//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven: "Breaking News" // Story: A New Home III: The Quest for the Lost Locket // by APoeticHeart //------------------------------// Toby awakes to a disturbance in his slumber. That disturbance happens to be an array of excessive giggling. Toby rubs his eyes, and turns next to him, where Sunset Shimmer continues to giggle on their couch/bed. She has her face buried into a laptop, with ear-buds shoved into her ears, which is why she does not notice Toby waking up. "Sister Sunset," Toby softly speaks out. "What are you watching?" Sunset's eyes dart over to see that Toby is wide awake, and staring at her. Within a second, her eyes dart back to the laptop, back to Toby, and then back to the laptop so she can slam it shut. She takes the ear-buds out. "Uhhh....what did you say, Toby?" She innocently asks. "I asked what you were watching, Sunset Shi-" "NOTHING," Sunset Shimmer quickly interrupts, grinning like she is hiding something. "Normally I would saying something like "sorry to be rude, Sister Sunset, but could you please tell me what is going on?", but you told me to make that less of a habit.....so, Sister Sunset.....what is going on? Tell me." Toby demands with a cute grunt. Sunset Shimmer sighs, but can't help but crack a mild smile. "I guess I should have warned you not to be so cute when you're trying to be forceful. Alright, I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell ANYBODY, alright?" Toby nods. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," he mimics the well-known motions of the promise, taught to him by a certain pink friend back in Equestria. Sunset Shimmer's eyes bulge. "Does....does the Pinkie Pie in YOUR world do that, too?" Toby chuckles. "Yup." Sunset Shimmer shakes her head in amazement. "Huh.....well, anyway," she opens her laptop back up, and gulps. "THIS, is what I was watching....." Toby leans in for a closer look, when he realizes he doesn't have his glasses on. He stretches out, over towards the table next to the sofa/bed to pick them up. He puts them on, then takes his former spot, which involves him not even having to lean in to the laptop. At first glance, Toby sees the all-too familiar logo of YouTube. He hadn't seen it for two years, but he knew it from the many times he tried to use mommy's computer to get onto it. She always told him no, as a way to save him from the dangers that lurked the internet. The only website Toby could get on was brainpop.com. "My Little Corgi?" Toby questioned as he read the title of the video. "I don't get it," he looked up at Sunset for guidance. Sunset sighed again. "It's a TV Show, Toby...m-my...my favorite....." "Alright," Toby responded simply. "What's wrong with that? Why is that something you need to hide from me?" "Toby....have you ever played with Barbie dolls?" Sunset asked. "Uhhhh......no. My dad said those were for sissies," Toby answered. Sunset had to refrain herself from scowling. Jeez....the more and more I learn about his dad, the more I wanna kick his teeth in.... She took a deep breath. "Well, I wouldn't say they're for "sissies"...more for girls. Well, not all girls....but.....uhhh...girls that....." "My Little Corgi is a show for little girls, isn't it?" Toby bluntly remarked. Sunset nodded in relief, glad she wouldn't be stumbling over her words trying to explain the situation anymore. "You sure are smart, Toby. I couldn't have said it any better myself. My Little Corgi is a show for little girls, and, well....as you can see....I'm....not a LITTLE girl...." "But why should that matter?" Asks Toby. "Frankly, Toby, it shouldn't," Sunset responds. "But some people are jerks, and, well....they like to judge people for liking things that they believe they SHOULDN'T like." "That's stupid," Toby says. Sunset nods. "You're 100% right. It is. That's just how life is, though. Anybody who is at least a TINY bit different than the norm gets cast aside." Toby can't help but examine the paused image of 6 corgis defeating a corgi that looks to be wearing a robe of that of a king. There's a purple one, a blue one with rainbow fur on the top of her head, and on her tail, a white one, an orange one, a pink one, and a butter yellow one. The dogs look familiar, but Toby can't quite pick out where he had seen them before. "This show looks very cute, sister Sunset...." Toby compliments with a warm smile. "That's what originally drew me in. Cuteness is my weakness. I saw Snips and Snails watching it at Snips' house one time, and it just.....pulled me in. This is the premiere of the third season." "You at least have others to watch it with, then," Toby points out. "Actually....I don't. I told Snips and Snails it looked stupid, and that they were wussies for watching it. This was back when I was a big jerk, mind you. But after a long battle with my mind, I knew I shouldn't judge. After all, I played with Teenage Mutant Ninja Griffons as a young filly in Equestria," Sunset giggles. "One of the great advantages of living in the attic above the school library, is you have full access to internet all night. So, I gave in. I watched the entire first season in one night, got no sleep, and failed my Biology test because of it that same day. Was totally worth it," Sunset smirks. "Then, I watched the 8 episodes that came with the second season the next night. I was caught up now. A new episode came out every Sunday, and I made it my top priority to watch it as soon as the school janitor locked all the doors. I would go to online chat rooms to watch the new episodes with other My Little Corgi fans....just like me. As odd as it may sound.....those Broppies were the only real friends I had ever had in my life....I couldn't be jerks to them, because they....they underSTOOD me.....more than anybody else could." "Broppies?" Toby curiously asked. "Oh....that's what fans of My Little Corgi are called," Sunset explains with a slight blush. "It combines the words "bro" and "puppy", to create "Broppy." Girls that like to watch the show are normally called "Sister Litters." Ya know, like litters of puppies." "Wow....." Toby muses, mesmerized. "That is not only intriguing, but also very cool, sister Sunset. I think I would like to watch this show." Sunset gasps. "YOU WOULD?!" She squees as Toby nods his head. "SWEET! FINALLY, someone I can share this glorious show with that wont judge me!" "But....don't you think Snips or Snails wouldn't judge you? I mean, they watch it, too." Sunset shakes her head. "It just wouldn't be good for my reputation, Toby. I'm know as a rebel around school, Toby. Yes, I'm nicer now, but I still have traits that everyone around me has gotten used to. There's no WAY they will accept me watching MY LITTLE CORGI of all shows. It's a show about prancing, pretty puppies! I'll be the laughingstock of the school if anybody finds out I like this show!" "That's just ridiculous," Toby argues. "Why do you think Snips and Snails are such outcasts now, Toby? After I became nicer, they had the opportunity to be themselves. One day, they both came to school wearing My Little Corgi branded shirts, and the only sounds that filled their ears that day were the snickers and the insults that were thrown their way by their fellow students. They CRIED, Toby....I heard them from the bathroom. It hurt me that I couldn't tell them that I was a Broppie, too, but they would've called their hecklers out, and announced that I was on their side. Then they would laugh at ME, too.....I may not take a whole lot from anybody, but I don't think I could beat up an entire school of teenagers all on my own, JUST to defend my rights to watch a TV Show for little girls." Toby frowns, but he can see where Sunset Shimmer is coming from in her defense. "Who else do you know that watches the show?" "Besides Snips and Snails, well, Lyra is the BIIIGGG one. Heck, she claims she wants to go to the universe My Little Corgi takes place in, and roam as a corgi WITH the characters. She takes it a little TOO far sometimes. I know for a fact that Silver Spoon watches it, which is some SERIOUS ammunition I can use on her if she and Diamond Tiara keep messing with you. Vice Principal Luna's ringtone is the show's theme song, so I think that confirms she's a fan. Let's see....oh! And most recently, I saw a My Little Corgi bumper sticker on his car." "Wow....seems like MORE than just little girls are watching it," Toby replies in amazement. Sunset nods. "There are more Broppies than there are little girl fans, even. We've got 8 year old boys, to 45 year old girls watching the show. Not only is it cute, but it's just an all around beautiful show. The animation, the characters are likable and complex, the songs are catchy, and the voice acting is SO well done. It's a show that puts any other animated TV show in the past 5 years to SHAME." "It sure sounds like it," Toby muses. "I'd love to watch it!" "And I'd love for you to watch it with me, buddy," Sunset responds, but she suddenly frowns. "Unfortunately, we have to do it when nobody is around...." "But WHY?" Toby asks. "Why can't Rainbow Dash know? Why can't anyone else know?" "I already explained that, Toby," Sunset repeats as she puts her backpack on. "If word gets out that I'm a Broppie, my entire social life will cease to exist, and I just RECENTLY got my social life! I'd like to hold onto it for as long as possible. Not to mention, if Diamond Tiara finds out that you watch MY LITTLE CORGI of all shows, she'll never shut up about it. Of course, I'll shut her up for you, but by then, your emotions will have already been tampered with, and I DON'T want that." "Well, I thank you for that, but don't you think that if everyone can accept that you're really a pony, that they could accept something as little as you watching some show?" "I wish it were that simple, Toby. I can show you the show later tonight if we get a chance, but PLEASE don't say a WORD about this to ANYBODY," Sunset says, thrusting Toby's backpack over him. "But I-" "NOPE," Sunset interrupts. "Discussion over. Now, let's go wake Rainbow Dash's lazy butt up," Sunset groans as she begins to travel up the staircase leading to Rainbow Dash's room, not wanting to be late. Toby can only sigh. Would people really make fun of me for something as simple as liking a certain TV Show? Toby thought. It seemed too dumb for him to believe, but Sunset Shimmer was older, and more experienced in life. Maybe these Broppies had taught her things he had never thought about before. Meanwhile.... Canterlot High School.... The Press Room.... Diamond Tiara slammed down the piece of paper on Featherweight's desk, while both she and Silver Spoon grin like the Cheshire cat. "What's this?" Featherweight asks, gulping. He had a pretty good idea, but he didn't like what he was thinking. "Your newest hit column!" Diamond Tiara proclaims. "Didn't you get my text? I told you I was going to make Lameson's life SUCK by getting his friends to turn on him!" "I had a feeling that's what this was," Featherweight replies with hesitation towards Diamond Tiara. "Read it," Diamond Tiara commands with a smug expression. "It's truly of masterpiece." Featherweight scans over it, and his eyebrows lower by the time he's done reading. "Uhhhhh...." "What do you think?" Diamond Tiara asks with a curious grin, getting nose to nose with Featherweight. Featherweight hastily grins back. "Well, it's certainly....nasty, that's for sure....." "Oh, please," Diamond Tiara replies by crossing her arms. "I could've done MUCH worse, but, since he's just an 8 year old kid, I figured it'd be unrealistic to pretend he's saying stuff like "Applejack is in love with her brother." Silver Spoon gasps. "Applejack is in love with her brother?!" Diamond Tiara snickers evilly. "THAT'S for next week's paper. Now, how long until everybody in the school gets their hands on THIS?" "I'm guessing I have no choice but to print it...do I?" Featherweight asks. "Of course you don't!" Diamond Tiara barks. "Now, HOW LONG?" She repeats with venom. "Right before first period begins, more or less," Featherweight estimates. "Hmph. Good," Diamond Tiara pleasantly replies. "Make sure your word is golden. I want this issue to be the most MUST-SEE issue of the Canterlot High Press EVER!" Meanwhile..... The Entrance to the Crystal Empire..... "Thew....finally!" Kevin proclaims with a heavy sense of relief. "After over a day of traveling, we made it!" "It didn't help that the train was a few hours late," Nikolai grumbles. Riley barks in agreement. "I don't mean to be rude," Daring Do blurts out. "But it just does NOT sound natural to hear a bark coming from a human....." Riley runs over to lick Daring's face. "Ech....that ALSO is NOT natural," Daring Do complains. "What's not natural is the fact that your actually HERE," Kevin points out. "You just.....woke up here? And then boarded the train?" Daring Do nods. "Yes, guys....what is so hard to believe about that? I was in the middle of battling Ahuizotl in my quest to capture the Holy Grail, he got the upper hand on me, and then I wake up right next to the train-stop." Kevin puts his hands up defensively. "Don't get me wrong, it's really cool to see one of my favorite characters from one of my favorite novels come to life, but I just can't help but think I didn't get enough sleep last night...." "How do you think I feel?" Daring Do replies. "I wake up in this random place, meet a Satyr, and a human and wolf that have switched bodies. Not to mention, I'm apparently the main protagonist in a popular book series. What is wrong with this picture?" "Well, we're about to find out," Nikolai points a paw up ahead. "There's the Crystal Castle up ahead. Princess Celestia should be able to let us in on the details." "As long as there are no snakes in that castle, everything should go smoothly," Daring Do shivers as her and her new comrades begin to walk forward. "By the way, it's an ULTRA popular book series," Kevin corrects. "Oh...my apologies, you fancolt," Daring Do chuckles. Kevin squees. An hour later.... Canterlot High School..... As Toby and the girls leave the Gym, and begin to separate to their first period classes, they all make it top priority to pick up the newest issue of the Canterlot High newspaper off of the rack next to the gym. "Wonder if I got voted 'Top Athlete of the Week' AGAIN," Rainbow Dash smirks. "Wonder which one of my jokes got picked for the weekly 'Knucklehead' column!" Pinkie Pie gleefully announces. "Ah wonder why Tobeh would say the things he said on the front page," Applejack coldly announces. "Wha....what?" Toby squeaks out in shock and surprise. "What are you t-talking ab-bout? I've never submitted ANYTHING to the school newspaper-" Toby was interrupted by Applejack shoving her copy in his face, DEFINITELY close enough to where he could read it. All of the other girls had no idea what Applejack was talking about, so they had to quickly and carefully eye their copies of the newspaper. It didn't take long for them to find what they were looking for, because just like Applejack said, it was the TOP STORY on the FRONT PAGE. "Rarity: Canterlot's top fashion designer and lover of fashion actually steals her ideas from fashion magazines and pretends to be the originator of her outfits. Also, she doesn't use the finest of clothing material, but material that has been donated. Rainbow Dash: Canterlot's number one athlete is actually really bad. She claims to have been born with her athletic ability, but in reality she watches training videos on soccer, basketball, softball, etc. She also reads Sports for Dummies books to learn how to be good a sports. Applejack: The redneck country girl claims to make apple cider freshly squeezed from the apples from her farm, but truth be told, her and her Apple clan purchases apples from other places, and asks for the producers of those apples to make the apple cider for them, but put Sweet Apple Acres on the bottles. Pinkie Pie: Always hyper. She says because she just loves to plan parties and events for the school, but if I may be the bearer of bad news, she actually drinks a great amount of coffee so she can stay awake during her classes. She needs coffee to stay awake so she doesn't fail, because she really isn't that bright in the head. Fluttershy: The school's number one lover of all animals both big and small. She looks innocent and sweet on the outside, but on the inside, she is a carnivore who loves to eat meat. Also, secretly she has coats that are made from the most expensive furs of animals. Sunset Shimmer: The three time Princess of the Fall Formal, who recently turned a new leaf, was never reformed, it seems. She walks Mrs. Mild's kindergarten class to school every day, but little do those poor students know about what Sunset does when they AREN'T in class. She sneaks into their classroom during lunchtime and recess, and steals the milk and cookies that they were supposed to snack on only minutes later. All of this great and shocking news is brought to you by me, third grader, Toby Mason. Toby gasps, as he slowly lowers Applejack's newspaper down to his eyes. All he sees is 6 teenage females giving him the death stare. "You're in BIG trouble, young man...." Fluttershy coldly proclaims. To Be Continued.....