Thread 43: Stories 76-90

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"Rekulk"
'Grehm'

Deep beneath the surface, two figures walk, their chests lit by their dormant armor, their walks unfaltering despite the invisible glares of a thousand predators all around. They are silent...

'Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm...'

For a while.

"Oh the aim of our long walk."

'Is a topic for some talk.'

"For to walk with a thrill, under field and hill-"

The two, without ceasing their step hissss at the luminous eyes of an unseen predator, which yipes and retreats.

'Is nothing for to balk.'

"Is nothing for to balk! Now hup two, three, four!"

'Keep it up.'

"Two, three, four!"

'Watch your step!'

"Two, three four! Side by side or single file!"

'Over every dismal mile.'

"We shall stomp and trot for it is our lot!"

The two leap over a crevice, under which snap the jaws of an angry ambush predator.

'To return to home with guile.'

"To return to home with guile!"

The two finally march up an incline to find themselves looking down at their home. Down below at the tunnel skulker kennels and the deep lurker pens, at the grand raised dais of the head of metal and for the first time ever...houses. Ramshackle lean-tos to be certain but houses all the same.

"Look upon it, brother-by-mate, the City of White it is not but in our way, is it not beautiful?"

'It will be one day, that is certain.'

"..."

'...'

"..."

'...the singing?'

"Hm? Oh that? That just sort of happens whenever I come home, strange, yes?"

'Best not to discuss it again.'

"Oh yes, definitely."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Dash
"Bulk"
'Children'

>BULK!

"Huh?"

>What is this?!

'I can't feel my wings...'

'Rainbow? Is...is that you?'

'Pretty Angel....'

"What? It was just a simple jog!"

>Through Galloping Gorge?!

"Of course! DIdn't you do that all the time back in town?"

>When I was full grown I did!

"Oh come on, no one was eaten!"

A barbell flies through the air to bounce off of Bulk's head which doesn't move from the impact.

'An eel had me in it's mouth!'

"Oh come on sport! You slithered out of it's mouth!"

'Through the gaps of it's teeth!'

"Ah, it's good training!"

>....

"Is something wrong?"

Dash leans down and picks up the fifty pound barbell and looks at Bulk then at the children more specifically Scootaloo that had tossed it.

>...Psst think you can keep this up if we got you proper equipment?"

"YEAAAAAAAAAH!"

'RAINBOW!'
'We're going to die, aren't we?'
'Dad was right the Wonderbolts are going to kill me!'
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chrysalis
"???"
~~~~~~

Searching through rubble for any wounded survivors was not how she planned to spend her day, really. If she didn't need the good press, she would probably still be at the Crystal Empire, lounging about.

>Getting real tired of her showing up to fuck with what little progress I make every month.

She had gotten more than a few dirty looks when she had gotten off the train, as if the vast majority just expected her to answer for this in some fashion. Like this was all her fault, somehow.

>I'm not the one who let the bitch out...

But she supposed she made an easier target. She wasn't the precious Element of Harmony who saved the world on many occasion, so of course if it could in any way be connected to her, it was going to.

But that's alright, their opinions wouldn't matter in the long run...

>And just what are you doing?

The smaller mare before her let out a comical "EEP!" before blasting a burst of magic wildly off to the side.

The Changeling Queen just sighed, and killed the clown faced rock golem that came to life.

"S-sorry..."

Chrysalis's eyes rolled in her head, annoyed.

>Great idea, calling upon chaos magic to fix stuff. No, really, you did great, this is good.

More than a little bitter, Fluttershy turned away.

"Discord can use it to do anything he wants, anytime. I thought..."

>That you might use this insane power with which to be the grand hero who fixed Fillydelphia with a wave of her hoof! Bravo!

"N-not... not that much, just enough to fix a little..."

>Come on, really? Even I didn't try to take over an army after I learned mind control.

"Not the most encouraging simile..."

>Fine. Even I didn't try to kill a bunch of dragons after I ascended.

"Still pretty mean, but... better?"

>Just try not to over-exert yourself.

With that, the mare continued on, getting back to searching.

>...You coming?

"You... want me to?"

>Nooo, but you want to, since if you get crazy I can mindzotz you. Come on, you've got superpowers, lets at least do something good with them.

"...Yeah..."

Surprisingly, she smiled.

"Let's do something good with them."

>...Was that supposed to be a dramatic moment?

"It was, you kind of ruined it, though."

>HAH!

"...hehe..."

>GAH!

She expected many reactions from that, just not Chrysalis jumping in surprise.

"What?"

>...Nothing, nothing, it's just... not used to ponies laughing when I do that.

"Oh... should I stop?"

>NO!

"..."

>...I mean, no, you keep doing what you're doing. It's fine.

"Oh... okay."

She couldn't help but giggle as the changeling Queen moved ahead, a little quicker than normal.

"...She's silly."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>SA
"Cadence"
~~

"You're growling."

>I'm not growling, I have something in my throat.

"You're also grinding your hoof."

>I am not grinding anything, there is an itch.

"You're also glaring."

>The sun is in my eyes.

"Your horn is sparking."

>It's a trick of the light.

"Shiny, you need to calm down."

>I am calm.

"Don't be so mad."

>I am mad.

"...Do you want wifesnuggles?"

>...

"..."

>...yes.
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>29
"32"
'High Roller'
~~~~~

'So, I'm noticing your bed is getting a little stuffed. You're not smuggling in contraband, are you?'

"..."

'I choose to take that as a no, and not out of laziness to prevent further investigation.'

"..."

'...Is it just me, or do you hear really, really prissy hoofsteps? I mean, I have no idea how hoofsteps sound prissy, but-'

*PRISSTOMP!*

>YOU!

'GAH! How do you do that!?'

>BEGONE!

'Whoa, no can do buddy, I've got to-HOLYCELSTIAPUTMEDOWN!'

*CHUCK!*

*CRASH!*

>BROTHER! I NEED TO SPEAK WITH YOU!

"...29? Are you alright? You look... off."

>I KEEP GETTING ABDUCTED BY ALIENS EVERY TIME I TAKE STRONG DRUGS!

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

>...No, see, now that I said that out loud...

"Abducted... by aliens."

>Yes, and I know how this sounds, but I can confirm it!

"All...right. I suppose I want to hear this."

>The ghost children only I can see told me that it actually happened!

"..."

>No, really! An Coltstrailian one with a fake accent told me all about it after he nicked the hat off one of those that were abducted with me!

"The... ghosts were abducted with you."

>Yes!

"By the aliens..."

>YES!

"..."

>...I KNOW HOW THAT SOUNDS BUT IT HAPPENED!

"Well, uh... what do you want me to do about it?"

>I...uh...

"You said you only get abducted when you take particularly strong substances, right?"

>INDEED!

"Soooo... it pains me to say something I see plastered on so many kindergartens, but... don't do drugs? Or at least not the heavy ones?"

>...Huh.

"You probably shouldn't do those anyway, would hate for you to get fired over that."

>...

"...Or you could at least share."

>Uh huh... sooo.. how have thou been? Good? Still nice on the love since my last visit?

"You cannot go from that conversation to small talk, you absolutely cannot."

>Ah. Well, then I shall take my leave. Thank you for the conversation. Do you wish to fire off one of your inappropriate barbs before I go?

"You know what? Nothing could possibly top what just transpired for making you feel foolish, nothing."

>I have no rebuttal to that, and I shall take my leave. Good day to you, brother.

"You too..."

....

'WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!?'

"How much of that did you hear?"

'Nothing because he CHUCKED ME ACROSS THE ROOM! I cleared FOURTEEN CELLS!'

"Ah. Well, to answer your question, that was, by far, the most sane individual who visits me."

*~TINK!~*

~Squeak.~

"I know... and now I wish to have a little cry."

'...So do I report him throwing me, orr... do I get workers comp for this? Do I file a complaint? Do I-Oh, nevermind, you're curling up into a little ball and probably want me to stop talking.... yep...'

"..."

'...yep...'
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>Rarity
"Arana"
~~~~~

>No, Arana, you absolutely cannot come.

"But why not!? I have, like, eight legs! That makes digging super easy!"

>I'm sure, darling, but I'm also very sure that the last thing they want to see right now is another off looking changeling, no offense.

"Oh, yeah, I get it..."

>Oh, dear...

"...This is kinda weird, you know."

>Hm? What part?

"That she... you know, fwooshed up in the middle of a city and started stomping. She hated to do that, she always stayed small in cities."

>Well, she didn't, and I think that-

"And why do it, ya' know? Even Mama didn't wreck whole villages for fun. Chitania was always super careful where she did it so she didn't get spotted."

>Well, she clearly doesn't care about it anymore.

"And why just a part? If she was doing it for fun, why stop? Mama didn't stop when she was having fun till it was all gone. Why just, flame up, break a buncha stuff and then leave?"

>...Arana, is there something you want to tell me?

"...That... that it would be really cool if you let me go with?"

>No.

"Aww..."

>Anything else?

"...Uh... Mama used to make mazes out of cornfields, put spikes in the corn and then set fire to one end."

>...

"..."

>And I suddenly do not wish to talk about this anymore.

"YAY! IT WO..."

>...

"I mean, ya' sure?"

>...

"Well, if yer' sure..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>56
“Scoots”
‘Kids’
~???~
[???]
~~~~

>Haaaa… haaaa… crap, I’m on forty-three an’ startin’ to feel it…

‘Same… my forelegs are burning!’

‘But… but it feels good, though.’

“Really good, yeah.”

‘It’s monotonous to me, just up down, up down, up down, up do-‘

‘We get it!’

‘Sorry….’

>Yeeeeeah! I hit fifty!

“Pft, now you’re starting to sound like him!”

>Eh, whatever gets me through these reps, I’m down!

‘He’s… you know what, bugboy has a point.’

‘Seriously. Lemme try that out. YEEEEEAAAH!’

‘YEEEEAAAH LET’S DO IT!’

‘‘‘‘‘YEEEEAAH!’’’'''

“GET PUMPED!”

A thud shook the ground as Bulky landed betwixt the working young fliers, joining them in their push-ups.

~YEEEEEEAH THAT’S IT KIDS! YOU REALLY GOTTA FEEL IT TO ACHIEVE IT!~

Watching this scene of chaotic yelling from around the corner, Rainbow Dash could do nothing but bring her hooves together in a slow, echoing clap.

[Well I’ll be damned. He might've found his calling.]

>MY ARMS FEEL LIKE THEY'RE GONNA FALL OFF AND I LOVE IT!
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>Spike
"SS"
~~~~

How he wished he could same something like 'the waiting room was quiet, too quiet'. But that would be disingenuous. The entire hospital was a chaotic frenzy, doctors and nurses rushing every which way as they tended to patients. None critical, thankfully, all thanks to...

To the one on the other side of that door. The very door that had a small, gray filly leaning up against it. They had kicked her out, they said, said she wasn't allowed in while they treated her, said she was in fine enough shape that they had to focus all of their attention elsewhere. As such, she just sat there, just like he was, waiting for the doctor to emerge, waiting for someone to come out and say it was all okay. In her forelegs, she held a twisted chunk of meta, a blackened and bent thing Spike could not fully see from his position, but understood what it was.

>Silver Spoon, you're going to get hit when they open that door.

She didn't give any answer, content just to lean her cheek against the door.

>She'll be fine, they said they were only worried about internal injuries, and now that she's here they can treat them if they are there. She's fine.

No response once more, just a slight movement in her forelegs as she clutched the metal tighter to her chest.

>...Is that 'him'?

He heard her breath hitch with that, and confirmed his suspicions.

>Looks pretty rough, what did Chitania do?

She shuddered, throat suddenly feeling very dry.

"S-sh..."

He waited, patient as she struggled to get the words out.

"S-h... C-chitania didn't do it. She... she made him..."

The tears were flowing once again. Just when she thought they had at last passed.

"She made him because... b-because that thing had me, a-a-and... and..."

>And you were more important.

She choked, eyes clenching shut as more moisture flowed free.

"I hid. I hid behind her after I got loose. That's why she's... and I'm not..."

They just kept coming, impossible to stop.

"She killed him because of me."

>It's just a weapon, you're more-

The dragon had seen a lot of scary things in his life. Chaos gods who could warp reality on a whim, beings of pure smoke and evil, a nightmare creature that could blot out the sun, even dragons that hungered for his flesh.

Very few could have taken his breath away at the dark, angry look she shot him.

"You don't know anything."

He backed off, in body language if not physically.

>How'd Chitania manage to blow up the entire west end anyway?

She calmed down considerably, returning her cheek to the cool door it had left.

"I don't know, I only arrived later. I tried to help... but I was just useless again."

>Hey, come on, I'm sure you weren't-

"I made my best friend blow up something she loved to save me after ineffectually stabbing at a monster and nearly getting choked to death, and then hid behind her when said monster shot a fireball at us. Spike, shut up with that. Just... shut up. I'm not that stupid. I'm stupid, but I'm not that stupid."

He did as she asked, knowing that any further words would only make the situation worse.

It was only later, after what seemed like forever had passed, that he finally spoke again.

>We're going to get her.

She didn't answer him, uncaring about the confidence in his voice.

>We're going to get her, and she's going to regret this.

No response, of course.

That's alright, Spike decided as he rolled his hand over Charity, his actions would speak louder than any words.

He just needed to get close to her, just one more time, and then he could finally end this.

And oh, he was going to. She wasn't going to get back up next time.

That was a promise.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Scoots
“56”
‘Kids’
[???]
(???)
_____

In a circle on their backs is how they decided to lie down, all of them with their chests heaving and limbs aflame.

‘Funny thing? I don’t remember signin’ up for this.’

‘Me either, dang.’

“It’s tough keepin’ conscious right now, yeah, I’ll give ya that.”

>Shaddup, ya whiners… this… this is what we’re here for, this training, to be one of the elite, to join the ‘Bolts! Tell me you didn’t expect this to be a cake-walk?

“Considerin’ how fat Dash’s booty has gotten since she got the job? Kinda, yeah…”

‘What he said.’

‘Yeah, her butt is kinda big, ain’t it?’

‘No, not that, stupid, about the lazy part!’

‘Oh. …But still, though.’

>Unbelievable… This is not the ‘YEEEEEAAAH’ mentality we oughta be having!

“Eh, it’s lead by example ‘round here, right? Well, the only example I got from watchin’ her was make some other pony your slave and eat cake off their butt. Now, you look me square in the eye and tell me that don’t sound good.”

‘Why is he making so much sense right now?’

‘Right?’

‘Who’s Dash’s slave?’

>Rainbow Dash does NOT have a slave!

“Firebutt!”

‘GASP!’

‘No waaaaaay!’

‘You mean Dash eats cake off Princess Celestia’s plot?!’

“Not her! …Although now I’ve got a good story for a cousin of mine… but I meant the other firebutt, Spitfire!”

>LIES!

[Oi! Flamebitch! You got my suit tongue-washed yet? We got places to go!]

All eyes seem to look over in time to see Spitefire go trotting past the door, the needed suit caught in her teeth.

(Ah’m comin’, Ah’m comin’, gimme uh’ shec’!)

>…

‘…’

“…Soooo Scoots, wanna be my-”

>Oh buck off.

"Never hurts to ask."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>PJ
"Blueblood"
~~~~~~~

He found her in the kitchen, of course. He hadn't even needed to look in any other area, he just knew she would be in that place instinctively.

"Aren't you going to be off as well?"

The changeling mumbled around her potato, lazily laying flat on the table she was resting upon.

"It's just, they could use the help, and I figured-"

She gulped loudly, pointedly.

>Last thing those folks want to see is another changeling, I figure. Never been, but can't imagine they had too high of an opinion of us before the giant version stomped through, let alone when she did it again.

"Oh... I suppose."

>If it's such a big deal why don't you go?

"I'm still not allowed off castle grounds."

>Pfft, if it meant that much, then you'd-

"And they caught me before I got too far off the front lawn..."

Her eye shot open, flickering over to the embarrassed stallion awkwardly rubbing his neck.

"Haymaker said he wouldn't tell anyone when he found out why, but..."

>Least you can say you tried.

"It's not enough. Not for me."

He growled, bitterly stomping his hoof.

"I wish I hadn't been such an utter fool and still held my fleet with me. If I had not been such an utter dunderhead I would have the power to stand against that beast and-"

He was cut off by loud, roaring laughter.

"...It is not that one sided-UMF!"

A perfect shot launched a potato right into his mouth.

>Course it is, ya' dummy. What, you think I'm just staying here because the view is nice? To be honest, if Chitania showed up right now I'd high tail it out of here.

He slowly chewed, eyes wide with disbelief.

>Oh, come on. Rule six of survival, don't take on the goddamn giant monster solo. Maybe if she had a weak point, sure, I'd go for it, but she doesn't, I checked.

"...mrphm?"

>Ahhh, no, I don't think she'll turn around. If she wasn't done, she wouldn't have left. But I'm not taking that risk.

"MRphm"

>It's not cowardly if it means I don't die.

"Hrmoh"

>Giant. QUEEN. changeling.

"Smgo?"

>Ahhhh, sure I'd grab ya' Bluey! Need something to toss at her for a distraction if she chases me.

"Hrn"

>Maybe the dog too, yeah.

"...Mrh."

>No problem.

"....mpahmalmghmam?"

>Huh? Yeah, that is the one I kept warm with my thighs, how did you guess?

"Mgh"

>What do you mean, 'it tastes like me'!? How do you know that!?

"Maphgnmampmmmmphpmamp pmapgmampmmhhhamm....pmgmhhsmp."

>"It just does"? That's all?

"Mrmph."

>...Take your word for it, I guess?

"Hrmph."

>No, I don't think Chitania likes potatoes.

"Mmmph."

>And I ESPECIALLY do not want to know what she tastes like on a potato!

"Mmmm..."

>...Okay, fine, maybe a little.

"...*munchmunch*..."

>YOU SHUT UP!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chrysalis
"Fluttershy"
'???'
~~~~~

>-and in all honesty I'm still questioning it. It's like, why turn me down? It's not like I'm asking him to leave Cadence or anything, I'm just trying to fill a niche...

"...Hehe..."

>HAH! Knew it would click with you, you perverted little thing.

"I'm not perverted! I just get it is all."

>But back on point, I mean, it's not like Cadence actually does it all that often, right? So what's the big deal?

"He is married."

>I do not get this whole concept of when you get married you're only allowed to sleep with one pony. Really, it baffles me.

"But... you only want to sleep with one pony?"

>...aaannnnd? What's your point?

"Well, why do you do that?"

>Biologically? I think Twilight said I'm evolutionary preprogrammed to seek out influential mates for a status thing or something. Power wise? He's got the most... ugh... 'sparklejoules' of any male I've ever met. Personally? Guy is damn fine looking. On the whole? He's the only male I actually like enough to want to sleep with. Be honest now, what would be a runner up?

"...Huh."

>See? Which is why he needs to let me tame that already.

"Ponies are normally monogamous."

>That just does not sound factual at all.

"Just saying it as it was divined."

>Well, it's a load of... did it just get darker-HOLYFUCK!

Neither of them had any time to react before the building they had been too caught up to notice leaning gave up the ghost and collapsed. Without any time to call magic of any sort, stones more massive than they were on the whole rained down.

In seconds, there was nothing but the sound of crumbling rock, and dust as far as the eye can see.

>...WHAT THE FUCK!?

The dust cleared slowly, revealing the pair now totally coated in gray dust, and not a single stone bigger than a hoof to be seen.

'Hello.'

It also revealed they were not alone.

"...Maud?"

'Hello, Fluttershy, it is good to see you again.'

>HOLY FUCK YOU JUST PUNCHED A BUNCH OF GIANT ROCKS!

"Yeah, she can do that. Maud? Meet Chrysalis. Chrysalis? Maud. She's Pinkie's sister."

'It is nice to meet you.'

>YOU JUST! ZOOM! AND DACKADACKADACKADACKADACKANOMOREROCKS!

'I break boulders for a living.'

>...Oh, right, I remember you. You played those games with Shiny's family.

'Indeed, it was most enjoyable. I remember you as well, my parents spoke favorably about you. They appreciate your assistance in saving my sisters friend.'

>Cool, they're awesome.

"What brings you here, Maud?"

'Our family wishes to support any hurt in this incident. We have had many a dealing with Fillydelphia, and feel for their pain in this time.'

>Yeah, tragic. Hey! Is there any chance you could teach 42 how to punch rocks like that?

"CHRYSALIS!"

>...What? No, really, what? Did I say something offensive there?

"It's rude to ask ponies to give away family secrets!"

>Is it?

'We don't mind if asked, only if pressed.'

>She says she doesn't mind.

"Well, still..."

'But no, I cannot. There is nothing really to teach except break slightly bigger rocks over a lifetime. I've been doing it since I could walk.'

>DAMN!... Well, thanks for the save? Not that it would have hurt me, but still?

'Oh?'

>Yeah, I-

*CRACK!*

"MAUD!"

>...

'...Hrm, you are most durable.'

>Did you just punch me?

'I wished to test your words.'

>...

"N-now, Chrysalis, there is no need to get upset-"

>HAH! I LIKE THIS GIRL! Come on, Rocky! We're hanging out!

'My name is not Rocky, it is Maud. Rocky my sisters-'

>Whatever Stoneo! Come on, let's see how much rubble you can punch through!

'...'

"Maud, you really don't have to."

'It is fine, I suppose I should get to know Pinkie's shared wife eventually.'

"...Uh, Maud? I don't know how to tell you this, but she doesn't really like-"

>LESS TALK MORE PUNCH!

'...This will be fun.'

>THAT BOULDER FIRST!

"If you say so..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Dash
'kids'
"56"
[Scoots]

>Alright kiddies listen up! Bulk's been working on your endurance and your strength so far!

Dash trots in front of the small cadets one among them looking up with pure adoration and the other just watching that plot swing pass.

Which nearly smacks his chitin covered nose to the ground as Dash whirls about with a heavy stomp on the ground.

>However! Being a Wonderbolt isen't just about flying the longest or being able to carry five ponies on your back!

"Liked to have her carry me around on her back..."

[Shut up bug breath!]

>Whose talking!

'The bug guy did!'
'Yeah he mentioned riding your butt.'

"Hey! It's a good butt how could I not!"

*WHAM*

[Rainbow Dash I am so so sorry for this guy he's]

>Just being 56 I know, but the point I'm making here is you all need to train in your MASS.

"..."
[...]
'...'

"['Huh?']"

Pulling down a diagram Dash spells it out for the kids.

>M for manuverablity, A for agility, S for speed and another S for survivablity.

'Survivablity against what?'

>Why for the obstacle course of course!

"['...']"

>I had Twi whip it up right fast with some of her designs and Applejack came through with the budget money to get it all built! I feel pretty confident that this will get you up to snuff in no time! So whose first?

"At least we'll know who to curse in the next life..."

[Was that a tentacle near that black hole?!]

'I think I saw something peek out from that tornado, it had eyes I swear!'

As one the entire line stepped back and left Scootaloo standing at the forefront as she stares at the sight before her.

>Awesome Scoots knew you were a go getter, now follow after me and mind the lasers! They're set to stun but it'll still sting!

[Wha-huh? Oh come on!]

'Thought that was Sweetie Bell's line?'
'Shut up man, do you want to go through that gauntlet?'
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Sucker Punch

>...

>...

>...

>...

>...blblblblb.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Vekir
"Mayor"

"Right, looking over the numbers things are...okay, bad, seriously bad. But this is salvageable, right? Right, yes. Completely. OhsweetmamaI'msonotgettingreelected."

>Heave and ho, ho and heave, grab a rock, throw a rock, I can do this all day.

"Huh..."

>Huh? What is the huh? Inform me of the huh's, new pony.

"Oh, uhm, sorry. I just didn't realize Fawntaine would be sending aid so quickly...or how advanced their robots would be."

>A robot? Wherefor? I would like a robot. They seem fun.

"Er...are you not a robot?"

>Hm? Oh! Oh no no no no no, Vekir is not a robot, Vekir is a Vekir which is a Morlock, hello!

"A Morlock?"

>Yes, I am the ambassador for all of Morlocks and I am here to help the ponies fix their town. Because Morlocks are helpful and NOT cannibals anymore, yes.

"I...uhm...I see. Well I'm sure under all that armor we're...quite alike, really. Are we?

>Yes, of course! Muchly alike! Our species are like brothers we are so much alike.

"Well that's great, why are you wearing armor again?"

>Because if I take it off, the evil sky demon will reduce poor Vekir to a puddle of nastiness.

"..."

>...would the nice pony enjoy a shimmerstone?

"..."

>...yes, yes here, have a shimmerstone...just...scooting shimmerstone between the pony's shaky legs aaaand, yes. Yes we are friends now.

"..."

>...aaaand here is your wallet back, Vekir just thought it was pretty.

"..."

>The photos of your offspring are very cute, they look very nice and not eaten by their siblings.

"..."

>Vekir is best ambassador.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Celestia
"???"
~~~

She didn't know if she should be ecstatic she had found nobody at all in her searching, or worried that just meant she had yet to find the real horror.

Still, of all of that, one particular thing was managing to get her ire at this moment.

>I'm not in the mood.

A tiny fleck of rock crumbled next to her, nearly silent if she had not been specifically listening for it. From within the shadows beneath it, two wide eyes glimmered faintly.

>I do not have time to set up anything elaborate, if you want I could just chuck you with magic.

"Unnecessary."

She turned to him, eyes slightly narrowed.

>Then what are you doing?

"Mostly looking for any sign of where she would be going next."

>Seven, you Queen called off that mission, and for good reason, it seems.

"Ah, she uh... told you about that."

>She did.

"Well... I am... trying to find information to give to someone else on the matter."

>Who?

"...Applejack?"

She sighed, a little annoyed.

>What are you really doing?

He went quiet after that, so long Celestia idly began to wonder if he had vanished.

"Just waiting, I suppose. I won't go at you when you're helping your subjects, of course. That's just unwise."

She shrugged, going back to looking.

>...I wish you hadn't waited so long to tell me you were alive.

"I honestly didn't think you'd care, I'm just an infiltrator."

She paused, letting the massive chunk of building she had lifted hover in the air for a bit.

>...Seven?

"Yes?"

>Did you like it when I said thank you?

"...Yes. It was... nice."

>Good.

He had no idea what she meant by that, and since she had resumed searching he supposed he wouldn't get an answer.

So, with nothing better to do, he decided to help a bit from the shadows. Not like he was going to catch her off guard now, he supposed.

"But still... probably best to keep an eye on her. Just in case an opening pops up."

Yeah, he said to himself, he bought that.

...Totally bought that.
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