Thread 77: Stories 46-60

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>SL
"12"

>Aaaaand...psst, hey, hey PD? I found them again~

CRUNCH

There went the hidden mics.

>Dumbass.

"Another five minutes then?"

>Three, actually, she probably has guys on call so let's resume bio-chemistry Frankenstallion class, shall we?

"Let's. What are we making if we aren't making the firs thing?"

>Oh me oh my...let's see, pervert, how can I explain this...

"Well I guess we have all the time in the world, don't we?"

>Hardy har har, well it's a little bit of a...bomb.

"A bomb!?"

>Not THAT kind of bomb, I'm not going to blow us up, no no, it's a...genetic bomb.

"I...I don't follow."

>Okay, you remember what I said about the anchor, right?

"Right."

>Well this thing enables you to change...without the anchor.

"H-how is that good for us?!"

>Simple, because you drink this and you will change...and then change...and then change and change and change and change and-you get the idea. You want to be a pegasus? Fwoosh, you're a pegasus, fwoosh, you're a different pegasus, your mind begins cycling through every single kind of pegasus you could possibly be, every pegasus you ever met. Same with a unicorn or a gyphon, or a dragon, just constant fwooshing into new forms as you feel nothing but those green flames rake across your body.

"..."

>And what happens to a changeling that keeps changing but doesn't have a love supply?

"They'd eventually run out..."

>Aaaand?

"Wither and die."

>Now the core conceit of an infusion is that is takes innate magic from the user in order to do what it does, be that throwing fire around or seeming smarter than you are or blah blah blah. Soooo...what does an infusion take away when it's out of magic.

"...I don't know, I haven't paid attention-"

>Sanity, at first, you'll go nuts. I wonder how many crazed sad little rejects are down at the bottom of this place, I wonder how many of them are dissected on a table somewhere. After that, I hypothesize it would just start trying to take repurpose your body itself, though by the point I figure you'll either have immolated yourself in the green flames or convulsed so badly you broke something you shouldn't have.

"Th-that's nuts, Screws..."

>Oh yes, most definitely. Now granted, if you find a way to pump magic into them at a rate that outpaces the burn they could in THEORY stabilize, but trust me, the thing that results would not be a pony...or a changeling...or really anything that I'd personally describe a person. More a charred husk, limping through the world with a fractured psyche and a-okay, enough waxing lyrical, you'd be better off with a bullet in your head than 'surviving' this thing.

"So what are we going to do?"

>We're going to show this off to Penny's best and brightest, tout it as the start of a new age, prostrate ourselves as the far inferior hooves of her megalomania, and watch as her best agents gulp it all down. And die, presumably.

"Them or us?"

>Depends on if we can outrun the robots and Penny's not as best or bright that'd be gunning for us immediately after. You might have a better chance than I do.

"Why?"

>Because...

Screwloose artfully slipped a scalpel into her lab coat.

>When everyone is freaking out over what's happening, I make my move. Right for her jugular.

"...Screws...what did this mare do to you?"

>She took the dream of an old friend, a great wise friend, and she killed them, raised the corpse up, and now gleefully rides on its lurching undead shoulders. Believe me when I say that I'm making the world a better place...but that's just a side effect...

Screws grin widened again.

>I just want some retribution.

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>Luna
"29"
'Zecora'
~~

>NO NO NO! Thou must use a SMIDGEN of bone dust in thine potion, not a dash! Did the word dash escape from mine lips? Do we look like that damned blue stallion on a lonely winter night? No? Then unless we speak the word dash, do what we say and add a SMIDGEN to thine potion!

"Thine words are as nonsensical as thine hair! What the devil doth a smidgen mean!?"

>Thine friend understands it well!

'It is not that hard to see when you look at it with a clever eye. Do not worry my friend, you will get it on the next try!'

"Thou speaks words unfair! The mind within the glamorous head of mine zebra companion cannot be compared!"

'...Awww...'

*SMACK!*

"OW!"

>DO NOT GIVE EXCUSES!

"Fine! How much is a smidgen then!?"

>UGH! We must show something so simple to one even more simple! It is merely this amount right here-

BOOOM!

>...

'Actually princess, and I do not mean to be unflattering.... that which you did was not a smidgen, more a smattering.'

>We, uh... we were just showing you what not to do.

"...Seriously?"

*SMACK!"

"OW!"

>DO NOT DOUBT THINE TEACHER!

"..."

>In fact, for your punishment, thou shalt have to listen to Zecora for this lesson, we are far too frazzled to speak simply enough for your simple brain.

"...right."

*SMACK!*

"OW! I didn't do anything this time!"

>THOU WERE THINKING IT!

'...So are we going to continue with this class? Or should I just sit here on my gigantic a-'

>TEACH!

"..."

*SMACK!*

"WHY!?"

>Thou were looking. Do not do that.

"She brought attention to..."

'...'

"...I mean, teaching?"

'Right...'

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>Cadence
"18"
~~

>...Sooo-

"I don't even know, do you even want to know?"

>Is it going to be fine?

"...what?"

>Eighteen, listen to me. You still want to live in this castle, right? Date Shiny, all that good stuff?

"Er... y-yes, of course."

>Then repeat after me.... everything.. is fine.

"..."

>...Everything... is fine...

"...e-everything is fine."

>Goooooood... goood....

"...Totally fine."

>Yep.

"Nothing wrong at all, and if it is it'll be fixed in a second."

>Ooooh yeah, that's it.

"This right here? Totally fine. No issue, period."

>Mmmmhmmm...

"...It's all fine."

>...Good.

"..."

>...

"...Sooo-"

>Shhhhh...

"..."

>...it's fine.

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SO NC
[Discussing a cute picture an artist drew of a sleeping Two hugging a marshmallow-pillow.]

>Chrysalis
"AJ"
'?'
~~~~~

>I've had it up to here with you, you fruit obsessed tramp!

"Least ah'm not obsessed with a married stallion!"

>No, you're obsessed with a child!

"YA'LL TAKE THAT BACK!"

>Why don't you make me, applewhore!?

"Ah'm bout ta' ya' friggen bug monster!"

>You don't have the stones blandcakes!

"AH'LL SHOW YA' STONES YA' MORONIC LITTLE-"

*SLAM!*

>...
"..."

'......*waddle waddle waddle*.......*THUMP!*

>...

"She okay?"

>She sleepwalks sometimes, it's fine.

"That there's a pretty big-"

>We know, and we know it's bad for her teeth, but Discord keeps giving them to her.

"Know that feel."

'ZZZZzzzzz...'

"Why's her leg kickin'?"

>She's dreaming she's running in a field of something, apparently. What, we don't know. Luna tried to look at it once, but she got diabetes and the doctor made her stop.

"Huh..."

>Yep.

'ZZZZZzzzzzz...marchmalley....'

>...What were we talking about a second ago?

"Ah' have absolutely no idea."

>Me either... can you go make sure her bed is ready? Don't want to leave her in the floor.

"No yeah, Ah' got it."

>And check underneath it for monsters.

"...But she's already asleep-"

>She'll know. Trust me, she knows if you check.

"...Fair enough."

>...Blah blah blah apple something.

"Blah blah blah bug whatever. We good?"

>Think that covers it.

'ZZZZZzzzz...'

>...If I daw and you tell anyone, I will make you regret it.

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NC
>SA
"Pinkie"
'???'
~???~
~~~~~~~~

>Chrysalis and Applejack are fighting again!

"OH NO!"

>Let us deploy, THE WEAPON!

"NOT THE WEAPON! THAT HUGGED THREE PONIES LAST TIME!"

>It's worst the cost love-hug-it! IT'S WORTH THE COST!

"May the Faust have mercy on us all... FIRING PARTY CANNON!"

*BOOM!*

'WHEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeee....'

>...

"..."

~AWWWWWWW!~

>Mission accomplished.

~Let's go play in the castle!~

>...but was it worth the cost?

"Only history will tell, Shiny... only history will tell."

'AH' GOT MAH PAINTBRUSHES!'

"...But probably not."

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CD
>Applebloom
"Sweetie Belle"
'Scootaloo'
[???]
~~~~~

>Crusaders! We've got ourselves a problem!

"Does it have to do with the fires?"

'Or the fact we weren't involved in it for once?'

>BOTH!

"'GASP!"'

>Mah sister done got herself chased up one sid'a the this place and down the other, and Ah'm not standin' for it!

"So what are you standing for?"

>...

"...Nevermind."

>As Ah' was SAYIN', this here has gone on too long, and we can't take it no more! Iffin' some kinda bug monster done wants to get at mah' sister like that, we're gonna make 'em pay!

'Wasn't she on fire a second ago?'

>Good point. Sweetie, get a bucket o' water just in case.

"But then it's heavy to carry around!"

>Fine, just get the bucket and we'll wing it from there.

'...I don't think-'

>NOW! We here are gonna march up ta' that bug monster, and tell her whats for! Who's with me!

'...Can I just remind us, on fire. She was on fire. And she tossed the whole army like they were things that are not nailed down when Diamond Tiara is on a rampage.'

"Should I bring some nails too?"

'I... don't think that'll help?'

>Well, we'll get 'em just in case. Now, we're gonna move out just as soon as-

CLUNG!

The sound of something in the vents made them freeze.

The sound of something bouncing around in that vent made two of them back away ever so slowly.

>...Iffin' that's that dang spider thing, Ah'm gonna call Winona and make 'er-

CLANK!

"..."

'...'

[...what in the-]

>Don't ask.

[...HIYA!]

"Oh, uh... hi, Two."

'Weird to see you again.'

[What'dya mean? I get seen all the time!... Not so much you guys.]

"Yeah, we've been keeping a weirdly low profile."

'Or a high profile with ponies you don't talk to, whichever.'

>Ah' like the latter one, makes us sound less... sad.

[...So, HI!]

"Hi!"

'Hi.'

>Hi?

[HI!]

>'"..."'

[...So did ya'll hear not-mom screamin'! She was really, really mad at somethin'!]

>Yeah, mah sister!

[Applejack One!? Oh no! What'd she do!?]

>Mah' sister didn't do nothin', yer not-mom was just havin' a go!

[Not-mom doesn't do that!]

>Does so!

[Does not!]

>DOES SO!

[DOES NOT!]

>SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO

[NOTNOTNOTNOTNOTNOTNOTNOTNOTNOT!]

"HEY!"

>...

[...]

"...Can a changeling lose a wing, fwosh into something that has a wing, and then fly?"

[...Ah' dunno, that seems like a Ferty Two question.]

>Can we go ask her?

[I dunno, she was goin' off ta' do somethin', and Ah'm not s'posed ta' bug her when she does.]

>Well, can we?

[...Not-mon or Shiny or Caddy didn't SAY ya' couldn't, Ah' guess?]

'Loophole!'

>Let's go ask her!

"YEAH!"

With that, three of them raced off.

>...Uh, girls?

And then came right back.

>Thank you.

[...so why're ya' taped ta' the wall?]

>BECAUSE MAH' BROTHER IS AN OVERPROTECTIVE NINNY!

'...FIRE. She was on FIRE.'

>AH' COULD TAKE 'ER!

['"..."']

>...Just get me down.

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>77
"88"
~~~

It had been quiet.

Too quiet.

As one who had been living with nothing but sound to tell her of the world around her for so long, she knew quiet. And it was quiet... too quiet.

"You want to go, don't you?"

She heard him tense. She did not see him, but she heard him, and that was all she needed.

>There are others just as capable as I who will handle it.

"That isn't what I asked."

>...Ensuring you are not alone is important right now. You have been without for so long, I am content to let others handle it if you are spared having to feel that yourself.

"That's still not what I asked."

>...You're important to me.

"Are you going to stop dancing around the issue and answer or not?"

Slowly, the tenseness began to bleed away, instead replaced with defeat.

>...He was the only one who listened to me, back when I came out from that hole. He was the only one who could stand to be around me, who would willingly hear my tale. He listened, when no others would, and I never forgot that. I had been happy when I had heard he found a job at last, but..

"...But now that he's possible being experimented on..."

Again, the tenseness returned, but this one was much, much stronger.

>I don't want to leave another one of my family to suffer, ever again. It feels like... like Applejack did exactly what Chrysalis did to us, and it makes me sick.

"...You still haven't answered the question."

>...I am still strong. I am still an Infiltrator at heart. I can find him, save him... if there is something more to save.

"There might not be anything to save."

>Chrysalis thought the same thing of you and I, and how did that turn out?

"...You still haven't answered the question."

No defeat this time. No relaxing.

>...I want to go save my brother.

"Well, you finally answered... do you have something you want to ask me?"

>...Would...

"..."

>...Would you forgive me, if I left you one more time?

She reached out, placing a chitinous hoof to the side of the head. Letting her feel them, the scars, the weathered Chitin... the patch that covered where his eye once was, but no longer. She could feel his expression, his fear, his hurt. She could feel it all.

"...Seventy Seven?"

>Yes?

"If you stuck around a blind changeling to make them feel better instead of going out there and saving your brother, I would stab out your other eye and use the optical cords as a skiprope."

He didn't give her a response.

He just touched her on the side of the head, gently. All the same, she felt his expression change.

"...So, who's this Fanfic-Ling? Sounds like I could give him some hell of an inspiration."

>...I'll have to introduce you two.

"Sounds like that'll eat up a lot of time."

>...I'll be there when you finish.

"With a friend?"

>No... with my brother.

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>Can Ah' be a cutie mark Crusdader too?

"But don't ya'll never get cutie marks?"

>What'dya mean? Ah' can have whichever one Ah' want!

FWOOSH!

>...

"...Get out."

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>Thirty-Two
“Eighteen”
~~~

The door barely made any sound as it opened and admitted yet another petitioner into the office of the de-facto bureaucratic force of order that was the legislatively -in some matters. still antiquated Crystal Empire.

The Changeling inside, nose buried in a book for once instead of working her ass off, had seen to that. Nothing grated more than a creaking door when you tried to keep the idiocy out of paperwork.

Eighteen didn't even lower the book to look at who had entered, and the words she rattled down with practiced ease had just the right middle tone as not to be too abrasive or uncaring.

“I don't care. I don't want to know. I am not directly responsible. Leave any paperwork at the table. If it's pressing, come back later. Thank you, have a nice day.”

When after mentally counting down 15 seconds, the other party had neither moved, spoken nor left, Eighteen lowered her book to risk a look at her visitor.

Her neutral expression didn't shift one bit when she realized who it was.

>Good day to you, sister.

“Hi. And I am your sister now? What joyous day, what do I owe this honor to, prisoner number oh oh oh one?”

>Very funny. I see your dry humor hasn't left you.”

“And I see you haven't become much smarter since last time by coming here, into my domain.”

>Smart enough to know that the literature you are using to kill your braincells with is of the lowest class of entertainment. 'An Officer and a Princess'? Really?

With a slighly malicious smile, Eighteen raises the book back up to block her view of the other Changeling.

“You would know about the lowest class, coming fresh out of the cell. How's the dog collar feeling? A little too lose? Shall I ask Chrysalis to tighten it for you?”

Thirty-Two grimaced in response. This conversation was quickly deteriorating into petty insults. And the last thing he needed was to have this Changeling against him.

>...I am here in official function. Majesty has opted to chase down Princess Applejack in a blazing ball of frothing rage, fire and in one instance, laser beams as far as I was informed. She also assaulted the Guard who tried to protect her and Spike the Dragon.

“Uh huh.”

Now she was just ignoring him. Fantastic.

“I have my doubts and qualms, but I still need to know. Canterlot resident are worried. So my question is: Why did she do that?”

“Why don't you ask her yourself, hmm? I am sure she would be DELIGHTED by your probing of her actions.”

He noticed her tone had shifted in a less jovial tone.

>Neither Majesty nor I remained long enough to exchange words, and given the look of things, I thought it would be prudent to return to the Hive before a potential lock-.down on the portal could occur.

“You, locked under the same shield as the rest of us...You DO realize some of them aren't exactly happy with what you did, right?“

>I do. Part of my job description entails rebuilding burnt bridges and reaching out to others.

“As long as you are aware of that, fine. Just don't be a complete smartass, as I know you can be. Now listen up.”

Eighteen flipped the romance novel shut and set it down, assuming her official 'I am listening' posture.

“Changeling Number Twelve had repeatedly tried to obtain means to support himself in Canterlot. Eventually, he seems to have found a job as an orderly at a hospital under the care of one Nurse Redheart. During his stay there, he seems to have developed... amicable terms with one of the psychiatric ward residents.”

Thirty-Two blinks, non-plussed

>So the only pony who would put up with him was a lunatic. That doesn't sound very comforting.

Eighteen made a cutting motion with her hoof.

“Quiet, I am talking. Eventually, this mare, Screwloose, appealed to be released back into the world. After a length process during which former victims of her assault withdrew their complaints, she received a notarized approval. Twelve requested to remain in her presence, either as a custodian or a friend in semi-official function.”

>Reasonable enough?

Eighteen smiled cruelly in response.

“Oh, you haven't heard the best part. Princess Applejack officially sanctioned Screwloose's release and Twelve accompanying her. This, Chrysalis knew. What the princess left OUT was that Screwloose was a rather shady character. I did my background checks. Turns out she used to be a scientist of some sorts. Experiments on live specimens, exploration into realms ponykind dare not go. It's all very hush.hush.”

Eighteen leaned back into her chair as realization down on Thirty-Two's face. The cringe was priceless. She wished she had something to capture that moment.

“A Guard supposed to pick them both up and escort them.... somewhere safe. Within Canterlot. But instead of keep track and doing as she was supposed to, Princess Applejack completely neglected her duties. Screwloose and Twelve have been picked by someone, but haven't been seen since. 42 managed to obtain intel one of Applejack's agents, Jetset has tried to obtain and/or hide from Chrysalis. Turns out, he has been brought to some remote, hidden location. Chrysalis of course fears the worst. Experiments on Twelve, cutting him apart, figuring us out, all that.”

Thirty-Twop had no words. He couldn't voice them. Applejack, the princess of Honesty and hard, earnest work had done all this? Caused the potential loss of one of them?

“Chrysalis freaked out, went over there and confronted Applejack, who admitted to being completely, knowingly to blame. She now has twenty-four hours to return Twelve. Or else.”

>Or else...?

“Or else. Don't ask, you likely wouldn't like the answer. Neither would I. And that's all I have been told.”

Silence reigned within the room for several long moments, the clock on the wall ticking its seconds by. Much went unspoken, and both Changelings had their own thoughts concerning the situation.

>I... I have... I need to speak some of our Hive. It is rather imperative I do, both to see how they feel about this and to get a gauge of their mood. Caterlot is in an uproar. Ponies are upset, and no official statement has been made to squash those fears.

Eighteen frowned. She was grateful for the update, but just wished the source was a more reliable one.

“I see. Thank you for relaying this. I will see to letting Chrysalis know. Maybe I can find a way to speak to somepony and prevent the worst.”

>I would be gratef-

“Afterwards.”

>Afterwards?

“After he has been returned. You see, I still don't know how Chrysalis will react shouldn't he be in one piece. And Canterlot's response could impact the political climate between the Hive and the ponies.”

>...Yes. Yes, Of course it would.

Eighteen stared at the other Changeling, as if expecting him to say more. But for the time-being, there was nothing left to be said. He would have words with her, eventually.

>I will take my leave. I have some of the others to see. Good day to your, sister.

“Mph. You do that, have fun.”

The door shut behind the still gobsmacked Ambassador, and Eighteen waited until she couldn't hear his hoof falls anymore.

Then she took her novel back up and resumed reading.

“Talk to them, he says. Pfht. That's gonna be rich.”

She didn't waste another minute thinking about him.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


>Sunset
“Variolus”
~~~

“Hooooh. You are actually improving.”

>Of course I am. Do you even know who you are possessing right now?

“I will admit, absorbing ambient magic exuded by others without requiring them to direct it at you is impressive. Shame it is a skill reserved to you, due to your special properties as a love-magic void in your unliving state and the powers of the Gem storing it for you. Quite the unique set-up.”

>Not that it's terribly useful. Having someone enamored with you and draining them is several times more effective, as far as I can feel it.

“It is. The gain from having actual love directed at you is several times worth the effort. But you can live from this. Depending on how far you can extend your senses and fine-tune your intake, of course.”

>Well, Canterlot isn't exactly in a foalboom right now.

“Imagine. Being in a place, surrounded by pure love and companionship from all sides, the very air saturated with it.”

>I guess then it would be a pretty effective back-up to sustain some powers?

“Ooooh, yesssss... it would be, Sunset Shimmer.”

>You are hissing again. I don't like the hissing.

*fwhump!*

'Oh no, sweetheart, what happened!'

“And you should watch how much you are leeching from those ponies.”

>Whoops. Well, no time like the present to go see the castle!

"The castle? Now?"

>Aaaah... yes. Princess Applejack promised me something. And I intend to have that promise fulfilled. Plus, I might gain some more energy from her, if she is still as amicable as I last saw her.

"...I see. Don't let me stop you. Just remember what I said about revealing me to others. We wouldn't want that."

Sunset didn't respond and instead focused a little hard on not thinking about anything specific.

>Right.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


>AJ
"PD"
'Screwloose'
[12]
<Chrysalis>
!Flash!
{Fizzle}
#Spike#
-Shining Armour-
(77)
¬DT¬
/42/
BLAMO

>12 I FUCKED UP AND I NEED TO FIX THIS OR WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE

"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE NEAR MY TEST SUBJECTS RAAAARGH"

BOOM SMASH

[AHHH WHAT IS HAPPENING]

#THIS IS A RESCUE OPERATION MOVE MOVE MOVE#

INFILTRATE

(BROOOOOOOOOOTHERRRRRRRRRRRR!)

'WELL HELLOOOOO~'

>SHUT UP I'M TRYING TO FIX THINGS

EXPLOSION

[WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS OH GOD WHY IS EVERYONE SHOOTING]

"DO NOT LET HIM ESCAPE! I'M BIGGER THAN YOU PRINCESS AND I HAVE SO MANY ANGER ISSUES!"

{!WE'RE RELEVANT AGAIN!}

¬I'M BORED AND WANT ATTENTION¬

DEATH AND DESTRUCTION

'BLAH BLAH BLAH GENETIC ANCHOR BLAH BLAH BLAH BETRAYAL BLAH BLAH BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS'

>WHO LET YOU BE SMART?

#I'M RUNNING OUT OF THINGS TO SHOOT AAAAAARGH#

¬DUDE SAME GRAAAAAAH¬

[I JUST WANNA GO HOME]

(BROOOOTHERRRRR!)

>SHUT UP!

FWOOM

<I'VE HAD ENOUGH I'M DOING THIS MYSELF>

-SHE'S RIGHT Y'KNOW-

/WHAT SHE SAID! ARRRGH SO MANY PUNCHING BAGS/

"NOW YOU HAVE TO FACE MY ULTIMATE FORM"

>I'M ANGRY!

<I'M CONNIVING!>

'HOOF FETISHES'

{!ACTION DUO GO!}

"METAL DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAR!"

(BROOOOTHERRRRR!)

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH]

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NCOMAKE
>Faustmom

Somewhere, up in the cold void space.

>Variolus, Chitania, Sunset Shimmer, Chrysalis, Applejack, Screwloose, Pennydrop... I can see no way how this will all end up terribly! Nope. None at all. I am in perfect control. Goodie-Goodie-Gumdrops!

>Send help, Michael Bay is holding me hostage!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>42
"???"
'???'
~~~~

Seconds.

It had only taken her seconds this time. All of her preparation, something that would normally take minutes, had only taken her seconds. Seconds to get into her room, get what she needed, and then appear in front of the portal leading to Canterlot.

Even now, she had to stop, she had to admire at just what this new power granted her. How had she been so... inefficient? Perhaps not the best word, but the one that came to mind. She had been inefficient before, she wasn't now. Was this what it was like to be a unicorn? Why did she even see them walking, she wondered? No wonder that Twilight was so crisp and clean in her work, this must save loads of time.

But no time to worry about that now, she had a mission to attend to, and attend to it she would. Since the location she sought was south, she would need to take the portal to Canterlot and go from there. It would cut miles and hours off her time, and every second mattered right now. She would simply slip in and be gone before any even knew she had arrived, and this whole matter would be settled shortly. She would have to hire on outside help when she neared the town, but only for a distraction. She would not need much more than that. She could have him out with this new ability the instant she laid eyes on him... or at least, what was left of him.

But she would get to that when the time arrived. For now, she had to focus on the shimmering world around her, and the sudden new surrounding on the other side.

Oh, and the dozen or so eyes staring at her on that other side, that was attention-worthy as well.

Dozen or so soldier eyes, she should clarify.

>...May I help you?

One of them, the only one she recognized as Pommel, stepped forwards.

'Applejack requested we take you to her should you step through the portal.'

>Is that right.

'Yes, you've apparently got vital intel that she needs.'

>I neither confirm nor deny.

'...So are you going to come with us?'

>No.

Every soldier shared a look, and readjusted their weapons. Very heavy weapons, she noted, no doubt meant to take out a tank.

Or a changeling-tank.

One of the two.

'...Look, she just wants to talk-'

>And I have nothing to say to her.

'We're trying to help you here-'

>I do not need, nor desire, her help.

'Don't you want him back safe?'

>Yes, which is why I wish I had a time machine of some kind, but right now I merely wish to go make sure he's not dangling by a thread or in a vat of acid. If I wanted to be slowed down by an army I could easily outpace, I'd by some robots.

The solider sighed, shuffling uncomfortably.

'Look, Applejack didn't say to actually force you, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't want me to-'

>Then get out of my way before I hurt you by the simple act of walking forwards.

'I want to, I know they want to, but I can't, because-'

"Ah've got this one."

Every one of the soldiers let out a sigh of relief at that country drawl, that simple yet tired voice.

In surprising uniform lock-step, they parted, and the orange princess was allowed to approach the suddenly weary changeling.

"Ya'll get, this is between me and her."

'You sure you don't want us to stick around?'

"Nope."

It only hurt a little that she didn't think all of them together even stood a chance.

They hid it well as they left, all as one leaving the room and standing guard just outside, just in case. To do what just in case, no idea, but just in case.

Alone, Applejack and the former Applejack stared each other down, yet neither moved.

"...Where is he?"

>I'll be sure to give you the exact coordinates when I get back.

"Ah' can't get him back iffin' ya' don't tell me where he is."

>And I can't get him back with you standing in my way. Seems one of us needs to move so the other can succeed. Hint Hint.

"She told me Ah' got twenty four hours, and yer' makin' this harder."

>Funny, I'm also aware of a timetable, one you are running down. Move.

"Just share it!"

>Quite a big request coming from one who would not do the same mere hours ago.

She flinched. First 'blood' to her.

"Ah'm sorry it got this bad, but-"

>I no longer care. It has become glaringly obvious that your desires and my need to protect my Queen and Hive are wildly becoming incompatible, and the less you have to do with them the better. I'm sure she'll be fine with my own rescue instead of yours.

"She ordered ya' ta' go behind mah' back?"

Silence. Eerie, still silence.

"So yer' not doin' this cause o' her."

>I'm doing this for my Hive.

Strangely, instead of emboldening her, it caused the princess to slump.

"...Time was when ya' did somethin' crazy behind her back, ah' was normally the one ya' called."

>Time was I used to think your assistance would be the best thing for my hive. Times have changed.

"Has it all really changed that much?"

>Yes.

Blunt, straight to the point, nothing less.

"What about... everyone else? Spike, Diamond Tiara, them fellas?"

>I do my best to ensure that the others are not drawn into my personal matters. That they are friends with you is something I try not to hold against them.

She looked to the changeling, slowly losing her edge, slowly losing her fire and her harshness.

Until, eventually, all that remained was a pleading look.

"Just... let me help."

>No.

"Forty Two, please... this ain't just for her."

She was begging without explicitly begging, saying it without saying.

"Ah'... Ah' messed up so bad with this one. And iffin' he's not... not there. Iffin' we can't get him back the way he was, Ah' need ta' see it. Ah' need ta' be there, and see exactly what it was Ah' did. Not her, not Chrysalis. Ah' did it, it's mah fault, and... just let me either help fix it or let me see it so Ah' know it. That's all Ah'm askin'. Rub mah' nose in it, punish me fer' it iffin' ya' want, but this here's mah' mess, this is mah' failure, and Ah' can't fix everythin'... but let me fix what Ah' can."

Old memories of a bathroom, a can of pheromones, and a promise returned to the soldiers mind.

But she pushed them away.

>I do not listen to the orders of one who would do this to my Queen.

"Then don't. Ya'll can call the shots, iffin' ya' want. Just... let's get him home. Yer' home, not mine. Forty Two, iffin' ya' ever cared about anythin' Ah' ever did fer' ya', iffin' ya' want ta' see me just try ta' make it right so ya' know it wasn't all a lie... please... please?"

Like it was soaked in water, she felt her chitin loosening, just a bit, softening under that pleading, needing gaze.

>...I will need a team.

"Done."

>My team.

"Ah'm sure they'll jump at the chance."

>...All of my team. All of them. Current members, and ones 'on leave'.

She opened her mouth to argue, instantly, instinctively, plenty of force ready to be fired like a loaded gun.

But she didn't. Not a single denial came from her lips.

"...All of them?"

>All. Of. Them. Do this, and I will let you come along.

"...That's it?"

>For now. Your choice, princess. Give me my whole team, the only ones I actually trust right now even a little, or get the hell out of my way.

She thought.

She questioned.

She debated. All to herself, all in the span of only a minute. After that minute had passed, she decided.

"...Let's get started."

The soldier smirked, just a bit.

"Ya' wanna say it?"

>I suppose to be official... Applejack, gather the A-team. We have a mission.

She slipped on two pair of brass horseshoes, and smiled.

>And that mission starts now.

The race was on.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Omakes!
>42
"AJ"
'???'
~~~

>...

"What? Ya' said ya' needed the whole team."

>...I don't recall... that the robot was a part of it.

"Wasn't he?"

>No, no he was not.

"Oh... SORRY, HARMONY PRIME, WE DON'T NEED YA!"

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Omake
>Daw
"DT"
'SS'

>YES! WE'RE GONNA KILL US SOME BADDIES!

"Hm? Oh you're not going."

>WHAT!?

"This assignment is A-Team, not Gun Club, ciao~!"

>...

'...'

>...

'...wanna play Old Maid?'

>Aye.

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