//------------------------------// // Episode 55: A Role Reversal That'll Leave You Shocked!!! // Story: Life of a Wanted Changeling Season 3: Tyrants, Terrorists, and Tiaras, Oh My! // by Down with Chrysalis //------------------------------// Opening Theme: Kurolothgarian Comment This Babs Seed puffs her mane out of her eyes, and immediately your friends swarm her while Applejack sits back and chuckles. They keep introducing themselves rapidly, not letting her really get a word in edgewise, but from what you do hear from her, she has a thick Manehattan accent, like the one's you've seen in movies. You then suddenly have the urge to gather the girls, put on your old Foal Free Press uniforms, and sing in the streets while handing out newspapers with Batmane...but you shake your head from these thoughts. No! Now's not the time for a musical number. And I sure as heck don't think Christian Haybale is anywhere around here. Shaking your head from these random thoughts, you look back to your fellow CMC friends...who are currently hounding the new filly into a corner. You roll your eyes and sigh before you decide to help the poor filly as you interrupt them by saying, BrownDog's Comment “Yeesh girls, give her some room to breathe,” you say as you pull them apart. “Oh, sorry. We weren’t making you uncomfortable were we Babs?” asks Applebloom. “Yeah, sorry, we were just excited to meet you,” Scootaloo adds and Sweetie nods. “Nah. You all was fine. Like I was saying, I’m sure this stay is gonna be fun,” she says in her very strong accent. Now that you think of it can either be that of a Newsie, or straight from some gangster movie your dad let you watch. “And uh, who are you? I only remember cousin Applejack saying Applebloom only had two friends” she asks looking at you. “Oh, that’s because everyli-PONY thought I was dead for a few months,” you nonchalantly say with a hoof wave. “What?” she asks a bit shocked while Applebloom chuckles nervously, and Sweetie and Scootaloo facehoof. “Don't look too much into that. But anyway I’m back for now, and I sometimes live in Applebloom’s shed with my Dad,” you say with a wide smile, causing the filly to back away from you. “Uhh…” she mutters nervously. “The name’s Nightshade, resident kickflank,” you boast sticking your hoof out. The weird thing is, she flinches at first, as if she expected you to hit her. Before you can think more on that, she bumps your hoof. “P-pleased to meetcha,” she stutters in her accent. “Great. Now that we’re friends, can I ask you a question?” “Uh, Sure. What is it?” “Are you a gangster? Because you sound just like a character out of a Martin Scorehayze movie.” She again looks taken aback at you, as the rest of the girls facehoof again, and Applejack chuckles. “I ain’t no gangster! And my pops was cleared of those rum running charges!” she defends. “Oh, sorry,” you apologize, and then realize something, "Wait a minute, why would he be accused of rum running in this day and age?" "He wouldn't, the courts said so!" she says, not answering your question at all. "But, I...I thought booze was legal?" you say looking to Applejack. "Oh it is Sugar Cube, though hauling it across the border between Manehattan and Caneighda without a license-" "Allegedly!" Babs pipes up. "...Allegedly, is still illegal." "Oh..." you say in understanding. A Walk Later After that bit of awkwardness (Though you still swear she's probably a gangster), you four take Babs to the Cutie Mark Crusader Clubhouse. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders?” she asks confused as you all tell her the name of your club. “A club devoted to helping ponies get there cutie marks,” Scootaloo explains as she Applebloom and Sweetie Belle shove their flanks together, causing some sort of unnatural shine. “AH! Yeesh girls, what the heck have you been putting on your butts? Chrome?” you shout as you shield your eyes. As you do, you notice Babs’s eyes widen in shock as her tail subconsciously covers her own blank flank. “Well we have been using that shiny paint for the parade float,” Sweetie surmises about their shining butt fur. “…Anyway,” Applebloom gets back on track, “We’re the only members, well technically Nightshade is a returning member, and we’re always looking to expand,” she pitches. The three of them then go about explaining what they do around the clubhouse while you sit back and take it in seeing as how you were on hiatus for a few months. And even though they put on a big show about the activities, it seems but it seems Babs is underwhelmed, so Applebloom calls a huddle. “I thought she’d be more impressed,” Applebloom says. “Well she’s from Manehattan, if we want to impress her, we really have to wow her,” Sweetie says. “Why don’t we just take her into the Everfree to see some of the cool monsters we got?” you suggest. “We want to impress her Nightshade, not kill her,” Scootaloo deadpans. “Well excuse me for suggesting cool stuff,” you harrumph. “You think they got an Olive Grotto in Manehattan?” “Of course they do, that’s where the restaurant is from,” Sweetie says. "And we kind of got the one here shut down remember?" Applebloom adds. "Oh right, revenge pranking. Totally forgot," you say in rememberance. “Well in that case I’m out of ideas…” The four of you then have a group “Hmmmm.” "Oh, I got a great Idea. Why don't we introduce her to your Fox thing?" Scootaloo suggests to you. "Mangle? Well I guess we could, but I kind of left her in my Dad's inventory." I've really got to get my Inventory back now that we're not hauling criminals around in it, you think as Applebloom says, "We got plenty of time to introduce her to Mangle and your Dad at dinner, right now we have to show her something that represents all four of us." "Yeah alright," Scootaloo concedes. "Still though, Nightshade's dad and pet are some of the coolest things Ponyville's got." While Scootaloo fans out over your Dad, you wonder what he's up to. POV Change: Bugze Kersey's Comment You are currently helping Big Red make a racing path and other entertainment areas for the Family Reunion. You've had to make several Horseshoe tossing lanes, set up bleachers and flag poles, and now this. "Ugh, if I wasn't getting paid and invited to this thing, I'd say it's all yours," you complain to Big Red who just rolls his eyes. So while your body sweats from physical labor, you let your mind wander to a conversation you've been having. So, I'm thinking that if we can get a battering ram onto a cart, and roll it right off the edge of the hill, it will strike him right where it hurts. But how would you even get him into that spot and position and have him stay still long enough, not to mention have him not hear the cart rolling down the hill? Dang you're right. This is obviously a two stallion job...but now that just raises the question of who would be willing (stupid) enough to help me revenge prank Bulk Biceps? Must we really do this? she asks in annoyance. Yes! The guy decked me in the halls during the Loveocalypse in front of everyone for no reason! you think passionately. As I recall, he did it in retaliation for your badgering of his little brother. ...OK, so maybe there was a reason, but still! It's the principal of the matter. His comeuppance has to be equal to what he did to me, and since Nightshade showed us that he's immune to normal nard shots, we have to apply greater force! And once we're even, we can be bros again. As Selena rolls her eyes at your antics, the two of you don't notice five fillies running towards the main barn. POV Change: Nightshade BrownDog's Comment You five trot into the main barn to show off the parade float you all made for the Summer Harvest Festival. Ultimately, this was the most interesting thing you guys could think of to impress Babs. I mean, without the random monsters or occasional crazy pony, I forgot how dull Ponyville could actually be, you think to yourself. Regardless on how dull it is, this float has been interesting to work on. It’s a golden pumpkin. Why you all made a pumpkin and not an apple seeing as how you’re on Apple Family Land? Nopony knows for sure, but you all blamed Snips and Snails, even though they’ve been nowhere near this project. Anyway, you present her with the giant pumpkin, you even run inside it and turn on the magic engine so she can hear it sing, and Scootaloo offers her a seat on it. "As a Cutie Mark Crusader, you can ride it with us. It's gonna be so much fun!" “More like Funny…” “Looking!” Your hair stands up on end as you hear the snooty sounding voices. Oh criminy not these whackadoos again, you think indignantly as you hear Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walk around the corner, giggling like idiots. “What is that thing a giant orange?” Silver Spoon mocks. “It’s a pumpkin,” Applebloom defends. “More like a Lame-kin,” Diamond Tiara “Disses” before they laugh again. Really? That’s the best you got? You think as you get off the seat and start walking towards the door. “Say, who’s the new blank flank?” Diamond Tiara asks. “You gonna join their club?” Silver mocks, causing Babs to shrink down and cover her flank. Before they can say anything else though... Amethyst Blade's Comment: First order of bussiness. Derail the episode right from the get go, Nightshade! “I wouldn’t diss her if I were you, I’m pretty sure she’s in the mafia,” you declare as you open the Pumpkin door and step out, startling Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. “And Lame-Kin? Seriously? Don’t you remember anything I talked about with a good insult you chucklebucks?” you snarl. DT and SP back up away from you, and in the corner of your eye, you see Babs smile vindictively. “N-Nightshade…” Silver sputters. “Y-you’re actually back,” Diamond adds nervously. “Heck ya I’m back, no foalnapping changelings are gonna be the end of me, even if you two hoped it would be” you declare puffing your chest out. They stop backing up and look at you nervously. ThePonySpartan's Comment: When Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon appear they have mixed feelings. Still rude to the CMC, a little hesitant towards Nightshade because last time they thought she died and they ended on a bad note. “W-we never hoped that. Wh-when we thought that you and your dad-” Silver says in a downcast voice. “Oh really? You all didn't throw yourself a little party celebrating my death before getting back to annoying my friends?” you snarl causing them to shudder. “No! That sounds horrible. Silver's right, we wouldn't do that. Um…Look, we’re glad that you’re not dead especially after how we…” Diamond starts, but you cut her off. “Yeah, I’m glad I'm not dead too, but do you know what I’m not glad about? You two sticking your stuck up noses where they don’t belong!” you shout. They back up again, and you continue. “I haven’t been back here for months, MONTHS! All I wanted was to hang around with my friends again. And now that I am I sure as Tartarus don’t want to have to deal with you two and your petty bullspit!” “W-w-we…” Diamond sputters. “I know what you two were doing, trying to start some crap with my friends right? And trying to drag our new friend Babs down in the dirt too? Well buck you two. Get out of here and stay the buck away from our pumpkin!” you roar. You see their eyes starting to well up a bit, but then you hear another voice enter the conversation. “Ya! You little crybaby losahs. Get on out of here or I’ll show ya how we deal with jerks in Manehattan!” Babs says, advancing on the two with an evil smirk on her face. “B-but we,” Diamond tries to say scared. “Th-the thing is…” Silver sputters. “Didn’t you hear my friend? She said get out!” Babs yells snatching Silver Spoon’s glasses. “Hey!” she cries out, flailing. “Give those back, she can’t see witho-HEY!” Diamond is interrupted as you take the initiative and take her Tiara. “Nightshade, Babs, What are y’all doing?” asks a worried Applebloom. “Giving them incentive Cuz!” replies Babs as she throws the glasses at the pumpkin hard. You hear them crack. “NOOO!!!” Silver cries as she blindly flails on the ground for her glasses. As Diamond helps Silver Spoon put on her cracked lenses, she looks back at Babs angrily. “Why would you do that?! She needs those to see! I’m so gonna tell my daddy on you!” she yells. “OH REALLY?!” Babs gets in their faces, causing them to back up into the float. “What are you, snitches?” “Yeah, because we all know what snitches get don’t we,” you join in leering over the two as you hold up her Tiara, and bend it out of shape. “My Tiara...” Diamond bawls. "Hey, I just made it look just like it's owner. Broken and ugly," you jeer. "Y-Y-Y-YOU STUPID BLANK FLANKS!!! Our families are far greater and more powerful than yours will ever be You Big Meanies!!!" she yells out in defiance as tears roll down her face. SNAP Guardling66's Comment "Speak like that again and I will break the rest of it and shove it down your throat," you say menacingly as your eyes glow pure white, causing her to gasp and hold onto Silver Spoon. "Wh-Whoa there Nightshade Calm Down!" Applebloom calls out, but you ignore her. Your trigger words have been activated. "Great and Powerful you say? Those are just words weak flankholes like you throw around. What are words going to do to stop me?" you say in your subdued anger, which has the desired effect of scaring them even more. "W-we'll..." Diamond tries sputters as she and Silver Spoon shudder in terror. “Try us, I dare you,” you threaten as you place the bent crown on her head slowly and deliberately, before giving both of them a rough shove back into the parade float. At this, both of them begin bawling out loud and run out the door as the parade float begins to wobble. As it does, you sigh in relief and satisfaction as you let some of your anger go. "Whoah Shade, Your Eyes were glowing, what's up with that?" asks an impressed Babs as she hoofbumps you. "Oh, I was just incredibly pissed off. It happens," you hoofwave and bump her back. "Dang, what'd those losahs do to tick you off so bad?" "Oh nothing, they just reminded me of someone I really, REALLY hate more..." Yeah, someone who betrayed Daddy and Me, nearly got me killed, and caused us to never have a chance at a normal life... "But I guess it all worked out in the end." "I'll say. Did you see how they was crying?" Babs then begins laughing as you start to chuckle, but still you do have one last thought of anger. Trixie wherever you are, you'd best pray to Luna, Celestia, or even My Mom that I don't see you again. Otherwise your next show may be your last. With that, you let go of the anger build up and start laughing with your new friend. “Oh Sweet Celestia Shade, you really know how to sock it to em,” she praises. “Well, I may not be related to any gangsters, but I’ve seen enough movies and been in plenty of fights to know how to be mean,” you humbly say. “Again, I ain’t in the mafia. But you know what? I could get used to this. You know where those bozos live?” Babs asks. “Well duh, you think I don’t know where most of my enemies live?” you chuckle. “What do you have in mind?” “Oh lots. From what I can see these jerks have been teasing us blank flanks for far too long!” “Hooray! Time for Vengeance!” you cheer. You and Babs then start coming up with more ideas to get back at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon each one a bit more overboard than the last. Meanwhile Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo look at you and Babs laughing at what you just did. “What the hay just happened?” Applebloom asks a bit disturbed. “That was like, so needlessly mean,” Sweetie shudders. “I mean, I don’t much care for Diamond or Silver, but that was…I think Nightshade and Babs went to the dark side,” Scootaloo mutters. “Should we tell someone? Like her Dad, or Applejack?” asks Sweetie. “No! You heard what they said. We ain’t snitches!” Applebloom cries out. “But they’re our friends right? They wouldn’t do that to us…would they?” asks Scootaloo. “I don’t know. Let’s not risk it, you saw how her eyes got” Applebloom commands. The fillies all nod before nervously glancing back at you and Babs, before Sweetie says, "Ummm. Is the float supposed to be doing that?" The three of them then look to the shuddering float, as one of it's wheel's gets loose from the axle and goes shooting out the barn door. Back To You "And then we can hot glue their jewelry to their tails and-" *WHOOSH* you are interrupted as a wagon wheel passes right between you and Babs. "Nightshade, Babs! Look out!" cries Applebloom. You instinctively dive into Babs and out of the way as a massive crash is heard followed by several more outside the barn doors. You both look up and see your Pumpkin that you and the girls spent days making tumbling out towards the mud pits. You all hear screams and see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon diving out of the way of the wreckage and into some mud. "Nightshade! Babs! Are ya'll alright?" asks Applebloom. "You aren't hurt are you?" asks Sweetie Belle. "Oh crud, did they get hurt?" asks Scootaloo as she points out towards Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon who are shaking from almost getting hit. Instead of answering rationally and in a calm manner, you take a page out of your dad's book. "THOSE B!&$#%@S WRECKED OUR PUMPKIN!!!" you yell out. "WHAT?" the CMC and SP and DT in the distance declare. "Yeah, them losahs touched it last!" Babs agrees. "But, you're the ones who pushed them into-" Sweetie starts. "OI! IT'S TIME FOR JEWELRY THROAT SHOVING!!!" you yell out to the two fillies who cry out, and run away crying as you and Babs pursue them. As you do, the rest of your friends reluctantly run behind you, hoping to keep you and Babs from hurting those two any further. "When we catch you, You're building us a new float!" POV Change: Bugze You are hauling more tools so that you and Big Red can put up the outdoor bleachers. "Ugh, today just hasn't been my day. Nothing but boring boring labor. I really hope nothing else happens to make things wor-" Before you can finish that always jinxing sentence you hear a weird sound coming from behind you. Getting curious you turn around... and immediately jump out of the way as a The Rutherford's Comment random wheel comes by and almost hits you. Thanks to your expert dodging skills, the wheel continues to bounce and roll down the road until it's out of sight. "What the buck was that?" you yelp. You aren't really answered, but in the distance you hear shouting. That came from the direction of the barn Nightshade and her friends were building the parade float. What? The Shouting or the Wheel? Both. Sighing you think back I guess I should go check and make sure noling got hurt. That would be wise. That float was made by foals after all Before you can reply, the usual druggy speaks up. What is a float? And how would one be in a parade? Is it a cloud formation? And if so why would it need a cart wheel? Instead of ignoring the dope fiend, you decide to educate. A float is basicly a cart with a bunch of decorations on it. Some floats are smaller for parades like what will likely be seen here. However some of the really big extraordinary floats are seen during a celebration called Carnival in New Oatleans. There they throw out beads and it is a non-stop party for a few weeks strait. I would love to take Nightshade down there, but it would have to be at any other time. Why do you say that? A party would likely mean a lot of food and fun for her. Why would you deprive her of that? asks Selena in curiosity. Too much booze. It is a party, but one that a filly should never be at. Heck I shouldn't have even been there, but Grandbuggy couldn't find a sitter...Though maybe I could use that as an excuse if I make enough bits. Then I'd have a valid excuse to Twilight for missing the "Royal Meeting". With that in mind, you begin making your way through the fields towards the barn. 3 Fields of Walking Later You're reminded that once again, the Apple Farm could be it's own nation if it had a higher population. That wheel rolling past you must have been a miracle. But anyway, as you make your way to check on you daughter and the CMC you stop suddenly when you hear...crying? That doesn't sound good. Better check it out and see what's up. Following the sound of the crying you eventually find... Well...that's new. You look in confusion as you see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon of all ponies are crying behind a bush. Confusion mainly for the fact that from what you've been told, these two were usually the ones causing the crying, not being the criers themselves. And even through a part of you thinks you should just leave them alone and not help, the other more reasonable side reminds you that they're just kids. Kids who are crying, which never leads to anything good. Hopefully this is just about their daddy's cutting off their allowance or something. But I have the strangest feeling Nightshade is involved...nah. She may get into insult matches with these two, but she wouldn't go so far as to make them cry...I hope. With that thought you make your way over to them. As you do, you can hear them whimpering and sniffling. "I can't see very well D-Diamond *sniff* are they still out there?" "I *sniff* Don't see them. How are you holding up?" "N-Not good. I'm still shaking from that pumpkin almost hitting us," Silver whimpers, and Diamond pats her back. "Ya that was s-scary. We should p-probably get back home before those jerks find us." "How?! I can hardly see! And my parents will flip when they see my glasses," Silver Spoon whines. "And you don't think mine will? It will only get worse if Mom finds out...she'll be...disappointed..." Diamond sniffles in fear. You are a bit shocked by what they're saying and how they're saying it. OK, someling's definitely gone at these two And did the pink one in the crown insinuate she's afraid of her own mother? Selena asks in speculation. I...don't know, it...Oh my gosh! you lose your train of thought as you get closer and you see for yourself that they are in rough shape. You see that the lenses on Silver Spoon's glasses are cracked, and Diamond Tiara's tiara is bent and broken. Both of them are covered in mud and leaves and have scratches and bruises on them. Oh Geeze, roughed up and crying. Fatherly Instincts kicking in!, you think as you finally give a cough to let them know you're there. They react by screaming and holding onto each other, until they realize it's you. "Oh, Hi M-Mr Tenant," Diamond sniffles nervously. "H-Hi..." Silver says looking to the ground. "Hi girls, are you doing alright?" "Y-yes, we're fine. Wh-why do you ask?" stutters Silver Spoon. "Well, aside from your broken glasses and headware, you two look like you've been running through bushes and are hiding, and on top of that, crying. What's going on?" They both look down, and Silver looks up at you and is about to speak, when Diamond shushes her. "NOTHING! Nothing's going on. Just mind your own business! We're not snitches!" she tries to say haughtily, but her scared emotions betray her. You know what it's like to be bullied, so you know the signs. Threatening the victim for snitching is a tool they employ. You grit your teeth, but make yourself look more relaxed for the girls. You kneel down in front of them, "Girls, it's alright. I know you've seen and heard of the things I've done. Noli-Pony is gonna hurt you with me around I promise," you say gently. Diamond looks to the ground and bites her lip, but then Silver Spoon places a hoof on her shoulder and nods. With that encouragement you ask, "It's gonna be alright. Now tell me, who are you running away from?" They both hesitate for a minute before they both look down and whisper, "Nightshade..." Your eyes widen at this. "WHAT?!!!" They both recoil from that, and Silver then starts begging, "Please, Please don't tell her we told you!" While Diamond bawls. You stand there in shock staring at these two scared fillies as a realization washes over you. Nightshade did this to them? Shaking your head, you reach out to them pull them both into a hug. They don't resist, in fact, they cling to and cry against your chest as you comfort them. "Shh, Shh, it's going to be alright," you say soothingly, but they continue to cry. Then from around the bush gallops Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. "Mr. Tenant!" they all cry out. The two fillies hold onto you harder and shudder at their voices. Feeling this you give an angry glare to the CMC, causing them to step back. "Where is Nightshade?" you seethe. "Th-they ran off the other way, we just came around to..." Applebloom trails off as she sees Diamond and Silver crying and the condition they're in. You look from the two crying fillies to the three in front of you who start getting teary eyed themselves. "What. Happened?" WHAT DO YOU DO? Outro: