https://archive.moe/mlp/thread/21619890/
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 >Applejack
"Pinkie"
'Twilight'
[Dash]
{Fluttershy}
(Rarity)
~Various~
~~~~
 
>NEXT!
 
~Why aren't those fucking flying spinning contraptions illegal!? Who's bright idea was it to put spinning blades on a machine and then putter it around where PONIES FLY EVERYWHERE!?~
 
[...Wait, hold up, is this a you problem or a me problem, Twi?]
 
"You'd think it would be a you problem since it's regulating airspace."
 
[Yeah, but you are the one who is supposed to regulate science and stuff.]
 
"Huh... a puzzler. One that will probably require a lot of different examinations before we make a move."
 
 
 
~So what am I supposed to do!?~
 
"Wait for us to file the proper form?"
 
~FUCKING BUREAUCRACY!~
 
~~~
 
~So, let me get this straight. You handle ever animal... but dragons.~
 
{Right.}
 
~But your friend is a dragon.~
 
{Yes, but a baby dragon.}
 
~...But he has a gun.~
 
{...}
 
^I swear to Faust if she starts getting scared at me, I will use your nuts for target practice.^
 
~~~~~
 
~So, I'm wanting to have a party.~
 
'ON IT!'
 
~A dress party.~
 
'...Oh.'
 
(Am I supposed to handle that?)
 
'You do handle dress stuff.'
 
(But... it's a party.)
 
'...NOOO! BUREAUCRACY HAS TAKEN ME AT LAST! CURSE YOU, CRUEL FATE!'
 
(...Or we could do it together.)
 
'...No, yeah, that makes sense. Crises averted!'
 
(It was rather easy.)
 
"[....]"
 
(What?)
 
[Show off.]
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
>Pommel
"Daw"
'88'
 
"-I'm just sayin', the approach we took in the Howling Pit might not be the worst idea."
 
>She's not a dragon, Daw.
 
"Aye, but she could BECOME one, right? THEN we use what we did in the Howling Pit."
 
>You just want to kick a mine cart full of dynamite into a dragon's face again.
 
"Lad that was a personal high for me, and you know how much love toppin' meself."
 
>The thirty-nine dead kelpies would probably say what you did in that swamp was much more awesome.
 
"No they wouldn't, you'd need a head to do that...fuckin' rotters. Like freshwater versions of those sea monsters."
 
>Personally I rank you going nuts on that native drink and tearing through those guys above the mine cart thing.
 
"Well of course you would, you were about to be eaten."
 
>And I wasn't with the drag-oof!
 
'Gah! Damn it, senses, you've failed me again!'
 
>Crud, you alright, Miss...huh...
 
'What? Is something on my face? Touch, don't shit the bed like smell and hearing have!'
 
>Are you...
 
'Blind? Yeah...I was actually gonna see someone about that, apparently there's a 'Twience' Princess around here? I want to see if she can give me...I dunno, robot eyes or somethin'.'
 
>Oh! Well, you may need someone to help you-
 
'No no! I got this, trust me, I tooootally got this.'
 
"Alrighty, mind if we ask your name, in case we wanna order a katana for Nightmare Night for ya?"
 
'I'm 88.'
 
>...as in Applejack 88?
 
'Huh? Oh no, just 88. What's your name?'
 
>...
 
"Daw, Jacqueline Daw, friends call me Jackie. The one who just turned an even whiter shade of...white is Bronze Pommel."
 
'...'
 
>...
 
>'...Holycrapyou'realive!? 32willbesohappy!'
 
'He already knows I'm alive!'
 
>He already knows I'm alive!
 
'Fantastic! Oh this is so great, when he gets out we'll have to celebrate this!'
 
>Er...
 
"Huh, there's a coincidence for ya, we're on our way to find the Grand Poo-bah Bug Alien and ask her to let him out."
 
'Huh...I actually asked her the same thing!'
 
>...how'd that work out?
 
'She said she'd have to think about it.'
 
>...I don't know which way to take that considering he's still down there.
 
'I choose to believe she's putting it off. I won't deny it's probably not going to be a pleasant conversation.'
 
"NO conversation with that tosser is pleasant. Talks to bugs and rocks down in that cell, called me a sea bitch."
 
'He's not in a pleasant place, please don't hold it against him.'
 
>Alright...alright, this can work in my favor, I'm not the only for this, it's already on her mind. I just need some kind...some kind of...
 
"Angle?"
 
'Gift?'
 
"Incriminating photos?"
 
>I just need to figure out the best way to approach this...
 
'Can I make a suggestion?'
 
>Er...yeah?
 
'Whatever you do, don't try and come to her from a position of any kind of superiority, she'll laugh you off. But don't try and grovel, because then she'll just toy with you until she's gotten the best possible outcome for herself while minimizing your gains.
 
>...that all?
 
'Oh, and don't try to come to her as an equal...because you're probably not.'
 
>Well then how am I supposed to approach her!?
 
'...huh, you're right, this is a toughie. Hope you don't die.'
 
>...Gee, thanks.
 
'You're welcome.'
 
"Nice lady."
 
>Can't give up...
 
"Oh hey, Double-Eight! Watch out for those-"
 
CRASH!
 
'OW! OW! OW!'
 
"...stairs."
 
'I'M OK! THIS IS JUST PART OF THE SENSIFICATION PROCESS! EVERYTHING IS FINE!'
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Nc
>Vekir
~???~
 
>Test time! Ok! Pass the test, Vekir, pass all the tests!
 
~Vekir was just your average everyday Morlock~
 
>EEK! Who has spoken!?
 
~Going from one hairbrained scheme to another!~
 
>Brains are not made of hair...Vekir has learned this the hard way.
 
~But this summer that's all going to change?~
 
>It is!? Tell Vekir her future, soothsayer!
 
~This Summer one Morlock will embark on the journey of a lifetime! To lands too amazing to describe!~
 
>Vekir is liking this so far...
 
~She will meet a cast of colorful characters!~
 
>Are they puce? Vekir dislikes the color puce.
 
~And brave untold dangers-~
 
>What!? DO NOT UNTELL DANGERS! TELL THEM NOW!
 
~-to discover her true origins!~
 
>...Vekir knows how mating works, stupid voice!
 
~Vekir the Morlock and the Windigo's Howl~
 
>What's a Windy Gogo?
 
~Rated G~
 
>...Vekir is rated the entire alphabet, thank you!
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Non-Canon
> Pinkie
"Scootaloo"
~~~~
>Welcome to Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content doesn't matter and you find out I lied about the sneak peek I promised. Now for our main guest...Scootaloo!!!
Scootaloo power slides to a stop on her scooter.
 
"What happened to the ice cream cart I was chasing?"
 
> You get it after you answer my next question. Do you have any parents or guardians looking after you?
 
"They're-"
 
>Great answer! This has been another amazing radio play brought to you by-
 
"But I didn't- wait we're on the radio?"
 
>Uh oh, did I mix up the mediums again? Are we still in a written format? I guess we haven't found voice actors yet.
 
"What?"
 
>...why don't you go and get the ice cream?
 
Scootaloo wakes up to the sound of ice cream truck music.
"The ice cream is real!"
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
NC
 
>one thousand years later
 
>there was immense heartache...there was land-consuming war...and there was terrible loss
 
>but there was also great gain
 
>an uprise into a being that would never have to sign another Faust-damned piece of paper again
 
>"Praise Celestia...thought Ah'd go mad...."
 
"Hey AJ Prime!"
 
>"Oh, mornin', Queen Two. How's the Marchmalley Kingdom these days?"
 
"Fine as ever since the Morlocks and Diamond Dogs signed that treaty an' stopped bein' such numbskulls! Ya ever figure out what to do with that hammer?"
 
>"Naw. Mostly use it as a doorstep...or a back scratcher."
 
"HAH!"
 
>that laugh....
 
>"An' how's the ol' beetle doin'? Still not takin' it easy? Ah swear, she's more lively and annoyin' wit' that artificial heart than she evuh was wit' the real one!"
 
"That's not-mom fer' ya! Her an' Shiny are thiiiiiis close to findin' auntie Celly!"
 
>oh yeah...
 
>"Hawh, still can't believe she made that bet wit' 'em again, that crazy princess..."
 
"What's crazier is that more than half uh' Equestria 2 decided to join in on it!"
 
>"Yeah...that stallion there was somethin' special alright. What were the rules again? Been so long Ah done forgot."
 
"Auntie calls it the biggest game of hide an' seek eveeeeer! If Shiny can find her a'fore one thousand years are up then she'll finally make him an alicorn!"
 
>"Right, right... 'Cause obviously she already gave him some sorta boost if he's lasted this long."
 
>that last she muttered fondly
 
"So uh'course when word got out, not-mom joined in, so did Caddy, and 18, and Spike, and Twi'... And half of both our nations and the Gryphon Kingdom... This is hide an' seek on a global scale, hah!"
 
>AJ smirked, chuckling
 
>"He's worth it, that's fer' sure... Time limit's almost up, ain't it?"
 
"Yup! This is the laaaast year! All or nothin'!"
 
>"Good. 'Cause Ah gotta say... Ah miss mah dragon."
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
>Applejack
"Pinkie"
'Twilight'
[Dash]
{Fluttershy}
(Rarity)
~Various~
~~~~
 
>NEXT!
 
~GIANT! STAR! BEARS! WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY MADE OF!?~
 
>We're workin' on the dang guard situation.
 
~Guard situation!? The fuck is a guard going to do!? I know ones that can shoot lasers and I wouldn't trust them to take on the BABIES!~
 
>We're workin' on it!
 
~Unless you plan on making them cyborgs, working on it isn't going to do shit!~
 
>...
 
"Ah, no. That one backfired... horribly."
 
~...~
 
"I could fix him if I could just find him!"
 
~Fuck.~
 
~~~~
 
~What the fuck are you the princess of, anyway?~
 
(I have NO idea, darling.)
 
{I'm not actually a princess...}
 
"Friendship, I think? I don't know, I feel like I need a song number to explain this but I never got it."
 
>Paperwork.
 
'Does this look like a horn to you!?'
 
[I'm princess of awesome. Lack of a horn, you say? I'm so awesome I don't need a horn, end of story.]
 
^...Am I a prince? Was I officially adopted? Do I... does that count? What the fuck!?^
 
~Uh-~
 
^WHO AM I!?^
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
>Pommel
"Daw"
'Guard'
[???]
~~~
 
"The WHAT!?"
 
Pommel groaned theatrically, mashing a hoof to his face at the guard's words.
 
>Really? She's seriously over in the EMPIRE!?
 
'Are... are you surprised? She practically lives over there now. I'm pretty sure she sleeps over there.'
 
"...Ohhhh! It's like THAT is it? Eh? Prince o' the place givin' her a bit of the old spear and flail?"
 
Pointedly, he ignored her elbowing him in the side and waggling her eyebrows.
 
>He's not like that, Jackie.
 
"Oh sure, she's jus' sleepin' over on his side o' the map cause she likes the pillows over there, eh? Yeah, I bet she likes 'em. Bet she likes the taste, that is."
 
>Ignoring that!
 
"Talkin' bout in the-"
 
>IGNORING THAT!... So, since she's over there-
 
"DAMN! We gotta go on the fuckin' train again!? Gettin' real sick o' this shit, Pom. If I wanted ta' sit on a rocky nothin' while scenery passes me by, I'd have stayed on the ship!"
 
'...Or you could just use the portal, they recharged the backup yesterday.'
 
"...The what now?"
 
>Thanks buddy, I owe you one.
 
'Hey, anything for the guy who came back from the dead and still inexplicably wants to be a guard.'
 
>...Right.
 
"What's this now? Don't you ignore me!"
 
~~~
 
"What the hell is this!?"
 
He ignored her, flicking the switch on the side of the contraption. In tune, the wall itself began to hum to life, and the very world before him distorted.
 
"What the hell!?"
 
>You coming?
 
She looked over his shoulder, unsure.
 
"If this takes us ta' some kind of freaky dimension-"
 
>Oh, come on, what're the odds that happens three times?
 
"..."
 
>Fine, four, but I only count that one because you bite when I don't.
 
"Pfft.... thought you like it when I bite."
 
>ONWARD!
 
As one, they stepped forwards, into the rippling world and out into the light.
 
And then Daw started screaming.
 
"BLOODY HELL! IS THIS ALL CRYSTAL!? WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS!? THE FUCK IS THAT!?... Wait..."
 
>DAW NO!
 
She ignored him, rushing past and grabbing hold of a pony statue made out of crystal.
 
>DAW!
 
"Shut up and open that thing again! Nobody's gonna miss one of these things, and it must be worth a mint!"
 
[Thanks! But I'm pretty sure my family would miss me.]
 
"....AHHHHHH!"
 
She dropped him, sliding back away from the, very obviously alive, pony.
 
He took it in stride.
 
[Hi! Welcome to the Crystal Empire, I didn't know we would be having visitors-]
 
"THE FUCK ARE YOU!? THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOUR SKIN!? ARE YOU ACTUALLY MADE O' CRYSTAL!? ARE THOSE YOUR ORGANS!? WHAT THE FUCK IS GOIN' ON!?"
 
>...They're crystal ponies.
 
"YA' DIDN'T SAY THEY WERE FUCKIN' MADE OF IT!"
 
>Pretty sure I did, and you just didn't-and now she has seen the window... three... two...
 
"...WHAT THE FUCK!? THE... THE FUCKIN' TOWN IS MADE OF THIS STUFF!? HOW!??"
 
[Is she going to be like this her whole trip?]
 
>Probably.
 
"THERE IS NO SACK BIG ENOUGH, BUT DAMN IT IF AH' DON'T WANT TA' TRY!"
 
>....On another note, do you know where I might find Queen Chrysalis? It's urgent.
 
[Down the hall, fifth door on the right.]
 
>Thanks. Come on, Daw!
 
"I WANT IT ALL!"
 
Her screams got lower and lower as they descended the hall, leaving behind a very exasperated guard.
 
[Fucking Canties.]
 
~~~
 
The door to the kitchen was surprisingly intimidating, considering.
 
Nonetheless, Pommel took a deep, steadying breath, and nodded to his partner.
 
>So, you know the plan, right?
 
"What plan? Ya' just told me ta' stay out here."
 
>...
 
"...Cheeky asshole."
 
>I'm serious, last thing I need is you setting her off.
 
"Oh, cause obviously I'LL set her off."
 
>...
 
"...Just go."
 
He nodded, giving her one last peck on the cheek before stepping inside of the massive doors.
 
Daw counted to three...
 
And then started looking for a back way in.
 
"Fuckin' think I'm gonna let him fight the bug monster on his own... fuckin' idiot."
 
She didn't know what he would face in there...
 
But he wasn't going to fight it alone.
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
~~~~~~
 
The former guard known as Bronze Pommel remembered a time when Queen Chrysalis was one of the most feared creatures on the planet.
 
He remembered the invasion. He remembered the fear that crept through them all at the mere thought that one of their friends could secretly be a monster in disguise, the thought that a being who's power eclipsed Celestia's own and the one who defeated the Elements of Harmony could be right next to you as you walked down the street was simply terrifying. He had been there in the battle for Canterlot, he knew that they were outgunned and outmatched, physically and capability wise. A single changeling was more than enough for even a small patrol of guards, and she in her vast power was beyond even that. Perhaps even beyond their entire army combined. The idea their captain could be taken and used against them like he was showed that none of them were safe, even in their minds. What she was capable of... was terrifying.
 
Which is why, even after months of seeing things of this nature first hand, he still had a hard time processing it when he saw her sitting cheerfully in the kitchen of the Crystal Empire, a bowl of ice cream in front of her and not a care in the world for the mess surrounding her.
 
Some weird book hovered in front of her, floating magically in her grasp yet holding very little of her attention. She seemed almost distracted with nothing at all, mind elsewhere. Hopefully, this meant she was in a good mood.
 
“And just who are you?”
 
As with most times he dared to hope, this one was dashed away quite brutally.
 
The eyes that turned on him were ones he had seen before. He recalled seeing them on the cat of his childhood when she had a mouse in her grasp, just before the final strike.
 
He missed that cat.
 
“What, oh what, could a guard like you be doing in the Crystal Empire?”
 
It seemed almost surreal how she had snapped from an aloof, easygoing slump to a prim and almost maliciously playful gait in under a second, transforming her demeanor far more effectively with a twitch of her lips far more effectively than any disguise magic ever could accomplish. He felt an odd chill as she rose, quite literally, from her chair and practically floated over to him, hooves seemingly never even touching the ground.
 
“Or perhaps I am wrong? An... ex-guard perhaps? One who has left the service of the crown due to recent events?”
 
He almost bristled, completely involuntarily, but she caught it all the same.
 
Patronizingly, she flicked his ear.
 
“Ohhh, I did not mean to offend. So, a present guard, yet you are in the Crystal Empire... curious. Whatever could you be looking for over here? Perhaps trying to get in on the training that lead to those who so easily defeated you at your little 'get togethers'? Perhaps you are merely here to see the sights, the splendor of a land made of such precious jewels? Maybe you simply felt like seeing your dear old captain again... Oh no no, none of that.”
 
That smile she gave was positively... unsettling.
 
“You want something.”
 
He reflexively sucked in air through his nose, mouth already opening to speak in shock, yet an astonishingly gentle hoof poked just under his chin, closing it before anything could escape.
 
“Come now, do you really think I do not know of the look of want? Do you really think you of all ponies are the first to come to me with a request of some form.”
 
Almost ethereally, she floated into the air.
 
“So many of your fellows came to me after my arrival. Some wished for power, of course. They wished to be granted magic equivalent to that which had so easily defeated them. Some... even asked to become changelings themselves. To gain our skin of armor, our wings to fly, and our power to blast away their foes.”
 
Denial. That's all that rang through his mind as she spoke. Denying that any guard would ever give up their species, and with it likely their loyalty, for something as simple as power.
 
But... sadly, his trip had taught him that not everyone was as... strong.
 
“I denied them all, in case you were wondering... besides them of course there were those who wished our secrets. Unicorn who wished to know of the magic we cast upon ourselves and the ability to harness love itself as a weapon. Many sought out that as well. I denied them all.”
 
Her grin changed again, becoming positively... wicked.
 
“We both know there was yet another group who came to me. Those who sought the physical and magical in another way... those who wished to give us love, more 'directly'.”
 
Suddenly, his stomach began to sink.
 
“I remember them well... “You can have all my love if I can have one night with Princess Celestia.” “You can drain me dry if you turn into the mare in this picture.” “Give me one more night with my wife... and you can do whatever you want.” Many many many requests, varied and wide. Simple fulfillment of fantasies, ex-lovers who wished to leave on better terms, and of course the many who simply wished for a night with a changeling, just to say they had. We came to Canterlot, after all, and the rich have their vices.”
 
He didn't know why that made his belly churn, really. He knew changelings, some of his best friends were changelings, nothing about them engaging in carnal relations should put him off... but the thought did. The thought of being used like that... it made him feel nauseous.
 
“But, of course, I denied them as well... not out of altruism or sense of prudishness, of course. If you really think that I, as a changeling, have problems with my subjects engaging in the more physical parts of life to gain power, you are sadly mistaken."
 
Her smirk wavered, but did not go away.
 
"No, my reasoning was merely one of politics, of not wishing to be seen as secret invaders of the red light district or nothing but a race of whores. Our power was not to be disregarded, and my subjects being rutted for the pleasure of the elite would put a damper on that image. Merely politics...”
 
“Why... why are you telling me all of this?”
 
He had at last found the strength to speak. And by the look she gave him as her head snapped around, he wished he had not.
 
“Because I have seen 'want', little guard. I have seen it in all its forms. I have seen it both intense and merely that of curiosity, and as a changeling I am ever so skilled at discerning what ever look means. I have seen it all.”
 
In the blink of an eye, she was in his face, her snout almost pressing against his.
 
“Which is why I know when someone is coming to me with something they know is impossible, and yet still has the gall to try to speak to me anyway. This is very... unsettling to me. It makes me feel like the poor soul who wishes to ask this somehow thinks my personal time is to be trifled with. That my stature is somehow is lesser due to the fact I am having my own little fun.”
 
Flickers of fire began to dance on her horn.
 
“Unfortunately for you, you are just the most recent in a long list of personal displeasures that has been hounding me for the longest time, and as such I have very little tolerance left for any who would think me one who will accept my crown being regarded as anything less than it is. So, little soldier, think very, very clearly before you speak, and truly question yourself if whatever niggling need of 'want' in your mind is worth the fact that if the next thing that comes out of your mouth in any way displeases me, I will take over your mind and make you jump into a vat of tar then roll around in feathers, just to make an example of you. Or, you could walk away, scott free and without consequence. Your choice, choose it wisely.”
 
He could see it, in his mind.
 
The faces of a hundred other guards who no doubt got this very speech, got this very threat, and got this very chance to bolt and run.
 
It hurt when he wondered how many had turn tail at this very moment, and how unlikely it was any of them stayed.
 
But he, of course, had no such option.
 
“Thirty. Two.”
 
Just as fast as she had slipped into this coy, controlling demeanor, she slipped into a blank, expressionless one.
 
“So... you are Pommel.”
 
He nodded, stern and unblinking, not showing the least bit of surprise that she knew his name. She saw through it anyway.
 
“When my enemy starts gathering allies, did you really think I would not take notice?”
 
“You don't seem surprised to see me alive.”
 
Her eyes flickered off to the side for a brief second, distracted.
 
“Shining... was quite elated you were alive. He couldn't help but share it with me.”
 
He had to force down how touched that made him. Bigger things to think about right now, after all.
 
“Then you know what I want to ask.”
 
Her eyebrow shot up, a touch affronted at his words. Regally, she rose to her full height, glaring down at him from around her snout.
 
“And just what is it that got into your pitiful little head that made you, an ally of the one who tried to murder me, come to me of all beings and try to seek mercy? I don't know what you may have heard through rumors or the like, but any who imply I am willing to overlook such transgressions are quite false. I am very stingy with any forgiveness I miserly dole out.”
 
“That's not what I've heard.”
 
A powerful magic was around his throat in a second, and he found himself hoisted up into the air by the magical noose that constricted his airpipe. A blade of emerald flame was before his left eye in a second, tip hovering capriciously close to his iris.
 
Her snarling, glaring face filled up the rest of his sight.
 
“As I said... those rumors are false.”
 
He choked, hooves pawing uselessly at the magic around his neck as his own magic struggled in vain to pull it off.
 
“You d-don't have to show off, you know.”
 
“I am merely reiterating a truth you ponies and certain others seem to have forgotten, which I will be more than happy to remind you.”
 
“Y-you know, most rulers are happy when their subjects think they are merciful.”
 
“I am not most rulers.”
 
“Y-yeah, can see that... most rulers have a kingdom.”
 
Her eyes went wide in offense, the snarl on her face deepening to animalistic levels. With a single twitch of her neck, the blade swung back...
 
And then shot forwards, right into his eye.
 
He panicked instinctively, thrashing around and sparking out whatever magic he could, but it was all in vain. Nothing could stop the blade.
 
Thankfully, nothing needed to.
 
It dispersed on contact, becoming little more than air that brushed past his eye and causing, instead of the all encompassing pain he expected, mild irritation.
 
He was dropped the the floor unceremoniously, and looked down upon with nothing short of pure derision.
 
“Remember that, how easily I can take your life, before you speak to me like that again. I am QUEEN CHRYSALIS, and I will be regarded as such or not at all.”
 
He choked, hooves rubbing his throat and eye in equal measure.
 
“And be thankful that I have so little care for you, or your friend, as to do anything more than this.”
 
From behind her head, a twitching, struggling shape was brought forth. Immediately, Pommel recognized what, or rather who, it was.
 
Just as unceremoniously, Jacqueline Daw released from the all surrounding green flame, and was plopped next to him.
 
“Jackie! I said to wait outside!”
 
She just rolled her eyes, annoyed.
 
“Yeah, well, ya' also said this bitch wouldn't try ta' kill ya' in the middle of the freakin' castle, but look at ya' now!”
 
“She was showing off.”
 
“Looked real ya' know!”
 
“Think that was the point.”
 
A massive black hoof slammed down, cutting them both off.
 
“If you children are quite finished, you may get to the part where you scamper off.”
 
The Queen expected them to do as she commanded, as she ordered them to. It had worked every time, well almost every time, before. This time should have been no different.
 
Yet... they remained.
 
Unafraid.
 
“Told you! Royals are all the same, try ta' even imply they ain't as important as they think and everyone doesn't have to just line up and bow and they get all angry.”
 
“I know, but I'm still trying to talk to her.”
 
“Waste of time!”
 
Derisively, Chrysalis scoffed.
 
“I agree, now leave.”
 
“See? She ain't even botherin' ta' lie to us like she did that poor gal.”
 
Angrily, the pegasus hopped up, stomping right up to the Queen and threateningly waving her hoof at the taller mare.
 
“You got that thing all worked up thinking you're gonna give him a chance, but you were just lyin' through your teeth like every other fuckin' royal out there. “Oh, we care about the common folk and we're oh so forgiving” PAH!”
 
Gradually, Chrysalis's neck craned down, until she looked right into the mare's eyes.
 
“I am not forgiving to insubordination, and I will prove it to you if you keep pushing me.”
 
“See!? Why're ya' even lying! Just tell the truth so we can all call you the bitch you are!”
 
Pommel expected her to rage, to take offense to that, to in some way violently react to his lover's screams.
 
Instead, the changeling merely looked to him with the most deadpan, irritated glance he had ever seen.
 
“Is she special needs? Be honest with me here, are you making me pick on a slow child? I can literally set her on fire right here with my mind, and she just keeps yapping at me like a damned puppy. Be honest, is she... 'special'?”
 
Maybe, in another life, he would have found something fun at this. At the blue pegasus huffing at the insult, and preparing to launch into a slew of her own insults that no doubt would range from how many cacti Chrysalis could fit in certain areas and the amount of drinks said changeling's mother ingested while pregnant.
 
A part of him hated cutting her off from that.
 
“Well? Is she right?”
 
His voice, despite going to a near whisper, caught both of their attention just as easily as if he had screamed.
 
“Are you really just humoring Eighty Eight? Is there... is there really no chance you will ever let Thirty Two out without... ending him?”
 
She rose up, her face once more going tellingly blank.
 
“If there's no chance, if he's just destined to die in there... just tell me now. At least this way, won't cling to the hope he can come back, at least this way I won't have to lie to him every time I go see him. Just... just tell me if you're set in this, and I'll go.”
 
Her eyelids closed, narrowing into a glare.
 
“Why? So you can start scheming how to break him out?”
 
He laughed at that.
 
A bitter, almost spiteful laugh.
 
“He said... he made me promise not to, Chrysalis. He made me promise I wouldn't try to get him out of there. He knows if he did, you would send someone after him... or worse, Eighty Eight or Seventy Seven would follow him. Chase him into the big unknown far away from their loved ones and hive. And you'd never quit... of fucking course you'd never quit. If you wanted him locked up so you didn't have to worry, you would make damn sure he wasn't alive enough to make you lose a wink of sleep.”
 
She remained silent, regarding him with a cold gaze.
 
“I need to know so that... so that if he doesn't want to waste away down there, I can... 'help him'.”
 
Jacqueline's eyes went wide in horror, her breath hitching in her chest at his words. Beside her, the Queen remained unblinking, unmoving, but ever so subtly twitching.
 
“Are you surprised? I've seen what happens to those who don't get out of there. I've seen them wither away into nothing as year after year passes. How long do you think he would last before he tried to do it himself? A year? More? Maybe less? He wouldn't be able to stand it down there, and he'd be right to want out of that. Nobody deserve to rot in a ten by ten as the months tick away, no friends but the fucking cockroaches and whoever can give you the time of day. Nobody deserves that, and least of all the friend without whom I would be dead right now. Just tell me, right now, if there's no chance... and you'll never have to worry about him ever again. I won't even make you dirty your fucking hooves, I'll handle it myself.”
 
Despite the weight of his words, she seemed almost... curious.
 
“You really think you'd be able to do that?”
 
“He'll do it with or without me. At least this way... I can make sure it's painless.”
 
She locked eyes with him, his desperate glare matched only by her own cold, stone hard one. The time passed and they remained like that. Still as the water on a windless night.
 
To the two ponies surprise, she was the first one to move, standing up fully and turning away from him.
 
“The matter is being looked into.”
 
Rage bubbled up inside of him, so much so he simply could not keep it in.
 
“What kind of non-answer is that!?”
 
“The only one I am willing to give to some nobody who cavorts with regicidal maniacs.”
 
“Just give me a yes or no!”
 
“I haven't reached that stage yes.”
 
“Yes or no, Chrysalis! Is my friend going to die down there or does he have a chance!?”
 
She snapped back, glaring with an inferno of intensity.
 
“What did I just say about demanding anything of me you little imbecile?”
 
But her own fire was nothing compared to his own.
 
“You know what!? Fine! Blame it on me! Say I came to you and made demands and now you have to make an example, whatever! Say whatever you need so you can sleep at night, just don't dick around with the life of my friend like this! Give me an answer, yes or no! Give me an answer so that Seventy Seven doesn't have to count the days until he can see his brother again! Give me an answer so Eighty Eight doesn't keep calling out for someone who will never be there! Give me a damn answer!”
 
She marched forwards, power rippling off every single step she took and rattling the entire kitchen. Green waves raced away from her as if in fear of the dark look upon her face, and Pommel could just barely stand upright as each wave threatened to knock him away as it did Daw.
 
But remain standing, he did, even when she narrowed in dangerously close to him.
 
Her breath was low, and hot. Every bit as much as the words she spoke.
 
“I informed my... former subordinate I would speak to the prisoner before making any more decisions, I have not yet. If you want your answer, come to me after I have spoken to him, and determined he will never stop hounding for my head. After that happens, I'll be more than happy to tell you exactly where you need to press to close off a changeling's airpipe.”
 
His glare never lowered, never even diminished in the slightest.
 
“You're not even going to give him a chance, are you? You're just going to make up something like “it's a trick” or “he's lying” or something, aren't you?”
 
At last, she broke away.
 
“My final word on the matter is said, nothing more regarding the prisoner shall be discussed until after I have had words with him. If you wish to act on your own before such time, that is between you and him. I have said I will listen to any pleas of mercy from him, and I shall. The end.”
 
Off to the side, the pegasus mare angrily brushed the remains of kitchenware off her coat, all but spitting at the dark mare.
 
“Fuckin' figured.”
 
She paid no mind to the derision, and dragged the pegasus to Pommel's side.
 
“It's your fault he's like this. You don't even have the guts to take responsibility for what you did to him.”
 
She scoffed, waving dismissively to them.
 
“Leave, now.”
 
“What are you going to do? Threaten me? Why should I listen to you?”
 
He spat the words, full of unrestrained bitterness and spite, daring her to attack him again.
 
She gave no care to the venom, and merely smirked.
 
“You speak as if I gave you a choice in the matter.”
 
“LOOK OUT!”
 
Her warning came too late. Before either could react, a ring of fire had shot around them, completely encircling them in the blink of an eye.
 
“No wonder nobody respects you.”
 
She laughed, light and chittering.
 
“This is why, you know, since you can't put it together on your own.”
 
“Hm? Why what, little soldier?”
 
He didn't even flinch at the fires intensity, instead remaining locked in on her like a target, glaring daggers at her still smiling face.
 
“This is why Shining Armor will never love you.”
 
As if it had been slapped away, her smile left her face.
 
With a roar, she swung her hoof, and in a flash of magic it was as if the pair had never been. Alone. She was left purely, and utterly, alone.
 
She composed herself with magic, in a flash, not so much as a hint of a twitching eye remaining in it's wake.
 
Regally, she walked back over to her long forgotten seat, sunk in, brought her ice cream before her again and lifted her spoon. But she did not take a bite, just yet.
 
“...I think that little bitch spat in my ice cream...”
 
There was a pause of quiet in the room. A pause that was only broken by a roar of anger, and a hoof swinging across the counter and launching the bowl into an early demise.
 
With nothing left but a smear of befouled ice cream and shards of crystal to accompany her, she remained in that kitchen.
 
Alone.
 
Once more... alone.
 
Smoothly, she raised back up the book she had been looking into, bringing it before her face once more. Silently, a pen fluttered out of her mane, and floated above the book. More specifically... the loose paper hidden inside of the book.
 
The pen hovered there, over that parchment, tip of its quill mere centimeters from touching, but never quite managing.
 
It remained there, frozen, just as it always had.
 
Just beneath the line on the bottom of the words “Alternatives”... where the parchment was completely blank.
 
After several minutes without a single movement, she closed the book, and set it down.
 
Just as softly, she put her hooves in her head to stifle the headache that would not leave.
 
With nothing else to do, she remained there, alone... and wished for the days she was in control to come back once more.
 
Just like the last thousand times she had asked... they denied her.
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 >29
"???"
'???'
[???]
~~~
 
>Ah ha! Mine abode of residence! Mine land where upon my head may lay! What light into mine heart it brings, what joy I see unto thee with every sight that doth tickle my eye. Huzzah! Huzzah and a thousand more besides! A thousand more to- WHAT THE FIZZLE BISCUITS!?
 
"...Hi Niney."
 
'We burned down your apartment.'
 
[We!? How is this you speak of we!? We had naught to do with it, it was thee!]
 
'I just feel like this was ALL of our faults.'
 
"How!?"
 
'Well, we didn't stop it in time. That's on you, miss 'I control the fire department'.'
 
"I FUND the fire department, it's controlled by the chief!"
 
'See? She's already accepting it. Don't worry, marey, it was all of our faults.'
 
"..."
 
[Hold me back. I'm about to attack.]
 
'No need to get violent, everyone makes mistakes! And we should all forgive her, right team?'
 
"..."
[...]
 
'Right!'
 
"I-ugh... come on, Niney, you can bunk in my apartment until this place gets repaired."
 
'Great! Let me get my bag. Don't worry, I saved it!'
 
"NOT YOU!"
 
'Hey! We're not gonna take that! If Niney can't go I can't go!'
 
"I said he was fine, YOU on the other hoof..."
 
'Good, glad we got that cleared up.'
 
"..."
 
'I SAVED YOUR ASS!'
 
"I-ugh guess you're right, we can't leave you on the streets... Zecora?"
 
[If all she is going to do is whine, you can take her and I Twenty Nine.]
 
"Unfair! He does sexy talk instead of annoying talk!"
 
'HEY!'
 
[He also has children who need tending to. Come now, you know my superiority there is true.]
 
"I can watch the kids! I like kids!"
 
[...]
 
"I do! You take Trixie!"
 
[You.]
 
"You!"
[You!]
["YOUYOUYOUYOUYOUYOUYOU-"]
 
'...Trixie feels the love...'
 
>...NOOOOO! MY BONZAI!
 
'Trixie saved it!'
 
>PHEW!
 
'But, uh... then a... pelican ate it.'
 
>...A pelican.
 
'Yes.'
 
>A sea locked bird.
 
'IT WAS A HUNGRY PELICAN!'
 
>...
 
'...Also, where did you get this? It t-... SMELLED delicious!'
 
>...
 
["YOUYOUYOUYOUYOUYOU-"]
 
>I wanna go back in the tube.
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
>Pommel
"Daw"
'CEGuard'
~~~
 
"Well, that went-"
 
>Don't.
 
"...That went-"
 
>Don't you dare.
 
"...That went SWIMMINGLY!"
 
He groaned, falling backwards in embarrassment and causing quite the splash of fountain water.
 
Beside him, the ex-pirate shrugged.
 
"I had to."
 
>You did not, you liar.
 
"I had to. It compelled me. Takin' over my mind, Pompom!"
 
'Uh... you guys aren't allowed in there.'
 
"Tell it ta' the dang alien who put us in here!"
 
'...Alien?'
 
>She means Chrysalis.
 
'...It's a step up from bug monster, I guess.'
 
"HAH! Bug monster! I like that name!"
 
'...Fucking canties.'
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
>Applejack
"Pinkie"
'Twilight'
[Dash]
{Fluttershy}
(Rarity)
~Various~
~~~~
 
>NEXT!
 
~So... how do we know that changelings haven't been replacing a good chunk of our higher officials? Like... they could have done that before even revealing themselves. Couldn't literally anyone you don't personally know be a changeling?
 
>Chrysalis said they ain't replacin' nobody.
 
~As opposed to what she would say if they were, which is 'totally' apparently? What's stopping her from just doing this, waiting until they build lives and families and what have you and then just pulling off the veil, revealing all that stuff you liked was actually them the whole time? All they have to do is replace a couple dickish, corrupt politicians and ponies won't WANT to get rid of them!~
 
>...
"..."
'...'
[...]
{...}
(...Huh.)
 
'We'll... uh... we'll handle that with a special... changeling detector.'
 
~Oh thank goodness, you have one of those?~
 
'...Yes.'
 
~PHEW! Load off my mind! Thanks!~
 
>....
 
'Element of LAUGHTER, AJ, you're honesty. And there ain't nothin' funny about what he just said.'
 
>Really?
 
'If nothing else, I'll claim it was the worlds greatest prank.'
 
>..Really?
 
^Dang it, now I'm super suspicious about Mayor Mare...^
 
>She did abruptly start gettin' better after a changeling showed up workin' fer' her.
 
"...Fuck. You win this round, Chrysalis."
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
>SC
“56”
‘Rumble’
____
 
The others had gone home early, all the other hopefuls and wannabe Sky-Divers.
 
Sky-Divers.
 
That was a little nickname a few of them had coined, a group name reserved for the day when they all eventually graduated and took to the skies as graduates.
 
…But who would’ve figured the loss of Spitfire would leave such a demoralizing impact?
 
Not even Scootaloo’s stimulating eagerness or 56’s endless optimism could restore what had been broken, what had been lost, and most days it was better to just stay silent and go through the motions of what little they’d been tau-
 
“I’m never gonna fly with Moons. Am I?”
 
The only other two that remained in the room looked as though forcibly fed a batch of baked bads.
 
>Shut up, bug. No one wants to hear that right now….
 
“Jus’ ‘cause ya don’t wanna hear it don’t make it less true.”
 
‘…He’s right, you know.’
 
>Okay, so he is. For once. You two gonna jump ship and head home early, too?
 
“Told ya flat flanks got a naturally bad ‘tude, Rumble.”
 
‘I see it, I see it.’
 
>What did you say?!
 
“I said ya got a bad attitude, flat flank!"
 
‘Oh, sheesh, c’mon, 56, you weren’t supposed to actually repeat-’
 
>YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT I HAVE A BAD ATTITUDE! EVER SINCE SPITFIRE LEFT IT’S BEEN LIKE A GRAVEYARD AROUND HERE! NOBODY’S MOTIVATED! NOBODY WANTS TO FLY! WE’RE ALWAYS THE ONLY ONES TO STAY FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS! AND THEN- HA! AND THEN TO TOP IT ALL OFF RAINBOW DASH JUST MOVES RIGHT INTO PRINCESS APPLEJACK’S OFFICE AND JUST… a-and just….
 
“Forgets us?”
 
>Shut up! She did NOT forget us! She’s just… obviously she’s up there right now trying to, um… trying to find us another flight instructor!
 
‘Hey… hey, yeah! That makes sense! I’ll bet it’s someone cooler and better than Spitfire!’
 
56 merely blinked.
 
“‘Kay, I’m all for dreamin’ and whatnot, really, I am—I do it every time I picture me’n Moons together—but someone better than fire booty? The same mare even Rainbowbutt herself admits is still one of the best? Seriously?”
 
Scootaloo and Rumble shared looks of anxiousness, neither of them able to offer a response.
 
Though, luckily, when 56 shrugged and dropped to the floor, they found they wouldn’t have to.
 
“Makes sense to me.”
 
>What… what are you doing?
 
“Wuzzit look like? Push-ups. Bulky gave us an extra set yesterday an’ I plan on meetin’ our new teacher with a strong ‘OH YEEEEAH!’ when they get here.”
 
>…
 
‘…’
 
Wordlessly, the two other Junior Fliers sank down next their changeling partner and fell into rhythm.
 
Up.
 
Down.
 
Up.
 
Do-
 
“If the next one’s a mare, she’d better have a booty just as nice as Spits, that’s all I’m askin’.”
 
‘Agreed.’
 
>Please shut up….
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
>Sucker Punch
"41"
 
>...
 
"..."
 
>...
 
"..."
 
>Okay, y'know what?
 
"What?"
 
>Fuck this.
 
"Fuck...what exactly?"
 
>This, this moping around, waiting for the hoof of god to come down and squish us like...well, metaphorical bugs. This ain't us, this has never been what we were about!
 
"...we were about something?"
 
>Well yeah! We were about...uh...well trying to kill each other at first. Wow, talk about a weird start to a friendship.
 
"Meh, there have probably been weirder. The dead guy's banging a pirate now, that probably started weird."
 
>Point, but still, then we were all about just...going out there and DOING stuff! First it was just us trying to prove who's better at what, then it was going to karate movies and stuff like that, there was that time with the arcade and the karaoke...
 
"Sitting through a bunch of corporate propaganda to get you a lightning hoof."
 
>...OH SHIT.
 
"What?"
 
>I uh...I used the last charge...
 
"What?! When!?"
 
>Sometime during the mushroom attack, I think? It's kind of hazy, but yeah...
 
"Was wondering why I didn't hear electricity crackling."
 
>Yeah, it was kind of a pain to sleep with that thing.
 
"I noticed."
 
>"Good riddance."
 
>But yeah, we should just go do something, live life like it could end at any moment!
 
"Especially now when it might!"
 
>That's the spirit! C'mon! Let's go downtown and get some pizzas!
 
"Palomino Bros?"
 
>Palo-fucking-mino Bros!
 
"Woohoo!"
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
>Chrysalis
"???"
~~~~~
 
She didn't know how long she had been in there. Didn't know if anyone had even noticed. She must have been missing for hours now, but nobody had come to see her yet. Were they avoiding her? Giving her some space? Or just ignoring her for the moment? She didn't know...
 
Which, now that she thought about it, was becoming something of a recurring theme with her. She didn't know a lot of things.
 
For instance, how to turn this event to her favor. Right now, all eyes were on her, and more than a few of them were no doubt waiting for her to stumble so they might swoop in and knock her down. She had made allies in the recent months, allies that would possibly be compromised if she played this wrong.
 
And then of course... there was a certain 'other' group she needed to take into account.
 
But despite all of this, no matter how much she looked at her paper, she just couldn't think of an alternative to his death. It would be in her favor if he were to suddenly be permanently removed from the equation, a sign to all those who went against her of the consequences and the freedom from any worry he might turn his morlock followers against her. His death would benefit her the most, and with this new revelation she had an out to boot.
 
As such, finding alternatives to his demise was proving... increasingly difficult, and it had already been impossible.
 
Perhaps... perhaps it would be best if she merely went down there, confirmed her suspicion, and allowed that pony to follow through on his promise. All she had to do was speak to him for a few seconds, and then she could tell everyone her attempt had failed. They'd believe her, none would have any evidence that she would be lying. Even Twilight would admit he would be unlikely to ever give up his quest. It would just take a moment...
 
The minutes kept ticking away, and she hadn't moved yet.
 
>...Maybe I should-
 
SLAM!
 
"AHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
 
>...
 
"EMPRESS INSECTA! I HAVE AMAAAAAAAAAZZZIING NEWSAHAHAHAHHA! THE CASTLE WITH WHICH WE-... Shoot! I mean, bouncy castle is here!"
 
>... Heh, cool, Maney. I'll go bounce with you in a bit.
 
She froze, every inch from her hooftips to the ends of every long tendril of hair. She just could not move.
 
"...Insecta! What TROUBLES you?"
 
>What makes you think I'm troubled?
 
"Because you went HEH! That is not the Insecta I know! You should go HAH!"
 
>...You do that pretty accurately.
 
"HAH!"
 
>Ahhh, it's nothing Maney, not supervillain stuff.
 
"AHAHAHAH! But I am a supervillain no LOONNNGER, remember? I have joined forced with the FOOOOOOLISH POWER PONIESAHAHAHAHAAH!"
 
>Not superhero stuff either.
 
"...Is it fighting stuff?"
 
>Nope.
 
"LIES! Everything is fighting stuff! I once had an EPIIIC battle trying to get breakfast! ALL THINGS INVOLVE BATTLES!"
 
She knew the thought that had come into her mind was stupid, idiotic, completely asinine and any other derogatory word she could think up.
 
And yet...
 
>Hey, Maney?
 
"YESSSS?... I mean, what's up?"
 
>If you had Masked Matterhorn locked up in a cage, and everyone wanted you to let her out... would you?
 
"....Nope!"
 
>See! That's what I'm saying, because she'd fight you, right? And your life is a whole lot easier when nobody is trying to fight you?
 
"Right!"
 
>And that's bad!
 
"INDEEEED!"
 
>Thank you!
 
"...Is... is that it?"
 
>Pretty much.
 
The crazed mare looked all around, waiting for any more elaboration to come from her insectoid friend.
 
None came.
 
"Huh... that's silly! I never let Masked Matterhorn out when I ensnare her in my EEEVVVILL CONTRAPTIONS!.... She mostly just breaks out."
 
>Well, yeah, but in this case she can never ever break out.
 
"...Never... ever?"
 
>Right.
 
"...You mean until a big event happens, and we need to team up, right?"
 
>Nope, never let out.
 
"....Never?"
 
The moment she saw those tendrils slump down ever so slightly, it hit the Changeling that she may have made the biggest mistake in her entire life.
 
"No more foiling my plots, or listening to my plans, or stopping my machines? She just... sits in the prison for all of time, and that's it?"
 
>Yes. And she never fights you.
 
"Yeah... yeah that would be nice."
 
Terror gripped the Queen's heart as, ever so subtly, Mane-Iac's colors seemed to... dim, just a bit.
 
>What's the matter?
 
"Hm? Oh, I guess nothing."
 
>Maney?
 
"...I didn't like it when they locked me up in the prison."
 
The tips of her hair slithered around her, almost protectively.
 
"They kept saying they did it so I would get better, if I stayed in there they would help me... but it never helped. They tied up my mane, they put chains on me, they made it so I couldn't move all that well... and they said it was so I would get better. But... I never got any better. Since I got here, I've gotten better, I've made friends and stuff, I don't hurt ponies as often and I'm not trying to take over the world... I didn't get any better in there, I got worse. If someone tried to lock me up again, I'd just keep trying to break out forever."
 
>W-what... what if you couldn't?
 
No matter how hard she thought, Chrysalis could not think of a single moment, any time, when she could recall Mane-Iac looking her right in the eye, just like now.
 
"I'd go crazy."
 
It was, bluntly put, surreal to sit in the room alone with Mane-Iac, and have it be completely silent. It was... wrong. It was wrong that she wasn't bouncing around, laughing and cackling with joy. Everything about this, absolutely everything, felt wrong.
 
>....HAH! And what, like you're not already crazy?
 
Chrysalis didn't know if it was her tone, the way she threw a foreleg over her shoulders, the light elbowing into the madmares side, or just the way she evilly smirked at her while dodging those tendrils. Whatever it was, it was as if someone had magically changed the saturation of the room, and it was bright and vibrant once more.
 
"AHHHAHAHAHHA! NOOOOO! It is EVERYONE ELSE who is craaaazzzy! I mean, you wanted to talk about locking ponies up instead of LEAPING atop the MAAAAGICAL ROOM OF BOUNCING!... That's nuts!"
 
>HAH! You know what? That is nuts. That's just crazy. Come on, maney! Let's go see how high hair can bounce!
 
"AHHHHHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
 
As she left that kitchen, Chrysalis only knew one thing more than when she had started.
 
She didn't know an alternative to make everyone happy.
She didn't know how to convince him to stop his quest to end her.
She didn't know what she was going to end up doing to him, or what she was going to let happen to him.
All she knew now, right now... was that whatever she was going to do, it wasn't going to be leaving him down there.
 
She had to deal with it... before he became really crazy. How? What? She didn't know that. But it was something.
 
It wasn't much... but it was a start.
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
>Actarius
"JJ"
'Changelings'
~~~
 
>...I don't know how I expected this to end, but the fact I didn't think they'd break out the torches might say more about my intelligence than I want to admit...
 
"I'll say."
 
'WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO PAY UP!?'
 
'I said what I said! You bet four months from now, she didn't deliver four months from now, ergo...'
 
'That's cheating!'
 
'I had nothing to do with any timing of the birth of this child, and I will take you to court over that!'
 
'That's not what I meant! She only had it this early because of the fucking mushroom!'
 
'I had nothing to do with that mushroom, had no previous knowledge of that mushroom, and had no say in whether or not she was infected by that mushroom, and I challenge you to prove otherwise!'
 
'No! I mean that this whole betting pool is null! She was effected by outside influence!'
 
'Just a part of the game, my friend! We all take risks that something, be it stress, an unforseen medical condition or something else may arise, and those are all valid as well. It's just the name of the game.'
 
'Bullshit! Who could have seen invasion by killer plant coming!?'
 
'Who indeed...'
 
'...'
 
'...'
 
'...GET HIM!'
 
'I REGRET NOTHIIIING!'
 
>... You want I should help?
 
"Nah... I lost four bits over this."
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________