Thread 48: Stories 16-30

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 >Batmom
"Dadling"
'Kids'
~~~

>Okay, honey? I know you want to do this, but I think I'm going to have to take over.

"What? Why?! I thought I was doing pretty good!"

>No, really, let me start handing out the candy.

"But... but I'm doing good! They scream really loud every time! My costume is super scary!"

>It's not the costume.

"Pfft, it totally is!"

>No, it's not, your costume is literally just a big bushy mustache.

"HAH! As if! The kids can totally tell I'm actually Sling Slasher, the Manehatten serial killer from two decades ago!"

>...I feel like that guy's parents kind of named him into a corner... but that's beside the point, they're not-

*KNOCKKNOCK!*

"YAY! More kids!"

>Honey wait-

'Nightmare Night, what a... AHHHHHHHHH!'

"Oooo~! I'm-"

'IT'S A PEDOPHILE BUG MONSTER! RUUUUUUN!'

'AHHHHHHHHHH!'

*Bolts!*

>...

"See?"

>Give me the bowl.

"Fiiiiine."
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 >Spike
"???"
~~~

The 'rock' shuffled along the ground, diligently making it's way towards the entrance to Canterlot Castle, occasionally tripping up the odd pony as it crossed their path. Sneaky, he was not, but it was kind of a last minute thing caused entirely by him forgetting the time of day during a 'walk' he was taking.

Still, he soldiered on, determined to get back into the castle, go curl up, and wait for this whole night to just... end...

Kind of like his ability to go forward, it seemed.

Beneath the 'camouflage', the lavender dragon sighed, ceasing his futile struggles to go forward against whatever was pushing down on his rocky cover. Resigned, he tossed the thing off his back, and looked upwards into soft, almost sad eyes.

"Hey, Spike."

A claw rubbed against his scaly head, raking off loose skin flakes as it did so.

>Hey, Twilight.

They sat there in awkward silence, neither able to look into the others eyes anymore.

"So, are you, um... going as a rock?"

A tired breath left him, and the ground below suddenly felt very interesting, he felt.

>I was trying to sneak into the castle.

"Oh... did you... did you want me to teleport you there? I can, if you want."

The disappointment was palpable, but that wasn't what drew the curious gaze back to the alicorn.

>You're not going to, like, abduct me or something? Make me go with you?

She shook her head sadly, looking off to the side.

"No... I know Shiny wants to, but I get that, well, maybe you don't want to be force into this."

She looked back to him, smiling a little bit.

"I mean, you should Two is adorable. She's dressed up like a little killer marchmalley, Shiny made it and everything. And Celestia is freaking ponies out, and you should see some of the houses we go to, it's crazy. And boy, you have no idea how crazy Chrysalis can get, we've had to physically stop her from egging, like, three houses now, we don't even know where she's getting..."

The look on his face told her any further words would be futile.

"Spike..."

>I don't get it.

"Get what?"

>How can you guys... I mean, she's... you get she's completely untrustworthy, right? How can you all stand to be around her?

"Spike, she's not that bad."

He huffed, turning his head away.

>I don't even know why you want me around-

"Because you're my friend."

There was a slight desperation to her voice, a desperation she attempted to hide, but couldn't manage.

"You're my friend, I care about you, and I want you to come and have fun with me and get candy and get spooked by silly looking props and..."

A melancholy wisp escaped her as she sat down, ears folding behind her head.

"I miss it when you would be excited to go out with me. Back in Ponyville, I couldn't tether you down with chains, I couldn't hold you back if I wanted to, but now it seems like you don't even want to be near me-"

>Don't say that!

His voice had gotten a little louder than he had wanted, his own attempt at hiding his desperation as fruitless as hers.

>I don't... you're still my best friend in the whole world, Twilight! I'd never avoid you! I just... I didn't want to be near anybody right now, nobody at all. Not you personally, anybody.

"But... why?"

He rubbed the back of his neck so hard, the claws nearly sank into the skin.

>It's been crazy, you know? With what's happening with DT, and everything that happened at Partyland, and... I just didn't-

"You didn't want to be around her."

>...Yeah, little bit.

"Spike..."

>You know she hates me, right?

"She doesn't-"

His scoff was almost insulting.

Okay, it was a little insulting.

"She doesn't! She told me she doesn't really hold anything against you, she knows you were just trying to help me and went too far-"

>And you actually believed that?

"Well, I mean, she never does anything to indicate otherwise while I'm around, and nobody else has said anything."

>Oh yeah? And what about when you aren't?

Horror.

That one six letter word was the only thing he could use, as insufficient as it was, to define the look on her face, or the sound of her voice as she grabbed hold of his shoulders.

"I-is she threatening you? Did she say something? Spike, please, tell me! I'll believe you, really, just tell me what she said, and I'll confront her about it. I'll believe you..."

A whole lot of things bubbled in his chest. He knew this was a rare chance, he could probably tell her anything and she'd believe it, if he really wanted he could probably have her out in Everfree by the end of the night, maybe even...

No... he could do a lot of things, but he couldn't lie to her.

>Not, like, verbal ones, Twilight, but that's not how she is, you know that. She'll turn on us one of these days, we both know it. Its not a matter of if, but when. Its going to happen, Twilight.

Relieved, she released him, her eyes going downcast.

"... she's the one who found you, Spike. I said I was worried, she went off 'to use the bathroom', and when she comes back she just happened to mention seeing you. I didn't ask. Celestia didn't ask... Shiny didn't ask, I just said I was worried."

She struggled next, trying to force just the right words out.

"She won't... she knows how much you mean to me, and Celestia, and 42, and 2, and... she knows what you are to Shiny. I just wish..."

She looked right at him, hard, yet begging.

"If I asked you... would you forgive her?"

His head jutted away so fast it looked like he had been slapped, teeth showing in tandem with the growl he let out.

>Is that really what you want?

Gently, she cupped a hoof under his chin, turning his face to hers.

"No, what I want is for you to say 'Hey, Twilight, make me a costume', and then I magic one up and we go over there to that big old crowd that's waiting for you and we go and get candy and just have a magical night. Because there's so few of these left, Spike. Even if we both live until the sun goes out, times like this... you'll wish you could go back to it if you live it, and wish you had been there if you don't. I don't know if I have a million nightmare nights left or if this is my last one, but I want you to be there, and will miss you if you aren't."

A hoof rubbed over his head, her own tilting slightly to try to look into the eyes that turned away.

"Please?"

Silence.

Deathly, empty silence.

>Don't ask me to forgive her, that's not for you to ask.

Regretfully, she pulled her hoof away.

"Where do you want me to send you back to?"

His teeth grit together, the air being sucked in through his nose a little harsher than normal.

"Spike? Which one-"

>Can you...

Her heart stopped, and she dared to hope.

>...Can you magic me up a red dragon outfit this time?

She did not know what part of that, exactly, made her cry.

She didn't care either.

"Yeah... I think I can manage."

>Twilight?

She paused, the magic she had been conjuring flickering away.

>You think I'll still be able to go on Nightmare Nights when I'm, you know, huge?

Her smile practically lit up the dark night.

"I'll find a way. I don't care how big you get, Spike..."

A burst of magic covered him, a goofy looking red dragon outfit covering every inch.

"...You'll always be my very best friend."

He didn't even bother to hide his own tears as he embraced her, holding her tight and waiting.

In a burst of magic, they were whisked off, off to see the family that awaited them. One that had grown, and was sure to grow more still, it's true. But they were not worried. No matter how big it grew, no matter who joined or left it...

They would have each other.

And that was enough.
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 >Crystal Guard
"Crystal Guard 2"
'???'
~~~

>...Huh.

"Still confused?"

>It's been hours, and I'm still not putting it together.

"It'll take a bit."

>I mean, okay, so the entire point of this night in Canterlot is to dress up in costumes however you want, right?

"Yep."

>That includes anything, politicians, heroes, characters in books...

"You got it."

>So, I mean... shouldn't tonight be perfect for her?

"Well, it was, and that was the line of thinking, until-HEY!"

'CEASE YOUR ATTEMPTS TO HOOOOLD THE MANIACAL MAAAAANE-IAC!'

"Prince Shining Armor said you can't come out of the timeout corner until you agree to stop attacking the other ponies in costumes."

'BUT THERE IS SO MANY HORRIFYING HORDES OF HULKING HORRORS!'

"They are COSTUMES."

'THEN THEY ARE SUPERIOR SWARMS OF SUPERVILLAINS!'

"PRETEND! They are playing PRETEND."

'FOOY! If you put on the costume you are either a hero or a villain! THOSE ARE THE RULES!'

"Back in the corner!"

'VERY WELLL! BUT YOUR CONFOUNDING CORNER CANNOT CONTAIN THE MAAAAAAAAANE-IAC AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH!'

>...

"...."

'...So, uh... how are yooooou?'

>...Ah. I see now.
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 >32
"Reggie"
'Q'

>Uno!

"*chitter*!"

>Ha! No dice, you exoskeletal cretin, I win again!

'*tink*'

>Well I suppose if you take that attitude, anything is skewed against you.

"*chitter*"

>Of course I'm the only one shuffling the cards, Reggie, I'm the only here who CAN!

"*chitter chitter chitter*!"

>You wouldn't dare!

'*tink*'

>Yes, listen to Q, we don't need to get the guard involved in this. I don't want to be beaten severely...well I mean, after they faff about trying to figure out which the switch they're flicking is turning off the lights instead of opening my cell! Ha!

"'...'"

>Screw you guys, that was gold.

"*chitter*"

>You do too have context, everything you say is coming out of my head, which means it's really comes from me, and I know, so you know!

'*tink'

>It's only a little pathetic I'm acting like this.

"'...'"

>Just let me deal the damned cards.
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 NC
~~~

...Yep.

Aaaaany minute now.

Any second, really.

There's probably some good candy left, it's not like everyone hands out the good stuff right away. In fact, there's probably only the really good stuff left, you know. They'd save that like she saves the pie till after dinner. Best for last, and all that.

Yep. Still some good candy left.

Juuuuuust gotta wait for her to arrive.

She'll be here any minute.

Any...

"WHERE THE BUCK IS MAH' DANG SISTER!? DANG IT, AJ! IT'S GETTIN' LATE!"
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 >55
"Braeburn"
~~~~

>So, one more time...

"There ain't more than one o' you, it's just youngin's and a couple youngin's at heart dressin' up like ya'. The flames are jus' a buncha that silly orange plastic and some fans."

>...

"..."

>...One more time.

"They ain't real."

>But they're there.

"Not "fairytale" not-real, "pretend ta' be someone else" not real."

>Ohhhhh, so-

"Yeah, that thing changelings do."

>Oh... they're not sapping love, right?

"Nope, candy."

>Good, good... I think my-... I mean, THE Queen would sue them.

"Don't think she's got the copyright on that, but Ah'll take yer' word for it."

>Sooo... do I HAVE to pretend to be someone else, or-

"Just put out yer' fires, then nobody will know who you are."

>BRILLIANT!

*SPLASHHISSSSS!*

>...WAIT! CRAP!

"Hey, fella, you seen that Rider fellow run off?"

>NOPE! AIN'T SEEN 'EM GOVENA!

"That's a pity. Wanna go get some candy?"

>INDUBITABLY!

"Figured."
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 >AJ
"Dash"
'Pinkie'
[FS]
[SL]
~~~~

>Ah' can't believe ya'll did this.

"Hey, you were acting mopey, and we wanted to go have fun."

>AH' WOULD'A GONE IFFIN' YA' JUST ASKED!

'Really? Cause you were acting really weird. I'm pretty sure that guard outside your door did everything but push me down and ru-... uh, he was thorough, let's just say.'

>And that's another thing! Now Ah'm out here in the middle o' town, expose ta' whatever thing that dang bug monster is fixin' ta' do!

[I kind of wish you would stop calling them that...]

>Ah' only use it fer' Chrysalis.

[Still sounds kind of derogatory.]

>...Good? That's what Ah'm goin' for. She can go and eat herself a loaded bomb fer' all Ah' care.

{Uh, you know, 56 kind of likes her, and he's kind of my flight buddy, sooooo...}

>He like everybody. Little bugger wants ta' go snuggle Chitania fer' lands sakes. Bein' a bug monster ain't a disqualifier fer' him.

[Still saying that...]

>Iffin' Ah' can't call Chitania a bug monster, ain't no justice in the world. She is literally a giant monster.

[I don't know, I found her interview interesting.]

"Ahhhh, I'm with AJ on this one. Limits, you know?"

[I'm just saying, it's more complicated than it sounds.]

>It really ain't.

"Yeah, seriously."

'Aww, it's Fluttershy, guys! You know how she is. She'll look on the bright side of anybody!... Unless you say something mean about her, in which case she will spend months tormenting you to no end.'

[...I wish you wouldn't say it like that...]

"Look, moot point, you in or out with the getting candy and having fun? Cause we are pranking the rainbooms out of anyone who doesn't."

>Are ya' serious? That's a terrible role model!

"So, you're in?"

>...Obviously, need some fun in mah life right now.

'And that's why we're here!'

[Do we have to throw eggs? I feel bad for-]

"Yes."

[Okay...]
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 >Scootaloo
"AJ"
~~~

>I feel like this is setting a bad example I will most likely follow...

"HAH! AIN'T GIVIN' OUT NO CANDY, EH!? WELL AH'M GONNA BUCK THESE APPLES RIGHT INTA' YER HOUSE! WHAT NOW?!"

>I mean, I'm a little kid, what kind of message is this sending me?

"OH YEAH! PINKIE! GIMME THE PIES! WE'RE BREAKIN' OUT THE PIES!"

>Totally teaching me to abuse my power and position, should I be granted it.

"AH'LL PIE YOU ALLLLLLL!'

>...I'm growing up messed up, aren't I?

"AHAHHAHAHA!"
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 >SA
"Chrysalis"
'Cadence'
[18]
{42}
^2^
~Celestia~
=Twilight=
-Spike-
`???`
~~~~

>DON'T YOU DARE!

"It's not an unfair advantage if it's part of my natural abilities!"

>Look, Chrysalis, I'm going to be blunt with you, I'm not against you using that trick to help you bob for apples, really. I'm trying to be fair here. No, see, my problem is that apparently the last few times you did this you got brain damage, because you just can't seem to remember that you CAN'T CLOSE THE FREAKING BLOWHOLE AFTER YOU MAKE IT. You almost kill yourself everytime!

"But I don't."

>NOT! THE! ISSUE!

-Whoa whoa whoa, seriously? I have got to see this.-

[It's not as impressive as it sounds.]

{Majesty, please, just do it the normal way?}

"Fiiiiiine."

Her head goes down with a SPLASH!

And then immediately comes right back up, loaded with every apple in he barrel.

>...uh... wow.

^GIANT MARCHMALLEYS IN THA' SKY, NOT-MOM! THAT'S AMAZIN'!^

'NO USING MAGIC!'

"Ah diffin'."

~Huh, she didn't, I was watching her horn. How did you...~

Slowly, she lets her tongue slide out, showing that every single apple had been wrapped up by it.

=...Wow.=

"Ish good fer allll kinsh o' things."

Tellingly, she wiggled her eyebrows at Shining Armor.

[Can... can any of us do that? I want to learn how to do that.]

Behind her, 42 started poking out her tongue, and waggling it.

~...Think of the cakes I could eat with that...~

-Pfft, that's not impressive, I can do that!-

"Liesh."

-I am not lying!-

"Are sho."

-I totally can!-

"Nu-uhhhh."

-CAN SO!-

"No ya' caaaan't!"

-CANSOCANSOCANSO!-

"Oh, yeah!?"

She unraveled from every fruit, letting them drop back into the barrel.

"Put your money where your mouth is! Ten bits, right here, right now, LET'S GO!"

She slammed her money on the ground, he responded in kind.

-CONSIDER IT BROUGHT!-

His head went down, bubbles rolling up as his own lizard tongue worked it's magic.

^GO UNCLE SPIKE GO!^

'...Wait, isn't that-'

"Come on, Lizardo! Let's see what you can really do!"

The bubbles stopped, and so did he.

Then, with a flourish, his head swung back up, every single apple stuffed in his mouth.

>Uh, wow.

=Way to go, Spike!=

He let the apples dangle, showing he had indeed wrapped every one.

-WHA NOW!? UH UH! SO SHPIKE, ISH YA' BIRSHDAY! WHA'!? WHA'!? WHA'!? HOOOOO! YA' JUSH' GOH SHEEEERVED!-

His picked up every bit, rubbing it between his fingers in front of the stone faced Queen.

-You shee, thish? THISH ISH SHPIKSH! HE'SH GONNA BUY SHOMESHING AMASHING! You shee that!? Thash victory! You shmell that!? That's victory! You tashte that!? That's- -

"Please, tell me what those apples taste like."

Her tongue licked against the top of her lips, a devilish smile curling them wide.

His heart sank as realization hit him.

"Enjoy it, Spiko. That's the closest you're ever getting to a kiss."

The realization hit them all shortly after that.

And, as some winced in embarrassment, some broke into uncomfortable laughter, and one just blinked in innocent confusion, the apples slid free from his tongue, telltale flecks of saliva not his own still clinging to it.

"Just to recap? I would have paid a billion bits for this look on your face, not just ten."

That's when she broke into loud, almost painful sounding laughter, so painful she could no longer stand.

=S-Spike? You, uh, you okay?=

-...Kill her.-

'I'm taking that as a no.'

-Twilight, if you really love me, you will kill her... and then kill me... and then kill the reality this all played out in. Kill it all, Twilight... kill it all...-

=...I'm not going to.=

-... Celestia? Drop some sun?-

~No, Spike.~

-Darn.-

`WOOO YEAAAAAAH!`

Suddenly, all of the rapt attention on the dragon was torn away, just in time to see a certain pony rocketing past, scaring children with a giant fake skeleton she was carrying around.

`HAH! GONNA SPOOK YA' ALL EIGHTEEN WAYS FROM THA' APPLE ORCHID!`

Either that or screaming like a banshee while several companions told her to slow down, whichever.

`FEAR MEEEEEE!`

And like that, the orange alicorn, and her friends, were gone.

Slowly, everyone turned to Chrysalis.

"...I plead total innocence here."

A long, awkward beat went by.

"...U-uh... w-who's ready for the haunted house, eh?... I'm feeling haunted house."

^I AM!^

"See? She's on board, let's do that."

They just stared as she slowly picked the tiny changeling up, and made a 'subtle' retreat.

>...So, AJ's having fun.

'Good for her, she needs it.'

[Right? After what happened with me, WOO, gotta worry about blowing out, I tell you.]

{Excellent choice with the skeleton as well.}

~Even if I think they were more afraid of her than the prop.~

=Oh well, at least Dash and the others are looking out for her, that's nice.=

-Very nice.-

Another awkward moment past.

-Twi? Cut off my tongue, I can still taste it.-

>Yeah, sticks around for a while.

Slowly, everyone turned to the white prince.

He didn't even wait a moment before he raced off at full speed when realization hit.

>WAIT FOR ME!

They all just sat there after he had gone.

-...Now will you do it?-

=Considering it... heavily... heavily considering it...=
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 >SA
"Cadence"
~~~~

His camera gave off another tell-tale 'click', implying the film within had reached it's limits.

>Dang.

Without missing a beat, he put that one away, and pulled out yet another camera from who knows where.

"Shiny?"

>Hm?

He was only sort of paying attention to his wife, much more interested in the spectacle before him. Chrysalis and Celestia were currently locked in a heated battle, both of them tossing spiders at the little target with an intensity that was, well, a little extreme for the situation, he felt.

"Are you still doing that? Shiny, how many of those have you gone through?"

>Not that many, really.

He continued snapping pictures as Celestia 'enlisted some help' from his daughter, feeling a spike of pride as she managed to hit it dead center on her first try. He always felt a special elation when he preserved moments like that in picture form.

"Shiny..."

He turned to her, curious.

>What? Oh, come on, you're not worried I'm spending too much time over here, right? It's not like I'm being antisocial.

"No, I know, but..."

He turned away, winding up the camera for another picture already.

"You're not doing this for you, are you?"

He chuckled, the laugh sounding more than a little forced.

>Dunno what you mean, I love doing this.

"I know you do, but..."

She trailed off, unsure even to herself what she meant.

>Heh, sorry. I just love capturing stuff like this. I mean, wow, think about looking back on this, right?

He snapped another picture, focused entirely on Spike attempting to beat 42 in the 'dunk a clown' contest.

>I mean, how's Spike going to feel when he's all big and huge? And hoo, did you know that Changelings age slower when they get more love? Chrysalis doesn't even know how much, most subjects get drained if they live too long to keep them from challenging Queens, but I don't think that's going to be an issue here. And Two, oh wow, Two... she's going to be amazing when she grows up. Heck, who knows how many of these she's going to see. A thousand? Ten? Who even knows.

Another snap, another tell-tale flash.

>And you and Twili and Celestia and Chrysalis... you guys are probably going to see a million. Maybe way more than that.

The pink alicorn winced in time with the flash of light.

>But you know? I think they're all going to be special, someway. Cause you'll look back on pictures like this and say 'wow, look at what we did this time, it was so different than that time.' It's going to be amazing, I think, just to see how much changed, and what didn't. And I think it'll all be special.

Softly, she moved next to him, pressing her body against his side and looking forward as he did, her eyes trained on the events before just as intently as his own.

>And every time it's going to be new and exciting in some way, because things are going to change, things are going to get different. It won't ever be the same every year, but it will still be special...

His hoof shuddered just a bit when he pressed down on the flash.

>It will always be special, even if...

He didn't say it.

He didn't need to either. She knew what he meant.

'Even if I'm not there'

>Just... something to remember.

A shuddering, unsteady pink hoof reached up, gently cupping the camera.

"Why don't you... go give us something to remember."

He blinked, eyes more moist than he remembered them being a second ago.

Nonetheless, he did just as she asked, handing off the camera to her. He went forward, saddling up right next to Two as she prepared to try and bowl over some 'spooky' pins, his own much larger hooves softly covering her own, and helping her roll the ball. He laughed when they knocked them all down, cheered with 42 when they won the 'bop the monster' game, saddled up next to 18 as they won the 'find the ball in a cup' game, posed for pictures with his little sister, ran with Spike in the 'flee Nightmare Moon' race, joined Celestia in some horrible karaoke, and even joined Chrysalis as she sought to win the scavenger hunt. Even calmed her down when the inevitably lost.

She watched every moment through the glass eye of the camera, seeing the laughs, the tumbles, the scares and the life. Every single one was amazing.

And through it all, she started snapping pictures. Every moment, every chance she got, she wanted to capture it all.

For him, of course. But also something for them all. Something to look back on, just in case...

In case the wings he finally gets... aren't the one she knows he deserves.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >Rarity
"SB"
'???
[Vekir]
{Arana}
~~~

>This night will never end.

{HI PONY! YES! I WOULD LIKE TO SHAKE YOUR HOOF BECAUSE I AM NORMAL!}

[You were a fool to leave Vekir without her mouth holdy thing! This neck roper will be chewed through in... oh no! The neck roper is made of the shiny metal! DRAT! VEKIR'S TEETH HURT!]

"I'm starting to wish I had just gone with Applebloom. I know Granny Smith never stops talking, but there are worse things."

{NORMAL!}

"Like that. Can't we just hock them off on Applejack?"

>Sweetie, Applejack has been going through some very rough times lately, it is all but certain she is currently in her office, wasting away. As her friend, I can do this one thing and look after-

*ZOOOM!*

'WOOOOO! WHO WANT'S TA' PLAY APPLETOSS!? AH' BET YA' CAN'T HIT MEEEEE! AHAH!'

*ZOOOM!*

>...

"...Uh oh, uh, Rarity? You've got that-"

>Plug your ears.

"W-wha-"

>NOW!

"..."
{...}

>...*INHALE*... M-

~~~~Minutes later~~~

>UNTIL IT DRIBBLES OUT HER ASS!... Woo, okay, it's safe no- uh oh.

[Vekir has learned new words for ambassadoring!]

>Damn.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >AJ
"High Roller"

>Yeehaw!

"Ok, you are a hard mare to find."

>Now don't ya try to stop me, ahm having fun and no one's gonna tell me I'm not!

"Huh? No no I'm-talking to a skeleton now, what?"

>Please direct all questions to mah new secretary, Mr. Bones.

"Seriously?"

>...

"...okay, Mr. Bones, I need you to have the Princess put her signature on these papers."

High Roller awkwardly tries to press a stack of papers into the skeleton's mouth, which immediately get surrounded in an orange glow and shoved back against his chest.

>Oh no ya don't, this is me time, so don't even waste Mr. Bones'.

"I just need a signature for my transfer."

>Transfer? The hay do ya need a transfer fer?

"I need a transfer fer-gah, I mean to get out of this crazy town! Maybe go to the border with Stalliongrad, I like the cold, honestly."

>Well that's a new one, I-hang on a minute, THINK FAST!

Applejack tosses an apple at a nearby pony, the fruit landing in his open mouth.

>Bullseye! Haha! But why'n the hay do ya wanna transfer out fer?

"Seriously?"

>Nobody's tried to before.

"Well maybe because they live here and they're used to it. Now full disclosure, I thought this would be a much cushier gig than I really had any right to, but I think I can be forgiven for not expecting an invasion of stuffed animals."

>Son why would ya even apply to come here in the first place, you know what's happened here!

"I figured nothing more could happen! How does lightning strike the same place five times!? Now I realize you guys got a lightning rod of insanity attached to this place. Between the crazy bugs running around-"

>That's just a fact of life at this point.

"-the guards that gotta watch two best friends beat each other half to death to even entertain NOT beating up said bugs-"

>Wait, why didn't ah hear about that?

"-and then there's one of the damn bugs trying to put a smiley face on the dinosaur sized one that's stomping around all over the place!"

>Now hang on a minute, I got that taken care of!

"Really?"

>Yeah, besides, it doesn't matter who fired first, after what she did, it was justified.

"...you haven't seen the second article, have you?"

>Wait what?!

High Roller holds up the Hive Gazette. AJ gapes at it, her blood running cold, her body beginning to tremble, the stress and anger and fatigue of a million little issues boiling over and destroying every little fiber of joy her cutting loose had produced.

POP!

"...damn, you're uh...your eye just kind of..."

>Ah am aware.

"Right."

>Ah got business ta attend to, excuse me.

"Should I...file my papers with Mr. Bones?"

The skeleton bursts into flames.

"Take that as no then."

>Gimme a pen.

High Roller holds one up, it slams into the papers held to his chest with a force that nearly knocks him over and etches Applejack's name onto the signature line.

"Thanks."

>Ah suggest ya'll git outta here as soon as ya can.

"I'll try not to look back, don't wanna become a pillar of salt."

>You do that.

AJ walks away, taking the newspaper with her. High Roller smirks and turns, slipping around the corner and sliding out of sight. He takes his transfer papers and rips them apart, tossing the remains into a sewer grate.

Three down, none to go.

"Time to take my leave."

He begins to walk away, towards the train station, leaving the chaos he'd started in his wake.

No mark like a smart mark.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 >Gaffer
"8-Bit"
~~~~

>...You think we're overly bitter?

"What do you mean?"

>About the whole Shining Armor thing. Think we're over-reacting? Like, he's not doing this because he's a massive dick, but because it's just something that happens in his life? Like, he doesn't want to be surrounded by them all the time, but he has to?

"Evidence points to otherwise."

>Oh yeah? What's that?

Causally, he pointed to the group not to far away.

More specifically, the ones balancing on the barrel.

More more specifically, the ones hugging oddly close on that barrel. A white stallion and pink alicorn.

While another pink alicorn watched, to be extra specific.

>...

"...'Not a harem' my ass..."

>Dick.

"Total dick."

>... I wish I was him.

"WHYYYYYYY!?"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 "32"
'Reggie'
-Q-

"..."

'...'

-...-

"You know, they need to install a clapper in here. I'm quite sleepy but the lights are keeping me awake."

'*chitter*

"No Reggie, it would not be a clopper, that's just rude."

-*tink*-

"I'm not sure if they're going to come back, honestly, would you? One hoof, sarcastic sick love bug, on the other CANDY. Doesn't seem to be a hard choice to make."

-*tink*-

"You're a peach for saying that, but I'm just trying to be realistic."

'*chitter*'

"Well yes, after all the unreal elements of our situation add up, we're overdue for a reality check, wouldn't you agree? I'm sure there's a Fetlock Holmes novel that agrees with me."

-*tink*-

"Hmm, well yes, I guess there's nothing for it. Shall spend some more time then? Play a bit more U-"

The roach and golem dogpile the deck of cards.

"...guess not. Well if you've suggestions, I'm all ears."

-*tink-

"...a song? No no, Q, Hearthswarming is the caroling holiday."

-*tink*-

"Hmm...well then, if you insist. I suppose I can sing a spooky little song of doom and gloom, fits the spirit of today AND the current predicament, eh?"

'*chitter*'

32 sits down on his cot, clearing his throat.

"I see a Bad Moon A-Risin'
"I feel trouble on the way..."

In another part of the castle Rarity fumes as Sweetie Belle and Arana pool their candy together into a pile...before Vekir dives straight into it. Sweetie rolls her eyes as Arana laughs.

"I see earthquakes and lightnin'
"I see bad times today..."

At the portal to the Crystal Empire, Twilight hugs a departing Shining Armor, Spike ruffles Two's hair, only to get tripped by Chrysalis as he turns away. The dragon glares at the changeling Queen, who merely smirks.

"Don't go 'round tonight
"It's bound to take your life
"There's a bad moon on the rise..."

In the ballroom Actarius yawns at the last changeling gets their candy, turning to JJ and smiling, before collapsing in a snoozing heap on the floor. His friend places a blanket of him, before keeling over himself.

"I hear hurricanes a-blowin'
"I know the end is coming soon..."

Deep within the morlock caves, Rekulk and his trainee trader crest the cliff that overlooks their home, carrying behind them a cart leaden down with candy and having supremely confused looks on their faces.

"I fear rivers overflowin'
"I hear the voice of rage and ruin..."

In front of some laughing onlookers, Sucker Punch and 41 engage in a posedown in their ridiculous costumes. Nearby Glimmer and Dadling see off Luna and 56, Batmom looking extremely mortified by the young changeling's choice in costume.

"Don't go 'round tonight
"It's bound to take your life
"Therrrre's a bad moon on the rise!"

29 prances down the streets of Ponyville with his three compatriots, leaving a lot of blinded ponies in his wake.

"Hope you've got your things together
"Hope you are quite prepared to die..."

High Roller boards the night train to Ponyville, a smirk on his face as he sits down.

"Looks like we're in for nasty weather
"When one eye is taken for an eye..."

Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy turn and smile at an incoming Applejack, who brushes past them, the Hive Gazette telekinetically gripped close to her body, glaring murderously ahead.

"Well don't go out tonight
"It's bound to take your life
"There's a bad moon on the rise!"

Celestia looks out over Canterlot, having seen Shiny and Co. off, she turns away, content.

"Don't to 'round tonight
"It's bound to take your life
"There's a bad moon on the rise!"

Cheerilee and 77 share a loving look, walking together into the former's house.

"There's a bad moon on the rise!"

A single train comes to a stop at Manehattan Station, the transit hub still bustling even in the late night/early morning. The doors slowly open...and a massive army of unbridled devastation is unleashed on the city.

"Therrrre's a bad moon on the rise!"

The lights go out in Twilight's lab, leaving the changeling in the dark.

"...ohhhh they're automatic! Go figure."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The changeling known as Ten had tried to steel herself for this moment.

This moment when she opened the wide doors and stepped out of the ballroom that housed her hive, this moment when she nervously shifted the newspaper in her hooves, this moment... when she might never be able to go back. One way or another, it was very likely this would be the last time she would ever see them.

She lingered her sight on the chaos within for a couple moments, watching the chaos, the changelings comparing costumes, the gambling for candy, the fun and the excitement. She kept watching, wishing this moment would go on forever...

But she knew it couldn't.

Regretfully, she closed the doors, and prepared to go find her Queen. It might be selfish to do this now, while her Majesty was no doubt having fun, but it couldn't wait. She had sent BBB off specifically to keep him as far away as possible when this happened, told him to 'distribute the papers' as far and wide as he could as fast as he could. She knew that whatever was about to happen, he wouldn't like. He would try to protect her, no doubt, but she couldn't let him. Whatever happened to her, that was one thing, but no way would she let her number one camerapony get hurt on her account.

Her hoof remained on the door just a second longer, feeling the life bustling about inside of it, before at last she turned away.

That regret evaporated when she found herself suddenly coming face to face with something very unexpected.

Princess Applejack, the one who had allowed her hive this tiny corner of the world to call her own, trotted down the hallway towards her. This, alone, was unexpected.

More so, however, were the three armed guards flanking her.

She froze when they all came to a stop, and a orange hoof jutted outward, pointing right at her.

“Applejack Ten, ya'll are under arrest fer' illegally obtainin' and distributing stolen information.”

Shock rocketed through her at the declaration, unable to fully comprehend just what was being said.

“W-what!? I did not!”

“Oh, really?”

The princess pulled out a paper from her hat, unfurling it to show the picture she had so proudly published. So stunned, the changeling could not help but drop her jaw in a gape.

“Cause this here was takin' by private security footage, and Ah' know fer' a fact neither Pinkie or Cheese sold ya' this. Which means ya' bought illegally stolen footage and are now sellin' it with yer' paper.”

The changeling only sort of heard those words, far too focused on the paper before her.

“H-how did you get that?”

“That ain't important right now-”

“Yes it is! That paper isn't supposed to be out yet! How did you get a hold of that!?”

“We can discuss that later.”

The princess gestured to the guard, and without being asked they all moved forward. Frightened, Ten began to walk backwards.

“Y-you can't do this, the freedom of the press law ensures I don't have to reveal my sources, which means you can't reasonably prove this wasn't purchased by someone who had legitimate access to it.”

“Well, guess that'll be somethin' ta' bring up in yer' trial.”

She froze with fear as the three of them surrounded her, heart siezing in her chest.

“T-trial!? But I haven't broken any laws!”

“Then ya' ain't got nothin' ta' worry about.”

She felt the desperation shoot through her as they closed in, knowing full well she couldn't possibly escape both them and the mare who had beaten the tar out of several of her companions.

“Why are you doing this!?”

Applejack's teeth began to grind.

“Yer' jus' gonna have ta' go with it.”


“You can't do this! I have to show this to my Queen!”

A twinge of regret shot across Applejack's face, and for an all too brief second the alicorn looked away.

“Sug', that's why Ah'm... it'll be better if Ah' get ta' ya' before-”

Heat.

They all felt it before they saw it. That green, hot power that surged through the very air itself, singeing the fur on the guard's coats.

As one, the three stallions were lifted from their hooves, dangling hopelessly in the air and kicking their legs in futile fear.

A fear matched only by the once farmer herself as the room grew cold, and the loud sound of hoofsteps walking down the hallway reverberated.

“Well, well, well...”

The voice chilled the room in start contrast to the heat her magic formed, the icy tone mixed in with an almost playful undertone beneath it.

“Applejack, how are you? Having fun tonight? It's been a ball for me, want you to know. Totally tricked your little dragon-toy into licking up my spit, it was great.”

The orange horn sparked involuntarily as a mixture of emotions crashed through her. A million words already on her tongue towards the massive changeling who came to a stop behind the reporter.

“Well, it was great, until I stumbled across you, trying to arrest one of my minions. Going behind my back like this? I admit, it is something I would do, but unlike you I wouldn't be so stupid as to be caught.”

Her teeth nearly chipped as they ground together.

“How did ya'll find out?”

She cackled, plainly amused.

“Oh, you know, I have eyes everywhere. Nothing gets by me. Especially not when a certain someone goes from happy to angry and starts getting guards while heading to my ballroom.”

The alicorn attempted to move forward, trying to place herself between the reporter and the Queen.

“She violated mah' laws and that means Ah'm gonna arrest her! Iffin' ya' want ta' get ta' her, yer' just gonna have to wait yer' turn!”

“Get to her? For what?”

Applejack would swear frost danced across her tongue when she realized her slip.

“For this...”

She tried to whirl on the reporter and demand she keep quiet, but it was too late. The paper with the damning picture had been thrust in front of the monarch, plain for all to see.

“I-I'm sorry, you Majesty, I wanted you to see it first. I don't know how she got it already, but-”

Any more words would have been lost, they both realized, when the room suddenly became so hot a single degree more would have set the curtains aflame.

“You...”

Rage.

As plain as the open day. Pure rage coursed through the changeling Queen's face as her eyes danced over every word, reading it as thoroughly as she could manage through her growing anger.

“You've had this the whole time...”

Desperately, Applejack moved closer, still trying to put herself between the two.

“Ah'm the one who told her not ta'-”

That, she realized, was the worst possible thing she could have said in that moment.

“You had this information... and you went... to Applejack.”

Infinite denials were already dancing on her tongue the instant it had been said, but they were not fast enough.

“Yes.”

That was it, Applejack realized. That was the moment she couldn't turn this around.

Instead, she placed herself squarely in front of the Queen, and stood as tall as she could, wings going upwards just to add yet another sense of height.

“Chrysalis, Ah' demand ya' back off right now. This here's a situation ya' ain't handlin' with a sane head, and ya' need ta' back off an let me take mah-”

“Applejack?”

The almost serene tone gave even her pause.

“...Go be annoying somewhere else.”

She had no time to respond before the flames came, a circle of green fire rolling around her before she could get a word out.

“This is my hive, and I will deal with this as I see fit.”

Just like that, amidst cries of desperation, the orange mare, and her thus far silent guard were all gone, leaving the smaller, terrified changeling exposed.

She prepared another teleport, prepared to send them both off to who knows where, when she saw it.

A crack in those giant doors.

And dozens of eyes peering through the cracks.

“Well... it seems hiding this is no longer an option.”

Telekinesis grabbed hold of Ten's smaller form, and with a fury she flung open those doors, bowling over the group that had been stacked all over the frame. With a powerful, royal gait, she strut right into the middle of the room, surrounded on all sides by her loyal subjects, and plopped her charge right down onto the floor. Without missing a beat, Ten returned to her hooves, and dipped her head low in a submissive bow.

“Ten, you have been discovered to have hidden this, vital information regarding the actions of a former Queen Chitania from me, your true Queen. This is information I could use to my own ends to further the goals and safety of your hive, and yet it was hidden away.”

The room gasped as she showed the picture to them all, plain as day.

“More damningly, you have been revealed to have given this information not to me, as should have been your sole desire, but to another. A royal who kept the information from me and all. And when she demanded your silence, you obeyed. An edge given to our once enemy, at the cost of our own advantage.”

Bitterly, she sneered down at the still bowing subject, not a word of denial from her.

“Must I really say it? This is treason, Ten. This is treason of the highest order. Have you anything to say for yourself?”

With the exception of a slight choking noise, she did not respond verbally, only a slow shake of her head to answer her Queen's demand.

The tall changeling snarled, eyes once again returning to the paper before her.

“A stirring speech, really. But did you think such flowery words would stay my wrath? That I would let such an insult pass my gaze? Did my earlier mercy give you the wrong idea? Allow me to correct this.”

From the ether, she called upon a blade of emerald, a deadly thing that looked as if it could easily cut through a diamond.

Or the chitin upon the top of the neck that blade rested upon.

“Surely you realize what this means for you now, do you not? No words could possibly save you now after such disobedience, such disrespect to me.”

She offered no argument, no words to save herself. This, she knew, was a possibility, that her Queen could not be swayed. She had typed every word knowing how utterly disposable she was, knowing they carried with them the weight that would have seen any other subject crushed.

“And yet...”

The flame magic held the article aloft again, the thing that had cost her everything to write.

“Your words speak only of love, of wishing to protect me and by extension your hive. These actions, you claim, were done for me. A foolish mistake born out of the moronic idea that I would be easily tricked, what do you say to this?”

Her head never lifted as she spoke, mouth dry and throat as rough as sandpaper.

“I didn't think you would be tricked easily, Majesty, just...”

The blade pressed down to the back of her neck, hash and unyielding.

“Speak.”

“...She isn't stupid.”

She shuddered as the blade dug in deeper, drawing a single line of blood.

“I know you think she's big and dumb but... but she almost won. She... they told me how you took her away, but then she was the one who came back. And I just started think about it, like they thought about it. What it would mean if you didn't come back... t-they... they need you, Majesty. A-and I just started thinking, what if this was intentional? What if she wanted me to do this? If she did, then she planned for you to react to it. I don't know what she can do... what if this time, she made sure...”

The magical blade arced around, hooking under her chin and angling her head to look upon her Queen.

“Do you really think this will save you?”

Sadly, she could no longer look her Queen in the eyes.

“If that was important... I wouldn't have written my article.”

Morosely, a hoof reached up, grabbing hold of the magical blade and pressing it against her.

“I knew what this meant, but... but I couldn't lie to them, or you, anymore.”

Tears started to come, just a few drops at first.

“I know... what I am. I don't know where I came from or why, but I know I shouldn't have been let in here, in this hive. That I was here at all was because of desperation, not kindness. I know she watched me, I know that if it came to be sacrificed, I was first on the list. I know I shouldn't have been granted anything more than a short leash and been happy with that.”

They poured out faster now, the light in her eyes igniting.

“B-but you... you were different. You let me go look at the world. When I wanted to go and find everything, I thought I was going to have a wing cut off just for asking, b-but... but you...”

She choked, the magic on her head igniting. From the room beyond, the old and worn typewriter came forth, hovering in the air beside them.

“You gave me this.”

The chokes returned.

“I shouldn't have been allowed to own anything, to ask for anything, but you...”

At last, those tear streaked eyes could look back to her.

“You're special, you're the best Queen there ever was. S-so when I found something I thought might hurt you... I couldn't do it. And I'm sorry, because I was wrong. I was wrong to think so little of you, when you're so much bigger. I was wrong, and I can't take it back, and I can't make up for it. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.”

Her head tilted forward, letting the drops fall to the ground once more.

“I know I made you look bad, even if I didn't mean it. I know I disobeyed you, did stuff I shouldn't have, threw away chances I shouldn't have. S-so... so I'm not going to ask you not to kill me. I know you should, I know every other Queen would have already, they wouldn't even have asked why. I know I can't... I shouldn't stop you. Just... thank you. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have gotten this far, I wouldn't have known anything about this big, wide, amazing world. I wouldn't have even gotten a glimpse, a hint of just... so many things. So many ponies and gryphons and dragons and... everything. But I know I went too far, I messed up too hard, and I can't take it back. Thanks for letting me get this far... even if you wish you hadn't let me.”

The crowd around her went silent, hugging close together as they watched for any reaction from their Queen. She gave none, nothing but a stone faced look upon her subject, nothing to speak of any emotion on her part, nothing to even hint the words had moved her or touched her at all. Nothing.

The realization was quick as it went through the crowd. This was their laws, to disobey the Queen meant death, to make the Queen look bad meant to be incinerated and never spoken of again, to commit such treason as to go to another...

Few, if any, had gone so far. How many could never be known, for after something like that, a Queen would have made sure they simply ceased to be. There was nothing they could do to save her, they knew.

They could do nothing at all but watch as she was lifted before the Queen's hard, unforgiving gaze, and the twisted horn upon her regal head was bathed in flame.

“Death... would be a kindness for what you have done. That I let you speak this long is a mercy no other would have granted. My rage boils at the treason, the insult you have committed. To simply kill you and be done with it would be a boon any would be joyous for, considering the alternative. And yet...”

The blade vanished, and as one, every single changeling in the room held their breath.

“You speak of wishing me safe, you speak of learning from this treachery, you speak so warmly of what has been before this moment. These are admirable, in themselves.”

She started to pace, long legs taking easy, almost casual steps as she circled the floating one.

“You have served your hive well in the past, done the duties I have demanded, sought out new lands and gathered quite the information horde on those in the world. You have done your part, at the very least.”

She paused right behind the floating infiltrator, head curling ever so slightly towards the chitinous ear.

“But words are meaningless to one like me. I know full well the power of speech, the ability to turn an insult to sound like a praise. I know, fully well, this could be a desperate attempt to save your life after a damning mistake. As such...”

She turned to the crowd, a wicked, powerful smile upon her face.

“Have I not been merciful, my subjects? Have I not been kind beyond what you may ask? I feel that I have, but now I worry. Perhaps I have been too lenient, perhaps I have given you all the impression I am to be reconsidered in my commands, slinked past if an event is against my word, undercut if my law is not as you wish it to be.”

The changeling she held tried to cry out, to deny this, to beg her not to punish others for her mistake. An ethereal grip prevented this, holding her mouth shut tightly with it's otherworldly power.

All around her, they reeled back in fear, gripping tightly to whatever meager possession they owned in desperation.

“But perhaps not.”

The crowd grew less tense, more curious as she turned her attention back to the changeling she held.

“Perhaps I am merely misreading good intentions gone wrong. So many possibilities as to what may be, and for ones with silver tongues as ourselves, all things are possible.”

Their eyes locked, and a sudden wave of green heat surrounded the Queen.

“You speak of wishing to tell others the truth of this world? To 'tell it like it is', you say? Then perhaps we are in accord, more similar than thought, for you see, dear little Ten...”

The power began to gather around her, building, bubbling up and casting her hair aloft as it was summoned to her command.

“There is no truth I cannot obtain if I so desire it.”

Ten's head rocked back as the power launched forth into her mind, flickers of green magic dancing around in her head like fireflies buzzing around inside a cage.

The crowd gasped as she convulsed, her Queen looking on, unmoved, seemingly not even caring as to the events transpiring before her. They watched as she worked her magic, not careful, not easy, not kind. She was brutal, harsh and unforgiving.

At last, the magic pulled away, leaving a dead eyed husk of a changeling to remain.

Thoughtfully, the leader of the changelings tapped her chin with a regal hoof, the inquisitive gaze upon her face in stark contrast to the fear on every other changeling in the room.

“Well, what do you know. You were telling the truth.”

Almost playfully, she flicked the limp body right on the nose, a emerald magic sparking through her hanging frame and bringing the light of life back into her eyes.

She gasped as her mind could once again remember to breath, her eyes darting about in a frenzy as if she was currently trying to remember where she was, or what day it was. Oblivious, or uncaring, to this, Chrysalis once again tapped her own chin.

“Hrm, well, I should still by rights kill you anyway, as this is still quite insulting, but...”

Wickedly, she looked around the room.

“I suppose a corpse doesn't quite have the lasting appeal of an example that walks among you.”

Far more gently than expected, she lowed the infiltrator to the ground. With a flourish of both power and grace, the Queen stood tall before her, teeth barred in that same devilish smile.

“You shall serve as a reminder to all. That no secret can be forever held from me. That any truth I wish from you, I shall obtain by your words or my own power. I am your Queen, never forget that.”

“I-I will...”

“Good. Now, for the rest of you...”

She turned to them, making them all go stock still in terror.

“She held the right idea in the kernel of this pile of stupidity. She tried to protect our hive, and did what she could to see that through. This is a noble ideal, and one you should all strive for. However...”

Every single changeling, every one, was knocked off their hooves in a single shockewave burst of massive power.

“Know that any threat you think you perceive towards me is folly. I am Queen Chrysalis, the greatest Queen to have ever lived. If you should try to keep a threat from me, ensure it is only because it is beneath my notice, not because you fear for me. My power is beyond you, beyond all of you as one, never forget that.”

Wordlessly, they all nodded in response, too awestruck to speak.

“Excellent, then we are all on the same page.”

At last, she turned towards Ten once more.

“I get first paper sent out from here on. I like bragging that I read it before Celestia did.”

A massive pillar of green rose up behind her, ever so slowly circling the Changeling Queen.

“This is my word, follow it or suffer. Now, if you do not mind, I have some important business I must attend to immediately. Return to your lives and...”

Before the last, searing hot wave surrounded her, she let out a terrifying cackle.

“Have a happy Nightmare Night!”

And like that, their Queen was gone.

And like that, their Queen was gone.

A moment went by, everyone too terrified to move in case this proved to be some trick, in case she simply waited for them to move before returning and punishing them further.

But that moment passed, and as one they moved forward, surrounding the still dazed newsbug sitting on the floor.

“HOLY HIVEMIND YOU'RE ALIVE!”

“No way!”

“Seriously thought you were a goner, Ten!”

“I still can't believe you're not!”

“You!? I'm not convinced she's still alive right now!”

“Are you okay!?”

Wide, confused eyes looked around at all of the black, chitinous faces encircling her. Quick, uncertain blinks flickered across her face every second as she processed, took it all in, came to terms with what had just happened.

Then, to the gob-smacking amazement of all those present...

She smiled.

“Y-yeah...”

More tears streamed from her face, rolling over the dried remains of those that had come before.

“I'm... okay...”

Unsteadily, she stood up, trying to balance on shaking hooves. Several others reached out to steady her, but she moved them away.

“T-thanks, but... I've gotta... I've gotta help get tomorrow's paper out. It's going to be a doozy...”

They parted as she stumbled forth, opening her a path right to the grand doors of the ballroom, a couple holding it open as she passed through the threshold, and out into the hallway.

She froze when she made it beyond the doors, those same wide eyes suddenly drawn like moths to a flame at the window on the wall. For a moment, she simply looked upon it, through it's clear frame and out into the night sky beyond.

The moment passed.

She smiled again.

And she continued on her way.

Behind her, the doors closed, and without a word one of the crowd went over and picked up the typewriter that had been left on the floor. Silently, he returned it to it's place in that hidden cubbyhole, and shut the door behind him.

For a moment, they were all silent.

“So, uh... did anyone NOT bet she was going to die? I feel like someone just got very rich here.”

The day they joined the hivemind was still a long ways away, they all hoped.

However, they likely made that great plain beyond proud when they all came together.

And smacked him right in the head as one.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________