Nightshade shouldnt rat her father out because if she does every single being in equestria will lock him in a cell throw banish him to the everfree banish the everfree to the moon and banish the moon to the sun
As Editor-in-Chief Diamond continues to rant about how popular her paper is (attention hog), Nightshade begins to think about whether or not she should expose her father,
I don't think ratting out Daddy is a good idea. I mean if I did that, then every single big meany who doesn't like my Daddy (for some reason) in Equestria will lock him in a cell, banish him to the Everfree, banish the Everfree to the moon...
Nightshade's eyes widen in horror as she thinks,
An-and then they would banish the moon to the sun! There's no way I can squeal on Daddy! What kind of daughter would I be if-
Just as she's about to finish her thought, Nightshade notices her friends' blank flanks and remembers,
Wait a minute, the whole reason we joined this bucking newspaper was to get our Cutie Marks!
With that thought in mind Nightshade thinks,
Nightshade, whatever you do, DO NOT sell out your father. The implications of doing so are so undeniably bad, I won't even BEGIN to describe them! Actually I will, just to make a point!
Pros - have awesome story, help friends get cutie marks and all that good stuff
Cons - father imprisoned, you'll probably never see your father again or all that delicious food that you crave so often!
Blood is thicker than water, Nightshade! Several times thicker, in fact!
The best thing to do here appears to be to compare the positives and negatives that each situation would entail. And so:
Negatives to betraying your father- He gets caught, thrown in jail, you get placed into a foster service, and you never see each other again
Positives to betraying your father- You get the biggest story of your lifetime, advance on a career in journalism, become rich and famous- maybe even rich enough to bail out your dad.
Results- The positives have a possibility to outweigh the negatives, but as its not a 100% chance, you probably shouldn't do it.
Seeing how me and my friends might get our cutie marks, I might want to make a pros and cons list to help me think this through. Like how Miss Sparkle was debating with herself over whether or not that famous playwright wrote his own plays... That or she was debating who'd win in a fight between a taco and a grilled cheese sandwich, Don't know, don't care.
Nightshade puts on her thinking face as she begins to mentally put together a pros and cons list of rating out her dad;
Pros: The newspaper gets a awesome story, I can help my friends get their cutie marks, I can advance on my career in journalism, and I can become rich and famous- maybe even rich enough to bail out my Daddy outta the sun!
Cons: Daddy goes to jail, never see Daddy again, could get placed into a orphanage run by a mean evil 'caretaker' who..."
Nightshade's eyes widen in horror as she thinks of the most horrible, terrible, and just plain awful thing that can happen to her if she rats out her dad,
Will force me to eat tiny healthy meals! That's it, I've made up my mind!
Nightshade's thinking face turns into a look of determination as she thinks,
I'm not gonna rat my Daddy out! Blood is thicker than water as they say. Plus while the pros might be more than the cons, it's not a 100% chance so I probably shouldn't do it. Now I'll I need to do is find the Mysterious Mare Do Well and-
But before Nightshade can finish her thought, she begins to think back and forth between the pros and cons again. So much so that she begins to think in panic,
Should I? Should I not? Yes? No? Yes? No? Yes? N- WHY ARE DECISIONS SO HARD TO MAKE?! Nightshade thought.
"Nightshade?" Applebloom asked.
"my name is Jeff!" Nightshade randomly shouted. "Who's Jeff?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously. "I don't know." Nightshade answered.
"Anyway I need you four to bring me the juiciest story of them all! That way I- er the Foal Free Press will become the most popular newspaper in Equestria!" Diamond Tiara ordered.
Should I? Should I not? Yes? No? Yes? No? Yes? N- WHY ARE DECISIONS SO HARD TO MAKE?!
"Nightshade?" Apple Bloom asks causing Nightshade to snap and randomly shout,
"My name is Earl!"
"Who's Earl?" Sweetie Belle asks.
"I have no bucking idea." Nightshade answers.
"Anyway, I need you four to bring me the juiciest story of them all! That way I- er the Foal Free Press will become the most popular newspaper in Equestria!" Diamond Tiara orders.
Before Nightshade has a chance to give a snarky swear-filled comeback,, Sweetie Belle says,
"Well we’ll try. Anything else?”
“Yes, we need more juicy stories to fluff out the paper, it can’t be all about Spider Do Well!” Diamond Tiara exclaims.
“Mare Do Well,” Scootaloo corrects.
“YES! Her! Whatever! Give me more! MORE!” Diamond says while twitching.
“Are... are you OK?” Apple Bloom asks in concern for Diamond's sanity.
“I’ve never been better. This newspaper is gonna propel me to the big leagues. Before you know it, I'll be a big media mogul. Then I'll use my influence to bankrupt my daddy and then absorb Barnyard Bargains, then he’ll be the one grounded for doing things I don’t like because I’ll have all the money!” she says with deranged Pinkie Pie-esque quickness.
“The heck is up with her?” Scootaloo asks Nightshade.
“I've been putting double espresso beans into her morning juice,” she smirks.
“Now get out there and get me a story! Who knows what daddy is saying behind my back as we speak...” Diamond says in a cryptic paranoid tone.
ELSEWHERE
Filthy Rich lies on a psychologist couch as he explains his woes to a pony in a labcoat.
“I love my daughter doc, but it just seems like she’s getting worse each day, are you sure your method is working?” asks a distraught Filthy.
“Of course, the only way to deal with Bratius Childreness is to simply ignore the problem until it goes away, preferably by covering your ears and going la la la la.” replies Dr. Quacksalver who is eating Fun Dip.
“And that’s what I have been doing, but she keeps calling other children names and abusing our butler.”
“You must ignore these events, they simply aren’t happening. You will see that once she is done being a teenager and moves out with her latest colt-toy, everything will be fine.”
“But she’s not even a teenager yet.” Filthy points out.
“Oh... oh my. Then I suggest booze, lots and lots of booze.”
“Way ahead of you there doc.” Filthy says as he takes out a flask and takes a swig.
"Anyway, that'll be 10 Bits or a bottle of Trottingham Highland whisky."
BACK TO THE SCHOOL
“Just plotting my demise I know it. For all I know he’s Spider-Mane...” she says with a sip of juice before suddenly jumping back up and exclaiming.
“Everypony! You’re all fired! Get out!”
“What?!” everypony in the room yells.
“Shut up! Quit yelling and get back to work!” she yells before slamming her head into the desk and then immediately lifting it back up.
“Now where was I? Oh yes, Spider Mane Do Well. She could be anypony, even one of my star journalists..."
She glares/stares at the Cutie Mark Crusaders before shaking her head and saying,
"No, that’s ridiculous, that’s what they’d want me to think...”
The CMC decide to just tiptoe back from the rambling Filly.
As Nightshade and the CMC sneak out the door to Diamond's 'office' and head towards the exit, suddenly Sweetie Belle facehoofs and says,
Nightshade was walking around, when suddenly Sweetie Belle stop
"Oh no... I forgot my saddlebag in the reunion with Diamond Tiara" Comment Sweetie Belle
"Crap, well, we can go later when Diamond Tiara is not here" Say Apple Bloom
"But I have my homework in there, I can't go later, not to say that if Rarity see me without the saddlebags she is going to be angry with me" Say Sweetie Belle
"Then let's go together, and if Diamond say something, she will have to go with me first" Say Nightshade
"And with me" Say Scootaloo and Apple Bloom at the same time
"Thank you girls, come on!!" Say Sweetie as they run
The CMC run to the room when they listen Diamond Tiara talking with Silver Spoon
"Oh no... I forgot my saddlebag in the reunion with Diamond Tiara!"
"Darn. Well, we can git it later when Diamond Tiara's not here." Apple Bloom responds.
"But my homework's in there! Not to mention that if Rarity sees me without the saddlebags she made for me, she is going to be angry at me" Sweetie Belle protests.
"Then let's go together, and if Diamond causes troublethen that hyped-up motherbucker will have to go through me first!" Nightshade says.
"And me!" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom say at the same time.
"Thanks girls, come on!!" Sweetie Belle says as they head back into the office and are about to enter when they hear Diamond Tiara talking with Silver Spoon
"Come on Diamond Tiara, you gotta stop harping on the Spider-Mane thing, it's not healthy." Silver Spoon says in concern.
"It all comes back to him, he's already getting his third reboot and it's only been a year!" Diamond says in a rapid caffeine-high.
"I'm just saying, focus on something else."
"Oh alright, other ponies might not be what they claim... Maybe Nightshade is an Alicorn!"
"Ok-Wait, What?!"
"Think about it, the vest, ALL SIGNS POINT TO IT!" she declares deliriously.
"Diamond... please try and get some sleep..." Silver Spoon says in concern before leaving.
"Note to self, best friend might secretly be a Bat Pony, why else would she need glasses?" Diamond says in a paranoid rapid tone, "But anyway..."
"I need proof! This is bigger then the Mare Do Well, The Hooded Offender and Spider-Mare all together! With this, everypony is going to know the name Diamond Tiara!" Diamond declares with a deranged grin.
Meanwhile the CMC look at each other on the other side of the door before they turn to look at Nightshade as Sweetie Belle asks,
"Wow, are you a Alicorn? Like a actual one?"
Scootaloo gives Sweetie a deadpanned look as she says,
"What? Are you actually going to believe Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon? Of course it's a lie! We've all seen Nightshade without her vest on before and she didn't any wings on her, remember?"
Apple Bloom nods her head at this as she says,
"Yeah, Nightshade is our friend and she wouldn't hide anything from us... Right Nightshade?"
Nightshade looks around nervously before she says,
"Uh? Ah... Err... Of course"
Sweetie shakes her head as she says,
"Maybe Mr. Tennant is an Alicorn?"
Nightshade's eyes widen in panic as she shouts,
"What? No!"
Sweetie doesn't seem to notice the annoyed deadpanned look she's getting from Apple Bloom, but Scootaloo buys into this crackpot theory as she says in a excited tone,
"Of course, how could I not see! It's because that Rainbow Dash seems to act strange around him... The Awesomeness of an Alicorn is in conflict with Rainbow Dash's awesomeness, even when Mr. Tennant is hidden under those bandages! Which is because it could be too awesome; Tennant's Alicorn Awesomeness and the Awesomeness of Rainbow Dash could create a Awesome bomb that will destroy Ponyville!"
Apple Bloom gets an exasperated look on her face as she says,
"Are ya'll even listening to yourselves? We've MET him a couple of times without the bandages, and he looks just like a normal unicorn, and we've also seen Nightshade without her vest and she's just a regular unicorn too. If thems alicorns, then where thar wings?"
Scootaloo and Sweetie just get a blank faces as they say,
"Magic"
"But what about-" Says Apple Bloom.
"More Magic"
"And wha-"
"Even more magic!"
Apple Bloom just rolls her eyes and looks over to Nightshade as she asks,
"Is there something you don't wanna tell us?"
Before Nightshade can say anything, Diamond yells from her office,
"WHAT ARE YOU FOUR SLACKERS DOING? IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR FLANKS IN GEAR AND A JUICY STORY ON MY DESK BY THE END OF THE DAY THEN YOU'RE ALL FIRED! AND I'LL MAKE SURE YOU BLANK-FLANKS MAKE THE FRONT LINES OF BEING THE LAMEST PONIES IN TOWN!"
Nightshade and the CMC bolt out of the press room as fast as they can. As they do, Nightshade can't help but think,
Oh no! What the buck am I gonna do now!? If I don't rat out my dad, then we'll all get fired and be called the biggest dumbflanks in town! Even though I'll just sic Pumpkin and Poundcake on Diamond for doing that, it might ruin my friends! I can't let that happen! Oh... what would Daddy do in this situation?
As soon as she thinks this, Nightshade suddenly images in a thought bubble,
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh*whack*!!!", An Imaginary Bugze running in circles screaming in panic before stepping on a rake.
After shaking off the gardening instrument, Imaginary Bugze says,
"Okay... Bugze, calm down... what would Grandbuggy do in this situation?"
A imaginary bubble opens within the Imaginary bubble but it's empty.
"Hey, why is that bubble empty?" Nightshade asks.
"Sorry, I'm just a piece of your imagination, you never met Grandbuggy so you have no idea what he looks like." Imaginary Bugze responds.
"Shoot." Nightshade groans as the Imaginary Bugze and the imaginary bubbles disappear.
That didn't help at all! Maybe I should just turn him i-
Nightshade's thought is suddenly ended as a burst of determination hits her from outta nowhere,
Your unbreaking loyalty to your father quickly overcomes any thoughts of betraying him. A quick deduction of the situation and past experience proves that any chance of your friends getting their Cutie Marks from this is sadly none. With this in mind, you decide to just go along and watch the fireworks.
Burn that thought.
Burn it with fire.
You will never rat out your father.
You're better than that, Nightshade.
You know what, buck it! I'm never gonna rat out my Daddy! He's the best Daddy in the world, and there's nothing that's gonna make me want to give him up. So I'm just gonna burn the thought of betraying my Daddy outta my head. Besides...
Nightshade looks sadly at her friends (as they are now walking out of the school) as she thinks,
Knowing our history, we're probably not gonna earn our Cutie Marks anyway. I might as well just go along and watch the fireworks. It's not like anything bad is gonna happ-what the buck?
Nightshade stares at the scene before her in complete confusion as she sees,
That the playground seems divided into three groups wearing different costumes and they appear to be arguing with each other. Some are wearing Rainbow Wigs, others Mare Do Well Hats and suits, and yet some are wearing long scarves, trench coats, and even panama hats.
“What’s this all about?” Nightshade asks.
“Oh, it’s the new turf war” Scootaloo says.
“Huh?”
“Well, ever since Mare Do Well showed up, the Rainbow Dash fan club has been split down the middle, and the two factions don’t get along” says Scootaloo.
“And then there are the fans of your dad who are growing in numbers, they call themselves The Tennants” says Sweetie.
Nightshade notices that most of her dad's fanclub consist of the Colt Army from the Heart’s and Hooves Day incident, though there are a few fillies here and there.
“Yeah, they try to keep the peace between the two sides, but somehow or another there’s always a fight.” says Apple Bloom.
“Sounds familiar,” Nightshade comments, “But I can’t believe there's a fan club to my daddy and I’m not the leader of it! I was his first fan before it was cool!... Not that I’m a hippie-ster or anything,” she says with a shiver.
“Well I personally don’t want to be a part of any of it, I like Rainbow Dash, Mare Do Well, and Mr. Tennant equally,” Scootaloo says sadly. “Can’t we all just get along?”
Suddenly there's a flashbulb and everypony sees Featherweight.
“Oooo, that sounds like the headline for this story.” he says.
“Good thinkin Featherweight,” comments Apple Bloom, “Now let’s get out of here before they all start fighting again."
"Can't we just beat up everypony... for peace?" Nightshade says,
"But if we do that, we'll all get detentions and groundings and thus we'll never get our Journalism Cutie Marks." Apple Bloom comments.
"Oh." Nightshade comments.
“Anyway girls, you’ll never guess what I just got on camera at the spa!” Featherweight chimes in.
“What?” the fillies all ask.
“Follow me.”
He leads the CMC to his Dark Room where Photos are processed and shows you a picture of... Rainbow Dash at the Spa getting a Hooficure.
“Whoah... I didn't know she was such a softie.” comments Sweetie.
“Hey! She’s still cool, she’s just... relaxing,” stammers Scootaloo.
“I don’t know Scoots, this right here is the perfect story,” says Apple Bloom.
“Yeah, the warring factions will eat it up." Nightshade agrees.
“Actually, this isn't the photo I wanted to show you, but here you go,” he says as he hoofs over the Dash Photo, “this is what I wanted to show you.” he says as he pulls out a picture of... Bugze as a changeling (Luckily his scarred eye is not shown and the angle is low enough to not show off your orange spiky hair).
Nightshade gulps nervously at this, but all the other girls don't notice as they're surprised at this.
“How did you get this?” Nightshade asks.
“I was at the spa trying to get a good angle for when my big brother pummels Nightshade’s dad-”
“Wait, what?” Nightshade says, but is ignored.
“But he was already gone, instead I see this Changeling run into a closet and not come out. When I went inside, he was gone.”
“Oh wow, I wonder who he could be?” asks Sweetie.
“Should we report this to the guards?” asks Scootaloo. "This could be the start of another changeling invasion!"
"Wait, another changeling invasion?" Nightshade asks in confusion.
"Yeah. Around almost a year ago, Queen Chrysalis attacked and replaced everypony in Ponyville and kidnapped us, but our sisters and friends were able to beat them back and save us." Sweetie Belle says.
Scootaloo then adds,
"Yeah you should have been there! There was fighting, and giant spiders, and comets, and Twilight going all TASTE THE FRIENDSHIP MOTHERBU-"(*)
“I don’t know, this sounds like a fantastic story!” Apple Bloom interrupts.
“Um... maybe we shouldn’t run it?” Nightshade hesitantly says.
“Oh come on, this is way bigger than Mare Do Well, if we bust this story open, we’re sure to get our cutie marks” Sweetie comments.
Nightshade thinks for a moment,
True they don’t know it’s Daddy, so it technically wouldn't count as ratting him out. It’s just a random Changeling running around...
“OK, let’s do it... but we should probably try and look for other stories as well as... we got a whole issue to fill!” she says.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Featherwight nod their heads at Nightshade's idea. After that she says,
"Okay, me and Apple Bloom will go check out the apple's attic for anything good. Scoot's, Sweetie, and Feather will go into a bush near the mares side of hot spring in town and take pictures of any Peeping Toms!"
With the roles decided, the CMC and Featherwieght head out...
LATER, SWEET APPLE ACRES
We see Apple Bloom and Nightshade rummaging around in the attic.
“What exactly are we looking for again?” asks Nightshade.
“Something from my Granny’s time, if we find some gossip from the olden days, the old folks will love it,” says Apple Bloom.
As she searches through a crate, a photo album falls out. Nightshade picks it up and see Granny Smith as a young mare posing for pictures.
“Hey Bloom, check this out,” she says.
“Oh hey, it’s Granny during her traveling days... the hay?”
The thing is, some of the pictures appear to be out in space, or with creatures that she has never seen before. A few of the photos even show a stallion with a long scarf and frizzy hair standing in front of a Big Blue Box.
“It couldn't be...” Nightshade comments.
“That there looks like yer dad’s scarf Shade,” Apple Bloom comments.
A few more photos show Granny Smith with a stallion in a bowler hat. He seems familiar, and he looks an awfully lot like Bugze...
“Huh, wonder who those stallions are, and... why is he kissing my Granny?!” cries Apple Bloom,
They both see one last picture of young Granny Smith sharing a passionate kiss with the stallion in the bowler hat.
“That sure as heck ain't my Grand Pappy!”
“Must have been an old coltfriend,” Nightshade comments.
“Alright, I’m done, I don’t want to see anymore,” she says rubbing her eyes as she walks down the stairs.
“OK, something’s up with this picture,” Nightshade says, “I better hold onto it.”
"Granny Smith/Doctor photo"
"Granny Smith/Bowler Hat Pony photo"
Added to Saddle Bag
As Nightshade and Apple Bloom head down the stairs, Nightshade lets out a loud yawn and smacks her lips tiredly as she says,
"Hey Bloom, why don't you go back to the press room with what we got. I'm gonna hit the hay early."
Apple Bloom nods her head as she says,
"Alright, see ya later!"
With that said Nightshade and Apple Bloom head their separate ways from the bottom of the stairs and Nightshade heads towards the shack...
THE DREAMSCAPE
We see Nightshade chatting with her mother about the many stories they've uncovered, (conveniently excluding the Changeling one)
“Very good honey, and how have your lessons with the False Goddess’s Pupil gone?” Selena asks.
“Awesomely. She's teaching me a replication spell, but I can levitate objects easily now and also, I can make my horn or wings disappear too.”
“Transformative spells this early?” she asks.
“Oh no, I just figured it out one day when I was looking in the mirror. My wings were kind of itchy, and I made them disappear with green fire.”
“I see, that must be the changeling blood within you. I never thought your father would imbue you with that,” Selena comments.
“Ooohhh, does that mean I can change into other ponies too?” Nightshade asks excitedly.
“I’m not too sure, but I would suggest you don’t openly try while others are looking, understood?”
Nightshade sighs because she really wanted to show her friends,
“Yes Mommy...”
“Do not fret my precious, when you are ready, I shall teach you techniques that that puppet can’t even begin to dream about.”
“Oh, Alicorn powers?”
“To an extent, but within you lies the power of Shadow and Nightmare, I will teach you how to use it when the time is right.”
“Awesome!” Nightshade exclaims.
Suddenly a taco and a grilled cheese burst through a celestial cloud and start brawling. Selena looks at this in surprise and exclaims,
"What in the name of me-"
"Oh, that's just something I think Miss Twilight was talking about. Anyway, Finish him! FINISH HIM! Yes, taco!" Nightshade cheers as the taco starts beating the grilled cheese sandwich with a chair.
Selena can only facehoof as she mutters,
"What has that fool done to my daughter now..."
P.O.V CHANGE: BUGZE (YOU)
As expected, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and even Fluttershy were hanging around you the most during your spa day and while you didn't exactly not like their presence (their spa treatments made them look really pretty and bring out their- NO! BAD BUG!), they were always next to you the whole time you where at the spa. Luckily you managed to give them the slip before the transformation potion prematurely wore off, but you had to make a run to the closet where your clothes were before anypony found you, but you don't think anyling saw you.
Right now you've finished your workload for the day and ate dinner (1/2 a Box of Whole-What crackers, 1 Can of Creamy Tomato Soup, and 1 Instant Noodle Bowl)and are currently heading back to the shack for some good decent sleep. You've had a long day and you'd really like to just relax. Now as long as nothing tries to interrupt you while you head home everything will be fi-
"Huh-*poke* AHHHH MY EYE!"
You hold your non-scared eye in pain as you look down to see...
Cadance replies that she is NOT moonlighting as a vigilante
The Instant Mail Transfer Container. You sigh at the fact that Cadence somehow almost always manages to send this thing to you in a painful way. Sighing, you open it up and read the letter inside;
Dear Bugze,
I don't know why you would think it's me, or an Alicorn to begin with. There's only three in existence; me, Luna, and Celestia. Besides, I'm too busy dealing with reports and rumors of possible evidence of a new... structure possibly near the Crystal Mountains in northern Equestria. Nothing to worry about, nope nothing at all.
From,
Cadence
P.S. If you can come up here and visit that would be grand
P.P.S Bring your uh... Power Glove
Well, at least I know she's not the Mysterious Mare Do Well, but who could that leave...ah whatever, I'm going to go to the shack and get some bucking sleep!
With that thought in mind you put the Instant Mail Transfer Container back into The Inventory and you head home...
THE NEXT NOON
Eat breakfast with Nightshade (1 Box of "Lucky Oats" remaining) and collect your pay for yesterday's work.
You already ate breakfast with Nightshade (1 Box of "Lucky Oats" remaining), packed Nightshade's lunch (Jar of Chocolate Peanut Butter, Box of Whole-wheat crackers, 2 Apples, 2 Bags of Gummy Fruits, 2 Bottles of cotton-candy flavored Ramune), and collected your pay (41 Bits remaining) so now you're in the middle of patching a section of the barn wall when...
The Doctor replies back to you repeating what he had Derpy tell you on Nightmare Night:
'Don't hurt the Vigilante, it isn't what they appear to be'
He also said that during his adventures, he befriended a terminally ill filly named Sydney Moffat and entertained her with tales of her adventures, but that filly would beat her disease and would adapted his tales into the serial, Doctor Whooves/Hooves (spelling depends on location). Naturally the serial is ALOT different than the Doctor's true adventures due to stuido mandates, different writers, and even the Doctor omitting and exaggerating details when telling his tales to her.
You feel the Inter-Dimensional Notebook vibrate within the Inventory. You take it out and it reads,
Dear Bugze,
As I'm sure I told Derpy to tell you during Nightmare Night;
'Don't hurt the Vigilante, it isn't what they appear to be'
Also to answer your question; during my adventures, I befriended a terminally ill filly named "Moffie" and entertained her with tales of my adventures, but that filly would beat her disease and would adapt my tales into the serial, Doctor Whooves/Hooves (the spelling of which depends on location). Overall, it was a blast to see it on the silver screen, even if it's ALOT different than the my true adventures due to studio mandates, changing writers, and even I myself omitted and exaggerated details when telling little Moffie my tales.
Your eyes widen as you think,
Whoa whoa whoa... The Doctor indirectly created his own show? That certainly explains alo-
"Hi daddy."
You jump a little in shock before seeing your daughter and ask her,
"Nightshade? Shouldn't you be in school?"
"I'm on lunch break. Plus because I'm a journalist for the Foal Free Press and the fact that Cheerilee seems to have other things on her mind, she doesn't care when me and my friends spend more time out of the classroom. Anyway, I need more bits for The Hayburger Joint."
"What about that lunch I packed you thi- Wait, nevermind." you responds as you remember Nightshade's appetite and hoof her a few Bits (36 Bits remaining. Nightshade has 9 Bits).
As Nightshade is about to head off and you're about to finish removing the last rusty nail with the vise-grips...
"SUGARCUBE!"
You and Nightshade turn to see Applejack running towards you in worry.
"Sugarcu- Ah mean Mr. Tennant, did y'all happen ta' see a Changeling runnin' around lately?" She asks.
How could they know? you think in a panic before quickly saying,
"No! Of course not. Certainty no changelings anywhere near here. Hahahaha Why'd you ask?"
Applejack immediately (and quite literally) shoves a newspaper in your face as she exclaims,
"READ!"
You take the paper out of your face and began to read aloud,
"Changeling found in Ponyville Day Spa! Yesterday while one of our associates was walking past the Ponyvile's spa, he noticed a Changeling in one of the empty hallways. he was only able to take this photograph of the Changeling before it ran away. 'It was terrifying.' he said. 'To think that such a creature is hiding within our very Town.' This has caused quite an uproar among the Foal Free Press as we continue to figure out how this bug managed to enter Ponyville unnoticed. If you see any sign of Changeling activity, contact the Royal Guard immediately. Is this the prelude to another invasion! Buy the next issue to find out!"
Not noticing a guilty look appear across Nightshade's face, you're about to hoof the paper back to Applejack, when you notice the Gabby Gums column...
-Fluttershy driven to tears by "tail extensions" accusation makes you upset *snap*
"Hey Applejack, there's a column on you."
"What?!" Applejack exclaims as she grabs the paper back. She reads it and suddenly gets an angry look on her face as she yells,
"Applejack Asleep on the Job! I was taking my normal 5-minute nap break, but this makes me look like a lazy bum! Who the hay does this Gabby Gums think she is?!"
Nightshade looks more guilty and you're about to say something when Applejack exclaims,
"Fluttershy Has Tail Extensions!"
*snap* "The buck was that!?" You yell.
That is NOT cool! Knowing how sensitive Fluttershy is, she's probably having a breakdown or something. Also, Fluttershy's tail is perfectly natural like the rest of her supermodel bo- NO! BAD BUG!
"I better go check on Fluttershy." Applejack says, "Knowing her, she could use some comferting right now. Anyway, seeing how yer daughter's already here, feel free to take a lunch break."
"Oh, thanks boss." you say.
"Also, if ya' see a Changeling around here, y'all know what ta' do."
"Don't worry we'll tell ya if we see anything suspicious." you answer.
"Well, just letting ya know. See ya latter Mr. Tennant." Applejack says before she nods her head at you in thanks and trots off.
You had to tempt Lady Luck did you? Selena said.
This is gonna to be a long day...
With that, you and Nightshade head out to find something to eat...
SOMETIME LATER
Now we see that your idea to just eat out with your daughter turned into you hanging out with Flash, Twilight, and (strangely) Octavia at a taco cart near a construction site while Nightshade and her friends are eating at The Hayburger Joint across the street for free. You can't help but smile at this as you think,
Finally, for once a restaurant that, when they put the words 'free food' in a advertisement (the "Behemoth Challenge" to be exact) they actually mean it. And it looks like she's having fun, if only it wasn't so awkward over here...
It's not that you don't mind the three ponies who are with you company (Flash is your bro after all, Twilight can be considered your female nerd best frenemy, and Octavia is classy company in general. Not to mention she's easy on the ey- NO! BAD BUG!), it's just they keep giving you worried glances. You can't help but stare at them in confusion as you think,
Just what are they so worried about?
EARLIER THAT DAY, WITH FLASH AND TWILIGHT
We now find ourselves at the Ponyville market, where Flash just ran into Twilight,
"Oh, good morning Twi-"
"What' so good about it?" Twilight snaps causing Flash to recoils with a,
"Oh, I'm sorry Miss Twilight."
After that, Twilight takes a few calming breaths and says,
"No, I'm sorry Flash. It's just that Gabby Gums said that I'm a prissy snob who thinks Ponyville is nothing but muddy roads and low-class rubes! I talked to Spike and he swears that Gabby Gums made it up! She just prints whatever lies she wants! She doesn't care whose reputation she destroys!"
"Actually... that paper may be right about there being a changeling in town." Flash says.
Twilight looks at Flash in concerned confusion as she asks,
"Why do you think that?"
Flash sighs as he says,
"Think about it. Sabotages with green slime at the crime scenes, ponies claiming to be at different places when the sabotages happened yet other ponies claim they saw them there. It all points to changelings."
Twilight nods her head at this information as she contemplates,
"Hmmmm, you make several good points, but until we know for certain, we should keep this to ourselves to prevent a widespread panic. Anyway, for more positive news, why did you drag Tennant to the spa yesterday?"
Flash sighs sadly as he says,
"Actually, the reason I took Baker to the spa yesterday was I found out that three apple trees almost crushed him."
Twilight gasp in shock as she asks (a bit too loudly),
"Was it sabotage!?"
Flash nods his head grimly as he says,
"It was. I went back to the apple field after the spa and found that the trees in question were sawed to the point that just the tiniest amount of pressure would cause them to collapse on the pony who caused the pressure. It was unnoticeable, the cuts I mean. So whoever did it knew what they were doing."
Twilight shakes her head in worry as she asks,
"Does that mean that Mister Tennant is..."
Flash nods his head grimly again as he says,
"Sadly yes. Tennant has somepony or ponies or even somelings after him. And it angers me to say that this means that my best frie- no my bro is in danger. Somepony is trying to kill Mister Tennant!"
"WHAT!"
Both Flash and Twilight jump in shock as they look over to where the shout came from to see...
A worried and terrified Octavia.
BACK TO THE PRESENT
Eh, given my usual clumsy antics, it's probably nothing...
With that thought in mind you start to get into a conversation with Octavia about music as you wait for your food orders. What you don't notice is a shady figure entering the construction site...
P.O.V. CHANGE: NIGHTSHADE
We see Nightshade, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo at a window-side booth in The Hayburger Joint eating their meals(*).
"Ow... My tummy is starting to sting..." Nightshade groans.
"I'm not surprised." Sweetie Belle says.
"Yeah Shade, that's your 4th Mammoth in a row." Scootaloo adds.
"Guess that 'Graveyard' soda is living up to its name." Apple Bloom comments.
"Blargh..." Nightshade responds when she starts to remember what her Daddy taught her a week ago,
"Nightshade, when your tummy ain't feeling too good, just drink some ginger ale and you'll feel all better. Now watch this sweetie, I'm gonna prank Applejack so-"
*fling splot* "AIIEEEEEE!"
"Dang it Caramel! That wasn't meant for you!"
As Nightshade chuckles at the memory, she says,
"Waiter! Refill please, but with ginger ale this time! Extra ice!"
P.O.V CHANGE: BUGZE (YOU)
We now see you taking the food you just ordered (3 "Flambe" tacos (extra-spicy crunchy tacos with Habanero hot sauce, shredded carrots, shredded cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, and sliced jalapenos), 3 sides of cheesy nachos, and 3 empty tortilla wraps. 30 Bits remaining) to the table where the others are (Flash and Twilight are sharing the Grande Loaded Nachos while Octavia settled for the Taco Salad).
Subconsciously, you start to empty the taco fillings onto the nachos, crunch the shells and add them to the mixture, mix them together, pour the mixtures onto the tortillas, and lift up the sides of the tortillas with your horn magic to form 3 bag-like shapes. You smile at your hoofy work as you are about to eat one, when you hear Flash ask,
"Uh Baker... what did you make?"
You sigh in sadness at not getting to eat the deliciousness you just created as you look over to Flash, Twilight, and Octavia to answer when you see...
All three of them are staring at your creations in confusion while Twilight is... drooling? You ignore the strange sight as you say,
"These, my dear friend; is the Naco. A beautiful combination of the taco, nachos, and burrito."
You hold the Naco in in the air as if it's the grand prize in a race. Flash just stares at it some more before he asks,
"Huh... that's cool. Where'd you learn to make it?"
You open your mouth to answer,
"Well-Argh!"
But before you do you clench your teeth and hold your head in pain as it suddenly starts to sting. Your group of friends gasp in shock as Octavia exclaims in concern,
"Mr. Tennant! Are you okay?"
You shake your head as the pain goes down and you say,
"Yeah I'm fine, it's just that whenever I try to remember how I learned to make it, I get a pain in my head and I get this image of a older chan-stallion. It's probably nothing, but ya I don't remember how I learned to make them, it's just subconscious instinct in me is all. Anyway I"m gonna-HEY!"
You look back over to your Nacos only to see one is missing! You look around for whoever dared to steal your Naco, when you see Twilight...
Having a look of pure pleasure on her face as she eats your Naco. She stops chewing when she sees the strange looks she's getting from you, Flash, and Octavia. She swallows the Naco in her mouth as she blushes in embarrassment before saying,
"Sorry... it's just that nachos are my favorite food and seeing you make a Naco reminded me of how Spike makes his hoof-licking good nachos. Plus this is really good!"
You glare slightly at Twilight as you say,
"While I am humbled that you think it tastes good, please ask next time before you take my Nac-*crunch*!"
You turn around and see that Flash is eating another one of your Nacos! You glare at him as he chuckles nervously before saying,
"Heh heh... sorry Baker. *gulp* But Twilight wasn't kidding, these are really good! Plus, I'm paying you back for that Hayburger talk..." he mutters the last part under his breath.
Twilight giggles as Octavia rolls her eyes and says,
"Don't worry Mr. Tennant. I'm content with my dish."
You continue to glare at the two Naco-stealers as you grab the last Naco and are about to eat it when...
*creeeeeeeek*
Nightshade, you, and the others look around in confusion at the noise. It's not till you look at the construction site and see...
The construction site begin to fall apart! You see Rainbow Dash try and help, but only succeed in saving one pony. Before you and Flash can rush in and help, the Mysterious Mare Do Well shows up and saves the others, without even taking a scratch. When everything is over, you try to speak to the masked vigilante when she's already gone. Cursing your luck, you begin to walk away back to your uneaten naco when you're suddenly pulled into an alleyway.
“Hey, what the-“ you begin but are shushed by a hoof.
“Shh, keep it down before someone hears you.” Rainbow Dash says as she leans in close to you.
You blush nervously and hold your mask firmly in place as you say,
“Come on Rainbow, I thought you were finally respecting my boundaries!”
“What?” she asks.
“Not that you’re a bad kisser or anything, like how do you always taste so spicy and...”
She shoves her hoof in your mouth again.
“N-no, I’m not gonna...” she mumbles while blushing before shaking her head, “Look, I’m not here for... that, maybe later, but not right now.”
You raise an eyebrow at that since her hoof is currently still in your mouth,
“Look, I need your help, and you’re like the only pony I can come to...” she says with a sad look.
You can see she is being sincere so you take her hoof out of your mouth and ask,
“OK, what do you need help with?”
“I need you to help me take down the Mysterious Mare Do Well by dressing up as the Offender and letting me beat you up in public.”
You stare at the Rainbow-maned pegasus in shock as all you can do is say...
"You want me to do WHAT!"
What do you do?