>>25832901
1. https://archive.today/f0oQ3
2. https://archive.today/dI35Q
3. https://archive.today/o0ktE
4. https://archive.today/w071K
5. https://archive.today/L40YG
6. https://archive.today/EaVK7
7. https://archive.today/uCJn9
8. https://archive.today/c1XZZ
9. https://archive.today/SjdzK
10. https://archive.today/Jmtlu
11. https://archive.today/eqheI
12. https://archive.today/qkLek
13. https://archive.today/EDijG
14. https://archive.today/ZbNtc
15. https://archive.today/CnI1z
16. https://archive.today/pTcOu
17. https://archive.today/MXTjw
18. https://archive.today/kk3FI
19. https://archive.today/JFE0I
20. https://archive.today/wygJG
21. https://archive.today/3bu9x
22. https://archive.today/63p7X
23. https://archive.today/G7mEf
24. https://archive.today/kKu4B
25. https://archive.today/7C6Nz
26. https://archive.today/5YZEa
27. https://archive.today/x8QWT
28. https://archive.today/kIJBv
29. https://archive.today/EP1S2
30. https://archive.today/0rb3f .5 version here https://archive.today/Y5NYc
31. https://archive.today/ONFET
32. https://archive.today/MpCy9
33. https://archive.today/Cqdkc
34. https://archive.today/tts5W
35. https://archive.today/kwIRG
35. https://archive.today/kwIRG
36. https://archive.today/x5j0H
37. https://archive.today/wrcRi
38. https://archive.today/kuXoA
39. https://archive.today/w5Qol
40. https://archive.today/69MUD
41. https://archive.today/1k1Is
42. https://archive.today/CrDfr
43. https://archive.today/ZGUy3
44. https://archive.today/vhtYd
45. https://archive.today/42Hp9
46. https://archive.today/Ah1u9
47. https://archive.today/Eh4Jl
48. https://archive.today/siDSi
49. https://archive.today/VFpsr
50. https://archive.today/kh6Md
51.desustorage.org/mlp/thread/20740272/
52.desustorage.org/mlp/thread/20855918/
53.desustorage.org/mlp/thread/20948915/
54.desustorage.org/mlp/thread/21045744/
55.desustorage.org/mlp/thread/21159397/
56.desustorage.org/mlp/thread/21278151/
57.desustorage.org/mlp/thread/21405993/
58.desustorage.org/mlp/thread/21510114/

>>25832910
59. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/21619890/
60. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/21715642/
61. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/21858107/
62. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/21945390/
63. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22007346/
64. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22086019/
65. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22152409/
66. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22223659/
67. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22274618/
68. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22337892/
69. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22395817/
70. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22458614/
71. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22571091/
72. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22651546/
73. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22736626/
74. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22828938/
75. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22908818/
76. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/22963669/
77. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23030892/
78. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23102420/
79. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23200765/
80. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23282365/
81. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23369224/
82. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23443675/
83. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23520799/
84. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23581564/
85. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23656624/
86. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23764354/
87. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23878745/
88. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/23973977/
89. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24059974/
90. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24160401/
91. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24245691/
92. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24333335/
93. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24423649/
94. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24476469/
95. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24523227/
96. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24574722/
97. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24626415/
98. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24690967/
99. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24759374/
100. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24814923/
101. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24894930/

102. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/24958159/
103. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25046878/
104. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25132701/
105. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25222467/

>>25832923
106. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25301100
107. desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25385359
108 desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25460161
109 desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25529408
110 desustorage.org/mlp/thread25616096
111 desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25673487
112 desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25717170
113 desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25779356

Here is full archive of ALL the stories in condensed, easy-to-read form with all chatter in-between removed.
Check out the pastebin here:
http://pastebin.com/u/PrincessApplejack

Curious what happened last time, or just wanna know what happens during an active thread?
Check out the previous thread here:https://desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25779356
You are completely new and have no idea what is going on? There is a wikia with an overview of all characters, a complete timeline, previous thread recaps and explanation of the various concepts used in these stories!
Check out the wiki here:http://princess-aj.wikia.com/wiki/Princess_Applejack_Wiki

Confused about when a character first showed up or who they are? Want to know when an arc started?
Check out character notes and details here :
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PsMAwLcIdC3IYxezAV9Ko4neEguNvc3eQqQqiTCxdDs/edit#gid=2119378650

We have begun working on a big project to fix up old stories and make this crazy world more coherent and accessible to new readers who don't like the thread format.
Check out the 'Princess Applejack: Re-Cut Edition' here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15cv3kqExr_vOM0JkUh4dqnvVKxJ5Z-P1KHwE8Z7aG0k/edit?usp=sharing
And finally, while most of the thread is very much clop free, we have a pastebin in case you're feeling a little more naughty with your writing, find it here. http://pastebin.com/u/PrincessAJAfterDark please upload any like it to a pastebin so they can be added out of thread.
And above all else, enjoy your stay at /paj/!

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First for Pinkie!

>>25832965
Pinkie wins this round!

Though, on the whole, AJ is winning overall.

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Pinkie Preview Prophecies

>Rarity played that funky music and laid down the boogie.
>Pinkie confuses people by speaking in very rapid Spanish.
>Rainbow Dash shows how radical she can be.
>A tiger won't stop climbing the counter eating Fluttershy's frosted flakes.
>Luna laughs at Celsestia for getting her hoof stuck in a pickle jar.
>Spike, DT, and Silver Spoon share a very kid moment.
>The crusaders realize eagles are jerks when Winona gets nabbed!
>Jingle fanservice!

>>25832901
>The very first time these amazing pictures have fit.

Fantastic.

Although it's not 1-1, just picturing AJ in gnarled tree armor busting up Chrysalis puts a smile on my face.

>>25833049
But Anon, Chrysalis is riiiiight~

>>25833076
She actually sorta is? In the sense that, while what AJ wants to do is noble, she's also, like... talking bout mind controlling everyone.

>>25833103
And nobody can say dick about it.

Suck it~

>>25833049
This whole thing has been pretty much nonstop hype. Now that Chrysalis has the apple, but is otherwise completely out of options, I'm super ready to see what AJ does in retaliation. Is she going to snap? Is she going to realize what she's done? Is she going to keep going and start hitting Chrysalis with the hammer until she needs to use those earthbending powers to hide a body?

Fuck, this is too hype. It's everything I wanted in a AJ arc.

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Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"AJ"
~~~~
>Welcome to Not Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content does matter, but I want the first story too! Now for our main guest...APPLEJACK!

Applause
"Wait weren't we-"

>Do you have plans to watch the new Stellar Battles movie?

"Not really. Ah've never watch any of the Stellar Battles movies."

>...what?

"Ah've never actually seen any-"

>No, shut up. We're going to drop everything and go watch right now. I will reserve a movie theater for you and have you watch all of them...

"All of them?"

>...we should probably skip the prequels...and maybe find the original release...we're watching!

>>25833177
I'm suddenly remembering that one NC with her debating about whether to use the apple to save her...

>>25833224
No Pinkie, no! That's how they were meant to be seen!

THAT'S HOW THEY WERE MEANT TO BE SEEN

>>25833254
Who let George Lucas have another computer?

He was supposed to be banned from that after episode 3.

LAST THREAD RECAP, CHRYSALIS BEATDOWN EDITION!
>Screwloose and 12 celebrate their two week anniversary. It's... weird.
>SA and 42 talk about Cadence's progress, and SA reminisces about when she was younger, wilder, more full of energy.
>42 wants him to go on.
>He will not.
>LD is put in charge of the Wonderbolts while Dash is on leave.
>Quicksilver likes comic Chitty better.
>29, still in the shed, notices Sunset is rather cold. She fills them in on her state, he fills her in on dead orphans.
>Luna is curious as to what is happening in Ponyville, but is calm when Celestia tells her that Ponyville is more accepting. Still, she heads off to check on something.
>That something, coincidentally, is Chitanias home. Only, she's not there, it's just Sweet Note behind a bunch of security. SN tells her Chitty will be back in five minutes, but Luna doesn't wish to wait that long. Instead, she's more focused on the disrespect SN gives her thanks to her authority problems.
>Derpy gives Chitty jury duty via paper airplane. Chitty claims she can't read. Nobody argues her.
>42 realizes she hasn't punched anybody in a while, and decides to fight Mane-Iac, because.
>Daw finally gets her confirmation that there are pony pods. And they are cool.
>The CMC discover a possible tactic to stop the golem, pulling out the spears! But before they can, a Zebra named Zebrata beats them to it. A zebra with a terrible secret... SHE IS HALF DONKEY.
>Yeah, nobody cares
>Then she gets zapped because a shield is protecting the spears.
>Neat.
>Back in ponyville, time runs out, and Chitania sets out to find 29, Pommel right on her tail.
>29 hears her coming and welcomes death.
>OOCO, Spike continues to test Twilight's flying apparatus with hillarious results that end with him in pain.
>He reveals that he's only doing it to spend more time with her, which is adorable.
>BUT SCREW ALL THAT BECAUSE IT'S THE MAIN EVENT
1/3

>>25833404
FUCKING INTERNET
>Applejack regrets hitting her, but knows she had to do it in order to save Equestria.
>But when Chrysalis advances on her, all bets are out the window, and she goes full defensive. To the point when lassos and bucking rocks at her don't work, she turns to another means of attack.
>In desperation, AJ uses magic, getting in a devastating blow to Chrysalis' stomach before shooting her against a wall.
>Thanks to this moment, she manages to learn via winging it how to manipulate rocks and dirt, and eventually even 'call' to roots and vines in the ground in devastating earth based attacks.
>When just relying on magic doesn't work and she gets cornered, she uses something else, flight. She's unsteady, she can't fly very well, but with Chrysalis on her tail she figures out how to go fast!
>Thus begins an aerial battle, with AJ using her skills together for the very first time!
>Despite the massive struggle and devastation, she's no match for Chrysalis one on one. She's forced down after a terrible blow, and it looks like Chrysalis is going to take the apple.
>At the last second, Applejack tells her she can't take that apple, and to her surprise Chrysalis doesn't! It seems the Apple is working again!
>After a quick shot to get her away, the tides completely turned. Aj uses the truth powers to devastating effects, forcing Chrysalis to miss every shot, ram into walls, all while she batters her with spells and attacks big and small!
>Eventually, she even takes away Chrysalis's ability to fight back, when she tells her that her magic will set off a methane leak, and her wings will pop off if she tries to fly, which Chrysalis accepts as truth.
>After a furious beatdown, Chrysalis can just barely stand, and AJ puts the final nail in the coffin'.
>"It's pointless to keep fighting. You want to give up."
>"...It's true."
2/3

>>25833453
>It looks for a second like Chrysalis might quit, might give up, but instead... she charges her!
>Even without her wings or magic, she fights on as Applejack unleashes magic like she's never done before, roots and vines and stones and even a giant hammer made of root and stone beating the Changeling blue, but she never gives up.
>Never, until somehow, some way, she catches Applejack at a weak moment, and steals the apple.
>Only, after all the attacks, Chrysalis does not even have the strength to shoot the apple and destroy it.
>Angry at her, Applejack makes a chilling demand to the downed changeling.
>"Chrysalis... either you give me that apple right now..."
>"Or Ah'm gonna kill you."
>It's almost over.

>>25833103
But anon...

villains are more interesting.

>>25833666
Now anon, we all know that your Queen and mine is merely playing the part of an underdog. In truth, she had the situation handled the whole time as I'm sure a future story will tell us.

Glory to the Hive.

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Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"AJ"
'SAJ'
~~~~
>Welcome to Not Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content does matter, but when I said right now, I meant right now! Now for our main guest...APPLEJACK!

They sit in a movie theater and space orchestra fanfare music plays.
"...Oh there's reading involved."

>Sh sh shhh...yeah there's a little reading involved in the beginning, but embrace it.

"It's scrolled back. Ah can't read that far."

>Darn it, okay don't worry too hard about it.

'...Ah'm still here you know. It's not like Ah left or anything-'

>Sha-sha-sha-shush. This is important. Both of you need to experience this.

'But Ah-'

>Nopenope, have some popcorn. We finish later.

'...so why is the big ship chasing the little ship?'

>...are you one of those people who keeps asking questions in the middle of the movie when it's about to explain it?

"No."
'Yes.'

"..."

'...you know you are.'

"N-no."
AJ looks away.

>>25833666
First off, obvious thing.
>Devil trips
Oh, threadghosts, we knew you never went away.

Second

>Especially when they think they're the hero.

>>25833843
>Two LNPP in an hour

Well, this is certainly new. And welcome!

>>25833049
>just picturing AJ in gnarled tree armor busting up Chrysalis puts a smile on my face
A. Men. It's about time. Only thing that sucks is that someone beat me to this epic arc. Mini-arc? What even is this? It's AJ's, whatever it is, but what kinda arc is this?

>>25833915
It's a full arc due to 2 things. 1, its length(giggidy) and 2, who all it encompasses.

This is the finale, sure, but the whole thing involved the CE crew's reveal, Rarity, Pennydrop VS Celestia, all the Canterlot crew, and Ponyville too. Remember how this was started by Rarity's reveal? Yeah, kind of forgot myself. Not to mention this is going to massively change the status Quo, no matter how it ends. No matter what happens when the final battle is over, MASSIVE changes are coming. This is the Reveal Arc, and she might not have started it but by god AJ is ending it.

>>25833843
>Questioning during a movie.

I'm sorry, AJ, but you are now officially worst Princess.

>>25833915
It's a full arc, this was originally started by Rarity... who we have not heard from in a while. Huh.

>>25833843
>asking questions in a movie
GOD DAMNIT AJ YOU NEED TO FIX THAT SHIT RIGHT NOW
On another note, MASSIVE FUCKING SPOILER ALERT: The Force Awakens is A New Hope 2.0, complete with main character on a desert world and a planet destroying weapon, only this time IT EATS STARS TO POWER ITSELF HOLY SHIT WHAT THE FUCK YOU COULD HAVE JUST MADE THAT THE WEAPON AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WAY WORSE THAN USING THAT ENERGY TO DESTROY PLANETS

Holy fucking balls, there really is no way of beating Chrysalis, is there? Even when her opponent is fully Harmony powered, she's too dense to get through to. And to imagine she could once be defeated by something silly as a loves hielt tossing her into the sky like Jesse and James.

>>25834161
The fuck are you talking about? Aj was beating her without getting touched.

All she's managed to do is grab the apple, that's it. She hasn't physically touched AJ since she started using the apple.

>>25834147
Uhh...I disagree?

On the spoiler thing, not the...not the talking during a movie.

I know enjoying things typically makes you look stupid, but screw it, I realy liked this movie...

>>25834206
Pretty much this. What ARE you talking about? Buggy's been getting handled both mentally and physically all up and down the side of rocks.

It's funny. It's epic. It was the ass kicking a long time in the making.

After this, Chrysalis can go back to winning absolutely everything again and I'd give not a shred of damn anymore. Because this beatdown will last for centuries.

>>25834219
I didn't say it being a new hope 2.0 is bad, I'm just saying it's a new hope 2.0
but they really didn't need to make it blow up planets when it can EAT STARS

>>25834206
>She hasn't physically touched AJ since she started using the apple.

It was glorious.

>Before apple
"OH NO! Nothing I throw at her even phases her for a second! She's gonna beat the shit out of me! OW! She's beating me! This hurts!"

>Post Apple
"Ya' like the taste of rock. That ain't even an apple truth, yer' just gonna have an acquired taste by the end of it. Still comin'? Can do this all day, you literally have not even gotten close to scratching me. No no, keep tryin'. Or don't, cause now, no wing! No magic! No anythin'!... Are ya' dead? Ya might be dead."

OOCO/NCDunno
>SA
"AJ"
'???'
~~~

>Alright, the previous one was a disaster, but I'm optimistic!

"Yer' behind, like, sixteen shields."

>Optimistic, not stupid.

"Right..."

>But lets see some more tricks!

"Well, Ah' can do one with roots... HUP!"

WHA-CHA

'SON OF A BITCH!'

"OH MAH GOSH! CELLY!"

'MY EYE! MY GODDAMN EYE! OH FUCK IT HURTS!'

>Oh no! Hold up, I'm coming!

"Now hold up! Just stay in yer'"

CRACK!

>AHHHHHHHOLYSHITITHURTSSOMUCH!

"OH SHIT! OH SHIT OH SHIT!"

>AHHHHHHH!

'AHHHHHHHH!'

"AH'M SORRY! Lemme look and-"

CRACK-CRACK!

>OH FUCK!

'THE OTHER EYE!'

>"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"....Okay, so, no whips in the house. We're learnin' from this!... Admittedly, it was somethin' granny taught me when Ah' was six, but still! Learnin'!"

>'AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!'

"LEARN WITH ME DAMN IT!"

>>25834206
>>25834278
It was a complete beat down induced by whatever the fuck that apple is.

This wasn't Applejack's victory (as the goal was to keep the apple), Applejack's power (as proven when she couldn't call her new abilities without it) nor Applejack's gain (as the next bit will be about regretting her actions ).

Nothing about this speaks of Applejack to me. Hell, I bet more of us were rooting for the determined and correctly acting one, Chrysalis. Depending on what happens next, this might not change SHIT aside from personal feelings on some matters.

By this point, I am more curious about how Chitania is likely going to tear Sunset and Pommel limb by limb instead of Applejack is busy wailing on her old nemesis.

This doesn't outweigh all the shit Chrysalis makes me put up with reading about her and her alone for over 100 threads.

Though, to whoever is writing it? Good show.

>>25834688
>Chitania just steamrolling Sunset and Pommel

Welp, I was considering alcoholism anyway.

>>25834688
>Hell, I bet more of us were rooting for the determined and correctly acting one, Chrysalis.

Chrysalis is the one I wanted to see win, AJ is the one I wanted to actually read about.

I didn't want to see AJ give in to desperation just to make sure this happened "Her way" and nobody could argue with her, but I did want to see every second when she started thinking it. This is still Applejack the base idea of her being sure she knows what's right and just wanting to do the best for everyone is there, but it's very obvious it's to a deep extreme, and the thing is, with all her internal dialog I understand why.

>>25834726
Genuinely curious what exactly depresses you about that. Enlighten me?

>>25834688
>Nothing about this speaks of Applejack to me.
Wow. Totally disagreement there. All I see is Applejack. The only part this I care about is Applejack. She can lose the apple after this for all I care, my flame to write for her has been reignited.

>By this point, I am more curious about how Chitania
I'm one of the rare few on this but this whole arc has made me find Chitty bland as fuck. And I love Chitty.

>>25834781
What exactly is confusing about that? He doesn't like Chitania, doesn't want to see her win. It's as basic as it gets.

>I don't like this character.
>This character winning would make me feel bad.
>That this character is probably going to win makes me feel bad.

>>25834781
She's already made everything he's done mean nothing by just puffing out her chest and tearing him down verbally, now she's just going to pummel him.

Again.

Should've never fucking brought Red back, should have just left well enough alone.

>>25834345
Well I mean

the star has to go somewhere

>>25834874
No, she hasn't. She's been a bitch. That's all. Just because someone ridicules someone else does not make it true. If that were the case then the daily show and the onion would be completely legitimate news sources rather than jesters serving as mouth pieces to the left.

>Celestia
"Luna'
~~~~

"And she said such disrespectful things! To our face!'

>Uh huh, that's nice... am I really going to need the extra shoes? I'm only going to be gone a day... oh, but what if I lose one?

"And in such languages! Hmph! We could certainly wreck that pitiful bug she so hides behind, it would be such an easy thing! We merely do not out of respect for the law!"

>And you do such a good job... no no no, why would I need my toothbrush, nobody will notice... hah, hah... maybe just in case.

"Ugh! Sister! We wish to have that mare banned from the city!'

>I'll get right on that as soon as we get back, don't forget that thing!

"As if we would!"

>Aw, I love you too.

"...Wait, what?"

>Like there was ever any doubt?... Wow, yes, I am packing this, not because I need it, but because if anyone stumbled across this I would die of embarrassment.

"Are thou even listening?"

>I have listened to every word, you just don't like my answers.

"What now!?"

>Now now, I only do it because I love you!

"We don't... what..."

>Yes! I am packing this!

"W-...Why art thou packing a swimsuit?"

>Ugh, so glad he's got room, I'm just going to crash in Shiny's bed until this all blows over. I sleep over there all the time anyway, it's not like this is a big deal.

"...then... then why... why the swimsuit..."

>Atta girl! That's the spirit!

"W-why would thou need a swimsuit..."

>Knew you had it in you.

"...Oh, we are not standing for this!"

SHOOM!
CRASH!

>Luna! My wall!... Meh, I'll get it fixed later. I wonder where she's going? I wanted to spend some time together over at Shiny's... oh well, I guess I am a bit of a bore sometimes, maybe she has some friends she wants to stay with instead... oh, they grow up so fast.

>>25835202
Except it was then accepted to be totally true.

>>25835268
When, when that one guy who is totally not trying to rile you up said it? Or by the story where, surprise surprise, Chitty still did not give a fuck.

Wow, what compelling evidence.

>>25835265
And thus, Luna began a war when she felt shiny with being inappropriate with her sister. It was later deemed just

>>25835438
...that is not the tone of helping.

>>25835268
Dude, if I accepted it to be true that Pommel sucked why would I point out that her being a bitch does not change the fact that he went on a swashbuckling adventure that ended with him trapping a sentient piece of not-cthullu in a maid bot?

Relax. He's doing fine.

>Twilight
-??-
In her lab the mare looked over the remnants of her attempts to make her assistant fly.

The wreckage of jetpacks and armors. The antigravity devices with horrifying physical side effects. The siege weaponry with hastily tacked on gliding devices. All failures. She was running out of ideas, and what she had left, she wasn’t willing to try quite yet.

-Oh dear, don’t tell me you’re considering giving up already? Surely you haven’t scrapped the bottom of the barely quite yet?-

>I shot him out of siege weaponry.

-To be fair it did go rather well, all things considered.-

>It went well that time. It could just as easily turned him into a stain.

-Oh I don’t know. His head’s hard enough that his brain would likely survive, and then you could make him a cyborg like you wanted to all that time ago! Now, wouldn’t that be fun?-

>No. I don’t think trying to reconstitute him into a mostly robotic body meets my definition of ‘fun’ thanks. Besides I didn’t have to because *Someone* showed up to make him all better. Right, Discord?

-Guilty! Guilty as charged!-

>Don’t suppose you’d be willing to give another snap and fix this one?

-No. I don’t think so.-

>WELL WHY NOT!? Why are you never around when we need you!? Big cataclysmic events or just minor nuisances you’re there! What kind of friend leaves his friends twisting in the wind EVERY TIME!?

The expression on the drconequus’ face was not amused.

-Because I usually have no choice. Fluttershy and I both trying to cast in the same area leads to nothing but trouble. You know this.-

>Yes, but-

-And as for as you call them ‘minor’ issues if I swooped in for every one what lessons would you learn? What growth would you have? Harmony is a fine thing, but it is also often…static.-

He smiled.

-Chaos however, well…that brings change. And I am quite fond of it you know. Change, development, progression! O ho ho ho, my dear. Don’t forget what I am.-
(1/2)

>>25836015
>Then why do you help sometimes? Why help ever?

-Because it will be more chaotic if I do! Leave the boy in his hospital bed while the fight raged on, or put him back on his feet to watch him struggle with whether or not to kill? Not a hard choice my dear. And neither is this. After all…-

With a snap of his fingers a vial appeared and began to turn over and over while floating above his claw.

-It seems to me you already have a solution-

>GIVE ME THAT!

Purple magic encompassed the cylinder and yanked it away.

>It’s too dangerous!

-What? A mutagen to return his morphology to…factory settings Shall we say? What’s the harm?-

>I don’t know what it will do. It could give him adult wings at his current size! It could give him properly sized wings that never grow! I have no way of testing it.

-So, what? You’ll just never give it to him? Never roll the dice? Just leave him wingless his whole life?-

>…

-Well?-

>We don’t even know for sure he won’t get them later. They might grow in!

-Right! Because he’s an Amphibian!-

>…I won’t try it until I’ve exhausted all other options. And’s he’s grown up. At least that way if it does give him tiny wings they won’t be in the way.

-Well, that is of course, your choice my dear. Just don’t ask me to solve your problems for you when you are perfectly capable of handling them yourself.-

>Sigh…fine.

-Oh, don’t look so down. I’m sure it will all be fine. I for one can’t wait to see what you try next! After all…I love to watch.
(2/2)

>>25836030
Every time I see Discord I think of Smarty-Belle. Good times, goooood times.

>Chitania
"Pommel"
~???~
~~~

>Come out, come out, where ever you arreeee..

This was entirely pointless, of course. She didn't need to ask this anymore than she needed to ask the waves to roll in. She could sense him already, her magic honed by countless thousands of times locating hives across the continent drawing her in like a moth to flame. She never once needed him to come out, she would find him all the same.

"That's not going to work."

>Oh where oh where has my little ling gone, oh where oh where can he be...

"Wow! Okay! Wow! Are you trying to sound like a serial killer? Is that it? Seriously, is that it, is that the goal? Sound like you're going to skin him and wear him like a coat? That's what you're doing! That's exactly what you are doing!"

>Do you ever shut up? You're like a damn clanging monkey.

"Those shut up when the little winder goes down. Chitania! Ignorant to basic toy functionality, everyone!"

She grunted, but continued on all the same.

>I'm not going to pay attention to you just because you're annoying.

"Really? Sounds like you're paying attention to me now. Chitania, everyone! Ignorant to basic cause and effect!"

>...I think he's over there.

"Chitania, everyone! She talks to herself because nobody else will."

>By the hivemind, I wish that were true right now...

"Got a problem with it? Say it to my face."

>No no, by all means, keep talking to my ass, it's as good as it's going to get from you.

"Chitania, everyone! Wants ponies to talk to her ass!"

>Puddle, everyone, his best tactic is 'basic distraction through insults.'... Wow, no cheering? That's got to be new for you.

"Got a lot of cheering in the past, actually."

>Yes yes, everyone was very proud of you for using the potty by yourself, I'm sure.

"Actually, I killed a giant minotaur with an axe."

>Whoopee.

"...Aren't you going to start rattling off stuff you did that was bigger and better?"

1/3

>>25836425

>Why would I do that? What, am I supposed to treat you like a competition? This isn't important to me.

"Totally did kill a god you know."

>Are you all powerful?

"Well, no. Obviously."

>If you defeated said god, would you gain access to heaven but you turned it down?

"Clearly not."

>Did killing it grant you access to other gods to kill?

"Ahhhh, no."

>Then why the fuck would I care? Also, I don't believe you.

"You can ask him yourself if you want."

>...I genuinely am now feeling bad for you.

"He dies, but doesn't stay dead, that's his thing."

>So you killed a god that can't die... and then you tried to brag to me about it.

"You're the one who is all "Durrr, I'mma kill all deh godsh!"

>Ah hah, cute. But no, I'm out to kill the most powerful ones for... purposes. Yesss, soon to be very obvious... purposes....

"Serial killer talk is back."

>That... is appropriate, I guess? I'm specifically saying I want to kill a large number of a group.

"Fair enough. So, why don't you detail me your plan? Sounds fascinating."

>I could do that, or...

"Orrrrr-"

>GET YOUR SCRAWNY ASS OUT OF THAT BUILDING BEFORE I BRING IT TO THE GROUND WITH A SINGLE SWING, AND DRAG YOUR PATHETIC CARCASS FROM THE RUBBLE TO BE LAID AT MY DAUGHTER'S HOOVES LIKE A PRIZE!

The moment, the absolute instant his ears stopped ringing, he retorted.

"...That sounds more like a tabby cat-"

>NOOWWW!

It seemed banter wasn't going to work.

With nothing else to do, no more ways to defend, the pony could wait no longer. Proudly, he stepped in front of the changeling, and held his ground.

"Alright, that's far enough. I'll accept you being scary, but if you actually want to break into someone's house, I'm afraid I have to stop you."

>...Fuck, this guy is taking forever.

The Queen, never once, looked down at him.

"I'm serious, either fight me now, or back off. I don't care which, I'll take you on."

>He better not be on the toilet.

Angry, just a bit, he conjured magic to his horn.

2/3

>>25836441

"Hey! The Captain of the royal guard of Equestria is talking to you!"

>How would I even broach that? I don't want to pick him up if he is, he might... spray. Ehhhgghghhhhh...

"If you try to take one step closer-"

Pointedly, she did, until he was face to face with her broad chest.

Even still, she did not look down at him.

"...Alright, if you want to be like tha-"

>I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT OF THEEEEEERRREEE!

Whatever magic he had been bringing to bare went down, drowned out among the EEEE sound in his ears.

"...That's it-"

SLAM!

The pony jumped when he heard the door slam open, eyes wide with panic that the one inside had actually emerged. Now, it was too late, she would have seen him, there was no stopping her now if she-

~IT'S THE MIDDLE OF THE FUCKING NIGHT! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT!?~

"...Wait."

>My daughter wants to see you.

~What, the FUCK, does she want to see me at when it's PITCH BLACK OUT AND I SHOULD BE SLEEPING!?~

>She wants you to join the Hive.

~Why!?~

>Worried about the mob, I guess?

~....MOB!?~

The changelings head snapped to the side, pausing only for a second before it snapped back.

~What the fuck did I miss!?~

>Bring it up with her, Twenty Nine, when you are joining the others.

~....Uh, slight problem.~

>Oh? And what is that?

~Erm... I'm not Twenty Nine. Remember? We've met before. I'm getting married, you said some vague insult but weren't paying attention... you know, we've met!~

Pointedly, he poked his eye patch, depressing it a bit to show it hollow, as if this would in some way mean anything to her.

>...Your number isn't Twenty Nine? I remember you, the face, not the number.

~Ah, no, number is Seventy Seven.~

>....I have several questions.

~As do I!... Hi, Pommel.~

"Hi."

~Rough night?~

"....Where have you been."

~I'm a heavy sleeper.~

"How much have you missed, exactly?"

~...Better take it from the top.~

>Oh for fucks sake...

>>25836455
Damn, apparently Cheers can knock a fucker out.

>>25836777
Trips confirm.

>>25836777
>Lucky 7s

Appropriate.

wake up thread AJ's gonna kill a bitch.

>>25837943
Hamertimr, fucker.

>Primrose
"Red"
'Brahmos'
-Cordy-

'So lemme get this straight: EVERYONE has gotta leave?'

>Affirmative.

'Everyone. From the highest Princess to the lowliest guard captain-whom I shall one day murder, that is obvious fact- is going go have to walk out the door?'

>All individuals with connections to the Changeling Hive must vacate the premisis, AI Construct Designate: Brahmos and this unit share a logic processor, therefore Construct Designate: Brahmos should have arrived at conclusion.

-Zzzzzz...-

'Ok, somehow Cordy the Wondershroom is in sleep mode through all this, not going to question that. So what's the plan?'

>This unit presumes that, per vernacular 'vacation' being used, there will be a mass exodus to areas of sun, surf, and sand.

'Sand? That's gonna suck for the joints, get right in there.'

>This unit will undergo regular self-maintenance after arrival.

'Oh come on, you know you'll never get it all out. It's going to griiiind every time you try to move.'

>Unfortunate. Rebuttal: This unit's primary function is to serve the Princesses, if the Princesses are not present, how can this unit serve?

"SUB FUNCTION."

'GAH!'

-Snrk...issit spread-o-clock? ...zzzzzz...-

>Elaborate.

"YOUR...SUB FUNCTION...MY CONTAINMENT...HOW CONTAIN...IF BROKEN?"

'He has a point, as spread out as it is. If you break, he gets out...and I get the sweet release of death.'

>Counterpoint: Eviction.

"NO CHANGELINGS...OR CHANGELING FRIEND...WE ARE NO FRIEND."

'Hey yeah, last I checked Queen Fuckface doesn't even want us around because of Shroomboy.'

"IF NO CONNECTION..."

'Then we can stay!'

-Zzzzz...pretty pretty view...spores go whoosh...-

>...Princess designate: Twilight Sparkle will be informed immediately.

'WOOHOO! I can still debate like a champ!'

"HAHAHAHAHAHA...AHAHAHAHA!"

'...wait, what do you get out of not going to the beach? I just hate people.'

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

'I'm sure it's nothing.'

-Zzzz...denial...-

I think that's the mulch of it when it comes to Queens, stubborn as hell cos it's the only way they can survive.

And even then it doesn't work, they're a doomed race.

VIGILO CONFIDO

>>25838576
Once upon a time I wanted to write Twilight trying to formulate a scenario where ponies and changelings could work together. It would've literally been XCOM 2 with the Princesses/Queens kidnapped by aliens and their underlings struggling not to get stomped out.

Then again, I've always wanted to do more with that damn simulator...

>>25838576
For how soon they went, it is surprisingly hard to kill one.

>>25839158
Really it's only hard to kill one of they have
A) overpowered Titan magic
Or
B)an enormous supply of love either from the heart or mutant cancer punched pony.

>>25837943
She actually might, I can't imagine bug Queen lasting much longer. I mean, damn, she laid into her before.

>Chitania
"77"
'Pommel'
~~~

>So, what, there was just another one of you wandering around? How many more changelings are in this place!?

"Just me and Twenty Nine... assuming he's not with his br- sorry 'cousin'. Still don't get that vernacular."

'We should definitely check on that.'

>Oh for fucks sake... so why are you here!?

"M... married? Remember? I said it twice now, you have no excuse."

>I don't need an excuse to- wait a minute... why were you in the school?

"She's a teacher."

>So? Even I know you don't live in the damn school when you teach there!

"Uhhhhh..."

>...

"...We got caught up in some... studying..."

>I have heard enough.

'I haven't heard enough.'

"R-really? Uh... didn't know you liked to... listen."

>He doesn't, he's trying to stall me.

'Nope, totally a loser like that, by all means explain this to me in graphic, extended detail.'

"...No?"

>Just tell me where the other one is.

"I don't know that, why would I know that!? I don't ask where he sleeps! What, do you think we partner swap or something?"

>Oh for fucks sake! He has one too!?

"Yes? No? I honestly have no idea. It's weird, he's like, super close to my brother, and he's even the reason I hooked up with my fiance, but I just am not really interested in the guy."

'Same. Weird, right?'

>UGGHH! Just go sit with the other hive!

"...No?"

>GO SIT WITH THE DAMN HIVE! I have had enough of this shit tonight!

"Erm... kind of with my fiance-"

>Then go tell her that you're going back home tonight! Do you not see the fucking mob!?

"...That is a mob, yes... Ehhhh-"

>QUEENS ORDERS!

"Oh goddamn it, Chrysalis... fine, I'll go, but just to tell Chrysalis to let me come back. Let me go tell Cheerilee..."

SLAM!

>...

'...'

>...

'...Wait, that sound, is he-'

>NO GOODBYE QUICKIES FOR FUCKS SAKE!

"OH COME ON!"

>>25840011
77 you old dog, you.

>>25840011
I love how utterly nonchalant about all this 77 is.

OOCO
>SA
"AJ"
'Cadence'
~~~~

>Soooo.... any luck helping her?

"Was she dropped as a child?"

>... Is that a yes?

"How did she pass any of those classes when she was a filly!?"

'Erm... Celestia isnt super attentive all the time.'

"Ah' am revving up the biggest "it's all her fault" ever, want you to know."

'I'm trying!'

"Would feel better iffin' ya weren't."

>I just wanted you to help, not make her feel worse.

"Ask me ta' shoot the moon why don't ya'."

'I understand...'

"... yer' not as bad as Luna."

'...'

"Best Ah' can do."

'...I'll take it.?

>>25840195
Well, he DID seen some shit down in the caves, Chitania is not very terrifying in comparison.
Dangerous, yes, but not very terrifying.
Especially if she wants you alive.

>AJ
"Chrysalis"
~~~~

>...or Ah'm gonna kill you.

The hammer she held, little more than sturdy twisted root binding a massive cracked stone, seemed to multiply a thousand times in weight in a single instant.

It wasn't exactly the truth, or at least she believed she was, but Chrysalis had to know it was. She had to take everything she said absolutely seriously, or else. If she were to discover the Apple's power, all would be lost. If she were to use it, nothing could stop her.

In Chrysalis's hooves, it was the most dangerous weapon in the world.

That, she knew, is why her words weren't exactly a lie either. She knew fully well that sometimes her magic got out of control, especially when she was panicking. One time, she had very nearly hurt someone much more permanently. If Chrysalis discovered the power and tried to use it, she would have to be quick. If she was too quick, something might happen.

Something she will regret.

That was why her weapon felt so heavy, why her horn sparked with such power, why her breath felt short and she felt such an uneasy feeling in her gut. She may have to attack her again. If that damned bug didn't just call it quits now, she may have to strike before the changeling could say so much as a single declaration to her. If she gained that power, all was lost.

Or, worse, she might destroy the apple entirely. She had tried, admittedly failed but nonetheless tried, and if she found some way to succeed, all of this would have been for nothing. Her victory, even when divinely granted from the Tree of Harmony, taken from her again.

This was about more than just Chrysalis, this was about more than just their abrasive relationship, the entire fate of the changelings, of Equestria, of everything, was riding on this. She could not take a chance, she could not let her take control of it.

If that meant risking a pain that the Queen couldn't just fix by getting some hugs and resting a bit... so be it.

1/4

>>25840670

She would do it, even if the very thought made her so sick to her stomach she could barely keep down her dinner. She would manage, even if the thought made her mouth go dry and her head ring with pain. She would do it, for them. Everyone was counting on her, even if they didn't know it, and she couldn't let them down.

Not again.

If she had to do what she had to do, she would be honest with them, all of them, and they would understand. She would speak nothing but the truth, like she was always supposed to do, and they would believe her. This had to be done, if she should do it at all, and they would understand that.

They would understand, if she told them with that Apple.

They would understand what she had to do to protect them from a power none of them could stop, if she just explained. That's what it granted her, the power to tell all of them the truth, and for them to understand.

It was all riding on what the Queen did next, and if that thing that she did, whatever it was, was the last thing she ever did.

"Ahhhh, shit, was hoping this would break off the crazy instantly."

She went tense as a wheezing, pained laugh rolled from the prone changeling, she could not look away as she shuffled back ever so slightly.

"Damn... had a lot riding on that, actually."

>Chrysalis... put the apple down, right now, or Ah'm gonna end this.

The changeling let out another raspy, short chuckle, her free hoof scraping into the dirt to pull her tall obsidian body as far away as she could go, which amounted to so little her hind legs barely even moved.

"You know, I never really liked the taste of apples. I hated them, actually. Something about them tasted off, they're all tart and the juice tastes weird. Never liked them, had no idea what anyone saw in them."

She took a single, cautious step forwards, eyes never leaving the prize that was pulled into the Queen's chest.

2/4

>>25840683

>Chrysalis, you don't understand what you're doing. You need to give me that apple, right now, or Ah'm gonna have to do something Ah'm gonna regret.

"And then there was the skin. It just got everywhere, stuck right in between my teeth and it stayed there for weeks, hated it. Hated it down to those terrible tasting seeds."

She was almost close enough, just another step or two and she could leap forwards and grab it. No way was the Queen fast enough in this state, no way could she dodge.

>There's more than you know riding on this, Chrysalis, if you don't give me that apple then something terrible is going to happen. This is for everyone, you hear? You, your changelings, everything will be all better if you just give it to me.

"I hated apples... I really, really did..."

So close, and she had enough.

>Damn it, Chrysalis! Ah'm doin' this to help you!

"...H-hah... HAH! Hahahaha!"

That laugh, that damned, screeching, crowing laugh. There was little else in this world or any other, that she hated as much as that laugh.

"Aha... aha... ohhh... you know the funny thing? I bet this thing really is stupidly powerful, no way could you beat me this badly without some kind of power. I'm pretty messed up, I'll admit that. But you know, while I believe this thing is pretty strong, funny thing about what you just said... about that whole, helping thing."

At last, the Queen looked to her, a glint in her bruised, swollen eye.

"I don't know why, my changelings are safe, everything is fine, nothing bad has happened, but... for some reason..."

She was close.

But still, just too far away, when Chrysalis brought the apple to her face.

"...I don't believe you."

She watched with horror, as that fanged maw opened wide.

>No... NOOOOOO!

She watched, in terror, as that same mouth closed around her gift, the salvation of Equestria.

3/4

>>25840688

It was over, she knew. Everything, all she had worked for, all she had struggled and fought to maintain, all she had wanted, needed to make the lives of everyone, her changelings included, all chomped away by the mouth that only ever screeched words that brought her headaches and pain. A worthless fanged mouth of a serpent who had yet again brought ruin, only this time the Queen hadn't even realized just how badly she had destroyed her home.

She couldn't hold it back anymore, couldn't hold the fury as she hefted her hammer above her head, as her magic went wild and her horn burned so hotly she swore it was aflame. She couldn't hold it back as she prepared to swing down, and make her pay for all she had caused at long long last.

All the while, she watched, watched every second as her gift went into that mouth of lies.

>YOU FUCKING BUG MONSTER! YOU JUST DESTROYED EQUESTRIA!

She watched as the jaw suddenly froze.

Only this, only that sight, is what brought the same to her hammer, and to her rage. Only that prevented her from striking, and nothing else. All she cared about was if the Apple could be salvaged, and nothing more.

"...Hrm!?"

The chitinous head rolled up, Chrysalis looking very much like a dog with a treat while she held the Apple in her mouth, looking with eyes that strained to go wide underneath the pained welts and bruises.

"Whafuhfuck!?"

Chrysalis hadn't bitten down.

In her wild scanning of every inch of that apple, she could see not a single tear in it's immaculate skin, not a single break in it's otherworldly glow. She hadn't bitten down yet, she hadn't broken it yet.

"The fuch you talkhin bout!?"

She was waiting, she was listening.

With this, she had been granted a chance, one last chance.

If she wanted to save everyone, if she wanted that power back...

She was going to have to do the impossible.

>That apple... is gonna save Equestria.

She had to make Chrysalis believe her.

It was her last chance.

>>25840697
OR! Oooooorr... you could cut off her head?

That's an option, that option is on the table, just wanna make that clear.

Still an option.

>>25840697
>Applejack has to talk some sense into Chrysalis

...So next post is her just getting frustrated and deciding that rebuilding Equestria from scratch is easier. Gotcha.

Just kidding, I'm damned hype for debate-ending.

>>25840697
I seriously think AJ was about to just straight up end her right there. Just, straight up make some bug paste.

AJ is fucking SCARY in this.

>>25840865
She's just a simple earth pony at heart, what did you expect?
Power corrupts.

>>25840830
>I might get my AJ/Chrysalis heart-to-heart

HYPE

Also, I just realized Gambling made off like a bandit last thread, we were all wrong.

>>25840926
It's not that, it's that she's kinda right. Chrysalis with that apple is fucking scary, and if she uses it on AJ, AJ can't counter it. If Chrysalis says "This is my apple, and it was always my apple, and you're happy I have it because it's for the best if i have it", she's fucked.

But still, APPLEJACK is seriously contemplating if she's going to have to seriously hurt someone to stop that, and not because she wants to, but because she knows if her powers go out of control like they have before, she doesn't know how to keep it in check. If she panics and takes a swing, she's not gonna be able to stop it, but she knows she has to do it anyway because the alternative is so much worse.

It's scary.

>>25840985
Wellllll, to be honest, Chrysalis don't NEED that apple, she has mind-control build in. It would be convenient, but she can do without it.

Also, now we see AJ having to choose between having things her way, and killing someone. And she doesn't really try to find other options from this situation. That doesn't speak highly of her.

>>25841090
>Chrysalis don't NEED that apple, she has mind-control build in

But that's the thing, Chrysalis' mind control has limits, someone can start to see through it and needs to be reapplied, but here? She's someone already skilled in lies and keeping a cover, and now she's gotten a hold of an item that turns her pretty good mindcontrol into an absolute. She knows how to turn situations to her favor, and now she has an easy way to make it absolute.

>And she doesn't really try to find other options from this situation.

There are no other options, Chrysalis just has to talk, just say "You don't want to do this" And bam, she doesn't want to anymore. "You can't hurt me." Bam, she can't do anything about it. And then if she says "It would be a lot better if you didn't have this apple", she's done.

It's not having things her way, she thinks this is the ONLY way, she thinks every other way will just lead to failure. She's convinced if the EOH even gets taken from her, nothing will fix it.

Or, she risks hurting Chrysalis and saving the world.

>>25841140
That's kinda the scariest thing about that apple, if someone doesn't explicitly know what it does, it's even scarier. If Chrysalis just says

>"Applejack, you need to stop"

You know, something completely reasonable, then she knows that's true and she'll stop. Or-

>"You know what's a better idea? You eating thar damned hammer, that's a great idea."

Just something sarcastic and snide, and then Applejack literally thinks she has to chew her hammer.

That thing is broken as shit.

>>25841140
>There are no other options
>she thinks this is the ONLY way
>she thinks every other way will just lead to failure
>she thinks
Opinions=/=Facts.
Surprise!

Also, Chrissy doesn't seem to know EXACT power of The Apple yet.
Besides, shes not mind-controlling everyone willy-nilly now. She did it once, and spilled the beans about it afterwards. It almost seems like she tries to not rely on it to solve every situation, unlike AJ here.
Would she use it for her own purposes when/if she get to know its power? Maybe? Even probably. Or not? WE. DONT KNOW.

>>25841260
>Opinions=/=Facts.

Well, yeah.

Unless the Apple worked on her and she thinks they're facts, you mean.

>Also, Chrissy doesn't seem to know EXACT power of The Apple yet.

No, she doesn't, but the problem is stuff like >>25841228 where if she just says something completely benign, she's fucked.

>Besides, shes not mind-controlling everyone willy-nilly now.

Because it makes ponies act weird and eventually makes them zombies. Imagine what she would do if everything she said was fact.

...Wait, scratch that, imagine that she knew what she said would be taken as fact, and you were Applejack, and thus super fucking suspicious of Chrysalis.

>It almost seems like she tries to not rely on it to solve every situation, unlike AJ here.

Yeah, she also hits things.

Like AJ here.

>>25841290
Can something be too good at mind control? Chrysalis doesn't even have to know she's doing it or actually want to control her, as far as we know it's purely verbally based and that's it. The first time it worked, AJ just shouted it out. That's what I, personally, find scariest about the Apple, it just needs words and that's it. You just have to say something. AJ's right to be freaking the fuck out, Chrysalis doesn't have to know how it works or even want to do anything but tell her to calm down and she can't stop her.

Assuming it works for more than just AJ, I mean, it might not. We don't know, but it's like pushing a button on the side of a bomb, you're certain doom waiting to see if it works.

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>>25841361
As long as Chrysalis doesn't say AJ needs to go fuck herself we'll be fine.

Can you imagine?

I forget. Why does Chrysalis even want the apple again?

>>25841439
Applejack was acting weird, and then when Chrysalis tried to see it for herself AJ punched her like a motherfucker, and then went into full "YOU AIN'T TAKIN' IT" mode immediately after.

Chrysalis thinks the Apple is making her act weird ala the Orb, and wanted to get it away from her. She doesn't know what it does, or if it does anything at all thanks the the Apple's secondary power of keeping you from noticing it's influence, she just thinks it's making AJ do shit like punch her with cliffs. Not into cliffs, WITH cliffs.

Hence why she was hoping AJ would stop being crazy when she got the thing.

>>25841472
Aww, Chrissy cares for AJ!

>>25841472
Actually? Chrysalis said she wanted it because AJ didn't want her to have it. Chrysalis has gone wellfare-abusing gibsmedat waste of breath

>SA
"42"
~~~~

"You're getting sloppy."

He was going to retort to that, really, just as soon as the little tweeting birds stopped flying around his head.

Going 'no-shield fight' had been a mistake.

>Sorry, little distracted.

"Very distracted, I should say."

>Yeah, well, my populace were already talking about maybe looking in to just how much changeling influence I have going on up here, and with this recent news from Canterlot....

"Ah."

>They want me to go to a psychiatrist.

"Do they, now?"

>They insist I need to be 'examined' to make sure Chrysalis isn't mind controlling me.

"I see. Are you worried about that?"

>Nah, stopped worrying she was mind controlling me a while ago.

"Good."

>...You would do something if she did, right? Like, I know she's your Queen, but-

"I'd punch her."

>...

"A lot."

>...

"In the face.'

>...

"Other places too."

>...

"...She wouldn't do that. But I would if she did what she wouldn't do."

>...

"I would punch her, I mean."

>Really? Even though, you know, she's your Queen?

"...You're worth it."

>...

"...Ahem, next fight?"

>Next fight-WHA

WHAM!

"SLOPPY!"

>>25841597
>Actually? Chrysalis said she wanted it because AJ didn't want her to have it.

She did not, she never said anything like that.

>>25841553
I dunno if it's that or if it's because she promised Shiny she wouldn't make it worse.

>Twilight
"Rarity"
~

>...Rarity?

"..."

>It wasn't the wrong thing to do.

"..."

>I know it looks that way right now, I know you must feel like that, but it wasn't the wrong thing to do.

"..."

>I may resent it a bit for what it did to my old foalsitter, but I don't resent you for doing it, okay?

"..."

>Okay?

"...okay."

>Okay.

"..."

>And, hey! Vacation! This'll be fun, right? Fun in the sun?

"Yeah... sure."

>...

"..."

>...Boop.

"OW! WHY!?"

>Because it's what Pinkie would do.

"...Oh dear lord that is what she would do, isn't it?"

>Heh.

"Hee hee."

>...

"Thanks."

>That's what friends are for.

>>25842075
D'aww, atta girl, Twi.

>>25841472
If this is legit, that Chrysalis does care for Applejack enough to try and "save" her like that, then my views of Bugbutt will skyrocket out of the negatives.

If it's more like >>25841597 then she deserves to get her chitin cracked.

>>25842335
>If this is legit, that Chrysalis does care for Applejack enough to try and "save" her like that, then my views of Bugbutt will skyrocket out of the negatives.

>http://desustorage.org/mlp/thread/25779356/#25798618
>"Well, whatever it is... you clearly need to give it to me. You're acting a bit strange, Applejack."

>Next time, she incapacitates AJ and goes right for the Apple

>Final run, even without any powers or flight, goes at it and puts everything into grabbing it even when she's so broken she can barely stand up.

>Newest development>>25840670
>"Ahhhh, shit, was hoping this would break off the crazy instantly."
>"Damn... had a lot riding on that, actually."

It's pretty obvious.

>>25842389
That last line kinda makes it impossible to interpret it as anything else, she literally just said "I was hoping this would break off the crazy". Like... what the fuck else could that mean?

"I was hoping this would break off the crazy... so I could have it nyahahahah!"?

>>25842389
It's almost tragic. Almost. Still, I favor Chryssy a lot more now.

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Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"AJ"
'SAJ'
~~~~
>Welcome to Not Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content does matter, but I'm ignoring my own arc to watch movies!

*PEW*
"Whoa, Bon Solo shot that alien."

>And Bon shot first, don't let anypony tell you otherwise.

"...um okay."

'This movie's pretty good so far. I'm glad we're doing this.'

"How come people just ignore the dead body?"

>The place is lawless and-

'No pony wants to clean up the mess probably. Do we ever find out what they do with it?'

>*sighs* no but-

"Ah wonder if she really had to shoot that bounty hunter though. Maybe she could have talked it out or something. Just shooting outright is kinda cold. Is it safe for Lute Cloudskipper to travel with her?"

>Don't you go there AJ and you'll find out if you'd just watch the movie.

"Fine, but how did they sell the speeder so fast?"

>...Is this what Celestia goes through?

>>25842669
Yes.

>AJ
"Chrysalis"
~~~~~

Every second may as well have been an eternity.

Every single ticking of the clock of time may as well have counted away a thousand years to her, it would not have felt any different. Every moment she saw that beacon of harmony in the fanged maw of her serpent of a foe was a trillion times too long. She had lived centuries in this one minute, no matter what the rest of reality would dare to tell her.

"...Goh on."

She had not bitten down yet, had not closed those sharp fangs, not yet broken it's skin. She had been given her chance, her one last chance. All she had to do was convince her to drop it out of her mouth, if she could get it out from that cage of sharp fangs and pointed teeth, maybe she could use her magic just enough to pull it free. Her telekinesis wasn't particularly quick or snappy, but just this once, this one time, she was willing to give it a shot.

And, if not, then she would do what she had to, in order to ensure Chrysalis could not place it back in her mouth.

>It's just like Ah' said, ya' hear!? That there apple is gonna save Equestria, and yer' about ta' chew it like a dang dog with a bone!

"...howh?"

Every hair on the back of her neck riled up, pointed on end as she hissed out, trying to keep her cool, trying not to give in and break. If she snapped, she might startle the Queen, she might cause her to snap involuntarily. She had to treat this like a wounded animal back on the farm. A crazed beast that she needed to act kindly to, just long enough to get what she wanted, and strike.

>Listen, yer' just gonna have ta' trust me. Now... drop the apple.

"...Noh!"

Keeping that anger down was going to be a challenge.

>Chrysalis, we ain't got time for games!

"Yer' actin' crazy!'

>Ah'm actin' crazy because you currently have the thing that's gonna save the whole dang world in yer' friggen mouth! Ah'm a little stressed, okay!?

"From what!?"

1/4

>>25842790

Despite the terribleness of the situation, she couldn't help but notice that the changeling had adapted rather well to have a massive obstruction in her mouth. Every time, she was getting a little clearer.

>Look, Ah'll tell you all about it when you drop the apple, alright? Ah'll explain everythin', this'll totally make sense, just put... it... down. That's the important part, that ya' put it down.

"...No."

Keeping her anger in was going to be a big, big challenge.

>Why not!? Ya' know Ah'm not gonna risk the world over something, why are you still fighting me on this!?

"Because you're acting really weird and you won't tell me what this does! Why is this apple so important? I don't know what this does or what it means to you, how am I supposed to accept that if you won't tell me?"

Again, even through her rage, she had to admire how quickly she could adapt to being able to speak almost normally with a giant apple in her mouth.

>It just is! Ya' can't understand it, okay!? Not yet, Ah' can't tell you yet, not till the right time. When it's right, Ah'll tell you, Ah' promise! This is just too important, Ah' can't tell you what it does or why yet, yer' just gonna have ta' accept it! It's just for the best if you give it to me right now, and yer' endangerin' everything by holding it! You have to give it to me!

"...I don't believe you."

There it was.

Back again, and she had only just gotten a taste of it. She had only just gotten a taste of having Chrysalis listening to her, to believing her like she should, and it was gone away again. She had only gotten to enjoy it for a minute, ten at the most, and it was gone.

Just like everyone else, it was gone away again. She couldn't make her believe it, she couldn't make her understand without the Apple. It was just like everyone else, it was just like all of Equestria now.

They won't listen anymore, and all she is telling is the truth.

2/4

>>25842805

She could save so much trouble, prevent so much heartbreak, if they believed her, if they accepted it, if they didn't fight her. So much, she could avoid, they just needed to listen.

But they wouldn't. She wouldn't. Just like always, the bugs suspicion had prevented the world from getting better, her need to look over her shoulder at every little thing instead of just accepting what everyone else was telling her was bringing the world down again.

She felt it burn again, just like it had so many days before this year. The need to have her just listen, just stop, just understand, and she couldn't. She wouldn't. Because it didn't come from her own fool head, she just didn't want to hear it, no matter how honest the words really were.

>Chrysalis... give me the apple. Please.

The last word could not have been more forced if it had been jammed in with a rock, but she said it anyway. Desperate, if that wasn't obvious enough.

"No."

It wasn't enough.

When she saw that jaw start to strain, start to move, the challenge of holding it all in was lost.

>Look ya' gaddanged empty headed fanged toothed bug monster! This is for you! This is for you, and them, and everybody, everything will get fixed in a snap, two little seconds, if you just stop being yer' everyday stupid ass self for just an instant and give me the dang apple!

"Tell me how and I'll consider it."

The guttural, frustrated roar rang out all through Everfree forest, so loud and booming any would swear it had been made from a rabid, feral dragon. Before she even realized it, her hammer was slamming into the ground, her make-shift armor rattling against her with every swing as she let out more and more frustration somewhere, anywhere but the prone Queen who was seconds away from snapping her mouth shut and dooming the world.

>You can't know yet!

"Tell me how."

3/4

>You can't know! Alright!? Just accept it and give it to me!

"Tell me what it does."

>The whole dang world is about to spiral into chaos, and you just keep wasting time!

"Nothing big is happening, my changelings are safe, tell me what this is supposed to stop."

>Yer' changelings aren't safe you fuckin' moron! They're surrounded by a dang mob and they're about to be cast out of Equestria entirely!

Her words had been forced out by anger, by frustration, and not a single bit of conscious thought on her end. Her need to argue with the Queen so great, she had resorted to even this just to prove her wrong.

When she saw such horror, such fear in the Queen's eyes, she knew that it had been the final step too far.

"...What did you say?"

She watched as the Apple pulsated, that unnatural red light shifting and changing hues, blinking and wavering like candle about to be blown out. She watched as that red light shifted, moved like steam off the Apple.

"But... that doesn't make any sense, they were fine. They were..."

She watched as it flittered in front of the Queen's eyes, hanging just long enough for the red to cover her vision, and was gone.

When it left, something else, something deeper, remained.

>...Chrysalis-

"Applejack? What, exactly, can this apple do."

There was no question to it.

She had figured it out. The changeling just wanted her to say it. She was ready, she was waiting, her mouth straining and preparing to snap down so quickly that there was no magic spell in existence that could possibly match it's speed. She was going to bite down, she was going to destroy it.

The Queen just wanted to hear her say it first.

>....It'll make them believe again, Chrysalis.

She said it. She admitted it, nothing left to do, nothing left to argue, nothing left to fight for. She had known. It didn't matter anymore.

Nothing mattered anymore.

She had lost. She knew this, for certain.

"...Interesting..."

There was no doubt left when Chrysalis did not bite down.

>>25842824
Oh god my stomach's in knots. Anon, why ya gotta do this to us?

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>>25842824
Whelp, Chrysalis knows, game over.

Equestia is fucked, Bugs shall reign supreme, we're all done. Cyanide pills everybody!

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>>25842824
CHRYSALIS

ALWAYS

WINS

FUCKING GODDAMNIT

>>25842922
We're no worse off than 20 mins ago. Because at that point, AJ had the apple still and was planning to do what you fear Chrysalis will. Make Equestria perfect for herself.

Difference being we KNOW AJ was going to do it, you THINK Chrysalis will.

Cue next entry with her mwahahaing over it proving me wrong and flipping the paradigm back to AJ=good Bug=Bad. Because BitchBug deciding to use it being the thing that makes AJ see her error makes too much sense for us not to do

>>25842964
Alright I am going to settle this Chrysalis shit right now. Because I looked back and she is pretty 50-50 in her booking. Not in AJ/Dash’s 85-15 ballpark nor as low as say Jetset 5-95 (he really sucks at his job). But I went back and decided to go through the highlights of BitchBug (not just fights) and score it.
>gets beat by Discord offscreen L
>Gets shoved in the ballroom L
>Bonds with Celestia over 42 beating up Shiny, other guards, and monsters W
>Loses 42 L
>sends 2 to find her, she does W
>Loses 2 to Shiny L
>Sends 18 to seduce Shiny and it fails, repeatedly L
>Loses SneakyApplejack to Shiny. L
>42 and Spike declare a draw in the pit, so Chrysalis doesn’t get the prize money L
>Gets sent over to the CE to annoy Shiny and he fails to throw her out W
>Every DnD campaign that she rolls for seduction and gets it. W
>Every time she doesn’t sans the time 42 got it about. L
>Loses Pole Dancing Competition to Celly L
>Shiny forgives her W
>She snipes robots W
>she steals the Crystal Heart, disposes of the CE crew, and achieves her ultimate power W
>Wipes out the invading forces by thinking at them W
>Runs out of juice L
>starts to die from the overload L
>Shiny kisses her back to life W
>She is still badly damaged L
>Twilight and Celestia decide not to tell her that she built a tolerance to that power and could sustain it next time L
>Luna tortured her in her sleep for info L
>Repels her after admitting she took the heart as a power grab W
>Can’t swim L
>Stupid Changeling Powers drawbacks L
>Loses the loyalty of 18 L
>passes blowjob bill W
>77 is alive W
>he has PTSD, all his comrades are ‘dead’ and it is all her fault L
>got great deals with everyone for the benefit of the Empire W
>Until she decided to not pay the price Granny Smith wanted and AJ stepped in L
>Successfully covers for Spike during his Gala stunt W
>32 is alive W
>He hates her L
>Chitania is alive W
>She hates her mother and by extension, her L

pt1/4

>>25842824
I love that without the Apple, she couldn't convince her. Actually puts a nice point on her whole mental state right now.

>>25842977
I don't even fucking know what to expect anymore, this ride has gone off so many rails I think we actually ended up back at the station at some point, but everyone had mustaches because reasons.

>>25843037
>This one unlucky Changeling named 13 really likes her W
>she saves said ling from being killed by Chitania W
>She loses the fight to Chitania and is buried in rubble L
>Ponies blame her for Chitania’s attack L
>until Twilight arrives and takes blame W
>32 tries to kill her L
>She puts him down easily W
>Twilight protects him from her by locking him in the dungeon L
>Twilight givers her ‘all’ her Changeling data W
>It doesn’t have her file L
>She has a rational fear of Spderlings. This gets punctuated by her wanting to kill the mostly harmless Arana. Shiny stops her L
>Twilight ‘loses her marbles’ and they become friends W
>she can’t use this to get her file L
>She gets Spike to do it in exchange for ‘fixing’ Twilight W
>Spike holds her medical records for ransom L
>He reveals that she was faking (but not that he knew that when he made the deal) L
>She beats the valley girl out of Twilight W
>Cadence pulls rank and forces her to hear Twilight out L
>They becomes friends for real but on a shakier ground than before W
>Cadence likes her now W
>Discord fucks with her L
>Fluttershy Fuck with her L
>Dash fucks with her L
>She gets Fluttershy to realize what a bitch she is being for holding a grudge that long and Fluttershy wants to start over and be friends W
>She agrees to call off Discord W
>JJ Disobeyed her and is hanging out with Arana L
>She easily stops AJ and Actarius form stopping her from doing what she wanted with JJ W
>She takes out what Arana put in without killing JJ and thinks it is proof she is dangerous W
>Beats Chaos monsters W
>Shows up Jetset W
>Partially fixes Fluttershy W
>Gets fried when friendship does the rest and has to be stretchered out L
>Gets to help Fluttershy control her chaos W
>Uses it as an excuse to do some fun shit W
>Twilight has bad news, Arana’s pheromones are harmless L
>Tries to get stuff from AJ and she won’t her a word of it L
>Mind controls her to have a civil conversation W
pt2/4

>>25843050
>Gets Shiny to do it (he never got to rant at AJ about that, lol) L
>Saves 10 from AJ W
>get to do a show of power when she never planned on hurting 10 to begin with W
>She is able to secure Twilight and get her to her lab to speed up finding a cordy cure W
>None of her plans to get anyone of Twilight’s friends out succeed L
>41 disobeyed her and 7 failed her L
>Those that did manage (Drained 42/Drained Jetset/Bleeding out 7/41/Suckerpunch) were not infected despite 13 accidently sending a zombie to the shelter W
>She and Twilight managed to make a cure W
>at the loss of her knowledge of Changeling abilities L
>She gets to return the favor and kisses Shiny back to life W
>She puts all she has left to free 32/77/88 from underneath the ruble W
>Stretchered out again L
>88 is alive W
>Changeling Population +1 W
>She wants her to release 32 and she can’t see L
>After talking with 32 and unlocking his memory, she agrees to let him out if he plays along, and he does. W
>Acty and JJ get the stuff back but AJ is pissed about how they got it. Using an anti-discrimination bill Chrysalis snuck in to prevent the assholes of Canterlot from saying no at the word Changeling (which they did, a lot). W
>Chrysalis tries to help by volunteering to give the fledgling guard her charges, if a changeling is the captain and he reports to her, AJ understandably say no (but yes to robots, thanks for stepping up Pommel) L
> hallucinates Chitania giving her a reminder that nobody likes her and when Shiny dies she is SOL L
>12 is gone and it is AJ’s fault but she knows where he is she swears L
>Punishes 41 by erasing a month of her memory but tells her that none of the guards stepped up to save her W
>7 goes after 29 on his own, fights and beats Jetset, and then AJ nearly kills him with Mega Punch. When she goes to unknowingly finish the job Chrysalis steps in to block and gets her arm snapped L
>Apparently all of Canterlot has been chomping at the bit for an excuse to fight her L

>>25843062
>Her Changelings back her up L
>She backs down to prevent war L
>Much to all of Canterlot’s joy She and her lings move out L
>AJ undoes every change Chrysalis made to the laws L
>CE is awesome to them W
>7 disobeys her order not to anything she gave for his safety and goes back after 29 L
>She has to save his ass from Luna. W
>she tells off Sunset W
>Turns out AJ didn’t know, cue Unhindered and understandable rage. L
>Mows through all of AJ’s available back up including Shiny and punting Spike W
>She gets to put the fear of Faust in AJ and orders her to get 12 W
>Varry kicks her ass and destroys the empire L
>Even a full power shot fails L
>guess who’s so drained they’re going to the hospital again L
>She and AJ are straight (Chrysalis lets their feud go but AJ is still going to hold a grudge) W
>Changelings are back in the ballroom L
>she Mind delves and takes the Varry out of Sunset and puts her in an orb W
>Orb makes you crazy L
>Sunset drains her of love and beats her from pillar to post L
>Cavalry arrives W
>AJ grabs the orb and starts beating her and anyone who tries to take it (huh, familiar) L
>gets the orb seals it up and gets Twilight to study it to make the information inside not make you crazy W
>Beats her share of virtual mooks in OnO W
>Gets to punt Spike, Again W
>Her and Twilight get taken out by AJ L
>Stadium is done enough time to go W
>Laments that she can’t make her own city, because she can’t bring herself to leave the empire L
>Because she decided to have fun instead of walking around plotting she accidently exposes 18/Cadence (With a major assist from Rarity) L
>Gwen wouldn’t trade with her dead body and because she didn’t get thrown out stops trade with the CE L
>AJ spends the better part of three threads destroying her mentally and going so far as to get her to stand still while she keeps hitting her. L
>Gets Mind control Apple off AJ W

She currently stands at about 63-70

>>25843037
First off, I actually find you tallying that impressive, good show. Second
> nor as low as say Jetset 5-95 (he really sucks at his job).

Which is weird, right? He's supposed to be like, an opposite of 7, but their track records are nearly identical as far as losing goes. The only exception is 7 gets more serious injuries, and maybe gets a win in once, but he has to pretend he was doing something else(ballroom Blitz, I mean), and even that had a loss.

Why do both of their secret agents suck so hard!?

>>25843175
Still catching up, how are things guys?

>>25843243
With the story.

Shit got nuts, just like it did every other entry, but this nuts is a particular flavor of OH SHIIIIIIIIT nuts, not AWwwwwwSHIT nuts of watching Aj beat Chrysalis with a swingset made of a boulder and some roots, but more OH NO version of OH SHIIIIIIITTTT!

You know, the OH SHIIIIIITTTT you get when you turn around and you see a man in a giant bunny outfit kind. Like, nothing bad has happened yet, and he might not be so bad, but you feel like you're going to be crying in the shower tonight.

>>25843271
Hue, sounds nice. Can't wait to finally catch up, burning through threads like a forest fire.

>>25843306
This recent arc has been fucking nuts, been gripping the edge of my seat every update.

>Dadling
"Batmom"
~~~

>Now now, it's not that bad.

"HRM!"

>It's really not!

"HRMPH!"

>Honey, it could be way worse, it's just a little vacation because, uh... you're a little compromised?

"HRRRMMRM!"

>...Maybe it'll be fun-

"HRRMRMRMRMRPRRHROMMPLMRMRMRPPRMRMRMRMPRRMMRNGMGMGPGMGGPGMGPGP!"

~Giggle!~

>Well, at least someone is enjoying this.

"HRMRMPMNGGMRMRMMGPMRMRMPGMRMRPMGGGMMRRRRRRRPPPMMMGMGMGMGMGMMRPPPPMPMMPMMMMPPPPMMMPPPP-"

>We could have beach sex!

"..."

>...

"...This might not be so bad."

~Giggle!~

"Why do you find that funny!?"

>>25842824
>Chrysalis can talk with a full mouth

Oooooohhh myyyyyyyyy~

Y'know I'm still not convinced that cBugbutt showed she was deserving to be forgiven by Shining and Cadence for what she did to them.

I still don't see where everyone is chill with that

>>25843725
Eh...some will forever think that everyone should never forgive her and hate her guts and others think that eventually people can make up for their actions. (this poster does not condone rape before you strawman)

>Chitania
"13"
'77'
~~

>Here.

"...Er, mom, wrong one-"

>I know it's the wrong one!

'Hi.'

"Hi. Mom, you need to go back-"

>I know I need to go back, but I wanted to bring him here first!

"Well, he's brought."

'I'm brought.'

"So you can go back and get him now. The actual him this time."

>You know, some might get the impression you're pushing me away.

"Mom!"

>Fine! Fine! I'm going! For fucks sake.

'...That was Chitania the Titan, everyone, walking away and grumbling because a changeling yelled at her.'

"I'm not just a changeling!"

'No no, of course not.'

"...So, why do you smell like..."

'...'

"Nevermind."

'Good call! Me and Cheerilee have been busy.'

"...OH EW! I meant the sulfur!"

'Yes, that's what I was referring to.'

"..."

'...what?'

"I wanna go back to the Empire."

>>25844121
...didn't we confirm that 2 has an anti-demon field?
like, she killed the made the paperwork demon go away a few times now, and I'm pretty sure the one time long long ago she was in the Ponyville schoolhouse the demons NOPED
Thread Ghosts I need a confirmation on this.

>>25843073
Wow, what an exhaustive statistical analysis.

Still don't like her.

>>25844161
Wasn't for you to like her, I understand that her ability or attitude or just that other ponies like her can put you off.

What it was, was to point out that "SHE ALWAYS WINS" and "SHE NEVER WINS" are both factually incorrect. She gets slapped down as often as she gets the last word or stands triumphant.

>>25843725
Because the anon who wrote it wanted it and nobody wanted to tell him no.

It's the fault of everyone who didn't

>>25844291
Christ, you're right...

But I'm pretty sure that one anon made it comical, which is the only reason I can think of that allowed it to slide, much like how 98% of the beginning threads slid by on comedy.

>>25844291
So it is the fault of everyone who didn't vote to let Chrysalis die in thread 9, got it.

>>25844323
Damn it, my memory must be shit right now. When was that ever a thing to vote on...?

>>25844319
If you can sneak it in a gag you can loophole anything.

It's the narrative equivalent of attaching a bill no one will approve to a budget increase no one will vote against.

>>25844319
What, her getting forgiven?

Exact opposite, it was a serious story both times. First time with Shiny was robot invasion when he admits it before going off to fight, second time with Cadence was during Twi-Crazy when she made Chrysalis listen to Twilight. Neither of them were comedy based.

>>25844319
When He expressly stated she was forgiven, 1 year anniversary, serious talk about if she regretted her actions.
>>25844346
It wasn't but we also killed Flim and Flam during that same arc (before deciding if we aren't killing BlueBlood we can't kill them), so it wasn't out of the question to say Shiny doesn't revive her and she dies.

>>25844352
Fact. So in that sense, every writer can be Chrysalis back when she was sneaking shit into bills.

>>25844369
>serious talk
Must have been pretty poignant diatribe then. Extra kudos on that one. I mean, naturally she should be forgiven somewhere down the line but still, ya know? Fucking mind control, imprisonment, rape, take over...

No wonder she wants his dick. Any guy with a heart that big is a true catch indeed.

>>25844407
>Fucking mind control, imprisonment, rape, take over...
Characters who share this mindset still
>Rarity
>Dash
>believe it or not Pinkie Pie
>Luna

>>25844461
Oh and the non named guard and Canterlot in general.

>>25844461
>>believe it or not Pinkie Pie

Pinkie made friends with her post arm break actually.

Also, pretty much everybody not in the main cast.

>>25844493
Those outside of Canterlot would hate her because of chitty or 18 (read: Rarity), not because of her actions in ACW.

>>25844461
So much for being about harmony and friendship, am I right?

Racists.

>>25844522
No, they specifically hated her because of the invasion long before Chitty ever showed up. That was the reason 12 got stabbed no matter where he went, including Ponyville.

>>25844544
Yeah, friendship and harmony. Fortunately, nowhere in that particular handbook does it say you have to befriend bitchy, unrepentant rapists.

>>25844562
Be fair with Ponyville, they are just racist against non ponies. And I guess because DT is a thing, i Can't argue with the hate being there.
However, I was arguing about those still having a bone to pick with her over ACW. They don't.

>>25844461
>>believe it or not Pinkie Pie

I don't believe it, they went skiing and stuff, they'd been having a ton of fun recently. Post Move she and Pinkie were fun buddies.

>>25844623
Bitchy unrepentant rapists that have both saved the world multiple times and been a bitch and fucked with their friends during the downtime. So, going either way shouldn't be really questioned.
>>25844655
Sorry I forgot that since Partyland they have made up

>>25844623
Well then I'll write a story about the Tree spitting out a Friendship and Harmony rulebook that says just that.

As long as it's funny, I can do anything.

>>25844121
>77 still gives NO FUCKS

I love this guy.

>>25844159
Nope, NC story when someone wanted to send her to Ponyville school, but it didn't make story sense.

>>25844677
I'm already laughing.

Seriously, I literally chuckled at the thought.

>>25844997
>OH WHAT THE FUCK!? REALLY? REALLY. RACISM?! YOU'RE PASTEL PONIES WHAT DO YOU EVEN KNOW ABOUT...ugh...okay, here, have a book.

The book literally just says 'Don't be racist. I don't care what they stuck in where, don't be racist'. Scrawled in crayon.

>THANKS FOR STOPPING BY THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF HARMONY, DON'T COME AGAIN!

Angry Harmony Tree is fun to write.

>AJ
"Chrysalis"
~~~

The hammer she held now felt so much heavier than it had before.

She knew exactly what she should be doing the moment she saw that glint appear in the changeling's eyes. She knew what her head was telling her to do. Act now, strike now, move before the thought, the realization, can sink in. Lash out with everything she has before the Queen can speak a single word and end it. She knew what she had to do, what it was her duty to do, but she remained still.

She was a protector of Equestria, someone who had defended it time and time again. This was just another threat, she knew. This was just another danger to it. Someone, right now, was threatening her home, her life, her everything.

In Chrysalis's hooves, that apple was far more dangerous than it could ever be in any other. Chrysalis already knew how to lie, she knew how to cheat, she knew how to turn friends against one another, her whole life had been built since her birth around deception, and she had become a master of it. With the Apple, with the ability to make any believe as she wished, Chrysalis could do anything. She could not merely make the populace accept changelings as their friends, but as their betters. She could do anything, forge any land, with nothing but simple words.

In that maw, the Apple was no longer Equestria's salvation, it was no longer the beacon she could use to save the world, it was a weapon. A deadly weapon more powerful than anything they had ever used before.

She knew what she should do, what it would be right to do.

But she couldn't.

She could not bring up her hammer, no matter how much she strained. The thought, the idea of what that might mean, what she might have to follow through with, sickened her.

It was certainly no surprise that it would, she was no monster, she was not one who reveled, or even liked, to bring pain. The thought of seeing again what she had seen that day when she had struck Seven, or possibly even worse, it sickened her.

1/4

>>25845094

She knew in her head what needed to be done, that leaving her around meant all the pain that would follow would be on her hooves.

But she couldn't.

"...It's strange."

Not yet.

"I remember it so vividly... my changelings are really in danger?"

So sickened, her mouth went dry, and she merely nodded.

"Even with you saying that, I still feel... like they're not. I feel like they are safe, that this whole reveal was little more than a passing note. Even when you say that... I want to argue you, I want to tell you that you are wrong. I just know that what you say is a lie."

She had gotten frighteningly good at speaking with the obstruction by this point.

"So that's it's power... anything I say, it is fact, yes? Does it change the world, or merely... no, no now I get it. When the sky changed color, I never missed the change at all, did I?"

Bitterly, she shook her head, her mouth still too strained to open for a peep.

"I could tell them anything, couldn't I? Any word I said, and they'd just... believe it. No, more than that, they'd know it was fact, and never even care that the words came from me, wouldn't it? I could do anything with this... I could tell the world that changelings are anything I want them to be, and they'd just... know it, wouldn't they? They'd believe every word."

She had not had the ability to move before.

She was finding it.

"Anything I said, to anybody! I could tell Celestia cake will make her sick, I could tell Luna that stars are supposed to spell out my name in the sky! I could tell anyone anything in my mind, and they'd just believe it!"

She was finding the strength to lift that hammer.

"I see now why you went to such lengths to protect this, Applejack. This power... it can do anything. It can..."

Strangely, the changeling paused, looking over to her with an almost jovial spark in her eye.

"You mind controlled me... huh. You're rather effective with it."

Nothing she could have said would have disgusted her more.

2/4

>>25845102

"Curious though... what were you going to do with it? Not that it matters, I'm sure it could stop you like it did me, but I do wonder."

The changeling was distracted, in that second. She wasn't paying attention. She still had the Apple firmly gripped in her mouth, but she wasn't focused. She was listing out, likely the result of her injuries.

>Ah'm gonna save Equestria with it.

"Oh? How do you plan to do that?"

>By finally drillin' it into those thick heads of theirs, yours included.

"Drilling in... what?"

>The truth.

It was just breathing, at first, rasps around the edges of the now thoroughly saliva coated apple.

>Give me the Apple, Chrysalis.

"HAH!"

The laughter came after that. First the crow, then the long, deep cackle.

Her magic must have grown unstable again, it must have gone crazy.

She felt like exploding.

>Ya' wanna use that thing, don't you...

She kept laughing, cackling so long her breath ran short, so loudly the sound filled the broken cavern all around them, making the echoes seem to come from everywhere. She was surrounded by the mare not three steps away from her.

>You do...

"Of course I do!"

She threw her head back, her laughter growing, increasing, becoming wild and ever louder.

"Of course I want to use it, this solves everything! Everything I've been working on this whole time, just gone! Of course I want to use it, of course I want it's power! Who wouldn't want this? Who wouldn't want to use it just to have everything wrapped up, nice and neat! Of course I want to use it!"

The changeling suddenly hunched over, wheezing, struggling to breath for a moment as her chest contracted in terrible shudders. For a brief second, she saw her still, saw her vulnerable, but before she register it all and finish bringing up her weapon the dark thing had already recovered.

She was always a quick one to recover.

"This... this solves everything..."

When the Queen's eyes went unfocused, she knew what she had to do now.

3/4

>>25845112

"I could use it to build my own world..."

She knew she had to call her magic, bring up something where the Queen was not looking.

"I could use it wash away everything I did..."

She knew she had to steel herself, and prepare the twisted stone.

"I could even use it to make..."

In a blink, in the second before she pulled with all she had, in the instant so quick it would outrun a bolt of lightning, she saw it.

She saw something pass through Chrysalis's eyes.Something underneath, buried away, something that held on, something so cold her magic at it's peak could not hope to burn it away with all the flames it could conjure. She saw it, in the moment before her jaw, ever so slightly, tensed up. When she swore she could see the red skin beneath her fangs bend as it prepared to break.

What came next, she did not see. She heard.

She heard the breathing become short, fast, ragged and filled with pained sounds. Something churning in her gut, something foul.

Every second, she watched, she listened.

"...I would control them..."

Every single second as the changelings throat clenched, her nostrils flared, and her lips went dry. Every single second, she watched every detail, until she saw it. The moment that came once in a lifetime.

The moment, when she saw the jaw loosen ever so slightly, just enough to take the pressure off the skin.

"...He bel-"

She struck, so fast, so hard, Chrysalis had no chance.

Her head snapped to the side by the force of the blow, flopping painfully to the ground in the next second. She lie there, in that pain, a fresh new bruise and a new small wound on the side of her jaw.

A jaw now bereft of a very important, very special, gift.

That was all too happy to return to where it belonged.

"You..."

>Iffin' ya' don't mind, this here is mah' Apple... and that's the truth.

She could save Equestria again.

>>25845119
Awwww fuck

>>25845119
>AJ got the apple back

Y-ya... boo... oh shii....

How the fuck am I supposed to react?

>>25845119
AHHHHHHHHH
God damn you anon, stop making me wait for these bombshells you love throwing.

>>25845119
Whelp, this is now in my favs list for one reason.

Finally, finally FINALLY I get to see a story where a super powerful item exists, and the heroes don't just see someone bad using it and go "GASP! This thing that is powerful can be used by BADDIES, that means if we use them we're BAD! We must destroy it and all it's potential usefulness because otherwise a BADGUY might use it, because if an item can be used for bad it is EVIL AND MUST BE DESTROYED! Wheh! Good job team! No need to deal with all the moral stuff, because a BADGUY used it, that's how we know that nobody else can use it, because it's not about what WE might do with it, we're the good guys! It's all about the BADDY BAD WHO IS BAD, and we are good! Destroyed!"

FINALLY I get a story where the protagonist is like "Yeah, I don't care if you can use it for evil, I want to use it for good." Now, even if Applejack DOES decide not to use it, it's because of her calls, her growing as a character, not because the mean old badguy wanted to use it so it must be evil and destroyed.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>25845180
Huh. Actually? Had he ever done 3 a day before?

So I guess I missed the 'party' but one thing ya'll always seem to forget during scrums like this:the early thread is not 'slip by' on comedy. It was born in it, molded by it. It didn't see action or feels until it had already built momentum.

Seriously. I started reading this thread right around the time an old friend up and died on me unexpectedly and those early threads helped get me through some dark days. This is a thread founded on comedy, without the laughs it would never have existed. 'Canon' and 'serious story telling' were an afterthought and the craziness was the fodder that allowed it to grow.

As much as it has turned into an as often as not drama heavy quagmire post cordy, this did not start as a soap opera.

Drama is not what built this house.

Laughter built this house, and laughter is what keeps a lot of us here.

>>25845321
>Laughter built this house, and laughter is what keeps a lot of us here.

Oh, for sure, which is why aside from the current AJ thing there is literally zero stories without comedy. Really! Zero! Scroll up, check it out and see for yourself. It's still a comedy thread, no question.

But, hey, that's the great thing! It's a whole world with big stories and small ones, one shot sillies or grand adventures, it can be a lot of things, not just comedy alone, and we get to see sides of characters just not present anywhere else.

Think about it, the Maud VS Shiny fight was 100 percent comedy through and through, but do you think that same tone would work for the Chrysalis Vs Aj fight? Of course not. That was fun because it was so big and serious.

Even when she's in the middle of the arc, we still just write some OOCO sillies of her slapping Shiny in the eye, she still does funny things, but what kept this thread alive wasn't just the comedy, it was the great big picture all those tiny stories weaved together to make. They carried over, they continued, and characters grew and changed. Thread 1 Chrysalis sure as hell wouldn't have felt bad about thoughts of controlling anybody, and that's what makes it great.

Laughter laid the foundation, but what made it a comfy thread was how everything tied together and made a story, and it just fit. And then we just kept building it up.

>>25845119
Damn. That knockout was one part comical, one part awesome.

>>25845321
Oh, dude. Dude, hold up. If you thought I meant 'slipped by' in any negative light whatsoever, that is so not the case. Considering I've been writing since thread one, I used slipped by to mean we were literally slipping all over they place with comedy, no rhyme or reason, not a care for anything but laughs.

This series right here means more to me than it really should.

>>25845448
Huh. Ok if you say so. First time I've ever heard someone use 'slipped by' not in a negative sense.

Sounded more like exhaustion and frustration with the silliness of early thread.

>>25845067
I just hear Lewis Black every time I read Angry Harmony Tree

Maybe with a bit of Brian Blessed thrown in

>>25845067
>Hey, hey assholes! Assholes! Is someone going to give me my Apple back? You knocked it off the branch. I just... give it back! Come on, give it back! I need that! The little three apple symbol looks silly with just two! Yes, I know, it's a dramatic moment, but you have my fucking... GIVE ME BACK MY FUCKING APPLE! GIVE MY FUCKING- goddamn it... I hate being a tree.

>>25845166
Actually? Bad, I guess? Chrysalis was like "Oh shit, I'm just about to mind control them again, aren't I?" Aj's like 'HAH! PUNKED, BITCH!"

>>25845448
>Damn. That knockout was one part comical, one part awesome.

Well, she's not knocked unconscious, she said "You" after all, but point.

AJ is back to getting the last shot in.

>>25846613
Well, yeah.

It's her apple.

>>25845321
Not really for good as much as good for her. Whether or not it winds up being good for who she plans to use it on is not her concern.

this arc has shown that as much as we are going for an AJ pennydrop parallel AJ and Chrysalis are almost identical.

>>25847055
...good? PD and Aj are meant to be opposites, not identical. Their entire conflict is that their worldview is so radically different despite them being the same on the inside. They are both earth ponies who want to work hard, but the outlook they have on their lives and how to achieve success is so radically opposite they could never be the same.

>>25847055
We've known about that for a while.

Aj and Chryssy are just too similar not to fight.

G'night thread

Sweet Note being priced out pones on 4chan selling sex for 5 bits.

>>25844369
>serious talk about if she regretted her actions.
and

did she?

>>25844461
>Not AJ

what the fuck

>>25844672
Nah fuck that, hold her to account for all she did.

Don't let her get away with this, what kind of ruling class do you think you are if you just let it slide

OH WAIT

>>25848785
Mercy and forgiveness are things. Rather important things.

>>25848770
No because she believes if everything didn't go the way it did she wouldn't be with him at that moment.
>>25848785
If we want to get super technical she already did. She was imprisoned on Equestrian soil in a ballroom for the first five or so threads. That point where she was still just a Dumbass who couldn't tell anybody apart and didn't absorb her current personality from the pilot version of 2 until the latter half. In fact that was when she couldn't plan her way out of a paper bag without coffee.

>>25849168
Not for those we don't like anon. That is why all chiggers must die.

>>25849279
>No because she believes if everything didn't go the way it did she wouldn't be with him at that moment.

>Alright so,I kidnapped his wife, I raped him, then mind raped him, left his Wife to die, attacked Canterlot, took over Canterlot, beat Celestia, got blown out; unfortunate, came back for round two aaaaaand got glued to the ceiling for an hour or so, then stuck in a Ballroom.... and that was it.

REFUGEES

WELCOME

>>25849279
Imprisoned seems like a strong word considering both she and her hive came and went as they pleased, at will, with no consequence, seeking jobs, education, joining clubs, or just bugging the royals and show main characters. Less Alcatraz and more really troublesome roommates.

>>25849302
Not very welcome. Her actions in ACW can be considered as being paid for by being shot across the country too fast to keep from slamming the ground. Her attacking fluttershy resulted in the gluing and imprisonment.

Also mister revisionist history, your apple wanted to throw them in the dungeon and forget them but they had no room. So she stuck them in the ballroom and decided she needed to integrate the drones into society. Presumably to get them into low enough numbers that the rest could be dungeon-ed considering plan B was chuck them into the everfree. And then she immediately stopped caring for 80 threads excluding threatening to kill 29.
>>25849415
With the drones, AJ forced them out and they got it worse than staying in the ballroom (see 12 and 56 if he wasn't comically durable). Chrysalis and 42 weren't let out until Celestia decided pit fights was a good idea. 2 didn't get out until 42 went missing and they said it was bugbitch's fault. And 18 was sneaking to and from the empire. the only one I can't account for prior to the robot invasion (the point where helped save them the first time) is that 29 and that's because they wanted Cadence to have a bit in the Pit tournament (him getting beat to a pulp and her not giving a shit). Add to it we only let out about 20% of the hive and 3 of them don't even count. The rest don't come out of their cell until the shit hits the fan and then they go right back in.

And on the note of ex villains who are not hated but yet walk around currently unpunished. What are Sombra, Sunset, Luna and Discord up to right now? One would have had his body back last year if Liam wasn't so sexy, one decided to try again and is now half changeling, one tried to kill everyone by taking away the sun (Cutie remark isn't canon to our story) and is doing sod all except get fat jailbait wait and be a horrible teacher, and one continues to fuck things up for everyone (he killed Sunset) and his only noble deed is healing Spike.

>>25849519
>(he killed Sunset)

Huh

Did anyone ever actually find out what happened?

Hell, did Sunny even tell people "Oh god I died" and did anyone ask "Holy shut how what"

Imma be pissed if Celly just went "EEHH"

>>25849562
They know he fucked with her dream stone because Twilight found Chaos magic in it but they can't really DO anything about him, so Twilight got a little huffy and that was the end of it.

>>25849519
Yeah, those are totally the reasons those characters came and went as they pleased. Totally that. Not anons creating OCs and having them go do stuff because the idea of the ballroom as a gulag is a recent bit of revisionist history.

Heck the changelings *liked* getting the ballroom, and liked AJ for it even referring to her as 'ballroom giver' and taking her name prior to chitty.

AJ never really forgot them, but none of them wanted to work with her except 12 preferring to stay in the ballroom seeing what happened to him, which was entirely for comedic effect before everyone decided to grow a drama boner.

She did neglect to provide basic aid. Probably because no one thought of it until shiny and by the time chryssi wanted to ask for it bug queen had pretty thoroughly burned that bridge by repeatedly attempting or looking like she was going to kill one of the changelings in front of AJ which AJ always tried to stop. Also bj law.

Painting AJ as some stalinesk villainous mastermind then saying others are playing revisionist history? You must be smoking the good stuff.

>>25849725
Did I fucking say She was a villainous? No. In fact the first bad thing she really did other than be neglectful to refugees is still going on.

Second, yes they celebrated her for giving them a place to stay. They would have also been happy in the dungeon, since that was still an upgrade for them as a whole.

And really, calling me out when you are probably one of those guys that want the next part of the story to read
AJ brings the hammer down on Chrysalis head and continues until her hammer again meets dirt.
because of your hate boner for Queen Bitch. Forgetting the part where if AJ wins this, the thread is over. And before you fire back I want the thing destroyed and they handle this whole mess together as allies. Because friendship, fuck off with that "she needs to be punished until I deem it enough" shit.

>>25849725
Not fighting the OC bit. but you asked me for a reason they came and went I gave you why they were let out (except 29) and you fire back with the meta answer.
How about this, Chrysalis is no longer being punished because, like Spitfire, we don't feel it necessary anymore. And we try to keep a little FiM in this which is why she is slowly redeeming herself in the eyes of the characters. except AJ which is the mouthpeice for your side.
Speaking of her, AJ hasn't gotten to do much because some think she is boring and others don't want to fuck up her character. We had to make her afraid of making a big girl choice and dangle the prospect of tyrant of 'truth' in front of everyone to care enough to stop bitching about her screentime.

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>>25849821
DELETE THIS

>>25849778
Fun fact: I'm not one of those guys and possess no hate boner for chrysalis.

As for firing back a 'meta' answer there was no in story reason given at the time because no one apparently felt it was needed. All of these 'in canon' reasons are being manufactured whole cloth to suit your view of that situation when they simply weren't part of anyone's thinking at the time so far as I can discern.

OOCO
>SA
"AJ"
~~~~

>Oh! Oh! You know what you need to try to make?

"Is it bubbles?"

>...

"It's a bubble, ain't it?"

>... Bubbles are cool.

"Fiiiiine... Hup!"

THOOM!

>AWESOME! Ten out of ten rock bubble, Applejack!... Applejack?

"HRMPMMMMH!"

>Sigh... I'll go get the chisel... Great bubble though, really great.

"HRMMMOH!"

>Going! Going!

>>25850714
>It didn't hurt Shining this time

DO OVER, I DEMAND A DO OVER!

>>25850989
>Alright, I've got the-

THOOM!

"GASSSPPP!... WHEW! Thank goodness! Almost had me there. Thanks anyway, Shiny... Shiny?"

>SUNOHGBUGGHHH

"...It's Celestia's fault."

>MMMMGGG!

>Chitania
"Pommel"
~~~~

>...Come out come out where-

"Stop."

>I can do it if I want!

"Oh, hey, you're paying attention to me again!"

>Puddle, you are driving me up a wall, I swear.

"Back to that insult, really? It doesn't even fit. What, do you accidentally eat puddles as you walk?"

>When they fly into my mouth, sure.

"...Touche."

>...WHERE THE FUCK IS HE!?

"Wait, you can't find this guy?"

>No! For some fucking reason, I can't divine him! This makes no sense, I found the other one just fine! Where the fuck is he!?

"...Good girl, Sunset."

>WHAT!?

"Nothing."

>I will beat the answer out of you!

"No you won't"

>...Wait, right, I'd probably just kill you in one hit. Shit.

"All that violin practice for nothing."

>...Fuck it, I'll just sniff him out.

"No fucking way do you have that power-"

FWOOSH!

"...AHAHAHAHAH!"

>Shut up.

"Y-YOU'RE A... Y-YOU'RE A... "

>Shut it.

"YOU'RE A BIIIIITCHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

>...Maybe picking bloodhound wasn't the best idea.

"OH MY GOD THE COLORSAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

>And my disguise skills still need work...

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

>AJ
"Chrysalis"
~~~

It was like dragging a sack of apples, and she knew a thing or two about that.

Just dead weight, dragging along the ground while she pulled her into the relative sanctity of the cavern housing the Tree of Harmony. The changeling put up no fight, no struggle, not that there was any sign she could, just let herself be dragged along like a dog who didn't want to go outside.

She was plopped right at the base, right at the bottom of the warm, ethereal glow that rained down from that beacon of Harmony.

>Now, ya'll stay in here till Ah' find one of yer' enablers ta' come get you. Ah'll have everything fixed by the time ya' get back on yer' hooves.

Her deeds done, her hooves were dusted, and she prepared to finally end this, once and for all. She didn't even make it a step before she felt something clamp down on her tail, and hold her for all it was worth.

>...Come on now.

It was almost sad, watching the bruise beneath the chitin as she struggled to keep her jaw down, she could not keep the slight bit of pity from forming just before she yanked herself loose, the bite unable to hold on even against that slight bit of movement.

>Look, this here is the safest place in Eqeustria, bar none. Ain't nothin' gonna happen to you in here. Just sit tight, and let me go finish this already.

"No."

Nothing but pity, that's all she could feel when the Queen struggled to rise, struggled to stand up after all the long abuse she had been put through. Shaking legs, wobbling head, every bit of it screamed that a stiff breeze would knock her away like a bowling pin who's base had been filed down to a sharp point. She stood, defiant, hostile, looking ready to fight again, even when it looked like the changeling would break from a simple push.

For reasons she could not explain to herself, it made her angry once again.

1/9

>>25851948

"Heh... guess it was stupid to try so hard... it never was the Apple, was it? Shouldn't have bothered.... No, this won't work. I'll just tell everyone what that thing does."

>Then Ah'll just say yer' wrong. What happens after that?

The wounded thing didn't have an answer to that one, like she knew she wouldn't.

>Look, have you not been listenin' to me? Ah'm gonna go fix this whole mess with yer' changelings! Alright? Ah'm just gonna go to Ponyville, and ya' know what Ah'm gonna say? "There weren't no invasion, it wasn't a trick, she was just tryin' to help cause she's in love with the guy runnin' the place, you don't need to be afraid of them no more."... It's the truth! You and Ah' both know it's as sure as the sun the truth. It's one hundred percent fact, and now they're gonna believe it. Ain't that what you want? Them to be safe, everything to be okay, everyone to know that you don't want to fight anymore? Don't you want this to all get better, all fixed and be fine and then we're done? This is all Ah' have to do, just tell them the truth, nothing more! And then it's done forever! One time, Ah' just have to do this one time, and it's done.

"You're.. you're going to-"

It wasn't hard to outpace the panting, breathless ling in speech, a first for her when she thought about it. Normally, the taller one could talk circles around her, but like this getting her own shots in was as easy as sliding a book back from where she got it on a shelf.

>Ah' know what yer' thinkin', because it's all you think about. Yer' thinkin' about all the takeover possibilities, all those nasty thoughts bout makin' everyone just serve you forever, but ya' know what? Ya' can take those thoughts and shove it, cause Ah'm not like you.

It would have been so easy to step forwards and shove her, to knock her down and break off that bold glare. But if she was being honest with herself, and she often was, she was worried she might break one of those long black legs if she did.

2/9

>>25851958

>Ah'm not interested in rulin' the world, or controlin' anyone to serve me, or any o' that nonsense. Ah' don't give to scoots of a dogs rear across the ground for bein' in control or bein' on top. Ah' don't care about any of that, and Ah' don't want what Ah' got right now, thank you. Ah'm not like you, Ah' don't want more, Ah' just want what's there to be fixed, and to stay fixed. Ah' don't give too shakes if someone like you would use this here thing for evil, cause Ah'm not gonna let you, or anyone else. Ah'm gonna use it for good, Ah'm gonna use it to fix everything, and that's that.

There was never a second of doubt in her mind. The Apple was powerful, yes. It was dangerous in the wrong hooves, for sure. But just because of something like that didn't mean it wasn't so useful. Every useful thing had a bit of risk to it, even her own magic had proven that. Just because it was dangerous didn't mean she should disregard it, or be rid of it. This was her Apple, it had been given to her to save the world, and that's exactly what she was going to do with it.

"You're... just going to... control them."

That thought had entered her mind more than once, if she was being honest. The thought had stuck with her for a bit or two, but no matter how long it did, it never stayed.

>No, Ah'm not, Ah'm just gonna tell them the truth, and they can do with it whatever they want. Ah'm not gonna make 'em do anything but accept the cold hard facts, the end. Not gonna make 'em dance like puppets, not gonna make 'em serve me or anyone else. Ah'm not a tryant, Chrysalis, Ah'm just a mare who needs the folks to know the truth before they do somethin' they're gonna regret. You want this, don't you? Don't you want your changelings to be safe? They're in trouble right now, and every second you spend rattlin' on is a second Ah'm not savin' them, so are you gonna lie down and take a nap while this all gets fixed, or are you gonna make it worse?"

3/9

>>25851968

Something about that last line, those final few words, struck a chord with the changeling, she could see it even in the oddly lit room. Something had strung within her like a string on a guitar, and she couldn't for the life of her find what it was.

She watched the debate, the internal struggle on the Queen's bruised and swollen face play out with every twitch, every dart of her eye, every insecurity plain for all to see.

>Come on, just stop and let me go fix everything. It'll be done in a snap, and that there is the truth. You know that now, don't you? Just let me go fix everything, and stop this.

"...There has to be another way-"

Six little words, and they may as well have been the code to detonate the bomb that had always been inside of her.

She felt it build up so fast, burn so hot, explode so quickly she felt it shoot through every limb of her body. Those words, more than any other event in this day that just would not end, had brought it to the surface. Had brought the fire, the anger, the hate and the need.

Part of it was the insult, that the Queen would think that she had honestly not thought of any other way but the gift of the Tree of Harmony. Part of it was the annoyance, that she would say this while clearly having no idea herself. Part of it was the derision, that the Queen of plans that blow up in her face would actually try to propose an alternative to a sure thing.

But, more than any of that, she admitted that far eclipsing it all, was a single burning question in the center of that flare in her chest.

>Why!?

That raging inferno in three little letters.

4/9

>>25851980

>Why!? Why would we do that!? Why's it always gotta be the hard way!? Why do we always have to go the long way around that don't work as often as it does? Why take the other route when the sure thing is right here, right in my hoof!? Ah' did it the hard way, Ah' did it since Ah' got these stupid things, and ya' know what? It didn't work! One bad event, one bad thing, and it all just goes away! Ah'm sick of it! We just keep pilin' on worse and worse onto it, and we put out the big disasters, but eventually one just gets through and none of that matters anymore! Just one thing gets through and it's all back to square one! Ah' did it that way, your way, whoevers way! Ah' walked the hard road, and it ain't worked! Well... no more! One time, one thing, and it's fixed. One shot and all of this is fixed, and stays fixed, and we ain't gotta worry about it anymore. No more strugglin' to make them understand or make it work, this is all Ah' have to do. It's quick, it's easy, and then it's all done. Just done and done, and then Ah' can just forget about it. Why? Why would Ah' ever do it any other way beside this? It's so easy... and then it's just done. Don't you just want this to be just... done, Chrysalis? Don't you want to never worry about them being suspicious no more, or have to do all that work to get them to believe you, and just accept your Hive without no more work? Do you really want to keep doin' it in the way that don't work? Don't you just... want it over?

She did. Without a single word said, she could see it plain as the glowing tree behind her, the Queen wanted this done as much as she did. She wanted to stop, she was hoping that all would be done exactly as said, and that everything would just be fixed. No more fighting or trying, all just fixed and done. Chrysalis wanted it, she wanted it every bit as much as she did. Without her disguise to hide behind, at last, her emotions were plain as day.

She wanted that.

5/9

>>25851990

>Just... let me go fix the situations with the changelings already.

But she did not stop.

"...And then?"

>Oh for the love off... and then Ah' guess Ah' fix the next problem! It'll only take a minute there too! No matter what problem, no matter how big, one shot and done! And it stays done, never gotta worry about it again!

"What about... after that?"

>Then Ah'll fix the next problem, and the next! And the next and the next and the next! And then, sometime soon, sometime not long at all from right now where yer' standin', all the problems will be fixed. It'll be quick, it'll be short... and it'll be fixed in the only way that works for sure.

"...What about after that?"

For a second, that burning sensation inside her flickered. A slight chill inside where that flame had been when she realized that, for once, she didn't have the answer to that.

>Huh... Ya' know, in all this here ruckus, Ah' never even got a chance to think about that. Before now? Didn't even bother to imagine it, cause Ah' just plain never thought it would come. Was always gonna be one more thing Ah' had to fight, one more thing Ah' had to fix, it wasn't ever gonna stop. But now? Huh... guess Ah' can think about it now. What am Ah' gonna do when everything is all fixed? Won't be long now, not a lot of time to think about it... Ah' don't know. Guess Ah'll just... go home. Go back, turn in mah' wings if that's an option, just go back and live on the farm again, would be nice. Maybe pop up when somethin' is tryin' to take over the world or wreck it or whatever, solve that in a jiffy, and go right back. Ain't even gotta fight it now, can win no matter what happens. It'll all just be.. easier.

The inferno inside started to grow cold, to die out, as she pictured it all. How easy it would be, how simple, how fast, and then it would just be done. It would just be done.

"...when you control them, you mean."

That fire did not stay cool for more than that second.

6/9

>>25852002

>Oh, yer' one to talk! All Ah' want to do is tell them the truth and have them believe it, Ah'm not like you! Ah' don't just mind control ponies for fun or ta' take 'em over! Ah'm doin' this to help the world, ta' fix it because yer' stupid ass just had to try and invade somebody! Because oh! Right! Yer' the whole dang reason we're in this mess!

She no longer cared that the Queen looked in pain when she jabbed her with a hoof to her chest, that blaze had returned, and it had returned with a vengeance so great it made the fire before look like little more than a flickering candle. Something, something strong, had been building up inside of her this whole time, every second since the reveal, something had been needing to get out of her, clawing it's way and struggling all the while until it tore up her insides to keep it in. She was going to let it out, she was going to show that arguing her had been a mistake.

She was going to make damn sure Chrysalis knew it.

>If you hadn't been such a powerhungry fuckin' moron, nobody would have batted an eye when this came out, the reason everyone is suspicious of you and talkin' bout mind control and takeovers is that's what you fuckin' did! That's exactly what you did! You took over someone's mind! You imprisoned someone else, and then you invaded a country! The whole reason this reveal with Eighteen wasn't all about Cadence not knowing what blue plus green equals is because of you! You did this! You did all of this! And now, Ah've got to fix it! Ah've got to go use a gaddang magic apple to fix your mess, because otherwise, nobody is going to believe me when Ah' tell them the truth, and it's all yer' fault! Do you understand me!? Equestria thinks Ah' was coverin' up some invasion and not a one of them believes a word Ah'm sayin' right now, and it's all yer' fault! You did this! You made them not believe me! You! It's all yer' fault! It's all! Yer'! Fault!

It was the truth.

7/9

>>25852015

She had not needed a single solitary bit of Harmony magic. There was never, for a moment, any doubt with the Queen that every word had been absolute truth. Never any doubt in the eyes that, for once, looked away of their own accord, never any doubt in the slight slump of her shoulders, or the slow breath she let out. She admitted it, without saying a word she admitted to it all.

It was all true, there was no doubt.

"...I have to stop you."

But there was no surrender either, when she pushed back against that hoof.

From either side, that much was clear when the faint sounds of chitin cracking became audible.

>Why!? Ah'm fixing your mistakes! Ah'm fixing problems you caused! Ah' can't even control you no more, you actually figure it out! You just get to sit back and enjoy while I make this world all better for your changelings! Give me one reason, one reason you want me not to use this thing besides the fact that yer' gonna have to owe yer' species not getting wiped out to me! That's it, isn't it? That you just don't want to have to admit Ah' fixed everything for you? Don't want to admit Ah'm better than you at this!? Don't want to have to admit everything would be better if you just listened to me!? Huh!? Well? Is that it!? What's the reason damn it!?

"...You're going to use it on them."

She pushed forwards, more and more cracks filling the room as she strained against the unmoving hoof.

"I can't... let it happen."

She kept fighting, even when she looked ready to fall.

>Why.

"I can't let you do that to him, or Cadence, or any of them..."

>Why?

"I can't let you do this, I can't let you control them."

>Ah'm not gonna control them! Ah'm just gonna tell them the truth, nothing else! Ah'm not gonna make them puppets! Ah'm not like you! Ah' just want them to believe me, all of them!

"I can't let you do that, I can't... I can't..."

>WHY?!

"BECAUSE HE BELIEVED ME!"

8/9

>>25852027

The obsidian hoof flew with a speed it never had before, struck as a blur as fast as Dash on her very best days, wind whistling through the gaps of her limbs holes as it aimed square for the ponies jaw.

Hit with all the force of a light breeze in the summer day, not even making the cheek so much as twitch when it connected.

The tall body slumped forwards, putting so much of her weight on that hoof, desperate for it to keep her upright as the exhaustion brought spots to her eyes. Pants came out in hot, rolling breaths as she struggled to stay upright, failing more and more with every second.

"You don't... you don't know what that means. You can't understand... he only asked me to do one thing, just one thing... just don't make it worse... that's all he asked..."

The hoof against her cheek shuddered, slipping just a bit as she went even lower.

"I tried... I really did try this time... I said to myself no matter what happened, I wouldn't make it worse, I wouldn't. I would... I would do it, because I said I would, and he believed me. He believed me... but when I saw you without my changelings, I did it again. I tried, I did, but I couldn't..."

The hoof pushed, doing little more than mashing the skin on her cheek, but it pushed all the same.

"I can't let you do this. I can't... I can't let you do it to him. I promised him it wouldn't make it worse... I have to stop you... I can't...I can't lose..."

She listened to every breathless word as the fire left. Not of it's own accord, but of simply going out, like a candle that had reached the bottom. There was simply nothing left to draw on, no matter how hard she tried.

"He... he believed me..."

She listened, still, to every whisper of the Queen, rapt in attention to every single syllable.

"He believed me..."

She listened to every letter, when she hit the ground.

Listened, until she heard the words that made her heart stop.

"Like I believed you..."

>>25852038
Sorry for the longer than average waittime/post, but good news!

ALMOST DONE!

>>25852038
>Don't like longer posts
>But it's all very good dialog that addresses a shitton of stuff I wanted looked at

So conflicted...

>>25852051
>ALMOST DONE!

I'm almost sad to hear that. This has been a crazy ass ride.

That said, Am I the only one thinking that, at this point Applejack actually needs to use the Apple? Not to fix this mess, but because how the fuck else is she going to explain this?

>Howdy ya'll! Ah'm here ta' fix this changeling thing and... oh, uh... Chrysalis? Sheeee's... uhhhhhhhh... probably still alive, yeah. Ah' mean, what are the odds some internal injuries are gonna be fatal- ya' know what, Ah'll be right back.

>>25852038
>"Like I believed you..."

...When?

NC

>....No

"Mhmmm"

>Nuh uh

"MhhHHmmm"

>Not happenin'

"MHHHMMMMM"

>AH'M NOT KISSIN' Y'ALL BACK TO LIFE DANGIT!

"You're going to haaave toooo"

>>25852261
When she said she was going to take care of her changelings.

Remember? First thing she screamed when she saw AJ next to the tree.

>>25852272
'...Doo dooo dod do do... do do do doo... mnum mnuh.... wow, this is boring-'

SLAM!

'GAAAHHHH WHAT THE FUCK!?'

>Do the thing.

'HOLY SHIT CHRYSALIS!'

>Do the thing dang it!

'I SEE HER SPLEEN!'

>DO THE FUCKIN' THING!

'AHHHHHH!'

>TWILIGHT!

'...'

>Do the thing.

'...Shiny can never know.'

>>25852051
Almost done, and I'm sad to see it go!

Finally, AJ got to say that, been waiting for it forever, and hey, Chrysalis didn't get shit on either. Keeps on keeping on, that's damn impressive.

>>25852051
>ALMOST DONE!

Thank god.

I say this not because this hasn't been fun, I'm just ready to see this all finally come to a close. You've done a lot, given us a shitload of AJ development, now I'm ready to see where it's all headed.

>>25852567
Right? Its like damn, it's good, but the blue balling must end!

>>25852667
And hopefully the debates will at least take a hiatus too.

Please?

It's Christmas.

>SA
"Cadence"
~~

>...

"..."

>...

"..."

>Soooo-

"I'm busy."

>Right, right! Busy, doing the thing, and I'm proud of you I want to know!

"..."

>Buuuut, Two is also wondering where you are.

"..."

>It's a problem.

"..."

>She wants to see you.

"..."

>Like... now.

"I'm busy."

>Right, of course, I know! And, like, I said, super proud. Buuutt... Two? Wants some mommy time?

"...I'll get to it in a bit."

>Oh, okay...

"..."

>...Do you want to-

"I'll be able to talk in a bit."

>Oh! Good, that would be good.

"..."

>Do you want me to leave you alone?

"Please."

>Oh, okay...

"..."

>You're doing a good job, you know. I'm... I'm always proud of you.

"..."

>Well, I'll leave you to it...

Quietly, he left, taking great care not to shut the door too hard.

"...I'll prove I'm worth it, just wait... just wait."

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AJ needs to win.

She's had so much go wrong. And all her other victories have been off the backs of everyone combined.

Fuck the bugbitch and her double standards. "I can directly mind control people and be a cunt but that's fine, but you can't use this apple of power to just boost your CHR to 9999 and win'

Go on AJ, me lass.

>Fluttershy
"7"
~~~~

Every which way she scurried, this way and that running all around in a panic. Every moment, little plants of all kinds popped up in her wake. Razor blade plants, plants with six eyes, daisies...

They weren't all bad.

>Oh dear!

"Are you going to be heading off soon?"

All the while, he remained completely nonpulsed.

>Just as soon as I stop this!

"...so, a week or two."

The glare was a good sign, strangely enough.

"Sorry... Would you like help calming down?"

The other look, less of a good sign. Funny, but not very good.

>Oh dear!

"You think this is bad for you? Think about me. And my hive. This is going to be a nightmare."

>Oh... Oh yes, this is going to be terrible.

"Yes... Just a bit."

>Do you want me to tell her where you are?

"If she asks, but..."

>Don't mention your experiments?

"Please."

>Oh... I suppose that's fair.

"..."

>Should I mention your... Um, friend?

"If she asks."

>...

"She's not gonna ask."

>...are you okay?

"S-Sure..."

>...

"...even if she doesn't ask-"

>Tell her you're alive, got it.

"...thanks."

>... She probably won't-

"I know."

>>25852038
Just... fucking let her use the apple to fix things. Damn. Acting stubborn like AJ on her worse days, Chrysalis. Let her fix this fuck-up, you say fifty Hail Mary's, call it done. Every second you distract her is a second you're making it worse. Christ.

>>25853165
I want her to win, but not if she has to be like Chrysalis to do it. Relying on mind control and magic.

... Which is what she's been doing up to this point, I just noticed. Huh.

>>25852694
Never.

>>25853304
>implying she's actually going to need the apple in the end
>implying the tweest won't be something that makes even M.Night Shammy-Whammy green with envy

>>25853287
You do realize that using that apple is actually WORSE than changeling invading for real?
Because its not changelings controlling your mind now, Its those princesses trying to cover their asses. You might think its for the greater good, and to that I say 'Go fuck yourself.'. Ends do not actually justify means, not in my book.
Chrissy is morally right here.

>>25853165
>I can directly mind control people and be a cunt but that's fine,

But she's saying it's NOT fine, she's saying she gets that doing that to Shining did something to him, and she's terrified of it happening again to him or anyone else in the CE crew. She explicitly is saying it's awful, and that she shouldn't be doing it.

Hell, the THOUGHT of her doing it to them is exactly what caused her to drop the apple. That was a huge plotpoint, that she got swept up in making the world like she wants it until she got to Shining and was like "Oh shit, wait, that would be fucking horrible!"

It's not a double standard if you mess up and then later realize you fucked up hard, and want to prevent it from happening again.

>>25853440
Depends on how she uses the apple and what 'truth' she tells. There's literally only one way I can see her using that apple that does not count as mind control.

>>25853507
Assuming you and I (not the same anon you replied to) are thinking the same thing, that's exactly what AJ wants to do:
>ALRIGHT LISTEN UP, THE CHANGELINGS ARE NOT TRYING TO FUCKING INVADE, 18 DID THIS OF HER OWN WILL AND THE ROYALTY OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE SUPPORTED HER OF THEIR OWN WILL, GET OVER YOURSELVES YOU GOD DAMN PANSIES
>THE CHANGELINGS ARE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME
boom, done, on to the next problem, though I suspect the apple will somehow not be needed at the end of all this, and I can't fucking wait to see what this guy does
AJ GETTING CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IS FUCKING AWESOME

>>25853541
...Wow. That is EXACTLY what I wss talking about. Damn, anon, ha.

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Because epic Applejack is epic right now.

>>25853688
Heh

Ap-El

>AJ
"Chrysalis"
~~~~

"...Like I believed you."

Truth was something she was used to.

She was used to speaking it, living it, relying on it and taking it so deeply to her heart they might as well be one and the same. She lived off the truth, because when it got right down to it, the truth was the only real thing in this world. A lie could make something look like something else, but it couldn't change what it was deep down. She understood this, she knew this, she was used to this.

It was only when she heard the truth, knew it to be the truth, but still did not understand it that she remembered that even that wasn't perfect.

She knew what Chrysalis spoke of right away, it did not even take a second in her mind. It should be as obvious now as it was deathly obvious when the Queen had been mere moments from throttling her at the very start of this, no matter how inverted things had become. She knew, exactly, what she meant with those words.

Her changelings.

She had to have known what the Queen had said was truth on some level. There had to be, at least at the very core, a basic belief when she said that she would look after them. Even if it were a shaky foundation indeed, one so unsteady it would topple over with a stern look alone, there had to be a basis there. There was, at it's core, something to stand on.

She had, even if it had not been complete and fully, believed her, and trusted her with a number of the hive she had so very little to spare.

Chrysalis had believed her, and put them in her care.

Then she had abandoned them.

It was stupid, she knew without question, that she had run off to such a place, to find answers far away from all of them. Or rather, she had eventually come to seek answers, the truth was she had just left them to be away from all of that. She had left them, rather than face the mob. The mob of ponies that, once upon a time, had believed her as well.

"You don't understand..."

1/6

>>25854151

The words repeated into her chest with every breath, low and barely conscious. There was so little life left in her, but she was using it all the same. Throwing it all against a force it could not even scratch like a child punching a storm. Useless, even if they felt they had to try.

"I can't let you."

She was struggling, she was fighting. All because someone believed in her.

"I can't..."

Her mind returned to those changelings, where they were right now. Were they even in Ponyville any longer? Had they gone away? Had things gotten worse, or had they calmed down?

How long had she been here, how much time had she wasted on her search for answers, her battle, her war?

"He... believed me."

Belief.

That word, that concept, everything about it, resonated with her.

Belief. It held such weight, held more power than most could understand. To believe in something, anything, gave purpose, it gave direction, it gave comfort and understanding, it gave so much.

When she felt the dark hooves slip, scrape down the side of her chest, she reacted. She did not think, her body moving on muscle memory alone. Instantly, she caught both hooves, and she held on.

With them in her grasp, she remembered.

She remembered a time that seemed an eternity ago, a time so long, so far away. A time that had defined her life as it would come to be, even if she didn't understand it yet. She did not understand what happened on that day, but now it was undeniable.

She remembered the night she held in her hooves two others, lavender color, with bits of scrapes along normally pristine hooves. Hooves that were so unlike her own, tarnished from setting out on their very first adventure. She remembered the time Nightmare Moon returned.

She remembered that time, looking down at a face of fear, of terror and uncertainty, she remembered every detail. Every single inch of that face so certain she was about to fall, and most of all she remembered what she had said that night

>Let go.

2/6

>>25854160

Two words, with all the weight of certain doom bearing down on her. The look of disbelief, of thinking her mad or crazed, or perhaps even possessed. That look the look of needing to hang on, of wanting so badly to cling even longer to the edge. But she needed to fall.

She needed to believe her.

She had spoken the truth, she had spoken with her heart, and she had only wanted to see her friend safe, but it all hinged on her believing. It hinged on the trust that when she said she would be fine, that all would be well. She had been saved, when she believed.

>Chrysalis...

Now, nothing was like it had been. They were all poised, just as Twilight had been on that night, they were all on the edge of falling into an endless pit of suspicion, of distrust and strife until it became unbearable, and a final battle broke out. It was this reason why she could not understand why the Queen continued to fight her, continued to battle against her even as she worked to save her changelings, not just those she had been tasked with, but all of them. Save their reputations, their futures and their lives. She sought to save all of them.

So why didn't she understand?

She had needed the Elements of Harmony to save the world before, Chrysalis had to know of this. It was not her own power that had held back the eternal night, it was not her own might, but that of the Element of Honesty in tandem with the others. Why couldn't she understand that the Apple was exactly that? A gift from the Tree of Harmony, out to save all the world?

It was not mind control, she was not making them like puppets. She was using it to tell them the truth, a truth they needed to hear even if they did not understand it. With it's power, they merely believed, just as Twilight had so long ago. She was using it to save them, just as she had her friend.

>...But...

She hadn't.

3/6

>>25854173

She hadn't needed the Element of Honesty, Twilight had believed her, just her. Her truth had been heard, and she had saved the day with the others. She had only needed her own words.

That was why she spoke the truth, why she put so much into it. It was special, important in a way that little else was. Truth was so vital to this world, lies were hollow and empty, lies broke and they took everyone down with them. She did not want to make them believe lies, she wanted them to know the truth.

>Ah' just want them to know the truth, the real truth, so they'll believe it. Just like...

"...Just like me?"

Those words had struck her harder than any blow had done this day.

She had not been lying to Chrysalis when she swore to protect them, she had not. She had been honest, true and dedicated. She had put her all into that, she had worked her best to make it a fact.

>Ah'...

But it had become a lie.

She had spoken the truth, believed it to be the truth, knew for a fact it was the truth. For a time, it had been the truth.

It had not stayed the truth.

>...Ah' lied to you. Ah' meant it back, then, really, Ah' did, but...

She had not only failed Chrysalis, but every one of those changelings, every one that put their trust, their lives, in her hold. She had lied to them all.

"...I meant it too."

What was it she had promised. Something about not making it worse? That was what the Queen had apparently swore to him. From the crumbling stone outside, the sounds of the cliff occasionally falling it, it seemed that too, had become a lie.

Or had it?

She was trying to go to save the changelings right now, she would keep her promise if she just left.

Chrysalis was trying to hold her back, to keep her from continuing on, she wished to keep her promise as well. They were both holding on to their truths, lest they become a lie. For the ones that had believed in them.

If one let go, they had failed.

>...Don't you understand...

4/6

>>25854182

The power of the Apple tingled in her hoof, pulsating with a magic beyond her comprehension.

>Don't you understand what this means? We can end it already. Ah'm just... Ah'm sick of it all, Chrysalis, aren't you too?

Where the energy had come from, where the power had emerged, she would never be able to say. But somehow, the Queen managed to lift her head back up, to tilt it upwards from her near ground level position, and look her right in the eye.

"Yes. I hate this too. I hate this... so much. It feels like everything I tried to do is just..."

>Gone.

"Gone... a whole year trying to get our reputation back, gone."

>Just washed away..

"...I know it's all my fault."

She shook and rattled in her grasp, but her head would not fall back down.

"I know... and I'm so tired of failing. Every time I try, every single time I try to do something it just blows up in my face. Again and again I just have to deal with nothing working. I'm sick of it too."

>So... why? Just let me go do it. Just let me end it.

"I can't."

>Why?

"Because... he believed me."

She felt bile in her mouth, a foul taste that made her lip curl, her nose flare out in discomfort and her eye strain to even look at her any longer.

>Why is that so important?

"You can't understand."

The Queen's words were sincere, every single one she believed to be the absolute truth.

The more she thought of them, the more she looked at them, the more she realized. They were wrong.

>...Ah' just want it to be over. Ah'm doin' this for your changelings, for you too even.

"Applejack?"

>Yeah?

"Put down the Apple, and say that again."

She hadn't even realized it she had been holding it this whole time in a deathly grip, so strained it pained her to let it go.

It took determination, it took will, but eventually, let it go she did.

>...Ah'm doin' this for your changelings, and you.

She watched every expression, every twitch that crossed the Queen's face, and held her breath.

"...You're lying."

5/6

>>25854200

It shook in her head, like the sound of a hammer hitting the nail on a coffin. Two words, and they said more than any speech of a thousand ever could.

The Apple returned to her, so quickly she wasn't even sure if she had picked it up intentionally or merely out of reflex, but she picked it up all the same. She picked it up, cradled it, protected it like it was her everything, and she looked away from the eyes boring into her.

>You need to let me go now, and stop fighting.

"...One shot."

A single, shaky hoof pulled back, touching her own chitinous temple with the very tip.

>Chrysalis...

"One shot, right here."

>Chrysalis, Ah' can't. You won't survive it.

"Then I'm not letting go."

>Chrysalis, Ah' can pull you off easy as ripping paper. Ya' ain't nowhere near as strong as me right now, this ain't even a fight.

"One shot. Do it, if you're sure."

>Why...

"Because otherwise, I won't be able to look them, any of them, in the eye ever again."

>Who?

"...Everyone. Do it, so at least I know... I gave it everything."

Her hoof twitched, a subtle vibration running though it as a tingle of her magic intermingled with the muscles and fibers below. She could feel the power in her now, her wild use of magic still remaining even so much later after their fight. So much power.

It would only take one shot. One little tap, one little hit, and she would go down. She might hurt her, it might do so much worse damage, but it is all it would take.

Or, she could simply pull her loose, toss her away, and fly off. No way could she follow, not like this.

Either way would work. Either way would stop her, and free her to go solve this problem once and for all.

"Do it."

She felt her hoof rising up, to grab the limb or to strike, even she wasn't sure.

"Do it, if you're sure!"

Her breath slowed, and she prepared herself.

"Do it, or I'll never let go!"

She felt the magic of the Apple against her, felt the truth flow through her.

"DO IT!"

She made her choice.