//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Dimondia Escape, Take 2 (Arc Finale) // Story: Changeling See, Changeling D'OH! (Comment-Driven Story) // by Kersey475 //------------------------------// Anyway... try to scare the DDs severely enough that they pretty much throw you and Trixie out of the kingdom. That's the plan. you think as you carry the box of fireworks on your back into the castle while quickly writing a letter in your telekinetic grasp, the costumed Varangian Guards (1) giving you a respectful nod as you pass. You find Queen Trixianna is giving a speech about the Kingdom's first Nightmare Night on the castle's highest tower and call... SnapDrakeGames comment Down with Chrysalis comment "Hey, Trixie! I've got the fireworks. You ready to give these mutts the greatest scare they've ever known?" as you finish the letter and put it under your Bowler hat. "Oh, you bet it," Trixie replies, grinning maniacally, "While you were out, Trixie thought of the most devious visual accompaniment to our scheme. It's glorious if I do say so myself." As you look down at the Diamond Dogs, you notice that you can see the rough shapes of trick-or-treating Diamond Dogs below. "Well this is Dimondia's highest tower." you mutter-comment. "Now sit back and watch this," Trixie grins. She turns to the sky, and fires a bolt of magic towards the heavens that explodes with an earth-shattering noise that rattles throughout the kingdom. Below, you see every Diamond Dog give a start with fright and turn their gazes upwards. Some smoke remains behind from the explosion, glowing dusty blue against the dark night, but now it's your turn to give a small gasp as the smoke shimmers and shifts, taking shape of something terrifying. "Presenting," Trixie cried with glee, "The Storm-Vacuum Cymbals!" An indescribable sight fills the sky, an amalgamation of every canine's worst dreams, and it looks... "Stupid." you mutter to yourself, staring at the strange sight filling the atmosphere before you realize what you said and quickly backtrack, "Uh, with all due respect your highness." "...Buck. You're right." Trixie groans at the sorry image spread across the inky night. "I guess those things just... don't work in combination." Even now you can hear great peals of laughter rising from the throngs of dogs below. "Don't worry," you say, gritting your teeth. "We aren't through yet. Clifford! Jip!" At that call, a pair of Varangians dutifully appear, "Go find Chancellor Jim and tell him his presence is requested at the main stage. Dismissed." With a salute, the heavy tut-adorned guards rush off as you and Trixie run downstairs while the rest of the Diamond Dog audience continues to laugh at Trixie's 'monster'. "Ow! This crown is getting tighter!" Trixie exclaims. "They must have thought you were giving them a show to kick off this holiday." you suggest. "In that case we better get this show on the road before Trixie's head pops off like a champagne bottle!" Trixie responds as you both reach the main stage in front of the castle. As Trixie directs the helper dogs in setting up the stage, you're about to help when you hear, "Mr. Ritz?" You turn and smile when you see Jim approaching. "Jim, there you are." you greet, "I have a letter for you." you say as you start to take out the letter when he interrupts, "Actually I have something for you." he says as he takes out a small purple velvet box. "Ummmm... I'm... flattered, but aren't you married with pups?" "What?" Jim asks in confusion before realizing what you meant, "Oh, this isn't a ring box, it's a medal holder." You're about to say something in confusion when Jim opens the box revealing a badge in the form of a golden star with white enamel, with a red enamel pentagon behind it; the central disc bearing tiny diamond gem stars arranged in a hexagram on a blue enamel background within a golden ring; Golden hawks with spread wings standing between the points of the star attached to a purple ribbon with white edge stripes and a platinum bone between the stripes on the ribbon. "On behalf of Her Highness, Lady of the First Order, Queen Trixianna the First and the canines of Dimondia, I am proud to bestow upon you the first Star of Zeal, our kingdom's new highest honor, in recognition of all the loyal service you have done for the Kingdom of Dimondia." (2) Stunned at this declaration, you can't help but stutter a bit as guilt tears at your mind, "I... I don't know what to say..." Great, now I feel bad. Stupid conscienc- *poink* "OW!" But Jim pins the medal onto your changeling "costume"... meaning he just unwittingly stabbed you in the chest. "I must say the detail you put into making a chitin-like shell for your costume is incredible." Jim comments. "Yes. Costume..." you say through gritted teeth as you force a smile onto your mouth and salute. "Dimondia Star of Zeal Medal" added to Inventory "Ritz, go prepare the 'surprises' and get me an audience!" you hear Trixie order. "On it! Guards! Order all citizens to the courtyard in front of the main stage. That's a Royal order!" you say as you run off to set up the fireworks... 30 MINUTES LATER BrownDog77 comment See a pink star surrounded by some white stars in the distance. "Trixie doesn't remember buying that." Trixie comments, but seeing how you have an escape plan in progress, you both just shrug it off. We now see you walking on stage before a gathered crowd of Dimondia's citizens before turning to them and declaring, "GOOOOOOD MORNING, DIMONDIA!!!" "But it not morning." one citizen points out. "Yeah, it's night." "Nightmare Night to be specific." one of the pups says, her education evident. "Well saying 'good night' usually ends something plus it's morning for nocturnal beings so my point still stands. Anyway-" you correct before declaring, "You all enjoy that display earlier?" The crowd cheers at that declaration. "Well that's just the appetizer for tonight's full course meal of scares! Now presenting the entree of the evening, her Highness, Lady of the First Order, QUEEN TRIXIANNA THE FIRST!!!" The crowd goes wild as you Force Pull the stage lever to pull back the curtains revealing Queen Trixianna in her purple cape and crown. “Gaze upon your Queen you curs, and fear hear spectacular wrath!” she says as she starts setting off fireworks. Many of the dogs fold their ears back and whine at the spectacular. "My ears!" "Too loud!" "I GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE!" one dog screams before making a beeline for the exit- *CRASH* Only to smash facefirst into an invisible dome forcefield. “No leaving until the performance is done by Royal Decree!” you declare from the side as Trixie had used her magic to place an invisible dome around the courtyard and stage. “Please Queen Trixianna, this is too scary!” cry many of the adults, while lots of pups hug onto their legs. You feel a bit bad about that, but that crown has got to come off! “It’s Nightmare Night! Being Scared is a Must!” you yell, setting off your own set of fireworks. They launch into the air and show images of cute animals, and happy smiley faces, but the Dogs all hunker down, whining and holding their ears. “Too true Captain DeWitt, now listen to your Queen’s tale of how she defeated an Ursa Major!!” she yells, sending up another firework that magically shows an image of a giant bear. “I thought that was a lie,” you whisper to her. “Yes, but at this point, it’s all I got,” she says and begins telling about how she single-hoofidly struck down the mighty bear, complete with more fireworks of various colors when suddenly you see a bright pink six-point star surrounded by some white stars in the distance. "Didn't even know rockets could fly that far." you comment. "Trixie doesn't remember buying that." Trixie comments, but seeing how you have an escape plan in progress, you both just shrug it off. “I can’t take it anymore!” a male dog says as he rushes to the bubble and starts trying to dig under it… only to find that the invisible forcefield dome is actually a sphere. “I learned from last time,” she winks at you to which you smirk back. “Please your highness, this little show is unpleasant to us. Think about your people.” Jim pleads. “Whatever do you mean Jim? I am thinking of our people by giving them a true Nightmare Night!” “But there was nothing in Mr. DeWitt’s report about fireworks!” he begs. Trixie sets off another round of fireworks, causing dogs to hit the dirt clutching their ears. “I have altered the report, pray I don’t alter it any further.” Jim attempts to stop the display by running at the rockets, but you notice this and yell, “TREASON!” as you tackle him off the stage. The dogs all start voicing their outrage and even the guards start looking conflicted as Jim looks up at you in sadness. “Ritz... why?” he asks hurt. “Just play along, no matter what happens, there is a master plan in place,” you whisper to him as you slip an envelope into his clothes, “Read this when it’s all over, you’re going to like what it says.” He nods at this and goes along with your plan by lying still as you call to Trixie, “Alright, I neutralized the heckler, tell them about how you defeated the dragon your highness.” “Oh of course! Well you see, there was this giant red fire breathing DRAGON!!!” she shouts as Sparklers erupt on all sides of her. “And I defeated him by giving him ALL THE DIAMONDS AND JEWELS I COULD FIND! WILLINGLY!” “AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!” “NOOOOO!!!” “The Horror! The Horror!” cry out the dogs. “Yes, and should I, Trixianna the first ever encounter a dragon problem, that shall be my plan as well, FOR WE HAVE PLENTY!” this is followed by a dollar symbol firework explosion... and then the boos. “Booo” “Get off the stage!” “Boo-urns! Boo-urns!” “No! Don’t throw all those conveniently placed vegetables at your Queen, she would hate it immensely!” you yell in a disguised voice from within the crowd, causing them all to look to their feet at all the vegetables you sneakily placed at their paws. “Yeah, she wouldn’t like it." one dog says. "Throw em!” and they all begin throwing vegetables on stage, pelting Trixie and ruining her clothes. She gives you the stink eye from stage, but you just chuckle. “Why, is that any way to treat your Queen?!” she 'huffs.' “You hurt our ears and ruined Nightmare Night!” they cry out indignantly. “Why, it’s as if you all don’t have faith in me anymore!” “That’s right! Booooo!” they chant as you start backing up through the crowd. Trixie then grabs the crown on her head and lifts it up, crying convincingly. “Well if that’s the case, let me introduce you to my next trick; The disappearing Queen!” before throwing the crown down and suddenly a blinding flash of light goes off in front of Trixie followed by the deafening crack of thunder and an obscuring thundercloud as all the Diamond Dogs scream in fear at this assault on their senses. About time I got to use one of those orbs. you comment as you use this chaos to slip through the crowds and into the nearby shadows. "3 Thundercloud Orbs" remaining As the cloud clears, the dogs notice that the dome is gone... as is Trixie and Ritz, all that's left being her cape and the crown where she once stood. “Huh? Where did the Queen go?” they ask, not noticing her hauling tail into the distance. “Oh no, we broke her heart and drove her away!” some of them cry out. Erised the Ink-Moth comment The dogs start to panic, thinking that yet another ruler has abandoned them: Ttheir most loved and successful one to boot. During the resulting riot as the dogs start upending food stands and dismantling the stage in search of Trixie, you see that the showmare didn't manage to get far before her smoke cover blew away as she's now hiding behind a dumpster in a nearby alleyway. "Huh, well she's getting better." you comment with minor sarcasm. You can still remember when you could see her running away after using that trick; at least this time she had the good sense to hide. "Sup?" you greet her from the shadows. She gets startled and almost screams, but you quickly shush her with a hoof. "Nice work out there." you compliment, "A little over the top though." You remove your hoof as she flashes you a smirk. "Honestly Ritz, would the great and powerful Trixie provide anything less." she risks a peek out of her cover and whispers to you, "Now let's get out of here before they find us." "Just a sec." you mutter and light up one of your heavenly cherry-vanilla cigarettes. 13 cigarettes remaining "Really Ritz? You choose now of all times for a cigarette?" Trixie says raising a skeptical brow. In response you puff a cloud of smoke in her face. "Yup. Why? Do you have a better way to stop them from smelling us?" Trixie nods. "I can see your point. Ugh, the first thing Trixie is doing when we get out of here is buying some perfume." "One step at a time babe. Aquilla talon." you tell her and activate your bracer. You offer her a hoof which she takes and holds on to you as you use your grappling hook to carry you both to the top of some nearby buildings before the two of you manage to Assassins Vow your way across the rooftops to the edge of the kingdom. As panic starts among the dogs, you briefly stop and watch from a distant wall as Trixie goes on ahead to wear her fake cake of luggage as while Jim takes out and reads the letter. Dear Jim, Trixie was unhappy with her life and even though she didn't want to break the hearts of her subjects, she had to. We hope that you won’t be too angry with us, and that you keep expanding the Kingdom and remember our legacy in good light. We apologize for bailing, but as a condolence, here is the directions and coordinates to a recently discovered Gem Field. Live Long and Prosper My Friend, Captain Ritz DeWitt and Trixie Lulamoon aka ex-Queen Trixianna. P.S. You’re the king now Jim. Hail to the King Baby. You see Jim chuckle as he calms everyone down and declares that he has been appointed ruler and that a new Gem Field has been found causing everyone to cheer. With a smile, you take a mental snapshot and continue on your way, knowing that everything will be alright and that Diamondia is in his capable paws as chants of "Trixie" fill the night sky. When you get back to the wagon, you see Trixie just arriving with her (partially broken) cake full of suitcases, looking back at the kingdom in sadness. “Well that went smoothly, could have done without the vegetables, but it is done. I still feel bad about hurting their feelings though,” she says. “Oh don’t worry about them, they’re in good paws,” you say as you pat her back. She nods and sniffles before turning around. “So… Where to now? You ask.” “Well, without money, nowhere in particular,” she says downtrodden. “Oh yeah, I forgot, I may have snagged a few chests of gems from that new field,” you smirk as you open the Wagon's door to reveal the gleaming jewelry. Have Trixie be so happy to get the crown off. She end's up kissing Ritz in her excitement. After she realizes what she did she apologize and explains she got caught up in the moment. All while blushing so strong her blue coat is now dark red. “Ritz! You magnificent bastard!” she exclaims as she wraps her forelegs around you and presses her lips against yours in joy. When she lets go she starts squeeing, “Why with this, I can afford advertising, new equipment. Maybe even theatre space!” "Uh... Er..." you say while in a post-kiss stun. Suddenly Trixie turns dark red as the realization of what she just did dawns on her, "O-oh Ritz! I-I'm so sorry for that! I just got caught up in the momen-" Shaking your head to snap out of it, you blush and quickly say, “T-think nothing of it. Anyway where should we head first then?” in an attempt to change the subject. “Well my father always said, go big or go home, but seeing as how I have no home..." she ponders, thankful for the change in subject, "Let’s go for broke Ritz, let’s go to Carneighie Hall!” You choke as she says that, “Carneighie? Don’t you think that’s a bit of a jump?” you exclaim. “No guts no glory! Trixie has had alot of time to perfect her craft while Queen of Dimondia and with this chest of gems I'm sure to get a spot!" Trixie exclaims confidently as she uses her magic to put on her magician's hat along with another cape, "Now help me load my wardrobe and props into the wagon so we can put some distance between us and our former Kingdom. Trixie knows of a train station a few hours northwest of here." As you and Trixie start loading the suitcase from the 'cake' to the wagon you think, Manehattan huh? Not the best city for feeding on love, but still the best for blending in... THE NEXT MORNING We now find you and Trixie in the dining car of a train heading to Manehattan. You both had just woken up a few moments ago so Trixie is dropping some sugarcubes (that you loaned her) in a cup of coffee while you're wearing your 47 Suit, Red Scarf, and Bowler Hat while speaking to the waite- "What do you mean I can't order 5 eggs and bacon platters with 5 plates of biscuits and sausage gravy?" you demand. "I'm sorry sir, but those are breakfast menu items and dining car policy is that we stop serving breakfast at 11am and it's currently 12:24." Wait, that would mean it's noon. Uh... stand by... THE NEXT MORNING CORRECTION: NOON THE NEXT DAY We now find you and Trixie in the dining car having lunch, understandably sleeping in late due to Nightmare Night and those hours getting to the train station, purchasing train tickets, making sure the wagon was securely onboard the box car, boarding the late-night train for Manehattan, and sleeping in the cabin (separate bunk beds... in different sides and ends of the car due to what happened last night). While the correction to the time card was being made, Trixie stepped into the argument and reminded you that there's no meat in Equestria and places her order, "Trixie just woke up so she'll just have the fruit salad and more coffee. Extra Prench Vanilla Cream." "Get me 6 plates of grilled cheese with chili cheese hayfries, 3 bowls of creamy tomato soup, 2 Blooming Onions with thousand island dressing dip, a whole cherry pie a la mode, and-" "A diet cola?" Trixie snarks. "Pfft, to Tartarus with that 'diet' nonsense. I'll have a pitcher of Roy Rogers. Oh, and a newspaper." you order causing Trixie to roll her eyes at your appetite. "Your meals will be here shortly and that'll be two bits for a paper." You hoof the waiter a pair of Bits and he hooves you a newspaper back as Trixie continues drinking her coffee. 54 Bits remaining As you're about to open the newspaper to get an update on the pony world, the headline makes your eyes bulge out and your jaw slam into the ground (if it wasn't held in by your scarf) in shock, Welcome Princess Twilight Sparkle! WHAT DO YOU DO?