Thread 4: Stories 135-138

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>I've been doing some thinking, this is dangerous 42. You nearly died back there-

"No I didn't"

>YES YOU DID! Now hold your tongue and let me finish!

>You're not just any changeling. You're important to me, 42. You are our chance at a future.

"Wha-"

>Still talking. You're young so you might not remember this, but I didn't used to be the only Changeling Queen. We had an empire once, there were dozens of queens, thousands of changelings... All that is lost and forgotten now, the spires of our homeland are decayed and empty...

>It's you, me, and 80-something others holed up in a ballroom in Canterlot and that's it. We are all that's left. You are our best chance at recovering our former glory someday.

> It will take a lot of work and it won't be quick. It won't happen overnight, probably not even in the next decade, but without you, I don't think it will happen at all.

>For the good of the future empire, I'm withdrawing you from the competition. I can't risk you again.

"..."

>Get your things, we're going

"no"

>What? I didn't quite hear you.

"NO. I'm not going. I didn't go through all this to stop now. I didn't fight Discord, a Hydra, a Rancor, a Griffon Viking and god-knows what else just to quit in the finale!"

>You're dropping out and that's an order!

"We're not in the ballroom. I don't take your orders here."

-NEXT FIGHTERS GET READY, 17 IN THE LEFT, 33 IN THE RIGHT-

"I'm doing this either way, you can either get in that corner and support me or leave me to fight alone. I don't care either way"

-FIGHTERS, IN THE TUNNELS! COACHES, IN YOUR CORNERS!-

>GET BACK HERE 42!

*Applejack 42 walks into the dark tunnel, the door closes behind her*

*Chrysalis walks to the Coach's Corner*

-IN THE RED CORNER, THE THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER, LIGHTNING FAST, SHE WILL OUTLAST, SHAKE'N'BREAK HERSELF, FIGHTERJAAAAAACK-

*Applejack 42 walks out to thunderous applause*

-IN THE BLUE CORNER, SUNSHINE RADIANCE WITH HER BEAST, THE FAAAAAEEE-DRAGON-

*The gate opens and Spike walks out, pink fairy wings taped to his back, shining silver revolver in his claw*

"So... It has come to this."

=Looks like.=

*Spike takes a leisurely step forward*

=Don't get any smart ideas, 42. I can put 3 in ya before you get halfway here=

"That so?"

=Is it worth finding out?=

*Applejack 42 breaks into a gallop and a thunderous BLAM rings across the stadium*

*Applejack 42 skids to a halt, feeling a gust of wind blow through one of the holes in his front right hoof*

=That's your warning. I do this because I consider you a friend... I don't want to have to hurt you=

=Besides, if I shot you, AJ would have to do all the Changeling's paperwork, and with my little 'vacation' up here she's probably behind enough already.=

"AAAAAWWWWW shit. You just reminded me of all the forms that are gonna be on my desk when I get back... *sigh*"

"It never stops, does it?"

*They continue circling each other at a great distance*

=Nope. Not so far anyway=

"Why even bother then? Why do all -this- when it won't make a difference?"

=Don't do it for yourself, do it for the people you care about=

"That so? I had no idea you and Sunbutt up there were so close."

*Spike reminisces for a moment, visions flash in his mind*

*Tricking Applejack into signing form 87 so she can get some much needed rest
*Staying up all night helping Applejack study up on new agricultural reforms
*Pulling a blanket over Applejack's sleeping form, collapsed at a desk from overworking herself to exhaustion
*Giggling as he and Applejack have a cupcake fight
*Holding a gun to Mayor Mare's head in the hopes it can take away even the smallest amount of Applejack's stress

=We-we aren't. I just realized that. We're not that close, not anymore...=

"So why are you here?"

=I probably shouldn't be. I bet AJ's working herself ragged to keep up, all so I could take some time off and help Cel invent drinkable cake...=

*Taking advantage of Spike's momentary distraction Applejack 42 leaps forward and bucks Spike across the floor*

*A resounding BLAM rings out from Spike's gun and Applejack 42's helmet flies off, spinning through the air*

=Dirty move, 42. Real cheap shot= *Spike climbs back to his feet and trains the gun on 42*

"H-How are you still standing!?"

=A baby dragon's still a dragon, numbnuts.=

=What was I saying? Oh, right. Why are you here?=

[Stop talking and shoot him!]

>It's a trick 42! Don't say anything! Attack, now!

"What do you mean, why am I here? I'm here because the queen told me to come."

"I'm the best fighter we have, she needed some bits. She ordered me to fight and here I am. That's all there is to it."

=That so? Fighting because you were ordered to. So a few minutes ago, when she ordered you NOT to fight... How's that work?=

"What are you getting at?"

=I just had a bit of a revelation, 42. I need to share it. For so long I've just done what I've been told to "Get those papers" "Mail that letter" "Buy more quills" "Make me cookies" "Do those forms" "Kill people in a FUCKING arena so I can make a quick buck!", it's never what I WANT to. We're more alike than you know, 42. We need to be our own people, think for ourselves!=

=I'm not going to shoot you because -I- don't WANT to.=

*Spike tosses his gun into the middle of the arena*

=And I hope I don't regret that choice=

"... You're right, Spike. I fight because I've always fought, since that first day in Canterlot. It's not about fighting, it's about CHOOSING to fight. And for once, choosing not to."

*Applejack 42 sits down, abandoning her aggressive stance*

"There are more important things than following orders."

*Applejack 42 and Spike give one another a nod, yelling simultaneously*
"I SURRENDER"
=I SURRENDER=

-MATCH IS OVER, NO WINNER DUE TO DOUBLE-SURRENDER. THIS IS A FIRST FOR THE PIT OF A THOUSAND CORPSES, FOLKS. ALL BETS WILL BE REFUNDED-

"Let's go home and get a headstart on the paperwork"

*Spike and Applejack 42 leave the arena together*
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Applejack 18
"Shining Armor"
~~~~~~~~~~

>Shiny? Going back for today.

"M'kay, thanks for the help balancing the hospitals books."

>You know, I could stay here. Cadence said she was going to bed early, if you wanted, I could be your Cadence tonight.

"No thanks."

>Can you at least look like you're considering? Stroke my ego just a bit, since that's the only stroking going on tonight.

"Nah. Respect your intelligence too much, I know you'd see right through it."

>...WHY WON'T YOU JUST TAKE ME!?

"Married."

>Damn you monogamy based legal unions!

"Actually, under the laws as they are right now, it doesn't HAVE to be monogamous, polygamy is still totally legal here."

>...what.

"Yeah, can you believe it? Though, when you think about it, it's not so surprising. This stuff was written up over a millennium ago. Back then, apparently royals like myself were expected to have entire harems to pass on their family line. Weird world, huh?"

>So, wait, you don't HAVE to only be married to Cadence?

"Nope. I get to. She's the only one for me, and that's plenty."

>...oohhh, that's mean.

"What? It's not like you want to MARRY me or anything, you just want my love via some ol' spear shining."

>...ahaha! RIGHT! Of course, right, a-and besides, I obviously couldn't marry you anyway, since I still work for my Queen! Yep. Doesn't make sense.

"..."

>...OH CRAP MY TRAIN!

*with that she tears off, flying towards the whistling noise in the distance.*

"...I don't understand mares."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Shining Armor
'Sombra (Written)'
"Sombra (Spoken)"
[Crystal Guards]

>So where did you say you found him?

[In the dungeons, sir, surrounded by broken tables, torn up books on the occult, and notebook paper reading-]

>'It's not fair' yes, your superior showed me.

Darkness, then light...an infirmary. Sombra's head pulses with agony.

"Grehhh..."

>Oh, you're awake.

Shining Armor and one of his guards stand at the end of the bed, regarding Sombra suspiciously.

>Care to explain what you were doing while Two and I were gone?

[And no lies!]

>...I can handle this, soldier.

[Ah...right, sir.]

"Rarghrehh..."

>Oh for-soldier, get me a notebook and a pen.

[Right sir.]

The soldier runs off.

>While you and I are alone, Sombra. I'd like to ask you a question or two.

"Rawrgh?"

>What does it feel like? Betraying 2's trust? She vouched for you, showed you kindness, and you repaid it by trying to get your body back and overthrow my wife and I.

"Greh..."

>I'm being rhetorical here, mostly. I'm asking this because...I'm wondering if it's about the same way as I'm feeling right now.

"Rgh?"

>I...I made her do something I'm not proud of, it was for a good cause but...but I made her fight for me in a fight I MADE dangerous...and I bet on her to lose.

"..."

>I'm a monster, you're a monster, I figured you and I could speak on a somewhat even plain. I'll give you a chance to explain yourself when that soldier returns with the pen and paper, so I suggest you think hard about what you say, because it may decide what I do with you.

"..."

Silence reigns in the infirmary as the two stare at each other, waiting for the Guard to return.

[Sir! I have the items you requested!]

>Excellent, soldier. You are dismissed.

[Wha-but I thought I could...]

>Trust me, I have this, wait outside the door.

[Yes sir.]

The soldier leaves, Shining levitates the pen and paper to Sombra's bedside table.

>Write.

"..."

Scribble...scribble...scribble...

'I surrender.'

>What?

Scribble.

'You are victorious, Usurper, you were from the moment you restored the Crystal Heart, I just hadn't realized it until a few moments before I knocked myself out in a rage. I am a creature known as a Wisp, a being that cannot die, but can never truly live again.'

>So you mean that...

'Yes, my conspiracy to restore my former glorious form was a pipedream at best. I have done many things I was not proud of in my pursuit of a return to power. Betraying 2's confidence, using her as an equine shield, working with that vile pustule of a changeling on the promise of sating his desire for carnal knowledge of a royal-'

>Wow, that is low.

Sombra nods.

'But I now realize it is all for naught. Thusly I destroyed my research in a rage and left myself in the state I was found in. I hereby surrender any claim to the throne and give myself over to any punishment you see fit.'

>Wow...well, I wasn't expecting that.

'What is my fate?'

>Er...give me a while to think on it, until then just...rest up. I'll be back later.

'I await your return with bated breath.'

Shining Armor leaves the room, possessing a lot more indecision than he had going into it.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Applejack 18
“Shining”
~~~~~~~~~

>All this fricken paperwork… piles and piles… hoof cramps… UGH! I got ink on my fur!

“Wow, that actually sounded like something the real Cadance would’ve said. Congratula--”

>EEEEEK! W-where did you come from?

“My birth certificate says my parents, but they claim they found me in Canterlot Square by the curb. I sometimes wonder which is true.”

>...joking?

“Entirely.”

>Well… knock it off! I’m only half-way through this purchasing order for... fooor… two tons of lip gloss?!

“Cadance does enjoy when her lips shine.”

>I’m pretty sure her lips aren’t the size of fricken Manehattan, though. That’s getting slashed down to one tube. She’ll make do.

“And that makes how many resourceful corrections you’ve made now?”

>68, and I’m only on the seventh form.

Two arms wound themselves around AJ18 from behind as Shining hugged her.

“Thanks for the second pair of eyes, 18.”

>Nnn…!!

*plit, plit, plit*

“18? Are you okay? Your, uh… your nose? It’s bleeding.”

>*hoof to her muzzle* Lub obuhdose…

“Come again?”

>Nuting. Tissues, pwease….
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________