Thread 44: Stories 1-15

Thread 44 archive: http://archive.moe/mlp/thread/20044646
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>AJ
"Pinkie"
~~~

>....Hrm, Ah'-

"GOT A QUESTION!"

>GAH! Pinkie!

"I'm right, aren't I? You just thought up a question you're going to ask Celestia?"

>NO!

"..."

>...How'd ya'll know that!?

"The spazzy eye knows, Applejack, it just knows."

>Do ya'll have those weird 'Pinkie sense' powers again?

"I know, right? Totally random if I have those or not."

>It's kinda weird, ya' know.

"Sooo, what're you gonna ask her?"

>Non o' yer' business!

"Awww, don't be grumpy like that! If you do, YOU'LL be the one jumping out of windows!"

>She don't jump out ALL the time!

"..."

>...Ah' mean, yeah, most times, but not all the time.

"..."

>Ah'... Ah' jus wanna know why we had the folks from Appaloosa pull the dang train instead o' jus... like, turnin' it on. What's the point o' dragging that monster iffin' it don't work? It works with every other train.

"Hey, that IS a good question!"

>And?

"Well, the answer is pretty simple."

>Oh?

"Yeah... FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC, APPLEJACK! WE AIN'T GOTTA EXPLAIN SHIT!"

>...

*SMACK!*

"WORTH IT!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>PD
"???"
~~~

One of the joys of never fighting the giant monster one on one? No serious injuries.

One of the joys of being rich as fuck? The ability to drag one of the best doctors away from the hospital to personally treat these not so serious injuries, instead of the other patients.

The only downside? Dealing with the ponies you screwed over to get that wealth after a plan blows up in your face, literally.

"ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE!?"

The businessmare sighed, shooing off the medical professional so she could speak privately with the illustrious mayor of the once mostly-in-tact city.

>Is there an issue?

"MY WEST END IS JUST GONE!"

>You weren't using it anyway.

"How am I supposed to explain this now!? I banked everything on being able to explain away all the missing funds by pointing at that giant fucking machine as it stood over the broken and battered body of that fucking changeling! Now, all I've got is a giant crater where my fishing district used to be, a giant pile of worthless scrap metal, a badly injured GRYPHON ROYAL, and a giant monster who is NOT DEAD! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FIX THIS!?"

>I'm not.

"WHAT!?"

>I said, I'm not.

"B-but... but I-"

>Am totally screwed upwards, downwards and sideways if I do this, I know. After all, I made sure nobody could tell where that money originated from when you gave it to me-

"YOU SAID THAT WAS SO I WOULDN'T GET CAUGHT!"

>And you wouldn't have, if they didn't investigate. But now, it looks like they're going to, so I just feign ignorance as to where you got the money to fund my "anti-Chitania program", you go down and I brush it all off.

"B-but...b-b-but..."

>OR.

"...o-orrr?"

>Or, I deliver to you all of these nifty doctored pictures of the district that got vaporized looking just, so much better. You explain that you WERE using the funding correctly, but I just offered a far better deal in exchange for housing my robot. You take a hit politically when you explain that you just didn't want your constituents to know you were farming out work to someone from out of town, but hoped that the surplus funding and rapid repairs to their home would make up for it. You end up looking well meaning but a little underhanded, the funds you gave to me make sense, nobody knows you funded my machine, and you get to go on being mayor of this town for another couple years.

He paused, mulling over her every word.

"...I could just come clean, say I got starstruck with the idea of a machine that could defeat Chitania, say I was just protecting them."

>Now, do you really want to look like such a failure?

She smiled disarmingly, trotting over to give him a friendly pat on his shoulder.

>Come on, your citizens need to think you can protect them right now, right? After all, you managed to get away with no casualties and so little comparative damage. They're looking up to you right now.

"I...suppose..."

>Your idea hurts us both, just as much, but my idea ensures you never have to worry about re-election again, isn't that something?

"It... would be nice to spin this event in my favor..."

>Tell you what, you look tense. You don't need to decide right now, do you? Have so much else going on.

"I do, I do have that."

>And I just bet your mayoral aide just happened to take today off, right?

"She's looking for her family."

>What a shame. Tell you what, why don't I send over one of my personal aides to take care of you and help you out?

"You mean..."

>Oh yes, that one, you two know each other, right? You got to know her when we were brokering this deal, didn't you? I'm sure you could appreciate her around right now.

"...M-my wife-"

>Is currently far, far away from the city with your daughter. You sent her off, didn't you? For protection? It will be quite a while before it's safe enough to come back, after all. Too long, it gets lonely since you need to be here for your citizens, doesn't it?

"How did you kn-"

>Shhhh... what do you say, need a bit of... 'help' in this trying time while you make your decision?

He nervously pondered her question, seeming to melt under her warm, easy gaze.

"...O-oh, I suppose I could use an extra hoof."

She smiled, knowing the argument was over.

>We all need a little help... sometimes.

It was nice to win again.

Even if it was against someone clearly below her league.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>SA
"Celestia"
~~~~

>You know, the saddest part is that this place only looks a little bit more destroyed than it did before she arrived...Giant crater over there notwithstanding.

He sighed, ruffling the dust out of his hair.

>I don't know why I'm trying to look on the bright side here, not a whole lot to look at.

"Nobody died this time, I'd say that's pretty bright."

He both jumped so high he could have easily cleared Luna standing atop Chrysalis.

>GAH!...HOW DO YOU SNEAK UP ON ME!? YOU ARE A MASSIVE WHITE ALICORN WITH A GIANT GLOWING HAIRDO!

"Old skills."

>...Fine. Well, that aside, no casualties?

"None, everyone should be alright."

>Well, that's lucky.

"Luck had nothing to do with it, it seems one of Applejack's team managed to lure her over to this area and eventually drive her off."

>Oh... who?

"Diamond Tiara."

>Annnnd, now I feel bad for calling Applejack nuts for hiring her.

"Hold those words at the moment, she's in quite intensive care."

>That bad?

"Not as bad as you were... but bad. Coupled with how young she is..."

>Ah...

"...Don't."

>Hm?

"Shiny, I know you, and I know what you think at times like this. And I know you're thinking "This is all my fault for not permanently stopping her", and I do not want you to think that."

>It is my fault. I had her, I had her number. She was done. All I had to do was not save her, that's it. I didn't have to personally push her down, I didn't have to cackle with glee or feel good about myself, I just had to not save her...

Before he could say another word, she moved next to him, and wrapped her long wing around him.

"But you did. You saved her, because no matter what you tell yourself, deep down we both know the reason."

>According to everyone else, it's because I was weak.

Her grip tightened, almost painfully.

"If the choice to save a life, to give another who had been hurt a second chance is weakness, I will never be strong."

>She's not... it's not right to let her off for-

"And never will she be. No crime of hers shall be forgiven because of her past, no justice shall be held out of pity. But we understand. We understand her hurt at the moment she awoke, we understand her madness. We do not forgive, we will never forget, but we can understand. You were not wrong to give her a chance at redemption, it was her who was wrong to turn it away. But..."

>...but?

"It's silly."

>Come on, please? For me?

The white mare sighed, her tight grip relaxing considerably, in tune with the heaviness of her leaning increasing.

"I do not know if she is fully lost, and can never be turned back."

If there was more shock or horror on his face, she would never be able to tell.

"The way Chrysalis spoke of her, to Twilight or others, you would think she was once kind... or rather, as kind as one of her stature could be. The confusion Chrysalis has for what drove Chitania to hate her mother so... it tells me there may be more to her."

>Celesita, you-

"I know. It has always been a weakness of mine. I always believe in the good in others, that no matter what there is always hope for salvation. But..."

Her look became almost distant, looking off far away to where he could not see.

"A few days ago, I hugged my nephew for the first time since his betrayal. Despite all he did and hurt, there was still good in him. Perhaps I am being foolish by thinking there is always a chance, but... just for the chance to hear him say "I'm sorry", it made all of that belief feel worth it."

The stallion didn't answer, looking away.

"I am proud that you gave her a chance. I do not know if any other would have done so. Just as my nephew's blood did not mean he deserved his title, you earned yours with actions. I just hope... that one day, you get to feel as I did, when I saw my nephew for what he truly was, and what he could still yet be."

He lingered in her embrace for just a bit longer, still silent, still unmoving.

>...We should keep looking.

His tone, neutral. Completely devoid of any emotion as he slipped away from her. She nonetheless nodded, knowing that he spoke the truth.

>...Thanks, Celly.

In that one word was more sincerity than an entire speech he could have delivered.

He paused as he walked away, turning back at her with a strange look on his face.

>If we do see her again... promise we'll be there together? I think... we could do something more, if we're not alone this time.

Her smile grew, and at last the heaviness in her chest lifted.

"Together it is."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC

>SB
“AB”
‘???’
_______

“Uhh… Belles?”

>Mm?

“Couple questions runnin’ through mah mind at the mo’. Hopin’ y’all got some answers.”

>Shoot.

“Cool. So, one… why’re we on this train?”

>We’re headed to Ponyville. Thought I told you that.

“No, ya did, jus’... jus' makin’ sure. But to the second question… why’re we goin’ back tuh’ Missus Cheerilee’s class?”

The marshmallow filly glanced off to the side, silent. Then reached into one of her travel saddlebags and pulled out a letter, slowly unfolding the tattered ends with magic.

>You heard about the attack on Fillydelphia, right?

“Well a’duuuuuh, silly! That’s why our sisters wanted our keisters in the castle where it’s safe’n sound!”

Sweetie folded the note, returning her gaze to the rushing scenery just outside the window.

>The Titan Changeling appeared again, did some crazy damage to boot.

“Yeah, an’?”

>No casualties….

“What’s that mean?”

>Ponies are still breathing.

“Oh. That’s good. That’s good, ain’t it?”

>Very… if a bit confusing.

“Yer what’s confusin’! Still rollin’ from that thing with the dolls?”

>More a slow descent down a sloped plain but yeah. Sparks here and again, like now.

“Ah see… an’ what does that attack on Filly’ have tuh’ do wit’ our classroom?”

>Long story short, that note was from Snips. Apparently, the despair clinging to our school has begun to grow out of control….

“The despair…? Oh! Y’all mean the demons!”

>...Yeah, them. From what I can gather, the amount of freedom they have is currently connected with Ms Cheerilee’s state of mind. The tighter the grip she has on herself, the less they’re a disturbance, follow?

Eagerly, Applebloom nodded.

“Yuh-huh.”

>Well, the Titan is a Changeling. Ms Cheerilee’s new fancy is a Changeling. By virtue of association, he’s going to be worried about whatever the Titan’s done as it pertains to him and his species. And, again, by virtue of association, if he’s worried then Ms Cheerilee’s going to be as well. And if she’s worried about him being worried about the Titan then that’s less attention spent keeping her friends at bay. In fact, you can just go ahead and half whatever little she’s giving it right now when you account for stress and whatever strain this might be putting on their relationship.

“…riiiiiight. Ah… yeah.”

>So now, her friends are taking advantage of all the slack. Apparently, from what I could make out through Snips’s chickenscratch and what I guess were fearful tears staining the paper, over half the school is caught in a web of otherworldly happenings.

“…’kaaaay.”

>Now we’re going there to help. The end.

“Um… no, not the end, far from it. Belles, why in the zap apple jam are we goin’ there if it’s gettin’ so crazy?”

>Because Scoots is stuck in some sort of concentration camp for flying or something.

“Not what Ah meant! Why are WE, two lil’ filly’s, goin’ by ourselves to help? First of all, it’s Snip and Snails. Ah mean, Ah’m always up tuh’ save a pony here an’ there but those two? Really? Second, whatta y’all think we can do on our own?!”

To this, Sweetie only stared down at her hooves, hindlegs idly kicking.

>What can we do….

Repeating the question, she sounded confused herself as the train rumbled towards their destiny.

>Lessen the burden.


“There ain’t gon’ be no lessenin’ here! We’re only gonna add to it!”

>Did we add to the attack on our castle? Or did we bring things back to order before our sisters got back…?

“…W-well, that’s true, Ah recon, b-but still! We-”

>Won’t know until we get there. Bloomers, we’ve got half a school being dragged into madness. It’s not just Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dum caught in this, who knows how many? And more than just doing what’s right, don’t you think we should, I don’t know… feel incensed? Upset that some otherworldly beings think they can claim our turf?

“Honestly? The day Ah moved up to the castle, Ah lit mah class cubby on fire. Heard it spread to ‘bout two others ‘fore it was dosed. That should be answer enough.”

>It didn’t spread. I did the same, pretty sure Scoots did, too.

“…huh. Ah always knew you girls were mah girls.”

>Always.

“Ah still say this is buckin’ crazy, though.”

>I still see you staying in your seat, though.

“…well, it’s our school. Not theirs.”

Sweetie nodded at her friends near silent declaration.

>Yeah. And that’s why we’re going there, to make sure it stays ours. Not theirs.

When Applebloom returned the nod, the two of them fell into a determined silence and spoke no more until the train rolled to a uneasy stop just within Ponyville proper.

They stood, yet as Applebloom made for the door, Sweetie held out a hoof, turning to glance over her shoulder.

>Oh, and Mr. Blueblood? If you wanted to help us, all you had to do was ask, you know.

“Wuh?”

There were a great many things that could bring a piercing red hue of shame to Blueblood’s cheeks nowadays. Failing an assassination, getting thrown in jail, being treated as the scum of the nation… but none of that could quite match the daftness he felt at being called out by a little filly.

He had no choice then but to stand, much to Sweetie’s snide grin and Appleblooms ‘ooooooh’ of surprise.

‘Ashamed doesn’t even begin to cut it….”

>Yeah, I’d suppose not.

“Mr. Blueblood? Ah- but- what’re y’all doin’ here? Like, not behind bars or wearin’ the castle sweats?”

‘…’

Oddly, as the stallion stepped out into the aisle and ignored urges to choke the apple filly, he had to commend Rarity for knowing her sister so well. After all, it was the fashionista herself who had commissioned him to shadow Sweetie Belle, sensing that something was off with her sibling following the Dolltania incident.

And damned if she wasn’t right.

And double damned if shadowing her hadn’t brought Blueblood out the castle’s safety zone.

>Why didn’t you stop us earlier? Or just tell?

“Prolly ‘cause he ain’t no snitch. Granny says snitches get no apple cider durin’ the fall.”

He couldn’t resist petting her after that remark.

‘While that’s also a good reason not to, my main incentive for risking what little freedom I’ve managed to gain back is… sometimes you have to do what you feel is right, even against the odds. I may not know what exactly you mean by all this talk of otherworldly beings and such but-’

Sweetie easily cut across him with just a flick of her tail as she turned and started off the train.

>Good enough for me. Just try to keep up and, like I told that other castle captain, remember one thing: this is my show.

‘…’

“Psssst, jus’ roll wit’ it. She’s all loony right now.”

‘…Right.’

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>AJ
"Rarity"
~~~~

>Bout time ya' made it.

"Oh hush, I had to ensure Arana didn't wander off or something."

>Ya' could'a brought her.

"Darling, really, the last thing they want to see right now is a strange looking changeling."

>So why not jus' have 'er turn inta' someone else? Like, Ah' don't know, pink version o' you or somethin'. Literally any pony. Ya' could'a made her turn inta' a female guard iffin' ya' wanted.

"...."

>...

"...."

>...Ya' forgot she can shapeshift, didn't ya?

"CELESTIA DAMN IT!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>AJ
"Rarity"
'Arana'
-Sucker Punch-

>So if Arana ain't here, who'd ya leave her with?

"Well...uhm...Twilight?"

>But Twi's here.

"She is then...oh...oh dear..."

=SEVERAL HOURS LATER=

"TWILIGHTIHAVETOGOTOFILLYDELPHIAPLEASEWATCHARANA!"

*KER-DOORSLAM*

'...'

-...-

'...Uh...hi.'

-Blblblblb.-

'I'm Arana, what's your name?'

-Blblblblb.-

'...wanna hear some stories about my mom?'

-Blblblb!-

'Yaaaay!'

=Meanwhile in the Present!=

>...

"...they'll be fiiiiine...hopefully."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chrysalis
"Fluttershy"
'Maud'
~~~~

>So, what's your sex life like?

"CHRYSALIS!"

>Not you, I know you never get any out of fear your hoo-ha is going to grow tentacles or something-

"OH SWEET CELESTIA I NEVER EVEN THOUGHT OF THAT!"

>Meant Rocko there.

'I have not engaged in carnal relations. To do so before marriage would bring my family great shame.'

>No kidding? That's a pity.

'It isn't. It is fine.'

>Naaahhh, really. It's great, you're missing out.

'So then you partook before being married?'

>Meh, no worries, it was in the leadup to the wedding.

'Oh. That is perfectly acceptable then.'

"IT WASN'T YOUR WEDDING!"

>Yes it was, I was going to marry him.

"HE THOUGHT YOU WERE CADENCE!"

>What's your point?

"Maud, help!"

'She is fine. He was intending to marry her, she was intending to marry him, according to our tradition she falls into an acceptance loophole.'

"That cannot have the spirit of that rule!"

'It doesn't, but since they are both on good terms it is not a problem.'

>HAH!

"..."

>Just to inform you by the way, the minute you do find a guy to mix some cream into that butter, I am not going to stand over you and make sure you don't turn him into a three eyed toad or something.

"I WOULDN'T ASK YOU TO!"

>Good. So we're in agreement.

"WE WERE NEVER NOT!"

>So then we have no problem.

"WE DON'T!"

>So why are you shouting?

"....meep..."

>Aaaatta giiirl.

'...You two are good friends.'

"...meep..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Dadling
"Batmom"
~~

>NNNOOOOOPE!

"NNGGHHHHH!"

>NOPENOPENOPENOPENOOOOPE!

"NGGHHGHGHGHGG!"

>...Nu-uh.

"GET OFFA ME!"

>You are not, repeat, are NOT going to Fillydelphia!

"COME ON!"

>Look, there's a lot of stuff I'll let you do. When you want to eat twelve tacos in a row, I'll let you. When you want to stay up all night trying to find what radio station the baby kicks in sync to, I'll let you. When you tell me to take out the trash, got it. Clean the house, replace lightbulbs, whatever, I let you boss me around. But I am NOT LETTING MY PREGNANT FIANCE GO TO A WARZONE!

"..."

>...

"...NGH!"

>NEIN!

"Fiiiiiiine. Guess I am being a little silly, all that dust in the air can't be good for a baby."

>...

"...Sooo, since you have me pinned already-"

>Seriously?

"Need to take my mind off things."

>...M'kay.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>18
"Two"
~~~~

"Don't see why I couldn't go..."

>Because the giant bug monster that tried to drink you like a margarita was there and still might be close by.

"...What's a margarita?"

>Something I use far, far too often to get through my day.

"Oh... is it nice?"

>Only at night, it's terrible in the mornings.

"OHHH! So, like those jalapeno tacos we had that one time!"

>...

"..."

>...PFfftthahahaha.... yes. Exactly like that.

"You shouldn't eat margaritas, then. They're bad for you."

>It's a drink.

"Oh. That makes it worse, really."

>Got me there.

"...Can I help with the paperwork?"

>Sure, destroy the ones in that pile in creative ways.

"What're they?"

>Idiots proposing laws that would be stupid to enact.

"...How much of 'em are not-Mom?"

>Less than half.

"Y-...yay?"

>Not yay. Very... very not yay...

"Oh."

>...

"...Do princesses gotta do stuff like this all the time?"

>If Applejack is to be believed and judging by how much Cadence does, no. No they do not.

"Good. It looks kinda boring. And makes you all twitchy."

>That it does.

"...Thanks fer' doin' it, 18. If someone's gotta, I'm glad it's you. Yer' smart."

>...Yeah. Guess someone does have to do this.

"..."

>...No fires.

"BUT YA' SAID BE CREATIVE!"

>Fire isn't creative.

"IT'S MAH ART!"

>No.

"HOLDIN' ME BACK, 18! HOLDIN' ME BACK!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Spike
"??"
~~~

The scene outside the hospital was very much like the scene inside. A bit chaotic, ponies rushing every which way to help the injured, lots of yelling and screaming.

And, of course, one single individual sadly looking on, unmoved by all that surrounds him. The only unique part of this was the fact this particular individual was, in fact, a changeling.

>You know, they'll let you in.

The individual in question flinched a bit in surprise at the dragon's questioning, broken from his own thoughts in an instant. Thankfully, said flinch was hidden by his eye patch.

"O-oh, yes, of course. I simply do not wish to get in anyone's way."

The sigh he got in response told him that nobody was fooled.

>She's going to make it, you know. The doctors just said she had some internal injuries and light burns, nothing life threatening.

He visibly relaxed in relief, but not much.

"...Are you sure she's going to be okay?"

His tone was as flat as he could manage, desperate for it to sound neutral. But underneath, even Spike could pick up on the hint of desperation.

>She's going to be fine. Come on, she's tougher than that.

"I... I suppose you are right..."

They sat there in silence, just peering up into the building in which their team mate was held, watching ponies enter and leave without saying a single word.

"...Should I have brought a gift?"

>What?

"A gift, I am told it is customary to give a get well soon gift with ponies."

>But not you guys.

"Ah, no. We are not the type to have possessions to give in the first place, and under normal circumstances a Queen would not give such to her subjects."

>I don't think she wants gifts right now.

"Right, of course..."

>...There was nothing you could have done if you were here, you know.

Rather than the effect he was hoping for, it instead seemed to make the changeling look worse.

"I know. I know I would have been useless to save her. Likely, she would have left me behind, and I would only be able to watch from the distance. I couldn't have saved her, I know."

>Hey, that's not what I meant.

"But it's the truth."

>No, the truth is that she would have wanted you around to help her, even if you couldn't do anything. She needs us, you know.

"Does she?"

He paused at that. In reality, they had not fought together since Chitania landed in Canterlot, and that had been a disaster. She had faced a lot of opponents since then, but...

>...Well, obviously. I mean, come on. Every time she goes off on her own, it backfires somehow. Clearly, she needs us to pull back on her leash occasionally.

"...I..."

A claw gripped his shoulder, squeezing tightly.

>She'll be fine, back in the saddle in no time. Heck, we probably couldn't keep her down if we wanted to!

"That... that's true..."

>You'll be there for her next time. We all will.

No response. No movement except for the subtle brushing of his hoof over his bone knife.

>And the next time... we'll make sure this never happens again.

The subtle brushing suddenly turned into a hardened grip.

"...That, at least, we can agree on."

Spike watched as something flickered in the changeling's eyes. Something... dangerous.

"This is the last time I lose my friends to a monster."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Actarius
"JJ"
~~~

>Oof, I am sore.

"Ugh, no kidding. I swear, this is as bad as when I try new tricks at night."

>You are seriously going to break your back, by the way.

"Naahhh, I can lean pretty good."

>Honestly I don't know why you do it. I like it the normal way just fine.

"Meh, I like spicing things up. It worked out that one time when I used my mouth."

>Okay, that trick was pretty amazing, I admit, but that was one out of a hundred.

"Gotta take the hundred hits for that special one!"

>If you say so... huh, gonna have spongebath off in the bathroom after this, I am filthy.

"We're going to be even dirtier before today is out."

>No kidding, my fur is going to be plastered to me by the time we're through.

"But it's all for that good feeling!"

>Yep, it feels good during, but nothing beats that one big moment where it all pays off.

"Totally makes all the strain and roughness worth it."

>And to be honest, buddy, I wouldn't want to do it more with anyone else but you.

"Awww, you too."

>Good, now... one... twoo....HRRRKKKKK!

"SLOWLY!"

>You can't go slow with this, buddy! You just gotta go full tilt and PUSH!'

"GGGHHHH!"

>THAT'S IT! Feeling it!?

"FEELING IT!"

>AND-

*CRASH!*

>...Huzzah! Nobody underneath that one either.

"Phew... well, I think we're clear on this side!"

>This is a good thing. I like helping ponies.

"I'm having fun."

>....Do it harder on the next one?

"HELL YEAH!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Fillydelphian
"Fillydelphian 2"
'???'
~~~

>...Mommy, did I get hit in the head?

"No, sweetie, you didn't."

>Ohhh... did I inhale some gas?

"No honey."

>Am I still dreaming and this is all in my head?

"Nope."

>...Then how do you explain that?

'AHHHHAHAHAHAHAH! FOOOOOOOLISH STONES UPON THE GROUND! YOU ARE NO MATCH FOR THE MANY MIGHTY TENDRILS, OF THE MAAAAAAAANE-IAC! AHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!'

"...Avid cosplayer?"

>You know what? Sure, I'll go with that.

'AHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!'
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

'I'm telling you, mix the green with the red, it's AWESOME!'

>Do not do that, much do you grow in the ways of strange when you partake.

"I do not."

>Thine lips become loose and thine feelyness increases a thousand fold.

[He speaks the truth you know. Whenever you are like this, your desire to grab hold of him does grow.]

"Alright, jeez. You want any?"

>NEIGH! I have had mine fill of mine mind being taken, than thee!

'Still think you're just doing some bad batches.'

[Perhaps were it a single occurrence, I would not chime. But even I am skeptical, it happens every time.]

'Fine, whatever, more for us... not you, Zecora, you get grabby.'

[A lie is what you speak! I am perfectly normal when I tweak.]

>I've never noticed her getting weird.

'She only does it to you when you're 'not all there', if you get what I'm saying.'

>Bah! Thou casts it out of context, I'm sure.

'No, really, it's normally before you start saying the aliens want your brain.'

"What do they say to you anyway?"

>Their language is beyond mine comprehension! All they do is gurgle at me and call me mibilin!

"Mibilin?"

>Tis googledygop! Nonsense! They gurgle their strange words at me without fail!

[While I do not wish to imply I speak alien, it kind of sounds like they're calling you minion.]

>BAH! None would call me minion! Well, not unless they were...

"..."
'...'
[...Yes?]

>...Nooothing.

"You, uh, you dropped the sexy-talk."

>NO REASON!

"I... didn't ask-"

>IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL!

"It's not-"

>OHMYLOOKATTHETIMEIT'SFUCKOFFOCLOCK!

*CRASH!*

"..."

'...Dibs on his share.'
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Dash
“Spitfire”
’56’
[Scoots]
{Kids}
______

>Allllright, you little wingless munchkins! Line it up on the double!

After much grunting, shuffling and wing-battering over the grassy field, the young cadets stood wing-tip to wing-tip before Dash and her commanding smirk.

>Good. Now then… there’s seems to be a little bit of an understanding going around. Idle whispers seem to think that the ‘Bolts- my team, the team you WANT to be on- are nothing but a name nowadays.

56 lifted a hoof.

‘A name and big booties, ma’am!’

THUD.

‘GAH!’

>Anymore remarks, class?

Scoots threw up a hoof.

[Excellent strike, ma’am!]

>Thanks, squirt. If I believed in special treatment you’d be skipping this afternoon’s wing-up session. But back to the point! Today we’re putting on a little demonstration for you kiddies, something to get you pumped! Get you psyched! And most importantly… give a little insight as to what you too can achieve under our tutelage. So without further ado, eh yo! Flamebitch! Front and center!

There was scattered giggling as Spitfire walked into view dressed up in her Wonderbolts uniform. She was nipping at a spot near the pit of her wing.

“Blasted thing… got a hitch….”

>Everyone! Give Ms Spitfire a formal greeting!

{HEY MS SPITFIRE!}

‘Heyo, firebutt!’

“Nice to meet you all. …And what joy, the littler pervert is here, too.”

[What’re you going to be teaching us, Ms Spitfire, huh? Huh huh huh?]

{Yeah, tell us!}

‘Guys, guys, calm down. I already know what we’re gonna learn.’

{What?!}

{Really, you do?!}

‘Yup! She’s gonna be showin’ us which fork to use when we eat cake off a plot!’

>[“…”]

{I… I don’t know how to feel about that.}

{Yeah, talk about conflicted….}

THUD.

‘OW!’

>Excellent strike, Scoots.

[Eeeee! Thanks!]

>If everyone will ignore the bug, Spitfire here will take the floor. They’re all yours, maid.

Caught in the middle of face-hoofing with a sigh, Spitfire shrugged off 56’s comment and offered a soothing smile.

“So today, it’s my pleasure to give you junior fliers a show. And I figured what better way to do that than with one of my own personal tricks. I call it… Blaze.”

{Is that a type of cake we’ll be learning to bake?}

{A detergent for getting stains out of clothes?}

{What you call it when your master gets the runs?}

>…

“…”

[The ‘Bolts… are not… A MAID SERVICE!]

{Then what’s Blaze about?}

With a twitching grin, Spitfire pointed off to the side.

“Well, step over there, you little nimrods, and I’ll show you.”

Doing as they were told, the group watched as Spitfire spun around and stared towards the sky. And that’s all she did for the next couple of minutes. Just stare, expressionless, as soft gusts of wind stirred the grass at their hooves.

Rainbow Dash was grinning in the stillness, obviously expectant, while the younger ones exchanged looks of confusion.

‘Hey, Flamebutt…? Aren’t ya gonna-’

“Now.”

‘WHOA!’

All it took was one flap and Spitfire was airborne, taking to the air like it was her home. Her wings blew out to their full length as she pulled left, began to circle, gaining speed with each pass and causing the nearby clouds to be dragged into her momentum.

{Woooooow….}

‘I don’t believe it… she can actually do somethin’!’

[Go, Spitfire!]

>Heh, keep watchin’, squirts. Y’all ain’t seen nothing yet.

There was a sudden spark within the circle of swirling clouds, like that from a lighter, and the group of cadets gasped as one when flames roared to life, shielding Spitfire from view. The circle became a spinning inferno of reddish-orange, one that Spitfire effortlessly flew out of. Higher she soared, almost out of view in the blaring sun, until she suddenly withdrew her wings and allowed herself to enter a state of freefall.

Worried cries escaped the onlookers as Spitfire continued to plummet, though the look of ease never left her face, even when she arched her back, picking up even more speed.

>Annnnnd here comes the finale.

There was a deafening boom when the ex-Wonderbolt Commander blew through the ring of fire, causing it disperse in a 360-radius and leave a trailing tail of flames in her wake. With only a few feet separating her and solid earth, she threw out her wings, caught the air and slammed all four hooves to the ground, sending tremors coursing through her spectators.

She strolled towards them, carefree as ever even with the tips of her wings and tail still flickering with fire.

“And that, youngsters-”

Her tail playfully flicked the frozen 56 over the nose, staunching the flame.

“-is my experimental take on the Sonic Rainboom. Blaze.”

Only Scootaloo was able to clap. The others were left in a state of awe, jaws dropped.

>Ahem. That’s another reason I wanted to have this little show-and-tell. Because regardless of her current status as my hoofstool, make no mistake, Spits is one of the best, if not THE best. There’s a very good reason I adored her when I was younger. Hell, I still do. Just now I adore her while she’s cleaning my underwear.

[Soooo cooool….]

>We ‘Bolts may goof around a bit- a lot actually- but we are a team of the best, and it shows in our technique. Now I ask you all, do you still wanna be one of us? One of the elite?

[{‘YES MA’AM!’}]

>Then take some bits and go buy a few maid outfits. You’ll be needin’ ‘em.

[{‘…’}]

>Gotcha.~

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>SA
"Celestia"
~~~

>I'm just saying, it's weird we don't have a 'detect changeling' spell.

"I've been trying to make one forever, but magically they are very unstable. They're not solid in their states all the time, and as such detecting them is hard to do."

>I suppose we could investigate Sparklejoules further.

"Ugh."

>I didn't name them.

"Your wife did, you share the blame for that."

>Actually? Weird part, until Twilight told me what Cadence told her, I had never even considered it. But I mean, it makes sense, you're obviously physically able to lose love in some capacity, otherwise how would that necklace she destroyed work?

"Or Changelings, for that matter."

>Still... kind of weird to think about, isn't it? That you could only physically love so much. You can only love just a set amount, and that amount can be drained via magic.

"It is strange, I'll give you. But it's obvious you can grow love or regain love, otherwise you would still have been a zombie at the wedding, or your subjects would not have been able to restart the heart."

>I guess... is it possible to add love to a non-changeling? Can I like... donate love to someone?

"Bigger question, is there a way to put that without Chrysalis making a sex based innuendo based off it."

>No. Because there is nothing she will not make an innuendo out of. She will make innuendo based off the sky being particularly blue in the afternoon.

"Point. Still, we really should investigate it more, there is the whole science we neglect on this matter."

>...I am honestly afraid of something happening. I do not want to start counting to Topaz.

"...Same."

>...Oh sweet mercy we're dependent on Cadence for a science based matters.

"We're doomed. Just pack it in and run off with me to Las Pegasus, we're gonna ride it out till the heavens split open."

>I'll bring the booze.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________