String of Fate [Flutterrape]

>Day Ties That Bind in Equestria.
>Be Anon.
>It's been almost half a year since you first arrived in Ponyville, but you think you've finally managed to settle in comfortably.
>Eventually, you adapted to your new life here with only a few minor growing pains that you've learned to grow accustomed to.
>The townsfolk took a while to warm up to you when you showed up unceremoniously that mysterious day, but you tried your best to make it work.
>It was a hard mountain to climb, but seeing the smiles on their faces everyday was worth it.
>All things considered, living in Equestria felt pretty good.
>You do find yourself missing some of the smaller luxuries you once had back home though.
>These are the thoughts that come to mind as you cast your fishing line out on the far outskirts of town.
>It was a long walk from Ponyville, but this was the closest river you could manage to find; every other stream or creak you passed by could've been filled with a children's garden hose.
>Fine by you, if your newfound lack of responsibilities had one benefit it was that you now had all the free time in the world.
>You watch the bobber on your fishing line move unflinchingly and let out a sigh.
>Dinner was gonna be a long ways away at this rate.
>Yawning and leaning back, you settle in for a long day of doing absolutely nothing, until a light sound of a twig snapping makes you jump a little in your makeshift seat.
>You turn your head to your left to see what caused the sudden noise.
>What you see is a pair of eyes maybe a foot away from your own.
"JESUS!"
>Startled by the sudden presence, your fight or flight response causes you to forget you're sitting down and accidentally fall on your side in an attempt to create some space.
>"Oh I'm sorry, was I too close? You just seemed so relaxed that I didn't want to bother you."
>Looking up at the newcomer's voice, you see the eyes actually belong to a very plain looking brown mare you didn't recognize.
>You knew every pony's face in Ponyville, so she must not be from around here.
>With a sigh of relief you start sitting back up.
>Realizing you just made a fool of yourself, you wipe the dirt off your shirt and try to get your bearings back in order.
"Jeez you spooked me Miss. I didn't think I'd bump into any ponies this far from town."
>She covers her mouth with a hoof as she chuckles softly.
>"I didn't mean to startle you, I was just passing by and thought you might enjoy some company."
>Reeling your fishing line back, you give it a fresh toss into a different part of the river in the hope of fresh bites.
"Well I'm always happy to share company with friendly folk. Can't say today's fishing has been too exciting though; if you'd like to stay for a spell there's plenty of dirt to go around."
>You pat the ground beside you, offering her to take a seat to which she promptly does.
"I don't mind sharing what I catch either, but it might be a while if you want to enjoy a meal together."
>The mystery mare declines you almost immediately.
>"No thanks, I don't eat fish."
>Ah right, vegetarians.
>Shrugging, you idly reel your line in a bit as you try to make conversation.
"So where you from stranger?"
>She pauses for a moment to think, the pause is so unusually long that after a while you start to wonder if she might be a bit slow.
>"My family and I live out around the mountainside, you've probably never been there."
>You mumble disappointingly to yourself.
>She was right, you didn't really know any places other than the pony capitals.
"What brings you to this neck of the woods then?"
>The mare looks at you and smiles gently, answering you much quicker this time.
>"I'm just looking for a friend."
>You raise an eyebrow.
>That's an odd thing for a mare to be doing this far away from town.
"A friend you say? Did they get lost or something?"
>She continues to smile as she shakes her head in dismissal.
>"Oh no, I don't think they'd be around here, I was just on my way to Ponyville to see if I could find them."
>Her words peak your interest.
>You turn to face her and smirk cheekily.
"May I ask who it is you're looking for? I don't mean to brag, but I'm friends with pretty much every pony in Ponyville."
>You may not look like it, but you really took befriending the ponies there to heart.
>And to your delight, the mystery mare's eyes light up at your words.
>"Is that true? Every pony in Ponyville?"
>She looks at you excitedly, so you decide to gloat some more.
"Yup, some would even go so far as to say that I've already memorized the smiles of every pony in Ponyville."
>You weren't even exaggerating, you had made that your goal after you had finally settled in there.
>Though in actuality, you're the only one that says that about yourself, but she didn't need to know that minor detail.
>Closing your eyes, you proudly show her your own smile and chuckle heartily.
>"Really? That sounds perfect!"
>Despite not meaning to, you begin to puff out your chest with pride.
"That's right, I know everyone. So who are you looking for Miss?"
>Oddly, the words that come out of the mare's mouth are not what you expected in the slightest.
>"Oh I'm not looking for anyone anymore."
>The sudden change takes the wind out of your sails, your chest deflating like a sad balloon.
"Wait what? But you just said-"
>The mare interrupts you before you can finish.
>"After all, I've already found the perfect candidate to take home."
>Your eyes go wide in confusion.
"Whoa whoa slow down there lady, you said you were looking for a friend, not a husband."
>Even though she's still smiling, her voice is much more monotone now.
>"I'm not actually looking for either of those things."
>You take your attention away from your fishing line and stare at her with blatant confusion written across your face.
"Then what the hell *are* you lookin-"
>Your eyes grow wide with surprise.
>Despite not being a unicorn, the mare begins to conjure up some kind of green magic.
>Before you have a chance to stop her, your vision suddenly flashes neon bright before blacking out completely.
>As you fall unconscious like a sack of bricks, the last thing you hear is the mystery mare saying something about seeing her family.

>With a groan you slowly begin to regain consciousness.
>Your head is throbbing and it's most certainly not the fun kind.
>Blinking slowly, you open your eyes and take a bleary look at your surroundings.
>It appears you've somehow relocated to the inside of a cave you don't recognize.
>Not that you recognize any caves, so you could literally be anywhere right now.
>How long you've been out is also a mystery, but judging from how hungry you are now you must've already skipped dinner.
"This fucking sucks..."
>There's crust in your eyes, but when you try to remove it, you slowly come to the stark realization that your limbs are pinned to wall by some kind of strange green goo.
"...What the hell is this!?"
>You try flexing your arms with all your might, but the disgusting green snot merely stretches and snaps your arms back in place immediately.
>Whatever this shit is, it must be made of tough stuff if it's been keeping you hanging right side up while you sleep for hours now.
>With seemingly no options left for you, you call out towards the dank cavern walls in hopes of an answer.
"WHERE THE FUCK AM I!?"
>To your surprise, you receive an answer in the form of a long drawn out yawn from... above you?
>"Ah, finally awake are we? For such an ugly creature you sure do require a lot of beauty rest."
>As you look up toward where the voice came from, you try to make out who it belongs to, but the darkness of this place is too thick and your vision fails you.
>That is, until a pair of bright green glowing eyes appear from the shadows.
>It isn't long before they begin descending from the ceiling, revealing the true identity of your kidnapper.
>Unfortunately, you still don't recognize who... or what it is.
>All you can tell is that it looks like a rather large and imposing pony, except its body is hard and shiny, almost like a beetle's carapace.
"What... what are you?"
>The creature's face contorts into a twisted, toothy smile, one you were sure to never forget no matter how hard you tried.
>"Still feel like playing the guessing game do we? Well that's fine, after all this is also my first time encountering a... whatever you are."
>She waves a hoof(?) in front of you dismissively, giving off airs that left you feeling like you were no more significant than a worm beneath the dirt she treads on.
>For some reason it pisses you off more than a direct insult.
"My name is Anonymous, Anonymous the Human, don't forget it."
>The bug creature begins to chitter incessantly.
>Was that her idea of laughter?
>"Alright then Anonymous the Cur, would this talking sack of flesh and meat like to know why he's been brought here?"
>You bite your tongue before you start spitting vitriol.
"Actually yes, I would quite enjoy an explanation of my current affairs... whoever you are."
>The evil looking creature grins malevolently and adjusts herself into a more imposing stance.
>"If you must know, my name is Chrysalis. You however, shall henceforth address me as "Queen, Majesty, or Royal highness", whichever you most prefer."
>You snort mockingly.
"Yeah I'd hate to disappoint, but none of that shit is gonna fly I'm afraid."
>Despite your bravado, the... "thing" begins to visibly lick her fangs in excitement, as if she was about to bite into a tasty meal.
>"Oh but I simply must insssssist~, you're going to have to get used to how things work around here when you join the family."
>Those words suddenly remind you of the brown mare you had met back by the river, you had actually forgotten about her until now.
>Didn't she mention something about bringing you to her family?
>Fuck, she set this all up didn't she? That bitch!
>Taking pleasure in watching your internal dialogue playing out across your face, Chrysalis continues.
>"Ah yes that's right, I haven't explained yet have I? Then allow me to explain in a manner even common livestock could understand."
>You watch as she begins to ever so slowly stride towards you.
>"My race are known as Changelings, and I am their ruler; they live, breath, and die serving me and the collective as a whole."
>As much as you want to care, you really don't.
"That's lovely and all, but what does any of that have to do with me?"
>As she steps up to you, she reaches up and pats you on the cheek in an irritating fashion.
>"I'm getting to that, so how about you sit tight and be patient little one."
>You growl in frustration, but that only makes her chitter even more as she begins pacing back and forth in front of you as she continues her monologue.
>"Now tell me, what is it that makes Changelings different from other ponies."
"Is that you're fucking ugl-"
>Before you finish your sentence, the queen turns to face you and glares her glowing green eyes into your own.
>You don't know if it was magic or just pure intimidation, but you shut your mouth before going any further.
>"The difference, is that Changelings feed off pure emotions, most notably; love."
"Sounds pretty gay to me."
>Instead of chastising you again, she actually takes your quip seriously.
>"Oh it can be if need be."
>She stops pacing for a moment and brings her face uncomfortably close to your own, her tone of voice much more serious and sinister than before.
>"In this kingdom; picky eaters starve Anonymous, we'll take love anywhere we can get it."
>With a hiss, she backs off and goes back to pacing some more.
>You wish you had another snarky response for that, but somehow words elude you this time.
>"My kingdom needs sustenance Anonymous, which is why all my sons and daughters go out into the world and collect nourishment for the hive to share as a whole."
>"But there's just one little problem that always impedes us."
>She pauses for a moment, seemingly waiting for you to ask her what it is, but you purposefully keep your mouth shut.
>Her annoyance shows, despite how much she tries to hide it.
>"That problem is that pure love only comes from unguarded, open hearts."
>She clicks her tongue in frustration.
>"Love from an unwilling host is tainted and unrefined, with the consistency of poison; it rots our bodies and souls from the inside."
>"Because of this, we've always needed to disguise ourselves and trick slow witted victims into letting us harvest them willingly. The process is slow and meandering and runs the constant risk of being interrupted by heathens and other outside forces."
>It was on that note that she finally stopped pacing in front of you.
>"However, that's where -you- finally come in."
>The sultry look she gave you, like you were the most attractive slab of meat at a buffet, made your blood feel cold.
>"One of my daughters informed me that you're in fact quite a special specimen who will become a useful resource for the collective."
>She was talking about that fucking brown cunt from earlier wasn't she?
>You were still frustrated with her, how dare she betray your kindness like that.
>To try and spite her, you deny her accusations immediately.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, I've never even met a Changeling before today."
>As you say that, the coy bug lady grins maliciously at you.
>"Oh really, I beg to differ."
>After making some kind of guttural gurgling sound from within her throat, the imposing bug monster leans her head over to you and whispers in your ear with a voice that sounds exactly like your own.
>"I don't mean to brag, but I'm friends with pretty much every pony in Ponyville."
>The sound of your own voice whispering in your own ear causes your eyes to widen with fear.
>"Trust me Anonymous, we can definitely use a mutt with such an... outstanding pedigree."
>Her incessant chittering grows even louder with mirth.
>"From now on, it shall be your duty to harvest love from the inhabitants of Ponyville and give every last drop to your new family."
>You bite your lip in frustration.
>This bitch was delusional if she thought you'd just sacrifice your friends to her.
"You keep saying I'm going to join your family or whatever, but you know I'm just going to flat out refuse right?"
>Your words only make her chittering change to outright maniacal cackling.
>"Oh but that's where the fun begins! After all, you're going to require a little something extra if you're going to harvest energy for us."
>As you stare at her in utter confusion, the mare(?) leans her head back and begins making motions like she's about regurgitate something and throw up.
>However, instead of spewing her guts all over your defenseless body like you expected, she stops and gives you another terrifying toothy grin instead.
>When she opens her mouth, what you see wrapped in her unnatural elongated tongue was a small green orb reminiscent of a gumball.
>"Congratulations, your about to receive a great honor. This little one right here was grown especially for you and is going to become your new best friend."
>You gulp uneasily.
"What the hell is that?"
>Her eyes narrow as she smiles and chitters sinisterly.
>"A free one way ticket into our family... for the rest of your days."
>As you stare at the gooey translucent green orb, she's close enough now that you can see a tiny creature writhing around inside it.
>When the realization dawns on you, you feel your pupils shrink back in terror as your heart rate triples.
"No... No get that the hell away from me!"
>You begin to struggle with every fiber of your being, but you might as well be fastened to the wall with cement.
>"Oh Anonymous you wound me, you should be excited to receive such an honor, it's not everyday an outsider gets to join the collective... now, open wide."
>When you fasten your jaw shut, a green magic aura pulls your lips apart, and that moment is when the vile being locks her mouth with your own.
>The kiss you share isn't romantic in the slightest, in actuality; it's brutish, forceful, and disgusting.
>Every moment of this torture makes you want to gag.
"HNNGG HNNGG!"
>Whenever you try to fight against her, her fangs dig deeper into your cheeks.
>All you can do is struggle and groan in vain as her prehensile tongue slowly but surely thrusts itself deeper and deeper down your unwilling throat.
>It shared no interest in your feelings, it was like a living creature on a mission of its own.
>When you look into the monster's eyes, her eyes are open and gleefully meet your own as they stay focused directly on you.
>Like these were the moments she lived for, her eyes shine with sparks of unfettered lunacy as her brow furrows with undeterred perverse focus.
>Before you even got the chance to grow accustomed to the horrifying situation that was befalling you, you suddenly find yourself choking as something starts blocking your windpipe.
>You cough and choke, but nothing seems to break it free.
>That is, until the sensation of what feels like a large glob of snot breaks in your throat.
>Now you weren't choking, but drowning instead.
>However, no matter what you tried you couldn't dislodge whatever was trapped in your windpipe.
>If this kept up, you really were going to suffocate.
>As if sensing your impending doom, the goo inside you finally dissolves and dissipates, your body absorbing it into your system like it normally would anything else.
>Seemingly satisfied, the disgusting creature finally lets her grasp on you go.
>You feel her putrid tongue pulling itself out of your body like some kind of unnatural rope, or a snake you'd stick down a drain pipe, until it finally pops out of your mouth like some kind of sick joke.
>As soon as she releases her entire grip on you, you immediately vomit onto the floor beneath you.
>Despite how painfully you try, all that comes out is bile and the remains of a stomach that hasn't eaten all day.
>"Nice try Anonymous, but once it's in, it's never coming out."
>This would normally be when you'd fire back some kind of witty response, but the mixture of numerous different fluids dripping from your face were the clear sign of a broken man.
"What... what did you do to me?"
>The monster chitters in a more happy and cheerful manner than you've ever seen before, it might've even been cute in a different timeline.
>"Weren't you listening? You're one of us now, well actually that's not quite true, you will be in a moment."
>You look up at her in confusion, you feel like you've been doing that a lot today.
"What do you mea-"
>Suddenly a searing pain explodes in your chest, like something was eating your heart from the inside out.
"AHHHHHHHHHGGGGG!"
>Your screams of agony fill the room and echo off the cavern walls endlessly. If anyone else was around, they could surely have heard your pain from miles away.
>It isn't until Chrysalis' magic forces your mouth shut that the noise is somewhat silenced.
>Instead all you can do now is grind your teeth together as your eyes turn bloodshot.
>"Do please try to be quiet, if you're not careful you'll swallow your tongue."
>Despite your clear discomfort, Chrysalis ignores you as she idly checks her hooves, as if this whole ordeal was all just another boring Monday for her.
>When the pain finally subsides, your attempts at screams finally come to an end along with it, leaving you with a cold hollow feeling in your soul.
>"Ahhhh there it is~"
>Releasing her magic grip on you, she leans up and draws a long succulent lick with her beautiful tongue across your bare cheek.
>"That delicious despair, not quite as good as love, but a lady should be entitled to spoil herself with a little junk food once in a blue moon wouldn't you agree Anonymous?"
>When you try to spew hate at her in response to her question, the throbbing pain in your chest suddenly returns.
>Your face contorts and Chrysalis takes note of it immediately.
>"Ah ah ahhhh, you were thinking bad thoughts about your new queen weren't you? That's not allowed any longer I'm afraid."
>The reality of the situation sets in and all hope leaves your body.
"So this is how I die..."
>Her majesty guffaws at your words like you just said something completely and utterly ridiculous.
>"Oh please Anonymous, being a slave is far more lenient than something as off-putting as death."
>She gives you an affectionate kiss on the cheek, for some reason you now derive intense pleasure from her doing it.
>That thing inside you is already taking over isn't it?
>"So long as you continue to serve our family faithfully, you'll surely live a long life."
>Maybe that brown mare actually killed you and this is your newfound form of hell.
>"Now then, onto business."
>She gargles something in her throat and then spits out what seems like acid onto your limbs.
>In no time at all, the goo that held you to the wall dissolves and allows you some semblance of freedom.
>As you fall to your hands and knees, you stumble as you try to stand upright once more.
"Why are you letting me free? Aren't you afraid of what I'll do next?"
>Her majesty chitters endearingly.
>"Oh Anonymous, we're long past the point of you defying me, you are welcome to try though!"
>Seeing her excitedly egg you on, you bite your lip in rage as you ball up your fists and get ready to take a swing at her.
>But as soon as you raise your arm, the pain in your chest drops you to the ground like a ragdoll.
>You clutch your chest as the affliction grows, unable to fight back what feels like could only be a heart attack.
>You spend the next two minutes writhing on the ground in misery, as you froth at the mouth.
>It isn't until the pain subsides that you're finally able to stop.
>Despite still resting on the cold hard floor, her Majesty leans down and rubs her cheek against yours affectionately.
>"Oh you are just preciousss~ So have you learned your lesson yet? Or do you require a follow-up exam?"
>You do your best to hold back any tears, before you lose what small ounce of pride you have left.
"No your Majesty, I understand."
>You don't feel like getting off the floor anymore so you just lifelessly ask her Majesty from beneath her; where you belong.
"What must I do now?"
>Seemingly reminded that she had something to say, she perks up excitedly.
>"Ah yes as I was saying earlier, your new role in life as a drone for the swarm is harvesting pure love for the collective."
>Turning around she begins to slowly walk away from you, apparently having had enough with this particular interaction.
>"When you find a suitable host, have that little one inside you simply drain them of love."
>"Don't worry it won't kill them, well not right away at least, but I do recommend you find a host quickly."
>Her voice takes on a more serious tone.
>"You're one my thralls now, which means if you don't acquire a source of sustenance soon you'll most assuredly starve."
>You weakly mumble out a few words from the floor.
"How do I do that?"
>She leans her head over her shoulder as she continues walking away.
>"I don't feel like wasting my time explaining, you'll figure it out when the time comes... or you won't and you'll starve to death in a ditch somewhere nyehahahaaaa!"
>Despite the gravity of her words, she openly cackles maliciously as if it was the funniest thing she's ever heard.
>"By the way, any excess love you acquire will be transported to the hive thanks to that little friend inside you now, so suck'em dry like a good little boy for mama alright?"
>Right before she leaves through the only visible exit, she stops in her tracks and cranes her head backwards in what looks like a terribly painful fashion.
>"Oh and I'm sure this goes without saying, but trying to reveal your current predicament to any of the livestock in Ponyville will be met with similarly painful results, have fun now!"
>With those final ominous parting words, her Majesty left you in this dank cave afraid and most terrifyingly... alone.

>It's been five days since you managed to find your way back to Ponyville.
>When you got back you didn't speak to anyone and immediately locked yourself away inside your home.
>You've been there ever since.
>You feel so hungry, but your stomach doesn't even growl anymore.
>All the food in your kitchen tastes like sand now and if you try to swallow any of it, you end up throwing it back up hours later.
>To make things even worse, your dreams have been plagued by nightmares every night since you got back, haunting dreams where you prey on ponies like some kind of vampire.
>You've been trying your best to fight it, but it's clear now that your choice is to either give in, or die alone.
>Dying alone is the last thing you want to do, your friends are probably all worried about you by now, you normally visit the townsfolk everyday.
>You'd hate to see the looks on their faces if they found out you suddenly died without warning one day.
>With cold sluggish steps, you dress yourself and leave your home and begin heading towards the town.
>It doesn't matter who anymore, they all trust you, so you've decided you'll steal the love from the first mare you meet.
>What worries you most is that you still don't know how you're even supposed to go about doing that.
>Her Majesty said you'd figure out how when the time came, all you can do now was believe her words.
>It was early morning since you still couldn't sleep, but thankfully it was going to be a warm day today.
>You didn't have any particular direction in mind, so as you locked up your house, you decide to wander aimlessly until you bumped into someone you knew.
>Surprisingly, it didn't take long before life handed you your answer.
>Coming along the dirt road you were treading was Applejack, pulling a cart full of produce behind her.
>She must be heading toward the marketplace so she can set up for the day, you knew because you always enjoyed buying one for lunch everyday.
>When she makes eye contact with you, you offer a light wave from far away, to which she reciprocates.
>Before you bite the bullet and walk over to her, you mutter out an excuse beneath your breath.
"Sorry AJ, but I'm so hungry, please forgive me."
>Casually walking up to the orange flavored mare, you greet her like you normally would and try to make small talk.
>You talk about how you haven't been around for the past week and give her an excuse about how you've been feeling ill.
>Technically, that was kinda the truth.
>After a while she gives you her condolences and flashes you her trademark smile which warms your heart.
>For a few moments it felt like today was just like any ordinary day.
>But reality sets in and gloom smothers out that flame in your soul.
>Cutting Applejack off in the middle of your conversation, your melancholy makes odd words come out of your mouth.
"Hey AJ..."
>Surprised you interrupted her in the middle of what she was talking about, she looks up at you.
>"Ya Anon? Got something on your mind?"
>You gulp and steel yourself.
"We're... friends right?"
>You don't really know why you phrased it like that, but you did.
>She pauses for a moment, probably surprised by the sudden question.
>"Well I mean, yeah. Sure we are Anon."
>As soon as those words escape her lips, something you never expected begins to happen.
>A sudden sharpness pricks your chest and as you look down to see the source of where it came from, you spot thin tentacle-like vines sprout from your chest from where your heart should be.
>Reaching out like tiny greedy hands, they twist and twine and grow, extending outwards towards the mare.
>You have no idea what's happening, but as you watch them you can't help but start hyperventilating as your heart rate sky rockets.
>In the next second, they pierced her own chest and dig in like an avaricious parasite preparing for its first ever meal.
>With your eyes wide with fear, you look back at Applejack ready for her to scream in terror or worse beat the ever living shit out of you.
>But for some reason she just looks confused.
>She looks down to where you were just staring and then back at you again.
>"Um Anon, are ya feeling alright? Ya kinda just blanked out and started staring at nothing for a second there."
>You look down at the vines connecting the two of you, they are now glowing a sickly green hue that reminds you much of her Majesty's aura.
>Can... can she not see this? Hell forget that, can she not FEEL this!?
>Forget it, get your head in the game.
>It doesn't matter now, you gotta do what you came to do.
>You cook up a quick and simple white lie and hope she doesn't think anything of it.
"M-My bad AJ, sorry I don't know what I was doing, I guess I'm still feeling a little sick."
>You rub your neck and look away from her dejectedly.
>How could you do this... how could you-
>[*sigh*]
>Your eyes go wide as you feel your blood freeze.
>'What... what the fuck was that?'
>For some reason, a very brazen voice begins to echo in your head.
>[He's lying. Again.]
>'It couldn't be.'
>You slowly look over at the mare in front of you, she's still smiling her trademark smile, but you notice her brow is furrowed slightly.
>Terror and anxiety begin to fill your soul.
>[Why does he always do this? Always lying. Always acting like he's got something to hide.]
>'What are these?'
>[He always comes around and pretends to be all friendly, but it's suspicious as all heck.]
>'These aren't her true thoughts... are they?'
>'But they can't be!'
>[Big Mac keeps warning me to be careful around him, but he should know I can take care of myself.]
>'Applejack is my friend!'
>[After all, Ah've always known he was never trustworthy.]
>'No... stop it.'
>[Maybe it would be easier if he was just gone.]
>'STOP IT!'
>Despite how hard you try to keep the magic together, you watch as the vines connecting the two of you lose their glowing hue.
>In a matter of seconds, they grow old and decayed, falling apart like they were experiencing decades of corrosion all at once.
>And as soon as the connection is completely and entirely severed, the backlash hits you; it hits you hard.
>Stumbling a bit, you back away from Applejack, clutching your chest in pain.
>This isn't like the heart pain you felt before, this is different.
>It feels like you got kicked in the chest by a mule and now your soul is crying for forgiveness.
>After the show you've been putting on; Applejack has clearly noticed something's not right.
>"Anon what in the hay is the matter with ya? Yer acting a heck of a lot stranger than usual and fer a guy of your size, that's saying something."
>As much as you want to give an honest answer, you know you won't physically be able to.
>Her Majesty forbids it.
>Taking a deep breath, you try your best to pick up the pieces of this horrible situation.
"S-Sorry AJ, I guess I'm feeling a lot sicker than I thought, I won't bother you any longer; have a good day."
>Without listening to her reply, you run off towards the town.
>If you really wanted to sell the idea that you were feeling sick, you would've headed back in the direction of your house, but you didn't actually have the presence of mind to think that way right now.
>Instead, you found the nearest street in town with a bench to rest at and fell on top of it like a pile of dead weight.
>After a few moments pass you awkwardly adjust yourself and sit down properly.
>That's when thoughts begin to attack you all at once, and you struggle to get them in order.
>What the hell was that? What the fuck just happened?
>It didn't make sense, you did it properly right? Even if it was your first time, it felt right, wasn't that how it was supposed to go?
>If... if you did everything correct, why didn't it work?
>Cutting through the haze of thoughts like a sharp knife, her Majesty's words echo in your head.
>"Pure love only comes from unguarded, open hearts."
>That's right, that's what she said wasn't it?
>You had been trying to ignore her at that time, but her words are still etched in your mind.
>"Love from an unwilling host is tainted and unrefined, with the consistency of poison; it rots our bodies and souls from the inside."
>Of course, that explains everything.
>But wait a minute, that doesn't make sense. Didn't she specifically choose you because you -wouldn't- have that problem?
>She picked you because you're friends with every pony in Ponyville!
>If that's true... does that mean Applejack secretly hates you?
>You place your head in your hands and think.
>But why would she hate you? You buy apples from her everyday, you offered to do volunteer work on her farm for free, you even offered to babysit her sister if they ever needed.
>As far as you could fathom, you were an ideal friend... so why?
>... Why AJ?

>You sat on that bench for maybe an hour or so, but you still couldn't come up with a proper answer.
>In the end, you decided to give up on thinking about it.
>Maybe you just weren't Applejack's type, she always was a very stern, no nonsense type of mare.
>She probably had her own reasons for not liking you, but that was okay.
>Nobody is loved by absolutely -everyone-.
>Well you thought you were, but you'd have to be some kind of narcissistic freak to lash out over one mare disliking you.
>Even if you really did like her...
>No forget about it, you'll just have to find someone else to... be your partner.
>As you think those thoughts, you remember the disgusting tentacles that came out of you earlier.
>When pull open your shirt to check your body, you don't see anything out of place, not even a slight scar.
>If someone tried to convince you it was all a delusion of yours; you'd have no way to refute them.
>But you know this isn't a dream, the weakness in your legs as you shakily stand up off the bench is a clear enough sign your strength is waning.
>When you steady yourself, you start walking with a direction in mind this time.
>It's just after breakfast time now, which means a certain pony should be crossing your path anytime now.
>With this is in mind, you casually lean up against a tree near the road and wait.
>It shouldn't take long before your soon to be vict-... partner arrived.
>Just like clockwork, she shows up right on time.
>Sweetie Belle was alone on her way to school, just like you knew she would be.
>You didn't do it everyday, but you enjoyed chatting with her in the morning when she was on her way to class occasionally.
>Usually you'd meet with her farther down the road when she was with her other friends so you could greet and chat with them all at the same time, but today you needed things to be different.
>You needed her to be alone.
>When she finally noticed your presence, you offer her a casual wave like you normally would.
>Despite trying to play things off like any other day, you could tell she was still somewhat surprised.
>Made sense, it was odd of you to meet her this early.
>You feed her an excuse about how you accidentally woke up earlier than usual so you thought you come chat with her a little longer today.
>She smiles at you like she normally does, and you start making idle conversation like you always do.
>Her hobbies, her interests, you were always really happy to hear her thoughts.
>If she was having a bad morning, you would try to cheer her up so she could go to school that day with a smile instead.
>She was a good girl.
>...Were you really about to do this to an innocent filly?
>There's a moment of silence as you deliberate in your head.
>Morals be damned, a great man once said don't ask for permission; ask for forgiveness.
>'Sweetie Belle, please forgive what I'm about to do.'
"Hey Sweetie Belle?"
>She looks up at you and tilts her head to the side, puzzled.
>"What's up Anon?"
>You take a deep breath and pop the question.
"We're... friends right?"
>The small little filly looks at you in surprise, then nervously blinks a few times.
>Her eyes look away from you as she gives you her answer with a shaky smile.
>"S-Sure we are Anon, we're besties, why do ya ask?"
>As she finishes her sentence, the vines in your heart sprout from your chest like an old-age vampire finally given permission to enter someone's home.
>Only this home was a small succulent filly's untouched soul.
>... What have you become?
>A monster, truly.
>These are the only thoughts you arrive at as the demon inside you painlessly pierces the unsuspecting filly's chest.
>When they begin to glow with their green light, you finally stop holding your breath, close your eyes, and let out a sigh of relief.
>Sorry Sweetie, it had to be done.
>But now, it's finally ove-
>[Ugg, it's so gross.]
>You eyes open with fear.
>'No...'
>'No, it can't be.'
>You look at Sweetie Belle, but she's still giving you that poor, shaky attempt at a smile.
>[Why does he always seem so eerily satisfied whenever he looks at me.]
>She isn't like Applejack, Sweetie would always smile whenever you said hello!
>[It's so creepy how he always talks to us all the time.]
>Her eyes look away from you as they try avoid contact.
>'Please Sweetie, don't look away.'
>[It's not like we want him to talk to us, but he just does it anyway.]
>'Why are you looking away?'
>[Why doesn't he just get the hint and leave us alone, he always makes us late for school because of him.]
>Your heart starts to sink to the pit of your stomach.
>It's happening again.
>[He isn't actually a filly fiddler right? The girls were just making that stuff up to try and scare me like they always do...]
>When she finally looks back at you, you can see a hint of fear in her eyes now.
>[But... what if they weren't? Even Rarity said not to go near him, but it's not like I can just run away whenever he shows up!]
>You feel like you're on the verge of tears.
>'Stop it Sweetie Belle, please!'
>[I wish he'd just... go away.]
>In one fell swoop, you feel your inner thoughts silenced, like her presence just snuffed out your own.
>With her firm denial of your very being, the vines connecting you immediately start to rot away.
>Please, anything but that.
>You don't want to feel that pain again.
>But no matter how much you beg and plead, the vines fall apart like sand in the wind.
>And that familiar sensation strikes your core once more.
>Because you were leaning down to face a much smaller filly this time, the sudden attack catches you off guard, causing you to stumble backwards off balance.
>You end up losing your footing and fall on your ass, startling the poor filly.
>"M-Mr.Anon are you okay?"
>You try looking at the filly in front of you, but every time you do, her inner thoughts pop back into your head.
>Your eyes shift away from her, looking back and forth through your surroundings, desperately seeking anything to rationalize your actions.
>But there's nothing.
"I just... I just... Igottago!"
>Spitting out those words without even so much as an excuse to follow them, you scramble to your feet like an animal and run away.

>You spent the rest of the morning going around town meeting with other ponies, but each one you spoke to garnered similar results.
>The children all thought you were a scary monster, and all of their parents thought you were either a predator waiting for a moment to snatch them away for your next meal or some kind of fucked up pedophile.
>Was that what they really think of you? Was it because you went out of your way to talk to them everyday?
>All you ever wanted was just to see their lovely smiles everyday.
>Was that so wrong?
>The constant rejections were beginning to take their toll on you.
>It was starting to become difficult to breathe, and each step you took seemed to drain your stamina more and more.
>You found yourself leaning against buildings to catch your breath more and more frequently lately.
"What the fuck is going on, is this all some kind of conspiracy, or have I just naively believed the lies everyone has been feeding me since I got here?"
>Thinking clearly was getting harder and harder with each passing hour.
>Which is why it surprised you when you suddenly realized you were standing in front of Sugar Cube Corner.
>Why were you here?
>Oh that's right, you always come here for lunch, how did you forget?
>You guess that habit will have to change soon, now that you couldn't eat proper food anymore.
>But you might as well go through the motions while you're here.
>Raising your arm up, you weakly pull open the door, the familiar jingle of a new customer ringing the bell chimes in your ears.
>When you look around, you don't see anyone there, unusual with it being lunchtime and all.
>Walking over to the counter, you ring the serving bell and wait for one of the employees to arrive.
>You were expecting Pinkie to show up, but to your surprise it was Mrs.Cake that came out from the kitchen instead.
>She was another sweet mare, you loved chatting with her whenever the store wasn't busy, but you knew better than to bother her when she was in a rush.
>Normally you would've offered to help, but you didn't actually know how to bake.
>She promised she'd teach you how one day, secretly you were really looking forward to that.
>Not that it'll do you much good now...
>Trying to shake off those depressing thoughts, you greet the cheerful mare with unintended lethargy dripping from your voice.
"Hi Mrs.Cake, is Pinkie around today?"
>She gives you a sad, disappointed look.
>"Oh I'm sorry Anonymous, you just missed her, she's gone to run some errands for me today, but she should be back sometime this afternoon if you'd care to wait."
>Wait? No, you didn't have that kind of time to spare anymore.
"Sorry Mrs.Cake, I'm a bit busy today, gotta get a move on."
>Even though you just got here, you start getting ready to leave again.
>Before you do however, the pudgy mare hurriedly dips down underneath her counter for a moment.
>"Well hold on, even if you're in a hurry, you wouldn't want to go and forget this."
>When she stands back up, she has a glistening pastry wrapped in a clear package for you.
>As she places it on the counter top, she looks up at you expectantly, but you simply stare at it.
>"Aren't... aren't you going to take it?"
>You stare at the pastry for a moment, your numb mind trying to process it.
>A look of worry starts showing up on Mrs.Cake's face.
>"It's your favorite remember?"
>No that's right, this was your usual, the thing you always ordered everyday.
>For some reason it actually did take you a while to remember.
"Oh ya, of course."
>Weakly sticking your hands in your pocket, you pull out and hand her the bits for it as well as enough for a coffee like you normally would and force yourself to take a bite.
>As you take the bite, you can't help but pause.
>This used to be your favorite.
>Why does it have to taste like dirt now?
>Despite how awful it was, you do your best to be considerate of the lovely mare who made it for you.
"Mmmm, delicious, I don't think I'll ever grow tired of these."
>Mrs.Cake smiles at you with her plump cheeks, but it almost seems forced this time.
>"Oh Anon, that's very kind of you, but you don't need to force yourself to come here everyday."
>You worry that she noticed your distaste for the pastry, so you hastily stuff the rest of the putrid tasting morsel down your throat so you can deny it.
"No no no I love coming here Mrs.Cake, you know that!"
>Her smile seems to wane a bit so you desperately try even harder.
"In fact, I don't think my day would feel complete if I didn't stop by every lunchtime."
>Despite your earnest efforts to get your feelings across, her smile wanes even further.
>She even starts to look downcast.
>"Oh... I see."
>What follows is a long awkward pause of silence between the two of you.
>Something isn't right.
>Something about this doesn't feel right at all!
"H-Hey... Mrs.Cake..."
>You didn't want to believe it, you didn't even want to consider it.
"We're... we're friends right!?"
>You sounded more desperate and crazed than usual this time, but you said it anyway.
>Just like all the other ponies you've spoken to today, she gives you that smile you remember so well.
>"O-Of course we are Anonymous! I'm friends with all my customers!"
>You stare intently at her, not even concerned with the those bothersome vines anymore.
>Actually, *glare* at her would probably be more appropriate at this point.
>As the snake like tendrils pierce her chest you realized you didn't even care anymore, you had to know now.
>You had to know the truth.
>[Oh dear, anything but this.]
>Biting the inside of your cheek, you continue to stare the mare down.
>[What do I do? I can't just tell him to leave can I? What would happen if he gets angry?]
>'Don't you dare do it.'
>[I don't know what would happen if he tried to attack me.]
>You could feel your eyes swelling up a little.
>[If only my husband wasn't such a coward.]
>'Don't you dare break my heart.'
>[Then maybe he could make him finally go away.]
>Silence.
>All that follows is silence as you watch the magic rot and fade away.
>And of course, the consequences soon follow.
>You have been feeling this sensation a lot today, so much that you were starting to grow used to it.
>So this time you managed to hold your ground.
>Despite that however, the cup of coffee in your hand starts shaking as tears start dripping from your eyes.
"How could you."
>The blue shaded mare looks at you with a puzzled expression, slightly perturbed by your sudden, odd change in demeanor.
>"P-Pardon me?"
>Your voice comes out cracked and hoarse, not unlike an infant's would.
"You... you said you'd love to teach me how to bake someday!"
>The coffee in your shaky grip slips from your fingers, splashing all over floor and staining the nice shoes and pants you had Rarity tailor just for you.
>You didn't even care, they were just more lies weren't they?
>Before she can get a full look at the betrayal you felt surfacing on your face, you turn around and stumble towards the door.
>"Anonymous wait!"
>You don't have the energy to lift your arms anymore, so you shove the door open with your shoulder like a brute.
>At this point, you didn't have the luxury of not making a scene anymore.
>You felt it, you could feel that you were running out of time, and with each mistake made it was shortening more and more.
>If you didn't find someone soon...
>Was nobody in this entire town ever actually honest with you?

>You stand in the middle of Ponyville square, a lifeless husk, a shadow of a man staring up at an empty sky.
>It's almost evening now, the sun is about to set, and most if not everyone has packed up for the day and went back to their homes for the night.
>Your time was up, you had spoken with every mare who would listen to you today.
>You even got desperate and started hitting on stallions, ones that you thought were close enough to be your bros, just like her Majesty said you would.
>But it still amounted to nothing.
>The reality you've been trying to deny all day never yielded.
>In truth, not a single pony in this town ever trusted you, in fact most if not all of them actually fear you.
>Tears start flowing freely from your eyes.
>It didn't matter, there was no one left to see them anyway.
>It was time for you to finally throw in the towel.
>Facing forward, you pick the darkest alleyway you can find and start walking towards it.
>You feel like a zombie, each step you take requires up to a minute of effort now.
>Your body hurts, but at the very least, you didn't want to become an eyesore that inconvenienced anyone tomorrow.
>So you push through it.
>It feels like a century, but you manage to make your way down the alley.
>There wasn't much of a selection, so you picked an arbitrary spot, and slid your back down the wall until your ass was finally on the ground.
>You didn't have the strength to stand up anymore, but that was fine.
>This spot was as good as any to die.
>For some reason as you sit there tired and alone, images of all the ponies' smiles flash in your mind.
>You thought for some reason when you died your life would flash before your eyes.
>But all you got was their faces instead.
>Each one of their beautiful loving smiles that you treasured so dearly.
>Was simply a mask they each used to hide from you.
>Laughter starts weakly pouring from your lips.
>It doesn't match the tears dripping down your chin at all.
>When you look up, all you can see is a long forgotten poster from one of Mayor Mare's ad campaigns hanging loosely from the cold stone wall.
>You continue laughing weakly as you start speaking to it with uncharacteristically flamboyant voice.
"Hey Mayor Mare, did you know? I'm friends with every pony in Ponyville!"
>As you expected, the poster doesn't answer back, even as you stare at it through blurry eyes.
>You're starting to lose strength in your neck, so you end up looking away from the poster and staring at the ground.
"What a fucking good joke, I can't stop laughing."
>Droplets fall from your face every time your chest heaves with laughter.
>Each breath hurt, but you couldn't stop cracking up.
>So you close your eyes instead, and wait until you have no strength left to even do that.
>There was no options left, you tried your best, but apparently that wasn't good enough.
>Despite your efforts, no one accepted your feelings, no one let the vampire into their home.
>So this was where your tale comes to its unfortunate conclusion.
>...
>..
>.
>"Hey now, I know they say laughter is the best medicine, but this is a bit much dont'cha think?"
>You open your eyes in shock, your lower lip quivering lifelessly.
>Who?
>Who was there?
>You couldn't turn your head to look anymore, so there wasn't any way for you to see where the voice was coming from.
>But it did have a familiar cheerfulness to it.
>Seemingly annoyed with being ignored, the sudden intruder sticks her face in front of yours.
>"It's rude to not face eye to eye with someone when you're talking you know!"
>You recognized that face, that pink coat and bubbly attitude belonged to Pinkie Pie.
>Grumbling with mild frustration at your lack of interaction with her, the cotton candy flavored mare grabs your shoulders and sits you upright again.
>It's only now that you can get a proper look at her.
>She looks just like how you remember her, but for some reason she's carrying a large number of packages on her back today.
>Despite how awful you must look right now, somehow she doesn't seem all that fazed by your current demeanor.
"What are you doing out so late, no actually how did you even find me?"
>She simply gives you an enthusiastic shrug.
>"Oh that? I've been running errands all day, I was just on my way back to Sugar Cube Corner when I spotted a familiar looking face."
>She pulls out a pair of sock puppets from god knows where and quickly reenacts the scene in front of you.
>"I saw you walking down here acting all sad and junk, so I figured I'd come say hi and cheer you up!"
>The pink sock slowly creeps up on an ugly looking sock, which you assume must be you, like some kind of stalker.
>"This alley's a dead end so I figured I'd just wait for ya to do your business and come on out, but ya never did!"
>Sock puppet Pinkie gives you a stern look.
>"Didn't your momma ever tell ya? You shouldn't keep a lady waiting Nonny!"
>She can't keep that disgruntled facade up for more than a second before she breaks into laughter again.
>But when you don't join in with her merriment, her laughter slowly dies down until it's replaced by a much calmer expression.
>"But that's okay, even a pony like me can tell when a tough guy like you has been having rough day."
>As she says that, she pulls out an extremely effeminate looking handkerchief from her satchel and begins wiping the dried tears from your face.
>Reflexively you try to lift your hand up to stop her and wipe off your face on your own, but you weren't capable of that any longer.
>You wish it was raining so you could at least hide your tears, but it was still an unforgivably warm summer evening.
>So instead you were helpless and at this mare's mercy.
>Once she's done rubbing your cheeks dry, she wraps up her hankie and puts it away, before giving you a pat on the cheek.
>"So what's the matter big guy? Why so glum chum? Give aunt Pinkie all the deets and she'll make all the pain fly far far away~!"
>For a brief moment you open your mouth, but you silence yourself before the words finish coming out.
>It only took a second for you to recall this entire day.
>You knew the truth now, and you were sick of participating in this bloody fucking farce.
>So you refused to speak.
>Your silence only causes her to give you a perturbed look before pressing further.
>"Come on Nonny, tell me what's wrong, I can take it."
>You've already given up, so you don't give her a proper answer.
>But she continues to insist, so you weakly utter something else instead.
"Leave me alone Pinkie."
>It was the first words you had spoken to her in what seemed like ages so it's no surprise that they caught her off guard.
>You can see the hurt your words put in her eyes, but you don't care anymore.
"Just... go away."
>If you had any life left in your body, you would've run as far away from her as possible, but that stopped being an option hours ago.
>Pinkie is the sweetest mare you know.
>But that wasn't actually the truth now was it?
>You reprimand your inner thoughts bitterly.
>You don't want to know what she actually thinks of you now.
>That kind of betrayal will be the final blow that crushes your spirit entirely.
>You've already been hurt enough today, you'd rather just give up and slowly die here like her Majesty said.
>It's alright, that is what Ponyville's always wanted.
>You choke up slightly at the thought.
>What kind of a friend could you claim to be if you didn't help give your friends what they want?
>Right?
>Lost amidst your self deprecating thoughts, you didn't notice Pinkie grabbing your face by both cheeks and lifting you up towards her.
>"Hey come on Mister, nobody likes a grumpy Gus, turn that frown upside down!"
>You were confused.
>Despite your harsh words, she was still here?
>Your thoughts were clouded by pessimism, a side effect of the beating your soul has taken today, so you could only envision her in a negative light now.
>She wasn't going to leave was she?
>With no strength left in you, you're forced to look at her face as she holds yours up.
>She's giving you that smile she's always given you, but there's some slight tints of sadness hidden beneath it.
>You sigh internally.
>'It's alright Pinkie, you don't need to pretend any longer.'
>If you're going to die, you might as well do it by your own hands.
"Hey... Pinkie..."
>You lick your dry lips.
>Each word that comes out of your mouth, comes slow and painfully, and requires you to take another breath each time.
>But she waits patiently for you anyway.
>"Yes Anon?"
>Taking a deep breath, you steel yourself for one last time.
"We're... friends... right?"
>You watch as she tilts her head to side and gives you her warm, gentle smile without hesitation.
>"Of course we are."
>Looking down, you watch with surprising indifference as the tentacles begin to snake out of your body one last time.
>Reaching out hungrily, it takes them no time at all to close the distance between the two of you and violently pierce her chest.
>'There, the deed is done.'
>'This is it Pinkie... do your worst.'
>You close your eyes and await the sweet embrace of death.
>...
>[... Please smile.]
>...What?
>[... Don't cry.]
>You open your eyes and look at her.
>[Nopony should have to cry alone.]
>She's still smiling at you as she stupidly holds your head up by your cheeks, but you can see the glassy reflection of water in her eyes.
>[Nonny always looks best with a smile.]
>[It's okay to be scared or sad once in a while.]
>[I don't know what's hurt him so much.]
>[But everything will turn out okay.]
>[If you can just keep smiling.]
>[... I'd give anything to see him smile again.]
>You're speechless.
>Was that really what she thought of you?
>Truly?
>As you stare into her eyes, you start to notice the subtle glow of light reflecting off them.
>When you look down to see where the light is coming from, you notice a change unfolding in the vines connecting the two of you.
>Instead of wasting away like all the others, a warm... loving red light starts pouring out from Pinkie's body; slowly filling each of the tubes one by one.
>Slowly, but surely, the warm red light begins replacing her Majesty's sickly looking green aura, until there's almost nothing left.
>When it finally reaches your body, a sensation you've never felt before hits you all at once.
>This warm sense of security, like your heart was wrapped up and floating away on a cotton candy cloud beneath the warm sun.
>At the same time, you feel your body and soul desperately scrounging and lapping up every drop it can get, as if you were a wanderer trapped in a desert that finally stumbled across an oasis of pure clean water that wasn't actually a mirage this time."
>It takes a while, but you feel yourself slowly regain strength in your body one bit at a time.
>And as you start to sit back up, one final change occurs.
>The vines begin to glow and sparkle, before they start to fade away.
>Panicking, you close your eyes and brace yourself for whatever kind of unfathomable pain it was about to inflict upon you this time.
>But the pain never arrives.
>Nervously, you slowly open your eyes once more, just barely enough to peek a look.
>When you finally work up the nerve, you slowly open them all the way.
>The vines are gone.
>And in their place is a small, gentle looking red string, a thread no thicker than the smallest pin needle.
>You reach out and loop it once around your finger.
>You're at a loss for words.
>Compared to those sickly vines, this was...
"It's... it's beautiful."
>Pinkie blinks in surprise, thinking you must be actually talking about her instead.
>"Well jeez Nonny I wouldn't say beau-"
>Without thinking, you lunge at Pinkie and embrace her as tightly as you can, knocking the packages she had on her back to the floor and scattering them to the ground.
>"WHOA there, settle down big guy! If ya needed a hug all you had to do was ask!"
>She giggles and snorts playfully, but all you can offer back is more pathetic tears.
"Please forgive me."
>She tries to give you a cheerful, yet puzzled look while she pats your back, but you don't want her to look at your wreck of a face right now.
>"Forgive ya for what silly?"
>You stare at the mysterious floating red string that binds the two of you now, you watch as it throbs and pours life giving energy into you every time her heart beats.
>You stare at it and swallow what little semblance of pride you had left.
"For being a coward."
>If you were a stronger man, you wouldn't have done this to her.
>Out of all the ponies in town, you know now that she deserved this the least.
>But it was far too late to go back now.
>"Aww jeez Nonny, nopony needs to be a superhero, you just need to be you!"
>Her kind words cut you deep, you choke up again and silently cry some more.
>She rolls her eyes and let's out a playful sigh, before patting you on the back some more.
>"There there ya big lug, let it alllll out, no more sad times okay!?"
>When you had finally quieted down, you released her from your embrace.
>You took a moment to take some deep breaths and calm yourself.
>Now that the deed had been done, you didn't know what to say.
>You look back down at the floating red string.
>It was quite small, and it looked so frail.
>As if the slightest tug would snap it in twain.
>When you thought that, you realized you had no idea what you were supposed to do now.
>Was this bad? You were unsure if you were going to have to stop this at some point, it might even start affecting Pinkie's health.
>Her Majesty said you'd figure how to start it when the time came, but she never mentioned how to turn it off.
>Could it even be stopped? Surely, there must be a way.
>No matter how much you examine it, you can't help but think how easily such a weak thread could be torn.
>It would probably break if you separated more than a meter from each other even.
>You decided you were fine with that idea, you'd end it when the time seemed right.
>Even if you had to suffer for it.
>But for now, let's just take a moment to be happy.
>As you're about to finish collecting your thoughts, Pinkie actually speaks to you.
>"Um Nonny, can I ask you a question?"
>Still looking at the string you answer her absentmindedly.
"Yeah sure Pinkie, go for it."
>As you wait for her to say whatever she's got on her mind, you notice out the corner of your eye that she's fidgeting in place.
>You chuckle to yourself.
>Heh, cute.
>...
>For some reason she's taking an unusually long time to get her words out.
>Something doesn't feel quite right.
>When you manage to pry your attention away from the string, you look at her face instead.
>As she nervously shifts back and forth, you finally notice something's wrong.
>That same red light that connects the two of you right now is also clouding the whites of her eyes.
>You watch as her eyes go half-lidded, and she starts giggling softly like she was in some kind of warm fuzzy trance.
>Her next words come out in a slow sultry tone, completely unlike her.
>"I know this is gonna sound craaaazy, but hear me out okay?"
>Even if you wanted to ignore her, you couldn't pry your eyes away from her now that you were growing increasingly worried with every second.
>Seeing she has your undivided attention, she finally pops the question that's been dancing in her mind.
>"Will you be my special somepony Nonny?"
>The question comes out of nowhere and catches you immediately off guard.
"... What did you just say?"
>Ignoring your own feelings of uneasiness, the cotton candy mare leans up against you, her eyes lighting up like a rosy Christmas decoration.
>"I've always wanted to be your marefriend, but you never asked!"
>As she closes her eyes and snuggles up against you, you can still see that eerie light emanating from beneath her eye lids.
>"So I figured I'd just go and say it instead!"
>She giggles dreamily, and rubs against you some more.
>This... this isn't actually Pinkie anymore is it?
>What have you done?
>What do you say to her?
>What else -can- you say?
>You have to stop this.
"S-Sure Pinkie, I'd like that a lot."
>In an instant you clasp your hands over your mouth.
>What the fuck was that!?! That's not what you intended to say at all!
>Sudden horror begins bubbling up inside you.
>Did the string do that? Were you not allowed to refuse?
>As if she didn't notice your inner turmoil unfolding, almost immediately after hearing your words Pinkie squeals with glee.
>"Yay, I knew you'd say yes! I'm so happy now I could cry!"
>As she continues to shout excitedly, you berate yourself internally.
>Why were you like this?
>Why were you so weak?
>As if replying to your internal strife, as quickly as she started, Pinkie's overly affectionate antics come to a sudden halt; seemingly satisfied with the answer you gave her.
>Pulling away from you, Pinkie suddenly goes back to her normal cheerful self like nothing ever happened.
>"Oh man, I almost forgot. I still need to get these packages to Mrs.Cake, I'm super duper late now! She's gotta be ultra mad by now!"
>Panicking, she turns around and starts piling all her misplaced items onto her back again.
>For some inexplicable reason, after she heard you agree to date her, she started acting normally again, even though the glow still hasn't stopped.
>Maybe you were just overthinking things.
>Despite Pinkie's current distress, you let out a relieved sigh.
>It's alright, just calm down.
>Pinkie's still Pinkie.
>You're still you.
>Everything's fine, and if anything goes wrong, you'll just break the string and be done with it.
>As soon as this string is gone she'll be right as rain and cracking jokes at your expense like she always does.
>Managing to successfully fight back your panic attack, you nod to Pinkie as you start taking deep slow breaths.
"Oh right, I forgot about that, my bad. I guess I shouldn't have taken up so much of your time."
>You close your eyes and lean back against the wall.
"Sorry you had to see all that, it was pretty uncool of me wasn't it?"
>Well whatever that sudden love poisoning was, at least it was over now.
"Have fun then, and tell Mrs.Cake..."
>You pause for a moment remembering this afternoon.
"... Tell Mrs.Cake I said hi."
>Despite your expectations, Pinkie snorts at your words in that familiar way she does.
>"What are you talking about silly?"
>Something about what she just said felt odd.
>That's right, her voice was slightly farther away now.
>You didn't notice until now, but she had already finished gathering her things and was heading out
>It seems your words caused her to stop right before she left the alleyway.
>With all the stress you had building up today leaving you, you let out a relaxed, yet exhausted yawn.
>"Why don'tcha tell her yourself hunnybuns?"
>Her words cause you to freeze.
>When you nervously open your eyes, you take a glance over at the mare, but almost immediately you wish you hadn't.
>It only takes a moment for you to suddenly feel your heart rate rise again.
>There, floating across the entire length of the alleyway, was the string.
>Still intact.
>"Of course you're gonna come with, how else am I gonna introduce everyone to my new special somepony?"
>As you stare at the thread blissfully floating there, you start to sweat with fear.
>Despite her moving all the way to the exit of the alleyway, the magical string still hangs between you, in fact it's only grown in length!
>How is that possible?
>Gripping a length of the wire in between your fists, you try to snap the delicate looking thread with all your might, but it doesn't yield.
>No perhaps it does yield, but only in the sense that every twist and pull only causes it to shrink and stretch harmlessly as it needed.
>Was this shit... permanent?
>Unperturbed by what must seem like you playing with yourself, Pinkie calls for you from the exit.
>"What are you waiting for you silly billy, I'm gonna be even more late if you don't move your keister."
>You were out ideas and you weren't allowed to ask anyone for help.
>Maybe you just had to accept this.
>Unsure of what to think, you lift your arm up in front of you and flex your hand open and shut.
>Your strength is back, in fact you feel better than ever, like it was never even gone in the first place.
>And Pinkie seemed... fine, certainly not... unwell.
>Watching you sit there dumbfounded, Pinkie starts pacing in place impatiently and shouts.
>"Come onnnnnnnn Nonny!"
>Startled by her voice for really no good reason, you lean against the wall for support as you hurriedly stand back up.
>With only a slight bit of struggle, when you're finally on your own two feet again, you do a quick jog over to the fluffy pink mare.
>Pinkie puffs her cheeks out, pretending to be mad at your tardiness.
>"Jeez Nonny, you're lucky you're so cute or I'd have to tell the gals my special somepony actually lives in Trottingham or something!"
>She giggles and snorts and her own jab, but the ice in your veins decides you're not in a jovial enough mood to join her.
>Still worried about what you were going to have to do from now on, you find your mind is simply elsewhere.
>Because of this, all you give her a lethargic, unenthusiastic chuckle.
"Heh, s-sorry let's just get going okay... honey?"
>You cringe at the pet name you just gave her, but she doesn't even bat an eye at it.
>In fact she seems to quite enjoy it.
>"Heyyyy so I was thinking, since I'm your marefriend now, we should start living together."
>You don't know what will happen to you if you don't stick close to her, so you can only dishearteningly nod in agreement.
>She beams a smile at you like you just told her she won the lottery.
>"So how about I stay over at your house tonight?"
>All you can do is mumble out a weak approval.
"Sure... sounds great."
>If she noticed your lack of enthusiasm, she didn't show it.
>Instead she let out a squeal of glee.
>"Eeeee! Sleep over! Although, is it really a sleep over if I'm gonna live there from now on? Ah who cares, it's gonna be so much fun!"
>You keep watching her ramble on excitedly, this would probably be the happiest day of your life right now, except you can't stop staring at that ominous string and the haunting light glowing from her eyes.
>No matter how hard you try, you can't stop thinking about the guilt that's slowly tearing a hole in your heart with every word she speaks.
>Was this actually Pinkie?
>Or was it the string talking?
>It isn't until you feel a weight press up against you that you manage to break free from your stupor.
>As you look down, you can see Pinkie leaning against you as she looks up at you, smiling affectionately.
>It warms your heart for just a moment, even though her glowing eyes are a constant eerie reminder of your sin.
>Maybe... maybe this is okay? She's happy, you're happy, everyone's happy!
>Right?
>You let out of nervous chuckle, intended for no one but yourself.
>Trying to forget about it, you instead focus on the warmth of her body against your leg as she snuggles up beside you, the two of you continuing to walk alongside each other back to Sugar Cube Corner.
>You can't help but continue to take glances at the glowing string that still hasn't gone away.
>It had naturally shrunk back down to a reasonable length again, but it still worried you.
>Staring at it fills you with nothing but anxiety, so you turn your attention away from it and look up at the sky.
>That whole ordeal had taken so long that the night had arrived and taken the sun's place.
>'The stars tonight are so clear and pretty.'
>You still feel the warmth resting against your leg.
>You wouldn't still be around to witness them if it wasn't for that warmth.
>Did you really deserve it?
>Raising your hand above you, you block out the moonlight as you flex your fingers open and shut, just to confirm you aren't dead one more time.
>You listen to your new "marefriend" humming a sickly sweet tune as the two of you walk side by side together, before she smiles and looks up at your raised hand inquiringly.
>"...?"
>You don't say anything to her, and instead cover that open hand over your face.
>Just so you can hide from her for a moment as you internally beg for forgiveness.
>'I'm sorry Pinkie.'
>'I'm so... so sorry.'