Thread 70: Stories 1-15

https://archive.moe/mlp/thread/22458614/
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>Actarius
"???"
~~~~

>...So, this is pretty much the bottom for me.

He still had not gotten out from underneath that park bench.

Mostly because, thanks to an unfortunate twist, one of the fancy swirling foreleg rests had inexplicably managed to hook it itself on a protruding root behind him, and he could not move enough to unhook it. As such, he was stuck.

Nobody had stopped to help him yet, and he had been waiting for at least four hours now.

>How'd it come to this, me? How'd we go from respected guard... a-hem, how'd we go from 'a guard' to just... well, a guy under a bench. Remember that, me? Remember when we had actual authority and could make arrests and stuff? I remember that... those were good times. Helping ponies and helping Canterlot, good times... I miss that. Gonna be honest with me here, I miss being helpful. I remember when I was helpful. I remember when I... okay, I didn't have FRIENDS per-say, but mom liked me! Remember that? Remember when mom could stand to be in the same room as me? I miss mom... I miss mom being proud of me, even when I could barely hold a spear. I miss that.... know what else I miss? Food. I miss that a lot. Food was nice. Remember food? Food was... food was good...

He sighed, readjusting himself so that rock in his back didn't dig in as bad in his back as it normally did. It still was there, but it any little thing helped.

>...We both know why we're here, right? Just haaaad to stick our noses into someone else's business, just haaaaaad to be the big heroic guard mom always wanted us to be despite the fact we're less capable than the average dress maker, apparently, just haaaaaad to try and take on someone so out of your league she could probably kill you by sneezing at you, just haaaad to be a dumbass and try to save JJ...

He sighed, the weight on his back seeming to increase, seeming to push him down even further.

>...Just had to save a guy who's not even your same species, and tried to invade you, and is probably the guy that glued you to the floor when they attacked.... and then you just had to be so freaking noble about it and resgned... who were you kidding, you're not noble, you just freak out like a little filly when you see someone get hurt and think you're so important it has to be you who saves them, and when you couldn't you just up and quit because it was just so important... even if they are a b-... a changeling.

The weight suddenly felt... too much.

>...damn it. I miss JJ... I miss my mom... I miss those asshole guards who made fun of me, I miss my brother, I miss being a guard, I miss... I miss everything. I was just trying to do the right thing, and protect anyone no matter what.... isn't that good? Aren't I supposed to do that? Isn't that what being a guard is all about?... Who cares what they look like? I don't fucking care he's a changeling, I don't care they're all... like that. They're not bad, and they don't deserve that... or any of that...

The pain of the rock no longer mattered as he curled up, not fighting it anymore.

>...I was just trying to help them... that's what I was supposed to do...

He didn't know how long he was down there, just giving up, just letting it sink in, just... lying there. He didn't know.

>...Maybe everything would be better if I just treated them like that too...

As such, he couldn't tell how long it was... before he shifted.

>...Screw that.

And started to get back up.

>Screw this!

He pressed, and he pressed, his hooves digging into the dirt, but he could not break loose.

>Screw this screw that and screw you!

The metal groaned, shifting slightly, but it still could not break the very root of the tree.

>I'm not going through all this just to act like a damn asshole! I'm not them! I'm not like them! Screw them, screw that, and I am going to get out of here, and I am going to WATCH HIM JUGGLE!


The metal twisted, but it would not break.

>GET! OFF!

As if it obeyed his command, it did.

...But not from his own power.

>GAH!

He flopped around as the bench was suddenly ripped away from him, flung into the air carelessly, easily, almost mocking of all the effort he had just put into it. He scrambled for a bit, dirtying his already brown coat in the process, before finally pausing enough to look up, wide and confused, at the one who had helped him.

She was towering, she was regal, she looked powerful... and she was most certainly not Celestia.

The black skin probably gave that part away.

>...Oh, uh.. h-hi, your highness... glad to see you back in Cantlerlot.

He cursed himself for feeling that bubbling hope that this meant what he most certainly knew it did not mean, but he hoped all the same.

“No, you idiot, they're not back.”

This was not one of his better days, he was going to be blunt.

>Oh, yeah, sorry... pretty dumb to assume that after everything you went through.

“That is putting it mildly.”

There was a silence as he sat there, idly brushing off clumps of dirt, totally silent as her impressive magic easily levitated the bench back to where it had been, and twisted it back into a... mostly normal looking shape.

>Thanks for helping me out, you didn't have to.

“No, I did not.”

It was weird.

Her words were pretty blunt, pretty brutal... but she didn't feel brutal. There was no venom in her tone, not really. It wasn't a mad tone...

“...You know, something I've always wanted to ask you.”

>Oh? Uh... sure, shoot. So long as it's not, you know, secrets or something.

“Please do not try to humor me with the idea you have state secrets.”

>...Fair point.

“No, I've just always wondered... why did you tell Applejack no?”

He blinked, honestly, truly confused.

>...Could you be more specific?


“When she ordered you and Jugglejack to do battle, why did you refuse her? She is your princess, is she not?”

>Oh, uh... I dunno, just seemed weird to fight him. Didn't... didn't really want to.

She cocked a single, coy eyebrow, a slight curl to her lip rising up to match.

“So simple?”

>I'm... not complicated.

“...I believe that.”

He did not know how to take that, really. Furthermore, he was given no time to, before she plopped a strange bag in front of him. One which gave off a distinct... 'clink'.

“Go get a room and clean yourself up before he sees you. Be quick, he is looking.”

>W-wha?

She didn't answer, didn't respond, didn't acknowledge. She turned and left like it wasn't even an issue.

>Hey, hey wait! I can't accept this! I can't... this isn't what... you really don't need to help, I'm just in a... and I mean you already got that thing off, so if anything I should be... hey! Hey wait! Your Majesty? Wait!

She didn't.

He didn't really think she would.

She trotted with long strides too fast for him to possibly keep pace with, and was gone.

>...Okay, pride as a guard, or go and get food?

His stomach answered that for him, loudly.

>...If only swallowing my pride could actually get me fed, I would never go hungry again.

Not wanting to refuse the answer right in front of him, he set off, off to find the nearest motel...

And maybe get some hair products on the way.

Lots and lots of hair products...

>...Welp, at least I'm not at the bottom anymore. That's good, JJ hates it when I'm at the bottom...

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>Dash
"Soarin"
'Fleetfoot'
~~~~

>...Are you two... pouting?

"Nope."

'Dunno what you mean.'

>You're pouting.

"Don't understand you, CAPTAIN."

'Yeah, we'd never pout at our CAPTAIN, CAPTAIN RAINBOW MO... RAINBOW DASH!'

"We'd be nothing but respectful to our CAPTAIN"

'Of the WONDERBOLTS'

"Not that our CAPTAIN would need us to clarify!'

"Right, CAPTAIN?"

'No clarification needed, CAPTAIN!'

>....I feel like you're trying to tell me something.

"Dunno what you mean, RAINBOW DASH WHO IS CAPTAIN OF THIS TEAM"

'This team, THE WONDERBOLTS, for whom RAINBOW DASH is the LEAAAAADDER OF!'

>...I'm getting a vibe here... damn! I gotta crack this!

*DOUBLEFACEHOOF*

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>2
"SA"
~~~~

>BUUUUHHHHH! BUM BUM BUM BUM BUUUUUUHHHHH! BUM BUM BUHHHH BUHHHH!... Dun dun dun dun dununun dun dun dun dununun dun dun dund DUN DUN DUUUUN DUN DUN DUUUUN DUNUHNUHNUHNUH DUN DUN DUNNNNN! BOOOOM! RAWWWWWRRRRRR!

"I take it Chrysalis let you watch Godragon."

>How did ya' know!?

"Lucky guess."

>...Can I keep messin' up the books?

"So long as you pick them up when you're done."

>KAY!... DUH DUN DUUUUNNNNN!

"...I really need to have a talk with her about movie selection."

>DUNUNUNUNUNUN DUN DUN DUN!

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>SA
"Chrysalis"
'Cadence'
[18]
{42}
~Celestia~
^2^
(Spitfire)
~~~~

>Absolutely not, we are not watching another rendition of A Hearths Warming Song.

^BUT THISSIN HAS PUPPETS!^

"KICKASS!"

'...What?'

"What?"

[Did... did you just get excited about puppets?]

"...I like puppets."

{Majesty, I will never normally question you, but uh... puppets?}

"I. Like. Puppets."

~You. Queen Chrysalis, sovereign of one of the most powerful equine races on the planet. You like puppets.~

"...I like puppets."

(Oh good, this is weird. I know how that sounds, but I was honestly waiting for things you all found weird and what I found weird to finally sync up. This is good, this is acceptable, as now I can join in and say... puppets? Really? The little felt things that you use the stick with?)

"..."

'Puppets. With the funny voices...'

[And the big googly eyes...]

{And the buck teeth...}

~And the little stages.~

(Those puppets.)

"...I like puppets."

^HEY! I like'em too, stop knockin' puppets!^

>Well... I guess we're watching the puppet rendition of A Hearths Warming Song.

[Seriously?]

>Yes, seriously... she likes puppets.

"...Thanks."

>Yep.

(...Screw that, puppets are freaky.)

~I KNOW RIGHT!?~

>....

~...I mean, puppets! Yay!~

(Y-yaaaay.)

"START THE MOVIE ALREADY!"

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NC
~~~

>I wanna be a night guard!

"...You want to serve under the pony who was fully willing to fight me and would not back down when, at the time, my only crime was 'being punched'?"

>Er-

"And who was about to fight all your brothers ans sisters. That one. The one who was about to attack your injured 'not-mom' and family, and would not back down even when I did. That one. that's the mare you want to serve. The one who will attack your wounded parental figure."

>...I mean, when you put it like that...

"You don't even care about that, do you?"

>...She has a REALLY nice royal plot...

"I think that asshole cousin of yours is a bad influence, and will likely murder him."

>NO NOT-MOM NO!

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 >Screwloose
"12"
'Sidewinder'

'-so we're going past the biological test subject holding pens, I remind the horrible bug monster to not send this company sensitive information to his monster mom via crazy changeling mind rays.'

"And I remind the hick from Bronco Bluffs that those are not things that exist."

'Whatever, I got my eyes on you, Roachy, and don't ya forget it!'

"Is he one of those old guard guys like the dickhead who-"

>No, Frank had an eye for talent, as him employing me should tell you, he would never in a million years hire someone this incredibly stupid.

'Hey! I can hear you!'

>Hey, I don't care!

'Ugh...right, uhhhm, oh, those are the Science Team Dormitories, where the eggheads go to eat, sleep, make bad decisions with each other, etcetera. You won't be in there because...well you'll see.'

"The hell does that mean?"

'It means you'll see, Insector, I don't gotta say nothin' to you!'

"Then why the hell do you keep talking to me!?"

>Because he's an idiot, was that not clear?

'I can still hear you, you know.'

>And I STILL don't care, was THAT not clear?

"Just take us to the lab or the death trap! Whichever the crazy rich racist has in store for us is better than talking to you!"

'Ha, get used to it, you're stuck talking to me until we get to her lab, and that's gonna....oh...'

>...

"..."

'...we're here.'

>Pervert, if I supercharged you on love, would you be a dear and smack me in the forehead? My regular strength just would not suffice.

"Only if you could make some kind of super soldier serum and return the favor."

'I can STILL hear-'

>"SHUT UP!"

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>Sunset
„Dollestia“
~~~~~~

Her room. This was her room. It was hers.

>Mine.

Reaffirmation was necessary. It was hard to piece things together. Memory gaps were turning up about things that were supposed to be a matter of course. But she also remembered things she could impossibly have experienced.

There were new sights, scents, skills, spells and talents at her beck and call now.

One of the above, sight, was what drew her to the desk pushed up against the wall near the window overlooking Canterlot. Upon it were notes, diagrams, a hypothesis or two. A letter to Princess Applejack.

>Trash.

Sunset didn't need any of that anymore. With a careless swipe of her left foreleg, she brushes all of it to the floor and creating a mess on the floor.

No, what she needed sat upon the desk. Motionless, unblinking.

A crudely made doll in the semblance of a white, winged unicorn with a crown.

The object itself didn't draw Sunset's attention. What was wafting up from it, shimmering like a halo? That was her goal.

She could sense it now. It was a delicate thing to perceive. Few knew how to, and even fewer knew how to manipulate it. Was that what the Princess of Love saw, everyday?

Luckily, the afflicted mare didn't need to learn how to. She knew.

Reaching out with her newfound senses, she grabs, tugs and pulls on this intangible energy. She drew it into herself, her core. Her chest. She devoured all the affection and love this personal item had accumulated over the years, and found herself invigorated.

The luster returned to her coat, her mane shone brightly, her eyes lost their tell-tale signs of need. The mask was repaired. She couldn't help but lick her lips hungrily when she dropped back onto all fours.

Yet the doll... looked drab now. Grey. More lifeless than it had moments ago.

“Sunset?”

The mare paid the quizzical, motherly voice no heed. Instead, she traced her hoof over her breast, where she could still feel the irregularities of flesh. The scars, unseen to the naked eye due to her pelt.

“Sunset Shimmer?”

The shield, what separated her from madness inside her mind, grew stronger. Of course it did. It was fueled by her resolve and her new powers. She was safe from their seeking eyes..

She didn't need to SEE anymore. She could feel them now. All of them. How they broke pattern, how the lights, whole systems swarmed out, looking for her. The dead... they weren't silent.

But trapped in what was limbo, neither heaven nor Tartarus, they were blind as long as none of their kind died.

“Sunny, please, speak to me. I am worried.”

That nickname rang a bell. It was familiar. Long unused. Obsolete.

>Be quiet.

And the doll fell silent, its expressionless face betraying no emotion. Far rougher than necessary, the unicorn grabbed it into her telekinetic grip, shoved it into a drawer and shut it.

Only for a brief moment, her face jerked, regret and sadness evident on it.

This wasn't how she was supposed to be anymore. This wasn't her. She didn't want to be that way. Never again. She was better than that now.

The hesitation lasted only briefly. The beautiful sight of Canterlot by night, its many lights shining up along the cliff of the mountain and illuminating the crown taking her breath away.

Sitting down before the double-windows reaching from ceiling to floor, Sunset stared at the capital of Equestria and didn't move from that spot for a long time.

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>Chitania
"Prostimare"
'Librarian'
[??]
{??}
~~~

'...Leeaaavvveeee..... leeeaavvveee...'

"Are ya' talkin' ta' me or her?"

'Both of you. I want exactly none of this. No parts, the end.'

"Jus' sayin', I didn't do nothin' to ya', honey. Don't know why you're getting all up on me."

'...Seriously? I don't want your kind in Canterlot, let alone my prestigious and very respected library.'

"And just what'cha mean by that?!"

'You. Ponies in your 'line of work'. That right there. That's what I do not want.'

"Hey, I ain't hurtin' nobody! Just the opposite!"

'Look, up here in Canterlot, we have a bit 'higher standards' than you, you get me? We're a land of business CEOs, land owners, and royalty. Nooooot quite what we want from you, got me?'

"W-well... well..."

'See, in comparison to us, you're a little... out of place. We'd more prefer someone with some actual influence and who matters.'

"..."

>Pfft, bet those stock options were a real help back when I showed up. But hey, you had royalty, right? How'd that work out... oh, right. But hey, I'm sure you all 'mattered' a ton when I was casually walking through the tiny things you thought were so important.

'...'

>No no, do go on, tell me how important that land is... I probably crushed it by accident.

"Oh! What now!?"

'...Fuck you.'

"Honey, you couldn't afford me!"

'I probably could, actually.'

>Not with how much I have to pay her.

'Oh fuck-'

[SWEETIE! HIIIII!]

{Hi mom!}

"...Wait, mom?"

>She's her marefriend.

"But she has a ring."

>...Huh.

'...Honey doodles, what did we say about bringing you-know-who in the vicinity of you-know-what?'

>Am I the 'what'? That's just insulting.

"Aww, ya' ain't a what to me!"

>Okay?

[Look, babycakes, you know I wouldn't bring him here if I had an option, but apparently there's a mandatory guard meeting I have to go to in twenty minutes, and we know what happened last time we left him home alone.]

'...I thought you got rid of the wine?'

'...That' not what we talked about.'

[Got my limits, sugar cakes.]

'Well, you obviously can't leave him here!'

[Look, she's not going to attack a kid in broad daylight!]

'It's not her I'm worried about! I'm worried about the... hnnnggg...'

[...Wait, you're not worried about the giant bug monster? Really? She's not the concern.]

'I just don't want him knowing about the... hnnggggg.'

[...Okay, I've got to see this.]

'No! I don't want him to see!'

[See what-OH FUCK!]

"..."

'See!? There's a W H O R E in the room! I don't want him talking to her and getting ideas!'

{Mom, I can spell...}

[...N-no! Yeah! Right! Totally on board here! Got you, SO got you! And agree, we should not be in this room anymore and you know what I think I can make it to my parents if I hurry this is a good point ahahahah gotta run COME ON SON!]

"..."

{M-momma? You're kinda of tugging me.}

[Gotta go!]

{But I wanted to try to get her to sign my tooyyyyyyy!}

[I'LL BUY YOU ANOTHER ONE!]

{...Wha? But.. it's fine-}

'Do what your momma says!'

{Awwwww!}

With a rush of wings, the mare was gone.

'Phew!... That was a close one.'

"...So how long ya' been together?"

'Not that it's any of your business, but seven long, wonderful years.'

"..."

'...What... why are you smiling? She's smiling. She's smiling and I do not like that. Stop that.'

"..."

'Stop the smiling.'

"Mmmmkay..."

'...Still smiling.'

"What'cha know, I am."

'...Something is off here...'

>...Did this shit always happen around me, and I just never noticed it?... I liked it better when I was huge and too high to see all this bullshit.

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Non-Canon

>Pinkie
"Sunset"
~~~~
>Welcome to Not Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content does matter and delays are magic! Now for our main guest...SUNSET SHIMMER!!!

"Wha- Where am I?"

>You're on my show! I thought it was about time I brought you here!

"But when d-"

>Have you seen the season premier?!

"...what?"

>It was great! I had just the bestest reactions! There was a song and dance, I looked like I was on meds, and I ATE ALL THOSE MUFFINS!

"Oh kay..."

>Anyway that's the end of our show, so it was great having you here as a guest, and answering my questions!

"But I didn't answer-"

>It's really great to have new ponies on the show who haven't gone through this yet!

"I'm confused."

>Perfect!
Camera cuts

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 >Chrysalis
"Changelings"
~~~~

>I would like to remind everyone in the room that no, you are not allowed to eat the crystals. Spike did that once, he is very sorry about that, and you should never follow his example.

"We only chewed on a statue or two!"

>Ponies are reporting chunks ripped out of their houses.

"Hey! No fair! That other mare did that!"

"Yeah! Discriminatory!"

"We're being profiled!

>...Other mare.

"YEAH!"

>Some other mare ATE CRYSTALS.

"Yeah!"

>She just ate sharp things hard as rocks.

"Yeah!"

>Not you, the creatures who are durable enough to feasibly do that, a mare. Just a normal pony mare.

"An earth pony mare!"

>...She ate the rocks.

"YES!"

>...You know what? Sure. What's her description.

"Dull."

>...

"..."

>...

"...That's all I got."

>...Okay, I'm a changeling, and even I'm three seconds from profiling you here.

"RACIST!"

>...

"...INTERNALIZED RACISM!"

>...

"SHUTTING UP BEFORE I AM HURT!"

>Good call.

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 >AJ
"Pinkie"
'Fluttershy'
[Rarity]
~~~~

>...Huh.

"Is... is this our office?"

[It can't be! It's so.. neat and tidy.]

>And organized.

'And... not full of paperwork?'

>Well, Ah' mean, there's still paperwork, just...

'It isn't up to the ceiling is the thing.'

"WOW! Someone up there is looking out for us!"

>...Now, Pinkie, do ya' actually think somethin' divine came down and did our paperwork?

"Well, I mostly thought Celestia did it, but your way is cooler!"

>No freakin' way did Celestia reduce and organize all our freakin' paperwork.

'Oh!'

[What?]

'There's a note!'

>....~Ya'll owe me one, and Ah'm gonna collect soon enough~....

'...'

"..."

[...]

>...Agree within ten seconds after readin' the note or everything scatters and goes back ta' what it was.

Suddenly, a strange green glow started to overtake all of the various forms in the room.

>'"[AGREE AGREE AGREEEEEE!]'"

In the blink of an eye, it went still.

"...SO! Anyone not care what we just agreed to?"

>Worth it.

[TOTALLY worth it.]

'...I uh... I actually didn't have that much...'

>...

'I mean, worth it.'

>Atta girl.

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>Celestia
"Applejack"
~~~~~

There was something off about her, Applejack noticed right away. There was something... 'off' about the alabaster princess, and she couldn't quite put her hoof on it.

>Well, look who's home!

The chipper voice only unsettled her more, and she did not know why. That said, she never was one to let something like that bother her.

"Awww, d'ya miss me, Tia? Ah'm heartwarmed, right here, that's what Ah' am. Ya' feel this? Heartwarmin'."

>Oh of course, I just could not go another day without my dear Applejack here!

"Well, good, cause Ah' gotta-"

>Oh I'm sure, but that will have to wait.

"...Beggin' yer' pardon?"

>I said, it will have to wait, we need to work on your schedule.

"Mah schedule? Fer what?"

>Next week, Applejack. We need to discuss your schedule for next week.

Worry, honest worry, began to worm her way into her gut.

"Ah' notice ya' ain't tellin' me what for."

>To be perfectly frank, I should not need to, but since you seem to need elaboration... magic lessons.

And the switch went off.

"Oh no! Not you do not, Celestia! Ah' told you Ah' don't need none of this here fancy magic stuff! Ah' do what Ah' do just fine without learnin' how ta' throw fireballs or grow trees or anythin' like that! Ah've got mah' own two hooves, Ah've got mah' common sense, and that's all Ah' need, ya' hear?"

>Applejack.

"Nope! The matter's done been closed, barn gate is shut and there ain't no openin' it back up."

>Applejack.

"This ain't what ya' hired me for, it ain't what ya' said Equestria needed, and that's dang straight! Equestria don't need no more ponies who gotta rely on some spells and tricks, they need some good old fashioned earth pony sense, that's what they need! Ain't no spell around that's gonna make me work better or do the paperwork better! Ah'm here ta' do this here job, and that's what Ah'm gonna do! Ain't no time to be learnin' bout... Ah' don't know, how ta' turn a frog inta' an apple or somethin!"

>Applejack, don't make me do this.

"What, ya' gonna pull rank? Ya'll go right ahead! Ya'll make it an order iffin' that'll make ya' feel like ya' gave it yer' best shot! Go ahead, tell me Ah' gotta or Ah' gotta go back ta' the farm. We both know ya' need me around, and it ain't cause o' no freakin' sparkles commin' outta' mah head!"

>Applejack, please. Don't make me do it.

"Go ahead. Ah' dare ya'! Bring it!"

But she did not.

She did not order, or command, or try to control.

She sighed tiredly, she sighed with a weariness of age, she sighed with an air of almost... defeat.

She sighed, and with a wave of her head, she magically brought forth a single paper folder. A single, unassuming, unsuspicious looking folder, and she gave that folder right to the very much assuming, very much suspicious, mare.

"...Now what's all this?"

>Just open it.

"Ah'm not likin' this."

>And you're not going to like what you see in there, but it has to be done. Applejack... open that folder.

"That there an order?"

>No, it's not, and we both know it doesn't need to be.

Eventually... she accepted the alabaster princess was right. Slowly, she pulled back the beige flap...

And very nearly dropped the whole thing right there.

"W-wha... what... what the hay is this?!"

>That, Applejack, is the changeling formerly known as Applejack Zero Zero Seven... I think he just goes by Seven after recent events.

Wide, horrified eyes scanned every inch, every corner of the picture before her, every single solitary drop of color on that page. She soaked it all in, everything she saw...

Everything she had done.

"Ah'... Ah' don't... Ah' didn't hit him that hard!"

>You did.

"No Ah' didn't! Ah' just... he can take bullets just fine!"

>You hit him harder than that.

"NO AH' DIDN'T!"

She tossed the folder aside, unable to look at it anymore.

"...I-If this here's some kinda' trick ta' get me ta'-"

>Applejack!

Disgust, revulsion, even a little hurt in her voice stopped that.


"...N-no, yer' right, ya' wouldn't... Ah'm sorry, ya' wouldn't do that..."

Her vision kept flickering back, kept flinging back to that piece of paper, just for a moment before she could look no longer.

"...A-Ah' didn't mean t-ta'..."

Her voice began to crack as she spoke on, growing more ragged as she tired to keep it down.

>I know, Applejack. I know it was an accident. I'm not angry.

"Ah' just wanted him off Jet, Ah' didn't... he should've been fine-"

>He wasn't. And he wasn't because you can't control your powers.

"I-It wasn't s'posed ta' be this bad..."

>It was, and it's time you stopped this before someone gets hurt... more permanently.

She sighed again, truly regretting what she was about to do, but it had to be done. Wordlessly, the taller princess opened up another page on the folder.

>In case you didn't know, I'm quite good at math myself. Something I learned over the centuries. As such, with a little testing, I was able to determine how much damage that you would have done to Seven, had Chrysalis not intervened.

Instinctively, two orange hooves mashed against her ears, desperate to close off any and all sounds.

But they failed.

>In your quest to save the life of Twenty Nine and Jetset... you would have killed him. Applejack... there was no chance for survival if you had so much as grazed him. If she had not intervened, he would be dead... and it would be your fault.

It pained her, truly, to say these words to Applejack, to say something she knew would hurt her so... but they had to be said. It had to be done, before something worse was done instead.

"A-ah.... Ah' didn't mean to... it... it wasn't supposed to.... Ah' didn't..."

This was not the first time she had seen Applejack cry.

...Hopefully it would be the last for a long, long time yet to come.

Gently, she placed a single hoof to the smaller princess's side, and brought her in close to her alabaster chest.

>I know you didn't, Applejack. I know, you would never do something like this intentionally... but you have a great, vast power inside of you, one you are hiding away from, and that is simply not a healthy thing to do. You must confront it, and learn to control it.

She began to shudder, her hooves pressing tighter against her flattened ears.

"J-just take it away... take away this stupid magic, Ah' didn't want it anyway, it ain't nothin' but trouble, it ain't nothin' but a buncha... buncha funny tricks and problems."

>Applejack... we both know that is not true. It has helped you, served you when you needed it to... you cannot just cast it away, no matter how much you wish it gone.

She shook again, letting out a small noise as she clenched her eyes shut.

>If you truly do not wish to understand the full capabilities of what your magic may accomplish, I understand and respect your decision. This is a choice, one you must make on your own. However, we can no longer allow you to run about as you have with magic unchecked. If you wish to learn no spells, I understand. If you wish to learn no charms, I support you. If you wish to only know the basics, that is all you will learn... but you must, without question, learn to control this power, before it consumes you... and you do something you can never take back... never fix. We shall learn to control, and so long as you wish it, that is all we shall learn. Do you agree to this, Applejack?

The silence hung heavy, and long. Celestia did not move, did not stir, but patiently waited. All things came in time, she just needed to wait...

"...J-just... just enough Ah' don't hurt somebody?"

>Nothing more, unless you specifically ask it, I swear it.

"..."

>Applejack?

"...Ah'... Ah think Ah' can find some time next week."

It was a start.

But all great things came... with just a simple start.

>Class is now in session.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____

He entered silently, as always.

The room was barren… except for the one mare behind the desk.

The mare with her head down.

The mare whose left ear twitched to signify she was privy to his presence, but moved no further.

Honestly, he had expected her to snap and ask who’s there, or at the very least order him to leave.

But she did neither.

So he remained silent as well, moving swiftly across the room, past the desk and to her side.

Still, no response. Not even a glance.

Only the sounds of light sniffling met his sensitive ears, and his jaw tightened at the sight of her trembling shoulders.

Mimicking her thus far non-verbal approach, a hue of magic lit up his horn. It was that same hue that brought up a small box and laid it on the desk.

The resounding thud garnered no response from the orange mare, as he figured it wouldn’t, so he split his magic between lifting the lid and smoothing out a crooked portion of her golden blonde mane.

A part of him expected her to smack him away at that point, but no. She seemed almost… resigned, to whatever he wanted to do, remaining as motionless as ever while he pulled out a pair of ornate apple-themed barrettes.

Barrettes that he applied with no tact or prior experience. He just clipped them on where they looked best, paying no mind to presentation. He would even swear he had unintentionally jabbed her in the cranium, though she made no mention.

After a few minutes, Jetset nodded victoriously, a few beads of hard-earned sweat shining over his brow.

Now, with nothing further needing to be done and pleased that her previously woebegone locks looked more festive, he bowed to his second queen and left.

When the door closed and she was quite alone, a staticky glow of orange magic pulled open one of the drawers of her desk and retrieved a small mirror.

What Applejack saw when she glanced into it, she knew would make Rarity blow a gasket and faint on the spot.

She, however, giggled.

She rubbed at her red-rimmed eyes and continued to laugh and snort and hiccup at Jetset’s... handiwork.

>Well… reckon if he can try, then so can Ah, dang it… second queen’s gotta keep ‘er reputation after all.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>???
"???"
~~~~~

It was late this night in Canterlot. Far, far too late for most. Far too dark a night for most. Far too quiet a night for most. Luna's moon hung quite high in the night, quite bright as well. For most, this was the time of rest, this was the time of peace.

Which is why some might find it confusing, had they been awake to witness is, to see a single cloaked figure moving through the streets, a massive box of some kind on their back. A box so large, it looked as if the figure itself could fit inside of it.

Despite the obvious size, they did not move sluggishly, nor slowly. They moved quick as they could, silently as they could, easily avoiding whatever guards and patrols were on duty while also easily dodging the eyes of any night owls still awake. It was quick, effective, as if they had practiced this exact routine again and again, as if avoiding guards and citizens were a second nature to them. Through that shadowed night, they continued, until eventually they came to their destination.

Even Canterlot, shining beacon of a city that it was, had it's... 'lesser' motels. Not to say they were on the level one would see in Fillydelpia, oh no, even at it's lowest Canterlot was quite high class, but it was still tucked away in an unfavorable spot, in an unfavorable section of the city, but it made up for it with some very favorable rates.

It was here the cloaked figure at last arrived, shifting the massive crate on their back just enough they could knock briefly on one of the many doors, one tucked away in the back so none would see, and as soon as the door was opened, they were gone from sight. None had seen them, none knew of them.

>Did you get it?

With a flourish, the hood was tossed back, and the one under it gave off a winning smile.

"Sure did, sugar bean! Turns out, they don't ask too many questions when ya' look like this! Ya' ever think about bein' a beauty stylist?"

While the mare fluffed up her surprisingly well done mane and admired her reflection in the mirror, her fellow roommate glared, but did little else besides mumbling under her breath as she took the box easily, as if was made of nothing but air. A black, chitinous hoof trailed over the edges, before flicking it open casually, easily.

"Where'd ya' learn ta' do this anyway?"

Again, she glared at the mare, who yet again ignored her in favor of looking at her own reflection and admiring makeup that looked positively high class in application.

>My own disguise magic is... lacking. In order to actually blend in, I was forced to compensate. It took a lot of practice, and some... less fortunate drones.

"Well, ain't a professional or nothin', but this looks pretty magic ta' me!"

She grunted, ignoring the preening mare once more as her massive hooves sank into the literal sea of foam peanuts, searching around in their depths for... something.

"What'cha want these things for anyway? Didn't think ya' needed somethin' like this."

She paused, her hoof just barely finding purchase, before she began to smile.

>...There is much I have to learn.

"Oh? Cool."

>...You do not care?

"Honey, you keep doin' my hair like this and I'll buy ya' rope and a ballgag without any questions."

>...Acceptable.

Her grin grew feral as the plastic peanuts gave way, clinks of glass against metal sounding as they did, before growing positively wild as she looked into deep, red lenses.

~Hello, I am designation SUGAR BEAN, pleased to meet your acquaintance.~

Perturbed, she glanced back at the mare.

"...What?"

With a grunt, she shrugged, realizing that shortly, it didn't matter.

>Well... sugar bean, I have some bad news.

~I am sorry to hear that, how my I assist?~

>I need your body.

~Acceptable, I am programmed to serve in any regard up to and including physical with regards to the satisfaction of my-~

>But not your brain.

~...Input command not recognized-~

One swing, one pull... and the robot would never again speak another word.

>Now... it is time to start.. learning.

She grinned, and the laughter began.

All the while... the mare beside her smiled.

"...Can I have her when you're done? I think I could use her to get into doubles clubs!"

The laughter died. Replaced instead... by a sigh.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

´>Shining
“Chrysalis”
‘Cadance’
-42-
{18}
[2]
_______

>Can we make it past the porridge this time? I think we can make it past the porridge this time. I’m feeling lucky!

{Last time, we summoned a demon from the other realm…}

>Well, yes, but Two managed to distract it with her cuteness long enough for us find a counter-summoning spell.

“How did that even happen is what I’m still wondering! One second, porridge, the next, rampaging demon!”

>Who cares! New day, new try! Now, if we can just-

‘Can someone explain to me why-’

>BECAUSE FAMILY TIME!

-I… I’m family…?-

‘Of course you are, 42, but that’s not what I was going to ask.’

>What is it?

‘Why’s all the food and silverware and placemats spinning through the air like this?’

>…you mean that’s not just one of you trying to stress me out?

‘Nuh-uh.’

[WHEEEEE!]

“Oh cool! Now Two’s floating around!”

>SWEETIE NO!

As all hell broke out over the breakfast table and everyone leapt from their seats to try and reclaim the giggling, floating Two, only 42 remained seated, ignorant to the chaos as she fumbled a fork between her hooves, her tongue poked out to the side.

-Hey… Hey! Hey, look! Everyone look, I think I got it! This is how you hold a fork, right?-

In an instant, all the condiments and food fell neatly back to the table in their proper order and Two dropped safely into Shining’s arms.
Everyone regarded the fork in 42’s grasp with wide, disbelieving eyes, jaws hanging.

>I can’t believe it….

{She did it… she saved us all….}

-Did… am I wrong? Did I mess up?-

“That’s my girl!”

>Praise Celestia!

[Yaaaay, 42!]

‘C’mere you!’

As Cadance snatched her into a hug, 42 could do nothing but blush and smile, not quite sure what had just happened but glad to have helped in some way.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________