is he imporant?"
>"He is a very valuable assistant for Twilight, yes."
>Anon frowns once more.
>Must be her Igor.
>Helping her with all her bullshit experiments with other creatures.
>"He's a young dragon under her care. He assists her with her studies, as well as occasional-"
>Anon's mind blocked out the rest of what she was saying.
>Stop.
>Rewind your brain.
>Did she he's a dragon?

>"-Empire from the reign of Sombra. In return they allowed him to-"
>Jesus Christ she's still talking.
"Way, eh you say he's a ragon?"
>Celestia blinks a few times and looks back down at Anon.
>His eyes are as wide as dinner plates.
>She squints slightly at him.
>"Erm, yes, I did. Weren't you listening?"
>Anon begins breathing heavily.
"No, reawy, wike a reoh hucking ragon? Lows hire, aw hat shit?"
>Her squint grows more acute.
>"Yes?"
>From the floor, he raises his arm, placing his index finger squarely between her eyes.
"Het him here. Het him here or I hwear I will run oh an fine him myhelf."
>Celestia takes a step back away from Anon and his finger.
>"Calm yourself, Anon. I can hardly keep up with your slurring. If you wish to meet Spike I'm certain Twilight wouldn't mind bringing him along with her on her next visit."
>Goddamit.
>Finally get to see a real damn dragon and it comes at the cost of having to see the insane purple horse again.
>It didn't take him long to make up his mind.
>Totally worth it.
>Of all of the stupid dreams he had since he was young, one was seeing a real dragon.
>He had given up a long time ago, but now he had a real chance.
"Ine, I ohnt care. Ust het him here."
>He realized he was still pointing up at nothing and allowed his arm to flop down next to him.

>A motherfucking dragon.
>Intelligent enough to write as well, it seems.
>He must also have magic of his own if he was the one who sent the letter.
>It was too perfect.
>Anon was so fucking stoked.
>While he went full fangirl internally, Celestia continued back on topic.
>"I wonder what she wishes to learn about you from Twilight. I would have thought Luna would know the most about you of all of us, seeing you two have been nigh inseparable."
>Near instantaneously, the excited feelings all bubble away.
>That's right.
>What the fuck did she know?
>He sat up and continued thinking.
>Wait.
>All those tests.
>Luna must have known about them.
>Maybe she thought Twilight knew more about his physiology or something?
>She did run off about a headache, after all.
>It didn't really make sense.
>Nothing very serious had happened.
>"Did you think of something you failed to mention?"
>Anon didn't attempt to turn to look at her.
>His unfocused gaze continues staring forward at nothing.
"Huh? No, nuh reawy. Uh urple horse eh some testing on me. Eh probabwy went to see what eh knows."
>Nothing he couldn't have told her himself.
>Except his blood, of course.
>His head droops slightly.
>Huh.
>Was that it?
>How damn advanced was this place?
>They're still using torches for fucks sake, but his blood was important?
>He needed to ask.
>Finally he turned to face Celestia, who seemed to be studying his condition.
"Wet me write a wetter."

 >Celestia chuckles slightly as she levitates a blank parchment over to Anon, along with her small inkwell and feather quill.
>Anon ignores her and focuses on his task.
>He had never written with a quill before.
>How hard could it be?
>As he attempted to grasp the quill in one of his hands, he remembered exactly how hard it could be.
>Fuck.
>He didn't have to turn around to see Celestia's face to know what expression she was wearing.
>She probably thinks he's going to give up.
>Fuck that shit.
>After fumbling to grasp the quill like he would any other writing utensil, he instead adopts a more barbaric method and wraps his entire hand around it.
>He then struggles to aim at the inkwell before attempting to slowly dip the tip in.
>Only need a little ink.
>The tip of the quill reaches the surface of the ink, and then keeps going, and doesn't stop until it touches the bottom of the bottle.
>Whatever.
>He yanks the quill from the small vial, splattering ink around nearby and on himself.
>Once his arm is mostly stable, it finds its way over the parchment and hovers, awaiting further commands.
>Generous portions of ink leak from the quill down onto the page, dotting it up quite a bit.
>Unbeknownst to him, his tongue rolls out of his mouth, and with it a steady flow of drool finds its way to his shirt.
>Finally, he lowers his arm down so the quill meets the parchment.
>With some dramatic movements of his entire arm, 'words' begin taking shape on the ink-soaked parchment.
>The sight of his sloppy as fuck writing makes him cringe, but he presses on.
>A few more strokes, a few more dots, a few more scribbles.
>At long last, he allows his hand to drop the well-worn quill.
>He holds up the parchment to read it over once.
>The ink is running fairly badly.
>He's sure it's fine.
>With some effort, he turns to face Celestia to pass her the parchment.
>When he sees her, he grunts to himself and turns away from her.
>Her face is beat red from struggling against her laughter.

"Yes, it's hiwarious. Yust send it."
>"Pbbbbbthahahahaaa!"
>Jesus Christ, that laugh sounded terrifying.
>It was unsettling enough just to see her smile.
>Anon felt the paper pull itself from his hands and he watched as it rolled itself up and imploded in on itself, similar to the last letter.
>With that business done, he worked his way to his feet to attempt to leave her company.
>Preferably to go somewhere quiet and relax while he waited to get his nervous system back in order.
>Reading doesn't require much effort.
>"I'm sorry Anon, I didn't mean to offend you. It was just... Well, you just..."
>Without another word, Celestia teleported away.
>Probably had another wave of laughter coming.
>Whatever, at least now he didn't have to hear it.
>With no small amount of effort, he once again began his awkward trek back to his room.
>It felt like he was hovering through the air, and he had to constantly remind himself that the muscle memory movement of his legs and his conscious effort to keep them moving was the only reason he wasn't face-planting the floor.
>Quite the arduous journey for such a simple task.
>He eventually found himself back at his room.
>Nothing to do now but kill time until Luna, and hopefully Spike get back.
>And Twilight.
>She was sure to come as well.
>No need to dwell on that now, however.
>With one last burst of effort, Anon flung himself back onto his bed.
>Finally.
>Now he could just lay here.
>He turned his head to the side and noticed the book laying on the nightstand.
>Fuck, there was more work to be done after all.
>He moaned out-loud and reached out an arm, attempting to grasp the large tome.
>A few misses and a weak grip later, he managed to pull the book to his face.
>Now where did he leave off?

>It was a pain in the ass, but Anon managed to read a few chapters more.
>The struggle to turn each page became easier and easier with time.
>Eventually the numbness wore down and he could feel once more.
>In fact, even the headache came back, much to his displeasure.
>At least it wasn't as bad as before.
>The status has been reduced from 'please kill me' to your average migraine.
>It had only been an hour or so.
>Anon thought it'd take much longer than that to wear off.
>Oh well, at least now he had functionality.
>He bookmarked his spot and set his book back on his stand.
>At least Luna should be back.
>He swung his legs around and stood up.
>After a moment of dizziness, he began walking.
>There were many things he wanted to ask Luna.
>Hell, now he even wanted to talk to Twilight.
>And Spike.
>A grin spread across his face.
>It was really happening.
>A real fucking dragon.
>Must be hard for him to write on paper.
>How big are young dragons?
>He's probably at least as big as a horse.
>A chuckle escapes him as he rounds a corner.
>An Earth horse.
>Maybe bigger.
>Would he be friendly?
>Anon stops a moment.
>What if that dragon heard about the way he treated Twilight?
>He's her assistant, as Celestia said.
>Anon tugged at the collar of his shirt.
>He might end up getting burned.

>Anon told Luna to meet him at her favorite spot in the courtyard once her business with Twilight was wrapped up.
>Of course maybe she couldn't even make out the text.
>At least she would have to show up to raise the moon.
>Or maybe she could do it from anywhere?
>He pushed through the doors out into the red light of late day.
>No point in wondering about it.
>Worst case scenario he just ends up waiting a few hours in a quiet and lovely spot.
>"There you are."
>Anon jumps a bit at Luna's voice.
>She is standing directly in front of the doors with a concerned expression.
>"I have been waiting out here since you sent the letter to Twilight."
>She nods to herself.
>"Well, after we deciphered its meaning."
>He frowns.
"I was recovering from your 'help.' Thanks for that by the way. Maybe next time you can just hit me over the head with a sap."
>She looks over Anon.
>"Indeed, this new information is partially what concerns me. You should have been rendered immobile at least until the moon had risen."
>Wait, what?
>He squints at her.
"You actually 'wanted' me that way? What the fuck?"
>She rolls her eyes.
>"It was intended as a prank in return for your behavior in 'my' lavatory. It was harmless."
"Harmless?"
>Before Anon can go off on a rant, she sits down in front of him and looks at the ground before continuing.
>"Perhaps your species is more resistant to medicine, or perhaps this is tied to what Twilight has been researching."
>He glares down at her.
>"The fact you still retained the ability to write at all is remarkable."

"Alright, time out."
>Anon crosses his arms and leans back slightly.
>She doesn't look up at him.
"Before I scold you for drugging me, I'd like to know exactly what it is you and Twilight have been doing behind my back."
>This time she looks up at him.
>"Behind your back? Anon, we have only just begun our inquiries. We would be sharing anything we learned as we learned it. We simply have not figured anything out thus far."
"You didn't even tell me you started anything."
>"I was going to tell you today."
>He holds out his palm.
"Well? Go ahead."
>She nods.
>"Very well. Shall we walk?"
>He thrusts his hands into his pockets and begins his walk towards that special spot.
"Fine."
>Luna walks alongside him and looks straight ahead as she speaks.
>She grimaces slightly.
>"I did not wish to say anything, but you smell very unpleasant."
>Anon looks down at himself then back up at her.
"I just showered."
>"It is your clothes."
>He tugs at his shirt.
"Can you just get on with it?"
>She looks up at him.
>"Very well. You claim you arrived via an unknown artifact, a crystal of some sort, and that it vanished into nothing upon your arrival."
>He nods in response.
"Ya?"
>"It is our belief that it did not vanish."

>Anon scratches his neck and looks up.
"What do you mean it didn't vanish? You don't think I'm lying again, do you?"
>She looks ahead once more.
>"No, nothing of the sort. We believe that perhaps it might still be with you."
>Wait.
>He holds up his hands.
"You're not about to go rooting around in my insides."
>She frowns.
>"Not... That is a disturbing thought, Anon. What I mean is it may have had effects on you. More than you may notice. That is what we are researching."
>She nods to herself in confidence.
>"Any item with enough power to breach our magic barriers without alerting anypony does not simply vanish without a trace. It would leave some sign, maybe a mark or something else on either the user or at the very least the location it was used. Since we found nothing in the room, that leaves only the former."
>Something about that statement made Anon think about them wanting to look him over.
>Very thoroughly.
"Okay, I'm gonna stop you right there. I just saw myself when I showered, and I assure you I don't have any marks hidden on me."
>She looks back over at him.
>"These marks are not always the visible kind. It may be magical in nature, and may not be detectable by traditional means."
"I'm just saying if you plan on looking me over by any means, I'm gonna be dressed."
>She rolls her eyes.
>This again.
>"Perhaps one day you will overcome your unnatural phobia, but once again this is not what I meant. It would not be visible to the 'naked' eye."
>She did that on purpose, didn't she?
>Anon scoffs but she continues speaking.
>"In fact, it may very well be undetectable by your average magical scrying."

>Anon has no idea what constitutes normal magical anything.
>How was this information helpful?
"That really doesn't mean anything to me. I just want to know what you guys plan on doing, exactly."
>He looks over at her with a stern look.
"Especially if it means Twilight is gonna try to take more of my blood, or my clothes, or anything else that involves me doing some shit I don't like."
>Luna returns Anon's expression and props up an eyebrow.
>"You were the one who asked what it is Twilight and I have been doing."
>He nods.
"Fair enough. How about from now on you just keep it simple. Just tell me what might matter to me, not your magical science of magic."
>She sighs and looks ahead once more.
>"As you wish. I suppose the important thing you need to know is the item may still be effecting you, and that we may need you to assist Twilight with a few more tests."
>Great.
>That could mean any number of things. the most obvious one being he would need to spend some measurable amount of time with that nut-job.
>Anon looks off to the side.
"Is it really such a big deal that we have to go through all this trouble? I mean, if it's not doing anything obvious then it probably isn't a problem, right?"
>Luna stops walking for a moment before speaking.
>"Anon, I am going to be completely honest with you. Not every artifact locked in our vault is there to be protected from those who might wield them for evil. Many are there solely to protect those who might be destroyed by their power."
>She glances around and begins walking once more.
>"For example, our latest addition was an artifact of great power known as the Alicorn Amulet. It grants its user tremendous magical ability, but in turn it corrupts the user's very soul. With extended use they would eventually be consumed by it and its own power would grow as a result. Then the cycle would continue."

>Anon turns back to her with interest.
"Wait, and that's just one item? If they're so dangerous why not just destroy 'em or some shit? Teleport them into the sun."
>She chuckles slightly, though it is edged with tension.
>"Such power can not simply be destroyed. As much power as it takes to create, it takes far more to destroy."
>This was starting to make sense.
"Alright, so what you're saying is this crystal thing might have been something dangerous cuz it was super powerful."
>"Correct."
"Okay. You also think it might make me go insane, or turn evil, or I might explode or something without warning?"
>"Well, perhaps not in such a dramatic fashion. It may be that this item has no adverse effects at all. However, we must discover which it is in either case."
>Anon and Luna finally arrive at their little slice of heaven in the courtyard and take a seat at the water's edge.
>While Luna continues staring at nothing while in deep thought, Anon takes in the scenery and breathes in the crisp evening air.
>"Twilight has all she needs for the moment, but per your request she will be stopping by later tonight along with her assistant."
>She looks over at him.
>"Now you are aware of the reasons we need answers, so perhaps you will be more forthcoming in the future."
>He sighs.
"She was annoying and more than a little crazy I think. It's not like I was trying not to answer shit, I just don't want to be treated like an experiment."
>She frowns as he turns to her.
"You and Celestia might think she's great, but she's not my friend. The only thing I know about her is from our brief and shitty interactions."
>"I understand."
>Wait, what?
>Anon turns his head away from Luna slightly.
"I don't think you do."

>"Perhaps it would be best if we, erm, temporarily postpone our research so that you may spend some time with them. Get to know them, and they you."
>Them?
>Oh, right, her assistant.
>A grin spreads across Anon's face.
>Right, right, the dragon.
>Luna smiles in return.
>"I see you think it is a great idea as well. Then that is what we shall do."
>The smile isn't for Twilight, but maybe she's right.
>Maybe Twilight just needed a real chance.
>Hell, that's all Anon asked for in the prison cell and that worked out.
>Right?
"When are they gonna be here?"
>Luna taps her chin.
>"I am not certain."
>Alright then.
>Time for some questions.
"So why exactly did you go sprinting off when you found out I had a headache?"
>Luna ceases her chin tap and looks out across the water.
>"Oh. It is... Very difficult to explain in a way you might understand."
>Anon frowns at her.
"Try me."
>She thinks for a moment before nodding to herself.
>"Pretend your voice is a source of magic. Normally when you speak, your voice travels out and that's the end of it. During my dreamwalk through your dream earlier today, I began getting feedback. Er, like if your voice echoed. I did not end your dream by choice, I was forced to."
>Anon nods.
"Okay, I think I get it so far."
>She smirks briefly, but it fades as she begins explaining once again.
>"Nearing the end, this echo grew more powerful rather quickly. Imagine an echo feeding into itself and growing louder. It did this until I could no longer sustain the dream state."
>Okay?
"Still with you I guess, but that doesn't explain the headache."
>"The headache in myself was a result of my magic rebounding back at me and overloading my mind. I thought this may have been due to a miscast as it was the first time I had attempted the spell with your species."

>Obviously.
>"But once you revealed you shared the pain, it meant you were included in my magic rebound."
>Anon shrugs.
"Well duh. You were using it on me."
>She shakes her head.
>"You see, this is why it is difficult to explain. You... Should not have been effected. It was my own magic returning to me. In order for it to effect you, you would need to be using the same spell as I, and it then would need to rebound in a similar manner."
>Anon can't help but let out a very sudden singular laugh and half-smile.
"I think you lost me, cuz it sounds like you're suggesting I used magic."
>She looks away.
>"That is why this is so troubling."
"Why'd you tell Spike not to send that letter?"
>Luna seems a bit surprised by this question.
>She hesitates before responding.
>"I believe you already know the answer."
>Eh, not really.
>Anon thinks for a moment over the information he had just recently acquired.
>Finally he nods.
"I'd guess it's cuz you didn't want me knowing you were running tests on me, but then you said you already planned on telling me."
>"I did not want you to learn about it in a letter. I decided it would be best to talk face to face."
>Anon nudges her slightly in the side with his elbow.
"I think you just needed an excuse to end up back out here with me again."
>She frowns in response.
>"We both agreed we should not flirt, even in jest."
>Anon shrugs.
"Flirting is at least half of my personality. Besides, I don't remember agreeing to that, just never speaking about-"
>Her eyes widen slightly.
>"Hush."
>He does as he's asked and makes a zipping motion across his lips.
>A few moments pass in silence with Luna looking away from Anon.
>He performs an exaggerated stretch and sigh before breaking the silence.
"You don't have to be so tense. If you want to change the subject I still owe you a good verbal thrashing for that fucking drug prank."

>She rolls her eyes.
>"In what way does it make sense to chide my pranks while in the same breath telling me I am the one who is too tense?"
"C'mon. Just cuz you say 'it's just a prank bro' doesn't make it alright. Both people should get a kick out of it for it to be good."
>She scoffs.
>"Perhaps it is you who simply can not appreciate a good joke. It's not like it harmed-"
>Her sentence is cut short by a surprised gasp as Anon shoves her into the quiet pond.
>Anon is already laughing his ass off by the time she surfaces.
>"Ah!"
>She glares at Anon with a scowl.
>"How dare-!"
"It's just a prank."
>She blinks as Anon cuts off her scolding.
"It's not like it harmed you, right? Maybe you just need to grow a sense of hum-"
>Before Anon can completely finish his sentence Luna's horn lights up and she lifts him into the air above the pond a short distance before dropping him.
>She turns away from the large splash created by the flailing Anon and grins in satisfaction.
>He resurfaces and smiles after he wipes the water from his face.
"Oh, I see how it is."
>She chuckles.
>"Your clothes needed washed."
>Anon begins splashing her with his hands.
"I don't remember you showering today, maybe you need one too."
>She raises a wing to block the incoming water and her horn lights up once more.
>Water begins to swirl near Anon and he takes notice of both events.
>Before he can react, a large ball of water emerges from the pond and raises above him.
"Hey, not fair! No magic! Hey!"
>He attempts to move in vain as the ball is released and comes crashing down on his head.
>Anon attempts to swear as it lands, but the sound is drowned by the monsoon enveloping his body.
>Once he resurfaces again, he coughs up some water and wipes off his face before spotting Luna flying a short distance in the air.
>He's greeted by her laugh.
>Anon lets out an exasperated sigh.
"Cheater."

>With some effort, she manages to wipe the smile off her face and adopt a more serious look, if only for a moment.
>"I would never cheat. I win by using my available methods and nothing more."
>As she speaks she lands gently in the water once more.
"So do I!"
>Anon yells as he leaps through the air towards her in an attempt to grab her.
>In a flash, she's gone and he finds himself under the water once more.
>This time he's met by her voice as he surfaces.
>"A valiant effort, but I am much too quick."
>She states such while looking down at Anon from the shore.
>Now Anon is getting slightly annoyed.
>She's too powerful.
>His prank completely backfired.
"I'm sure I could catch you if you were closer."
>"Ha! I could stand directly next to you and it would not be enough."
>She points a hoof towards him.
>"You were a worthy opponent Anon. Admit defeat and retain your honor."
>She almost sounded serious about that.
"I'm not finished yet. I accept your challenge, Luna. Approach."
>He couldn't help but get drawn into whatever it was she was doing.
>She grins and walks back into the water towards him.
>"Very well. One with a will such as yours needs to be defeated entirely before he will cease."
>She moves until she is within arms reach of Anon.
>She then smiles and leans towards him until she is mere inches from his face.
>"Make your move."
>Anon grits his teeth and prepares his final attempt to grapple her, but he pauses.
>He's never been this close to her face before.
>His jaw loosens up and he relaxes his arms and legs slightly.
>Her eyes...
>Luna continues staring at him with determination burning in her expression, but Anon's own expression relaxes into a neutral stare.
>Her eyes are a beautiful gentle blue, but they also radiate power and intensity.
>It doesn't take long for Luna to begin feeling like something is wrong.
>"What are you doing?"
>He continues staring as he replies.
"I'm not doing anything."

>"You have not blinked in quite some time. Why do you stare?"
"I'm not staring."
>Now she's finally feeling uncomfortable.
>Without another word, she teleports to the shore once more.
>"There, see? You still were unsuccessful."
>Anon simply stands straight up and scratches the back of his neck.
"I, uh..."
>Anon walks out of the water and finally manages to look away from her.
"I'm gonna go dry off."
>Luna tilts her head as he awkwardly turns and leaves.
>"Oh, alright? I too shall go, and dry myself. I suppose."
>Anon keeps walking.
>"I will see you once the moon has set, then?"
>He raises his hand and waves it slightly in response, but doesn't turn back to her.
>With that, she teleports away.
>What the fuck was that?
>He wipes his face as he walks, his clothes making squishing sounds as he goes.
>What the fuck just happened?
>Why couldn't he look away?
>He sighs to himself as he thinks.
>'You thought she was gorgeous, Anon.'
>'She's a horse you fucking idiot.'
>'How many times do you need to have this argument with yourself?'
>He kicks a rock and with some effort manages to thrust his hands into his soaked pockets.
>Finally he nods to himself and continues walking.
"I need to get the fuck out of this place before I do something I'll regret."
>He shudders at the thought.
>She didn't like him that way, anyway.
>This was established already.
>So stop thinking about it.
>It's simple: Hang out, be friends, go home when they figure out how you got here.
>That's it.
>Now stop.
>God, her eyes though.
>It was like looking into the soul of a goddess.
>Anon grunts in frustration to himself and grabs his head.
>"Oh, there you are. We're lucky we found you so quickly."
>That voice.
>Anon looks up and sees Twilight attempting to be cheerful.
>"Hi there."

>Anon smiles.
>Perfect.
>She'll keep him distracted.
>Anon's cheerful demeanor catches Twilight off-guard.
"Twilight, right? I guess you're the one running all the tests."
>She waves her hoof dismissively.
>"All of them? Pfft, nah, just mooost of them? Even I don't have time to run every test there is."
>That's not even close to what he meant.
"Uh, alright."
>She looks around at the courtyard.
>"I'm sure you're thrilled to be outside that prison cell. This is the first time we've spoken since Luna let you out."
>Suddenly her eyes light up.
>"Oh! What kind of environment do humans usually inhabit? Your lack of hair suggests something hot, perhaps even temperate?"
>Before Anon can reply she stomps her hoof and looks down.
>"I'm sorry! I can wait to ask questions. I'm not here to study you again. You said in your letter 'qesthuns' and I believe the word 'dragon' came up an unusual number of times."
>Oh ya, that fucking dragon!
"Where is he? Is he out here with you?"
>Anon squints into the sky.
"Is he flying around, watching for any signs of trouble to attack?"
>"He's getting a drink. He'll be here soon."
>Oh.
"Okay?"
>Twilight smiles up at Anon.
>"It's great you're so excited to meet him. Most ponies don't really like dragons. They're... Usually kinda mean."
>Anon props up an eyebrow.
"He's just a young dragon, right? He can't be all that mean yet."
>"No, no, Spike isn't mean at all, but he was also raised around ponies. Maybe a little insensitive at times, but never mean."
>She looks around as silence takes the conversation for a moment.
>"So... Those questions?"
"Go ahead and ask, I guess."
>She shakes her head.
>"No, I thought you had questions for me."

>Anon shrugs.
"I did, but Luna answered all of 'em."
>He chuckles slightly to himself.
"Actually she wanted us to spend some time together to get to know each other better. She said the tests can wait."
>Twilight suddenly cringes and looks down once more.
>"Tests, right. Listen, I'm really sorry about before, I should have asked."
>Anon's smile fades.
>"I just thought that if I stuck you with the needle while you weren't paying attention it would hurt less, and a sample is critical in running latent magic residue scrying tests as well as potential stored magic capacity tests and-"
"It's fine. I'm over it."
>She stops talking but doesn't look back up at him.
"How about from now on you just include me in your plans, hm?"
>Twilight offers a meek smile and finally looks back up at Anon.
>"I suppose that's only fair."
>Anon nods, and there's another moment of silence before Twilight scrapes at the ground with her hoof.
>"So, uh, you said I can ask some questions? Just a few, I promise."
>Anon rolls his eyes, but smirks.
"Ya, fine, go ahead."
>Her eyes practical sparkle with excitement.
>"Great! Environment of choice?"
"Actually, humans live in every environment on the planet. From the frozen tundra to arid deserts."
>She nods as a quill and paper appear from seemingly nowhere and the quill begins scribbling on its own.
>"Fascinating. Humans must be very resilient to be able to live anywhere."
>Anon brushes imaginary dust from his wet shoulder.
"Yup, we're pretty awesome."
>Twilight finally takes notice to his soaked clothes.
>"We're you, uh, swimming? Can humans breathe underwater?"
"I already told you before I enjoy swimming, but no we can't breathe underwater, so don't try it."

>She chuckles.
>"Please, I would never run a test so dangerous without having all the facts."
>She adopts a more serious expression as she looks up and studies Anon's face.
>"What about social structure? Do humans usually have friends?"
>Practically a pack animal.
"Most humans do, some don't. It varies."
>Anon crosses his arms.
"Just so you know, I think you could ask these questions right up until I die and you still wouldn't know everything about the human race."
>She seems to ignore his statement.
>"So do humans value friendship?"
>Anon shrugs.
"Sure, I guess. Most good friends would do almost anything for their friends."
>She smiles in response as she writes.
>"That's a relief."
>Anon hopes she wasn't insinuating he'd hurt Luna or something.
"Why are you so interested in what humans think about friendship?"
>She continues staring at her parchment as the quill scribbles.
>"It's not just humans I'm trying to learn about. Luna talks about your friendship with her. I was happy to hear you both found someone to be friends with."
>Ya right.
>She's probably just relieved that the big dangerous meat eater isn't going to murder her princess.
"And you expect me to believe all these human question have nothing to do with that?"
>She frowns.
>"Well gosh, what species anypony is has nothing to do with friendship. Right?"
>Anon blinks at that statement.
>Suddenly she stops writing.
>"Oh my, I forgot you stated humans were the only sentient life where you're from. The idea of being friends with anything but other humans must be a completely foreign concept for you."

>Finally Anon speaks up.
"It's not completely foreign. We had pets we cared about, and I guess being friends with other races of humans should count, too."
>Twilight props up an eyebrow.
>"Different races?"
"Ya, we had different skin colors and stuff."
>She looks down at herself before looking back up at Anon.
>"Everypony in Equestria is a different color. That has nothing to do with our race."
>Anon holds up his palm.
"Well for us it mattered. I mean, we could still be friends, but some didn't want to be."
>She nods.
>"I see. And how do you feel about cross-species friendships?"
>Anon coughs involuntarily.
>At the same time, a new voice appears from the side.
>"You wouldn't believe how many ponies here heard about what happened in the Crystal Empire already. They kept-"
>He suddenly stops speaking as he looks up.
>And up.
>And finally makes eye contact with Anon.
>Anon feels a mixture of profound confusion and ecstatic excitement.
>"Kept..."
>He gasps slightly.
>"Uh, Twilight?"
>"You got here just in time. Anon was just telling me about his experiences with friendship. Here, take notes please."
>She presses a quill and parchment into his claws, causing his cup to fall to the ground.
>He grasps them both in his claws, but doesn't move or speak.
>Anon crouches down and stares at Spike with his jaw agape.
"Oh my God."
>Spike leans back slightly and cringes.
"A real dragon! Holy shit, you have no idea how happy I am to meet you!"

>Spike clicks his claws together.
>"You, uh, you are?"
>Anon drops from a crouch position down to his knees and reaches forward slightly before pulling his arm back.
>Better not.
"I've wanted to see a dragon my whole life. I didn't think I'd ever actually get to, though."
>By now Anon is grinning from ear to ear.
>He was reaching full blown fangirl state and he didn't care.
"You're so much smaller than I thought you'd be."
>Spike's expression changes from one of nervousness to one of confidence.
>"I'm small, but I'm pretty strong. Check this out."
>Next thing Anon sees is a small line of green fire being blown up into the air.
>Anon's eyes light up.
"Cooool..."
>Spike smiles in satisfaction.
>Unknown to both of them, Twilight was still standing nearby in silence.
>She was just happy to see Anon making another new friend.
>Anon looks down at his hand.
"Can I, uh... Can I feel your scales?"
>Spike shrugs, still grinning to himself at the attention.
>"Go ahead."
>Anon gently reaches forward and rubs his hands along Spike's arm.
"Wow, you're really warm."
>His hands move down to his claws and he rubs each of them individually.
"Awesome."
>"Careful, they're sharp."
>Anon spots his cup laying on the ground nearby.
"Shit man, you lost your drink. Let's go get some more."
>With that, Anon stands and motions towards the doors.
>Spike looks a bit surprised.
>"Oh, uh, sure. That sounds great."
>They hear Twilight call from behind, but they don't stop walking.
>"Hey, wait! We were right in the middle of an important conversation!"

"So what kind of magic do you have?"
>Spike turns his head to Anon and holds out his claws palm up.
>"I can pretty much just breathe fire, and I'm fire-proof. Oh, and send letters to the princess. Wanna see?"
>Anon nods in response.
>Spike uses the quill and parchment Twilight bestowed upon him and begins writing.
>"Dear Princess Celestia, it's me, Spike. I just wanted to show Anon how I send you letters. There, watch."
>He then takes a deep breath and blows a bout of fire over the letter, causing it to float away in a puff of green smoke.
"That's super weird. Shouldn't the fire like destroy it or something?"
>Spike simply shrugs at the question.
"Well, can you send other things, or just paper?"
>He scratches his chin with his claw.
>"I dunno, I never really tried burning anything else. Well, except this huge glacier in the Crystal Empire recently, but it just melted."
>Anon gasps.
"Wait, how huge?"
>Spike holds out his arms.
>"Super huge. It would have crushed a bunch of the stadium."
>Anon laughs.
"You're just fuckin' with me now, aren't ya?"
>Spike props up an eyebrow.
>"I'm what?"
>Suddenly Twilight approaches from behind, pushing her way between the two of them.
>"Nothing Spike, don't worry about it."
>She throws Anon a harsh glare.
>Right, young dragon.
"Oh, I actually forgot you were here. Have you just been following us?"
>"Of course I've been following you. We were supposed to be bonding, remember?"
>Anon had actually forgotten that as well.
>In fact, everything was happily dropped for Spike.

"We're still bonding. Don't you feel more like my friend than when you first got here?"
>She hesitates before replying.
>"Well, I, uh... I guess?"
"So now I have to get to know Spike since we already know so much about each other."
>Twilight squints as she stares forward.
>"I don't think you know almost anything about me."
>Anon smiles.
"See how well you know me? Anyway, is Spike just making this sh-tuff up or what?"
>Twilight sighs.
>"No, he's not making it up. He really did save a lot of ponies that day."
>Spike waves his claw.
>"Pshaw, it was nothing."
>He turns and looks Anon up and down.
>"Why are you wearing clothes, and why are they soaked?"
>Anon tugs at his wet shirt.
>It was a bit uncomfortable, but at least it wasn't cold.
"I, uh, went swimming, and I always wear clothes."
>Spike nods to himself and looks forward once more.
>"Sounds annoying. I only wear clothes when I need to look good. They're too uncomfortable."
"When would you need to look good?"
>Twilight answers for him.
>"Parties mostly, but he's always trying to impress-"
>Spike pushes Twilight and laughs nervously before answering for himself.
>"Parties. Just parties."
>Anon props up an eyebrow and smiles wryly.
"Ahh, I see. So who's the girl?"
>Spike glares up at Twilight who smiles and rolls her eyes.
>"We're just friends."

>Anon holds open the doors to the dining area and allows them to enter ahead of him.
>The room is now entirely devoid of life.
>Must be about that time.
"Spike, I know we just met, but no one dresses up to impress their friends unless they want to be more than friends."
>Anon shrugs to himself.
"I think that might be even more true here where no one wears clothes."
>Spike doesn't reply, but clacks his claws together.
>Twilight sighs.
>"Now that we're here can we please continue where we left off?"
>Anon rolls his eyes, but Spike jumps in quickly.
>"Great idea, you guys talk, and I'll just go, uh, get my drink. Again. In here."
>He backs through the kitchen door and allows it to swing closed after he's through.
>Twilight is already seated at a table waiting patiently for Anon to reply.
>He elects to sit across from her and clears his throat.
"How about instead of that we talk about you a bit."
>She leans back slightly.
>"Me? What could you want to know about me?"
>Anon glances towards the kitchen door before leaning in closer.
"Is there another dragon? Luna made it sound like you guys and dragons don't get along."
>A frown forms on her face as she realizes he's still on about Spike instead of her, or even himself.
>"He's got a small crush on one of my friends. She's not a dragon, she's a unicorn."
"oh, and you don't think that's weird?"
>She smiles at the question and looks down at the table.
>"Nah. He's pretty young, but it's normal for boys to develop a number of crushes as they grow up."
>Anon leans back and crosses his arms.
>She didn't even consider he meant them being different species.
>Guess this whole cross-species thing isn't a big deal to them.

>Not that it made a difference to Anon, but it was nice to know.
>Twilight watches Anon in silence for a moment.
>"Ahem."
"Fine."
>Anon leans forward and rests his head on his fist as he thinks.
"What do you do for fun?"
>"For fun? Well, I like organizing things, and reading, but you already knew that. Sometimes I spend my day with my friends."
>She leans in and Anon swears he sees a twinkle in her eyes.
>"But my favorite subject is research. Nothing beats the smell of a fresh sheet of parchment just bursting with potential. It could become a simple list, or it could become a very important page in history!"
>Anon sighs.
"I guess?"
>She frowns.
>"Well you asked."
"You live in what I can only describe as a fantasy world and you like writing?"
>Anon sits up.
"Why aren't you out exploring, or discovering new species- who aren't me, or fighting dragons?"
>"We tried that once, it didn't go well."
>Spike approaches them with his drink and hops up into the seat next to Twilight.
>"I see you guys are talking about something else. Not that I was worried, just saying."
>This time Twilight sighs.
>"It's not as though I wouldn't like to, but there's enough that needs done around here. I still haven't even finished all the books in the Crystal Empire library, let alone anywhere else."
>Anon chuckles.
"So when you said you read for fun you meant it's literally the only thing you do."
>Her face twists at the remark.
>"It can't be literally the only thing I do. I already named multiple other things."

>Anon's eyebrow raises and her expression returns to normal.
>"Oh, that was sarcasm."
>Spike grins and participates despite no one asking.
>"And I cook, clean, go on adventures and help Twilight with her research and stuff."
"Maybe I just don't understand how fun it really is."
>Giving them the benefit of the doubt.
>Or at least trying to.
>"Fun? I don't do that for fun. Well, except the adventures. I usually read my comics or hang out with my friends."
>Twilight chuckles to herself.
>"Mostly with Rarity."
>Spike coughs and then shrugs.
>"She just needs the most help, that's all. She's always so busy making stuff."
>Anon can't help but smile as Spike's face noticeably lights up.
"So that's your girl's name? Rarity?"
>Spike hides behind his cup.
>"We're just friends I said."
"Sure. So what's she make?"
>Spike smiles absently.
>"Clothes. Beautiful clothes."
>Clothes, huh?
>Anon looks down at his soaked and well-worn outfit.
"I'm not sure how long I'm gonna be here, but I could really use more than one pair of clothes."
>Spike snaps out of his trance.
>"What? Oh, right. I'm sure Rarity could make something for ya."
>Anon looks over at Twilight.
"Is your friend Rarity part of the super secret club that knows I exist?"
>She sighs and looks to the side.
>"Unfortunately, yes."
>Spike chuckles.
>"Twilight is terrible at hiding secrets. When she first heard about you she practically exploded, and ofcourse everyone wanted to know what the fuss was about and well..."
>He takes a sip of his drink.