Thread 70: Stories 31-45

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>Twilight
~~~~~~

>Oh, hello my old friend, how are you? I've missed you so, yes I did. Ohhh, how I've longed to... wait... wait a minute..

*Sniff*
*Snifffsniff*

>...Wait...

*Poke poke*

>....Waaaaiiiit a minute....

....*beep*

>....OH DEAR CELESTIA, NO! WHO DID THIS TO YOU!? Who touched you, baby!? Who touched you while I was away!? No! No no no! I was only gone for a day! It was just a day! NOOOO! WHO DID THIS TO YOOOOOOOUUUUU!?

....*beep*

>WHO! TOUCHED! MY! DATABAAAAAASSSSSEEEEEEEEE!?

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~~~
"So uh, why is it called Talon Rend?"

"Talosdrendi, you mean?"

"Yeah that."

"Well, in the ancient times when this castle was being built as home to our more barbaric of Gryphon-kind, they were rather... cruel, to the slaves they used to build it."

"Say what?"

"Well we used to have slaves, back then, and of course slaves work. 'Talosdrendi' in the old tongue is a loose translation of "Our Talons That Rend With Dread.", as many a slave got their throats ripped out for messing things up. It's all in our royal library's history section."

"..."

"You know, Talon Rend, as you called it, is not far off from the translation. Think you might be part Gryphon?"

"Hope not."

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>DT
"??"
'??'
~~~

Diamond Tiara was used to ponies walking up to her and handing her pieces of paper. Just part of the territory, she surmised, of being the pony that she was. Bright, important and influential, that was her. She was used to someone just walking up to her and handing her a piece of paper, indeed.

What she was not used to was for that paper not to be blank and ready for autographing, but instead have writing on it already. Writing of a specific, non-autography nature. Instead, it was one cordially asking her to come to a specific room in Canterlot Castle.

Instantly, her mind went to one of the various royals who ran this place. They, naturally, were prime suspects, so naturally she thought about just blowing them off just to show them that if they wanted her presence, they would have to come and get her themselves. Honestly, it was little more than curiosity that caused her to concede to the request and head over to one of the castle's many, many meeting rooms.

With her dear TBDRLIATU on her back, she was the picture of importance as she carelessly flung the door open, and strode in.

She expected many, many different kinds of faces on the other side. Twilight, Applejack, Spike, perhaps even Celestia herself, but the two faces that greeted her were quite the opposite of expected. She expected ponies, but she certainly didn't expect an earth pony. She expected royalty, but not gryphon royalty.

Yet, there they were, sitting at one of the pristine and magnificent meeting tables normally reserved for dignitary meetings, Pennydrop at one end, Gwendolyn at the other.

"Diamond Tiara! There you are, fashionably late as always. Not to worry, I'm used to celebrities at this point."

Considering recent events, Diamond Tiara had not quite expected a bright, jovial tone to come from the mare. If anything, she had expected a bit of annoyance, anger, maybe a hint of disappointment, yet Pennydrop was nothing if not grinning.

"Take a seat, any will do."

A brief moment of thought, some deliberation, and then with her decision made the filly grabbed hold of what was supposed to be an 'extra' table, and shoved it square in the center of the table the two sat at. Now, it took on the look of an odd T, with of course herself at the base.

Both gryphon and pony laughed, despite the implications.

'Clever little thing... so, I've heard you've been taking command of the guard?'

>I was training them, until they appointed some guy for the job. Just a guy! Nobody special! And he seriously just comes in expecting like I'm going to just bow down and follow his orders!

'Tends to happen with those who get a taste of importance.'

>Right? And here I was making sure everyone was strong and prepared in case of you know what, and this asshole just comes along like what!

'Indeed, I've heard you've been quite proactive in strengthening your homeland's army... not that I would know about that, of course, it's not like I would pay attention to foreign military.'

>Pffft!

'Indeed. Still, I am quite impressed, you continue to show wisdom beyond your age... wish my son had that same drive.'

>Still a little wimp?

'...No comment. So, Pennydrop, what did you call us here for? I'm quite busy.'

>Yeah, we've got stuff to do.

The businessmare waved her hoof dismissively, smiling all the while.

"No need to be so serious, this is a time for celebration!"

From behind her, she produced three glasses, and a bottle of something that looked positively exorbitant in cost. Despite this, the air of the two in front of her took on a more... serious look.

'If this is about the changelings leaving Canterlot-'

Again, another flippant wave, the smile never so much as faltering.

"No no, of course not, I don't care about the changelings or where they live, no business of mine. No, I'm much happier with certain... developments."

Gwen, noticeably, was the first to relax.

'Ah. I take it you are making good use of the Eagle-Eye plains?'


"Oh ho! You do not know the half of it. You should take your husband sometimes, if you think he could contain himself. A lover of weaponry like himself might have trouble... controlling his urges around it all. Everything is going far faster and far better than expected."

The Queen nodded, quite pleased.

'Good... but I think Idris will be kept in the dark, for the moment. A surprise is in order. Fair play after what he pulled with those damned airships."

"Your call, of course! And you-"

>I don't know if the robots are going to stay.

She expected at least a twitch, at least a brief pause in her pouring her glass. But no. Strangely, the smile never left her face.

"Oh, no worries, I know all about the current captain's 'issues' thanks to my dear associate, Coltsly. I am not under the delusion he's going to let them stay. However, let's just say this might prove quite... fortuitous."

>...Go on.

"Hold onto those models after they send them off, is all I'm going to say."

Thoughtfully, Diamond Tiara nodded, shifting her rocket launcher ever so slightly.

>...You know, you never did say why you wouldn't supply me with them before, but still paid for them.

"Diamond Tiara! Come now, I didn't think I'd need to. After all, my associate was just rejected, if I had you suddenly appearing and giving the things away for free, well wouldn't that be... actually, I'm going to stop myself right there, that would look massively, uncomfortably suspicious. It would be really fucking blatant, in fact. Come on, that would just plain look terrible, right?"

Off to the side, Gwen shrugged.

'I see why fears of infiltration would be present.'

"But no matter! You know as well as I do that the robots were only there for a certain purpose, no? Them being with the guard is not vital, and nobody will begrudge you for being unable to return them after he rejects your machines. All that was important was keeping them in Canterlot, at the same place... with her."

As one, every single eye narrowed.

'...And you're sure they will be sufficient to protect the populace when disaster finally strikes?'

"Gwendolyn, lives are at stake, not to mention my reputation. Why would I take a risk? No, I think when the inevitable finally comes, the citizens are going to know who can do more than just pull them out of the way, and wait for a third party to fix everything. I'm taking every precaution to ensure when that bitch finally has had her fill of whatever it is she is doing, she's not going to so much as knock over a lightpost."

>Still, we haven't tested the ice cannons against her.

"It held her for years, I think we can manage to go a little colder than a bit of snow."

'Are you sure that was all it took to contain her?'

"That's what the information we have points to."

'I see...'

"Not to worry, even if it fails, well... as I said, risking lives is bad for business, you know?"

'So long as we're clear on that.'

"Good! Oh, and Diamond Tiara... I have the item you requested."

She positively lit up, glowing brighter than a firework mid explosion and all but shooting to her hooves.

>You do!? Give it to me!

"It is being discreetly delivered to our secure location as we speak, so that you can pick it up in more... unsuspicious times. I'm sure he'll be very happy with his new parts."

She couldn't help but spare an elated glance backwards, to dear TBDRLIATU, waiting for the moment she could make him even more powerful.

"With all that said... I'd say things are going quite swimmingly, despite any setbacks, wouldn't you, girls?"

Eventually, they had to agree.

"So, I say, a toast! To success!'

Thoughtfully, Diamond Tiara regarded the glass of wine in front of her.

>...Is this non-alcoholic?

"No."

>Aren't I too y...

But nobody said anything, nor stopped her as she picked up her glass, and joined with them.

"A toast!"

>...Too success!

'To success!'

In one fluid move, she slugged down the whole thing.

'...Oh dear.'

"Ho wow, you're just supposed to sip it!"

'Poor thing, even Siegfried fell on his ass the first time he tried that.'

She gagged, her eyes started to water, and her head swam for just a brief moment.

But, eventually, she swallowed it all down, and remained standing.

'...Great hawk.'

"...HAHA! Of course, nothing less from Diamond Tiara, right?"

'I suppose so...'

She smiled, feeling on top of the world.

...Which is to say, lightheaded, vision swimming, and like she was going to puke.

But she held it down, held it all down, as she looked to the others.

>...What, you're just going to sip? I thought you all were supposed to be impressive!

They both smiled, honestly smiled.

And slugged it all down just as fast.

Likewise, their own visions began to swim. Apparently, bits were like fuel, and the more you spent the stronger the stuff was.

Still, every one of them remained upright, and smiling.

>...MORE!

'HA!"

"... I love my job ..."

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CD
>Idris
"Hilda"
'???'
-???-
=???=
~Guard~

The throne room of Talosdrendi stood quiet with the melancholy that could only be achieved with two members of the royal family off chasing some agenda or another, and a third still bedridden.

>Is Zephyrious progressing well?

"Yes, father, I suspect he will be back to his old self before the month is out."

>A terrible business, this whole thing is, almost makes me pine for the old days when ponies stuck to their business, we to ours. Now, the works of Equestria have lead down a path of pain and destruction. Be it massive beast or damnable plague, we seem at Equestria's mercy no matter the occasion.

"Yet our association with them persists, father."

Idris gives a rueful chuckle, looking into a goblet of wine.

>Even the lowest of whores have regrets, my daughter...

~Your highness.~

A guard had scurried in during Idris' musings, his armor clanking a bit as he regarded the King and Princess.

~There are...guests, for you, your highness.~

>Guests? I thought we had dealt with all the petitioners today...

~Their arrival was completely unexpec-~

'ENOUGH!'

The doors of the throne room burst open, sending the guard stumbling to the floor. Idris and Hilda stood, glaring at the intruder...

A hunched and wingless gryphon, body criss-crossed with scars, talons curled around a poleaxe, his feathers a mottled assortment of blacks and greys leading to a serrated beak. He glared at the King of the Gryphons, eyes burning with a deep hatred.

'Your majesty.'

Idris narrowed his eyes at the grotesque gryphon, glancing at his guards.

>Barnabus Blackfeather, you've some nerve showing your carcass in my halls. Have you come to seek vengeance for some obscure slight, plead innocence for one of your many relatives that are no doubt in my dungeons? Or do you simply seek to throw yourself on an enemy's weapon and end your tawdry life?

'No such luck, I come transporting precious cargo to you, honestly I would think you should pay me for the deed I do, considering the company I was forced to keep coming here.'

-Silence your oiled tongue, knave!-

The voice that echoed through the chamber, deep, loud, and boisterous, piqued Idris' interest.

>That voice...

From the doorway next stepped Barnabus' opposite in many many ways. The gryphon who stood in noble finery was handsome, with almost golden feathers covering his aged yet still quite athletic body. He regarded Barnabus with a caustic snarl before bowing low to Idris.

-Your highness, a pleasure to see you, though I wish it were in better company.-

>And a pleasure to see you as always, Severus.

The gryphon lord turned his eye towards Hilda, a smile spreading across his features.

-And lest my eyes deceive me, I believe I see a face that should belong to a lanky little hellion affixed to her brother's side.-

"Good evening, Uncle. It's good to see you once more, but...why exactly are traveling with this brigand?"

'Whelp...'

-It is not by my choice, my niece, rather we are beholden to the whims of our other companion.-

>Beg pardon?

=They heeded my words...=

What stepped next through the door was something Idris Af Gryphonia had not seen since the days of his coronation and marriage to Gwendolyn.

Into the room, helped by a cane, came a decrepit and stooped old gryphon, all of her body hidden beneath a cloak adorned with silver and gold designs depicting a lion and eagle intertwining to form a gryphon upon the chest. As one, the guards knelt before this creature, muttering prayers beneath their breath.

=For my words are those of the Gods. See how even most bitter rivals kneel before the words of the Aerie? My guards were chosen by design, Idris Af Gryphonia, so that none would question my coming here.=

The King of the gryphons stood tall despite his corwn beginning to feel far far heavier than before.

>To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Madam Godspeaker?

=They have spoken to me, King Idris, the Lion and the Eagle, the Great Beasts that came before all true folk, the holders of knowledge and strength beyond our understanding. They sent visions to we inhabitants of the Aerie, the stewards of their abandoned holdfast. Destruction, King Idris, ruin upon our people. Cataclysm, war...it must be avoided if we Gryphons are to survive.=

>Tell me what I must do, then, and it shall be done.

Idris blinked as he saw a wicked grin begin to split Barnabus' beak, and a rueful shake of the head come from Severus.

=You must call forth the Lords of these Kingdoms. Great and Small, Minor and Major, all Houses must come to Gryphos...for they must bear witness.=

"Bear witness to what?"

The old gryphon stared at Hilda, eyes peeking beneath the hood to reveal them as a milky grey expanse, with nary a pupil in sight.

=Bear witness...to your Dynasty's resurgence...or its fall.=

"What-"

'Idris Af Gryphonia! King of the Gryphon Kingdoms, I name you unfit to the title of King!'

Barnabus Blackfeather spat the words with an unparalleled rage.

'I invoke the right of Kingsmoot, let all the rulers of this land come forth and see clearly that your dynasty will lead us to ruin!'

With a wicked laugh, Barnabus turned on his heel and left, his poleaxe clanking against the floor. Severus, with a sigh, bowed to the awestruck king.

-I apologize for this, my liege, know that as always, my house is loyal to the crown. I suggest you call for my sister and nephew's return, our time is short.-

Severus moved to shepherd the blind gryphon away, but she fixed Idris with another stare.

=Be strong, Idris Af Gryphonia, prove to the Lion and the Eagle that you deserve to lead your people...they will be watching.=

With that, the two left.

>Guards, send word to Siegfriend and Gwendolyn. Hilda, get Zephyrious and bring him here.

The room exploded into activity, and at the center sat the King of the Gryphons.

He had seen a monster destroy his lands.

He had seen a plague make puppets of his people.

He would not see the fall of his dynasty.

Not today.

Not ever.

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NC
>...But seriously, you planned for me getting rejected?

"Yep."

>And that a new captain would be named?

"Uh huh."

>...Is there anything you didn't plan for?

".........Sea bears."

>...
'...Beg your pardon?'

"....Fucking sea bears..."

~~~

'...Wait, how's he on land?'

*POOFF!*

>Did.. did logic just make it disappear?

'...Does Discord still live here?'

"WE'RE SAVED!"

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>Chrysalis
"Twilight"
~~~~

>NUUUUUUU-SLAMMA WHAMMA WHAM!.... BLAM BLAM BLAM!... BLAM!... huh. No reaction?

"LEAVE! I AM DETECTING!"

>...Why are you on the ground with a magnifying glass?

"DETECTING!"

>And that hat you are wearing, this is vital for the... 'detecting'?

"Yes!"

>Ah. And what are you detecting, oh detective of detection?

"Someone broke into my lab and accessed my computer!"

>Broke into it? How? I have to fuck with my DNA to get in here sometimes.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out! How could they have gotten in here!?"

>And you're sure someone broke in?

"All the girls were with me, it wasn't Celestia and it wasn't Luna.... was it you?"

>Nope.

"Just checking. So SOMEONE-"

>Snk.

"...what?"

>I just find it kind of funny you actually believe me.

"Think we're long past that point."

>Eh, point.

"That and this wouldn't matter to you anyway, the only files that got accessed were my files on the changelings... and you have started glaring."

>...

"No, Chrysalis, they didn't get the... the you thing. The Queen thing. They did not get that, my vault was still secure."

>And what else did they get?

"They didn't make any copies!... But they did read it."

>...how much.

"...Okay, let me put it to you this way, if it's not about you, or would put your life in danger... they have it."

>...

"I'm sorry! I know you trusted me with this, but I was sure it-"

>Pony. Roughly the same size as you. Lacking in noticeable muscle mass so it's not an earth pony who works fields, and lacking in any feathers or cloud particles, so it wasn't a pegasus.

"...first off, creepy! Second, you're sure you're not looking at my-"

>They're yellow.

"...You know this because? No offense, but it sounds like you just saw Sunset's hoofsteps. You DO know she's been in here, right? That doesn't mean-"

From underneath the keyboard, a single, yellow hair emerged.

Specifically... underneath the 'C', and halfway between the 'H'.

"...You are good at this."


>...

"This doesn't mean that-"

>There is no dust on the top of this hair.

"Ah. So that is less than a day old... and she was not in here before I left."

>...

"...Okay, yes, she was asking about Changelings before this, but that doesn't mean I'm going to jump to conclusions-"

>There is some kind of black tobacco substance over there.

"...Okay, yes, she smokes, but that doesn't mean..."

>...

"I mean, I gave you the benefit of the doubt, sure we can..."

>...

"It's just not proof..."

>...

"...Okay, so, positives, it's just Sunset, she was probably a little curious, and she was on my side with you about that whole... guard thing. Positive! It could have been worse!"

>...

"...Just promise you'll let me handle it."

>Okay.

"Wait, really?"

>Like you said, we're past this already. Just make sure she's not putting it down somewhere stupid and keep her away from my folder.

"Can do and can do."

>...

"...Did you need something else?"

>Shiny and me are going jello sliding."

"...I'll grab my swimsuit."

>Which one?

"Pink one, it's Shiny's favorite!"

>HAH!

"Oh come on, it's not that unmasculine for him to like pink! Lots of stallions love pink! And you know what, I like pink to! We both like pink, and there's nothing wrong with that!"

>HAHAHAHAH!

"...I don't care, Shiny likes it...."

>AHAHAHAHAH

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>Vekir
"Watchdog"
'Gwen'
-Siegfried-

>Hurrah and hurray robotest of dogs, you are free at last to do the things you are needing to do!

"Heh, yeah! Dig me, world! Cats got nine lives? Psh, I only need THREE! And two of mine are ROBOTS! EAT A BIGGUN, MITTENS!"

>Muchly of a celebration we are requiring, no? Yes. Be coming with Vekir, we shall begin to the speaking of your sides of the deal!

"Heh, chyeah, what IS it, I'm supposed to give ya, huh? Need some jars opened? These arms look pneumatic, baby, no pickles are safe!"

>No no, Vekir does not eat the green salty veggies. Vekir needs your help, robot dog, help with her great and mighty task!

"Yeah, sure, cave girl, sure. Lay it on me, I got this in the bag, whatever it is. Want me to lay a hurting on some big cave monster? Do I gotta lead some misfits into becoming warriors? You need someone to mine gems? Oh mama, I can mine gems all day every day!"

>Vekir needs for the robot dog to travel with me around the world to see its many sights and meet its many leaders so that I will prove that I deserve to be our great and mighty ambassador and never have to go down to the caves again!

"..."

>...

"...neat."

>Hurrah!

"Alriiiight, it's a world tour, awesome. Meet some primitives, fight some bad guys, become a folk hero along the way. Sure, kid, sure, let's do it!"

>Hurrah!

"Where to first?"

>We go forth to meet the Catbirds! Specifikickally their King and Queen! Trade must be made, yes? Yes. It will be a dangerous journey, with much peril and-oof!

'OOF!'

"..."

-...-

"Hey, we're halfway there!"

'Oh no...'

>EEEEEEEEE!

'Siegfried?'

-Yes mother?-

'Kill me.'

-Nope, suffer.-

'Betrayal!'

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Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Discord"
~~~~
> Welcome to Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content doesn't matter and plans go awry! Now for our main guest...DISCORD!!!

"Hmph"

>They worked it out!

"So they did and the fun was cut short...of course that doesn't mean the chaos ends "

>What's that suppose to mean?

"I'm sure I'll find other ways to push their buttons, but for now...ooops. You should check on your friend Sunset. That's all the time we have. Join me next time when I don't have a lazy writer."

>Hey, I'm the one who ends the show.

"You do realize that you're too confident in the writers right? They can't even deliver on time."

>They're not perfect, but I know they'll always figure things out.

"Suit yourself. This conversation never happened."
*static*

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>Celestia
"56"
~~~~

>Fifty... Six? Fifty-Six, is that really you? Well, this is quite the pleasant surprise, dear! I thought you'd left along with-

"Princess Sunbutt, I got a question."

>Get the hell out.

"Huh?"

>I said what's the limp about?

"Oh. Um, I... tripped."

She merely blinked.

>Hm. Quite the... chaotic looking band-aid you've got there.

A pair of chitinous ears fell back.

"That obvious?"

>To one who hasn't spent eons around Discord to the point where they can spot out his little subtle touches, no. But to me? Like a hawk.

"It's... it's nothing."

Again, she merely blinked.

>As you say, little one. Now, your asinine question?

"...Did you just say 'ass of nine'...?

>Language, Fifty-Six.

"Sorry...."

>And I said right on time.

"Oh. Well, I was jus' wonderin'... do you think it's better to forget... or to remember?"

Her answer was immediate.

>While each has their own merit, I personally find no better way to grow, to gain wisdom and knowledge, than to remember what we forget. No matter how painful, or crushing, or shocking... to remember is to retain and persevere.

Amidst his dirty blonde mane was where Celestia placed a gentle kiss.

>Now take that knowledge, remember it, and make your decision, Fifty-Six.

When she turned around, she wholeheartedly expected him to latch onto her rump, so she couldn't very well hide her surprise when he instead took hold of one of her back legs, squeezing it in a hug.

"Thanks, Sunbutt."

After a quick cheek rub to her cutie mark, 56 hobbled off in the opposite direction.

>...Wow. I don't know what's stranger. The fact that he didn't hug my ass, or that I'm slightly disappointed that he didn't hug my ass.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Sunset Shimmer
“Worst Queen”
~~~

Another cycle of the sun across Equestria, another day passed by with Sunset Shimmer hiding away in her room. She would have to leave and speak to other ponies soon. Just enough so that there would be no suspicion, no questions. She knew that the Apple Princess and her friends had already returned to the castle. It would only be a matter of time before sompony would begin to wonder where she was.

The issue with that notion was that Sunset wasn't entirely sure what had happened to her. Everything past the experiment-gone-wrong was very hazy, like she had been numb in the head.

More concerning was the fact that she no longer felt any appetite, no thirsty, no need to sleep. She had snuck something out of the kitchen, once, only to find out that she couldn't taste it. She had since stopped, despite her mind trying to keep up the habit of feeding. And whenever she slept, she fell into the starless abyss of a million eyes she now knew the name of.

The Hivemind.

As a self- experiment, she had gone two days without sleeping or eating now, and she had yet to discover any detrimental effects. Which was both frightening and amazing, because it meant something bad was happening to her.

Rolling the small cigarette from one corner of her mouth to the other, she takes another drag then spat it out, stepping on the glowing remnant to snuff it out.

>Nothing... can't even taste the damn thing.

Her eyes flicked over to the empty package of tobacco she had brought over from the mirror world. It was now empty.

In a desperate attempt to get even the slightest reaction out of her body, she had binge-smoked all of it. And aside from her smelling like a Faust-damned chimney, nothing had happened. Her eyes didn't even water from all the smoke.

Turning around, she walked away from the balcony, past her bed and dresser, her head hung low.

>I-I need help...

„HAH!“

Sunset jerked like she had been struck, eyes flicking wildly to look across her room for an intruder. She was still, listening for the sound of breathing, hoofsteps or movement. Hearing nothing, she called out tentatively.

>Is anypony there?

„AnyPONY?“

Less frightened than earlier, Sunset began moving through her room, scanning every nook and cranny, hastily opening the closet and the doors of her dresser.

>Where are you?

„Hmph. Playing dumb now, are we? You know where I am.“

Fear began creeping up on the unicorn, making her hind legs tense as her flight reflexes urged her to run.

„Oh, I like that. The terror you feel, making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.“

Fear began to develop into panic, Sunset's eyes flicking to the door of her room.

„Over here!“

Sunset whirled around to the source of the voice, momentarily fearing she had been observed all along. But all she saw was her reflection in the dresser's mirror looking back at her with a startled expression that likely mirrored her own.

An expression that slowly melted into one of smug superiority as she moved towards it.

„That's right. I am you.“

An expression that collapsed into a deadpan the next instant.

>Really? REALLY? That is how you are going to play this up? I am one of the most knowledgeable ponies alive concerning magic, including summoning of otherworldly entities. And you are going to pretend you are ME to make me compliant? Puh-lease.

Sunset felt the muscles in her face shift, her expression now showing annoyance despite her not willing it so.

“Tsk. You ponies are so spoiled nowadays. Back in the old days, this kind of stuff was enough to drive a farmer mad. And then he would go on to murder his own family in a burst of paranoia. I miss that kind of ignorance.”


>Save yourself the trouble, fiend. I don't know how you managed to possess me, but I'd rather die than let you take hold of me and hurt Equestria in any way. I'll throw myself off the balcony if I can't stop you myself. See how you go and control a broken corpse.

The mirror-image of herself smirked now. An ugly, broad smirk that tugged the corners of her mouth into high angles she was sure her mouth should be incapable of going into.

“Oh, but there's no need for that at all. After all...”

Sunset's right hoof rose, beyond her control, reaching for the side of her muzzle. Green flames licked at the underside for a moment as two talon-like, serrated protrusions emerged from her flesh.

She felt no pain as they came out, and she also felt no pain when the tips tore into the side of her cheek and cleanly ripped away the flesh to reveal the double-row of her teeth beneath. There was no blood in her flesh to drip from the wound. But the horror on her face was plain to see.

“...you are already as dead as dead can be.”

The gash on her face smoothly sealed up and healed without her doing or any of the green fire springing up. The revelation left her stunned.

“Did you really think it was a coincidence that you managed to tap into the vast knowledge of the immortal Hivemind, when only those who have passed away can fully access it? You are a walking corpse, Sunset Shimmer, animated by the shards of arcana stuck in your heart. Not one type, but many keep you in this world.”

Sunset's hoof shot to her chest, eyes wide. She could feel the faint hint of scars beneath her hoof. And the pulse of raw power that wasn't her own heartbeat. No, that one had stopped. And it didn't start unless she concentrated on it.

“Even now, it is changing you, adapting to your will, little pony.”

That line shook Sunset enough to make her determination re-surface. She glared at her own mirror image as if she could intimidate it.

>You tell me all this, know me by my name. And yet, you didn't answer the obvious question yourself, monster. Who are you?

“Don't play innocent. You know who I am.”

She did. She honestly, truly did. All she wanted was confirmation. And she received it in the form of a forced, mute vision. Of her towering above a town covered in snow, feeling triumphant. Of another Changeling Queen rising to the challenge, growing in size to match her.

>”Variolus.”

“Ahahahahahahahah!”

Sunset's body shook from the laughter, her second self seamlessly blending their actions together.

>Dammit... I should have listened to Twilight. You Changeling Queens are nothing but trouble and failure, best forgotten and never to be remembered.

“Ooooh, you may SAY this now, but do you actually BELIEVE that? You undermined their trust, sought out all they knew and soaked it up like a sponge. And even now, you are thinking of how you can use all of this to your advantage.

>Stop toying around. Possessive beings always seek something, want something, or else they would give up their link to this world. Quit the theatralics and tell me what you want so I can deny it.

“Mmmmh, I think you are pegging me wrong here. I existed in the beyond before you were even born, and I will continue to do even if you destroy yourself. But... you are a link. A bridge between the Hivemind and the world of the living. You are far, far too precious to lose.”

Sunset's horn began to glow as she prepared to cast a simple spell to alert Princess Celestia to her plight. A tiny wind-whisper message to let her know something was ahoof. She wasn't so foolish as to strike deals with otherworldly entities. Better to be found out than to harm those around her.

The spell fizzled when a foreign presence snuffed it out before she could form the words.

“Ah ah ah. Hear me out first, little pony. Then you decide whether to expose the both of us.”

Sunset grit her teeth, but sat down.

>Fine. Speak your piece, beguiler. You can't trap me in my own room forever. Ponies will come looking.

“And we will have concluded business before they arrive. See, I have unfinished business left in this world. Loose ends that require tying up. They are few, and none of them require you to cause harm, as far as I know. I just want to do the right thing.”

That sounded unlike anything Sunset knew about the Changeling Queens of old. At least unlikely enough for her to be curious.

>...I am listening.

“That's all I ask for now.. First, I require you to find a drone currently in the care of the Chrysalis' hive. Goes by the name designation Thirty-Two. I wish to speak to him. That is all.”

And instantly, Sunset was suspicious of the ease of that task.

>Why the interest in a mere drone? Twilight's notes said Queens never truly cared for their subjects, sometimes going as far as to kill them for mere sport.

“True. But he's family. And that is all I am going to tell you up front.”

>Fine. I suppose I can handle a family reunion without anything blowing up. Is that all? Seek some sort of redemption so you can shuffle off into the afterlife?

“One more thing. Seek out Chitania, the Titan. Earn her trust, work with her. Whatever it takes. Her case is more difficult. I doubt she would believe us unless she knew you weren't trying to harm her. I need her to understand something. But her skull is as thick as her muscles, so that might take longer.”

In a lower voice, she heard her own voice mutter.

“Always suspicious, that one... but that is all I require. Once you have done these tasks, I will leave you be.”

Sunset rose, and started pacing up and down her room, mind racing. She knew the word of a Queen was worth about as much as the dead drones they walked over to get where they wanted to be. It was not only risky, but also foolish to just agree and go along with this one's demands.

>Okay, suppose I trust you not to use me to revive yourself, gain foothold in this world or take over my body. Why should I help you? What benefit do I have from cooperating with a literal murderer, huh?

“Hmm-hmm. A negotiator. You continue to surprise me. Well, how about I show you how to contact the others in the Hivemind, maybe even let them know of your abilities so that you might strike deals with them?”

Sunset shook her head right away.

>That's not good enough for me. It may be a promise for assistance, not to actual success. What you get out of this is far more clearly defined than a vague 'I might help you'. Try again or leave.

“You really are a piece of work, pony. Well then, how about I show you how to wield our powers? To control those you already know. You seem to have a grasp of how to affect our nourishment and take it for your own, thanks to the Changeling-power-infused gem. I will bring to you what you have always wanted, always craved.”

Sunset felt a sudden shift, a twitch, part of her body rising higher. Her left foreleg had split open sound- and painlessly, a flame of green producing a wicked blade of black attached to her limb instead.

“All of our powers, our abilities, unlocked. Power beyond your wildest dreams!“

>...huh.

“What is the matter? Too awed to speak? You can barely grasp the extent, the vast range, might that would be at your behest, right? Don't worry, it is understandable to be overwhelmed by the might of the Queens.

And once more, Sunset's face fell into a pure, emotionless deadpan.

>That is literally one of the most stupid, useless powers I have yet seen from your kind.

“Wh-WHAT? How DARE you!”

Sunset had felt how Variolus manipulated the energies within her, how she had produced the blade. And thus, it was with far slower pace but no less precision that she made the blade vanish, reforming her limb as it was supposed to be.

>First off, how am I supposed to walk on three-legs with an overly heavy blade attached to the fourth? Secondly, using something that big makes you an easily targetable, stationary target. And lastly, you can't hide your intentions by swinging that around. In summary, like all of the other Changeling abilities I have seen thus far besides shapeshifting, this one is completely useless to anyone who can even remotely think straight.

Now that she knew what to do, now that she didn't have to fear harming herself, Sunset could finally explore , experiment. And she did right away. What was there to lose but a limb?

A small pouch of flesh opened at the bottom of her hoof, revealing the tip of white bone. With a wet, ripping sound, a sharp shiv made out of the white material erupts out of it, then slides back where it belonged.

>See this? That was useful. Although I don't understand how this is possible. Changeling powers shouldn't be accessible to ponies. The effects of transmutation this potent would cause severe harm in the users body whenever they tried. Doing this should literally have torn my leg apart, or caused me pain so great I pass out.

It took Variolus a moment to gather her wits enough to reply. Even she was stunned by how fast this pony was adapting to new magic. She was clearly far ahead of any other pony she had met in the past.

“Think, you fool. It is because you are dead. We Changelings have a malleable physique, especially us Queens, allowing us to change mass and contort out forms in ways that would kill any other species with functional organs. But you do not need your innards and your senses are dead. You can do what you want to your form by virtue of being in control over it.”

Sunset saw her reflection grin madly.

“Hah! Actually, you are might be more Changeling than pony at this point. Congratulations. But that also means...”

The voice coming from her mouth became ponderous, slow.


“...that means I can offer you something you have been repeatedly denied. I can teach you a secret that would destroy any other pony but you. You might actually be able to use, to handle it, given enough love reserves to power it by yourself.”

Applejack's student knew what she was referring to, knew what she was implying, and the excitement was threatening to make her break composure and give herself away as wanting it.

>Hmph. Then tell me, what is this fancy, so-called thing I want so badly, huh?

Her body moved closer to the mirror, causing her to have a brief staring contest with her own reflection.

“If you do as I ask and let me find my peace, I shall give you special knowledge I myself stole. Besides her, I am the only one to know it, the only one willing to show you. I have no problem with letting have it. The only one you could harm with it would be yourself and other ponies.”

>You don't mean...

“Yes. In exchange for your cooperation, I will give you the secret of the Titan.”

Giddiness was threatening to make her break her poker face. She was close, so very close to her goal. All she needed to do was play her cards right. She had seen in her vision what Variolus was capable of.

>And all you desire is to speak to two Changelings. No additional conditions later-on, no further requests.

“Indeed.”

And for the first time during this conversation, Sunset herself smirked at her mirror image.

>...you got yourself a deal, Variolus. I fully expect you to fulfill half of of your side of the deal after we spoke to Thirty-Two, though.

“Gooooood.”

A sudden shudder went through Sunset's form, her mane losing color and luster, her mane going from full and vibrant to limp like a funeral shroud. Her face began sinking in, flesh stretched across her bones and making her look gaunt. Only her eyes stayed vivid, an emerald green luminescence shining from them and making her look like a horrid ghoul.


>What's happening? What are you doing to me?!

“Calm down, calm down. That isn't me. That's you, running low on love.”

An invigorating pulse of life went through Sunset, originating from her chest. Within moments, she was back to her old, pony-looking self, making her sigh in relief.

“You need to feed. Constantly. To use our powers, and to sustain yourself. I do not know if you could still animate your flesh if you hadn't the spark of life that is love to keep your magic flowing. But best not to risk it. So go out, seek friends, allies, lovers... and feed from them. Your life and our goals depend on it.”

That notion made Sunset hesitate. Was she truly ready to go this far? To use others to continue her own existence, like some leech or parasite?It felt wrong, and she knew it was.

But Sunset Shimmer wasn't ready to just lay down and die without fighting either. Before she could muster her will, a sharp lance of pain went through her body.

“Just remember. I can give as much as I can take. Should I find you betraying me to your princesses, I will reveal you for the thing you have become. And do not doubt for one second you would stand alone. You would have learned nothing.”

The amber mare nods slowly, licking her lips.

>Don't worry about that.

Quickly organizing her room to make it presentable with her telekinesis, then hefting up her saddlebags, Sunset prepared to head for Applejack's office.

>I have previous experience with deception.

Sunset opened the door, fully intending to assist her princess in another day of work for at least a little taste of affection.

“Well then. To a fruitful coexistence, meatbag.”

>Go fuck yourself on a thorny pike, Variolus.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


NC
>Sunset
"56"
______

>Oh hey 56, glad I found you

"Oh, other-sun butt, why were you looking for me? And what's with those sunglasses?"

>They're a... new fashion statement... yea that's it

"Well, what can I do ya for?"

>I need you to hug my plot, as you referred to it

"Uhhh, last time I did that, you didn't exactly like it"

>Yea I'm fine with it now, so I need you to love my plot, please

"I'm just gonna slowly... back away..."

*Runs*

>Come back here and hug my ass damnit!

~~~

NC
>Chrysalis
"Sunset"
'Luna'
~~

>So you chased a terrified little Changelign across Canterlot demanding, in a very loud voice I might add, that he make -and I am quoting here- 'sweet sweet bow-chika-wow-wow' with your behind.

"I was kinda desperate."

>...Are you perchance a student of Luna's?

'WE ARE NOT INTO PEDOFOALIA!'

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC
>56
"DT"
_____

He was wasn't quite sure when Sunset had stopped chasing him, but released a sigh of relief as he stepped around the corner.

And smackdab into another pony.

"AGH! Hey! What're you, blind? Watch where you're... where you... YOU!"

>...Flatflank? Plots above, it's you, Flatflank! Been awhile, hasn't it? How ya b-GNH!

His query was cut short when the pink ego on wheels threw herself at him, hooves wrapping around his neck to a choking point.

And she squeezed. Eyes closed tight, she squeezed the changeling despite his gurgling.

>Can't... c-can't breathe... fadin'... faaaaadin'....

Luckily, before the growing darkness could claim him, Diamond Tiara seemed to come to her senses, hastily shoving him back with a disgusted grimace.

"Ew! You perverted little-who said you could touch me? After all this time, still trying to cop a feel, eh? Figures!"

It took a moment for 56 to get his respiratory system functioning again.

>Okay... first of all-c'mon lungs, start pumpin' again-I have never once tried to grab you, Flatflank. Flats butts like yours make me nauseous, that ain't change. Second, what's with the surprise hug?

Her cheeks flared and she "uh'd" for a few seconds.

"H-ha! You'd think it was a hug, but I... I was, uh... testing out a new chokehold maneuver! For the guards! Because they suck! But obviously it's ineffective against Changelings so consider yourself lucky, otherwise you'd be on the ground unconscious right now!"

>Pft... still as funny and flatflanked as ever, I see.

"Shut up! And anyway, what're YOU still doing here? Didn't you and your traveling circus of bugs hightail it to some other place? ...Without even the common courtesy to say goodbye first?"

>Goodbye, Flatflank.

His sudden farewell caused Diamond Tiara to stutter, eyes blinking and move moving but saying nothing.

>There. I've said it at least. That good enough?

Chk.

TBDRLIATU was armed and pointing at the younger changeling.

"You... y-you stupid..."

Her trembling shoulders gave way to a round of laughter, which was odd considering just a few seconds ago the very sight of him had brought about forgotten feelings of loss...

But there he stood, still stupid, half-smirking...

And probably just as invulnerable as ever.

"You don't mind, do you? It's been awhile...."

>Do ya even hafta ask? Go ahead, be jus' like old times, flatfla-

She squeezed the trigger before he could finish.

And sure, he probably could have dodged, but just this once, he actually leaned into the speeding projectile.

Diamond Tiara threw up a hoof against the explosion, taking a few steps back to avoid the section of crumbling floor. She had the funds to fix that and the cracked walls, no big deal.

"How'd you like the taste of the new and improved Big Sexy, huh?! Back and better than ever!"

She could just barely make out a figure through the clearing smoke, a fondly waving figure that offered no further words before they turned and kept down the hallway.

She was alone when the smog fully dissipated. Alone with feelings of a melancholy satisfaction.

A snort later, she too continued on her way.

"...Heh, stupid bug."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC
~~~

"The only one you could harm with it would be yourself and other ponies-"

>SNK!

"...what?"

>Nothing! Nothing at all!

"...Am I missing something?"

>Nooooo, I TOTALLY could only harm ponies with this, no way could I use SUPERSIZE MAGIC to do any damage to someone else, no way could I use HOW SUPERSIZE MAGIC WORKS to affect someone who, oh what was the thing... oh yeah, USES SUPERSIZE MAGIC! No way could I, the brilliant unicorn, use how this works against her-THEM, I mean! No way at all! Only myself and other ponies!

"...Good, since we got that cleared up-"

*KERSMACK!*

"Why did you just face hoof."

>I could say 'testing if I feel it', but you know what? I do not even have to try with you. It was a bee.

"Oh... did you get it?"

>Let me make sure.

*SMACKSMACKSMACKSMACK*

"...I feel like I'm missing something..."

~~~

"Congratulations, Variolus, at last you have finally taken literally everything from me. You took my best friend, you took my home, you took my hive, you took my very sanity and eventually my freedom, and now you've taken away the one thing left I had to my name. The one secret I could call my own and call my legacy, you've now handed to someone who explicitly is going to give this knowledge to the world, and they won't even have me to thank. I will now be hunted by giants every bit my size, my most cherished ability used against me and all that I do. Despite all my efforts, you are now going to be regarded as the changeling Queen who helped, and I'm now nothing but the destroyer, with nothing of note left to offer. Congratulations, you've successfully destroyed every last single scrap of the legacy of Queen Chitania and her line, and now I'm just a tall bug monster in a library. Good job, I hope you find some rest now, you've certainly earned it. Utterly ruining anything I ever held dear certainly had to have been tiring. Rest now, please... before you find something else of mine to destroy."

*In the background, Prostimare randomly catches on fire*

"...See, I didn't even really care about her, and this still just seems like it fits."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chitania
"???"
'???'
[Prsotimare]
~~~~~

Flip... flip... flip... flip...flip...

[Ya' know somethin' I noticed?]

>...

[You're really good in libraries, ya' notice that? Kind o' weird, yer' so loud everywhere else, but ya' don't yell in libraries. Why is that?]

>...Practice.

[Oh, really? When'd ya' practice?]

>...

~~~~~~~~

"Boooooorrrrrrrriinnnnnnnngggggggg."

>Shut up.

'Mnnggggghhhhhhh, I don't wanna be iiiiiiiinnnn heeeeeerrrrreeeeeee.'

>Then don't be!

~SSSHHHH!~

"Seriously, Chitania? This is the dumbest thing you've ever brought me to."

>I didn't want you here, Titania!

"It looked like you were doing something important!"

'I just wanted to ask you a question.'

>Not now, Zopherina!

"You're being boring."

>I'm trying to practice infiltrating!

~SHHHHHHH!~

"Really? Then why do you look like you just fell into a vat of clowns?"

>...Wait, what? My disguise looks fine, I thought.

"PFFTAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
'HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!'

>Fuck you both!

~SHHHHHHH~

"YOU WANT TO GO RIGHT NOW!?"

'I'm totally down!'

>...Wait, what? Since when do you like fighting? You normally just harden up and wait for us to leave.

'...Wait, who said anything about fighting? You said you were going to fuck us both!'

"Wait, is that what we're doing? I thought we were doing something else."

>THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE DOING!

~SHHHHHH!~

"So then we are fighting."

'Awww, I don't like fighting you guys, you guys are cool! Can we go back to the first thing?'

>NO!

"You heard her, we're fighting. LET'S DO THIS!"

>WE'RE NOT DOING THAT EITHER!

~SHHHHHHHHHHH!~

>SHUT THE FUCK UP!

~You're in a library!~

'Yeah, Chitty! You have to be quiet in a library.'

>....GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

~~~~~~~~

>...Long time ago.

"...Your, uh, your eye just filled up with blood."

>How about that.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chitania
"PM"
~~~~~

She was trying to be subtle.

Trying to sneak a glance every now and again.

Trying not to be too obvious.

...And she was failing.

>Stop it.

The mare beside her went rigid, hastily stuffing away some odd tiny thing back into her purse. Her nice, shimmering, way too expensive looking purse, which she had purchased the instant Chitania had given her enough money to do so. Rather than put it towards savings or food or what have you, she blew it all on some overly pretty looking handbag.

Silently, Chitania began to think she had not been taught proper money management at some point. The only thing that kept her from being sure of this fact was how utterly enthralled she had been with the thing, and how proudly she had worn it. Silently, she conceded that maybe, just maybe, she just liked the purse.

...Nah.

"Sorry, sugar bean."

>Stop calling me that.

"Sorry Chitty."

>Stop calling me that.

"Sorry."

>...Better.

With a grunt, she flicked the page of her book once more.

>...Stop it.

She stopped again, hastily stuffing that tiny object back in her purse.

"Sorry."

>...

"...Be right back, I've got to-"

>You don't have to tell me.

"Kay!"

Hurriedly, she got up from her chair and raced towards the little mare's room. To anyone else, it would simply appear she was having a bit of an emergency.

And yet, the stalls remained empty. Instead, the mare's full body was placed squarely in front of the massive, shining sink. Instead, her attention remained rapt right in front of her... right on her own reflection.

Chitania had wiped off her previous work, the work done when she had purchased the robot, to prevent any from catching on that the willy little mare who had gotten herself a shining new helper and the chipper little thing next to the dark beast were not one and the same. It was fairly easy, all things considered. She was used to sounding like someone else, lots of clients like roleplay obviously, she was used to pretending to be someone she's not, not a whole lot of store owners took to 'her kind' all that well, she was used to being different...

But even so, she had fought her. She had begged and pleaded with the Titan not to wipe off the makeup job. She had said she would pretend she was someone else, offered two free love draining sessions, a whole host of thing, but the changeling would not accept. She brushed away hours of work, and she had once again looked like.. herself.

She had moped in her room for a solid hour, doing her best to hide her hurt feelings as she could and doing fairly well, she thought. She hadn't begrudged the Queen, since obviously she was just out to protect herself from any suspicion, and this had been part of the agreement before she even got ready to buy the darn thing, but it hadn't helped.

Somehow, Chitania had noticed her.

And it pissed her off.

She still remembers feeling a bit of a jump when the Titan picked her up out of the blue and sat her down in front of her, forcing her to look into narrowed, glaring eyes. Still remembered how her heart raced with just a twinge of fear that she had finally gone too far and set her off, and she was going to at last shed what restraints she had and just beat her until she stopped annoying her. She had been afraid, for a moment, that she wasn't going to be okay again.

But there was no pain.

There was no hitting.

There was no... okay, there was plenty of cursing and declaring that she was stupid.

But instead of hooves breaking her face... it did something else instead.


It took only an hour, and then she shoved her away. No more words, or explanations. She was done.

And now... here she was. In the bathroom of the Canterlot library, looking deeply into the mirror...

And not recognizing the mare who stared back.

Now, no matter what Slippy said, she wasn't no low-class whore. She made sure she looked as far from trashy as she possibly could. Trashy whores were cheap whores, cheap whores didn't get the money, whores who didn't get the money didn't eat after Big Daddy came calling. High prices were needed, and you had to look like you deserved every bit.

That said, there was a long, long gap between 'high class whore' and 'high class'. A gap bigger than Canterlot was wide.

And in an hour, just an hour... it looked like she had crossed it.

For the first time since she came here, she felt like if she walked down the street, she wouldn't stand out. In her line of work, that was one part boon, one part curse. You didn't want to stand out to the guards or the passer bys, but you wanted to stand out to the clients. But right now, she felt like she wouldn't even be a blip on any radar... and it made her feel better than she had ever before, ever.

She just couldn't help but admire the one looking back at her. She had been sneaking glances all day, even. She just couldn't help looking, and seeing her reflection.

"That's me"

She thought it with glee.

"That's me."

...It was an amazing feeling to have.

The one downside, the one single negative she could find in all this, the one singular dark spot on her shining cloud was always that one niggling thought, that one niggling worry, that one fear. The one that showed up every time she looked, and thought this to herself.

"That's me..."

Her one dark moment.

"...until I go back..."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________