>You are Flim. >And right now, you are feeling spectacular. >Everything went according to plan. You got your superiors off your case, and you didn't have to spend a single bit. >You clink your tankard of cider to your brother's, and drink deeply. >The drink doesn't fully mask the pain of your broken snout, but it certainly helps. >This is what, your third mug? >Maybe your fifth. >You've lost count. >Flam is going on about something to a pretty mare who's joined your celebration. >He doesn't notice a large figure maneuver its way behind you. >Nor does he notice the hand that places itself on your shoulder. >You freeze up, your mind flashing back to that night. >"Hello, Flim. How's your nose?" >You don't answer. You want to call out for help but the words catch in your throat. >"Grab your brother. Meet me out back." >You can't see that 'human' behind, but you know he's smiling. You can feel it. >"I've got a business proposal for you." >The longest, loudest silence in your life follows. It drowns out the din of the cider bar with its volume. >You spin around, to face him, but he's already gone. >"Oi, Flim. What's gotten into you?" >You don't answer. Getting out of your seat, you motion to him towards the door. >He shoots you that "don't clockblock me, man," look. He doesn't understand. "We need to go." >Through the drunken haze, he looks into your eyes and immediately understands the urgency. He turns to the mare and apologizes, offering her a kiss on the hoof and a hotel room number before stumbling towards the door with you. >You exit the bar. Your eyes dart left, then right. No sign of- "Oof!" >You bump into a large frame. Your brother gives a soft squeak. >You look up, and see him. The air leaves your lungs. >Standing there, in a dark brown leather trenchcoat and fedora, is the human who put you in the hospital for a week. >Stumbling to your feet, you back into a wall away from him. "Wh- what do you want?" >Underneath the shade of his hat, he grins. >"You two are hard to find, you know that? I had to trace you all the way from Ponyville." >He takes off his hat and admires it. Is that a... candy cane in his mouth? >"Like the getup? I had Rarity make it up for me. I feel like a real gangster." >What the hell is this crazy alien on about? >He looks down and notices your expression. >"Uhm. Nevermind." >Putting the hat back on, he takes a step towards you. You and your brother can't help but flinch in response. >He smiles, secure that he's got control of the situation. >"Now then, let's take a walk, gentlecolts. I'd like to make a deal with you." >His hand gestures for you to lead the way. Flam looks to you, and you to him. Swallowing your fear, you give him a nod and start walking. >The busy streets of Manehattan give you some confidence. He wouldn't attack you here, right? >Right? >"So. Down to business." >He takes the candy cane out of his mouth for a second, and blows through pursed lips into the air. >"I know you burned down Pinkamina's lab." >"You can't prove that." >Your brother is quick to react. Maybe a little too quick. The human raises an eyebrow at that. >"Oh no?" >He reaches into his coat, and produces a small metal device. >It flicks open, and reveals a small glass screen. >With a press of a button, what can only be some sort of recording starts to play. >And you do not like what you see. >It recorded everything. >You and your brother. >Your cutie marks. >Breaking into the building. >Leaving. >The fire. >Everything. >Your legs freeze up as you watch on, horrified. >"Hostile business practices? Not illegal. Making awful cider? Not illegal, but a damn shame." >He does that weird blowing thing with the candy cane again. >"Arson? I'm fairly certain that's illegal." >"Are you pretending to smoke?" >The human freezes up, his face turning bright crimson. >"...no. I'm just... cold." >"In that coat?" >The human shoots your brother a look that could melt steel. He promptly shuts up. >"Look, I've got something you want. Namely, I've got something you want the authorities not to see." "S-so you're blackmailing us." >"In so many words, yes." >Flam takes on a grim expression. >"And what do you want?" >The human takes a bite of his candy cane, the confection crunching loudly between his teeth. It seems like minutes before he gulps down the pieces of sugar. >"Well, if I recall correctly. You were offering Ms. Pie somewhere in the range of..." >"What was it, 20,000 bits?" >That's when Flam's magic grabs the device out of the monkey's hand. >Before you know what's going on, you're running. >The sound of your hooves galloping is almost a whisper under your heartbeat. >You hear the human yelling about something. It's not important. >Flam tosses the device your way, and you catch it. You already know the plan. >You both take separate turns. You don't have the luxury of looking back to see who the human followed. All you know is you've gotta get rid of this thing. >You dart left. Then right. >You run and run and run. >Finally, you're at the docks. You think you've lost him. >And then, you bump into a large frame. >You're pretty sure your heart stops. Looking up, you see it was only a minotaur. >"Watch where you're goin', pipsqueak." "S-sorry. Sorry." >You breathe a sigh of relief, turning to leave. >And the human steps into your line of sight. "bugger" "H-how did you-" >He taps his temple, grinning. "My vision is augmented." >You don't stop to think about what the hell that means. You back away. He takes another step towards you. >Every step you take is matched by him, eventually you back into a railing, the Manehattan bay behind you. >"It's over, give me the camera, Flim." >Your eyes dart around for an escape route. >There is none. >As the human takes one final step towards you, you yell out, flinging the camera towards the water. >"NO!" >He pushes you to the ground as he runs up to the rail, clamoring to reach out. >But he can't, the metal device drops into the murky, polluted waters with a 'ploop' noise. >"No, no, NO!" >The human slams his hand against the metal rail, which you can hear dent slightly. >Even still, you're safe now. Even if he kicks the crap out of you, you're safe. >You stumble to your hooves, trying to catch your breath. "L... looks like I won, you.. stupid monkey." >He deflates slightly, turning and slumping against the rail as he slides to the ground. >"I.. I..." "Yeah, what is it?" >"I really liked that camera." >You are Pinkie Pie. >And right now, your heart just isn't in it. >You smile, as Berry Punch leaves with her cookies. But it's a sad smile. All of your smiles have been sad lately. >You barely see the Doctor anymore. With the workshop gone, you have to throw parties just to get him out of his house. >And it's been even worse since he's gotten back from that trip. You haven't seen him all week. >And if you don't see him, how are you gonna ask him... >Oh, come off it, Pinkie. You aren't gonna ask him even if you WERE seeing him more. You don't have the- >The bell rings, and the sound of footsteps snaps you out of your brooding. >"Hello, Pinkamina." >Before you know what's happening, you're over the counter and hugging the Doctor. He lets out a surprised sound, but before long returns the hug. >It makes you feel so warm and happy in his strong arms. >You contain the blush on your face as you look up at him. His face is... blue? "Doc?" >"I-I can't breathe." "...oh!" >You release him from your hug, and the color returns to his face quickly as he takes deep, gasping breaths of air. "S-sorry!" >"It's alright. I'm sorry I haven't seen you much lately." "It's... okay." >It's not okay. >"No, no it's not okay. But I'm going to make it okay. I have a surprise for you, Pinkamina." >You trot along awkwardly, the Doc's hands over your eyes. "U-uhm... is this really necessary, Doc? I can't see where I'm-." >"If you see where we're going, it will ruin the surprise." >He's got a point. And you bet he looks really silly trying to walk while covering your eyes. >You stifle a giggle, letting him lead you on. >You walk for a while now, you think you're on the edge of Ponyville now. "Alright, alright, the suspense is killing me, where are you taking me?" >"Sh, sh! Almost there!" "Uuuuuugh!" >Not long after, you hear the faint 'pssh' of pneumatic actuators. You're hit by a burst of cool, conditioned air. Your hooves are hitting metal now. "...Anon? Where are we?" >"You can open your eyes now, Pinkamina." >He lifts his hands off, and you can't believe what you see. >Tables, benches, vices, tools. >Tanks, shelves, several crates labeled "duct tape." >It's... your workshop. But new. Brand new. Newer than it's ever been. Everything is shiny. Everything is... "...it's wonderful." >The Doctor has a big, stupid grin on his face. >You would too, if you could believe what you were seeing. "I... I don't... how..." >"Surprise." "It's.. you... but..." >He just grins at you. >Finally, you let the smile spread to your face. >Your entire body starts shaking. >Pink energy starts to build up around you. >"Uhm... Pinkamina?" >Your smile takes up your entire face now, your eyes and snout just tiny afterthoughts. >"Pinkamina?" >The energy builds up, more and more. >"pinkamina" >You rocket up, smashing through the ceiling and shooting into the sky. >When you hit your peak, you let out the biggest "WOOOHOOOOO!" you possibly can. >When you land, you come back in through te door, tapping the confused Doctor, who is still looking at the hole you left in disbelief, on the shoulder. "S-sorry. We can fix that. But.. but..." >And then the tide comes. >You are Doctor Anonymous. >And right now, all you can hear is Pinkamina talking. >She has said "thank you" more times than you can count. And there is a chip in your brain for counting things. >She's nerdgasming over every detail, every tool, her voice never stopping for breath, not one millisecond. >You smile, just letting her run her course. You can't stop her now, and you don't want to. >She deserves this, for all she's done for you. >For all you'll... ask her to do. >Finally, after what seems like hours, she finishes, almost passing out before she takes a long-needed breath. "...are you done?" >"I... I think so. But..." "Yes?" >"How did you afford all of this?" >You grin. "Well, Pinkamina. Let's just say it's a very good idea to keep back-ups of all your data." >You pause. "And to buy a waterproof camera."