- >September never stays this cold where you come from.
- >At least,
- >It would be September back home.
- >Ponyville is a frosty semblance of autumn.
- >Your shack of a house is lacking in warm comfort.
- >The gusts all flow easily through cracks in the walls as you sit on your bed wrapped in a blanket.
- >There's no food in your kitchen.
- >So you nurse a bottle of Applejack Daniels.
- >It's actually just a very potent bottle of cider.
- >But you think it's quite humorous to call it that.
- >Being well beyond drunk at this point, you laugh at your stupid joke.
- >There's a knock on the door.
- >Must be Pinkie Pie again.
- >Coming to try to get you out of your house.
- "Leave me alone! I'm sick!"
- >You throw your bottle at the door and it shatters.
- >Fucking ponies.
- >She opens the door anyway.
- >A cold breeze sweeps into the shack.
- >Fluttershy steps in bundled in a scarf and fuzzy earmuffs.
- >"H-hello Anon..."
- >You pull your blanket around you tighter.
- "What do you want?"
- >She removes her gear.
- >Why is she wearing a collar?
- >"I know you're not very s-social and um, don't come out much so-"
- "Get out."
- >"So... So I thought you m-might be happier if you had a pet."
- "Leave me alone."
- >"I thought long about what would be the p-perfect pet for you but... I couldn't do it."
- "I just want to be left alone."
- >"But what if... What if I was your p-pet?"
- >You give a sardonic laugh,
- "I don't want a fucking pet. Least of all a pet that's you."
- >She moves over to one of your sweaters on the floor.
- >Like a dog, she pats it out into a bed and curls up.
- "What do you think you're doing?"
- >She yawns and lays her head on her hooves.
- >She's serious.
- >You glare at her.
- >She smiles.
- "Whatever."
- >You lay down and go to sleep.
- >It's cold.
- >You wake up with a hangover.
- "Ugh..."
- >The wind has only increased outside.
- >Your nose is frozen.
- >The wind crashes against your shack.
- >But your body is warm.
- >You look down to see Fluttershy curled up against you.
- >She cracks her eye open and smiles.
- >"G-good morning, you were shivering in your sleep so I-"
- >You fling her off the bed with an arm.
- >She tumbles to the ground with a whimper.
- >You actually had something to do today.
- >You go to shit, and shower.
- >There's no warm water so It's a cold shower.
- >There's also no booze left so you guzzle your mouthwash.
- "Fucking gross."
- >You stopped shaving a few days ago.
- >What's the point?
- >You scratch at your stubble as you get dressed.
- >Newspaper makes excellent insulation.
- >You stuff a bunch into your old jacket and leave.
- >It's desolate outside.
- >The wind doesn't want to let up and leaves fly about everywhere.
- >None of the ponies are out.
- >"W-wait!"
- >You turn to see Fluttershy gallop from your shack.
- >She presents you a thermace.
- "What is this?"
- >She pushes it into your hand, "I went a-and got some cocoa for you w-while you were asleep..."
- >You unscrew the cap and watch the steam rise up.
- "I don't want your pity."
- >You dump it out over a patch of leaves and toss the thermace over your shoulder.
- >It bounces off her head.
- >"Oh... Okay um, where are we going?"
- "I'M going to Twilight's. I don't know where YOU'RE going."
- >Every week
- >Every damn week
- >You had to go to Twilight's for lunch.
- >You know what she was really doing.
- >She never said it.
- >But she was giving you therapy sessions.
- >You arrive at Twilight's
- >Enter and slam the door on Fluttershy's face.
- >She'll probably wait out in the cold for you.
- >"Hello Anon!"
- >Twilight sits on a couch.
- >She motions for you to have a seat in a recliner.
- >There's tea and cookies set out.
- >She wears the usual glasses and her mane done up in a bun.
- >You sit and grab a handful of cookies.
- >"So, how are things?"
- >You speak with your mouth full.
- "I'm sick."
- >She raises an eyebrow and adjusts her glasses, "you don't look sick."
- "Well I am."
- >"You said you were sick last week, but you don't have a cough or a fever..."
- >You grab more cookies.
- "My throat hurts."
- >She eyes the cookies you're shoving into your mouth.
- >"Don't those hurt your throat?"
- >You curse under your breath and throw them down.
- "I drank some cocoa before I came and... It feels a little better now..."
- >She smiles knowingly and pours some tea.
- >Bitch.
- >"Well Anon, let's talk-"
- "We are."
- >"About your drinking-"
- "We aren't."
- >"I can smell a little alcohol on your breath now-"
- "It's mouth wash."
- >"How MUCH 'mouthwash'?"
- "Are you calling me a liar?"
- >"Of course not Anon, I want to help you!"
- >You wipe some chocolate from your hand on her recliner,
- "I don't want or need help. I haven't drank in days."
- >She smiles, "that's great Anon!"
- >You try to change the conversation.
- "Fluttershy won't leave me alone."
- >"Oh? Want to tell me about it?"
- "No."
- "And she won't stop following me."
- >You finish talking and sip some tea.
- >"Your pet huh? How do you feel about this?"
- "I want her to leave me alone. She's creepy and I don't want her in my house."
- >Twilight removes her glasses.
- >"You don't like the power?"
- >Huh?
- "What? No!"
- >She chuckles.
- >"So you're telling me that you, a depressed, poor, alcoholic, pathological liar doesn't enjoy having power over something?"
- >She stands.
- "What are you talking about?!"
- >She's never called you any of those things.
- >"You should give it a try..."
- >She lets her mane fall from it's bun.
- >"You might find you enjoy it..."
- "Twilight?"
- >She crawls into your lap and stradles you.
- >Her hoof caresses your face.
- >"Complete control..."
- >She leans down and whispers into your ear.
- >"It would be good for you... Anon~"
- >You push her away and stand.
- >She smiles at you seductively.
- "I-I gotta go..."
- >You turn and head for the door.
- >"Same time next week. We'll talk about your gambling."
- >You leave feeling odd.
- >What was that?
- >The wind has slowed down.
- >It's still below freezing though.
- >Fluttershy sits outside waiting for you.
- >She's shivering and looks miserable.
- >You chuckle.
- "Should have brought something warm to drink."
- >You walk past her.
- >"Wh-where a-a-are we going n-now?"
- "I'm going to the bar."
- >She trots up beside you, "do you need some bits?"
- >You grumble.
- "I have plenty of bits."
- >"W-well if you need more j-just... *achoo!* t-tell me."
- "Yeah whatever."
- >There's a cider bar by the barber shop.
- >It's a small quiet place.
- >Some even call you a regular.
- "Fluttershy wait out here."
- >She sits and you enter.
- >Ponies greet you.
- >Some glare.
- >A stallion you know turns in his stool and grabs onto your jacket.
- >"Where's my bits human?"
- >You push his hoof away.
- "I told you I'd have it this weekend."
- >He grabs your collar, "but you have enough bits to come in here, you lousy lush?!"
- >His hoof connects with your jaw and you fall to the floor.
- >The taste of blood fills your mouth.
- >Ponies stare but don't do anything.
- >"I BETTER have my bits by Friday!"
- >He kicks you in the ribs and leaves.
- "Asshole..."
- >You cough and crawl up to a seat at the bar.
- "Let's have one, Golden Taps."
- >The bartender sighs, "you got bits this time Anon?"
- >You wipe some blood from your lip.
- "Just put it on my tab."
- >"Your tab is quite big now-"
- "Taps, please."
- >She rolls her eyes and pours you a mug.
- >"Cut off."
- >You look up with blurry eyes.
- "Wha?"
- >Golden Taps pulls your empty mug away from you, "you've had enough. I'm cutting you off."
- >You almost fall from your stool,
- "Yew can't do that! I'm nah... Nut drunk! I need mer ziderr."
- >Damn you're smashed.
- >You hang onto the counter for dear life as the world spins.
- >"Go home Anon."
- >You throw up below the bar.
- "See! I'm sick! I need more!"
- >Shit.
- >Now you don't feel as drunk.
- >"Your tab is ridiculous now Anon. Please leave before we have to kick you out..."
- "Fine!"
- >You stumble for the exit.
- >As you leave like Jack Sparrow, you snatch up a random cup from some mare's hooves and down it.
- "Eugh... That ain't gin..."
- >You smash the glass on the floor and leave.
- "Happy fucking New Year!"
- >Outside it's dark.
- >Wow, you were in there for a while.
- >Where's Fluttershy?
- >You lean against a tree and unzip your pants.
- >As you start to pee, you see Fluttershy.
- >She's laying on the ground with a bunch of newspapers over her.
- >You zip up and walk over.
- "Flutter."
- >She doesn't move.
- "Hey Flutserzz..."
- >You crouch and slap her face.
- >It's cold and she doesn't respond.
- "Fluttershy?"
- >She waited out here the whole time...
- >Sobriety slaps you in the face.
- >You snatch her up and begin running for Twilight's.
- >Panic is taking over.
- >Her body is cold and limp in your arms.
- "Hold on Fluttershy!"
- ---
- >You run to Twilight's squeezing Fluttershy tight.
- >She's so cold.
- >And limp.
- >It was your fault.
- >You made her wait.
- >In the cold.
- >And now she was-
- >You trip.
- >Fluttershy's body flies from your arms and skids across the dirt.
- >You wince and get up.
- "Fluttershy!"
- >You wobble over to her.
- >Shouldn't have drank so much.
- >She has several scrapes on her body now.
- "Oh god."
- >You gently pick her up and take off again.
- >A little slower this time.
- >Her mane has a mess of leaves and mud in it now.
- >Her face has a large cut on it.
- >You cry.
- >The first time you've cried in months.
- >The emotions you haven't felt in so long spill out.
- "Twilight!"
- >You burst into the library.
- Twilight help!
- >She looks up from a book and gawks at Fluttershy's limp body hanging in your arms.
- >"What happened?!"
- "Sh-she was out in the co-cold and she was *hic* out there for a long time and-"
- >"Set her down!"
- >You obey and lay Fluttershy on a couch.
- >Twilight skitters over and pushes you out of the way.
- >"Move! You're drunk!"
- >You shrink away from her glare.
- >She turns to Fluttershy.
- >"Well, she's going to be fine."
- >Twilight's horn stops glowing and she turns to you.
- >Glaring.
- "So... She's not dead?"
- >"No. She IS hypothermic and probably has pneumonia. But she's alive."
- >You smile.
- >That was close!
- >Twilight pokes you in the chest.
- >"Let's talk."
- "Okay?"
- >"Sit."
- >Her tone is harsh.
- >You sit.
- >"Now, what was Fluttershy doing out in the cold for so long and why do you smell like you drank ALL the cider?"
- >You chuckle.
- "Well not all of it but I-"
- >She slams a hoof.
- "Ah. Well you see,"
- >You tell her the story.
- >"Alright, well why is Fluttershy all dirty and scraped up?"
- "I tripped and she fell on the way here."
- >Twilight groans, "you no good drunk. Can't you do anything right?!"
- >You look down.
- "Sorry..."
- >Twilight takes a deep breath.
- >"No. I apologize. I have to be... Patient with you."
- >You look over to Fluttershy.
- "So what now?"
- >Twilight throws another blanket over her, "now, we let her rest and hope that she doesn't want anything more to do with you when she wakes up."
- >You feel that at your core.
- "I better go..."
- >Twilight doesn't look at you, "yeah, that's the best idea you've had in months."
- >You slink toward the door.
- >"Oh and Anonymous?"
- >You stop but don't turn around.
- >"I won't tell Celestia about this."
- >You nod.
- "Thanks."
- >"But I've lost all respect and trust in you."
- >"Now get out."
- >Sweet sweet nectar of the gods.
- >Thank heaven for Berry Punch.
- >One of the only ponies you hang out with.
- >And the only one that drinks like you.
- >She's stopped by your shack.
- >With wine.
- >The two of you shiver and drink as the wind howls outside.
- >She's sympathetic to your story.
- >She always consoles you.
- >"It's okay Anon, you can just apologize to Fluttershy. I'm sure she will forgive you."
- >You take a long gulp from the bottle.
- "Yeah. Maybe. But Twilight hates me now."
- >Berry pats your shoulder, "cheer up buckaroo, I hate to see you down. Here,"
- >She pushes the bottle back to your lips.
- >You chuckle and drink.
- >"Atta boy!"
- >Berry raises her own bottle and the race is on.
- >You lock eyes as you chug.
- >She always beats you.
- >Not tonight.
- >You poke her in the ribs.
- >Wine spews from her mouth and she starts coughing.
- >You drain your bottle and slam it down.
- "I win! I win!"
- >She wipes her mouth and throws her legs up, "nu uh! You cheated!"
- >To prove your point, you grab her bottle and finish it.
- >She looks incredulous.
- >"Hey! That was mine!"
- >You burp and smile.
- "WAS yours, yes."
- >"That's it!"
- >She tackles you.
- >You both fall to the floor and a slap fight breaks out.
- >Eventually it devolves into a tickle fight.
- >The two of you laugh and shout, comfortably in the arms of inebriation.
- >It's all you ever want.
- >That night you have a nightmare.
- >You toss and turn as visions of Fluttershy's cold lifeless body fill your mind.
- "Fluttershy..."
- "Don't..."
- >She's sinking away
- "Come back!"
- >"I'm right here."
- >Her voice calls to you in the dark and raging wind.
- "Where? I can't- I can't see you!"
- >"I'm in your room."
- "My room?"
- >How do you get to your room?
- >All around you is pitch black and wind.
- "Where are you?!"
- >"I'm at the corner of your bed."
- "My bed?"
- >There's no bed.
- >"Are you... Turned on?"
- >What?
- "What are you talking about?"
- >You feel something slide up your leg.
- >Then
- >You're awake.
- >The wind smashes against the wall, but you're in a cold sweat.
- "Fluttershy?"
- >You look down to see her laying with her head on your groin.
- >"H-hello sleepyhead."
- >You sit up and hug her.
- >She squees.
- "What are you doing here?! I thought you were sick!"
- >She tries to lick your face.
- >"Twilight did some magic and fixed me! S-so I'm ready to be your pet again!"
- "Oh Fluttershy, let's forget about that for now and just-"
- >"Cuddle?"
- >You smile.
- "Actually, yeah. That doesn't sound too bad."
- >You lay with her wrapped in your arms.
- >Even the wind can't take away your warmth that night.
- >You awake to pounding on the door.
- >"ANON WAKE UP! WAKE UP NOW!"
- >Oh god it's Twilight...
- >Where is Fluttershy?
- >She must have gone back to her cottage.
- >You groan and get up, wearing only boxer-briefs.
- >Good thing wine never gave you a headache the next day.
- >But man, your stomach was not happy.
- >You scratch your chin stuble and open the door.
- >The morning chill smacks you in the face and you feel your jimmies shrivel.
- "What do you want? I'm sick."
- >Twilight looks panicked.
- >"Get on some clothes and come with me!"
- "What? Why?"
- >"Just do it!"
- >You grumble and get dressed.
- This better be good.
- >She pulls you out of your shack before you can get a hat on.
- "Hey! Where we goin'?!"
- >"To the hospital!"
- >Hospital?
- "Why?"
- >"Fluttershy slipped into a coma after you left last night! I think it was from hitting her head!"
- >Impossible.
- "But... Fluttershy was my place last night!"
- >Twilight gives you a confused look as she runs.
- >"Anon, Fluttershy was taken to the hospital about two hours after you left."
- >"She's been in a coma ever since you went home."
- ---
- >You are in the hospital.
- >There she is.
- >In the flesh.
- >Fluttershy lays in a bed.
- >In a coma.
- >But how?
- >She had been in your shack last night?
- >You fell asleep with her.
- >All of her friends stand around her bed.
- >They ignore you.
- >Pinkie Pie was probably the only one that would willingly talk to you.
- >Rarity collapses dramatically on the bed.
- >"Oh if only she hadn't fallen in with the wrong crowd!"
- >Rainbow Dash wipes her eyes, "wrong crowd?"
- >Twilight brushes Fluttershy's mane from her face, "she's talking about Anon."
- >Applejack glares at you, "yeah, the town lush."
- >You look away.
- >Yes it was your fault but you never wanted this to happen.
- >"Aw give him a break," Pinkie interjects,
- >At least one pony didn't write you off.
- >"It's not his fault he does everything wrong, he's an addict!"
- >Well
- >There goes that hope.
- "I should leave."
- >You turn and leave the room.
- >Rarity's voice calls out, "yes, do like you do with all your other problems, run you coward!"
- >This called for some booze.
- >On a bench in the park
- >In the middle of the bone-chilling wind
- >On a bench alone in the park
- >You sit drinking a bottle of cheap liquor.
- >You had to steal it.
- >No bits.
- >The owner of the shop had seen you slip it into your jacket
- >But like always, she didn't say anything.
- >She didn't say anything but 'have a great day Anon!' on your way out.
- >Fuck her.
- >You didn't need her pity.
- >You were sick.
- "I'm sick..."
- >The booze tasted horrible and burned your throat but it did it's job.
- >Inebriation was always a good place to hide from your worries.
- >Fluttershy reaches for the bottle and you hand it to her.
- >She takes a swig on the bench next to you.
- >It's a little much for her and she chokes.
- >You laugh.
- "Stick with bitch beer."
- >She wipes her mouth and smiles at you.
- >"How are you feeling Anon?"
- >You drink
- "All your friends hate me."
- >She leans against you.
- >"Well, I don't hate you..."
- >You laugh again.
- >A flock of birds take flight into the torrential wind.
- "Of course you don't hate me."
- >You hold the bottle out to her
- "You're a figment of my imagination."
- >The bottle falls to the ground.
- >The contents slowly leak into the leaves.
- >You cover your face with your hands and laugh
- >On a bench alone in the park.
- >Twilight finds you.
- >She kicks your side.
- >"Wake up!"
- >You sit up,
- "Where am I?"
- >"You're in a park on a bench, it's noon and you're already passed out drunk."
- "Oh."
- >Been asleep for a couple hours.
- "How's Fluttershy?"
- >You scratch the stubble on your chin.
- >Twilight glares at you.
- >It made you uncomfortable.
- >But you were getting familiar with pony's looks of disappointment.
- >"Still in the coma you put her in."
- >Maybe you should go see her again.
- >"Let's go."
- >Twilight begins dragging you with magic.
- >You don't resist.
- "Where are we going?"
- >She teleports both of you.
- >Now you stand in what looks like a hospital waiting room.
- >But not the hospital Fluttershy was in.
- "Where are we?"
- >"A facility where they take ponies like you."
- "Like me?"
- >"Addicts. They will fix you here."
- >You stand and walk away.
- "Nah, I don't need to be fixed."
- >Twilight's magic slams you to the floor.
- >You feel her hoof on your back.
- >She hisses into your ear.
- >"You're going to stay here whether you like it or not. Everyone is sick of the way you act."
- Not everyone! Berry likes me! I don't need to be fixed!
- >Twilight lifts you and makes your body float to the receptionist.
- >"Yes you do."
- >"You're sick."
- >This place is horrible.
- >White rooms and white paper-thin clothes.
- >The room they put you in is like a small prison cell.
- >It's more like an asylum.
- >At night you can hear ponies sobbing and wailing.
- >They even make you take pills.
- >You're not sure what they do, but they make you feel happy.
- >Stupid happy.
- >After taking them, it's easy for them to talk to you.
- >You tell the shrinks about all your dreams and aspirations.
- >Then when the pills wear off and they throw you back into your white cell
- >You want to die.
- >It's only been two days, but already you want to off yourself.
- >Like your neighbor did with a sharpened spoon.
- >You lay on your hard bed.
- >There was one thing to look forward to.
- >Imaginary Fluttershy would talk to you in your room.
- >At least she understood you.
- >You look over at her.
- Do you think I'll be in here forever?
- >She shakes her head, "you'll be just fine mister."
- >You smile and stare at the ceiling.
- Yeah. Just fine.
- >The thirst for cider was getting worse.
- >You attacked a nurse this morning when she denied you some mouthwash.
- I wonder how Fluttershy is doing...
- >Fluttershy brushes your hand with a hoof, "I'm sure she'll wake up any day now."
- >You nod.
- >The door opens.
- >"You have a visitor human."
- >Visitor?
- >Twilight?
- >Berry would never set hoof in here.
- >Fluttershy steps into the room.
- Fluttershy?!
- >You look over at imaginary Fluttershy.
- >She nods then fades away.
- >The real Fluttershy flies over and wraps you in a hug.
- >"I'm h-here Anon! I woke up and I'm here to get you out of this place!"
- ---
- >"I'm here to get you out of this place!"
- >Fluttershy holds a hoof out to you.
- "Why? How are you here?"
- >She's wearing that collar again.
- >"A pet is always f-faithful to it's master."
- >You approach her
- "If I try to run, they'll stop me."
- >"Only if they catch you mister."
- >She grabs your hand and pulls you out of the door.
- "No! They'll see-"
- >The hall is empty.
- >A long silent white path lined with numbered doors.
- >Fluttershy flies up, "c-come on!"
- >You run after her down the hall.
- >These slippers they made you wear were definitely not made for running.
- >Youh trip and Fluttershy catches you.
- "Thanks!"
- >The two of you continue on.
- >Down at the end, the door you're running to begins opening.
- >You hear pony's voices.
- >Fluttershy 'eeps' and opens room twenty-three.
- >You both jump inside.
- >She pulls one of her feathers out and slides it in between the door and the frame as it closes.
- >The door remains open just a crack.
- "Wow, good thinking."
- >Fluttershy blushes, "th-thank you."
- >"Anon? What are you doing here?"
- >You turn around.
- >There on a bed is Berry Punch.
- >She's wearing the same white clothing as you
- >There are dark rings around her eyes
- >She looks like she's been dragged through hell.
- "Berry?!"
- >You run forward and the two of you hug.
- >She feels weak.
- "Berry I didn't know you were here!"
- >You let her go and she looks pathetically into your eyes.
- >"Same here. My parents didn't like my drinking, so they put me in here."
- >You rub your head
- "Ah, I'm sorry bro... Same with me but it was my therapi- Twilight Sparkle."
- >She nods.
- >"This place is sick man, it's totally an experiment."
- "What?"
- >Her eyes widen
- >She really needed a drink
- >"It's all one big experiment! Run by some big wig secret science society in Canterlot! They're using it as a front to test experimental drugs on us!"
- >Oh boy she was always funny, even sober.
- >You chuckle.
- >She continues to stare.
- >She's serious.
- "Wait, for real?"
- >Berry nods, "I was studying this before I came. Never thought I'd end up here..."
- >You didn't think it was possible, but this place makes you feel even worse now.
- >Berry rubs her eyes
- >"I just need a drink..."
- >A flask is held up.
- >You both look at it, then up at Fluttershy.
- >She hides in her mane as she holds it out
- >"Um, I thought you w-would want some Anon..."
- >Berry grabs it and holds it up like a baby
- >"Sweet nectar! There is hope!" She looks up at you, excitement back in her eyes, "can I?!"
- >You smile and nod.
- >Berry uncaps it and takes a big swig.
- >She pulls it away with and 'ahhh!' and wipes her mouth.
- >"Thank you SO much Fluttershy!"
- >She holds the alcohol out for you.
- >You stare at it.
- >Then at Fluttershy.
- >She shrugs and smiles.
- >Your mouth is watering for it
- >Your hand is shaking as you hold out a hand
- "I..."
- >You drop your arm.
- "I'm done drinking."
- >The memory of Fluttershy laying in the cold comes back to you.
- "I don't want to do this anymore."
- >Berry Punch shrugs, "suit yourself," she continues to drain the flask.
- >Fluttershy leaps forward and hugs you around the middle
- >"Oh I'm so proud of you Anon!"
- >You laugh and push her away
- "Thanks Fluttershy."
- "Now can we get out of here?"
- >Outside you appeared calm.
- >Inside your brain was telling you that you were an idiot and to drink that rum before it was all gone.
- >You don't look at the flask.
- >Fluttershy trots over and listens at the door.
- >"C-coast is clear."
- >You grab Berry by the shirt and take off.
- >The hall is empty once more.
- >Berry is trying to get every last drop from the flask.
- >You can smell it.
- "Looks like we go through that door on the end."
- >You lead the way
- >Fluttershy lands on your back.
- >You can feel that her body is warm but she's not trying to hump you.
- "Fluttershy, you remember how you came in right?"
- >This place is unnecessarily massive.
- >"Um... I w-was too excited to f-find you so I... Don't remember..."
- >Figures.
- >Berry stumbles against a wall, "let me ouuuuuut! Wooooogrblshp..."
- >You straighten her up and lightly slap her face.
- >She's drooling and her eyes are rolling.
- "Fluttershy what kind of rum was that?!"
- >She leans over your shoulder and sniffs at Berry
- >"Just n-normal rum..."
- >Then this is what happened when you mixed those experimental drugs with hard liquor.
- >A door opens beside you and one of the 'nurse' ponies steps out.
- >You stare at him
- >He stares at Fluttershy
- >Fluttershy stares at Berry
- >Berry throws up down her shirt
- "CHEESE IT!"
- >You take off running down the hall.
- >"SECURITY BREECH!"
- >You look back and see the stallion grabbing Berry while trying to avoid her vomit.
- "We left Berry!"
- >Fluttershy pounds on your head, "leave her! Leave her! She's one of them now!"
- >You'll be sure to pour one for Berry when you get out.
- >You open a door and run through while Fluttershy quivers on your back.
- >Well.
- >Looks like you found your way into some sort of mechanical room.
- >It's about three stories to the room and maybe three-hundred yards long/wide.
- >Most of the steaming machines in the room are a mystery of function to you.
- >Catwalks line the walls.
- >You grab onto Fluttershy's legs and take off into the steamy dim room.
- >It's loud.
- >And hot.
- >Massive machines loom over you as you jog through the maze.
- "Fluttershy I'm -huff- getting tired."
- >She flies off your back and looks worried at you.
- >"Please take a break Anon!"
- >You bend over with your hands on your knees breathing heavy.
- >Fluttershy sits and stares at you.
- >You sit down with your back to a large machine.
- "Thanks."
- >"You sh-shouldn't push yourself too hard."
- "No, I mean thanks for coming back for me."
- "I was a real asshole to you."
- >She rubs your hand with a hoof.
- >"I know you had your reasons Anon. I never thought bad of you."
- >Twilight sure did.
- >Fluttershy may have been a stalker
- >But she was the only girl who wasn't a drunk as well to ever stick around through your bullshit.
- >You rub her hoof back.
- "When we get out of here, I want to see you take a shot."
- >She blushes, "w-what? I don't um, I don't really do that..."
- >You ruffle her mane
- "Come on, don't be scared!"
- >There's a sound of hoof steps coming closer.
- >Fluttershy jumps out in front of you and spreads her wings in protection.
- >She whispers over her shoulder, "run Anon! I'll hold them back!"
- "No, come on."
- >You grab her tail and pull.
- >The hoof steps are right around the corner.
- >You lift Fluttershy around the middle.
- >Berry Punch stumbles around the machine.
- "Berry? Berry!"
- >You drop Fluttershy and hug your friend.
- >She seems a little more sober after throwing up.
- "How'd you get away?!"
- >She glares at you and wiggles out of your grip, "I ran out of there after you DITCHED me! I had to fight like three ponies!"
- >You flush.
- "Sorry about that... I got scared."
- >"Oh m-me too! I w-wet myself..." Fluttershy smiles proudly.
- >So that wet spot on your back isn't sweat.
- >"Well we better run, those jerks were right behind me."
- >And now she tells you.
- >You pick Fluttershy up and take off again.
- >This time Berry is right beside you.
- >One of your pursuers shouts and you turn to see eight ponies chasing you.
- >At least they're all Earth ponies for some reason.
- >You run up some stairs to a catwalk.
- >Then another level.
- >Everyone knows most Earth ponies are scared of heights.
- >Berry Punch stops to throw up over the rail and screams when she looks down.
- >The puke lands on one of the ponies chasing you below.
- >He screams in agony and collapses.
- >Thank god Equestrian ponies can puke.
- >"We have you now!"
- >Now there's three ponies in front of you.
- >You slide to a stop.
- "They have a unicorn!"
- >Thinking fast, you grab Berry Punch as well and hop over the rail.
- >And land on a conveyor belt.
- >You set Berry down and look back up at the catwalks
- >The ponies glare at you in frustration.
- >Fluttershy nuzzles on your head, "good work Anon!"
- "It's not over yet..."
- >The unicorn teleports down to you.
- >You feared she'd be able to do that.
- >Where is this conveyor belt going anyway?
- >Behind the unicorn up ahead is a large furnace.
- >If you can just get that unicorn in there.
- >She smiles and steps forward.
- >Berry whimpers and hides behind you.
- >You push Fluttershy behind your other leg.
- "Let's go!"
- >The unicorn charges her red horn.
- >You feel yourself being lifted.
- >"NOOOOOO!" Fluttershy charges from underneath you.
- >The unicorn is distracted with her spell and catches a Fluttershy headbutt to the face.
- >Fluttershy collapses with a squeal and the unicorn is sent flying.
- >You fall to your hands and knees and look up.
- >The unicorn is withering in pain
- >As she's carried to the furnace.
- >Fluttershy stands up and wobbles.
- >You laugh and give her a thumbs up.
- >The unicorn notices she's about to be burned alive and scrambles.
- >Her horn charges
- >A red aura surrounds Fluttershy's leg.
- "Fluttershy!"
- >She calls for help as the unicorn drags her back to the flames.
- >You run for her.
- >The magic pulls Fluttershy fast and the unicorn grabs her leg
- >"Anon! H-help me!"
- >You dive and latch onto Fluttershy's outstretched hoof
- "Hang on!"
- >You begin to pull.
- >The unicorn screams as her backside enters the furnace.
- >But she still hangs on.
- "Kick Fluttershy!"
- >Her hoof is sweaty from the running and the heat.
- >Your hand slips.
- >In slow motion you watch Fluttershy's horrified eyes as she disappears into the flames.
- >"Anon!"
- >"Anon we gotta go!"
- >You feel Berry Punch dragging you back but you can't take your eyes off the furnace.
- "Fluttershy?"
- >"ANON!"
- >Berry slaps you.
- >"We have to get out now! There's more coming!"
- >You nod
- >This is all a dream right?
- >She can't be dead...
- >You slide down a pole with Berry and land back on the ground.
- >Both of you run until you find an exit sign.
- >You burst through the door and find it's night out.
- >You're in the forest.
- >You turn back around and stare at the door.
- >"Anon! This is no time to stop!"
- >Berry pushes you and you begrudgingly follow her into the woods.
- >You tell Twilight everything.
- >She feels horrible for putting you in that place
- >And breaks down with you when you tell her what became of Fluttershy.
- >Berry Punch consoles the both of you.
- >Twilight decides she will tell everyone the news in the morning.
- >After Berry leaves, you ask to stay at Twilight's for the night.
- >She wipes some tears from her eyes and smiles weakly at you.
- >"I can give you one last therapy session?"
- "That would be... Nice."
- >"Alright, I'll be in the basement, come down when you're ready."
- >You nod.
- >After she leaves you sit on the couch.
- >Fluttershy passes you a flask.
- >You take it without looking at her.
- >Raise it to your lips
- >No.
- >You smile up at the ceiling and chuckle.
- >Not anymore.
- >You hold the flask out to her
- "I think I loved you."
- >The flask falls to the ground.
- >The contents slowly leak onto the rug.
- >You cover your face with your hands and laugh.
- >On a couch alone in Twilight's living room.
- >You stand and sigh.
- >Slowly you make your way to the basement door.
- >You still felt the urge
- >But there was also the knowledge that you could beat this addiction.
- >It's what Fluttershy would have wanted.
- >You look back at the couch.
- >Fluttershy smiles at you reassuringly.
- >"You can do it Anon."
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEuA3jzcY04

