Anon's Rebirth (Chapter 3)

>You are on a train ride heading for an equestrian city called Hollow Shades
>It's a pretty decent tour since you friends, also known as the mane 6, are coming with you
>You departed in the evening so there's still some time you spend talking, laughing and just fooling around with your friends
>Luckily Princess Celestia gave you and your friends your own wagon endued with six small and one large bed
>Pinkie Pie is already all excited to see other parts of Equestria than the rock farm she grew up, Canterlot and Ponyville and she shows her anticipation to everyone in the train
>"OhMy,CanYouBelieveItWe'reGoingToHollowShades,IAlwaysWantedToTakeATripThere. ActuallyIWantToVisitEveryCityInEquestria,DoYouThinkWe'llMakeNewFriendsOr-?"
>"Pinkie!"
>Rainbow butts in because no one is getting what she's Trying to say because of her incredibly fast way of speaking
>But that's Pinkie Pie for you
>"Aren'tYouExcited? ICan'tStopJumping!"
>And she isn't joking
>During your whole ride until now she kept bouncing all over the wagon like a pink super ball
>Someone will have to give her sedatives if you're ever going to sleep this night
>"YouKnowWhat?ThisCallsForAPinkieParty!"
>She stops bouncing for two seconds and gets her luggage from the overhead compartment
>She opens her small suitcase and a whole bunch of accessories fly out including pink balloons, garlands, confetti in a big variety of colors, some kind of radio and all the other stuff
>There was also (and you didn't believe your eyes) a bowl of punch
>You are not even going to ask how she managed to take the bowl with her without spilling the punch or how everything fitted in her suitcase
>But one thing bothers you still
Pinkie? Why did you take these things with you? I thought we had to take only the most necessary things with us?
>"This is necessary, silly!"
>She giggles
>"How are we going to throw a party without all these? Parties are the best opportunity to get new p0nies to know and to make new friends? But it's okay if you don't want to party I guess."
>She gives you a cunning glance because she knows it. Her parties are pretty famous in Ponyville and there's no way you want to miss one if you have the chance to join. There is even a saying in Ponyville applying to her parties. It's no party until it's a Pinkie-party!
>You shrug and decide to let things happen
>It sure is nice to have a good time before arriving in Hollow Shades. There will be plenty of work to do afterwards.
>As a wanton mood starts to raise and everyp0ny starts to enjoy themselves you hear an enervated groan coming from the other end of the wagon
>Twilight was lying on one of the seven beds you got provided with hiding her face in a book as usual
>You approach her and casually catch the title of the book she's reading. (You're living in Equestria for a pretty long time by now and Twilight eventually taught you the equestrian alphabet and how to read it)
>The title says 'Equestria and it's wonders - a traveler's guide'
>You should have guessed that she's reading some kind of fancy egghead-book about the city you were traveling to
>And she's seemingly not pleased about the noise around her
>You sit down next to her
Hey, Twi. Why don't you put this away and have some punch with us? Or would you like to eat something? Pinkie brought some fantastic snacks which-
>Twilight interrupts you
>"I'd LOVE to relax but this is a high-priority assignment! I can't understand how all of you can be so boisterous when you know that Princess Celestia is completely entrusting us with this task. What if we fail? What if we can't solve the problem?"
>She ruffles her own her which makes herself slightly look like a maniac
>"Did you know there were actually riots and wars in and around Hollow Shades? I mean there were riots RECENTLY! This place is considered as being rough and ...
>She takes a look into her book
>"...Probably not suited for sightseers. I am absolutely worried! We don't know nothing about the case and we also don't know anything about the city. It's like taking an exam completely unprepared! I'I just can't... I-"
Twilight, just take a deep breath! Look, it can't be helped right now, okay? Put that book away and please join us. A party without you just isn't the same. Also, isn't stress relief from time to time healthy?
>Her face gets more pensive as she rubs her chin with her hoof
>She sighs and puts her book away
>"I guess you're right Anon. It never did anything good to overdo things. Trust me, I had to learn it the hard way."
That's more I like it!
>Together you leave the 'bed area' of the wagon (Pinkie and the others have thrusted them aside to make room for the party) and join you friends

>This night is going to be something something else for sure
>You have the most fun since months and it made it even clearer to you how much you were buttoned up in your work
>AJ and RD started some kind of drinking contest thanks to their everlasting rivalry whilst Rarity and Twilight were immersed in a conversation
>Unfortunately the punch has no alcohol in it or else you would have joined Applejack and Rainbow in their contest
>Instead you are kinda a second Pinkie Pie, walking from place to place and listening to a few stories or imitating a referee and butting into their contest every two seconds
>Listening to Twilight's and Rarity's conversation was especially fun
>While Twilight tries to explain her some spells and tell her everything about specific deficiencies of magic, Rarity talks about the newest designs, fashion, sewing and gossip
Hey. Hey, Dashie.
>"*gulp* What is it Anon? I'm in the middle of something!"
>"Don't ya just run away! *gulp* It's yer turn and we're going to sit this out like real mares, I tell ya!"
Sorry AJ, I only need her for a minute or so. Okay?
>You look at her but she avoids your glance and doesn't answer
I'll take it as a yes...
>You have a bad feeling about her. She was acting weird since you got on the train. You'll definitely have to talk to her
>However...
Dashie, come over here!
>She blushes slightly
>"Why do you call me 'Dashie' so frequently lately?"
Just get over here, will you?
>She trots to your side
Look at this!
>Both of you stifle a laugh as you watch Rarity and Twilight talking
>Neither of them seem to bother the fact that they were talking past each other
>You and RD enjoy the show for a few minutes but then burst out in loud laughter, interrupting them
>The reason was Twilight talking about spells which affect the shape of a creature and the danger of changing some parts of it on a molecular level making the caused damage more or less irreversible
>Rarity replied pretty simple saying she thinks Cherrilee has quiet 'voluptuous flanks' and should probably go to sauna more often
>Both were nodding in a kind of mutual understanding and this was the point where RD and you couldn't hold it any longer
>"May we help the two of you?"
>"Haha, an egghead and a chatterbox having a chit-chat! This is PRICELESS!"
>The two unicorns watch you some time while both of you were lying on the ground laughing with tears in you eyes
>Rarity wrinkles her brow and Twilight shrugs in response
>Still laughing you leave them to check on Fluttershy
>She has been very quiet lately and you hope this crazy stalkerish mare isn't planning some weird shit as usual
>However she is a friend of yours and it would be mean to ignore her especially since she had been behaving so well lately
>She's sitting near the windows looking outside and nibbling on some sweets
Heya Flutters, what's the matter with you sitting all alone?
>She squeals as she realize it was you actually talking to her
Umm, it's really nothing. This party is ... nice.
>This is one talking mare who cannot lie for shit
Okay, then why don't you go and enjoy yourself a little bit instead of sitting around?
>She looks up to you
>"It's - I just - I'm just not accustomed to parties or loud noises. I rather prefer sitting somewhere and enjoy the stay."
>Saying this her eyes lower again
Nonsense! You had been already celebrating with your friends, haven't you?
>"E-x-a-c-t-l-y!"
>Pinkie pops out from nowhere. Seriously from fucking nowhere. How is she doing this?
>"Fluttershy needs to get in the right mood, am I right Fluttershy?"
>She gives you a wise look
>"She can be a little shy sometimes, you know?"
>No shit
>Pinkie puts her hoof around Fluttershy and pulls her a little closer, startling her slightly
>"Come on, everyp0ny! Oh, and Anon!"
>She giggles
>"Let's dance!!!"
>You reassemble at the middle and Pinkie tunes the music up
>Soon everyone is dancing, even RD and AJ broke up their contest (due to the fact that they drank every last drop)
>You keep celebrating like this until late in the night
>Eventually everyone becomes tired and surprisingly you were the first one to suggest hitting the bed
>One by one you get into your beds and the chat between the mares smolders out slowly
>You cuddle into your bed and close your eyes smiling
>You're exhausted but it was totally worth it
>You even don't regret staying up that late since you have to get up rather early the next morning
>Slowly you drift away into the dim warmth of sleep
>Maybe sleep's embrace isn't that warm though...

>You squirm and writhe in your sleep
>Though you don't realize it
>But your friends do
>"What's wrong with ya? Twi, would you take a look at him?"
>"Oh dear, why is he shaking like that?"
>"He's also sweating and mumbling! Maybe he's having bad dreams?"
>"Wake up, Anon. Please wake up! Anon!"
>You are still asleep having one of those nightmares again
>Even though it seems to be too real to be called a 'dream'
>A somber city was silhouetted against the sky
>No signs of live
>The windows of the closer buildings look shabby with no lights in them
>A depressing view of a seemingly dead town is sucking all joy and happiness you had in
>The spot you're standing also seems to be abandoned and empty but it's still so familiar to you
>"You are ... Anon, right?"
What's it to you?
>A voice raises from the shadows around you, a voice similarly familiar with you as the place
>A high-pitched laugh fills the air and drills into your head, forcing you to fall on your knees and cover your ears
>A figure, assumingly a boy, approaches you
>Where did he come from?
>The laughter dies out and you are able to focus again
>Another human? Here in Equestria? That's impossible!
>At least you figure it's another human
>He wears a tight black suit with red stripes on it
>The stripes start at his left shoulder and get thinner around his chest until they finally die out at the right side of his hip
>There are three red stripes looking like a big predator slit him
>On the left side of his chest a small black circle is stitched onto his suit
>It protrudes and it was clearly made with a lot of care
>The middle strip is going right through the center of the circle
>Unfortunately his face was covered by a mask with a black visor attached to it without a break
>"What's it to ME? Well, everything as you'll see."
>His voice causes a feel of discomfort inside you. Every single word beats into your head like a bullet
Who are you?!
>"I am 'Nobody'."
>Nobody? Something isn't right about this guy. Screw the last part, EVERYTHING isn't right about him
A-are you a human? How come you're in Equestria?
>He laughs again
>"This is nothing of your concerns, feeble Anon."
>He keeps glaring at you
Then what do you want from me?!
>He circles you, probably to take a good view at you
>"I don't want anything."
Then-
>"I only reclaim what already belongs to me."
>What is he talking about? He stops and plants himself in front of you about two feet away
>"I glanced into your heart. AND IT IS MINE!"
>He raises his arms in an embracing motion and bursts out in maniacally laughter
>You instantly fall to the ground. This time it's even louder and your head feels like it will burst open every second now
S-stop it!
>You're lying on the ground holding your head
>An unbearable pain flashes through your whole body and there's nothing you can do
>The laughter continues and your inability to move averts every attempt to escape
>It just goes on and on and on and..
>"...non! Anon, wake up!"
>"Twilight, do something! You're supposed to be the egghead around here!"
>"And what exactly am I supposed to do?"
>"Don't ya have a spell or somethin'?"
>"I could try something I guess..."
>The whole scene differs. You're waking up bathed in your sweat and with your eyes opened wide
>Your breath as your heartbeat are racing
>A bright unicorn horn flares in before your eyes
>You're still confused so you do the first thing that comes into your mind
>You flick the glowing horn and shove the related unicorn aside as you get on your feet in a fluent motion
>"That was rude..."
>The purple unicorn rubs her horn carefully with one eye closed
>"Twilight, he's awake!"
Where am I?
>"On a train. Heading for Hollow Shades, do you remember?"
>You look at RD deadpan and she turns around to the others
>"Yup, Anon's brain must be damaged. He went full retard this time."
For Celestia's sake, I'm fine, relax.
>You rub your aching head
>"Was it that ... thing again, Anon?"
>Twilight is standing in front of you, seemingly worried
Yes. Or no, not really. It was different this time.
>"Different?"
Everything was so ... substantial. Twilight, I mean I could touch things. Damn it, I even felt pain!
>She nods thoughtfully
>"I see."
You see what?
>"There may be a connection between you and the perpetrator we are looking for. I was thinking about this the whole time since we got message from there."
Do you mean I am involved in this mess?!
>The others are shocked and their mouths pop open
>"No! No, no! That's not what I meant! There's a certain, umm, 'spiritual' connection between you and the ongoing proceedings. But I have to confess I - I'm not quite sure myself in which way..."
Okay?
>Your friends don't look very convinced. And neither do you.
>But she's right, you always had nightmares haunting you. It got worse lately like a dark force waking up and trying to take control over you
>You won't let that happen! You betrayed your friends once, it won't happen twice!
>'Your heart is mine!' We'll see about that!
Alright, how about going back to sleep instead of looking at me like I did something terrible, girls?
>"You silly billy, we already arrived!"
What?
>You part the curtains and take a look outside. She's right, dawn has set in and the city rises in the background
>The same city you saw ... but more vividly and not abandoned
>Everyp0ny grabs their gears and exit
>You step up to your partner
So, Cordan, where are we going.
>"We're staying at a hotel, not far from here. Everyone, let's go!"
>You start to walk and observe the city carefully
>Hollow Shades. It does definitely live to it's name.
>A somber and cold city reveals to your eyes as you walk through it
>The p0nies, who are mostly unicorns, doesn't look very hospitable themselves
>It is a total contrast to what you're used to. Nothing like Ponyville.
>The impression is intensified by the simple look of the area
>It's a gloomy place, overshadowed by dark clouds
>The buildings are rather high unlike the cozy small buildings in Ponyville and the p0nies around here ignore your presence
>A year ago it would be the perfect place for you to live. Everything seems to recalls the memories you have from earth
>But now it just makes you feel uncomfortable
>You're friends look similar afflicted so your worries are confirmed to some degree
>All of you reach a shabby looking inn, the place you're going to stay
>You try to focus on your work
>The faster you solve the case the faster you'll be back in Ponyville
>You'll try to get some intel in the nearby taverns you saw
>But something tells you it won't be that easy

END of CHAPTER 3


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What/Where the F is Hollow Shades?: http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/238/8/1/213_by_unitoone-d5chsxw.jpg