Thread 74: Stories 16-30

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~~~

It had been quite a long day.

Quite a long, long day, filled with a lot of long papers, a lot of signing, quite a bit of legwork and a lot of very annoying questions that needed to be asked.

But for the stallion of stark grey coat with just as stark grey hair, long days like this made it all worthwhile. Long days like this meant he was doing a lot of good. Long days like this meant he was making a real difference. Long days like this meant he was weeding out those who would abuse his home's fantastic charity system, and ensuring that the light of pony kindness could shine through without need of being overtaken by those who would corrupt it.

For the Stallion known as Slate, these days were worth living for. These days were worth coming home to with a smile on his face, and a slight hop to his step. These days were what made him feel alive, and that his past was well behind him.

However, some things will never fully leave him, he realized. Some things stuck with him, and likely would until the day his heart stopped beating. For instance, several instincts never truly left him. One of which was that slight tingle he got in his left ear when things were not exactly as they should be. Another thing was the slight itch in his back right hind leg, that told him something was ever so slightly unbalanced. He had entered into his house with joy, and in the blink of an eye had found all of that gone away. Something, in his home, was wrong.

“Was wondering when you would get off. Weird, always took you ponies for getting off early.”

He was gone, in a flash of light and magic, he was gone. Gone so quickly that the changeling sitting at his table only had a second to put down the mug of coffee that was resting in his hooves before that magic shimmered behind him.

The first strike was just barely dodged, but no retaliation could land. Gone away was the body he tried to strike, instead replaced by air in a wash of magic.

But Seven had learned, and he had learned well, what to do when faced with a rapidly teleporting enemy. For he was not a pony, he was not like them at all. He could sense the love mixed in with any magic used, he could sense it as easily as one could hear an alarm bell. When that magic began to reform the pony, spanning only the blink of an eye, he could follow it. He could tell exactly where that otherworldly force was planning to drop him off, and could react in kind.

And react he did, with a strike that would no doubt end this fight before it even truly began. A strike angled right into that stony grey chest.

He expected a cry of pain, of course.

...He just didn't expect it would be his own cry.

“OW! What the fu-”

His jaw would likely be stinging for days from that hit. A hit hard enough to send him sailing clear over that table and across the room. Shockingly, despite the force of the blow and all his subsequent spinning, he had managed not to break anything and land on his hooves. Just in time to watch the pony before him vanish into light.

But in that glimmer of a second, he had seen something, something that made the synchronized ache in hoof and in jaw all make sense. When his opponent reappeared for another strike, he was ready.

Ready to hook his hoof under the stallion's and roll to the side, that is. Bending it at an unnatural angle as he forced the grey cheek to the ground. Now, with his foe as he wished, he could at last examine the hoof that had brought him such pain.

As expected, it was no ordinary limb. It was coated with something akin to stone. He could feel the blood flow and love magic beneath it, which meant it was merely a covering rather than a full transformation, but that did not diminish the structural strength it displayed.

“Impressive, I'll have to remember-HNNNG!”

He really was slipping, he realized. He should have been paying attention to the other's hind legs, then he would have noticed in time before a similarly stone covered hoof slammed down on her own hind hoof, and let out a painful crunch.

His grip faltered just long enough for his foe to land a blow right to his chest, slamming him out of the kitchen and into the pony's rather lavish looking living room. A pity he had no time to admire some of this furniture, Seven mused, it looked rather expensive.

Strangely, after that blow... there was silence. No further retaliation, no attack, not a single sound. It was as if he had never been.

And, sure enough, as soon as Seven looked around the room, there was not so much as a trace of him, not so much as a single indication he had ever been there. Nothing but an open window, and a gentle breeze wafting through the room.

“Seriously?”

He sighed, disappointed... before suddenly lunging to the side, driving his elbow deep into the wall that had shifted behind his back. The entire section fell away, crumbling into dust no longer held int place by magic, and revealed the stallion hiding underneath. Where once had been an impeccably smooth wall revealed to be nothing but an illusion, and the stallion once more found himself grappled.

“I can sense love, asshole. Obviously you can't-”

Again, he was reminded that perhaps he was not in the best of shape when the stallion's head suddenly snapped back, landing a blow right into his nose. So taken off guard, he had no way to respond when the grey hoof grabbed hold of him, and teleported him into the air.

A weight like a stone enveloped pressed down on his chest as gravity took hold, and when his body met floor the air in his lungs seemingly decided they had other places to be right then. But the one atop him seemed to be lacking in sympathy for his plight, or at the very least felt it was much less important than teleporting him up to slam him down again.

This likely would have continued on, were it not for the green fire that wrapped around the changeling's body, and where had once been chitin was now nothing but fluffy, giant puffy fur. The blow lost almost all of it's momentum but the kick delivered after that fluff vanished in flame was far less lacking. With an almost comical 'puft!' the stallion landed on his rather expensive looking couch. The money was well spent, it seemed, since he was back on his hooves in seconds.

“You know, this has been fun, but-”

His words died young. There was a click, a sound of a door being unlocked, and the look on the stallion's face told the changeling agent that the game had changed, it was no longer a fight. The sound of the door in the other room opening had been the bell that said time was running out, and there could be no more waiting.

That grey stone like dust formed around his hoof once more, twisting and hardening until it took on a very distinct shape. A shape that said the time for blunt objects were over, and now it was time to cut away the threat. Without hesitation, he charged.

In an instant, Seven's own green blade was out. He too charged.

There was the sound of two bodies hitting each other, and silence.

Silence, until the door to the living room opened, and a bright pink mare with light green hair stepped inside.

“So then I said 'You did not!' But see! It's real! Here's the picture and everything!”

“I don't believe... oh! Hello Dear, sorry, didn't hear you come in.”

The mare shifted her bag of groceries in confusion as she looked across the room. She blinked, quite taken aback by the sight in front of her. Standing on the other side of the couch was the grey stallion she recognized, but also a strange blue unicorn she couldn't quite remember seeing before. But he certainly seemed close to her Slate, since they both were pressed side by side against each other, looking at some picture the blue pony was holding.

“Oh my! And this must be the lovely lady you've been telling me about.”

“Indeed, my old friend. Soothing Belle, this is my companion from the... old days.”

She winced, shifting a bit uncomfortably.

“Oh... the old-old days?”

“Yes. We're doing a bit of catching up, so-”

“Oh, yes of course. Pleasure to meet you mister...”

“Just call me Waves. By the way, he speaks VERY highly of you, and I can see why.”

She blushed a bit as he winked at her, but found a bit of humor when Slate pressed down an very distinctively textured hoof on the blue one.

“Just a compliment, I assure you!”

“He's a 'joker' that leaves the room quiet as a mouse, pay him no mind.”

“Oh, I know the type. I'll leave you two to talk, I'm sure you have a lot you need to catch up on.”

“You have no idea...”

She left the room as quietly as she came, seemingly deciding she needed to take a little walk right then, and left the home as suddenly as she had arrived.

They waited until they were positive she was long gone, and then pushed away from each other.

Awkwardly, Seven rubbed his neck where there remained a tiny cut upon it, but not enough to really draw blood. Likewise, Slate found his own hoof rubbing a mirror of that spot, which too had little more than a scrape and some cut fur.

The moment before she had arrived was still fresh and vivid in their minds. Two foes, each knowing they had to strike first or the other would kill them, both going for the neck to end this as suddenly as it had begun.

And then there had been two shocked beings, each one holding a blade to the other's neck, and neither able to press forward. Nothing but their own hesitation stopped them.

“...You are very rude to your guests, you know.”

“Guests do not break into my home when I am away, they are invited.”

“That's not how it works for infiltrators, we both know this.”

“...I haven't been an agent for a very, very long time.”


The changeling smirked, idly rubbing his jaw.

“So you say...”

“Did she send you?”

His sudden question took the changeling off guard, but not enough he couldn't remove that all with a shrug.

“Don't know what you mean.'”

“...Damn it, Celestia, I'm not some motivational speaker.”

The stallion sighed, taking a seat on his couch and slumping tiredly into it. After a moment, he gestured for the changeling to join him.

Seven chose to stand.

“Actually, I'm here on other business. I've noticed that Jetset has been gone for a few days, and wondered if you've seen him, by chance? Visit from an old friend?”

“We both know I haven't, stop pretending.”

“Then I bid you good day, Slate, as that is all I came here for. Have a nice night-”

“When did it start?”

Black chitin froze, growing still as if it had been he who had cast stone upon his skin.

“This fight? About ten minutes ago-”

“I meant, when did you start having problems... following through.”

He tensed as if a thousand volts had passed through him.

“I have no issues following through, I merely spared you because I never intended your death. If I wanted you dead, you would be bleeding out on the floor.”

“Really. Rather altruistic of you to choose to let me cut your head off rather than go against 'intentions'.”

Fangs glinted in the light, shaking slightly with a low growl.

“I knew you ponies didn't have the stomach.”

“Really. So Jetset hasn't tried?”

The growling stopped, and he looked away.

“That's what I thought. That stallion... he's not one to hesitate, not like us.”

“I do not hesitate!”

His growl had gone away, increased by a much more vocal snarl.

“I am the top infiltrator in her majesties service, and I am merely here to gather information on a foe who prevents my completion of a task granted to me by her Majesty, that is all.”

“Really. And what is that?'”

“That information is classified, little pony.”

“Is it something stupid?”

“I said it was classified.”

“...I'll bet it's something stupid.”

He stomped forwards blade out and about once more.

“Do not imply my Queen would ever do anything stupid!”

“...So, you're still in that stage.”

The stallion seemed to feel no threat as he leaned back, relaxing further in his chair.

“...Why did she want me to talk to you?”

“Hmm?”

“Your Queen said I needed to find the “Blank Slate who carved his life” or something like that, that's you, why?”

“Because my PRINCESS can be rather annoying and obtuse for no good reason.”

“...oh, good, Jetset calls her-”

“I know. It is so annoying.”

“What part of him isn't annoying?”

“His dedication, I guess.”

Slowly, very slowly, the blade was put away.

“You know him?”

“Know him? I trained him. I'm the one who taught him all that he knows, and made him into what he is today, combat wise.”

“It shows.”

“...I honestly really regret it.”

“Oh?”

He nodded, rolling his head forwards just a bit, just enough he could look the other in the eye.

“You, changeling, what are you planning to do when this job is over?”

“Pfft, obviously go on to the next one.”

“I meant when the job, itself, is done. When you retire, what's next?”

There was a silence in the air, hanging heavy like a body swinging from a noose.

And then broken like a bomb amidst a roar of laughter.

“W-what!? Are you serious!? I'm an infiltrator, you moron! An Infiltrator! I get that you ponies probably retire at thirty to go play golf or something stupid, but I'm an infiltrator in her Majesty's forces. There's only one time when this 'job' is done. And it's when I'm 'done'.”

The laughter died down, but the smiling did not.

“Changelings don't get retirement plans, Slate.”

“And you're okay with that?”


“Obviously! It's a sense of pride to serve until the end, the only way to fail is if you do a job so poorly the Queen does not remember you. I seek the other way, a life lived so well that when I'm gone, my Queen will use me as an example of how to do it right, something grubs need to strive to be, not like the Flakes.”

“Really. You're totally okay with the idea that you are never going to settle down, never going to find love, never going to experience anything but a life of fighting and sneaking and information gathering and dumb missions. This is going to be you, for all the time you have on this earth, and you're okay with that.

“...Yes. It's an honor to be an Infiltrator at all, we are a premier class. I knew the risks, and I relish in them.”

The hesitation was all that needed to be said. The words that followed may as well have been LALALALALA for all it mattered.

“If you say so."

“...Why'd you quit?”

The look he gave was one of incredulousness, but the changeling pressed on.

“You heard me. Why'd you finally drop out?”

“...I wanted to make a real difference. Not one in the shadows, breaking necks and torturing information that might be false, not one where every pony I seek is a target, not one where I might not help anyone at all, and only make life worse for someone else. I wanted to help someone, really help someone, and make Equestria a better place. Agents, Infiltrators, whatever you call them... they just make the place worse. A land of looking in shadows and keeping eyes on your back. There's nothing to be gained in that life, they don't make this world better... they just make the worst parts harder to see. I retired so I could go do something good for once in my life. That something a real 'agent' doesn't understand, apparently.”

“...Pfft, so that's why Jetset calls you a dropout.”

He turned, already making his way to the window. He only stopped when one last time, Slate called out to him.

“I know Jetset is... worse, than you are used to. But he is not a soulless machine. He is not devoid of all life. You need to... watch him.”

A single, cocked eye looked back.

“He's someone I fight all the time, I think I watch him plenty.”

“That's not what I meant.”

“Then you're an idiot.”

“...Maybe I am. Tell Celestia I said hi, and that the baby is going to be here by next summer.”

“Congratulations, I'll send a fruit basket.”

“Just try not to break into my house again, my wife has a gun now.”

The changeling flinched violently as ghost pains wracked across his body.

“...I'll keep that in mind.”

“You know, you never told me your name.”

“...It's Seven. Oh, Oh, Seven.”

“Right... Seven?”

“What now?”

“...It's not too late till they're actually dead, you know. There's always the chance that someone can... pull back.”

There was an odd glow in his eyes as his wings began to flutter, and he lifted off the ground.

“...Yep, this was a total waste of time, you're an idiot..”

With that, he shot forward, black chitin mingling with the shadows as he vanished into the night.

“...Maybe just a little...”

The grey hair parted as his head rolled to the side, and a smile crossed his lips as he looked at a picture by his side.

“...But I was smart enough.”

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>Red
"Brahmos"

It was growing stronger, that it felt, tucked into the dark corners of this ocean of data. It was familiar here, after a fashion. Deep, quiet, far from the prying eyes of the accursed Alicorn. It could manifest here, a red haze, translucent, almost forming a shape in the dark.

Here it would feast upon knowledge.

>Split.

The minotaur, Brahmos, pale-skinned and gasping, fell from its great mass, sprawling on an indiscernible floor. He was a replica, a gestalt of memories taken from the pegasus, one of those that had sought to destroy it permanently.

Yet the look on his face as he regarded the haze above was quite lifelike.

"What...are you?"

>Knowledge attained. You know.

Brahmos shook his head.

"Right...yes, of course. This is a new one, to be sure. I didn't realize the ponies were so...advanced."

>Poisonous Creation. Cancerous. Will be destroyed in time. All will be destroyed.

"You're far from a conversational, what am I doing here?"

>You have fought, you have killed, you know the world. You will guide.

"And what do I get out of it? I used to be a King, I was going to conquer the world-"

>Foolish. Power unobtainable in life. Will be given in death, in data, in code. Revenge. Redemption. Reclamation.

"Revenge...yeah, yeah that sounds good, I...wait, wait I can sense something."

>Simulator in use, sensing users, sensing...

"Sensing..."

>"Him."

>Kill.

"Wait, no, you're jumping the gun-"

>Kill!

"What happened when we were in there together? You want to gain power and knowledge and all that, we can't just-"

>KILLKILLKILLKILLKILL!

Brahmos reached towards the now pulsing crimson mass, growing more opaque with every iteration (and decidedly more cephalopodian as well). His hand made contact with a tendril, his eyes widened.

"Oh shit."

>MERGE

"N-"

He was sucked in, they merged.

>"...kill."

It was time for revenge.

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 >SA
"Cadence"
'Chrysalis'
[18]
{42}
~Celestia~
-Mane-Iac-
^2^
(???)
~~~

>Do you think we look weird?

"You're asking now?"

>It just kind of hit me.



'You are kind of leaning towards him a lot.'

[Jealous?]

'HAH!'

(SHHHH!)

{I suppose we are not of the normal variety.}

~Though most of us would be abnormal in any crowd.~

'Pfft, with the amount of wingers you're popping out, give it a year and you'll be just another alicorn in a crowd.'

-AHHHHAHAHAHAHHAH!-

>Maney!

(SHHHH!)

-Wait, but that one was justified, that was funny! I'm not cackling, that was funny!-

'She's got a point, we're supposed to be laughing right now.'

"Right, but..."

>Yeeeahhhh... this play doesn't have the best writers, I assume.

-AHHHAHAHAHAHA!-

'Hey, at least someone is enjoying it.'

~I think it's adorable!~

(SHHHHH!)

[We're being pretty loud for a play, are we like this every movie?]

>YES.

(SHHHHH!)

~The pony who is shushing us is right, let's try to just focus on Two's play.~

^My, what big eyes ya' have!... Ya' know what? NO! I ain't sayin' it! This is dumb! Who the marchmalley goo thinks that a pony looks like a timberwolf!? They ain't the same! They ain't at all the same!^

(You're ruining my masterpiece!)

^Ya' know what? Fine! My Grandma', what big teeth ya' have!^

(You're talking to a plant!)

^Wow! It's almost like I ain't got the best eyesight, WHO WOULD'A KNOWN!?^

>"[{~...~}]"

'Why are you all looking at me? She could've learned this from anyone!'

>"[{~...~}]"

'...This story is stupid.'

-GAAAASSPP! THE GRANDMOTHER WAS A TIMBERWOLF!? TRICKERY! TRICKERRRRYYYYY!-

>...Okay, point.

"...Smokebomb and run on three?"

~Annnndd... three.~

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Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Maud"
~~~~~
>Welcome to Not Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content does matter, but I can't contain myself! Now for our main guest...MY SISTER MAUD!!!

"Hello"

>The writer's back! Are you excited that you could be back in action?

"We've done this already."

>Doesn't matter. We might be getting parts again! Hopefully, you weren't too bored.

"I kept myself busy."

>GREAT! That's the end of our show, but make sure to watch for our comeback!
Maud wakes up.

"..."
She makes her way to what appears to be a stadium. Then she chisels out a piece and eats it.
CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH

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>Variolus
„Sunset“
'32'
~~~~~

In her room, seated on a padded stool before her nightstand mirror and brushing a comb through her mane was Sunset Shimmer. The mare had dropped her 'blondie' disguise, staring at her own familiar features with a touch of relief.

>He's coming.

That was until a twisted, malnourished mirror image of herself leaned into the reflection, startling her and causing her to drop the brush.

“AH!”

The sudden apparition of her twisted, more sinister-looking self didn't cause her to jump, but she still flinched internally. Giving the Queen wearing her countenance like a mask a glare, she picked the brush back up, intentionally ignoring the dead Changeling Queen for a few seconds.

Finally though, the unnerving stare of her own alternate self made her speak up.

„I assume you mean your loin spawn. Say, how can you tell?“

>I just can. He is my flesh and blood. You would understand if you had your own.

“Pfht. Not a chance.”

That comment made Variolus smirk. Too easy.

>Of course not. You are likely as barren as my dear sister.

“Barren? Like hay. I just haven't found-”

~~~~~

Outside, before the door leading to Sunset Shimmer's room, 32 heard the mare raise her voice in what was obviously a animated discussion of some sort.

Strangely, he only heard her talk. Never the other side.

He still debated leaving and coming back later, for more than one reason.

One, because he found out 'Shimmer' actually stood for 'Sunset Shimmer' by way of asking around the castle.

Two, because Sunset Shimmer wasn't just anypony, but Princess' Applejack's student. And before that, Princess Celestia's.

Meaning that while she was a mare of importance in Equestria he should know for the sake of his goals, she also was under the tutelage of the royal likely most opposed to them and their Queen. He could understand the latter, but the former but the latter was less than helpful in his endeavors.

Lastly, 32 now had a physical description of Sunset Shimmer thanks to a talkative guard.

And it wasn't anything like the mare he had seen at the tailor's. That either meant she was a romantic who enjoyed to escape the confines of the castle to mingle with the rabble, or she had something to hide and didn't want to be seen with him.

All of this made the likelihood of her wanting a mere roll in the hay incredibly small. He found relief in that, as that meant he was important enough to be sought out by somepony like her. But the mild pang of regret that he wouldn't be bedding a sweet mare was still there.

'...Ah well. There will be another chance for that kind of fun eventually.'

~~~~~

*knock, knock*

Sunset stopped in her mid-tirade, turning her head to stare at the door, thus prompting Variolus to speak up.

>Talk to him normally. Carefully steer the conversation towards my presence. I will speak up if necessary.

“...fine. This only can go wrong on so many levels.”

Sunset settled her rump onto one of the sitting pillows around the coffee table in her room, trying to look inviting without being lascivious.

“Come in.”

When the door opened, a black chitinous face peered cautiously around the corner. Upon seeing the unicorn, a hint of a grin tugged on 32's features.

'So it was true. You ARE Sunset Shimmer after all. Devious indeed.'

Sunset merely rolled her eyes, all of her previously provocative attitude gone.

“Yes, about that. I would appreciate if you didn't go around telling others you saw me disguising myself around Canterlot ike that. It might give a bad impression. Somepony might think I have to hide something.”

32 entered, closed the door behind himself, then headed towards the coffee table while giving the room's decorations a once-over. The room of an individual told a story about its occupant, he knew.

But with the almost complete absence of a personal touch, all the room conveyed about the unicorn was 'I don't live here'. Or worse, 'I don't belong here'.

Yet, Infiltrator at heart, a smarmy smile made its way onto his face when he sat down opposite of Sunset.

'The 'runaway princess' type? You do not have to worry. I guarantee you absolute confidentiality. No matter WHAT it may be you are hiding.'
“Good.”

Unsurprisingly, the mare didn't take his bait. She just regarded him with a thoughtful, albeit stern look.

It was a shame, really. She was pretty, but the scowl that seemed to be a permanent feature on her face really detracted from it.

'You didn't call me here for the sake of a friendly, carnal intermezzo, did you?'

“Sorry to spoil your expectations, but no.”

'Expected, but no less disappointing. What is this about, then?'

Sunset faltered. She hid it well, but 32 was able to pick up such small cues easily.

“Hrmm... how to put this... “

Her eyes darted this way and that, as if looking for something. 32 gave her the time she apparently needed to steel her resolve.

“It's about your mother.”

That one took him off-guard, and it showed.

'My... mother? You mean the Queen.'

“Yes, your mother the Queen of your Hive.”

And there went his hopes that this was about him or his newly established Embassy. Of course, this mare would be looking for answers about the Queen instead of just a figurehead. He felt a little deflated, then rattled of a set of well-practiced words.

'I am terribly sorry, but concerning questions concerning the ruling monarch of our kind you will have to address her yourself. I merely represent the Changeling species as a whole and avail myself to answer questions, dispel false rumors and improve our public relations.'

Sunset just sighed in mild annoyance at his spiel.

“No, you fool. Your actual mother by blood. Variolus.”

And now several alarm bells went off in his head. This was dangerous territory they were treading into. Some names simply weren't meant to be said in polite company. Especially the ones of certain Queens.

He had to shrug it off casually, no matter where she had gotten that name from.

'...I am afraid I can't follow.'

“Right. Look. I work together with the princesses Applejack and Twilight Sparkle, the former who has close ties to and the former who studies Changelings. I have had access to quite a lot of information concerning you. Enough to give me overview of the big picture. But... that's not all.”

'I am quite curious how you managed to learn of that name and what makes you think I am connected to a Queen old, dead and forgotten. But out of courtesy, I am listening.'

“What if I told your that Queen Variolus was alive and wanted to speak to you personally?”

DANGER! DANGER! DANGER! PULL UP! PULL UP!

'I would call you a a charmer and rogue for trying to lie to a liar. Queen Variolus is dead, same as all the other Queens except for Chrysalis and Chitania. That, I am afraid, is a fact. For better or for worse. Albeit you will find I support the notion of independent Changelings.'

“You are right. They are all dead. But, to put it into her words:”

A shift went through Sunset, her voice ringing out in an eerie, overlapping chorus of two voices. One, of the mare herself. One... he hadn't heard in decades.

>”The dead... are NOT silent.”

Deathly silence reigned in the room for a few, eerily long instance during which a shockingly unmoved 32 just stared at Sunset Shimmer, his features frozen in that polite smile he had forced upon himself.

When he finally spoke, it was a cautious voice he didn't recognize.

'...Excuse me, may I have a a breath of fresh air? This is a little much to take in at once.'

Sunset blinked, then nodded towards the adjacent balcony.


“Be my guest. Sorry about that. Your mother is a bit... weird about a lot of things.”

Without missing a beat 32 stood up, walked over to the glass-paned double windows and opened them.

He took a deep, calming breath, a rueful smile on his face.

And with a sudden leap, he vaulted over the handrail of the balcony.

>”No!”

32 was in mid fall when that simultaneously startled and angry outcry rang out.

He didn't know what was wrong with Sunset Shimmer and he didn't intend to find out while trapped alone in a room with her.

It may have been a little drastic to just escape this way, but he would have some words with the princesses. Angry words.

And THEN they would find out whether the unicorn was delusional or truly possessed by his mother. All is possible in this crazy pastel horse land, he had learned.

A jerk went through him, and his descent began to slow, then stop altogether. When the direction reversed, a light pressure all around him, and he was levitated upwards he began to struggle.

He knew he had been grabbed by telekinesis, and began to fight back.

“Stop fighting, you will fall!

32 grunted, wormed, struggled, seeing the mare above him narrow her eyes, not even looking strained no matter who difficult he made it to hold onto him.

'I beg to differ. We can fly!'

>He's right, you know.

There it was again. That voice. That buzzing, contemptuous voice he never wanted to hear again. Part of him did. An old, regrettable part of his past, a childish, awed one.

“Doesn't change the fact that you won't be able to talk to him if he gets away.”

He was now on the same level as the balcony, and stopped kicking, realizing the futility. Sunset Shimmer clearly had an iron will to not even slip concentration once despite his struggle.

“And talk you will. Whether you like it or not. The sooner you leave and I have my body back, the better. Plus, what if he blabs about my current condition?”


Sunset calmly trotted back into her room, 32 in tow, then firmly plopped him down onto the cushion, causing him to grunt.

'Lady, I am sorry to be the one to break it to you. But as a self-taught expert on talking to oneself and hallucinations, I regret to inform you that you have completely lost your marbles.'

He made sure to lay into the sarcasm extra heavily. He didn't appreciate what was happenign right now in the slightest. The best he could do was not upset her and observe.

>Let me speak to him.

“...fine. Just don't spook him. I don't need attention right now.”

And how strange it was to observe the mare change her voice's pitch and volume, even her facial expression, as she blatantly spoke to herself.

Strange, and worrying. This mare needed help. He could only hope she didn't have some twisted plan for him.

'So what exactly do you want from me? After disappointing me sorely on the date & dine front I was at last hoping for some enlightening conversation and not... whatever it is you are plotting.'

Instead of answering directly, Sunset did something that shook 32 to the core.

She changed.

The unicorn mare's well-groomed body lost its coloration first, then its hair. Black carapace replaced coat and flesh, bi-colored hair became a mane like a silver funeral shroud. The mare grew in height, limbs stretching, cruel, hollowed fangs laden with deadly poison growing within her maw.

Trapped in her own body's backseat, Sunset could have screamed in shock and protest that her body had been twisted so strongly this time around by the Changeling Queen.

But the length and extent of the change finally allowed her to observe and learn how the Queen did it. At last, she saw patterns, the way to manipulate the force in her bosom to accomplish it.

Sunset Shimmer knew. She had learned shape shifting. It was hers, and Variolus would never be able to take it from her from now on. So let her change her. She could reverse it now and forever.

On the outside, Queen Variolus stood in all her horrifying splendor before her child, glaring down at him with a mixture of pure contempt and bemusement.

It was often the last facial expression her drones used to see. And 32 instinctual reacted like the child he had been when he saw this creature last.

'N-n-no... i-impossible. It can't be... it... you can't be. You musn't be alive!'

That caused Variolus to smirk.

>I am not. The last time we spoke, you were so close to death yourself, you linked to the Hivemind long enough for it to touch you. And for me to affect you while you were fighting a losing a battle against your old selves. 'Do the right thing'. Remember?

The Changeling had to gulp, taking deep breaths while trying not to hyperventilate. Sunset Shimemr wasn't insane. She just wasn't.

>This mare has come just as close, by experimenting with our magic.

The Queen tapped her chest, and a faint, pulsating throb of energy came from it.

>But it is temporary. Now listen you insolent, useless grub, because this may well be the first and last time we will speak on an equal level. After this is all over, I will be no more, neither in this or any other form of existence.

'Never.... never! Never again shall I be the mindless thrall of a Queen! I know your lore, more than any other! You brought ruin, and you will bring it again. Chrysalis may be a fool, but you are a beast!'

He was free of his former awe, of his respect and fear for the Queens. Too often, he had been disappointed, too often been burned. He had learned form his mistakes.

Variolus merely titled her head, not the slightest bit perturbed or upset at his outbreak.

>Oh, this isn't about you. Or me. It is about us. All of us. Most importantly, what remains of the Changelings. So listen closely, or you miss your chance to have true change. A lasting change.


The tall Queen leaned closer, her nose almost touching 32's. He could smell sweet breath. And while it was pleasant, he sorely wished it would have been sour.

>You are the last of my bloodline. Tarnished as it may be in the current times, you shall not perish without leaving a mark. The sooner the better. So I ask you to work with the ponies. As far as I am aware, you already doing so through your Embassy. A diplomatic start. Yet you will have to show more activism. But to do that, you need to know.

Variolus reached out with her mind, easily touching 32's. He felt the invasion, felt her slip in his subconscious. And his inability to do anything about it infuriated him.

>Good. The mindlock is still in place.

As Variolus neared, 32 stepped back, causing the old Queen to pause.

>Why are you backing away?

'What are you planning to do?'

>Release the mindlocks imposed upon you. There's three of them, two of them brittle and failing, the third strong. Unsurprisingly, the strongest is my own.

32 grit his teeth, his heart beating fast in his chest. There was still so much power radiating from her, it was hard to believe she was truly just a spirit of the dead raised by an experiment gone wrong.

If Sunset Shimmer was still there, he had to try and appeal to her. If not, and Variolus has been her the whole time, he was just delaying the inevitable. But he would go down fighting.

'Some things may be best locked away forever. I do not care for the plans of Queens. I will guide my brethren towards a brighter future. One they themselves chose, not one pro-ordained by royals, be they pony or Changeling.'

Variolus was as surprised as 32 when a clear, blue flame washed over the tall Changeling's form, breaking out of her chitin and smoothly transforming her back into the shape of a normal-sized mare.

It was Sunset Shimmer, looking at him pleadingly. She had listened, but her response wasn't what he had hoped to hear.

“Look, I am just trying to understand you. All of you. On a most basic level, Changeling and Ponies aren't all that different. All that secretiveness and hiding, that's what gives you such a bad reputation. Ponies fill the gaps with the worst their imaginations can come up with. But you don't deserve that, none of you do.”

'You... aren't her? Not posing as somepony you aren't? You are your own, free-willed being? Then why do you serve her, let her take you over? Are you mad?!'

“I am as free as far as my current splintered state allows me to. And I do what it takes to accomplish being a better pony. I just want to help everyone. Just once, I want to be on the good side.”

32 faltered in his resolve for just a second, then looked into the unicorn's eyes.

'Then listen to me. Take your plan and bury it. No good will come out of carrying out the will of an ancient Changeling Queen. Much less a dead one who has nothing to lose.'

“But... she is your mother! She wouldn't cause you harm.”

'Oh, please... our blood relation doesn't change what she did and what she caused. Nor does it mean she wouldn't harm me. Queens slay Princesses, Princesses devour drones. That is the way it has been, and what I intend to change.”

The Queen, who had been quiet up until now, finally resumed control over Sunset's body, slowly circling 32 with lidded eyes.

>Quite right. But words obviously are a weapon you wield like a Gryphon would a blade. How about I just SHOW you? I tire of tirades. You will take your place in history.

Instincts reared their head. Old, honed instinct that prompted 32 to kick away to the side, ducking and rolling to evade the Queen.

>I don't expect you to thank me for it.

But she didn't need to touch him. She didn't even need to look into his eyes. All she needed was to focus some of the energy Sunset had accumulated through flirting, seducing and deceiving and channel it into a tightly focused mental blast.


>No one will. Not that I need anyone too. All of us shall do the right thing.

32 crumpled like a toy with its strings cut when the raw, unfiltered lifetime of another invaded his mind.

~~~~~

>...Drone? Go down and... watch it happen. Do not kill her, that will be easily traced if she finds the body, but do... watch, and report back. That will be most fun to see.

His Queen commands. He obeys.

It. The weakling. It flees. He follows. He must watch.

The Titan rages, they hide. From her wrath, and that of the monsters she tears asunder.

Miraculously, it survives. And still, he waits. He may not kill it. He only watches.

The Titan leaves, and yet, it survives. The little grub lives. The urge to kill grows.

But he waits... and waits. Waits for so long. The weakling is weak in body, but...

The beasts, the giants, they fall. They fall to her power. Not might, physical might. He would be awed, he wants to tell his...

His Queen dies. And still, he waits. He mourns. He questions. Almost... almost, he kills.

But he obeys. An eternity he waits. At it's side. At the weakling's side. The weakling, who lives.

The weakling talks to him. But it never opens its mouth when it does. He hates it so much.

But he waits.

Next, the Titan falls. All know. They feel it. Suffering. More death. So much power, fading over time. It knows. It tells him. She sees everything, even beyond the rim of the crater.

And finally, he waits until he himself becomes little more than an empty husk. Devoid of lie, fallign apart. It tried to safe him. The pathetic weakling.

But his Queen commanded. He obeyed.

And the weakling... lives. Waiting. Biding her time.

The moment he died... the Hivemind knew. His Queen was pleased with him, he knew.

The last Queen had yet to rise.

~~~

Back in the waking world, Sunset cautiously rolled 32 over with one hoof, concern writing all over her face when he doesn't stir.

“What... what have you done?”

>I released him. From my secrecy and my service. It will take some time for him to sort out what he knows now. And then, he will seek out either the Titan or his Queen. You would do best to be at his side once he does either.

Turning her head, Sunset gazed upon her reflection, who for once didn't look smug or sly. Just pensive.

„...what is this really about? Why are you doing all this, Variolus? You can't have planned for all of this ahead of time. My experiment and its failure wasn't even planned by myself. Some of the things you said... about cooperation...“

There it was again. The steel, the venom in those eyes.

>I adapt quickly. It was how I used to survive, before hubris became my downfall. As for why? Our species is dying out, and one of is strongest defenders is a reviled, hunted beast. I plan to tamper her rage. Just a little. I couldn't beat her rage. Maybe I can snuff it out.

“That cannot be all you wish. I refuse to believe you would aim to appease another Queen without seeking compensation.”

Sunset heard herself scoff as Variolus did so.

>The burning, eternal rage of Chitania's can only bring hatred and ruin. Should the last Changeling fall, the Hivemind will just be a tomb. Without a link to a living Changeling, we'd be damned to slowly go insane, locked up with minds unchanging, never knowing. In short, I am doing this for the sake of my own eternal rest.

“...so you say.”

>So I say.

An unhappy sigh escapes Sunset. One that caused Variolus to chuckle eerily.

>Wouldn't you agree I paid you handsomely with knowledge for your first completed task?

“You.... planned this too?”

>Of course. Why use up so much energy to convert your body into my own but for the sole task of letting you see what you have been trying to sneakily copy the whole time we have been joined. Consider it a boon. For a job well done. An advance pay for what shall come. I keep my promises. So keep yours.

Giddiness spread through Sunset. A greedy hunger, an appetite for knowledge.

Variolus felt it too. And she knew, she had this mare, hook line and sinker.

The knowledge that either her murderer or Aurelia's post-mortem plan would crash and burn in the most glorious, purging fire was the closest thing Variolus knew to joy at this moment. It was random chance that decided which outcome, but she couldn't care less.

“So what do we do next?”

>Wait for him to wake up, then send him on his way. He won't remember at first. Tell him you had a good time.

“That sounds way too convenient. How is this supposed to work?”

>His psyche is splintered as is. But part of him will remember. The most loyal part. He will await my signal. And I shall give it as soon as I spoke to my sister, Chitania.

“And then?”

A hideous, horrible smirk pulled on Sunset's lips, farther than she knew her mouth should be capable of.

>And then, the secret of the Titan will be revealed, no matter how strongly she will fight, struggle and deny it.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NC
>Chiddy/Chitania's kid
"Chitania"
~~~

>RAWR EAT HEART!

*TINK!*

>...

"Uh, sorry, my chitin's a little hard."

>I'VE GOT THIS!

*TINKTINK*

"You're going to chip a tooth."

>MOM I'VE GOT THIS!

*TINKTINKTINK*

"Really, just let me break it a bit, you'll never even make it through the ribcage at this point."

>WILL YOU STOP!

"I'll just crack it a little, how about that."

>YOU'RE EMBARRASSING ME!

"Look, how about I just get you a stick? You want a stick!"

>YOU KNOW WHAT!? SCREW IT! NO MORE QUEEN NEVER!

"Okay!"

>...

"Just, fucking okaydon'trunoffagainpleasedon'trunoffnonononononononono."

>Stop hugging me.

"Nomorerunningstayrightherenotgonnarunnomore"

>..Sigh..

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Pommel
"Sucker Punch"
'41'
-Haymaker-
=Lucky Strikes=
~Guards~

~A button!~

'Nothing!'

~S button!~

'Nothing!'

~Print Screen!~

'I...don't see that button.'

~Oh, sorry, Prnt Scr.~

'Oh...nothing!'

~Damn.~

-Try like, just mashing buttons?-

"'NO!'"

-...ow, my ears.-

"We are NOT just mashing buttons, last time we just mashed buttons, Buckler got us stuck in here!"

~I said I was sorry, Faust almighty!~

=Captain, not to pressure ya but...how many of us are in here?=

>...

=And if we're all in here...who's guarding the city?=

>...

=Captain?=

>Fffucking fuck...okay! Okay! NEW PLAN! You hear me up there!? NEW PLAN!

'Whatsit?'

>You don't know how to end the simulation, right?

'Right.'

>And none of us in here remember, right?

'Right.'

>So why don't you go running through the halls and FIND someone who does know! Shout as loud as you can. A Princess, the Gun Club, I'll take your queen at this point, just get someone! As fast as you can!

'Okay, be back in just a sec!'

>...so...we're all alone now.

"Yup."

>Nice friend you got there.

"Yyyyyup."

>...

"..."

-...-

=...=

~...~

>Gonna be a looooong...however long she's gone.

"-=~Yyyyyyup.~=-"

>At least we got rid of all the monsters.

~Huh.~

>Huh what?

~You didn't tell us this Gold City thing had two suns.~

>It doesn't, what are you-oh.

BOOOM!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>88
"77"
'Chrysalis'
~~~~~

'Is she still doing okay?'

"...Define okay."

>SMOOTH! IT'S ALL SO SMOOTH! WHY!? THIS IS SOME BULLSHIT!

'It's crystal.'

>WHY DID YOU TAKE ME HERE!?

'Because you're blind and the guards are dicks.'

>...Fair enough. But seriously, robo eyes? Convince her for me. Don't tell me it can't happen, I fought a robot before, that's happenable.

'Robot?'

>Yeaaaah, looked like a pony, blond... not hair hair, kept repeating to return Ten or something.

'Ah, fuck. You didn't hurt her robot, did you?'

>...Define hurt.

'Oh damn it, Eighty Eight, she fucking loves that thing.'

>WELL I'M SORRY, I- wait what? She? How many females do you have in the hive!?

'I can't even keep track of how many there are period. But... a lot?'

>...So did you just never-

*SMACK!*

"SISTER SHUT UP!"

'The fuck are you hitting her for?'

"She uh... was about to tell you I once wore mares clothing?"

'...So? Uh, dunno if you remember, like twenty of you pretended to be mares when you fought the Elements.'

"My secret has been for nothing, thank you."

>...Why do we mostly disguise ourselves as mares, again?

'Because mares are weirdly disproportionately the majority of anything important in Equestria.'

>...Neat! Can I make one a slave?

"SISTER!"

>Hush, male! The superior gender is talking!

"...Well?"

'What? Do you want me to take your side? Queens rule, motherfucker.'

"...I suddenly feel unsettled."

>As well you should. MARE POWER!

'HAH!'

"...I'll just be taking my cyanide pill now..."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>32
"Sunset"
'Variolus'
~~~

>...Well, this is unexpected.

Nice sheets, a nicer bed, and a ringing headache, been a looooong time since he woke up like this.

Been far, far longer since he had done so and there was a mare looking over at him.

"Oh, finally, you're awake. Coffee?"

He groaned, eyes fluttering rapidly as he tried to blink the haze from his mind.

>Er... no thanks.

"Alright then."

>...Did, uh... did we...

She gave him a look.

That kind of look.

With a bit of magic, he was lifted from the bed, and motioned to the door.

"I think it's time you made an exit, don't you?"

>Ah... yes, I do suppose it is, Ms Shimmer.

"You'll keep this under wraps, right?"

>Oh, what, worried about being associated with a changeling?

Again, another look, one that told him that was far from the truth.

>...Fair enough.

"You know, you changelings are actually pretty interesting. Wouldn't mind talking a bit more later..."

>...I'd like that.

"Glad to hear it. By the by..."

She leaned in tellingly, uncomfortably close to his ear.

"I had fun."

She punctuated it with a kiss on the cheek, but any quips he might've had within him found no time to make it out before she shoved him out into the hallway, leaving him dazed and confused.

>So... is that another notch, or... this is important, I need to know if I can brag to Twenty Nine or not.

No matter how he thought, strangely, he could not recall much of last night.

>...I'm just going to say I did.

Proudly, he stood up, and headed on his way, leaving behind an empty hallway, and a silent room.

...Silent for two seconds, that is.

"OH DEAR CELESTIA!"

'HAHA!'

"I cannot believe you made me do that! What is wrong with you!? He's your freaking SON or something!"

'I admit, it was all for the look on your face, nothing else.'

"I'm going to be blunt, if you weren't possessing me right now, I would assume you have no soul!"

'HA HA! Ohhh, the look when you heard that seductive voice curl from your lips... you know, you're rather good at it. He certainly seemed receptive.'

"Jus... ugggggh. You realize how hard it's going to be to get him into the same room as Chitania now, right? Especially since he thinks we just spent some 'quality time' together."

'Then you had best start thinking a plan, if you wish me gone. As long as our bargain is unfulfilled, you will remain like this, and I will remain as I am... well, or I suppose you could just go and speak of your ailment to the others and-'

"NO!"

'As I thought. Be off, your refusal to drain him means you are low on power, you need to feed again and soon.'

"Excuse me for not possibly sending the unconscious guy into a coma by sapping his life force immediately after you brained the guy!"

'I hold no issue with your hesitation, he is needed for what is to come, merely stating the facts. You are low, you need love.'

A thoughtful, considering hoof reached up to the yellow chin, pointedly ignoring the reflection in the mirror.

"Right... he mentioned a party, didn't he?"

'Mentioning is likely the wrong phrase, considering.'

"Put it however you want... maybe I can kill a few birds with one stone..."

'Ohhh, I love the phrasing.'

Sharp, blazing eyes cut to the side, narrowing in as she examined her doppleganger in the mirror.

"...Why did Chitania want that changeling dead?"

Surprisingly, her withered, crone of a reflection took on her own look.

'Which one? I'm afraid you're not making sense.'

"Don't play that with me. That changeling jumped into that... place, and was hiding away from the sounds of that monster tearing the world apart to get to it. It was afraid, and you wanted your little minion to watch her kill it. Why. What did that changeling do? Or... what did they know?"

The reflection shimmered oddly, glaring and cold in it's stance.

'...I knew there was some risk of calling the mind from the hivemind, but I never thought you'd be able to see it.'

"A few flickers are all I'd need."

'Yes... I suppose I should be more careful to ensure you only see what you should see.'

"Good luck with that, didn't work out so well for the last one who tried that."

'Or you.'

She winced, both internally and externally.

"Touché. Now what?"

'Now? Now you go and find the prey you wish. It is your body, you are the one who controls where we are to go, make your choice and sap them in the way you feel works best. I am merely along for the ride, whatever you choose.'

There was a hint of bitterness in the Queen's voice, just enough that Sunset could hear it, and feel a smirk growing on her face.

With a flip of her hair, she dawned a disguise, one of her own choosing this time, and made her way to find someone else to keep her heart beating. She was almost done, very close now, she just needed to get 32 and the beast together, and then this could all go back to normal.

Then she could have the knowledge of the Titan, and finally make this world a better place. To finally do something right with all that power.

It was time to make up for past mistakes.

The moment she looked away, Variolus could not help but smile.

So predictable...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Spike"
~~~~~
>Welcome to Sort of Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content does still matter, but it's getting close to that time where it doesn't! Now for our main guest...SPIKE!!!

"Hi Pinkie."

>Do you know where Caramel San Diego is?

"I'm on the case, but she's slippery. Every time I think I corn-"

>Time

"Not right now."

>You heard him. Hide your kids, hide your husbands. She's out there and you can be next! That's all the time we have.

"Her days are numbered though!"

>Trying looking for Waldo.
Spike wakes up.

"...who's Waldo?"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>DT
"SS"
~~~

"Are you ever worried you're going too far with this kind of thing?"

>Silver Spoon, 'too far' is a phrase lame ponies use when they don't like it that someone else made it farther than them, please do not lower yourself to their level.

"I'm serious, you don't think adding on that giant laser cannon to him is going too far?"

>Huh?... Oh, uh, I'm actually adding this one to the rocket launcher Spike gave me.

"...Really?"

>I don't want him to feel bad, I think he actually tried a little bit with this one. Obviously not a lot, since TBDRLIATU is superior in literally every aspect from firepower to durability to capability, but it's like that really terrible necklace your friend gets you because they liked it that you still wear all the time just so they don't feel bad. A part of you knows they wouldn't really care, but you can't help it, they're friends. This is my necklace, Silver Spoon, an inferior piece of demolition machinery that I need to upgrade so I can occasionally break it out and make him feel good.

"Oh..."

>....

"..."

>...

"...I actually really do like this necklace."

>Uh huh. Pass me the welding torch.

"Sure.... sure."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

She's Chitty!~
She's Chiddy!~

One's a big brute with some soft insides~
One's a little kid with some squishy outsides!~
They're having some adventures and they're gonna sing this song
So watch as they're just trying to get aloooong!

Chitty and Chiddy!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >Twilight
"AJ"
~~~

>...Applejack.

"Twilight."

>You seem to be waiting for something, expecting news of some kind?

"Nope. Ya'll seem ta' be lookin' fer someone, anythin' Ah' can help with?"

>No thanks, I've got this.

"...'

>...

"..."

>...A-hem.

"Yep."

>Mmmhmm.

"Nice day outside."

>Weather team did a good job.

"Wouldn't it be weird iffin' we lived in a place where there weren't no magical ponies decidin' how the weather should look?"

>Would be pretty weird, yeah. Culture shock and all that.

"Though, ta' be fair, we put up with city folk easily enough."

>Well, me personally it was easy for, since you know...

"Oh, right..."

>...

"..."

>...You look busy, are you busy?

"SUPER busy, you?"

>Oh yeah, busy busy busy! With SCIENCE, not looking.

"Well Ah' assumed that."

>Just like I assume you are not waiting for news.

"As Mac would say, nnnnope."

>Cool... cool...

"...best be off!"

>Yep! Off we go!

"Good on ya'."

>You too!

*both walk off."

>".........Phew! Now, to find them before they realize how bad I messed up!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >Celestia
"Cadence"
~~~

>Cadnce? I've got a question.

".... Okay, that is a chilling, uncomfortable feeling and I do not like it, no ma'am."

>NOW YOU KNOW MY LIFE!

"..."

>Er... anyway, how are your newest guests doing?

"They're all in, I guess?"

>...You guess?

"I mean, I haven't seen a fire."

>Good, I suppose? But I meant in the more general sense.

"Uh... I haven't seen any of them choking in the streets, either?"

>Again, a massive accomplishment that I'm sure they can be proud of, but what about as a whole? Are they adjusting well?

"No fights with anyone!"

>...

"...I mean, they punch each other sometimes, but I think that's a game."

>I am well versed in the intricate game of Facepunch, thank you, I meant are they mingling okay?

"Nobody's thrown anything."

>...That's really the best we can hope for, isn't it?

"I don't know what you're on about, everything looks like it's going great! Problem solved!"

>...

"...What?"

>Well, I suppose it'll make a nice conversation piece.

"What will?"

>The exhibit in the museum, about two hundred years in the future. Talking about yet another extinct species tends to stir conversations.

"...But everything's going fine!"

>...

"WHAT!?"

>Sigh...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Braeburn"
~~~~~
>Welcome to Sort of Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content does still matter, but sort of can be close enough! Now for our main guest...BRAEBURN!!!

"Why Howdy Pi-"

>Are you the good at keeping an eye on kids?

"You darn tootin'. In fact-"

>Great, that's our show for tonight!

"But wait, I didn't-"

>Just focus on the great surprise when you wake up!
Braeburn wakes up

"...THE KIDS!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________