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Heartfallen Ch. 5
By LuckybuckCreated: 2022-10-03 13:37:10
Updated: 2022-10-10 05:07:51
Expiry: Never
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                                            1.
                                            Ch. 5
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                                            2.
                                            
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                                            3.
                                            >Anon was surely saved from certain death by the sudden appearance of Chrysalis.
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                                            4.
                                            >But, “out of the frying pan into the fire”, as the saying goes.
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                                            5.
                                            >The ruins of Twilight’s tower crumble around him.
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                                            6.
                                            >Green and purple flames are everywhere.
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                                            7.
                                            >Behind him is a ledge, with a drop that would no doubt kill him.
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                                            8.
                                            >Before him are a mad Princess out to kill him for rejecting her, and a wicked Queen who might devour him, or worse.
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                                            9.
                                            >Anon can do nothing but watch, his body barely capable of movement as the magic that was flowing through him and empowering him earlier has all but disappeared.
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                                            10.
                                            >”If I stay here I’m gonna die.”, He thinks to himself.
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                                            11.
                                            >With great effort, he forces himself to limp towards the edge of the tower.
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                                            12.
                                            >Tentatively he looks over the edge, then stops himself.
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                                            13.
                                            A: Damn.
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                                            14.
                                            >It’s too high, of course.
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                                            15.
                                            >There’s no way.
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                                            16.
                                            >He sighs.
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                                            17.
                                            >What’s the alternative?
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                                            18.
                                            >Die here or die when Twilight gets ahold of him.
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                                            19.
                                            >As much as he appreciates the intervention of the changeling Queen, Anon knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s brought down by Twilight.
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                                            20.
                                            >And once she’s down…
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                                            21.
                                            >He’s next.
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                                            22.
                                            >Just as this thought passes through his mind, a horrible screech pierces the air.
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                                            23.
                                            >Chrysalis, in her draconic form, slams to the ground behind him.
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                                            24.
                                            >Boiling white energy bubbles over her, searing her carapace, as she reverts to her original form.
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                                            25.
                                            A: Shit.
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                                            26.
                                            >He was hoping he’d have a little more time, but it’s already over.
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                                            27.
                                            >Twilight descends to look down at her defeated foe.
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                                            28.
                                            >She is no longer the pony he once knew.
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                                            29.
                                            >She is an alicorn of terrible power, her eyes blazing with wicked dark magics.
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                                            30.
                                            >Black and white swirls of sparkling energy roil around her horn, while a halo of dark purple surrounds her body.
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                                            31.
                                            >This is it.
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                                            32.
                                            >She’s gonna kill Chrysalis.
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                                            33.
                                            >Anon’s mind races.
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                                            34.
                                            >What should he do?
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                                            35.
                                            >Should he jump?
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                                            36.
                                            >Should he fall down and beg forgiveness?
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                                            37.
                                            >He winces as a sharp pain shoots through his head.
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                                            38.
                                            >It passes in less than a second, but somehow his vision feels clearer once it’s done.
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                                            39.
                                            >He looks at the pitiful form of Chrysalis, curled up in a ball.
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                                            40.
                                            >Like when he first found her.
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                                            41.
                                            A: God damn it…
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                                            42.
                                            >He takes a step.
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                                            43.
                                            A: God damn it!
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                                            44.
                                            >Before he can stop to think about what he’s doing, he runs towards her.
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                                            45.
                                            >His body screams at him, but he ignores the pain.
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                                            46.
                                            >Twilight readies her attack to finish off the changeling, so focused on her dread desire that she fails to notice what’s about to happen.
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                                            47.
                                            >With a speed he didn’t know he was capable of, he snatches Chrysalis up into his arms without even slowing down.
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                                            48.
                                            >Twilight’s spell fires, a beam of dark light barely missing him as runs, its heat singeing the flesh of his back.
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                                            49.
                                            >As he runs, the white magic surrounding Chrysalis’s body burns his arms, but with every step more of it fades away.
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                                            50.
                                            >He closes his eyes as he hears Twilight roar.
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                                            51.
                                            T: ANONYMOUS!?
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                                            52.
                                            >Instinct drives him.
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                                            53.
                                            >Bolts and tongues of magic fly past him.
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                                            54.
                                            >Each misses its mark, but that small comfort is lost on him in the moment.
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                                            55.
                                            >Chrysalis weakly raises her head.
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                                            56.
                                            C: A-Anon?
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                                            57.
                                            >He’s too focused to even notice her voice.
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                                            58.
                                            >He looks at the far edge of the tower’s broken wall, quickly approaching.
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                                            59.
                                            >There’s no other way.
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                                            60.
                                            T: I won’t let you get away!
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                                            61.
                                            >Just as he’s about to reach the ledge, Twilight pops into existence before him with a thunderclap of purple magic.
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                                            62.
                                            ?: Twilight!
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                                            63.
                                            >A new voice rings out.
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                                            64.
                                            ??: Twilight what are you doing?
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                                            65.
                                            ???: What’s going on?
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                                            66.
                                            ????: Are you okay?
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                                            67.
                                            >Several new voices suddenly distract the Princess.
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                                            68.
                                            >She looks up from the subject of her wrath to see her friends, the Elements of Harmony, standing amidst the ruins of what was once her tower.
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                                            69.
                                            >Rainbow Dash flies towards her at speed, with Applejack running not far behind.
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                                            70.
                                            RD: Stop it, Twi!
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                                            71.
                                            AJ: You can’t do this!
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                                            72.
                                            >Twilight screams at them, her fury unimaginable.
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                                            73.
                                            T: I’m the ONLY one who can do this! He’s MINE!
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                                            74.
                                            >Bolts of white and purple fly out, barely missing her friends.
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                                            75.
                                            R: We have to stop her!
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                                            76.
                                            >Rarity shouts, Pinkie Pie not far behind her.
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                                            77.
                                            PP: Twilight! How can you attack your friends?
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                                            78.
                                            T: He’s not my friend! He’s…
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                                            79.
                                            >Her magic falters for a moment as emotions surge through her mind and body.
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                                            80.
                                            >In the confusion, Anon sees an opportunity.
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                                            81.
                                            >He leaps from the edge of the tower, holding Chrysalis tightly to his chest.
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                                            82.
                                            >They fall.
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                                            83.
                                            >Twilight screams with distinct agony in her voice.
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                                            84.
                                            T: NO!
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                                            85.
                                            >But before she can react Rainbow Dash has wrapped one of Applejack’s ropes around her.
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                                            86.
                                            >She quickly snaps it with magic, only to be met with another from Applejack herself, lassoing her hoof.
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                                            87.
                                            >Rainbow Dash flies circles around her as a distraction while Applejack yanks her down, with Rarity assisting as best she can with her magic.
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                                            88.
                                            >Twilight roars again, magic firing wildly in every direction.
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                                            89.
                                            >With great sadness in her eyes, Pinkie Pie watches on.
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                                            90.
                                            PP: Twilight… What’s happened to you?
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                                            91.
                                            
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                                            92.
                                            >Falling through the air, Anon is certain now, more than he’s ever been, that this is the end.
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                                            93.
                                            >He clutches the changeling Queen tighter, and only then does it strike him what he’s actually done.
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                                            94.
                                            >He looks at her, and his gaze is met with her own.
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                                            95.
                                            >He’s surprised. She looks almost happy.
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                                            96.
                                            >He sighs, resigning himself to his fate.
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                                            97.
                                            >But then he feels something push beneath his arms from behind, and hears a urgent flapping of wings.
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                                            98.
                                            >He looks up to see a pastel yellow figure above him, struggling greatly to hold his weight aloft.
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                                            99.
                                            >Fluttershy.
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                                            F: I-I’ve got you! Oh!
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                                            101.
                                            >She slips for a moment, but quickly catches him again.
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                                            102.
                                            F: S-sorry!
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                                            103.
                                            >She can’t stop their fall, but she drastically slows their descent as they plummet through the air.
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                                            104.
                                            >With a crash the three of them slam into the room of one of the houses below, breaking through and landing, luckily, on top of a large bed.
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                                            105.
                                            >They bounce off, and Anon, still holding Chrysalis, skids across the floor, while Fluttershy is thrown a different direction.
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                                            106.
                                            >Splinters and shingles scatter across the room and dust fills the air.
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                                            107.
                                            >But they’re not hurt.
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                                            108.
                                            >At least not too badly.
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                                            109.
                                            A: Ugh…
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                                            110.
                                            >Anon stands slowly, shaking the shock of the impact off.
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                                            111.
                                            F: Hurry!
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                                            112.
                                            >Fluttershy yells at him, her voice uncharacteristically dire.
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                                            113.
                                            >She points towards the door of the house.
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                                            114.
                                            F: You have to run. We’ll save Twilight.
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                                            115.
                                            A: Fluttershy, are you-
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                                            116.
                                            F: Go!
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                                            117.
                                            A: Right!
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                                            118.
                                            >The seriousness in her voice drives all thought from his head.
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                                            119.
                                            >He does as she says.
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                                            120.
                                            >He runs.
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                                            121.
                                            >Out of the house, he runs.
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                                            122.
                                            >As fast as he can, he runs.
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                                            123.
                                            >Though his legs howl in pain, and his arms and body feel like they’re burning, he runs.
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                                            124.
                                            >He doesn’t know where he’s running to, but he runs.
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                                            125.
                                            >The sounds of violent magic and shouting ponies slowly fade into the distance.
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                                            126.
                                            >The road disappears into the trees.
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                                            127.
                                            >The light of the sun dims.
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                                            128.
                                            >His breathing is ragged.
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                                            129.
                                            >He’s soaked in sweat.
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                                            130.
                                            >Blood trickles down his arms and back, from cuts and scratches left by the branches and vines and briars he’s been pushing through.
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                                            131.
                                            >His feet, too, are covered in blood, and bruised beyond recognition, having no shoes to cover them with.
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                                            132.
                                            >It is hot, and humid.
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                                            133.
                                            >The air is stale, and stings his lungs.
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                                            134.
                                            >But he does not stop.
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                                            135.
                                            >The pain drives him onward.
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                                            136.
                                            >The pain is a reminder of why he’s running.
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                                            137.
                                            >What he’s running from.
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                                            138.
                                            >He can’t stop now.
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                                            139.
                                            >He can’t-
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                                            140.
                                            C: Anon?
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                                            141.
                                            >The unexpected voice startles him.
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                                            142.
                                            >Chrysalis.
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                                            143.
                                            >He’s been holding her the entire time.
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                                            144.
                                            >He looks down at her, cradled in his arms.
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                                            145.
                                            >She looks… Smaller.
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                                            146.
                                            >Her eyes are beautiful orbs of emerald, sparkling in the gloom of the forest.
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                                            147.
                                            >He shakes his head and looks away, focusing his sight ahead.
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                                            148.
                                            >How did it end up like this?
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                                            149.
                                            >Holding the very monster who got him into this mess.
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                                            150.
                                            >But what was he supposed to do?
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                                            151.
                                            >He couldn’t just let Twilight kill her.
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                                            152.
                                            >Could he?
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                                            153.
                                            >No.
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                                            154.
                                            >She saved him.
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                                            155.
                                            >But so did Twilight.
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                                            156.
                                            >A flash of pain rings through his head again, making him wince.
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                                            157.
                                            >It’s too late to think about any of that now.
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                                            158.
                                            >There was no other choice.
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                                            159.
                                            >Twilight had gone crazy.
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                                            160.
                                            >That wasn’t the pony he once knew.
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                                            161.
                                            >That wasn’t-
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                                            162.
                                            C: A-Anon?
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                                            163.
                                            >Chrysalis. Her voice actually registers in his mind this time.
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                                            164.
                                            A: Yeah.
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                                            165.
                                            >His short response comes out with a tone of annoyance that he did not intend.
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                                            166.
                                            >But he can’t help it.
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                                            167.
                                            >Not at this point.
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                                            168.
                                            C: I think… I think I can walk now.
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                                            169.
                                            >He doesn’t slow his stride.
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                                            170.
                                            A: You sure?
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                                            171.
                                            C: Yes.
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                                            172.
                                            >He looks down at her again.
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                                            173.
                                            >He sighs.
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                                            174.
                                            A: Okay.
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                                            175.
                                            >He stops.
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                                            176.
                                            >For the first time in several hours, he actually takes the time to look at his surroundings.
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                                            177.
                                            >This forest…
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                                            178.
                                            >The trees are old.
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                                            179.
                                            >Some of their trunks as wide as houses, their canopies stretching so high the shadow hides their leaves from view.
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                                            180.
                                            >Strange plants with multi-colored flowers, vines covered in wicked thorns, the sounds of birds and beasts.
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                                            181.
                                            >A pervasive mist that swirls about between the foliage.
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                                            182.
                                            >He knows this forest.
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                                            183.
                                            >The Everfree.
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                                            184.
                                            >It’s nigh a miracle they’ve made it this far in without incident.
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                                            185.
                                            C: Um, Anon?
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                                            186.
                                            A: Sorry.
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                                            187.
                                            >He kneels, and lets Chrysalis down to extend her hooves to the earth.
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                                            188.
                                            >She stands, and sighs in relief.
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                                            189.
                                            >Then she looks at him with an uncharacteristically genuine smile.
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                                            190.
                                            C: Don’t apologize. I don’t exactly mind being held by you.
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                                            191.
                                            >He winces as he stands back up straight.
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                                            192.
                                            >Now that he’s not holding her, and he’s not moving, his limbs feel incredibly heavy.
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                                            193.
                                            C: You saved me again, Anon.
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                                            194.
                                            >She practically beams at him.
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                                            195.
                                            >The happiness on her face is almost more painful to him than the soreness of his body.
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                                            196.
                                            A: I was just returning the favor.
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                                            197.
                                            >He looks off into the distance, but he can’t see much through the trees.
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                                            198.
                                            C: I was worried about you. I… The last time I saw you, I…
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                                            199.
                                            >Chrysalis thinks of the manticore.
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                                            200.
                                            >If only she hadn’t been so foolish.
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                                            201.
                                            >So impatient.
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                                            202.
                                            >”Why am I like this?” She thinks to herself.
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                                            203.
                                            C: Anon, I… I’m sorry.
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                                            204.
                                            >He looks back to her, confused.
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                                            205.
                                            A: Sorry? If you hadn’t showed up when you did, I’d probably be dead.
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                                            206.
                                            >She looks away in shame.
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                                            207.
                                            C: No, I… Anon I…
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                                            208.
                                            >Should she tell him? Should she confess to her mistake?
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                                            209.
                                            C: I’m the one who…
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                                            210.
                                            >No. How will he react?
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                                            211.
                                            >He’ll be furious. There’s no way he wouldn’t be.
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                                            212.
                                            >He’d never forgive her.
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                                            213.
                                            >She can’t tell him.
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                                            214.
                                            >Anon looks at her sideways, unsure of what she’s thinking, with such a serious, somber look on her face.
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                                            215.
                                            A: The one who what?
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                                            216.
                                            >She stiffens up.
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                                            217.
                                            C: I… I shouldn’t have tried forcing you to love me.
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                                            218.
                                            >He laughs.
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                                            219.
                                            >It hurts.
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                                            220.
                                            >He starts to cough, and decides to sit down on a nearby log.
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                                            221.
                                            A: Don’t worry about it.
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                                            222.
                                            >He shakes his head in exasperation.
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                                            223.
                                            >”These damn ponies.” He thinks. “The always know just what to fucking say.”
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                                            224.
                                            C: I see now there was no need to use such tactics.
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                                            225.
                                            A: Oh?
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                                            226.
                                            >As she looks at him all manner of evil thoughts pass through her mind.
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                                            227.
                                            >Thoughts of draining his love.
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                                            228.
                                            >Thoughts of bending him to her will.
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                                            229.
                                            >But another thought drives these wicked ambitions aside.
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                                            230.
                                            >The thought of him whisking her up and holding her in his arms.
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                                            231.
                                            >Sharing his love, not because he’s forced or tricked, but because he wants to.
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                                            232.
                                            >She blushes.
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                                            233.
                                            >She can’t remember ever feeling this way.
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                                            234.
                                            >She actually risked her own life to save him.
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                                            235.
                                            >She’d never do that…
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                                            236.
                                            >But she did.
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                                            237.
                                            >Why does he make her feel this way?
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                                            238.
                                            >Is it just because he saved her first?
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                                            239.
                                            >No.
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                                            240.
                                            >That’s the sort of naive kindness she preys upon, uses to her advantage.
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                                            241.
                                            >A foolishness that she is all too happy to exploit.
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                                            242.
                                            >But now…
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                                            243.
                                            >She’s the one who behaved foolishly.
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                                            244.
                                            >For this strange creature, this monster.
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                                            245.
                                            >This beautiful monster who would stand against those damnable Princesses.
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                                            246.
                                            >Would stand against them…
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                                            247.
                                            >For her.
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                                            248.
                                            >For her?
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                                            249.
                                            >Did he really do it for her?
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                                            250.
                                            >Is he…
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                                            251.
                                            >Is he using her?
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                                            252.
                                            >The same way she would have used him before he…
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                                            253.
                                            >She looks up at him, and meets his eyes.
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                                            254.
                                            >He’s still staring at her, with a look of curiosity and bemusement.
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                                            255.
                                            C: Tell me something, Anon.
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                                            256.
                                            A: Alright.
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                                            257.
                                            C: Why was she trying to kill you?
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                                            258.
                                            >He closes his eyes, and sighs.
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                                            259.
                                            A: Because I’m… I’m dangerous.
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                                            260.
                                            C: Dangerous?
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                                            261.
                                            >He rubs his temples, and begins to feel exhaustion creeping up on him.
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                                            262.
                                            A: She said- Twilight said I’m dangerous. She told me that my… Emotions… Have an effect on magical creatures.
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                                            263.
                                            >Chrysalis turns her head slightly sideways, as she looks him up and down.
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                                            264.
                                            C: What kind of effect?
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                                            265.
                                            A: She says I’m like a catalyst. That if I… If I share “emotion” with a pony that it’ll fill them with magic and drive them crazy.
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                                            266.
                                            >Chrysalis’s eyes widen.
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                                            267.
                                            A: And…
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                                            268.
                                            >The changeling very slowly moves closer.
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                                            269.
                                            C: And?
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                                            270.
                                            A: That it’ll fill me with magic, too. And my body isn’t made to handle magic like that.
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                                            271.
                                            >Anon sighs again, and looks up to see that Chrysalis is standing right in front of him, staring right at him, wide-eyed and seemingly excited.
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                                            272.
                                            C: So that is why your love tasted so sweet.
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                                            273.
                                            A: Uh, what?
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                                            274.
                                            C: You’re Heartfallen.
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                                            275.
                                            >She says this word with a sort of childlike wonder that catches Anon off guard.
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                                            276.
                                            A: I’m a what?
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                                            277.
                                            C: I always thought it was a myth, a fairy tale…
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                                            278.
                                            A: What are you talking about?
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                                            279.
                                            C: It makes perfect sense now. You’re Heartfallen.
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                                            280.
                                            A: What’s a Heartfallen?
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                                            281.
                                            C: Heartfallen is a curse. An ancient curse. So ancient I doubt there are many who even remember the stories.
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                                            282.
                                            >Chrysalis seems elated by this revelation.
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                                            283.
                                            >Her reaction worries Anon greatly, and he begins to get nervous.
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                                            284.
                                            A: What kind of curse is it?
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                                            285.
                                            C: You already know the answer to that, Anon.
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                                            286.
                                            >He shakes his head.
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                                            287.
                                            A: I guess I do. It’s like Twilight said. I can’t love anyone or they’ll go crazy and I’ll probably explode.
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                                            288.
                                            >Chrysalis laughs, a hearty laugh that surprises him.
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                                            289.
                                            >It annoys Anon greatly.
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                                            290.
                                            A: What’s so funny?
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                                            291.
                                            C: Oh, Anon. She lied to you.
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                                            292.
                                            A: What?
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                                            293.
                                            C: Your love would certainly drive any normal mare crazy. I suppose that’s what happened to the “Princess”.
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                                            294.
                                            >She says that last word with a venomous tone.
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                                            295.
                                            >But you will not explode.
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                                            296.
                                            A: What do you mean? So what will happen?
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                                            297.
                                            C: You will become powerful.
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                                            298.
                                            >Her eyes sparkle as she looks at him with what can only be described as wonder.
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                                            299.
                                            >Anon squints at her. He isn’t sure if he believes what she’s saying. But he isn’t quite sure if he believes what Twilight said, either.
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                                            300.
                                            A: What’s the catch?
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                                            301.
                                            C: Catch?
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                                            302.
                                            A: It doesn’t sound like any curse I’ve ever heard of. What’s the catch? There’s gotta be some other downside or something.
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                                            303.
                                            >She places a hoof under her chin as she thinks.
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                                            304.
                                            C: Hmm. Other than driving ponies to obsessive madness, which I don’t see as a downside…
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                                            305.
                                            >She looks excited again.
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                                            306.
                                            C: Heartfallen are said to fly into fits of unbridled passion-
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                                            307.
                                            >Her voice sounds almost like she’s experiencing orgasmic bliss.
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                                            308.
                                            C: -during which they are unstoppable!
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                                            309.
                                            >Anon feels uncomfortable at how into this she obviously is.
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                                            310.
                                            A: Oh, man. This is too much.
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                                            311.
                                            C: This is perfect!
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                                            312.
                                            A: Huh?
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                                            313.
                                            C: I understand why you saved me, now!
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                                            314.
                                            A: You… do?
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                                            315.
                                            C: Yes! You need me to help you take over Equestria!
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                                            316.
                                            >”Oh God damnit.” He thinks to himself.
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                                            317.
                                            A: No, I-
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                                            318.
                                            C: The love we give each other will make us both so powerful, nopony can hope to stop us!
 - 
                                            319.
                                            >She gets right up in Anon’s face, her huge emerald eyes dominating his field of view.
 - 
                                            320.
                                            A: Chrysalis, that’s not-
 - 
                                            321.
                                            C: Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be so lucky…
 - 
                                            322.
                                            >He feels her hot breath on his face.
 - 
                                            323.
                                            A: Look, you’ve got it all wrong.
 - 
                                            324.
                                            C: Of course! We should get started right away.
 - 
                                            325.
                                            >She moves even closer.
 - 
                                            326.
                                            A: That’s enough.
 - 
                                            327.
                                            >He stands up, pushing her away.
 - 
                                            328.
                                            >The look of disappointment on her face is undescribable.
 - 
                                            329.
                                            >It almost makes him feel bad.
 - 
                                            330.
                                            C: A-Anon! This is fate! You cannot deny fate!
 - 
                                            331.
                                            A: Sure I can.
 - 
                                            332.
                                            >He starts to walk away, but she rushes around to stand in front of him again.
 - 
                                            333.
                                            C: Wait! Just let me show you.
 - 
                                            334.
                                            >He stops.
 - 
                                            335.
                                            A: Show me what?
 - 
                                            336.
                                            >She smiles.
 - 
                                            337.
                                            C: Close your eyes.
 - 
                                            338.
                                            A: What? No. You’re going to try to take over my mind or something.
 - 
                                            339.
                                            >He starts to step forward again, but her pleading expression makes him hesitate.
 - 
                                            340.
                                            C: I won’t try anything like that, I swear. It wouldn’t work on you anyway, you’d just break free like last time!
 - 
                                            341.
                                            >He gives her a cold stare.
 - 
                                            342.
                                            A: So what are you going to do?
 - 
                                            343.
                                            C: Just close your eyes, Anon. I’ll show you there is no reason to be afraid of your curse.
 - 
                                            344.
                                            >He stands silent for a moment, considering his options.
 - 
                                            345.
                                            >He really shouldn’t trust her, and he has zero interest in what she’s saying is his “fate”.
 - 
                                            346.
                                            >But she sounds so genuine.
 - 
                                            347.
                                            >And he did break free of her control once already, he probably can do it again.
 - 
                                            348.
                                            >”Ah, why not”. He thinks. “I’m too tired to argue at this point anyway.”
 - 
                                            349.
                                            A: Alright. Okay.
 - 
                                            350.
                                            >He closes his eyes and Chrysalis’s grin widens to a wicked, toothy smile.
 - 
                                            351.
                                            A: But if you try anything-
 - 
                                            352.
                                            >His words are cut short as Chrysalis stands up on her hind legs, places her forehooves on his shoulders, and presses her lips into his mouth.
 - 
                                            353.
                                            >He is taken aback, and opens his eyes immediately.
 - 
                                            354.
                                            >Her own eyes are closed as she passionately kisses him.
 - 
                                            355.
                                            >Strange feelings well up inside him.
 - 
                                            356.
                                            >”What the hell?” He thinks to himself.
 - 
                                            357.
                                            >His mind races.
 - 
                                            358.
                                            >His body feels…
 - 
                                            359.
                                            >Anon closes his eyes again and returns her kiss, leaning into her, wrapping his arms around her slender frame.
 - 
                                            360.
                                            >She squeals in delight at his touch, and they fall to the ground together, landing in a patch of soft grass.
 - 
                                            361.
                                            >Magic flows through his body, his flesh sizzles and steams as his various wounds heal in mere moments.
 - 
                                            362.
                                            >Suddenly, he snaps back to the reality of his situation, and pulls away, breaking the kiss.
 - 
                                            363.
                                            >Panting, Anon looks at Chrysalis with a look of shock.
 - 
                                            364.
                                            >She just gives him a sultry grin and bats her eyes.
 - 
                                            365.
                                            C: See? Don’t you feel sooo much better?
 - 
                                            366.
                                            >He can’t even process what just happened, and simply stares at her instead of responding.
 - 
                                            367.
                                            C: I know I do.
 - 
                                            368.
                                            >She leans in and whispers in his ear.
 - 
                                            369.
                                            C: Your love is sublime.
 - 
                                            370.
                                            >He finally regains his composure a bit.
 - 
                                            371.
                                            A: Chrysalis, you… That was…
 - 
                                            372.
                                            >He can’t help but feel entranced by those beautiful emerald eyes.
 - 
                                            373.
                                            A: That was amazing.
 - 
                                            374.
                                            >She giggles.
 - 
                                            375.
                                            C: I’ve never kissed like that before.
 - 
                                            376.
                                            >They lay there in silence, staring at each other, for a few moments.
 - 
                                            377.
                                            A: So, uh… What now?
 - 
                                            378.
                                            C: Well, as much as I’d like to keep going…
 - 
                                            379.
                                            >She nuzzles into his neck.
 - 
                                            380.
                                            C: We should rest. I can tell you’re tired.
 - 
                                            381.
                                            A: It’s too dangerous to sleep in the middle of the Everfree.
 - 
                                            382.
                                            C: Nonsense.
 - 
                                            383.
                                            >She giggles again.
 - 
                                            384.
                                            C: You’re the most dangerous thing in this forest, Anon. Nothing is going to bother us.
 - 
                                            385.
                                            >Seeing how content and comfortable she looks, he sighs, and lets out a slight chuckle of his own.
 - 
                                            386.
                                            A: Okay. Good night, then.
 - 
                                            387.
                                            >He pulls her a little closer, and lays his head down, closing his eyes.
 - 
                                            388.
                                            >This is not how he expected this day to end.
 - 
                                            389.
                                            >But hey, at this point, it could be worse.
 - 
                                            390.
                                            
 - 
                                            391.
                                            ~
 - 
                                            392.
                                            
 - 
                                            393.
                                            >Anon floats in an ocean of stars.
 - 
                                            394.
                                            >Alone.
 - 
                                            395.
                                            >The silence is gentle, soothing.
 - 
                                            396.
                                            >He drifts along, with a feeling of bliss and a grin on his face.
 - 
                                            397.
                                            ?: This is not what thine heart desired, Anonymous.
 - 
                                            398.
                                            >A strange voice resounds throughout the void.
 - 
                                            399.
                                            ?: Thou hast no evil intent. So why dost thou align thyself with evil?
 - 
                                            400.
                                            >A winged mare steps forth from the dark.
 - 
                                            401.
                                            >Her form is slender and elegant, her mane flows like the night sky, and her eyes are azure pools of sparkling magic.
 - 
                                            402.
                                            >Anon has never seen anything so beautiful in his life.
 - 
                                            403.
                                            ?: Deny the temptress her prize, Anonymous.
 - 
                                            404.
                                            >The mare steps towards him, walking on nothing.
 - 
                                            405.
                                            ?: Seek thee a means to break thine curse.
 - 
                                            406.
                                            >But as she approaches, she begins to fade away.
 - 
                                            407.
                                            ?: Find the Princess of Love.
 - 
                                            408.
                                            >She is almost gone.
 - 
                                            409.
                                            ?: Go to the Crystal Empire.
 - 
                                            410.
                                            >With that final word she vanishes.
 - 
                                            411.
                                            >The void is empty.
 - 
                                            412.
                                            >The stars are gone.
 - 
                                            413.
                                            >The silence screams.
 - 
                                            414.
                                            
 - 
                                            415.
                                            ~
 - 
                                            416.
                                            
 - 
                                            417.
                                            >Anon is wrenched awake by an overwhelming sense of urgency.
 - 
                                            418.
                                            >In a cold sweat, he starts to panic.
 - 
                                            419.
                                            >But when he looks around, he realizes he’s still laying in the grass in the Everfree Forest.
 - 
                                            420.
                                            >All is quiet.
 - 
                                            421.
                                            >All is calm.
 - 
                                            422.
                                            >Chrysalis is curled up in his arms, sleeping.
 - 
                                            423.
                                            >He looks up to the sky, obscured by the trees above.
 - 
                                            424.
                                            >Under his breath, he curses at himself.
 - 
                                            425.
                                            A: I’m so fucked up…
 - 
                                            426.
                                            
 - 
                                            427.
                                            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
                         by Luckybuck
                         by Luckybuck
                         by Luckybuck
                         by Luckybuck
                         by Luckybuck