//------------------------------// // Chapter 21 - Sleepovers and New Roomies // Story: Welcome to Distopia // by LucidDreamer //------------------------------// “I really can’t thank you enough.” Rarity said with a relieved sigh as Sweetie Belle came charging down the stairs with her saddlebags. “I’m swamped with orders, Fluttershy is helping Twilight with… something in the forest, and- Basically everyone is busy.” “This is gonna be great!” Sweetie Belle bounced happily next to Lorraine. “So, getting me first before Scoots and Bloom?” “Yep.” The doe nodded to the “filly” before looking back to Rarity. “If you need her to stay with us for a few days, we can manage.” Rarity blinked. “Could you? Please?” “And I wouldn’t mind in the slightest, Rarity gets testy when she’s stressed and on a deadline.” Sweetie shuddered a little. “Fine with me.” Lorraine nodded. “Oh thank you!” Rarity said, before summarily shooing the pair out of the boutique. Lorraine blinked as the door was shut behind them. “I know you’re probably used to her being nicer, but she kinda got this dumped on her.” Sweetie rolled her eyes. “She really needs an assistant.” “Eh, no big deal.” Lorraine shook her head as she trotted away, quickly followed by the filly. “So, this might sound weird, but what exactly are we supposed to do at a slumber party, I’ve only hung out with the girls during the day.” Sweetie said with a small blush. “Is there like a book or something I could read?” “Oh, you know, watch movies, watch TV, eat snacks, have fun.” Lorraine rattled off, glancing at her. “So… It’s just hanging out overnight, but add movies and junk food.” Sweetie blinked. “Now I feel stupid.” “Well that was how things worked when I was a kid.” Lorraine replied. “You were a goat- wait, child, right.” Sweetie shook her head. “What is with me today?” She giggled. “Who’s next by the way?” “It’s okay if you’re nervous. Things’ll be fine.” Lorraine said. “We’re gonna go get Scootaloo next.” “Sounds great.” Sweetie grinned. They found Scootaloo leaning against the fence by her house, her saddlebags already ready to go. “Hey.” Scootaloo nodded at the pair. “Hey.” Lorraine replied back. “Have you been waiting here that long?” Sweetie asked, glancing between the pegasus and the front door. “Couple minutes. Doesn’t hurt to be prepared.” Scootaloo shrugged. “To Bloom’s next?” Sweetie asked. “Unless there’s anything else that needs to be done before we head out of town.” Scootaloo shrugged again as she trotted up next to Sweetie. Both looked at Lorraine. “We’ll get the other stuff done after we pick up Apple Bloom.” Lorraine replied. “Funny going out of town only to go back into town.” Scootaloo commented. “Well I thought you’d all like to buy your own snacks.” Lorraine glanced at her as the three started off. Scootaloo blinked. “And forget I said anything.” “Seriously Bloom?” Sweetie deadpanned. “It’ll only take a sec!” Apple Bloom called from upstairs amid the noise coming from upstairs. Scootaloo face-hoofed as Lorraine toddled over to plant her flank on a chair. “Y’all okay darlin’?” Granny Smith asked as her amused glance at the stairs turned to one of concern for the doe. “Yeah, just not used to doing so much walking.” The doe replied. “New body and all that.” “If y’all say so.” Granny nodded. “Ya think that that buck and yerself could look at a few a the trees sometime, Ah’m a little worried about Apple Blight.” “The trees are fine Granny.” Big Mac commented from the kitchen. “Checked the fields this morning.” “It wouldn’t hurt ta check.” Granny scowled towards the kitchen. “Sorry!” Bloom half-galloped, half-fell down the stairs. Her saddlebags seemed messily packed. “Got sidetracked.” “By what?” Scootaloo raised a brow. “Ah’m tryin’ ta work out how ta fix up AJ’s old clubhouse so we don’t have ta use Lorraine’s place all the time.” Bloom replied, looking at the pegasus. “John and I don’t mind.” Lorraine spoke up. “But still, it’s rude.” Bloom frowned at the doe. “No it’s not.” Lorraine countered. “But-” Bloom was cut off by a white hoof. “She says it’s fine, now let’s go get some munchies.” Sweetie rolled her eyes. “What time do you need her back by?” Lorraine asked, looking at Granny Smith. “Darlin’ there’s a reason they wanted ta do it on a Friday. It’s gonna be Saturday tomorrow, no chores. She can come home whenever.” Granny chuckled. “Awesome, we’re good.” Scootaloo started towards the door. “Snacks are calling.” “Mmmph- Did Ah hear snacks?” Bloom asked shoving Sweetie’s hoof off her muzzle. Sweetie and Bloom were debating over what kind of snacks to buy. Scootaloo just rolled her eyes as she leaned against the Barnyard Bargains shopping cart. Lorraine simply waited for the three to decide, that is, until something caught her eye. At the end of the aisle, standing in front of the freezer section, was Luna. Scootaloo looked at Lorraine, scrunched up her face at seeing the doe stare off, then followed her line of sight. She blinked. “Is that… Princess Luna?” Bloom and Sweetie didn’t respond, they were arguing whether cookies were better junk food than chips. A leafy ear flicked. “Girls just get whatever, pick your favorites.” “Huh.” Sweetie paused, blindsided by the comment. “Gotcha.” Bloom started raiding the shelves. “I think she’s lost.” Scootaloo nodded towards Luna. “Might want to go help her.” “Uh, okay.” Lorraine replied and slowly started towards the mare. She made her way, all the way up to stand next to the blue mare sitting on her flank in front of the freezer, that just so happened to be filled with Hot Pockets. “There are… so many choices.” Luna said, seemingly thinking aloud. “Perhaps we should have brought the guards to help us decide.” Luna then blinked and seemingly finally noticed the doe standing next to her. “Ah, Lorraine, perfect timing, could you help me decide which of the frozen bread pockets I should get?” “Well these are the ones I usually get.” Lorraine pointed a hoof at the Hawaian Pizza type. “That sounds interesting.” Luna nodded. “I mean, it’s not actual ham, but it still tastes the same.” The doe added. “Hey, we couldn’t decide so we got another cart.” Scootaloo rolled the first cart up as she was followed by a second cart pushed by Sweetie. “You don’t need that many snacks, put the other one back.” Lorraine commented, glancing back to the three. “Awww.” Sweetie whined. “Told ya, come on.” Bloom rolled her eyes as the white filly turned the cart around. “So, what brings you to Ponyville, Princess?” Scootaloo asked Luna. “Hmmmm? Oh, a filly, yes, ummmm Public Relations. As well as a few royal duties outside of Canterlot... My... Nephew requested my assistance with something.” Luna said with a nod, then looked at Lorraine as if to confirm what she said was right. “Sounds about right.” Lorraine agreed. “Wait- Nephew?” “Prince Akechi needs assistance. Being that he is male, he requires that I grant him authority.” Luna nodded at Lorraine. “That is not everything that I am doing, but enough about myself. What brings you to the Barn of Bargains?” “Snack run for a slumber party.” Scootaloo commented. Luna blinked at Scootaloo. “What’s a slumber party?” “John! She followed us home! Can we keep her?” John jumped as Scootaloo’s yell caught him off guard. He poked his head out of the kitchen to see the Peacewalkers, Lorraine, and Luna plopping down bags of snacks. “Is all that really necessary?” John asked, as bags of snacks were pulled out of plastic bags and piled onto the dining table. “They’re for us too. We’re not going to eat all of it.” Lorraine replied. “We needed to restock anyway.” “It is all absolutely necessary Jonathan.” Alastor said, almost prancing into the living room. “Ah ha! A deer of culture!” Luna pointed a hoof at him. “You insulted my ancestors the last time we spoke.” Alastor replied as if it was nothing. Luna blinked. “Ah, yes. I did.” “They’re dead now, doesn’t bother me in the slightest.” Alastor grinned before trotting over to look through the snack pile. “Now let’s see…” “You aren’t gonna have anything once I’m through with them.” Scootaloo chuckled. “Scoots. Stahp, I’m baking garlic bread. You don’t need to eat all the snacks.” John whined a little before ducking back into the kitchen. “And these are for later anyways.” Lorraine added. “No.” Alastor set a bag down, then levitated another. “No.” He repeated the process. “Heavens no.” He levitated another. “You have terrible taste in biscuits.” “Oi!” The doe girl snapped from her place on the couch. There came a cat yelling and Socks charged down the hallway and ran into the kitchen. “Moww.” “What?” John replied. “Moww.” “I fed you already.” “Roww.” “What do you want?” “Mowwroww.” “I’m not going to turn the sink on for you, go ask Koromaru.” “Moww.” “Ugh.” There was a clop of hooves. “See, your food bowl is- Of course you want me to watch you eat.” Lorraine grinned as she stared towards the kitchen. “As someone who lives with a cat, this happens to everyone.” Sweetie nodded, settling herself on the floor. Alastor trotted back into the living room, levitating a bag of cookies. He trotted to his seat… and paused. Scootaloo blinked up at him from his seat. “S’up.” “Uh- Child. You’re in my seat.” Alastor stated. “Well it’s not yours now.” Scootaloo shrugged. Alastor blinked in confusion. “Scoots, don’t antagonize the demon.” Sweetie groaned and face-hoofed. “He could kill you.” “How dare you.” Alastor turned his gaze towards Sweetie. “I have standards.” “Plus, either way, I win.” Scootaloo added. “I don’t move, I get the seat. I win. He kills me, I don’t care about the seat anymore. I win.” “I am not going to kill a child!” Alastor groaned. “There’s a spare seat next to me.” Lorraine commented at the spot between her and Bloom. Said Bloom was snorting into her hoof. “See young ones, this is not the child-killing kind of demon, everything is safe.” Luna nodded sagely. “Define safe.” Alastor chuckled as he stepped towards the couch. “Woof!” Koromaru raced down the hallway and planted his butt firmly next to the doe girl, while giving the buck a smug look. Alastor blinked. “Guys, come on.” Lorraine groaned a little. Koromaru huffed and jumped down so he could settle next to Luna on the floor. Luna only looked at the clothes wearing shiba in confusion. Alastor took the new seat. “So, how is this evening event going to start?” “Movie?” Sweetie suggested. “Movie.” Agreed Bloom and Scootaloo. “Type?” Sweetie asked. “Please no rom-coms.” Scootaloo groaned. “I’m partial to some of the classics. Casamareca. Gone with the Wind. Romancing the Pone.” Alastor commented, taping his chin with a hoof. “I was going to suggest a Disneigh marathon.” Lorraine suggested. “Oh I haven’t watched The Lion King in years!” Bloom gasped. “That sounds good to me.” Sweetie nodded. “Animated classics count.” Alastor agreed. “And Beauty and The Beast after Lion King?” Lorraine asked, looking around at the others. “A wonderful tale.” Luna said with a nod. “Though the true story is much… more grim.” “I’m not surprised.” John called from the kitchen as Socks ran out and jumped up to cuddle between Lorraine and Alastor. Sweetie nodded happily. “Well, Disneigh movies it is. Who has the remote?” John hummed to himself quietly as he trotted out the front door. The slumber party a couple days ago had been a success, though John did decide to disappear into his room near the end of the night. The bug pushed open the door, stepping out, shut it behind him, and inhaled the cool morning air. “James, where are you off to?” Alastor spoke up, causing him to jump. The buck was sitting in a chair on the porch, levitating a steaming coffee cup and a newspaper. “Castle of the Two Sisters. Checking to see if it’s damaged at all. Thinking about asking to have it renovated just in case we, or somebody else, needs it for something.” John said, calming down. “Good idea. Enjoy the walk.” Alastor went back to his paper. “It’s gonna be a short walk.” John called over his shoulder as he trotted out to the pathway and engulfed himself in flames. Moments later a giant dinosaur was striding through the trees. Being the size of a skyscraper had its benefits. It cut down on travel time, and nothing ever really tried to bother him. As the trees crunched beneath him, he came to the cliff. The moldering ruins were clearly visible. With a nod, the bug turned dinosaur stepped down the cliff and plodded towards the second minor obstacle, the gorge between the castle and himself. Stopping before it, he engulfed himself in flames and returned to his normal smol stature. He looked across the rope bridge, doubled checking for any visible damage, before he started across it. He hummed happily as he made it to the other side. As he made for the large front doors, something caught his ear. His brow furrowed as he heard a scrambling, clopping noise coming from inside. He took a step in and looked around. Nothing was out of the ordinary. His brow furrowed. “Hello?” No answer. He knew he heard something. Trotting inside, he slowed to a walk and slowly looked around the room. Everything seemed fine. “If anyone’s there, this place isn’t exactly the most stable.” He called out. “It’s not safe out he- Ah!” He yelped as his hoof hit a rock and he tripped. “Ah!” Came another yelp. John settled himself and whirled around. Something had just cried out. His eyes lowered. There was a rock sticking out of the stone of the floor. His eyes narrowed at it. He leaned in. “Boo!” “GAH!” ~Fwoosh~ The rock erupted in green flames as a pony-sized changeling tumbled backwards. “Don’t hurt me!” Yelped the changeling. John blinked at it. It was like looking into a funhouse mirror. One that made you look bigger. The ‘ling scrambled back against the wall. “I’ll do anything, just don’t take me back to the hive!” “Eh?” John blinked at him. It was clearly a him by voice alone. “Slow down.” “I’ll- I’ll- be your servant!” The changeling begged. “Dude.” John held out a hoof, causing the ‘ling to gasp. “Ugh-” He closed his eyes and took a breath. “Okay.” He opened them and looked at the still cowering ‘ling. “My name’s John.” He put a hoof to his chest then lowered his voice. “I am not going to hurt you. It’s okay. Everything’s fine. There’s nothing to worry about.” He set his hoof down. “What’s your name?” The changeling seemed to have stopped cowering and was now sitting on his haunches in front of the wall. His solid teal eyes blinked in confusion. “I’m… Thorax.” “Thorax. That’s a great name.” John smiled, sitting on his haunches himself. “Nice to meet you.” “Nice… to… meet you too?” Thorax blinked. “Alright, names out of the way, what are you doing out here?” John asked, tilting his head to the side. “I… deserted the hive.” Thorax looked away. “Is that bad?” John tilted his head the other direction. Thorax stared at him with a look somewhere between confusion and shock. “Absolutely! How can you not know?! You’re a changeling! A small one, but still!” “I wasn’t always.” John shook his head. Thorax paused and blinked. “Huh?” “T l d r, my girlfriend and I got transported here by some great cosmic entity because reasons. She started as a cute luck dragon and is now an adorable deer. I thought I was a pony till my shapeshifted form broke and I turned out to be the smol bug you see before you. We live in Ponyville. We have a house. It’s nice.” John smiled toothily at the larger 'ling. Thorax was silent, staring at him. “What?” “I know, it’s ridiculous, owning a house in this economy?” John shook his head with a chuckle. “Crazy right?” “Wait- So-” Thorax shook himself. “You weren’t a changeling?” “Nope.” John shook his head. “And you… live with ponies?” Thorax asked. “Yep. They can be a little sexist sometimes, but I’ve gotten used to it.” John shrugged. "Mostly." “And… they don’t chase you out of town?” Thorax blinked in confusion. “Nope, thankfully.” John chuckled. “What are you?” Thorax narrowed his eyes at him. “I prefer the term smol bug, but I’m pretty sure I’m just a small changeling.” John nodded happily. The air was suddenly filled with the sound of buzzing. Thorax froze as John looked around. “They found me!” Thorax yelped. “What? Who?” John snapped his eyes to the changeling. “The hive really doesn’t like it when 'lings leave. If you leave the hive it’s basically betraying the Queen!” Thorax quickly explained. “Turn into a rock and I’ll talk with them.” John said gesturing a hoof towards the corner. “But-” “I’ll be fine.” John shook his head. “Go.” Thorax’s fangs chewed his lower lip, then he raced over to the corner and ~fwooshed~ into a small rock. John nodded as he stared towards the front doors. The buzzing stopped. “Thorax.” A male voice called out. “I know you’re here. I felt your presence.” “Ominous.” John mumbled as a few changelings in what looked like chitinous blue armor filed in. Each one seemed to freeze and stare as they saw John. “Thora-” The voice cut off as the last member of the changeling hunting squad came in. Larger than the others, his chitin looked thicker and heavier, his armor was a deep sea green. His eyes were a solid red-ish purple. A translucent, dark red, fin-like frill ran up the back of his neck and over the top of his head, giving John the impression of a mohawk. The large changeling paused on seeing John. He briefly glanced between the other members of his squad and made a few strange clicking noises. As one, the other 'lings took a step back and formed a wall blocking off that exit. The large 'ling then took a couple, seemingly tentative, steps forward. “What are you doing here, monster?” “One, rude. Two, I was expecting to look around to see how bad the damage was, but then you guys showed up.” John spoke up. “Hi.” He waved a hoof. “I’m John. Nice to meet you. First time meeting other changelings.” The large ling’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of trick are you trying to play?” “Pardon?” John blinked. “I don’t fear you. I am Pharynx, Queensguard and Hunter of Hiveless. I have faced worse than you, monster.” Pharynx growled out, his surprisingly large violet wings erupting from his back and buzzing in agitation. “And that’s still just bloody rude.” John said, scrunching up his face at the larger 'ling. “What are you playing at?” Pharynx growled as a green glow rippled around his body. “Nothing?” John blinked, leaning away a little. “Seriously, I can just leave.” “Oh, you think I’ll let you even live? How many hives have you devoured?” Pharynx snapped. “Dude! What are you talking about?!” John snapped, fed up with not getting any answers. “Primordial…” Pharynx growled out as his body was engulfed in green flames. His form grew. Chitinous, purple, scythe-like mantis talons burst from the flames, quickly followed by a wasp-like stinger. Two pairs of insectoid wings burst forth as the flames receded. Four, thin, multi-jointed legs sprouted from the insectoid torso. The face was that of a spider, and all eight eyes stared hatefully at the smol bug. The wings buzzed, causing a wind to spring up in the hall as the giant insectoid monstrosity lifted into the air. A high-pitched clicking left it’s maw, and it quickly shifted into a strange whining noise. Faster than something of its size should move, the mantis-wasp virtually appeared over the bug, raising a massive scything talon. John’s eyes widened. ‘Welp. Looks like the castle will need renovations after all.’ “Gomora!” In a flash of green the roof of the hall was gone. As was the hall… And a small chunk of the castle proper… Gomora towered over the ruins. John glared at the still sizable mantis-wasp. It actually looked shocked. And John took full advantage of that as he roared and swung a meaty claw at it. Like swatting a particularly large fly, the mantis-wasp sailed out over the forest, only to land with a crunch of trees and a large cloud of dust. John snorted as he watched the tiny armored lings panic and fly in every direction. Just to make sure they didn’t come back, he let loose another roar into the sky, before engulfing his massive form in flames. John, once against the smol bug stood in the open space that had once been the entry hall. He didn’t really have time to worry about that. “Thorax!” He called out. “You out there? If you’re alive, make a noise!” A form buzzed up and out of the gorge. Thorax flew towards John and landed in front of him. His eyes were wide in shock. “What was that?!” “Gomora, the Ancient Monster.” John replied. “Glad you got out of there, I really wouldn’t have wanted to squish you.” He sighed. “And I fucked up the castle too. Dammit.” “I think they’re gone, if what you did to my brother was any indication.” Thorax nodded, seemingly calmer. “Brother?” John blinked and looked at him. “Well, when you’re born in a clutch of eggs, you tend to have a lot of brothers and sisters. He was special though, so he got special treatment.” Thorax glared out towards the slowly falling dust cloud. “Would that explain why he was treating me like I was Hannibal Lecter?” John raised a brow. “Well, him and his squad can basically… mmmm… sense changelings and other living things. It’s kinda like a much stronger version of any ordinary changeling’s love senses.” Thorax explained. “So he had psychic powers?” John blinked. “Less mind and more… Essence? I don’t really want to say magic, but it’s close.” Thorax nodded. “And he called me Primordial.” John nodded along. “Any idea what that is?” “I dunno.” Thorax shrugged. "I was just a worker drone." “Well, I don’t think they’ll be after you for awhile, what are you going to do now?” John asked, once again looking around at the devastation his change had wrought. “I don’t know, I probably have enough love for a few more shifts.” Thorax seemed to think as his fangs chewed his bottom lip. “Well, I’ve got a house. I’m sure Lorraine wouldn’t mind putting you up.” John nodded. “Really?” Thorax blinked. “Just like that?” “Why not?” John asked in return. “Soooo, this is Thorax.” John stood on his hind legs and waved his claws at Thorax. “He was on the run from his hive because changeling hives are terrible apparently.” Thorax nervously looked between Lorraine, Gilda, Sweetie and Alastor. “Well I could have told you that.” Alastor looked down at the pair of bugs. “So, he needs a room?” Gilda asked. “I mean, I offered.” John replied, wincing a little. “Sorry.” “Fuck it, what’s one more in here? It’s not like the house isn’t just going to spawn another room.” Gilda snorted a laugh and shook her head. “Hey, my house.” Lorraine looked at the hen. Said hen just shrugged. “I don’t mind in the least.” Alastor shook his head. “Also, it’s technically our house, is it not?” “How Russian of you.” John chuckled, before looking at the doe girl. “Sorry, I know I should have consulted you first.” "I don't even live here, sooo I have no opinion." Sweetie shrugged. “I could just leave.” Thorax suggested. “If John’s right, maybe one of your friends could put me up?” “No it’s fine. If there’s a room for you, you can stay.” Lorraine replied. Thorax blinked, seemingly lost for words. “Thank… You.” “No problem.” The doe yawned and wandered off back down the hallway. John noticed something. He trotted into the hallway. There was a new door. “Gilda you’re right.” John said, looking at it. “You’re saying you haven’t noticed the house just changing to accommodate us?” Gilda asked incredulously. “Well I didn’t want to sound crazy.” John pouted at her. “John, you live in a house with a flora doe, formerly luck dragon, a griffon, a demon in the form of a deer, a magic shiba, and a house cat. Crazy went out the window a long time ago.” Alastor said with a nod trotting past and patting the bug on the head. John, Gilda, Sweetie, and Thorax stood in front of the new door. John gestured at it and Thorax opened it. All four blinked. “Huh.” John hummed. “We have a basement now.”