Thread 46: Stories 16-30

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>MM
"29"
'Zecora'
[??]
~~~

It was a nice, peaceful day at good old Mayor Mare's office. Both of her dear friends were there, paperwork was light today, nothing really happened in a while... yep... pretty peaceful.

>Should I get a gun?

"...WHAT!?"

'I'm sorry, could you come again? My ears seem to have something stuck within.'

>Should I get a gun? Like... bang bang! Gun!

"Why in the name of the heavens above or the hivemind within would you wish for something as such like a gun!?"

>I just think it would be cool. KABLAM!

'I worry you are only seeing the weapon as it is shown. If you do not understand it's power, it is not something you should own.'

>Oh, come on, I'd be responsible!

"While I am of lesser doubt that you have grown much from your time since our humble beginnings, verily do I see many a way terror would reign upon us all!"

'Indeed my black friend, many a ways this can go wrong. With one bad slip of the hoof, your life will sing it's final song.'

>I think you guys are being overly worrisome.

"HRMPH! I declare that only the immature or the brutes need such a weapon within their hooves! If you wish to hold one, it is only the remains of the mind of the child within you that deems it so!"

>Oh, come on. You don't HAVE to be immature to like guns!

*SLAM!*

[HEYCUZLOOKATTHISLOOKLOOKLOOK!]

"GAH! 56!? WHO GAVE YOU AN ASSAULT RIFLE!?"

[I found it in Twilight's lab, TOTALLY unguarded except for the lasers!]

"..."

[They tickled! But more than that, check this out! DAKKADAKKKDAKKAAA]


'HOLY SHIT!HITTHEDIRT!'

They ducked under the sudden hail of gunfire.

[SHE TOTALLY LEFT IT LOADED ISN'T THIS AWESOME!?]

"..."

>I'M SORRY! I'M SORRRYYYY! UNIVERSE PLEASE TAKE IT BACK I'M SORRYYYYYYYYY!

*CLICK CLICK CLICK*

[Awww... Hey, cuz, I know what I want for my birthday!]

"..."

>...I'm sorry...
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>AJ
"??"
~~~

If her headache got any worse, she was going to outright split in half. Just a solid crack right down the front of her face, her brains spilling out onto the floor and nobody any the wiser as to how she managed to still find the strength to set it on fire with her mind. When she got her daily dose of giant stacks of obscenely high paperwork, she had asked a guard to go find Spike so they could talk a little more about Diamond Tiara's expulsion, and said guard had promptly returned with the information that said dragon had “some business” to attend to. Then she sent him off to go find Twilight, and apparently even she is too preoccupied with something else now. Then Rarity, who apparently also has her hooves full, and finally in desperation, Pinkie, who as it turns out is not even in the castle.

In short, she was running on no sleep, no friends, and she had to deal with a ton of paperwork alone. Briefly, she wondered how much worse it could get, before hastily trying to take it back in her own mind before the universe decided to-

SLAM!

Dang.

“Crap, I was actually trying not to slam that. Probably should keep a better lid on this firepower.”

The groan the princess let out practically spoke her words of irritation and rage before even she herself had to.

>Chrysalis, now is not the time. You git' yer buggy ass right back out that door, now.

The Queen paid her demands no mind, her look totally neutral as she approached the form-strewn desk.

“Applejack, nice to see you, I have this scroll full of requests, and-”

>Ah' don't care.

Even though the Queen's words had been spoke with an almost robotic, deliberate attempt to keep any and all emotion out of her voice, just the contents alone was enough to turn her throbbing migraine into a full on pulsating pain.

In turn, the changeling's eye twitched ever so subtly, but she continued on nonetheless, voice just as devoid of expression as she had been before.

“These requests are to-”

>To what? Huh? What do ya' want me ta' do? Pass another of yer' stupid laws? Oh! Ah' know! Maybe thissin' is another request fer' some gal-danged movies fer' you ta' sit on yer' ass and watch!

She could see the blank tone slipping away, sparks igniting in the Queen's eyes at her every word, but it was too late. Months upon months upon months of searching through every ledger, bill, funding request and even her freaking lunch menus to ensure she wouldn't be humiliated like she had with the infamous 'law' Chrysalis had slipped by her again was bubbling to the surface, regurgitated like bile from her throat. Maybe if she had been in a better state, she would have spoke in a bitter, cold manner, but no. Now was not the time for sublty.

"Applejack, I am trying to say-"

Now was the time for rage.

>Oh, Ah' can't wait ta' see what's on that big 'ol paper right there! Oh! Ah' know, lemme guess! It's a request for a biiiig old statue ta' you and just how great ya' are, right!? Maybe it's a whole request fer' the stuff fer' another weddin'! Because obviously that's what's gonna happen! Or maybe ya' want more than that freakin' ballroom, or maybe ya' just want a giant ass trampoline so you and those other two gal-danged enablers can go spring ta' the freakin' moon and back cause ya' just ain't got nothin' better ta' do! Certainly not reignin' in those freakin' monsters ya' call yer' subjects, cause who give a flyin' fuck about them, right!? Is that it!? It's what ya' do every other time, tell me iffin' ah'm close!

With every word, the blank expression dissolved away. Slowly, piece by piece, a glow of rage was starting to ignite within the very irises of the one Applejack raged at. Though the hiss that seeped from between her clenched teeth, words very nearly formed.

But they would never get the chance to escape. With an almost maddened smile, Applejack continued.

> OH! OH! Ah' know! Ah' got this one! Definitely know what it is now, Ah' guessed it, that right there is a bill proposal fer' a law sayin' Shiny's gotta rut you, right!? It's just a biiiiig old law detailin' all the creepy things ya' wanna do with a married stallion who wouldn't touch you iffin' ya' were the last piece o' tail still breathin' in this freakin' world! That's what ya' want me ta' do, waste more precious time readin' another of yer' dumb ass laws so Ah' can chuck it right in the trash because it's so fucking stupid it makes all mah' other paperwork lose it's grammar, just from bein' around it! Ah've had it with this shit, Chrysalis! Ah've had it up ta' here with these dumb requests, these dumb laws, and you jus' makin' mah life worse and worse every day! Do me a favor, do me just one little, tiny favor fer' all the utter load o' rotten apples ya've been shovin' on me since day one. You do me one thing, and you throw that list o' whatever crud ya' wanna try ta' waste mah' time with right in the trash, and you get your big, dumb, never-gonna-git-Shiny-so-grow-up-and-get-a-brain-cell-and-shut-up-with-that ass right out mah' door!

She had never, in her life, seen Chrysalis that angry. Pure, unholy fires burning in the back of her skull, her hair itself flickering upwards slightly with wisps of unseen power, waves of heat just barely visible around her like an unearthly halo, even her teeth seemed to glow with an earthly colored fire.

And yet, despite all of that, the only response from Applejack was simply the princess taking a breath, sitting back down, and turning her gaze downward to the form she had been filling out before being interrupted.

>Go on, do somethin' like what yer' thinkin', Ah' don't even care anymore. We both know ya' ain't gonna do nothin' but-

There was a flicker of green in front of her vision, passing by her in the blink of an eye. Her head suddenly throbbed painfully at the abrupt influx of color, but other than that she felt absolutely nothing. Curious, her eyes rolled up slightly, just enough she could see the expression on the monarchs face.

She was... calmer. The rage was not gone, not by a long shot, but she looked much more relaxed, comparatively. Much less like she wished to burn away Applejack to her very soul. In fact, there was little ways Applejack could describe her but 'mad, but only as much as someone who just had a bad day'.

>Hidin' yer'self with yer' magic ain't gonna change it.

The response she got was not what she was expecting. She expected a retort, a denial, an accusation.

All she got was a subtle, very subtle, upward twitch on the very corner of Chrysalis's cheek.

>Are ya' gonna git or what?

No answers, at least none verbal, came from her. Instead, with an almost regal flair, she did just that. The changeling turned around, opened the door with a flourish, and then she was gone.

>...Huh.

The princess had expected more of a fight, more of the rage, more of something. Anything but that. One part of it unsettled her, but another part... made her feel just a bit more powerful. She would never admit it, of course, not even to herself, but there had been feelings when Chrysalis had heard her every word, and then left on her command. Something felt, well, nice. That's the only word that would describe it, nice.

Sure, right now, she would normally wonder about some kind of retaliation some sort of plot. But instead, only one thing covered every single corner of her mind.

>...Ain't nobody gonna believe me.

Outside, in the hallway, the object of her thoughts continued her brisk walk down the hallway, a bit of power in every step, just enough to tell any of the guards or castle-goers not to question her or stop her, but other than that she betrayed not a single hint of what she had felt not moments ago.

And, she reasoned, none would ever know why.

It had only happened a minute ago, but she could still see it in her minds eye, just right now, just as clearly as if it had never ended, and still continued on right to this second. She could still see it so clearly...

~~~~

>- you get your big, dumb, never-gonna-git-Shiny-so-grow-a-brain-cell-and-shut-up-with-that ass right out mah' door!

The feelings inside of Chrysalis at that moment could never be put into words. The rage, the insulted sting, the words of denial and even more speech of hate that she wished to get out, all of it mishmashing into a solid, unspeakable emotion that even she, a perfect manipulator of the mind, could never have recreated with a thousand years to try.

And then, just when she felt her indignity reach it's peak, just when she was ready to unleash a fury the likes of which none of the immortal beings in this world had ever seen, it happened.

Applejack turned her attention downward, and ignored her. Explicitly saying, without words, she felt no fear, gave no worry, held not a single care. The Queen before her could have been any child come asking for candy for all that mattered. She was nothing.

That, more than any other barb she had thrown, resonated.

>Go on, do somethin' like what yer' thinkin', Ah' don't even care anymore. We both know ya' ain't gonna do nothin' but-

A part of her would forever know she didn't really mean to do it, not really. It had slipped out in a moment of instability, a time when she paid no attention to what level of power she was building, and instead only on what she wanted.

But it happened all the same.

The power she had gathered launched out in a magical ball of green, so tiny it could have been a marble. But its size betrayed it's real power, power gathered from months upon months spent with Shiny, Cadence, 2, so many others. Power she had been squirreling away, waiting for just the right moment.

This moment.

Since her arrival, every member of the hierarchy had been given mental shields. They were easy enough to construct, and worked like a charm. They would, theoretically, ensure she never took the mind of any one of them. But they had limits. They could only block a power they could match. And right now...

That shield might as well have been a piece of plastic.

The once-farmer-now-royal jerked as it entered her mind, eyes going wide as the power she could not possibly hope to match, the sheer force of will that in her lighter days had easily broken the mind of Shining Armor, took her. She could do nothing before she rose, as if lifted by the head by claws forged of fire and magic. She flopped around like a puppet on a string, unsteady and looking almost untethered, before those wide, empty eyes looked right to where the Queen stood.

>Hiya, Chrysalis! How are ya'll doin' today?

The voice was twisted, unnatural sounding, but that meant little to the Queen. No, the feral smirk that crossed her lips told that this, right here, was perfect.

“Oh, you know, been busy. How are you?”

>Well shuck'a'do! Ya'll know Ah' live mah' life in this here place, nothin' but papers papers papers!

“That's a pity. You need to get out some more, Fluttershy keeps wishing you'd spend time with her. Maybe look into hiring a secretary? Worked out great for Shiny.”

>Shoot, ya'll know Ah' ain't got nobody like that there 18!

“I suppose you're right, she's marvelous at her job.”

>Darn Tootin!

“By the way, my subjects recently came to me with some requests. They seem pretty reasonable actually, so I was wondering what this 'foreign aide' thing was, and if it would cover it?”

>Well, lemmy take a looksy!

The scroll floated over to unsteady, flopping hooves, waving about like the puppeteer just could not get a steady grip. Were it not for the magic holding it up, the wiggling grip of the princess would never have held as it rolled open.

>HMM! Well, this sure does look reasonable and well organized!

“Thank you, I thought so too. Could you tell I didn't do it?”

>Really!? Well, that is a surprise, yes-sirree!

“Ahh, you don't have to be like that, we both know I don't file this stuff.

>Well, that is why ya' have yer' minions!... Hmmm, lookin' like Ah' should grant this since it ain't no big issue...

The royal seal floated before her. All she would have to do is stamp it and sign her name, that's all. With Applejack's signature and the royal seal, it would be official. It would be so easy, right now, to get whatever she wanted. Any law, any request, filled. Its not like she isn't stressed, tired, her and her friends on the rocks, it would be so easy to convince her she signed it without thinking. All she would have to do is make her lift her hoof...

But...

>Well, shucks, sorry Chrysalis! It looks like there ain't no room in the budget this week, all the paychecks are gonna go out and Ah' jus' can't spare this amount at the moment. Ah'm sorry.

“Well, perfectly reasonable. I did just drop a huge payment needed on your lap at a moments notice, I understand my timing possibly wasn't the best.”

>Well, iffin' ya' come back next week, Ah'm sure Ah' can find what you need ta' get them fellas all wrapped up nice and cozy!

“How generous of you.”

>Ahhh, ya' know ya' deserve it!

“Of course I do. But I do have another possible way to get it done, I'll go see if that works before, and if it doesn't I'll come back after payday.”

>Well, that sounds like a plan! You want some o' mah' cider? Its great!

“Drinking on the job? Tsk Tsk, Applejack.”

>Yer' one ta' talk!

“Got me there. Well, if you don't mind I really must get this filled.”

>M'kay! Sorry Ah' couldn't be o' help, Ah' know ya' jus' wanna help the ungrateful little buggers who jus' don't ever seem ta' appreciate how much ya' do.

“That I do, glad someone understands.”

>Ahhh, sorry fer' makin' ya' feel like that, sometimes folks jus' don't know what they've got, or how good it is. Need ta' appreciate the good things in life more. Jus' like Shiny, ehhhh?

“Oh, Applejack, you card! He'll break down eventually.”

>Fer' sure, someday you'll git it, have a good one!

“You too, I'm glad we could talk.”

>Anytime!

“Anytime I'm sure...”

Gently, with all the care of a sculptor oh so delicately getting the pose just perfect, she returned the apple princess to her former position, exactly as she had looked before she had her mind taken, down to the exact crinkle on her form and the precise expression on her face.

And then, she took it all away. Pulling out every last trace of magic she had sent inside, every last flicker of power she had cast. Every bit.

She repaired the mental block just as she left it, and like a film that had been paused she restarted the world in a flash of green, nothing changed but the far lighter feeling within her.

And in that moment, that perfect moment when those eyes flick up, and she heard those words-

>Are ya' gonna git or what?

-she knew.

She knew that just like that, the time past may as well have never happened, to any but herself.

She would never speak of it, but she would never deny the feeling this brought out in her chest. That old, almost forgotten, feeling of power. The power she once held and the time she felt the rush of command.

It felt like an old friend coming home.

~~~~~

And here she was now, that feeling still within' her. Still hot, still burning. The after-effects of Applejack's earlier words remain, its true, and they still sting, of course. She tried to bury it, but there was no hiding all of it, there was no pretending it never happened. So instead she focused on her new destination, her new target she would reach, and the unmistakeable rush of control that still twinged within her. She charged forward, and all had better step aside.

The Queen was back, and she was not taking something like that ever again.
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Refreshed and feeling alive for the first time in what feels like forever, 18 supervised the upgrades to her office. Thanks to 42 her hoof had mended and her disguise magic had returned, but she still had a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in.

A high-tech ventilation system was installed, a new heavy-duty door was set in the frame, advanced flame-proof coating and magical wards were placed on every surface for ‘protection’, and the room was heavily soundproofed ‘to help 18 concentrate’.

Having all this paperwork was certainly a major fire hazard, couldn’t let an accident here compromise the rest of the palace. That’s what she told them anyway, and the Palace’s maintenance staff agreed wholeheartedly, why wouldn’t they?

>Great work guys, this office has been a workplace hazard for a long time. You did a lot of good today. Can you do me a favour and do the same to the Wonderbolt office in Canterlot? I’ll see to it that you get bonuses and overtime for the extra work.

“Sure thing, 18. We’ll have it done in a few hours”

>Thanks a ton, you guys are great! I’ll also need the new reinforced earthquake struts set up in the sub-levels, Twilight sent over some Titanium-steel ones, they should be in the loading bay. No rush on those though.

“Can do.”

The maintenance staff left her office.

18 stood there for a few moments, inspecting their work. The upgrades were nearly undetectable. Her chair felt the same, her desk was just as smooth, her cot was just as soft. Even her blanket and pillow were identical

From a small bag she brought out a lighter and bottle of lighter fluid, deciding to test their handiwork.

A small pool of lighter fluid was sprayed onto her blanket, pillow and cot. A flick of the lighter and it went up.

The area around it was clear of other debris and flammable bits. It burned in isolation.

She stood there for a few moments and watched the flames flicker at the fabric. She watched, hypnotized as the orange lights danced along her cot, bathing her in a soft glow as warmth radiated around the room. Eventually the flames went down and her possessions were entirely unharmed. Not a scorched thread or a black mark to be found. The only evidence that there was a small blaze just moments ago was a lingering smell of ash and gasoline.

Wait, didn’t she use lighter fluid, not gasoline?

‘Coool!’

>Ahh!

55 stood beside her, staring at where the fire was burning a few moments ago.

>When did you get here?!

‘I flew in the window when you were setting your bed on fire. That’s so smart, why didn’t I ever think of that? If I set my blanket on fire I’d be sooooo warm at night!’

18 silently facehoofed, thanking Faust on high this moron lucked into being fireproof.

‘So what did you need me for?’

>Just a moment, I need to do more tests.

18 grabbed a stack of assorted forms and placed it on her cot. A flick of the lighter and flames began to grow and spread. 55 stood enraptured at the sight. Before long thick black smoke started to billow around the room. The ventilation fans kicked in and the smoke began swirling into the vents, clearing the room. 18 left the room for a moment and closed the door. In the halls there was no smell of smoke, the door showed no signs of heat. She returned to her office, a satisfied smile on her face.

>Yes, I think this is going to work juuuust fine!

‘Yeah! Mwahahahah!

>What?

‘I felt like we were having a moment right there. Thought we were gonna cackle and wring our hooves and stuff!’

>No. Nothing like that, 55. But down to business, I need you for a super special assignment.

‘Oh boy!’

>Indeed. Can you shapeshift?

‘Sure can!’

>Can you shapeshift into Cadance?

55 grunted and crossed his eyes in concentration. In a flash of green flame his form changes completely. It’s a bit of an amateurish job though. His eyes are the wrong shade of violet, his coat isn’t even, the crown is crooked, he forgot the eyeliner, the cutie mark’s sparkles are wrong, the wings have mussed up feathers… No, this won’t work.

>Not good enough. I need you to shapeshift to look like me. Purple eyes instead of green and Cadance’s hair instead of Applejack’s. Can you do that?

55 strained for a moment before he flashed into an exact replica of 18’s changeling form.

>Perfect!

‘Yaaay!’

>Now, you can’t tell anyone about your mission, do you understand?

‘Sir yes sir!’

55 issued a sloppy salute, smacking himself in the face in the process

>We… We don’t salute 55. That’s for soldier class and I’m not a soldier. And you’re a drone.

‘Understood, sir!’

>And I’m a Ma’am!

‘Yes sir, Ma’am, sir!

18 let out a sigh.

>Whatever. This is to be kept a secret above all. Your mission is to… Fight the paperwork monster! I am too busy and needed to call in help. There are too many forms for me to fight on my own, you see.

55 stands there, a blank expression on his face.

>EVIL FORMS!

‘OH NO! WHAT DO WE DO?’

>I need you to help me fight the evil forms! You need to fight the forms in the Wonderbolts Office in Canterlot for about 8 hours, from 6 AM to 2 PM, then you come back to this office and fight the Crystal Empire forms from 2 PM until 2 AM. Then you sleep from 2 AM to 5 AM, have 1 hour of free time and repeat it all over again!

‘Wowzers, that’s a lot of evil forms!’

>You really, truly have no idea.

‘Are you gonna help me fight the forms? Why do I gotta look like you?’

>I have to fight other, different forms somewhere else, 55. And you need to look like me so people think I’m still fighting the evil bad nasty forms. If they think I stopped fighting the forms everyone would get sad and scared. If anyone, ANYONE talks to you, just say you’re too busy to talk and to come back in a few days. Understand?

‘Sure do! Will there be enough forms to fight though? I could probably fight all these papers in like, 20 minutes.’

With a knowing chuckle 18 shakes her head.

>There will be plenty, don’t you worry. I re-scheduled all your appointments, so nobody should bother you. You’re just going to fight forms all day every day, uninterrupted. Just worry about your mission.

‘Of course sir!’

55 saluted again, having forgotten what 18 told him a few moments ago.

>You have fun in there!

18 left the room and left the door open a crack just as she heard a loud ‘fwoomph’. A burst of light and heat flooded out the crack in the door as a loud, raucous laughter issued forth. She closed the door and all was silenced, no sign anything was going on inside.

With a smile on her face and a skip in her step 18 shifted back into Cadance and hummed to herself, practically dancing through the halls.
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Shining Armor and Applejack Two sit across one another at the kitchen table, eating the basic, nutritious meal Shining Armor had cooked. Sure he could have had a servant do it, but for a small casual meal with his wife and daughter he wanted to put in the extra effort.

Applejack Two bobs up and down in her chair, practically dancing with glee.

‘YAAAY! Taco night!’

“You’ve gone through enough Princess training lately. I know learning all the forks and knives and spoons can be confusing, so I thought we’d have a meal without all those little bothers”

Shining Armor puts the finishing touches on a taco and sets it down on the plate in front of Two.

Nearly instantly the taco explodes, shards of shell and bits of lettuce scattering around the table.

‘GOMNOMNOMNOM’

“Hey now! Just because there are no forks doesn’t mean you can forget -all- your manners, little lady.”

Applejack Two sits up primly, dabs the corners of her mouth with a napkin and lowers her face back to the plate

‘gomnomnomnom’

Shining Armor chuckles heartily at his daughter’s antics.

“Close enough honey.”

Applejack 18 had been lurking just outside of the room, waiting for the moment to make her entrance. She was nervous and needed time to psych herself up for the task ahead. Just do it, 18, just get out there and do it, you can pull this off, you can!

Stepping through the door she announces her arrival.

>Shiny! I’m back from the perfume store!

Shining Armor perks up at the sight of his beloved, he practically dashes over to her side

“Cadance! Welcome back, I missed you.”

He chastely kisses her cheek and walks 18 to Cadance’s chair.

‘Hi mom!’

Two waves furiously from her seat, her face covered in the destroyed remains of a taco.

>Hello Two!

18 stops to kiss the top of Applejack Two’s head as she walks by.

>Did you have a good day at school?

‘Yup! Ah talked ta tha teacher and she said that Ah can keep bringin’ marchmalley sandwiches fer lunch! She kept sayin no but then yesterday Not-Mom talked ta her an’ now she wont stop cryin’ an’ sayin’ Ah can have whatever Ah want! Taday’s tha best!’

“Remind me to have a little talk with your teacher. And with Chrysalis.

‘How was yer day at tha perfume store, mom?’

18 takes a moment to gather herself. She clears her mind and emptes her thoughts. She replaces the mental forms and checklists with pinkness and candy. She replaces the stress and responsibility of her life, her old life, with perfume and dresses and lip gloss and shiny hooves.

Mentally prepared for her new role, for her new life, she began to speak.

>I love the perfume store! They had one that smelled like flowers and it was pretty, and then they had another one that smelled like rainbows and it was pretty too, oh and one had a pink bottle shaped like a heart! I liked that one a lot!

Subtly she looks around at her ‘husband’ and ‘daughter’ for any non-verbal signs of suspicion or mistrust. Finding none, just an adoring stare from Shining Armor and an enraptured Two destroying another taco, she continued

>So I told her that I liked the blue one that smelled like candy but asked if it came in a pink bottle but it didn’t and I was sad so I said I’d buy some pink bottles they could put it in but I forgot my bits so I told them I’d come back another day.

Shining Armor maintains eye contact, staring dreamily at her. It takes every fiber of her being and the screaming of her infiltrator instincts to keep her cover and not jump his bones right this second.

>Shiny, can we go back to the perfume store one day?

“Of course we can, Cadance. Let me move some things around, I have guard meetings coming up but I’ll let you know, ok?”

>Okay! I love you Shiny!

“I love you too Cadance.

This was all going fabulously, she couldn’t picture a more successful outcome. She was absolutely elated. Spending a quiet dinner at home with her adoring husband and loving daughter… It was everything she had ever dreamed of.

She was happy. Utterly and truly happy.

The ambient love in the room was almost intoxicating as the night went on, she had always known that Shining Armor loved Cadance, really loved her, but she had no clue what that was like.

She basked in the brilliance of Luminous Alabaster as his light and joy seeped into her very soul. Years of bitterness and cynicism faded, old emotional scars vanished, washed away by the cleansing glow of his emotions. A projected field of safety, comfort, and happiness permeated the space around him.

A love this glorious, this pure… She never even thought it could exist, much less that she would ever have it.

Deep down, the little daydreaming filly had found her prince and her daughter. She was happy in every single sense of the word.

The night flew by and before long 2 was stopping mid-sentence to let forth big stretching yawns. Shining Armor levitated the dishes into the sink, the leftovers into the fridge and led his wife and daughter to bed.

Dreamily she followed him to their bedroom and she lay before him. He placed a pillow under her head, draped a blanket over her body and kissed her on the cheek.

Shining Armor did the same with Applejack Two, tucking her in to their large bed. Finally he laid down between them, levitated a blanket over himself and began to drift off to sleep.

In the still darkness of the room, the silence was punctuated by heavy breathing from the 3 inhabitants.

Half asleep 18 relished the moment, letting out a contented mumble.

>I love you, Shining Armor

The second her confession left her lips she was falling into a wonderful dreamscape, happier and more vibrant than she’d ever seen.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The sun shone through the translucent curtains of the Grand Bedroom casting a gentle light over the sleeping forms of Applejack Two, Applejack Eighteen and Shining Armor.

18 stirred awake first, much more accustomed to rising early and running on little sleep.

She was still transformed as Cadance, still perfectly disguised. A smile spread across her lips, she relished at the thought of another day with Shining Armor. There was no long term plan, no big goal, no grand scheme.

Her list of objectives was short and to the point.

-Maintain cover
-Be happy

There was no third entry.

Inwardly she felt a small twinge of guilt. She should be furthering the cause of her Hive, securing resources for her Queen… She should be telling Shining Armor the truth because it would break his heart to know he had been deceived…

But she wasn’t thinking about her friends or her family or her hive. Right now, this was all about 18.

For the first time in forever, she focused on herself. She was ready, willing, and able to be completely selfish.

This must be what it felt like the be the Queen.

It felt goooooood.

18 shifted in the bed and felt Shining Armor’s back against her own. He must have been cuddling his daughter.

18 gently turned over and snuggled against Shining Armor’s sleeping form, playing big-spoon.

She kissed his cheek and closed her eyes, attempting to get a bit more rest.

Futilely her mind ran in place, her hooves twitched involuntarily and she had the urge to toss and turn. It seems 18 had reached her limit of sleep for the night.

Careful to not disturb her beloved ‘husband’ 18 shimmied away, took her blankets off and left the bedroom. A trip to the bathroom to check her disguise put her at ease. She was still indistinguishable. Right now 18 was on top of the world.

Silently she crept out of the attached bathroom and found Shining Armor still fast asleep, cuddling Two close. She left the room without disturbing them.

----

The idea of free time was almost alien to her. She walked the empty halls of the Crystal Palace completely dumbfounded. She had nothing to do today. Nowhere to go, nothing to sign, no contracts to dispute or lawyers to argue with or reforms to initiate or audits to perform… Nothing.

Her day was completely empty. The choices spiraled in her mind, she could go anywhere with anyone, do anything she could think of! The freedom she felt was exhilarating and terrifying.

As possibilities whirled through her mind she grabbed onto a random idea.

Breakfast.

Yeah, that sounds good. She didn't need food, but it still tastes nice. Besides, she’s sure Cadance eats so it’s good cover too.

Humming absent-mindedly 18 skips to the kitchen to make some breakfast. An even better idea hit her once she got to the door. Breakfast for EVERYONE!

18 stepped into the kitchen and locked it, not wanting anyone to see her acting uncharacteristically of Cadance.

She was a frenzy of activity, bowls and pans and spoons and measuring cups and whisks flew around the room in her dexterous magical field. In a matter of minutes she stood before a heaping plate of nearly perfect pancakes. The best she had ever made.

Dripping with butter and syrup she took a bite and grunted in satisfaction, pleased with her work.

They were nearly as good as Shiny’s.

Nearly.

She began to walk out of the room, floating the platter of pancakes behind her she realized just in time.

CADANCE HATES PANCAKES!

WORSE YET, SHE CAN’T COOK!

In a panicked frenzy she slammed the door shut and re-locked it.

>I have to destroy the evidence!

Garbage can? They might be found. Blast them with lasers? There would still be little bits. Incinerate them? No access to fire magic.

There was only one solution.

She set the platter of pancakes on the table.

And she began to eat.

A chorus of chomping, slurping, chewing and overall gluttony reverberated through the room as she single-hoofedly devoured enough pancakes to feed 3 people. She shoveled the syrupy disks of wonderful into her mouth two at a time, barely taking time to breathe.

She dug deep and channeled her inner Celestia. Unhinging her jaw she began stuffing hooffulls of pancake deep into her own mouth.

After a few minutes the deed was done. She lay breathless and panting on the kitchen table, an empty platter clattering to the ground.

She gathered her strength and caught her breath. 18 washed her dishes and cleaned off her syrupy hooves and muzzle. She put the dishes away with a comfortable sigh. Her tracks were covered, her identity was secure.

She unlocked the kitchen and left, making a mental note to suppress her natural instincts. She needed to work harder at channeling her inner Cadance.

Shining Armor exited his bedroom just as 18 was leaving the kitchen.

“You okay honey? You know you shouldn't go in the kitchen alone, you don’t know how to use the stove. Last time you tried you accidentally opened a portal to the Elemental Plane of Fire, remember?”

>I know not to touch the stove, don’t worry Shiny! I was looking for pink bottles. For the perfume store!

18 replied, voice dripping with cheer.

“I don’t think we’d have any in the kitchen. I’ll let you know if I find any, ok?

>Ok!

18 continued ‘looking for pink bottles’ and Shining Armor passed by her into the kitchen.

“Did you want some oatmeal and candy today?”

>No, I’m not very hungry.

“Really? Are you feeling ok? You normally love breakfast. Do you want to see a doctor?”

>No! No I don’t want to see a doctor! I’m fine, promise. I changed my mind, make me some breakfast?

A smile graces Shining Armor’s lips

“Coming right up.”

18 walks back into the kitchen, her distended stomach hidden by the disguise magic. She practically sloshed with every step, overfilled to near bursting with pancakes.

18 took her seat at the table and nearly blew chunks when Applejack Two flew into her gut, pulling her into a rib cracking hug.

‘G’mornin’ Mom!’

18 paused for a moment to catch her breath before replying.

>Morning Two.

‘So I reeeeeally liked tha Canterlot Zoo an’ I know we went ta the Zoo a coupla weeks ago but it’s super neat there they’s gots snakes in all kinda colors an’ they gots Rhinoccerossus an’ they gots monkeys an’ birds as big as me!’

“I’m glad you liked it there, Two. I hope you learned a lot.”

‘Uh-huh! An’ Ah told tha class about all the neat bugs an’ tha lizards an’ tha fishes! An’ they all want ta go too! Mah teacher said we can all go to tha zoo taday and she needs parents to volunteer as chapsticks!’

“Chaperones?”

‘Yeah, those too!’

‘So? Can ya can ya can ya?’

“Absolutely. I can move some things around with the guard. How about you, Cadance?”

>I love the zoo! Monkeys are funny.

In truth she had never seen a monkey. Or a zoo for that matter, but she wasn’t about to let those details slip.

“Two, when you get to school tell your teacher we’ll meet them there.”

‘Okie!’

Applejack Two dashed away from the table before her breakfast was even ready.

“Remember to cancel any appointments or appearances you have today. Eat some oatmeal and candy, I’ll meet you back here in 20 minutes and we can go together.

>It’s a date!

“It sure is, dear.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18 walked into the bedroom and found a sparkly notebook on a pink glitter-filled desk. Cadance’s day planner.

Turning to today’s date she saw a note written in pink crayon. Get hooves polished, 10 AM - 7 PM.

She closed the bedroom door, quickly emptied Cadance’s desk into her magical field and whirled the contents around her.

She began searching for information she’d need. Where was the hoof polishing? Who was doing it? How much did it cost? How long ago was it booked? Will other influential people be there?

She analyzed every scrap of information found, and there was remarkably little. Most of the papers were Applejack Two’s drawings. She began to panic, there was nothing to give her the slightest HINT!

She paused for a moment.

A thought struck her. She’s doing it wrong! Don’t approach Cadance’s problems like 18, approach them like Cadance!

She carefully floated the contents of her desk back into their original spots and left the bedroom.

18 walked through the halls and flagged down the first guard she saw.

>Excuse me, guard?

He snapped to attention.

-Yes Princess?-

>I’m going to the zoo. Can you cancel my hoof-polishing appointment?

-Of course, Your Highness. Who did you make the appointment with?-

>I don’t know.

-Ah, no matter. Where did you book it?-

>I’m not sure.

-How long ago did you make the appointment?-

>I forget.

The guard’s face becomes strained as he tries to maintain his composure.

-No matter, I will see to it it is cancelled, Princess.-

>Thanks!

18 happily skipped away, a smile on her face.

A girl could get used to this!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Their day at the zoo is marvelous. Shining Armor and Cadance were swamped by the other children’s parents, the Canterlot zoo staff fawned over them and saw to their every need. It got to the point where the teacher insisted Shining Armor, 18, and Applejack Two leave the group and explore the zoo on their own, as the other children and parents were too starstruck to learn about all the animals.

18 laughed at the silly monkeys, she gazed in awe at the colorful snakes, she held Two on her shoulders so she could see the Rhinos…

They ate overpriced popcorn from a cart, they threw fish food to fish and watched as they clustered near the surface flopping over each other to get it, giggled as lizards ate lizard-chow out of their hooves, they ate some blue sno-cones and had a heated debate over exactly what flavour ‘blue’ was.

18 didn’t feel like herself. She felt happy and light and free.

She never wanted to feel like herself again.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Fleetfoot
"42"
~~~~

>THIS IS SOME BULLLSSSHIIIITTT!

"Language, soldier!"

>NO! SERIOUSLY! THIS IS BULLSHIT! What kind of dumbass does a soldier exchange program and exchanges airforce for soldier!? I DO NOT NEED TO KNOW SHORT RANGE MELEE COMBAT I HAVE BOMBS!

"That is the exact sort of attitude that forced your commanding officer to seek 'alternative means' in order to train you! Your insubordination will not be tolerated here! We are going to work, and work, and work till you cannot even breath right anymore, soldier!"

>NOT! SOLDIER! AIRFORCE!

"All the same to a changeling!...No, really, all the same. We all have wings... it's pretty kickass..."

>How are you even doing this!? Are you even sanctioned under the crystal guard!?

"Ah... no. I'm still very much 'unofficial' there."

>HAH! So I don't have to do this shit!

"What? No, you still have to."

>BULLSHIT! You don't command an army!

"..."

>...Oh, wait, shit, right, changelings.

"..."

>...Kind of bullshit you technically are a commanding officer in both.

"UNOFFICIAL FOR ONE!"

>Damn...

"Now get back to melee training! FIGHT!"

>SO MUCH BULLSHIT!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>29
"Trixie"
~~~~

>WHY!?

"Oh, for the love of... you don't even need the orange juice! You don't need liquid oh so delicious orangey juicy goodness that The Great and Powerful Trixie appreciates far more!"

>What!?

"Oh, you didn't mean that. Well, Trixie may have, while being distracted doing something amazing that would totally blow your mind if she had the day it would take to describe it, may have been so caught up in this amazing thing that she forgot to put her towel in the washer, and had to use yours. Do not fear! It was worthy of her."

>MY CAMEL WOVEN SILK TOWEL!?

"Oh, not that?... OHHH! Yeah, sorry, did not mean to set fire to your houseplant. Just sort of happened."

>MR FLUFFYFLOWER!? YOU KILLED MR FLUFFYFLOWER!?

"...Why are you mad at me?"

>SO MANY REASONS!

"No no, I meant, why this particular time before Trixie started speaking."

>YOU FORGOT TO TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE!

"Oh... Trixie did not forget, she is just not soiling her nicely done hooves on such a menial task"

>MAGIC!

"She meant that metaphorically."

>...Are those hooves sparkling?

"Trixie maaayyyy have borrowed your nice nail polish. The one in the bottle made out of solid silver."

>...

"...It was nice."

>AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18, 2 and Shining Armor all walked through the portal to the Crystal Empire laughing and reveling in one another’s company. The zoo had let them stay after closing time and they continued their merrymaking well into the night.

Tired and content, Applejack Two and Shining Armor walked to the bedroom and prepared to go to sleep. Shining Armor looked to 18 from atop the wide bed.

“Coming to bed dear?”

>In a little bit, I have to use the little filly's room.

“Goodnight Cadance. I’ll see you in the morning.

Shining Armor was exhausted from such a busy day and quickly fell into a deep sleep. He lay there cuddling his beloved daughter close, a smile on his dreaming face.

With that, 18 turned around and headed for her office. 55 had been left to his own devices for a few days. If anything catastrophic had happened she would have known, so she doubted his cover was blown. Still, it was prudent to follow up.

She reached her office and felt the door. It was cool to the touch. There was no smell of smoke and no sounds came through her freshly reinforced door.

She opened the door a crack and a wave of intense orange fire washed over her and as yelling noise spilled into the halls.

‘AAAAAHHH! IT’S ALIVE! IT’S ALIVE AND IT WANTS MY BLOOOD!’

She caught a brief glimpse of 55, still disguised as her, darting around the room, throwing fireballs at stacks of paperwork. The walls, desk, chair, cot, all were unscorched. Only the ever-growing pile of papers burned as 55 worked his trade upon them.

Content he was doing his job, 18 closed the door and left him to continue his work.

As 18 walked to her bed (yes, she considered it HER bed now. She deserved it), something wasn't quite right. Some bit of information didn't process completely. Chock it up to fatigue if you will, but a niggling thought in the back of her mind told her to get a mirror.

She made her way to a mirror in one of the guest bathrooms, avoiding going near Shiny or any of the guard’s patrol routes in case something was wrong.

She looked at her image in a full length mirror. Everything was normal, her eyes, mane, crown, coat, cutie mark, it was all just like it always was, right down to a tiny flat flank.

Hmm… What was bothering her then? She couldn't quite put her hoof on it.

No matter, if it was actually an issue she was confident it would come back to her.

Exhausted and entirely fulfilled she walked back to her bedroom, crawled into her bed, cuddled her husband close and got some well deserved rest.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Applejack

>...

Paperwork

>...

Paperwork

>....

Paperwork

>....

>... Something really fuckin' bad is gonna happen, and Ah think I'm gonna get stuck innit

>...

Paperwork
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18 slept entirely too long that night. When she woke up it was nearly 10 AM. Shiny was long gone to some political function, Two was at school and next to her was a lukewarm bowl of oatmeal with candy in it. Her ‘favourite’. Not wanting to raise suspicion she ate it. Today the candy was gummy worms, jelly beans and crumbled up peanut-butter-cups.

It was an acquired taste, one she supposed she’d be getting used to.

Still, something from last night didn’t sit well with her. Some misplaced detail poking about in the back of her mind.

She got back from the zoo, checked on 55 and went to bed, normal stuff.

Except!

When she checked on 55 she was bathed in fire and came out unscathed.

But that was normal. She had been fireproof for a while. It was from her high-love durability.

Buuuuttt….

Slowly gears clicked into place and the realization hit her.

But I’m NOT fireproof! Not lately! I got burned by a fricking COFFEE POT just a few days ago! I shattered my chitin by stepping on a stapler! If my durability is back...

Throwing her blankets off she darts to the bathroom.

When she got there her gut twisted with anxiety.

The reflection in the mirror broke her heart.

There she was, the spitting image of the Alicorn Princess of Love, with a plump juicy flank. It was huge, Celestia would be jealous of this ass. Thank Faust she was covered by blankets when Shining Armor was in the room...

18 focused her powers and dropped disguise.

She looked…

She looked good. Healthy.

Her chitin was smooth and strong, her eyes a deep shining green, her belly was full and plump, her legs well muscled and powerful…

She stared deep into her own eyes, nearly losing herself as thoughts ran through her head.

Frozen in thought, her reflection looked away. It opened its mouth and began to pace.

“You can’t do this forever, 18.”

>Why not?

“He’ll find out eventually. What are you going to do then?”

>I don’t know! I don’t care! I’m going to be Cadance forever and you can’t stop me!

“18… This isn’t like you.

>Good! I don’t want to be like me anymore! Being me sucks...

“What would your Queen say?”

>Oh, that’s your argument? Really? I’d be soaking my poor hooves, they’d be aching and painful from THE HOOFBUMP OF THE CENTURY!

“You think he won’t notice you’re gone? 55’s not exactly an infiltrator. What if he checks up on you?”

>He won’t. He hasn’t, anyway. He hasn’t come in my office to check up on me even once since getting back from Partyland. I can keep him too busy as Cadance to start now!

“What happens when Cadance gets back from Trottingham?”

>I-I-I don’t know! Why do you expect me to have all the answers?!

“Don’t you feel bad? For what you’ve done? What you’re doing?”

>No! No I don’t! I’m done feeling bad! I’ve been working and isolated and stressed and starving! I’ve had enough feeling bad for a lifetime! I deserve to feel good! To be happy! It’s my turn!

“What about your job?”

>What ABOUT it?

“The ponies out there depend on you, 18.”

>And where exactly did that get me? It got me stuck behind a desk, starving to death! All my effort and work, every bit of energy and focus I could muster, for months I gave it my all! For nothing. NOTHING!

>All the while she gets to be pampered and giggle and spend the Empire’s money, and EVERYONE loves her! Most of the citizens don’t even know I exist! What did SHE ever do to deserve this life? Nothing! I’VE EARNED IT! IT’S MINE NOW!

Her reflection begins to tear up.

“Applejack Eighteen… Please come back…”

She stared at her reflection.

“I don’t have much time left 18. Please! Come back while you still can!”

Her reflection leaned out from the mirror, hooves wide open, reaching for a hug.

Slowly 18 backed away. She hated what she saw, what she used to be. She hated every curve, every strong muscle, every INCH of healthy chitin.

She hated what it represented. That body, her old body…It was from sad times, lonely times, times she never wanted to go back to. It was suited for paperwork and isolation and neglect and stress and IMPOSSIBLE STANDARDS AND-AND-AND

>NOOOOO! I’M NOT GOING BAAAACK!

18’s horn lit up with a bright green glow as she sent a bolt of magic directly into the mirror. It exploded violently, sending shards of razor sharp glass flying harmlessly at her chitin. She felt no pain, no impact, no force. She stomped the glass beneath her hooves, effortlessly crushing it into dust.

18 sprints out of the room, mind running at a hundred miles a minute. She didn’t know what to do....

But she would do whatever it took to keep her new life.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Actarius
"JJ"
'Random Changelings'
~~~

"You do realize you're the reason they're throwing this party, right?"

The stallion tucked away in the 'corner' of the ballroom shrugged, fiddling a bit with his tiny paper cup filled with whatever punch they had pilfered from the kitchen.

>Apparently that isn't really an accomplishment.

"Still... They look like they're having fun."

'WOOOOOOO!'

'LIMBO! LIMBO! LIMBOOOOOOOO!'

'HEY! Who wants to watch me EAT THIS STICK ON FIRE!?'

'DO IT! DO IT!'

>...Seems a little intense for me.

"Really? But... they're not even exploding anything."

>I'm fine right over here, I guess. Don't really want to get in the middle of anything.

"Awww, it's not so bad. It's pretty fun when you get into it."

'HIT THE DIRT!'

BOOM!

>I'll take your word for it.

"You sure you don't want to try?"

>Nahhh... doesn't really seem like I could keep up with you guys.

"..."

>What?

"HEY! NEXT ONE ON THE GIANT SLIDE RIGHT HERE!"

>Wait what!?

'HOLY SHIT THE BALLS ON THIS GUY!'

>Wait a minute, I didn't-

Before he could say anymore, two of them grabbed him by the shoulders and flew him over to the massive, massive soaked tarp they conservatively called a 'slide'. Not a water-slide, however.

>WHOA WHOA WHOA! FIRE! ON FIRE!

'I know, right? You are CRAZY!'

"You can do it Acty!"

>JJ YOU TRAITOR-AHHHHHHHHHH!

And down, down, down he went, hugging tight to the middle to dodge the roaring flames on either side, before blessedly reaching the end.

And being launched clear into the air.

>CRAP CRAP CRAP I DON'T WANNA DIEEEE-....

His screams of terror proved to be for naught.

His cry of surprise as he landed in a mosh-put of chitinous hooves, however, was well deserved.

>...

'WOOO! DAMN THIS GUY IS CRAZY!'

'Got a death wish, totally!'

'No wonder the guard couldn't handle him!'

He did not know how to respond, really. Being in this kind of position was new, to put it bluntly.

>...Uh... go again?

'HE'S FUCKING GOING AGAIN!'

'THE BALLLLLSSSS!'

He couldn't help it. With all the cheering, he just had to smile, just a bit.

Even if he immediately regretted it as they flew him right back up to the top of the slide.

Down below, his friend let out a long held, burning breath of relief.

"...Everything went better than expected."

>Are you adding spikes to the slide!?

'Yep!'

>Uh...b-bring it?

'HA! HE SAID BRING IT, GUYS!'

'WELL CONSIDER IT BROUGHT!'

'WOOOOO!'

>...W-wooo?

'WOOOOOOOOOO!'

>...Woo!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Dash
"AJ"
~~

She really, really, really hated it when they slammed her door.

But they would not stop. Always with the slamming. For no reason, ever.

>Mind telling me why you've got two freaking guards outside who not only asked me a bunch of really personal questions, but FRISKED ME!? That one guy got super into it!

Okay, maybe not always.

"Sorry, sug'. Ah'm a little on edge."

>Who did you piss off, and how?

"Chrysalis, and said a lot o'... things. Honest things."

>...How honest we talking?

The look said it all.

>Ahhhh...

"That ain't the worst part. After that? Ah' told her ta' leave, and just out she went. Fwooshed up ta' make herself look more calm, Ah' told her ta' git and she got goin'."

>That's... unsettling.

"Ya' don't know the half of it. Ah' really laid inta' her, Dash, and she just left. Not a word, ya' know?"

>Well... you have been having a crappy week, maybe she was just being understanding that you didn't really mean it and didn't hold it against you?

"..."
>...
"..."
>...
"..."
>...
"..."

>...Two guards aren't enough.

"Ah'm tryin' not ta' raise suspicion."

>Preeeetty sure the frisking is doing that pretty hard.

"...Ah' didn't tell 'em ta' frisk specifically, just 'be thorough, very thorough'."

>Not better, you know?

"Ah' get it."

>Soooo.... why was she wanting to see you anyway?

"Requestin' somethin' really stupid, Ah'm sure."

>What the hell does that mean? What was she requesting?

"Does it matter? Is it ever anythin' actually important?"

>...is it?

"No, it ain't. If it was, she'd make 18 do it."

>...Fair enough? Seems kind of weird she'd just walk in and ask it, though.

"Pfft, who cares."

>Once again, fair enough. Sooo... guess you don't want to go flying?

"Guess ya' don't want to help with mah' paperwork-"

>GONE!

*SLAM!*

"...Figures."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC

This is going to be terrible

>Random Villain
"Shiny"
'Chrysalis'
`AJ2`

>How do you plan to stop me, Shining Armor? I am INVINCIBLE, even if you tried to defeat me, it is useless, useless, useless, useless!"

"Why don't we let my ⸢stand⸥ be the judge of that?"

"KILLER QUEEN!"

'ORA!'

"⸢SHEER HEART ATTACK!⸥"

`HELLO!`

>W-what?

The villain now slow retreating backwards as 2 slowly approaches closer and closer, staring into his eyes and with a big smile on her face

With every step, her eyes appear to be getting bigger and bigger

>What is happening? What am I feeling? Wait, is that my hear-

>HNNNGGG

With a final gasp, the villain died

"My ⸢Sheer heart attack⸥ has no weaknesses"


~~~~~~~~~

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________