//------------------------------// // The Kat's Meow // Story: And Then There Were 10...Er...67 // by Grey Ghost //------------------------------// “So who are we waiting for?” Chrysalis asked, standing next to Jason. It was early in the morning and she really just wanted to return to bed. “My sister Maud of course, silly!” Pinkie shouted popping up next to Chrysalis, nearly causing her to jump. “I really want to her to meet all my friends, and that includes the two of you!” Pinkie smiled happily. “Plus she said she was coming with someone who wanted to see you.” “Me?” Chrysalis asked rather surprised. “Did she say who it was?” “Nope! So we’ll just have to stay and find out!” “Wonderful...” Chrysalis said, rolling her eyes at the pink mare. “Relax Chrissy, I bet it will be someone good.” Jason said, putting his arm around her neck. “Oh! Here comes the train!” Pinkie shouted, bouncing up and down as the iron horse pulled into the station. After a few moments, the doors opened , letting the ponies disembark. “There she is!” Pinkie galloped over to a rather bored looking grey earth pony wearing a frock. “Hello Pinkie,” she said with a blink, her voice low and dull. “Hi Maud!” Pinkie said, giving her sister a hug. “These are all my friends!” she gestured to all her gathered friends. “You’re Chrysalis right?” Maud asked, looking at the monarch, giving very little expression. “Um... yes...” Maud nodded, turning to the train car. “You can come out now.” On her cue, a changeling queen stepped out of the car, though unlike Chrysalis, she was black and orange. “So you are Chrysalis,” the queen stated, “I have been looking forward to meeting you.” “You have?” Chrysalis asked, frowning a little. “May I ask why?” “I’d rather talk somewhere private,” the queen said, shaking her head. “Perhaps your hive?” “Alright... follow me...” Chrysalis said, exchanging a look with Jason before the two of them led the queen to their hive. The Everfree was eerily quiet as the trio moved through it. Unseen to them, a portal opened, dumping its occupant rather unceremoniously onto the ground. Rubbing her head and grumbling to herself, the Gravity Queen, Kat Shifter, got up from the ground to take a look at her surroundings. “Ugh,” she groaned. “I hate portals, especially ones that drop me off in the Everfree. I wonder what kind of world I’ve landed in this time.” She slowly started to move about the trees, being careful to avoid any of the dangerous fauna. Nothing seemed different to her compared to the other versions of the forest she had been in. Same creepy trees, same strange plants, same horror-esque atmosphere that could be found in any Everfree forest. “Jeez, why did I have to land in this satané forest? Why do all the strange things happen in the Everfree, it’s almost like it’s a trope or something.” Kat moved aside another shrub as she walked, only this time, she came face-to-face with a cragodile. It’s golden, slitted eyes were staring right at her, to the point she could see her reflection in those eyes. “Oh merde!” She nearly screamed, backing away slightly as the monster slowly followed her, its throat grumbling in hunger. “Nice cragodile, good cragodile.” It growled at her, raising itself into the air far further than it should have. Spider legs were sprouting out of it’s back, somehow managing to keep it high into the air. It hissed at her, a pair of chelicerate framing its mouth Kat’s eyes went wide. “Okay... not the same!” She backed away even further, trying to get back between the trees. It opened its mouth, firing a string of spider silk at her. Reacting quickly, Kat altered the direction of the silk to a nearby tree. It roared in anger, charging at her in a fury of legs and teeth. “Okay, time to run!!” Kat turned tail, and ran off into the brush, the cragodile roaring after her. Through brush and vines she ran, the monster hot on her trail. Kat’s mind was running with ideas on how to get out of this. “Flying? No, I could end up leading it to a civilized area. Attacking? No, with those mutations, who knows what it may be capable of. Keep running? Don’t fix what ain’t broke! As that crazy stallion used to say: Avante!” It snapped at her heels, its saliva splashing onto her exposed skin. It chased her to a cliff face, its yellow eyes seeming to recognize it had her trapped. Kat slowly backed to the edge of the cliff, a spark lighting in her eyes. “Alright beastie, here I am. Come and get me!!” It obliged her, rushing at her. Before she could react, a multicolored blur speed into view, slamming into the cragodile, sending it tumbling away. “That’ll teach you to eat ponies ya freak!” Rainbow Dash shouted, shaking a talon at the beast. Kat just stared in shock, not at Rainbow’s actions, but at her legs. “What the what?!” “You ok?” the mare asked, landing on the ground. “You should probably get out of here before it gets back up.” She was still in shock and pointed at her legs. “What the enfer happened to you?! Why are your legs like that?!” “They got cut off,” Dash said, pouting a little at her. “Is every one of you humans gonna ask that?” “How could I not?! My Rainbow Dash certainly doesn’t have artificial limbs! I don’t know anyone who does!” Then Kat put finger to her chin in thought. “Which is strange considering I was in the military.” “Mutant Cragodile!” Dash pointed out as the beast got back to it’s feet, hissing at them. “Umm, is that monster important in any way?” Kat asked. “No, it’s just a freak that jerk Animo cooked up.” “Alrighty then! Now that I’m not groggy anymore, let’s get down to business!!” Kat’s hand started glowing and the cragodile started to rise into the air, its head looking around in worry. Kat smirked, and quipped, “See ya later, gator!” And faster than she knew it, Rainbow Dash was seeing the monster shoot off into space. “Woah... that was awesome...” Kat crossed her arms with a smile as she saw the beast disappear from sight. “Yeah, never gets old doing that. Gotta love gravity sometimes.” “So... you one of those Displaced guys or something?” “Girl, technically speaking, but yes, I am a Displaced. Name’s Kat. Nice ta meet ya, Rainbow.” “You’re that mare who killed all the changelings!” Rainbow Dash shouted, her eyes wide in recognition. Kat blinked. “Girl,” she corrected. “But yeah, that’s me. Let me guess, Gilgamesh has been through here?” “Yeah, you just missed him by a week,” Dash said, her mood turned sour. “Huh, interesting. I haven’t seen the big lug in a while, but I suppose it’ll have to wait.” Kat put her hands behind her head and looked at Rainbow. “What’s up with you?” “I got a problem with genocidal assholes.” Dash sneered. Kat rolled her eyes. “Get over yourself. I put down monsters, that’s all. No one complains when you kill other monsters; this wasn’t any different.” The Kat started to pace a little. “Could I have handled it different? Sure, I could have, but with how I was back then, like that was gonna happen.” “It should have been handled differently!” She shrugged. “I already admitted that. Can’t change the past though. And if you’re wondering, no, I don’t regret my actions.” Dash snarled, lunging at her, slashing at her face. Kat grabbed the claw, her eyes now a deep, blood-red. Rainbow tried as much as she could, but Kat’s strength was too much and she couldn’t move the claw at all. “Are you done?” she asked the pegasus. “People like you make me sick!” Dash said spitting in her face. Kat’s stare never changed. “And ignorant ponies like you disgust me.” Kat’s voice was cold and hard, sending the tiniest of shivers down her spine. “Do you have any idea how many lives I saved in destroying those beasts? No, all you care about are the ones I took. Not every life can be saved, and when you live life like I have you must be willing to make the hard decisions.” “Do you know how many lives we lost because of ponies like you?” Dash countered, staring into her eyes. “And what have I done wrong, exactly? I saved lives from monsters who had no emotions, no soul. Only the queen changeling had any sense of intelligence and was the greatest threat of all. I was saving the lives of those I cared about and those of the innocents the changelings were eating.” “We lost thousands to those bastards!” Dash shouted, tearing up. “They killed so many...” she said, her rage turning into sorrow. Kat’s eyes softened at the sight of the mare. In one fell swoop, Kat pulled Rainbow into a hug, surprising her. “I know it’s hard,” Kat whispered, “I know that better than anybody, but you can’t let this keep building. Just let it out, Dashie. Just let it out.” “T-they almost took Gilda from me!” she sobbed wrapping her arms around Kat’s neck. Even though she didn’t know who Gilda was, Kat could tell she was important to Rainbow. “Shh, it’s alright. Aunty Kat is here,” she said comfortingly as she rubbed Rainbows back. “I lost my legs... I still see it in my dreams...” she whimpered, hugging her tighter. “How could anypony do that? We’re supposed to believe in harmony!” Kat just held the mare close. “Some people, or ponies in this case, only care about themselves. They don’t care about the consequences they cause to others as long as they are happy. Their gratification is all that matters. But in the end, that thinking will destroy them, which, unfortunately, may take others with them.” Kat pushed Rainbow back a little to look her in the eyes. The mare sniffled a little and Kat smiled softly. “But you have to move on, live for those that were lost. Otherwise, they died in vain. And you don’t want that, do you?” “N-no...” she said, shaking her head. “Exactly. No one likes to admit it, but loss is a deep part of life, and it hurts. It hurts you deep in your heart and soul. But as long as you never forget what was lost, then it will always be there, in your heart and in your memories. You are one of the strongest ponies I know, so show me that strength, and move on for the future.” “T-thanks...” Dash stuttered out, wiping her tears away. “Now, you seem to know about the Displaced, which must mean that one lives here. Mind taking me to him or her?” she asked sweetly. “O-ok,” she said spreading her wings, taking to the sky. “Follow me.” Kat floated off the ground and flew up to Rainbow. “By the way, thanks for the help with the cragodile. It’s much appreciated. Lead the way!” She nodded, flying at a slower pace than normal. After a few minutes, the old Everfree castle came into view. Most of it’s crumbling exterior had been covered in a hard black substance. At it’s entrance stood a pair of armored changelings, holding wicked looking spears. Kat blinked at the sight. “Woah, now I get why you were adamant about the changelings thing. They are friends, right?” “Yeah, at least Chrysalis’ hive is.” Dash said, trotting across the bridge. The changelings nodded at her, opening the doors for them. “Chrysalis? Oh boy, this is gonna be awkward, isn’t it?” Kat said as she followed Rainbow in. She sighed as she put her face in her hand. “Oh well, not the first changeling hive I’ve dealt with.” “They should be in the meeting room.” Dash said, trotting down the hall, her talons clicking on the floor. “If you say so.” The two walked in silence for a while until Kat spoke again. “So... who’s Gilda?” “A griffon I met back in flight camp, we used to be friends but after that whole thing with Pinkie we stopped talking for a while... now um... we’re dating...” “Aw, how cute,” Kat said in honesty. “It’s always nice to hear of interspecies couples. Gives me hope for better futures. I wonder if my Rainbow had a Gilda too. I know it’s not like your relationship, because Dash doesn’t swing that way. Might be a good thing to ask when I can finally go home.” “Here we are,” Dash said as they reached the door. Inside several voices were heard, some of them sounding a little distorted. “Dash?” Kat said, making the pegasus stop. “Tell them who I am. Don’t try to keep it a secret. I know what I did and have come to terms with it, so don’t feel you need to help me.” “Ok,” she said nodding as she open the doors. Three pairs of eyes turned to her, their conversation stopping. “What's up Dash?” Jason asked, tilting his head. “You need something?” “Um... Gilgamesh’s Kat is here,” Dash said, looking at her talons. “She wants to meet you.” “Well... send her in,” Jason said, nodding his head. “I might as well meet her.” Kat walked in from behind Rainbow Dash. “Greetings. I am the Gravity Queen, Kat Shifter. A pleasure to meet you all.” “I’m Jason Hughes, prince of Equestria and queller of the Forever Knight Rebellion. This is my fiance Chrysalis and our guest, Queen Pupa.” “Nice to meet you, Jason. I heard you’ve met my former teacher and I promise you, I am no threat to the changelings. I’m not some monster who hunts them down mercilessly, I never was. I only did what I thought was right at the time.” “Thats good to know,” Jason said with a nod. “Though he is my teacher as well, I suppose that makes you my sempai,” he said with a light smirk. Kat blinked and then deadpanned. “You ever call me that again, you’ll be joining that cragodile mutant I sent into orbit earlier.” “It’s a shame, I was hoping sempai would notice me today,” Just as Jason finished his quip, he found himself floating in midair. “What did I just say?” Kat asked, unamused. “Alright, I’ll stop,” he laughed, putting his hands up. Kat snapped her fingers and Jason fell flat on his face on the floor. “Good. Don’t do it again.” “Ow...” Jason said getting up, not much worse for wear. “Alright then, so let’s get down to business, shall we?” Kat asked as she clapped her hands together. “What uh... did you want to talk about?” Jason asked, returning to his seat. “Well, you see, due to circumstances back home, I’m currently on the road, as it were, helping out wherever I can. And if you would like, I am here to offer my services.” “I’m not going to say no.” Jason said nodding. “Queen Pupa was telling us about how Maud saved her hive.” “Maud?” she asked. “Who’s that?” “Pinkie’s sister.” “Pinkie has a sister?! Can the world even handle that much crazy?” “Actually, Maud is really dull,” Pupa spoke up, “For all the time I’ve known her, she barely shows emotion.” Kat was at a loss for words. “...are you sure she’s Pinkie’s sister?” “Yes, I am,” Pupa said, nodding her head. “Kind soul though, she saved my hive, out near her farm.” “Wow. That’s different. If Pinkie and I can ever reconcile when I can go home, I may need to ask about her siblings.” “My hive is small, only a few dozen drones.The queen of a larger hive didn’t want any competition so... she trapped us inside of her hive... most of my children starved trying to dig us out.” “Um...I’m sorry?” Kat really wasn’t sure how to respond, not with her bias against changelings still existent to an extent. “Thank you...” she said looking down. “This has to stop. We’ve been fighting each other for too long. Chrysalis, I purpose we unite the hives, under you.” “Under me?” Chrysalis asked in pure surprise. “Why me? I’m not all too special. Besides what makes you think they even can be united?” “You’ve been living alongside the ponies successfully, your hive has all the love it needs,” Pupa argued. “The hives were united once, long ago, under the rule of the empress. When the last one died, the queens started to fight amongst themselves for power and it has been that way ever since.” “Do we even know where the other hives are?” Jason asked, gesturing to the map of Equestria spread across the table. “They shouldn’t be too hard to find.” Pupa said, looking at the map. “It has to be done, for the better of our kind.” “Well Kat, you wanna help unite a bunch of bugs?” Jason asked, ignoring the look Chrysalis gave him. “Sure,” she shrugged. “It’s another off the list.” “How many are off already?” “One,” Kat sighed. “I’ve got nine more to go, and fifty years to get it done.” “Well, this makes two,” Jason said with a smile, holding his hand out to her. Kat clasped her hand into his, nearly breaking it. “I’m happy to help.” “Are you?” he asked, looking into her eyes. Kat sighed. “Look, just because I don’t like changelings, doesn’t mean I’m not happy to help them. If it betters Equestria, in any way, then I’m more than happy to help. It’s my duty to protect Equestria and it’s benefits, I just consider this an extension.” “Thats good to know.” Jason said, getting up, kissing Chrysalis’ cheek. “You two hash out the details, I’m going to get us the locations of those hives.” Jason approached the door. “I’m going to need your help for this Kat.” “Sure, I could go for a fight. That last world I was in really got this body in fighting shape.” She cracked a few joints, releasing the tension. “Let’s get to it!” “Not what I meant really,” Jason said, shaking his head. “Come on, I’ll explain on the way.” “Alright, lead on, Mr. Hughes!” “Just call me Jason, it’s the name I’m most used to,” he said waving it off. Kat shrugged as she floated off the ground again. “Cool with me. I don’t like using honorifics anyway. Unless they’re being used on me, that is.” “Ego much?” Jason teased. “An ego that can be backed up, bug-lover,” Kat quipped. “As can mine.” “Yeah, I saw the Omnitrix on your wrist.” Then she smiled. “Hate for something to happen to it,” she said in a mocking sing-song voice. “I don’t really need it as much,” he said with a smirk. “I’ve been practicing in other forms of combat.” “Yeah, that’s not gonna stop me even without my powers, but enough of the ego boosting. We got bugs to save....never thought I’d ever say that.” “I didn’t think my mother was a witch,” Jason said with a shrug. “...I’ll ask about that later. Let’s go! I’m not getting any younger and Nemesis didn’t help me get used to being human again. I gotta stretch, man!” “You met him too?” Jason asked, rather surprised. “Funny, I helped him be human again.” “Huh, all I did was kick his cul.” “He did not deserve that.” “He turned into a giant monster bent on the destruction of everything in his path. It was either kill him or kick his cul. Which would you have taken?” Kat said with a questioning glance. “Turn him back into a human.” “You can’t do that with gravity powers, now can you? Come on, I’m human again so I want to get on with this!” “Relax,” Jason said, stopping at a clearing. “Ok... this looks good enough.” he said walking toward the center. “Good enough for what? What are you up to, bugboy?” “How much do you know about Norse mythology?” Jason asked, starting to pull things out of his pocket. “Uh, not much. I mean, I think my middle school German class mentioned it a little, but that was almost thirteen hundred years ago.” “Ok so... my grandmother is the goddess of the underworld,” Jason said, looking at her. “Which makes Loki my great-grandfather.” “Loki? I’m guessing he’s not the one from Avengers?” Kat asked, a little hope in her voice. “I have no idea, he’s been dead for ages,” Jason said with a shrug. “Besides, he was a massive dick.” “Yeah, but he was hot,” Kat muttered to herself, slightly disappointed. “Anyways, what’s your deity family line got to do with anything?” “I’m going to summon my grandmother,” Jason said simply, setting up what looked like a glyph on the grass. “I’ve never met her before... that I can remember...” “Who’s your grandmother?” Kat asked, simply content with just floating around Jason. Who was faintly reminded of Rainbow Dash at the moment due to Kat’s actions. “Hel,” he said simply, standing up. “Well... here goes,” he said, sending a bit of magic into the glyph. “You better not be trying something, bugboy,” Kat said as she watched the magic flow. “If you’re betraying me in any way, I will wreck your merde.” “Why would I betray you?” he asked giving her an offended look. “Well, I did kill your fiance in another world,” Kat replied with a shrug. “Brutally by the way. She even begged for her life, come to think of it. It would have been very heart-wrenching if she hadn’t been evil scum.” “I didn’t need to know that,” he said shaking his head. Before she could reply, the glyph glowed, a ring of darkness forming inside of it. From out of it arose a tall cloaked figure, its height around twelve feet. “Who has summoned me?” it spoke with a woman’s voice, soft and with an ethereal beauty that touched the soul. “Um... hi...” Jason said softly, getting its attention. “It’s me, Corypheus.” The meadow went quiet as the figure stared at him before reaching up and pulling back its hood. The figure was a woman, her face was the picture of perfection, save one thing. Half of her face was as black as night and the other was white as snow. She kneeled down, cupping his chin gently. “You certainly are your father’s son,” she gave him a light smile, which he returned. “Though I did not expect to see you so soon,” she glanced towards Kat, looking her over. “And who is your companion?” “Yo,” Kat waved with a two fingered salute. “Kat Shifter, they call me the Gravity Queen.” “Hm... she reeks of death,” Hel said, tilting her head slightly. “A lot of it as a matter of fact.” She shrugged. “I was the general of Equestria’s army for two hundred and some-odd years. That and I caused the extinction of a species.” “Ah, that explains it,” Hel said, standing up to her full height. “Was there a reason you summoned me? Or did you just want to say hello?” “We were hoping you could give us the location of the changeling hives,”Jason said, trying to look his grandmother in the eyes and only succeeding in making his neck hurt. “I can do that.” she said snapping her fingers. A long skeletal arm rose out of the ground, clutching a map in it’s bony fingers.”Here you are,” she said, passing it off to Jason, who took it rather gingerly. “Oh and I’ve been waiting to give this to you,” she reached into her cloak, pulling out a sword. Along its blade were etched glowing runes and the sword as a whole hummed with magic. “This is Laevateinn, it was my father’s sword, and now its yours.” “Woah...” Jason said, taking it from her, staring at it in awe. “T-thank you.” “There is no thanks needed Corypheus.” she said with a smile, stepping back into the portal she had appeared from. “I can’t wait to see you at that reunion, I’ll have a wonderful surprise for you.” with that she sank back into the ground, the portal sealing behind her. “Well, she seemed nice. You should call your grandmother more often, it’s rude not to. And also... Corypheus?” Kat asked with an ‘are you serious?’ face. “Yes, that’s my real name,” Jason said, giving her an annoyed look. She was silent for a moment, then shook her head. “You’re better off sticking with Jason. Now then, let’s get moving.” “Whatever.” he said, sliding the sword into his pocket. He unfurled the map, looking it over. “Well... there’s only about... eighteen hives...” “...oh god. Where’s Pinkie Pie? She could make this into a montage for us and be done with it.” Kat sagged as she floated, not realizing how much work it was gonna be. “I’ll help,” a very bored voice said as Maud walked over, giving them a rather unimpressed look “Woah... that’s Pinkie’s sister.” Kat floated over to Maud and started to observe her very closely, going over every part of her body. After a moment, she floated back with a confused look. “I don’t see the relation at all.” Maud just blinked, her eyelids never raising beyond half lidded. “Well... lets get get going shall we?” Jason asked, rolling the map up. “We have Queens to see!” “As long as none of them say: ‘Off with their heads!’. Already dealt with that a while back.” “God I hated that remake.” “I never saw the remake, honestly. Not all that much of a Johnny Depp fan....although I did enjoy him as a pirate. ‘I got a jar of dirt’ always cracked me up. But I digress, onward! To royalty that I hopefully don’t piss off!” “Why do I get the feeling this is gonna suck?” Jason asked with a sigh as he started walking. “This did not go as planned,” Jason said, feeling the blood rush to his head. “How the hell did they catch us again?” “Because Maud doesn’t know how to vraiment run,” Kat groaned glaring at the earth pony cocooned next to her. “Learn to move, satané you!” “I didn’t want to upset Boulder,” Maud said impassively. “It’s just a vraiment rock!” Kat nearly screamed. “I’m getting so sick and tired of this pony! And I thought the Doctor was a pain!” “You’ll hurt Boulder’s feelings.” “You don’t even have feelings! How the enfer does Pinkie put up with you?!” “Ok, enough of this,” Jason said, starting to get light headed. “Omnitrix, Goop.” He transformed into a strange creature made out of green goo, melting through the cocoon he was trapped in. “Great! Now get us free so I can cook Maud for dinner!” “I don’t think I’d taste very good,” Maud blinked, looking at Kat. “No, but it’ll make me feel better!” Kat was not having a good day. “I’d probably taste like a rock.” Kat fumed from inside her pod and looked to Goop. “Jason... please get me out of here, so I CAN REDUCE THIS ANNOYING PONY INTO A SINGULARITY!!!” “No hurting the pony, who knows what Pinkie would do if she died or something,” Goop said, firing a gush of slime at Kat’s pod and melting it. Kat floated down to the ground, arms crossed and not looking very happy. “We’ve gone through seven hives already and she keeps getting us in trouble! Why did we bring Miss Rock-without-the-Roll again?” “I promised Pupa I would help,” Maud said, watching them impassively. “I keep my promises.” “Huh... guess it runs in the family,” Goop said, melting Maud’s pod. The mare fell like a rock yet some how managed to land on all fours. “Whatever, let’s just get out of here,” Kat said impatiently, wiping off the cocoon remains from her jacket. “Jeez, two worlds in and I’m already sick of these things again.” “You get used to the goo really,” Goop said, turning to the corridor from which hissing could be heard. “Ah crap, here they come!” Kat scowled then looked at Jason. “Alright, we need to speak with the queen, so we gotta go through the drones. Jason, you’ve spent a lot time around these things. Are they susceptible to any particular sound frequency?” “Um maybe? Omnitrix, Blitzwolfer!” he said, shifting into a large wolf creature. It’s muzzle split open and he let out a sonic howl that threw them back. That just seems to piss them off. “How about I show you how it’s done, kid?” Kat reached into her jacket and pulled out a strange looking device. It was long, metal, cylindrical, and had four prongs covering a green bulb at the end. Kat pointed the object at the changelings, causing it to extend and the prongs sprouting out. She pressed a button and the tip began to glow and let out an ear-bleeding screech. Jason let out a howl of pain, clutching his head as the changelings collapsed, screeching in pain. Kat lifted her finger off the button, making the sound stop. “Now that I have your attention,” she yelled out to the bugs. “Take us to your queen! Or so help me, I will use the satané screwdriver again!” She pointed it back at them, causing a few to flinch. “Don’t tempt me.” “Ok ok! Just follow us!” one of them shouted, trembling a little. Jason just growled at Kat a little, starting to walk toward the changeling. “Sorry, Jay,” Kat said as she put away her screwdriver. “Forgot about the super sensitive hearing of a wolf.” He huffed , turning away from her. “That was a really insensitive thing to do,” Maud montonely chastised, following after Jason. “Oh no! Don’t you get on my case, too missy. I did what was necessary, that is all,” Kat crossed her arms in huff as she followed behind them. “Geeze, no one understands military strategy nowadays. I miss the old times.” “I surrender!” the queen whimpered, prostrating herself before Maud, the mare in question holding a huge chunk of the wall, along with part of the ceiling in her raised in hoof. “I’ll do whatever you want!” “Jeez,” Jason said with wide eyes, “Did you know she could do that?” Kat eyes the mare, a little bit of respect in her eyes. “No, but at least this one ended better than the last four. It was much more entertaining.” “Come to the meeting, thats it,” Maud said, still holding the chunk. “Ok! I-I’ll leave right now!” the queen practically screamed, rushing past them as if Satan as at her heels. “I think that went well.” Maud said laying the chunk down. She paused, rubbing it with her hoof. “Thank you...” she whispered before turning and walking out of the room. “She still freaks me out,” Kat whispered as they followed her. “I think she actually talks to the rocks, like Fluttershy does with animals.” “I would find that creepy, but I’ve actually heard of pony who does talk to rocks. The scary thing is that they actually talked back.” Kat shuddered a little. “You hear and see some weird merde on the road.” “Tell me about it...” he said with a shudder. “How the hell did we get into this mess?” Jason asked Kat, staring intently at his hand, both Displaced in a severe state of undress. “I have no idea,” Kat grumbled, hiding her growing blush. Thankfully, only her jacket and boots had been lost. “Good thing I grew up playing poker with my dad’s military buddies, otherwise....Jason, I’m sorry but I would’ve had to kill you.” “Why me? I didn’t agree to this, you did,” he glared. “Besides, it’s not my fault I’m this bad, Mr.Hughes had it in his head that poker was the game of the devil.” “I’ll remember to smack him for you if I ever end up on your Earth,” Kat said just as she laid out her hand. “Full house, Queeny! Suck it!!” “Royal flush my dear, you lose!” the queen said with a smirk. “I’ll let you pick what you get rid of.” She growled slightly. “Fine, but don’t get cocky. When we win, you’re going to that vachement meeting.” “I think you mean if you win.” the queen smirked arrogantly. “This is your fault Kat,” Jason said, tossing away his shirt, crossing his arms with a pout. “Oh no, ‘when’ I win! I’ve never lost a game of poker and I ain’t gonna lose to a bug!” Kat boasted at the queen as she took off her scarf. “You ain’t got nothin’ on a true queen.” “Your poker face is very weak Kat,” Maud said, taking all of their cards, shuffling them and passing them all out again. “Shut up, Maud. My poker face allowed me to beat experts... when I was nine and depressed as merde. Just play the game.” --- “I thought you said you were good at this...”Jason said, his hands in his lap, he had been knocked out of the game slightly before Kat had. Their only hope now was the stone-faced Maud, who still had her frock on. Kat growled angrily, covering herself by holding onto her pile of clothes. “I am, but I haven’t played in over a thousand years. And I’ve been a little to focused over the past five years to bother picking it up again.” “Ha! Four pair!” the queen shouted, confident in her victory. “Royal flush.” Maud said placing her cards on the table. “It appears that we win.” The queen’s eye twitched before she snarled flipping the table in anger. “Bah! I’ll go to your stupid meeting! Now begone from my hive!” she ordered, trotting out of the room. Maud got out of her seat moving over to Kat. She reared up on her hind legs, whispering something into the woman’s ear, making her blush even harder. Maud gave the tiniest of smirks, dropping back to all fours and walking out of the room. Kat shook her face, trying to get the images out of her head. “No, no , no! Bad thoughts, bad pervy thoughts.” “Did Maud just hit on you?” Jason asked, not sure if he should laughing his ass off or horrified. “No, she didn’t hit on me,” Kat said as she snapped her fingers, instantly dressed again. “More like basically said ‘anytime, anyplace’. If you get my drift.” “Seriously...?” he asked, reaching into his hypercube causing his clothes to reappear on him. “She is one cuckoo pony.” She sighed as the two followed after Maud. “Anyway, that was number seventeen. One more right?” “Thank Yggdrasil yes!” Jason said standing up, cracking his back.”The last one is near what’s left of Trottingham...” “Oh god, back there,” Kat said with even less enthusiasm than Jason. “Half of it was burned down by the knights...” “Mine was where I murdered all the changelings... except Chrysalis.” “I heard a good chunk of the population was killed...” “Yay, both of our Trottinghams are enfer,” Kat said sarcastically. “Let’s just get this over with. I don’t need any more bad memories.” “Yeah... me too.” Jason said with a sigh, hoping this would all work out. “Knight to A3,” the queen commanded, her ‘knight’, one of her drones, complied, moving into place. “Your turn my dear.” she said pleasantly. “Hmm,” Kat mused as she looked over the board. It was pretty evened up, though one wrong move and the game would be lost. Begrudgingly, Kat looked over to Maud and asked, “What do you think we should do?” “Move your rook to D5 and take her rook, which puts her king in check.” “You heard the mare Jason!” Kat yelled out. “Move yo cloned cul, boy!” “I’m going I’m going.” one of the many Ditto’s said, moving to D5. The changeling on that square took flight, landing off to the side with the other removed ‘pieces’. “Check, Queeny!” Kat called over to the changeling queen. “Hmm.... that does put me in quite the spot...” she took a moment to think, moving her king back. “Your move!” “Heh, perfect. What do you think, Maud? Perfect set up right?” “Yes it is, sweet flanks.” Maud said with the same monotone voice, though she now had a big smirk on her muzzle. “...yeah, don’t call me that. I’m not into ponies. Jason! Go for the win!” “You got it!” the lead Ditto said, moving forward and taking the queen’s ‘king’. “Woot!” all the Dittos shouted at once, throwing their arms up into the air in unison. “I believe you have defeated me,” the queen said, getting to her hooves. “Very well, I shall honor our deal and come to your meeting.” “Yes!” Kat cheered. “Woo hoo! We beat the final boss!” “I say we go get drunk!” one Ditto shouted, causing the others to cheer in agreement. “...I’m not buying drinks for each and every one of you,” Kat deadpanned. “No more clones!” “I didn’t expect you too,” Jason rolled his eyes, absorbing the clones back into himself, allowing the Omnitrix to time out. “Well that thing’s going to be useless for awhile...” “We should probably get back to your fiance, bugboy. Make sure everything hasn’t gone to enfer while we’ve been gone.” “Don’t call me that, scarf-girl.” “Ooh, good come back. Up all night working on that one?” Kat smirked as Jason glared at her. She just giggled and started floating off in the direction of the main hive. “Come on, let’s get going.” “Stupid Omnitrix, if I could just turn into Hodgepodge we’d be there already...” “The putain is ‘Hodgepodge’?” asked Kat as they trudged out into the forest. “My version of Discord.” “That’s disturbing.” “No, it’s headache inducing, seriously, it hurts to change back,” he said, shuddering as he thought about it. “That must suck. By the way, since we have some time, have you met any other Displaced besides Gilgy and Nemmy?” “A few, there was that guy Don, don’t know what his problem was but he attacked me and I accidently fucked up his leg. I also ran into a guy named Ben who became Ben 10, then there are those three assholes who are also in this world.” Kat frowned for a moment. “Ben... why does that sound so familiar all of a sudden?” She shook her head, grunting slightly. “Ugh, this is gonna bother me until I figure it out.” “I don’t think I left a good impression on him...” Jason said with a sigh. “What makes you say that?” Kat said absentmindedly, still trying to figure out why that name was bugging her. “Well... I had only been here a few days and had just gotten stabbed when I met him... plus he insulted my Omnitrix and I kinda insulted his back... I left a horrible impression on that guy...” “You should probably call him up sometime then. Make things right.” “Perhaps... also if you get a chance, you should talk to Gilgamesh.” “When my mission is done,” Kat said, looking up into sky. “Then, only then will I see him again. Plus, I’m still kinda mad at him.” “He’s not doing too well Kat... I think he’s losing it,” Jason said, thinking to Gilgamesh’s outburst. “Oh... well, maybe I shouldn’t be so mad at him. I guess it’s not... completely his fault my life went to hell after he left.” “He’s apparently fighting a war. Something came to his universe and let the demons out of Tartarus,” Jason said shaking his head. “Guy’s had a lot on his plate.” Kat sighed. “Yeah, alright. I guess I should give him a break. It wasn’t his fault Fluttershy was killed.” “I haven’t lost anyone close to me like that...”Jason said looking up at the sky. “I almost killed Applejack though...” “Yeah, but you didn’t have to watch helplessly as your own granddaughter was executed in front of a cheering crowd by the person you used to consider a sister.” “I watched that bastard cut Dash’s legs off, I saw all those eyes watching with glee from some sick superiority complex those monsters had. I almost became one myself.” “There are some terrible creatures in existence.” Kat felt several memories going through her mind. “I’ve seen more than any person should. I really feel sorry for those ponies,” she whispered, just loud enough to be heard. “Lets talk about something happier shall we?” Jason suggested, not wanting to linger on this topic. “That’d be up to you. I don’t have a lot of happiness in my life. Well, save for my friends, my mother, and my granddaughter.” “I just met my real mother,” Jason said with a smile. “She’s a nice lady.” “I lost my real mother when I was young, but when I can finally go back home, I’ll be able to spend many long years with my new mother,” Kat said with a smile. “My adopted parents were hyper-religious jackasses,” Jason said, frowning a little. “I don’t miss them.” Kat wanted to reply, but found she had nothing to say to that. “Well, I hope you are happy with your new family. Mine’s gonna take a lot of apolgizing to when I’m allowed back home.” “Yeah well... I just wish I could remember my dad...” “I hope you find out more about him. I can’t even remember any of my family’s names. I wish I could.” “Looks like life screwed us both over huh?” he asked, chuckling a little. Kat shook her head with a small laugh. “You have no idea. Oh look, we’re here.” “How the hell did we do that?” he asked, looking rather confused. “Did we hit a time warp? Trottingham is hours away.” “Well, my body is still fluctuating a little. That’s what happens when so much power is settled into a new form. Gravity has been known to cause disturbances in space and time, so...” “If we skipped years, I’m introducing you to Alien X.” “I don’t think I’m leaking that much energy. So we should be fine. Still great to no longer be a pony.” “You were a pony?” Jason asked, raising his eyebrow. “Yeah. I crashed into a spaceship in some parallel universe and got turned into a pony. Thankfully, the ponies on board were willing to help me get back to being me. Took a couple years, but I finally got back to normal. I will always remember those ponies, no matter how crazy they were. I mean, how messed up is to be traveling time and space in a police box?!” “I hate that show...” he said, rolling his eyes. “Everyone goes on like its the best thing in the world.” Kat looked at Jason weirdly. “Show? What show?” “Doctor Who, that show about that British alien screwing around with time.” She just looked at him even stranger. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” “I felt that way when Nemesis told me about My Little Pony...” “Yeah, still hard to believe that. I mean, that was an eighties show, but apparently Hasbro succeeded in alternate worlds. It failed in mine, so...” “I don’t have it in my world. Though it may have started while I was here... I’ll have to go back there soon...” “I never want to go back to Earth,” Kat said as the trio walked into the hive. “There’s too much pain back there.” “I’m going to connect Midgard with Asgard again, people are going to be pissed to learn the Norse gods are real,” he said stopping for a moment. He reached into his cube and pulled out his crown. It was black, inlaid with several gorgeous emeralds. ”Gotta be official,” he said, placing it on his head. Kat stared at the crown and then down at her own attire. Then she shrugged. “These are my formal clothes anyway. Though...” Kat snapped her fingers, and a sheathed rapier appeared tied to her belt. “Might as well French it up. Allons-y!” He just rolled his eyes, walking into the meeting. Twenty queens, Chrysalis and Pupa included, were arguing away, their distorted voices rather headache inducing. Kat stared with a deadpan at the queens then pulled out the sonic again, pointed it up in the air, and activated the screeching again. They all stopped, covering their ears quickly. “Will you stop that!” Chrysalis ordered, hissing a little. Smirking slightly, Kat closed up the device, but kept it in her hand. “Hey, it got you all to stop. Mission accomplished.” She just glared at her before clearing her throat. “We all know why we’re here. The ponies are united, why shouldn’t we?” “Well, you all do have quite the checkered past and... Maud stop touching my butt,” she turned glaring at the impassive pony. “I wasn’t touching you,” Maud said, being about two feet away. “It was them.” she said, pointing to the two small breezies trying to get her attention. “You’re from another universe right?” one asked, flying up to Kat’s face. “Woah, I haven’t seen breezies in a long time. What’s up little guy?” she said all cutesy. “How do you know about other universes?” “Please! You have to get us out of here!” he shouted grabbing her eyelashes. “I’m losing my mind on this backwater planet!” “Um... I can’t exactly control where I go. I just kinda...jump,” Kat admitted sheepishly. “I’m still trying to work my way into the Void.” “Gah!” he screamed, tugging on his antenna. “Out, both of you,” Jason said tossing both breezies out of the room, slamming the door shut behind them. “Well, that was rude,” Kat said with a strange look. “You wouldn’t say that if you had to deal with them daily...” Jason said, taking his seat. “Ok... let’s get back to business shall we?” “Alright, but I’m not exactly the best in this kind of situation. Mom usually took care of the treaties and shit.” “It’s not actually all that hard...” Jason said with a sigh. “At least that’s what Luna tells me...” Kat pointed at herself. “Military. Shoot first, ask questions later. Peace ain’t my forte.” “You’ve said this,” Jason said, rolling his eyes. “Now,” he cleared his throat. “We’re all here to discuss the appointment of a new Empress. I nominate Chrysalis.” “You mean the idiot who tried to invade?” one queen asked, scoffing. “Lets not forget that she submitted to pony rule.” “I did what I had to keep my hive alive!” Chrysalis shouted, hissing a little. “I sucked up my pride and did what I had to, thats more than any of you can say!” “I’d say that’s a good enough reason,” Kat said with a shrug as she floated above them all. “She put the safety of her kind above herself. That’s the most admirable aspect of a leader.” “It’s a sign of weakness is what it is!” another shouted, slamming her hooves into the table. “If she’s willing to submit to the ponies, they’ll walk right over all of us!” “Don’t they already do that?” Kat asked that particular queen. “All your kind does is hide away in your pitiful little hives, starving and waiting to die. Wouldn’t peace with the ponies be more beneficial than dying?” “I think Lady Kat has a point,” the Trottingham queen spoke up. “If unification worked for the ponies, why shouldn’t it work for us?” A few of the queens looked at each other, muttering amongst themselves. “I vote in favor of Chrysalis,” Pupa said, getting to her hooves. “All those in favor?” she asked looking at the others. After a few minutes of deliberation, most of the queens had voted in Chrysalis’ favor. “Bah!” the Las Pegasus queen spat, getting to her hooves. “You can all follow that fool to your deaths, I’m keeping my hive safe.” she said, leaving the room, followed by at least two other queens. “Huh... this actually worked... mostly...” Jason said, putting his arm around Chrysalis with a smile. “Could’ve gone better, though,” Kat commented. “Oh well, a win’s a win I guess.” “Hey seventeen out of twenty; it’s at least an A.” Jason said with a smirk. “The only thing left to do is anchor our minds to yours, Chrysalis,” Pupa said, turning to the new empress. “Do it,” she said steeling herself for the process. The queens all lit their horns up, focusing on Chrysalis. She winced, shaking her head as seventeen minds latched onto hers, burrowing in. “Well I think that concludes the meeting. Chrysalis is going to need some time to process this.” “Of course. Besides, we should all be getting back to our hives,” Pupa said as she and the other queens said goodbye, taking their leave. “And that’s two worlds down,” Kat said, making a mental check. “This has been interesting, and traumatizing,” she said while looking at Maud. “Hey, why don’t you stay a bit longer?” Jason asked, getting to his feet. “You could meet my Fluttershy.” Kat thought on the offer for a minute before nodding her head. “I suppose I could stay a little while longer. I can’t go home for fifty years anyway, so I might as well see the sights.” “Will you be ok?” Jason asked, looking at Chrysalis. “Yes, I’ll be fine.” Chrysalis said, waving him off. “You go have fun.” She gave him a kiss, which he returned. “Alright then, let’s go.” he said, having noticed Maud had already slipped out of sight. Kat visibly relaxed. “Oh thank god, she’s gone.” “Oh hey, you can also meet Zed!” Jason said as he walked out of the room, letting out a whistle. “What’s a Zed?” Just as she asked that, Zed came bounding over to Jason, nearly knocking him over. “Hey girl, you miss me?” he asked, petting her head. “That is one weird looking dog,” Kat commented as she laid on her stomach in midair. Zed growled at her, taking insult at that. “She uh... doesn’t like being called a dog.” “What else am I supposed to call it then?” “She’s an Anubian Baskurr, they’re a species of canine like creatures from another planet.” Jason explained, calming the baskurr down. “Anubian? ...Wow, that reference. So, what shall do to start my first vacation in years?” “Lets go see Fluttershy... just um... try not to stare,” Jason said, walking toward the main doors. “Stare?” Kat asked, concern filling her voice. “You’ll see...” Jason said, shaking his head. “Just remember don’t stare,” Jason told Kat, knocking on the cottage door. “Uh... okay?” “Oh hello Jason,” Fluttershy said, opening the door, giving him a fangy smile. “Oh...” she said, shrinking back a little. “You brought a guest...” Kat could only stare in shock, the very sight of Fluttershy shocking her to her core. “Kat,” Jason said, elbowing her in the side. “Uh... uh... uh...” Kat stuttered out. “Seriously Kat, you’re giving Flutters an anxiety attack!” Kat ignored Jason and shot forward, wrapping Fluttershy in a tight hug as the bat pony ‘eep’ed. “Oh my god! You are sooo cute!!” “Oh oh my,” Fluttershy said, trying to escape the woman’s hold. Kat continued to cuddle Fluttershy close, squeeing slightly. “Fluttershy is a bat pony! Best day ever!” “Actually... she’s a vampire bat pony...” Jason said, watching them with a smirk. “Oooh!” Kat said. “Your Fluttershy is awesome! In a cute way!” “Please let me go... if thats ok with you...” Fluttershy pled meekly. “Awww... but you’re so cute and cuddly.” “Oh um... thank you...” she said with a blush. “No problem Flutters...” Then Kat went silent, her eyes wide at what she just said. She slowly let go of Fluttershy, and bowed her head. “Sorry,” she said, hiding her face. “Oh it’s ok,” Fluttershy said with a smile. “It doesn’t really bother me so much anymore.” Kat was silent, eerily so, worrying Fluttershy. Especially when she leaned forward and saw that the woman was crying. “Oh my!” Fluttershy darted forward, wrapping her arms around her neck in a tight hug. Once again, Kat hugged Fluttershy. Only this time, she was silently sobbing into the mare’s fur. “Shh... it’s ok,” Fluttershy soothed, letting the woman cry. “I-I miss her so-so much,” Kat sobbed, letting the tears fall freely. “Let it all out,” Fluttershy said, cooing softly. “I-I want to go ho-ome!” she cried. She hummed a little song, rocking her back and forth gently. “I-I miss them so much,” she sniffed. “Rainbow, Applejack, Spike. Enfer, I even miss Twilight. But I miss my granddaughter and mother most of all.” “We all miss someone,” Fluttershy said softly. Kat sniffed a little, pulling back from her and wiping away her tears. “Sorry about that. Just a little overwhelmed. I haven’t had a lot of down time as of late.” “It’s ok, we all need a good cry sometimes, it’s good for the soul,” Fluttershy said with a smile. Kat chuckled a little. “Some people used to say I have no soul.” “Well that’s not true, we all have a soul,” Fluttershy said, getting to her hooves. “Would you like some tea?” “Yeah, I would,” Kat said with a smile. “At least you’re as nice as my granddaughter. I’ve heard of some pretty terrible ones.” “Really?” she asked, fluttering into the kitchen. “Yeah...” Kat said with a sigh. “Flutters is so kind and caring, but of course she let her own fears take hold. But, as I helped her, I saw her blossom into a true mare. One who was not even afraid when she was up on the execution block... She was so brave that day.” “Oh... oh my...” Fluttershy said, nearly dropping the teapot at that revelation. “Yeah, my world kind of went to hell for a little while,” Kat said as she sat down on the couch. “So did ours, Kat,” Jason said, laying down on Fluttershy’s couch, Zed curling up on the floor. “Every Displaced seems to go through some traumatizing event in Equestria,” Kat summed up. “It’s awful.” “Yeah it really is, I just hope Luna finds the rest of those bastards.” “Hmmm,” Kat thought aloud as she sipped her tea. “You know, I may know a few tricks that could help find... whoever it is you’re looking for.” “Oh? What would that be?” Jason asked, looking at her. “Well, for one I know a few tracking spells. I can’t cast them, but I do know the formulas. And two, I can detect gravity disturbances.” “They didn’t really mess with gravity all too much.” Kat giggled a little, setting down her cup. “No, you misunderstand me. Every living creature is a gravity disturbance.” “I did not know that.” “It’s a relatively simple concept. You see, everything has its own gravitational field, but living creatures have a special difference in their fields. By focusing on the field of the planet, I can locate anyone anywhere on the planet,” Kat explained. Purposefully leaving out the fact that she stole that explanation from a friend. “Hmm... could you do that with Ghostfreak?” he asked, raising his eyebrow. “I don’t know. Perhaps when he is in his solid state, but intangible I highly doubt it.” “Huh... I bet we could use that to find Ansem and Xemnas...” “...aren’t those the villains from Kingdom Hearts one and two?” Kat asked, sounding confused. “Yeah... they’re Displaced who were here before me.” “Oh, well if you wanted I could try, but I need something of theirs to be able to lock on. Even with their powers, I could only give you a general area.” “We’ll look into it later, let’s just enjoy our tea,” Jason said, finally taking a sip of his tea. “Sure, though I hope we don’t run into Twilight. Bad memories.” “She’s overseeing some reconstruction in Dodge Junction,” Jason said, shaking his head. Kat let out small breath of relief. “Good. Mine is still pretty ticked at me, so I’m not all that okay being around them just yet.” “Yeah... How about you teach me those formulas? I’ll pass them onto Twi later.” “Sure. Got a piece of paper and a quill?” Fluttershy passed some over to Kat, wanting to be helpful. She took them thankfully and began to write out several long and confusing equations. After about three minutes, she handed the four page formula to Jason. “There we go. This spell is designed to work similarly to my gravity sense. I know Twilight shouldn’t have any problem figuring it out.” “This is why spell tomes are much easier.” he said looking over before placing them in his cube. Kat smiled at Jason before standing up. “Well, it has been a blast guys, but I should probably hit the road. I got at least eight more worlds to see and a lot of time to waste. But before I go,” Kat put out her hand, opening up a portal from which a diamond flew out. “This is my token, Jason. If you ever need some big time help, just give me a call.” She floated it over to him. He caught it before tossing her his own. “Just tap the top. Also, I want you to take this,” he said, pulling out his Masamune. “I don’t really need it anymore and I’d rather it not go to waste.” “Woah... um, alright.” She hesitantly took the blade and stashed it, along with the Unitrix, in a pocket dimension. “Thanks, I suppose.” Kat snapped her fingers and a portal appeared in Fluttershy’s far wall. “You take care Kat,” Jason said, holding his hand out. Kat grasped it with a smile, again almost breaking his hand. “Same to you, Jason. I hope you find your Displaced.” “Thanks.” he said pulling away, allowing her to leave. Kat moved over to the portal, stopping for a moment to pet Fluttershy behind her ears. “Farewell Jason Hughes. May you fall in whatever direction you please.” And with that, the Gravity Queen disappeared into the vortex as it closed behind her. “She was nice,” Fluttershy said, taking all the dishes into the kitchen. “Yeah, she was...” Jason said, petting Zed’s head while relaxing on the couch.