Thread 30: Stories 61-75

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>32
{???}
"2"
'Morlocks'

32 the Survivor runs for his life deep within the caves beneath Canterlot Mountain, he follows the echoes of a scream, the scream of a changeling, high-pitched, feminine, young.

>This is crazy, I've gone crazy, no one alive...but...but that scream...gotta be real, gotta be.

He keep running, these tunnels, these caves, this darkness is the home he's come to know. There has never been escape, there has never been anything not seeking to kill him. Not since he pushed his siblings to safety, not since he killed the Morlock Chieftain...

Not since he slaughtered his way out of their Lovedamned cave.

>Don't think, just run.

And thus he runs, faster and faster, as he gets closer he can hear them, the Morlocks, and their prey, the panicked quick breaths of something running away from a horror they couldn't comprehend.

'Shivruk! Surki vatai!'

He rushes out of a tunnel onto a ridge overlooking one of the many open caverns in the accursed maze. Down, far down below, in a ripped dress is a young changeling, backed into a corner by three of the feral beasts, cowering. She's there, she's real...

She's just as small as 45 was.

And 32 will be damned if he lets them eat her.

A green fire washes over him, a changeling leaps off the ledge, but it's a gryphon that slams down onto the back of one of the Morlocks with a loud snap. Another wave of fire and the large forearm of a Diamond Dog bats another away. He turns his head towards the last remaining Morlock, baring fangs, letting out a growl, making the vile creature back away, hissing.

>Rugoth surkai tuvolk!

'Tuvolk vatai, monstrak!'

32 growls and the beast darts away, shouting in its abyssal language, searching for assistance. He looks to the one that he batted away, lying broken against a wall, as dead as its fellow lying where 32 landed. Finally he looks to the small creature huddled against wall, switching back to his regular form.

>...are you real?

"What?"

>Real. Are you real?

"...yeees?"

>Good.

32 smiles.

>I apologize. I've been alone, alone for a long time. Just me and the things that live down here.

"Did-did you...?"

32 catches her looking at the corpses of the Morlocks. Her eyes are wide, innocent, unable to comprehend this hell that was his home.

>Oh no. We play freeze tag, them and me. They're out, you see.

She grimaces, she knows it's a lie. But she smiles a bit, it's a comforting lie.

"I like freeze tag."

>Everyone likes freeze tag. I'd like if you kept from joining, they...play rough.

32 winces a bit, a chill in his many scars.

"It's ok, uh...I'm Applejack 2, what's your name?"

>My name is 32. You have a very pretty name, little one. How did you get down here?

Two's cheeks puff out a bit, she looks angry, she also looks adorable.

"That big blonde meanie, Blueblood! He tried to use robots to hurt everyone! Then when Shiny, and Not-Mom, and everyone stopped him, he grabbed me and took me down here! Then..."

Her pout drops, she shivers a bit.

"The monsters showed up, Blueblood ran away without me and I ran and I ran until I got chased in here! Then you saved me, 32!"

She gives another smile at him, he smiles back.

He knows what he has to do.

>Child, I believe I've a pressing need to get you out of here.

"You can?"

>I will, little one, I will and you will not stay in this terrible place a moment more than you need to.

She doesn't say another word, she hugs him, and he feels...love. Sweet and pure, as delicious as water on the tongue of someone dying of thirst. It imbues his body with a strength he hasn't felt in what may have been months, years, or even decades. He knows, he has to protect her, above all cost.

>Come child, we have some walking to do.

He doesn't know the way, he doesn't know what danger lurks before them, and he doesn't know if his time underground won't destroy him the second he touches sunlight.

He doesn't really care.

{Intriguing.}
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>Celestia
"Twilight"
'SA'
[2]
~~~~~

>OOOOOHhHHMmmmMMMMM!

"EEEEnnnmMMMMMMHMHMMMM!"

'This was a mistake.'

[Do ya' have ta' hold my ears so tight!?]

'Yes.'

[WHAT!?]

'I said yes.'

[WHAT!? Yer' lips movin' but I can't hear you!]

>EEEEEEEMMMMMMMM!

'So, in retrospect, 'spine cracker' is because-'

"O-OH MY GOSH, SHINY! THIS MASSAGE IS AMAAAAZZIIINNNG!"

'Because it is, in fact, a roller coaster that also massages you as you go. Because this all makes perfect sense.'

>This is almost as good as one of yours! MMMMMM!

"Well, almost. Shiny gets in there a lot deeEEEEEper. OOOOHHH... soooo deep..."

>Well, obviousl-LEEEE!... This ride can't be as thorough as he is. Just not fEEEEEAAAsible...

"MMMmmmmmHM! But is is NNIIIIIIICCCEEE!"

>That it IIIIIIIIIII...mmmm...

'We are not doing this ride a second time.'

>But WHYYYYMMMMMMM!

'Because those noises you are making are going to confuse her, mentally.'

[Nuh-uh! It's not confusin'! It's the same sound Not-Mom made a'fore the weddin'!...OH! So ya' gave her a massage back there too? That make so much more sense! So THAT'S what she meant when she said ya' were bad in bed! Ya' must notta done a very good job!]

'...'

>....

"..."

[...I can still hear.]

'Noted.'

>...So, go find the others and try to get settled in at the hotel next?...MM...

"That-HM... that sounds like a great idea!"

>Doesn't it just? Pure brilliance.

"You sure learned in those 1000 years!"

>I did!

[Oh! So is Shiny gonna give you guys a massage too? OH OH! You should do it at the same time, that'll be really fun!]

'...'

>...

'...I blame you.'

>...I know...
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>29
"Ghost kid"
'???'
[???]
{???}
~~~~

>...Huh.

"Whatt'up, homie?"

>Child with a tongue so twisted, upon my pallet I taste something... unique.

"Well, spill cricker! What'chu got?"

>Cricker?

"Cause you all cricket like, ya' feel me?"

>...The flavor I taste within my mouth is a contradiction, a dissension between ranks by my very taste buds themselves. At once, the zest of pure joy, combating with the the bitter foulness of despair. Between them, only the aroma of confusion and conflict.

"...Huh? Why ya' talkin' wit words I don't know, and ya' know I don't know! I'M POOR, CRICKER!"

>I taste happiness and sadness.

"See, that wasn't so bad! Freakin' crickers, always gotta ice skate uphill cause their asses don't like the ski lift."

>I wonder what could be...

[WOOT! WOOT! WOOT! SING WITH ME!]

{NOOOOOOO}

[You've been hit by, you've been struck by, a smooth criminal!]

'I'm going to kill myself if you two keep this up.'

[Are you okay, are you okay Caddy? Hey are you okay, are you okay Caddy?]

{OOOOOOOOOO}

'...29.'

>42.

'...Bite me.'

>I didn't even say anything!

'You thought it. And stay away from Cadence, or I'll hurt you.'

>I WAS JUST STANDING HERE!

'Whatever.'

>...She can moonwalk rather well.

'Noted. Goodbye.'

[WOOO! DUHDODUHDO! DUHDODODODODODODODO!]

{OOOOOOO}

>...This park is fucked.

"LANGUAGE HOMIE!"
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>Chrysalis
"Pinkie"
'Dash'
[IR]
{CQ}
~???~
-???-
(???)
~~~~
>She's not coming back, is she?

"Huh. Wonder what could've been so important, you know?"

'Maybe Discord is being a jerk about this.'

"Can't she just turn his powers off?"

'Apparently. So maybe she found another clone?'

[Clone?]

"Don't ask. No, seriously, every time we try to ask her she just gets all sad and hair-hidey."

{Then we shall not ask.}

>...Do you all hear... pop music?

From the sky, a pink figure dropped down, landing right in front of them.

~YOU KNOW I'M BAD! I'M BAD! COME ON!~

"Bad Bad-Really, Really Bad!"

~YOU KNOW I'M BAD! I'M BAD! COME ON, YOU KNOW IT!~

"Bad Bad-Really, Really Bad!"

~And the whole world has to answer right now, just to tell you once again, who's bad...~

>'[{...}]'

~What's up?~

'Uh, Cadence? Why are you busting out into pop routines?'

"You need a reason to burst out into pop routines?"

~What? I'm not-~

[Oh, this is Shining Armor's first wife?]

{She seems nice, daughter. Very lively.}

~No no, I'm the one who does the paperwork. You know, maintenance stuff, budgetary reports, dealing with foreign trade policies, stuff like that.~

[...That isn't the princess?]

~...~

>"'~PFFFFTTHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH~'"

>Ooooohhh... that's a good feeling. Where is Caddy, anyway?

~She's been standing over there going "NOOOO!" this whole conversation.~

'...That wasn't a ride gear grinding?'

(OOOOOOOOOOOOO)

>What's her problem?

~Oh, nothing much, except she totally got SCHOOOOOOLED! WOOO!~

(OOOOOOOOOO)

*SMACK!*

-Majesty That was unnecessary!-

(OW!... Do you mind!?)

>Your noise? Yes. I mind. And I showed you what I thought of it, with my hoof.

(Well... it hurt!)

>Suck it up.

(42!)

-...Uh...-

(Crud, right... Pinkie? Dash? Little backup?)

'Have we actually had a solid conversation before now?'

"I don't know what's going on!"

(...)

~Well, for those of you feeling lost, me and Caddy had a little bet. And, let's just say... well, you saw the dance number.~

[We did.]

{Nice moves.}

~Thank you, Mister Rock, Misses Quartz.~

(You know them?)

~Noooo, they're only the top sellers of all foundational rock material in all of Equestria, and head of their own railway system that intersects through four of ours. I certainly see no reason to know their rates, frequent customers and favorite pies.~

[Very well read.]

{Though, we admit, we thought our transactions were with the Princess, not you.}

~Good, that's how it's supposed to look. Might want to keep that one a secret. I had intended to, but Caddy just had to blow it, again.~

(AT LEAST I HAVE SOMETHING TO BLOW!)

~...~

>Pffthahaha.

(...NOT LIKE THAT!... I hate that SO MUCH... never do that...gets in my hair...)

'In a desperate attempt to get off topic-'

>Spoilsport.

'-what did you win?'

~...~

"Well, that's a nice smile."

>CADDY I SWEAR TO MY MOTHER'S SOUL IF YOU BET SHINY NOOKIE ON THIS, I WILL... be really jealous, actually. Really, really jealous.

(NO! I just bet him riding in the tunnel of love!)

>AWWWW! Caddy, seriously!? I've been trying all day to get that, and you just give it up to 18!?

~I will break out into another song, do not tempt me.~

-She'll do it. I've seen her.-

[You bet your husband going down a romantic ride with another mare?]

(I was sure I was going to win!)

{...}

"...Uh oh..."

[Well... you know what they say.]

{You make the biggest mistakes on the first try.}

[Come, daughter, I think you needed to ask your purple friend a question?]

"Uh... yeah, I do."

~We'll join, I'm still looking for Shiny so I can totally collect!~

{Very well.}

>...Well, that's a fun look.

(What did they mean by that?)

"Um... nooooothing..."

>...This is going to be fun, isn't it?

"For you, maybe."

>If I were a male, I want you to know I would be rock hard right now.

'...Ew...'

(I have a bad feeling.)

"...Good..."
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>Fluttershy
"???"
~~~

>NGH!

With a burst of rockets, the snake formed out of intersecting candy cane pieces was blown apart.

>HNGH!

Another blast, another death. This time via a doll made of cotton candy and licorice.

>Phew...

"Indeed, my oh so yellow friend Fluttershy. You seem to be having a bit of a problem, can I ask why?"

>EEP!

The zebra couldn't help but chuckle in amusement as she leapt away.

"So shocking is my appearance you silly mare? I thought we were long past the point where you would care."

>O-oh no! This has nothing to do with your looks, I'm sorry, I'm just really on edge, really!

"Fluttershy really, it was just a joke. I did not know I would worry you with the words I spoke."

>I'm sorry, I'm just... I'm just having a hard time with this.

"Ahhh, Discords magic is once again causing all sorts of havoc and disarray. Ruining what was meant to be a happy day. Where is the one who's caused such strife? He handle this and let you live your life."

>He... he's not around. This was, um, an accident.

"Ahhh. Well, in that case, I would be happy to help you disperse them. I have quite the assortments of items, my favorite is this blue gem."

>No!... I mean, no, I'll handle this, it's my responsibility. You go have fun, Zecora.

"...Fluttershy, I do not know your story, but I am good at giving advice. The tighter you hold your secrets close, the more they will choke you like a vice. There can be no good by keeping things from those who can assist. Of those who could come to your aid, there is a very long list."

>...No, I have to handle this.

"Very well, I will leave you to your duty. Such a shame, I hoped we could go get one of those milkshakes so fruity."

>Sorry, Zecora... I'll make it up to you later.

There was a slight, awkward pause, almost as if Zecora waited for her to change her mind.

Nonetheless, she left.

>...Well, that was awkward... now...

Slightly irritated eyes turned on a bear made of a circus tent, and fire.

>Where were we...
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>Actarius
"Jugglejack"
'Arana'
~~~~

>Okay, this should not be this hard. Seriously. We've hit everyone except the guys we want to find. We've had to hide three times now.

"Are you looking for me for answers? Don't look at me, I just nod and let you do what you want, I have no idea how this works."

>Hey, you're not that bad!

"I just move how I think you want me to move, it's mostly instinctual."

>Well, if it makes you feel any better, I never noticed.

'AHHH!'

>GAH!

"WHATWHATWHAT!?'

'What's wrong with that pony!?'

>...Which one?

"Yeah, they all look fine."

'What do you mean, 'which one'!? THAT ONE!'

>The yellow mare?

'NO! The blue one! The one that is love-darned SPARKLING!'

>...The crystal pony?

'You can make ponies out of crystals!?'

>Uh, no. That's just... how they look.

'What!? How does that work!? I've never seen them! And I've been all over!'

>They just recently came out of a thousand years of imprisonment.

'So... are they actually made of crystal? Is that their skin? How does that work!?'

>...

"...Well? I kind of want to know this too, I've only seen like, one, from afar."

>...I, uh... I don't know either. I know of them, and I've fought with several in training exercises, but I don't like... know any of them. I don't know if that's their skin or what.

"I always wanted to ask, but I'm kind of worried they'll take offense."

>To be honest, me too.

"...Are we racist?"

>Oh man, I think we're racist.

"I don't want to be racist!"

>You think I do!? I'm the one complaining because everyone is racist against you! Now I just feel like a hypocrite.

"...What, really?"

>Are you surprised?

"...No..."

'Now you know how I feel!'

"...OH LOVE! I AM A RACIST!"

>I thought you said you were just a changeling with magic legs-

'SHHHHHH! He's on a roll!'

"What is wrong with me!? My Queen says a couple scary stories about her, and all of a sudden I'm treating her like a monster!? I whine all the time when the guards shove me out of my spot on the street and make me go back to the ballroom, but I'm just as bad! WHAT IS WRONG WITH MEEEEE!?"

'You could just stop, you know.'

"...Just like that?"

'Well, you have been really helpful to me so far! Just, I don't know, don't stop doing that?'

"...You know what, you're right! The Queen doesn't know what she's talking about, clearly! You're a changeling like any other! HUG ME, SISTER!"

'YAAAAYYYYY! Finally! A changeling besides Two I can talk to!'

>Dawww... can I get in on that?

"Yes! Hugs for all! Changeling, Spider-ling and pony, together!"

>Well said!

And hug they did, right in the middle of the path, forcing everyone to walk around the 'weirdos.'

>...So are we going to ask that crystal pony what's up with the sparkle thing, ooooorr...

"..."

'...Ehhhh...'

>Just checking.
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>Screwloose
“AJ12”
‘???’
______

Fwheeeee!

“…”

Fwheeeeeeee!

“…Um.”

Fuh-weeeee!

“What… what’re you doing, Screwy?”

>Ohohohoho, no. No, my little chew toy, you haven’t known me long enough to use such a lover-esque pet-name.

“But you are. You are screwy. In the head. Completely mental. That’s not a pet-name, that’s a clear as day observational fact after spending the last couple of days with you.”

>Nice assessment, chewie. But business calls so if you’ll excuse me.

And she gave the party favor between her lips another hard blow.

Fwheeeeee!

“Why’re you doing that?”

>Hm? Can’t you feel it?

“That gnawing urge to run now lest I lose my sanity and wind up in a cell next to you? Yes.”

>Ha, sanity. Such an obsolete concept in a world where ghosts and demons are as normal as a cup of tea.

“…what?”

>Your senses must be dull, chewie, if you can’t feel this.

“Feel what?”

>The party going on. I’m doing my part, see?

Fwhee-he-he-heeee!

“Did I miss a notice about someone’s birthday?”

>Not that kinda party, chewie.

“Okay... fine. You win. I told myself I wasn’t going to ask but fuck it-”

>Butt fuck what, and when? …Me?

“-because this is getting annoying so I’ll just ask. Why do yo keep calling me ‘chewie’?”

>Because I remember you. Vaguely. I think I… bit you? That right?

“Huh… yeah, that was me. I didn’t think you’d recall that.”

>It was probably during one of my more intense scripted insanity acts. If I don’t throw shit against the walls or bite a visitor at least once a week I might be seen as recovering and lose this room.

“…”

>It’s to protect my investment, I'm sure you understand.

“…”

>I’m fucking with you, chewie. Relax, enjoy the party.

Fwheeeee!

“Oh boy would you look at the time welp gotta go see ya later bye!”

SLAM.

>Ha, he didn’t even wonder how I got this party favor in my mouth while confined to this straightjacket.

‘You know damn well you bit him on purpose that day, Screwloose.’

>Hey, sometimes you have to get creative when obtaining DNA. I couldn’t let such a golden opportunity slip away now could I?

A sigh with no tangible body to issue it met Screwloose’s ear.

‘Must you always weird out the help?’

>Pot calling the kettle much? You being dead yet still visible and vocal is weirding ME out so, yeah, don’t wanna hear it.

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>AJOO7
"JS"
~~~~

Should one have been looking just close enough, they would have noticed a pair of green eyes peering out from the shadow between two tents.

Angry, narrowed eyes.

>Damn it...

He was sure he had been right on her tail this time! He could practically taste her power, her rage. It felt sometimes like he was literally biting at a trail of smoke. Just enough flavor to tell him he's going in the right direction, but nothing to sink his teeth into, or even know if the source remained at all.

"Pathetic, you-... ow."

Keeping a smirk off his face was impossible, OO7 realized.

>Did you seriously just get hit by that?

A paperclip was tossed back from the shadow opposite of him, bouncing harmlessly off his chitin.

"I am in a more relaxed state. Or at least, I was. You presence is worrying me. Failure yet again?"

>No different than your own. At the very least, I got within a mile of her before the train.

"And yet, your added knowledge of Changeling tactics were not much of an aide in the end, was it?"

>No more so than those questions to 'your Queen' were, I suppose.

"Cut to the chase, do you have reason to suspect she is here?"

>No. I have no reason to think that, but I do have a feeling in my gut. A bad one.

"It is imperative you tell me if you know."

>Do not kid yourself, with the recent data from the attack on the train, we now both know that even if circumstances were perfect, we have no hope of even injuring the Titan. Nothing in our arsenal matches the firepower Spike used at point blank, and she shrugged it off.

"I have no desire to face her, and I know of it's futility. I ask to see if I need to discreetly move my Queen to safety."

>You do not wish her to fight?

"She could defeat your titan, I am sure of it..."

>You don't sound sure.

"...regardless, I will not risk some outside force interfering, or a lucky blow being dealt."

>Very well, I will inform you if I find evidence, and you are free to flee. My Queen will be here, regardless.

"You are not ready to evacuate your own Queen?"

>No, for you see, my queen gave me direct orders not to engage, and to let her deal with it. I have every confidence she can defeat Chitania, just as her mother did. Victory is assured, for one of us. Enjoy racing your 'queen' off to safety, while we handle it. I'm sure that would look great in the papers, not that Celestia can look much worse at this point. Hope they don't start thinking she's afraid of Changelings.

"...Burn in hell."

>Love you too.

He didn't have to look too hard to realize the other presence had left.

>... I need to meet new friends, I think. The only stallion in my life can't be that asshole.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chitania
" Leiodidae "
' Agathidium '
~~~~~~

This ride was annoying. It was supposed to be a ride that took her all around the area, hopefully allowing her to finally spy her elusive target of the food court, but instead she simply was forced to sit as it went 'around' the area, as in, circling it. She couldn't see anything close to the center, and she wasn't disguised as a pegasus when she had boarded this ride. She was stuck, and that was, of course, annoying her.

Not that it made her any more annoyed than usual, of course. Nothing made her more annoyed than usual. Nothing since when her damn horn would...

>What was I thinking... Heh...

Against all sanity, she actually found herself smirking at the thought. The thought of the very first time...

~~~~~~~

Her hive had been traveling for quite a while by now. Thankfully, this area had more than it's fair share of bandits, and she just looked such the tempting target as a small earth pony. Those ponies thought they would be getting her wealth and maybe a free rutting, but all they got was beaten within an inch of their lives and drained of what little love they had. It was effective, no doubt. She was never over-fed, but her mother's hive never starved. She would have to be more effective someday, of course. One day, when she had her own...

>...What the?

How odd... her horn had started to flicker. That... that was strange. That had never happened before. Still, if she concentrated, maybe-

"Come."

>GAH!

She realized how undignified this looked, but she couldn't help it. When you are a member of a race such as the Changelings, you tend to be extra weary of voices in your head.

>...Who...

"Come."

Ah. She recognized this feeling. This was not some force from beyond speaking to her, it was simply a Changeling attempting to take over her mind.

>Who are you, Queen?

Her horn dimmed in response, the fear of being discovered clearly taking it's toll. She had been seeking to completely control, and now she found nothing but a wall of growing annoyance.

"...C-come?"

Seething, her rage began to grow.

>Who. Are. You.

The voice that sounded so powerful, so commanding, now was barely a whisper.

"...Please come."

It was laced with desperation. Every syllable tortuously let out.

>...Where are you?

She detected something in the link... hope, perhaps? Regardless, she felt it aiming her, magically. A sixth sense pointing her somewhere off in the distance... but not far.

"...Please come..."

Internally, Chitania warred with herself as the connection cut out. On the one side, she did just try to take over her mind and command her like a damn drone. On the other...

>Keep everyone hidden in this location, wait for my return.

Her soldier knew better than to question her. He simply did as told, and everyone moved back. They would remain, or face her wrath. Alone, she took off into the air, headed towards, well, she didn't know. She didn't know what to expect. It could have been anything. A mercenary group, a particularly skilled batch of sorcerers, maybe even a...

A giant fucking Ursa Major, it might be that. One who was currently beating and crushing Drones left and right while their Queen ineffectually fired off shots that, from the looks of things, were the results of several weeks of starvation. It spied her in the air, and sought to add another dead to it's tally.

It found only her rage.

The battle after that was hazy, to say the least. All she knew is that, eventually, there was a dead starbear behind her, and she was towering over a wimpy looking, tired Queen. The silence was palpable as she glared down at her, the smaller thing knowing that, right now, her life was in the Titan's grasp.

>...How did you manage to set off an Ursa Major, Leiodidae?

She snarled, casting her eyes downward.

"It was a beast owned by the lord of this land. I sought him out for a meal to feed them, but upon discovery of his body, his sister was... upset.”

Slowly, Chitania's eyes narrowed into a glare.

>Were you discovered?

“...No, thankfully, she still thinks me a pegasus. I was wise enough to leave my army beyond the walls.”

>But not wise enough not to lead his beast to them.

She had nothing to say to that.

>...We will have to burn this area to the ground.

“I have no magic to start the fire.”

>Hrm.

Nonchalantly, Chitania's own horn sparked, and a messy flame shot out... And then fizzled almost comically upon the ground.

Annoyed, she tried again, and again.

>FINALLY!

“Your flame magic is...”

A heated glare cut that off quickly.

“...a boon, thank you.”

The other Queen sighed, and gestured towards her remaining hive.

“Take whichever ones you want, just leave me enough to get by.”

Grunting, the larger Queen waved her off.

>My own hive is strong, I have no need of yours.

“Then... do you want something else? Something more... personal? I suppose I prefer that to being eaten by an Ursa Major. Do you want us to find privacy, or would it be a bigger thrill for you if they watched?”

>A bigger thrill? What on earth are you...

Even after all these years, she remembered the disgust.

>No! I don't want to... NO! What is wrong with you!?

Such wide, confused eyes.

“...You don't want my soldiers, you don't want me to service you... what do you want?”

>What do I want? You called me! I didn't plan this, you didn't even tell me what the hell you were fighting!

Confused eyes that only grew wider.

“Then... you just... helped me?”

>Of course I fucking helped you, you idiot! For all I knew you were going to get discovered. Your incompetence almost got you killed, and the whole secret of the Changelings rendered moot. We have remained hidden for millennia, I couldn't just leave you to die!

'Is she serious?'

Such a cocky little voice. Such a cocky, annoying little voice.

“Daughter! Bite your tongue, you are in the presence of a Queen!”

'Mother, this cannot be a Queen. Queens do not help one another, they leave them to die and then take their hives as a trophy. Clearly, she has been replaced.'

Before she could voice her disdain, Leiodidae drove the point home with a burst of magic right to the skull.

“I SAID BITE YOUR TONGUE, AGATHIDIUM!”

And bite she did, her eyes bugging out comically as her own fangs sank into flesh.

“...Please, do not kill her. She is still very young, and very stupid.”

>Peh, if the words of a grub moved me, I would have mauled half of the hives already... Hrm.

“Is something the matter?”

>Your mind magic, it is... quite unique. You could call out to me even as far away as I was. How?

“It is the power of my hive. A useless one, I am afraid. With it, I can hone in on the magic of a Queen, and only a Queen, and reach out to their minds. But it is impossible to do anything with it. Against such a large distance, I could not even control a slug. Even as close as you were, I could not even scratch the surface of your... able mind.”

>You do not have to be fallacious, my mind magics are terrible.

“Still, even yours, with my power at it's fullest, would be an impossibility.”

>Then, tell me, have you any attachment to this technique?

“You wish it? It is yours.”

>Good. But I want more.

“As if I were in any position to object...”

>I want you to teach it to every Queen.

Her head snapped up, shocked.

“Every Queen? But why!?”

>Because right now, we are scattered, we are divided. Dozens of us die every year, and we have to find out through hearsay and investigations. With this, they can call out, and maybe we can prevent a problem before it starts.

“You... you would help us if we called?”

>I did for you, did I not? They are dying, you fool... maybe it's time to try a new tactic.

It was a short, brief consideration on Leiodidae's part.

“If it means your aide will be there for me in the future, I will give it willingly.”

>Good.

She spared a bit of love, perhaps a bit more than expected by the other Queen's shocked expression, but she would like at least a little break between saving her stupid ass.

>Inform the other Queens as to what I have said, and flee this area before the fire kills those idiots.

“Of course.”

>Try not to get yourself in more danger for too long. My salvation to you may very well have been a bout of madness I will get over.

Her wings buzzed to life, and she remembered taking off. It was faint, but she heard them as she left. So quiet, but she can recall it so clearly...

'Is she mad, mother?'

“Perhaps, my daughter. But perhaps that madness may one day be your salvation, so learn your place.”

'...You are staring at her.'

“Hmm... I kind of wish she had asked for-”

~~~~~

Huh. That was all she remembered. Weird.

It seemed so long ago now, so many battles, so many saved, so many met and worked with and grown...

>What a waste of time.

The ride was long, far too long.

But for reasons she would never understand, she was still smiling the whole time.

>Nothing but a waste of time...
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>32
"Dream!2"
'Morlocks'
-Blueblood-
{???}

"-and that's when I started living with Shiny!"

>Indeed?

"Mhm, he's the best, he gives me Marchmalleys and hugs and he's the nicest pony in the whole wide world!"

32 smiles, as they had embarked on their search for the surface, the smaller changeling had grown more animated speaking of her life above. The life 32 intends to return her to, the life he wishes to experience for himself.

The living on the surface, anyway, the pretty dresses he could take or leave.

"And now a whole bunch of us live there, 18, 42, 29-but he's a meanie and gets thrown out quick!-, and Not-Mom too!"

>Not-Mom?

"Chrysalis, the Queen. She says she's not my mom."

32's heart skips a beat. The Queen alive!? Truly a most fortuitous event! But...what would her reaction be to their failure? That eleven of her best and brightest had been brought low before the might of what was supposed to be a mere passageway to their victory? He fears a very deserved execution was in order...

>The Queen lives?

"Mhm!"

>In the Empire?

"Mmmhm!"

>With the very royals we wished to supplant?

"...we were gonna give them plants? I don't remember that bein' the plan..."

>Sorry, overtake, invade, that kind of thing.

"Ohhhh, yep, she's living with all of us! Sometimes she goes back to Canterlot though."

>...and she and they are on good terms?

"Well she does rub her butt on Shiny's desk a lot...but he doesn't get that mad!"

>Astounding, the mercy of ponies knows no bounds...

This conversation and many like it happen as they trudge through the tunnels and caves on their search for sunlight. 32 learns of the helmeted warrior known as 42, he learns of the dragon with a heart of hardened gold, of pony royals and gods of chaos, of battles and loves and fun and marvels of both technology and magic.

It fills him with a hope has not felt in ages.

"Mr. 32?"

>Yes, little one?

"I'm getting tired..."

>I know you are, but take heart, I plead, surely there must be a sign our journey is nearing its end.

He is not sure of this, he does not like lying to her, not telling her the caves are a twist and a gnarl, just as likely to hinder as help. But to tell her so could break her spirit, and that would help no one-

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The loud sounds of some kind of weapon going off echo out, 32 drops low, taking 2 with him, he is prone and ready to pounce. A panicked voice cries out.

-GET AWAY FROM ME YOU SAVAGES!-

'Tulkashim suvrushnak!"

-BACK!-

BANG!

"Mr. 32, I think that's Blueblood!"

>And he's drawing the entire mountain down on top of him, the fool! We need to run, 2.

"But Mr. 32, I...Blueblood's a jerk, and a meanie, and he hurt Spike and tried to hurt all of us but...I don't think we should leave him here."

>Of course we should leave him to his fate, from what I hear he...deserves...

He looks down at her, those glistening eyes, that pleading droop of her ears...

The lovedamned wibble.

>...but that does not mean we shall. Hide yourself, little one, I shall see if the beasts cannot be scared away again.

"Thank you, Mr. 32!"

She hugs him, he smiles.

>No, my dear, thank you. Now hide, I've work to do.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NON CANON

That night, everyone, by some miracle had found themselves gathered for dinner, thankfully, because the place was developed by Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich, that meant they accounted for huge, and literal parties in many of the restaurants.

"For the last time, Sparklebutt, I don't have a damn idea about the old Changeling spiritual beliefs. Religion, arts, history, that shit was all Sciderella's." chrysalis dismissed Twilight for the third time that night.

The princess in question was left with her jaw hanging open. "Unbelievable! And why is she a bad changeling again?"

"Remember? Melted ponies alive? And changelings too? Ate the remains?"

"Honestly, that doesn't sound like she's worse than any other queen. I mean remember that time you went on that heavy ice cream binge and stuck 56 in your mouth?" 18 grinned and got a literal rise out of Chrysalis who slammed her hooves on the table.

"I WAS HORMONAL-"

"When are you not?" Celestia slipped in

"AND ON MY PERIOD! That and it was a really emotional, and MUSICAL episode of The Colt and the Beautiful." She finished, shouting over Celestia's barb.

"Chrysalis, we've talked about hooves on the table." Chining Armor chided.

"This isn't our table!"

Pinkie Pie opened her mouth to protest only for Chrysalis to then shout: "AND YOU'RE NOT MY REAL MOM! YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" She proceeded to flip her dinner in Pinkie's direction and run off.

There was silence at the table for several moments until Diamond Tiara spoke up: "okay, I want everyone here to promise me to kick my ass if I ever get that bad on when I start getting my periods."

Suddenly, Chrysalis stormed back in.

"I'M ORDERING DESSERT THROUGH ROOM SERVICE, DOES ANYONE WANT ANYTHING?!"

More silence, and then Spike finally set aside his plate and raised his arm. "I'd like a brownie and chocolate chip cookie sundae, i can give you the money for it." He said reaching for his wallet.

"NO NEED, THIS ONE'S ON ME! ANYONE ELSE?" More silence. "OKAY! I'LL BE AT THE ROOM!"

Then she stormed back out.

"So..." Silver Spoon asked while awkwardly pushing her food around the plate. "Besides menstruation, any one know what that was about? I mean I've never seen a mare act like that."

"I thought you'd all figure it out by now." 77 spoke up calmly. "She's a drama queen."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>56
"AJ13"
'Luna'
_________

"...H-hey, 56."

>Hey, 13.

"Um... are you okay?"

>I'm perfectly fine. Why do ya ask?

"Because y-you've been standing here facehooving yourself for the past twenty minutes now. In fact, you're still d-doing it..."

>I'm fine.

"...I don't think you're fine."

>I am. I'm just... reacquaintin' myself with my hoof, noticin' things and... stuff.

"O-oh... and, um... totally unrelated but why is Luna flying all around the ferris wheel and shooting it with blasts of magic?"

>'Cuz she thinks it's a creature coughed up from the bowels of Tartarus...

'MOST FOUL WHEEL OF DOOM, RELEASE THOSE PONIES OR FACE MY WRATH!'

>See?

"Oh... is that why you're facehooving?"

>Told ya, just examinin' my hooves.

"Uh-huh. You look like you need a hug... W-would you like a hug, 56?"

>Nah, I'll be f-

'TRYING TO DISRUPT THIS MOST JOYOUS OF DAYS ARE YOU? NOT WHILE I BREATHE, DEMON! HAVE AT THEE!'

>...on second thought, yes. I would love a hug.

"Okay."

>...

"...n-not there."

>Sorry. ...Gotta say tho', for bein' so unlucky, you sure got lucky with this butt.

"Meep..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Rarity
"Applejack"
~~~~

>A WHOLE DAY!?

"Ah know, right?"

>We spent a whole day doing this, and didn't find him!

"Kinda' confusin', actually."

>And what did we do instead!? All we did was...

"...What's tha' matter?"

>We went on the sliding slopper, and the moon gravitas, and the springer sproket, and...

"...Dang, did we really go on all that stuff?"

>We totally almost won that necklace pair too.

"Ya' mean ya' almost bankrupted us with yer' terrible bowlin'."

>I will win it eventually!

"Sure ya' will, and Ah'll eventually devote mah life ta' peaches. So, what do ya' want ta' do now."

>I... huh.

"Huh?"

>...Were we supposed to meet up at the hotel?

"Yeah, should be headin' there soon since the sun's goin' down, why?"

>Because...

And, of course, that's when she saw him. Right over Applejack's shoulder, she saw the all too familiar color of lavender. The all too familiar green spines poking up over his head, and the bright pink annoyance dragging him along.

>Because...

He was right there, perfect time to go and get him, and drag him off to a more romantic dinner or something. Applejack would help her, she knew it. She just had to...

>...Because, Darling! We have time for just one more ride, and I know you were eyeballing that one where you get slingshotted into a net.

"Ah' was eyeballin' it because it looked so gal-danged unsafe."

>Oh please, I know that look in your eye! Come come! We simply must get this out of the way before we head back to the hotel!

"Don't ya' want ta' keep lookin'?"

>Oh pshaw, he'll be at the hotel! And I'll make doubly sure he does not leave me behind tomorrow morning! But really, Applejack Darling, what's more important? We spend time looking around who knows where, or we go on one more ride while we have the chance?

"...Ah' s'pose yer' right."

>Of course I am, was there ever any doubt! Come! I want to see if which of us can get flung higher. My lithe figure is sure to give me an edge!

"Alright, alright, let's go."

With the white former unicorn just ahead of her, at last Applejack could let her expression lower just a bit, and her eyes to flicker back just in time to see his tail slink around the corner. A fantastic liar, Rarity was not.

Honestly, that just made it worse.

"Dang it, Rarity... why you gotta make me feel like dirt..."

>What was that, darling?

"Ah' said dang it, Rarity, why you gotta make me do stuff that hurts?"

>You, complaining about a little roughing up? My goodness! Who are you and what have you done with my dear Applejack!

"Ah' meant rattle mah stomach, ya' sissy. We just shared four cotton candy bombs."

>Well, that just means your expression will be all the funnier!

"...Heh. Frickin' priss."

>You know you love me!

"Ahhh, ya' give yerself too much credit."

Even though a part of her still felt worry at the prospect of what was going to happen later.... Damn if it didn't feel good to take a seat next to her, and hold on tight as they were flung though the air.

"...Or maybe not enough."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>SA
"2"
'Celestia'
[Twilight]
{Chrysalis}
~Pinkie~
-Dash-
(18)
=Cadence=
^42^
:IR:
;CQ;
~~~~~~

>Do we have to?

"Nope!"

>Rhetorical question, 2.

"And I gave ya' a rhetorical answer!"

>That's not what that means, rhetorical means I didn't expect an answer.

"But I wasn't expectin' ya' ta answer after nope either, ya' were supposed ta' just accept it."

>...

'She is going to rule the world someday.'

"YAAAAY! MARCHMALLEYS FOR EVERYONE!"

[And the Equestria fell, the victims of a widespread case of diabetes.]

"NU UH! I WOULDN'T GIVE 'EM DIAWHATSISTS! I'mma give 'em marchmalleys! Two different things!... The... the number... not the me."

>Back to my original point, do we really have to find them again? We could just not.

'And what are you worried about?'

>Besides the fact her parents won't let that 'we're dating' idea go? I have a bad, bad feeling.

[Who's bad?]

>I don't know. I just know that whenever we find them, I'm going to feel regret, and pain.

'Oh, you drama queen-'

{AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAH!}

>...

'...Okay, now you can panic.'

{SHINY! OH F-... FLUB, SHINY! SHINY SHINY SHINY! You are not going to believe this! No, no seriously, you areAHAHAHAHAthis is gooooooold!}

>I taste sadness and fear.

[Be strong, BBBFF.]

~Don't tell him!~

-Yeah, let 18 tell him, that'll be way funnier.-

(No no, please, let's leave this one to Cadence. Cadence, do you have something to saaaaaayyyy?)

=...=

^This feels cruel.^

>Uh, honey? You okay? You don't look okay.

=...=

:It is no other fault but your own.:

;At least live up to the mistakes.;

=...=

"Caddy? OH NO! Can ya' not talk anymore!? SOMEONE GET HER A TALKER!"

'...Why do you look like you're about to break out into a dance routine?'

(Wait for it.)

'No, really, I can practically hear the nineties pop music starting.'

(Wait for iiiiit...)

=...I uh...=

>You, uh, what?

=...I may have... lost a bet.=

>Oh, baby, I'm sorry. Do you have to do something embarrassing? What is it, sing karaoke or something? Run around proclaiming yourself the chicken god?

=Um...=

>Well, regardless, I want you to know I'll be right there with you, no matter how embarrassing or outrageous it is! No matter how malicious... Chrysalis.

{Not me.}

>Oh... Pinkie?

~Nopers!~

>...Dash?

-Try again.-

>...42?

(ME! She lost a bet with ME!)

>...OH! Oh hey, that's a relief, you're not going to ask her to do anything too humiliating.

(Nope!)

>Ah, well, it can't be all that bad. What did you bet?

=...=

>...okay, seriously Cadence, you're scaring me.

=I... I bet you...=

>...

'Oh, FU- MPH!'

:Your throwing arm is as strong as ever.:

;Thank you, husband.;

*BLOOP!*

"Hey! I can't hear anymore! Not fair!

>Me?

=Uh...=

>Wow, uh, WHAT!? CADENCE! YOU CAN'T- I MEAN, I WOULDN'T- I MEAN HOLY WHAT WITH THE WHAT NOW!?

"Why is Shiny's eye's buggin' out!? What's goin' on!?"

=W-well, I was really sure I was going to win, you know? It was about love! I never lose in games of love!=

>CADENCE WHAT!?

=I'm soooorrrryyyyy!=

>I just-...

' *PTOO!* wow. Just wow, Cadence. Wow. Double u, oh, double u.'

[YOU BET MY- Are we sure that bubble is secure? Because I have a giant marchmalley ray that I've been dying to show her.]

"...Why is Auntie Twilight pointing at me!?"

[Good...YOU BET MY BBBFF ON A GAME!? He's not a piece of jerky, Cadence!]

=I knooooow! It was a heat of the moment thing!=

~Uh, guys? Chrysalis has been howling with laughter this whole time, it looks like she's having trouble breathing... scratch that, she might be dead.~

-We can only pray. Also, hush, this is getting good.-

>Cadence, I'm just... I'm stunned, really.

=I'M SORRRRYYYYYYY! I thought there was ONE thing I could do that was good, and useful, and awesome, but it turns out I'm useless in EVERYTHIIIIING!=

>...Oh, oh honey no! You're not useless! You're beautiful, and powerful, and you are smart, really! Just not in the "Twilight" way!

=NO I'M NOOOOOOOT=

>You are! Really!

=Y-you're just sayin that!=

>I'm not, believe me!

= *Sniffle* Y-you mean it?=

>Of course, of course I do.

=S-shinnyyyyy! You're supposed to be mad!=

>...I am a little bit. I mean, wow. Just out of curiosity, this is an honor thing, right? I'm not going to get my soul eaten if I don't agree to have sex with 18, right?

=...WHAT!?=

[DON'T TELL ME HE IS!?]

'CADENCE! NO! BAD! NO RISKING SOULS!'

=I-it's just a ride on the tunnel of love, I didn't bet you sleeping with her!=

>...Oh.

[THAT'S WHAT YOU MADE IT SOUND LIKE!]

=I did not!=

~You did.~

-Totally did.-

;No question you did.;

=...Well, it's not!=

(Come on, would I really bet your soul on you boning me? That's just offensive to me.)

>Huh... got a point. Sorry for doubting you?

(Apology will be accepted post me going down that long, looooong tunnel with you in all that romantic atmosphere. Mmm, oh yeah. Very... romantic.)

>See, this is why I have doubts. Let's just... go back to the hotel, I'll fulfill my part of the bet tomorrow, okay?

(Sure, I trust you.)

>Good.. honey? No more bets with me, okay? None. This is bad.

=I'M SOOOOORRRYYYYYY!=

>Noted, just... just don't do it... is Chrysalis dead?

{GLK!}

>Not dead, cool. Not kissing you back to life, by the by.

{BETRAYAL!}

>...

{...I mean, gurgle.}

{...So, do they serve dinner at the hotel?}

>Man, I hope so... come on.

"I STILL CAN'T HEAR ANYTHIN'!"

>You know what? Let's wait till we're in the room, just to be safe.

=...I feel bad.=

:You should.:

;Good day, Princess.:

=...=

^A-hem...^

=Yeah, 42?=

^You are not useless, no matter what anyone, even yourself, says. End of story.^

=Awww... t-thanks. Thanks for coming with, 42.=

^O-of course. Anytime.^

>Cadence, come on!

=Coming!=

^......Anytime.....^
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>DT
"Spike"
'SS'
{Security}
~~~~
>Wow, I didn't think security would be that sore about the duck stand.

"You made a lot of kids cry."

>But it was pretty funny.

'DT, I'm getting tired. Can we call it a night?'

>We haven't really done much, but I guess it's time. Let me just claim a souvenir first.

"What sort of souvenir?"

~Later~
{Get back here with that fireworks rocket!}

>You should have accepted my bribe when you had the chance!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________