Thread 6: Stories 120-135

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Canterlot castle, the gardens, underneath the moon. Changeling number Seventy Seven steps silently, cautiously, fearfully. He didn't sleep, sleep left him too vulnerable. Instead he took solace in the silence of the night, but the familiar sensation of being watched.

They were always watching him.

Always watching everyone. Always.

On his internal radar, he felt another prick of a distant presence and whipped around to see the faint, glinting light of a lens beneath the moon from across the city. It could have been anything, another might say, but he knew. He knew someone very immediate had taken interest in him, and now he had interest in this one.

In a hotel on the other side of Canterlot, Diamond Tiara had all but thrown herself and her telescope down when she swore the changeling she had been watching looked right at her. Her heart raced and she whispered to herself: "did he really see me?"

She didn't take chances, she called her observations done for the night and put away her telescope, shut the windows, closed the blinds, locked the door, and performed a dozen other security measures before crawling into her bed.

Beneath the covers, she nearly jumped as she felt something sharp poke her throat and before she could even help, a chitinous hoof plugged her mouth and her eyes met the gaze of the changeling she had seen only moments ago.

"Hello, poppet." He whispered from his place on the bed.

She now tried to scream for help through his hoof but instead he pressed a knife of bone harder to her throat. "No screaming." He whispered harshly and his eyes narrowed.

"Only answers." Seventy Seven added and waited.

Finally understanding, Diamond Tiara agreed with a nod.

Smiling, the changeling drew them both up and asked. "Why were you spying on me, little poppet?"

Once he asked this question, her removed his hoof but kept the knife pressed close.

"I-I wanted- I just wanted to see the Canterlot Gardens... They're so beautiful I hear." She lied.

And he knew it.

"Poppet, poppet, poppet." He chided and shifted the bone knife to press against Diamond Tiara's cheek, drawing a small thread of blood. "You shouldn't lie to grown ups, you know. Didn't daddy teach you?"

That was all it took to make her cave. "I-I wanted to find a way to kill even love empowered changelings! I'm sorry! Please, don't kill me!"

To her surprised, he drew back and laughed.

"So... you want to know a way to kill us? I'll be happy to tell you, poppet, get back under your covers and let uncle Seventy Seven tell you a little bedtime story."

Fear compelled her to followed her instruction and to more of her surprise, he began to tell her his tale and divulge just how vulnerable Changelings really could be.

She wished he hadn't.

"And we'll stop there for now, poppet. It's time to sleep. Sweet dreams." He said with even a kiss to her forehead before seemingly vanishing to the darkness he came from.

By the time day broke, Filthy Rich found his daughter still awake, still shaking, and still pale as when Seventy Seven first showed up.
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>Cadence
"42"
~~~~~~~~

>You wanted to see me, 42?

"Y-yes. A-hem... this is going to be a little hard for me, so bare with me, please?"

>O...kay?

"I just... I wanted to say thank you."

>Oh sweetie, you know you don't have to thank me! I'm glad to have you around.

"N-no. No. Not for me. I wanted to thank you for... for not forcing my Queen out."

>...Ah. You should probably go see Shiny about that one. He's been pretty much the sole reason-

"NO!"

>...

"Sorry, sorry... No. No he has not. I know how much he loves you, how deeply he wishes for you to be happy. I know, in my heart, if you had asked him, he would have cast her out the moment he was able. But instead..."

>...

"...Instead you let her stay. You- you don't understand what that means to her. I don't think SHE understands what that means to her. She's been traveling since birth. Take the love, burn what's left to the ground, and move on. That was her mother's philosophy. And it worked! As dark as this sounds, it worked. There was a reason she was the last Queen standing, and it wasn't the kindness of ponies. But that was... that was before we came here. In Canterlot, even now, we are feared. We are scorned. We are hated. But you..."

>42...

"You who have every reason to hate her most of all, cannot. I don't know if this- this strange nature is the reason you were chosen to be the Alicorn of love, but I must commend you. I must respect you."

>No, no you don't have to, I still didn't... I mean I hated...

"No need to lie. All the same, I know what she did to your husband must have been... disgusting to you. After spending time here and learning your ways, I do not blame you. Though I know it will never be a justification, and I do not want you to treat it as such, please just remember... to us, replacing someone to steal their love was just- it was just what we DO. It was the only way to survive. Her actions were malicious, but deep down it was simply instinct. She wanted to hurt you, but only because that is exactly how she was sure she was supposed to act. All the same, I don't resent you if you still blame her, or me for my own part I played in that invasion."

>No! I don't blame you. 42, I know you were simply following orders.

"Regardless, I want to say it. Thank you. Thank you for being there for her, and giving her what no others would ever give. Although I am pledged to serve my Queen first and foremost, I want you to know that I am always at your service. I cannot ever hope to repay what has been given to me, but I will try."

Cadence cannot stand it any longer. With a single movement, she embraces the Changeling.

>You don't have to repay a single thing, 42. I know.

"T-thank you. But I still..."

>I know. And 42?

"Y-y-yes?"

>Thank you for being my friend, and for being there for Shiny when he needed to feel like he could be somebody again. Sometimes... sometimes all anybody needs is a second chance. You deserved it, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

"N-no, I-I'm just here for m-my..."

>Shhh, I know. You don't have to say it.

"Thank you..."

>I know.
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>AJ 2
"SA"
~~~~~~~

>...Shiny.

"Two."

>...This isn't what it looks like?

"Really. It looks like you made what appears to be a very intricate and very well put together house of cards. Only a town. This is an entire town of cards."

>Hah! It's NOT what it looks like!

"What is it?"

>It's a city of cards!

"My mistake. Oh, and two?"

>Yeah?

"Please ask before you take my helmets again, alright?"

>M'kay.

"Just one more question. Who's she supposed to be?"

>She's Bugzilla!

"Oh! How silly of me. And you're the faithful guardian, defending the city from Bugzilla?"

>Yep! I'm Shiny Two!

"Well, then-"

They both are suddenly bathed in a lavender light, which fades away into new magical armor over the both of them.

"We must protect the city! Shiny one and two, battle ready!"

>YAAAY!

With gusto, she hops atop his back an picks up her roll of cardboard.

>Nothin' can stop us!

"You don't stand a chance, Bugzilla!"

Behind the cheap Nightmare Night lizard mask, 18 could only roll her eyes. Nonetheless, she played her part, let out a fierce roar and charged.

Friggen wibble stare.
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>AJ
"Guard Pony"
'77'

>Y'all wanted to meet with me, Thunderhead?

"Yeah, Princess, I'm here to lodge a complaint on behalf of the Royal Guard."

>About what?

"I know your heart's in the right place and we all kind of suck at our jobs but...that changeling's gotta go."

>What? Y'all've only had one training session with him!

"Yeah and that training session wasn't a training session at all!"

>Mind explainin'?

"We showed up at the drill yard as ordered, but when we get there all we find is this note giving us directions to the Everfree Forest. Then when we get there, we get another note from three fillies trying to get their 'Ominous Message' cutie marks!"

>And this one said?

"Find me before I find you. So we go in there thinking ok, he's here to play hide and seek, it's not like 42 kicking our flanks so we play along."

>And?

"And half of us are all stuck in some kind of trap or another and the other half ran out of the forest screaming."

>Uh...huh...

"And what's worse is, he kept leaving us notes with the guys he captured with a bunch of gibberish on it. Things like 'A true soldier stays quiet when he doesn't know the enemy's location', 'A true soldier does not blunder into obviously dangerous areas', and 'A true soldier doesn't scream like a little girl at a spider, seriously I didn't even set that up'.

>...Ya'll ain't the sharpest tool in the shed, are ya Thunderhead?

"One, nice rhyme, two shows what you know, half of the other guard got captured but I made it all the way here. Safe and sound."

'Correction, gentlecolt.'

"Wha?"

Thunderhead looks up, into the eyes of 77.

'99% of the Guard were captured, you were merely the last one because I found chasing you a boring exercise.'

"Hu...buh...wuh..."

'You were the first to run, Thunderhead, so I saved my most important lesson for you.'

77's eyes bore into Thunderhead's soul.

'A true soldier never leaves a comrade behind. Ever. Do you understand?'

"...Ijustwetmyself."

'You are dismissed, I look forward to personally instructing you in the future.'

Thunderhead bolts like a bat out of Tartarus.

>So Ah take it ya'll ain't impressed.

'There is potential. You cannot mold clay into a fine sculpture without getting your hooves dirty. Starting tomorrow I will dedicate myself to training these raw recruits into a lean mean fighting machine.'

>...Ah feel like ya should be getting paid for this.

'Please, if I succeed, their efficiency will be all the reward I need.'

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>SA
"Chrysalis"
~~~

"You cruel, cruel bastard."

>What? Don't you want a little huggy time? Come on, who knows what might happen?

"You aren't a pony, you're evil incarnate!"

>Oh, are you sure you don't want a hug? I'm just feeling so huggy right now!

"HIISSSSS!"

>Okay seriously, Chrysalis, get in the pool.

"NO!"

>You are wearing ten different water wings and have wrapped the pool noodles around you like a shroud. You could not be more buoyant. You have more floating power than a bag of air at this point.

"No! I'll sink!"

>You won't sink. It only comes up to my chest, see? You're taller than me. This is bubble bath sized.

"You'll just make me go to the deeper end!"

>Chrysalis, at this point I'm fairly sure a dragon couldn't pull you out of knee high water.

"I have holes in my legs! HOW CAN I SWIM!?"

>Chrysalis?

"WHAT!?"

>I'm right here.

"...You promise?"

>Promise.

"No pullbacks on this one, I swear to the great chitin of my ancestors!"

>No pullbacks. No fooling. No nothing. I will not let go, okay?

"...F-fine!"

*She very, very, VEEERY slowly gets in.*

"O-okay, this isn't so-ACK!"

*SPLASH!*

>Chrysalis!

~~seconds later~~~

>Yeah, hard to swim, or stand up, when you're so covered you can barely move your legs, isn't it?

"S-shut up."

>You okay?

"No! I went underwater!"

>For half a second.

"A-and then..."

>I pulled you up. See? Promise kept.

"...Thhhh..."

>...

"...thhhhhaaaa..."

>...Just say thank you.

"...Thank you."

>Good job. Now are you going to at least loosen up enough I can get some of this off you?

"No."

>Enough I can walk us out?

"No."

>...Guess I'm waiting for someone to come by and magic us out, aren't I?

"Yes."

>*Sigh*

"...You're considering saying something about us having sex, because you know this is the one time I won't even pretend to take you up on it, aren't you?"

>Never crossed my mind. Though it would be pretty nice retribution, now that you mention it.

"...Thanks for being a nice pony."

>It's what I do.
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>Celestia
"Twilight"
'Flash Sentry'
~~~~~
>Twilight, you told me you had a progress report on how to improve the Royal Guard.

"Yep, and it's not just one way either, my mind is full of billions on billions of ideas! Okay, it's actually closer to twelve and I bundled three into one package."

>Alright, I'm all ears. I don't want Equestria to fall behind.

"Alright, since our guards are lacking skill, my proposal is to do what every other civilization does when it lacks skill in its warriors: make up for it with superior technology and firepower! Presenting Project: Power Guard!"

The lights go on in a room separated from them by a pane of glass revealing Flash Sentry.

Or what used to be Flash Sentry.

He was more machine than pony now. Possibly twisted and evil.

"The Power Guard combines cybernetic, nanomachine, and genetic augmentations all wrapped in a powered armor package to give us a spliced, cyber-soldier of the future. A modified nervous system and fight-or-flight response centers allow them not only enhanced reflexes, but the ability of a commanding officer, with the right key, to be able to reroute fear from the soldier! Gene tonics and nanites make it possible to increase the efficiency of oxygenation over twofold combined with metabolic modifications that allow for soldiers to become indefatigable powerhouses! Along with standard packages, such as increased tolerances to all forms of physical trauma, a redundant cybernetic nervous system, multiplied regenerative abilities, hell, it's easier to list what he doesn't have!"

>Can he still speak?

"Oh, sure!"

Twilight hits a switch.

"Flash, the Princess wants to speak with you, the brave volunteer who offered to better the Royal Guard! Have any words?"

'GRAOOOOOOOOOOOO-!'

"Oops, voice modulator wasn't turn on, sorry."

Twilight hits another switch

'HELP ME! THIS CRAZY BITCH SLIPPED ME A ROOFIE AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW I WAS IN HERE AND SHE WAS MAKING ME KILL HER FAILED EXPERIMENTS! AND I THINK SOME OF THEM WERE MY FRIENDS!'

Twilight rolled her eyes.

"Flash, please, that's ridiculous. Those were just clones of your friends I tried to create to bolster the numbers of the Royal Guard.

>You were making clones too?

"Yeah, I hit some snags with the growth acceleration process and memory imprints. Another idea of yours truly. I was planning to ultimately make an army of Shinys!"

'THEN JUST DO THAT AND LET ME OUT OF HERE! PLEASE!'

>Twilight... How much does this cost?

Twilight hands her the bill and shakes her head.

>Throw him in with the rest of your failed experiments

"Thankfully not necessary, the process is... Mostly reversible."

'What's not reversible?! Please tell me the things you cut off can grow back!'

"Oh, of course! Don't be such a baby!"

She turns to Celestia and whispers

"No they won't..."

>In any event, this is a bit more than what I was hoping for, but I still look forward to seeing more ideas of yours. Especially the clones, I think I have a grand plan for that one.

"Alright, Princess, good speaking with you, and thank you, Flash for Volunteering!"

'I never asked for this...'
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>Fancy Pants
“Shining”
‘Crystal Guards’
__________

Fancy Pants didn’t exactly know what he was doing, or for what bizarre reason, but there existed within him this inexorable pull… He had to get there.

He had to see ‘that’ again.

>I must be barking mad….

Even as he stepped off the train and onto Crystal Empire territory, his mind continually drifted back to Canterlot and all the meetings without his presence. He could only imagine what was being thrown about the grapevine concerning his abrupt departure, and found he didn’t care.

The trip to the palace was made in short measure and Fancy Pants soon found himself before the gate guards and all their glistening splendor.

>Fancy Pants at your service, chaps. I’ve come to see Miss Two.

‘Huh. That would explain the see-through balloon full of marshmallows you’ve got there, I suppose.’

>Hm? Oh! Oh yes! Last we met, I noticed the little lady had quite the liking for them, you see.

‘You don’t say. Well, if we can ask, Fancy Jeans-’

>Um, Pants, my good man.

‘Right. Pants. Anyway, what about Two could have made a prestigious Cantie such as yourself travel all the way over here?’

>In truth, gentlemen, I’ve no answer of reason for you. It confuses me as well, but all I know is that I’m here, I’ve a present, and it will be delivered readily.

‘Hm. Fair enough. Welcome to the palace, Fancy Spats.’

>...That’s Fancy P- never mind. I thank you.

Once past the front door, it didn’t take long for the dignified unicorn to run into Shining down one of the many hallways.

“Fancy! I was just on my way to get you!”

>No need, dear boy, although I’m rather glad you showed up when you did. Your humble abode is nothing short of a labyrinth.

“Ha, tell me about it. I get lost more often than not. So… would that balloon there be for Two?”

>Why yes, it is, and… on further reflection, I don’t really know why I’m intruding like this but-

Shining broke out in a series of chuckles.

“It’s the effect she has on people, Fancy. Trust me, you wouldn’t be the first and you sure won’t be the last. Also? If you want the biggest smile you can get out of her, call them ‘marchmalley’s.’”

>A foreign word to be sure… but for Miss Two, anything.

“Come on, she’s over here in my room. We’re playing Candyland, care to join?”

>Er, I’m afraid I haven’t a clue as to what that is….

“Oh, she’s going to have a field day teaching you, friend.”

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>Crystal guard
"Applejack"
'42'
~~~~~~~

>Princess Applejack! Welcome to the Empire.

"Yeah yeah, where's yer' Prince? Need ta' talk ta' him."

>He's currently indisposed, I'm afraid.

"What? What could be more important than-"

An explosion went off in that second, shaking the entire castle. The guard was unfazed.

>Sorry, Majesty, but 42 is currently trying to burn off some of her excess love. She's worried it'll make her reliant on it like the others are.

"...Uh huh."

>Only downside is, she tends not to go as easy on his Majesty when she does.

Another explosion, this time one severe enough to rattle the pictures askew on the wall.

>Is... is that safe?

"Pffthahahahah..."

>...

"...*clears throat* apologies. I merely meant to say, well, she would probably sooner eat her own arm than seriously injure him. He'll be fi-"

The wall beside them shattered inward as if hit by a rocket. A white, pony shaped rocket. A white, pony shaped rocket covered in a magical shield, to be more precise. They would have investigated further, but unfortunately the white thing was late for a very important date, and had not time to say hello or goodbye.

'YOU PANSY! I BARELY HIT YOU!... Hi, Applejack,'

"42."

'Nice day?'

"Can't complain."

'Good... good... I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT A REAL HIT IS!'

With that, 42 departed, surely for some important business.

"..."

>...Would you like some pastries? He always has an apple fritter delux on standby, just for you.

"Considerate o' him. Would hate ta' look ungrateful, so maybe ah'll just have a piece or two."

>Good call.

"So are ya' really not worried?"

>Sure.

"..."

>...I'm also thankful it's not me out there, yes. But that's unrelated.

"Uh huh."
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>42
"DT"
~~~~~~

>...Well, this seems legit.

When she had gotten the message for a meeting with Applejack in this location, she was confused out the gate. The map was a bit crude and very hard to follow. At first, she believed this to be the reason she was now standing outside Everfree forest, a simple mistake. The sign saying "Changeling go here", and the little arrow told her differently. This was obviously a trap. So obviously she went right in. She HAD to see this.

She made it about a hundred feet in before the sky suddenly ignited with rockets, and they all rained upon her like the fury of heaven. The explosion could likely be seen clear from Canterlot.

"HAH! Got you, you stupid bug monsters! WHAT NOW!? WHAT'CHOO GOT YOU AIN'T GOT NOTH..."

>Impressive.

Diamond Tiara's jaw hit the floor. The Changeling was not only not phased, it looked like they hadn't even hit her! How could she dodge a barrage like that!?

>Are you quite done?

"...Nope."

From her hiding place, she hefted a massive rocket launcher, so massive 42 actually had to stop and wonder just how she was keeping it aloft, and fired again.

Dodging rockets was easier than expected, the Changeling noticed. They were big, loud and honestly not as fast as a well fired spell. Still, even with all this going for her it wasn't a cakewalk. Time to end this.

In the span of a single blink, the Changeling was upon her, and with a single swing she knocked the weapon clear into the sky. They both heard it land in the distance, with the distinct splash of water. Also near a cat, if the comical screech was any indication. What it was doing out here, neither had any time to wonder.

>Now are you do-GAH!

She had expected the small pony to crumble without her arsenal, to be helpless without the big gun to back up her big mouth. She did not expect dirt being thrown into her eyes. She fought dirty, it seemed.

42 felt something smash harmlessly against the side of her head. To any normal pony, a rock would probably have been pretty effective. To her, she might as well have used a water balloon. Still, it distracted her long enough for the fillies real goal, which was to slip past her and make a break for it. Straight towards...

>Are you insane!? Don't run further INTO the forest!

"Shut up, bug monster!"

>And come up with more variation in the insults! That one's getting stale!

42 didn't know a lot about pony society, to be honest, but she did realize that a minor running deep into a monster infested forest would likely be frowned upon. So, reluctantly, she chased after her.

And was immediately almost skewered by a set of traps. And then almost caught by a set of nets. And then almost eaten by a cragodile in a snakepit. This filly was better prepared than expected, she had to admit.

>Where the hell is she even going?

"Right here, insect creature!"

She finally caught up with the filly, to find her standing in the middle of a very shallow river.

>...Fine, at least it's new.

"Thanks."

>You found your rocket launcher. Goody.

"Oh, that's not why I want you out here! I wanted you out here because I'm smarter than you!"

>Really?

"Yes! For you see, I know how chemicals work, unlike you stupid chitin skinned beasts! Chemicals like, say, Mercury fulminate, a highly explosive material! Which is very present in the soil you are standing on! AHAHA!"

>That was fortunate.

"AHAH.... a-actually, there's not muc right here. The uh, the plan was to have you way, way down the stream that way, where there's a lot of it. Kind of hard to wing it after the uppercut."

>Think on your feet, I'll give you that. Traps planned too?

"...Well, no. Those were, uh, those were already here. I think there was a training exercise or something going on? Made it a PAIN to get around, I tell you. I almost died a bunch of times."

>Thank goodness we were spared the tragedy.

"Yeah, but they worked for what I needed. But no matter! One shot, and you're bug stew- DAMN IT!"

>Yeah.

"I ONLY BLINKED FOR LIKE, HALF A SECOND!"

Now standing before her, the Changeling had herself a nice, cocky smirk.

>All I needed.

No matter how she struggled, the filly couldn't lift the launcher now shoved to the ground.

"... I could still blow you up."

>Sure, if you don't mind dying yourself.

"Considering it"

>Why?

"Because you're the strongest one, right? You're the most powerful changeling!"

>Besides my Queen.

"That's why! Everyone else maybe fooled, but do you really think I don't see right through you things!? Oh, it just so HAPPENS that you're now in Canterlot, and it just so HAPPENS that you're becoming indestructible one by one!? What a fortune for the invasive species. How does anyone swallow this buffalo shit!?"

>...Hm, you kind of have a point there.

"I saw what happened at the wedding, and you are NOT INVADING PONYVILLE! It's filled with idiots, nincompoops, losers and blankflanks, but they're MY idiots, nincompoops, losers and blankflanks! NOW DIE!"

The clicking noise was almost sad.

>... Ignition powder got wet?

"Looks like it."

>So...

"So... how are you for money? You like bits? My daddy has a lot of bits. Probably would pay you not to kill me, he seems like the type."

>Was never going to kill you.

"Oh... Now, see, I wish you had said that before I pulled the trigger. I was thinking, like, death was upon me and I wanted to go out in a cool way. This puts it in a new perspective."

>You ready to get out of this forest already?

"I'll, uh, I'll walk. Thanks."

>...You'll walk.

"Yep."

>Though the monster infested forest of doom.

"It's not that scary, I don't know what everyone is on about."

>...I'm still going to fly you out. Legally I think I have to.

"I'll send you a check for the services."

>...So did you build all this yourself?

"Please no more talking."

>Fine, fine. Leave the weapon, I don't trust you.

"Fair enough."

And thus, the two exited the forest, sans rocket launcher. But as she dropped the filly off on the edge of Ponyville, 42 couldn't help but wonder to herself about the pony. Those weapons were pretty cool, and hoofmade, maybe Spike and her could have a talk? He liked that kind of stuff. Hey, maybe she would even like to meet 77! They seem like they would hit it off.

Something to think about.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Twilight
"Chrysalis and 18"
~~~~~
Twilight is humming to herself while examining some blood samples of her recent clone batch

>It took some effort, but it seems like these guys are stable! This was a triumph!

She danced over to her notepad.

>I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS! I think I've earned myself a drink.

Her back cracks

>Ugh... And maybe a massage from Spike. Who the hay says science isn't physically taxing?

As she opens the lab to her door she nearly jumps seeing Chrysalis and Eighteen right at the entrance.

"WE HEARD YOU CAN MAKE A SHINY CLONE!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chrysalis
"SA"
~~~~~~

*CRASH!*

>Oh my! I didn't see you walking there, how clumsy of me-

"No."

>Damn it! It works in the movie!

"I know, Chrysalis. You and Cadence make me watch them. Also, quick note, at no point does the collision in movie result in someone being pushed into the wall. Not even bumping it, which is what did not happen, or going INTO into the wall, which is what DID happen."

>You know, most guys only watch that stuff with their marefriends so that they get a 'reward'.

"I'm married. I am long since past the point of needing to watch a terrible movie for a bit of action."

>Pfffftthhahaahah

"Shut up."

>Just saying! I wouldn't mind giving a 'reward'. Lights go down, you wrap your arm around my neck, then I leeeean down and drink out of your straw-

"Stop."

>What, was I too vague? Eeesh, you guys suck with habanero's.

"Innuendos."

>Hey! I just said a little mouth action, let's not get crazy till after the movie.

"Habanero is a pepper."

>What, the little black stuff on the table comes in more than just regular?

"...I feel dumber when we have these conversations."

>Hey, I stopped with the brain drain stuff, I swear!

"Please get me out of the wall."

>Fine. Mind giving me a little... handle? Eh? Eh?

"...Oh my god that would hurt so much."

>...Wow, okay, you're right. That would hurt. Regular style!

*SMASH!*

"I said pull, not push!"

>Schematics!

"Semantics!"

>I'm not religious!

"....AARRRRRGH!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Cadence
"Chrysalis"
'SA'
~~~~

All was peaceful today. Shining Armor continued his diligent work to ensure the prosperity of his Empire, Chrysalis was currently dragging her ass across his desk just to watch him react, all was well.

Until the door was blown off it's hinges.

>FUCK YOU!

"Alright, FINE! Eeesh, no need to get so needy about this. But only you! And just this once!"

>....What.

'WHAT!?'

"What?"

'...'

>...You were messing with me, weren't you?

"Stopped the yelling!"

'I give you points for this, and nothing else. What's the matter, honey?'

>She turned into me and went into a strip club!

"When you say 'went into'..."

>You hopped up on the pole and gave them a show!

'CHRYSALIS! Oh, that is IT-'

"Did not!"

'-I WILL... you didn't?'

"Nope. Did you watch?"

>What!?

"Did you watch the show?"

>No!... Well, I mean, I saw a little bit, but then I shot at you and you ran off!

"Wasn't me, and I'll prove it! Shiny! Magic me up a poll, and let's get sexy!"

'...No.'

"But however will we know!?"

'Because I'm assuming you ran over here immediately after, right honey?'

>Yes?

'She's been in this room all day... ALL... DAY...'

"Spoilsport."

>So... someone's running around looking like me and stripping? And it's NOT the obvious one?

"Looks like it."

>So then... who was that?

'I don't know, and the guards aren't going to be much help in finding a Changeling. What we need is a Changeling to understand them, someone who's good at getting information, and someone with the means to get physical evidence so we can prosecute them.'

>...Hmmmm...

"...dooon't caaaaarrre..."

'...I've got it!'

~~~~~later~~~~~~~

'So, you know what you have to do?'

The little changeling gave a salute, and re-adjusted her camera.

[You can count on me, Shining Armor!]

'I know I can. Good luck, 10.'

~~~~~
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>AJ 18
"Celestia"
'SA'
[Changeling]
~~~~

>Shiny? Do you have any idea what Cadence spent five hundred... what the fuck?

"WORK, DAMN IT!"

'This is a dumb idea.'

[I like the attention, but I'm not following the logic.]

>I too would like to know why you are rubbing that Changeling on Shiny's head.

'She thinks I'm magical.'

>Are... are you not? How do you do the sheildy thing, then?

"Different kind of magical! Changeling, what do you see now?"

[I have a name-]

"WHAT DO YOU SEE!?"

[Paper! I see a little paper! With some writing on it... Can I have that? It looks delicious.]

'No.'

"DAMN IT! Back to rubbing."

'This isn't going to work.'

"...Hmmm, you might be right. Changeling! Make sexual advances towards Shiny!"

[Oh hey, you noticed I was female! Cool. Everyone's being all weird about that.]

"FOCUS!"

[...Hey buddy, how you doin'?]

'That's your pick up line, really?'

[...You uh, you want to catch a movie sometime? Maybe go out to a nice dinner?]

"I said sexual!"

[Oh, okay... maybe after a nice dinner we could touch hooves? You know, if you want to. I don't want to rush you or anything.]

'...Wow, that's new.'

[I mean, I don't want you to feel pressured or anything, I'm fine being friends.]

>Are you actually a Changeling?

[What else would I be?]

"Now what do you see!?"

[...Man, that paper is really enticing, can I just have a bit?]

'Here. I'm rejecting this bill anyway.'

[Woo! I like this guy, he's nice. Can we hang out? I wanna hang out sometime.]

"UGH! THIS ISN'T WORKING! I need to re-evaluate what it is the Shiny does to make these things useful! I need.... TWIENCE!"

With that, she tears off, conveniently leaving the Changeling behind.

[... So, okay, don't want to sound needy, but she kind of flew me over here. Is there- I mean, can I get a way home? Not that I'm sure you're not great and all, but I have no idea where I am.]

'I'll buy you a train ticket.'

[Wow thanks! He's nice, that's nice.]

'Anytime pal.'

>...What is wrong with you?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Applejack
"Various Changelings"
~~~~~~

>Soooo... how are ya'll doin'?

"I TASTE FEAR!"

>Good... good... Is 42 keepin' track of ya'll?

"Yeah, turns out we don't really leave the ballroom all that often. Except for 61, 13, 69 and 23."

>Wait, who're they?

"How do you not know them? They're with you Shining Armor all the time!"

>...Did ya'll mean 18, 10, 29 and 12?

"All those staples, wasted!"

>She shouldn'a stapled paper ta' ya'll in hindsight, ah' agree.

"Now what do we do!?"

>Keep doin' what yer' doin'? Ya' ain't causin' too much trouble, and ya' don't look like yer' about ta' die.

"59 could go either way. His gimmick was that he was attracted to fires."

>Gimmick?

"Yeah, we all have one! Look, see, I can juggle!"

He tosses the balls in the air, and they immediately fall to the ground.

"FUCKING LEGHOLES!"

>Cool... jus' gonna leave ya' to it!

"Okay, you got this, you got-DAMN IT!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Celestia
“AJ2”
‘Applejack’
-Spike-
________

>All this motherbucking neverending paperwork! I swear, I sign one and four more jump up like magic! Horrible, soul-wrenching magic!

‘Lookin’ kinda stressed there, ‘Tia. Can’t be all that bad.’

>Look here, appleass. I don’t want to hear nothing from some mare who sprained her hoof filing forms, alright?

‘Hey, y’all don’t think Ah’d rather be helpin’? Yer’ probably doin’ ‘em wrong anyway, but Ah know Spike would have mah rear if Ah even attempted to work….’

>Oh, I’m sure he’d love to have your rear.

‘How d’ya mean?’

>...nothing. Forget it.

‘Well, lucky for y’all, Ah’ve arranged fer’ something that’s guaranteed to put a smile on yer’ sullen muzzle.’

>Ha! And again, HA! There is nothing on my great wide world that can make me smile right now. Not even for all the free cake I could eat!

Applejack merely gestured with her good hoof towards the door, which was at that moment thrown wide open.

‘Introducin’, AJ2!’

>What in the blue Tartarus-

“Heya!”

The little Changeling zoomed into the room and right up into Celestia’s lap, staring up at her with undying excitement.

“My name’s AJ2! I like these little holes in my hooves, Shiny, and marchmalley’s!”

>EEEEEEE!

Celestia dropped her pen and threw her arms around the giggling Changeling, a smile wider than the sun on her lips.

“Wow, you’re warm! Must be ‘cause you got the sun in you right?”

>EEEEEEE!

“I bet you’d make a great marchmalley heater! I can fit those in my hooves, too! Wanna watch me?”

>Yes! Yes I want to watch! SPIKE BRING UP SOME MARCHMALLEY’S!

Spike’s confused voice could be heard down the hall.

-The hay are marchmalley’s?-

“*gasp* He doesn’t know what a marchmalley is!”

>EEEEEE!

While AJ2 continued to look cutely affronted by Spike’s lack of knowledge towards the best on earth, Applejack couldn’t help but giggle at how the solar princess squeezed the adorable Changeling like she was a teddy bear.

‘Told ya, ‘Tia.’

"Soooo waaaarm!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________