Thread 57: Stories 16-30

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"Tirek"
>Chitania


>Still nothing, this library sucks

"Hey stay still for a sec"

>Who are yo-

"[OM NOM NOM MAGIC]"

"Holy shit I'm HUGE"

>...Ow...

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>Hilda
"Zephyrious"
~~~~

>So... you're finally awake.

As it turns out, "Awake" was being rather charitable, considering the light above him probably hurt on par with one of his more brutal training sessions.

"What... happened?"

The sister of the once-to-be-king scoffed, rolling her eyes with unhidden annoyance.

>Oh, nothing much, you simply nearly suffered a massive brain hemorrhage as a result of exhausting yourself while under the effects of a massive concussion. I'd complain about your stupidity on the matter, but as you were somehow lucky enough not to suffer brain swelling or permanent damage, I fear you will use these unnatural luck powers against me, and spell my doom.

"...What?"

>You made that blow to the head worse and fell into a coma.

"Oh... I see."

He tried to shakily sit up, only to be pressed back down by a firm, but not overly harsh, claw.

>Please do not try to move right now, I'm fairly certain the universe itself will start trying to kill you just so it does not feel as if you aren't taking it seriously.

"What?"

>...I fear my witticisms are going to be lost conversing with you. Are you alright?

The sad, defeated look in his eyes said no, no he was certainly not alright.

>I thought so.

"...Is she still angry?"

A similar, yet different sadness reflected back at him.

"That bad?"

She gave nothing but a weary shrug, and a grunt.

"...Well, at least you do not seem angry with me."

>I trust you had a good reason. I know you, you would never do something so cowardly without an idea in your head. It might not have been a good one, but I have no doubt you were doing something you thought was right, not out of fear.

Only the barest hints of a smile curved his cheeks.

"It was a bit of a foolish idea."

>Share it.

"...Accept the deal, then run blindly into the first gathering of our people I could find, then plant myself firmly in the front and wait for the creatures to attack, forcing her to face them if she wanted to uphold her end of the bargain."

Thoughtfully, her claw tapped her chin.

>...It probably wouldn't have worked, she would have grown angry after the first time and left us to die anyway.

"As opposed to what she did anyway?"

>...Point. Still, you would have had to face the backlash of our people if she had followed through.

"At least they would have been alive to backlash at me."

>Short term, not very well thought out. You should have had Siegfried take her up on the deal, as our subjects would likely be more forgiving if their 'wild son' decided to do something reckless. He's charismatic enough he could probably have turned around his public perception, if it came to worst.

"...Did you just call me uncharismatic?"

>Zephyrious, you have many strengths. A sharp mind, strong in battle, a political eye unmatched, and quite the creative problem solving. But a wild party animal who can sway a bunch of drunken idiots to whatever tune you want, you are not.

"...I do not know if I should be offended there."

Gently, she flicked his beak.

>Stop worrying, you'll always be my favorite, at least.

"Assuring... so, is there any chance mother is going to calm down?"

She flinched that time.

Hard, and unmistakeable.

"...I do not like that."

>It is... becoming increasingly likely that I shall be the one to take the crown.

She may as well have taken her claw, placed it upon his chest, and pushed until she heard a resounding crunch.

"I see... well, I shall have to stake my claim, plead my case and see if I can turn their opinion around. Mother and Father can be wise rulers, they will listen and hopefully at least give me the chance."

>And if you cannot?

His eyes closed, and a low, slow breath escaped the nostrils on his beak.

"They are wise, as I said... if they feel I cannot lead the people, then I will not. I will not force myself onto a seat that I have no business sitting in."

His claw slid across the bed, only stopping when it grabbed her own.

"...And I suppose if I'm not capable, then I would prefer someone like you took my place instead."

She smiled, gently squeezing him back.

>You realize if you fail, you've essentially wasted all that time I spent pecking you into being a proper king.

"You'll have to take comfort in all the joy you had tormenting me."

>It wasn't that bad.

"Says the gryphon who laughed like a hyena when father gave her that whip, and told me to test if I knew which cutlery to use at dinner. I still have a scar on my talon."

She smiled, wistful.

>Mmmmm... that was fun.

"I'm glad someone thought so... well, will you be heading off to start preparing... if that weight should fall upon you, I mean?"

Her head tilted ever so slightly, craned down ever so slowly.

>I believe you will be able to reach them, brother. You did it for them... we agreed I would only be Queen if I proved your better... not like this.

"You should prepare for the worst."

She gave his talon one last squeeze, and re-settled herself in her chair.

>In a bit. I feel like talking a bit longer.

"I'm delirious company."

>Again, I would like to point out your positives before this, because I would also like to point out that this might actually make you more interesting to talk to.

"...Harsh."

>But honest. After all, Honesty is the mark of a great Queen, and I would like to prepare.

At last, she let him sit up, and face her more fully. She looked upon him with concern, but acceptance.

>...I'm glad you are alright, brother.

He nodded, talon going to her shoulder.

"I'm glad I still have someone who believes in me."

>Of course...

She settled back, and prepared to absolutely talk his ears off... but not before one last utterance under her breath.

>That's what family does.

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~~~~

Failure.

That's what she was.

That's all she'll ever be.

Failure.

Incompetent.

Unable.

...Just plain unlucky.

No matter how hard she would try, it wouldn't matter. She would trip, or something would fall from the sky, or she would just plain get in the way, and everything would fail.

She was unlucky. Purely, undeniably, unlucky to her very core. From her birth until now, nothing but a stream of misfortune after misfortune. Truly, a burden.

...A burden they might be better off without.

"So, here you are."

The edge of Canterlot felt tantalizingly alluring as she went stock still, spine locking up like a rusted chain. The silken smooth voice behind her was suspiciously easy and devoid of any emotion. Nervously, she felt her chitin at the base of her hooves scrape against stone as she neared the edge, closer and closer.

"Are you planning to jump or something?"

A sharp intake of breath, that was all the answer the other would need.

No... All the answer her Queen would need.

"If you're under the impression I am mad at you and plan to punish you, save the theatrics, I know it wasn't intentional, Thirteen."

Her chest suddenly burned, lungs turning hot and searing. Her vision blurred amidst the shame that covered her eyes, a sense of weight suddenly pressing down upon her back with the force of the moon itself dropped to earth.

"I-I'm... I'm sorry..."

Her voice had only been a whisper, volume of the words lower than the air that carried them from her mouth. Yet, impossibly, her Queen heard it all.

"I know you're sorry, and I said I'm not angry."

She could only just barely hear her through the rush of blood in her ears, the warmth in her face and the constriction of her throat. All of these things collided, forcing her down further and further with every breath.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...."

"I got it, apology accepted, now get back to-"

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

What had been an almost stock and businesslike intention had given way to curiosity, and just a touch of concern.

"I just said..."

"I tried... I really tried... I focused... and I gave it my best... and I fought so h-hard... but it slipped... I didn't reach her, and it slipped... and it fell on one of those things... it's all my fault..."

For the first time in her long, long life... Chrysalis was utterly lost as to what to say.

“I tried... I tried so that I wouldn't just b-be... just be a burden you had to put up with... you do so much, and I can't... I shouldn't even be here...”

The other changeling was making no show to hide the tears that poured down her face, dotting the ground beneath her.

“I just... I wanted to win just once, for them...”

She knew what she was supposed to say, of course. “Yes, it is your fault, and you are a failure.” That's what her mother would say. What any Queen worth their salt would say, really. To do any less is to imply failure was allowed. A terrible message to send to your subjects, in a world where their strength is paramount. She should say it, but...

“And I tried... and tried... but it all just fell apart.”

It felt... wrong.

She had a dozen other things already on her lips, words that felt more from her than her mother, “Stop crying, it looks pathetic.” “Stop worrying about it, everything worked out anyway, who cares?” “It's not like you were the only failure.” “Just shut up and at least use the damn crying corner like everyone else.” “Just let it go”...

They all felt wrong.

“I'm sorry you had to put up with me...”

No matter what she thought up, it felt... wrong. As if it would not make the situation any better, and only make it worse. Wrong. Wrong wrong wrong...

So she said nothing.

Not a single word.

In the stead of the spoken words, came the sound of hooves softly trotting up to her, and coming to a stop next to her.

“I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...”

Not a word.

Nothing said. Nothing spoken.

Nothing but the sound of her flanks resting upon the ground next to her.

...And the gasp when the small changeling felt a chitinous hoof touch her shoulder.

She wiggled a bit under the grasp, but could not shake it free. It was only with a scared, irresolute turning of her head that she at last pointed her nose upwards, and let herself meet the gaze of the taller Queen who sat next to her.

Her vision clouded as she met those eyes. Those strong, powerful eyes of the Queen of the last hive of all Changelings, ones that held behind them more might than even the Alicorn of legend...

Eyes that looked upon her, with not so much as a hint of anger, disdain, or even pity.

She could not bare it.

She could not fight it.

She openly sobbed, waves intensifying as they rained from her face, doing nothing to fight off the gentle movement of the Queen's hoof as it brought her to that strong, powerful chest.

“I-I-I'm sorry... I tried...”

As before, Chrysalis spoke no words, of kindness or of hate.

“I wanted to win so much... to say thank you...”

She said nothing.

...But she gave everything.

“...I'm sorry... I-I'll try harder next time. T-thank you...”

The time past by slowly as they sat on the edge of the city, looking out into the world the had wandered not so very long ago, homeless and unsure. Chrysalis had seen many, many things out in that world.

“Thank you...”

But nothing quite like this.

Nothing like the one moment in a little changeling's life... where she felt like the luckiest thing in the world.

“...thank you...”

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 >AJ
"Cherry Berry"
~~

"Heyyy! Applejac- whoa..."

>...Mah haircut, mah' charred up hooves, or the whole horn and wings thing?

"Uh... all of it? The hell happened to you?"

>...Just ask yer' dang question.

"What makes you think I have a question"

>D-do... do ya' not? Are ya' just here ta' say hi!? Are ya' just comin' around ta' see someone ya' used ta' actually talk to and know, and not bug with some inane question because suddenly she's got more parts than she did? DARE Ah' DREAM!?

"...I mean, I do have a question, I was just wondering how you knew."

>.........GAD DANG IT!

"Anyway, I was just wondering, do we have restrictions on technology?"

>Come again?

"Well, it's just... remember that flying thing I made forever ago?"

>Yeah, was actually wonderin' about that, how-

"Nevermind the how, just wanted to know... do I have to like, file some paperwork before I make that, or can I just do whatever, or what's the deal here."

>Ah'... Ah' guess we need some kinda' oversight, ya' bout took Dash's head clean off. And that can't be safe with fillies and foals flyin' around.

"Sooo... what's the level of restriction here?"

>Uh.... jus'... don't do somethin' that'll hurt someone?

"But someone could just fly into a balloon if that's the issue, at least my whirlything makes noise."

>Point... uh...

"..."

>..Ah'll look inta' it.

"Thanks!... Now, if someone were to, say, have already clipped someone else in the hoof due to THEIR negligence, since there is no oversight, does that meeeean..."

>...Gad dang it.

"HE CHARGED ME! IT WAS ALL HIM!"

>...

"...In theory. This is all hypothetical."

>...

"...TO THE ESCAPE COPTER!"

*DUNUNUNUNAH!*

>........Was this town always this nuts, or did they just get bored without the constant dangers or something?

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>18
"???"
~~~

The portal between the Empire and Canterlot was one she was all too familiar with using, in fact she was so used to using it that she idly wondered if repeated exposure would give her cancer.

>Can bugs get cancer? Am I pony-enough I could get pony cancer? I could have pony-babies so maybe... er, they'd be changeling babies, but I mean FROM a pony, so whenever I finally- oh wow I am putting the cock before the- CART! I am putting the CART before the... oh wow I look crazy.

"We should say."

Were it possible, Eighteen would have literally leapt from her chitin and run off into the night on naught but squishy muscle, leaving behind a shell of what once was for all to see.

But molting was not an ability she currently had, so she was going to have to settle for hitting the ceiling and then falling back into a non-molted heap.

>...HI! Luna! Heeyyyy!

The princess of the night regarded her with something akin to pity, but it might have been disdain.... or disgust... or disgusting pity filled with disdain, it was hard to tell with her. The hair, it was distracting.

"Niece of my sister, is there any reason thou art mumbling to thineself with a speed that would give dear Pinkie run through with sugar pause?"

Ah.

Well, at least one mystery as to her lack of chitin-shedding abilities were explained.

>...HIVEMIND DAMN IT!

"What? What the devil does-"

FWOOSH! And her skin peeled away, burning off amidst all of the fur atop it, face restructuring to return a fitted muzzle to its original shape while her legs carved holes within themselves to once again take on the form of that with gaping crevasse for which they were known, leaving nothing beneath the fire but a black, hard surface.

...Changeling transformation was really weird, and probably should be a lot more painful than it was Eighteen noticed.

"Oh! I see, the doppleganger. Well, one of many dopplegangers. We should have expected such."

>...Really? You couldn't tell I wasn't actually her?

"No? Why would we be able to?"

In another life, that curious glint in her eyes would have been a source of pride.

Now she just felt bad.

>You and her aren't super close, are you?

"We should say not! We have hardly spoken to her since our new arrival. To be honest, we found her a mite airheaded. Terrible company to be around."

The sudden desire to punch a royal sister was not healthy, Eighteen admitted. Still, choking down the desire to assault royalty was something she was very accustomed to, considering her past life. As such she at least knew enough to put on a fake smile and try not to do anything stupid.

>She has her good moments.

"We know, we see them.

>Oh?

"Yes, they are called 'sleeping', where she is silent... mostly."

That itch in her hoof was going to kill her.

Still, while choking down some more internal desires that probably would need to be vented in some way before they punched an ulcer into her stomach, something did hit her.

In a more non-physical, inspirational way.

>Oh! Hey! You're from... another time, right? Well, I happen to have a bit of a... unique problem, one you with your... specific knowledge base might be able to help with!

The princess grew weary, but she did not take to offense quite yet.

>Okay, sooooo... things have gotten a little... different with me and Shiny, and as far as I know monogamous relationships weren't super the rage back in your day, right?

"...They did exist... and thank thee, sister, for teaching us what that means... but the standard version was just more common."

>Right! So, about the... 'standard version'.

"The standard was due to the abundance of females at the time, much like today only more severe, and very few males. Coupled with the fact that expansion of one's non-royal family meant-"

>Right right right, thank you for the history lesson but I am up to speed! I was more wondering... how did they make it, you know... work?


The silence that came was as long as the night itself.

"We... we assume they did it the normal way?"

>Okay, good! There was a normal way! That's good, that's giving me hope, how did they do that?

Huh, noticed the changeling, Luna seemed quite... flustered.

"I..."

She quickly cleared her throat, straitening her spine just a bit.

"We believe that the male... uh..."

>Yeesss?

"He would... give attention to every mare... frequently."

>Good! And this worked?

"We... we assume so.'

>...Assume? Didn't you, like, see it? Everyday in the streets?

Huh.

Eighteen was... unaware you could blush through a coat of dark blue. She figured that would block it somehow, but there it was!

"N-no! To be so... 'open' in the streets was tempting dangers such as robbery. To do so in a field meant you might attract some... unwanted dangers. It was a less 'open' time, changeling, no matter what you may have heard. Sure, it happened on occasion, but those were spurs of the moments that we did not gaze upon too long, for it felt rude... among other things."

She felt herself slump, just a bit.

>Ah. Not as... 'lovey-dovey' back in the day?

The subtle twitch in the night-sister's eye worried her.

"One could say that. It was a much more rough and to the point era, taking it slow and easy was... unwise considering all of the hazards that came with the land."


>Oh... well, shoot, that's no help for me at all... I want him to be all nice and smooth, you know? I want him to be open, show it everywhere and anywhere! Sure, the private moments in the castle are nice, but I need a way to make this work with me and him out in the open, together, you know? And we HAVE to work in Cadence in there!

Eighteen continued, oblivious to the red veins that suddenly appeared in Luna's eyes.

"O-of course... since she too likes... public displays?"

>Oh, she loves them!

"So... clearly you... and him... and her..."

>Yeah! How can we not? You can't just be all open all over the Crystal Kingdom and not invite her! I know, what you're thinking about Shiny maybe not being able to handle both of us, but I have to believe he can! I loved everything about it when we were in the open before. And I know Cadence loves it just as much as I do, the subtle moments, the gentle touches, the ease of-... of... Luna?

"Hmm?"

>Is... is your nose bleeding?

"...No..."

The trail of red that rolled down her faced called her a liar. It called her a liar just as much as any stream of blood ever could.

So... non-verbally.

"...WE MUST DEPART! FOR WE HAVE BUSINESS ELSEWHERE, CHANGELING! WE WISH YOU WELL IN YOUR QUEST TO F-F... TO FIND WHAT THINE SEEKS, BUT WE HAVE NO MORE TIME TO CHATTER! STAND ASIDE!"

>You don't have to yell-

"DO NOT SEEK TO COMMAND OUR ROYAL CANTERLOT VOICE! IT DENOUNCES OUR POWER, OUR STATURE!"

>You're getting louder-

"GOOD NIGHT TO YOU, CHANGELING!"

>The phrase is 'good day to-'

"SHUT UP!"

A flash of magic carried the night princess away, far, far away... to where Eighteen could honestly still hear her, no matter how crazy that sounded.

Still, her behavior was pretty... interesting.

>Huh... never knew Luna was such a romantic.

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 >Daw
"Vekir"

>Carefully...

"Vekir is being careful!"

>Caaaarefully...

"Silence yourself, Jackiethedaw! Vekir knows what she is doing!"

>Right then, how silly of me. Go ahead.

"Aha!"

*Ka-Fall!*

"..."

>Ha, jenga! ...that's what ya say, aye? It was on the box.

"Vekir wishes princess would fix her soon."

>You'n me both, Vekky, you'n me both.

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Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"AJ"
~~~~

>Welcome to Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! /pa/'s officially a year old, can you believe it? For tonight I've brought back our first guest because she's the star that started it all...APPLEJACK!!!
Loud applause can be heard as Applejack walks in.

"Um Pinkie, there's no actual audience."

>Everypony's asleep so I have to use canned sound effects. BUT THAT DOESN'T MATTER RIGHT NOW because tonight's a special night. It's the official 1 year anniversary. Now the question I'd like to ask is-

"NOPE"
AJ pulls out a revolver and shoots herself in the head. She wakes up in bed.
"Darn it, even in my dreams the questions keep coming."

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Alright, CD anniversary story incoming!
~~~~~~

THUCK!

THUCK!

THUCK!

It was almost soothing. Like a lullaby she had been sung so long ago, and somehow forgotten. The sound of hooves hitting wood in a rhythmic, steady blow. The sound of apples falling perfectly into the bags was like music to her ears, as lovely to her as that of any songbird. The smell of the grass tickled her nostrils akin to a feather, sweet earthy scent filling her lungs before being let slowly loose. The soft soil beneath her was just what those old hooves needed, finally free of stone and concrete. Truly, and deeply, she felt as one with her orchard once more.

So why then, she asked herself, did it all feel so wrong...

“You're looking kind of fired up, AJ. Maybe you need to cool off!”

The glorious, powerful sun left her, blotted out by a shape as ill-defined as running water in the sky. Coincidentally...

“DANG IT, RAINBOW!”

The cool rain water that splashed all over her was actually quite a relief, but she wasn't going to admit that out loud.

“Ya' better nott've messed up Mah' new hat!”

“Oh my! Not the only new thing to you, is it?”

Not a moment after she had pulled her hat off to inspect it, a set of hooves started brushing through her hair, pulling on the much shorter strands.

“Really darling, who is your stylist? It's a bit low and uneven, but on the whole it's quite dashing!”

“Mah' Granny did tha-”

There was a bright flash of light, immediately in her peripheral vision.

“DANG IT! MAH' EYES!”

“Whoops! Sorry, AJ!... Hey, thanks for leaving me to pay for the tickets, girls!”

“Sorry, Twi, but you know when time is of the essence, I'm the mare for the job!”

“And when it comes to making sure Rainbow Dash doesn't do something utterly stupid, well... I can only sort of stem the damage, but it's better than nothing, darling.”

“And I'll just make it worse!”

“GAH!”

Where the pink pony had leapt out from, none present would ever know. There had been a lone tree that clearly had no means of sneaking behind it, yet somehow they blinked and out she came.

“You know, the saddest part of all this is the fact I now have to question if the weird things are you or Fluttershy messing with reality.”

“I-it wasn't me.”

One positive is that even with chaotic power exceeding some of the strongest this world has to offer, somehow, Fluttershy remained completely unintimidating. How she also managed to become nearly invisible when she occasionally warped time and space itself is a skill only she could ever pull off.

“And I'm not messing with reality! I'm just bouncing, see!”

The irony of the fact she affirmed this by literally freezing in the air, pointing to it and then continuing to bounce was not lost on them.

“What're ya'll doin' down here anyway?”

As one, all five faces turned to look at her, almost incredulously. Only Pinkie finally broke the silence by bouncing forwards and wrapping her forelegs around Applejack's neck.

“You, silly! A doooooooooy!”

“Yeah, come on Aj, what?”

“Really, do you think so little of yourself that you do not think we would wish to see a dear friend? For shame.”

“W-we just wanted to say hi.”

“Yeah, Applejack, we were worried about you!... ALL of us!”

She finished her sentence quite pointedly, eyes cutting over to seemingly a random tree. Meekly, amidst several forceful glances, Spike stepped out from behind it.

“Y-yeah.. all of us.”

Strangely, while she did indeed seem touched by the presence of her friends, there was something... else there.

“Well, Ah'm fine, obviously. Thanks fer' comin' ta' see me.”

They were all taken quite off guard by that. When they had left, they all expected something, simply put, more.

“Ya' wanna come in fer' some apple pie? Granny was cookin' it when Ah' left, should almost be done by now.”

When she immediately started to walk towards the house without even waiting for an answer, what else could they say but give their own trepidatious, but excited acceptances?'

“Well looky here! Howdy girls, what brings ya' down ta' these parts?”

Still, there was a sense of unease as they were greeted at the door by the ever excitable Granny Smith, ushered in with little pause and seated wide at the table in the span of a second. Curiously, Big Mac, Applebloom and Breaburn, of all ponies, were already there.

“Well howdy gals! Hoowee! Applejack's been tellin' us quite the story round these parts!”

“Eeeyup.”

“Ridin' big old monsters, evil things takin' over ponies brains, and giant mushrooms! Ah' missed all the fun!”

A quite exhausted glance was shared between them all, wordless speeches past between them with just a glance.

“You could say that...”

“So, d'yall come down ta' check on ol' Jackie here?”

“Oh, yes! We were worried when she hadn't written in a week.”

“Ahhh, gal's been busy, ain't that right AJ?”

The mare in question just grunted, shrugging while she rested her cheek on her hoof, and closed her eyes.

Nobody quite knew what to say to that.

The pie slices past around smelled heavenly, of course, but everyone at the table had far more pressing things on their mind than the simple pleasures of food.

“So! Uh... AJ? Having fun down here?”

The mare shrugged, shoving large chunks of the pie filling into her face with a hungry fever.

“It's been nice ta' see mah' family again.”

They hoped she would elaborate.

She didn't.

“So, uh...”

Fluttershy deserves credit for at least attempting to ask the burning question on everyone's mind, but as always it fell to the one with the subtly of a hurricane to break through.

“Are you coming back?”

Eyes glanced between the now stock still former earth pony and the pegasus, waiting with bated breath for someone, anyone to speak.

“...Ah' dunno...”

That was all she said. Two words and a shrug of her shoulders. From her body language alone, it seemed she felt the conversation had ended.

“W-what do you mean? Are you coming back or not?”

“...Ah' dunno.”

“Applejack, we-”

Everyone at the table jumped when her hoof suddenly slammed into the table, rattling everything atop it.

“AH' SAID AH' DON'T KNOW, OKAY!?”

It was very, very rare that Applejack raised her voice. As such, it only made the seconds that past all the more chilling when she sat back down.

“Applejack...”

Only Twilight had remained serious throughout, looking at her friend with a curious, sad face.

“You've done a lot of good up there, if you're worried-”

“It don't matter.”

The table stopped dead, at once all of the building momentum that had been gathering gone like a candle blown out in the wind.

“Applejack...”

“Of course it does, you big dummy!”

Dash, never one to keep her opinions closed, decided to make her voice heard as she stomped over to the orange mare and poking her in the chest.

“I mean, look at all the stuff you fixed! Canterlot was in a nosedive before you-”

“Dash, it don't matter.”

The sound of resounding defeat rolled through the air, leaving the world hollow in it's stead.

“Ah' don't even know why Celestia gave me these dang things... Ah' mean, when did Ah' ever look like Ah' could run a dang town, let alone a whole country? Ah' never wanted ta' be a princess... heck, Ah' had ta' force her not ta' give me onna them fancy coronations. Ah' wasn't lyin', Rarity, when Ah' told ya' not everyone dreams of bein' a princess...”

Gently, Fluttershy lifted her head.

“But... but you did it...”

She let out another slow, tired breath.

“No, Ah' didn't.”

Rarity moved forward, looking her right in the eye.

“But what about all the help you've done for Canterlot? What about Ponyville? Why, the changelings would likely not even be alive were it not for you!”

Sad eyes met those ones.

“Canterlot ain't no better than when Ah' got there, not really. Things don't run no better, the guard ain't no better off, they ain't smarter or more acceptin'... all ah' managed ta' do was bring some dang bug monsters inta' the castle... and that's it. Ah' didn't help them. Canterlot's still scared of 'em, as much as they were when they came. It's been almost a year... and they're no better off then when Ah' started.”

Twilight started to pipe up, only to be cut off from a stern hoof from the orange alicorn.

“No, Twi, some of them bein' a bit better off ain't the same. That ain't fair ta' the rest of them, and it ain't fair ta' give me any credit. Ah' didn't help out with any of them. Ah' didn't do anythin'.”

She leaned back, her eyes going to her ceiling.

“...All Ah' did was paperwork. Paperwork paperwork paperwork. And ya' know what? Paperwork didn't change a thing. It's the same. It's all the same. Ah' never deserved these things.”

Silent. Every single one of them, silent. Every one had things they wanted to say, but not a one could bring it to bare.

None... except for a single one.

“...Okay!”

If there was ever a pony who could bounce back from anything, it was the pink one who sometimes they all would swear was made of rubber.

“So, are you going to be a super-farmer? APPLEJACK! THE MOST POWERFUL APPLEBUCKER IN THE WORRRLLDD!”

The table devolved into giggles as Pinkie bucked at nothing in particular, making the obviously necessary “BAKOOSH! SMOOSHA! SHAWBAM!” noises to accompany it.

“So, can I throw you a coming home party down here? OH OH OH! I can move back into the Cake's old building! I can start my own business! NO! We can do one together! We'll call it the pink apple pie!... I'll work on the name. Something that won't make colts giggle when they see it.”

“W-wha-”

She was given no time to react before another hoof slung around her, an alabaster grip tightening on her neck.

“Well, I am still the owner of Carousel Boutique, perhaps I can move back in and start a whole line of alicorn themed dresses!”

“Rarity, ya' shouldn't-”

“Um... I still mostly come down here anyway, and I suppose it would be nice not to have to make Discord teleport me over here all the time. His fingers have to hurt.”

“Flutteshy! Ya' can't-”

“Spike, is the treehouse still available?”

“I think Cheerliee was moving in there, but she'd give it back in a heartbeat... and I'm just going to be honest, I miss my basket. There. I said it. I miss my basket. I don't care if I looked like a dog, that was comfy.”

“Twilight! Yer' not just gonna-”

“Is the position of captain of the weather team still open?... Meh, who cares if it is, what're they going to do, tell me no?”

In the blink of an eye, she went from horrified, to bluntly put, aghast.

“DASH! No ya'll can't just abandon... it's yer' dang dream! This whole thing with the Wonderbolt's was yer' dream! Ya' can't just throw that all away fer' me!”

Almost condescendingly, Dash flew above her, and patted her on the head.

“Oh Aj, Aj Aj Aj... that dream has become a nightmare. Also, and more importantly, you can't tell me what to do. You're not the boss of me.”

“Ah' outrank you!”

“Wonderbolt captain beats world's most powerful applebucker!”

“No it don't!”

“Does so!”

“No it don't!”

“Prove it!”

“Ah' will write up legislation fer' that! Don't you test me!”

“HAH! So it doesn't exist yet! I win! Legal victory!”

She groaned, slamming her head down on the table.

“Yer' all pretty cruel, makin' me choose between these.”

“Applejack...”

The soft, caring voice pulled her back to earth, leading her as gently and as caring as a mother would.

Lavender coated hooves touched hers, and gave them an easy, reassuring press.

“...We would never, ever make you choose.”

As one, all six of her friends nodded.

Dash's hooves were the first to join Twilight's.

“Yeah, Applejack, that's not what we meant.”

Followed by Rarity's white ones.

“Darling, we're just saying, that regardless of where you want to go...”

Fluttershy's yellow ones.

“We'll be right there with you.”

Spike's claws.

“And we're not leaving.”

And finally...

“Because no matter where you go, no matter what you are, alicorn, princess, farmer or even a juggling circus act... we're your friends, Applejack.”

As with one voice, the chanted. “We're your friends.”

And she believed them.

She believed every word.

“Sugar cube...”

Her Granny, at last, moved through the crowd that parted for her, walking right up to her grand daughter and taking young hooves in her own wrinkly, sagging ones.

“Ah've watched you grow from a tiny little thing no bigger than a stack of apples, Ah've watched my little appleseed sprout and grow herself into a big, confident mare... and Ah' watched you save the world.”

Her hooves started to shake in the other's grip, barely holding on.

“And when that day came, you were scared, Ah' know you were scared. Ya' didn't show it, but Ah' knew it... but when that day came, you saved the world just the same. And then it came again, and it tried ta' twist you, and you fought it back again. It came again, and it tried ta' look unstoppable, and you held it back anyway. It came again, and it tried ta' take everything from you... and all it managed ta' get was a couple o' trinkets that ain't worth one bit compared ta' you. And it kept comin' and comin, and you kept savin', and savin'. Because that little sprout Ah' watched grow never let nothin' keep her down, no matter how much the world took from her... and it took more than it should have. More than was fair...”

She choked, her throat clenching up as her vision started to blur.

“But now... here ya' are, sittin' at mah' table, yer friends all around you, and yer' not seein' it. The world never stops bein' in trouble, Applejack. It don't just get better because ya' beat up the big dark thing knockin' at yer' door. You wanna know why yer' a princess? Cause yer' the only one who understands that ya' can't just plant the dang seeds and walk away. Ya' gotta nurture it. Ya' gotta watch out for whatever's gonna snap 'em up and drive 'em off. Ya' gotta shield 'em when the storm comes. Ya' gotta be ready to save it when somethin' unexpected comes along. Yer' the only one who could get that ya' can't save everyone... but every single tree in that orchard is worth fightin' for, it's world sacrificin' for. The world needs savin', Applejack... and these problems don't go away with a fancy necklace.”

The tears came now, no longer restrained.

“A-Ah' don't wanna leave you again...”

A warm, matronly smile crossed her face.

“Child... you remember Bloomberg?”

“C-course Ah' do, Granny...”

“His roots are still there.”

She blinked, flecks of water shooting out in every direction with every flicker of her eyelids.

“Come now, don't ya' know? Trees reach out with their roots as far as they are tall. Ain't no way ta' get every root when we dug him up. They're still there, Applejack. They're in the soil, they're in the place he sprouted and was born, and there ain't nothin' in this whole world that could get 'em all up. Bloomberg went off ta' a new place, he found a new home, but he ain't never left us, not really. Even when they leave... they're still a part of us.”

That same wrinkled hoof pressed against her chest, soft and gentle.

“No matter where that apple tree's gonna go... those roots are right here. You can't never leave that.”

That same hoof trailed up, pressing against her cheek.

“This is yer' home. This will always, always be yer' home. Ya'll could go ta' the moon and back, and this place right here would always be there waitin' for you ta' come home to. But child... home isn't a place. Iffin' a hurricane came through right now and carried us all away ta' the edge of the world... we'd still be home. Cause this...”

She pointed to them. Every one. Twilight, Spike, Fluttershy, Rarity, Dash, Big Macintosh, Braeburn, Applebloom... every one.

“...This is what home is. From Sweet Apple Acres ta' Canterlot ta' Appleoosa... that's where yer' home is.”

Breaburn stepped forward, subtly tilting his hat.

“We're family, Applejack! That's what family does. Ya' can't leave us. Shoot, Ah' never thought for a second when Ah' went ta' Appleoosa that it would be any other way. Ya' can't run from what's in here.”

Her sister joined her. Then her brother.

“Applejack... ya' taught me ta' never run away when Ah' was scared, never let anyone hurt nobody iffin' ya' could stop it. Ya' can't just leave iffin' ya' can help, can ya'?”

“Eeeeyup.”

At last, Twilight spoke up once more.

“Applejack... where ever you want to go, we'll always be there for you... but if you're up for it, we wouldn't have anyone else to help us.”

“Yeah, Applejack! We need you!”

“Common sense is sadly a rarity in these times, and losing what little we have can't be good for us.”

“We've been through so much together... we can handle this. You promised me that, right? Even when it seemed like I was going to end the world, you said we would handle it together... and we're going to.”

“So come on! I can't throw a 'you are awesome' party without you being more awesome than normal! It just wouldn't fit!”

“Applejack...”

Only Spike's words had been quiet, but no less hopeful.

“We need you...”

They waited, every one. They waited as she brushed the tears from her eyes, they waited as her breathing slowed until it was no longer ragged and shallow, they waited as the shaking stopped, and she could at last look them in the eye again.

And every single breath hung when she stood up, and readjusted her hat.

“Ah' need a minute.”

Without another word, she walked past them, and headed to the door.

Everyone stared as they heard the beat of her wings, and watched a flash of orange pass by in the window.

“...that was good, right?”

Nobody was quite sure how to answer Applebloom's question.

But something told them that... yes... yes it was.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

~

>Hey, Celestia? Got a question.

>...Really? Not even a 'hi' in there? Just going right to questions.

>Spell hey like H I E, and ya' get a hi in there. Close enough, right?

>Oh, how I did miss your wit. Well, I suppose if you have a question, I do have this balcony right here, let's see if they go together well!

>They might. Hey, Celly?... Do ya' regret makin' me a princess?

>...Oh, oh Applejack. *Smiles*

>Well?

>You silly, silly thing... shall we?

Without another word, she turned, and motioned with her head. Soon, Applejack wearily joined her on the edge of the balcony.

At her signal... they both jumped.

~~~~

>Sometime's it's been a challenge... seeing everything that is wrong.

They passed by the guards overhead, a much smaller amount than Applejack remembered.

>But sometimes we found out that hardship, is there to make us strong.

The changeling ballroom was in full swing, some random party filling the room with a solid, bouncing beat.

>It's not always going to be easy... before the light, it might get worse.

Construction was still in full swing, so many homes needed repaired, so many lives needed rebuilt...

>But it is up to you, dear Applejack... if this is a blessing or a curse!

They flew further, faster, so much so through the blur of the world Applejack could only barely see what went by.

But see it she did.

So many faces... voices.

Ponies, changelings, gryphons... so many faces and voices with their own stories.

So many stories told.

>I do not know what is coming, how we got here or what may have been... but I know in my heart, dear Applejack, I would never trade it in!

So many lives changed forever.

New friends.

New loves.

New lives.

>For good or bad, this is our world. All of the things wrong, it is up to us to face them, or leave them for others to win.

So many ponies, so many changelings, so many she could never count them all.

>Whatever you choose, the world will go on. Till the day it finally ends. Between his time and then, so much still yet to change, so much yet to grow.

Up, up, up higher they soared together. No longer did they look out over just Canterlot. The land grew as they climbed higher, and higher, up until the world itself seemed... almost small.

So many lands.

So many other stories...

>This... is what we made, Applejack. Happiness, sadness, horror, adventure, hate... and love. So much love. How could anyone, ever, regret something like this?

She didn't answer.

She didn't need to.

Be it through magic or some different otherworldly force, she heard them.

Those new friends.

Those new loves.

Even that new life.

She heard them all... and she felt it.

>You have done so much, none would blame you if you quit now. I doubt many expected you to get this far at all. The only question is... do you want to keep going?

>...

>...

>...Well?

>...So, do they still think Ah'm gonna force everyone to eat apples all the time?

>As I said once before, Applejack, they have the memory spans of concussed gophers, I swear.

>And we never did finish that fence!

>It's a big forest!

>And ponyville still ain't got no guards!

>Okay, I get the-

>And didn't this teach you nothin'? Side of a mountain! Bad place ta' put ponies on! We're lucky ain't nobody dropped off the side recently!

>Got it-

>And our airforce still sucks! We don't need the Wonderbolt's, half the dang guard are pegasi!

>APPLEJACK!

>...

>...Great to have you back.

>...Ah' got more complaints.

>Applejack?... I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy anniversary, /pa/ls.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Applejack
"Celestia"
~~~

>Hey, Tia? Got a question.

"And I, Applejack? I have a technique that has been honed down the centuries. An open hoof strike that can rent the very skies itself, can tear open the fabric of this world, even break down to the very soul of those it lands upon! Dare you to suffer my great and terrible wrath, Applejack!? DARE YOU TO TEST MY METTLE!?"

>Yep.

"...Shoot."

>Anyway, was just wonderin', what're rainbows made out of?

"The stuff in those little canisters?"

>Right, but what are THEY made out of? What're the ingredients?

"...Magic."

>Right, most everythin' is magic, but-

"Magic."

>...That... that ain't-

"MAGIC I SAY!"

>Okay, fine! What KIND of magic?

"Rainbow magic!"

>Made from...?

"Rainbows!"

>Ya' can't have rainbow magic! That sounds stupid! What kinda gad dang idiot would name something as stupid as RAINBOW MAGIC?

"..."

>...

"...D-did... did the world just shake?"

>No.

"I think it-"

>NO!

"..."

>... Have a nice one, Celly.

"You too......... pony who is now tangerine-"

>SHUT IT!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

~~~~~

...Something felt weird.

It was an odd thought to the stallion, he realized. He knew that, logically, nothing is amiss. Nothing should be any different right now than it was yesterday, but everything felt weird.

Not bad... but weird.

Today was important, and he didn't know why.

“...Huh...”

Perhaps this odd feeling was just from being in this particular wing of the Canterlot castle. This particular stretch sure held some memories, he admitted. Walking down this hallway after his promotion, trotting this way with Cadence to announce their engagement, just doing basic rounds...

...stomping down this hallway to demand a certain answer from a certain alicorn before being rudely brushed off and cast aside....

Not that this was surprising, he was pretty openly ignored a lot of times. Outright mocked in other times. Pretty much thought of as a joke the rest of the time...

“...Huh...”

His back still felt telling barren, even now. Sure, he had long since given up his quest to become an Alicorn, too much on the table now to worry about that, but that was still there, inside of him. That little kernel of want. He had given it up, true, but the desire had never given up on him. Even with his heart as full as it was, even as complete as he felt most days, some days he wondered if he wasn't missing something more...

“Step on some glue or something?”

The teasing, song-like voice rang in his head, knocking him away from his reverie. He turned to her, the Queen who had once been his mortal enemy, the darkness he feared most in life. Shockingly, he realized that he must have walked down this hallway with her several times as well, when she disguised herself as his to-be bride. No, more than that! He had first spotted her in this very hallway as well, just before he rushed over to that door, the one leading to the room on which contained the balcony Celestia so loved to stand upon. This had been the hallway he had first seen her...

And had wanted nothing more than to end her.

Oh sure, at this point he would openly admit he no longer wished what he did so long ago. He didn't want her hurt, not even a little. She had made mistakes, hurt him in ways he still resented, but... it wasn't the same.

Nothing was the same.

“What?”

She was inquisitive as she slunk up to him, testingly bumping him on the side as if to see if, indeed, he had been stuck to the ground via some adhesive. When he moved all the same, her curiosity only grew.

“You saw me here.”

His words may as well have been the reciting of a witty line from a play only he had seen. Devoid of any context to the taller mare.

“Come again?”

“Right here, that's where you first saw me after you came back.”

Eyes wide, she found that, indeed, it was as he said. This was the place.

“I said something like “What are you doing here!?” and then you just-”

“Just laughed, told you to fuck off, and that I was going to go watch my movies. Didn't even care about you. In fact... think I found how flustered you got pretty funny.”

“...Yeah.”

The clock started to tick away in awkward silence, neither party looking at each other.

“...Do you regret it?”

His voice had gone low, almost whisper quiet.

She, on the other hand, hardly seemed bothered at all.

“Yeah, those movies were terrible. Someone slipped a drama movie in there. Should have annoyed you more. Would've been more fun to see Celestia's reaction to what you said.”

“Not... not that. You know what I mean.”

There was a hint of sadness to his voice, just a bit of worry.

“Do you regret... what you did?”

There was a long, long quiet between the two of them as the question hung heavy in the air. She did not use her disguise magic to hide her feelings, she knew it was pointless around him anyway. So instead, she decided to throw all of that to the wind, and look him right in the eye.

“No.”

Something about the definitive nature of her answer... shocked him. Horrified him. Something about how easygoing she could be about what transpired unnerved him on a level he wasn't used to. He had expected at least some remorse, some feelings that what she had done was wrong, but instead... no. Nothing.

“How... how can you say that?”

He was hurt. He was honestly, and truly, hurt. After all they had been through, after how far they had come and still yet could go, nothing. No remorse, no sadness, no regret.

Instead, of all things, she gained a small, yet at the same time warm, smile.

“...You know Twilight figured out who my dad was?”

The sudden change of topic did nothing for what he was feeling right now, so no response could be found from him. Unbothered, she continued.

“Yeah, could have saved her a ton of time if she just asked, but eh. You know Twibright. Anyway, she prepared this big confrontation with me, pointed to a picture and apparently thought it was going to be some kind of big, dramatic moment. The look on her face was funny... so then when I revealed to her that I knew my mother replaced his wife to get pregnant, she asked... “Don't you feel bad?”... and I just kind of laughed at her.”

This, unsurprisingly, did nothing to help his already sinking feeling.

“Because... heh... because I just said to her “well, no, of course I don't. If my mom hadn't done that, I wouldn't be here, would I? Either she sleeps with him and makes yours truly, or I would never exist, and I like existing.” That's what I said... mostly what I said. I think, it's been a while. She was shocked, and I don't know if she ever got it. If my mom hadn't... I wouldn't be here.”

Slowly, his sinking feeling began to ease, just a bit, and the puzzle piece began to fall into place.

“...I could make a bunch of excuses for what I did, you know. “Oh, it's just how Changelings do things.” “It's just how I was raised.” “I was taught this was right.” “My people were starving and I had to feed them.” On and on and on. Could make a bunch of excuses. But you know what? It doesn't matter. What I did was bad. It was not right. It was rotten, and it hurt you. It wasn't a good thing...”

Only now, at last, did she look back to him.

“But I don't regret it.”

Wordlessly, he rolled his hooves, desperate for her to continue.

“If I hadn't done all that, you and me wouldn't be like this. If I hadn't done that, I'd be somewhere else right now. If I hadn't done that... all of this? Wouldn't have happened. What we did afterwards, everything that came next. If I hadn't... you wouldn't be Shiny. You'd be Shining Armor, that guy. I know what happened before, and during, the wedding was bad... but I'm not sorry I did it.”

His mouth suddenly felt more dry than it ever had before.

“W-would... would you do it again?”

She cackled. That loud, booming cackle she was renowned for, and not in a positive way.

“Come on... nah. Probably not, unless I could see the future or something and it would all turn out better that way.”

“Still...”

She looked down to him once more, and yet again, gave off a smile.

“Hey, Shiny?”

Curious, he looked back to her.

“...Goes both ways too. I think, right now, I don't regret losing in the fight in Canterlot. I don't regret revealing a millennial old secret. I don't regret... when I used the heart, and I almost died.”

He reeled back, honestly shocked.

“I know! I know, I should regret doing that, burning myself out and losing the ability to ever use it again. Thanks to that, the most powerful love artifact on the planet is right there... and I can never use it without dying.”

In stark contrast to her words, her smile only grew.

“But... if I hadn't, then I wouldn't have known you weren't just pretending to keep your Empire safe, or just use my power.. That deep down... you were actually special. I felt it when you did that. It was there. it was real. I don't regret it. Not a bit. You really were that different, turns out.”

Just a hint of a blush colored his cheeks, just a hint.

“You have to realize how, in comparison, I'm really not, right? I couldn't count the number of princesses with my hooves alone, and they're just the tip of the iceberg.”

“Yeah... you're not an alicorn, you don't have any ultimate powers, you're not the greatest fighter on the planet, and there are a lot, a LOT of others, that are way stronger than you.”

“...Gee, thanks.”

Playfully, she smacked him in the head.

“HAH! Sorry, can't compliment you TOO much, you'll get a big ego.”

“...This is coming from you.”

“HAH!”

Still... he did strangely feel a lot lighter. And while he didn't totally agree with that mentality, he found himself not totally holding it against her either.

“...Thanks.”

“Oh? For what? Gracing you with my ever so amazing presence?”

“No, not that, just... you're the reason that 42 ran off, right?”

“Ah, yes. In my betting days... need to get back into that.”

“And then you sent Two after her, right?”

“That I did.”

“And then you sent Eighteen after me, and kept ordering her to go back?”

“...Yeah, guess I did that one too.”

“And you convinced Mane-Iac to come over to the Empire, right?”

“I did.”

“And you're the reason Celestia came over when she was drunk... to apologize for sending you.”

“...Was I? Never told me about that one.

Something... strange tugged inside of him, just then. An unexpected warmth, a bubbling, happy feeling.

“...Hey, Chrysalis?”

That strange, almost giddy smile unnerved her, quite a bit.

“Yes?”

“...I don't regret it either.”

She blinked, flushing just a bit under her chitin. Her mouth creaked open ever so slightly, intending fully to interrogate him more on what that meant.

“THERE YOU ARE!”

But it would have to wait.

A pink blur crashed headlong into Shining, not quite moving him, but certainly enough to tilt him slightly off balance.

“Cadence! I haven't been gone that long.”

She bopped him on the nose, playful concern on her face.

“Shiny! You were gone for a full four hours, and you didn't tell me where you went! I got worried!”

“...Sorry, honey.”

“It's fine, just... tell me, okay?”

He couldn't stop the goofy smile that crossed his face and he would be damned if he was even going to try.

“Love you.”

She quickly kissed him on the lips, smiling just as he did.

“Love you to-”

A black blur suddenly skidded past, just before ramming headfirst into the wall. Or rather, helmet first.

“GAH!... How are you that fast!? You were just right there, and suddenly you were over here!”

“Sorry, Forty Two!”

The changeling grunted, giving a quick nod to her Queen before moving to check over the stallion.

“You should be more careful, Shining. We don't want you hurting yourself.”

He shook his head in exasperation, socking her hard in the shoulder.

“I can clearly handle myself in a fight.”

She mumbled beneath her breath, rubbing her shoulder where he had struck.

“Not the point...”

“...But thanks, we'll go get some waffles after this.”

She immediately perked up, making no effort to hide it. The proud warrior relaxed almost immediately, a stern smile on her face.

“You'd better, or I'll make your training extra hard.”

“Wouldn't have it any other wa-”

“THERE YA' ARE!”

This black blur, on the other hand, most certainly DID knock them all over.

For nothing could stop the tiny, sugar filled ball of pure love-power.

“GAK! TWO!”

The minuscule changeling gave not a single care as she sat atop both of her adopted parent's prone bodies, frantically waving her forelegs this way and that.

“Now I KNOW what yer' thinkin', but the portal was already there when I opened the door, I swear!”

“...And did you turn it on and step through it without asking, like we told you not to?”

There was a long, guilty pause.

“AH' PLEAD THE BLUE!”

Wearily, Shining groaned, casting an accusing look over to his wife.

“Now you've got her doing it.”

“I take no responsibility for this, if you wanted her to use normal-pony numbers, teach her normal-pony numbers.”

“Hey! Come on, Mommy! Daddy's good at teaching!”

Daddy...

Still, even after all this time...

Daddy.

He was a dad.

He was a-

“AH HAH!”

A pair of chitinous hooves pulled the child free, sadly ending what had been a moment that threatened to tear apart what little fortitude Shining and Cadence had left.

The pink haired changeling who did the act, for her part, seemed unaware of this entirely.

“Two, did you run off with my paper? You know you're not supposed to mess with my paperwork, it's long enough as it is!”

Another long, guilty pause.

“...Ah' just wanted ta' try doin' it, like a princess is s'posed to...”

And, of course, just like that, all anger ceased to be.

“...I'll show you how when we get home.”

“YAY!”

“...Oh! Shiny! Cadence! Didn't see you there... on the floor for some reason...”

They shrugged, unconsciously helping the other up with magic to stand.

“Just wanted to try it, I guess.”

“Oh! By the way, Shiny, I got most of tomorrow's paperwork done, I should be able to-”

“Tomorrow? What about today?”

“I did that the day before yesterday, try to keep up.”

Okay, he wasn't going to deny it, that made him laugh.

“Thanks, Eighteen, you're a lifesaver.”

The changeling openly hugged him, playfully rubbing her cheek against his. After a moment of uncertainty... he did the same right back. Only separating when pulled away by some strange, otherworldly force.

Or, in laymen terms, a giant smoke monster with a face.

“Save the affection for later. Shining Armor! I need authorization for use of the crystal cores in the armory.”

Once upon a time, one would probably think that Shining Armor would balk at the idea of the former mad king that once ruled the prince's current kingdom with a tyrannical hoof anywhere near the armory, or anything remotely thereof.

This was not lost on him as he signed the paper that had been almost comically stuck on the former kings horn, as he lacked any appendages to carry it.

“Thank you.”

“No problem. What is this for, anyway?”

“It's for-”

“AHHHHAHAHAAHAHH!”

There was only one mare, in the entire world, who could knock over absolutely all of them in one single tackle. This included, somehow, Sombra, no matter how little sense that made.

Mostly because the mare in question who did so gave not a single care for sense in any capacity.

“HAH! Hey, Maney!”

“AHHHHAHAHAH! ISECTITIANIAAAAA! I have found the most AMAZING and SHOCKING of discoveries, which will SPELL the DOOOOOM of the power pon- I mean normal ponies!.. I mean, NOT spell their DOOOOOOOMAHAHAHHA!... Because it's not bad!”

Of all of them decided to just let her try to at least bring the conversation to a point they could understand, and hope for the best. Aside from Two, of course, who playfully tried to catch her mane tendrils while giggling like a loon.

“This is a CASTLE, but it if FORGED of a DIFFERENT and STRANGE TYPE OF MATERIAL! No matter how I tossed about in it, I was UNHARRRRRMMEDEHHAHAHAHAH!”

“..You mean a bouncy castle?”

“Sure!”

“Cool we'll get one.”

“AAHAHAHAHAH! JOOOOOYOUS! Luminous Shield! What WONDERS I will SHOW YOOOU!”

And thus, Shining Armor realized he was going to have to buy the nemesis of his comicbook counterpart a bonce house in the shape of a castle... and he was strangely okay with this.

“Did someone say bouncing castle?”

And, of course, there she was. The mare he had served for years on end. The princess of all of Equestria, the matronly figure to his wife, a friend he had known and stood beside for what seemed like his entire career.

...And the mare who had made his life utter hell out of a bit of petty spite not that long ago. Who denied him wings, who coldly ignored him, who sent over others in her stead to keep him off balance...

But much like, well, everyone else in the room, that seemed forever ago.

Now?

“Yeah, we're apparently getting a bouncing castle. You coming?”

“GASSP! YA' GOTTA AUNTIELESTIA YA' JUST GOTTA!”

She giggled lightly at the little thing bouncing in front of her, warmly placing her hoof on the little one's head if only to cease her jumping. She glanced up, just in time for her eyes to catch Shining Armor's. The glance they shared was brief... but said much.

“How can I say no? Though it had better be a sturdy one.”

“Yeah, cause yer' booty is HUUUGE! You'll break the whole castle!”

Everyone, absolutely everyone, looked at her incredulously.

“...No more hanging around Fifty Six.”

“Can you break rubber?”

Only Mane-Iac seemed to be considering it in a way different from the others, and her eyes went cross as she tried to puzzle it together.

“Why are you all in my hallway, anyway?”

One by one, they all shrugged.

“I just spotted Shiny staring at nothing and walked over.”

“I was looking for Shiny.”

“I was after Cadence.”

“I was lookin' fer daddy.”

“I was looking for Shiny.”

“I was seeking Shining Armor.”

“IIII WISHED TO TELL ALL OF MY WOOOOOONDEROUS DISCOVERY AAHAHAHAHAHH!”

The Celestial princess blinked, looking down to the stallion of the hour, it seemed.

“Well... just call you mister popular.”

He didn't know why that made him smile, not really. It was just a joke, and a bad one at that, but something about the though, the idea at the base of it all, made him feel... whole.

“Did you want something from me?”

In fact, he had. He had been coming over to Celestia's room for a very specific, very important reason. He had been very determined, very driven, not a minute ago. There was something he absolutely did want to ask her about.

But...

“Can't remember.”

They all laughed at him, most playfully bopping him in the head or some other such shove.

“Yer' silly!”

“Guess so... so, hey, who wants waffles?”

“HAH! I'm always down for some waffles!”

“I should be watching my weight... but I DO want to 'fill out' a bit.”

“Yes. I do.”

“FOOD!”

“Seconding the kindergartner, FOOD!”

“I could watch, I suppose.”

“AHAHAHAHAH! I DON'T EVEN EAT, BUT I LOVE THE BALL PIT!”

Warmly, Celestia smile to them all, and gestured outwards with her hoof.

“Well... seems the ayes have it. Shall we?”

As one, the group began to shuffle down the hallway, already chatting amongst themselves.

“Did you remember what you wanted, by any chance?”

It only took one look.

Just one look at the Cadence, and Chrysalis, and Two, and Eighteen, and Forty Two, and Sombra, and Mane-Iac, and of course Celestia herself. Just one look at them all, and he had his answer.

Compared to his family...

“Whatever it was... it wasn't important.”

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Out-Of-Order

>Pommel's Mom
"Pommel's Dad"
'Pommel'
-Pommel's Sister-
_Pommel's Uncle_

>So...uhm...honey, can you explain this to me?

The unicorn mare regards her two children, both dirty, one looking nonplussed while the other was grinning ear to ear, as well as her also dirty younger brother who was sharing her daughter's expression.

>I...I thought you just went to get your things from your coffin...

'We were.'

Pommel flicks the antique guard helmet now residing on his head.

'This thing is becoming an heirloom if it kills me.'

>Dear, you three were gone for hours!

'Yeah...well you see...'

"Why are you all scratched up?"

'Well, we went to dig up the grave but we found out something had dug it up from beneath...dug it down? I don't know. Anyway, we decided to investigate the tunnel underneath and...well...'

-DINOSAURS!-

_MOLE PONIES!_

-_SECRET CAVERNS!_-

'Yeaaahhh...that.'

-Mom! Dad! It was so cool!-

_All my research and this was literally under my hooves the whole time!_

"I...what?"

>I don't...no, really, I'm with you dear, what?

Pommel shrugs.

'Would you believe this is the second time this happened?'

-Was there a Lich controlling the Mole Ponies then too!?-

'No, actually that time it was this gryphon who had the Horn of Grogar.'

-Awesome!-

>...

"..."

>"Go to your room."

'Uh, which of us?'

>"BOTH OF YOU!"

'-Aw...-'

_...sooo, anyone know who I can talk to about mounting an expedition down to that place? It was very scientifically int-_

>GO TO YOUR ROOM!

_GOING!_

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Non-canon
>Pinkie
"Fluttershy"
~~~~
>Welcome to Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that the best part of waking up is...something. I should have thought of something clever before the show started. Anyway it's time for our main guest...FLUTTERSHY!!!

Crickets can be heard.

>Ahem...FLUTTERSHY!!!

Crickets can be heard again.

>Um...Fluttershy? The show's started. You're suppose to come out now.

"N-no pony, but us crickets are here."

>Sorry folks, looks like somepony is camera shy. Pssst Flutters, there's no real audience. You're disrupting the formula. I need you.

"I-I'm not coming out."

>Please just work with me here. I'm suppose to be asking you a question and stop you from answering.

"Y-you can do that from there."

>It works better if you're here. You could use some of the spotlight.

"I-I don't need the spotlight. I'm comfortable right- Eek!"

Pinkie pulls Fluttershy to the guest seat.
>Now the question I'd like to ask tonight is...there's now an audience...
Fluttershy starts breathing quickly as the audience begins laughing
>And you're wearing underwear.

"N-no!"
She starts hyperventilating.

>You know what? This is going badly, just wake up. Thanks for the live audience though.

Fluttershy wakes up in bed.
"What a terrible nightmare."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chitania
"Librarian"
~~~

There was that feeling again.

Another moment when the whole world spun, as if she had been cast upon a tilt-a-whirl and rolled in every direction. She hated it, but it passed quickly all the same.

Normally, at least.

This time, for whatever reason, her vision spinning lasted far longer than usual. The previous times, the librarian had told her that it was simply a symptom of reading text non-stop for so long. She certainly believed that, considering she had practically lived in here since her arrival, but it was supposed to get better as she got adjusted to it, not worse.

And oh, it was getting worse.

"Uh... are you okay?"

There was little in this whole world that made her more angry than the idea of someone honestly asking about her state of being. That it came from that librarian of all things just twisted the knife.

>Shut up.

"Hey, didn't want to sound like I'm worried, just weirded out because your uh... skin is..."

She snarled, glaring hard at the mare.

>My chitin is what?

"..."

Something about that look unnerved her, enough that at last she took the hint, and glanced down at her own foreleg.

And that's when she saw it.

The veins.

She could see her veins...

"Hey, are you-""

That's when the coughing started. Long, painful coughs that wracked her entire body with shakes. Hacks mixed in with wheezes as the air violently left her. She shoved the book away, desperate not to cover it in the spittle that left her, only barely managing in time.

She doesn't know how long she lasted like that, time just seemed to fly by, but when it was done, her head was still spinning, and her body was starting to ache.

"...Uh..."

>D-damn...

It hit her as if she had fought herself from another dimension. She had overestimated herself, thought too highly of how long she could last.

She was running critically low.

She was almost out of love.

...She needed to feed.

"Do you want me to- hey!"

She had gotten up in the blink of an eye, already purposefully striding to the door.

"Where are you..."

She couldn't do it here, not in Canterlot. She would have to play this one smart if she wanted to replenish her stores. If she didn't feed quickly, she was likely to collapse and be at their mercy. She had to do this now, before any of her enemies caught wind of her new state. She needed to feed...

And she knew just the place.

With a confident stride, she left the castle.

And made her way right to the train station.

>Time to call in some old debts...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Siegfried
"Guard #1"
'Guard #2'
-Chitania-

>Ah Canterlot, the city of...I dunno, you'd figure Love would be the Crystal Empire, right?

"Power, m'lord?"

>Nah, ponies don't lord that kind of thing. Class? I hear they make pretty good clothes here.

'Robots?'

>Robots, why would-

The Prince blinks as a couple of ponies walk by with a chrome accomplice in tow.

>...okay, yeah, that's gonna need checking out. But no, City of-

'Super powers?'

>Are you stupid, why would-

The guard points to where a stallion brandishes his hoof at another's cigar, light the end with a flicker of flame.

>...I don't...how the hell...okay, again, we'll get someone on that. No. CITY. OF...

"'THE MONSTER!'"

>Oh now you're just being-

-Out of my way, you worms!-

The Prince blinks as a very large chitinous and oddly veiny form brushes past him.

>...WEIRD SHIT. CANTERLOT. CITY OF WEIRD SHIT! Get the other two guys, we're going to figure out what's going on in this place!

"'At once, m'lord!'"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________