Chapter 13

>You had a weird as fuck dream that night
>For some reason, you remember trying to throw away a handful of spaghetti
>But you accidentally threw it inside of hole in the top of your head
>Which was on a table
>Maybe you shouldn't get into dank memes right before you sleep
>Spike wakes you up, licking your face
>Fuck...
>You look to your clock
>This is a little earlier than usual
>You groggily get out of bed and go to check your phone
>Will this be day three of messages?
>1 New Message
>Everything's turning up Twilight!
>From: Fluttershy
>Oh
>"[Meet after school today]"
>Fuck
>Well now you have THAT to look forward to
>Don't have the energy to take a shower today
>Just get dressed and head downstairs
>Dad's drinking coffee and waves at you
>"You're up earlier than usual."
"Yeah."
>He takes a sip from his drink
>"Did you want to do something today?"
"I can't... I have to go somewhere with one of my... Friends..."
>Calling her that almost makes you want to vomit
>Your father sighs
>"Well, perhaps someday, then."
"I'm sorry... I'm just busy lately."
>He shrugs
>You grab a quick snack and head out the door
>School today...
>Better savor it
>Might be your last
>Or, maybe you should just hope it isn't total shit
>'Savoring' might be a bit delusional
>At least normies will be focused more on Anon than you today
>Once in school, you hear people talking about the fight
>All concerned for Trixie
>'how could anyone do that! :^)'
>Normies...
>Just don't fucking worry about it
>They'll never change
>After the first few periods, you head to lunch
>Feels a bit like a last supper
>Definitely know who the fucking backstabbing whore is
>Only there's shitty cafeteria food now
>You take a seat next to Trixie
>You've noticed that she hasn't been hounding you nearly as much as she used to
>Actually talks to the other girls
>It feels a little bad to be less socially dexterous than her
>But whatever
>Be happy for the little sperg
>She turns to you
>"Where is Miss Shimmer?"
"What do you mean?"
>"Should she not be returning to school today?"
>You shrug
>If so, it is pretty weird she's not here
>Aside from the fight with Anon, you haven't heard about her doing anything bad
>No missing school days
>Never late to class
>"I told ya'll, that girl'll never change."
>Rarity rolls her eyes
>"She's been nothing but cordial with us. Rumors are only that."
>"Maybe y'all let the truth slide off y'all's skin like scales off a snake, but fact is she may seem nice, but she's puttin' on an act. Probably just tryin' to stay out of juvie, or prison now that she's older, I s'pose."
>Rarity scoffs
>"Yes, let's listen to you babble on about the rumors you've heard as they relate to the truth, you mud-ridden... neanderthal!"
>"If it's a true rumor, then there ain't no problem, now is there? 'N she only went away fer the stuff they could prove, too!"
>Rarity plugs her ears
"Sunny's not a bad girl. She's one of the nicest people I know."
>"Sugarcube, y'all know like seven people. 'N I'm one of 'em, so there's only like six people in the runnin' fer 'nicest person Twilight Sparkle knows'. Your word don't mean much."
>Fucking Forrest Gump of apples
>You wish you could 'let out some aggression' right now
"But it's true. She's... Always been very nice to me, to Trixie, to all of you guys!"
>"Y'all know nothin' 'bout nothin', Twi. You know what they used to call her?"
"By her name?"
>"What? No! Well, yes, but no. Quit with yer stupid."
>You shrug
"So what did they call her?"
>"I don't rightly remember, but it was somethin' fierce 'n satanic. Maybe something like 'The Devil of Canterlot' or somethin'."
>You throw your hands up in the air
"That's just Daredevil!"
>"Well I'm sorry, Twi, I said I didn't remember. I said it was somethin' LIKE that, not that it was that. This is why people don't like you, Twi. Always tryin' ta point out why people are wrong, every little thing they say."
>Oh yeah, totally
>Fucking inbreeding hillbillies
"Y-You know, coming from you... It's very hypocritical."
>Applejack crosses her arms
>"'N see? There ya go again. Tryin' ta point out every flaw in everybody else. Y'all gots a problem, Twilight. 'N the problem is yourself. I don't have a cure."
>What?!
>But
>FUCKING FARMER PIECE OF SHIT
"I... I..."
>"Ye dun burned me bad, Sug—"
"YEAH, WELL—"
>"GIRLS, PLEASE!"
>Rarity rubs at her head
>"If I'm stressed while eating, it'll affect my metabolism!"
>Applejack laughs
>"Y'all don't even eat, what do you care about your metaba-whatever?"
>"Yes, metaba-whatever. No wonder you're in remedial math classes..."
>Applejack snarls
>"When y'all're up to your necks in debt, I'll be on muh farm! No debt! If the gubment just got outta education, I wouldn't need no high school!"
>Rarity and Applejack continue to bicker
>Every
>Fucking
>Day
>You notice Rainbow Dash has been awfully quiet
>Playing some dumb handheld game, it seems
>Replacement boyfriend, you guess
>And Fluttershy
>Fucking bitch
>Just sitting there looking like her usual, fake, shy self
>By the time the bell rings to signal lunch's end, Rarity and Applejack are looking like they want to kill each other
>Again
>Really gotta wonder why they sit next to each other if all they ever do is argue
>As you leave, Fluttershy gives you a cute smile and waves
>Ugh
>That bitch is going to be the death of you
>For real
>Man, you don't want to die
>But, just be cool
>Be cool and stay calm
>The rest of school passes by too quickly
>Why can't the people here teach anything at a reasonable pace?
>Do you really need to spend three days on the same mathematical concept?
>Fucking normies, why are they so dumb?
>Even in advanced classes, you're just surrounded by smart normies
>You remember liking to learn shit by yourself
>School ruined your ability to enjoy learning
>As the last bell rings, you sigh
>Not much to 'savor' here
>You do try and savor the walk to Fluttershy's locker
>Every fraction of time you don't need to be with her is nice
>But that can't last forever
>Despite what Zeno may think, you do eventually reach your desination
>She gives you a girlish pout as you approach her
>"I wish you'd chickened out."
"I bet you do..."
>She motions for you to follow her
"Do... Do you know what he's going to have me do?"
>"I don't know until he tells me."
>You sigh
>Why does she just blindly follow Discord around?
>She's crazy, and maybe crazy sticks together, but still
>Once you've gotten a good bit away from the school, Fluttershy's demeanor changes, her gait
>Some fucking Keyser Soze shit
>It's a long walk, but eventually you make it to that fucking rundown Pizza N Play
>Shouldn't people be suspicious that one of these is open despite no one ever going there?
>Fluttershy looks at you and laughs
>"Scared?"
>You don't respond, but the answer is yes
>You walk into the pizza arcade, and Follow Fluttershy to the back
>She knocks on the Employees Only door
>Pattern seems different this time
>It opens up
>Despite being scared, you're not shaking quite so much
>If anything happens...
>Maybe your basic fight moves can help you
>Or the gun...
>Fluttershy pushes open the door to Discord's room
>Immediately, she runs up to him and bounces onto his lap, putting her arms around him
>She nuzzles her face against his chest
>Yuck
>"Twilight. I've been expecting you."
>He used that one the last time...
>You walk towards his 'throne', stopping a few feet from him
>Discord smiles warmly
>"I'm so glad to see a good friend."
>"What about me?"
>Discord pinches Fluttershy's cheek
>"Of course I'm glad to see you, too!"
>He turns to you
>"So, up for another game of Magic? Or did you want to see my weapon collection? I have so many things planned for tonight!"
>You just stand there awkwardly
>"Speak up, please. Unless you want to respond to everything in mime, from now on. That could be fun!"
"I... So the errand is just hanging out again?"
>Discord's laughter fills your ears
>"No, I do have something I want you and Fluttershy to do later."
>Fluttershy pouts in protest
>"Do I have to go with her?"
>"I need my friends to get along. You can do that, right girls?"
>Fluttershy crosses her arms
>You just nod glumly
>Does he think he's your fucking dad or something?
>Discord just gives you the creeps...
>He pats his free knee
>"Take a seat."
>You hesitate
"Um..."
>"Ah, no, it's fine. We'll build up to that. Anyways, please, I want to show you my collection! I have all types of swords..."
>Fluttershy hops off of him, and he beckons you over to a large case filled with all kinds of swords
>Some extremely ornate
>Some very old
>All extremely cool
>You know, for something autistic
>Owned by an insane criminal
>Discord pulls out a small Japanese short-sword and sits down on a large couch
>You sit as far from him as you can
>Fluttershy takes her seat back on his lap
>"Do you know what this is?"
"A wakazashi, obviously."
>He smiles
>"Yes it is. Do you want this?"
>What?
>You stutter
>"Oh, I don't mean THIS one. I'm quite partial to it. I've had it for a very long time, but I mean, look around you, Twilight."
>An amazing weapons collection
>Magic cards as far as the eye can see
>What looks to be a huge 4k television on the other side of the room
>A huge library spanning one of the walls
>Really neat furniture all over the place
>Probably has a great battlestation somewhere...
"I mean... It's nice."
>"I think it's a lot more than that! You know, I get to spend most of my time in here... I rarely leave my room. This is paradise for people like us, right?"
>Like us?
>Sure, maybe you have autistic fantasies of just sitting around in your room all day with tons of cool shit
>But at the same time, that seems like a shitty life
>You want... Something else
>You're not sure what that would look like
"I... I'm not sure I do... And I'm not sure I want to... Do what you do, to get it."
>He laughs and looks at you as if you'd just said something crazy
>Fluttershy glares at you in his arms
>"What's so bad about doing what I do?"
"I don't want to hurt people..."
>He swishes his wrist limply
>"Hurting people, shmerting people. You know, Twilight, I like you because I knew what it was like to be young once. People... Someone who calls themselves a 'Magic savant' probably doesn't have a good relationship with them. Plus, my job is just to let people hurt themselves! I don't have to do much myself most of the time."
>He flips the sheathed wakazahi around in one hand as he speaks
>You remember 'random playing with objects' to be a sign of autism
>You remember, because you stopped doing that once you found out
>Discord points at you with the wakazashi
>"You know, most people wouldn't care about the craftsmanship that goes into something like this. About the care that goes into anything. They don't really feel anything. Not like you, or I, or little Fluttershy do. Most people are hardly people at all, I find. What do they talk about? Other people? Reality television?"
>He's starting to sound like /r9k/ to you...
>This is the kind of shit you used to spout
>DO spout
>But still, it's autistic
>Caring about the 'craftsmanship' of a wakazashi is pretty fucking spergy
"I... Don't you ever think that hurting people for video games and swords might be..."
>No, he wouldn't think it's immoral or bad
"...embarrassing?"
>He gives you a concerned look
>"I remember thinking like that."
>Discord scowls
>"That's the seed they plant in your head. That you can't just like things... And those people you don't want to hurt... Well, nothing could be done without those 'people'. They buy my stuff, they take my bribes, they take my paychecks. That's why I can have nice things!"
"Y-Yeah, but..."
>Fuck
>He's playing to your misanthropy
>You shake your head
"I just want to run your errand and go home..."
>He frowns
>"You'll come around! Fluttershy was much the same way when I first found her."
>She smiles as he pets her cheek
>"And I really do hope you come around. We're kindred spirits, you and I."
>You turn your face from him
>Not just because what he's saying is purposefully cliche
>But because it also doesn't seem too far-fetched
>What is he?
>If he was an autist, he'd just be another in the sea of disgusting anime lovers and Magic nerds
>"Now, Twilight, would you like to—"
>"EY, BOSS!"
>A large man had opened the door to the room
>"THEY TOLD ME TO TELL YOU THAT IT'S READY!"
>A flash of anger crosses Discord's face
>"Can't you see I'm entertaining my friends?"
>The henchman just scratches at his buzzcut
>"UH, SORRY. THEY SAID AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."
>You momentarily forget what you are and just shrug to yourself
>Fucking loudass Big McLargehuge motherfucker
>Probably eats steroids for breakfast
>Discord turns to the door
>"Well, you didn't do your job, then."
>The man just scratches at his head again
>"UH, I CAME AS SOON AS THEY TOLD ME."
>"When I am entertaining friends, you should consider reaching me to be impossible. You interrupted me in front of—You know what, Chunk Hunkthunk, why don't you take a seat over here."
>Discord pats on the space in the couch between you and him
>The guy just looks around nervously
>"UH..."
>Discord snarls
>"Please don't disrespect me further."
>The henchman nods
>"UH, BY THE WAY, MY NAME ISN'T CHUNK HUNKTHUNK. IT'S BULK BICEPS."
>Of course it is
>You and Discord both roll your eyes
>Fluttershy actually blushes
>Talk about no taste
>The guy seems to bend the couch as he sits on it
>"So, Bulk, tell me about yourself. What do you like to do for fun?"
>"UH, WELL, I REALLY LIKE SHOOTING THE SHIT WITH THE GUYS AFTER WORK, YOU KNOW."
>Discord rubs his chin
>"Do you do that here?"
>"AT THE ARCADE? NAH, YOU KNOW, WE GO TO THE BAR. PICK UP SOME CHICKS. YOU KNOW HOW IT IS, RIGHT BOSS? I MEAN, YOU'RE DROWNIN' IN CHICKS RIGHT NOW."
>Bulk laughs nervously
>"These are my friends, not 'chicks'. I'm afraid I'm a bit old-fashioned, Bulk. Twilight, you see this, right?"
>Discord sort of nods his head at Bulk
>What's he supposed to be showing you?
>Just bring out the biggest Chad in the world
>Literally
>And prove his point to you?
>Yeah, maybe normies are like this a lot of the time, but...
>Discord flips the wakazashi in his hand
>"Do you know what this is?"
>"A SWORD?"
>"What kind?"
>Bulk sits, staring at the wakazashi
>"I DON'T KNOW. SMALL."
>Observant
>Discord unsheathes the sword
>He twists it in his hand, light gleaming off from its blade
>Scratching his chin, he sighs
>"I'm not sure I have a good joke for this one."
>"FOR WHA—"
>You scream and grab onto the couch as Discord drives the sword through Bulk's open mouth
>Bulk sputters, blood pouring from out his mouth and the back of his head
>Discord holds him down, and it doesn't take long for Bulk to go motionless
>"He should watch what he eats! Because he's so, you know, large."
>Discord snaps his fingers at you
>"I'm drowning here, Twilight! Help a guy out!"
>You can't talk
>You can't move
"Y-Y-Y-You..."
>You press yourself into the couch, pushing yourself away from Bulk's body
>Jesus fucking fuck
>This isn't real
>This... This can't be happening
>Fluttershy sighs and gives a small frown
>"I liked him."
>"Oh, I know."
>Fluttershy shrugs
>Discord eyes the blood seeping into the couch
>You whimper, crying
>"This might be hard to get out... And Twilight, you really should stop fussing about. You hardly knew the guy! What're you getting so worked up for?"
"I-I-I..."
>You want to run, but you can't
>You want to wretch, but can't
>You can't do anything
>Discord leans over Bulk's body
>"Twilight, really. Fluttershy didn't react nearly as bad the first time."
>"I told you about her..."
>Discord pats you on the lap
>You flinch, cowering on the couch
>"All you know about Bulk is his name, and that he was probably a bad guy. I mean, he worked for me, after all! And if you did know him, that's still all you would know."
"Y-You can't just... Kill people for no reason!"
>"I'm telling you Twilight, they're not people. Not really. Now, up for a game? Or a movie?"
>'Being cool' isn't a possibility right now
>You stare at the lifeless body next to you
>There's a difference between the edgy shit you'd post about 'beta uprising' and the real thing
>Discord smiles at you like you're just a small child scared of something in their closet
>Scared of something understandable, but ultimately silly
>He takes one of Bulk's arms and taps your leg with the hand
>"Boo!"
>You shriek and fall out of the couch onto your hands and knees
>Legs aren't working
>Neither are your arms
>You hear Discord shrug behind you
>"What's so scary about a hand?"
>"I told you she was a pussy."
>Discord scoffs
>"Language, please. She's just a bit green, is all."
>He walks to your front and kneels down, with one hand on your shoulder
>"Hey there, champ. You know, sometimes things can be a bit scary, but you've just gotta tough it out. It'll all make sense when you're older! C'mon, bring it 'ere."
>Discord pulls you into a hug, and you don't have the energy to fight back
>He pulls away and looks you in the eyes
>"And remember. Don't do drugs! Stay in school! Use protection!"
>Discord chuckles
>He picks you up and you force yourself to stay up
>You...
>You don't want him to kill you for something like 'not being fun'
>Just do what he wants...
>"So, girls, want to watch a movie?"
>"Sure."
>You nod
>"How's Robocop sound?"
>Just play along, Twilight
>Your life might depend on it
"I-I'd buy that for a dollar..."
>"Now that's what I like to hear!"
>You barely hold yourself together as he leads you to the television
>The three of you sit next to Discord in front of the large television
>Try and forget that there's a body in the room
>Just watch the movie
>You'll be able to leave eventually
>Run that errand
>Maybe run away
>Fuck
>You don't really know what you're going to do now...
>During the dream sequence, Discord speaks
>"What did you guys think of the reboot? I, personally, loved it."
>W-What?
>What kind of autist loves the reboot of any classic film?
>"Oh, um, me too."
>Discord turns to you
>"What about you, Twilight?"
"Um..."
>You sweat as Discord stares at you with that eerie smile he keeps
>If you lie about seeing it, he might ask you about scenes you don't know about
>Then chop your head off for lying or something
>Jesus fuck
>Just...
"I... I didn't watch it..."
>"Really?"
>You gulp
"I... Once I saw the redesign, it was dead to me..."
>He continues staring at you for a few more moments before breaking into laughter
>Discord pats you on the head
>"That's good. I'm constantly surprised by your good taste. For a second there I thought you were going to say you liked it!"
>Would he have killed you if you did?
>You can hear Fluttershy growl on the other side of Discord
>She pulls Discord by his shirt to her and begins passionately kissing him
>Oh Jesus fucking fuck
>Earlier you were sitting next to the scene of a murder
>Now this
>Just stare ahead
>Pretend you're watching by yourself
>Pretend the crimeboss is the dad from That 70's Show after he moves to Chicago in the future
>You don't know when the shitshow next to you ends, having blocked it out of your mind
>But when the movie ends, Discord checks the invisible watch on his wrist
>"Looks like it's about time for you two to deliver those packages!"
>Discord describes the plan to you
>It's simple, he says
>You'll be dropped off at one of his shops, which will be a front
>Go in the back, put the packages in your backpacks
>Two high school girls taking a walk together, who'd mess with that, right?
>Walk to the Everfree Park
>Sun'll start going down once you're dropped off
>And it'll be dark once you reach the park
>Then you just go and deliver the goods
>"It's really that simple!"
"W-What's in the packages?"
>Fluttershy glares at you
>"Don't ask stupid questions! We don't need to know."
>Discord pats Fluttershy on the head
>"Something special I cooked up in my college days, only much, much more potent. And addictive. Fun for the whole family!"
>Being a drug mule doesn't sound great, but...
>You're just taking a walk
>With a psychopath
>Your eyes dart over to Bulk's corpse before darting back away
>Just try and forget about it
>"Well, I'll see you guys later. Right now, you've got a job to do, and I've got some cleanin' up to do!"
>He walks away muttering about a maid uniform
>Fluttershy scowls at you and grabs your shirt, dragging you along with her
>Eventually, you're brought out to a van bearing the Pizza N Play logo
>A man gestures for you to enter
>"Get in."
>You nod
>God it smells terrible in here
>In light of recent events, you hope it's just the smell of bad pizza and nothing else
"So... Where are we picking up the stuff?"
>Fluttershy glares at you
>"I'm sure you're familiar with the place."
>What's that supposed to mean?
>The route the van is taking starts bringing you to familiar territory
>It's heading towards...
>The Game Shop?
>What?
>But Moondancer's dad owns—
>Jesus fuck
>No wonder they could afford all that superfluous shit
>Who would get into a life of crime just to provide for a spergling?
>You shake your head
>Just focus on the task at hand
>Once the van stops, you hop out, right in front of the Game Shop
>A small bell rings as you enter with Fluttershy
>Mr. Dancer is behind the counter
>You see anger flash over his face, followed by confusion
"H-Hey..."
>Fluttershy walks up to the counter
>"S-So... Y-You got what we o-ordered, right?"
>Mr. Dancer nods and heads off into a backroom
>Well, fuck
>"Sparkle!"
>Well, FUCK
>You turn to spot Moondancer, looking mad and autistic as hell
>As usual
>"What are you doing here?"
"I'm just picking something up... Please go away."
>"Yeah, well, my dad owns the place, so maybe you should just leave. I'll ask him to kick you out!"
>God damn, Moondancer
>Can you contain your autism for one fucking moment?
>Stop bring attention to this fucking exchange of illegal drugs
>Fluttershy turns to Moondancer
>"U-Um... C-Could y-you please s-stop yelling at my friend? If you want..."
>That's not going to work
>"Then I'll just ask my dad to get you to leave, too!"
"Moondancer, really, just don't. It's over. You lost every opportunity to get back at me. And your dad's not going to ban me from the store."
>"We'll see about that..."
>Mr. Dancer returns to the counter with two Warhammer box sets, setting them down in front of Fluttershy
>Guessing that you're not going to find figurines in there
>"Dad!"
>Mr. Dancer turns to his daughter
>"What is it Sweetheart? Dad's in the middle of so—"
>"That's her! That's Twilight Sparkle! Tell her she can't come here anymore!"
>"Oh, dear, I... I can't do that. That would be bad for business! Just—"
>Moondancer stomps on the ground, throwing a tantrum
>Jesus fuck, just stop for one second
>"BUT DAD! YOU LET ME BAN LYRA!"
>Mr. Dancer sighs and tries to smile at you and Fluttershy
>"I'm sorry, Sweetie. Not this time."
>"THEN THEY CAN'T HAVE THESE!"
>Moondancer goes to push the boxes from the counter
>GOD FUCKING FUCK YOU SPERG DON'T DO THIS
>Before she can, Fluttershy stops her
>With her fist
>Moondancer falls to the ground, holding her face
>"O-Oh... S-S-Sorry... You scared me..."
>The ball of sperg screams on the floor for her father
>Fluttershy leans in to Mr. Dancer and whispers
>"You should be glad I stopped her, because if I didn't..."
>You can see the blood drain from his face
>He nods
>"Of course, it'll never happen again, you can tell him that. W-We've never had a problem here before..."
>Fluttershy opens up her backpack and puts a box inside
>You decide to follow suit
>Not as heavy as you thought it would be
>Moondancer refuses to get off of the floor
>"Please, dear, please get up..."
>"NOT UNTIL THEY LEAVE."
>Jesus
>She just doesn't want anyone to feel bad for her, you guess
>Fucking deserved that punch in the face
>Almost satisfying to see her writhe on the ground like that, the fucking sperg piece of life-ruining shit
>"Oh, Miss Sparkle, you're here?"
>Jesus
>Fluttershy glares at you
"Hey Trixie."
>"Did you wish to—"
"Can't. Busy with Fluttershy."
>Trixie sulks
"Sorry."
>Fluttershy pulls on your arm
>You leave the Game Shop with Moondancer crying on the floor, consoled by her father, Trixie looming over them
>And so you start your walk to the Everfree Park
>With drugs on you person
>Stay calm...
>"What the fuck was that about?"
"I... Moondancer is just some dumb girl."
>"Some dumb girl that almost ruined everything."
>Fluttershy groans
>"You know, I should've let it happen. Then Discord would see what I see."
>Just ignore her...
>The two of you continue walking
>If you just keep yourself calm...
>You can't believe you're going to be walking into the Everfree after dark
>Never really gone there yourself
>But you hear it's a haven for the homeless
>And at night, you'd be crazy to enter
>Largest urban park in the country...
>Fuck
>You hope you don't have to go too deep for this delivery...
>Fluttershy has her meek, hunched posture going on
>Just two girls taking a walk
>Police won't take a second look at you
>This should be easy
>And if this is all Discord ever has you do every once in a while...
>You suppose you can live with that
>A cop car passes by and you turn your head
>"Stop fucking acting suspicious."
"S-Sorry..."
>Fluttershy rolls her eyes
>"You are such a fucking bitch. Just trying to appeal to his stupid hobbies... You don't really know him like I do."
"I don't want to."
>She growls
>"Do you think I'm stupid? I know what you're doing."
>Whatever
>Just press on
>"Do you know what I did to prove myself to him? I would do anything for him... And you, you just walk in and, because you play some stupid card game with him..."
>She mutters angrily to herself
>"You're not like us..."
>Fucking that shit again
"I don't want to be. Tell him to let me go if you hate me so much."
>She smiles
>"I've been lobbying for something a little more fun for me... You're going to make a mistake."
>You shudder
>If it wasn't for Discord, you suppose you'd be dead on Fluttershy's whim
>She's probably thinking about killing you right now
>You really wish you didn't have to do this...
>The road you're going down looks familiar
>Treehugger's apartment
>Wish you could run there and get away from this
"H-How much further?"
>"Just keep walking."
>You keep walking, the sun descending in the sky
>The park can be seen in the distance
"So... do we just drop them off somewhere?"
>"With someone."
>As you move towards the park, you hear a WEE WOO behind you
>You jump
>Cops?
>A police car pulls up next to you and Fluttershy, and the passenger window rolls down
>"U-Um... H-H-Hello, officer."
>The officer gives the two of you a nod
>"Well, looks like you made it home safe, huh."
>You give him a strange look
>What
>Oh fuck
>It's the cop that pulled you and Treehugger over
"U-U-Uh, th-th-thanks..."
>He smiles
>"It just irks me to see kids doin' drugs, specially with those sorts of low-lifes. Glad I'm not spottin' you with her again."
>You laugh awkwardly
>Fuck fuck fuck
>"So, what're you girls headin' out to the park for at this time of night? Probably best not to be out 'round this time."
>FUCK FUCK FUCK
"U-U-Uh... Um... Well... You see..."
>"I live nearby. W-We're just walking back from a friends."
>The officer nods
>"You girls have a good night, then. And you—"
>He points at you
>"—stay away from them low-lifes. I don't want to have to meet you with cuffs."
>You nod
>He waves and drives off
>Once the car pulls out of sight, Fluttershy scowls at you
>"What's wrong with you?"
"I-It was just... Bad luck. D-Discord... He owns all the cops, right?"
>"Not all of them! Fucking idiot... I wish I didn't have to keep saving your ass."
>You decide to just keep walking to the park
"Let's just go."
>You hear Fluttershy growl before returning to her shy stance
>Well...
>This is it
>The sun has removed itself from the sky completely
>Do people even take care of this place?
>It looks more like a gnarled forest than a park
>"Follow me."
>You follow Fluttershy deeper into the Everfree
>Every once in a while, you spot a blanket on the ground, or what look to be small huts
>At one point you pass a bunch of bums congregated around a small fire
>Without really thinking, you stick yourself closer to Fluttershy
"A-Are we almost there?"
>"Fucking shut up."
>You creep through the dense woods behind Fluttershy
>Almost trip a few times
>So hard to see here
>Fuck, this place reminds you of 'Haunted Forest' levels and shit
>You come to a dip, with a small creek running through it
>A stone bridge lies off to the side
>Someone is standing beneath it
"I-Is that the person we're delivering to?"
>"I said shut up. Don't talk."
>Fine
>Probably for the best right now
>You follow Fluttershy and approach the hooded figure
>The figure removes its hood
>It's one of those striped people
>Haven't actually seen one in real life before...
>Is that racist?
>Nah
>Definitely 'blinged out', or whatever they say
>Not, like 'they', but you know
>She has what looks like gold necklaces and loop earrings
>Her clothes are loose, ragged, and patchy, though, like the bums you'd seen earlier
>Queen of the Hobos or something?
>A lawless jungle seems like a good center for drug distribution...
>"You're not alone this time."
>Her voice is deep, with a strange accent
>"Discord does business how he wants. You can ignore her."
>The woman seems to size you up, then looks into your eyes
>"You do not belong here."
"U-Uh—"
>Fluttershy puts her arm out in front of you
>You shut your mouth
>"Zecora, let's just get on with this."
>She beckons you under the bridge
>It's dank here, and you try your best not to step into the small creek
>Zecora turns and looks at you and Fluttershy expectantly
>Doesn't talk much, huh
>Fluttershy takes the box set out of her backpack, as do you
>You place yours on the table next to Fluttershy's
>Zecora opens it up, revealing a bulk of some sort of gelatinous substance, kept in plastic
>She nods
>"The money will be delivered."
>Fluttershy nods
>"Let's go. Or I'm leaving you here."
"O-Okay..."
>You exit from under the bridge, and look back at Zecora
>She eyes you strangely
>Not sure you really like this Zecora
>But you think you'll be doing business with her again
>Maybe she'll show you her sick mixtape next time
>That's not racist
>You walk up the small hill, away from the bridge
>When you look back, you see Zecora standing at the bridge's mouth
>Staring at you
>Sheesh
>Gives you the heebie-jeebies
>The crinkle of twigs beneath yours and Fluttershy's feet is putting you on edge
>Yeah, there's a reason people don't come out here at this time
>Or ever, really
>No one's ever like "Hey, let's hang out in the Everfree"
>Fuck
>You hear rustling
"H-How much longer 'till we're out?"
>Fluttershy groans
>"It takes the same amount of time to go in and out."
>Fuck you, too
>You flinch as more rustling is heard
>Closer this time
"F-Fluttershy?"
>She puts her hand on your chest, stopping you
>"We're with Discord."
>Someone moves out from behind the trees
>"So?"
>It's another one of those homeless people
>You move behind Fluttershy as you spot the knife in his hands
>"So go away. Or else."
>A small bit of light glints off of what must be metallic teeth as he smiles
>"Now, you think I'm scared of a couple of—"
>You throw yourself to the ground as a shot rings out
>Then two more
>Fluttershy grunts, placing a gun back under her shirt
>"I hate this place."
>You look back up, and spot the man dead on the ground
>Jesus...
>Fluttershy begins walking off
"W-Wait!"
>You chase after her, heart racing
>Another dead body...
>At least...
>At least it wasn't so bad, this time
>You just want to get away from all this shit...
>"Ugh, are you crying? What's wrong with you?"
"S-Sorry..."
>Fluttershy just sighs angrily
>After many more minutes of walking, you finally spot the edge of the park
>It doesn't take long to get back onto the streets
>At least here there's lampposts
>"We can part ways now."
>You nod
"Th-Thanks for—"
>"I didn't kill him for you. I did it because people don't get to fuck with me anymore. Except for you, apparently..."
>She stares into your eyes
>You shrink back
>"I'll kill you once he gets bored."
>Y-You too...
>Fluttershy walks off without you
>You walk in the direction you came from
>It's late as fuck
>School tomorrow...
>Definitely not walking home
>You'll try Treehugger's, since it's not far
>Not sure you'd want to ask to be driven home
>It's late, and you don't want to be a nuisance
>But she'll let you sleep there, probably
>It doesn't take long to make your way to her apartment building
>Looks a bit frightening at this time of day
>Old buildings are like that at night, you guess
>God, today...
>You're trying your best to block it from your mind
>Just head upstairs
>Try to focus on Robocop or something
>Nausea floods your body as you see Discord stabbing Bulk again
>The way he struggled futilely, gargling on his own—
>You collapse onto the stairs
>Fucking pick yourself up, Twilight...
>Just don't think about it
>Don't think about it
>You keep heading up, moving towards Treehugger's door
>Suck it up
>You're alive
>Just forget about him
>You didn't know him
>Don't show up on her doorstep crying
>Please, just let the memory go away...
>You knock on Treehugger's door and hope she's awake
>The door creaks open, a red-eyed Treehugger behind it
>"Hey, Spark Bug! What're you doing here?"
>Don't—
>You cry
>She hugs you and leads you into the apartment, closing the door behind you
>"What's wrong, Spark Bug?"
"I..."
>You push yourself into her chest
"I saw people die today... Watched as—"
>You sob
>"Fuck... It's okay, Spark Bug..."
>Treehugger holds you to herself
>You can hardly keep yourself on your feet as you cry into her, your whole body shuddering
>"It's okay..."
>She leads you down onto the couch, and you finally let yourself go limp, leaning against her
"I... I thought I could do this..."
>You hold her tighter, looking up to her
"But I can't..."
>"I'd be lying if I said I know what you're going through, but... You're going to be okay."
>'Okay'
>You're the furthest thing from that right now
>The corpse won't leave your mind
>Try as you might, you can't shake the fact that you watched a life end
>Can't understand how someone could just...
>It feels as though, with every beat, your heart pounds so hard against your chest you can barely breath
>Treehugger holds you in a tight embrace and hums to you
>You can feel her voice vibrating in her chest
>In yours
>Your haggard breaths begin to come more easily
>Despite everything, you feel... Safe with her
>Warm
>You sigh shakily, and try to hum to yourself a little
>Treehugger smiles, looking somewhat shaken herself
>"You know, I... I really worry about you, Spark Bug."
>You nuzzle against her
"I'm worried about you, too. About everyone... I'm afraid I'm going to get you all killed."
>"You're going to get through this..."
>You hope so, too
>Blinking the tears from your eyes, you feel your lids go heavy
>Been such a horrible day
>And you're so tired...
>Treehugger lies down on the couch, her arms wrapped around you
>You huddle against her and slip into sleep
>"It'll be okay, Spark Bug..."