Thread 43: Stories 31-45

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>Twilight
"Sucker Punch"

>Darn, using the tube only showed me what I already knew in a clearer detail.

"Blblbl?"

>Yes, sorry, my bad. I'll get you out in a second, I just need to compare the findings from session six to session seven one more time.

"Blblub."

>I will take my time, thanks. Hmm...hey can I ask a question?

"Blblblblblub?"

>Well I made the Artificial Reality Simulator-

"Blb?"

>NOT A DANGER ROOM!

"Blbl!"

>Apology accepted, but one of the reasons I made it was to help the train, but other than Pommel-

"Blblblbl."

>Yes, may he rest in peace, but other than him, no one's used it outside of the Gun Club and members of Royalty like Chrysalis. Not judging, really, just curious as to why you guys don't use it.

"Blbl? Blll...blblbl."

>Intimidated? By what?

"Blbl blblub blub."

>What about the Gun Club's little tournament would-

"Blb blbl blub blb blubblublub."

>...okay, yeah, watching people get eviscerated, beheaded, their throats slitted, and their necks broken could turn someone against the idea of using it.

"Blbl."

>Oh no, yeah, I can see the point. And Pommel...well he died...a lot in there and it didn't really help him in the long run. Maybe I should make a few alterations to the programming?

"Blblb."

>I'd wouldn't say no to you and 41 testing it, no. Thanks.

"Blbl."

>Alright, flushing the tank, watch your-

CLONK!

>-head.
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>Rekulk
"Grehm"
'Vekir'

'Brother!'

>Vekir!

'Brother-By-Mate!'

"Vekir."

>Sister, do not run! Grehm, if she tries to run, seat yourself upon her!

"It shall be done."

>Sister, your running has put us far behind schedule! Were it not for your running, we would not have dallied here as long as we have! Now we must find a tiny crystal creature before we leave, and the Head of Metal shall be quite disappointed in u-

'I require a job.'

>"..."

'...'

>What?

'I require you to name me the ambassador of all Morlocks.'

"...something has been missed."

>Sister what do you speak about!?

'Brother, follow Vekir, if I am ambassador, then I can stay up here, be helpful to Morlocks, and there is use for my suit!'

"What is ambassador?"

'Person who talks to other people and makes them like the first person's people.'

"There is much responsibility to this."

>Yes, this is agreed, sister this seems too much for your...abilities.

'Brother, consider! Vekir does not want to go back to the cave, to not go back to cave, Vekir must be great ambassador. Vekir is willing to be greatest ambassador of all time if I do not return to the dark.'

>Hmm...

"Fear of caves made her hide well. Transitive?"

>I am balancing upon the fe-...sister...

Vekir has withdrawn her helmet and her lip is quivering.

>Whyfor would you do this? To your own flesh and blood?

'Search your feelings, you know the wibble speaks the truth.'

>Nnnngh...

"Trial?"

>Aha! Yes! Brother by mate speaks true, Vekir, I propose a trial to you!

'Vekir accepts! What is it?'

>Rekulk shall speak to the Princesses and ask them to test you while I return to the cave, when I come back they shall tell me if you would make for a good Ambassador and THEN we shall decide!

'It shall be done!'

>It shall! I will speak with the Princesses!

Rekulk trots off.

"..."

'...'

"I am happy for you."

'Thank you!'

"Please never return to the caves, my children must not learn of the wibble."

'Promises will not be made!'
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>Pinkie
"Dash"
[???]
{???}
~~~~~~`
>So, run this by me again, why are we spying on Twilight's brother? Dash, is there something you want to tell me?

“What, worried I'm going to beat you to the punch on the 'second wife' thing?”

>I will smack you with my-OW

“HUSH! We can't let him hear us.”

>You're the one yelling.

“HUSH!”

>I just don't get why we're doing this, or why you need me?

“You're the one with the stealth costumes.”

>Didn't answer my first question.

“Look, I'm sure something of some sort is happening with these two! Think about it, they had to have known each other before, right? Captain of the Guard and Captain of the Airforce, come on! They have to know each other, but when they got in the room together they totally got all... weird!”

>Sooo... what? Are you thinking they had an affair or something?

“...What? No, that's dumb.”

>Soooo, what're we doing? Don't see why you would be interested.

“Look, and this is just a theory, but Shiny was terrible at his job, Spitfire was terrible at HER job...”

>...Dash, no.

“It's a possibility!”

>Dashie, stop. You've got a problem.

“Hey, there is a decent, if not better than decent, chance that it was Shiny's fault the Wonderbolts were so bad! Maybe they used to be really cool before this happened, and Spitfire is mad at him because he inadvertently got her fired!”

>This denial is getting out of hoof.

“There's a chance the Wonderbolts didn't suck and YOU WILL NOT TAKE THIS FROM ME!”

>Let's just... ugh, let's just do your plan, Dashie.

“This is the plan.”

>Just sitting here?

“Right! I asked Spitfire to deliver a package here, in this location. Likewise, I asked Shiny to pick up that package here. Now they'll meet, completely alone, and all of their secrets will come spilling out!”

>...

“What? Ponies always talk about really important stuff when they're alone. This is how Daring Do solves, like, at least eight out of every ten mysteries.”

>That's just a story, Dash.

“But... Daring Do is real...”

>...Huh.

“SHHH! Here they come!”

On cue, the white and yellow ponies entered, briskly walking up to the other.

[Ex-Captain Shining Armor.]

{Ex-Captain Spitfire.}

Their tone was seemingly neutral, but there was obviously more than a little something underneath. Still, she just smoothly handed him the package, and turned around. Likewise, he did the same, neither saying a word before they left.

>...Okay, that was something.

“See!?”

>Kind of weird.

“Right!?”

>...Maaayyybe you're onto something?

“OOOOHH! WHAT!? IN YOUR FAAAACCCCE!”

>I didn't say you were right-

“WHAT!? WHAT!? WHAT!?”

>...You know what? I'mma let you have this one.

“OOHHHHHHHH!”
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>29
"MM"
'Zecora'
~~

>GAHHH! These city plannings! Marey, how thine land underneath yon gaze did not descend into chaos within every other moment of time is beyond me.

"...It actually went completely bonkers at least once a week."

>Mine surprise, it cannot be held.

'It is strange, is it not? That such a peace would finally be caught?'

"And all we had to do was get rid of six crazy mares."

'...'

"Crazy mares who saved the town from utter destruction on several occasions, I do admit."

>Hrm, I was not present for any such events, were they that bad?

"..."
'...'

>Retracted.

"How's your friend holding up?"

>32 yet lives, that is all I can say.

"I'm sorry."

>Hm... how is thine mother doing?

"Oh, much better! She's out and walking about again."

'Oh?'

"Oh, right, I didn't tell you. Mom had a bad fall the other week, she kind of scared us but she's fine now."

'How good I must say that is to hear! I know what it is like to worry for someone so dear.'

"Did your friend ever write you back?"

'Not yet, my call remains unreturned. Not to worry, she is not one to leave an acquaintance burned.'

"Oh, I'm sure she's just busy..."

'...So, what is on the agenda when your day of work finally draws to a close? Hopefully nothing too strenuous, I'm not feeling up to one of the grander shows.'

>Tell me about it. But nay, the child to my left simply wishes to bake a special cake that he never got to finish.

"Awww."

>Indeed, tis' one of the easier ones. But paperwork first.

"Right, paperwork first... you know, Zecora, you don't have to hang around and wait for us."

'I know.'

>...Hrm. Want to help?

'HA! AHAHAHAHH! Noooo no no no noooooo...no.'

>Fair enough.
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>AJ
"Spike"
~~~~~

>WHAT'DYA MEAN, SHE RAN OFF TA' FILLYDELPHIA!?

"Uh... that, mostly."

>Dang it, Ah' TOLD her not ta' leave yet! Ah' wanted ta' have a meetin' with ya'll!

"Well, she did."

>Annoyin' little...

"You kind of knew what you were signing up for when you let her on."

>Ah' know, but dang it, Ah' hoped she'd at least curb the ego a little after she lost ta' ya'll in a fight.

"...Curbed the ego... with... Diamond Tiara? Those words, I don't think you're legally allowed to use them in a sentence without including "Will never" at some point at the start, and even then the grammer gets wonky."

>Can it, Spike.

"Nope. I'm being insubordinate and you can't stop me!"

>Ughh... guess Ah' can still talk with everyone else...

"That's the spirit!"

>...

"...You know, you can always just kick her off the team."

>Yeah, and then she's runnin' around unsupervised and Ah' have no idea what her thingamagig can do. At least this way, Ah' can look at the budget report and figure out how many small countries she could take over.

"Well, I hate to say it, buuuut-"

>Don't.

"I'm just saying, since you brought her on it's-"

>DON'T.

"..."
>...
"..."
>...
"...It'sallyourfault."

>DANG IT, DON'T MAKE ME SYMPATHIZE WITH CELESTIA!
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>SA
"Chrysalis"
~~~~~~

>...I don't get it.

"Shut up, it's coming!"

>...

"...HNNNNGGG....HNNNGGGG!"

>You realize what this looks like, right? Am I going to have to apologize to the maid at this rate?

"NO! I'm not doing... just watch!.... HRRRGGGGGGGGG...fucking... HRRRRGGGGAAAAAAAHHH!"

*ZIP!*

>...Oh, neat, you made a tiny little electric thing go across your hoof.

"...Ow."

>Ow?

"It buuuurns."

>Ah. Not good?

"Allegedly, Cousin Monema's line could make entire thunderstorms with this power. I call bullshit."

>How do you do that anyway?

"Changes my skin to be more conductive for electricity, I think. I don't know, don't think too hard about it."

>You could always ask Twilight...

"..."

>Right, how silly of-

"Maybe when she's done with whatever."

>...

"I said MAYBE."

>I didn't say anything.

"I can read minds, Shiny."

>Really?

"Yes, which is how I know your wife hasn't let you try the really 'fun' stuff in forever."

>Depends on what you mean by fun.

"Back. Door. Action."

>Ah, so you can't actually read minds.

"Bullshit. She did not."

>Hence how I know. It hasn't been 'a long time', it's been, uh...

"Ah... you knooooow-"

>No.

"COME ON! I'll throw in shock play!"

>Still no.

"THIS IS BULLSHIT!"

>Married.

"You almost fucking married ME once, doesn't that count!?"

>Not remotely.

"...Well, at least I comfort myself in knowing your own sex life is on par with my own."

>...Sure, let's go with that.

"..."

>...Told you you couldn't read minds.

"FUCK YOU!"

>I said no.

"DAMN!"
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>Chrysalis
"??"
~~~

What she wouldn't give for Chitania's ability to receive the calls of any queen, but in reverse to where she could simply call everyone.

Because right now, if she did not find 77 in the next few minutes, she was going to hit something.

>Never around when I need him.

She could never be mad at the little soldier, of course. His continued loyalty and servitude had ensured her favor in the coming times, and she knew he did nothing to deliberately upset her. If she called, and he heard, he would have scurried to her as quickly as his legs would allow, no matter what he was in the middle of. Such was his devotion to her, and her command. A rarity, perhaps, that he would be so loyal, when such loyalty was far more fluid for some of her other hive. Some she could name, but would not...

"LOOK OUT!"

Right on cue.

She did not even need to look before swatting her hoof to the side, smacking the errant flying object that had been approaching her at high speeds off to the side as if it were an annoying fly. Just as said aforementioned insect would, she smacked hard into the wall, all limbs going out in every direction, before peeling off slowly and falling face first to the ground.

"Ow..."

>Watch where you are going.

The changeling beneath her slowly lifted her head, a subtle twitch in her eye.

"So sorry, your highness. Forgive my impudence."

>No.

The harsh words resonated, honestly taking her off guard.

"I uh..."

>What number did you finally decide on?

"What?"

>When I chose the numbers, you wanted to pick one later.

"You mean when you lined us up and just did it in a row."

Her gaze burned as her eyes narrowed, just a touch.

"I-I mean, uh, I didn't pick a number. Went, uh, went the Jugglejack route-"

>Jugglejack has a number, it was his brethren who gave him his new moniker.

"...Right, right of course. Anyway, I actually decided on a full name, Potatojack!"

>...

"You know, because-"

>I know your name, I was asking if you ever picked a number.

"...Why would I do that?"

The Queen gave an almost imperceptible grunt and turned away, beginning to walk down the hall once again.

"Is, uh... something the matter, Majesty?"

She slowed, coming to a stop not a few paces away.

>Do you really think me so foolish?

She fidgeted, unsure how to respond.

>I did not allow you in my hive out of pity, you fool. I did it because Pyrrharctia's ability to survive in the cold was unique, and very useful. I hoped she would teach it to you before she passed, but alas. In all honesty, I considered removing you entirely more than once.

Suddenly, her swords felt a lot heavier in their sheaths on her side.

>Even among we, the changeling, Pyrrharctia's hive held such little loyalty, to anyone. Even Chitania.

"H-heh, wouldn't know, was before my time. Never got to meet her, you know... before."

>More than once, that Queen tried to kill my mother.

"A-ahhh, come on! Every Queen did that, that's just how they said hi half the time! 'how you doing-KNIFE TO THE FACE!'"

>...

"Sorry."

>But it was useful, you see. Mother taught me quite a lot of who to trust, and who would slip a knife into your neck. I learned, quite well. As such, the fact you even try to pretend around me is a little insulting.

Subconsciously, she put a hoof on her grip.

>Do not even dream you have the barest chance against me.

She squeaked, hoof jutting up once she noticed where she had accidentally let it go.

"N-NO, MAJESTY! I'm not going to... I'm not like 32, I don't want to like, take you out!"

>Funny you bring up him...

She looked upward, as if remembering.

>Once, I hoped his disloyalty would assuage with time spent with his brothers and sisters, as if it would take away all the hurt with just a bit of time...

She let out a low, dark laugh.

>I will not make that same mistake twice, in case you were wondering. If your meager shred of loyalty should ever fall, so shall you.

Deeply, she gulped.

>However...

The Queen turned back, head tilted just enough that the other could see into her eyes.

>If your fledgling loyalty should ever grow, it shall likely be welcomed. I do not hate you, I do not wish you exiled or anything of the sort. Merely a warning, from Queen to Subordinate.

She felt it, rather than saw it. The dribbling of liquid next to her leg, and the heat coming off it. Almost entirely automatically, she pulled her sword free, and watched as the steel melted to nothing before her eyes.

>When it comes time to pick a side, it would be all too easy to make the wrong choice. I was lenient to treason once, but I will make sure no last minute saves occur should it happen again. Think about it.

Coldly, she left, leaving the other changeling sitting alone in the hallway, still clutching her melted sword.

"...Shoot, now I've got to go ask Twilight for some more..."

Less bothered than she had been mere seconds ago, she tossed the useless metal aside for the help to come clean up, and prepared to jump again.

"Fancy trick... but I bet Celestia can do hotter."

With that, she left.

Just a bit of a smirk on her face.
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NC
>"Momsie"
"Various Queens"
'Variolus'
~~~~

>Attention everyone, I have found the one who keeps trying to take over the hivemind and use it for themselves. Necrophorus..

"DRAT! HOW DID YOU KNOW!?"

>...Hivemind.

"Oh, right... OH! LIKE YOU ALL WEREN'T THINKING IT!"

>...actually...

"Well, yeah, we thought it, but we didn't TRY it, and that's the most important part!"

"YEAH!"

"SCREW ALL OF YOU!"

>You know the rules, you must now be punished. FIVE MINUTES IN THE CORNER WITH VARIOLUS!

"YOU MONSTERS! YOU'RE ALL WORSE THAN SCIDERELLA!"

"..."

"...Oh, shit, she's here isn't she?"

>Hive... hive mind. What part of this are you not getting?

"I'll uh... go in the corner now."

>You do that.

'...You guys are being real dicks about this, you know.'

"..."

'...I'll just... cry some more...'

>You do that.
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>AJ12
“Redheart”
~~~~~

>And that’s my plan.

“Thanks for repeating it, unnecessary though it was. Still, my answer is no.”

>...Please?

“Which part of the word do you not understand? The 'n'? Or the 'o'? Or is it a conjunction problem we’re having? Is that it? Let me elongate it for you, help it gel. Nooooo. There. No.”

>Nurse Redheart, I’m begging you-

“And if you were actually of the same species I might feel a little something more than abject pity. But you’re not and I don’t. Now are you quite finished, 12?”

>…Well, no, I-

“Good. I’m going to need those release papers back by the end of the day, and then I’m going to need to find another body to watch over that madmare….”

>You have a body, though. Right here in front of you. Me. Body. Ready and willing. I’m- look, I am probably the only soul insane enough to want to stay with Screwloose.

“That may be, but-”

>And I’m the only one to last for more than sixteen hours with her, through their own will or being KO'ed.”

“Yes, but-”

>Annnnd, unlike the previous six candidates, she hasn’t cut me with one of the many hidden scalpels on her person that the other helpers always seem to miss.

“Wait a minute, she has weap-”

>More scalpels than two hospitals combined. And that’s not all so pick your jaw up off the desk. If it wasn’t painfully obvious, Screwloose could escape at any time.

The disbelieving scoff she rewarded his claim was both foreseen and a good indicator at how little Nurse Redheart knew of her tenants.

“All the more reason for you to get out while you still can. If Screwloose has managed to get inside your mind and convince you into thinking she has some master plan of escape then I think it’s time you leave before you wind up an accomplice.”

Another snort of hers, this one filled with laughter.

Well. He’d tried to be affable about it.

>Nurse?

“What is it now, 12?”

>With all due respect… you don’t know shit about Screwloose.

That seemed to get her attention and he returned her look of utter bafflement with a shrug.

>You don’t. Sorry. Because if you did you would notice all the small things about that mare that I do. Like how she’s resistant to being tranquilized. You think you’d’ve realized that after the first try but no, there your guys go on their sixtieth attempt. Good luck.

He approached the desk.

>You would also know that Screwloose is never taken anywhere unless she wants to be. You’re not holding her here, she’s just using this as a means to get free room and board, nothing more. In fact, it was recently brought to my attention that it’s because of me that she continues to stay in that room underground. Let me tell you, Nurse… you don’t want her free just yet. You’re not ready, she’s not ready- hell, the world isn’t ready.

From his pocket he pulled a slip of paper.

>What we need is time to make her better. I guarantee I can do that, but I need your help. Baby steps. Please… just let me stay on and give my request a chance.

The look in Redheart’s eyes blared with mutiny, a burning desire to just deny him again. So he sweetened the deal.

>Think about it. If this works, you can legally free Screwloose and… you know what, I’ll take responsibility for her after that. No more draining your resources or having to hire fourteen helpers in less than three weeks to keep up with her. Sound g-

She snatched the paper from him, the paper that she’d originally laughed at, and signed it. then, just as quickly, she drew up another work-related form and signed that as well.

“Here. You’re re-hired and have permission to take Screwloose out into the hospital proper for a… what did you call it again? A rehabilitating ‘field trip’. You have a week to get things ready for that. I pray to the three princesses that everything turns out in your favor. Now get out of my sight.”

Her rough dismissal did nothing to staunch 12’s joy as he gladly took his papers and tore from the room, in a hurry to go tell Screwloose.

Because, really, what all could wrong with giving her a bit of freedom? Her deadly persona was mostly just a front to scare the help… right?

But his stomach did drop regardless. If everything did go off without a hitch… and she was freed… he basically said that he’d take care of her.

>Holy shit, not the type of job I ever thought I’d have to worry about….
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>Chrysalis
"Applejack"
'Spike'
-Rekulk-
_???_

>-and THAT'S why this coupon I totally did not rip out of a Barnyard Bargains catalog is valid for taking a few zeroes off that bill for all the cake.

"Yeah, nah, no dice, ya'll're payin' every penny of that."

>Well can't blame a girl for trying.

'Yeah, we can.'

>Yeesh, put in a little effort, Shike.

'I got other things on my mind right now, now if you don't mind Applejack and I need to talk-'

>I may just stay here to spite you then, lizardo, you need to study your psychology.

"Oh take yer damn coupon and stick it where the sun don't shine."

-Hm? What use would Rekulk's cave have for a cooing pond?-

>Oh great, it's the dipshit in green, now it's a party.

-It is a pleasure to see you as well, Queen of All Bitches!-

"Rekulk don't trade insults with her."

>Yeah, keep calling me that and I may actually end up liking you.

-Hurrah!-

'Rekulk, did you have any luck finding our unwanted guest?'

>Unwanted guest? Oho, is THAT what you were talking about before I came in?

-Not so much, Spike of Scales, but a continuance of looking shall occur. No, I came to speak with the Apple Princess.-

>Take a number, greeny, I was here first.

"Our conversation's over, ya damn bug. What'd ya need Rekulk?"

-It is about my sister.-

'Don't get antsy, Rekulk, we'll find her.'

-No no, she is found, yes, but there is difficulty.-

"What'd she get herself up a tree?"

-No...she requires a job.-
>"'...'"

>Fucking what?

-Yes, she wishes to be ambassador for Morlocks on the surface world. I cannot risk her running away while I seek approval from the Head of Metal so I wish to preoccupy her with a challenge.-

"Uh...huh?"

>Pfff...can you fucking imagine? Hallo Ponies, hallo Catbirds, I'll give you the net worth of a small country in exchange for a shiny.

'As opposed to all the stuff you'd give for one night with a Shiny?'

>...low blow, lizardo.

'Getting a second wind.'

"Both of ya'll shush, Rekulk what do ya mean by a challenge?"

-Yes, Rekulk wishes to test Vekir's skills as an ambassador, and he sees no better judges than those she would be ambassadorializing!-

"Ya want us to rate her as an ambassador?"

>Ahem, shit-tier, there ya go.

"Ah will get a biscuit tin."

-It would just be until Rekulk came back to trade again. If she is as good as she wishes to be, then all is well, if she is not I will return her to the caves.-

"Hmm..."

'I don't think she'd be too disruptive.'

"Alrigh' we'll keep an eye on your sis, how long you think you'll be gone?"

-Seven days at most, my dedication to the trade would not keep me away!-

"If we can handle that mess in the ballroom one little Morlock that's actually lookin' to behave shouldn't be much trouble for a week. You got a deal, Rekulk."

-Hurrah! Many thanks, Apple Princess, here, allow Rekulk to seal the deal with a shimmer stone!-

"This ain't really a trade, Rekulk."

-Well then this is a gift of thanks. Rekulk can already feel a nice shimmerstone in his bag...a shimmerstone that...iiiiiis moving. Hang on! Rekulk has got this, I am getting it, I am gettiiiing iiiiit...WHYFOR WILL YOU NOT COME OUT!?-

'Wait a minute, Rekulk? You don't thin-'

-One moment, Spike of Scales, I-AHA! I have you now shi...mmer...stone?-

Clunk!

"..."

'...'

-...-

>Well well well, just where did you come from?

_...*tink*._
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>SA
"42"
~~~~~

He found her atop one of the balconies high in his castle, looking out over the city that glimmered beneath her.

>So, how're the troops doing?

"Fairly well, actually. They maintained their drills and operated fairly well in my absence, so smoothly one would barely even notice I wasn't there."

>They do pretty well, I admit. Heh, way better than when I first arrived. You know they used to break into shakes when I asked someone to take over as captain for me? They used to be so down...

"Hrm... their spirits are quite high, actually."

>Oh sure, now they are. Thanks to you, really. You did good.

To his surprise, she just let out a loud, deep laugh.

>Something I said?

"AHahah...ahah... you think it was me?"

>Well, yeah. You whipped them into shape and-

"Shining, don't be ridiculous."

Curiously, he cocked an eyebrow.

>Okay? So, what changed.

"Isn't it obvious? The robot invasion."

>...You lost me.

"Ahhh, so simple. Look, it's like this. The last time such an invasion happened, they lost. They were conquered by Sombra. Enslaved, forced to mine for his whims, and then even when they were 'rescued' they were sealed away for a millennia. Then came you two..."

He paused, watching her smirk a bit.

"Your wife destroyed Sombra right before their very eyes, and they felt safe. They felt like the demon had had last been banished. But it wasn't enough. They knew now another threat could come from nowhere, and take them. They knew that peace was only a possibility, and they could lose it again."

Wistfully, she looked out over the snowy plains beyond the shield.

"But then you came along. When invaders came to your doorstep, you fought back, you fought back with everything you had."

>But I didn't win, we needed Chrysalis's intervention.

"It doesn't matter. Shiny, what you have to understand is... they stopped fighting when they were enslaved, they stopped fighting when they returned from the curse. They lost hope, in the end... but then you came around and said "Even if it looks like I'm going to lose, I'll keep fighting, for you." You didn't ask any to stand with you out there in the battlefield, you shouldered it all for them. To tell them you would never stop fighting. That... that is what told them they needed to improve, not me. They needed to know to never stop fighting, and you showed them that. And now they know they must, and that it will all be worth it."

A warn, caring smile crossed his face, and he curled a foreleg over her shoulders.

>Little more complicated than that.

"It is not."

>It is. Don't you get it? How long could they have been enslaved before Celestia and Luna finally freed them? How long were they sitting there, under his rule before at last they were 'set free'? A while, obviously. The Empire was so... insular, so isolated they had no allies to call for help, nobody who noticed they were even gone save Equestria. Don't you get it? Me, Cadence, You, Chrysalis, and Two, you all showed them something else too.

"Oh?"

>Yeah, that they're not alone in this anymore. If something comes for them again, they've got allies to call upon. They've got someone who won't let them get taken, not again. You mean so much to them, even if you don't know it.

They sat there in silence atop that balcony, just watching, just thinking...

"Pity."

>Hm? What is.

"You're being a little too lovey here."

He cocked an eyebrow mirthfully.

>Is that a bad thing?

"Yeah, now I've got to burn some it off."

>Oh? And how-AH!

He had no time to respond before she gripped him around the waist, and dove off the edge.

"INSPIRE THROUGH EXAMPLE, SHINY!"

>AHHHH! WE WERE HAVING A MOMENT!

"THIS IS HOW I END MOMENTS I AM NOT GOOD IN SOCIAL SITUATIONS!"

>I'LL ASK CADENCE TO GIVE YOU TIPS!

"I DO NOT NEED TIPS-"

They crashed into the ground, right in front of their soldiers.

And then, amidst their cheers and calls to action, they got back up, and snapped into a fighting stance.

>Thanks, 42.

"No... thank you."

With that, the fight was on.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Pinkie
"Dash"
'Twilight'
~~~~

>So, what's the next part of this plan?

"Isn't it obvious? We need to know what went on between them. Clearly... we need to go to Twilight!"

>...Dashie, no. Don't.

"Oh come on, this is actually one of my more sane plans."

>You don't know what you're doing!

"I...do? I'm just going to ask Twilight about him."

>DASHIE NOOOO

~~~~~~~~

"Okay, so, Pinkie freakout aside..."

*SLAM!*

"TWILIGHT!"

'GAH! WHY DOES EVERYONE SLAM MY DOORS DO YOU ALL WANT TO DIE!?'

"I need to know about your brother!"

'...'

~~~~~~~~~Twelve Hours Later~~~~~~~

'And THAT'S when he took me to the hearths warming eve play! Now, after that, I-'

"MAKE IT STOOOOOOOOOOPPPP!"

'DASH! It's rude to interrupt! Now, as I was saying, after THAT we went and got ice cream!'

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

"What in loves name are you doing?"

>Hm? Oh, it's just... you had this long, long stretch here, I just wanted to see if you wanted to play bowling.

"I have no idea what that is."

>Really? Come on, one of you has to know.

'Nope.'

'I see a ball and I see things stacked up over there. Is this a sex thing?'

>No!

'...Can it be a sex thing?'

>No! Well, I mean, I guess it could, but I have no idea how.

'Again, there are tall objects over there, I'm pretty sure someone could figure something out.'

>No no, look, you just take this ball right here, stand at this end, and roll it down the line. You get points depending on how many you knock over.

'...That sounds so boring.'

"Hey! It could be fun!"

'...'

"I mean, maybe."

'...'

"...There's appeal in there."

'...'

"...Actarius? Demonstrate please, I'm losing them."

>Look, it's simple. See this? Now I roll-

'WAIT!'

>...

'Why are there holes in it?'

>What?

'There are three little holes in the ball, why?'

>...

'...'

>...I uh...

'...'

>...I have no idea. To make it roll better?

'...'

>...Just watch. Annnd... ta da!

"Now it's my turn?"

>No, I get more than one throw, to see if I can knock down all the pins. If I do, it's called a spare.

'What if you get it all in one?'

>That's called a strike, and I get to go again.

'...This is stupidly complicated for 'rolling shit at pins'.'

>Look, it'll be fun.

'I call bullshi-

~~~~~~~~

'FUCKING HELL, 20! HOW DO YOU FUCK THIS UP SO HARD!?'

'Not my fault! The wind got in my eyes!'

'WE'RE IN A BUILDING!'

'IT'S DRAFTY!'

'46 I SWEAR TO THE HIVEMIND IF WE LOSE TO THOSE TWO I WILL KILL YOU! DEAD!'

'Shut uppp, I got this.'

>I feel like you guys are missing the spirit of this.

'SHUT THE FUCK UP, ACTY! YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR ELEMENT!'
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>18
"Cadence"
[Harshwhinny]
{Judges}
~~

"Hey, 18?"

>What is it.

"I was just wondering, do you like this design for our Equestrian Games uniform, or this one?"

>...That things still on?

"Well, yeah? Why wouldn't it be?"

>What the hell is taking so long?

"Uh... well, Shiny allowing them to include the changelings has a... slight problem."

~~~~

[We can't just not have them be given any love!]

{Are you insane!? Have you SEEN what they can do when hopped up on love!?}

{How is anyone supposed to compete with someone who can punch through metal without a problem!?}

{And don't even get us started on the speed of flight!}

{Performance enhancing substances are illegal!}

[It's not a performance enhancing substance, it's their FOOD. They eat this because real food doesn't do anything for them!]

{It still supercharges them!}

{Maybe we can just tell them not to have a lot?}

{Oh yeah, that's fair. "Hey, competitors, you have to STARVE YOURSELVES before an ATHLETIC EVENT so it's more even!}

{Well, maybe if we held it so they're just on par with our other athletes?}

[How would we possibly measure that!?]

{There's got to be a way to get in there and see how much energy they've got!}

{Oh, what, so next we're going to be checking to see if everyone else is not TOO strong or fast?}

{Well, no, just them.}

[And even then, we would have to force them to be experimented on to pull it off.]

{ARRGGHHHH! WHY ARE WE LETTING THE FREAKING BUG MONSTERS IN ANYWAY!?}

[Shining Armor specifically requested they be allowed to compete, and we are holding this in his country.]

{So, move it somewhere else!}

{Oh yeah, that'll make us look impartial!}

{Why does he care about them anyway!?}

{He ADOPTED ONE, I think he at least cares a little!}

{ARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!}

[UNPROFESSIONAL!]

~~~~~~~

"...They'll probably have it figured out soon."

>Riiiiight...
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>AJ
"Changelings"
~~

>...What in tarnation...

"HEY! OVER THE LINE! YOU STEPPED OVER THE LINE!"

"I did no such thing!"

"Come on, 14, you're too far behind anyway, it wouldn't matter."

"I CAN TURN IT AROUND!"

"I didn't step over the line."

"YOU STEPPED OVER THE LINE AND BY THE RULES OF INTERNATIONAL BOWLING YOU LOSE A TURN!"

"I didn't step over the line!"

*CLICK!*

"HIVEMIND BEYOND HE'S GOT A GUN!"

"Don't play with me Ling, DON'T PLAY WITH ME! YOU'RE MESSING WITH SOMETHING YOU JUST CAN'T KNOW, LING!"

"H-holy wall-breaker, 14! Calm down! J-just calm down man! Get the gun out of my face!"

"YOU! STEPPED OVER! THE LINE!"

"A-ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT!"

"Good. You lose a turn. Glad we're all agreed there.... what's that bring our score to?"

"Him three, you zero."

"ZERO!? I KNOCKED OVER A PIN!"

"Yeah, but we're going by international bowling rules, right?"

"Yeah, and!?"

"And pulling a gun means you lose a point."

"...Seriously?"

"Says it right here."

"...I feel like the fallout from this action should be harsher."

"NOOOO! HOW AM I GOING TO MAKE THIS UP!?"

"You can't, that was the last throw."

"...Oh... GOOD GAME, EVERYONE! Let's shake hoofs. That was fun."

"...Where did you get a g-"

*CLICK!*

"Sorry, did you say something?"

"...nope."

"Good Ling."

"...OH! APPLEJACK PRIME! HIIIIIII!"

>...Ah'm jus' gonna... yeah...

Slowly, she closed the door, and promptly forgot whatever it was she had gone there for.

It could not be worth it. Whatever it was, it was not worth it.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________