Thread 44: Stories 46-60

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>DT
"AJ"
~~~~

So.

At last it came to this.

At last, the orange princess of apples walked in, brought a chair next to her, and sat down.

>So... where'd they take Gwendolyn?

Idle eyes flickered backwards to the empty bed, only for a second.

"Her husband took 'er off ta' get treated back home. Celly made a big ol' show o' thanks, did the political dance and all that, ya' know how it is. Gwen looked like she wanted ta' gnaw her own wings off. She's on her way home now."

>Pfft. So, when am I finally getting out of here so I can get back to work? Oh, and by the way? I'm going to need a budget increase, a big one, TBDRLIATU's recovery is going to take some time, but he'll be back at full power before you know it. That fucking bug monster was lucky, he was still off his game since the last time she kicked him, but that's not going to be the case next go round. I've already got a ton of ideas that are going to knock your socks off.

Two orange hooves began to rub together in front of a frowning, creased face. Hard eyes bored into her, despite how little the other party minded.

"...Ah' want ya' ta' know ya' did a good job."

>Well, obviously.

"Ya' saved a lot o' ponies."

>Don't undersell it.

"Ya' saved a foreign dignitary."

>She just happened to be lucky I was there.

"Ya' even managed ta' save yer' friend."

>Come on, did you really think I was going to let Silver Spoon get touched by that ruffian? She should have known better. But I can't take all the credit, obviously, since TBDRLIATU helped out there, just most of it.

"Ya' did a good job, in the end... which is why what Ah'm gonna say is gonna hurt me jus' as much as it's gonna hurt you."

The cocky, haughty air faltered, just for an instant.

>Come on, just say "You're better than me", it's okay, it won't hurt me too much that you went down just a touch in my eyes, I'll understand.

The princess took a deep, deep breath, and closed her eyes.

>After all, not everyone can be-

"Yer' done."

The pink filly froze mid speech, mouth hanging open ever so slightly.

>...I'm sorry, could you clarify that? I don't think I got that one.

"Ya'll. Are. Done."

Softly, her body started to shake.

>I'm done recovering, and can now get out of bed?

"No."

Teeth began to grind.

>I'm done... how?

"Yer' done with all o' this."

>All of what, Applejack?

"Ya' know what I mean-"

>SAY IT!

If she had to guess, it was probably fairly likely anyone out in the hall just heard that screech. Nonetheless, she continued on, hard as ever.

"Yer' done fightin' for your life, yer' done makin' weapons o' mass destruction, yer' done takin' on things that Ah' wouldn't pit a dang soldier up against with an army o' backup and yer' done burnin' away yer' dang childhood on some messed up need ta' prove yer' the best in the world. You are not a soldier. Yer' a tiny, tiny little filly who ain't got no business bein' on a battlefield, ain't got no business makin' rockets ta' blow up the world and ain't got no business bein' here. It's wrong yer' in this hospital bed right now. It's wrong ya' ever got ta' this point at all."

Her rage was seething at this point, bubbling over so much it looked like she might spit up bile at any second.

>I-I saved-

"GOOD. Ya' did good. But ya' did good because ya'll were in the right place at the right time. And ya' know what? Ah' respect that, Ah' get that sometimes somethin' is gonna happen and ya'll have gotta step up. Ah'd prevent it if Ah' could, but Ah' ain't stupid, the world we live in ain't like that and we both know it. That ain't what ah'm talkin' about."

She gestured outside, at the smoke still visible in the distance.

"That right there? That better come ta' you from now on, cause ya'll ain't goin' after it. Ah'm not tossin' ya' at anymore o' this danger. Maybe when yer' an adult, we'll talk some more, but Ya' got yer' whole life still ta' live, and it's time ya' did a little more livin' and a little less fightin'."

It took everything she had not to jump up and start throttling the princess. She shook so hard with pure, undiluted rage it made it hard to see straight, let alone talk.

>Y-you'll be sorry when he's back up-

"It."

Those two little letters nearly made her bite off her own tongue.

"It. It is not a he. It's an it. That dang weapon is a thing, it ain't a 'he' or anythin' like that. It ain't alive, it ain't yer' friend and it don't make you any better."

Impossibly, she felt even more heat in her face.

"It didn't save nobody, you did. It blew up cause it's a machine and ya' made it blow up. It don't got no say in the matter, it didn't make a choice, you did it."

Those last three words just kept repeating in her ringing head. "You did it" over an over...

"Ah' know, yer' sore at me. Yer' gonna hate me fer' a long, long time. Yer' might never stop hatin' me, but Ah' gotta do this. Cause ya' know what? Little bit ago it looked like Ah' was gonna have ta' write a letter. Now, it ended up fer' the best. It ended up sayin' "Yer' daughters fine, but she's hurt and in Fillydelphia." That's what Ah' wrote, and that's what yer' daddy read. But ya' know what? It almost read different. Fer a bit, Ah' thought it was gonna say "Yer' daughter died like a hero." That's what Ah' thought Ah' was gonna write."

Her orange shoulders slumped, as if a great weight had been put upon them.

"Ah' couldn't write that, Diamond Tiara. Ah' saw yer' daddy when he arrived, Ah' saw how scared he was, no matter how much he tried ta' hide it. Ah' saw the fear in his eyes, and this was when he knew ya'll were gonna be okay. Don't ya' get it... iffin' Ah' had ta' write that..."

Her hoof shook, just a bit.

"It would'a killed him."

The filly couldn't breath, couldn't think.

"So... Ah' know Ah' can't stop you, not really. If ya' run off ta' chase more monsters, Ah' get Ah'd just be wastin' time tryin' ta ring ya' in. But... but this is the only way Ah' can sleep at night. This is the only way Ah' don't have ta' wake up one day to a bangin' on mah' door, and someone tellin' me the little filly Ah' saw in a school play next ta' mah' sister is dead, and it's all mah' fault.”

She still didn't say a word, content to just glare into her with a ferocity that Applejack hadn't seen in the hardest of soldiers, let alone a child.

“Ah' know, Ah'm bein' selfish, and it's all mah fault yer' like this at all, and believe me iffin' ah' could go back ah'd change it, but... Ah'm not tellin' ya' ta' stay away from the gun club or whatever, ya' can still spend time with Spike and Seven and all them. Ya' can still be friends, ya' jus' gotta spend more time at school, more time bein' a kid, this is just so Ah' don't-”

>Out.

The word, that one, single word, had more power in it than any rocket she could have fired.

“Diamond Tiara, it's fer' yer own-”

Her look, nothing but the look, stopped that.

>Out.

“Ah'm not done-”

>GEEEETTTTT OOUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTT!

The screech was so loud that Applejack swore she felt her bones rattle to her very core. One look at the heaving chest or bloodshot eyes told her that no words, not a one, would get through to her by this point.

Still, she tried.

“I'm sorry...”

>OUUUUUT! OUTOUTOUTOUTGETOUT!

Wordlessly she did so, ignoring the pillows and bedding and tray full of brownies the filly chucked at her retreating form, eyes downcast as she left.

Alone, the little one turned her fury to her bed, ignoring the severe pain shooting up her sides and legs as she hammered into the surface below her, punching and kicking with a fury she just could not contain.

As crowded as the waiting room was, Applejack had never felt more alone then the moment she slumped against wall.

“It's all mah' fault...”
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>29
"MM"
'Zecora'
~~~

"This is silly."

>You will hear not a one argument from me, but the child wishes it, so it is so.

"What child asks for a horror movie to be made?"

>T'was a script he was sure would bring him great wealth, and stop the starvation that he felt every night.

"Ah. Any chance he wrote this while starving?"

>Why, yes, I do believe so. What gave it away?

'Not to cut in, but I have the hint of a clue. You see, you are being attacked by hayfries and pies with berries of blue.'

>If thou wishes a rhyme, there was more than that way to describe the thing he wishes scary. In fact, there is a great many words that rhyme with blueberry.

"If you wanted to bring up the blueberry pie, you could have given saying it like that a try."

>Thou mine mouth does water for a bit of blueberry, I think it would go great with some milk or other dairy.

"But where would we find such delicious baked goods? We are out here, far into the woods."

>Perhaps a house of gingerbread is yet beyond our sight, filled with many a treat or tasty delight.

"Oh how wonderful that sounds and would smell. Perhaps we can finish it up after Zecora's death knell?"

>Her scene is most complex, best to push it out of our mind. Still, once we are finished up... a pastie would not go declined.

'...I love you guys.'
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To My Fantastic Editor,

[There is a Note Paperclipped to the article proper]

I apologize in advance for the rather...extreme circumstances this letter will arrive to you in. The subject of my interview was quite insistent on this arriving to you uncensored and intact.

[Editor's note: It arrived via a pegasus with one-eye wearing a red flightsuit under a bandoleer.]

There is a palpable sense of -I can't even say the word, really. Destiny? Tension? - as I sit across from the man who is to many the face of the Hooviet ground forces in Stalliongrad. Outside the streets of Grogary Gorki are alive with the celebration of the city's decision to ally themselves with growing forces of Josef Stallion, a sound I haven't heard quite as loudly since I entered this country.

But inside the humble dwelling the city's council supplied for our use, the man known as Antlers shows little in the way of concern one way or the other, poring over reports of alliances forged and battles won. I am sad to say for all my travels my experience with the cervine people is distinctly lacking, but in a way I cannot help but be grateful for that as I take in the sight of Josef Stallion's most trusted lieutenant. The fierce eyes, the scarred body, the sight of his one of his antlers snapped away at the root, truly I am talking to a man of war.

What follows is a transcript of my interview with the man who may prove himself instrumental in the unification of Stalliongrad under the Hooviet, supplied by my faithful bodyguard/stenographer Pavel. (who really deserves a bonus)

[Editors Note: The last part was written very sloppy.]

Trender: Mr. Antlers it's a pleasure to finally speak with you.

Antlers: And it is a pleasure to finally speak with you, Mr. Hoof, I take it you've been enjoying your stay among our forces.

T: Well I have to say it's a far cry from reviewing a hotel in Panamane, but it has its charms, yes.

A: We are not a glamorous people, no, but we make up for it with earnestness, as I'm sure you're aware. Every man, woman, and even child who swear themselves to the Hooviet cause do so because it is what they believe in, a united country without the shadow of a foreign entity exerting control over it.

T: Yes, that is one thing that I believes worries the people of Equestria, the...fierce independence, let's call it, of the Hooviet movement.

A: Yes, fierce independence is a grand way of putting a smile on things. Tell me, Mr. Hoof, did it shock you originally that someone like me was a high ranking member of this army?

T: I'm not sure what you mean.

A: Come now, the average Equestrian's ignorance of outside races is well documented, I doubt you even heard of a Deer, an Elk, a Moose prior to the rise of that little company of yours in Equestria, what was it called, Fawntaine? And even then that group only rose to prominence AFTER the man running it was killed and a pony took the reigns.

T: I'm not sure what you're implying.

A: Allow me to tell you a story then. Once upon a time, when I was very young, my family and I fled from the Hartland, victims of the average tribal squabble gone awry. After countless days, weeks, months of rambling under the fearful and watchful gazes of our new Equine neighbors. Finally we found our way to the outskirts of the village of Глава вепря -that's Boar' Head in Equestrian- and tried to make a go of it.

T: I...uh...I assume it went well?

A: The residents held no small amount of fear for us, that much I am certain. Father's trips to the market were riddled with suspicious glances, clipped language, and the general body language of 'you don't belong here'. Still, we soldiered on, I sat in the back of the schoolhouse, I ducked clods of dirt thrown my way by the other children my age, I tried to accept my place.

T: Can I assume that didn't work out.

A: There was a stallion in the village, a obnoxious old man who hunted on the outskirts of the forest near our cottage for furs he could make clothing out of. He was always drunk, being lead about by this mongrel of a dog he loved more than anyone that could actually talk to him. He would hurl abuse at our cottage as he went by, called us 'Prongheads' 'Splithooves', all kinds of idiotic names. Father would shout back in kind, mother covering my ears for the vulgarities he would spew out, I remember feeling her chest trembling with laughter even as she admonished him father for his words.

T: Your mother didn't mind?

A: She thought him a harmless old fool...she was very incorrect. One day she took me out to gather some plants from the forest for dinner, singing to me in her odd little mix of our people's language, Stalliongradian, and Equestrian as we worked. Then there came the barking, that infernal barking. That old drunk bastard came from between the trees, rambling and shouting, his dog straining at its leash.

T: Did he...

A: The town guard said it was an accident, that he'd been unable to control the dog in his drunken stupor. But I saw the hate in his eyes, I heard him rambling his obnoxious names. That dog tore my mother to pieces and when it was over, all that drunk got was his pet put down.

T: That's horrible.

A: Father wasn't the same afterwards, he turned to drink to drown his sorrow, and I grew up with a hard hoof to the face whenever I did wrong. Then, when I had just grown into a man, my father, drunk as the day was long, found the bastard that killed my mother. There was an argument, a fight, and by the end of it, my mother's murder was avenged, and father was carted off to face 'justice.' I can only assume he's dead, I was chased out of the town the very next day.

T: And what became of you after?

A: I wandered the country, keeping to myself, doing odd jobs for food. I was far more pretty by the time the original regime was overthrown, I fought in Stalliongrad, I helped bring down the statue of the pro-Celestian governor...and I pulled down the statue of the next petty dictator to control this country, and again. Until I realized it was all so...pointless. Regime after regime rose and fell at a moment's notice, each more corrupt and self-serving than the last until the entire nation was nothing but a concentrated gang war.

T: Until Stallion came along.

A: He has hopes for us, dreams. He believes we have it in us to rise from this pit we've been buried in for so long. Stalliongrad is like a child that has been cut off from its mother's milk. There is confusion, hesitation, and in some horrible cases, a desperation to return to the teat.

T: So your childhood is your motivation for full independence from Equestria?

A: It's *my* motivation, the reason I fight, so that we might see a day when Stalliongrad is not a nation of free ponies, but of free gryphons, zebras, caprines, cervines, and all other beings of this world. The Hooviets seek an independent nation from Equestria that we may one day not be children under the wings of the Princesses, but equals that stand eye to eye and shoulder to shoulder with the sovereigns of our fellow nations.

T: I see.

A: And we want nothing more than the other nations of the world to join us in this quest to bring everyone to a level on par with these Kings, Queens, and Princesses. I hope that with this interview the world will see that it is not the radical that seeks independence from the Gods, but merely a person ready to bring their fate under their own control. I-

Sadly here our interview is given pause, one of the Hooviet soldiers burst in and whispered a hurried message. Antlers informed me that I would be giving this article to one of his aides in order to ensure safe passage into Equestria. As I prepare to do so, I cannot help but hope that if and when the Hooviets supposedly bring themselves to the Princesses' level, it will be with an olive branch, and not army.

Sincerely yours,

Trenderhoof.
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>AJ
"??"
~~~~

She was practically drowning herself in the bathroom by this point. She just kept splashing water on her face, as if desperate to wash away the creases she knew were forming all along her face. Nobody had yet bothered her, thankfully. Which is good, she definitely needed a moment to-

And then, of course, the door opens.

"Wish I could just grow building sized. Would make my life easier. Would freaking dare anyone to try to tell me I can't..."

The strange green crystal pony noticed her, giving her a curt nod.

"Applejack, how are you?"

>...

She had no idea why the informal, familiar speech irritated her. She normally loved it when ponies just treated her like she was anyone else in the world, nobody particularly special. It was just that tone, she supposed, that tone that said "I know you intimately", despite the fact the mare could never once recall seeing anything like the other in her life.

"...Are you alright? You look worried. What, did Spike accidentally find out you've been reading dragon smut?"

Okay, now she no longer needed to justify it.

>WHO THE HECK DO YA'LL THINK YA' ARE!?

Surprisingly, she did not flinch back when Applejack pressed forward, more curios than anything.

"Wha?"

>DON'T YOU 'WHA' ME! WHAT KINDA SOLDIER JUS' COMES UP AND-

"Oh!"

>...

There was a FWOOSH of fire, and everything suddenly made a lot more sense.

>...Forty Two.

"Heh, sorry. Forgot I was disguised."

>Ah... sorry.

"No no, it's fine. I'd punch someone if they talked to me like that and I didn't know them. My apologies. But back to the original point, you look like you were just told your favorite apple had a worm, what is the matter?"

She flinched at the comparison, and took a deep breath.

>Well, Ah' was plannin' ta' tell ya'll in a more formal meetin' but seein' as ya'll are probably headed off ta' Diamond Tiara's room...

"Indeed, I finally found a moment to go see her... why? Is she... alright?"

There was a subtle worry in her voice, seeking. That made it all the harder to continue.

>Probably not. She's probably still ragin' her little head off.

"Oh ho! Unsurprising. In fact, I'd be more surprised otherwise. Tell me, what is she ranting about? Going to put Chitania's head on a pike? Eat her liver?... do we have livers?.... Nevermind! What am I in for?"

>No uh... she's more mad at... me.

"Oh? And just what did you do? Tell her that Tabablbab didn't match her horseshoes?"

>Ah'... Ah'...

Another deep breath, and she steeled herself.

>Ah' kicked her off the A-team.

"...oh?"

42 managed to hide her expression, for the most part. What little slipped through looked like Applejack had just told her she had a bomb hidden under one of the stalls and to start guessing.

>Ah' jus' feel like she's wastin' her life.

"Oh, come now Applejack, it's not that bad."

>It is! Nobody should be fightin' fer' their lives this young, nobody!

"Well, I see the sentiment, but since she already is-"

>Then Ah' gotta put a stop to it now, before it gets worse! How's she supposed to grow up well adjusted like this?

"Now calm down, it is perfectly possible-"

>NO IT AIN'T!

Her scream froze the changeling dead in her tracks.

>Ain't nobody gonna spend their life fightin' from that age and come out okay! She'll grow up ta' be some horrible, terribly adjusted jerk who ain't got no time fer' anythin' but fightin' warrin' and explodin'! This'll be her whole life! She'll never be able ta' really connect with anyone not fightin', she'll waste all her time just wantin' to break stuff ta' prove she's the best, she'll kick the crap outta' anyone who even looks at her cross, just cause she could! She'll be a monster, Forty Two, a monster if she grows up like this. And Ah'-...

She paused mid rant, more words of derision dying on her tongue. The changeling had gone completely stone face, looking more like a corpse propped up on sticks than a living being. But her eyes...

Applejack, thanks to her profession and her love of being honest, could tell a lot from someone if she looked them in the eyes. She could read them like a book, and that ability had only gotten as sharp as a razor blade with Chrysalis around honing her need. She saw a lot in someone's eyes.

She couldn't tell what it was in the changeling's she saw.

She just knew it was utterly horrible.

>Are ya'll okay-

"Is your decision on Diamond Tiara's expulsion final?"

Her words were curt, straight to the point and completely, deadly formal.

>...Yes, she's out of-

"Then I shall speak no more of the matter. The formation of this team was under the order of Equestria's royalty, you specifically, in order to combat a threat to the nation and foster a greater community between my race and yours."

Something was in those final four words. Something strong.

"As such, the final command for any who serve underneath this organization are you, and you alone. Your word is final. However, I would like to remind you the gun club is not a sanctioned organization, and if you wish further separation on that matter you will have to file an appeal to be taken to review by my Queen and at least two of the princesses."

>Forty Two, Ah' don't want ya' ta' stop seein'-

"Then that matter is also settled. Good day, Applejack, if you do not mind I came in here for private business. I wish you well."

Without another word, she spun on her heels, walked over to the nearest stall, and shut it behind her.

The orange mare, in turn, let out an angry breath.

>Ah' didn't say she 'was' a monster, Forty Two, jus' that she was gonna be one eventually-

"If you do not mind, the conversation is over, and this is private. If you wish to speak to me further, set up a time."

She huffed, more than a little insulted.

>Fine, be like that. Ah'm glad someone's stickin' up fer' her and all, and believe you me Ah' get why yer' sore, but Ah'm not takin' this. She needs a childhood, Forty Two. She ain't gonna be alright if she don't get one. It's mah call, Ah'm doin' this fer' her own good. End o' story.

No response.

More annoyed than angry, the princess left, leaving the bathroom empty for all save the changeling.

Alone, she sat in the stall, lid closed and all four legs drawn in close. A black, chitinous hoof trailed over old, faded scars, remembering old times. Old... nearly forgotten times.

"You know what you are."

The words escaped through gritted, hissing teeth.

"You know what you are and you should not be upset. Do not break anything like a grub, do not yell or scream. You know what you are..."

No matter how much she spoke, she couldn't stop the flickering of fire sparking over her body, or the slight rattle in her hoof as her hoof rose up, readjusting her helmet ever so slightly.

"...You are a..."

She let out a breath, feeling hot against her chest. It and... something else.

“You are a soldier.”

The words felt almost... comforting.

"You are a soldier."

That said, something in her still felt... hot.

"That's all you need to be."
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>56
"???"
______

His wings... oh sweet hivemind, his wings felt as if they needed their own crutches they hurt that bad. Bulks had really brought his 'a' game today.

He chuckled as he limped down the hall, making his way slowly but surely towards Applejack's room to crash into his basket.

>Can't tell if Bulky's tryin' to kill us or-

What felt like a bucket of ice cold water splashed down 56's spine and his head slowly turned a few inches to the east, eyes widening, jaw firming and ears twitching as though able to hear what surely could not have reached him from wherever he stared.

Yet somehow... without knowing how he knew... he knew something bad had just happened. And maybe not even bad, but something... saddening, something perhaps so saddening that it translated to the cold anger he felt trickling down his back.

>...

"So you felt it to, eh?"

Normally he would've jumped at Sweetie's sudden appearance from the shadows, but not this time. He only nodded, not even looking her way.

>But why...? Why do I feel this? Why do you?

She shrugged.

"Who knows for sure. They say that those who spend time together, who grow close, that they can sometimes sense when the other is in trouble, or under immense pressure-"

>Or just so dang mad it's almost painful....

"Yeah. That, too."

For a moment, the two of them merely stared off in the direction where that ungodly feeling stemmed from.

Then 56 shook his head.

>G-guess I oughta call her angryflank from now on, eh?

It was a poor attempt at a joke and he chuckled alone as he hobbled past Sweetie Belle and towards the stairs.

"...You can do better than that, 56. Go get some sleep, rest your wings and try again tomorrow... maybe things'll be brighter then."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NC
>AJ

Applejack awkwardly rolls out of bed with, flopping to the floor with a loud thud.

Mane a mess, feathers ruffled and lacking her signature hat she wanders to the kitchen half-blind. She pours a cup of coffee and opens the cupboards for a suitable breakfast. She makes a mental note not to give all the cooks a day off 'budget constraints' her flank, this isn't worth it.

She clumsily feels around the cupboard for a box of cereal and perks up when she feels the resistance of cardboard in her telekinetic grasp.

>Mmmm Bump'o's, Ah don't know what Ah'd do without you.

She pours the contents of the box into a bowl on the countertop.

Three lonely bump'o's roll out into her bowl with a pathetic clinking against the porcelain.

>Gal'dern it Celestia! It's too early fer this crap, ya know Ah can't start tha day without Bump'o's cereal! It has all the vitamins and minerals a growing body lahk mine needs!

"And two servings of fiber in every bowl! It truly is a part of ANY complete breakfast!"

Celestia walks by, a massive salad bowl filled to the brim with cereal and milk.

>Ah blame you, Celestia!

"As you should, Applejack! Afterall, the early Alicorn gets the Bump'o's cereal! And the limited edition Princess Applejack toy inside! Collect all six!"

>Available at all fine grocers and convenience stores!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Raven
"Jetset"
______

>What's it like...? Being on ground zero?

"Less devastating than what I previously envisioned to be frank."

>Your name is Jetset, dummy, not Frank.

He blinked, momentarily distracted.

"Did you really just do that...?

>I have to do something to keep my nerves from taking over. As Princess Celestia's scribe, it's my duty to pre-write her public announcements and this isn't exactly one I'm going to enjoy doing....

"I understand, sister."

He heard her give a bracing exhale and then the sounds of papers shuffling, a pen getting ready to write.

>So, uh... c-casualties?

"Well-"

>W-wait! If it's a number in the triple digits just... just, uh, w-write it down and mail it to me, I don't want to hear it!

"Raven, calm yourself. I have no deaths to report."

>...what? You... not even one? Are you sure?

"Are you second-guessing me? There are none."

>OH PRAISE FAUST!

"Loud."

>Okaaaay, okay, okay... um... any b-buh-b... pony's missing parts...?

"Everyone is whole. And to save you even more time, the only major injuries we sustained hit the egotistical purple filly of the Gun Club and the Queen of Gryphons. But they are both recovering fine."

>...That's all? But... that is the area where the Titan Changeling hit, right? Towering behemoth, 'rawr, 'rawr' and all that?

"It is. The destruction is paramount... but health issues are negligible."

He almost cracked the smallest of grins when she squealed like a foal.

>Good! Great even! Hardest part out of the way right there, hahaha! Now all that's left is... everything else!

"You sound happy."

>On cloud nine, brother. And that's all I needed to know, I'll let you get back to your dumb little contest or whatever.

"...I sincerely hope you catch a hoof cramp from all the writing."

>Love you, too.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Sucker Punch
"Arana"
'41'

'Oh yes, here I am, in this hallway, carrying a tray with a juicebox and a cookie on it! I am certain I will make it to my destination with this precious cargo-oh no! I have tripped and it slid into that room! That room I cannot go into! Oh well!'

"Mmmm! Thanks, silly lady!"

'Did you hear something, Sucker Punch, I didn't!'

>Blblblb?

"Huh? Oh no, I can't really digest this, but it sure tastes good!"

>Blbl.

"Mhm!"

'Yeesh, Punch, you should know that by now, how many pizzas have you and me scarfed down?m

>Blbl!

"I don't think our biolognas are THAT different."

'Biologies.'

>"..."

'Oh shi-ARE A WONDERFUL SUBJECT, SUCKER PUNCH AND ONLY SUCKER PUNCH.'

>Blblb.

'BITE ME, YA TUBE-BOUND BASTARD!'

>Blblblb!

'I'll sweep your leg! Legs! All of your legs will be swept!'

>Blblb!

'Where the hell would you get a crane to kick me from!?'

Inside the tube, the pony's hoof connects with his face. The spiderling takes another nibble of her cookie.

"This is fun."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Twilight
"Celestia"
~~~~

If her brows furrowed any closer together, they'd eventually break the barrier separating her eyes and merge them together into one solid super-eye.

"Twilight? Is something the matter?"

>Nobody died.

There was a deep, deep silence that followed that.

"...Please clarify before I go get Shiny and tell him to bring a straight jacket and a bedazzler."

>Nobody died! Most of the city is in tact! There wasn't even a giant rock tossed into the city, even!

"Well, it is a good thing we're in a hospital, I'm sure they-"

>I'M BEING SERIOUS!

The princess worriedly sat down next to her, waiting for her to continue.

>...Why'd she stop? I don't get it! None of this makes any sense.

"Twilight, joking aside you are genuinely worrying me now. Why on earth would this bother you?"

She took a deep breath to calm herself, trying to ebb away the tension that had been building inside.

>It just doesn't fit. She...

She nervously flickered her eyes around, looking for anyone close by.

>Look, I can't go into it in detail, but she has a lot of reasons to hate ponies. A LOT. Before she went into the ice, she went though... let's just be technical and say 'an experience that would normally be very traumatic'.

"How traumatic?"

She went silent, eyes flickering all around in a desperate attempt not to have to look at her mentor.

"Twilight..."

>I swore I wouldn't speak of it, I'm sorry. Both out of respect for her sharing that with me, and just to make sure she has no reason to fear sharing more, I can't tell you. If you want to know the full details, you'll have to ask her.

She did not need to ask who the 'her' was, of course. But regardless, she felt... worried.

"I see..."

>But she's not... what's the point of all this? Rawr rawr! I'm gonna smash up a whole bunch of city for no reason-OKAYI'MDONEBYE! This doesn't fit with any prescribed psychological fallout! It made sense when she honed in on Chrysalis's mother, I got that, she's the one who sealed Chitania up and of course a changeling would want revenge. But then she finds out she's dead and after that... Nothing! Whoops, guess my revenge against this changeling who only showed up later isn't going to work out, better just wander off like a lost colt in a fairground! What is she looking for!? What's her plan!? Is she really just wandering around, occasionally supersizing to smash something before she gets bored? This isn't the behavior of someone who's been through a bad experience, this is an overgrown toddler with anger problems on a rampage! And not even a sane toddler, even that would turn around and keep smashing, no, this is some... weird... ADD ridden toddler! With anger problems! It makes no sense!

She had worked herself into a frenzy, pointing every which way as she spoke as if something over in random directions helped her point. So quickly did she speak, her chest was practically heaving by the end of it.

But once she finished, there was nothing. Nothing but the sound of her catching her breath, and the ambient noise of the hospital.

"...Quote from Princess Twilight Sparkle in tomorrows paper, plastered in giant font. "Chitania! Turns out, she is just a giant ADD ridden toddler with anger issues!" I can see it now..."

Twilight's eyes goggled incredulously at her teacher, aghast.

Then, slightly, her lip began to twitch.

Then a little more.

Little more.

And then the laughter came out in a powerful explosion.

It wasn't a moment later before her once mentor joined her, and the laughter continued for a long... long time.

>Ahahahhhaha... aha... I was being serious.

"Ha... I know, that's was what made it so funny. But, well, I don't know what you wish to do?"

Her smile left her once more.

>I don't even know. If my past history is any indication, I want to tie her up to a giant machine and examine her brain waves.

"...what?"

>Don't ask, Pinkie had fun.

"If you say so. But Twilight, I hate to say it, but the real obvious answer is 'we need to catch her', and then you can speak with her to your hearts content."

>Easier said than done.

"Believe me, I know."

Wearily, the lavender filly looked up to the white princess.

>Is there anything... you'd want to ask her?

"Hmmm, perhaps a thing or two. Mostly I think I'd just scold her for endangering my subjects so, and rant forever about how awful she was for turning down Shiny's offer back when she attacked Canterlot and hurting him. And scold her for smashing my cities. And scold her for causing so much pain... I don't think I would do much speaking, just a whole lot of scolding."

>...Headline for the week after Chitania's capture "Princess Celestia still has not resumed royal duties! Is still ranting at the confused former fugitive! Will she eventually stop to breath? WHO KNOWS!?"

The laughter returned, just as hard.

>Ho hooo... You know, what I wouldn't give for that moment on the train to have gone differently. For me and her to just... talk. Just to talk, you know? I feel like there's so much left to learn...

The taller princess rose up, giving her a comforting pat on her shoulder.

"And learn you shall, in time. Be patient, be prepared and be wise, and it will all work out."

She didn't vocalize her thanks. No, her smile was enough.

"I'm sorry we cannot speak more, but there is still more I have to do here. We will continue this when we return home."

>Of course, princess. Be safe.

"You as well, my most faithful once student."

She walked off after one last nod. Strange, Twilight thought to herself, she is walking a little fast...

It was only far, far down the hall that Celestia paused, and began to look around, tail flickering in worry.

"...Seven? I know I'm supposed to pretend you aren't there, but do you know which way your Queen is?"

The strangled scream normally would have made her laugh something fierce, but she had other things on her mind.

'Down that hall, still talking to the rock farmer.'

She nodded appreciatively, and set off.

But not before raising up a magical rubber barrier, and sending him shooting off into the distance and magically summoning up a vat of tar and a healthy amount of feathers in his path of course.

She was thankful, not stupid.

Still... concerning his Queen...

"I think we need to have a talk..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Screwloose
“12”
________

He’d seen a lot of disturbing things in his day, slogged through his fair share of heart-stopping atrocities to be sure.

But not even discovering the existence of Arana, the true successor to a Hive used in the most vivid of Changeling nightmare tales, could match the terror he felt creeping over his chitin.

He didn’t know how she’d gotten that scalpel into her mouth but she had, and she was currently running the blunt edge of it underneath his neck. The movement was teasingly slow, almost ticklish, he stood perfectly still.

>So my little helper finally grew a pair and talked to the big cheese, eh?

“Screwloose, that thing’s pretty close to my jugular, you know, and I don’t really fancy dying at the moment….”

She giggled into his throat and he felt the blade pull away only to be spit off to the side.

>Don’t be silly, I wouldn’t start at your throat if I were going to kill you, perv. Yours is a species I still need to do a lot of internal research on. I’d start on the stomach first, oh yes, then move up, collecting all your little bits and pieces into plastic baggies for later.

Her cheeks were flushed now and she seemed to grow short of breath as she described her method.

“…Seems like you’ve given this a lot of thought.”

>One tends to give a lot of thought towards their main interest. I enjoy taking things apart and finding out what makes them tick. And it’s almost annoying that I can’t do the same to you!

“Why not?”

>Because you’re simply too good of a massage therapist.

He smirked.

“Oh am I?”

>Yes, and speaking of….

Skipping back on her hindlegs, Screwloose fell back onto her cot and lifted a tantalizing leg into the air.

>Get to it, perv, and try not to salivate too much.

“I’ll try not to salivate if you try not to get off on it.”

A snide smirk adorned her muzzle.

>And he finally starts to catch on, folks. Now then, do tell… how did you convince the good nurse to keep you? Did you beg? No, I bet not, you’re crazy, not pathetic. Did you threaten her with racial profiling? I told you she was a racist, didn’t I? Damn right I di-

“She agreed because I said after I get you free, that I would… th-that you’d be my responsibility.”

When she suddenly pulled her hoof away he avoided looked up.

“Yeah, I know and I’m sorry. She was shooting me down left and right and I couldn’t think of anything to say but that….”

Something tapped him just under the chin- her hoof- and lifted his head just high enough for them to lock eyes, and he was more than a little surprised to see Screwloose staring back at him with her tongue lolling out, eyes half-lidded.

>You said that you’d take… responsibility… of me? Why that’s probably the most romantic thing a specimen has ever said to me.…

What sounded like a deep growl echoed up from her throat, not quite a bark but pretty damn close and 12 arched a brow.

>…Pardon that. Side-effects of a years past experiment.

“I swear you get weirder every day I see you.”

>I like to keep things interesting as boredom equates to stagnation and that’s no fun. And don’t try to change the subject, perv. You said you’d take responsibility of this gorgeous mare, didn’t you? That means that you’ll meet every single one of my needs like a good owner, yes…?

Her voice had grown husky and he swallowed past a lump of dread.

“I… I guess so.”

>Fwaah.~ Excellent… I’m going to enjoy strapping you to the first operating table I can get my hooves on. I wonder how much force it’d take for a serrated blade to pierce chitin? Are you healthy? Does that affect the hardness? Do you know? Tell me if you do so I can preorder some special syringes just in case.

“…”

>My, my, you look like you’ve just seen a ghost! Wait... don’t tell me you were expecting something else?

She dragged out the last word in a singsong tone while 12 turned his gaze to the ceiling, though the blush on his cheeks was visible.

>Ha! I knew it! What, my sexy hooves aren’t enough for you? You want more? Well, I don’t blame you, seeing little ol’ me bound up in this straightjacket, all helpless and vulnerable, that must be a fetish of yours.

“I DO NOT HAVE A BONDAGE FETIS- MMPH!”

A hoof pressed itself to his mouth, nearly over his face, effectively cutting his yells short and she guided him back down into a seated position before her.

>Theeeere we go, settle down and enjoy that, but no licking. You haven’t earned that yet. I appreciate that you’re just this side of addled in the brain to stay with me but you’re technically doing nothing I couldn’t have done on my own. Escape from here would be pitifully easy, we both know this.

“…Gnnf mmpgh.”

>True, one way leads to freedom without consequence and the other leads to an all out pony-hunt. Still, my way is more interesting, not to mention faster and it’ll provide me plenty of test subjects to pick off.

“Mrrrgh.”

>Oh, fine, worrywart. I’ll hear you out. What is it I have to do to be legally checked out? If I know Redblood, it’ll be something like getting her a copy of ‘Naughty Nurses 5’, right?

“…nn.”

>No? Huh, she must already have that one. So what is it then?

“Mmph prrgh ghurrrngh.”

>What…? A supervised walk around the hospital? That’s all?

Glancing over the hoof still pressed to his face, 12 watched as the most widest, sinister smile split her face to the point where her eyes closed.

>On second thought I take it back. This way is going to be far more interesting than merely breaking out.

“…knnnm?”

>Before I was sent down to this lovely little hole in the ground, I did a few, ah… experiments on some of my friends above. …And by experiments, I mean I fucked them up to the point of night terrors. And by friends I mean ponies who would love to see a bleeding gash torn into my throat.

“…”

>O-oh! Hey, don’t inhale like that, you perv, it tickles….

“GNRGGGH!”

>Mmmn, don’t worry, they’re after me, not you. All you have to worry about is catching a trap made for me.

That made him feel no better.

>Anything else specific about this little romp around, perv? …Or should I start calling you master now?

“Mrrrrgh…”

>I have to wear what again?

From within his helpers shirt, 12 fished out a red leather leash, one with a golden collar attached.

There was no hiding the look of surprise that flashed over her face, and it lasted until she fixed him with an acknowledging pair of bedroom eyes.

>…Damn, perv. You’re really taking this master-pet relationship thing seriously, aren’t you? For that, you get one lick.

“…”

>What? You don’t want it? Fine, suit yourse- nnnngh! Th-there’s a good pervert.~
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>FR
"SS"
~~~

If the silence had been any thicker, they would have suffocated.

>So...

They need not wonder what would have happened if the room had been anymore awkward, as it was fairly doubtful that was possible.

>Aren't you going to go inside?

The filly, in turn, just squeezed harder on the broken, twisted wreck in her hooves, quite worrying the adult as he could see a fair number of rather sharp looking protrusions coming out from the hole in the thing.

>It's just, I'm sure she'd love to see her best friend right now.

"No she wouldn't."

His 'playful' laugh was more than a little forced.

>Oh, don't be like that. If anything, she's probably more worried you haven't come to see her yet. Why, she's probably afraid you got more hurt than we said. She had been asking, you know.

"She knows how okay I am. I was behind her when..."

The metal made low scraping noises as her forelegs rattled.

"I couldn't even be a meat shield, I hid when that thing-"

>Meat shield? Come on, that's taking it a little too far.

"It's all I could have done after what happened."

The silence returned, just as thick.

>Well...I suppose now might not be a good time anyway. She was yelling a little loudly. She might be upset.

"..."

>Me go in? Perish the thought! First thing a father knows is that when his daughter gets angry, you let her get it all out and then show up with brownies. It's just the smart thing to do. Or cookies. Or ice cream... pretty much any sweet will work.

She didn't answer.

>...Do you want some?

"...Yes."

>Good girl. I'm sure it'll all work out, you'll see...

He shuddered a bit when he looked at her room, completely unable to hide it.

>I'm sure...
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chrysalis
"Fluttershy"
'Maud'
~~~

>Come oooooonnnnnnn...

"I don't know..."

>Look, I feel your worries, really I do. I feel you, in here, right in here. But you know what else I feel? I feel a NEED, Fluttershy, a need to make this happen. And I need you to fulfill this need, as only you can!

"Well..."

>For the one who has helped you so in these trying times, who repaired Partyland at the cost of getting fricasseed sideways, do this for your fricassee buddy, Fluttershy, do this for her!

"Well... I-I guess..."

>Just imagine yourself long... hard... pointy... powerful.

"I'm imagining..."

>Bigger.

"I'm imagining..."

>Bigger!

"I-"

>BIGGER! HARDER! STROOOOONGER!

"I-I-I-"

There was a massive POP! And then suddenly...

>...Mwhahaha... ahahaah...AAAAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH!

"O-oh my!"

>AND NOW.... FOR THE FINISHER! MAUDY!

'My name is Maud.'

>IT IS TIME!

Maniacally, Chrysalis grabbed hold of what had once been a yellow mare.

Instead now, her chaos powers had changed her, turning her into a long, hard, thick, strong-

>MINE IS THE DRILL THAT WILL PIERCE THE HEAVENS!

Drill. She was a yellow candy-cane colored drill.

>MAUD! THROW ME AT THAT BUILDING!

"C-Chrysalis, I'm sure they appreciate you knocking down the condemned buildings, but-"

'Okay.'

"W-WAIT!"

They flew so fast they nearly made a sonic boom.

>GIGAAAAAA DRILLLLLLLLLLL BREAKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

The massive once-proud skyscraper never stood a chance.

>AHHHHAHAHAHAHAHH! AHAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!.... AGAIN!

"O-oh my..."

'This is fun. I am having fun.'

>AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Spike
"???"
~~~~

There is very little Spike hated in this world.

How short his arms were? That was normally not one of them. Except for right now, when he was reaching up into the little flap on the vending machine, desperately trying to reach the last "Diamond-o-riffic" bar. Which, while not actually made of diamonds, was utterly delicious, and he wanted it, but had no bits.

So this was plan B.

Which, while not the best of plans... might just work.

>NGGHHH!

A little more, just a liiiiitttlllleeeee...

>....Noooooo...

Right before his eyes, a mere millimeter from his claw, the bar burst into green flame, and disappeared.

>My hate for you is endless.

Coy lips curled upwards, and she took great care when unwrapping the candy from the wrapper.

"Don't flatter yourself, I'm pretty sure you don't have enough brain capacity to facilitate an 'endless' of any thought."

>And I'd be surprised if you had enough brain power to facilitate any coherent, non-bitchy thought at all, so from your perspective anything above that has got to seem endless.

"You know, for working with Twi-Bright you don't quite have a firm grasp on perspective of numbers or what 'endless' means."

He groaned, putting his head against the glass.

>Just buzz off, I've got bigger things to worry about.

"Kay."

To his surprise, she actually did start to trot away.

>What, seriously?

She stopped, looking back.

"Make up your mind already."

>Didn't tell you to stop, just asked if you were seriously just going to walk off like that.

"Why wouldn't I? Fluttershy's probably waiting for me. Or hey, I might hit up Celestia and see how she's doing. I might even go chat with Twilight, we probably have so much to talk about. If all else fails, I'm sure Shiny or Caddy or Maney or 42 would be about. Always something interesting to do."

>So, what, I bore you now?

"You've always bored me, Snappy, I just didn't have the heart to tell you earlier."

She chuckled, idly twirling the bar in front of her.

"Oh, and by the way? Tell your little friend that while her moxie is cute and all, leave the monster fighting to the professionals? Your team may be able to handle nobodies like Blueblood just fine, but against someone on our level you're just-"

The glass on the machine cracked, spiderwebs of lines shooting out in every direction from the claw pressing against it.

>Don't you dare say that about her. She's braver than you'll ever be.

"For what?"

>For having the sense to get Chitania out of there!

"And how is that different from what I did?"

>She did it BEFORE the city got destroyed!

"Doubt she could do that if she was across a continent and totally unaware anything was going on, like I was."

>Don't even put yourself in the same category!

"I didn't, she's nowhere near me."

>Just stop! You're not as good as her!

"And she's not as powerful as ME."

He didn't know where the sudden force had sprouted after an entire conversation of cool, detached air had come from, but he didn't like it.

"Same situation happened. I dragged her off and took her on solo, I almost won if not for her pulling a mind sucker-punch on me. Your little friend drags her off and nearly dies just trying to HURT HER. Do you really think she would have survived if Chitania had dropped a mountain on HER head? I don't think she would! So fuck off with this bullshit and hold back the next time the giant monster so clearly out of your league rolls up and leave it to someone who isn't going to die from a crosseyed look!"

He opened his mouth to give her a scathing retort, only to have it cut off by a candy bar shoved in his mouth.

"Save it. If I wanted to hear crying, I'd head to the maternity ward. Just keep her back before S-..."

She had frozen, her mouth snapping shut like it was a sprung trap.

"Before she makes everyone all mopey again. It's boring."

Without another word, she stomped off.

Leaving behind a very... confused dragon.

>...She better not have licked this candy.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>29
"MM"
~~~~~~

>...Marey? I just found this receipt on the floor, is it yours?

"Probably! What's it for?"

>Madam Le Fleur's striking grey silver.

"...O-OH! THAT! THAT'S... A NECKLACE! YEP! BOUGHT A NECKLACE! IT'S NICE!"

>...Wait a minute, I recognize this, this is a hair dye-

*SLAM!*

"NO ONE MUST KNOW!"

>HOLY SHIT MAREY PUT DOWN THE GUN!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Flash
"Fizzle"

"Nice rescue work, bozo"

>Bit pre-occupied up here, There's already plenty of people clearing the rubble, and the last thing we need to is to piss off Her by making ourselves known.

"Yeah like standing on the roof of the biggest building in Filly' will do that"

>I am putting my optics to good use here, why don't you go look around for the beast as well

"Oh suuuuure, I'll just my big robo wings and zoomy cyborg eyes to handle all that- Oh wait! The only thing I have is to fly about in a GIANT BALL OF FIRE. Oh I'm sure that'll totes work our fine for us"

>Then just can it

"Hell naw! You honestly think that THING?! can be stopped by you, let alone us? I waana fight real fucking bad, but not that! That is waaaaaay out of our league"

>Cut the talk, talk like that means Pennydrop decides to charge that hulk with a giant robot instead of calling us!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________