Thread 17: Stories 91-96

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>Applejack
"Luna"
~~~~~

>Huh...

"Fellow Princess, I must ask. Is it just us, or are our subjects really, REALLY good at fixing property damage?"

>Well, most've the workers are from Ponyville.

"Is that supposed to mean something?"

>Uh, yeah. Buildin's gettin' broke happens all the time over there. Heck, Mah brother once dragged a house through the streets, and Spike blew the roof off Sugar Cube Corner. That's not even countin' stuff like the Ursa Minor. Was fixed in under a week.

"...And we had NO guards stationed down there?"

>Not a one.

"This seems... counterproductive."

>Hey, no denyin' it worked. Between us, the Ponyville Citizens, and the aide from Fawntaine and the Empire, we'll probably be all fixed by the end o' the month.

"We feel a touch useless."

>Is that a good thing?

"We need more time to decide."

>...S'probably a good thing.

"Right..."
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>Pinkie
"Twilight"
~~~~
>*gasp* I'm actually in a scene! Hey, Twilight! What brings you to...what's left of my store.

"Hey, Pinkie. I'm just looking at the damage with my own eyes. How are things in Canterlot?"

>Rarity's been organizing the disaster relief efforts and ponies everywhere are donating to her cause. Meanwhile Fawntaine Futuristics finished building the Fawntaine's Home for the Poor outside Canterlot in honor of the late Fawntaine. Ponies that lost their homes are moving in until the reconstruction is complete. Me, I'm looking at what I can salvage.

"That's good to hear..."

>You sound down. I have just the thing....have some chocolate milk!

"Pinkie, I don't think chocolate milk is going to-"

>Nonsense! Chocolate can help make anypony feel better.
Twilight takes a few sips and sighs

>Aw, what's wrong.

Twilight rubs the top of the glass.
"Just...seeing all the destruction. It's not pretty."

>Oh, you're a smart pony. You'll think of something to help.

She tips the glass slightly
"No, I'm just a harbinger of destruction. I couldn't help anypony even if I wanted to"

>Twilight, you've got to stop beating yourself up over this. I'm sure you can whip up some invention to help out. In fact you can probably use one that you've already made. Take the subspace technology you have. You know, the one that makes everything bigger on the inside. I bet if you sold that off you can easily make up the repair costs all over Equestria.

"...you know what Pinkie? That's not a bad idea. You're absolutely right. Thanks"
Twilight lets go of the glass, rushing out, spilling the chocolate milk.

Pinkie shakes her head.
>There goes some perfectly good chocolate milk....Anon, I hope you realize the chocolate milk joke isn't funny.
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>Gwendolyn
“Gilda”
________

In one of the few hotels of Canterlot still standing was where most of the dignitaries resided, permanent residents of the city until a majority of the chaos regarding destruction costs and immigration could be taken care of. And it was on the door of suite number 12 that Gilda knocked, her tail swishing nervously.

"It's me, Gilda."

>Come in.

Permission granted, she entered, unsurprised to see Gwen seated behind a desk, those hawk-like eyes narrowed into slits and barely looking up at her presence. The papers in her claws were obviously more important, even as she shifted from one to the next with an ever-deepening scowl.

>So how goes helping the ponies lick their own self-inflicted wounds, hm? Tell me all about it, I could use a good laugh right about now.

“For fuck’s sake, Gwen… Why do you have to be like that, huh? Why? After everything that’s happened, can’t you just… let it go?”

>Let it… go?

It was like a hammer banging against steel when Gwen slammed her hand down on the desk, suddenly on her feet with her wings flared menacingly.

>I HAVE SIX DEAD SOLDIERS BECAUSE OF THAT FILTHY BITCH CHRYSALIS AND HER LACK OF INSIGHT TOWARDS HER OWN FUCKED UP KIND! Don’t you stand there, Gilda… don’t you dare tell me to let it go! You’re not the one who has to write back home to the families of those lost! And what reason do you propose I give them, huh? How do I explain what brought about the deaths of their loved ones? That a conniving bug and a naive pony joined forces for a mass fucking orgy of stupid?!

“Gwen, I… I’m sorry. Really, I am….”

>It’s a crying shame your worthless condolences can’t bring back my men. You say you’re sorry, but where are you most times? You aren’t with your clan, you aren’t sending in status updates, and you damn sure aren’t by my side.

Her expression had shifted from contempt to a soft scorn, almost like she was holding back tears.

“Gwen…?”

>I didn’t make you my first assistant just to have you play footsie with those ponies, Gilda. I didn’t bump you up to squadron leader just to have you vanish on a fly-by-night basis, with no word as to where you’ve gone. You do realize other gryphons have been penalized for less, don’t you?

“If all that’s true… why haven’t you done anything about it? Hell, why’d you even make me ambassador and give me all those other titles in the first place?”

>Because while your actions give me no end of grief or inner stomach pain, I trust you. I’m not going to say you remind me of myself when I was younger because quite frankly, you don’t. You’re my opposite in damn near every possible way, and sometimes I sincerely wish I could strangle the last squawk out of you.

“…”

>But it’s because you’re my polar opposite that I place a great deal of faith in you, that you’ll be able to open up ventures that my ways never could. I wish you’d grow the hell up and realize that those ignorant ponies will only be our downfall- especially after what that Sparkle nuisance did- but I believe it’s all for a purpose. It has to be.

“Gwen, I… I honestly don’t know what to say here….”

>Then spare us both the headache and get the hell out of my office before I lose my temper again.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Gilda made for the door, pausing only briefly when she heard that noncommittal throat clearing from behind her.

>Two things. One, try to write in a little bit more. I’m not asking for a full report because you’re handwriting is utterly atrocious and I don’t have the time to decipher that shit.

“…okay, hurtful. And two?”

>Two, uh…

She cleared her throat again, a remarkably odd hue of red seeping into her cheeks.

>If you s-see that one, um… you know... him. If you see him could you send him here for a moment?

The ‘him’ was blatantly obvious yet Gilda feigned ignorance almost without trying.

“Who now?”

>…Don’t be a bitch, Gilda. You know who I am referring to.

“No I don’t.”

>Yes you do.

“No, I really don’t.”

>You are lying! You know damn well I’m talking about 56!

Gwen slapped claws over her beak, suddenly looking as thought someone had burst a tomato over her face. She furiously glared at Gilda who returned it with a victoriously smug grin.

“Oh. Him, him. Sure, I can do that for you, Gwen. Goodbye.”
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>Chitania
"???"
~~~~

Here.

Of all the fucking places.

The Gryphon Kingdom.

But damn it, they were the only lead she had at the moment. Surely, those things didn't worship that fucking Alicorn, did they? They couldn't. They're too proud, arrogant, too full of themselves. Surely they must have a...

Well, this is awkward.

The damn things are actually mourning? Why? Did she really step on a few of those things? She didn't think she did, but then again she wasn't exactly paying attention.

Soldiers? Did such tiny soldiers really try to fight her head on? They might as well have been chucking toothpicks! What, did they really think her an oversized drone? As easily able to remove her head as they did...

It's almost funny when she thought about it. These tiny little things fluttering around her, desperate to bring her down and be the big savior, and she never knew they were there.

Why did they even bother? She wasn't after them, and they did nothing in the end.

What were the drones thinking?

"Is it dead, mommy?"

It? Is that all she was to them. An 'it'.

"What happens if it comes back?"

>...What indeed.

Oh dear, one of them heard her muttering. Best to be off to the library before she attracted more attention.

Still, all that destruction out in the distance, everything done by her simply walking without a care... is this how these things live all the time? How do they put up with being so small?

Suppose that's another question to add to the list for when her goal is finally achieved. She certainly can't understand these tiny things.

Maybe their gods can.
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>Celestia
"Various rich ponies"
' Applejack2 '
~~~~~

"THIS IS CRUEL!"

"UNUSUAL!"

"...MOSTLY JUST UNUSUAL, ACTUALLY!"

>Why, I say! Not a single idea what you mean!

"YOU KNOW FULL WELL WHAT I MEAN!"

"MY BANK ACCOUNT IS BEING BLED DRY AND I CAN'T STOP!"

'Yaaaaaay! I sold all mah' Machmalley rice squares!'

"Oh thank goodness! I don't think my heart could take another-"

'Now I can bring out my Sprinkled Brownies! I gave 'em looootsa love so they taste extra good!'

"OH DEAR LORD HNNNNGGGGH!"

"TAKE IT! TAKE ALL OF MY MONEY!"

"JUST STOP, PLEASE!"

"NO MORE! IF SHE WIBBLES AGAIN MY HEART IS LITERALLY GOING TO EXPLODE VIOLENTLY!"

'Yaaay! Every sale comes with a free hug!'

"OH DEAR CELESTIA NO-HNNNNGGGGHHHH! WHY IS THIS SO AMAZING!?"

'Awww, don't be sad cause yer' outta money! Free hug! On tha' house!'

"WHY DO I NEED THIS TO BREATH!?"

"HELP! MERCY!"

>...There is no mercy for you now. Not for a single one.

"HNNNNNGGGGGHHH!"

>There is only... Two.

'Who wants bubble gum ice cream caaake?"

"HNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"
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>Two

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two sat alone on a stool in the dark. The only light to be seen shined down upon her from a single lamp above. She wiggled and squirmed in her seat nervous beyond all reason. With a small adjustment of her purple beret she spoke.

>Soft... Squishy... Sweet. You bring the happy when you come, but only leave sadness when you are gone... You are Mallys... and I miss you.

The sound of snapping applause fills the darkness and Spike can only stare, bound by the long and fuzzy appendages holding him close.
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