Thread 102: Stories 31-45

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>Discord
"Lavan"
'Gryphon'
~~~

>...what are you planning, old soul?

"I realize I said take your time before, but I may have exaggerated, I would like you to answer eventually."

'AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!'

>This isn't like you at all, no no no... you enjoy the flames far more than this. What is your game?

"Any time, if you don't mind."

'AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!'

>Where is the rage, the unspeakable power, the ability to destroy on a whim? A whim you feel quite... frequently.

"Will you need to breath soon? I heard that your species has been known to breath on occasion."

'AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!'

>...How despicable, you made me hate games. That's just unfair.

"...Are you going to-"

'AHHHHHH-'

THUMP!

"...Little bird cat?... Bird cat?... Oh dear."

>I will find the answer to you, my old pain in the side.

"I wish I had a stick."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chrysalis
"42"
~~~

>How are they doing since they've moved back?

"Well, Majesty, our populace has transitioned well. We were accepted readily, as expected, and have been facing no problems since. In truth, most of them don't even feel the need to do much of anything, the excess love is enough to power most of them through the day."

>Is that so...

"Yes, when the power of love literally makes you glow and sparkle, it turns out you have a decent amount to spare. It's been a boon, Majesty."

>A miracle of nature.

"Repairs, likewise, have gone as planned. The stadium is as pristine as it should be, one tends to find the gusto to work when charged and in regards to their own home."

>Of course. Anything else?

"Yes, one more thing, Queen Chrysalis... Job search has been fruitless, this is a very isolated community. They have their own set preferences and they've sustained themselves for a long time. Extra workload has been unneeded for quite some time, as such gaining ground has been difficult."

>...expected.

"Is there anything else, Chrysalis?"

>...How has the trek with Applejack been going?

"Harsh, and mostly choatic... but she is gaining some support as she goes."

>Best case scenario, I suppose.

"...Chrysalis, is there something wrong?"

>...No.

"Are you sure? You seem distracted."

>I'm focused, thank you.

"Are you sure, Chrysalis?"

>Of course.

"If you say so."

>...I have business to attend to, we can talk more later.

"Of course, Chrysalis. Good luck with your business."

>I don't need it.

The flames came to her, just as they always had, and she was gone.

"...Hrm, I may have to speak with Cadence, this is more serious than thought... Her majesty didn't even notice."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OOCO
>Aj
"Rarity
~~~~

>So run that by me again.

"Do pay attention darling, I want to ban everyone who uses non-organic, synthetic fibers."

>Because they're... bad for the enviroment?

"Not anymore than normal."

>Worryin, but... are they dangerous?

"Yes! Someone might be seen wearing them!"

>Was meaning more along the lines of skin irritation or somethin'.

"If they don't feel unwellike wearing them, they're doomed anyway."

>Really worryin'! But... are they at least made by kids or slave labor or somethin'?

"I sincerely doubt anyone would make one of these under anything but blackmail and threats of duress."

>... they're just really ugly, ain't they?

"THEY'RE SO HORRIBLLLLEE!"

>Get outta mah office.

"Er, but it's my office too-"

>OUT!

"I always knew you were in the pockets of big synthetic fiber!"

>OUT AH SAID!

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>Actarius
"JJ"
~~~~

>So, didn't you want to go with the others?

"Nahhh, not my style."

>You sure? They are your fellows, after all.

"Yeah, but I'd rather be with you. Much more... You know, just something I can do with you that would be really weird with them."

>Really?

"Oh yeah, I mean... Could you imagine me doing with them what I do with you?"

>Huh... That bothers me for some reason.

"Right? Just... Me and all of them doing what we do?"

>Wow, I really don't like that. Don't wanna sound possessive, but-

"Nahhh, I get it. You doing what we do with the guards would be... Weird."

>Right? This is special. This here? Jus you and me.

"Damn straight!"

>You know, I've had a really rough day, would you mind...

"Right now? While you're at work?"

>Oh please, my boss loves hearing it.

"Kinda skeevy."

>That's my boss for you... Please?

"Oh... Alright, but only because its you. You're special."

>Awwww... Now, get all limbered up, deep breath, annnnddd-

"DADADADADA DA Da- fucking holes!"

'Oh come on!'

>See? Told you he likes listening in.

"I stand corrected."

'COME! ON!'

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 >Aj
"Sunset"
~~~~

>Just tell me that you, specifically, did not set them on fire, and Ah will believe you.

"...when you say specifically-"

>Nnnggggh....

"I didn't know they were flammable!"

>They ain't.

"... Several questions-"

>Ah really need her help here, Sunny.

"I'm trying! They're just... Really stupid!"

>They ain't that bad.

"That one tried to chew on a street sign!"

>He wasn't chewin' on it, he was trying ta' rip it down because it made him mad.

"... Several more question-"

>Ah'm not askin' ya' ta' understand them, just try not ta set them on fire.

"No promises."

>...

"...fine, no fire-"

>Or ice, or rock stuff, or freakin' anything magic.

"That's really-"

>Or go home.

"..."

>...

"... So, no more immolation, gotcha."

>Looky there, Ah can teach something.

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OOCO
>Twilight
"Chrysalis"
'FS'
[Dash]
~~~~
[WHAT! DID! YOU! DO!?]

'You know the weird part? This one wasn't me.'

"It's true. Wasn't her."

[...]

'Wasn't her either.'

[Then who the FRICKETY FRACK-]

>Erm...

[...Twi no.]

>Yeah, this one was me.

[Twi noooo... no Twi, no.]

>I uh... I'm sorry.

[Not good enough. Just... not good enough.]

'It's not so bad?'



"You are that, yeah. All saucy."

[...]

"If you're expecting a sex-joke, move on. I try not to use those on lesbians, sends the wrong message."

[I'M NOT-]

>No time! Team Twilight-Fixers, assemble!

"...No."

[Absolutely not.]

>Come on, you guys fix my problems all the time!

[It's really dumb, Twi.]

"Wait, I meant fuck no am I fighting that thing."

[What? But you love fighting.]

"Yeah, but...It's made of... well, those things."

>They're noodles. It was SUPPOSED To feed starving ponies, but, well...

"Look, I just know what it looks like, and I'm not getting anywhere near that thing. Never tried it myself, but I bet pasta in there BURNS."

'..it does sound like it burns.'

[Eeesh.]

>...Well, I must accept, but remember, as the Elements of harmony, it is in our duty to never leave a populace in trouble-ONETWOTHREENOTIT

"NOTIT"

[NOT-fuck.]

>GOOD LUCK DASH!

BLINK!

"HAH!"

FWOOSH!

[...]

'...You can say not it too...'

[No... no.. I have to hit this thing... they know I have to hit it. It's in the blood. Soooo...]

'...'

[...You don't mind helping me, right?]

'Um, I-'

[GREAT!]

YOINK!

[TO ADVENTURE!... You're the one getting it if that thing gets grabby.]

'...e-eep...'

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>AJ
"Sunset"
'Lings'
[Guards]
-Ponies-
~~~~

In the town center of a relatively quiet settlement between Ponyville and Canterlot, a messy battle had begun.

Black, chitinuous forms ran, flew and darted back and forth, now and then crossing the line towards the yellow-coated mare they had surrounded. A resounding sound of hoof against flesh or vice-versa, a stumble, a dazed shake of the head. And then the attack continued.

-Oh sweet Celestia, we're being invaded!-

The dozen of Changelings and a lone pony fighting a desperate battle for survival (or sport) understandably agitated the locals.

"Think fast!"

POW!

'AAAARGH!'

'Coordinate, love dammit!'

But the combatants were unconcerned by the locals, who in turn were torn between panicking like frightened rabbits, watching the fight and looking at the nearby Canterlot contigent.

-Someone get the Guard!-

-They're right there!-

-Then why aren't they doing anything!-

Indeed, off to the side, was a single princess and her entourage of guards, looking a bit uncomfortable.

>Huh.

[Yeeeeah... see, she kinda talked to the one with the bandana for a few minutes, she laughed, Bandanaling hit her and then they started fighting like that. No idea what set her off, princess.]

[Isn't that 41? The one who gets knocked out all the time?]

>Welp. Ah guess there goes that redemption and friendship idea. Here's hopin' Chrysalis ain't gonna kill us both fer gettin' 'em hurt. Though at this point ah guess ah might hafta reconsider Twilight's idea of tossin her back through the portal.

[She... does keep picking fights she can't win, doesn't she?]

'Ohshitohshitohshit!'

BANG!

'Why! Why did we get involved?!'

'We? WE? You thought it'd be funny to get back at her for the fire thing, you jackass!'

'She's a squishy unicorn! She's not supposed to be this good at punching!'

"Behind you!"

'Wa-'

POW!

"The OTHER behind you!"

SMACK!

'-urghl...'

'79, nooooooo!'

'Form ranks, Form ranks!'

[Should... should we intervene? It looks like she's serious.]

-YES!-

[You go stop her, Quicksilver. No. Go right ahead. Stop the mare that just got punted through that friggen tree and got back up smiling to start this carnage.]

[Eeeehhh...]

-Granted, she kind of is holding them up on her own.-

[Your orders, Princess?]

SNAG!

'I got her! Quick, someling punch her!'

-Oh no!-

-Some pony help her!-

"UselessuselessuselessUSELESS!"

PowpowpowPOW!

'Yeeaargh!'

>Lemme handle it.

[As you wish. Please give her a piece of our mind too.]

When that last Ling hit the ground, that was it. End of the line. Those who dared fight had fallen. Those who remained standing were smart enough to keep their distance. As the dust settled, silence reigned.

And a very ruffled-looking mare stood amidst some prone Changelings.

"Haaah... haaah... haaah..."

-She... she did it!-

-We're saved!-

-Hooray for... whats-her-face!

>Iffin yer all done with yer power trip, ya mind not punchin' the guys ahm supposed ta bring back in one piece?! Seriously, we jus talked about not harming 'em!

In response to the annoyed, half-yelled drawl, a good dozen pairs of eyes blinked at Applejack, the previous 'fallen' getting up, no worse for wear.

"What?"
'What?'
-What?-

It was kind of cute how both ponies and Changelings blinked and tilted their heads at her cluelessly. It reminded Applejack of Winona. Still, she was clearly a bit too peeved to daww at them.

>Don't yall 'what' me! What the hay was that all about?

-Those ghastly Changelings attacked that poor mare!-

-Yeah, I saw them gang up on her!-

Her student at least had the decency to look genuinely apologetic. Not that it made Applejack want to drag her back to Canterlot by her bicolored mane any less.

"Uhm, actually... that was a game."

-A... game...?-

-It sure looked like you were trying to grieviously harm each other!-

-Maybe she's concussed?-

"Well, no. They pulled their punches."

The continued looks of confusion prompted Sunset to puff out her cheeks indignantly.

"Geez! Look. It may sound retarded... but it's called Facepunch. Its something they, the Changelings for you less fortunate, play to keep each other from getting lenient. I wanted to try, and they gave me the OK. And I, uh, admit that I kinda got into it..."

'Maybe next time, don't love-fuel your punches, you cheat!'

Applejack filed that statement and Sunsets fearful look in response for later discussion. Maybe with Twilight or even the Queen herself. Right now, she just felt a massive headache coming as her plans to make this a peaceful outing crumbled before her eyes thanks to her ever-impulsive student.

'Yeah! Saw her do it! She hit me right on the nose.'

'BUUULL! You were trying to cop a feel with that needlessly fancy grapple!'

'DID NOT!'

'Aww, is poo widdle 14 into da princess' student?'

'My hoof will be into your face if you don't shut it!'

While the group of Changelings was as lively as ever, the multicolored mares and stallions around them could only shuffle their legs arkwardly.

-Facepunch...?-

-What's going on? Are we being invaded or not?-

-I'm SO CONFUSED!-

>Settle down, settle down! She's right! Ah know that game, ah've seen y'all do it before.

Sunset was allowed to look relieved for the support in explaining what happened just long enough for Applejack to take a deep breath and resume yelling.

At least it seemed to keep everyone in line.

>But that looked like yall were trying ta bash each others head in!

'Weeeell...'

'That was ADVANCED facepunch, Applejack Prime.'

'For special purposes only.'

'Yep. We normally don't do advanced Facepunch with just anyone.'

'Unless they can take it, like 42. Or we don't like them.'

'But she asked for it. Nicely too.'

"That I did. By the way, thanks for showing me how to throw a proper punch..."

'Well, we got to smack you silly.'

'Worth it!'

It was as if Sunset's relaxed attitude around the Changelings, the now amused grins of several of the Guard and the princess of apples presence finally registered on the ponies around them. Previously anxious faces relaxed, and several of the townsponies dared move closer, if only out of morbid curiousity.

'Pffht. Her form was horrible.'

'And you telegraphed your movements from miles away.'

'You suuuuucked.'

'Hahahah! Come on all, who ever bet on her, step right up. It's pay day.'

'Shit. I thought you forgot.'

'NEVER!'

-So... that was just a game?-

-Does that mean I could've bet on her winning?-

'And won a sizable sum doing so. Never too late for a good wager though, step right up! Current odds for the princess flipping her lid are pretty good!'

-Nnnngh... must. Resist. Gambling. Addiction.-

'Fuuuuck...'

'What, you bet on her beating you?'

'Race traitor!'

'Hold me back before I forget myself and hit him!'

As the growing group started mingling, previously nervous faces lighting up and ponies movinh among the chitinuous, black shapes around them without fear in their eyes, Sunset dared smile at Applejack. When all she received was an unamused look and a single, arched eyebrow, her timid smile fell. A sigh, a squaring of her shoulders, and she crossed the plaza to face the music.

~~~~

The expression and sentiments of Applejack were fluctuating between light annoyance and amusement when her student approached her.

>Did yall plan this?

"No... I just kind of did what you suggested. I tried seeing them as average anyponies."

Good. She was capable of listening. That gave her hope.

>...Might've smacked ya silly fer going off on yer own.

"...don't worry, I wouldn't, princess."

>And what'd yall find out?

Sunset scrunched up her muzzle.

"They are actually not... all that bad, once you get over the huge culture gap and their eerie looks. They're pretty simple minded and just watching them is entertaining in itself."

>Not takin them serious instead of seein sinister plans everywhere is fine, ah suppose. Well, I take it yall at least ain't all that afraid of em no more?

That questioned earned her a thoughtful look and a moment of silence during which the unicorn likely sorted her impressions.

"Actually? They really DO remind me of some of the people I've met in my life. I've had that impression before. They have hopes, dreams, aspirations and unique skills as well as tastes. They come smart, stupid, loud, quiet.. they look alike, but beneath the chitin they couldn't be any more varied and unique."

>That they are... and yall got that affirmed by jus' getting innate fight with em?

"Guess so. Maybe we all should try beating up Chitania some time."

>Been there, dun that. Still none the wiser.

A mere moment of respite, then Applejack leaned right into her averted line of sight.

>So then why do yall still look like ya bit inna apple and found half a worm?

"...it doesnt change what how I feel about their Queen. She's scary. And they feel the same."

Applejack cast a look towards the crowd of Changelings and ponies Sunset pointed at, then looked back at her student, a weary sigh on her lips.

She understood her sentiments all too well. But she since made large strides in understanding that one Changeling who did her best to make it difficult to do so.

>Yah. She can be. But ya gotta look deeper than that. Maybe she just likes keeping the airs of bein' mean and scary because she is afraid of being close ta someone. That sound familiar?

She could see surprise, then pain flash past in those expressive green eyes. Then it vanished, like a door and lock had been put between the mare inside and the outside world.

Sensing the conversation was over, both mares slowly turned towards the crowd, which had grown due to the Guards now allowing themselves to mingle, chat and smile as well. If anything, it served to even make the most concerned of ponies start easing up.


The sight made Applejack felt hope for the future.

>...

"..."

And not just for them.

>...yall did well, Sunset. Ahm proud of ya.

Applejack saw Sunset tense, eyes widening, legs quivering out of the corner of her eyes, prompting her to wonder of she was just dependant on praise and being acknowledged.

"...that felt nice..."

>Hm?

"N-nevermind."

The sound of a bang as one of the locals slammed a sack of bits onto the spontaneously procured table before the changeling with the green-visored cap and small chalkboard around his neck drew both their attention again.

"...Thank you for bringing me along."

>Well, thank yall for not giving up on yerself.

As both once-disgraced teacher and pupil stood side by side, one feeling warmth in her heart and the other relishing in the share she had been granted of that subtle, strong love, a stallion reared back and smacked 41's face, who shook it off, grinned maniacally and retaliated.

'FAAAAACEPUUUUNCH TIME!'

-YEEEEAH, bring i-Oof!-

The sight caused Sunset to snicker.

"Oh boy... Changelings and Ponykind, united in their joint idiocy and desire for cheap thrills and violence."

>Haw. Ain't it beatiful?

~~~~

Later that day, when the group left, more than a dozen ponies saw the Changelings off. Smiling, waving and nursing bruises. Friends were made, impressions changed and the future... changed.

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Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Cadence"
'DT'
~~~~
>Welcome to Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content doesn't matter, and I do what I want! Join the Pink Pony Club as we discuss things on our segment...THE PERSPECTIVE!!!

"I'm the pretty one <3"

'I'm the...do I really have to be the grumpy one?'

>But you're so good at it!

'I'm so used to Silver Spoon being my straight mare that it's weird for me to be the serious one. Makes me appreciate her more.'

>We can trade roles for a bit. Which one do you want to be?

'I want to be the crazy one. Crazy is fun.'

>Then I'll be the pretty one.

"*gasp* I'm the grumpy one? I don't know if I can do grumpy."

'It's easy for me since I have resting b*CENSORED*face, but try frowning a lot.'

>Think about how I'm the pretty one instead of you.

Cadence frowns
"Like this?"

>Looking grumpy already! I'm the pretty one <3

"I'm the grumpy one, hrumph."
DT and Pinkie snicker.

'And I'm the crazy one!'

>What are we doing tonight?

"Same thing I do every night. Drink myself to death."

Pinkie tilts her head.
>But you can't die.

"That's why I try every night."

'Looks like somepony's cranky~ That's why I brought a pie cannon!
Wheels in a cannon.
'It can fire 130 delicious pies in 60 seconds!'
Pinkie climbs out of the cannon.

>I'm delicious pie!

"Hi delicious. Can you be our new pie? Our old one has bad taste."

>You're doing pretty good at this, Cadence. Anyway that's our show. Thanks for joining us. G'night everypony!

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>Chitania
"13"
~~~

>Are you prepared to go?

"I'm just going through the portal again, I'll be back tomorrow. No need to act like I'm going on a vacation."

>...Do you want anything before you go?

"I just said I'm fine."

>Of course. Be safe.

"I'll be in a giant shield powered by love, and my Queen will be there. I'll be fine."

>... of course.

"I'll be fine, mom. Stop worrying. I'll see you tomorrow."

>I'll... I'll be waiting.

"I know you will."

It was still strange, even after so many years, how gentle her mother was able to hug her. With power like hers, one would think it near impossible.

But she found a way, so that she could have moments like these, where she held on, and it was only a little too tightly.

>Be safe.

"I told you, I'll be fine."

>...Okay.

She gave only one last squeeze, one last wave, and then she vanished into the room containing the portal that would wisk her away hundreds of miles in the blink of an eye.

Gone before she even knew it... again, and silent once more.

>...come back...

Good, she thought.

She had held it in longer this time.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >SA
"Celestia"
'Cadence'
~~

>...You can say it

"This feels weird."

>This feels SUPER weird.

'It's not that weird!'

>Cadence, I love you. I really, really mean that, you are the love of my life and I am nothing without you in it, if I could live a thousand years alone I would trade nine hundred and ninety nine of them away just for a single one with you, I love you, I do.

'...aww...'

>...But you are not Chrysalis.

'Hey!'

"Mood killer."

>I say that with both love, and honesty, you're not Chrysalis. When Chrysalis wants to do something insane, she figures out a crazy ass plan in half a second and she does something crazy fun. She has harnessed the plotting for good with this, and uses it for silliness.

"She does that."

>You cannot. Again, I say this with love, you cannot.

'I can so!'

>Honey, you can't.

'Oh yeah!? Well... HNG! There! I stuck a candle on top of this barrel! DANGEROUS!'

"...That's-"

>Shhhh, let her have this.

'Let me have... oh.'

"Yeah, those are rocks."

'...Why do we have a barrel of rocks just lying around?'

>You know, I don't know, I find them all the time. I assumed it had something to do with Sombra.

'Huh... Fine, you want to see crazy!?'

>No.

"I really don't."

'You wanna see wild!? YOU WANT TO SEE NUTS!?'

>Please no.

"Nope."

'LETS! GET! NUTS!'

>...
"...What did you do?"

'I TOOK OFF MY EYE LINER!... YEAH! What now!? We're talking NUTS aren't we!? ALL NATURAL! CAN YOU HANDLE IT!?'

>...

"..."

'...I'm going to walk off now, and if you could just pretend that didn't happen, I'd appreciate it.'

>Done.

"Done."

'Celestia, you're going to have to fill in for me today. Do something fun.'

"You sure?"

'I'm sure. Just... pretend I didn't do that, that's all I ask.'

"Can do."

*Leaves*

>...Well, that was heartbreaking.

"Meh... to the pool!"

>Again?

"Don't worry, we're going to turn it into ice and sled race, not the other thing."

>Now we're talking!

"...Can we do the other thing after?"

>Ohhh, fine.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>DT
"???"
~~~~

Prim.

Proper.

Shoulders straight, poise is perfect, her clothing is stunning and she had spent no less than three hours applying her makeup.

She was, for all the world to see, a picture of class. More importantly, she was a picture of adulthood.

Not that she needed it, she was an adult. It didn't matter what her age said, she was an adult. She was smarter than most adults, even! She didn't deserve to hang around with idiots so lacking in IQ. Nobody deserved that punishment, they were idiots!

Unlike her.

She, for all the world to see and know, was an adult. She was just a little too advanced for her own body to keep up with, that's all. Hard to keep up with the best, even when it's her.

She was an adult, and she was going to prove it. And she knew exactly who she was going to prove it to.

She was going to march in there, and demand to know Applejack's current location so she could put her hoof down and finally start being treated like she deserved to be! And she wasn't going to wait, oh no, for when someone had demands they stepped up and they made it known! That's how it goes!

She was going to go up to Twilight's door, slam that door open, march in there like the adult she was, and... and...

>...w-what is that...

"Oh! Hi, Diamond Tiara... thought you were Chrysalis there for a minute."

>What... what...

"Oh, this? Well, everyone had such a fun time with OnO, I've been thinking about adding in some new flavors! I know this is more Shiny's game than mine, but I'm starting to get into the swing of things."

>...

"You okay?"

>...it's...

"Hm? Oh! That, yeah, it's one of the enhancements for the Dreadnaught class XV sixteen Mark 2 fighters. It's called the bangstick!... Don't snicker, please."

>...

"Huh. Didn't think you actually wouldn't do that. So, what can I do for you?... Oh, are you going to a pageant or something? You look so cute!"

>...

"...Diamond Tiara? You okay?"

>...eeeeeeee...

"Uh-"

>EEE! OH MY GOSH LOOK AT THE SPECS ON THAT THING I BET IT COULD WIPE OUT AT LEAST A FOURTEEN LAYER CONCRETE BLOCK WITHOUT STOPPING OH MY GOSH IS THAT A EXTRA PROPULSION ROCKET THAT MEANS IT HAS ARMOR PIERCING CAPABILITIES TOO AND OH MY IT'S REINFORCED ON THE LEGGINGS EEEEEEEEEEE-

"Oh, um... did you want to help me?"

>EEEEEEEEEEE!

"It's just a simulation, it's not-"

>I HAVE TO BUILD THIS NOW AND STRAP SEXY TO IT! NOW!

"Uh-"

>NOWNOWNOWNOWPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE-

"Well, I'm glad you're excited, but... um, this seems kinda dangerous."

>PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE-

"... well can we at least shift the payload to, I don't know, irrigation waters or something? Something beneficial instead of a giant arm cannon?"

>I DON'T CARE WHAT EXPLODES IT JUST HAS TO GO BOOM!

"...fine."

>YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES!

Adulthood was a heavy burden, but she was proud to bear it.

...tomorrow.

She had stuff to do today.

>YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>42
"Spitfire"
~

>...You need a minute?

"I need a minute."

>Long minute?

"Probably closer to 'lotta minutes' than 'an', admittedly."

>This really seems like it's going to be a while.

"You know what? Let's just stick "A while" on there, that seems close."

>...So are we going to help them out of the tree?

"Yes. Get the matches."

>...is this-

"DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A JOKE TO YOU!?"

>Yes.

"..."

>...

"...o-ow."

>... that was mean, fine... do... do you want a hug?

"..."

>....

"..."

>...

"...........................................yes."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>42
"???"
~~~

Things hadn't changed. Or at least, that's how it seemed.

The solider had such fears in the aftermath of it all, that something would change, that it wouldn't be... 'right' anymore. That perhaps she needed to move out of the castle, back into the hive that would accept her so readily, and move into nothing but a purely professional relationship through and through.

But she didn't need to. The helmet could rest easy. Nothing changed.

At least, it seemed as such initially.

Perhaps it had been because she no longer feared to look, perhaps it was because she no longer feared to wonder, perhaps it was simply because she was finally acting and learning instead of blows to her own head, but the changeling noticed Cadence was... different.

"Well, someone looks like the cat that ate the canary."

All sense of thought left her when her friend through and through trotted up to her, looking as she so often did the princess's doppleganger. No time for questions now, far more important matters were on the table.

For example...

>Me? I would think you rather look more excited.

"Oh, do I? Hmmm, I wonder what could be causing that?"

Even without their long friendship, it would have been easy as the day to tell that she had something to say.

The mile long grin certainly gave it away, just a bit.

>Did something happen?

"Who, with me? Little old me? Noooo."

>...

"...Aren't you going to ask?"

>No.

"Oh come on! I had a twenty minute game I wanted to play!"

>I'll give you one.

"Really? Great! Then-"

>You wasted fifty seconds with that stare, and the conversation already took up the first ten. Your one is up.

"Awwww.... this a roundabout way of saying you want to know now?"

>Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't. Tell me and you can gauge situational reactions.

She looked left, looked right, and leaned in to whisper as if she held the launch codes to the biggest crystal rocket ever.

"He cuddled me this morning!"

>...He did?

"He did!"

Her voice went up far more octaves than the soldier felt strictly necessary, yet she could not deny it seemed warranted.

"At first I thought it was because I, you know..."

>Look like her?

"Yes! But then he said no, it was totally me! Isn't that great!?"

Her own worries of this aside, it was hard not to be stricken by the infectious joy radiating from her in such waves that she could likely light up the sky if she were only high enough, and joy was a visible wavelength.

>...Yes, that does indeed sound great. So, things are progressing?

"Yes!... You know, I was... I was so worried, that this might not work, but it feels like it's finally clicking, you know? It feels like we're finally connecting and he's not getting scared so much! This... this is working."

Before a word could escape the battle hardened solider, she found herself in a situation she was quite familiar with. Limbs wrapped around her neck tight enough to cut off air.

Though, this one probably wasn't out for her demise... she hoped.

"I wouldn't have kept trying if it wasn't for you. I would've just given up if you didn't support me no matter what. You're... you're the best changeling in the world, I want you to know that."

She didn't know what to say, if anything need said at all or if all that need be said had been so. She was struck, as she so often was, in a situation she didn't quite know what to deal with.

"...If you hadn't let me stay in the Empire, if you had followed her commands and made me start infiltrating Canterlot instead... I... I don't think I ever would've been really happy again, Forty Two. This is all because of you."

Nothing came from her lips, not a sound or a word, even when the grip loosened and those bright, shimmering, shining eyes looked to hers.

"...if you ever act like you don't deserve to be happy again, I'll show you why I was top infiltrator and blow you up or something before you knew what happened. I'm just... so glad you got to be here with me. This is all because of you... thank you."

She gave one last hug, and then she let go.

"Well! I've got to get off to work! We should go out sometime, you and me! My treat!"

>R-right...

"See you, Forty Two!"

She skipped off. Actually skipped off, hopping from hoof to hoof, not a slow in her step and not a worry in her head or her heart. The paperwork slaying bug had the smile of her life on her face, and there it was to stay.

Even when long, long after, the same look of shock was on the soldier's, and she remained all alone.

It just kept ringing in her head, again and again. Over and over, like the bells of a church.

~This is all because of you.~

She didn't know what to think about that. Didn't know what it meant, or how she should react.

She should be happy, she should be proud, she should be thankful for the kind words, she should feel responsible, she should feel something. But she didn't know. No matter what angle she looked at it from, she didn't know.

How to think, how to react, what to say, what to do. She was lost, for not the first time in her life.

But she was wrong, things had changed. For the first time in her life, she did something different.

>...maybe I need to talk to Cadence...

The smart thing, for once in her life.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>AB
"SL"
'SB'
[???]
~~

>...So what yer' sayin', Mr Bou-

[Please, Mr Bou was my father, call me Cari.]

>Right... what yer' sayin' is, we can either go down that scary path right there, that one over there with all the trees and forest and what have ya', and that will eventually lead us ta' the crossroad that goes straight ta' Bisongard-

[Correct!]

"Or, we can go in your big fancy cart, which has pillows and sweets and drinks, and you'll take us the long way to the crossroads."

[Righteo!]

>This is despite the fact the only sign pointin' down the scary woods is wrecked.

[Can you say it's surprising?]

"And the sign pointing down the 'long but safe' route is also wrecked."

[It IS right next to the scary forest, after all. Nothing strange about that.]

>...Ah' don't know...

[Now, I know what you're thinking, and I applaud you for listening to your elders about getting in carts with strangers, but I just had to offer my services to you poor girls. Didn't your elders also teach you to help out someone in need?]

"...I'm thinking we should-"

[Also, unrelated... would any one of you like chocobomb mega candy?]

'CHOCO MEGA CANDY!'

*BOING!*

[Ha ha!]

*SHUT!*

>...Did Sweetie just jump inta' his cart?

"She did."

>And then he shut the door.

"Yep."

>..Should... should we do something?

'OH MY GOSH!'

>...

"..."

[...Are you girls coming in too? She certainly seems excited.]

>NOPE!

"GOOD LUCK SWEETIE BELLE!"

[...Did they just run into the big scary woods? Oh dear. Well, that's not safe.]

'Wha ehha, thrr loss.'

[Please don't talk with your mouth full... but by all means, help yourself to more candy.]

'Kah!... Sho, wha're we gonnah doo on tha triph?'

[Ohhh... I'll think of something to pass the time.]

'...neaht! Ah'm doun fuh anyshing! OM NOM NOM NOM!'

[Well, this is going to be a fun trip.]

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >29
"Luna"
~~~~

>Teacher, I'm starting to think thou seeks me trapped.

"NAY, STUDENT! We merely wish you to have some of this pie!'

>This is a trap. Tis clearly a trap.

"The only trappings are that of PIE!"

>Thou could not be more obvious if thou wore a sign around thine neck.

"If we did, t'would read naught but 'free pie'! That is all!"

>...I'm not going to-

SPLAT!

"HA HA! Thou have fallen four our clever ruse!"

>...

"...You know, we do wonder if perhaps our skill hath grown rusty since the old days, we used to be quite the trickster with our sister, but in times more recent we art having more trouble with this."

>You don't say.

"Indeed!... Hrm, perhaps tis time we got back into the swing of things, and we know just the way!"

>Will this continue to bring pain to mineself?

"OF COURSE!"

>....

"Remember thine studies as we away for a short time, read pages sixteen through three thousand five hundred eight two, due on the morn of the morrow and not a second later! STUDY MINE STUDENT! AWAYYYY!"

CRASH!

>...Wait... did... did she ever assign me a book?... what flavor is this?

*LIIICK!*

'Creme pie, to my eye.'

>...

'...What?'

>Zecora, please ask before you do that again.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________