Thread 45: Stories 16-30

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>DT
"??"
~~~

Rage.

Pure. Heartfelt. Rage.

She had never, in her entire all too short life, felt just so much... rage.

It was bad enough she had to fight that monster when she just wanted to go get some Fillydelphia snacks.

It was bad enough she lost that fight.

It was bad enough Silver Spoon got put in danger like that.

It was bad enough she had to...

But to go from all that, all that, to this....

The princess had finally called her bluff. Finally called her out on her many declarations she was too valuable to be rid of. Finally said she was going to make this call, and there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn't argue it, she couldn't fight it, she couldn't beat it. Why?

Because she knew why Applejack waited till this moment, this exact time to finally call that bluff, to finally put her hoof down.

TBDRLIATU was down. She waited until he was down, and then she was cast out like yesterdays newspaper. All those headlines didn't matter in the end. Without him, she was... gone. And somehow, it just got worse.

For the first time, in all the years she has know her best friend, through all they've shared, been together, laughed and played with... she was mad at Silver Spoon. She was honestly, really mad at her. She was practically livid that she had disobeyed when told to go seek shelter, she hated that she had done something so stupid at to charge the monster with nothing but a really sharp piece of metal. She was so mad... that she had been forced to choose.

It wasn't fair. She knew it wasn't fair. She had only attacked her because that monster grabbed TBDRLIATU, she was just trying to save him because she knew how much he was worth. But she couldn't help it, she was mad. So, so very mad. She wanted to scream, wanted to yell, wanted to make her apologize. Wanted so much...

"She means well, you know."

Her head snapped to the side, stunned. She hadn't heard the door open, or footsteps, or anything of the sort. Whoever had come in had been silent, too silent. Or perhaps she had just been wrapped up too much in her own little world to care. Could be either or.

>Twilight.

The princess paid no mind to the bitter, hateful tone as she trotted up to the bed, horn igniting as she scanned over the prone filly.

>Have you heard the news?

The stoic face flinched at the words, her examination pausing for just a second.

"Dash told me."

>Oh? Not Applejack?

"I haven't seen her. I need to, I need to talk to her about this."

She huffed, air escaping through her teeth.

>Don't bother wasting your breath, she's sticking to this so she doesn't look stupid.

"...I'm sorry for what happened to your rocket launcher."

Her eyes narrowed, a fierce glare burning as it looked right up to the ceiling.

>So, are you going to try to tell me I'm not allowed to heal him? I'm not... 'authorized' anymore?

"I wouldn't be able to tell you regardless. I'm just like you, remember? I quit a while ago."

Her head snapped back over, that glare burning even hotter.

>You quit because you were too afraid. I'm kicked out because I was weak for a moment and she made her move.

"Diamond Tiara, it's not like that-"

>STUFF IT YOU-GNN!

She winced as a shot of pain rocketed up her chest when she tried to sit up, unable to hold in an involuntary whimper as she laid back down.

Twilight patiently waited for her breathing to slow down until she continued.

>I'm FINE.

"Second degree burns on your left foreleg, internal bruising in your chest and neck, fractures in your cheekbones and more scrapes than a pane of glass in a tumble drier full of rocks."

She looked away bitterly.

>It doesn't even hurt.

"Oh, good, so I can test reflexes."

A purple hoof gently poked into her ribs, causing another involuntary hiss to escape her. Twilight pulled away, and just gave her a look.

>...It doesn't!

The princess sighed, and resumed examining. Being ignored like that only served to make the filly more angry.

>WHAT!? Would you guys have just preferred I let everyone get crushed!? Is that it!?

"No. I suppose... I just wish she hadn't been shot into the middle of the city."

>I DIDN'T EVEN DO THAT!

"You know that's not the point, it was your rocket launcher that you let get taken from you."

>LET!?

"Yes. Let. I've seen you with that thing. You hold onto it like it's secretly got your life saving medicine stored in there. Nobody would have been able to take that from you without you being okay with it."

>AND JUST WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!?

"You wanted someone to shoot her, but keep the blame off yourself. My guess? You were hoping Gwen would do it but that other 'client' did so instead."

Diamond Tiara's face went red, almost painfully so.

>I lured her out of the city.

Twilight's eyes narrowed, a harsh questioning look to them.

>I DID!

"Because you thought that was a smart idea, or because she told you to."

>I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO THAT BIRD!

"Funny, I didn't mention Gwen."

She just grew more red, more angry, and turned away from her.

>Why is everyone doing this!? I SAVED THE FREAKING CITY!

"And believe me, we're all very appreciative and proud of you-"

>IT SURE DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT!

"We just don't want you to really get hurt. You're not like the others, Diamond Tiara. You're still growing, still developing, and you're nowhere near as durable as they are. We care about you, and we want you to stay around for a long time to come. We're just afraid that if you keep doing this to yourself... you won't be."

She didn't respond, instead gripping a wad of blanket and pulling it over herself.

>I need some rest.

"Diamond Tiara..."

>YOU SAID I WAS HURT, RIGHT!? SO LET ME REST!

A sad, slow breath escaped the lavender princess, and a soft hoof brushed over her blanket covered side.

"Why don't you wait until you're feeling better, and come see me in my lab? You're smart, you know. I think I could teach you a lot on chemistry and engineering if you wanted, I'm pretty good at it myself. Maybe we can work together a little bit, make something to build up instead of blow up. Your life doesn't just have to be about proving yourself, not like that."

A growl came from the bundle in front of her. Bitter, wrathful and low.

>You have to swear something to me.

"...Oh?"

>If you have any appreciation for all the utter load I went through to get here, the robots, the monsters or the chaos, you swear to me one thing.

"And what is that?"

>I'm going to heal him when we get back. It's going to take a long time, and a lot of hard work, but you swear to me, right now, that you won't try to stop me. Swear to me you won't try to take him away, or stop me from helping him. He needs me to fix him now, and I'm going to. Swear you'll stay out of my way.

The hoof atop her paused for a long, long moment.

And then it pulled away.

"You're in stable enough condition to move, it's safe to load you up and get you to Canterlot for some more advanced treatment, and free up this room for the wounded from the city. I'll have someone sent in to cart you out in an hour or so, try to get some rest until then."

The filly heard her trotting away, but did not watch her go.

"Take care, Diamond Tiara, and think about what I said. There's a lot you could do, so many things you can achieve. Just think about it."

She heard the door softly open, and close just as gently.

It was only after she was sure that the mare had left, that she let the scoff escape her lips.

>Oh, I know...

A scoff that quickly bled away into a growl.

>There is so much I need to do....
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>JJ
"Actarius"
'Random Changeling'
~Random changelings~
~~

>Are... are you...

"...what?"

>Are you... cleaning!?

"Hm? Oh, yeah, just thought I'd do a little brushing up, nothing big. Just makes it so there's less stuff under my sleeping bag."

'HOLD THE FUCKING PHONE!'

"The... what?"

>What the hell is a phone?

'Pfft, it's like neither of you ever infiltrated in Manehatten!'

"I actually have never been, heard it's nice."

>And I'm a drone.

'HAH! PLEB TIER!'

>...

'Back to the original subject, you have a what!?'

"...Broom?"

'Not that, the sleeping thing!'

"My... sleeping bag?"

'YES THAT! When did you get that?'

"I've had it since I arrived. Did you not notice?"

'I don't pay attention to non-infiltrator PLEBS!'

"I'm a pony, we don't do that."

'Hence my problem. But that aside, gimme.'

"What? No."

'Gimme that sleeping bag, or I will hit you.'

"Go for it, I'm a trained guard. I can take you. You're in infiltrator, not a soldier, right? I got this."

'...Gimme.'

"No."

'COME ONNN! The ground sucks! I have never in my life gotten to sleep on a sleepy bag thing!'

"What, seriously?"

>Well, yeah. When would we ever get to sleep on a bed?

"...Huh. Still no. Just ask your Queen for one."

'YOU DO IT!'

"Fine, jeez, if it'll get you off my back."

'R-...really? You'll... ask her for stuff? For us?'

"Do you guys want me to? Get a list together or something."

'And... you're not worried she's going to kill you?'

"Should I be?"

'Uh... Queens kind of... set fire to whoever displeases them. Or because they feel they are asking for too much... or because it's daylight outside.'

"Well... I'll still ask her for a sleeping bag for you if you want."

'...EVERYONE! GET OVER HERE! THIS IDIOT WILL ACTUALLY ASK THE QUEEN FOR STUFF!'

~NO FUCKING WAY!~

~HOLY SHIT, REALLY!?~

~I HAVE A LIST! IT'S MOSTLY PICTURES BECAUSE I CAN'T READ OR WRITE BUT I HAVE ONE!~

~ME FIRST! ME FIRST!~

*Stampeding noises.*

"...Uh..."

>What have you done....

"...Help."
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>2
"18"
~~

>WHADDAYA MEAN, SCHOOL AIN'T CLOSED!?

"...Why would it be?"

>B-B-B-BUHDUHMONSTERATTACK!

"Right, they're probably closed in fillydelphia, but not here."

>WHHYYYY!?

"It was on another continent."

>IT'S STILL PRETTY CLOSE!

"Not remotely."

>CLOSE ENOUGH!

"Clearly not."

>...THISISSOMEBURNTMARCHMALLEYS, THAT'S WHAT THIS IS!

"Did you just try and sneak a swear into that?"

>Uh...

"I'm telling Shiny."

>EEP!

*SLAM!*

"...Now... when do I tell her school is tomorrow, not today?....hrm... nah, she'll get it... just gotta give it a second..."

....

"...Hrrmmm..."

*SLAM!*

>WAIT A MINUTE!

"There it is!"
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>Thunderlane
“Rumble”
_________

“BROOOOTHERRRR!”

>So, the big shot is finally home for a weekend!

“Yuh-huh! And I’m back with presents!”

>No foolin’? Well don’t keep me in suspense, show me what you've got!

Giving a hyper-speed nod, Rumble dug into his saddlebag and pulled out a little french mare’s outfit, complete with feather duster and cuff.

>…

“Isn’t this just the best?!”

>…Rumble? The hell is that you’ve got and, more importantly, why do you have it?

The little colt stared from his treasure to his brother, hardly a gleam of excitement lost.

“It’s the outfit my wing-slave is gonna wear when I find one! Standard issue for Junior Flier cadets!”

>…

“And- and- annnnnd, that’s not all! I also gooooot… this!”

Now there was no expression on Thunderlane’s face when Rumble showed him a steel saucer.

>I… a little plate? What is that even for?

“Well, 56- he’s my friend by the way- he calls it homework! I have to practice balancing this on a mare’s plot and eating cake off it without, WITHOUT spilling a single crumb! I think I can do it, don’t you?”

>…

“They’re teachin’ us all sorts’a stuff over there, brother! We’re learning the proper names to call our wingslaves, what brand of underwear to buy them, the sanctioned positions of servitude, the-”

>I've heard enough! Rumble, I sent you there to practice flying, to build a future! Where’s the flying at? Do you even fly?!

Rumble nodded, looking slightly shocked that his brother would think otherwise.

“We sure do, duh! The Flamebitch-”

Thunderlane did a spastic double-take.

>Flamebitch… you… you mean Spitfire?

“Mhm! Her! She showed us a cool trick of hers- Inferno or something like that- and we do at least a hundred wing-ups a day, watch!”

And he proceeded to near-effortlessly lift the closest dresser with both wings before letting it thud back down.

>CELESTIA ABOVE!

“See? Mr. Bulky trains us good!”

>Mr who? Wait, whoa… tell me you don’t mean that one dude who’s on like every steroid known to ponykind, and even a few made up ones?

“Oh, no, no, no, he’s totally clean! That’s just natural talent for him.”

>…I… I think I need a drink….

“Okay! You mind if I keep goin’?”

>No, yeah, you’re fine. I’ve got this hard cider and you are juuust fine….
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>Rarity
"??"
~~

>Oh, I hate that we're leaving so soon, I feel like I have so much left to help with. But I suppose I should go check on Arana. I'm shouldn't be too worried, I mean, I only threw her in Twilight's lab, it's not like... and now the terror has grown, and I fear that Canterlot will be aflame when we get back...

"Hey, uh Rar-"

>GAH!

The white fashonista spun around, totally taken off guard.

Under the confused gaze of the small purple dragon, she found it hard to compose herself.

>NOTHING!

"I...what?"

There was a short, awkward silence.

>...Let's just pretend that never-OH MY GOODNESS!

"Uh-"

She reached out, grabbing hold of both of his cheeks.

>You poor thing! Your frown lines are going to crease your face something fierce! Ohhh, is this about your friend?

"Actually-"

She gave him no time to respond before she pulled him tight against her chest.

>Don't you worry one little bit, she is going to be fine and we are going to knock the stuffing out of that ghastly beast! Everything is going to be just fine.

He didn't really know how to react to that, so he just let himself be pressed against that white coat he had dreamed of nuzzling against so very long ago, prayed for so very long ago. Once upon a time, he would have cut off his own claw for a moment like this.

But now... his mind was too far muddied to enjoy it.

"...Applejack kicked Diamond Tiara off the team."

She stopped her rocking, eyes widening slightly in confusion.

>I'm... sorry? What was that?

"Diamond Tiara, she's out of the A-team."

>...Oh... were her injuries... that bad?

"That's the thing, no. She just... she wants her to have a more normal life. Wants her to go spend more time at school, doing stuff."

>Oh... well, I suppose I uh...

He waited, already worried what her response might be.

>...Huh. What an odd choice. Normal? That dear couldn't be normal if you paid her. If anything, you'd think this would make her fight it more.

He pulled away from her, feeling just a little lighter.

"Right!? It's like... you can't stop her from doing this, nobody can! But she can do so much good, you know?"

>I suppose she has been helpful about this.

"Right!? It's, like, you can't just stop something like-"

>However.

He froze, heart seizing up.

>I suppose I see where she is coming from... somewhat. If it had been Sweetie Belle out there today, I'd have my heart in a million pieces by now. I was frightened enough when I learned she fought stuffed animals, and their leader was defeated by a dog. She might just be seeing Diamond Tiara like she sees Applebloom.

He sank just a bit, feeling a little crushed.

>...But on the positive side, when she finally calms down she'll be more open about it. Really, I think she's just worried, Spike. If someone like you said Diamond Tiara should stay on and she disagreed, then Applejack is just not thinking straight. We'll give her a little bit and revisit the issue, no need to be upset. Really, the dear should be healing anyway, poor Shining Armor was out for weeks on medical leave when he scrapped with that creature, and he is a trained soldier. We'll wait until she's back to full strength and see if we can talk to her some more.

And just like that, that crushed feeling left him. Leaving him lighter, almost air like in his feeling.

"You'll... help?"

>Of course, Spikey-Wikey! I know how much you need your team, and I'd much rather we had the frightening rockets pointed away from you, if you get my drift! You need your backup if you're going to stay safe. We'll help her see that together.

He felt a smile come back to him, like a long lost friend that had finally come home.

>Spike? Are you-

He reached up, both claws gabbing hold of her face, and gave her a massive kiss on her cheek.

So stunned from the action, she didn't even move when he let her go, and gave her one more deep hug.

"Thank's, Rarity. You have no idea how much I needed someone on my side."

>O-oh, right, darling...

He let her go, gave her one last smile, and rushed off.

"I've gotta go talk to her and get ready before we leave, thanks again!"

>Right, yes...

She waved after him as he retreated down the hall, and out of her sight.

>Well... glad I could be of help.

She reached up, rubbing the spot where he had pressed against her.

>I hope Applejack isn't too irritated with me...
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>AJ
"Celestia"
~~~

Loading the 'hero' onto the train had been... unsettling, really. She had remained completely, utterly blank faced the entire time, giving little more than a look in response to anything said. As such, Celestia decided that now was a bad time to speak with her and personally give thanks for defending her subjects.

However, a bit of a commanding voice to her other subject to leave the room did grant her with an empty, private train car. Perfect for a little more... 'unique' conversation.

"What did you do?"

The apple princess winced at the words, dolled out like an upset mother who had just walked in to find a pile of flour all over her floor.

>Ah'... Ah' kicked Diamond Tiara off'a the A-team.

Her surprise was not so easily contained, but she got a lid on it fast enough.

"But... why? Why now?"

>No better time, Ah' s'pose.

Reluctantly, she couldn't argue it.

>Ah' messed up bad, Celly.

"You messed up getting rid of her because now you can't backpeddle, or letting her on in the first place to get to this point? Because if it's the former-"

>It ain't.

"I see..."

The room became suffocating, awkward.

"Any particular reason?"

>'Sides the fact she nearly died?

"Yes, besides that, that's happened plenty by now."

The orange mare shuffled in her seat, eyes pointedly angled away from the searching alabaster face that looked down upon her.

"...I see."

>Am Ah' that obvious?

A weary breath escaped the white lips, and her gaze lessened.

"I understand."

>Do you, really?

"I do. Do you really think I don't understand the pain of having to be the one to speak to them after their family has died?"

The wince returned, subtly.

>Ah' was actually jus' gonna write a letter.

"Oh Applejack, no. No, you absolutely should not do that. If they died for you, they deserve so much more than ink on a paper. Their family deserves a kind word, a grateful face, something to look in the eye and know their efforts were for something tangible, real, alive."

>That... that ain't better, Celestia. Ah' don't wanna look Filthy Rich in the face and tell him his baby girl got crushed ta' death cause Ah' armed the gal like a dang idiot.

"Merely for future reference, Applejack."

>Ah' don't think Ah'm ready to take over the army, Celestia.

"And to be blunt, I'd agree."

>...Gee, thanks.

"I said I was being blunt."

Her hat poked up slightly as a hoof ruffled through her blond mane.

>Why didn't ya' stop me when Ah' put her on the dang team.

"Your reasoning was sound. She was capable as a fighter, and it was obvious that we could only direct her course, not prevent it. This isn't the first time I've encountered such."

>And how well that'd work out?

"Sometimes horribly... sometimes magnificently. It really is a bit of random chance."

>So... did Ah' do the right thing?

There was just a hint of desperation in her voice, a need for approval of some kind, something.

"I can't tell you that, I'll have to see how it goes from here. Could go either way, really."

She nodded sadly, understanding that was the best she could hope for as her eyes trailed to the ground.

"I'm sorry, that's all I can say. If something should happen, I would be more than happy if you sought me out for more advice. I'm not perfect, but I'm here if you need me."

She nodded, feeling a little better... A little.

"...If things do go badly, Applejack..."

A gold-covered hoof wrapped around her shoulders, drawing her in.

"You can always blame me. This one's on the house."

A twitch.

A smirk.

A giggle.

It was strained, and a bit forced, but she couldn't deny it. It felt... good.

>Thanks, Tia.

"And if that fails, I have a whole case of smokebombs on standby. We'll make our escape at dawn, and blame the whole thing on Luna."

The chuckle returned, just a bit louder.

"...Or if that fails, we just burn it all to the ground."

And thus, the smile died.

"...too far?"

>Little bit.

Then, of course, it came back.

>Thanks.

"Anytime."
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>Thunderlane
"Thunderlane's mom"
'Rumble'
~~~~

>I'm telling you, mom, I'm worried about what he's learning down there.

"Oh p'shaw. It can't be that bad."

'MOM! Check this out!'

"...Is he lifting the dinner table?"

>He is doing that.

"And this is the... 'problem'?"

>Uh-

'WHOOPS!'

*CRASH!*

'Awww, sorry mom! Don't worry, the MINUTE I get a bitch-slave, we won't have to worry about that ever again! I've even got an outfit all picked out!'

"..."

>See?

"..."

>...Mom, no.

"It would just be nice to have someone help out around the house is all.."

*FACE-HOOF!*
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>Chrysalis
"SA"
'Cadence'
[Fluttershy]
{Maud}
~~~~

"You should have told me you were picking up guests."

>No, I shouldn't have.

"And why is that?"

>Because then you would have said no.

"Accurate, but the fact you are doing this is unsettling."

>HAH!

'It is nice to see you again, Fluttershy. How goes it with the chaos training?'

[...Um...]

'Say no more. And it's nice to see you again too, Maud.'

{Yes, it is.}

'...'

{I regret we did not get a chance to fight, Shining Armor.}

"Oh, well, you know, not a big-"

>YOU SHOULD TOTALLY FIGHT WHEN WE GET BACK!

"Actually, I'd prefer if-"

{I like that idea.}

"I really got enough of that before-"

'Oh oh oh! We can ask 42 to referee!'

{I have never met her.}

'You'll like her, she's nice!'

[She really is. A little grumpy, but she means well.]

{I hope she will be impartial to me hitting him.}

'She'll probably ask you to hit him harder.'

{Then we will get along fine.}

"...You know, the saddest part is that some piece of me wishes this was all mind control on your end."

>It's not.

"I know..."

'Oh! Sweep the leg!'

"And it hurts
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Spike
"77"
'??'
~~~

>Crap.

He knew he shouldn't have taken that 'shortcut' to this room. She was long gone.

"She was loaded up safely and is on her way, you can speak to her back home, under better circumstances."

He whirled around, having not detected even a hint of the changeling behind him. Not that this was surprising, in hindsight, since changeling.

>Just wanted to tell her I wasn't going to let AJ just kick her out like that, and that I'd talk to her when she calmed down a little bit.

"Oh... is that... wise? Perhaps Poppet needs a bit of a break, just a little one."

His eyes narrowed, a claw jutting up and pointing right at the changeling.

>No way. No way are we abandoning her like that.

"I'm not abandoning her, I just want her to get some rest."

>This isn't the time for that! If Chitania is getting more aggressive to this level, then we need to have everyone ready to act if she shows up again.

"She's not going to be ready with second degree burns and bone fractures all over her body."

Spike stepped forward, advancing on the changeling.

>She can still do stuff! You and I both know she's not going to just sit down there and relax.

He advanced right back.

"Then maybe we should be the ones making her relax."

>You know we can't do that, nobody can!

"So then, clearly we shouldn't try."

>Yes!

"So what the hell are you talking about with Chitania? I don't know if you noticed, we never win against her. You only served to piss her off and wreck a train when you tried!"

They were so close they were nearly bumping up against each other at this point.

>Don't you throw that in my face, I thought it would work!

"It didn't."

He snarled in frustration, claws rubbing all over his head.

>Why are you fighting me on this?! You should know better than anyone we need our team, you know how much they're worth!

A hoof shot out, pressing against the lavender chest.

"Yes, I know how much they're worth, which is why I know how much of a loss it is when they're gone, and can never come back. Once that happens, all you have is regrets and wishes to go back and do things right. I don't want that for you, or Applejack, or anyone. We've been lucky, Spike, I don't want to see when that luck will run out."

The dragons claw batted it away.

>So, what, you agree with her?! That we should just fire her, kick her off the team!? After all she's done for us, just one bad event and bam out on the streets!?

"I didn't say that! I just think that maybe a little time to get her head straight will be good for her. I don't want her to leave, just... spend some time with her father, maybe? He has to be worried, Spike."

>If it was a problem he should have mentioned it before she fought on a fucking exploding airship!

"Well, maybe her taking a fireball to the face was enough to snap him out of it!"

>I was shot once! How did he think this was going to go!?

"I don't know, but maybe-"

>Maybe what, Patchy!?

"Don't you yell at me, squirt."

>Or else what!?

"Or else I'll-"

There was a resounding CRACK! Throughout the room, and both dragon and changeling hit the floor, hard.

>...
"..."

'Are you both done? This is a hospital.'

The cold, icy voice snapped them out of their heated gaze against each other, allowing them to look up at the attacking party standing over both of them.

>Damn it, 42! That hurt!

She paused, looking thoughtful.

Then hit him harder.

>OW!

She cast a look to her fellow changeling, who just shrugged.

'Good. Both of you need to get packed up, we're leaving.'

>Who spat in your cereal-OW!

'Any questions?'

77 stepped back, just out of range of her strikes.

"Yes, are you alright? Applejack said you took the news rather hard."

She shrugged, indifferent.

'Perfectly fine. My frustration that I could not talk her out of it has waned.'

Both males shared a look. They couldn't detect anything wrong with her, and she seemed fine to both of them, but something was still off.

'Good. If my mental state is no longer in question, we will schedule a meeting two days from now with which to discuss the recent expulsion further.'

Spike huffed, but said no more.

'With that matter settled, has anyone seen Shining Armor?'

"Oh, yes, he got on the train to the Empire already, said he wanted to speak with you but couldn't find you."

'Oh, thank goodness.'

That was way, way more relieved than she should have been, they realized.

'...I simply meant that in the sense I did not want to have to wait for him to finish up before leaving. I am obligated to stay until he and my Queen have left, and with them both gone I can collect the troops and head out. Any more questions?'

>We... didn't ask a-

'Good. If I hear you disturbing the hospital again, I will hurt you. Our comrade lives, so stop acting like children.'

With that, she spun on her heels and walked out.

>...Did she seem mad to you?

"Slightly."

>...Sorry I called you patchy.

"Nothing to be sorry for, Poppet calls me it all the time. Sorry I called you squirt."

>Nah, Applejack used to call me that too, it's cute.

"..."

>...

"Want to grab something to drink before we go?"

>That sounds like an excellent suggestion, I think we need one.

"You have no idea..."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Mayor
"???"
~~~

>Hoo, I swear, this is going to put me in an early grave... need to go back to my office... need to let out a little... 'steam'... need to ride that like-

*BOOM!*

>OH FUCK NO! I HAVE SO MUCH TO LIVE FO-.... what the-

"CITIZEN! WE HAVE ARRIVED! We wish to join our sister in assisting you in the efforts to help the city, and our subjects! Tell me, where is she located at present?"

>... Uh...

~~~~~

For miles around, they would hear the scream.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN EVERYONE IS GONE!?"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Vekir
"???"

The seat on the train creaked a bit as the armored rear sat down onto it, the tiny Morlock inside looked out at Fillydelphia as she awaited the train to depart.

>Yes and aha, the city that is much less white than the City of White has been fixed...kind of...still kind of rubbly but less rubbly than before! Vekir has done a good job...okay, not the best job, these are facts, child who speaks like a soldier did not seem to like the smoldering remains of the dead animal-howfor did it even become flamey in the first place?- but Vekir must continue, in the name of ambassadassadorialization...Vekir, note to yourself, find out the right word before you are driven to craziness.

"Excuse me."

Vekir jumped, surprised out of her etymological thoughts by the strange pony in the hard hat that was standing in the aisle.

>AH! ...hallo.

"Is this seat next to you taken?"

>Hm? Oh no, not at all, Vekir is not sat next to often, strange pony, please please sit sit.

The pony did as bade, casually sitting next to the Morlock.

"So...crazy stuff, huh? Giant monster destroying a town, a robot, a gryphon-the Queen?-, and a filly trying to stop her...that's stuff you'd only see in comic books."

>Hm? Oh yes yes, this is true, tell Vekir, were you present for the attack?

"Huh? Nah, I just kind of...ride around, mostly. I only stop when I can't afford a ticket, then I just do odd jobs until I can."

>A strange life.

"Eh, it could be...worse."

>...

"..."

>...your hair is pretty.

"Give me my hat back please."

>Right, yes, Vekir will do this.

"..."

>It's shiny.

"I know. Give it back."

>Vekir...will...do...this...nnnnnngh-gah! Vekir, stop doing tha-oh what is this now!?

"Excuse me?"

>Sorry strange new pony but my suit has had words come up over my eyes. Gah...come on, Vekir, head of metal taught you to read, this can be done...

"What's it say?"

>...'Foreign...foreign...p...particle...detected innnnnn...fil-tray-shun system.' Yes! Yes that! Huh...Vekir wonders what that means.

"..."

>Here you are, strange pony, your hat back at last, Vekir apologizes.

"I have to go."

>Hm? But-but-

"I need to use the restroom, excuse me."

The pony walked away, leaving Vekir by herself.

>Way to go, Vekir, you KNEW your thieving ways would do this, now look what has happened potential pony friend has walked away...and the words are still here! Go away! ...hurrah, they did!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Twilight
"Celestia"
[???]
{???}
~~~

>Huh... is it just me, or...

"...Did you expect a lot more fires when we got home?"

>Or any fires, really.

"Or something knocked over."

>I'm not even seeing smoke coming from the west end of the castle.

"Could they have... occupied themselves?"

>What could possibly occupy a ballroom full of changelings for hours on end... and still NOT be destructive?

"...Uh..."

~~~~

[And I want a toothbrush, and some of that foamy stuff to go with it, and some new darts for my dartboard because I ate the others, and-]

{You do not have to sit on my lap for this-}

[SHUT THE FUCK UP FAT MAN I'VE GOT A LIST!]

{...}

[...]

{...Not that fat...}

[Don't care! And a nail clipper so I don't have to gnaw my hoof anymore, and a bouncing ball for when I get bored, and...]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Conductor
"???"
~~

>S-sooo... th...this is the front of the traaaaiiiinnn...

"..."

>And as you can see we've got, uh... lots of buttons and knobs...

"..."

>And a lot of... of...

"..."

>...Why did the prince request you to come up here again?

"..."

>...Your hair is snaking towards-

"AHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!"

>NO NO DON'T GRAB THAT LET GO PLEASE STOP OH FUCK!

"THIS TRAIN IS NOW UNDER THE CONTROL, OF THE MAAAAAANE-IAC! WE'RE GOING LEFT!"

>IT'S A TRAIN! IT ONLY GOES ON THE LITTLE TRACK!

"Oh... wheeee!"

>I am not paid enough for this shit.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Celestia
"???"
~~~

>Huh... no flames at all... this is unsettling, actually. I expect havoc when all of us are out of the castle. This... this is worrying me. Are they all dead? Should I go look? Am I just going to find body after body in there?... I should look... or go get someone else to go do it... yeah, go get someone else, that sounds like a good ide-

"SISSLESTIA PRINCESS!"

>GAH!... How did you get IN MY HAIR?!

"The spirits willed it, and Vekir channeled them so!"

>...What!?

"Nevermind! Vekir requires a hole!"

>...for what purpose. Beware, how you answer that could end with you jettisoned from my very stain-able mane at high velocity.

"Vekir does not know who Jet-si-son is, but I do not like his name!"

>...

"And Vekir requires a magical hole!"

>Slightly better, but still confusing.

"The Shiny has informed Vekir that place of Cryssstals are not room alone, and is very big! Vekir wishes to see!"

>...

"..."

>...OH! You want to see the Empire?

"Correct! The Shiny says the Emp-eer is very pretty, yes!"

>It is that.

"So Vekir needs magic hole to see into Emp-eer!"

>Oh, you mean the portal... sure, I'll go ask Shiny if it's okay to-

"HUZZAH!"

>...

"...Vekir is sorry, but usually when Vekir says name, pony says other name, Sisslestia Princess said "The Shiny" too, so Vekir is correct!"

>I didn't say...

"..."

>I mean, yes, you got it right.

"HUZZAH!"

>As I was saying, I'll get you an escort so you don't accidentally wander off in there.

"SECOND HUZZAH!"

>Now, please get out of my...

"..."

>...Pulling on my necklace like that chokes me a little, please stop.

"..."

>...

"...NEHNEHNEEEEHHHHHH!"

>Wow, Shiny is going to have fun with you.

"NEEHHHHHHHHH!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NC
>>GAH!... How did you get IN MY HAIR?!

~~~Somewhere in the shadows~~~~

"...."

'Well, that has to be humiliating for you.'

"Shut the fuck up, Jetset."

'I mean, she's got the intelligence of rice pudding, and she pulls off what you cannot even dream?'

"Shut. Up. Jetset."

'And she does it so effortlessly too-'

"My Queen can make her tongue grow fourteen inches, fully prehensile too."

'...'

"Hah! Got you there-"

*BLAM!*

"HOLY SHIT!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________