Thread 43: Stories 46-60

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>10
"Mayor"
{BBB}
~~~

One of the benefits to being a changeling.

You never have to worry about getting in the 'makeup chair'.

As such, despite the fact she had just been next to a volcano not three hours ago, she was prim and ready to do her interview with the mayor of Fillydelpia in the time it took to fwoosh up some fire.

>Thanks for seeing me again, Mr Mayor!

"Oh, of course! I really loved your piece you did on our dance festival a few months back."

>Thanks! But, uh, this one is going to be a little less... lighthearted.

"...Oh?"

>Yes, well, I've been doing a lot of investigating, and I've been noticing some... discrepancies?

The mayor lost his more jovial look, eyes narrowing.

"Oh?"

>Yeah. It seems you guys got quite a big surplus from Canterlot for 'preparations', but they're pretty far behind schedule. As in, they've barely been worked on at all.

"Standard delays, happens all the time in construction. Nonetheless, we are currently working on it and it is in progress."

>That's good, really, but I also need to point out that despite the delays, the budget is still on par with if it had been worked on anyway.

He frowned for a moment, before easily slipping back into a fake, warm smile.

"Ten, I will level with you on this one, off the record and everything."

>Uh...

"You see, my contractor came to me a few days after the incident and informed me he could complete the job far, faaar underbudget. Now, I realized that if I came forward with this, I would have to return the money allocated to my city for this, but I said to myself "You know what? If I have it, why not make use of it?"

She froze, her eyes going wide.

>You... you took it?

"Not took, used. I've actually been using this money for several renovation projects, such as completely revamping the lower income quadrant and putting in filters and the like for our running water. Why, we would have taken years to get to this level without this funding, and it's really helping the city out."

She began to fidget, just a bit.

>I mean, yeah, that sounds like good things, and I'm sure they appreciated it, but you broke the law, you lied and took money you didn't need...

"But you see, I had to do this finagling and the like on the paperwork, and I can't come clean now, Otherwise my city would have to pay back the money they didn't use, and we wouldn't get the new project installed at all."

>But if you had been honest in the first place-

"Then I wouldn't get the other projects finished."

>... But... but that's only because you..

His lips curled in a slight smile.

"You're smart, way smarter than anyone gives you credit for, I can tell. So you've got to know if you came out with this now, we'd lose our funding and not get the important project finished at all, don't you? Think about all the poor workers you'd be denying a paycheck, think about all the possible harm it could cause. Are you really willing to risk all of that for a story?"

>But... but I can't just say what you want it to be! That's lying!

"Sometimes it's better just to do a bit of lying to get the most out of it, surely you as a journalist must understand that."

She wanted to scream at him, yell at him, tell him he was wrong, but...

But she had done that, hadn't she?

"And I mean, it's not like I'm hurting anyone, this money was supposed to always come to me anyway, right? I just ensured I got... all of it. So, are you going to go public with your 'findings', or are you going to take the better road and let everyone win?"

She couldn't take anymore. She pushed back out of her seat, and left in a hurry, her metal companion right on her tail.

Alone, the mayor just scoffed to himself.

"Was it something I said?"

She kept going until she was outside, further down the street and tucked away in a dark corner of an alleyway, hiding in the shadows with her legs tucked in close.

{BZZT! ERROR! INTERVIEW HAD NOT CONCLUDED!}

She didn't answer him, instead pressing her hooves to her face.

{...ERROR! RESPONSE NOT APPLICABLE! ERROR! ERROR!}

>SHUT UP!

He did, surprisingly, edging back slightly.

Morosely, she sat back down.

>I'm sorry, BBB... I just... I want to tell the truth...

{...Inquiry, is "Truth" outside of parameters of computation?}

>No, BBB, the truth is just what it is, it isn't complicated... we made it complicated.

Sadly, she looked out over the city. Surely it was at least a slightly better city now, right? Some good came from this, something worthwhile had to have happened.

Almost subconsciously, she pulled out her most recent letter from Trenderhoof. A letter full of REDACTED and scratched out marks everywhere.

>...I'm just starting to think the ones who keep complicating it are the ones who I need to tell the truth about the most.

He was not programmed to respond to her, no parameters for comfort or assurance. So instead...

He simply sat down next to her, and leaned up against her. The only thing in his whirring processor he could come up with.

If he had the capability, he would have felt relief when she smiled, just a bit, and leaned into him.

>Thanks, BBB. Yer the best camerapony.

He could not respond to that either, simply did not have the capability. So, instead, he decided to go another route.

{...Inquiry, what is next objective?}

Silently, she looked out to the bustling metropolis once again and asked herself...

>Yeah... what are we going to do next...
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>SA
"2"
'Teacher'
~~~~

>Hey, sweetie! How was school today?

"...Uh..."

~~~~~~

'Alright, class! Today we're going to learn all about sugar!'

"You mean like the stuff they use ta' make marchmalleys!? YAY!"

'And why too much of it, is a bad thing!'

"...Too much marchmalleys is a bad thing?"

'Yes, that's right.'

"..."

~~~~~~~

>...

"..."

>...So, just to double check, this little paper says you 'incited a revolution and took over the class'?

"...I regret nuffin'."
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>Okay, so, while it is good they're not pressing any charges because you 'looked so adorable in your war makeup and war booties', you realize there will come a time when being cute won't save you, right?

"..."

>...I mean, someday... probably...
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>Chrysalis
"Fluttershy"
'Mane-Iac'
~~~~~

"I feel like this is an abuse of my power..."

>HAH! GO GETUM, MANEY!

'AHHHHAHAHAHHAAHH! THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFFFFFEEEEEEEEEAHAHAHHAHAAHHA!'

"Making me summon chaos monsters for her to fight is wrong."

>Oh, come on, look how much she's enjoying herself!

"...She is doing that, I guess..."

'AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!'

"...Um... go go maney?"

>Now you got it! GO FOR THE LEG! GO FOR THE LEEEEGGGGGG!

"...Yay."`
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>Chrysalis
"AJ"
'Random Changelings'
~~~~~

>...What the hell are they doing?

"Ah' don't know, and ah' don't care."

>...Why... why are they all carrying heavy balls? Who authorized that?

'STRIIIIIKKKKEEE!'

'It's a spare if you get it in two.'

'Yeah, but screaming spare isn't as fun.'

"At least it ain't as bad as those guys."

*WHACK!*

'THE RULES OF BADMITON STATE-'

*WHACK*

'-THAT ONCE THE BIRDY IS IN THE AIR-'

*WHACK!*

'-NO-'

*WHACK!*

'-TOUCHEEEE!'

'Alright, jeez!'

'...Aww, I broke my badmitton racket...'

>...Why.

"Ah' told ya, don't know, don't care."

>...That one has a gun.

"Ah' told him ta' aim fer the head ta' make mah' life easier."

>Their heads, or yours?

"Yes."

>...M'kay.

'HEY! MOVE! WE NEED THIS PLACE FOR THE SOCCER FIELD!'

'NEVER!'

'WAR IT IS, THEN!'

>...Got any popcorn?

"Nope."

>...

"...."

"...Ah' ain't sharin'."

>SHARE!
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NC
>SA
"Spike"
~~~~~

>What do you mean, I can't join!?

"Sorry, man."

>But...WHY!?

"You get enough screentime anyway."

>...what!?

*RIP!*

*SMACK!*

"OW!"

(DON'T STEAL MY BITS!)

"DAMN IT, PINKIE! THAT IS SO HARD TO FIX!"
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>AJ
"Celestia"
'???'
~~~

>Hey, Celestia? Got a question.

"And I have in my hoof an apple. But there is a catch, Applejack! You may only either ask a question, or receive the apple, not both! Your love of tormenting me is at war with your long lost love, I'm sure! Your need to fill your mouth with the delicious taste of this bright red gala is at odds with the taste of whatever horrible thing that is wrong with my kingdom that lies upon your tongue! Oh, what a peril I have put before you! What a choice! But choose you must, and it shall be a choice most perilous! CHOOSE!"

>...Ya' know ah' have, like, a dozen o' them on mah' desk, right?

"...ZAP!"

*BOOOM!*

"NOW YOU HAVE NONE!"

'OW!'

"...Spike? That you?"

>SPIKE!

'WHO SHOT ME!?'

"Uh... Applejack?"

'Oh, okay.'

"...See, everything is-OW!"

>DON'T YOU BE SHOOTIN' MAH DRAGON!

"OW OW OWPUTAWAYTHEBLASTEDPAPEROWOWOW!"

>BAD CELLY!

"ALRIGHT!"

>BETTER... Spike? She hit mah' apples?

'Uh... yes.'

>...M'kay. Celly? Can ya' sign this so Ah' can get the hallway renovated ta' fix what the plushies did?

"Oh... yeah, sure."

>...M'kay, looks like it's all in order here... BAD CELLY!

"OWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!"

>YA' DESERVE THIS!
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>BM
"GS"
~~~~

>Now, granny, ya' ain't gotta send no more apples ta' AJ, she's fine.

"Now don't you be tellin' me what ta' do, mister! Why, how don't'cha know that there ain't some beam o' light cast down from the heavens killin her apples right now, huh? Can' ya' say it ain't happenin, boy!? It might be happenin'! Ah'm right and that's that!"

>...

"...Say the thing ya say."

>...

"...Ah'll get mah whippin' stick."

>....*sigh*.... eeyyyyup.

"There is is!"

>...Ah'm a one trick pony...
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>42
"AJ"
'Random Changelings'
~~~

>Now what are they doing?

"The sports... they're... mergin'."

'Heeyyyyyyy bowlerbowlerbowler! Heeyyyyy bowlerbowlerbowlerbowler, ROLL!'

'HIVE DAMN IT!'

'Oooooh, and a swing and a miss, that's gonna hurt his score.'

'That's right, 53, 19 down there really let the pressure get to him, being doing that the entire season really.'

'You're telling me, poor guy just can't seem to catch a break.'

'Next up to kick is the ever illustrious 61. Now, some of you may remember he managed to steal the badmitons goal last game, sealing the win for his team.'

'But can we expect another miracle? Here he goes, stepping up to the plate.'

'He's got his bowling shoes primed.'

'Bat's in the air.'

'Annnnd...'

'...'
'...'

'....OHHHH MY QUEEEEENNNN!'

'CHANGELINGS AND OTHER LINGS WE HAVE JUST WITNESSED THE ULTIMATE MOVE!'

'He managed to hit the bowling ball THROUGH the soccer next and right into the eighteenth hole!'

'GOOOOOOOOALLLLLL!'

'Fellow lings, this is a moment going down in sports history. Mark your calenders and take a picture, this ones going in the scrapbook none of us own but I'm told is pretty cool.'

'Indeed, buddy, indeed!'

>...Wha...

"It hurts, 42. Ah'm thinkin' about it and it hurts...."
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>Rekulk
"Grehm"
'Vekir'

On the outskirts of Canterlot, three armored figures stand. One small, one tall, one very large, all staring out at the road out of the city.

>Well...

"Well..."

'...oh, well!'

>Sister, you are certain you wish to do this? Do not misunderstand, to take this responsibility, it is noble, but there are...risks if you are less than elegant.

'How so?'

"Don't steal."

'I DO NOT!'

"..."

Vekir hands back Grehm's stuffed animal.

'I just wanted to look at it! Nyeh!'

>You must be mature sister.

'I am not a child!'

>In body, but are you in mind? In deed?

'...'

>I am giving you this chance, Vekir, because you have promised that you will do right through fear of returning to caves, and that...worries me.

'Whyfor?'

>Because deeds done out of fear are rarely wise. Do not be ruled by fear in your actions, but instead by what you feel will help us throw off the shackles of our wicked past.

"Be nice."

'I am nice! I am very nice! I...'

Vekir looks down at the ground.

'I will be wise...Like Zhetri Tuuhl.'

>That is all Rekulk can as for.

Rekulk places a hoof on Vekir's shoulder.

>I do not wish to discourage you, sister, but you must realize that this will not be as easy as befriending ponies. You represent us all and not all may be as friendly as the Princesses and the Queen of All Bitches, even our catbird friends were not our friends at first.

"Still no trade routes."

>I KNOW!

'Brother...'

Vekir looks up.

'I shall be the greatest ambassador in the history of our people! This I swear!'

>Then we shall go, sister, may your actions match your words. Come, Grehm, the road home is long.

"Wait."

Grehm kneels down and wraps his forelegs around Vekir.

"Farewell, Vekir, my pups shall miss their aunt, do not let their tears be meaningless."

'I shall do all that I can, for them, for you, for all Morlocks.'

"Good."

Grehm stands.

"Now we may go."

>Farewell, sister, may fortune favor you.

The two larger Morlocks begin the long journey home, behind them their sister weeps with tears of joy at their departure. Then he face is once again hidden behind her helmet and she turns back, back to the City of White and the future it promises.
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>Applejack
"Rarity"
~~~~

>What are you doing?

"Making some modifications to Charity. It now has a self-cleaning enchantment, a Never-Tarnish-Mirror finish, and a pearl grip."

AJ looks at the grip and sees a provocatively posed Rarity engraved on it.
>Ah see you added a personal touch to it.

"Isn't it simply marvelous? It's going to look great with Spike's new enchanted bullets."

>Enchanted bullets?

"He's been running out. Twilight hasn't been made any new enchanted bullets for him, so I'm picking up the slack. I doubt my work is as good as Twilight though."

>Aw shucks, Rars. Don't be so hard on yourself. Twilight sets the bar pretty dang high. As long as it gets the job done that's all that counts.

"If you say so."

>It's an honest opinion.

"Ohoho, then let me be generous..."
Rarity walks behind Applejack.

>Umf...R-rarity, what are you doing?

"...I'm preening you."

>Well stop it...it feels...weird.

"Really darling, it's your fault for not taking care of yourself. You need to preen your wings if you want them to stay healthy, aligned, and fabulous."

>Ah don't have time for that.

"Well, I do. Now hold still."

>.....Ah don't know if Ah like it.

"It's okay...I'm just happy to help you with something."
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>SA
"Twilight"
~~~~~

>I'm telling you, it's weird! I swear some is following me at certain times, only when I'm doing stuff for Dash.

"..."

>I know how crazy that sounds, really, but I just can't help feeling it!

"..."

>Maybe you're right, maybe I am just being overly paranoid. Maybe having bodysnatching changelings in my house for so long made me suspicious. You know I'm actually having trouble telling 18 from Cadence somedays? If they're not right in front of me, like down a hall or something, it's a real challenge. She even talks like her now sometimes!

"..."

>No, not like THAT, I meant in tone. Tone as in pitch, not tone as in... you know what I mean.

"..."

>Right, getting off topic. Anyway, you're probably right, and I'm just being silly, I just feel off sometimes, you know?

"..."

>Heh, guess you would, wouldn't you... say, you managed to talk to mom again? How's she doing since partyland?

"..."

>... Uh, Twili?

"..."

>Equestria to Twili, are you in-

"DAMN!"

>...

Her hoof shot up, grabbing hold of a hidden zipper and dragging it down. Out from the fake Twilight suit, Pinkie leapt out and tore off.

"I TOLD DASHIE I COULDN'T"T DO HER VOOOOIIIIIiiiiiccccceee....."

>... okay.
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>DT
"SS"
~~~~

>Wow, this place is a dump.

Their train passed beside the west side of Fillydelphia, the part that connected the great city to the sea. The landscape before them was desolate, mostly cracked or derelict buildings. It looked like a hurricane had hit it, a hurricane made of hate.

"Yeah, well, not everyone can fix buildings as fast as Canterlot could. Not everyone has access to a ton of super magic users."

She scoffed, looking out over the empty streets and broken roads, strangely barren.

>What, did a tsunami hit or something?

"DT..."

That's when she spied the first hoof print, and it clicked.

>Ah.

"They're actually lucky she went along the west edge. Most of the sailors were out of port, everyone else just thankfully could see the giant path of destruction coming a mile away... literally. If she had gone through the center of town..."

>...She was in a hurry, I guess. Fastest route is a straight line.

"Guess so."

They sat in silence as they continued to pass by the broken remains of what was likely once a bustling part of the city, now mostly a wreck.

>...When we get there, you have to stay outside. I'm not allowed to bring other ponies with me.

"Seriously?"

>It's a rule.

"This guy isn't... dangerous, is he?"

>PFFTHAHAHAHAH!

"..."

>..No, no he is not. Just... special.

"Mmm..."

>After that, we'll go hit up that crepe place, and sweet Celestia we have GOT to try that candy maker.

"Sounds good."

>It should, it's me.

"Mmm...DT?"

>Yeeep?

"Thanks. For bringing me."

>...Pftt, obviously I was gonna.

"Yeah... obviously."

They sat in silence after that, the pink filly continuing to tinker with her rocket launcher even then.

A whole lot of things changed, Silver Spoon knew as she looked at the wreckage...

But some things always stay the same.
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>Dash
"Bulk Biceps"
~~~

>Okay, Bulk? I want to tell you, we appreciate the SPIRIT of what you are doing, really, but on the whole we're worried about...

"...yeah?"

>We're worried that you're overloading the children.

"WHA-DYA MEAN, RAINBOW DASH!?"

>I mean you just handed that one a fifty pound barbell.

"YEAH!... I mean, yeah, I thought I'd go easy on him, he looks tired!"

>...Easy on him.

"YEAH!"

>...He's six.

"I know, he should've gotten the hundred pound one, but come on Rainbow Dash! He's tired. I know, he's not four anymore, but it's the effort that counts!"

>...You lifted like this as a kid, didn't you?

"YEAH!... I mean, doesn't everyone?"

>This explains so much...
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>29
"MM"
~~~

>...Marey, does this really say that there's an unfinished road inside of town that goes right off a cliff... and tourists take this road?

"Oh no, no no no. There's a little guard rail."

>Ah.

"...I mean, yeah, they go through the guard rail sometimes, and it almost killed someone because not only does it go right next to the path we take our parades, but if you go even slightly out of control it's such a hard turn it's nearly impossible to avoid, but I will have you know that not a one pony has died yet!"

>...

"...I realize now that tacking on 'yet' to that was in poor taste."

>...

"...So, uh, we have room in the budget to fix that?"

>Fix the... cliff?

"Yes, the cliff. Can we fix the cliff."

>...

"...Or just put up a better guard rail?"

>...

"...I'll uh... I'll handle this one."

>You do that.
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