Thread 60: Stories 16-30

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC
>Applejack
'Twilight'
~~~~

'Applejack? Celestia called me, apparently you ran out on her. Is there a problem? Are you avoiding your magic training for some reason-'

>LOOK! BEHIND YOU! A CAKE!

'...'

>...And... wait, Twi? Why would yer' brother be climbin' inta' a cake weari-

'EEEE! SHINY'S SURPRISING ME FOR MY BIRTHDAY AGA-... wait, there's nothing over there!'

>...

'...Oh! I see, that was a distraction. Wait, then why didn't you run?'

>...Yer' brother jumped out of a cake fer' yer' birthday?

'Yeah, it was great!'

>...

'...What?'

>...Ah'm just gonna walk off now...

'What? Applejack? What's the matter? Applejack?'

*Walks off*

'...Ohhh! I get it, she's jealous Big Mac didn't think of that!... Aw, come on, AJ, that's not fair, you haven't even been gone a year, it wouldn't be as big a surprise as it was for me! And it's not like Big Mac went off for training... you know what? I'm going to go drop hints, I think she'll enjoy Big Mac popping out of a cake. I know I loved it!.............who am I talking to?'

~I have no idea.~

'ACK!... DISCORD!'

~This is my only appearance.~

'...Wha

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >Punch
"41"

>Enjoying the pizza?

"Yuhf, verh muhf!"

>Don't talk with your mouth full.

"Blehhhhh!"

The pegasus rolls his eyes as the changeling juvenilely sticks her pizza-covered tongue out at him.

>What're you, three?

"*GULP!* Pardon me for acting a bit immature when the spectre of doom is hovering."

>Is it hovering though? I mean hell, she hasn't even made an attempt to speak to ya.

"Maybe she's watching in the shadows."

>I thought she was too badassto do that on us common folk.

"To be honest? I dunno how the fuck she's coming at me, I could just see her charging down the street one day for all I know."

>That'd be terrifying.

"I know, right?"

>Eh, best not to dwell on it, wanna see somethin' cool?

"Whatsit?"

The pegasus grins and holds up two tickets, each with pictures of masked ponies grappling over a venue and time.

>They're showing an El Canto and Blue Dragón movie marathon downtown.

"...They gonna sell lucha masks?"

>They may be selling lucha masks.

"LET'S GOOOOO!"

The changeling was out the door in a second.

>Three...two...one...

"You're a jackass! Now lead me to the luchas!"

>Comin'!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC
>Shiny
"2"
'Everyone else'
~~~~

>...

"WHEEEBOUNCEBOUNCEBOUNCEBOUNCE"

>This is either the dumbest thing I've ever done....

'WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEBOUNCEBOUNCEBOUNCEBOUNCE!'

>...Or the smartest...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Applejack"
~~~~

>Welcome to (not so) Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during that time that content doesn't matter and I'm barely related to our alternate universe. Now for our main event ...visiting APPLEJACK!!!
Arrives in Applejack's dream where she's kicking an apple tree.

"Hey Pinkie, what brings you here?"

>I'm coming by to see what you're dreaming of.

"Dreaming of?"

>Uh...so watcha doing?

"What's it look like? Ah'm applebucking and doing my chores."

>...that's it?

"Yeah that's it..."

>Hmmm I should have expected Applejack's dream would be boring. I guess tonight's show is a bust. Oh well, good night everypony!
Pinkie disappears

"Ah wonder what that was about?"

A giant apple floats into view.
'We have no time. You must gather my children if we're to save the world. None will doubt our power.'

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Idris
"Gwen"
~~~~

The king of all the gryphons was troubled, to say the least, as he looked over the note his son had sent to him.

>So... the princess is not backing down on her agreement.

The throne next to his own creaked as a sudden pressure clamped down on the arms of the chair, hard. The claws of his Queen tore into the wood as she struggled to hold in her rage.

"I knew it would be such."

>You seem rather upset for something so expected.

"Even if you see the blow coming, it does not magically reduce the force."

>True...

A contemplative claw stroked the base of his beak, his eyes narrowing in turn with a fierce concentration.

>So... what are we to do? Her kingdom encompasses many, many of our trading partners, our economy and growth would take a hit if we suddenly sanctioned them.

"It might be worth it to cut off the limb before it grows anymore infected."

>Despite her... setbacks, Celestia's kingdom has been seeing some remarkable economic boom.

"One which will mean nothing when they prod the hornet's nest a bit too much and that thing snaps."

>She's wrecked their home before, it only slowed them down for a bit. And this time, they'll see it coming.

"That's what they think..."

The creaking turned, becoming a full crack with every second.

>...We will have to accept it. Despite what our son said in his note, I very much doubt that the prince and princess of the Empire would continue relations if we declared Equestria was no longer our allies. Not only did they receive vital Equestrian aide during the return of that one king, but they are directly related to two of the heads of the kingdom, one of them Celestia herself. We'd lose out if we turned on them.

"I suppose..."

>...Have you spoken with our eldest yet?

She scoffed, pointedly and openly.

"No. To be honest, it might be best if we just declare that the heirship has moved on and be done with it."

His eyes went wide, and his back quite rigid with it.

>A bit extreme, is that not?

"Perhaps, but sometimes extreme's are needed, it seems."

>Well... then do you want to discuss this with Hilda before-

"Who said anything about Hilda?"

He dropped his sword. Never, not once in his entire kingship had the gryphon ever, EVER, been shocked enough he would loosen his grip upon the blade of his ancestors.

And yet, it clattered to the ground all the same.

"Are you surprised? She defended him after his stupidity and openly defied me in front of everyone."

>It... it was just us.

"That does not matter! She held a blade to me!"

>You gave him a concussion and fractured his skull, and looked like you were going to continue on.

Fierce, seeking eyes locked with his.

"Are you taking her side?"

>She is my daughter after all, and I do not think defending her brother is cause to thinks she is unfit to be Queen. We are Gryphons, family is everything to us.

She let out a scoff, turning away from him.

>...Though I am happy you are warming up to Siegfried again, enough to think him worthy of being a king even! I admit I was worried about-

"I didn't say his name either."

What little building happiness quickly, and painfully, died.

>Oh... I see.

Both of them turned ahead, looking straight forwards into the empty throne room.

>...That bad?

"Twice now we have been invaded and utterly crushed. I am starting to think... our people deserve better. I am working on... solutions, but if they do not pan out, we should consider..."

>I see... I see...

There was a thoughtful pause on his part, before slowly he picked up his blade.

>...I disagree.

"I am not surprised."

>As well you should not be. So... you really think that none of those three are worthy?

"..."

>...We could always make another one.

Her head snapped to the side, and she would forever admit to being honestly surprised to see a playful glint in his eye.


"...Like a fledgling, I swear."

>I have a lot of pent up energy, among other things.

"Hah!... Maybe later. Not in the throne room, I hate doing it here. That tapestries eyes follow me, and I feel like your Mother is watching us... again."

>One time! She did that one time!

"She gave me notes on how to improve my performance! Do you know how much of a turn off it is when she writes 'stop complaining when he bites the back of your neck' at the top in big bold letters!? That's just creepy!"

>...It's not the worst advice.

"It wouldn't be if you'd do it right!"

>I didn't know there was a wrong way to do it.

"HENCE THE PROBLEM!"

>...

"..."

>...So-

"Not really in the mood anymore."

>...Son, wherever you are, be thankful you might never be king... it's not worth it.

SMACK!

>OW!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Ah' have ta' go, mah' planet needs me."

*DODODODODOOOO!*

>HOLY SHIT APPLEJACK CAN FL-... wait...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >PD
"Scientist"
'???'
~~~~

>...I am not liking these numbers, Tinker.

The mare in front of her positively shook,

>I get my okay to start building on Gryphon soil, and I figure, surely, this will mean everything is going on track.

Her hoof slammed down on the papers on the desk, quite hard.

>This is not on track, Tinker.

"W-w-well it's just a minor setback of overheating, the magical energy puts a l-lot of strain on... on the bonds, and when you put in the infusions you want to use-"

>Did I say I wanted excuses!?

The scientist in front of her curled away, terrified.

>Either you figure out a way to merge those two components together or I will figure out a way to merge YOU and the reactor core! We are massively behind schedule on this, and I'm not going to sit on my ass and wait around for you to get your shit in gear and start coming up with solutions!"

"T-there might not be one! The strain is just... just..."

She practically felt the claw close around her neck.

"I-I'll have an answer by next week."

>Today is monday. I expect an answer by thursday. Are we clear?

She wanted to argue, to claim it impossible. Of course, the only thing more impossible would be her actually talking back to her boss.

"I'll... I'll get it done."

>You'd better.

With that, the pony beat a hasty retreat.

It was only after she was long gone that Pennydrop casually pressed her hoof to her intercom.

>Did the specs from our new associate arrive yet?

'Yes ma'am, Ms. Tiara's plans are being examined now. The techies seem kind of excited.'

>I'm not surprised.

'Her note included she doesn't know much about biology, but she has some other ideas for your infusions, ma'am.'

Slowly, the businessmare began to smile.

>Have them looked at immediately.

'Yes ma'am.'

>Did her parts make it to her?

'Earlier than expected.'

>Good... good... keep me posted.

With that, she let go of the intercom, leaned back, and smiled.

>Oh well... I'm sure I'll find some use for you, Tinker...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>32
"88"
'77'
~~

>So, sister, how is your secondary training going.

"Easier now that I got my new power."

>...New power?

"Here! I'll show you!"

'OH DEAR FUCK NO!'

>Wha-

"EEEEEKKKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKKEEKEK!"

>MY EAAAARRRS!

'YOU DID THIS! YOU DID THIIIIISSSS!'

"...Oh hey! You've got something on your cheek."

>WHAT!?

"I don't know, cake? It might be cake."

'WHAT!?'

"How am I supposed to know what kind?"

>WHAT!?

"Rude."

>I CAN TASTE MY EARDRUMS!

"Pretty sure that's the cake."

'WHAT!?'

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>18
"Cadence"
~~~

Eighteen, being that she was from a species of rowdy, sneaky, and outright terrifying monsters in vague pony shapes, was not one who understood the concept of seeking approval for a lover from another. Due to their... unique nature, if your mother was alive to chime in on the matter, you had damn well shut up and not mention anything of the sort. And if she found out, you weren't exactly going to be grounded. Fire, mostly. And after she had gone, the concept of 'needing approval' from anyone else for literally anything at all simply flew out the window. As such, Eighteen had no idea what that would be like.

Still, she very much thought this present situation was as close as she was ever going to get.

>So... is this good?

The princess of love shrugged, and gave a simple-

"I guess."

Now, to most beings in this world, this was just a sign she wasn't all that interested in the wheres, and would likely just go with whatever was presented to her.

Eighteen, being a rational sort, had another such deduction.

>This is bad, isn't it? I picked wrong, right? Totally a stupid idea and you're trying to spare my feelings? That's it, isn't it? Should I have picked the haybale? Oh fuck I should have gone for the Shimmering Saddle, shouldn't I? This was a test to see if I'd pick that and I fucked it up, didn't I? FUCK!

But on the surface, of course, she was a calm and collected mare who looked like-

Wait a minute.

"..."

>...I said all of that out loud, didn't I?

"You did."

There was a silence there. The uncomfortable silence one experiences when they have to tell a child that their beloved puppy has tragically been run over... and that mommy lost her license and now has to go to AA meetings. That funny mixture of horror, confusion, and some small part of somebody forever dying.

There was a lot of that.

"...So! The Champion Stallion! Nice place, I've never been but it's gotten good reviews. I think Shiny will like it."


The effort she gave was outstanding. Were this a weightlifting contest, Cadenza Mi Amore would have bench pressed the entire castle.

Rather than let herself fall into the trap of allowing words to come out of her mouth and make her look like a jackass yet again, she chose to just nod her head like she was trying to flick a fly off her nose.

Which is good. In hindsight, that jackass comment is kind of racist.

"So... this weekend at cobalt sound like a good time?"

She had no idea what the fuck that color meant, but yes. Absolutely yes.

"Good, good. I'll go tell Shiny. Can you handle the reservations?"

Thank goodness nobody else was in the room, they would probably wonder if they had gone deaf and could not hear the heavy metal she was obviously banging her head to.

"Good... uh, see you then!"

Were Cadence not the pinnacle of the social butterfly, it is doubtful anyone could have salvaged this horrible situation. Thankfully, Cadence has more than a few hidden talents.

After she left, Eighteen realized she too had hidden talents! For instance, she could apparently survive without breathing... or her heart beating.

>...Y-yaaaay....

With this glorious effort in mind, she dared to dream the upcoming date would go well.

>...L-let me dream....

She didn't know who she was talking to.

...It didn't matter.

She knew begging wouldn't work.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Applejack
"Rarity"
~~~~~

>...They sent you?

"Why, whatever do you mean? I'm just here to spend time with a friend."

>...

"Though now that you mention it, you know what would be just a delight to do together?"

>Spa trip?

"Magi-... Did you say spa trip?"

>Spa trip. You and me goin' to a spa."

"...C-complete with face masks and soaks?"

>Sure thing, sug. Ah'll even get a massage.

"..."

>...Well?

"...you are trying to distract me."

>Am Ah' now.

"Y-you know why they sent me over here, and are just trying to throw me off the tracks!"

>Can't imagine what ya' mean.

"...M-must stay on target..."

>...

"...OH FORGET IT! EEE! Yes! Let's go get our hooves done, and our hair, and we can take a dip in the hot tub and who gives a damn about some silly magic training!"

>So ya' were here ta' try ta' trick me inta' magic training.

"...er.."

>Figured.

*She turns around*

"...A-applejack? Where are you going? I said we don't have to! We're not doing that, even if Celestia ordered me to... Aren't we going to go the spa? Come on! We're so going to... don't you walk away from me! You come back here right now! You don't just rile up a mare and leave her hanging like this! Applejack? APPLEJACK!?.............."

...

"...Oh my, this must be what blueballs feel like... I do not like this."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC
'Shining Armor'
~~~~~

'WELCOME TO MY LIFE'

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Chrysalis]
~~~~

[YOU HAVE NO ROOM TO TALK!]

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >Twilight
"Vekir"
'Vekir's Suit'

>And just need to input a bit more data heeeeeere and...done!

"Hurrah!"

>No no, don't hurrah just yet, we still need to test my alterations, here.

The alicorn hands Vekir the suit in its chestplate form.

>I need to make sure my upgrades work as intended, so I need you to help me run a diagnostic.

"Why is the stick diagonal?"

>Because it has to be.

"Ahhhh..."

>No, suit on!

'Shrrrrrm!'

The suit comes online, covering Vekir from nose to tail in the blue armor.

>Good, good, Vekir is everything in working order on your end?

"The suit is very hummy, also I now see many numbers on the visor screeny thingy!"

>I added measurements for temperature and altitude for your screen to go along with your new climate regulators.

"..."

>They keep you cool or warm depending on where you go.

"Hurrah!"

>Now of course I haven't added any weapons, since you shouldn't honestly be running into any conflicts unless you do something reckless...maybe just a taser wouldn't hurt-

"No need, Twience Princess! Vekir will be searching for a bodyguard once she is done here!"

>Ah, great, and you know, while he's in town, you might be able to go to The Gryphon Kingdoms with Prince Siegfried.

"I shall do this also! The Catbird Prince will be a great traveling companion...which one is he?"

>The party animal.

"DOUBLE HURRAH!"

>Fear levels rising...oh, one last thing, you will be going without weapons but your filtration system has an ejection command that can disorient a threat, so just say eject to-

"Eject!"

'Whirrr! Pwuff!'

>*cough cough cough*

"...Vekir will get water glass!"

>*gaaaaasp...cough!*

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>42
"???"
~~~~

For all the cheer around her, 42 realized she was in a remarkably foul mood. She fully understood why her Queen had chosen to spare 32's life, but that didn't mean she had to swallow it any easier. Still, her majesty had made that choice, and she would live with it.

"This isn't right."

Her ears flickered back to the sound, one coming from the ceiling above. Strange, she thought, that she hadn't managed to notice him...

>I agree, but her majesties choices are not to be questioned. For instance, you were ordered to rest and heal, Seven.

He dropped down in front of her, oddly confrontational looking despite the numerous wounds still visible.

"Don't give me that. You know I'd never question her without good cause, but this has gotten out of hoof."

She pressed forwards, eyes narrowing just a bit.

>It was a political move, you know that.

"He's a traitor!"

>He is also Seventy Seven's brother.

"His wishes should be nothing to the danger posed to our Queen!"

>Perhaps, but it is not as if she is just letting him walk around.

"Oh sure, unlike... the other traitor."

Power flashed in 42's eyes, yet Seven would not back off.

>She has been distracted.

"41 could run off at any moment! She didn't even have you detain her!"

>She is trying to keep the failure under wraps while she deals with other matters, placing her in a prison would set off some telling signs.

"This should be the quickest matter to take care of! One look, a declaration that she disobeyed, and then that flake is gone! That should be-"

He dodged, surprisingly quickly considering his injuries, just out of the reach of her blow.

>Stop saying that.

"Look, if there was ever a time I'm justified in calling someone a Flake, this is it!"

>...Fair enough. So, what is this really about?

He sighed, shifting the bandages on his chest uncomfortably.

"...I'm worried she's growing soft."

No amount of placating hooves could stifle the rage 42 felt, but he tried.

"I do! I honestly do! I'm worried her Majesty is growing soft around the ponies! Not killing one of us, I can get that, I can get not killing one of her hive, but to let a direct disobeying Flake just run around unpunished? This... this isn't right. This isn't right! No Queen would allow this!"

>...I wouldn't know.

"Well I do! I know that the Queen that came before, in the hivemind may she reign, would never allow something like this! She'd have killed one of them for irritating her on an off day! She... our Queen isn't acting like one of us anymore... she's acting like a pony. I'm worried this is going to end up with us... being ruled over by ponies."

He fidgeted, uncomfortable.

"I don't want to be ruled by ponies. We are a strong, mighty race, but we can't be that mighty race without a leader. She has done so amazingly before... I don't want my Queen to fall to serve them."

A powerful magic gripped him, dragging him before the soldier.

And then... he got to look right into the eyes of rage.

>You listen here you little grub. She is making political moves to ensure we do not get WIPED OUT. Do you have any idea the pressure we are under right now? We are the last hive, the LAST HIVE, and if we go down then it doesn't matter how 'mighty' our race was, because we sure won't be anymore. We'll be an endangered species stuffed up and put in fucking museums. Now, for better or worse, that includes making use of every single aspect of our people, including ones who are as fucking stupid as that headband wearing idiot. She will deal with her, and she will do it soon, but she has to ensure that when she kills her that ones like Twilight will not stop trying to figure out cures when the next fucking sickness comes and threatens to wipe us out. For the first time, we are not alone, we do not need to be worried some fucking village is going to try to kill us, and you call her soft? You don't fucking know soft.

Forcefully, she shoved him back, dusting herself off and giving not a single care to the painful hiss he let out.

>Anything else?

"...If... if she's just worried about how she'll be seen, I can do it. I'm her best infiltrator, I could do it and nobody would ever know. She knows I can do it..."

She cocked an eyebrow at him, questioning, honestly considering his words.

>Could you really?

A suckerpunch to the chest was the only way he could describe how he felt at that, and he wasn't sure why. There was nothing openly insulting, just a simple question.

And yet... he couldn't quite say yes.

Without waiting for an answer, she brushed past, continuing on as she had been.

>I will bring this up with her Majesty myself, and keep you updated. She no doubt is considering what to do herself, but she might still think you unwell enough you should not attempt it. I will rectify this thinking. If she agrees to let you handle it, we shall figure out where I need to send 41 to make it look like an accident.

"I-if..."

He cleared his throat, unsure as to where that clog in it had come from.

"If she says yes, leave the details to me. It's better if I'm the only one this can be traced back to if something goes wrong. Her Majesty needs to keep up appearances, after all."

42 froze mid step, looking back with a curious eye.

>Yes... I suppose so, good call.

Thoughtfully, she turned around.

>...Seven?

"Yes?"

>...Thank you for your loyalty.

"Of course... it's how it should be."

>Indeed...

Without another word, she walked off, leaving the still wounded changeling behind to his own thoughts.

>Good call... Seven.

And to 42... her own thoughts as well.

>Sometimes it's best if she doesn't know.

With that, she took off into the sky, out of Canterlot and out towards Everfree.

She had training to do.

A lot of training.

And as the green fire started to surround her... that training was only beginning.

In a flash, she was gone.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Fluttershy"

"..."

[twitch-atwitch]

"Someponies got a bad day ahead of her"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________