Episode 55: Dwindling Sanities
“Hello~” Twilight sing songs as her hoofbeats climb the stairs.
“Oh horseapples,” Smithy grunts. “Didn’t yer new princess friend ever learn it’s rude to wander into other folk’s houses?”
“Twilight still has some social norms she hasn’t quite grasped,” Applejack shakes her head in disappointment.
“Well she is an alicorn, so basically you’d have no real way of stopping her even if you said no,” you point out and Fluttershy starts hyperventilating.
Kichi’s Comment
“So, what do we do now?” Applejack asks biting her hoof.
“Uh, go downstairs and explain the situation?” you suggest and she looks at you like you’re nuts. “What’s with the look?”
“You want us to just lay it all out on her at once? Land’s sake, I’m still having trouble processing and believing what you told me,” she shakes her head.
“Well ain’t you the Element of Honesty?” you point out and she frowns.
“Honesty yes, stupidity no.”
“Debatable,” you mutter under breath but she continues.
“This should be something we ease into, otherwise you’ll overload her like Shy and I,” she explains. “I mean, just look at how she’s reacting to Bugze being my kin.”
At that reminder, Fluttershy’s cheeks puff out and she holds a hoof to her mouth as her face turns green.
“That’s for different reasons,” you hoofwave.
“Well either way, we don’t want her to find you just as you are now. She might take you away to Canterlot, and who knows if the princesses will believe you.”
“Probably not if they’re as stubborn as you two,” Granny heckles and both mare’s ears droop.
“…Okay, good point,” you relent. “I ain’t exactly got all the time in the world seeing as I’ve got to get to Shade. The poor kid is probably stressing to high heaven without me.”
“Exactly, and we still don’t know that whole story, or why she attacked Rainbow Falls if what you say about…her is true,” Fluttershy adds accusingly and you roll your eyes.
“You know, with all those years you yelled about brainwashing, and yet you lot have done it to yourselves,” you shake your head. “I mean, even your chaotic boyfriend did it.”
“M-My What? I-Uh…I don’t…” she stammers going red in the face.
“Wait, what’s this about Discord?” asks Applejack.
“N-Nothing! Nothing’s about Discord!” Fluttershy squeaks and AJ gives her a raised brow.
“Ain’t nothing my flank. That mix match nutjob brainwashed ya’ll two years ago right before he was stoned again, and noling gives a buck.”
"HE DID WHAT?!!" Applejack shouts in outrage looking to Fluttershy who shrinks down.
“Applejack?!” Twilight calls from downstairs sounding surprised.
“Oh…right…” AJ rubs the back of her neck and you facehoof.
“Well, I mean, I did tell you all about him changing everypony’s memories aside from myself, Zecora and some members of the fan club…” Fluttershy whispers meekly.
“…And you didn’t think to bring that up again after ya sweet talked him into being compliant?” you chastise.
“I…heh heh, I guess I forgot?” she chuckles nervously with a blush as you, Applejack and Orchard just stare at her in befuddlement. This is interrupted as there is a frantic knock at the door.
“Applejack! Is Everything Alright?! I Heard Yelling!” Twilight shouts from the other side of the door and AJ just starts sweating profusely. She gives one last look to Fluttershy and whispers,
“We’re going to have to discuss that more later too, but for now…” and she moves to the door.
On the Other Side of The Door
Down With Chrysalis’s Comment
"Ah! Twilight, Sugarcube!? What are...what are you doing here!?" AJ says nervously in a strained voice, causing the princess to stare at the wooden barrier in both relief and confusion.
"Uh...I came over to get you to visit Flash remember? We all talked about it yesterday?” she answers.
“Oh, uh, right. We were going to do that huh?” AJ says stiltedly.
“Yes, but then I heard you shouting. Is everything alright?”
There’s a short pause before she suddenly hears harsh whisperings between you lot. For a moment, Twilight wonders if it’s just her mumbling, or if she’s actually talking to someone else.
"Ah, gee Twi! I'm sorry but I'ma gonna have to make a rain check. Ya see, uh, Applebloom has been a little down and out since Nightshade hasn't sent a letter in a while. So we decided to play some games with her to cheer her up and they’re very competitive. Right now we're playin, uh..." she trails off. Twilight does find it a might suspicious, but she reckons all the blows Applejack has taken over the years has something to do with it. The Offender escaping in the chaos at Daring Do’s probably isn’t helping either.
"...Uh 'Secret Agent Infiltration!' Uh yeah, that's what we’re playing! Concarn it this is not going to work..."
"Uh, okay Applejack. I understand...kinda. But doesn't Applebloom have school? Also can I come in and not have a conversation through the door? Also, have you seen Fluttershy? She wasn’t at her house"
"Oh um, we let Applebloom skip today! Fluttershy? Nope! Haven’t seen her in ages! As for why you can't come in...uh...you need to answer a riddle!"
"...What?" Twilight monotones at her friend’s confusing words.
"Its...its apart of the game! Heh heh." You and the others facehoof simultaneously which Twilight thinks is just the house settling as she frowns. On one hoof, Twilight thinks that the pony who can’t lie her way out of a plastic bag might be hiding something from her…and yet, a gentler side thinks that maybe she’s just jaded after all the years of turmoil thanks to Nightmare Moon.
“Maybe seeing Flash hurt hit me harder than I thought,” she mumbles to herself before looking back to the door. "Okay then. What's the riddle?"
“Huh?” Applejack starts.
“I asked what the riddle is. I’ll play your game if it helps me talk to you pony to pony.”
"Uh...well...its....its...oh! Its-"
Back On Your Side of the Door
The Pony Spartan’s Comment
You facehoof once again.
“Why are we stressing?” you whisper harshly. “I’m a bucking changeling! I could just turn into literally anyling and solve this problem.”
“B-B-But she…” Applejack bites her lip nervously. You share a look with Smithy who just rolls her eyes at the stupidity before you and you nod and take initiative. You transform into Applejack herself and they all gasp.
“That’s unsettling,” AJ says plainly.
“You can say that again,” Fluttershy nods.
“Heh, ya still got it,” Orchard congratulates.
“Thanks babe,” you smile before you waltz over and push Applejack onto the ground and take her place.
“What was that thumping noise?” asks Twilight.
“Oh, nothing sugarcube, just my big headedness making the floors strain,” you say in AJ’s voice and she shoots you a dirty look.
“Ooooookkkkaaaayyyy…”
“But yeah, you wanted a riddle right? Well…”
Down With Chrysalis’s Comment
And thus this exchange happens:
After your expert trolling, Twilight makes a mental note to schedule an appointment with her usual therapist.
“Looks like canceling sessions after Nightmare Moon was revealed was a bad idea,” she mutters in strain.
“So yeah, answer the riddle and I’ll let you in,” you say.
“But there is no riddle! You won’t give it to me! AAAAHHHH!!!”
You all then hear the sound of magic and the shattering of a vase.
"Uh...Twilight. What was that?" asks the real Applejack.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Twilight?"
"Sorry Applejack but I gotta go see Flash I'll pay for damages later bye!" she shouts speedily followed by the sounds of retreating hoofsteps and the slamming of the front door.
Once everything goes quiet again, everling lets out a sigh of relief and you give a stink eye to AJ.
“A riddle? Really?”
“I ain’t good at improvising dang it,” she hoof stomps. “And stop looking like me, I don’t like it.”
Rolling your eyes, you change back into your gloriously handsome form.
“Seriously, I could have looked like either of your siblings, and just walked out, but no, ya made it complicated.”
“I’m sorry alright!” she huffs and crosses her forelegs.
“Well, ain’t no use crying over spilled milk,” Orchard speaks up before looking to you. “You said you had to get back to Shade?”
“That’s right,” you nod.
“Who’s that?” she asks and you smile.
“Your Great Granddaughter.”
She holds a hoof up to her chest in surprise.
“Great Granddaughter?” she asks happily.
“That’s right,” you smirk.
“I’m sorry, what?” Applejack says doing a double take.
“What, you thought that little Alicorn he kept with him and called his daughter was all an act?” you question.
“I just…we never knew what to make of her,” Applejack admits.
Ello Calebero’s Comment
“I do,” Fluttershy interjects. “She is an innocent in all of this mess.”
“Darn tootin,” you nod. “And she is most definitely NOT the reincarnation of Nightmare Moon.”
“Of course not,” Fluttershy agrees. “Just because she was taken over by that evil-OOMP”
You silence her usual tirade by putting a hoof over her mouth.
“It ain’t like that. The only reason Nightshade’s acting out and making headlines is that some jagoff went and gave her the Alicorn Amulet.”
Orchard and Applejack gasp at that announcement, and Fluttershy’s eyes widen since you’re still holding her mouth shut.
“That dang thing that went and made that Trixie lady go nuts?” asks Smithy.
“Yes,” you nod and sigh. “And right now that stupid thing is stuck inside her chest in a bunch of pieces, and the longer you all keep me here, the possibility of her losing control grows more.”
They are all shocked silent at that, even Fluttershy doesn’t seem to fight against that revelation. When you lower your hoof from her face, she looks speechless.
“How…how did she even get it? I thought Zecora…” she starts, but trails off.
“I don’t know,” you admit. “But how it came to pass can take a backseat till I figure out how to get the dang thing out. I mean Tartarus, that stupid fly boy kidnapping me in my sleep might have made Nightshade go on a rampage for all I know.”
Fluttershy and Applejack share a worried glance at that, while Smithy suddenly scrunches her face up.
“Her name is Nightshade?” she asks aloud and you beam.
“Eyup. Cutest little filly you ever did see,” you brag.
“But…wait…” she says deep in thought.
“What is it Granny?” asks her Granddaughter obliviously.
“Isn’t…isn’t that the name of Tennant’s daughter?” she asks aloud.
There is a deafening silence at that, and looking at the other two mares, you see two different sets of emotions. Applejack seems utterly bewildered, like she’s calling up a hazy memory, while Fluttershy is biting her lip, her eyes darting all around.
“I…Huh, you’re right,” Applejack says after awhile holding her head. “That is the same name isn’t it?”
“Yeah, he was always hollering that name,” Smithy nods.
“How…how did we not notice that before?” Applejack stutters as her vision clears.
Ah, the perception filter the Doc put on them. Guess I went and broke that, you conclude.
“Wh-What does it mean?” asks Applejack nervously. You look at Fluttershy who still seems to be holding back the info despite her wishes.
And that’s why you don’t make promises with the Pie lineage, you think before you decide to drop one more bombshell to get the train rolling.
“It means that that they’re the same pony ya numbskull,” you say bopping her on the head.
“Wh-What?”
“Both those fillies are the same pony, because BST is my boy.”
Applejack’s eyes widen to the size of dinner plates at that, as Smithy gasps and Fluttershy lets out a great gust of air.
“Agh! Thank you! I’ve been holding that one back for so long!” she cries out in a mix of emotions.
“So wait…Baker is my Grandson, and Sweet Little Nightshade is my Great Granddaughter?” Orchard asks excitedly.
“Eyup,” you nod as Fluttershy breathes in and out heavily, while Applejack has yet another thousand yard stare.
“Oh my goodness gracious!” Orchard gasps. “They was living right along with us, and I had no idea. My own flesh and blood, so close and yet so far…”
You put a comforting hoof on her shoulder and give it a squeeze.
“To be fair, he didn’t know at the time either.”
“I just…I can’t believe it. This whole time, they were right here and we didn’t know,” she stammers.
“I found out first! I figured it out! I made a Pinkie Promise and I couldn’t say anything no matter how much I wanted to!” Fluttershy yells loudly, finally able to vent.
“Nnnnoooo,” Applejack groans.
“Yes, I’m sorry Applejack, but it’s true!” Fluttershy declares, taking her friend by the shoulders and shaking her. “It’s all true!”
“B-B-But…”
“Yes Applejack! You and him...HRK!” Fluttershy lets go and stops herself from vomiting again as Applejack looks like a kicked puppy.
“Wait a sec, that’s right!” Smithy says as a look of disgust comes across her face looking at her Granddaughter. “Oh sugar cube you…”
“I kissed him…” she says in horror. “Baker is the Offender, he’s my cousin and I…I…” and true to form, Applejack passes out.
“Yeah, this was the other thing I knew that I said would break her,” you admit to Smithy.
“I can see why…” she nods before looking you right in the eye. “I think she might need a stiff cider after all of that. Hay, I know I do.”
“Me too,” Fluttershy says, still a bit red in the face.
“Well alright then, I’ll refrain since I had Dragon Whisky not too long ago, but seriously, I’ve got to get out there and look for Nightshade afterwards,” you say and Orchard looks at you with reluctance before she nods.
“I suppose you do,” she nods as she touches your face. “But first, help me drag her to the distillery in the barn, she weighs a ton.”
“Yeah yeah, alright,” you nod as you transform in Smithy’s grandson since he has a stronger back. Though your transformations aren’t as good as when you were younger, the size difference does still help, even if you don’t have his full strength.
Fluttershy also helps, by grabbing a hoof.
“Umm, by the way, I’ll help you find Nightshade,” she says and you look at her incredulously. “I will! Whatever is going on, I don’t want her having the Alicorn Amulet inside of her.”
“Neither do I. Take her with ya Fix, you might need the extra help for our Great Granddaughter,” Smithy smirks.
“I’ll think about it,” you say as you grunt hauling the weight of the passed out mare.
POV CHANGE: Nightshade
Kichi’s Comment
You and your group finally exit the fire swamps, and enter into the good ol Everfree Forest…so really, about the same, only less fire.
“Alright, now hear me out. If we all fly together and all pick him up without magic, then maybe he won’t get mad and blast our brains,” you suggest pointing to Slendermane.
“But if he does then we’ll all fall into a big lump and that will be even worse than hitting the ground,” Ember counters.
“That’s assuming he can hit us all at once,” Greta argues.
“Yeah, maybe it only affects ponies. I bet a superior dragon mind wouldn’t even be bothered by it,” Garble boasts as he slaps Slendy on the back. Almost as if to prove a point, Slendermane’s head does a 180, and Garble suddenly stiffens, shrieks, holds his head in pain and falls to the ground with a small trickle of blood coming out of his ears. You all walk past him as he pants.
“You deserved that,” you say plainly before getting back to the matter at hand. “But what if we like, played hot potato with him mid air? Between the five of us, maybe he won’t have a chance?”
“Uh, you all seem to be forgetting that I can’t fly,” Ahuizotl speaks up. “No wings remember?”
“Ah buck,” you grunt and kick the floor, because you really did forget.
“I mean, can’t we just carry him too?” asks Ember.
“Are you kidding?” Greta asks. “He’s a good 8 heads taller than any of us, and probably weighs a ton.”
“Are you calling me fat?!” he scoffs putting his paws on his hips.
“No! I just meant that-“
“It sounded like she called you fat,” Garble warbles as he catches up and leans against Ahuizotl for support and Greta rolls her eyes.
“I’ll have you know I am quite fit and healthy for my kind, thank you very much,” he says in offense.
“To be fair, that would actually make you heavier I think if it’s all muscle,” you point out.
“Okay fine! We’re not carrying him, I get it!” Ember throws her hands up in frustration.
“Maybe we could just leave him behind and he can play catch up?” Garble suggests and gets a tail paw to the back of the head for the effort.
“No no, we don’t want to split the party,” you say with a sigh and trudge along.
“Well if we know he’s going to Ponyville or Canterlot, why don’t some of us fly ahead and wait for him to pop out?” Greta suggests.
“Because if he changes direction, it would take forever to find him again,” Ahuizotl answers.
“Are you sure? I could scout ahead. I am the best flyer in the group after all,” she boasts.
"Wait, why are you the best?" asks Ember.
"I'm the only one that was in a Flying School...I would assume,” she says looking to you.
“Yeah, I’ve only been flying for like a month and I was taught by Grandbuggy,” you admit.
“So yeah, because I doubt Dragon’s have organized schools.”
“Not for flying anyway,” Ember mutters.
"Wait, how do dragons learn to fly then?" you ask curiously. “I mean, when Spike gets his wings, this could come in handy.”
"Uh, we are given a couple of tips and suggestions and then thrown into a volcano until we get it,” Garble answers and you all look at him.
“What?”
“Dude, that’s not how it usually goes,” Ember chuckles. “I think your Dad just hates you.”
“He does not!” he barks.
“Yeah, well my Dad actually flew alongside me till I got it soooo…”
“Hmmph, whatever,” Garble pouts.
“Hmm, fascinating,” Ahuizotl ponders. “That practice Garble’s father used sounds like an ancient Pegasus practice where they would throw foals from a cloud to see who was the strongest.”
“…That’s bucked up,” you shudder.
“Indeed, the Princesses banned that many centuries ago,” he nods.
“Well, I’m gonna see how much further we have, maybe someone could go and get snacks or something,” you say as you fly above the tree tops and peer into the distance. Sure enough, you can see signs of civilization.
“We’re a lot closer than I thought,” you say aloud before flying down to the others.
“Okay, I think I saw Ponyville and we just get there before we all die of boredom,” you tell them.
“Ugh, Finally! I’m tired of roughing it,” Greta complains.
“And we are running a bit low on supplies,” Ahuizotl adds.
“We are?” you question.
“Yeah, unless you got anymore food in your bag?” asks Garble.
Puzzling Frost’s Comment
“Let me check,” you say as you do an Inventory Check.
INVENTORY
Weapons
Dark Cannon (Laser Gun with Limited Shots)
Junk Jet (Cannon that Launches Junk)
Scone of Bludgeoning
8 Jars of Laughter
Power Pole
Artifacts
Bloodstone Scepter Shard
Golden Idol of Boreas
Petrified Dragon Egg
Ring of Scorchero
Miscellaneous
Assorted Movies, Videogames and Videogame Systems
Daring Do's Pith Helmet
Frost’s Locket (Broken)
Grandbuggy's Bowler
Ocarina (Might be able to manipulate weather?)
Mangle, Plush Robot Fox Pet
Rubber Quesadilla
After giving Mangle a scratch behind the ears, you pull your head out.
“Nope, no food. I mean, you could always try to nibble on the Scone of Bludgeoning, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Alright, so a supply run is in order if we can manage it,” Ahuizotl nods.
“Well, if he’s not in the town, that would make it easier I suppose,” Greta says.
“We’ll know soon enough, because once we get there, we see which direction Slendy is walking and then I’ll know whether he’s there or not, because really there’s only 6 places he could be if he is,” you say confidently.
“Uh, chica, not to rain on your parade, but have you forgotten who exactly lives in that town?” Ahuizotl asks.
“Uh, yeah? The Deadly 6, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Diamond Tiara, Silverspoon, several mares that chase daddy around trying to marry him and Spikey.”
“Spikey?” he asks with a raised brow.
“I mean Spike! There was no cutesy flair to it!” You ramble with a slight blush.
“Noted, but yes, most of those you’ve listed haven't had the best history with you and your father right? Especially since they found out about your mother?” Ahuizotl points.
“Yeah, yeah, but I’ve dealt with them before, and if he is in town, then the 6 are most likely involved, I know,” you admit, thinking back to your “fight” with Frost and how he said a guard took Grandbuggy. “Ms. Twilight’s a Princess now, so guards would most likely go to her…”
“And that fact doesn’t give you pause?” he asks.
“So? We’ve dealt with that before, we’ll be fine! We’ll just sneak in, look for Grandbuggy, grab him and get out. Simple as that,” you say with a cheeky grin.
“And how are we gonna do that? We don’t exactly blend in with a crowd,” Greta says as she emphasizes your NONpony companions.
“Ooh…you're probably right,” you say lowering your head in annoyance but your frown fades as an idea pops into your head. “Wait, I can fix that!”
“Wait what do you mean by fix?” Garble starts but you cut him off as you cast a spell. Your horn glows brightly as a flash of green light blinds everyone. When your friends open their eyes again, they see that nothing seems changed.
“Um, I’m no expert on magic, but nothing happened," Ember states in confusion as you giggle and stare at their bewilderment.
“Just go look in the water,” you say pointing your hoof to the nearby stream. The group goes over to do just that and they gasp for in the water they see four ponies staring back at them.
Ahuizotl looks like a rather large dark blue earth pony stallion with a lighter blue shaded mane with gold rings around his neck and a temple for a cutie mark, Greta has a dark brown coat and wings with a white mane and tail with green streaks and a video game controller cutie mark, Ember is a teal blue pegasus with white streaks in her mane and a cutie mark of a dragon winged crown, and Garble is a red pegasus with a large orange mane and tail and his cutie mark is a pair of bongos.
“I...wha?” Ember sputters looking back and forth at the ponies in the water and their real selves in front of her.
“Um, Shade? Explain?” Greta demands backing up from the river with the other three following suit. You chuckled at their bemusement.
“Well you said you’d all stand out, so I made you not stand out,” you giggle. “I thought that I could use my changeling magic and what little I learned from Twilight to make you all look different, and it worked!”
“Y-You didn’t know if it would work or not?” asks Garble shakily.
“No, I’d never tried it before. If I knew I could do this way back when, Daddy wouldn’t have had to wear so many disguise,” you hoofwave.
“Then how did you…?” Ember starts, but you tap your chest.
“Because I have an unwelcome power boost for right now,” you frown before pepping up. “But for now it’s proving useful. To everyone else, you look like ponies, but for us, you look the same. It’s like an illusion spell only more effective. Now we can slip into town undetected and you won't have to hide. As long as we don’t draw attention to ourselves we’ll be fine.”
You then change form into an Earth Pony filly.
“They know me in that town as an alicorn and a Unicorn so this will have to do…But if I see my friends, just know I might say a quick hello,” you warn them. All of them remain silent at that however as they look at you and at each other worriedly.
“Uh...chica? I think there’s a flaw in your disguise,” Ahuizotl speaks up. You turn to him confused as you see him point to his chest. Your eyes widen as you look down to see the shards of the amulet still there.
“What?!” Your horn glows and you change into a pegasus, but the shards remain. You then shift to a unicorn, still there. Pony changeling hybrid, nope. Your horn glows as you changed again trying to hide the shards, a donkey, a bird, a dog, a snake, a chimera, a dragon, a griffon, even a diamond dog! Nothing changes, as the shards still stick out. You growl as your annoyance grows and you return to your alicorn form and glare at the glowing protrusions “OH COME THE BUCK ON?! THEY STAY WHEN I CHANGE?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!” You shout in rage.
“Whoa there Shade, take it easy, getting angry won’t solve anything,” Greta says comfortingly as she eyes the glowing shards.
“But that still doesn’t explain why the shards won’t go away!” You growl.
“The amulet was a very powerful artifact chica, it can’t easily be hidden by magic. It's like hiding a stain with more stains, it will still show up,” Ahuizotl explains.
“Yeah, or like trying to cover dirt with more dirt, all you have is dirt,” Ember adds.
“What if it’s different colored dirt?” Garble asks uselessly and they all glare at him till he chuckles nervously.
You sigh as Ahzi’s words make some sense, but they still don’t make your annoyance go away.
“Well, I can’t go to town like this! Ponies may be dense at times but I doubt they’ll not see a foal with a glowing scar on her chest!” you grunt.
“Perhaps I can be of some help my little friend, if you tell me what it is I need to mend?” a familiar voice speaks as the group jumps and stares at the zebra who walked up to them.
“Zecora!” You shout running to hug the zebra mare in question. “Oh Zebra Sensei I missed you!”
“Nightshade, it is good to see you,” she says as she returns the hug, albeit with a grunt from your tackle. “But pray to tell who are these creatures that come with you?”
“Zecora these are my friends! Ahuizotl, Ember, Greta, and Garble,” you say waving your hoof over to the group but you pause as you recognize what she said. “Wait, you can’t see the illusion?” You say looking at her with curiosity.
“My dear little one, if Discord’s powers could not affect me, then I highly doubt your neat little spell would do so easily,” she chuckles, “Though not bad arcane mastery.” You blush at her compliment.
“Thanks Zecora,” you nod as you step back from her. “It’s been awhile huh?”
“Yes it has my little friend, and like most times, it came at an unfortunate end,” she says sadly. You didn’t see her yourself when the Trixie incident happened, but you know she was around.
“Yeah…” you nod sadly.
“Though I am glad to see you alive and well, but since I don’t see him, where is your father, pray tell?” she asks looking around.
“He’s....kind of in another dimension right now with Mommy,” you say and she only raises a brow. “Yeah, I know it sounds weird, but he’s looking for something that can help Mommy get a body, and that’s what I’m doing too, but things got so out of hand and-“
“It’s alright child, I believe you so,” she interrupts you. “And by Mommy, you mean Nightmare Moon, no?”
“That’s not her name anymore!” you shout out of habit, though Zebra sensei is not fazed. “She’s not a monster!”
Not like me…
“Forgive me child, I did not mean it that way, I just like having all the facts in this age and day,” she apologizes.
“…Why is the striped horse rhyming everything?” Ember asks Greta.
“You’ve got me,” Greta shrugs. You ignore the banter with a sigh and look to your shaman friend.
“It’s alright, sorry for yelling. But yeah, what everyling thinks about Mommy is wrong,” you tell her plainly and she gives you a smile.
“I look forward to hearing tale, hopefully I can hear it all before you yet again bail,” she smirks.
“So is this the lady that taught you how to fight better with sticks?” Garble speaks up.
“Yup! Zebra Sensei in the flesh!” you brag.
“Ah, so you are the famous Zebra I’ve heard so much about,” Ahuizotl says walking forward and extending his paw to her. “A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance Senorita.” Zecora shakes his paw happily as the others gather around.
“Oh no, the pleasure is all mine. In fact, I think I may have heard of you from a new housemate of mine,” she says with a smirk.
“No kidding?” he asks a bit surprised and she nods.
“Our time together has been short, but it’s true, if there’s one thing she talks on end about, it’s you.”
“Huh, she might be a fan or something,” you shrug.
“If so, I would like to meet her,” he says excitedly before coughing into his paw. “I mean, after we find Fix of course.”
“Of course,” Greta rolls her eyes with a smirk.
“Um, not to be rude or anything black and white pony, but how did you find us?” Ember asks looking at her with suspicion.
“She’s a Zebra Ember,” you correct. “And she found us because she lives in these woods and sees everything within it.”
“Well that’s only partially true,” she admits. “I stumbled upon you all while on a chore I came out here to do.”
“Oh,” you say a bit disappointed that she isn’t some all seeing force of the universe.
“Yes, I came out here to see what could cause a flying Cragodile,” she continues and you pale slightly. “To be honest, I have not seen something that strange in quite awhile.
“Yeah…sure sounds mysterious,” you say nervously before coughing into your hoof.
“But anyway, if you say that your father has gone to this other where, how did you come to be in this group’s care?” she inquires. “Two dragons, a griffon and a guardian beast, quite a mix match of character you could say at least.”
“Well actually I started out with my Grandbuggy, that’s my Dad’s Granddad by the way, turns out he was alive this whole time and kind of moving through time, but he stayed with us after the incident in Appelloosa, but then Daddy and Mommy went to another dimension and we went hunting and we picked up Ahuizotl to help, and Greta by accident and-“ you start to ramble on, but are stopped when she gasps in fright after getting a better look at your front.
“By the old ones! My child, what has happened to your chest?!” she asks in horror pointing to your little souvenirs. “How in your skin, did these gems come to rest?”
“Oh…right,” you sigh at that. “Well you see we needed a petrified dragon egg, that’s one of the pieces we need for Mommy, so we went to Rainbow Falls and…” And you proceed to tell her the cliff notes on what happened. When you are finished, your sensei looks at you with very sad eyes and puts a hoof on your shoulder.
“…My poor little Nightshade…I am so sorry for bringing you pain that can’t fade…”
“Huh?”
“The Princesses left that accursed thing in my care, but it was swiped beneath my nose. And now I can plainly see, it has caused you pain and untold woes,” Zecora sniffles, bringing you in for a bigger hug.
“You…you had the amulet?” you ask in shock and she nods. “But…but who could steal from you? You’re awesome?” you ask aloud. It doesn’t make sense, Zecora is not the kind of mare you steal from without a bop to the head.
Daddy’s “Friend” sent it to me. Whoever they are, they keep sending letters even when we’re in the middle of nowhere, you think in realization and frown. Well if I didn’t think they were no good before, this cements it. That bucker stole from Zecora, and whoever they are, I will make them pay!
“You think you can help her?” Ahuizotl asks the shamans who lets out a sigh.
“It would take time and skill, far beyond what I can do with my own aid. The amulet is ancient and filled with dark magic I’m afraid. But now that it has merged with you, we must get it out before it’s too late, for I do not wish you to share Trixie’s fate....” Zecora says sternly and you shudder at her warning.
Before you all can say anything else though, you hear a distant shriek of a mare.
“AHHH!!!! MONSTER!!!!!” the familiar voice carries to you all.
“Where?” Ember asks turning her head left and right.
“Oh for-Mr No Face wandered off again!” Greta says in frustration.
“Doh!” you facehoof as you completely forgot about him after seeing Zecora. “Of course he would keep going.”
“ZECORA!!! If You Can Hear Me I’m Heading To Town, BYE!” the mare’s voice calls through the trees and Zecora looks confused.
“Hmm, that voice sounded awfully familiar,” Ahuizotl strokes his chin.
“Um, my roommate seems to be under a bit of strain, what do you mean by Mr No Face? Can you explain?” Zecora asks you.
“Your friend got spooked by Slendermane, he’s a tall stallion in a suit and no face, and he knows where Grandbuggy is at all times because he owes him money!” you explain hurriedly.
Zecora just seems awestruck by that explanation.
“Yeah trust me, thinking about it doesn’t make him make any more sense,” Garble interject.
“Ooookkkkaaaayyy…I guess it’s not the strangest thing I’ve heard today,” Zecora shrugs.
“So yeah, maybe we should catch up with him before he causes a ruckus in Ponyville? He kind of stands out,” you suggest to the group as you start galloping in his direction. “I mean, the last thing we want is Grandbuggy getting caught between Twilight and a very annoyed, albeit patient eldritch abomination.”
“Well so much for not attracting attention,” Garble grumbles as you all pick up his trail again.
“If we’re lucky, we’ll just surround him looking like our pony illusions,” Greta says.
“The dude still doesn’t have a face!” Ember argues.
“Then Ahuizotl will stand in front of him!” you interrupt and he looks to you.
“The last thing I want is him behind me chica!”
“Yeah, well, too bad!” you say as Zecora just watches all of your banter with fascination. She then runs evenly with you and pulls something out of her bag and drapes it around your neck with ease.
“Huh?” You say looking down at the dark grey scarf around your neck.
“To hide your nasty wound, so that no one will bother your unhelpful boon,” Zecora rhymes as she keeps up with you. You nod thanking her as you head towards the town which houses so many of your family’s problems, and yet also some of the best memories of your short life.
“Why does Lady Luck hate me?” you mutter to yourself.
POV CHANGE: Grandbuggy
After dragging the passed out mare to the barn, Smithy and Fluttershy all grabbed a bottle of cider each. And while Orchard takes steady drinks, the pegasus mare just downs her bottle.
“Easy there missy, you don’t want to get a pounding head, trust me,” you warn as phantom pain from your massive hangover makes you wince.
“It’s fi-Hic-Fine! I cahanndle it!” she warbles as she sways.
“…Really? This girl’s that much of a lightweight?” you ask incredulously to Orchard.
“Like I told ya back at Commander Hurricane’s wedding, pegasi can’t hold their liquor. It’s them hollow bones,” she answers taking another swig and setting a fresh bottle by AJ’s head.
“I can see that,” you say as the mare starts giggling drunkenly.
“Can’t say I blame her. I mean, two of my grandkids getting too friendly? Bleh! We ain’t the Hayseeds!” she grimaces and drinks again.
“Yeah don’t worry, I’m sure after some very awkward dinners, we can all look past this and laugh,” you comfort. To this she looks at you forlornly.
“Fix…will that actually happen?” she asks hesitantly and you wince. “Will you come back after you’ve find Nightshade?”
“I…” you start and sigh. “I want to come back Orchard, but it might be hard. There’s still one or two things I need to find, and I’ve really got to get that thing out of her chest. Plus, once the boy comes back, there’s still gonna be angry folks wanting to hurt his significant other.”
She looks downcast at that but nods.
“I understand…Which is saying something,” she chuckles. “Where is he anyway?”
“Another dimension,” you answer honestly since you two have experiences with that.
“Hoo Boy,” she shakes her head.
“Yeah, he needs to find something to help get Nightshade’s mom out of his head.”
“Heh, if I hadn’t traveled with you when we were younger, I think I’d find more of this strange,” she smirks. “I mean, I didn’t think in a thousand years that the Apple family would end up being family to royalty.”
“It’s a crazy world we live in,” you chuckle.
“Yer Darn Right It Is!” Fluttershy hiccups from the corner.
“…You know, I think it might be easier just to leave her here. Last thing I need is a drunken Element drawing attent-“
Down With Chrysalis’s Comment
Kichi’s Comment
Changer T Emerald’s Comment
The Pony Spartan’s Comment
Suddenly, there is a pop of magic as Twilight teleports right in front of the barn, facing the house.
“I FIGURED IT OUT!” she shouts to the house.
“AGH!” you yelp in surprise and fear at the sudden appearance.
“Huh?” Twilight’s attention is caught by this as she starts to turn her head, and instinctually you jump into a barrel of apples.
“What the…?” you hear Twilight stammer as she walks into the barn. “Granny Smith? Fluttershy?”
“Oh, uh, hey Twilight, how you doin?” asks Orchard. Peering through a knot hole, you see the mare looking at your nervous love, the dizzy pegasus, and the passed out AJ.
“Uh…fine. I came back because I figured out that the riddle was just a play on words and…What’s going on here?” she asks.
“Oh, uh, just having a bit of an afternoon nip, heh heh,” Orchard lies nervously.
“Yoush should join us Twilighke!” Fluttershy bellows and the mare seems even more confused.
“You’re all drinking? When did you get here Fluttershy? What happened to Applejack? I thought she was playing games with Applebloom, and who the heck jumped into the barrel of apples?!”
“Oh uh…that was…” Smithy stammers as Fluttershy puts a wing over her friend.
“Ish a secret,” she giggles.
Beyond confused, the purple alicorn starts making her way towards your position.
“Who’s in there?” she asks suspiciously.
Crap baskets! Alright, time to override her brain, you think as you transform.
“I said who’s in-WHA?!” she falls backward in shock as you pop out in the guise of Princess Celestia.
“Hello My Faithful Student!” you say to her and her eyes widen.
“AHHH! The Princess Is Here!” Fluttershy shrieks and flies out the door and Orchard just looks at you incredulously.
“Pr-Pr-Princess Celestia?” Twilight gasps.
“That’s right Twilight…How are you?” you ask.
“I-I-I’m fine I just…When did you get to town?”
“Oh, just awhile ago,” you lie and the mare looks bewildered.
“And you came here?” she asks.
“…Yes,” you nod.
“I…Why did you come here to the Apple Farm? Why are You Hiding in a Barrel? What is…What is going on?” Twilight asks as her mane starts to frazzle.
“Oh, uh…I was hiding because I didn’t want you to know I was visiting my lover, uh…Big Mac.”
“WHAT?!” she shrieks and Smithy facehoofs.
“Oh yes, I didn’t want you to know I was dating a lowly peasant and all that. He’s actually in the barrel with me.”
“He-Wha-“
“In fact, now that you know, You Should Join Us Twilight,” you say with lidded eyes.
“Huh?” she asks taken aback.
“Join us in the barrel Twilight, there’s plenty of room for one more,” you troll wiggling your eyebrows.
“I-I-I-I-“ she starts to stutter with a blush on her face before her eyes roll into the back of her skull and she passes out.
“…Dang, I’m on a roll today,” you think with pride as you transform back and hop out of the barrel.
“Fix, yer gonna give these mare’s a heart attack if you keep messing with them like this,” Orchard scolds.
“Eh they can take it,” you hoofwave as you transform into your pony guise. “Now, I think I should be going before she wa-“
“Oooohhh,” she groans as she starts to come out of it.
“Curse You Alicorn Resilience!” you shout as her eyes land on you.
Ello Calebero’s Comment
“Wh-What happened?” she asks groggily and sits up. Her eyes then widen and she looks at the barrel. “Princess Celestia?!”
“Celestia? Why would she be here Twilight?” asks Smithy.
“I just…” she pauses as she sees the barrel is empty and shakes her head. “I think I just had a really weird dream…”
“Yeah that’s definitely what it was,” you say as you help her up.
“Thank you…who are you?” she asks.
“Oh nopony in particular,” you say and she raises a brow.
“Right…” she trails off and looks to the passed out AJ with a bottle by her head. “Well at least I didn’t imagine that. What’s really going on Granny Smith?”
Orchard sighs and gives you a look that makes you sweat.
Ah buck, she’s going the truthful route!
“I ain’t gonna lie to you princess,” she starts and you eye the doorway. “The truth is…Applejack couldn’t handle the truth.”
“Huh? What truth?” Twilight questions.
“I…well…” you stammer.
“The truth that this here stallion is an old flame of mine…and we’re rekindling that flame,” she says as she walks next to you and drapes a foreleg around your neck.
…Oh you sneaky minx you, you think with pride.
“Oh…OH!” Twilight blushes as she realizes what that means.
“Eyup,” she nods. “This here is Quick Fix, and he stopped by to visit me,” she says with flirty eyes towards you. Taking her cue, you easily slip back into your role with her.
“That’s right, it’s been years since I saw this beauty. But yes, it’s pleasure to meet you Princess Twilight,” you say with a slight bow.
“I see, well…sorry for prying,” she chuckles nervously and looks back to Applejack.
“Like I said, she couldn’t take the truth well, so we dragged her here,” Granny says.
“She’ll probably need a drink,” you add.
“Right…Seems like a bit of an overreaction to me,” Twilight says.
“Yeah, well, sometimes the truth is too much to handle,” you say slyly and she nods.
“Okay…well if she’s busy and not wanting to talk about it, I guess I’ll keep looking for Fluttershy to visit Flash and…Wait, did I imagine her drinking in here as well?” she asks.
“EEEK!” the mare in question shrieks and flies back inside the barn, bowling over her friend.
“Nope,” you answer Twilight’s question.
“Fluttershy! What is it?! Wh-“
“M-M-M-Monster!” she cries out, clinging to her friend and pointing out the barn doors. All of you look and you see…
“Oh for, Are You Serious Mate?!” you yell in frustration as your faceless Stalker stands in the doorway, staring at you expectedly.
“AAAAHHHH!!! WHAT IS THAT THING?!” Twilight screams as she scrambles backwards with the drunken Fluttershy and aims her horn at him.
“A Pain In The Neck Is What He Is,” you spit in disgust. “Seriously, get a hobyy!”
“Why Slendermane, is that you?” Orchard says, not scared at all. The faceless abomination looks her direction and gives a slight nod of acknowledgement. “Shoot, I ain’t seen you in a dog’s age.” Ironic since her dog Winona is currently hiding inside the main house under the kitchen table after seeing him.
“It’s far too soon for me. Go on, get out of here!” you try to shoo him away, but he won’t budge.
“Have you still not paid him back his bits?” Orchard reprimands you.
“He don’t deserve them!” you respond tersely.
“What are you two talking about?!” Twilight yelps as Fluttershy whimpers. Before anyone can answer, Slendy starts walking closer and closer, holding his hoof out, asking for his change. “AHHH! STAY BACK!” Twilight shouts as her horn starts to glow.
POV CHANGE: Nightshade
WARGAMES’s Comment
After rushing through the woods, you found Slendermane again, and thankfully he wasn’t heading for the town proper, but to the west of it. Having lived there for some months, you immediately knew that he was heading for Sweet Apple Acres.
By the time you caught up with him again though, he’d gone into the Apple’s barn and you heard the screams of Fluttershy and Twilight.
“Oh great, we were too late,” grumbles Greta.
“Not necessarily,” you point out. “If they’re in the barn, then Grandbuggy is probably tied up, so while they’re distracted, we just sneak in, grab him, and-“
*BOOM*
A large magical blast echoes out from the barn as a hole is created and Slendermane lands at your hooves. You all take a moment to stare at the smoking creature as he starts to get back up, seemingly nonplussed.
“Holy Buck,” Ember says what you’re all thinking.
Looking to the hole in the barn you see…something you weren’t expecting. Applejack seems to be sleeping on the ground, Fluttershy is crying and swaying for some reason, and Twilight looks harried and frazzled and is panting in fear, but there’s no sign of the rest of the Deadly 6.
“Stay Back You Horrible, Horrible…” Twilight stops her threat to Slendy as she notices you and your group disguised as ponies.
“What the…Nightshade?” she seeing you in your unicorn form.
“Nightshade?!” you hear a familiar gruff voice, and peering around the corner is you Grandbuggy in his pony form, and next to him is Granny Smith. Both of them seem very overjoyed to see you.
“…Okay, I’m gonna be honest here, I was not expecting this at all,” you admit as you and the rest of your Outcasts stare at the scenario dumbfounded. While Slendy stands back up, and the silence and shock of everyling else fills the air, Zecora takes this moment to say,
“I didn’t expect this either, I have to agree with you. But in such strange circumstances like this, one must ask themselves:
WHAT DO YOU DO?
You know, it’s shocking how there aren’t more characters losing their minds or becoming alcoholics after 4 years of insanity 
Hey Hive-Mind,
Sorry for the delay, I took some time to rest for Labor Day, and Zecora dialogue is the bane of my existence, but hopefully this tantalizing cliffhanger more than makes up for it. So anyway, we’ve got quite a situation on our hands, so tell me what happens next. How much does Twilight need to know to avoid sending everyling to Canterlot and screwing up the mission?
Just be advised, the Princesses are still in Canterlot and the rest of the Mane 6 are visiting Flash in the hospital.
Have Fun, And I’ll See You Next Chapter,
Brown Dog.
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do you remember that lighting storm from an old chapter?
9007081
use that wit the ocarina thing at some point,
But anyway, might I recommend a good old fashioned donut, thrown not horns, and as the point of the chapter is rescuing you granddads dad, use OP Illusion 100 power, and make him look like the air
Granny smith pinches fix's ear before finally making him give up the bits
After which s man goes on a rampage as interest for making him wait for so long
Suddenly just as he is about to land the finishing blow pyramid head shows up and tries to get his 20 bits back from s man who then refuses and the two get into a brawl
As nightshade yells I TOLD YOU MOTHERBUCKERS HE WAS REAL
During the brawl, pyramid head rips off s man's face to reveal Agent 47!
and they have a scooby doo moment where it is revealed that s man is actually agent 47 armed with the korosensei tentacles and sent from the future to change the course of history and uses the s man myth as a disguise to hide the existence of time travel.
YES, I AM STILL ON THAT THEORY!
"Nightshade? What are you doing here? Wait, I got it... Slendermane must be a agent of Nightmare Moon, it must be obvious, the rumors of foals being kidnapped... Run Nightshade! Don't trust the beast and run!" Shout Twilight as she put herself in the way in front of Slendermane.
"Graaaaahhhhh" The shout of what could be guessed Slendermane sound in the minds of everypony around
"I don't know from where did you come or what exactly are you but I will not let you damage anypony!" Shout Twilight throwing a beam at the feet of Slendermane only to be ignored as 'it' approach Quick Fix.
"God damn it! Fixie pay him!" Shout Orchard
"Never! You will not get my bits!" Answer Quick Fix as he began to run in direction of Ponyville only to be followed very slowly by Slendermane.
Meanwhile Nightshade look at her group.
"Should we do something?" Ask Nightshade that was surprised from everything that happened until now to move as she watch Slendermane put the turbo following her Grandbuggy while one of tortoise seemed to be racing against 'it' and win.
"Well, we know where he is now..." Comment Ember
"Yeah, but at this rate the princesses are going to come and take us to some dark dungeon, if daddy stories are true" Say Nightshade
"Well, you are in theory a Princess so you could give everyone a royal amnesty, and we have diplomatic inmunity" Comment Ahuizotl
"What?" Ask Garble
"Yeah... There are not many of my race around Equestria, and Ember is the Dragon Lord daughter, the most they could do is exile us or send us to our country..." Say Ahuizotl and then look at Zecora
"You have your legal papers, right?" Ask Ahuizotl
"My papers are in order, but I think I should check them again to be sure the date is no disorder" Answer Zecora while thinking about it.
"And to finish it... It seems the Princess is more interested in you and the stalker that in us..." Say Ahuizotl
"I just hope I don't get kidnapped for my own good" Comment Nightshade without noticing Fluttershy and Applejack looking suddenly very red
"Well, we can still follow Slendermane, it's not as if there is someone in Ponyville that have a debt even bigger, right?" Comment Garble
Just then Slendermane stop as it seemed to hear Garble and go in direction to Fluttershy cottage
"You had to open your big mouth" Groan Ember as she punch Garble while the others look at Fluttershy
"Um, well... Discord told me that he asked somepony named Slendy a couple of things and how he lost them" Mutter Fluttershy
Mmmmmm I am thinking that Discord's debt is ohing Slenderpony a new suit. Or he need to give him 20 bits as well. (Why do some people own 20 friken bits to Slenderpony?)
Welp there’s only one true way to start this chaos, and that’s with a roll call!
“Grandbuggy!”
Nightshades eyes shine in happiness at seeing her dear grandpa unharmed, even if this particular situation wasn’t the best.
“Nightshade!” Grandbuggy exclaims in a similarly happy tone at seeing his granddaughter again, he too forgetting the tense situation.
Must run in the family...
“Grandbuggy?”
Twilight’s confuses exclamation and sudden suspicious look towards Grandbuggy to gulp nervously, but before he could say anything damaging...
“Twilight!?”
Nightshade’s eyes widened in surprise at her former teachers sudden appearance, as she figured she’d be still at the library or at least wouldn’t show up just yet.
Twilight returned her attention back to Nightshade, her eyes widening in both happiness and extreme confusion at the sudden appearance of her favor-*cough* first student.
“Nightshade!”
Fluttershy suddenly called out, stopping Twilight from saying anything. Nightshade turn towards her in surprise...which quickly turned to confusion at the slightly (very) wobbly Pegasus.
“Flutter...shy?”
These type of exchanges continued to go on for some time, eventually to the point that everyone involved was just repeating everyone’s names all over again.
This cycle of name calling seemed to be endless, until thankfully the unicorn turned alicorns apparently short temper reached its peak as she stomped the ground in anger, causing a minor magical shockwave to blast across the ground as she shouted,
“I can't take it anymore! Can everyone just chill out for two seconds before something crazy happens again?!”
There was silence after her outburst, and all seemed to finally settle down. Twilight even began to slightly relax, as she could finally figure out just wha-
“MONSTER! There was a monster in town an-Ahuizotl!?”
“Daring!?”
...or not, and yet the princess had her second explosion right after that. That poor apple tree never stood a chance, and suddenly the close friendship between her and the destructive Tennant/Offender made much more sense to some of the individuals there.