//------------------------------// // Episode 47: Awkward Train Ride...Again. // Story: The Life of a Wanted Changeling Season 2: Debt to a Doctor (Comment Driven Story) // by Down with Chrysalis //------------------------------// Intro: You look into the faces of the Deadly 6, all with different expressions. Twilight looks depressed, probably thinking that her recent actions have caused you to feel bad enough to end it. Rainbow Dash and Applejack look ashamed. Pinkie's main and tail are strait and darker usual. Rarity looks confused and disappointed in you. And Fluttershy (who you made sure to look at last because you guess by the others' expressions that hers would break you buggy heart) looks like a combination of devastated sadness and for some reason anger, the second expression you weren't expecting. As you find yourself standing before the Deadly 6 on board the train to Fillydelphia, you can't help but notice that all have different expressions. Twilight has her eyepatch and looks depressed, Rainbow Dash and Applejack look ashamed, Pinkie's mane and tail look straighter and darker than usual, Fluttershy seems to have a combination of devastated sadness and anger, and Rarity looks disappointed with... a messy orange mane? Aw, that ridiculous orange mane just kills the mood for me... Before you can do anything, another flash of purple light gives the Deadly 6 instruments and they begin to play... Horribly. When the song ends, you are left stunned with only one question, "What... the buck... was that?" "The worst audio abomination I've ever heard," shouts a nearby mare passenger. "I'd rather walk through the thunder floor of the weather factory with no ear protection than listen to that again!" a pegasus stallion complains as he rubs one of his ears. "And I went half deaf the last time I did that!" The instruments disappear in another flash of light, and Twilight throws her hooves around your neck in a hug, "We heard what you're going to do! Please, Mr. Tennant, you can't! You still have so much friendship and magic to look forward to!" You can only blink in confusion and say, "What the buck are you-?" I told you you were talking out loud. Oh buck... Fluttershy is near tears as she says, Before you can do anything, another flash of purple light gives the Deadly 6 instruments and they begin to play. Horribly, because, you know, hooves. When the song ends, you are left with only one question. "What... the buck... was that?" "The worst audio abomination I've ever heard," shouts a mare. "I'd rather walk through the thunder floor of the weather factory with no ear protection than listen to that again!" A pegasus stallion rubs one of his ears. "And I went half deaf the last time I did that!"The instruments disappear in another flash of light, and Twilight throws her hooves around your neck in a hug. "We heard what you're going to do! Please, Mr. Tennant, you can't! You still have so much friendship and magic to look forward to!" You blink. "What are you-?" I told you you were talking out loud. Oh buck... Fluttershy is near tears. "What about Nightshade? You... you were just going to leave her?" "I wasn't-" Applejack slaps you with her hat. "I thought you were more of a stallion than that!" "But-" Pinkie shrieks, "YOU WON'T HAVE ANYMORE BIRTHDAYS! AND, AND, THAT MEANS NO BIRTHDAY PARTIES!" "My poor ear," the stallion mutters. You clear your throat. "I think we all need to calm down-" "Yes, you do!" Rarity says. She summons her fainting couch... somehow... and pushes you onto it. "Now tell us, darling. What could drive you to consider such an act?" "I... I just need to get to Filly-" "Buck yeah, you do!" Rainbow Dash pounds your shoulder. "And we're going with you! Hospital bunk buddies stick together." "You don't have to-" Pinkie crosses her forelegs and hmphs. "He's still not getting it. Bring 'em back, Twilight! He needs another song!" "NO!" shout the mare, stallion, and Selena at the same time. "Please," the stallion begs, "be a friend. Don't make me listen to that again." "No more!" The mare is rocking back and forth, cradling her head in her hooves. "No more!" I somehow find their presence and sound of their voices more tolerable than those few minutes of agony they inflicted upon us. But- If I so mush as see a guitar near the prismatic fool again, I will control your body, burrow underground, and Falcon Punch the center of the Earth. I swear it. Either they follow us, or the world is doomed to destruction by a fiery explosion the likes of which has never been seen before and will never be seen again. Your choice. You think long and hard. Fire is pretty... For the love of... ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL. She takes control of your body and forces you to say, "Fine," before switching back. There. Was that so hard? "What do you mean you're going to make sure that nopony will have to deal with you anymore?! You can't kill yourself! You have a daughter to look after mister!" At this point, Fluttershy breaks down and leans into Rarity as Pinkie says through sniffles, "Have we really been that *hic* bad that you want to do this? You could have just said something. It doesn't have to be like this..." "I wasn't-*smack*" Applejack interrupts you with a slap from her hat before putting in her tow cents, "I thought you were more of a stallion than that!" "But-" "YOU WON'T HAVE ANYMORE BIRTHDAYS! AND, AND, THAT MEANS NO BIRTHDAY PARTIES!" Pinkie shrieks. "My poor ear," the stallion passenger mutters. You clear your throat and try to calm them down, "I think we all need to calm down-" "Yes, you do!" Rarity says as she summons her fainting couch (somehow...) and pushes you onto it. "Now tell us, darling. What could drive you to consider such an act?" You get off the couch and defensively say, "What act? I... I just need to get to Filly-" "Buck yeah, you do!" Rainbow Dash pounds your shoulder. "And we're going with you! Hospital bunk buddies stick together!" "You don't have to-" Pinkie crosses her forelegs and hmphs, "He's still not getting it. Bring 'em back, Twilight! He needs another song!" "NO!" screams the passengers and Selena at the same time. "Please," the stallion begs, "Be a pal! Don't make me listen to that again!" "No more!" The mare is rocking back and forth, cradling her head in her hooves, "No more!" I somehow find their presence and sound of their voices more tolerable than those few minutes of agony they inflicted upon us. Selena agrees But- If I so mush as SEE a guitar near the prismatic fool again, I swear I will control your body, burrow underground, and Falcon Punch the center of the Earth. Either they follow us, or the world is doomed to destruction by a fiery explosion the likes of which has never been seen before and will never be seen again. Your choice. You think long and hard before coming up with a carefully thought-out thought, Fire is pretty... For the love of... Selena comments in annoyance, ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL. Selena takes control of your body and forces you to say, "Fine," before switching back. There. Was that so hard? The mare and stallion sigh in relief before they go back to do... whatever it is they were doing. You stare in shock at what Selena just did, earning confused looks from the others before you think angrily at Selena, Thanks alot! Now they're gonna come with us to Fillydelphia. You know, the place where I'm going to HAVE to be the Offender (the persona they hate with a passion) to stop the revolution! It was either that or listen to their awful ear-splitting music again! Now make up an excuse to make them leave or I'll replay their music in your head! You'll be stuck listening to it too! I know, but since you won't allow me to paint the train in 12 fresh coats of their blood, you leave me no choice. Now make an excuse! Okay okay sheesh... What you don't know, is that while you were talking with Selena... Rainbow gets in your face as you are just flabbergasted by everything. “Oh no, he’s gone into shock, I’ll give him mouth to mouth and make it better.” She leans in but is yanked back by AJ “Oh no you don’t Missy!” “Oh you did not just yank my mane!” “Girls, cut it out, now’s not the time for that!” Yells Twilight. Both AJ and Rainbow stop fighting and mutter apologies. “Mr. Tennant, please, you can’t give into you angst, please don’t kill yourself, that’s what the Death Note wants you to do!” Twilight pleads. “Wait What?” you ask confused as all tartarus “The Hooded Offender put your name down in the Death Note, its influence must be affecting you!” You look at her in utter bemusement, “The Death Note is an anime! And if my name was written down in it, wouldn’t I be dead already?” “Well…” she stammers, “maybe the real life one acts differently?” “Oh come on, you can’t possible believe…” And you are interrupted again as they all tell you to not end it. “Oh no, he’s gone into shock, I’ll give him mouth to mouth and make it better.” Rainbow Dash says as she leans in but is yanked back by Applejack, “Oh no ya don’t Missy!” “Oh you did not just yank my mane!” Rainbow Dash declares. "Um... Actual mouth-to-mouth only works when he's lying down and I have done it to Hood- I mean Mr. Tennant befor-" Fluttershy says. “Girls, cut it out! Now’s not the time for that!” Twilight yells as she gets between the mares, causing both Applejack and Rainbow Dash to stop fighting and mutter apologies. “Mr. Tennant, please, you can’t give into you angst, please don’t kill yourself, that’s what the Death Notebook wants you to do!” Twilight pleads. “Wait, Death What-book?” you ask in confusion. “The Hooded Offender put your name down in the Death Note, its influence must be affecting you!” You look at her in utter bemusement, “The Death Notebook is an anime! And if my name was written down in it, wouldn't I be dead already?” “Well…” she stammers, “maybe the real life one acts differently?” “Oh come on, you can’t possible believe…” "Don't do it man! It's not worth it man. It ain't worth it!" Rainbow Dash says, "Ya'll can't go through with it, I need ya!" Applejack says causing everypony to look awkwardly at Applejack who quickly adds, "On the farm! I... need you on the farm is what I meant to say! hehehehe." "You can't die! Not until you change into something more fashionable!" Rarity says, More stares, but these one's are leaning towards angry stares and you can relate as this situation is starting to get real annoying... Mess with the Deadly 6 by threatening to jump out the window. "Oh look, the train's going over a bridge over a canyon." you say in a deadpan tone as you walk over to the window, "I wonder if a fall from this height would be enough to kill me..." you continue as you open the window... "NO, DON'T!" "NOOOOOOO!" "STOP! DON'T!" "OH I CAN'T WATCH!" *faint* "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!" *slams window shut with magic* *On her knees* NOOOOOOOOO! Suddenly you find yourself grabbed away from the window by Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy. "What? Can't you guys recognize a joke?" you say in a carefree tone. "THIS ISN"T FUNNY!" the mares all declare as Twilight adds... Twilight: We overheard you saying that you were going to end it. That Baker Sylvester Tennant will be no more. So this is an intervention. We are going to help you see that you don't have to end this. As you hear this, you begin to realize that they must have overheard you having that conversation with Selena. You can only think Oh Buck me. BrownDog's comment "We overheard you saying that you were going to end it. That Baker Sylvester Tennant will be no more. So this is an intervention. We are going to help you see that you don't have to end this!" “The Buck You Talking About?! I’m not going to do that! I have no plans to do that!” you blurt out. Oh Really? I seem to recall you and me entering into a suicide pact not too long ago. Selena mentally says, sounding upset. Well, aside from that… but hey, you’re getting better... right? As much as I can with that threat looming over our heads I suppose… Well, you know, desperate times and all… look I know that you- you try to comfort before being interrupted. The Prism-haired one is trying to lock lips again. “Gyagh!” you say as you snap out of it and duck away in time “Dang it,” you hear Dash whisper. “You spaced out again there sugarcube” Applejack adds as she glares at Rainbow Dash. “Sorry, but ya, I’m not gonna commit suicide. Remind me again what makes you think I would?” you bluntly say, “We heard you! You said that Baker Sylvester Tennant would be no more, and that you would end it…” Fluttershy says with tears in her eyes. “Th-that was taken out of context, I mean what reason would I have to…” “We heard you say you thought you were causing us harm for some reason, but we’re fine see,” Twilight says while putting on a fake smile. “Yes please, think of your Daughter sir, all the times you fought to protect her, don’t let it all be in vain!” Rarity laments. “Yeah, if you conk out, she’ll be sadder than sad, like I was when Granny Pie died,” Pinkie says in a sad voice. “But I’m not gonna leave her! I’m not doing myself in!” you shout. “But Fluttershy and I found these notes you left telling us to look after her,” Applejack holds up note, “ and you never leave her behind…” “And you were arguing with yourself about why it’s a good thing for you to go-” “OK OK, I know it looks bad… but I have an explanation!” you proclaim in exasperation. “Yes!” they all ask at once. “Ummm… Yeah, you see, my explanation is…” They stare at you waiting for something, anything... You have to come up with a good lie to get them off your back and fast, but what other reason could you have for ending an Identity? You were just gonna stop being B.S.T., because it was just a name… *DING* “You see…" you quickly look both ways for effect before whispering, "B.S.T. isn't my real name…” Everyone gasps at this. What are you doing you fool? Do you wish to expose thyself now? Selena chides. Trust me on this… you think. You even see Fluttershy looking worried, but you give her a wink. “What do you mean you’re not B.S.? Who else would you be?” asks a confused Pinkie. “Someone else… I... was told to come to Ponyville and live there for at least a year by someone with a lot of power...” “Why?” asks Dash. “I got in trouble with some very mean, very powerful ponies that wanted to harm me and my daughter, so I went into hiding, and others helped me.” “Are…Are you in witness protection?” asks Twilight piecing together what you've said. “Something like that…I can’t say too much…” I really can’t... you mentally add “B-but then who are you? Really?” asks Applejack. “I can’t tell you what my real name is…for my daughter's protection, but the B.S.T. you know is how I normally act so I’m not a complete stranger,” you say as you smile at her. “OK, then why were you talking to yourself tonight?” Pinkie asks. “I… um… talk to myself sometimes to get my thoughts organized and “pretend” that Nightshade’s mother answers back… it helps comfort me...” They all look at you in sympathy Tis what I am here for my friend. “So wait...” Twilight says, "when you said that B.S.T. would be no more… does that mean you were going to change your Identity again?” “Yeaaahhh… I kind of thought my very presence was causing too much trouble,” you look at AJ and Dash, “and drawing way too much attention to myself. I thought I’d be found out.” Wow, you can't believe all you've said has not been a lie. “But… that would mean you’d be moving on?” Applejack asks sounding downtrodden. “Well… yeah-” you answer, bu then get an explosion of pleading, “Please don’t leave, you and I haven’t finished all the Daring Do books together!” Dash says before she pulls you in and whispers, “Or gotten past first base” which causes you to blush. “You've been a big help to me and the farm, I don’t want you gone, you’re like family,” Applejack pleads. Dear Luna, that mare has no idea. “Your daughter has so many friends in Ponyville, including my little sister, please don’t leave! You've done nothing to harm us.” Rarity pleads. “Well, I kind of did make you two fight didn't I?” you say as you point to Dash and Applejack. “Don’t worry Sugarcube we fight all the time! NO Biggie!” Applejack says as she looks around shiftily. “Ya, come on man, we’re cool, everything’s cool!” Dash adds in shakily as she throws an arm around Applejack. You can tell they are both still upset with each other, but you let it slide. “OK, I won’t leave Ponyville, you happy?” Pinkie cheers as they all glomp you in a hug. “You’re secret is safe with us,” Fluttershy says as she gives you a knowing wink. “And look, I appreciate the concern, but I’d rather not have you guys following me to Fillydelphia OK?” “But we have to help you out, you are still a friend in need!” Twilight says. “Actually… that’s another thing, why are you going to Fillydelphia?” “Umm… you know, family issues...” You say as now you really do have to lie. “But I thought you said you didn't have no more family aside from your daughter and missing Grandpappy?” Applejack points out. “That’s… partially true… I do have an extended family,” you say this as you look directly at her, “and there’s a problem in Filly that will affect them. I have to go in secret you know?” “OH, but I’m sure we can help you in some way,” Twilight pleads. “Not really, doesn't Ponyville need you more? Like stopping the disaster?” Her eye widens (the other is still under the eyepatch), “Oh my goodness, you’re totally right!” You turn to the other 5 and say, “And besides, if you all came with me, who would help her and also watch over Nightshade…” “Ya, I guess you’re right…we just didn't want you hurting yourself or nothing so we all kind o panicked,” Applejack confesses, “Heck, I don’t even think we brought any luggage or tickets.” “And you guys left Spike too” you add. Twilight gets a sad look on her face at his name causing you think sympathetically think, I really hope they can make up and- "I must have worried him sick running out in a rant..." Running out in a rant? I thought she was crashing- Oh yeah... the Luna Plushie... Snapping out of your thoughts, you say, “Look, I'm fine, just go on home and I’ll be back in a few days OK?” "But Twilight, what about that Death Notebook? The hooded offender know our names, it's not dangerous?" Ask RD "That was not the true death notebook" Say Twilight "Of course, if it was the correct notebook we could find more apples that have been eat mysteriously, also, the normal is that Twilight have the correct Death Notebook and she give some pages to somepony, and the hooded offender could not be the second Kira because it could be very obvious" Say Pinkie Pie The rest of the bearers of the Element look at Pinkie "But Twilight, what about that Death Notebook? The Hooded Offender know our names and he can kinda spell so isn't that combo dangerous?" Rainbow Dash asks Twilight. "That was not the true death notebook" Says Twilight "Of course, if it was the correct notebook we would have found more apples that have been eaten mysteriously. Also, how it wold normally go is that Twilight would have the correct Death Notebook and she give some pages to somepony, and the hooded offender could not be the second Kira because it would be extremely obvious" Pinkie Pie says causing everypony to look at her weird. Snapping out of it first, Rarity says, "Twilight darling, I think you need to rest. You're starting to act... loopy again." Twilight is about to start, but then she sighs, "You're right. Come on girls, let's go home." With that, the Deadly 6 disappear in a mass teleportation spell. "That mare... is unbelievable hehehhe." You chuckle slightly before you return to your seat and think to Selena, BrownDog's comment Yeesh, that was nerve racking. Tell me about it… I thought they had actually cracked you Yeah… hey about earlier… I am fine- No you’re not… look, if this is about our pact. I do not wish to speak about it right now! she angrily huffs. OK OK, sorry… maybe later Perhaps… Yeah… so now that they’re gone, you said you think you know why Nightshade sleeps less now? Yes… I believe that it is because her mental state and body have finally reached an intersection. Now her body will begin to age naturally. Oookkkkaaayyy… you think in confusion, Mind breaking that down into stupider words for me? Selena sighs then begins, She will now age normally now that her mind has caught up with her body. I'm still not quite getting it. Her birth was far from traditional. She came into this world already in the body of a prepubescent foal. Her mind was more advanced than that of an infant would be, as she could speak and mark you as her father, but she was still a newborn. The long rests she took were a way for her mind to better connect with her body, and seeing as how it was already a few years older than her mind, she had to catch up on both sleep and energy. So that explains her appetite as well? In the beginning, that is what I believed, but now she just likes to eat. But yes, everytime she awoke, she would gain new knowledge from you and in the depths of her dreams, she would learn. Whoa… so now that she's caught up she’s gonna be like a normal kid all the time? You couldn't possibly have thought that parenting would be that easy could you? I kind of did for awhile... you lament before sighing, So now we know the answer to that mystery, want to explain how you birthed her into that body in the first place, or how I’m her father? It is, how you ponies say these days, a long story- OH COME ON! You can’t leave me in the dark like that! Why not? you angrily shout in your mind. Because we are on a train in public where anyone can overhear you… and what I have to say about a lot of things concerning our union and Nightshade's birth would cause you to make a scene… Are you serious?! Absolutely… In time I will tell you. When you and I are alone, away from prying ears, I will tell you everything… please don’t hate me when you finally learn the truth… she says in what you swear is fear and sorrow. Alright then, you say dropping the subject, Get some rest, you and I are gonna need it, I just know we’re gonna be smashing things soon. Sounds like fun Selena says... cheerfully? Get a note from the Doctor Suddenly, you hear what sounds like thiscoming from The Inventory. You look at it in confusion before you open The Inventory and take out... The Doctor's Notebook? It's glowing and vibrating. You look at in confusion before you open it to see that... Derpy has left you a message? You read the note and it says, Bugze! Emergency! This is Derpy. Look you need to get to Fillydelphia and NOW! I don't know why, but the Doctor doesn't want you to know this. But you need know this! Something really really bad is gonna happen. Alot of ponies are gonna die. And your going to get blamed for it if you don't do something. I'm begging you, get to Fillydelphia before it's too late! Good luck, Derpy You stare at the note in shock, and can't help but think in anger, There are LIVES at stake and the Doctor still didn't want me to know about it?! Don't worry Derpy,I swear I'll stop them, and then I'll knock some sense into that twin-hearted alien! Considering how it takes at least 24 hours to get to Appleloosa, it will take at least 2 days to reach the even farther Fillydelphia. You also haven't gotten any sleep since Friday (with the crashed Horde meeting on Midnight (wait a minute, if the meeting was on friday MIDNIGHT does that make it Saturday or Friday?) and and meeting with the mares just then) so fall asleep and wake up when you arrive in Fillydelphia on a... Sunday? As you settle into your seat to sleep, your mind starts to wander, Seeing as how a train from Ponyville to Appleloosa usually takes a day, Fillydelphia will have to be at least twice that according to most maps. Also, I haven't gotten any sleep since thursd- Wait, wouldn't that make it Thursday, Friday, or even Saturday night due to how midnight means going into tomorrow? You just shake your head of the confusion and decide to sleep on it. TWO DAYS LATER *Tooooot* For some reason, Fillydelphia is preparing for some sort of Holiday even though Nightmare Night was a week ago (enter "Black Friday" jokes here)... Huh? You then think, Why do I get the feeling I'm about to stumble into a Shane Block flick? You're woken up by the conductor's whistle and you wake up and see... Fillydelphia half-covered in holiday decorations? You stare at all the decorations from out your window and you can't help but think, Dang... I must've been REALLY tired. And why does it look like I stumbled into a Shane Block flick? Wasn't it already Nightmare Night just a week ago? You yawn and say to yourself, "You know what, I'm still tired from that wake up call so I better rest my eyes..." You close your eyes and are about to nap, when you hear, As you drift to sleep, you hear a conversation from outside your door. “They were here, the Tyrants guard dogs. They were here with him…” one voice says “Keep an eye on him, and send a letter to the leader…better safe than sorry.” Two stallion voices, “-two days ago, they were here." "They?" "The Tyrant's guard dogs. They were here with him…” “Keep an eye on him while I deliver the message to leader… better safe than sorry.” Your eyes shoot open as you see two beefy-looking stallions. One was walking away while the other is standing guard and looking in your general direction... You see your symbol on the backs of their leather jackets and after a few moments, you immediately putt two and two together. You glare at the stallions and think, This could be useful... Outro: What do you do?