Thread 78: Stories 16-30

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Here goes nothing.

>Oh really we're going again?

Anons pointed out flaws.

>They ALWAYS point out flaws, you're risking us getting bogged down in a-

Just do it, ok.

>Alright, but you'd better have a good rewrite set up. I don't do three takes. Now let's see...mimimimimimiiiii~

-------

>Discord
"Pommel"

Pop!

Pommel found himself sitting at his desk, no longer trudging through the cold unforgiving tundra of the mountain but in the warm embrace of the castle...also he was staring into the maddened grin of a chaos god.

>Second verse, same as the first, it would seem, Pommel old boy.

"I'm sorry, what?"

>Hm? Oh yes, yes, I don't think preamble will suit us for this, so let us cut to the chase shall we?

"What are you talking about-"

>You've got a big red tentacled monster in dear Twilight's computer.

"..."

>Now granted, I'm not averse to the artistic works of Neighpon but-

"How did you know about that?"

>Hm?

Pommel fixed the Draconequues with a stare.

"How did you know about that thing being in the simulation?"

>Oh my dear boy, didn't you know?

The Draconequues leaned in close, a snide smirk creeping across his features.

>Even if no one sees me, I keep of abreast of most everything in this castle. And your merry little chase in ye olde murderbox was of a certain special interest to me.

"What do you know about that monster?"

Discord slithered back, stroking the spout of hair on his chin, beginning to pace...though the hair and the paw stroking it remained floating in the air.

>Monster...yes, yes that's a good word for it, I believe. I prefer to think of him as unfinished business, he and I, he and his little siblings, we all go way back. Back and back and back to the primordial stages of this lovely little world.

"You were there?"

>Was I there? I was there, Faust was there, all the Gods worth considering were there. Ah those wild halcyon days of my youth-

With a flourish, Discord produced a tea cup, reattached his paw, then dipped his beard in the tea and gulped it down.

>-I'm so terrible mature anymore.

"So you know what these things are supposed to be then-?"

>They aren't supposed to 'be' at all, dear Pom Pom.

Discord's beard suddenly grew itself back, he began to stroke it again.

>These creatures, as you know them, are not supposed to exist, and yet they do. Now while I love a good paradox as much as the next fine fellow, this particular one annoys me to no end.

"I don't understand..."

>No of course you don't. So allow me...

Discord twisted, his arms disappearing behind him, grabbing at something that couldn't possibly fit behind his serpentine frame before yanking a large chalkboard in front of himself. The Chaos god slid around in front of it, now clad in an academic's garb and mortarboard hat, whilst twirling a pointer stick in his claw-like hand.

>Right then, class is in session!

Pommel's jaw dropped, half at Discord's antics, half at the fact his desk had become that of an elementary school students, in both design and dimension. Discord tapped the stick on the board.

>Now imagine if you will, this board here representing the entirety of creation...prior to creation.

Discord gave the blank board a condescending glare.

>Blank, drab, boring. Ideally, such a thing is used for the purposes of creation by beings of order...

Discord held up a piece of white chalk.

>Or chaos.

Discord held up a second piece of chalk, this one a crazed mishmash of every color imaginable, red, yellow, blue...for some reason a pattern of dancing goats...

>Now not to be partisan, but I think we can see which of these two options is by far the more interesting, inventive, and handsome, but I digress.

The stick now somehow clutched by the puff of white fur on his tail, Discord aimed both pieces of chalk at the board, tossing them towards it.

>One minor problem.

Pommel blinked as both pieces of chalk seemed to...be absorbed into the board on contact.

>Something else got there first.

Discord traipsed up to the board, running a talon down it and showing Pommel that it was now dripping with a thick black substance.

>A squatter if you wi-ow!

The substance on his talon began to sizzle and smoke, Discord wagged it forcefully.

>Off, get off!

With a grumble, the talon was scraped across Pommel's small desk, where it finally sizzled its last. Discord cast a the unicorn a disparaging glance.

>Suffice to say, whatever it was, it was more interested in devouring creation than actually being a part of it. Of course...

Discord spawned a box of more chalk and tossed the whole thing at the board, causing it to disappear.

>...it eventually...

Discord hefted a bucket of chalk at the board, which still absorbed them all.

>...bit off more...

Pommel gasped as a large canon packed with chalk coming out the barrel. Discord, a maddened cheshire cat grin on his face, fired all of it right at the board...which absorbed it again, but began to tremble.

>Than it could chew, you might want to duck.

Pommel thrashed about in his small seat, trying to scramble out of the way before-

The black substance blasted itself all across the room, catching on every surface, including the oversized umbrella that Discord lazily extend from what was before a pointing stick.

>And there it went...oh do stop looking at me like that, it's not the real stuff. Now I figure you understand how things went from there...

Discord strutted up to the board brushing off his shoulder, reattaching said shoulder, then smacking the board with his stick again, giving rise to crude drawings of an alicorn, a minotaur, a great ram, and a cavalcade of other divine forms rendered in white chalk, with an impish multicolored Draconequues over to the side, sipping from a drink and lounging atop what appeared to be a massive turtle.

>The usual struggles of being a deity, creating life, inflicting disaster, getting the Father Bull drunk and convincing him Grogar's sister is...

Discord caught a blank stare from Pommel.

>Right, we'll put a pin in that. Suffice it to say, life was sweet, chaos sweeter, except SOMEBODY-

Discord's stick slapped against the board directly in front of the alicorn, who innocently placed a hoof on its chest in a 'who, me?' gesture.

>-went and tried to make friends with the little remnants of our dear squatter that were hanging about.

The alicorn, with a playful prance, began circling four splotches of the strange substance, which formed themselves into a squid, a trio of skeletons joined at the hip, some kind of bee, and stick figure on fire. The creatures looked thoroughly nonplussed by her antics.

>Eventually she ended up ticking them off even further by-hey!

Discord leered at the small alicorn, which was in the process of spelling 'L-A-V-A' over the flaming stick figure.

>Who's telling this story? You calm down.

The alicorn stepped away dejected.

>Now I know how green-face feels. Anywho, she decided she was going to name the four of them which...well...

The four monstrosities go berserk, making their way to where the 'Gods' were presiding over mountain and forest, ocean and desert. The beasts proceed to mess with it all, destroying all in their path.

>They didn't take that well. Meaning our little so-and-so had to take drastic action!

Pommel blinked at the board as the monsters continued their rampage unabated.

>Ahem, take drastic action!

Nothing.

>Hey!

Discord stomped over to where the alicorn was now fast asleep, perched on the head of a thoroughly nonplussed minotaur. Discord rapped the chalkboard with his stick, causing the small pony to look up.

>Wake up, you're actually needed over there!

Finally noticing the commotion, the mini-Faust burst into flames of righteous chalky fury, leaping towards the four ruffians and enveloping them in a drawn out ball of conflict, from which a thoroughly bludgeoned squid crawls away, bringing its tentacles together like a diver and leaping into a diamond.

>Now you know how our dear little cephalopod went about his self-imposed exile, but its bretheren were-are you quite finished?

The mini-Faust matter-of-factly stuck her tongue out from where she was hopping up and down on the thoroughly ko'd remaining monstrosities. With a grumble, Discord, reached down and flicked her away, allowing the creatures to dissolve into the substance from whence they came.

>Its bretheren were another matter, a far more annoying matter.

"...they didn't stay dead, did they?"

Discord blinks.

>Oh right, I forgot you can talk, yes, you are correct, sir!

With a whirl, Discord turns back to the board where one by one, the monstrous beasts continue to reappear before being put down again. The three-bodied skeleton struck down by dragon fire, the flaming being held beneath water by the minotaur, the bee-like abomination torn asunder by a lion and eagle, yet for every time they are struck down, the monsters always seem to come back in some form or another. The subject of a primitive cult, within the body of a would-be prophet, in such simple trappings as a-a...

"A memory..."

>Hm? Oh yes, you managed to get that one right, got to say, it's remarkable how detailed these chalk drawings can get.

>Hm? Oh yes, you managed to get that one right, got to say, it's remarkable how detailed these chalk drawings can get.

"That thing, that monster-it isn't some stupid bug in the system it's-"

>It's the same thing you fought, remanifesting itself through your lover's half-baked memory of what you told her. I'd make a joke about an unexpected thing coming out of her, but I think that's in poor taste.

"So I can't kill it."

>Nope, it'd worm its way back in, just like the rest of them.

"So how'd you get rid of them?"

>Oh my dear dunce, it was simple. We didn't...well, kind of. You see, midway through rampage umpteen hundred a certain...ahem.

Discord nudged his chalk doppelganger, who grew in size as well as musculature, spawning a pair of sunglasses over himself.

>A certain intelligent, visionary, handsome individual came up with a brilliant idea-

The chalk draconequus blinked and reached out of the board to tug the real Discord's arms, diverting the original's attention to the horde of nonplussed gods giving him an annoyed stare.

>Okay, so it was a smidge of a team effort, but we came up with a new plan: If we can't kill them, then we could contain them!

Pommel watched as the gods went to work, the lion and eagle (along with a bevvy of other divine animals) chased the bee beast into the waiting jaws of what appeared to be a large venus flytrap, which proceeded to shrink itself down into a small flower. The triple-skeleton shrunk back from the fires of the great dragon, allowing itself to be suckerpunched by the alicorn's magic and seemingly dissolved into a large tome held by the draconequus (afterwhich the alicorn and chaos deity shared a high-five). Finally, the fiery being was rammed with ethereal power by a mighty ram, trapping it within a massive boulder, before its newfound prison was lined up before the hammer of the minotaur, who proceeded to swing it like a golf club and send both the rock and its occupant into the darkest depths of space...or at least off the edge of the board.

"And this worked?"

>Well their messes remain to this day in some form or another, mostly in the darkest corners of the world, being spooky and such. Though in retrospect Smoozie turned out alright. But that's a story for another time. There is a system, Pommy dearest, and -loathe as I am to admit any system does- it works. So what you need to do is grab yourself a Twilicorn at the earliest convenience and yoink our little friend out of her computer. And quick, before he figures out how to do more than manifest in the simulation.

"Right...yeah..."

>Any questions?

"Why aren't...you dealing with this?"

Discord chuckled, grabbing the top of the chalkboard...

>Because, lad, I like to leave things to chance!

Discord spun the chalkboard at an alarming rate, disappearing into the rapid movements until with a loud clang, it all disappeared. Pommel sat his regular desk again, with his regular paperwork, and his newfound knowledge. But Discord's voice whispered across the room.

>There's always the delicious chance you'll muck it up. And that'd just be funny.

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Non-canon
>Chrysalis
"Spike"
'Twi'
~~~
"Hey, Twilight, I've been doing some research and found out dragons can shape shift! I could be a pony if the need ever came!"

'Well that's great, Spike! ... Can you actually do it?'

"Yep! Watch!"

WOOSH!

>Oh, fuck no!

"Huh?"

'What's wrong?'

>That thing he just did! He totally ripped off changelings!

'The transformation?'

>No no no! Lots of things can transform. There's a race of mind controlling parasites that disguise themselves as edible plants.

'Well, time to become human again and subsist purely on meat!'

"So what was the problem?"

>The green fire thing! That's out thing and no other shape shift can have it!

'That's kind of ridiculous. The fire is just a by product of the magic used-'

"No, she's right here, Twilight, even dragons need to respect brand naming and trademarks."

>THANK YOU!

"Lemme try something else..."

'How-'

"I got it!"

DWAYNE!!!

>Better... But I definitely would have picked something better than a hideous sweater from grandma.

'This whole thing made my head hurt.'

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>AJ
"DT"
~~

She hadn't stopped looking at her.

Hadn't stopped a once with 'the stare'.

Hadn't even let up a little bit.

And it was pissing Applejack off something fierce.

>Go ahead, rub it in.

"Whatever do you meeeean, Applejack?"

>Ah' know ya' wanna say it.

"I'm confused, utterly confused, whatever could you mean?"

>Just say it. Get it outta yer' system.

"Why, I am just so confused! My poor little head that is just incapable of making my own choices cannot handle it. What do you meaaan? Or maybe someone was a little wrong? Ehhhhh?"

>...Iffin' it was mah' choice, ya'll wouldn't be within' a hundred miles o' this. So try not ta' get hurt, Ah've had enough mistakes thrown back in mah face today.

That's it.

Mic drop.

Applehorse walks off stage.

"...Well, fuck you too."

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>42
"Twilight"
~~~

"You ready to see something cool?"

Magic unparallelled in all of Equestria charged through the 'veins' of the floor beneath them, pulsating with a reckless abandon as it flowed down the floor and into every nook and cranny of the massive cockpit they were in.

Magical screens filled up the front of the room, showcasing all their surrouding areas, which was admittedly mostly 'hanger walls', but they knew that soon, it would be filled with much, much more interesting views. Steel that had been polished and shined glimmered all around them, reflecting the overhead lights to give the room an almost ethereal glow. It was warm, almost welcoming, and yet had a certain air to it that made it feel charged. The swtichboards and control panels before them hummed with power, ready and willing to fulfill their duties and bring hell upon any who stood in their way.

To her credit, 42 managed to catch her jaw.

Twilight only looked a little prideful.

>Your prowess in this field is unmatched, Princess.

"You don't have to call me princess."

>I know.

A black hoof trailed over the console, admiring all the numbers and graphs she didn't understand a lick of.

"So, you requested me, specifically? Why?"

>Why not? You're one of the greatest heroes Equestria has ever known, and one of the most dependable allies to be had. Why wouldn't I?

"You know, just because she messed up once doesn't mean she's not dependable."

That hoof froze on one of the levers, stopping itself just short of twitching at a bad moment and pulling down. Fortunate, Twilight noticed, since that would likely have blown a hole in her wall.

>I do not wish to discuss the matter of Applejack at this time, there are more important things to focus on, and the sooner we leave the better.

"Forty Two... she didn't do this intentionally."

>Again, her intentions are of no matter here, what is of matter is ensuring that we reach there as soon as possible.

"...She still wants to be your friend."

There was a slight compression to the soldiers chest, but it left quickly enough.

>I very much doubt that after recent incidents.

"She doesn't blame you for-"

>Especially my... outburst concerning recent events.

"...Wha-"

>If you want to know, ask her.

The alicorn let out a defeated breath, knowing that was the end of that.

"Forty Two... I understand, really."

>There is very little to understand, she injured my-

"She hurt your friend, and now that friend is running around scared and you want to make it better, but you're not sure if it can get better. I understand."

She did not look to the princess.

Did not trust herself to keep it hidden, honestly.

>...I suppose you would. There's another reason I requested your presence. You... you've been the only one who's stuck by her despite it all, and remain someone she trusts.

"Well, not the only one."

>Yes, well... Cadence has shown concerns over Shining Armor's recent track records with invasions, and I thought it best if he wasn't involved in this matter.

"He would've come anyway."

>Hence why I wished to keep this matter private.

Sadly, Twilight's eyes trailed off to the side.

"...I guess I see her point. Especially after..."

>He did come rather close when...

Neither of them said anything after that for a long, long time.

"...Forty Two?"

>Yes, Princess?

"I know... it's hard to repair trust when it gets broken like this. I know, really better than most, what it's like to lose faith in someone like this. But this was one mistake, you can't-"

>No... it wasn't just one mistake.

A pause.

Then a soft, gentle hoof touched her on the shoulder.

"Just... when this is all over, just give her a chance. I know that's a lot to ask right now, but when this is done, just give her a chance to make this right. She wants this to be right, she wants to fix it, if you just give her one chance... she'll earn it."

>...We shall see. It depends on if what I find... I can forgive.

Sternly, the changeling broke away, and looked out the 'windows'.

>Are we ready to depart, first mate Twilight Sparkle?

"First mate?"

>As I said, I am in command of this mission.

"It's my ship!"

>Keep up talk like that and I'll bump up Spike to first mate.

"He doesn't even know how to fly this thing!"

>One more, Twilight, and I'll go get... Diamond Tiara.

"I'LL BE GOOD! I'LL BE GOOD!"

>Good, now... ONWARDS!

"..."

>...

"..."

>..Ahem...

"...Nobody else is on the ship yet."

>...Ah, uh... well, go get them on the ship.

"Go get them on the shiiiipppp...?"

>...Please?

"There you go. Common courtesy, come on."

>I'm supposed to be the gruff, stoic captain.

"Keep this up and I'll make Cadence do your hair. See how gruff you look with curlers in your head."

>I'LL BE GOOD! I'LL BE GOOD!

"Good now... ONWARDS!"

>...

"....WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS ONBOARD!"

She left, giggling to herself at her own terrible, cheesy joke.

>...Maybe there's a good reason she retired...

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>Luna
"29"
'Trixie'
~~~

>Alight! Please turn in thine homework!

"...Homework? This isn't homework."

>How so?

"We did this in thine 'class', so it's classwork."

>Isn't that what you're supposed to say when a student brings in their work?

"No, thou only asks that if we bring in work we did from HOME... hence..."

>Ah...

'TRIXIE HAS HER HOMEWORK, TEACHER!'

>She is now our favored student, be weary.

"She's not even your student!"

>Hence why you should be weary.

"Oh for the love of-"

'Shut it!.... TA DAAAAA!'

>...

"..."

'...What?'

>...Trixie? Recant the assignment, if thou would.

'You said to draw this summoning circle.'

>Yessss? And what did you do?

'Drew it!'

>...

'...But Trixie also added a bit of flair to it! The symbols really bring out the look in it, doesn't it? And that flair just makes it POP!'

>...

RUMBLE

'...Uh... I guess adding in those symbols changed what it does?'

>That it did.

'Oh, uh...'

>...Twenty Nine, thou art our favored student again.

"....Okay? So-"

*ROOOAAAARRRRRRR*

>HIT THE DIRT!

*BOOOOOOOOOM!*

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>Spike
"Pinkie"
'DT'
[???]
~Guard~
~~~

>We all set?

The others were already moving onto the airship to set off, only one of them was hanging behind.

Well, one of them, and her 'helper'.

'HOW!?'

"It's just a trick of the wrist, silly!"

'No, this makes no sense, how are you cramming more rockets into him!? I optimized it so that it takes up every inch, there shouldn't be anymore room! How are you fitting them in there!?'

"He can handle more than you give him credit for."

>Don't you start!

"Start what?"

'Still, I don't want to hurt Sexy by overstuffing him.'

"Awww, don't worry! Pinkie's never had a party cannon get backed up!... Except that one time... had to go to the doctor for that one...."

'...'

"Look, do you want some Pink Power help or not?"

'Well, so long as it's not gonna hurt him...'

"Great!... Can I try him out solo sometime?"

'NO!'

CLACK!

"What does the front popping open like that mean?"

'SEXY YOU WH-...'

"..."

'...Maybe later...'

"Awesome!"

>Can we please go!?

'Sorry, not all of us are content with pea shooters!'

>This is a stealth mission, we are going in via stealth to extract someone! We hopefully won't be blowing up anything!

'...'

>...but yeah, we're probably going to, if our track record is any indication.

'THANK YOU!'

"Alrighty roony! He's all packed and ready to blow! We set?"

>Let's just go!

[Well, it seems I made it here just in time.]

All three spun, listening to the low chuckle coming from the doorway.

~I managed to find your other members!~

The guard looked so proud, Seventy Seven didn't have the heart to point out that he was almost there before he even was spotted.

[Hello, Spike... Poppet.]

>Well, glad to see you made it.

While Spike smiled and gave a thumbs up...

Diamond Tiara's reaction was a little different.

'HRMPH!'

The cavalier, smirking smile on the old soldiers face faded, revealing a concerned frown.

[Poppet? Something wrong?]

'Like you care.'

>Hoo boy...

>She uh... she was a little mad you left like that.

'AND That you didn't say anything to Applejack to get me back on the A-team! At least 42 knows what's up!'

Slowly, his frown grew a little more sad.

[Oh... is that why you haven't visited? I see...]

She spun, pointing an accusing hoof at him.

'Me!? You're the one who hasn't even seen me once!'

[I'm sorry, I was busy watching over my sister. She's having... trouble adjusting to being blind.]

That hoof lowered, most of the wind taken out of it.

'...Yeah, well, you should still have told me when you were leaving.'

'Then you should have written or something! Not just... fwoop! Gone! Not just ignoring me!'

[Poppet...]

He trotted up to her, gently laying a almost playful hoof on her head.

'HMRPH!'

She huffed, shaking her head loose from him.

When he stepped back, Spike was just as quick to step forwards.

>Come on, DT, we've got a mission, you're not going to-

'Of COURSE I'm not going to let it affect the mission, come on! I'm not gonna let him get shot or something...'

That was enough to bring the smile back.

[Heh... tell you what, I'll let you win the next training session to make up for it.]

'Pfft! You might as well say 'i'll let you breath', it's just as easy for me to beat you knifey Mgee.'

"I like Stabberjack.'

[That doesn't make any sense! I DON'T HAVE APPLEJACK IN MY NAME!]

"Why would that matter?"

[...]

>Seventy Seven? Do not question the Pinkie. It is the Pinkie.

[...Point taken.]

'HRMPH!'

[...I'll find you something to blow up in this mission.]

'...You'd better.'

That seemingly resolved, Spike holstered his gun and pointed to the ship.

>Good. Now can we please just-

~Uh... is this guy coming too? You said to get ALL the A-team members, right?~

They shared a look, idly counting everyone, not finding any missing, and having a moment of confusion before looking back to the guard.

He stepped aside, revealing...

>...Seven?

A changeling sitting on his rump with a mile long smile on his face, moss-like tail swishing back and forth excitedly like an ecstatic puppy.

He just sat there, smiling, waiting for the okay, looking like he was about to burst from joy.

>...Uh...

"Welcome aboard?"

He let out an EEEEEEE, and skittered past them.

'...We sure we wanna-'

"Shhhhhh, shhhh... DT? Listen to your auntie Pinkie, and listen well. She knows when a 'yes' would make someone's day, and when a 'no', would put them in a bad mood... she also knows when a 'no' would make them look long and hard at the toaster and the bathtub."

'...'

"...This is a liiiiiiiittle beyond toaster and bathtub."

[Well, he is rather capable as an infiltrator and fighter...]

>...meh, why not? He is still a member.

'Are you only saying that because you feel bad you shot him?'

>No.

'...'

>...A little.

[...Is that thing taking off?]

>No, it's clearly not-HEY WAIT FOR US!

'WE WEREN'T TAKING THAT LONG!'

"JERKS!"

[...I missed this...]

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >Dash
"Rarity"
~~

>Finally, some action! I'm ready to kick some tail in one side and out the other!

"But Rainbow Dash, you see action all the time."

>Pfft, when?

"Didn't you go help the Empire during the invasion?"

>I didn't get to do anything.

"Oh... what about when Chitania arrived?"

>I didn't do anything against her either.

"Oh... what about when you fought her on the train?"

>I actually made it worse there.

"We got to do stuff in Partyland."

>No we didn't, we flew to Fluttershy and talked to her, no fighting at all.

"Oh..."

>...what?

"Well, it's just, it sounds like action HAPPENS, but..."

>...I'm gonna need a crying corner real quick.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Sunset
“Variolus”
'Pommel'
~~~~

>WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SHE IS GONE?!

Pommel shifted in his armor, causing the metallic plates of it to rub against one-another. Behind him, six more members of the Day Guard did their best to appear as stone-faced as possible.

'There is no need to raise your voice. It means exactly what I just told you. Princesses Applejack, Rarity and Twilight are currently unavailable. If you take issue with that, you may address Princesses Celestia and Luna. I am sure that as a personal student of one of them, they will lend you their ear.'

>But where to! Why? Why didn't she tell me! She was supposed to meet me!

'I can make no calls on that, as I am no secretary, but I believe you. That doesn't change the fact that I was specifically instructed not to release any details concerning the names of any absentee's, the length nor the purpose of said absence. I am really sorry.'

Sunset started to deflate like a balloon, seeing the futility of her efforts of trying to pry what was apparently confidential information out of the captain of the guard. To his defense, he looked genuinely sorry.

>...please tell her I tried finding her.

'I can do that. Again, my apologies, but I must attend to my duties now.'

With the air of dignity that came with his station, Pommel left with his entourage in tow, headed towards the lower floors of the castle. And thus leaving Sunset Shimmer to her own thoughts.

Or rather, the voice of deceit that was Variolus.

“Mmmmh, liars and and pretenders, false advice and dishonest assurances. I wonder what she promised you, that princess of yours. It is almost as if-”

>Don't.

With a slow gait, the mare walked over to the nearby waiting area's chairs, slumped down onto it with the length of her body and closed her eyes, chin resting on her forelegs.

>I don't want to hear it anymore. Any of it. I am sick of it. I just- I just want it to be over already. This isn't what I imagined it to be like after CHS...

Sunset just felt completely isolated. Alone. This was where her choices had taken her. To solitude and being forgotten.

>Everyone keeps promising me things they never intended deliver.

Sensing the defeat and losing willpower in her host, Variolus shifted gears, her voice taking on an almost lulling, gentle tone.

“Sshhh, sshhh... You should lay down, just rest for a minute. The princess will be back. You just have to wait until then, don't you?”

>I guess... Just... just have to wait.

With the increasing drowsiness and lack of awareness of Sunset, Variolus began to extend her will, gradually suppressing the consciousness of the usually sharp-witted mare. While she didn't need sleep in her current state, mental fatigue was finally catching up to her.

“That's right. Once you wake up, everything will be better, brighter. You have all the time in the world.”

>I want to be better...”

“I know. Trust me, I know everything you do. And I promise you... you're almost there.”

>Almost...

Slowly, Sunset eyes drifted shut, and her body lay still. Without breathing or having a normal body temperature, she could have easily be mistaken for somepony who had passed away.

Thus, Sunset Shimmer slept.

Time passed.

Seconds turned to minutes. Minutes to an hour, when finally, those eyes re-opened. Within that gaze, there was no compassion, no love, no mercy or regret. Just pure drive, the facial features etched in a perpetual sneer.

Variolus rose, freed from the shackles of supervision. And promptly snickered.

“The princesses left, mh? I wonder how many of Caterlot's strongest they took with them.”

Raising her head proudly, she started walking down the long corridor of the castle, her horn glowing faintly as she sought the link to her wayward child. Even across the land, she could sense him, feel him. Just by being where he was, he had unveiled all she needed to know.

>Time to pay my respects to the supposedly dead, eh?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Fluttershy"
~~~~~
>Welcome to Not Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content does matter, but I'm going to stop milking a joke! Now for our main guest...FLUTTERSHY!!!

"H-hi"

>Are you ready for an adventure like the everfree forest?

"Um no. Not, not really."

>But it's going to be action packed!

"That sounds dangerious. I think I'd rather stay in bed."

>AHAHAHAHAHA!
Fluttershy wakes up with Pinkie standing over her.
>...get in the vault.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC

>Hey, Sunset. Sunset. Sunset, hey.

"What is it, Variolus? I am talking to the princess right now."

>Wanna hear the most annoying sound in the world?

"Variolus, I swear to Faust, if-"

>EEKEEEKEEEKEEEKEEEKEEEKEEK!

"RRRRRAAAARGH! WHY, UNIVERSE, WHY?!"

'I can't find Chitania, so I need to fuck with someone.'

"SHE'S BEEN IN THE LIBRARY THE WHOLE TIME!"

'What, seriously? Fuck, of course the one place I don't look.'

"...Aren't... aren't you omnipresent?"

'I've got better shit to do than be in a nerd hut.'

"Uhhh-"

'Hey, Varry, do me a solid?'

>AWESOME!

"I am not okay with this!"

'That's what Chitania said!.... About everything!'

>HAH! SHE'S AWESOME!

"...I'm switching to atheism."

'Tell me how that works out for you.'

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC
[Talking about a picture of a gravestone that says 'Here lies Chitty's hopes and dreams'.]
>Chitty
~~~

>WHO PLANTED THIS!? Who would... I'm curious...

*DIGADIGADIGA*

>...Is... is that a younger me?

>"I'm gonna have a whole hive and protect all the Queens!"

>....How did you... what.... this is fucked up.

>"My daughters gonna be amazing!"

>I'm going to punch something but I don't know what.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>SA
"Chrysalis"
~~~~

>What are you doing?

"...Nothing."

>That's not a moat, is it?

"No."

>Tell me that's not a moat.

"It's not a moat."

>...What is it?

"Swimming range."

>Swimming range.

"Obviously. So we can practice swimming. Swimming is important."

>Uh huh... and the sharks?

"Motivation."

>Really... swim in it.

"..."

>You heard me.

".... Can't, I just ate ten minutes ago."

>Chrysalis.

"It's not a moat."

>...

"...It's a warning."

>Put the sharks back wherever you got them.

"No, I like them."

>...

"...He's bitey."

>...at some point I just stopped trying, and this is what I'm dealing with.

"The other one is mauly, want to know why?"

>Put the sharks back.

"Breaking my heart, Shiny, breaking my heart..."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

~~~~~~~~

"Everybody ready?"

"Yepperino!"
"Ready ta' roll sugar cube."
"Let's get flying already!"
"Um... maybe not too fast."
"Really darling, the speed is good for you!"
"Uh, Rarity? Is it really-"
"Spike, please... MAXIMUM SPEED!"
"See, Poppet, this is why I insisted you be kept far, FAR away."
"Oh come on, what's the worst that could happen with her and an airship... nevermind. Hey! 42! If I pretend to be you again, can I sit away from her?"

The various alicorns, changelings, earth ponies, pegasi and dragon all gave the affirmative as they strapped into their various chairs, and the lavender alicorn gave her own to the one sitting in the captains chair.

"Looks like we're all set, captain."

She rolled the last word off her tongue only a little jovially, taking her own position next to the changeling who thoughtfully tapped her hooves in front of her face, staring out the faux 'window' with an intense, fiery gaze.

"First class Sparkle, set the course... and engage the stealth magics."

"...What?"

The soliderling froze, breaking her 'stoic' look and snapping her head over to the alicorn.

"This thing doesn't have stealth powers!? Then what are we doing in this thing!? What, are we just going to all out assault this place!? This is a rescue mission, we don't want to-"

"No no, it does... just wondering how you knew about them."

"Oh... I just assumed."

"You assumed I figured out how to stealthify something this big."

"Yes? It just seems like something you'd do."

"...Well, I mean, I did, it's just weird you thought that."

"Why is it weird when that's what you did?"

"...I... don't... know..."

"...So, uh, stealth powers?"

"Oh! Right!... scooch."

"I'm schooching!"

Awkwardly, the alicorn reached across the changelings lap to push the button on her side console.

"See, this is why I should be in the chair."

"I am the captain of this operation!"

"Mneh mneh mneh."

"Two seconds and Diamond Tiara comes up here."

"I'm out."
"Where's the exit on this thing?"
"LADIES AND LADIES FIRST!"
"DO IT, TWILIGHT! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!""

"SHUT UP!"

At the changelings roar, everyone shuffled back into their seats.

"...As I was saying... stealth is engaged, first class Twilight?"

"Engaged it is, captain!"

"Very well then..."

"..."

"...How do I type in the course here?"

"Just let me sit in the chair!"

"NO! I am- wait, just use your magic."

"...Oh, right, I have that. Hold up. And do do dooo, set."

"Wait, ya'll told her where we're goin'!?"

"Literally two seconds after I got here."

Silently, Applejack slumped a little, and it wasn't long before a comforting white hoof and purple claw rubbed at her shoulders.

"...probably... shouldn't have said that."

"No, you should have."

Nobody quite knew how to react when Fluttershy said that.

So they all just chose to ignore it.

"... Course set, First Mate Twilight?"

"Set, Captain!"

"Good... operation 12 begins... NOW!"

"NO WAIT NOT SO-"

The doors opened, and she shoved down on the throttle with everything she had.

Even if they had not been wrapped in a magical cloak that made them invisible to the naked eye.

Even if they had not been surrounded by a shield very much like a faux one that would have been created by Shining Armor, dampening all sounds.

Even if they had not been hidden from sight by the angle of the hanger, and the gentleness with which it avoided all flying things...

Not a single one of Canterlot's residents would have been able to spot them as the left.

For they were there one microsecond, and the next, they were gone.

Only that shield could damped the screams.

The only one who noticed, the only one in all of Canterlot who watched their departure, smiled warmly as she sensed them, not saw them, go.

With one last, solemn look, the alabaster princess turned away, and proceeded to put on a show that all was well.

But inside... she worried.

As she always did.

"...Good luck, my little ponies..."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Pinkie
"Rarity"
'Dash'
[FS]
~~~~

>THIS IS AWESOOOOOOMMMEEEEE

"EEEEEEE MAKEITSTOPMAKEITSTOP!"

'WOOOOOOOOOO!'

[..Meh.]

>Can you at least pretend like you're being pushed back?

[It's not though.]

'It's just ruining the experience for all of us.'

"EEEEEEEE!"

'Except her, but she'd cry about anything.'

"SCREW YOUUUUUU!"

[Oh, I don't want to ruin this for everyone... ahhhhhh....]

>Really? Your future coltfriend is going to feel really inadequate if that's the best you can do.

[P-PINKIE!]

>Pfft, back me up, Dashie!

'No, wait, I'm with Fluttershy here. If you've got to pretend then just dump the guy.'

>You can't dump him for one bad night!

'Then you tell him that bad night ain't flying and if he doesn't shape up you're going to start.'

>I can't fly.

'Oh, right.... Fluttershy? Help with the visual metaphor?'

[No!]

>Spoilsport... Rarity! Back me up on the importance of faking!

"EEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

>Rarity agrees.

'You know what? I'll let you have that one, that's how bad I feel for you right now.'

>...O-ow, Dashie.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

[Can we please talk about something else!]

>...
'...'
"WHYISTHISSTILLGOINGAHHHHHHH!"

>...So, scale of one to ten-

'Ten.'

>HOOOOO! Dashie you crazy girl! Even I'd stick at a nine!

[Wait, what?]

'We'll tell you when you're older... and crazier.'

[...I want to switch chairs, please.]

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>AJ
"7"
~~~

If this got anymore awkward, she was going to jump out of this plan mid-supersonic flight.

>...

"..."

>...

"..."

>...er... ya'll keep starin' at me.

"Oh, uh... sorry."

>...

"..."

>...Sorry Ah'... ya' know... almost splatted ya'.

"Meh, comes with the territory."

It was a struggle to turn her head, but turn it she did.

>Are ya'll serious?

"Yeah, sure."

>...Really? Ah' though Ah' was gonna have ta', ya' know, plead mah' case that Ah' thought ya'll were gonna stab Jetset, or that Ah' just lost control o' mah magic, or like.. anythin'.

"It's fine."

>...seriously? It's fine, that's what yer' sayin', it's fine. Ah' ain't gotta, like, make it up ta' ya' somehow, or do a favor, help ya' with yer' little game, make Jetset dance or or even give ya' a shiny bit or somethin'? A lay out out and almost break yer' skull and then nearly paint ya' on the ground while yer' out like a light, and it's just fine. Yer' not even mad.

"Just uh... don't do it again?"

The apple princess leaned back into her chair, looking dead center straight ahead.

>...Yer' somethin' else, Seven.

"Is... is that good?"

>Gimme a bit... Ain't figured it out yet.

Jumping out that window felt very, very tempting right now...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________