Grey Skies

>Day Grey Skies in Equestria.
>You are Anon. Princess Celestia has taken an interest in you.
>When you first came here, she kept you locked away.
>She learned that you didn’t mean any harm to ponies, and slowly granted you more freedom.
>Your room is palatial. You feel like you are in a strange situation.
>Neither arrested, nor free -In a sort of house-arrest mode.
>Or perhaps like an unwanted guest.
>The princess visits you every few days.
>The servants treat you well enough.
>
>You are looking out your window.
>”Good morning Anon.”
Hello Princess.
>You bow slightly.
>”What are you looking at?”
“Nothing… I’m just bored.”
>She nods knowingly.
>”I just need to make sure you are good. We’ve never had a ‘human’ in Equestria.”
“I understand.” You turn to look out the window again.
“How long will I be here?”
>She scratches the floor.
>”A long time Anon.”
>”Maybe I can get you something to keep you entertained?”
>”What would you like?”
>A toy to keep you busy.
“Can I have a guitar?”
>”I’ll have one brought over.”
>You turn to her.
“Can you tell me why you hold me here?”
>Celestia thinks for a moment.
>”When I saw your memories, I learned that humans are an angry and warlike people.”
>”I can’t have that spread to Equestria.”
“But, I’m not like that.”
>”We can’t be sure Anon.”
>You hang your head.
1/9
>The guitar is delivered as promised. It’s smaller than what you are used to, but that’s ok.
>You begin playing.
>Slowly at first, you don’t want to get blisters.
>You haven’t played since you were a child. You only know children’s songs.
>You look out the window.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine”
>A little off key.
You make me happy, when skies are grey.
>Better
“You’ll never know dear, how much I love you.”
>Good, now you’re getting it.
“Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
>”That was very good.”
>You jump up. It’s the princess.
“Sorry - I didn’t hear you enter.”
>”That’s alright.” She points at your guitar. “Do you know anything else?”
“Just a few more.”
>You play for her.
>She is pleased that you are happy now.
>She leaves you to your things.
>
>Days pass.
>You sit by your door listening.
>Everyday around lunchtime, the guards change.
>The afternoon guard usually leaves to use the restroom. He has digestive issues.
>You hear his gut gurgle.
>Its time.
>You wait for him to leave.
>You twist the handle.
>Its unlocked.
>You open it slowly. No one is there.
>You walk out.
>If you look like you know where you are going, maybe the ponies will leave you alone.
>A guard pony trots by you.
>You give him a slight nod.
>He returns the favor.
>All clear now.
2/9
>
>You see Canterlot for the first time. It’s beautiful.
>You walk around.
>Ponies mostly ignore you. A few look you over before returning to their conversations.
>You walk for hours.
>Your stomach rumbles.
>You should get back to -
>”I’ve got him.”
>A pony forces your face into the ground.
>”Thought you could just run away?”
“I was going back.” You protest.
>”Sure you were.”
>
>You are in the dungeon.
>It’s been a few hours.
>You hear hooves clopping against stone.
>”Here he is princess.” A guard pony says as he points to you.
>Celestia frowns at you.
>”Were your accommodations unpleasant Anon?”
“They were fine princess.” You bow.
>”Then why did you try to escape?”
“I just wanted to be outside for a little bit.”
>”You should have asked.”
>You look around, avoiding her gaze.
>”I have you locked up because you will frighten my ponies.”
“Everything was fine. No one freaked out.”
>”Do you want to stay here tonight?”
>Its cold and drafty.
“No, princess.”
>”I should leave you here. Maybe then you will learn your place.”
“Why do you hate me?”
>”I don’t hate you.”
“A person shouldn’t be locked away all his life. I need fresh air.”
>She bites her lip.
>She scruffs the floor.
>”I’m going to pretend this never happened.” She turns to the guard. “Take him to his room.”
>She begins to trot off.
“Princess,”
>She stops and looks back.
“Thank you.”
>She smiles.
3/9
>
>A few nights later you are looking out your window.
>The princess has ordered you locked away this time.
>The moon casts a warm glow into your room.
>You hear a knock.
“Come in”
>The door unlocks.
>The princess enters.
>You nod to her and she approaches.
>”I’ve been thinking about what you said the other night.”
“Yeah?” You say, still looking outside.
>”I’ve decided that I’ve been unfair to you.”
>You turn to her.
>”I’ll let you roam the castle at your leisure. You can even go into the gardens if you wish.”
>You can’t contain your happiness.
>You jump up to -
>No. You don’t hug her.
>Silence.
“Thank you princess. You won’t regret this.”
>She nods approvingly.
>”Have you learned any new songs?”
“I have. One of the ponies dropped off some music sheets.”
>You pick one up to show her.
“Would you like to hear?”
>She nods.
>You play for her.
>
>A few days later. You are in the garden enjoying the sun.
>A few brave ponies have come up to talk with you.
>You entertain them with stories about your past life.
>They tell you about Equestria.
>The princess is in her balcony. She looks toward you, and you nod to her.
>You mouth the words, “thank you” to her.
>The ponies leave, and the princess descends.
>”I’ve never taken the time to get to know you Anon.”
>You are confused.
“I thought you knew everything about me.”
>”I saw your memories, but they were incomplete. I only saw part of what you know.”
“It’s going to take more than a short conversation to understand me.”
>”I’ll make time Anon.”
>You spend the afternoon in quiet conversation.
>You tell her about your old job, your family and friends.
”Do you think I will ever see them again?”
>”I still don’t know how you came here. I don’t think you can go back.”
>You look down. You miss your old life.
>She moves toward you, and slowly places a wing on your shoulders.
>”It’s alright Anon.”
4/9
>
>The next night, you are summoned to the princess’s quarters.
>A guard lets you in.
>The princess is looking over papers. She looks tired.
”You called for me princess?”
>”I did.” She puts away her quill.
>”Princess Cadence is having a wedding in a few months. Do you want to go?”
>She must be the pink alicorn you’ve seen walking around.
“Will there be drinking?”
>You haven’t had any alcohol since you arrived.
>”Drinking, dancing, and everything else that happens at a wedding.”
“I’d like that very much, princess.”
>”You can call me Celestia… when nop0ny is around.”
“Celestia,” it sounds strange to say her name without her title.
>She motions a hoof for you to approach.
>She gets up and sits by her fireplace.
>You sit beside her.
>The fire dances for you. It’s mesmerizing.
>”Do you feel lonely?”
“Sometimes. Usually I draw or play music to pass the time.”
>”It’s hard being a princess.”
>She takes off her crown.
>”Ponies are afraid of me. Afraid of offending their princess.”
“You seem like a very nice… mare.”
>”I think I am. Still, they try to stay distant.”
>She turns toward you.
>”Are you afraid of me?”
“You’ve never done me wrong prin-“ you stop yourself. “Celestia.”
>She smiles.
>She slides a slippered hoof toward your hand.
>You dare not move away.
>It barely touches your pinky finger.
>”Have you ever loved someone?”
“Once. We were happy together – or so I thought.”
>You curl your toes.
”It didn’t work out.”
>She nods.
“What about you?”
>She thinks for a moment.
>”A long time ago.”
>You both return to staring at the fire.
>Some time passes in silence.
5/9
>Her hoof still barely touching your hand.
>”I think I like you.”
>The princess likes you?
>You are just a normal person. What could you possibly offer her.
“Why?”
>She shakes her head.
>”I don’t know. You’re... different? You don’t treat me like … you aren’t distant.”
>She turns to you and smiles weakly. She’s waiting for your answer.
>She is a princess.
>But you can’t… not with a horse.
>You move your hand back.
“I can’t give you what you want.”
>She looks down. Her lips curl into a frown.
>”Can you give me a chance?”
>You don’t know what to say.
>”It’s been so long since I’ve cared for someone.”
>You are truly speechless.
>She moves a wing and pulls you toward her.
>She moves her body to meet you.
>Her purple eyes look deeply into yours.
>She moves to kiss you.
>So slowly.
>Her eyes never leave yours.
>You turn away.
>She kisses your cheek.
>She’s getting angry.
>”You don’t care about me do you?”
>Her horn starts to glow.
>You feel your body freeze up.
>She pushes you to the ground.
>She puts her weight on you.
>You can’t breathe.
>She smells you and kisses you softly on your neck.
>You feel her magic lowering.
>You push her away.
“Stop it.”
>You back away from her.
“You can’t just do that to people.”
>She looks down.
>”I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
>She moves back.
“Can I go now?”
>She nods.
>You get up.
>”Anon?”
>You stop to look at her.
>”I told the guard that you are free now. You can leave the castle if you want.”
“I might do that.”
>You walk toward the door.
>You can hear her crying as you leave.
6/9
>
>A few days later. You are thinking about what the princess said.
>Your room is no longer guarded.
>Ponies continue to bring you food and change your sheets.
>You have gone into town several times.
>Everything is so beautiful here.
>Each night you return to your quarters.
>The princess hasn’t bothered you since that night.
>You’re thirsty.
>You go to get some water.
>You walk through the hallway to the kitchen.
>Through a window you see a solitary figure in the garden.
>It’s the princess.
>You should talk to her.
>She’s sitting alone and throwing crumbs into the pond.
>Fish occasionally jump at the food she provides.
“Celestia?”
>She jumps up, startled.
>”Oh. Hello Anon. I thought you left.”
“I decided to stay for now.”
>She smiles weakly.
>You sit on the bench beside her.
>She offers you a piece of bread, and you throw the crumbs into the water.
“I thought about what you said.”
>She keeps looking at the pond.
“I… think I can try.”
>She moves a hoof toward you.
>You place your hand over it.
>
>This continues for a few weeks.
>She visits you, and you talk for hours.
>She’s careful not to invade your personal space.
>She lets you take the lead.
>”I don’t want to force you to do anything you aren’t comfortable with.” She said.
>And she follows through.
>
>It’s night.
>Again the princess is in your room.
>You play your guitar, and she sings along.
>You’re tired.
“It’s getting late.”
>”Time just seems to fly by when I’m with you.” She smiles.
>You tap your fingers against your guitar.
>You bite your lip.
“Do you want to spend the night?”
>She looks at you. Her eyes are bright.
>”Of course.”
>She moves toward you.
>You kiss her deeply.
>You climb into bed, and she follows.
>You move your hand and push her mane out of her face.
”I think I love you, ‘Tia.”
>”I’ve waited so long to hear that.”
>She presses against you.
>Your hands move on their own.
>You want to please your princess.
7/9
>
>A few more weeks pass.
>It’s the day of the wedding.
>You put on your perfectly fitted suit.
>Jesus you look good.
>”We’re going to be late.”
“Hold on, just one more thing.”
>You brush your hair.
>Perfect.
>You can tell today is going to be great.
>
>This is a really confusing wedding.
>Are all Equestrian weddings dramatic plays like this?
>Princess Cadence is a bug pony, and the “real” Cadence looks disheveled.
>The bug pony makes a powerful monologue.
>Is she an alicorn? What is she?
>Celestia pushes you aside.
>”Now that you have so foolishly revealed yourself, I can protect my subjects, from you!”
>They blast energy at each other.
>The bug pony is too strong, and Tia is thrown back.
>Fuck this is real.
>What are you supposed to do? You can’t fight the bug pony.
>”Get the elements of harmony,” Tia says to a purple unicorn.
>They run off.
>You tend to your princess as the bug pony continues her monologue.
>Jesus she talks a lot.
>”I’m fine Anon. Just get out of here.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
>The bug pony continues ranting about how powerful she is.
>You can hear fighting outside.
>Smaller bug ponies enter the room.
>”And now that I can’t be stopped. It’s time to deal with unfinished business,” The bug pony says.
>She charges her horn.
>”Move aside monkey.”
“No.”
>”Just go Anon.” Tia says as she gets up slowly.
>”I’m staying right here.”
>The bug pony shoots her green magic at the celestia.
>You stand in front of it, protecting your princess.
>You can feel your insides burning.
>Something is hardening inside of you.
8/9
>The bug pony stops and you fall to the ground.
>”ANON!” Tia yells.
>The bug pony laughs.
>The door bursts open.
>It’s the purple unicorn and her friends.
>They are being carried in by the small bug ponies.
>Celestia moves toward you.
>She uses her magic.
>”It’s not working.”
>She tries again.
>
>Behind you, you hear a loud crash.
>Princesses Cadence, and Prince Shining Armor have defeated the bug pony.
>That doesn’t matter now.
>
>You are Princess Celestia.
>Anon has foolishly tried to protect you. His frail human body couldn’t possibly stand up to Chrysalis.
>Your magic won’t work on him.
“Get a doctor!” you yell to Twilight.
>She runs off.
>His body is ruined by her black magic.
“The doctor will be here soon, just hold on.”
>Anon coughs.
>His breathing is pained.
>You embrace him.
>”Do you remember that song I taught you?”
>He coughs into his sleeve. He moves it away.
>It’s red.
“Yes Anon.”
>”Can you sing it to me?”
>You shake your head.
“You’re going to be fine Anon.”
>”You have such a nice singing voice. Please ‘Tia.”
>You nod.
>You take a deep breath.
“You are my sunshine,”
>He joins you.
[Together] “My only sunshine.”
>He smiles a red toothy grin.
[Together] “You make me happy, when skies are grey.”
>He coughs again. He doesn’t try to hold back now.
[Wavering] “You’ll never know dear, “
>You feel his grip loosen.
“How much I love you,”
>He closes his eyes.
“Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
fin
9/9

Epilogue:
>You are Celestia. You are at the hospital.
>”He’s awake now.” The doctor pony says.
>”Just make it quick. He needs his rest.”
>The doctor lets you in.
>Anon is lying on the bed.
>His body is connected to several medical devices.
>He turns to look at you.
>He smiles weakly.
 “How are you feeling?”
>”I did good, didn’t I?” He ignores your question.
“I… “
>It was stupid.
>He shouldn’t have tried to protect you.
>He is the only person you have cared about in so long.
>You don’t want to upset him.
“You did good.” You agree.
>He smiles.
>”Everything hurts.”
“I’ll ask the doctor to give you more medicine.”
>He nods.
“The doctor said you will make a full recovery.”
>He looks out the window.
“You’ll need to stay here for a few days though.”
>”Locked away again.”
>You move toward him.
>He brushes your mane.
>”That’s alright. It was worth it.”
>He pulls you toward him.
>”As long as you are safe, I’m happy.”
>You feel yourself blushing.
>He always knows what to say.
>”So… will our wedding have so much drama?”
>He kisses you before you can react.
>Oh Anon…
fin [spoiler](for real this time)[/spoiler]
10/9