Anon's Rebirth (Chapter 8)

>You are Fluttershy
>And this filthy monkey, Anon, he broke your heart
>No, he didn't only break it, that would be understating it
>He friggin' shattered you
>You're devoured by the agony within you
>Your vision represents perfectly your current state you're in
>Blurry because of all the tears you're shedding
>No clear thought comes into your mind
>You just keep flying but without aim or purpose
>Just keep flying, it might ease your pain
>His face flashes in front of your inner eyes repeatedly
>His angry and shouting face, nothing like the Anon you thought to know
>Once you have no strength to go on you stop and rest for a bit
>Tears are rolling down your face
>Nothing can help you
>Your chest hurts from all the crying but you cannot stop it
>Sitting down you hide your face with your hooves
>Why did he say these things? He told you that you found his fetish!
>Still sobbing you contort your face with pain
>He lied to you, didn't he? He just don't like you. But why did he say you're his friend? That's just ... that is confusing?
>You are so busy struggling with your problems that you don't notice someone approaching
>Not that you care anyways...
>Maybe you should
>"Hey there. What's with the crying? What happened?"
>You don't bother to look up. It's the first time ever a stranger speaks to you and you don't hide behind something or someone. Not even behind your mane. Your hooves don't count
I-it's *sob* nothing...
>"Well, this sound like everything else than nothing. Tell me what happened to you, I'll listen. It may ease your pain at least."
>Ease your pain
>Why not? There's not much to lose anymore
A *sniff* a 'friend of mine hurt me...
>"He hurt you? Did he beat you?"
>You shake your head
N-no he heart my feelings. That's why I'm crying.
>"By the looks of it he must have said something terrible. What was it?"
He lied to me. He denied me and called me bad things. I don't really want to talk about it...
>Memories are coming back. Memories which are slicing you from the inside like a scorching knife
>"Maybe I can help you, too."
>Too? Whom did he help first?
Who-who is this?
>Looking up you see a very familiar figure
No! Get away from me! Why did you follow me!
>It's that Nobody! His mask and his black suit with the red stripes leave you with no doubt!
>Flying off you try to hide behind some bushes
>You're too weak to fly away. Your body feels powerless and the flight has worn you out. Rainbow Dash is the one who can keep flying for hours
P-please, don't hurt me.
>"Now, don't be afraid! What have I done to you?"
To ME?!
>Did he go insane? Why is he acting all innocent?
Y-you're the one who abducted the p0nies, aren't you? And-and-and  saw what you did to C-Cordan.
>You shut your eyes and a silent scream slips your lips
>Whatever you think off, horrible things rush through your thoughts
>This memories, you don't want them
>You are not sure if you'll ever be over the things that happened
>"Oh, that's it then..."
>Grief is swinging within his voice
>He takes a step back and sits on the same place you sat moments ago
>Your instincts tell you to leave him as quick as you can but there's something else...
>A strange curiosity pulls you towards him
>Somehow you're attracted to him
>You should hear him out at least. Currently he seems harmless enough
>Slowly you approach him
>Trying to brace yourself you gulp and tap his shoulder
W-what do you mean by 'that's it then', m-mister?
>"Y-you won't believe me... You should just go away."
>He doesn't sound as bad as you got him memorized
N-no, please tell me. It-It's my turn to listen.
>"Are you ... are you sure?"
>You nod and sit next to him but still keeping your distance
>He did this horrible thing to Cordan, didn't he? But he deserves a chance in your opinion, maybe he can explain what he did, even though it's crazy to listen to him after all
>"I .. it ... things just went wrong. It started when Anon appeared. I'm new to this universe or whatever this is, you know?"
S-so you came from Earth, too?
>"Yes. But I don't know how. I was walking down the streets as usual, trying to help p0nies and find new friends."
Wait, you wanted to help other p0nies?
>You can't believe what he just said
>"That's right. Everyp0ny started to act weird after so many of their friends have been abducted. Nop0ny trusted me because I'm a 'stranger'. So I thought it would cheer them up if I tried to do something useful and maybe I'd end up finding friends. I was so lonely and I still am."
>He sighs in sorrow
But that sounds wonderful and sad at the same time. What happened next?
>"Well, I was walking down the streets and saw something that might be another human being. It was the first time I felt joy since I ended up here! I walked over to him and asked him for his name."
And he told you his name?
>He nods and continues
>"Yeah, and he did more. He looked at me and realized me as a human being just like himself. Then all of a sudden everything went wrong. He accused me of being responsible for abducting innocent p0nies."
I-I don't understand...
>"Perhaps it's in the human nature to blame others, I don't know. Maybe it was something else. He said he saw me inside his dreams. However next thing I knew was him dashing at me, attacking with his hammer. It-it was self-defense, okay? I didn't mean to kill you friend!"
>Kill. A cold shudder runs down you spine, causing every of your feathers to ruffle up
I still don't get it...
>"He attacked me with his hammer and his knife. I took both away from them. Afterwards I dashed at him intending to push him down so he would listen to me. I wanted to ask him why he did it. But your friend charged in between and ... I slipped. I didn't want this to happen..."
But what have you done to Rarity?
>"What I did to her? Nothing, I just hid in her mind, nothing else. It's a special talent I found after I got here. It seemed like she has a special affection for Anon. just as you."
>You hear a sad snicker coming from him
>Afterwards he looks at your confused face (you think he looks at you, you can't really see his eyes through the mask) and shakes his head slowly
>"See? I told you. You don't believe me, do you? So run along."
No... that's not it... You poor thing!
>Patting his back you start to ponder
>It makes much more sense now! The elements of harmony ... that's why they didn't work! He isn't an evil being. It was just a misunderstanding caused by Anon
>Anon? Memories keep floating back
>He changed so much and yet you love him
>Somewhere deep inside him the old Anon is still living
>And you are the only one who can help him!
>But how? And after he has been acting so mean, saying nasty things about you?
>You're in an even more desperate state than before
>He needs your help! But you can't provide him with it. No you're just too weak, just the same little, silly Fluttershy...
>You didn't realize that you stopped soothing Nobody, but instead started to cry again
>Apparently he did
>Hugging you, your tears stop flowing in surprise
>Looks like he wants to cheer you up
>"Anyways, I got over it! Don't be mad at him, please. And I'm happy to have a new friend! We are friends, aren't we? What's your name?"
I-I'm Fluttersh... *mumble*
>"What was that?"
I am F-Fluttershy. W-why is y-your name Nobody, if I may ask you?
>"Because I don't remember my name. And I wouldn't like to have another one. So I introduce myself as Nobody until I remember my real name!"
Oh, okay.
>Your thoughts drift away again
>"...shy? Fluttershy? Are you listening?"
W-what? I'm sorry.
>"I asked what you're planning!"
It's silly... I want to help Anon to change back, but I'm not able to...
>A weak smile forms on your face
It's really silly...
>"No, it isn't!"
>He grabs your shoulder and turns your face to him
>"I can help you! Please let me help you! I tried to give him a hand, er, you'd say hoof, right? I still wanted to get him to know after what happened. But maybe together we could achieve what one could not do by himself?"
>He reaches his hand out for you
>Hands are pretty interesting! There fingers allow humans to have incredible dexterity. Anon's hands were the first you've ever seen, beside of the hands of a monkey
>Anon
>Your ribcage feels like it would burst any time
P-please help me..
>You take his hand
>Anon will be the same again in no time!

>You're never going to be the same again
>You know you should be raging, cursing them, but you can't
>Everything that's left is a void inside you that can't be ever filled
>Feels like you burned every single bit of anger, happiness and rationality
>At this point you feel almost nothing
>Still sitting on the same spot you don't even care what is going to happen to you
>There's really not much sense in going back after you fucked up like a fucking pro
>Going back to Earth? That's unlikely after what the princess told you
>Moving into another city? No, you showed to yourself that you don't belong in here.
>Repeating the same mistakes over and over again won't help anybody
>You keep sitting, unable to get a clear thought
>Does it matter anymore? They are better with you off
>In the middle of your depressive pondering you don't take notice of something approaching you
>But even if you did, you'd probably just ignore him/her/it
>Maybe you shouldn't...
>"What's the matter boy?"
>An elder earth p0ny takes a closer look at you
>You eyes move up for a second and lower again
>Could this be ... the same stallion that helped you back in Hollow Shades
>Heh, what would he do here, you idiot?
>Examining him again for a few seconds you realize it's not the same p0ny
Why would you care?
>You don't mean to offend him, it's an honest question
>Why would he care, a complete stranger
>You already lost faith in yourself and in others
>"Why would I care? Look at you, boy! You're sitting here the whole day, pulling a face even longer than mine. What happened to you, son?"
How would you-
>"I already passed a few times, but it didn't seem you noticed me."
I see.
>A little moment of silence appears after your words
>"So?"
So what?
>Man, this one is quite annoying. Can't he just leave?
>"I won't leave until you told me at least what happened to you."
>Did he just read your mind
Fine, I'll tell you if you MUST know...
>You give him a short version of what happened to you lately
>Fluttershy's annoying fetish guesses
>And how you weren't able to decline them
>Also how you afterwards insulted her in front of your friends and got labeled a liar
>Of course you don't tell him names, nor you tell him about the masked guy
...and that's pretty much everything. I know, sounds made up, right? Know that you know what happened, would you mind to go away and leave me alone?
>"That is ... awful. Aren't you mad at them?"
>He probably ignored your last question. Oh hell, at least he got a point there
I-I don't know if I should be. Thinking about it this should be justified, but it doesn't feel right...
>"But it wasn't your fault, was it?"
No. No, I guess.
>"So, why are you sitting here, all sad, while they are the ones who did this to you?"
I don't ... know. They were the only ones I had in Ponyville. Wait, that's not right. they were the only ones I had in Equestria.
>The other p0nies did accept you. But they weren't the type to be mutual friends with you
>Sure you could always talk to them whenever you felt like it, but it wasn't the same...
>The thoughts rush through you blurred mind as another wave of sorrow overcomes you
>You don't want to face them, even though you miss them
>What would you tell them? Sorry, sometime humans act crazy? Yeah, good try...
>The elder one keeps talking relentlessly
>"And they wouldn't believe you, right? Some good friends you have!"
>What? Maybe he's right, but...
>"They called you a liar, even though you didn't lie, did you? This is unforgivable! You should be happy to have left them, believe me, you're much better on your own."
Woah, hold it, gramps..
>That was harsh. They can't know if you were lying, can they? And you have to admit your story sounded a bit odd
>"You know what? They can consider themselves lucky you didn't hit their foul snouts for mouthing off! I tell you, I would have!"
>You clench your fists and your body starts to shake
>Who the hell does he think he is, talking about your friends like that?!
I'm warning you...
>"I met these kind of p0nies! Always right, always snooty and always acting like they're the big number in town! You should get new friends, because they sound to me like scum."
SHUT UP! You don't know the first thing about them!
>You stood up, heat rushing through your system, up to your cheeks
>"Oh, don't try to-"
Don't. Test. Me.
>"What's the matter with you? A second ago you were talking almost like that yourself. What's gotten into you?!"
They are nothing, NOTHING like that, you got that? We might have our differences, but whenever I needed them they were there for me! I won't let you drag them through the mud!
>"Alright. Then tell me, why are you sitting here?"
>His calm voice gets you by surprise
>What happened? Seconds ago you were shouting at each other
>A little confused you drop down on the dead tree
Didn't you ask me that one before?
>"Yes, but you didn't answer me. You told me how you got here, but not why you're sitting here."
>You start to think about it
>First you didn't catch his question, but know the answer seems so easy
I ... I don't want to leave Ponyville. I have wonderful friends but I just ... I just don't dare to go back either..
>"Then let me tell you a thing. Sometimes anger gets the best of you and me. Sometimes our visions are blinded by overwhelming feelings. But as long as you believe in your friends and have faith in yourself you'll find a way back into the 'light', do you understand me? Our hearts might be overshadowed and the path we've chosen to walk might be hard but you must never let go of yourself!"
>Yep, you saw what p0nies became in Hollow Shades
>"As long as a small spark is still glowing inside yourself, you'll always be able to find back to your beloved ones. Obstacles may block your way, but consider them as a trial, a test of determination if you will. Keep faith inside your heart and you'll walk through the most sinister trails with a smile!"
But what should I do?
>"You'll find the answer within yourself. Do whatever you think is the right thing to be done."
>He's right. Why does he have to be right? And what the fuck where you thinking?
>The more you ponder about it, the stupider it gets
>Were you actually trying to starve in the woods? That's just laughable!
>"So, boy, listen. Get up and start moving! I don't want to see you sitting around these parts anymore, got that!"
>You stand up, feeling new energy flooding your veins
Y-yes!
>"Good. Farewell then, I don't got all day, talking to a hairless, speaking monkey, you know?"
>With this he walks off, whistling a joyful, little tune
>As for you, you feel refreshed, eager to meet whatever awaits you
>But first...
Gramps? Thank you.
>He's almost around the next corner
>"Nothing for."
>You got your eyes opened brutally in a few moments
>Apparently it was exactly what you needed to keep moving
>And you already have the right idea of what to do
>But first things first
>You want to see Applejack

>It took a while, but there you are: Sweet Apple Acres
>You are beyond exhausted since you spent the whole night in the forest without sleeping
>It's not that early in the morning and AJ is doing her chores, as expected
>You feel your hands getting sweaty as the harder part of what you're going to do begins
>Checking the acres you neither see Big Macintosh nor Granny
>Good, you don't want other p0nies around right now
>On your way there you tried to avoid contact as good as possible
>You don't know how fast the rumor spread, that is if there is a rumor of course
>Slowly you approach Applejack, trying not to startle her
>She seems all worked up, covered in sweat already
>Her apple-like scent already meets you nostrils
>As she bucks a tree you walk up to her and cough a little
A-AJ? Can I talk to you for a sec?
>She was so caught up in her work that she actually didn't notice you
>"Anon? What the hay are you doing here?"
Well, I was just coincidentally walking around these parts and I thought: 'Hey, why don't you visit Applejack?'
>She raises a brow, giving you the don't-shit-me-look
Alright, I'm apparently a bad liar.
>"Yeah, you are. Ya know, lyin' to somep0ny you consider a friend is not very nice. You should-"
>You know what she was going to say
Wait, let me speak out, okay? I actually came by to ... apologize. I know, what I said was wrong and I hurt my friends. I can't take back what I said, but I'm honestly sorry and ready to make up for it.
>You look her straight in the eye, making it clear to her that you mean it
>She doesn't seem too convinced though
>"So, ya're sayin' ya took a little walk, got your head free for a day and now, all of a sudden, ya want to apologize. Doesn't that seem unlikely?"
>She is right. Damn. Now that she summed it up like that it really sounds stupid
It is a little prompt, I admit, but I'm not lying!
>"Ah don't know, Anon..."
>She steps from one hoof to the other and appears to be pretty irritated
Listen, what do I have to do to prove it? You just name it!
>"Well, ya could ask Fluttershy for forgiveness, ya know, because ya mainly insulted her."
>Going to Flutters' cottage? Well you wanted to put this on the back burner
>Oh well
Alright, I'll apologize to her. But what about the others?
>"If yer keep yer promise, Ah'll tell them what ya did. Ah don't think they'll be too mad at ya."
>Really? You are a little skeptical, but Applejack is a p0ny of her word
Umm, okay. I~ I'll be going then.
>Just as you're about to leave she speaks up
>"Anon, wait a sec, please."
W-what is it?
>"Ah know yer a good guy. Don't let trifles get the best of ya, okay?"
>You let your head hanging down, looking to the ground because you know she's right
>"Don't be sad!"
>She smiles at you
>"Ah like ya very much, but let me tell ya one thing. Don't lie ta me ever again. Ah can't stand liars."
Do you mean what I said earlier? Come on, that wasn't a real lie.
>"Ya know exactly what Ah mean."
>You ponder a moment
>Probably about Fluttershy tricking you into 'stuff'
>You weren't lying about that! But you realize that your friends won't believe it and right now you don't want to start any trouble because of this
Err, yes, sorry.
>She smiles even wider and pecks your cheek
>"That's a good boy!"
>You touch the place where she kissed you
>It's hot since all of your blood rushed into your cheeks in an instance
>She giggles and you turn around walking off as fast as you can
>Probably you're looking like a big tomato-head
>You feel fired up, ready to take on everything that comes in your way
>Unbelievable, the old geezer was right about everything
>Joy fills your mind and every step feels like small wings were attached to your feet
>Just this one time you're sure to have everything done right!

>After a while you reach Fluttershy's cottage
>Meanwhile you have crossed Ponyville twice
>Luckily, you haven't meet any of your closer friends
>It's better to let AJ handle the talking
>The happiness you felt didn't completely vanish, but doubts start to shift through your head
>Fluttershy, of all p0nies, is very sensitive when it comes to rudeness
>Not to forget her unhealthy obsession with you, which likely didn't disappear
>How will she react? You don't want to hear her crying
>Crying will make you feel guilty and guilt will lead you into doing VERY stupid things
>You approach her door and lean your ear against it
>Silence. Nothing to hear
>Maybe she isn't at home
>At least she isn't crying
>You take a deep breath and knock on her door twice
>Nothing
>You knock again, harder this time
>The door opens and small, white bunny looks up to you
>Angel Bunny. He's a little, spoiled brat in your opinion
>Oh, if she'd only let you take care of him for a day, you'd teach him the ins and outs for sure
>Hmm, something's different about him today
>He looks ... terrified?
>That's a bad sign. Perhaps Fluttershy told him what you said to her and even though you kinda meant it, it was indeed harsh
Uh, hey Angel, is Fluttershy at home?
>He shakes his head and signs you to go, no, run away?
>What happened to him? Usually he'd just look pissed and let the door open for you
>Fluttershy's soft voice sounds from the inside
>"Angel, sweety, is someone at the door? Please let our guest in."
>He steps aside and gives you and undefinable glance
>Under normal circumstances you would have construed it as a warning, like 'Get the fuck out of here!'
>But right now you're pretty sure your mind is making things up to leave the cottage
>You are too nervous, you should simmer down
>It's just ol' Flutters, right?
>You enter her cottage
>It looks pretty empty
>Usually there are many animals, flying and running around
>Their smell is still here
>While examining her place you find her as well, sitting on her couch
>She looks calm with a mousey smile on her lips
>You exhale and take a place next to her
Hey Flutters, I hope you don't mind me coming for a visit?
>"Oh no, it's fine, Anon."
>Everything seems better than expected
>She's calm and not upset about your presence
>In fact, she doesn't appear upset at all
>Almost like she has already forgiven you
>This will make your excuse certainly easier
Listen, I thought about these things I said and what I called you. I'm ... I'm terribly sorry, okay? I had a ... change of heart you could say and now I understand what I've done wrong.
>"I thought about this, too. And I know maybe I've pushed you too far."
>She's right. This must be a dream. This is too good to be true
Well, it still doesn't justify what I said. I know I've hurt you a lot and I want to make things straight.
>"Really, it's okay, Anon. Every dispute needs at least two p0nies to happen."
Well, I'm no p0ny.
>"I know."
>You share a laugh with her
>It's not what you imagined it to be. Not at all
>It's even better
>Fluttershy finally understood that your friendship is too precious to destroy it by feeble fetish attempts and maybe she understood if the two of you ever going to become a thing it needs to happen on it's own, without pushing it
>Maybe you got your old Fluttershy back
>Your best friend that she used to be
>You feel great today
>It's almost impossible to picture yourself sitting on a dead tree being in a funk just this morning
>Still, you can't shake off the feeling of something coming
>Perhaps it's because of Angel?
>The whole time he was signing you to leave with frantic movements
>Fluttershy recognized it as well
>"Angel! What are you doing?! Go into my room and wait until I come up!"
>She stares at him but it isn't 'the stare'
>It looks different, a tad angry
Finally showed him who's boss, eh?
>You grin at her as Angel hops away
>Something must be different with her
>She isn't a push-over anymore, even without Iron Will's rhyming sayings, which are pretty stupid to be honest
>"He has been a bad bunny lately so I had to speak up a little. Surely it doesn't bother you too much."
>That's odd. She isn't even shy anymore
>Now that you think about it
>She didn't stutter once or asked you 'if you mind anything'
>Heh, she toughened up at last
>Possibly it wasn't too bad that you told her the truth (in a very rude way)
>However, you got your stuff done, it's time to meet with AJ and maybe the others, too
Alright Fluttershy, it was really nice to have this little chat with you, but I have to go and talk to the others. I'll meet you later!
>You stand up and try to walk away
>But she grabbed your coat and pulls you back with surprising force
>"I'm afraid I can't let you go yet."
>A nervous laugh escapes your throat
What do you mean? Of course you-
>"No. We haven't settle everything."
>She stands up and a quick leg sweep from her gets you flat on her floor
What the-
>She leans over your face and pins your arms down on the floor with her front hooves
>An awfully familiar position
I-I thought we talked about this. 'Pushing me', do you remember?
>"Oh Anon, I know that forcing you won't do any good."
>Her face comes dangerously close to yours
Then would you mind explaining to me what's going on?
>"I don't want to force you anymore. I don't want to guess your fetish. You will love me on your own."
This isn't funny, Fluttershy.
>"My dear, little Anon..."
>She licks over you lips, absolute desire sparkling in her teal eyes
>"... it will be over before you know it. And we will be living together happily ever after, believe me."
Why are you doing this? Please, I don't want to hurt you.
>"I don't want to hurt you either. But it's for your own good. You do understand that, right? Right?!"
>Every second she looks more and more insane
>"You WILL love me. I won't push you anymore. We will be together like we were always destined to."
>She licks over your lips again and again, anticipating that you'll kiss her
>You won't do her that favor
>Although you don't know how to explain what happened, you won't be her victim
>You should be careful though, you might hurt her
>Time to end this
>You start to struggle, getting her of you as gently as it is possible in such a situation
>Surprisingly she doesn't let you struggle her off
>Instead her grip tightens
>You struggle harder, but it's useless
>Where did she get that strength? She shouldn't be able to even lift a p0ny, so how would she hold a human more than twice her weight down
>You continue to struggle as you hear her voice
>"Please, don't make this harder for any of us."
So, this is what you imagine by not forcing me? Have you gone mad?
>"I won't force you. I'll make you love me, so I don't have to."
>She is serious about it
>And this is what troubles you most
>She changed and now you have to escape her somehow!
>You try to think of a way out when she suddenly releases your arms
>Sitting up you look at her with a deadpan face
What do you think you're doing?
>She turns around and whispers something
>"Sleep well, my love."
>With this she bucks your head and you are knocked out cold

END of CHAPTER 8