Thread 99: Stories 46-60

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OOCO
>Chrysalis
"Lavan"

>No.

"But-"

>No. En-oh. Nopers. N...hang on.

Flipflipflipflipflip

>Ah, here's the word I was looking for: No. Thanks for the Mexicolt to Equestrian dictionary, by the way.

"De nada. So can I-?"

>Noooooooooo. Chryssy-Shiny-Celly funtime is for me, Sunbutt, and Bubblehorse only, got it? We don't need your constant rambling interrupting our funtime.

"...can I just send my eyeballs over to watch?"

>Hellll no.

"...just one eyeb-"

>NO!

"Awwww."

>Just sit here and try not to burn everything down until I decide it'd amuse me.

"This I can do."

>Good boy.

Trotrotrotrot.

"..."

>LOVE FUCKING DAMN IT, NO TO YOUR EYES MEANS NO TO YOUR EAR TOO!

"Awwww."

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NC
>Chrysalis
"Spike"
'???'

>Zappy zap zapidy zap!

"This is getting to big game hunter on steroids levels..."

>Kill all the monsters, kill all the monsters, I love my lazer hoooorn~

"Like, you know I've been down here before, right? You know I could tell you you're just murdering animals at this point right."

>Hang on, lizardo, I got one coming along there in the shadows...just...a little...bit...closerrrrr...

'HALLO! SPIKE OF SCALES HOW NICE TO-!'

Zap!

>...

"..."

>...

"...Rekulk no..."

>...uhhhh...

"What the fuck is wrong with you-!?"

>Mindzotz!

Ka-zappy!

>-and that's why my tush beats bullets any day.

"...wha?"

>Oh did my ass distract you? It does that.

"Oh shut up, let's find that banner."

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Ooco
>Chrysalis
"Lavan"
'???'

>Explain.

"Well I was informed that your race was close to extinction, and that simply wouldn't do because then I wouldn't get to watch the little guys punch each other in the face anymore."

>Following so far.

"So I made more."

>...really?

"Really."

'Hail the Queen, right? That's what I'm supposed to say.'

>...because I'm looking at what I'm pretty sure is just a giant cockroach.

'Hi, I'm Reggie.'

"And I can make more!"

'Awesome! Can I have some sugar water?'

"Yes!"

>No.

"'Awwwww.'"

>No, the sugar water is fine-

"'Yaaaaay!'"

>-but change him back! This is horrifying and a cockroach is NOT a changeling...Granny Cucaracha being the exception.

"Aw ok..."

'WAIT!'

>...what?

'You know where I can find 32? That fool owes me money.'

>Okay, Lavan?

"Yes?"

>Hold off on changing the cockroach back until after he scares the shit out of 32.

"Can do!"

'Sweet!'

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NC
>Spike
"???"
'???'
[???]
~???~
-???-
(???)
=???=
~~~~

>...You know, I'm glad I took some time off. Yeah, this here is just a nice, relaxing time to just sit back, chill and... huh. What's that sound?

POW!

>FUCK!

"Guard is down."

>DAMN IT, FORTY TWO!

"Never stop training!"

WHAM!

>OW!... Pinkie!?

'You heard the lady! I didn't teach you fighting moves so you could slack off!'

>Why are you-

BLAM!

>SON OF A GODDAMN-

[DODGE!]

>FUCK YOU SILVER SPOON-

BOOM!

>MY FACE! DT WHY!?

{Because I don't like your face!}

STAB!

>GAHHHH! WHY, SEVENTY SEVEN, WHY!?

-Because they were doing it.-

ZAP!

>GAHHH! I KNEW YOU WOULD BETRAY ME, CHRYSALIS!

~I don't even know what's going on, but I like it!~

PAWNCH!
CRUCNCH!

>GLRGL... w-whyyyy...

(Weren't you paying attention? Because they were doing it... and I owed you for what happened during the plant invasion!)

>T-that wasn't even me, that was the... no no NO NO NO-

SNAP!

>...Oh, hey, I'm fixed. That went better than expected. Uh... thanks, Discord!

=Oh, think nothing of it, just happy for the appearance... though I should warn you that's going to hurt.=

>What is?

"'[{-~(DODGE!)~-}]"'

>AHHHHHHHHH

Splat.

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>32
"MM"
'Zecora'
[Trixie]
~~~~

>Well, this is certainly a new predicament. And to think, I made the trip all the way down to Ponyville just for him, and yet, not a trace of my dear brother to be seen!

"Sorry, Thirty Two, Niney went up to Canterlot to check on how Fifty Six's training is going."

>Oh ho! The little fellow is working hard, I take it?

'Indeed, the one who loves rump is working hard. Last I heard, he had dreams of becoming a guard.'

>Ahhh, to choose a life of protecting... not one I would recommend, but no matter. Still! Pity, I had hoped he would be here, I wished to discuss matters with him.

[Pfft, 'discuss'. More like-]

>More like offer him sex, yes. I do not need you to tell my how my own barbs would go, they're mine.

"Or how utterly ineffective it would be?"

>Or that, yes. But no, I actually hoped to speak with him on more matters of the state. I am considering expanding my ambassadorial locals to a wider berth of areas to accommodate for changelings outside of a grand total of two locations. Perhaps I am dreaming quite beyond my measures to think that one day we changelings shall be more widespread and less under the singular eye of an all powerful Queen. So, I was hoping to discuss expanding it to this area next, as they've come to... well, accept that he's here, at least.

"Oh... that sounds pretty reasonable."

'I agree, it is a nice thought to offer more than just canterlot or the land of snow. It's vital, even, that you do this if you wish for your species to live and grow.'

[Trixie is just waiting for you to get to the part you always get to.]

"TRIXIE!... Look, I'll start looking into some paperwork of building an ambassadorial location within city limits and see how it would go, but you'd have to provide the changeling or pony to staff it, Niney is uh... busy."

'The idea is sublime, but Twenty nine has no time.'

>Oh joy! He's finally-

"'NO!'"

>Well rats... still! I thank you, mayor mare. You continue to be a boon that he is lucky to be associated with. It shall take some doing, but I'm sure I can find a single ling who would like his own place and a change of scenery.

"No problem."

[Sayyy it.]

>Actually, since I am currently in need for her to achieve this, I'd rather not make a pass of a sexual nature at her or her friends and possibly sour this deal, thank you.

[Awww.]

>I'd make a pass at you, but I'm just not interested.

[HEY!]

"Trixie is my friend too, don't be like that."

'She has been with us through many a fight. Keep talk like that, and your face will be black as night."

[...]

>Retracted, and I apologize.

[Better!]

"That said, I don't mind if you make passes at Niney, it's funny to watch him react."

'Oh yes, his face is always such a treat! Yet never once does he retreat.'

[GOLD!]

>Oh, very well then, I will continue doing what I do and occasionally offer to him a host of unmentionable acts wherein he makes me his little mare to be bred despite all biological limitations and I beg for more all the way.

"..."
'...'
[Oh Faust I wish he was here.]

"That reaction would have been GOLD."

'Hee hee.'

>Oh, do stop pretending, we all know you hope to one day watch him break down and you get hot stallion on stallion action.

"We do not!"

'Why you say that, I know not why. That is one hundred percent a lie.'

[...You think he'd let us watch?]

"TRIXIE!"

>Oh, for sure he would.

'Wait, really?'

>Oh yes, would likely even play out any scripts requested, he loves improv.

"...He actually does listen to suggestions during."

[WAIT WHAT!?]

>Just so you know, I'm alright with you watching too.

'WHAT!?'

>Ha ha!... Though, try to be courteous, ladies! If he gives you stallion on stallion, well... let him watch too. Ta taaa!

SLAM!

[What did he mean by that?... And why are you two looking at each other?]

"'NO REASON!"'

[...I wanna see it-]

'"TRIXIE SHUT UP!"'

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 >Applejack
"???"
~~~~

>...

"..."

>...Err....

"...Too scary?"

>Well, Ah' don't wanna say that...

"But you're thinking it."

>Ah' also don't wanna say that.

"Pleeeease!? I want to get out of this castle for a little bit! PLEAAASSEEEE! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE-"

>Alright, alright! Ya'll can come, Arana.

"YAY!"

>Yeah, yay...

"..."

>...So is the reason why ya' wanna leave-

"YES! THE DOG!"

>She ain't that bad.

"SHE HAS A SWORD NOW!"

>...Oh, right... where did Winona get that thing anyway?

"I don't know, but-"

~ARF! ARF!~

"NOT AGAIIIIINNNNNNN!"

>WINONA NO! COME BACK!... Shoot. What is with that dog?

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OOCO
>Lavan
"Chrysalis"
'SA'
~~~

"Do do dooo, and I'll just take my seat and-OH LOVE DAMN IT!"

>What are you doing?

"SHOO!"

>You are sitting on his papers... do you see she is sitting on your papers?

'I see that, yes.'

"GO AWAY! This is Chrysalis time!"

>But this looks very interesting.

'She just going to mess up my papers.'

>Why?

"Because!"

>That reasoning is sound... is this a mating ritual?

'What!?'

>She is shaking her reproductive organs at you, is this a mating ritual?

'NO!'

>Oh... may I see you mate? That sounds very interesting.

'NOO!'

>Please? I want to watch.
'NO!'
>Please?
'NO!'
>Please?
'NO!'
>Please?
'NO!'
>Please?
'NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NONOOOOOOO!'

"Please?"

'I AM NOT DOING IT WHILE HE WATCHES!'

"Fine, jeez! Lavan, you mind? He won't do it while you watch.'

>Oh, alright....

"Alright, he's gone. You want to get started?"

'Good! That's fucking better! Hrmph, trying to make me do it while he watches, in my fucking Empire, show him, I'm not doing it while he watches, like I'm gonna- WAIT A DAMN MINUTE WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING!?'

"FUCK! He had his hooves on my hips and was almost on my back! HE WAS ALMOST THERE! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THIS SO SOON!?"

>Sorry to hear that.

'HEY!'

>I am only listening.

'BOTH OF YOU GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY OFFICE AND OR OUT OF THE WINDOW OF MY OFFICE RESPECTIVELY!'

"Awwww."

SLAM!

>My apologies... but I really wish to-

'GO RENT A DAMN PORNO!'

>That sounds interesting...

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>Spitfire
"?"
'?'
~~~

Just another day in the Empire.

Between strange fire monsters, being asked weird requests by her old friend and technically ruler now, and a whole host of problems neverending from her new batch of 'trainees', she was tired. They Improving, admittedly, but at such a glacial pace it was hard not to feel easily frustrated and let the doubts yet again claw their way back into her mind. Many, many times now she had let them, let the thought that perhaps she should just throw in the towel, let Shining find a more successful captain to lead them, while she herself merely took off to parts unknown where she would never be recognized, never to be heard from again in Equestria.

The thoughts had come, but she had fought them off. Chased away by someone who would drag her into a private theater to share a batch of popcorn and a frankly terrible childrens movie with a host of others who would not wish her gone. That, and only that, is all that kept her sane.

But as she entered into her room, she swore to whoever was looking down from the sky above that if she had to deal with just one more pegasi who didn't understand that the higher you went the lower the air was, she was going to start punching and just not...

>Where is slam?

There was supposed to be a slam. She had kicked her door, that was usually followed by a slam. There was supposed to be a loud, crystal shattering ka-slam with that one.

>Okay, Chrysalis? I know you probably want to light Skyshimmer's tail on fire again just to 'help', but I'm kind of tired..

It was not Chrysalis. It was not Shining. It was not Cadence or Forty Two or Two or any other changeling that had a number instead of a name. It was not them in her doorway, keeping that door open.

It was, bluntly put, the last pony she ever wanted to see, period. The very last pony.

Less than Fleetfoot, or Soarin', or Sunset, or even Rainbow Dash. She would have preferred if it was Rainbow Dash in her doorway.

Anyone but her.

>...What are you doing here?

Those eyes.

Those powerful, familiar eyes. Those eyes that had looked at her ever single day of so much of her life she would be able to perfectly draw them if she was struck blind. Those eyes that had been filled with so many emotions over the years. Fear, hope, acceptance, worry, love...

Pride...

It sounds cruel, but the eyes of a mother were those she had hoped would be gone forever. Those eyes were the last eyes she ever wanted to see again.

>Who... who let you over here!? I told them not to let you! I gave explicit orders!

She felt trapped, caged like an animal as the older mare advanced, stepping into the room slowly and easily, giving her nowhere to run, no means to escape.

>I told you I didn't want to see you anymore, don't you get it!? Not now, not ever! So... I don't care why you're here, just go!

She just kept advancing, kept coming closer with an almost robotic gait.

>Did Shining put you up to this!? If so, I swear to Faust I'm quitting! He promised he wouldn't do this to me! He promised! Cadence promised! I told you I didn't want to see you anymore! I'm not the Spitfire you remember, okay!? Just... just move on! Get your own life! You don't need me!

She wouldn't stop. No matter what words she threw at the mare, she just wouldn't stop.

>I SAID I DIDN'T-

The hooves that suddenly and powerfully wrapped around her didn't choke her. They may as well have.

For as tightly as her throat seized up, a noose would have been a kindness.

>... G-go away... you don't... you don't need me...

She didn't say a word. She held her, just like she had a million trillion times before. Held her when she landed too hard trying to fly and scraped her knee. Held her when a test came back that called her a failure. Held her when her heart got broken by young love and held her when she let out screams of joy of being let in to the place she had dreamed of since she was a filly.

Her mother held her, and would not let go.

>...Y-you don't need somebody who will let you down...

A low, gentle hum rumbled in the chest she was pressed against, a soothing sound much like a lullaby vibrating against her yellow cheek.

>...I'm so sorry...

She said not a word, offered not a single sound save that gentle humming, all needing said done with nothing but the gentle rocking of side to side as the once-captain felt her limbs grow limp and weak.

She knew the day would come when her mother would finally catch her again. She wished to avoid it, but in her heart she knew the inevitable. She expected speeches, long winded words to tell her of this and that and her real feelings. That she could handle, she could argue that, she could find holes in that.

She could find no holes in this. This was simple. This was pure.

This she couldn't argue.

>...I-I-I'm so sorry I let you down. You believed in me, supported me, and... and I just... I ended up...

The tears came first. The choking came next. Then come the sobs, the hooves snapping up and gripping her mother so tightly she worried she would break, the gentle curls as it all just came out in waves.

The regret, the pain, the shame, all of it. It all came out, and it would not stop no matter how hard she tried.

>M-mommy I'm sorry... I messed up s-so bad...

She would not stop it. She could not stop it.

Never did her mother try to stop it. She let it happen, she let it all come out, she let it all come down.

And she never let go.

>I'm so sorry...

Seconds, minutes, hours, it might as well have been days for all she knew. Time ceased to matter, all of it ceased to matter. None of it mattered until at last she could cry no more, at last until she could move no more, at last she spoke no more. No more denials or apologies or shame to unleash. She was done.

>Why would you ever want to see me again?

"Because you'll always be my little Spitfire. Always."

She was done.

"Please don't push me away again... please."

She didn't answer with words. Hooves that had held her mother so many times before merely tightened their grip, and her answer was clear.

>...I'm so sorry, mom.

"The time for you to hate yourself for what happened is done. Please, stop hurting yourself like this. Nothing you could have done is worth seeing my little baby think her mother would ever stop loving her over some silly costume and a name."

It was more than that, they both knew it was so much more than that.

They both knew that it didn't matter one bit to her either.

"I just... I want to stay in your life."

>I don't deserve it-

"Hush."

Stern, like she had just caught her with her hoof in the cookie jar, or sneaking back in after a night on the town.

"You... you hush that nonsense right now. I don't want to hear another word of it, and I will ground you for the rest of your life if you ever say it again."

>...You can't ground me.

"Watch."

They held on for a bit longer. How long, they would never be able to say. But after almost a year of not seeing the other, it might as well have been a moment. A drop in a bucket compared to all the time lost.

How long they held on, they couldn't say. All they knew was that when they separated again, the warmth had not left either of them.

>... I don't know what to say.

A gentle hoof caressed her daughter's face, brushing away the streaks of tears that matted the fur to her face.

"You don't have to say a word. I know. I just... I need to know... are you happy here?"

She choked, something between a laugh and a snort clogging up her throat on the way.

>Considering the circumstances?... I think I made it out better than I had any right to.

"Honey..."

>Heh... g-guess being friends with Shining paid off after all, huh? Glad you let him back in the house now, I bet. Told you he was a nice guy.

She rolled her eyes, her heart lighter than it had been in over a year just to once again hear her daughter make such light of the situation.

"So, he's not making you... um... you don't, for him I mean..."

She shouldn't have found it funny, it was awful, but she did.

>No mom, I am not one of his many pleasure-slaves in his massive harem of beauties. He just... he needed an airforce captain, and really did just give me another chance. No strings attached... really? You bought into that whole mess?

"Well it's not like I had anything else to go on."

A pang, right to the heart, just a flare of shame she had to once again quickly chase away.

>Y-yeah... guess not. Guess hearing those rumors must've... um...

"I suppose I should warn you I considered blowing up his throne room if he was actually using you like that."

>...Seeing as he's like, never in there, that's not the threat you'd think. But still, please don't blow him up... he's been there a lot for me. Also is my boss and technically my prince, but the former thing is the issue here.

"Well... then I suppose I'll hold off. For now."

>...How?

"Hm?"

>How did you get here? Did he... did he let you in? Was it Cadence? Or... hell, was it Chrysalis? I wouldn't put it past her.

"Oh, uh... no, that was actually-"

'ME!'

Gleefully, a mare with mane of white pranced into the room, a winning smile on her face.

TSSSSSSS!

'AHHHHHHH!'

That smile did not stay.

'OH FUCK STOP STOP STOP STOP IT BURNNNS!'

But she did not. In fact, when the elder mare ran dry with that casing. She calmly set it down, reached into her purse, pulled out another one, and got right back to spraying.

'WHY DO YOU HAVE SO MUCH OF THIS!?'

"A mare my age has to be prepared. I'm still quite a looker, but my kick has been lacking for a while."

'NO COMMENT AAHHHHHHHH!'

Only when that canister ran dry too did she at last stop.

'Ow... oww... ohhh it burns... okay, so, with that out of the way-OOF!'

>My kicks fine by the way.

When the mother stepped aside, the daughter took her place, and delivered a powerful blow right to her midsection.

'O-okay, deserved that-'

>No, that was because I don't like you. This-

'OOF!'

>-is what you deserve. You can show yourself out now.

She gasped, trying to get the wind back into her lungs, all the while looking up with desperate, pleading eyes still red from the mace.

'W-what!? But... Spitty, come on!'

>Don't call me that.

'You can't still be mad! I just... I worked really hard so you could see your mom again! Come on, we used to be close! Super close! We were best friends, you can't still be hung up on this!'

>Hung up on this? YOU RUINED MY LIFE!

She winced, scrambling back away from the enraged mare advancing on her, hooves twitching and threatening more kicks.

>No, you know what? That's not even the worst part. I know! You passing out fucking drugs to everyone and labeling me the worst captain in history isn't the worst part! That was as much my fault for not strangling your dumb ass the moment you pulled it once, that's on me and I'm living with it. No, what I'm really disgusted at is you have the gall to show your face to me after you joined in that whole torture for a YEAR. You fucking watched as Dash demeaned me for so long, fuck, you joined in when she made me clean fucking underwear with my tongue! YOU JOINED IN AND GAVE HER LAUNDRY!

Perhaps, if she had been looking, she would have seen the vehement, deep disgust on Stormy Flare's face at such words, but all Fleetfoot would see for this day or many nightmare later is the look of rage covering her vision.

>You had the nerve, knowing this was all YOUR FAULT, to not only skirt out of annnyyyy punishment whatsoever, but also join in and dance along as I got to watch all my dreams burn to cinders before my eyes. And now you have the nerve to say we used to be friends!?

'I'm sorry! That's why I'm here, I'm trying to show you I'm sorry! Look... look! I didn't have to do this you know! I did it because you needed to fix stuff with your mom! I'm not getting anything out of this! I just... I'm sorry, okay!? I've been sorry for a long time! I even... do you really not get why me and Soarin' wanted to get Dash kicked out? We could have gotten you back in the bolts, actually back in! With real bolts! But... look, we failed, so... so this was the next best thing...'

She wavered in her rage. Fire, much like her namesake, simmering down into a low burn.

'Come on, we're both in the same boat now. You wanted justice? Well... doesn't get anymore just than that! I'm just as bad off as you, and I'm not getting any better over there. What more do you want me to do? I have nothing... Just... don't hate me forever, Spitfire. I don't care if we're never friends again, just... don't think I wanted any of this. I wanted it to be like it was...'

Burning down until only cinders remained.

>...Fine.

And hope burned bright.

'F-fine?'

>Fine... fine. I guess.. this was pretty nice of you. And I guess I buy if Soarin' was in on it, that you guys really would have let me back in the bolts, and not as a fucking maid.

'N-no! Never! Of course not! We wanted it back... you know, how it was!'

>Fine... I guess we did used to be friends, once.

The line cut like a knife, yet she could not stop smiling.

'I'm sorry, I really am, I just...'

>It was your fault too.

'Hey, I was never proven to be responsible for that!... sorry.'

It was good she retracted that as fast as she did.

Otherwise it was very unlikely that Spitfire's hoof would have retracted as well.

'...I'm sorry, and I wanted to make something better.'

>...You did, I guess.

She looked back, her eyes sparkling a bit with warmth as her mother smiled to her.

>...You did.

'Good... good! Good good good. That's... this is what I was hoping for.'

>Did Soarin' put you up to this?

'NOPE! All me! One hundred percent my idea! He told me not to because he thought it was stupid and you would hurt me. He uh... he wasn't wrong about one of those.'

>I guess... look, I'm not ready to forgive you, but I guess... I won't tell the guards to throw stuff at you anymore.

'... Anymore?'

>Take the portal back out.

'Ah. I will do that. But um... well you know...'

It hurt the ex-captain that she felt such suspicion burning inside of her at that, but fool her once, shame on her. Fool her twice...

>Yes?

'...I mean, I have a lot of money, did you know that? I do. So, uh... so since I'm not really well liked over there, like there there, I was wondering if... if you know... you knew any good houses in the Empire that are up for sale? Nice big fancy ones... I have a lot of money

Shame on them.

>...No.

'Well, I mean, I'm just looking for a change of scenery-'

>Really!?

'And I was thinking, you know, this place is pretty-'

>ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS!?

Her ears would never stop popping. Fleetfoot knew now, her ears would never stop.

>You can't be fucking serious! Oh, ohhhh fuck! Of course! Of fucking course! Here I was thinking that maybe, just maayyyyybeeee you were being a good pony, mayyyybeeee you were trying to make things right and do something nice! BUT NOPE! You just want a job again!

'I um... I was just asking-'

>FUCKING! NO! You are not, you are NOT JOINING THE AIRFORCE!

'...Are you sure? I mean, I'd be really, really good, and a lot of your guys-'

She braced herself as best she could when she saw the mare inhale a deep, deep breath, but nothing could ever prepare her for what came next.

>~NOOOOOOOOO!~

The popping at least now had a friend in the form of endless ringing.

'...That's kinda hypocritical of you. Y-you got a second chance...'

It seemed that Spitfire was determined to match her eyes in sheer redness, and despite her headstart via two cans of mace, she was catching up quite quickly.

>...Get out.

Desperation fueled her as she grabbed hold of her once friend, as if to keep herself from being once more tossed out by the wrath of those she had betrayed.

'Look, before you say anymore, just know I will do anything, ANYTHING, to make this up to you. Okay? I will do ANYTHING for you to make this right! I don't care! Want me to take the place you had with Dash? Done! Maid costume and laundry and all! Want me to spend the next three years shining their armor with my toothbrush, done! Just... Spitfire, please, I can't... I can't keep going on like this, I have nothing left. I have just... nothing. Please... please Spitfire.'

And then it was simply... gone.

The ex-wonderbolt took a deep breath, so deep it looked like her chest would burst, let it out painfully slowly, and shook off the stiffness of her muscles so tense they looked ready to snap.

>...I call bullshit.

'N-NO! I'm not! I'm being honest!'

>I call bullshit, you'll only do humiliating things if you can get back into a good position, you'll never do anything that truly takes something from you. You'll risk it, but you're not going to just give it up and get nothing back. Cause you know, that's why I quit. Not 'kicked out', I quit. You just plain don't have what it takes.

'I DO! I DO SO!'

>You know, if I was a really, really terrible piece of shit, the next words out of my mouth would be you whoring yourself out to the guards or something disgusting like that, you know that right?

Utter, vehement disgust and bile mixed together in a foul concoction of sick in the other mare's mouth.

>Oh stop that, I'm not, and I know you'd get cold hooves in a second and back out you spineless thing. But you know why I'm saying this to you? Because guess what, I'm going to give you a chance to prove it.

What it was like to have both blazing hope and cold, icy dread in the same instance in her stomach was a new sensation to Fleetfoot, and it was every bit as nauseating as it sounded.

>And it's going to be way worse than that.

And so much more.

>You want to prove to me our friendship ever meant anything? You want to prove to me, right now, that you're actually willing to give up, make sacrifices, and make up for your past mistakes? Do you really think you have what it takes? Because if you do this, I'll believe you... no, you know what? That's not enough. You do this, if you actually do what I'm about to say... you're forgiven, and maybe we can be friends again.

'...W-what is it?'

She didn't say it out loud.

She leaned in, tellingly close, and whispered every word into her ear, quiet as a mouse.

With every single breath, Fleetfoot's eyes grew, and grew, and grew, and her mouth dropped open, and the horror dug deeper and deeper into her heart until it was like a giant needle, sucking the very life from her in one slow painful drag.

When Spitfire pulled away, she was not smiling anymore.

>Do that, and I forgive you.

"...I... I can't..."

>I didn't think so.

The way she said it, so sure, so utterly bereft of the mere idea she would have done it, was enough.

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

Without another word, Fleetfoot rose to her hooves, turned around, and slowly began her trudging walk out the door, and back towards the portal.

>...But I hoped so...

"Sweetie?"

She brushed the last tear away, no more time for that. This was a new day, after all.

>It's fine, mom... it's fine.

"No, it isn't... but I suppose this is one time a mother's cookies couldn't help."

>Couldn't hurt.

They smiled in unison, warmth inside them once more building up. They embraced again, simply because they had to, and sighed in contentment, reunited at last.

>There's so much I have to tell you.

"Oh, good, start with why there is that one changeling Queen walking down the halls in nothing but a bikini."

>...The sad part is? That is literally the tip of the iceberg..

They had so much catching up left to do.

And they were going to cherish every moment of it.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Chrysalis
"SA"
'Rarity'
~???~
~~~~

'So, with just a bit of a twist, we could really make those blue eyes, sparkle!... And those powerful legs of yours just POP!"

"...How did you get into my office?"

'Well I-'

SLAM!

>Alright, I've decided to-

"No, you absolutely cannot."

>DAMN!

"..."

'...'

>...

'Is... is that it?'

>What? He said no.

"I said no."

'But she didn't...'

"...What?"

'Uh....'

>HAH! Damn, Shiny! Why are you dressed up so sexy?

"She wandered in and started clothing me. I could not make her stop."

'It is not sexy, it is fancy!'

>Pffft, it's totally meant for sexy.

'It is not!'

>It's showing off his ass and literally drawing attention to his thighs.

'I just haven't put in all the fabric yet, of course the backside will get covered!'

>Oh sure, that part you leave uncovered. Still got a taste for white unicorn royalty?

'How did you hear about that!?'

>By the way, it totally works, he is damn sexy.

'It is not meant to be sexy! It is meant to be fancy!'

"...You sure? There's uh... there's one other thing."

'Oh, and what is that?'

~He means his underside.~

'...'

POP!

~I too would like to chime in on his fashion.~

'GO AWAY DISCORD!'

~Oh no no no, this deserves my critique. For you see, there is just the right amount of fabric on his chest, and it's such a silky material! Why, it seems like it wouldn't even be very absorbent, so no worry of chafing if it was to rub against his chest and, say, someone's back? Just hypothetical of course.~

'NO MORE!'

>I'm actually interested! Continue!

~Certainly! There's also these leggings that just have marvelous grip! And, of course... ahem, well, he won't have to undress to use the little colts room, to put it nicely? He is unhindered, as it were, for a moments notice. This stallion is ready to get to work and serve those beneath him like a good king does!~

"Prince."

~Whatever.~

>I concur with your assessment, Shiny is ready to go. Though I do feel he should test it out to make sure the threading holds. I, being a lover of fashion, shall volunteer for-

"No."

~Well it would just be inappropriate if I asked!~

"Not better."

>Hrmmm. So-

~So yes, dear Rarara shall have to sacrifice for her art.~

>Pffft, I assure you, that's not a sacrifice. That's a reward.

~Well I'm certainly not going to argue that!~

>We'll watch to make sure it doesn't tear.

~I'll start recording immediately! Your clientele will want a demonstration, after all.~

'...I hate you all.'

STOMP STOMP STOMP

SLAM!

"What did I do? I just stood here and let her wrap me in fabric."

>Some mares just don't appreciate their stallion, unlike me.

"Please cease rubbing your cheek against mine, immediately... you too, Discord."

~But she made it look so fun!~

"...I wonder if Cadence will find this sexy..."

ZOOM!

SLAM!

>....

~....~

>...

~...~

>...So what the fuck are you?

~Funny you should ask! My origin is actually-~

SLAM!

>Whoop, neverming.

~Bah, it wouldn't have stuck anyway. How did it go?~

"She wanted to start putting me in makeup to 'complete the look'."

>Ah. So you ran?

"...Actually... just... uh... just came to pick up her tiny brush she left in here so she can do my eyes."

>...
~...~

"...I love my wife."

SLAM!

>...WHA-CHA!

~I will not even create some kind of visual flare for that one, wha-cha says it all.~

>So. Whipped. Not like us.

~Indeed, hoof to five!~

CLAP!

>Yeah, we don't have anyone who would put on makeup if we asked them to!

~They'd tell us no to our faces! Nobody cares that much!~

>YEAH!

~...~
>...
~...
>...You suddenly sad now?
~Very. I'm going to go watch him to cheer myself up from the crushing loneliness.~
>Right behind you.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Applejack
"Chrysalis"
~~~~~

>Are ya'll ready ta' go?

"I could ask the same of you."

The air around the two seemed slightly charged as it mingled with the sound of metal upon metal. Yet despite their storied and extensive history of such, there was very little heat and sting in that charge that floated betwixt Queen and Princess. They stared each other down, much as they had a hundred times before, but this one seemed... different, somehow.

Behind the statuesque Queen, the doors to the shining crystal train opened wide, ready and accepting for the hivelike horde standing before it, awaiting their arrival with welcome arms, and indeed the promised cake from none other than Princess Celestia.

Yet they were not complete, as a hive. Behind the Princess, so few changelings, guarded on all sides by the likes of those like the royals Celestia and Twilight, and of course those she knew like Fluttershy and Pinkie too. Not to mention the guards volunteered, of course. Those who stood beside the ones who had one day that seemed an eternity ago to be their foe. Fifteen changelings had stayed behind, answering to the call given out by the one they used to fear. Behind the Queen, so many. Behind them, that veritable army of the most powerful beings to ever be, so few.

Yet neither could say which had the harder task. To convince the world they were not monsters, or to simply survive beyond this century as a whole. Both seemed, the more they were questioned, daunting tasks.

>So... ya' ain't even gonna stay the two more days?

"Mmm, no. With Lavan's declaration he will return shortly, this only means I was given time to get them out, running down the clock again will be... unwise."

>Would'a made mah' life easier. Now it looks like yer' runnin' from him.

"Yes, it does. I know this, and I'm not going to pretend it doesn't sting my pride just a little."

>But yer' still gonna do it anyway?

"..."

>...heh, can't blame ya', Ah'd do the same Ah' guess iffin' it was mah' family... can we still count on ya' ta' be here iffin' he shows back up and thinks fightin' would be 'mighty interestin'?

"We both know I will."

>Yeah... guess Ah' do now.

"..."

>Ya' gonna be okay with these guy's here?

The long, ebony neck tensed up, rippling as muscles beneath it strained. She didn't say a word out loud, of course. Nor did she show a single emotion in her haunting green eyes, just as she always did when she wanted none to know what she thought inside.

"So long as they remain healthy, I don't see why I should have a problem. You promised, did you not?"

>Gave ya' mah' word, and Ah'm stickin' to it. Every single one of those fellers is gonna be looked after like they were mah' little sister, and ain't comin back with so much as a scratch... not countin' facepunch.

"Fair enough, they like facepunch."

Though the silence hung heavy, it was not by choice. Both felt more needed to be said. Assurances, threats, simple questions or hard statements, something to stress the importance of their safety, something to assure the benefits of their success, the fear of Lavan's return, the joy of seeing changelings allowed to roam wheresoever they choose without fear, something.

But nothing was said.

And, they both realized, that if any of that had needed to be said, this entire trip would be a mistake. Either they knew, or it was not worth it.

Either Chrysalis accepted that this chunk of her total population were risking being wiped out, taking so much from her forces, and agreed it was with said risk, or this need not happen.

Either Applejack accepted that their lives, and possibly their future, was in her hooves, and knew how precious every one was, or this could not happen.

They both had to know.

They both did know.

A little over a month ago, they had stared down one another, angry, injured, armies at the ready to begin a battle that would see devastation on both sides and bring an end to what little peace existed between their races, each one untrusting of the other to so much as be in the same room unsupervised, each one thinking the other would bring about their downfall. A little over one month ago, there had been cheers as they were driven from this place, and the princess sat in her office without a care.

But now... there was silence.

Very few ponies cared, next to none of them hostile, to show up to so much as see them off, let alone join in and be excited they were to leave as they had before. There was little love over there, yet she could not say there was a parade of hate either. They simply were leaving.

The changelings were leaving, and nobody cared. They did not want them to stay, yet they did not cheer them gone

Things had changed.

Things, hopefully, would change more in time to be.

>Hey, Chrysalis?

Snapped from her reverie, she looked back to the pony, to the princess whom she had once called foe, and now called...

She wasn't quite sure of that yet.

"Yes?"

>...Ballroom's gonna still be open, when this is all over.

No barbs came from her, no wit, no shooting derision or such. No, all that the Queen gave was a simple shrug, and easy words.

"Why would I care?"

>Ya' won't, now... but there's gonna be changes around here. Some of 'em ain't gonna be big.

"If you say so... goodbye... Princess Applejack."

A hoof of orange, and a hoof of obsidian, met for what would be the first time without hate or force behind it, and shook.

"...Changelings! Move out, we're leaving!"

With any luck, it would not be the last.

Applejack would make sure of it.

It was a chance. One she did not know if she deserved, or would be successful, but she would give it her all.

>This time... Ah'm gettin' it right.

The next chapter had finally begun.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OMAKE!
>AJ
"Changelings"
'???'
~~~

>This time... Ah'm gettin' it right.

"Hey, what does this button do?"

'NO DON'T TOUCH SEXY YOU STUPID-'

BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!

"OH GOD YOU KILLED EVERY NAMED CHANGELING...SOMEHOW! AND THEN BLEW UP THE TRAIN OVER THERE, KILLING OFF THE REST OF THEM! THE ONLY ONE LEFT ALIVE IS TWO AND ONE OR TWO WE COULD USE FOR RANDOM BACKGROUND GAGS! OH THE LING MANITY!

>............................................................Yeah, that actually feels right, thinkin' about it.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NCOMAKE!
>SA
"Discord"
'???'
~~

>Oh, hey... it's the omakes again. You know what that means, don't you?

"Ohhh, I do, and I need to thank you for yet again getting me more stories, so many!"

>Oh, it's nothing... but if you want to give me a reward...

"Yesss?"

>You know what I want.

"Oh, I do, and I'll give you all... of...it..."

>...

"...HIT IT"

~People let me tell you bout my beessst friend!~
~~~~

*Cut to scene of them skipping through a meadow.*

~He's a warm-hearted person who'll love me to the end!~

~~~~

*Cut to a scene of them playing ball in the park, Discord hits a home run*

~People let me tell you about my best friend!~

~~~~

*Cut to a scene of them on a roller coaster, waving their arms in the air in delight.*

~He's a one boy cuddly toy my up my down my pride and joy!~

~~~~~

*Cut to a scene of Twilight holding a picture of her and Shining, looking on in sadness as they fly a kite together.*

*A single tear falls from her eye.*

~Cause he's my best friend now...~

~~~~~~

*Cut to Twilight sitting in a dark room all alone with a single spotlight.*

'Hi, I'm Twilight Sparkle and I'm here to speak on behalf of the LSBFF and BBBFF foundation. Every year, BBBFF's finds new best friends, and don't understand what this does to the LSBFF. LSBFF need their BBBFF's, so please, won't you give your LSBFF a hug?... Because remember, it's Little Sister Best Friend Forever, and Big Brother Best Friend FOREVER, SHINY! FOREVER MEANS MORE THAN THAT! FOREVER IS FOREVER YOU JERK! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!? WASN'T I A FUN LSBFF!? YOU TOLD ME KITE FLYING WAS SPECIAL YOU COLD HEARTED BASTARD! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO MEEE!?... NO! GET AWAY DON'T TOUCH ME! SHINY! SHINYYYY WHYYYYYYYY!

*Twilight gets dragged off screen by two surly ponies in hospital garb.*
*Cut to black.*

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Omake!
>12
"Guard"
'???
~~

>Ugh... seriously? Almost feeding me metal shards? Is my Queen trying to kill me off?

"Why do you stick around anyway?"

>Well, my last job didn't go so well...

~~~

>Velcom comrade, papers please.

'Here you are sir...'

>Denied. This says you are eighty pounds, you are clearly seventy nine.

'What!? Nooooo...'

>Take him away!... Velcom comrade, papers please.

'Is that your real accent?'

>Inquiring about government work, you are clearly spy, take her away.

'Wait! Noooooo...'

>NEXT!... Velcom comrade, papers please.

'Here you are.'

>Why are you coming to this country?

'I... I wish to work in factory.'

>Factories are all full, denied. Take him away!

'WAIT! I just wish to wooorrkkk....'

'Da', comrade, is nice work thinning out all ruffians and those who would not benefit glory of Stalliongrad!'

>Thank you.

'Have you let anyvon in today?'

>...uh...

~~~~

>So long story short I prevented, like, eighty ponies from being put in a tyrannical regime, but also nearly got shot.

"Wow, that's heroic!"

>Thank you.

"What happened to the guys who got taken away?"

>...hm?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OMAKE
>Rarity's mind
"Rarity"
'???'
~~~~

>It's sour in my mouth, the cigarette. It's sour and bitter, like a good cigarette should be. The smoke wisps up, just like it should. Flows clean, and smooth.

"You coming to me was a mistake."

'...'

>He doesn't answer, the coy bastard never does. He knows just how to play me, every time. Knows just how to push my buttons... every one of them.

>He's good at that.

"Did you really think I'd forget?"

'...'

>Of course he didn't. He knows, and he doesn't give a damn.

"Did you really think I wouldn't know?"

'...'

>He won't even look at me, won't even play this game.

"Did you really think I wouldn't see?"

>Oh, how I saw... and my blood still boils.

"Did you really think I wouldn't know... that you're using other guns you heartless dragon!"

>Naughty little drake.

'Rarity I'm sorry! I just wanted to expand my horizons!'

"Oh, were my horizons not 'expansive' enough for you!?"

'No, come on, I didn't mean it like that! I just needed some... Umf on the side! I still love all you give me, really!'

"Save it, you little lizard, I don't believe it anymore!"

'Rarity...'

"You march right out that door, and you never come back! I'm not giving you any more!"

'No! I can't let it end like this!'

>You say that now, but maybe this will change your tune....

"It's better you leave it now anyway... I don't think I can go back to you."

'...W-...what?'

"That's right. Keep your little toys, because when we come back from the one hundred celebration, you know what I'm getting?"

'...no...'

>Drink it all in, little dragon.

"Screentime."

>Because lords knows I drank it all in... every way I could...

'...'

"Now, kindly step out and-"

BANG!

>Naughty little dragon...

>Don't you know this shade of red looks terrible on me?

'O-oh no...'

>Naughty... little... dra..........

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Cadence"
'DT'
~~~~
>Welcome to Not Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content does matter, but everything is tumbling down, tumbling down, tumbling down.
The 3 tumble to a stop.

"Owwww..."

'Ugh...'

>It all returns to nothing...wait...
The room is completely empty.
>Why is the porn gone!?!

"Oh thank goodness. We shouldn't leave it out and exposing DT to that smut. It'll ruin her innocence."

DT looks to the side
'Yeeeeeaaah...'

>But why is the porn gone!?!
Flutterdoll attacks Pinkie and tries to bite her.
>PONY PUNCH!
Pinkie punches her with a flaming hoof through a wall.
>Hot hot hot!

"They're coming!"
Twidoll fires a magic laser. Cadence scrambles to dodge.

'Baoding Bombs!'
A pair of grenades roll under twidoll and explodes.
'Boom baby!'
RDoll runs up and flings steel feathers from her remaining wing.

>Look out!
Pinkie pulls out a dart board from her mane and uses it to block the feathers.

"LOVELY ARROW!"
RDdoll gets shot into the wall by Cadence's arrow.
"Whew."
Metallic spiderlegs extend from DT's backpack. It fires a laser built into on of the legs at AJdoll.
*PEW PEW PEW*
AJdoll barrel rolls through the wall that Flutterdoll was thrown through. AJdoll gets up, tips her hat, and runs. The gang follows through only to find an empty twisting hallway.

'Aaaaaggh...it's hard for me to fight in enclosed spaces.'

>Hmmm...we did see Luna go downward. Maybe we'll find her in my basement. To the stairs!

Life in the dreamhouse~

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________