Thread 54: Stories 31-45

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>AJ
"Braeburn"
'Apple Bloom'
[Big Mac]
-Granny Smith-

>...Hey Brae?

"Yes cuz?"

>How bad was Appleloosa hit by them?

"Uhhh, kinda hard, well, I say that, though that funky fella with all the fire did kinda stop things getting too outta hand"

>...Funky fire guy....

"Yep, he tried his darndest, but I uh....well I high tailed it out cos I realised that y'all family needed more help than ah could give to Appleloosa

>...Did the trees make it?

"Some of 'em-"

>Did Bloomberg make it ok?

"Last time I checked.... let's go with yes, not even a bull chief could uproot that thing"

>Oh thank goodness..

"Ah would say yer priorities were a tad off-"

>Brae, ah just defused a giant mushroom powder keg by holdin' it together with mah bare hooves and makin' it burn up from freakin' gravity, not t- mention...

["'-...-'"]

>Ah....Ah guess Ah should explain tha-

-Ain't nuthin' to hurry yerself, sugarcube, y'all get some fritters in ya, then ya can talk to us, got it?-

[Eyuup]

>Ah shucks, alright then

'Also sis? Ah think ah learnt how to cook a whole pie an' NOT set in on fire?'

>Wasn't that just Sweetie Belle?

[Nope]

>Oh...ah've really been outta the loop, haven't ah-

'Hush yer gullet till this skillet's finished cookin', ya got a lot to say, so wait till yer calm and full'

>Heh...alright Granny...
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>Chitania
"Guard"
~~~~~

"Miss?"

>...

"Miss, you can't do that."

>WHAT!?

"You can't drink out of the fountain."

>What!? Why the hell not!?

"Against the law."

>It's a giant pool of water in the middle of the city, but you're NOT allowed to drink out of it!? WHAT'S THE FUCKING POINT OF IT!? I'M THIRSTY!

"Illegal."

>It's stupid!

"It's just there for decoration. I mean, it's probably not sanitary anyway, I don't know why you would drink out of it."

>How is this less sanitary than river water!? I see a little filter over there!

"...Point. Still illegal."

>Okay, do you have a death wish? Is that it? Did you see something you didn't want to see a minute ago and now you're all 'I wish to die!' Tell me. Just tell me now. I CRUSHED THIS WHOLE CITY!

"Yeah, well... your toys are crap, they keep falling apart."

>WHAT!?

"And the actor they got to play you in the stage play was terrible. If anything, I should be asking you for my money back."

>...WHAT!?

"Look, don't drink out of the fountain. There's a little one right there you can drink out of, just use that! It's way cleaner, and that's what it's supposed to be used for!"

>...

"...what?"

>...I can't push the little button. My hoof is too big.

"Not my problem, ask someone if you're having so much trouble, and don't drink out of the fountain. Have a nice day."

>...So did that fucking mushroom just wipe everyone's memory, or did I die back there and this is hell?... hrm-

"DON'T!"

>GO FUCK YOURSELF!
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>Chitania
"???"
~~~~

>You want to know what's bullshit? These fucking roads! How is anyone supposed to find anything around here!? Everywhere leads back to this stupid-

"PSST!"

>GAH!... WHO SAID THAT!?

"Vekir!"

>...ah hah, ah hah, tell me where you are so I can punch you.

"Whyfore!? What did Vekir do!?"

>...I don't know, who the fuck is Vekir?

"Vekir is!"

>Right, but who is Vekir?

"VEKIR IS VEKIR!"

>I'm not asking who Vekir is! I'M ASKING WHO VEKIR IS!

"...What? Earth-shaker is talking like catbirds after tasting fuzzydrink!"

>COME OUT HERE NOW!

"Vekir cannot!"

>WHERE ARE YO-...Are you in the sewer!?

"HA HA! You have found Vekir in tiny hole in path!"

>Get out of there!

"I just said Vekir could not!"

>I'm not telling Vekir, I am telling YOU!

"Right!"

>...GET OUT!

"Earth-shaker's hearing is bad! You would not last long down in caves! Monsters catch you in no time!"

>...Not really a problem...

"Vekir cannot come out, or she will be consumed by the great fire demon in the sky! She will melt as her soul is pulled out painfully, and nothing but goo is left for her brother to eat in remembrance of her!"

>....WHAT!?

"The great fire demon will melt Vekir."

>...That thing? The SUN?

"Yes, Sisslestia Princess call it that too!"

>The sun makes you MELT!?

"Earth-Shaker can hear! HUZZAH!"

>STOP CALLING ME THAT! I am QUEEN CHITANIA, the Titan!

"Whatfor are you tightening?"

>...The world, I guess?

"Is world loose?"

>What?... Oh, fuck you.

"Vekir thinks you very strong looking and would make strong mate, Tightener, but two females cannot have pups, even Vekir knows this!"

>...My head is hurting.

"May Vekir ask Tightener if she may go tell the Twience Princess of Vekir's location? Vekir cannot, her suit is torn."

>The... who?

"The Twience Princess! Of the Castle of the City of White! Tightener's hearing is very unsteady."

>...I have no idea what you're talking about.

"Please! Vekir has been down here since when giant mushroom fell, she has been trapped in place that smells like hole for which we place plantgrower!"

>....Why didn't you leave last night?

"Vekir fell asleep. Big exciting time. World above caves is fun, reminds Vekir of home!"

>You know what? Whatever. I don't have time for this, have fun in your hol-HEY!

"HA HAH! The Tightener is very roomy!"

>DON'T YOU FUCKING RUN UNDERNEATH ME!

"Too late! Vekir has!"

>Well, move you little- Oh wow you are fast.

"HAH HA!"

>...Fine, I'll walk over to the castle, then go away.

"Many thanks, Tightener!"

>TITAN! I am the TITAN!

"That is what Vekir said!"

>...I think I'm going to hate y- ARE YOU TUGGING ON MY NECK ARMOR!?

"No!"

>...

"...NGH!"

>Stop that!

"Very well!"

>...
"..."
>...
"...NGGHH!"

>Rolling over now.

"VEKIR WILL BE GOOD!"
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>Pennydrop
"Fizzle"
'Flash'
[Worker]
~~~~~

The trip to their safehouse had been far, far too long.

The fact they immediately had to turn right back around when they landed was, somehow, even more annoying.

"You know, we could always just be happy the zombies are gone..."

>...

"Shutting up."

>And yet, you did not shut up before you ticked me off. Poor timing.

'So, uh... who do I go to for repairs?'

>...

'...I mean, what extend of repairs will you permit, boss?'

>Basic.

'Ah, okay. Gotcha...'

>You know, this is great, now I have to give everyone who was infected the day off. And I'm going to be paying out the ass for repairs, and I am out of the loop as to how this was stopped. At least one of these need to be fixed, now.

[BOSS! YOU AREN'T GOING TO BELIEVE IT!]

At the very least, she did not wish to punch one of her, very rare, workers who still continued on to today.

At least until she saw what he was carrying.

>...Is there a particular reason you're carrying the paper from that damned changeling? I thought I banned that.

[You're going to want to see this!]

The picture on the front told her exactly why he was correct.

The story within told her exactly how this all came to an end.

...And the blurb at the back told her exactly why she suddenly couldn't see straight.

"...B-boss? Are you-"

>A... full...paaaaarrrdddooooonnn...

'...Uh oh-'

>GRRRAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
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>Actarius
"JJ"
'Random Changelings'
~~~~~

>Ow... ow... ooowwwww...

"Aw, come on, it wasn't that bad!"

>Owwww...

"New experiences, right?"

>Ow.

"Look, are you really going to mope around holding your backside like that?"

>It hurts.

"You knew what you were getting into."

>My legs are numb.

"Comes with the territory."

>...I can't feel my hooves.

"Oh come on! Sleeping on the floor wasn't that bad, we do it all the time!"

>I'm just used to my sleeping bag.

'YOU SISSY!'

>Aw, shoot, they heard me.

'You think that's bad!?'

>Please dear Celestia no.

'We slept on rocks!'

'In trees!'

'Edges of rivers!'

'ON THE EDGE OF A VOLCANO!'

'...Wait, really? I didn't do that.'

'My old Queen was dumb.'

'Oh... how'd she die?'

'...'

'Point taken.'

'But I feel for the guy over there.'

>Wait... really?

'Yep! You know what fixes my back after a bad night?'

>...Please no-

'FACEPUNCH!'

>I have so many regre-

*CRACK!*

'...Damn.'

>Ow.

'I'll give you ponies one thing, you're hard to knock down.'

>T-thanks-NO WAIT HE DIDN'T MEAN THAT AS A CHALLENGE-AHHHHH!

"...Glad to see everything's back to normal."
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>Spike
"??"
~~~~

He didn't know how long he had been sitting there.

They said the Changeling had been out of surgery for a bit now, and was currently recovering. He had lost a lot of blood, and had sustained some internal damage, but was expected to make a full recovery.

Still, Spike knew that it wouldn't be right if he wasn't there to speak to the changeling when he woke up. There was a lot they needed to talk about.

...A lot he needed to make up for...

"Oh, here you are."

He snapped up, broken from his melancholy thoughts by the light, refined voice.

>Rarity...

The white alicorn took a seat next to him, easy with her movements. Spike, despite himself, couldn't look upon her.

>You should... probably go check on Sweetie Belle.

"I did. My parents thankfully took her on a fishing trip when this all happened to their private lakehouse. They didn't even know anything was wrong."

>Oh... that's good, I guess.

"I should say so."

There was a heavy silence in the air, only punctuated by the occasional pony walking past.

>You don't have to stay with me.

"Darling, I could not disagree more."

>I'll understand. I almost did a lot of stuff when I was controlled...

"Spike, you once grew to the size of a building, abducted me and carried me halfway up a mountain. If your nature bothered me I would have stopped speaking to you long ago."

>... I did a lot of horrible stuff before it too...

"You had your reasons, I couldn't be more sure."

>They weren't very good ones.

"Oh? What were they?"

His scales on his chest shifted uncomfortably as he took in a deep breath, doing his very best to mentally prepare himself for what was to come.

>...I thought Chrysalis was trying to kill me.

"...And was she wasn't?"

He didn't mean to. He felt bad for what happened next, really. She hadn't meant it like that, and he probably hurt her feelings a little from what he did next. But he couldn't stop it.

He laughed. Loud, and explosive.

It was only after a far too long, bout that he came to a stop, heaving in his chest.

>No. She... she actually sent Seven to get me out. She actually sent someone to watch out for me, and if things got bad take me to safety.

"...Chrysalis did? You're... sure about this?"

The moisture that formed in the corner of his eyes said enough.

>And I shot him. I shot him so many times, and I was even going to... he just kept trying to tell me, and I...

His claw reached up subconsciously, pointing ahead with a single finger outstretched.

>I was wrong, Rarity. I was wrong, stupid and...

"And you made an understandable mistake based off past history in a time of crisis, that's all. It doesn't mean you're a terrible person, Spike."

>No... but wrecking things, almost killing someone and being a braindead idiot means I'm a pretty standard dragon.

She sighed tiredly at this, hardly what he was expecting.

"Darling, I'm going to be honest, you need to stop worrying what part of you is 'pony' and what part isn't. Your species does not determine what you are, inside."

>It kind of does.

"Oh? Then explain why a backstabbing, self serving, loveless species suddenly decided you, someone who had shamed her and made an enemy of her, was worth saving?"

His claws clenched, digging into his legs.

>She probably only did it for Shining.

"Then that means that, somehow, her nature was less powerful than how she felt. Just like you. Spike... your base nature is kindness, caring and wishing to help others, but for a moment you let your feelings of fear override those. They can change us, Spike, if we are not careful."

Her horn glimmered, and from her hair emerged a familiar piece of metal.

In shame, Spike looked away from it.

"Do not fear it, Spike. This weapon can do a lot of harm, especially when coupled with those who feel fear."

>So then, I shouldn't have it.

"Spike... it is just a tool."

He felt an almost tender touch on his claws, curling them towards her so his palms faced upwards.

"These are tools as well."

Gently, her hoof poked along his claws, every sharp point to them.

"They can tear apart stone, they can carve through skin like knives, they are every bit as dangerous as this gun."

He flinched, instinctively trying to pull away. To his surprise, she held firm, keeping her hoof pressed against them.

"If you think with fear, that's all you will see them as. You won't ever be able to understand..."

Gently, she glided over them, letting him touch every inch of the bottom.

"...They can do so much more... They can hold, they can cover, they can pull, they can reach out. They are nothing but scales, bone and claws. It is you who decides to carve flesh, or to do something as simple scratch an itch. To hold onto fear..."

He felt cool metal pressed into his claws once more, and a familiar weight upon them.

"...or to let go of it."

He couldn't help it. They were already in his eyes before he could stop them. He felt so ashamed to be seen by her like this, but he couldn't help it.

>I hurt him...

"You did."

>I could have hurt so many...

"You could have."

>I don't want them to be afraid...

"...Then I won't."

He found himself pulled into an embrace, one he leaned into without hesitation.

"I do not care what you fear, Spike, I will never fear you. Because you are not just a dragon, you are not just a pony. You are Spike. For you... I will not let my fear decide my actions. For me... try not to let it decide yours."

He could barely breath anymore, curling into her chest and shutting his eyes. His claw clenched Charity so tightly he worried he would scratch the finish, but he never relented.

>I wanted to be strong...

"Then you shall be. Just remember, Spike, what that power's cost may be. You had the strength to nearly defeat Chitania not too long ago, but the cost was far, far too great. If this will take too much from you..."

Pointedly her magic pulled on Charity, but not enough to free it from his grasp.

"Then cast it away. Be strong, not powerful. Be Spike, not what you would have to become to use it. Power is nothing. This... is everything."

He didn't say anymore, content just to lean into her, to hold onto her and wait. Silence overtook them both. A contemplative, thoughtful silence... but a comforting one all the same.

Further down the hall, a certain lavender alicorn smiled at what she looked upon, at what she had heard, and silent as the wind she turned around, and left. There would be time later for her own words, her own assurances or questions. But this was not that time.

This was a time they both needed, more than anything.

A time for them, and nobody else.
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>DT
"Guard"
'Filthy Rich'
[Silver Spoon]
~~~~

>WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SHE'S GONE!?

"GLK! GLAGLLK!"

'Sweetiekins, could you please not strangle the poor fellow? He's just doing his job.'

"GLLKKK!"

'How on earth are you doing that anyway?'

[She's been logging him around for months, you don't think Tabasculus is heavy?]

>TBDRLIATU!

"...Glk!?"

'Don't ask. But really, do let the poor guard go.'

>...GRRAAH!

"HRK!... What the heck is wrong with you!? Do you think I made her go or something!? That this is my fault!? WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU!?"

>BUDDY, I JUST WOKE UP AFTER BATTLING TO EXHAUSTION AGAINST A HORDE OF ZOMBIES! YOU SHUT UP RIGHT NOW!

"...Meep..."

'She gets riled up sometimes, it's not a big deal.'

[She's actually like this all the time.]

>I am not! Only when someone is being dumb!.. So, yeah, often, but not all the time.

"..."

>If I don't get let back on the team after this, HEADS WILL ROLL!

"...You got kicked off the-AHHHHHHHH!"

'DIAMOND TIARA! NO! NO! N! O!'

>What!?

[Okay, I'm on your dad's side, you DO NOT kick someone there.]

>He deserved it!

"EEEEEEEEE"

>...Daddy, write him a check.

'Sigh... another checkbooks signed away... I go through these so fast..'

"AHHHHHH!"
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>Random Filly
"Random Foal"
~~~

>....Nope. You can't make snowballs with this.

"Or snowponies."

>Or snow hills.

"Or skiing hillls."

>Or... anything. It's just mostly ash.

"...This sucks."

>At least we aren't zombies anymore.

"... I liked being the zombie."

>Yeah... me too...
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>Guard
"Berry Punch"
~~~~
>Ma'am, this is your house right? I'm making assumptions since it has a bunch of bottles in front of it. Here's a bottle of Pinot Noir I was planning to use as a Molotov. Stay home and spend time with your loved ones.

"I'm sorry...I'm just happy to be reminded that this is Equestria."

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>Idris
"Gwen"
'???'
~~~

He was tired as he leaned back into his throne. More so than he had felt in his entire life. Ten times older than when he had woken a mere two days ago. His wife, on the other claw, seemed to prefer to pace in front of him.

>The Empire's aid has sped things up considerably, the repairs should be done within the week. The number of injured is thankfully low, and any who were are receiving medical treatment. No fatalities...

Normally, he would not have to tell her this, or anything of the sort. She would usually be the one informing him all of this after having insisted she take the reigns for rebuilding. However... she had been 'distracted'.

>Everything is on autopilot now, no more intervention on our part is needed.

Again, she ignored him, continuing to pace back and forth, growling in that same feral way she always growled.

>And, not that you asked, Zephyrious is recovering as well, and he should be walking again within the day. If Hilda lets him, that is. I swear, we might as well just nail her to his hip and get it over with. Oh, and Siegfried has informed me he will be out in public today, 'raising spirits'. I know what you are thinking, but honestly I feel that they could use some of his partying right now. The boy has few talents, having fun is thankfully one of them.

"Any word on where the beast left to?"

He groaned, dragging a claw along his beak.

>No, Gwendolyn. I have no idea where she went or why. Because, you see, I've been too concerned with making sure that my people are getting over the fact they all lost a solid day of their lives due to being turned into screeching monsters.

"Do not act like I do not care as well! I am just more concerned with them being struck at their weakest by that THING than sighing in relief because an unrelated danger has passed!"

A tired, weary breath left him as he stood, painfully rolling his shoulders before walking past her, and towards the grand doors leading out of the throneroom.

"And just where are you going?"

>To see my brother, and ensure he is alright. I will be back by tomorrow, do not fear.

"..."

>Oh, what, are you really that afraid to be alone with him?

"He was a fool"

>He did what he thought would save us.

"That is why I fear he is not ready to be king... and may very well never have deserved it in the first place."

>...Fine, then inform him Hilda will-

"She listens to him more than me. She would be no better."

He froze, honestly shocked.

>...Please do not imply you are considering Siegfried.

The quiet that followed may as well have been the ticking of a bomb.

>...Be safe, I will return.

"Be safe in your travels."

He stepped out, his elite guard shutting the massive doors behind him and falling into step as he started towards his airship.

'MY LORD!'

The sound of frantic wingbeats was the only warning he received before a young looking gryphon landed in front of him, cout of breath. After waving off his guard, he motioned for the youngster to talk. To approach the king like this was normally an insult, but he felt the look upon the others face was enough to forgo formalities.

'We have found what has happened, and why the infection was stopped!'

>Speak.

Instead, he held up a newspaper, that same one his wife loved to read so.

There was a cold, empty silence as he hurriedly read every word, eyes growing wide and horrified with every line.

Finally, he gently put the paper back in the claws of the messenger, and patted him on the head.

>Good work telling me. Now, what I am about to say is vitally important, follow it to the letter.

'My lord?'

>I want you to wait until my airship is just over that mountain, and then, and only then, give this to the Queen.

'...My lord?'

He brushed past, a little more hurried than before as he muttered under his breath.

>Maybe another day won't hurt.

He flinched when he realized he was leaving the castle staff to her.

>...May the great hawk have mercy on their souls.
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>AJ
“AB”
'GS'
[BM]
{Braeburn}
~~~

>...and that's when Ah' decided ta' come down.

Those sitting around the table stared, rapt as she finished her story and nibbled on more apple fritters. True to her Granny's words, she had been practically inhaling the things by the plateful as she spoke, choking herself more than a few times in the process.

She let out a content breath as she pushed the plate away, joining a massive stack that already lie in wait. She had left out certain details, of course. No need to drudge up what that thing had made her see, especially not with Applebloom right there. All they needed to know was that she had been infected, it made her see 'things', and that Spike had snapped her out of it. No more, no less.

“So... ya' were onna' them things?”

>Ah' told ya', Ah' just got infected. Guess these darn things are useful fer' more than makin' me go face first inta' a pile o' dirt. Kept it back long enough Ah' could keep goin'.

'Well shucks, why don't ya' give me a coupl'a them things? Ah' could right dance the night away with them! Why not? Ah've got more gumpton than anyone, Ah'll prove it!'

[Don't think that's how it works, Granny.]

'Well it should!'

{Well, shoot! Ah' don't know bout no magical superpowers, but Ah'm pretty sure ya' still shouldn'a run off after getting burned up like that.}

Her hooves instinctively curled in, subconsciously trying to hide their scorched and blackened look. She knew it was pointless, they had all seen it and her face looked every bit as bad, but it was just how she was. Never wanting them to see her bleed...

>Ah' had ta' see ya'll.

'We get it, sugar cube, ain't no explanation needed! Family's always here for ya', after all.'

[Eeeeyup.]

She felt the starting of tears returning at those words. Simple, yet it meant the world for her to hear.

{Wish ya' hadn't had ta' make that deal, Cuz.}

Her cousin had kept the same uncomfortable look every moment since she had said what she had done. He didn't look judgmental, of course, he just wasn't that kind of stallion, but still, there was no denying he looked like he had a lot more he wanted to say on the subject.

>Yeah... guessin' that's gonna be a lot of what Ah'm gonna hear from now on.

{Now don't take it like that, Ah' know you'd never make a deal like that iffin' there was another way, Ah'm just sore it had ta' come ta' that, is all.}

'That gal rightly should'a been beggin' fer' a chance ta' help after what she's done.'

>Don't think she's the sort, Granny.

'HRMPH! In mah day, monsters had themselves some courtesy!'

[…]

'Don't you be givin' me that look!'

“Can Ah' ride her?”

The entire table went silent as every head turned to the little filly.

“...What!? Applejack got ta' ride her! That ain't fair that she gets ta' and Ah' don't!”

>APPLEBLOOM!

'Gal's got a point.'

>GRANNY!

“See!? Granny, tell Applejack Ah' get a ride too!”

>She ain't a dang theme park ride!

'Now don't you be makin' excuses. Fairs fair, Applejack.'

>You ain't even goin' near her, and that's that!

“That's so unfair!”

A charred hoof jutted out, poking the filly in the nose and forcing her back down.

>Too bad!

There was a solemn beat, before at last Applejack noticed everyone looking at her hoof again, and pulled it away.

[Ain't no point in hidin' 'em, AJ.]

She winced again, hooves idly rubbing together in a failed attempt to brush off some of the remains.

“So, ya' gonna be stickin' around, Aj?”

There was a long, contemplative pause from the mare. She rolled around her thoughts in her mind, straining her face as she considered what staying longer would mean. Her family was safe, everything was fine with them, but...

>...Guess Ah' could stick around fer' a day or two, at least, make sure the farms in good shape a'fore Ah' head out.

'Good ta' hear it!... Whelp! Enough o' story time, ya'll come along now.'

Her Granny slid out of her chair, trotting up to her and giving her a stern poke in the side.

'Best be gettin' ya' upstairs and cleaned off. Ah' ain't got no love for them city slickers hatin' how dirty we workin' folk are, but even Ah've got mah limits!'

>Ah'm fine, Granny-

'Now don't you be sassin' me! You think just cause you got a bunch o' wings and onna' them fancy smanshy horns Ah' won't tan yer' hide till it's red as the sun? When yer' granny says you need ta' get yer'self cleaned up, that is that missy and you say 'Yes ma'am!'

>...Yessm.

'That's better!'

Everyone at the table chuckled as the apple matron lead their sibling away, none too subtly shoving her along.

>Now don't ya' get pushy, Ah'm goin!

'Ah' will be as pushy as Ah' want, thank you!'

The two froze at the sound of someone loudly and pointedly clearing their throats. Turning, they found the red stallion cutting glances over to the couch.

[What're we doin' bout him?]

Applejack let out a theatrical groan as she looked to the still unconscious stallion, who's head wound had needed to be completely re-wrapped after his fall.

>Ah' don't even know, Celly must'a sent him ta' tail me after Ah' left port.

“Ya' mean like... a secret agent?”

>That's what he is, Applebloom. He's an agent who works fer' Celestia.

“YA' GOT YER' OWN SECRET AGENT!?”

The filly jumped from the table, excitedly bouncing in front of the still prone stallion.

“OH OH! Make him dig up some dirt on Diamond Tiara! Or steal that rocket launcher! OH! NO! Ya' need ta' have him steal all the answers ta' the math tests fer' the whole year! NO! All the tests! NO! WAIT! He needs ta' sneak me inta' the movie theater with that one show Ah'm not allowed ta' see! NO! WAIT-”

>Applebloom!

“...”

>He ain't a dang toy.

“He could be! Ah'm pretty sure that's in the job description that he's gotta play with me iffin' ya' ask!”

They all knew she didn't mean it like it sounded.

All the same, it was very, very hard to stifle the laughter at the scandalized look on Applejack's face.

“Come onnnn!”

>No! He's goin' back ta' Celestia as soon as he wakes up. We ain't needin' no spies round these parts, no sir.

“AWWWWWW!”

'Enough chattin! You get yer' rear up those steps right now!'

>Ah'm goin' Ah'm goin!

[AJ?]

She froze again, unused to her brother saying so much, especially in times like these.

[Ah'm glad yer' home.]

She didn't know how to describe what she felt at that.

“Yeah, we all are.”

'Just ain't the same without you, Sugar Cube.'

She had even less description for what exploded in her chest at those words. She couldn't bring herself to speak, didn't trust herself to sound right even if she could. All she could manage was a stern, agreeing nod before she turned tail and ran up the stairs, going into the bathroom in no time.

The family was silent until they heard the sounds of running water, and turned to each other.

'She looks pretty shook up.'

[Eeeyup.]

{Ain't surprisin', she's been through a lot. Can't have been too fun with gettin' taken over. Her friends probably ain't too happy with her right now neither, seein' as she had ta' bring in that there monster.}

“Nah, Twilight and the others wouldn't hold it against her none!'

[Eeeyup.]

'Well, we just need ta' make sure she spends some time down here, would be right good fer' the gal ta' be back ta' normal for a bit.'

{Now, granny, she's got responsibilities now.}

'Boy, mah' granddaughter just grabbed herself a giant bomb in space and she right pulled that thing straight back, iffin' someone's got a problem with her havin' a bit o' rest they can talk ta' me! Ah'll chew that there Celestia out mahself iffin' she raises a ruckus!'

“She'll do it, don't doubt her.”

{Ah' don't. Trust me, Ah' don't.}

'What that gal needs right now is family, and by the great apples in the sky...'

As one, they all looked to where she had gone.

'...We're gonna be there.'

Sternly, she nodded.

'That's what family does.'

[Eeeyup.]

“...So, can ya' ask Applejack ta' let me play with her spy a'fore she sends him home?”

[{'…'}]

“WHAT!?”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Dash
"Fleetfoot"
'Soarin'
[LD]
{Gilda}
~Bulk~
~~~

>Okay, so, I knoooow what you're thinking, you're thinking 'this looks bad'.

"However did you know!?"

>...Ignoring that. You're also thinking 'Spitfire leaving is a bad thing'

'Because it is.'

>...Ignoring that. But I am here to tell you, everything is going to be just fine!

[And this is without lying to us.]

>Wow, okay, no. Not from you.

[Why do they get to do it!?]

>They are literally the only senior Wonderbolts left. They are IT. They get one barb, and then I start handing out punishments.

'...Go on...'

>As I was saying! Gilda, thank you for sticking in Canterlot, I know you probably wanted to go home.

{With the Queen as she is? No thank you, I'm safer over here.}

>...Really?

{No. To be honest, I'm using this as an opportunity to spy on the monster and report back to my hometown the moment she fucks up so the entire Gryphon military can descend upon her and take off her stupid head.}

>...Thank you for the honesty. Bulk? Good job back at Cloudsdale.

~YEAH!~

>So with that out of the way, I would like to assure you all that everything is fine, we will not be out of help for long, and this is all going to be just perfect. Now, you've all had a big couple of days, why don't you go home. Spend some time with the family. Won't that be nice? We can handle it from here.

'...Seriously? You-'

"WOOOO! FREEEEEDOM!"

*ZOOM!*

'...'

{I have non-spy related things to go do, really.}

*ZOOM!*

'...'

~YEAH! THANK YOU RAINBOW DASH!... I'mma get momma a cake!~

*BZZZZT!*

'How does he fly with those...'

[It's a mystery.]

>...I'm surprised you're not flying off.

[Meh.]

>...Soarin'?

'Well... I should probably go check on my folks...'

>That's the spirit, have a good one buddy, you earned it.

'Alright... see you in a few days, Rainbow Dash.'

>Yep. Adios.

'...'

*Leaves*

>...You are still here.

[Sooooo... since Spitfire has quit, I'm noticing that you now have an opening for a second in command. And that your choices are Fleetfoot, who is erm... unreliable. And Soarin', who isn't quite the top tier flier.]

>He's pretty good.

[And, besides that, we have Gilda, who's a biiiit abrasive. And, of course... Bulk. Do I need to say anymore?]

>He's not on drugs.

[I'm juuuust saying... remember those pictures I sent when you first let me on?]

>...



>I remember.

[Soooooo... feeling stressed?]

>...Go spend time with your family, Lightning Dust.

[Can do! See you later, commander!]

*ZOOOM!*

>...Sweet, sweet alcohol, come to momma, momma needs you so... I need you to be inside me, and tell me what am I gonna do...
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>42
"???"
~~~

>So... this is it...

She had been floating in this place for a long while now. Light, ethereal, weightless. She was in a void of light and happiness, a place she felt utterly at ease.

Which, seeing where she had been not too long ago, meant only one thing.

She was dead.

>So... I fell in battle. Well, post battle. My body could not hold on... I do not blame it.

She felt as light as a feather here, as if she had no body at all, and yet she felt no fear, no horror.

She was dead.

And that was fine.

"Foooorrtttyy twwooooo..."

>...No.

"Forrrrtttyyy Twoooooooo"

>Noooooo...

"...Hi."

Her eyes snapped open in that ethereal world. She did not see the voice, but then again, she had not expected to. The voice was not from a physical thing, no.

>BRAIN!

"Hello, body!"

It was far, far wo-

"Stop narrating!"

>I'm not!

"You so are, you're narrating that!"

>It's just what happens when someone dies, is all! It might be the grander minds in the Hivemind, you don't know!

"Neither do you."

>I would if I was dead!

"Hence, the problem.'

>...Ah, fuck.

"Totally alive."

>....no...

"Which means..."

>Nooooooo...

"Which meeeeaaannnss..."

>NO!

"...She knows."

>NONONONONONOOOOOOOOOOOO! IT WAS A RUSE! A TONGUE POISONED ON PAIN! IT'S YOUR FAULT! I WILL BEAT YOU WITHIN AN INCH OF YOUR...

No matter how she punched, she could not even feel it.

"Because your arm isn't real, stupid."

>SHUT UP YOU DIDN'T HEAR THAT!

"If you say so."

>BRAIN! I need a way to explain my actions!

"You're attracted to-"

>I DIDN'T MEAN THAT!

"Well, it's what happened."

>I meant in a way where everything goes back to normal! NORMAL! I'M NORMAL! NORMAL NORMAL NORMAL!

"Stop flopping."

>NORMAL!

"Look, just go with it, what's the worst that can happen?'

>SCREW YOU! I'm going to wake up, pretend this whole thing never happened, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it! NGH!

Her eyes snapped open, for real this time, and she found in a bed, in the Empire, not twenty feet from that oh so magical heart of crystal that poured love over her every inch.

Of course, this was nothing next to the fact she found herself face to face with, of all things, a bright, pink, smiling face.

~Oh, Forty Two! You're awake, thank goodness, you had us so worried... listen, Shiny's not woken up yet, so before he did I was wondering if you wanted to talk about... what happened back there...~

Suddenly feeling like a caged animal, the answer came to her swiftly.

~Now, I know you said some thing only because it looked like it was the end, but now that it's passed I think we should... what are you doing?~

There were no words spoken. Not a one.

No sound but that of a helmet being gently pulled from a chitinous head.

And then a loud CLUNK when that same helmet shot backwards, right into that same black temple.

There was a soft PUFT as her unconscious head met pillow, and silence.

~...~

>...So, brain, now that I have given you the proper time to reconsider, would you mind helping me?

"...Sigh..."

>I choose to take this as yes.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>2
"Cadence"
'Chrysalis'
[18]
{???}
~~~~~

>So THEN Ah' was like "Nu uh!"

"Two, dearie, you're repeating yourself."

>Oh... Guess I kinda ran outta stuff I did while ya' were away.

"That's alright, you don't have to fill every moment of silence."

'She going to try.'

"She will not."

'Oh yeah?....'

"..."
'....'
>...This is the song that never ends yes it goes on and on my frieeeends!

[NO! For the love of all that is good and sparkly in this world, please no!]

All eyes turned to the changeling that entered the room. Well, the one they knew was a changeling, not one who looked as such.

[There is no need for that, I assure you. There is plenty to talk about with... wow, you are giving me a bad look.]

The Queen was, in fact, giving her a blank stare, but all knew what that really meant. Even Two knew better.

'You were supposed to stay in the ballroom.'

[Yeah, well, I didn't.]

'You were supposed to keep everyone there so they would be teleported to safety.'

[Is that what you meant? Wow, you needed to be way more clear. I did not get that at all, and I'm a changeling, we pick up on subtle stuff.]

'...'

[That it? That's all you're grumpy about? Nothing...]

"..."

[Ohhhh... she told you?]

'...'

[Yeah. Thought so. Whelp... you were going to find out some way.]

>Find out what!?

[Nothing, Two, we'll tell you later.]

>AWWW! It's always later!

'...I'll tell you next time.'

Eighteen froze dead in her tracks, her veins may as well have been ice.

[...Come again?]

'I said I'll tell you next time, so you don't run off.'

[That's... nice of you?]

"She actually does mean it, it's worrying me."

[Did she do it before or after you told her IT.]

"Before."

[...Now I'm scared.]

'Go fuuuuuu... fun yourself.'

[...in the name of taste and decency, I will not say what I could say.]

"Thank you."

>Awwww!

[...Why does 42 have a new bruise on her head?]

"...Long story..."

{Would love to hear it, actually.}

Everyone, positively everyone, froze as solid as if they had walked outside of the shield covered in water.

Well, almost everyone.

>SHIIIIIIINNNNNYYYYYYYYYY!

"TWO NO!"

She may as well have been white noise. In no time, the miniscule changeling had clamped on tight, and would not let go.

>SHINYSHINYSHINYSHINYSHINYSHINYSHINY!

'Pfft, told you he would be fine.'

[You did not!]

'I fixed him, that means it was nonverbally implied.'

He smiled a weary, tired smile as he propped himself up, doing his best to ignore the spinning vision all around.

{Okay, so, good news I'm seeing is that we're home, nobody has faces of grim horror at what has happened, I do not hear the march of war, Eighteen is looking like Cadence so everything should be in order around here, and everyone who should be in this place is accounted for... except Celestia.}

[She insisted she stay behind.]

{Ah, and that means that unlike me, she was conscious. Good to hear, if a bit emasculating.}

"Shining..."

She moved next to him, softly putting a hoof on his shoulder.

"You got it so much worse than she did. You almost... for a bit, it looked like you did..."

She choked, unable to continue.

{...Well, I didn't. See? Alive! I'll prove it, withPAIN!}

The tiny changeling who had hugged him jumped back, scared out of her wits as the stallion clutched his side.

{...H-heh, sorry. But hey, that's just how you know it's still kicking!}

They all shared a look, unsure.

{Well, with that out of the way...}

He reached out, pulling an uncertain Two into his lap.

{Since the day was obviously saved... Who wants to fill me in? On what happened, I mean, why we're not in the middle of a plant apocalypse and all that.}

Everyone shared glances, not a one knowing how to approach what happened.

Finally, Eighteen stepped forwards.

[...Okay, so, it went like this...]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Dadling
"Bat-mom"
~~~~

>...
"..."
>...
"..."
>...
"..."

>"AHHHHHHH!"

"HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO ELOPE IN TIME!? MY WATER COULD BREAK AT ANY MINUTE!"

>I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT ANY OF THAT MEANS!

"THIS IS THE WORST!"

>THE WORST!

>"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

>...
"..."

>...So, uh, you want to just go put in some paperwork or something? It can't take that long.

"...Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Neat."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________