Thread 11: Stories 1-15

Thread 11 archive: http://archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/16772586
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>Applejack
"Twilight"
~~~~~
Applejack takes a seat at her desk and moves her coffee cup and coaster closer to her when...

>Hey, who placed a cup on mah desk an' didn' use a coaster?

"AHAHAHAHAH! IT WAS ME! AREN'T YOU ANGRY? DON'T YOU WANT TO YELL AT ME?!"

Applejack finishes applying some windex to her desk

>There! Good as new, you were sayin' somethin' Twi? Didn' mean to ignore ya'll.

Twilight's eye twitches and she storms out

"UGH! AAAAAARGH!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>42
"???"
~~~

For what seemed like the millionth time, the warrior Changeling sighed to herself and put her chin on the table. She swirled around her drink, took another sip, and then hoped that the non-alcoholic beverage would spontaneously ferment, also seemingly for the millionth time.

She had no one to blame but herself, really. In hindsight, she could have walked over, outstretched her hoof, and he would have obliged her. She knew it without any hesitation that it was her own cowardice that left her like this, and not any lack of acceptance on his part.

But it just wouldn't mean as much to her. It just wouldn't have that same kind of magic if he walked over to her, of all of them in this vast ballroom of political powerhouses and well dressed beauties, HER, and gently extended his hoof, spoke in that chilling voice, and said-

"May I have this dance?"

No, that's alright, heart. You take your little vacation, it's all good.

In her fluttering, stuttering brain, she could only mutter out a few, muted words.

>Y-you too.

And this is normally when she would kill herself. Best time to do it, really, no one would blame her.

But instead of letting her entertain her thoughts of turning her laser blast inward, he snatched her up by the hoof, dragged her out onto the dance floor, and swayed with the softer music. As if they were the only ones there, he danced with her.

Her. Not Chrysalis, not 18, not Cadence. Her. He picked her for this song, for this dance, and he was giving her all the care an attention he would give his wife. It was the little things that meant the most.

She knew the song would be all too brief, she would be back to a stuttering mess when it ended, and nothing dramatic would change in their relationship, but that was okay.

For right now, it was just him, her, and the beauty of the night.

And she felt like she stood out brighter than the most powerful star in the sky.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>PotatoJack
"Spike" (real)
'Twilight'
{DT}
-Two-
Some snippets of (the better parts) spike's evening
~~~~~
"Huh, you know I've never really met another sapient that actually eats meat. It's a weird little thing to bond over but when you think about it can get lonely that anytime you ask someone how they like their steak they look at you like you've sprouted a mustache and started tying people to railroad tracks."

>Mph mhpmmph mhpmm

"True, but griffons tend to hate dragons with a passion. So know any great places to get the stuff?"

>M mmph mm mph. M mphmph mmph mph mph mph!

"Wow, and you can do archery, huh?"

Earlier...

"Twilight, let's be blunt here: you're a genius but what part of turning the Sub-Space Alternate Reality Simulator into basically a wish-granting genie does not sound like a bad idea?"

'I guess I was getting overly ambitious... I just want to do some real good for Equestria, no more Twilight the Inventor of Death.'

"You've done far too much for the whole world, not just Equestria, for a small hobby on the side to eclipse the good you've done."

'Like?'

Spike hugs Twilight

"Everything good in me begins with you."

'Aww... Thanks.'

Later...

-"You ain' never had friend
Never had a friend!
You ain' never had a friend
Never had a friend!
You ain't NEVER
HAD A
FRIEND
LIIIIIIIIKE ME!"-

Later...

{So what are you going to do if you come across heavy armor? I mean Flash Sentry doesn't look too vulnerable to bullets anymore, even big ones.}

"I could always cast myself some anti-armor rounds."

{Bzzt! Wrong answer, Romeo, time for me to tell you the virtues of explosions, demolitions, and light-weight anti-armor weapons.}

"I'm all ears if you've got one I could like...}

Later...

Spike and Rarity are in eachother's arms, swaying slowly to a slow dance song in their mind in contrast to the chaotic ebb and flow of the DJ battling with the Orchastra.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Mayor Mare
"Big Mac"
~~~~

>Hrm...

"..."

>...Sorry if I'm not a very exciting date, I've had a lot of fun, really. It's just... something's missing, you know?

"Eeeeyup."

>One tiny little thing I just can put my hoof on, and I don't know what it is.

"..."

>The music's fun, the ponies are so interesting, the atmosphere is stunning, but something... it's just not right, you know?

"Eeeyup."

>Maybe I'm just being paranoid. I've wanted to attend something like this since I was a little filly. Maybe my expectations were too high? Maybe It's just not what I thought it would be?

"..."

>I just don't know. Anyway, thanks for being my "pity date" Big Mac, I really appreciate it.

"Eeeyup."

>I just wish I could get over that niggling little feeling that something is missing from tonight.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>29
"AB"
'SB'
-SL-
[SS]
{BS}
~???~
~~~~

It was dead silent in the classroom. It's a good thing an eye twitch doesn't make a sound, or 29 would currently sound like a hurricane indoors.

>N-noooo pony move...

'...You mean like-UMF!'

"Mister, Ah' don't think yer' sposed ta' stick yer' whole hoof in her mou-UMF!"

-Hey! That's-UMF!-

[...]

{...We're good. We won't make a sound.}

>*TWITCHTWITCH!* G-g-goooooood... the little br-... chiiildren are finally asleep, and we would just HATE to wake them, wouldn't we?

[It would be a travesty.]

{What monsters would do that?}

>That's riiiight. Now...

His horn sparked green, and the CMC's eyes suddenly glowed with that same eerie light. Like zombies, the climbed into one of the beds on the floor next to the dozen or so kindergarteners, and lay down to sleep.

[...You can mind control ponies?]

>Normally, no. No I cannot. But these three are so impressionable I'm pretty sure I could hypnotize them with a watch and ten minutes to kill. But you two...

[Fine, jeez, we'll get into bed. No need to be pushy.]

{I was pretty tried anyway, just watching you was exhausting.}

His eye just twitched a little harder. Nonetheless, he tucked them in with care, and prepared to lie down and take his own well deserved nap.

*CRASH!*

At least, that was the plan before he heard something fall just outside the building.

....*TWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHT!*

With all the speed of a lightning bolt and the quiet of a night of still wind, he raced outside, into the street, ready to chastise whoever DARED to even consider almost waking those little monsters.

And that's when he noticed Ponyville was figuratively, and literally, crawling with demons.

~Foolish insect, this town is ours now!~

~The one who holds us back is here no longer.~

~We will rend the bones of those children, and all who lived in this town, asunder!~

~All shall bow and weep amidst a sea of gnashing teeth and wailing mothers.~

~Their souls but timber to our eternal and ever burning flame. We are the death, we are the dark, and all shall suffer.~

~And you, insect so insignificant, shall be the first to die.~

>.....

~....~

>....
*TWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCHTWITCH-*

*POP!*

~...Dude, did your teeth just explode?~

>....Twitch overload reached, engaging rage mode.

~...Y-your petty words and looks are nothing to us! We... we have seen hellfire... and...

With all the calm of a sunday walk, he trotted over to the nearest street light, and ripped it right out of the ground.

Silver Spoon was mostly asleep by this point, but she would swear, she would SWEAR she suddenly heard cries of "THE! CHILDREN! ARE! TRYING! TO! SLEEEEEEEP!" Amidst cries of horror and anguish that sounded almost demonic in nature.

It's odd, then, that this would be the best sleep she ever had, by far.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>SA
"Chrysalis"
'Celestia'
[18]
{42}
-Cadence-
~~~

>This is not funny.

"No, it's hilarious. The word you are looking for is 'hilarious'."

'Chrysalis, really, let him go.'

[You BOTH let him go! I get the last dance!]

"As your Queen, I get the next dance."

'I'm top Princess of this kingdom, so I get next dance!'

[You don't even like him like that!]

'...But... Chrysalis is trying to have a thing I want, and if I don't do this she gets the thing, and that just can't be right! You ask the impossible!'

-Will you ALL let go of my husband!-

{Sorry!}

-NOT YOU! You keep pulling! You're trying to pull him to me, you are doing a good job and you get cookie!-

"Every word like a blade to my heart, Cadence. Like. A. Blade."

[I'm feeling wounded myself here.]

'And after I adopted you and made you a Princess. Tsk. Tsk.'

-Oh stuff it, she's the only one actually on my side with this!-

"You could start pulling too, you know."

-...That sounds kind of hard, you all look really strong.-

>Ladies? Please? My forelegs are going to come off.

'He's right, how is he supposed to dance like that?'

[We need a solution to make everyone happy.]

{...Or we could just give him to his wife. Married, remember? He's... am I the only one that thinks this is weird? I can't be, everyone else is staring.}

"...I'VE GOT IT!"

{Please be the part in the joke where you steal my idea and pretend it was your own.}

"He'll just have to handle all of us at once."

-...-
[...]
{...}
'...Yeah, that sounds fair.'

[Why didn't I think of that?]

'Brilliant, that's what it is.'

-...Fine! We can all share Shiny this ONCE!-

>Do I get a say in this? I am having my doubts I could handle all of you-

"Oh hush, let us do most of the work and save your strength."

[Caddy can just love-zap you if you're about to go down.]

-I admit, I kind of am a little curious to see how this is going to work.-

{...Really? I'm the one who gets ignored. Me. I just... fine. Guess he might as well put all those muscles I trained into him into good use.}

'If it gets too confusing, we'll have to help each other on this.'

"Oh yeah, sad as I am to say it, the selfish act is just going to ruin the whole thing. Gotta play fair."

[If he looks like he's going down we can work together to keep him upright, it'll save on time.]

{Good teamwork initiative, I like it!}

-Oh, I'm actually excited! This looks like it will be so much fun!-

They descended on him. Mares with a power level, and sometimes height, that easily dwarfed his own. No where to run, no where to escape to.

>C-c-celly's mom? H-heeeeelp.

In the sky above him, spelled out in the stars themselves, letters began to form.

~YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN WITH THIS ONE~
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_____________
>Applejack
"Fiddlesticks"
'Haybail'
[Tenny C]
~Dixy Duet~

Applejack gazed forlornly at the ballroom at it's current state, the musicians were now half-dead, the White one and Gray one were just that close to outright murder
Shinign Armour was caught in a sordid tug-of-war between Caddy, Celly, Chryssy and 18, voices reaching higher and higher fever pitch, nothing 42 could do would stop their bickering
Spike and that potato-infatuated Changeling were making a gastronimic nightmare at the buffet, Diamond Tiara glared viciously at the dragon, something about date timing or somehwat.
It was no surpise all the regulars were cowering at the sides of the halls.
She understood why Celestia despised these Galas, they never went well, or they went off so damn dull, the Apple Queen sighed into her cider mug, either something really REALLY exciting needed to happen or the night was wasted

"Psst"
>...
"PSSST"
>Who?-
Suddenly 4 Earth ponies hiding underneath the table crawled out, she recognised them and her heart lept, they were extended Apple Family, and the best musicians of the lot, each year the reunions kept going way over schedule since these lot could always keep a tune going
'Well howdy-doo cuz!" The ruff goatee banjo plucker stallion exclaimed "Why di'nt y'all tell the clan you got a promotion? We would've had a hootenanny like alluva 'questria had never seen'
>You guys? How did you get throug-
[Ohh, Jackie, never you mind those silly upper classical type Guard ponies, and them freaky lil' Ladybug ponies] The cherry coloured trumpeteer mare schmaltzed over AJ's inquisitions [These here unicorns and all need some lil' gee up and go]

>I really don't think that'll be needed right now-
~Not needed?~ Blurted the light peach sing-song mare ~What'r y'all on about? Just look at this mess, this' meant to be the most fanciest of parties in Equestria?~
>YES! That's why ah really appreciate the offer an' all but this gala really dun stinks enoughas it is an' y'all have the habit of oh Sweet C you already brought the instruments din't you?
"Aaas ever!" grinned Fiddlesticks, the group brandishing their wares, a worn fiddlestick, a banjo held together by pieces of twine, a bastard son of a trumpet and cornet that against all musical laws reached a middle ground between the two, and Dixies voice that could both ring a sweet soprano and proper whooping and hollering
>Ah...well....listen....Ah know Ah ain't been...well, communicative to y'all bu-
She stopped short and saw what seemed to be another Spike stealthily stepping out of DT's line of sight and hide behind a pillar, while the first Spike she saw was still struggling to hold plate upon plate of potato related nibbles after the Potatojack gullet train.
Now firm in the belief that all was wrong and absurd with the world, she decided to very gently snap and relay new instructions to the Apple Hollerin' Gang
>Y'know what?
"[~'Yeees?'~]"
>Git them fightin' musicos off the stage, and show these Canterlot types how we Apples-
She reached around and grabbed all 4 of them in a group hug
>-really party!
5 massive yee-haws heralded a sudden charge towards the battle-scarred stage, within mere seconds the tumultuous orchestra and DJ set had been hurled unceremoniously onto the ballroom floor

Applejack layed her head on her side and smiled, it'd be nice to get a decent taste of home after this, to spend her time in her own room, in her own bed, with her real family. But for now, as a cacophonous country chord slammed all ear drums in the castle, she'd take what she'd get.
>LET'S SEE YOU FANCY PRINCESS TYPES HANDLE A REAL HOEDOWN!
And she leapt up, grabbed the nearest conscious stallion, and started the festivities proper.

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>Cheerilee
“77”
‘Applejack’
-Celestia-
__________

“Enjoying the waltz, my dear?”

>O-oh yes, it’s quite lovely… I’d almost forgotten what it was like….

“Well, allow me to reignite old passions, if only for tonight. A mare such as yourself should be entitled to the luxuries of life.”

>My, my, but you know how to flatter a girl….

“Flattery is truth nowadays? How the times change.”

>…

“Your face is turning a peculiar shade of red, Miss Cheerilee. Are you alright?”

>No… no, I’m f-wow….

“Pardon the sudden dip but you handled it exquisitely. I didn’t think you could bend so low.”

>There’s lots of things about me you don’t know, 77….

“Should this night last long enough, I plan to remedy that.”

>Mm, I hope so.

“If I can ask, how are the demons lately?”

>Oh, they’re fine. Hardheaded and committed to not learning a thing during class but outside of that, my curriculum is seeing the usual rounds pleasantly enough.

“I meant the literal demons, poppet. Mind the twirl.”

>Ah. They’re fine as well, and probably throwing a hissy fit at my absence, but I couldn’t possibly turn down the chance to share a waltz with you. You handle me so well.

“You’re very receptive to my movements, dear. Your every curve makes it a pleasure to lead.”

>…I… I don’t know what to say to that, 77.

“Say nothing and let me continue to handle you, poppet. I want to experience all the ways your body can move.”

“Then take me closer and find out.”

“As the lady commands.”

~~~~~~

-I’m… wow, I'm almost jealous at the way they’re dancing.-

‘That’s not dancin’. That’s expressin’ some sort of unspoken desire through intense movement is what that is.’

-Right. Dancing.-

‘Point.’
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>32/Lord Tourmaline
'Morlocks'
"Sombra"

32 had been looking for a distraction to leave the ballroom undetected and between the fighting over Shining Armor and the impromptu hillbilly jamboree, he'd certainly found his chance. Slipping through the aghast crowd, 'Lord Tourmaline' sneaked past the guards at the door and onto the castle grounds themselves, undetected by all but the wisp that had been observing him for some time now.

The disguised changeling trotted out into the garden, oblivious as wisp of ethereal smoke followed him from above. 32 walked into a stand of trees, stopping in a clearing and looking around.

>You may stop hiding now.

Sombra blinked, momentarily amazed he'd been discovered before three vile-looking creatures made their way out of the underbrush. All pale skin, sharp fangs, and unkempt mane, they bowed before the impostor who nodded back.

>None of you were discovered?

'No, chieftain.'

>Excellent, then what comes next is of the utmost importance, I need you all to procure the items I showed you before we set out. Believe me when I say they are crucial for what's to come next. Remember, be swift, be silent, be unseen. Meet me in the library when it is done.

'It shall be so.'

The creatures retreated back into the underbrush, leaving 32 to walk away in the direction of the library, a smile on his face. Sombra, resolve in his eyes followed after.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chrysalis
"Applejack"
-Various ponies-
~~~

>HAH! Finally out on the dancefloor, eh?

"Ain't you s'posed ta' be harassin' Shiny?"

>Taking a break. WOO, can that stallion move, like thunder he strikes!

"Really?"

>Yeah... however, just out of curiosity, do we have medical personnel on standby? He looks kind of overloaded at the moment.

"Meh, Ah'm sure he'll be fine."

>I see smoke coming out of his ears.

"Well, nice ta' know yer' so concerned about him."

>...Holy shit, I am. That's not like me at all! What did you do, you little mind witch!?

"Had a chorus o' angels sing thee a song ta' warm yer' icy heart."

>Really?

"...no."

>Aw, that sounds kind of interesting.

"How did ya'll almost take over Canterlot again?"

>Liiiiike, THIS!

"..."

>...

"..."

>...Hold on, I think my timing is a bit-

-YOU BITCH!-

>There we go!

-How could you!?-

-I just wanted to put in a form, I haven't ACTUALLY joined the harem yet!-

-WHAT!?-

-Oh, shoot, was that not what you were angry about?-

-NO!-

-Ah. Is this the Trotcolate thing?-

-THE WHAT!?-

-...You know what, I'm just going to let you say what's wrong.-

-YOU CHEATING WHORE!-

-Oh! That. Hey, if it's legal for YOU...-

-I'VE NEVER DONE THAT!-

-I know, but the option is there, and it is super sexi-GLK~!-

-Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to stop strangling that mare. Whatever problems you have, it'll... oh shit! Uh, listen, I didn't know she was married and-

-WHAT!?-

-...That isn't what this is about?-

-GLRGL! MADE-GLK-SAME-HRK-MISTAKE!-

-Same... you bitch! MOVE OVER!-

-THERE'S ONLY ROOM FOR ONE STRANGLER!-

-MAKE ROOM!-

-GLRLGLALGL!-

>...

"..."

>...Huh. I... had absolutley nothing to do with that. I was talking about that pony over there.

-Do do dooo, carryin' little food, do do- AH! A BANANA! MY ONE WEAKNESS!-

>See? Master planner, that's me.

"..."

>...Shut up.
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>AJ56
“Luna”
‘Gwen’
-AJ2-
______

As a different melody began to engulf the ballroom, several heads looked up, some expressing confusion and others a mild case of disgust towards the upbeat southern tunes thudding into their fragile, royal ears.

Among the offended were Luna and Gwen, who had inconspicuously wondered over some time ago.

‘What wretched orchestra did you and your sister seek to play tonight, Luna?’

“Tis not our doing, Gwendoline. We sought out only the best, but this… we do not know from where cacophony of noise arose. 56, does this not bother you as w-”

>Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout! Crank it up!

It was with stunned eyes that both Luna and Gwen watched as the little Changeling shed his prior sophisticated manner of dance in exchange for something more frantic and wild. The smile on his face couldn’t be missed as he gyrated this way and that.

‘He can’t be…’

“But he is…”

>C’mon, Moons! Don’t just stand there, these are the jams! Get on out here and shake that booty!

“56! 56, get over here! This is the Gala, a prestigious event! What you’re doing is shameful and-”

From the throngs of ponies now watching 56 bounced another Changeling, one that caused Gwen to squawk internally.

‘THE UNHOLY ONE!’

“…come again?”

‘I-I mean, n-nothing, nothing….’

-Oh yeah, this is my jam! Let’s show ‘em how to really dance!-

>Get it, Two!

It was the weirdest thing. In a room full of persnickety ponies who didn’t even know the definition of the word ‘party’, it could only be seen something momentous when, after watching the two younger Changelings dance without a care in the world, several of them began to twitch about. The motions were awkward at first… nervous glances at others were had… but then a few really got into it, some of the stallions began to stomp their hooves and many of the mares were starting to shake their rears.

And that was all it took. The dance floor was transformed into a state of jubilant chaos. The wooden waltzes and traditional steps were all but forgotten as everypony began to cheer and laugh and lose themselves to the beat of the Apple Family Band.

‘I… don’t believe this… Luna, what madness is-’

But the Lunar Princess was no longer at Gwen’s side, no, she was at 56’s, giggling along with him as they hooked arms and swung each other.

‘…ah buck it, just for tonight.’
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>SA
"Applejack"
~~~

>You look nervous.

"Ah' swear, Ah keep seein' Discord pop in and out in random places! Sometimes he winks, sometimes he give me a thumbs up, but he's plannin' somethin'."

>Well, Fluttershy popped in briefly, did you get a chance to ask her?

"...She did?"

>Yeah, actually she's right over- oh, never mind. She's gone now.

"....Ah'm scared."

>I'm not. Death would be a welcome release at this point. I can't feel my legs.

"You big baby."

>Says the Alicorn.

"...DAMN! Got me there. Okay, ya' ain't THAT big a baby."

>Thanks, I... hey! You know what? Just for that...

"...just for that what? Shiny? Shinin' Armor? Come on, just for that what? JUST FOR THAT WHAT!? DON'T YOU WALK AWAY! YOU GET YER' PEARLY WHITE ASS BACK HERE! SHINY! WHAT WON'T YOU DO!?"

>Stop you from making an ass of yourself in public.

"...FUCK YOU!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>AJ56
“Spike”
~~~~~

There was something more than a little reckless about the grin 56 sported as he and Spike stood a few feet outside a Canterlot bar. They hadn’t actually been permitted inside but that didn’t stop them from enjoying a few ciders at the entrance and pretending they’d gotten past the front door.

“I’m sorry… you want me to what?”

The grin grew wider.

>I said I want you to hit me as hard as you can.

“Okay, confused much? Why?”

>I dunno! Who cares, right? It’s just you and me out here, c’mon, hit me. Hard as ya can.

Spike couldn’t tell if it was the non-alcholic cider talking or if this was just 56 being 56 but, regardless, held the bouncing Changeling with apprehensive eyes.

“This makes no sense, 56. Why do you want me to-”

>Questions, questions, questions! Can’t you jus’ go with the flow, man? To the best of my knowledge, I’ve never been in a fight. How much can a Changeling know ‘bout themselves if they’ve never fought before? C’mon now!

He was constantly shifting weight from hoof to hoof, preparing himself with that manic smirk.

Spike was still confused.

“Well, I’ve been in fights before, especially with 42’s training. And let me tell you, it’s no picnic….”

>We’re not talkin’ about picnics. We’re talkin’ about fighting. You, me, right here, right now, we’re doing this, c’mon. Ball up them claws and hit me!

“…fine. Just to sate whatever kink of yours this is.”

>Not a kink, an’ you know what I’m talkin’ about.

“Whatever you say, man. Where do you want me to…?”

>Anywhere, don’t care. Don’t hold back, alright?

“Never do.”

*THWACK*

>AGH! You… ouuuuuch! Y-you little-that was my ear!

“Whoops, I, uh… wasn’t aiming there. Dang, my bad, are you alright?”

>Yeah, yeah, no, yeah, I’m fine, just…

“Hey, what’re you-”

*THUMP*

Fast as lightning, 56 returned the blow with a hoof right to Spike’s gut, causing the little dragon to stumble back, arms wrapped around his midsection, and crash into one of the carriages behind him.

56 shook his head experimentally.

>Wow… I can barely hear a thing outta this ear. Anyway, you ready to go again?

It took a moment for Spike to gather the amount of breath to answer.

“H-hell yeah. Round two.”

NON CANON
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Sombra
"32/Tourmaline"
'Robot'

The darkened halls of the Canterlot Castle library stood abandoned, all of the guards had been moved towards into the castle proper for security. The stallion that had called himself Lord Tourmaline trotted through the corridors, eyes peeled as he fished out the metal head of the robot from within his clothes.

"Volume ten percent."

'Affirmative.'

"You know where I need to go, yes?"

'I was programmed with extensive knowledge of the city's layout.'

"Right, I need to find books on..."

Tourmaline turned a corner, his voice becoming an indistinct echo, Sombra growled, stealthily floating near the ceiling as he tried to keep distance from his quarry.

"...and proper excavation techniques."

'Searching database...coordinates found. Take a left here, then walk straight on until you reach the last door.'

Sombra inched above the two of them glaring down, waiting to figure out just what the impostor's game was. Tourmaline meanwhile followed the head's instructions until he opened a door into a circular room of shelves filled with volume after volume of books.

"So many tomes, so little time. I must act quick...after all, I have an audience."

>...bollocks.

'INTRUDER DETECTED!'

"Volume."

'...redacted.'

Sombra descended from the ceiling, a nonplussed look on his face.

>How long have you been aware of me?

"When you became aware I wasn't falling down drunk after five glasses of alcohol."

>That was a trap?

"A test to see if anyone noticed of cared of the intricacies of this fellow's habits. Imagine my surprise when I drew the attention of the Great Despot, King Sombra. Poetic, I suppose, considering what I intend to do."

Tourmaline set himself to looking through the shelved books.

>Poetic how?

"You'll come to see things in due time, please have a seat, there is much to discuss."

>Are you always this obtuse?

'AFFIRMATIVE'

"Volume!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>SA
"Twilight"
~~~

The music playing was soft, steady, easy. Definitely slow dance material, and that is just what the pair mingling in the middle wanted.

"You know, you don't have to look like you're about to burst into tears-"

>LIQUID PRIDE!

"-every four seconds."

>I know, it's just... I remember when you went to your kindergarten dance, and dad got sick so I had to take you instead. I... I miss you being my baby sister, hugging onto my neck while we swung around.

"Shiny, we can't stay young forever. Even Two is going to-"

>LALALALALACAN'THEARYOULALALALALA!

"Oh stop!"

>Me? What about you, when I point out that Spike is probably ready to start da-

"LALALALALALASHUTUPWHO'STALKINGI'MNOTLISTENINGLALALALA!"

>Heh, same old Twili.

"And you're still the same old Shiny, wanting to protect the whole world and sad you can't be everywhere at once."

>Yeah... but you're the one who normally has to save the day, huh? Guess I'm not much of a protector. More of a last minute guy. Maybe I should've been Shining Lifeguard.

"Hm, dunno. Maybe you should've been the Alicorn of love instead."

>Oh, come on now.

"I'm serious!"

>But that would mean Cadence would have been Captain of the Guard, picture that for a second.

"...I can smell the smoke from beyond time."

>Right?

"Still..."

>...Hey, Twilight?

"Yeah?"

>I may not be on your level anymore, don't know if I ever was, but... if you ever need a shield and a great big warm guy to hug, I'm your stallion. No matter how big you get.

"O-oh, Shiny... I promise I'll never grow too big for you. Never. No matter what happens, I'm the LSBFF."

>Couldn't ask for more.

There could have been a thousand ponies on that dance floor, but at the moment, there was just a brother, a sister, and cherished memories.
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