#i am. SO exited to get to egghead

[1pcii]

i love this meme its so fun ^-^

[uki01]

HELLO HELLO!! I HOPE YOUR HAVINGA GOOD DAYYY/NIGHTT/ECT!! I HAVE A REQUEST FOR YOU

okay so yk how how shadow can roller skate(his air shoes) and how he's quite fast on them?? Okay so what if y/n has a motorcycle! And she challenges him

Like they test out who's really the faster one, and ofc if you want add other characters in yk! and you can pick whoever wins! Yk a surprise ending!

ANYWAYS HAVE A GOOD DAY/NIGHT/ECT !! 🦇

”Just try to Keep Up.”

Shadow The Hedgehog x Reader

Author’s Note: This is so cute! And thank you for the kind words you have a good time zone! Wherever you are anon!

Warning: Start of ra relationship, blood mentioned, crash and suggestive (making out) don’t worry it isn’t NSFW.

You just got back from a motorcycle ride, and boy was it fun, you loved travelling and you loved your motorcycle, it was the best combination ever.

Right now you were cleaning your motorcycle after from its ride, till you felt a dust of wind hit you and your motorcycle.

“Sonic! Can I you watc-“

“I am not that faker.”

Oh! It was Shadow!

“Oh! Hi Shadow!”

“Hey Y/N.”

He dusted himself off, damn he looked amazing, like always.

“You own a motorcycle too?”

“Yep! Ain’t she a beauty? I fell inlove her the day I took her in as my own.”

“Hmph, but can they match my air shoes? I highly doubt your motorcycle can go that fast.”

“Oh yeah? You can only run that fast because of your flying shoes.”

“Air shoes.”

“Yeah whatever, hey! Since we think different things, why don’t we have a race! You plus my motorcycle versus you and your air shoes.”

“Hmph, what a waste of my time, you can’t beat me.”

He started to walk away and you started to pout, until you got an idea.

“Awh… what a shame, I didn’t know, Shadow The Hedgehog, The Ultimate Lifeform, was a coward.”

He stopped in his tracks as his ear started to twitch. Worked as always.

“You dare call me a coward?”

“You dare reject my awesome and badass race idea?”

He grunted, folded his arms then thought for a second, then looked back at you.

“Fine, I’ll humour you just this once.”

“He said while not being able to resist to join me in my other shenanigans.”

“Shut it. I will race you, but try not to get too cocky like that damn faker once you lose.”

“Oh I will win alright. Just watch me.”

“Hmph, we will see about that.”

And it started, the race, ‘Y/N Vs Shadow’ the word was spread around real fast, everyone was already on their way to watch, Knuckles, Sonic and Tails were voting for you while Amy, Rouge and Omega were voting for Shadow.

“Go Y/N kick Shadow’s butt!” Sonic yelled out.

“You got this Shadow!” Amy shouts.

“I believe in you Y/N! Run him over!” Knuckles called out.

“You can win this Shadow. Don’t give lose this.” Rouge said.

“Woohoo! Yay Y/N!” Tails said to you.

“You got this Shadow.” Omega said.

You both were on the start line getting ready, giving Shadow one last glance.

“May the best win.”

“Hmph, I plan on it.”

Ah, same old Shadow. Soon as the flag was down you two were already racing against each other.

So you both were at the start of Green Hill, to Stardust Speedway, to Metropolis Zone, to Mystic Cave, to Chemical Plant Zone and the end of Emerald Zone.

You both were determined to win, so far you were in the lead giving Shadow a blowing a raspberry at him, Shadow growled at this, you started to increase speed, it was between you winning then Shadow winning, always ending in ties.

Soon as you made it to the Mystic Cave, you were still going, not a single scratch on the motorcycle, until Dr Eggman’s Bandniks came out of nowhere, making you stop in your tracks.

“Damnit!” You shouted, you tried to find an exit, which you did, went to a small cave as they started to chase you down.

“Ugh! Why now of all days Egghead!” You stepped on the pedal at full speed, making some of the bandiks crashing into each other or getting hit by a rock nearby.

It was all going good until you were cornered by another pair of bandiks, you pressed your foot on the break fast until one of the bandiks shot a last at you which you just barely missed, it scraped your knee and damaged your motorcycle causing a small explosion.

“Ah!..” You hissed, but you were determined to stay standing, you grabbed 5 rocks and got a good shot at the other bandniks but more just came, great. You got into a fighting stance but couldn’t keep still due to so many scars on you because of the explosion.

Out of nowhere someone came in and started spin dashing and destroying all the bandiks, you weren’t be able to get a good view because of their speed. Once they were all gone, he stood still and got rid of the last one and turned around to look at you. It was Shadow!

“Shadow! Oh thank god I am glad to see you.”

“Y/N, are you hurt.”

“I just got a few scratches is all, it’s fi-“

He cut you off as he immediately aided you as soon as you said the word scratches.

“Shadow it’s fine really.”

“No, you are injured. You can even sit up properly.”

You smiled and just gave in as he does his thing. After he was done aiding you, he sat near you staying by your side.

“You know you could’ve just kept going to win the race, hell you can even go now, now that I’m injured.”

He turned to you with a scowl.

“Are you stupid? To think I will leave you here all alone? I may be determined to win but I would never leave you here in the dust, that would be foolish of me, and the Ultimate Lifeform is not foolish, I would do anything, especially if it’s you.”

Your face flashed at that last sentence, as you laughed a bit.

“You know your pretty good with your words, you sure you don’t rehearse or make it up on the spot?”

“Tch.”

He still sat there, few mins pass by, you decided to hold his hand, since you had a fat crush on him and you needed to a make move on him somehow, so what’s better to start with hand holding. Once you started initiating, Shadow immediately turned and see you holding his hand.

“Sorry! Just uh… wanted to hold you hand cause of… support!”

“I hope you know you are a horrible liar. You could’ve just asked to hold my hand.”

Oh, well at least that settles it, you just still there for a bit. Few mins pass by even more, you think it was a good time to get up and see if you can walk, Shadow didn’t think so.

“I think I should get up.”

“No.”

He dragged you down, making you landing in his lap. Oh, oh okay.

“You need to rest.” Shadow told you sternly.

“Well okay, can I get off your lap to rest?”

“You are resting.”

Oh, well damn, he’s a bit straightforward today, this is scaring you.

“Shadow? You okay?”

“No, I left you unsupervised and you got hurt in the results of agreeing to this stupid race, if only I watched over you, you would’ve not gotten hurt.”

Ah, Awwh, this was a sight to see, you held his hands reassuringly which caught him off guard.

“Shadow it’s fine, I am fine, I am not dead.”

You looked up at him, he looked back. You kept staring at his red crimson eyes for hours. You decided to lean in and he did too. Soon as you leaned in your lips started to meet, first it was just an innocent kiss, you two wrapped each other’s arms around leaning in closer, bodies touching each other, pressing your guys lips even more, Shadow becoming more obsessive and possessive, demanding more attention of your lips pressing against yours.

Now this was a make out, you two there, tongues dancing with each other felt like forever. After that you finally pulled away, panting every second.

“I never thought, you of all people would actually initiated into this.” You panted.

“Like I said, I did, because it was you.” Shadow said with a smirk.

God, you wanted to slap him fast but your face was too flustered. You then looked at him, with him still having a smirk on his face, now he starts pampering you with kisses on your arms with scars.

“Uh, Shadow, hello? We have a race to finish.”

“Hold on N/N, I am making sure you are loved.”

Wow, he was trying to make your face as red as you can but still loved it regardless.

“So.. are we… a thing now?” You asked him.

“Well, do you like me? Romantically?” Shadow asked.

“Yes” you said “Do you like me?” You asked.

“More than just like, I love you, I love you Y/N.” Shadow smiled.

Your hearted fluttered at the sight and smiled at him.

“I love you too, Shadow The Hedgehog.”

As you two gazed into each other’s eyes, you decided to kiss turned to making out again, you had more time to spare anyways so it wasn’t bad. The others can wait.

“Whatever took you and Y/N so long and who won the race?” Rouge asked the brooding hedgehog with impatience in her voice.

“Hmph, there was just an accident that happened.”

“And that is?”

“Just, a slip up is all.”

You happen to walk by and gave Shadow a wave and smile, which he gave a small wave and a smile smile back, Rouge witnessing this pieced the pieces together and gasped.

“Are you and Y/N?!” Rouge asked excitedly.

Shadow then turned to Rouge. Just looking at her, then Rouge gasped excitedly.

“Oh my god that is so cute! When did you two become a thing?!” Rouge asking already.

“The race.”

Shadow said simply, Rouge smirked at this then started teasing him a bit then the question popped up again.

“Wait, who won the race though?” She asked.

“It was a tie.” Shadow said.

“You let them win didn’t you?” She said teasingly.

Shadow grunted, while Rouge laughed at this, even if he didn’t win the race, he already won something even better, or someone.

Author’s Note: This might be my best one yet! Thank you for this amazing request! I love Shadow!

[merfolk-are-the-best-folk]

MerMay 2024 Day 1: Marine Biologist

Decided I would use MerMay to reignite my writing habit. Since the 'official' tags suck butt I am using the infinitely more evocative prompt list of @mossypidder. So here it is, day 1. Let's see how many days it takes until I fall off from it xD (it's under a read more bc way longer than I anticipated).

“The place where all the trackers broke and vanished is just ahead.”, the helmsman of the small vessel said, his body hunched over a monitor in the cabin showing a map of the surrounding area, with all sorts of lines and dots in different colors drawn over it. The area they were heading towards was a region where many of those lines just stopped, creating an ominous empty field of ocean on the map. “And we have no idea what is doing that, then?”

I positioned myself next to him and looked over his shoulder. Not an easy task, considering I was quite a bit smaller than the experienced seaman. “Well, I have a few theories, but nothing I am confident enough in to actually talk out loud about it. We’ll just have to see”, I said with a slight shrug. “But comparing our data with similar studies got us nowhere closer to the answer. Of course there was always an amount of tracking devices that stopped working for one reason or another. But not in this amount and very much not in this consistency regarding a location. That’s why we are here to find out.”

“That’s all fine and dandy. Just begs the question, why are you on this trip?”, another voice from behind both of us cut in. The woman who had just entered postured herself with crossed arms in the doorframe of the helm. “I thought you eggheads tend to stick with the books and computers, leaving the wet work to us.”

I felt my face flush red, not really knowing if it was anger or embarrassment, or some mixture of both, that caused this reaction. “Well, Professor Benson wanted someone at hand to evaluate any and all information we gather here right on the spot. So that’s why he sent me.”

The woman did not seem satisfied with the answer, but before she could resume the banter she was disrupted by the helmsman: “Well, we’ve arrived. Get ready.”

She just  nodded  and turned around to exit, leaving us two in the cabin. After a moment in which I was not really sure what to do or say now, fidgeting a bit with my hands, the stout man turned towards me. “Did you not hear me? I said: Get ready.”

“What do you mean?”, I asked, quite confused. I could only examine the evidence we would collect after it had been collected, after all.

“You’re going down, too. The Prof said it would be a good experience for you.”

“What?!?”, I blurted out. “But, butbutbutbut…”

“You’re a marine biologist, aren’t you? You should be able to do studies out in the field.”, he said while crossing his arms in a manner that mirrred the stance of the woman from before quite well.

“Well, I’m an undergraduate. I’m still…”

“You can stay here on the boat, not gonna throw you to the fishes against your will. But I am sure the Prof will not be happy about it.”

I stammered, trying to find excuses whyI shouldn’t go dive in a place where our devices mysteriously disappeared, but everything got blocked out by the mental image of my professor’s very famous disapproving glare. In the end I just sighed and nodded. “Yessir.” 

It took me almost twenty minutes to force myself into the wetsuit that I had assumed had just been stashed in my cabin on the off chance I wanted to look the part of a real field researcher. I exited the cabin and walked onto the stern deck of the boat and was directly exposed to the stern glare of the woman from earlier. She wore a very similar outfit, but admittedly, she looked way more comfortable in it and less like a cheap impostor. 

“Could you have been any slower?”, she asked, nevertheless handing me the rest of the diving equipment I would need for this trip.

I wanted to answer, maybe even return the mean spirited banter, but I was not able to find the right words, instead I just focussed on not embarrassing myself any further by fumbling at donning the equipment.

Another five minutes later my heart was racing as we sat down at the edge of the boat, getting ready to plunge into the depths below us. In my mind I was counting down from ten, to hype myself up for the dive and to find a reason not to just sit here at the precipice for the next two hours.

And as my mind reached the number two, it was violently interrupted by a loud, clattering noise. My head turned around and I tried to find the source of the noise as I noticed a metal object that had fallen onto the deck. I pulled off my mask to see more clearly and gasped, finding the metal ball to be a crumpled clump of scrap metal that seemed to consist solely of trashed tracking devices. And just as my mind tried to comprehend this very weird thing that just happened, another voice coming from behind ripped me right out of it. “You can keep your trash on your side of the water’s edge. Now scram!”

I turned my head towards the sea, and there was a head popping out of the water. And even without my glasses and at this distance I was very sure that this was not a normal human who had just told us off about ‘littering’...

[i-luv-sweets]

|Troublesome| Engie x curious! reader

“Y/N, don’t touch that.” Bzzt “Ow!” Engie sighed while he worked on his teleporter. It was hard to focus when you were so curious.  Bzzt “Ack!” “Now why would you do that again?!” Putting down his wrench he turned around to see you sitting in a chair next to the exit teleporter. You held a nervous smile on your face making Engie shake his head. It wasn’t like he didn’t enjoy your company. It was just you never really look before you leap. You weren’t cautious and that scared him. Especially since you’re one of the few sane people in the base. Giving the texan a shrug you fiddled with your hands. “I just found a broken wire.” You mumbled out, your words not failing to reach Engie’s ears. He walked to your area and took a look at the exit teleporter. Indeed there was a broken wire, a the broken wire almost tied together. “Were ya tryin ta tie the wire back together?” He asked making you nod. He chuckled and patted your head. “Next taihm tell me ok? Don’t want ya hurt.” You sat on the edge of roof with Scout. Just hanging out for awhile, since Engie went to buy supplies. “So how’s dat egghead treatin ya?” Taking a sip of your drink, you started kicking your legs. “He’s fine, tries to make sure I don’t die.” You responded putting down the soda can. Scout hummed in understanding and started playing with his baseball. “Ya can take care of yerself doe right? Ya don’t need him.” He said tossing his ball up and catching it. You nodded at his words and kept kicking your feet gently. “Yeah I don’t, but it’s nice to get help from time to time.” Scout laughed lightly and rolled his eyes. “Whatever, ya need help cause ya ain’t as awesome as me!” It was your turn to roll your eyes. Gently hitting his shoulder you giggled. “Yeah right, says the one who screams medic when you have one cut.” The bostan grunted in annoyance before tossing his ball at you. “Whatever think fast.” However Scout failed to realize that he threw his ball at your face. You dodged the base ball but fell off the roof. “Y/N! OMG!” It felt like your stomach created a pit when you fell. Closing your eyes getting ready for the impact you were surprised when you felt yourself being held up. Opening your eyes you saw Engineer holding you. His expression holding fear and worry. “Hi Engie...Sorry for dropping in haha...” You said nervously and looking up at the roof for Scout. Sure enough the young man was still there staring in utter shock and relief. “Oh my God Y/N, I am so sorry.” He called out to you. You smiled at him and finally let go of the breath you didn’t know you were holding. “It’s fine Scout!” It was at this moment where Engie finally shook himself out of the trance he was in. Putting you down he glared up at the young man on the roof. “Now what in sam hill did ya think would happen boy?! Rough housin on a roof?! Ya got me pitchin a hissy fit now boy!” The texan started scolding Scout about how dangerous it was for you. Throughout the whole scolding Scout kept apologising. It was going back and forth until you placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m fine Engie, you can let it go. He won’t do it again. Right Scout?” The boy nodded his head with a reassuring smile. Dell sighed and nodded going back to his truck to get his materials. You were hanging out with Pyro, while Engineer was in the background fixing a broken AC.  ”Mhm! hmmh, mphm.” They pyromaniac muffled out as he hugged his unicorn plushie in one arm while the other held a lighter. You smiled at him and nodded absent mindedly.  ”That’s nice Pyro.” The truth was you didn’t understand him much. But you just kept playing along to make him not feel alone. The childish pyro tapped both of his feet excitedly as he lit his lighter. The illuminating embers from the lighter putting a hypnotizing spell on you. It was understandable on why Pyro liked fires, they were pretty to look at. The blaze loving mercenary noticed your dazed look. He glanced at his lighter for a few moments before turning it off and handing it to you. ”Hm! mph mm!” He cheered while holding out his unlit lighter to you. Not hesitating, you happily took the lighter gently from his hand. Your eyes studied the small silver lighter box. To be frank you haven’t used one before. Since you never did smoke or light fires. Tilting your head you flipped the lid and stared at the nozzle where the fire came out. ”Huh, how does it work?” You muttered to yourself while Pyro seemed ecstatic that someone was interested in his lighter. “Mhm hm mh.” Pyro muffled his explanation and made a motion with his hand on how to start the lighter. Finally understanding what to do you gave him a beaming smile before placing your thumb on the button. However your left hand was too close to the nozzle when you lit it, causing the fire to burn you.  ”AGH!” You yelled out dropping the lighter to the ground. Pyro jumped up worried for you. Engineer who heard your cries rushed over to you, leaving the broken AC alone. ”Y/N! What happened?” He asked kneeling down to you. Pyro was upset and made muffled cries. Engie saw your burnt hand and pieced the situation together. The texan sighed and turned to Pyro. Patting his shoulder he handed Pyro his lighter. ”Cmon let’s get ya ta medic.” He spoke more concerned for you first. He will explain to Pyro later. It wasn’t like Pyro purposely hurt you anyways. Taking you to the Med Bay, Engie took glances at your burnt hand. Respiring out feeling his gaze, you decided to speak up. ”You’re staring, also i’m fine. Not as bad as other wounds.” You tried reassuring him. Now it was Engineer’s turn to sigh, he rubbed his face to relieve his tension. ”Y/N yer just not careful. Ah understand small injuries but what bout battle? Yer gonna get more serious injuries.”  Grasping your burnt hand you noticed the stressed look of the texan. ”You don’t have to worry about me Engie. I can take care of my own problems yknow? Don’t need to stress out.” Dell’s face contorted into profound thought. It was true that he didn’t need to take care of our problems. But it was like an instinct to tend to your hurt self. If he ever where to leave you hurt, he would feel a pit in his stomach and that feeling would amplify unless he did something. His thought process was cut short when they finally reached Med Bay. The visit wasn’t long since Medic used his MediGun. After thanking the doctor the two of you walked back to Pyro. ”Look ah’m sorry fer hoverin over ya a lot. But ah just can’t stand seein ya hurt.” Engie explained taking off his helmet and fidgeting with it. The action was almost amusing to you since he always had a coy look whenever he took it off. ”I understand, I’ll try not to get hurt Engie. Thanks for caring.” The engineer seemed dumbfounded at you. For once you actually listened to his mother hen rants. He gave you a broad smile and patted your back. “Well then, let’s go comfort pahro. Poor fella outta be in tears still.” You nodded your head with your own small smile. “Don’t want him to think i’m still hurt.”

[beyondconfessor]

Truth or Lie

Rating: Explicit

Pairing: Missy/Reader

Summary: “Show. Me,” Missy repeated, a sharp command to her voice that shot down your spine. 

N.B.: Voyeurism/Exhibitionism, masturbation/auto-fisting. Mentions of getting turned on by the idea of a pretty evil woman killing you (look, I know who I am and this is purely self-indulgent)

The Doctor didn’t allow you in the vault. In fact, he’d been quite explicit about the fact that you were not, under any circumstances to enter without him present.

Which was fine. Mostly fine. It’d been fine up until Missy had somewhat joined on a mission and apparently spent the entire time flirting with you. It’d been entirely surprising, and if the Doctor hadn’t been watching with high disapproval on his face, you might have indulged in the flirtation back.

As it was, you couldn’t.

So…you snuck into the vault, where Missy had returned to her place, behind the lovely barrier, and while the Doctor was away, his companion could play.

One trip, mostly filled with light conversation, a curiosity really to understand the so-called monster in the vault, turned to two visits, then three and then four, with flirtation and banter running between you. Missy would give a sharp response, somewhere between a threat and a flirt, and you would smirk, and whisper about promises.

“I could kill you.”

“I know.”

“Right now, I could escape.”

“I know.” And then you smirked her. “And how would you kill me?”

“Strangulation,” she said as if she’d thought about it. “You deserve something personal.”

It was the first time the flirting had paused from you. There was no witty banter, no retort or response, only the image of her fingers around your throat as she hushed your attempts to fight back.

You could imagine her blue eyes staring deep into your own eyes, her mouth parted, tongue behind her teeth as she grinned wide and bright, watching the life drain from you. Crooning how good you were being.

It should frighten you. It should terrify you. And maybe it did, but it also a struck a deep part, low in your belly as you imagine her straddling your waist, pinning you to the ground with her knees pressing against your shoulders.

“Oh,” Missy laughed. “You’d like that wouldn’t you, poppet?”

It was enough to tear your thoughts away from the image and give a wave of guilt as you were reminded that your survival instinct was entirely rubbish against the hot evil lady before you. Cheeks turning red, you looked away, hating how the embarrassed washed over your face and down your neck, giving away your desire as plainly as if you’d spoken it.

“There’s no shame in it, you know.” You looked up. She was sitting on the piano, legs swinging idly before she stopped, and stared. “I could even make it pleasant.”

You cleared your throat and looked away. “I don’t doubt that.”

“Mm. I could hypnotise you first, have you do all sorts of naughty things for me before I did it, and then you wouldn’t even struggle. But I would like it if you struggled.”

The room felt hot, and you gasped in a breath, thinking about leaving to sort the situation out yourself before it became too much.

“In fact,” Missy said. “I could hypnotise you right now.” There was a sweet way she turned her voice as if she was promising a Christmas present. If you’re very good, I’ll hypnotise you and then suffocate the air from your lungs.

Honestly, it was terrifying how easy you would allow her to destroy you.

“I need to leave,” you said thickly. Making a move to exit the room.

“Poppet,” she called, and you stopped, turning over your shoulder to catch her out of the corner of your eyes. “If you get something for me, I’ll give you a present.”

“What present?”

She only stared at you, a knowing smile on her face. She didn’t needle to dangle the carrot in front of you. The very promise of it was enough.

“Tell the Doctor to invite me out again. Convince him that I’m trying, and if you do…” she trailed off and laughed.

It was enough.

You spoke to the Doctor, unsubtle in your attempts and yet earnest with your intention. Keeping her locked in the vault didn’t allow her to prove anything. If he wanted her to help, truly help, he should be trying to encourage through actions in shorter, safer walks, so to speak. Rehabilitation was about trust, after all, and it needed to go both ways.

He relented. Advising that he’d allow her to leave the vault on brief trips to places where limited havoc could be reached, to begin with.

And then she stepped onto the TARDIS, her eyes swung to yours briefly, before glancing away. You travelled to distant moons, where museums were held. You travelled to an empty space ship, where she and the Doctor uncovered an ancient murder as you and Bill stood around awkwardly, listening to them bicker. You saw a planet burn as its sun went supernova.

There was a trip after trip, and each time, Missy would glance you, but never speak directly to you, monologuing to allow anyone to comment.

It left you to wonder what the present was.

Wondering if it was just the fact that she didn’t kill you. That should have been enough. Bill certainly thought it was, convinced that Missy might turn at any moment as she made snide comments to an agreeing Nardole.

But your eyes followed Missy, and each time watched as, after your trip, the Doctor would return her to the vault where she would go without a fight, and the Doctor would watch her suspiciously.

On one such occasion, he made a comment to the effect that he knew Missy was up to something, had something planned, but couldn’t quite work out what it was.

“Or she’s just trying to be good,” you told him. “Isn’t that what you want from her? To go and do these trips and not create mischief.”

“She got into a fight with the Derinenium Vendors,” he pointed out. “By haggling.”

“They were asking a bit much,” you countered, but the Doctor wasn’t listening anymore, returning to his thoughts about how Missy was planning something, he just needed to work out what it was before she could put it in action.

At night, you would lie in bed and think about Missy’s hands around your throat. And then you’d wonder about where her else hands could touch.

And then, having enough of the trips, the looming silence between you and the nights alone in your bed stroking yourself raw with thoughts of her, you made your way back to the vault, like you did so long ago.

The piano music stopped at you entered, and although she didn’t turn around, you knew that she was aware it was you.

The vault doors shut and her head slowly turned to face you, eyes alight. “Well look who finally came to collect her present.”

“And what’s my present?” you asked.

“Hmm. Well, I’ll tell you, but first, you have to play a game.”

“What game?” you asked.

“Just a small game,” she shrugged. “I promise it won’t end in death, so as long as you don’t make me cross.” She grinned at the end, eyes flashing to let you know that she wasn’t entirely joking.

“Fine,” you agreed. “I’ll play a game.”

“Good girl.” You squirmed at the comment and watched her grin widen. “Now, the rules are straightforward. I’m going to say a statement, and you’re going to respond with truth or lie. You have to be honest, though, because I’ll know if you’re trying to deceive me.”

You nodded, not quite sure where she what she was getting, but there was the sense that she was setting up a prank you weren’t quite in on, and a low, squeezing feeling filled your belly.

“You joined the Doctor after egghead, but before the other one.”

The other one being Bill, you presumed. “Truth.”

She smiled. “You think the Doctor is quite clever but rather annoying at times.”

“Truth.”

“You fancy yourself more clever than other humans.”

“Lie.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she looked away, adjusting her skirts on the piano seat. “You like the danger of the little trips.”

“Truth,” you said. It was hardly a lie that you weren’t some sort of adrenaline junkie. There was no way you would stay with the Doctor if it weren’t for the thrill of running from and towards danger in equal merits.

“You masturbate about me nightly.”

Your breath was pulled at that moment, eyes staring at Missy’s as you realised her angle all along was to humiliate you. She hadn’t quite managed to lull you into a false sense of security, but you had presumed that she would be trying to get you angry, confront some deep dark, selfish part of yourself. Not…admit to that.

“Answer up,” Missy sighed, rolling her eyes. “Truth or lie, you have to respond.”

“Truth,” you said.

Missy blinked and seemed to grow tall in her seat, back straightening as she laughed, delighted by your response. “How many times?” she asked.

“That’s a question, not a statement,” you said, to lead her back on topic.

“Bored of the game now, answer my question––how many times?” You watched her lean forward on the piano seat, eyes bright with a knowing smirk on her lips.

“Two, sometimes three times a night,” you admit. “Is this the whole point of the game?”

“Show me.”

“What?”

“Show. Me,” Missy repeated, a sharp command to her voice that shot down your spine. And then she ended it with a grin. It was hungry, it was shark-like, but worst of all, it was the grin of a woman who knew she was going to win.

“Here?”

“Well you can hardly do it in the TARDIS on my next trip––unless you like spectators of course.”

You shivered at the mention and then bit your lip, looking to the vault door. The Doctor was in a class. He’d be busy for another hour at least. And yet, you couldn’t help but think that this was a bad idea, terrible really.

It didn’t stop you from turning back to Missy. “Okay,” you agreed. And then you were unbuckling your belt, before undoing your jeans, watching with heated cheeks as Missy leant back against the piano. Her expression remained neutral as you slid down the denim, then the cotton underwear, feeling your ass press against the leather armchair.

You looked away, sliding down on the edge of the armchair as you stroked between your thighs––finding yourself already slick and swollen.

“Uh-uh, this is for me,” Missy said, “I want eye-contact.”

You turned your eyes on hers, holding the bright blue as Missy rose from the piano and came to step on the very edge of the podium, staring down at you.

“Good girl,” she crooned. “Now open your legs wider for Mummy.”

“Oh God,” you hissed, but obey nonetheless. Your legs were wide open, fingers stroking over the sex and another hand circled your clit. You wanted to look away, but Missy’s expression shifted into that of hunger and you couldn’t.

“Two, three times a night for little old me?” she asked.

You nodded, biting down on your lip as a moan caught in your throat.

“And do you think about me touching you right there?” she asked, pointing at your cunt. “Or do you think about touching me?”

“Yes,” you gasped.

She tilted her head, her eyes fascinated. You couldn’t tell if she was flattered or just curious by the whole thing.

“Don’t just stroke, finger yourself too. I want to see how much you can take.”

And so you obeyed. You slid two fingers in, curling inside as your other hand continued to stroke and circle your clit, then you slid in a third, and then a fourth. The angle was awkward, but the feeling of it filling you up at your stared at Missy’s enraptured attention was enough.

“May I––“

“Not yet,” she said. And she tilted her head, watching you buck and thrust against your fingers. “Thumb in too.”

“I can’t––“

“Won’t. Try it. For me.”

The angle was awkward, but you pressed your thumb to your entrance, feeling your cunt ache at the pressure. Four fingers were easy enough, but the thumb was a lot.

You pressed deeper, squirming in the seat, finger pausing on your clit and hear her tut, “don’t stop, you can do fit it in.”

Pressing the thumb deeper, you whined, but she was right, it did fit. It could fit.

“Good girl, you can finish now if you like.”

You squeezed around the fingers, and with the permission from Missy, her smile completely feral, it was enough to convulse suddenly on the armchair. Your heels dug into the ground as you came around your fist with a sudden gush. The climax spilt across your wrist and thighs, down the armchair as you whimpered at the release.

Missy laughed. “Ohh, you are fun,” she said. “Hmm, but enough now.”

You pulled your fingers out, whimpering at the aching, hollow feeling left behind. You paused, catching your breath. And then, looking away from Missy, you were pulling up the cotton underwear, the jeans, and buckling up your belt again.

You felt wet and sticky, and there was nothing immediately around you to clean the mess on your hand. Awkwardly, you stood up and shivered, intimately aware of what you’d just done as Missy sat back on the piano.

“Doctor will be here soon,” she said. “Best to run off and clean up before he realises what’s happened.”

You opened your mouth to say something, but she blinked at you, not unlike a cat wondering while you were standing before it, and the words died away. You gave a small nod and went to leave.

“Oh, and next time, bring something to play with. Maybe that blue dildo you’re so fond of,” she said

You paused, wondering how she even knew of it, before deciding that Missy had likely gone through your belonging on the TARDIS. “Okay,” you agreed because your underwear was wet, and your hand smelt of your cunt and she was smiling at you like the cat that got the canary.

And then she swung around on the piano seat, and placed her hands on the keys, apparently ignoring you now as she began to play a familiar tune.

You left the fault, ensuring it was shut behind you and wondered how you were going to take before you revisited her.

(It was a week).

[stabletwooriginals]

CHAPTER FOUR: Perspective

LittlePip had the bright idea of looting a building she is way too underleveled for. That's not really a Gamer Joke, as FoE really does seem to take a lot of rules and mechanics from the Fallout games. But it's also funny.

Her opponents are the classic brain-bots we know from the games, made more horrifying with the simple detail of sounding like children. "Come on out. We only want to kill you for trespassing!" also reminds me of the turrets in Portal.

This is also where we get our first reference of the zebras as the enemy, via the intercom playing an ancient, automated message. Oh, and the first mention of the Minstry of Technology too!

The Mr. Handy equivalent of a plasma weapon is said to look like a unicorn's horn. That's cool.

While trying to escape on collapsing catwalks we get the first instance of self-levitation! That's a creative use of the canonical ability unicorns in the show possess. I'm not even sure if a unicorn levitaed *another* pony in season 1. But I think they never levitated themselves? This also gave me flashbacks (or rather flashforwards) to all the cool stuff LittlePip can do later with her levitation, I'm excited to get there.

 Oh fuck me with Celestia's forehooves!

The first instance of a PipSwear! Now, I love them. They are iconic. But heck, gosh, darn it if they don't sound awkward when said out loud. Which kinda makes them not work as swears, in my opinion. But for me, they are dumb fun and sometimes that's enough. Her remark that she picked these exploitives up from the raiders is a nice touch. That she keeps them up and builds on them is all her, though.

IRONSHOD FIREARMS How do you like *them* apples?   I didn't get it.

So, I am not a native English speaker. I know this saying, but I was curious where it comes from. *Apparently* that's not really known, but according to this article the phrase was used like this in 1895 already. However, it was also used to refer to anti-tank granades in World War I, for their apple-like appearence. Since granades also look like apples in FoE, I will take the risk and say that I think I do get Ironshod Firearms' slogan.

The anti zebra propaganda found in the factory overmare office is both creative and glossed over. The slogan ("Better Wiped than Striped! Join the Equestrian Forces Today!") is heavily reminicient of the German rhymes of similiar racist nature from the world wars. And the depiction of the zebras as some dark creatures with evil glowing eyes is over the top, but only a reread might reveal this as the neon sign it is, as the zebras have not yet been introduced as the enemy force properly.

In the overmares office Littlepip finds a ton of useful items, from spark batteries , a StealthBuck and gum (which could be the first instance of MintAls, altough not called such, as LittlePip doesn’t know them yet (and if they aren’t, she finds some later in this chapter in an abandoned camp under a bridge), to the one, the only: little macintosh. This revolver will become LittlePips iconic weapon that she keeps until the very end of the story. Presumably made for or at least by Applejack, so this also gives Littlepip a neat little tie to one of the original shows main characters.

Hacking the terminal LittlePip discovers that she could have opened the safe she picked with a bobby pin remotely from there. Intentionally or not, this is a dig at Fallout 3′s design philosophy of giving you several ways to open locks, making only learning one of them enough, while skilled characters are left feeling a bit overqualified.

Leaving Ironshod Firearms, LittlePip admits to having given up on finding Velvet for now and being set on just exploring the world instead. Again, very Fallout 3 in my book.

Past a playground that became a graveyard for little ponies (dark!), she finds a “Sparkle~Cola” vending machine. This becomes LittlePips favorite drink and when I first read it, I was super happy about that for some reason. The book keeps mentioning how she sipps on carroty cola sometimes and every time I remember thinking it was a fun detail. I have no idea why.

Resting on a bench closeby we get a description of this poster:

(Art by Droakir - DeviantArt)

First mention of the Ministry of Morale, first instance of Pinkie Pie and a really fun description of how her graying mane makes it look like a candy cane. Like the poster on the zebras, this is also great, classic propaganda writing. Obviously it is a reference to the episode Green Isn’t Your Color, but while I feel that it is referencing some real life propaganda, I do not know a specific one.

Watcher suddenly is back, helpfully explaining that the MoM is “another well-meaning idea that was so much better on scroll.” What a fitting description of pre-war politics in FoE.

Getting jumped makes LittlePip call back to the slaver, that complained about sprite-bots sneaking up on ponies. If I recall correctly this will be one of the biggest sources of fun in FoE: Callbacks like this, that help paint the world in your mind by connecting the dots for you. Im certain some find this aspect annoying, as they rather enjoy doing that work themselves, but as a casual reader (of a very long story) I always welcomed it. I will also stop pointing them out from here on, unless they strike me remarkable in other ways.

A quick reminder of the raider armor she is wearing and some foreshadowing how it makes her look like “a nightmare pony”, before Watcher offers that she needs to find her virtue. This will be as important as in the original show, but also almost take LittlePip until the end of the story to really figure it out. Right now, she doesn’t quite believe him and his connection to the sprite-bot drops. Now we get a different voice from the radio the sprite-bots play, when Watcher is not in control of them. Similiar to President Eden of the Enclave in Fallout 3. This however, is Red-Eye, altough not named yet, giving a motivational speech about the posibility of rebuilding Equestria. Naturally, this confuses LittlePip even further, having seen no trace of any leaders or reconstruction efforts.

Well, technically she has seen slavers, so, unbeknownst to her, she actually has seen a part of Red-Eyes plan.

But it gives her the idea to look for settlements and actually finds one in the distance. A undamaged looking caravan is moving away from it, all in all a great disovery.

While a fun and memorable scene in itself, what follows is meant to reflect a corner stone of LittlePips character. As she approaches the settlement she gets mistaken for a raider by her barding and shot at. Remembering the caravan she collects her strength and stands up to her agressor, threatening to kill them if they attack the others. This reveals the misunderstanding -- her attacker thought she was endangering the caravan -- and LittlePip exits the chapter loosing consiousness from her insuries.

Footnote: Level Up. New Perk: Egghead -- You will add +2 skill points each time you gain a new experience level.

What a chapter! While it might feel like not much happened, so many pivital and iconic elements were introduced here. Even if a lot weren’t named yet. Like Calamity! It does feel weird that LittlePip just admits on giving up on Velvet like that, though. On my first read I didn’t mind, because I just enjoyed how similiar the experience felt to playing Fallout 3, which I liked more than any other entry at the time. Now it seems odd, but there are a lot of other things to focus on and enjoy in this and the coming chapters.

[ducktracy]

178. i wanna be a sailor (1937)

release date: september 25th, 1937

series: merrie melodies

director: tex avery

starring: robert winkler (peter parrot), elvia allman (mother parrot), mel blanc (duck), berneice hansell (patrick parrot, patricia parrot), billy bletcher (father parrot)

though porky was established as a star by this point, his stardom was a lonely one indeed. gabby goat had come and gone as a failed experiment, petunia only had a handful of shorts left, and daffy wouldn’t be established as a sidekick until a year or two later. aside from the pig himself, warner bros. didn’t have a vast repertoire of characters to boast. but that didn’t stop them anyway.

perhaps “boast” is a bit too hyperbolic, but there’s a rather fascinating trend in the late ‘30’s of warner bros. advertising characters who ranged from minuscule to down right obscure. porky, petunia, gabby, and the early prototype of daffy are all reasonable characters to tote, but it got to the point where one-off characters such as petunia’s dog fluffnums, “sammy sparrow”, and peter parrot where toted around as well. this marks the debut of peter parrot who, despite only starring in this short, found his way onto ice cream packaging, publicity sheets, and even wall hangers.

so, what’s all the hubbub with this little parrot? the short, an unofficial sequel to i love to singa, chronicles peter’s wishes to follow in his footsteps and become a sailor, despite his mother’s pleas against him. peter sets off for shore anyhow, but quickly realizes that it isn’t a captain‘s life for him.

the short begins with mama parrot (voiced by the great elvia allman) teaching her children how to talk. specifically, how to cite the ever-appropriate “polly want a cracker.” berneice hansell voices the first two siblings, patrick and patricia, who both fumble over the sentence in cute, giggly, slow voices. avery loved to put hansell’s squeaky voice to use, specifically to test our patience to see how annoying and how long he could drag it out. both children manage to spit out the magic words, much to the approval of mama. the underscore of “we’re working our way through college” is a nice touch--one of my favorites!

in the averyverse, it’s common knowledge that the third attempt at a gag results in a mix-up, and here is no exception. mama drills our star, peter, (named patrick on his various mediums of advertisement) but to no avail. instead, he resists, robert winkler (who was one of the voices for scrappy over at the columbia studio) providing his vocals as he grovels “i don’t wanna cracker, see? i wanna be a sailor like me pop, see?”

pan over to reveal a framed portrait of dear old dad, clad in a sailor suit, bulging popeye arms and all. mama does not agree, and is quick to launch into a rant. “huh. like your pop! why, that sea-bearin’ homewrecker, that high-seas hitchhiker... a fine father he’s been, the sea-goin’ sob!” her rant segues into a flashback sequence, animated by the great irv spence. the layout and background of the newly-weds’ new abode in the canary islands is very pretty indeed, great contrast with the blues and the yellows of the moon/light from inside.

elvia allman’s deliveries are great as always--she doesn’t get nearly the same amount of buzz as the other female stars of warner bros. such as berneice hansell, sara berner, bea benaderet, and of course june foray. the fond trip down memory lane includes warm memories of the new mother feeding her infants, the atmosphere warm... and then we pan over to the father, allman’s narration now acidic and vitriolic as she hurls insults in conjunction with the animation--the “rum-soaked old seagull” is surrounded by a wall of empty bottles, pouring himself a hearty dosage of shots. 

irv spence’s animation of the father’s lumbering, drunken exit out of the house is great--i especially love the extra details such as the swirls and stars. just as allman mentions the father’s venture to hawaii (on account that he could never stay in one place), we get a moment of avery genius as pa shoves his face back in the door to interrupt the narration (voiced by billy bletcher): “no, ma, it was catalina!” allman’s bite that was so harsh earlier is completely absent as she corrects herself. “oh... oh, yes. set sail for catalina.”  

another great avery gag that would be reused in the smash hit red hot riding hood, another avery piece: ma fondly remembers how she would “burn a little light in the window.” cue a giant spotlight beaming out the window, sweeping the entire island. 

mama parrot tearfully ends her lecture, asking her son “now you don’t wanna be a sailor, do you?” wonderful comedic timing as a tearful, mournful peter wipes his eyes. after a few seconds of sniveling, he responds with a warbled “...yes!” 

“WHAAAAT!?” so taken aback by her son’s reaction, mama parrot faints, literally hanging by her toes from the bird cage as she dangles unconscious. thus provides the perfect escape for peter, who opts to take matters into his own hands. cue the similarities to i love to singa: estranged bird children leave their over-protective parents in order to pursue their dreams. 

there’s a wonderfully smooth transition between multi-plane pans here: close-up to peter haughtily stalking off, footsteps tinkering to the beat. the surroundings of his household melt away to reveal a pan of the outside, the momentum never halting, no breaks in the walk-cycle, just perfectly timed. VERY impressive! i’m always a fan of the multi-plane pans to begin with, but this in particular is very well executed. in the midst of peter’s angsty stewing, he bumps right into a spare barrel. suddenly, an idea hatches, and he lifts the barrel (cartoon physics!) as we fade out. 

fade back in to another multi-plane pan, this time of a pond. i love the lush, painterly look of the backgrounds in the late ‘30′s and early ‘40′s--daffy duck and egghead in particular has some divine color styling. this pan reminds me quite a bit of the backgrounds in that one, as we’ll explore relatively soon (8 more to go!)

peter has successfully crafted a makeshift ship out of his barrel, the perfect size for such a pint-sized parrot. cue the introduction of the archetypal annoying blabbermouth--warner bros. loved their blabbermouth characters. dizzy duck, a blabbermouth facsimile to a certain disney-owned duck, would be porky’s sidekick for a whopping two cartoons. friz freleng would play around with the trope in his little blabbermouse, and even chuck jones would refine his sweet, mellow character sniffles into a bonafide chatterbox. 

here, it’s a little yellow duck (who looks awfully similar to daffy’s next appearance in daffy duck and egghead), barraging peter with a number of questions. peter is quick to shut the duck up, closing his beak as he snarls “well, see, i’m buildin’ a boat, see!” his explanation, reused from egghead rides again, is “because, because, because... today, i am a man!”, a take of the same line used in bar mitzvahs. while there may be a disconnect between the catchphrase and audiences today, one can at least appreciate the vocal talents ingrained in the line--specifically, the squeaky, prepubescent “i am a man!” provided by mel blanc here. little duck is eager to tag along. peter agrees, but not before clamping a spare clothespin down on the duckling’s beak to shut him up. 

cue the song sequence, which is more talk-song-y than anything. irv spence provides some nice animation as the two climb onto deck, peter shoving a mop into the curious duckling’s grip (”all aboard! c’mon, by heck! your job will be to scrub the deck!”) while the song continues, peter peels a skull and crossbones off of a spare poison bottle (how safe!), using it as a flag. the up shot of the flag being raised is nice and dynamic, even if the timing is a little bloated.

the ship has set sail. after glowing at his makeshift sail (a pair of long underwear), peter directly addresses the audience, a nice reminder that tex avery is directing the short. “this picture’s kinda like mutiny on the county, [actually titled mutiny on the bounty] dont’cha think?” he pauses for a few beats before turning back to the audience, now with a glower: "or dont’cha?”

to assert his dominance and strong masculinity, peter pulls out a stick of licorice from his pocket, tearing off a bite as a makeshift glob of tobacco. the animation of him chewing (and thusly spitting) the tobacco has a nice sense of weight to it--the push and pull is strong. he hocks it up over the side of the ship, and, like all spitting gags, the piece of “tobacco” traverses through the bottom of the water and lands perfectly in a submerged spittoon.

self-satisfied, peter now opts to scale the crow’s nest, using his beak and feet to guide him along the way (woodblocks doing a nice job of synchronizing animation and music). suddenly, he does a take to something offscreen. a storm’s a-brewin’, as indicated by the lightning that literally spells out “BAM!” as it streaks past. experimenting with typography is always refreshing to see in the shorts, especially when the words themselves form works of art. 

just as quick as he was to leave the family, peter drops his tough-guy demeanor, panicking and running around his ducky first-mate, who’s still dutifully swabbing the poop deck. peter snaps the clothespin off of the duck’s mouth, ordering him to do something. cue rambling duck: “what for? i like the rain. i like the water.” as he rambles on, borderline incomprehensibly, avery strikes again to remind us of what he’s capable as the duck interjects to the audience (in an adult voice), “ain’t i the talkingest little guy?” even better is that he wastes no time launching back into his hyperactive rant about swimming in the water and splashing around.

to make matters worse, the button flap of the long underwear sail unbuttons, rendering the sail useless. the combination of the rain, music (william tell’s “the storm”, of course), and sound effects all blend together nicely. the “ocean” currents, now forming ferocious waves, look hilariously cartoonish and not at all believable, but what’s the fun if the waves were drawn with precise accuracy?

peter wrestles with the ship’s wheel, which is out of control. his efforts are futile—he ends up twirling around the wheel. elsewhere, we get another gag that would be reused time and time again: a bucket of paint spilling and pouring back into itself due to the rocking of the ship. the timing holds on just longer than it needs to for it to warrant any laughs, though i’m sure it was much more amusing to an audience in 1937 than now, especially if you’ve seen the gag over and over again like i have.

speaking of reused gags: the blabbermouth duck is just reveling in the rain, not at all bothered by the catastrophic events unfolding. this gag is taken from one of tex’s last cartoons from his previous job, making the walter lantz oswald cartoons at universal. more specifically, his 1933 picture five and dime (about the 1:33 mark.) nevertheless, back to warner bros., the little motif of “september in the rain” adds another layer to aid in appreciating the gag. 

in an attempt to haul an anchor, peter’s plan fails: instead, half of the ship is yanked off with the anchor, sending the ship down. the little duck is beside himself, willfully diving into the current to soak up those sweet white caps. peter does not share his ecstasy, nor his courage. instead, he cries for help, crying for his mother... which, miraculously, she hears. seems he wasn’t that far off from shore after all! the extra touch of peter lowering his voice to bellow “calling all cars, calling all cars!” (also used in i love to singa) is a great little humoristic touch. 

despite her previous harshness, a mother’s love prevails, and mama parrot takes off after her son. cue another great joke, one that’d probably be even more uproarious during a time when the song was popular: mama dashes through the rain, reassuring her son “I’M COMIN’! I’M COMIN’!” and, in an instant, she drops her panic to sing a few lines of "old black joe” to the audience. wonderful timing--tex’s fourth wall breaks in this one are definitely satisfying. 

peter continues to cry for help, even in the tune of “shave and a haircut” at one point, much to the disgust and contempt of the duck, who goes as far as to give him a black eye. clearly, he doesn’t think highly of his captain. maybe this is more like mutiny on the bounty than we thought! 

and, with that, the duck easily tosses peter ashore, snarling “ya big sissy!” before frolicking in the rain once more. while some of the ship scenes dragged in momentum, tex does create a strong suspension of disbelief: remember, they were in a pond, not a treacherous ocean!

mama reunites with her baby boy, swaddling him and cooing all the way. “now... you don’t want to be a sailor, do you?” if you believe we’re about to learn some sort of moral, remember what you’re watching here. peter sniffles, wiping his eyes, giving a few sobs before answering in a direct parallel to the beginning, “...yeeeeees!”

it’s two iris out gags in a row for tex. like the beginning, mama shrieks another “WHAAAAAT!?” and passes out from the shock, iris closing in on her. just then, the iris widens back up as mama pulls herself up to face the audience. she heaves a sigh, her tone surprisingly gentle as she asks “now what would you do with a child like that?” iris out for good.

thus puts an end to tex’s 1937 dry spell. tex was no stranger to the vices of burnout (been there!), and i suspect he may have suffered a bit of burnout throughout mid-1937, or, at the very least, have been at a crossroads in terms of where to go and who to please. he had some great momentum going—porky’s duck hunt would, of course, become monumental in animation significance, birthing daffy and a whole genre of characters with it (and you could argue it’s why we have bugs, too). and, despite the nastiness of the short (which is inexcusable), viewing the technicalities, uncle tom’s bungalow was rife with energy and wit as well. but, for awhile after, tex floundered: shorts like a sunbonnet blue completely lack the avery wit and charm. egghead rides again was enjoyable, porky’s garden tolerable, but none carried the momentum that these shorts once had. thankfully, this dry spell comes to an end after this short.

so, moving on: this is a short i’m neutral on. it still lacks the fervor and conviction of previous tex entries, but it isn’t dismal. it has some bits of greatness that could constitute a watch: elvia allman does a wonderful job as the mother—the “burning a light in the window” gag with the giant spotlight was great, as were the various fourth wall breaks. those in itself constitute a watch, but other than that, this short remains largely unremarkable, at least to me. some of the scenes drag in pacing, but that’s an easy verdict to make when you constantly compare to the speed of forthcoming avery cartoons (especially at mgm), where you miss an entire gag if you blink.

ultimately, i think you could go either way. watch it if you’re more devoted to animation like i am, or at least snoop around for some of the high points. however, you won’t be missing too much if you skip it for now. thankfully, better cartoons are ahead!

link! (pardon the title, it’s fake, but the print is good enough quality.)

[grantyort]

Arrival

(Three hours later, at a bus depot just outside of Seattle. The bus has pulled in. The bus driver exits the vehicle and the boys are forced to disembark.)

Daniel: (yawning) Man that was a good nap! You okay Chris? You don’t look so hot.

Chris: I’m fine. Just a little queasy, that’s all.

Daniel: Well if you need to barf there’s a trashcan right over there.

Chris: (sarcastically) Thanks.

(Chris and Daniel examine their surroundings and notice that something is not quite right. Daniel checks his phone and realizes that they’re not in Seattle. They approach the bus driver.)

Chris: Excuse me, sir. Where are we exactly?

Driver: About five miles outside the city. Why? Ya lost or something?

Daniel: Wait weren’t you supposed to take us to Seattle?

Driver: Nope. Routes changed last week. This is my last stop kid. The bus to Seattle will be here in the morning.

Daniel: B-but-

Driver: Sorry, I don’t make up the routes. If you got a problem, take it up with head office.

Chris: Please sir-

Driver: Look. I’m already behind schedule, and if I’m late again, the missus will kill me. Hope you two got a place to stay for the night ‘cause It’s gonna get chilly.

(The bus driver squints in the dark)

Driver: Wait a sec… how old are you?

Daniel: 

A: We’re 13.

B: I’m almost 18!

B:

Driver: (snorts) Kid, if you’re 18 then I’m 25! 

Driver: Anyway, kids your age shouldn’t be out here by yourselves, especially at this time of night. Who knows what kind of creeps are lurking out there in the dark!

Chris: Sir, it’s really no problem-

Driver: Do your parents know you’re out here? Maybe I should give them a call-

Daniel: -Actually, my brother’s coming to pick us up. He goes to college at U.W. We’re just visiting him for the weekend.

Driver: Oh is that so? My kid goes to that school. She’s majoring in political science, can you believe that? Fat load of good that’ll do her! It’s costing me a fortune to put that girl through college and for what? So some snobby professors can brainwash her with all the talk of “equity” and the importance of welfare? Damn socialist eggheads! I don’t work myself to the bone every day just so some bum could waltz across the border and live off of my tax dollars!

Daniel: (frowning) Ummm…

Driver: Oh sorry. Didn’t mean any offense. I’m sure your parents worked very hard to get here. Well, look at the time, now I’m really gonna be late. You kids stay outta trouble. I better not get any Amber Alerts about you on the way home!

Chris: Okay, sir. Bye! Have a good night!

Daniel: See ya!

(The driver gets back in the bus and drives away)

Daniel: Phew that was a close one, right Chris?

(If Daniel claimed to be eighteen earlier)

Chris: I still can’t believe you tried to convince him you were eighteen. Next time at least make your voice a bit deeper before you lie like that.

Daniel: What like yours? Nah! Besides, it wasn’t technically a lie because I am almost “a teen”, get it? 

(Daniel nudges Chris, his mouth agape. Chris rolls his eyes.)

Chris: Wait... when you said Sean was coming to pick us up. That was just a lie to get the that guy off our backs, right?

Daniel: Uh… y-yeah totally! I gotta hit the head, been holding it in for an hour. Wanna come with?

Chris: That’s okay. I went before we left.

Daniel: Suit yourself. Be back in a bit!

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[simplyfandomish]

Sister, Sister (2/_)

Older Sister! Reader x Older! Gilbert Blythe

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 ||

“Can you please sit? You’re going to wear a hole in the rug.” 

The Shirley-Cuthbert was pacing on Aunt Jo’s expensive Persian rug. Her mind and her heart a giant jumble of mixed emotions and conflicted thoughts. 

Anne paused. She thought for a moment, huffed, and then plopped herself on the couch across from (Y/n). “I’m sitting down because my mind is exhausted. Not because you told me too.” Anne huffed. 

Aunt Josephine and Diana left the redheads to discuss their family turmoil. The Barry’s had decided to sit in the dining room and catch up with one another as the sisters occupied the parlor. They would give the Shirley’s their privacy, but close enough in case both needed to step in. 

(Y/n) spoke up. “Why do you think I abandoned you, Anne? And don’t make up any colorful stories. I want the truth.” Anne crossed her arms and sunk into the green velvet cushion. “But you did anyway.” She refused to look at her sister. 

“My plans were to go back and adopt you. I needed one more paycheck and I was going to hop onto the ferry to get you.” 

Anne leaped to her feet. “Please don’t fib to me, (Y/n)! You were content with your job at the pub. Besides, I already have been adopted! So your plans don’t even matter anymore! I happily live with the Cuthberts of Green Gables. With Princess Cordelia a-and the Snow Queen! I’m happy!”

(Y/n) felt cold water run down her back. “Y-You’re adopted? Since when have you been adopted??”

Anne wiped her nose on her sleeve. “For a few months now! You’ve known if you read my letters - which this clearly proves you haven’t. Therefore you don’t care!”

(Y/n) leaped to her feet. “Now hold on for a moment. I received a letter that said you returned to the asylum after working for Mrs. Hammond and that you were still waiting for me to return!”

Anne furrowed her brows. “I did return after working for the Hammond’s but then I was called by the Cuthberts. But I wrote to you immediately after I left the asylum and arrived at Green Gables.”

(Y/n) pursed her lips, “This is my first time hearing about Green Gables or the Cuthberts. The very last letter I got from you was a few weeks ago…addressed from the asylum.”

“And I got mine from you saying that you were settling down in Nova Scotia.”

“I’ve been on the island for almost a year...” 

The pieces to this puzzle were slowly starting to click together and the Shirley’s were becoming increasingly angry at the conclusion. 

“Those blasted nurses were tricking us! They intercepted our letters!” 

“How utterly cruel! I knew they were unpleasant people, but this just makes them even more horrendous!”

Red hair ignited to a brighter color as their tempers flared. 

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! Especially a redhead!” Anne quoted with her fists in the air. 

(Y/n) nodded and barged out of the parlor. “Make that TWO redheads!”

Aunt Josephine and Diana barged onto the parlor once they heard raised voices. They rested their hands over their hearts when their eyes rested on the pink faces of the angered females. “Good heavens! What is happening?”

(Y/n) pushed past the Barry’s and stomped towards the coat hanger. She ripped her jacket from the brass hanger, a hole torn in the sleeve snagged on a hanger and tore open wider. Only feuling (Y/n)’s anger. “I have every right to hop onto a ferry and pummel their ugly faces in. Maybe this time I will burn down the garden!” She proclaimed and knotted the sash of her jacket tightly around her torso. (Y/n) marched towards the large doors with Anne on her tail. 

Aunt Josephine and her butler rushed towards the fuming redheads. “Now, now, let’s all keep a calm head, ladies. It’s dark and cold out to travel anywhere and the ferry is closed for the night.”

“Then I’ll wait for the earliest morning launch!” (Y/n) proclaimed. 

The butler scrambled in front of (Y/n) and blocked her exit. “Out of my way egghead. I’ve got some teeth to knock in!”

“That’s enough!” Aunt Josephine banged the end of her cane on the floor. “I don’t mind the temper of a redhead, but when they insult my staff is where I draw the line. You need to take a breath and think rationally. I would hate for my neighbors to witness a cursing woman leave my abode.” She shook her head, “Be utterly dreadful towards my reputation. Now let’s all gather back into the parlor and calm down.” 

(Y/n)’s temper extinguished as the old woman spoke in a soft, but firm tone. She knew never to step up against an elder woman with a wooden walking stick and a tongue like silver. 

(Y/n) huffed and tugged off her pea coat. The butler took her dark jacket and hung it back up on the hanger. “Sorry about the name-calling.” She huffed under her breath. 

Tempers and apologizes were the bane of a redhead’s existence. (And in Anne’s case - the red hair itself). 

Egghead nodded at the apology. 

“Bertram, see how much longer till dinner is ready. A warm meal will calm things over.”

The butler nodded once again and rushed off towards the kitchen. 

“So it was the asylum nurses that has caused such a calamity.” Aunt Josephine clicked her tongue as she stabbed her sliced piece of chicken. “Rotten people. The lot of them. I should write a strongly worded letter to the higher-ups about this. Get all those involved fired.” She shoved the food into her mouth. Her teeth clacked against the metal. 

“But then the entire asylum would have no staff to run it.” (Y/n) commented. She shook her head, “And then all those kids wouldn’t have a safe place to stay. It’s not home, but it’s still a roof with bed. Although, the food sucked.” (Y/n) cut her vegetables with more aggression than necessary. 

“ ‘Was disgraceful’. Not ‘sucked’. Improper language for a young woman.” Aunt Josephine couldn’t help but correct.

(Y/n) rolled her eyes.

Anne bowed her head, “I’ve always hated that place.” All attention was towards the Cuthbert, but her blue eyes refused to tear away from her plate. “After you became of age, the other girls didn’t hesitate to tease me. It was utterly abhorrent.”

The mood in the dining room shifted, but Aunt Josephine had quite enough of the somber mood. “That’s enough of this grim atmosphere. We’re all having a lovely dinner with lovely company. Any more of this gloomy attitude and all of you will be sent out into the cold and pay for your own meals at the tavern.” Diana and Anne shrunk into their chairs, but (Y/n) shot to her feet. 

“The tavern! I totally left my job! Ohhh, I hope Emilio doesn’t fire me!” (Y/n) was quick to shove as much food as she could into her mouth before she sprinted back into the foyer and collected her jacket.

“Manners, child! Manners! Aunt Josephine had shouted from the dining room. Anne and Diana had leaped to their feet as well and chased after the older redhead. “But (Y/n)! Wait! We’ve just reunited and you already have to leave?!” Anne panted. 

Egghead assisted (Y/n) with her peacoat, her brows were furrowed and her eyes were sad. “I know, pumpkin, but a job’s a job. Plus, I’m gonna save up to visit this notorious Green Gables of yours.” She smirked with a wink as she tightened her jacket belt tighter. 

Anne and Diana gasped with a smile. The Cuthbert flung into her sister’s stomach and wrapped her arms tight around her waist. Her face nuzzled under (Y/n)’s bossom. The Shirley sisters held each other in Aunt Jo’s foyer for what felt like an eternity; the eldest rocked her sister back and forth on their feet, like a slow dance. 

(Y/n) exhaled and pressed her lips to Anne’s pumpkin orange hair. “I promise I’ll return to you, Anne.” She pushed Anne from her body and held her arm's length away. “And now we know where the other is...you’re going to have a hard time avoiding me.” She pinched Anne’s cheek. 

Anne crinkled her nose and fought her sister’s hand on her face, reaching up and tugging on (Y/n)‘s long, apple red locks. 

After twin squeaks of pain erupted from the Shirley’s, both girls released their grip on the other and instead wrapped their arms around the other once again. 

“Diana, please thank your aunt for the hospitality. I’ll be sure to visit again - if she provides another scrumptious meal.” (Y/n) smirked down at her younger sister as she used her favorite word. Anne smiled widely up at her older sister. 

“I’ll see you soon, Anne. Very soon. I promise!”

“I’ll keep you to that promise, dear sister.” She lifted her hand and extended her pinkie. 

(Y/n) smiled and intertwined her own pinkie with her sister’s. Both girls kissed their thumbs as they pinkie promised to each other. They giggled as they pulled apart. 

“Diana,” (Y/n) nodded in farewell to the ravenette, the young girl nodded and curtseyed. “Anne.” She smiled widely and pulled open the brown door that led out into the dark, cold, snowy landscape of Charlottetown. 

When the door closed with a small click, Anne let out a breath. She felt Diana worm her hand into her own and squeezed in reassurance. 

“Oh Diana, I feel like I could dance on clouds. Now that I am reunited with my Joan of Arc! My sister! My (Y/n)!!”

Tagged List: [Open]: angel-in-the-roses

[cyberpony10]

First two chapters enjoy!

Another History

Chapter 1: Guardian

I came to in Celestia and Luna's castle, bruised and unaware of what happened. My mane was disheveled and was light blue, my coat had scorch marks on it and was light green and my eyes were hazel. My cutie mark was a feather with two spears crossed over it. I looked around, Celestia was laughing with some of her guards as I watched in confusion, but wait! Weren’t Celestia and Luna both gone? So Twilight took over and I was her guard. I was a Filly yes but I was strong with my magical abilities. I teleported, to what little magic I had left, to Ponyville to what should have been an empty town since every pony moved to Canterlot when I was there last. I trotted and to my dismay, my leg was broken, I needed Queen Twilight Sparkle to lead me and to tell me what in all of Equestria was going on. My teleportation spell landed me in front of a school? But that’s not right! It should have taken me directly to Queen Twilight! My uniform for my guard unit was ninety five, it was all cracked and dirty from battling dragons and changelings all month. I heard a bell as students started trotting out, I fixed my leg with wood and rope as it held my leg together. That's when I saw… A changeling and a dragon with multiple other creatures and ponies flocking out. I was breathing hard, I used up my magic quickly when Twilight told me to conserve. It doesn’t matter, as soon as the changeling got close I tackled it to the ground with my hooves as everyone gasped. I wouldn’t let this thing hurt our queen!

“Who are you and why are you here?!” I screamed at the changeling with as much authority as I could manage while it tried to squirm away but I firmly held it in place. It shook but I didn’t care, I repeated the question but louder. One of the ponies ran inside, probably to get help for me, good! I saw a purple flash and a purple alicorn appear in front of me as I looked up and my eyes widened. “Let go of Ocellus this instant!” Twilight demanded as I got off of the changeling and saluted to Twilight and shouted “Yes ma'am!” she looked confused. I stepped away from the “Changeling” with disdain for it, I wanted to end it’s existence in Equestria. “Now what in Equestria are you doing and what is your name?” Twilight asked me with Integrity as I straightened out and spoke. “Feather Strike: Unit ninety five, royal guard division under the guidance of Queen Twilight Sparkle of Equestria!” I saluted her once more as I bowed in respect. I glanced at the changeling and dragon with hate and felt my leg give as I fell to the ground in pain. The changeling came up to me looking sad, I freaked out and shouted at it “Stay away from me creature! Your kind is why I have no daddy… And you!” I pointed at the dragon “Your kind is why I have no mother!” I struggled to get up as I felt a small amount of my magic return as everyone looked shocked.

I saw Rainbow Dash and tensed up as I fought back tears of joy. “General! It’s good to see you well and out of the hospital… And your filly friend Ms. Shy too” I looked over at a white unicorn with a curly mane style as I added “Can I get you to fix my armor?” She looked at me and nodded a small bit, I smiled and tossed her my armor as I shook myself. “Excuse me!? But you were attacking my student!” Twilight gaped. I bowed once more and responded “You told me to stand down, so I did” I saw Pinkie Pie and limped towards the hospital in Ponyville… At least that was still open! Twilight started following me as did Rainbow, Fluttershy, Pinkie and the other two ponies. Twilight used her magic to lift my broken leg so I could move a bit faster. When we got there, I turned my head to Twilight and said “I’ve got it from here ma’am” I started trotting inside on three legs. Twilight was still helping me, and as we got inside Twilight made sure I got help.

I was lying in a hospital bed for the second time being in the guard, and all I did was get three guards killed in my unit. I can’t face Queen Twilight… That’s the last thing I want to do. I turned away from Twilight, not wanting her to see me tear up. A nurse trotted into the room I was in and asked “Twilight?” Twilight looked over and realized visiting hours were over and jumped up “Oh! Sorry, I’ll come back in a week or two” She walked out as the nurse trotted up to my bed, smiling, she covered me up and trotted out without a word to me. I was alone again, just like before… Only my unit isn’t yelling at me for not saving the three who died. “Great! Why do I have to be stuck here? I’m a royal guard for crying out loud!” I shouted to myself, my magic was slowly returning which was good because I didn’t like not having magic. I tried to go to sleep but I couldn’t, not because I wasn’t tired, but because I… I Failed Queen Twilight.

The next day I wasn’t hungry at all, I need to get better quick so I can protect Twilight as well as Equestria. The nurse came in, it was that same nurse too. “Who are you?” I asked her with determination in my eyes. The mare looked at me, then simply replied “Redheart” Nurse Redheart trotted over to me and placed a tray of food on my legs. “I’m not hungry Redheart! I’ve got to get better as quickly as possible so I can protect Twilight! I’m her royal guard, I” Before I could finish Nurse Redheart spoon fed me the food on the tray and said to me “I’m not leaving until it’s all gone young Filly” Then she smiled sweetly as I swallowed the food… It wasn’t bad! I felt good so I decided to talk to Redheart. “Ms. Redheart?” I started, hoping she is as nice as my mother was. “Yes?” She questioned back. “Do you know two ponies by the names of Echo Talon and Feather Strike?”

Echo was a year older than me, she was a unicorn and was mostly light blue. Her mane was teal and her eyes were green. She wore a modified guards armor to fit her medical status… If it wasn’t for her I’d be dead. She wasn’t trained in offensive magic, I taught her some. I can remember her voice, it was as sweat as she was. The other guards didn’t like the fact I was into Fillies and not Colts, I didn’t care as long as she loved me for me and I loved her the same, nothing else mattered. “Do you want to go out Feather Strike?” She asked me in that sweet tone of hers, I just nodded like an idiot. I regret it so much… I cried as I thought about her, I was her guardian… and I failed her… I failed my unit… and I failed myself!

Night Shade was our only flyer, and our scout. He had a dark coat and a dark blue mane. He had brown eyes and he was almost invisible at night. He was a goofball most of the time, but he knew how to be serious as well. He always said he’d beat any trap, he was right for the most part. Shade was… My best friend, even though he was a goofball he was kind.

Lightning Strike was my brother, he was an Earth Pony. He was our rear guard, real good with his job too. Our unit wouldn’t be as good as it is was if it was for him. Lightning was five years older than I am, I am lucky to have him. I’m too tired, I think I’ll sleep on my thoughts. “Miss? Are you ok?” Nurse Redheart asked me as I shook my head, blinked, and nodded to her. “Yes! I’m fine Nurse Redheart, why?” I smiled to her, and looked down at my hooves. “You were spaced out for a bit” Redheart looked concerned, then she asked “You know you can talk to me, you know that right?” I looked away and teared up, then whispered “I don’t know if this is real, and I'm scared! Honestly, I’m a guard but I need help”

The next day Twilight came to visit me, I didn’t understand why, she said next week! “I know it’s early but I needed material for this!” The door opened as Twilight looked… Exited? Material for what? “For what exactly?” I asked as calmly as I could manage with her in the room. “Research!” Twilight answered hovering the quill and paper as she clapped her hooves together with glee, and cleared her throat… And asked the first of many questions “You are ok with answering questions right?” I looked at her and replied with a “Yes ma’am!” Twilight smiled and started writing down questions… Or answers, honestly I didn’t know but I remained calm as she asked “Now, What is your name?”

“Feather Strike, Daughter of Cloud and Rain Strike” I answered Twilight's question as I sat up against the pillow. “Two questions, Where are you from and what are the jobs in your unit?” I straightened up at that question. “I’m from Fillydelphia ma’am, my job… In the unit was the seeker, my brother Lightning Strike was backup, Echo Talon was our medic, Night Shade was recon and Daisy Flowers was our trap disarmer” Twilight’s eye furrowed, she looked at me with intrigue. “And what happened to your unit?” Twilight asked as I just looked away. She immediately picked up on that and added “I’m sorry if I asked too much of you Feather Strike” Twilight looked away just as I did. “We… Went on a mission to get rid of some Changelings in the Everfree Forest” I started choking back tears, I could feel myself tremble but I continued “Only two of us… made it back” I couldn’t talk anymore, I broke down with no more words just tears and sobs.

It was silent, Twilight didn’t ask me anything else, at least for now. Finally the door opened and Rainbowdash flew in. I was still silently looking away as I whispered “It’s never too many questions ma’am” Rainbow looked at me and asked “She’s coming to the castle right?” Twilight nodded as both mares looked at me. Castle? When did she get a castle? I… Had to ask. “It’s crystal! I mean this structure is impossible not to mention the-“ I noticed Twilight smiling at me as I simply said “Sorry ma’am, I didn’t mean to bother you” Rainbow muttered something I didn’t quite hear but I’m guessing it had something to do with 'Egghead' whatever that meant, I looked at the ‘castle’ if you can call it that and felt a bit of uneasiness wash over me.

As Twilight opened the door, I thought the castle would collapse but it didn’t. I saw just how huge this place was, and I saw the pony who taught me combat magic in the first place… “STARLIGHT!” I trotted up to her and hugged her. She looked very confused but returned the gesture. “Starlight this is Feather Strike” Twilight said as Starlight nodded. “You sent me a letter explaining the situation, I should have a spell but it will take me awhile to perfect it” Starlight nodded as she questioned “Are you sure Twilight?” Twilight just looked at her and nodded. “Queen Twilight! What’s wrong?” I asked as Starlight looked at me as Twilight just said “Let’s get you some rest” I just nodded even though I wasn’t tired. As we walked to my room I’d be staying in until I’m healed, I started thinking to myself “That nurse Redheart only knew Echo, I hope I get better and find out what is going on. I need my parents and brother, I needed Echo Talon!” In the room was a bed and a dresser, not like what I’d been sleeping on for eleven years. Twilight said my armor should come off since there’s no danger at the moment, I wanted to protest but my body said no, I took off my helmet which was the only thing not damaged and put it on the table next to the bed.

It was already night? I guess I dosed off for a bit, probably did my body good my ears perked up as I heard singing and It took me a minute to actually get out of bed to investigate. I looked at the clock, ’11 p.m.’ as I walked down the hall, the singing grew “Spike the brave and glorious is here to save you!” Spike was singing about himself while I stood outside the library, I knocked as the singing stopped and I heard running towards the door. The door opened as spike with no pony to bother him was singing to himself a bit too loud. “Oh! Hey Feather Strike!” Spike exclaimed with a laugh. “Hi, what are you doing up so late?” I asked the tiny dragon. Spike was the only dragon any pony could trust so I kind of felt safe around him. “Mostly cleaning” He replied then added “And singing” Then he smiled and asked me what I was doing up. “Trying to find the bathroom, this place is a maze” He laughed an said simply “I’ll show you the way”

He looked… different, he’s a lot shorter then when I first met him. And as we walked throughout the halls, I noticed we passed my room a few times. “You’re not Spike, are you?” I asked curiously as I summoned my spear, in my magical grasp was a six foot spear with a five inch blade, pointed towards Spike. The changeling reviled itself, it was that multi colored one I’d almost ended a few days ago. “How’d you know?” Ocellus asked me as I de-summoned my spear and stared at her. “Detection spell, now” I was ready to end her as I spoke “Why are you here?” And as she spoke I noticed her voice was soft as Ms. Fluttershy's. “I got a letter from Twilight asking me to come here” Ocellus answered with a small smile. “You’re kind is why I have no dad! I’ll never forgive any of you!” I was angry, at the fact my dad died, mom died and big brother as well, the fact that… Despite all of that, I couldn’t save any of them.

I sighed as I looked at the changeling and… Echo? She looks like her! No, no no no no no! Not again! “Why…?” I teared up, then continued my question “Why do you have to torture me with her?!” I backed away as I yelled at her, breath labored and heart threatening to explode. “She wasn’t Echo! Get a grip Feather Strike!” I was now yelling at myself, trying to calm myself down. Twilight appeared in front of me, I had my spear summoned at the changeling? When did I do that? Twilight looked angry, more hurt then anything else. Did I do something wrong? I looked to Ocellus, she wasn’t hurt, just scared and for the first time… I saw fear in a changeling, and for once I felt bad. “Why do I feel bad for this love sucking murdering creature? They are still the enemy… Right?” I shook my head, I honestly didn’t hear Twilight. My scorch marks were almost gone, my magic loosened and I dropped the spear to the ground. My body fell after…

“Did I just die?”

I opened my eye’s and sprung up out of…Bed? “Did I fall asleep?” My head hurt and my heart felt like exploding, I opened the bedroom door and trotted out. I didn’t feel very well at all. The hall I was in had Twilight ‘s voice echoing through it. “You failed me!” One of the voices shouted. “No! I tried as hard as I could!” “You murdered them all!” “NO! They… I had to save them from the pain” “You let her die” I started tearing up and then I was crying, I shouted at the voices “I didn’t mean to kill her! I loved her…” I felt myself looking at Echo Talon… Sad and looking into my eyes. “Why did you kill me? I thought you loved me? I loved you, but then you took us on that mission that only you agreed too! As far as I’m concerned…” She stopped pointing at me with a hoof before adding “You wanted me to die!” I covered my ears as my heart broke and I cried harder. Then I woke up as water splashed over me. “Oh good! You’re not dead!” She looked relieved and calmed down.

“What?!”I was angry, like ‘Spear some pony' angry. “You had a heart attack and almost died” Redheart seemed shocked I was still breathing. “I almost died? How? Why? Who?” I only had questions, to my amazement, one answer. “Your dream is what almost took your life, I was unable to stop it” Luna replied as I almost fell out of bed as I looked at her and I said in a whisper “That’s not possible!” Luna caught that and arched a brow responding as if everypony had heard me. “I assure you it is, my dream took control of me turning me into Nightmare Moon. Then I attacked my sister trying to bring eternal night, and I was banished to the moon. Once I broke free I tried to do it again, this time I was saved by Twilight Sparkle and her friends” She spoke with grace and honesty “I was finally able to meet Luna… So why do I feel so sad?” I was wondering what I should ask first, but I decided to go with the most depressing on my mind first “Luna” I started “Was that real? Or was I really dying?”

Luna looked at me for a few seconds before answering “I don’t know, but I saw your dream and how much pain it caused you” She looked around before continuing “You were screaming to yourself, I tried to enter but I was blocked by somepony, I don’t know who it was but they certainly had a lot of magic powers… Enough to block me out” She shook and blinked her eyes then looked worried. “I have to go!” “Why did she sound so scared?” I thought about it for a few seconds, the I noticed everypony looking at me. “What’s wrong?” I asked Twilight as I sat down. Twilight looked intrigued by my question before she answered, she flared up her magic and fired it… At me!? I hit the wall hard and lost consciousness... Before blacking out I asked in a rasp “Why?” It hurts…

“You know what I’m going to say, right?” “Brother just ask the question” “Why the royal guard?” “Because Echo and you are in the guard!” “It’s dangerous you know?” “Ha! My middle name is dangerous!” “I thought it was Maya” We laughed at that. I needed him now more than ever. “Echo! Did you know flowers have personalities?” “They do Daisy?” “Yes they do, I’m learning them from the three flower sellers from Ponyville. Roses have fire tempers and Tulips have radiant personalities” “You’ll have to show me sometime” “You want me… as a scout?” “You aced the trial with little injuries so yes” “You got to tell me your name first, I’m Night Shade” “Feather Strike” “You need me? You realize I don’t know combat magic right?” “Yes but you’re the only pony I know who can do this. Please Echo for me” “Fine! Just stop tickling me hahaha” “We depart in three days” “We should party!” Night Shade announced. “We should um invite our commanding officer” “Why Daisy? Never mind I guess, me and Ms. Shy don’t exactly see eye to eye” “All the more reason to invite her then” Lightning responded as we adeasall ted getting supplies for the party while I went to find Ms. Shy. I found her in her usual spot, with the animals, not pep talking us just with animals. “Ms. Fluttershy ma'am! Unit ninety five requests your assistance with a matter of utm” “Stop right there Feather Strike!” I froze in place not wanting to know what she was about. Then she started giggling, I wanted to hit her. Then added in a quiet voice “Oh I’m kidding, whatever you need I’m here for you. You know after your parents died and all that” “We should get going ma’am” “Lead the way Feather Strike, if you don’t mind that is”

“Surprise! Happy tenth year Fluttershy!” Me and the four others shouted as Fluttershy jumped back obviously startled. But eased up and joined us adding “I should have you all go through training with Dashy again just for this! How did you know It’s been ten years since Ponyville fell and I joined the army with Rainbowdash?” She spoke so soft it was almost depressing. “They had help from the best flyer in Equestria!” I smiled at her silently asking “What now commander?” And now she’s glaring at me “What’s with her eyes?”

I opened my eye’s once more this time greeted by the five ponies with Twilight and Celestia and Luna… “Twilight, is this her?” Celestia asked as Twilight nodded. “I blocked her magic princess Luna, you can probably get into her dream now” Starlight said with an enthusiastic looked on her face. “Thank you Starlight” And I started falling asleep again… I could feel myself drifting off once more…

“It’s go time!” Night Shade yelled flying around the room. “Easy Night Shade, we’ve never encountered a changeling camp this large before” I said as my brother chimed in. “They also haven’t been this aggressive before either” Night Shade stopped at that and landed folding his wings with distaste. “Why now are they getting aggressive?” Night Shade asked as I sighed and replied “They know we are a threat now, reinforcing there numbers in Ponyville and the Everfree Forest gives them the upper hand here” As I finished, the door opened as a familiar yellow Pegasus came in and cleared her throat, we all immediately stopped looked at her and saluted. “Will we have back up commander?” Daisy asked with a worried tone in her voice. “No! More ponies means more targets. Fillydelphia is having a hard enough time as is and the crystal empire’s guards need assistance, I have every bit of confidence that unit ninety five will succeed” She paused then added “Just be careful ok?” We all yelled in unison “Yes ma’am!”

“Commander Fluttershy, permission to enter?” I knocked on the door to Fluttershy’s room. “Permission granted” I opened the door and saw Fluttershy packing food and water as I asked “Are you heading to Fillydelphia with general Dash?” She nodded and I looked worried then added “Be careful commander! And” I teared up fearing I would not see her again “It’s been an hon” Fluttershy suddenly quick put her hoof to my muzzle and simply said “Don’t ever say it! That’s an order! Saying that would mean you’re not coming back, as I’ve said before… You’re coming back or I’ll have Discord bring you back and ground your entire unit” I didn’t know if she was joking or serious, I just laughed at that Discord part as Fluttershy joined in. Once we were done laughing, I said as I trotted out “We’ll make you proud” I felt sick… Reliving those moments like that, Everypony was staring at me. “Why are you all staring at me?” I honestly didn’t know why they were staring at me as I added “The two of unit ninety five returned then received word of Fluttershy and Rainbowdash were admitted into Canterlot hospital” I think… I needed a councilor. After everypony left Ocellus was still here, I couldn’t understand why but for some reason I wanted to hit her hard. Ocellus spoke with a very sweet tone in her voice “Was all of that true?” She asked that question with purpose as I answered “Yes” My magic was still disabled, thank you Starlight. I could still take her though, I’m not scared of her or any other creature.

“Why are you still here shape shifter?” I asked with hatred in my voice, I relaxed a bit queen Twilight told me not to attack her. “Twilight wrote me a letter telling me to meet her here” I got up on my hooves and got off stomping one on the floor yelling at the disgraceful creature “That doesn’t answer my question! I mean why are you still in this room!” She blushed… Then ran out as I blinked “That was weird!” I said to myself as I sighed and opened the door, walking down the hall I heard talking in one of the rooms. It was wrong to eavesdrop but I was curious so I put my ear to the door and listened “Twilight! Are y'all sure about this? What if this goes wrong?” “I’ll take full responsibility if that happens” Twilight replied to the cowpony. “Twilight do I really have too?” Ocellus asked as Twilight replied with “We need you to do this, trust me if anything happens I will personally step in”

I couldn’t here anything after that. “I need to find somepony to talk to about this, maybe Starlight” I thought to myself. I noticed one of the doors opened “Open door ooooo! Spooky! Hello!” I heard a faint cough from inside. “No! This one isn’t it either! Oh where is it?” I peeked in and saw Starlight running through books like I’d never seen her before. “Starlight?” I asked her with a worried tone in my voice. “Oh! Hey um Feather Strike! What’s up?” Starlight asked back smiling as I stepped into the cluttered library. “I was wondering if I could talk to you about something” Starlight looked at me and set the book aside as I added “It’s important” She looked… Younger then when I saw her last. She looks nicer, and less… Crazy. “You want to speak with me right? I mean obviously you wouldn’t need me otherwise right?” Starlight still sounds a little crazy!

We trotted to sugar cube corner, me constantly watching for attacking changelings and other dragons and Starlight trotting like nothing’s wrong. We went inside an sat at a table “So, what did you want to talk about?” “Me” I replied quickly and added “I’m having problems trusting ‘Ocellus’ I don’t like changelings or dragons” I rethought that for a moment “Except for Spike” I didn’t know what else to say, Starlight smiled and the asked “When did this all happen?” as she asked that I saw a purple light emulate in front of me and Starlight as I fell to the ground in shock. Twilight stood there looking down at me then hopped off the table. “I have a job for you Feather Strike, It’s one you’re not going to like but it is very important” She handed me a scroll and added “Inside is your new job for the week and weekend, I order you to do this” Then she teleported away happy… Okay! I unwrapped the ribbon and opened the scrolls, I read it to myself…

Dear Feather Strike,

Your mission is to travel to the changeling hive and deliver a letter to Thorax, the new leader of the changelings. You are to take Ocellus with you, that’s an order. And Feather Strike: Try and make some friends. I know you don’t trust changelings but I think it will be a great learning experience for you to interact with other creatures. Plus you need to apologize to Ocellus. Be nice to her ok, then you can go to the hippogriff kingdom, I think you’ll like it.

Princess Twilight

I wanted to scream very loud right now, but Twilight ordered me to accompany 'her' so I will. I trotted away pretty angry that I have to spend all seven days will my enemies. But I decided to try befriending the changeling, even though everything in my head told me not too. That was my mistake that led me to something worse…

Chapter 2: Promises

“Can you keep your promise to me Feather Strike?” “Whatever it is, I won’t break it”

“I broke that promise… I remember how exactly it went” Thinking gave me time as me and Ocellus walked to the train station. “I was so stupid, we walked right into that ambush” As we hit the platform of the station, I sighed not wanting to do this but, orders are orders after all. We’d been waiting at the station for a while, I thought back to what happened to my promise. “Feather Strike!” “Yes?” I responded to Echo. “Let’s make Twilight proud!” We both laughed as Queen Twilight entered as we both saluted. “I need you two as spy's for me in ponyville” “Ponyville has been overrun for ten years ma’am” I stopped looking at her expression I knew she was serious about this. “Where should we camp?” She furrowed her brow and simply replied “There are bushes in Ponyville where I used to spy on Pinkie, I know you’ll do fine”

We talked before we left for Ponyville. “Why us? I mean, why not send down The Shodows?” Echo stomped her feat rapidly as I replied “The Shadows are busy with the Fillydelphia changelings and the Crystal Empire riots” I sighed and added “But then again we’re not the only unit here” We both turned as we heard shouting as we rushed towards it, I turned the corner and it was an orange pony with a cowpony hat and three apples as a cutie mark. “Twilight! Why’d y'all let my sister go like that? Applebloom still ain't ready!” I stepped around the corner, but as I stopped as Twilight looked at her and smiled.

“Applejack, I know you and Applebloom were close but let me make this clear; We have no idea where Sweetie Belle went, as far as what Applebloom did…” Applejack stopped her hoof and shouted once more “That wasn’t her fault Twi, you know that! That traitor will get what she deserves” She huffed adding “Where was she headin' Twi?” We’d stopped listening and decided it’s best to get to Ponyville right away.

We got to Ponyville in record time, two ponies being faster than a entire team. We snuck our way across town which sounds easy if they couldn’t fly, we ducked into some bushes that Twilight told us about. “I’m kind of scared” I could tell she was but I knew if we got out now, we’d be dead. Then we spotted her, Queen Chrysalis! She definitely was scary. “Queen Chrysalis, what are our plans to take Canterlot?” One of the changelings asked her as she stomped her hoof down. “Infiltration is out of the question, remember what happened last time? We lost so many” She laughed and noticed the bushes move as Echo got really terrified, I tried to keep her calm. Nothing was working! I felt two hooves on me as I was dragged out into the open. “Echo run!” I shouted as I summoned my spear and got up quick, I was surrounded and she left Echo alone to run away. “I’ll end you here” I jumped at Chrysalis, my spear lunging forwards and, as I got an inch from her, I stopped. I was held in place by four telekinesis spells. “Feather Strike!” Echo screamed as I was held in place while she was surrounded as well. We were face to face with the changeling leader. “Now what to do with you two?” Chrysalis smiled and laughed as she said “throw the bold one in our interrogation room” She pointed towards me as I swallowed what little hope I had of escaping. Then she pointed towards Echo as she added. “You are going to tell Queen Twilight that she’ll get her guard back after I get my changelings back” Echo was so scared as she just nodded and ran off towards Canterlot. I was tossed into a cell while all the changelings laughed. “Whatever you are going to do it won’t work” I spoke with authority as that just incited more laughs and chuckles. I looked at them with disdain adding in a question “What’s so funny?” I never wanted an answer but one of the changelings stepped up… A girl I think. “You’re so stupid, we’re going to torture you, then get information, then send you back with a message” That’s when I actually felt fear creeping in, but I couldn’t let that get to me that easily.

“Ooo let me do it first!” One of the said as they all shouted a collection of ‘No' as he added “Aw come on, mine break with in the hour” Another one smacked him as he fell to the ground adding “We want information not another death idiot” I heard another smack then laughter as I was blindfolded. “Let’s get Thorax to do it this time” One suggested as all of them laughed again. “We should, just for the laughs it’ll give us” Another chimed in so cheerfully my fear returned and I felt the cage lift off the ground as I was airborne once more. A few minutes later I felt the cage being thrown, how? Because I hit my head on the bars. I couldn’t use my magic anyway, this cage somehow wouldn’t let me. “Thorax, we found you a pet” One laughed and closed what I assumed was a door. “So” I started, wanting to have as much courage as possible to stay alive, I added the question “Are you going to have your way with me? Torture me? All you can do is try because I won’t break!” I felt magic brush my mane away as the changelings magic took off the blindfold.

He smiled and asked “Why would I do any of that?” Walking over to my cage I saw him, he was multi colored, I was curious so I looked closer as he added “Don’t worry, I’m a spy for Queen Twilight, she trusts me to relay information back to her” I sighed and said quietly “There’s no such thing as a good changeling, so if you want to torture me, you will have to make it real” I smiled at him then shouted “You’ll have try harder to break me shape shifter!” He just looked at me and put my blindfold back on saying “I’m sorry I have to do this” He used his magic to turn me around as I responded to him “Don’t be” I screamed and tried to get away as my innocence was taken away from me minute by minute.

Two hours passed and I was curled into a tight ball, the other changelings came to take me out when they noticed I was terrified. They noticed I’d been crying and from the smell they could tell what happened. “Are you ready to talk now?” I nodded still sniffing and tearing up, my first, had been with a changeling. I’d wanted Echo to… I mean we are both of age. The changelings lifted my cage out and to Queen Chrysalis in another house. The door opened and Chrysalis sat inside with a smile. “No I lied to them, when I get out of here I’ll” I was cut off by Chrysalis “You’ll what?”

I didn’t know, I just wanted Echo again as I broke down. I said through sobs “I’ll never tell you anything” She smirked and touched my face with a hoof as she said “Oh you will! Do whatever it takes to get information out of her now!” My cage was being dragged off again, they took the blindfold off so I could see them. “We will break you one way” I felt a slap across my face “Or another” I felt a tug on my tail as I curled up against the bars. I wasn’t about to endure this again, my magic was dead. The cage opened as I turned around and stood up, I wasn’t about to let them break me. He got closer and closer as I could feel his breath, I kicked his torso. I heard cracks as I bolted out of the cage and out the door flipping the blindfold off as I ran for my life. “I’m going to make it out of town” I screamed to myself in utter delight as I noted how silent it was… I turned around, no one. I used my detection spell… They were all around me! How? I heard laughing from behind me towards the edge of Ponyville.

“Oh you thought you could make it, that’s cute” Queen Chrysalis laughed more as I was hit with magic on the side of my armor. I screamed, it burns, I staggered a bit but maintained my balance as I saw a dragon, no bigger than Spike, standing with her. “Did… It just teleport?” I asked myself as it rammed into me knocking me down, this dragon was huge! I heard it! Fire! I protected my tail and my head from the firebreath, my spell wasn’t powerful enough to protect my entire body. My coat was scorched in patches and I was hit with its tail which sent me through one of the houses. I was going to die if this kept up, Queen Chrysalis teleported where I’d hit and levitated me up sayng in low voice “Try to run again and I’ll have you killed, got that?” Without me giving a chance to respond she threw me out onto the ground. “Twenty-four hour surveillance on this filly” She than threw me hard against the bars inside the cage, I think I heard a crack!

I was taken to the restored tree Queen Twilight used to live in before the princesses fell. Three changelings guarded me making sure not to get too close. “Do I get some food?” I was hungry, I could really go for an oat sandwich right now. “Food? Ha! You’ll be lucky if we killed you slowly” The first changeling replied in a snide tone. “Its lucky I don’t rip its head off” Another changeling spat at me. “Oooo take it easy on her, it’s not her fault she’s so stupid” They all laughed at me, I couldn’t see them but I could hear them. I didn’t like it, being here, caged like an animal. “Are they so afraid of me letting me out isn’t an option” I thought to myself as I got an idea. “I’ve got to use the bathroom” I actually needed to go, really bad. “Well then go!” The changelings shouted at me turning around in unison. I regret being in here because the cage stinks! And they’re laughing at me, which is what I wanted. I stripped my armor and, against my better judgement, threw it out the cage with my hooves. The armor clanked against the ground, all my years, ok all two years have taught me a few things.

One: Never strip your armor. Two: Never flirt the enemy. And three: Obey all orders given. I was about to break everything guards stood for. “What’s your name? In the middle” I asked with a sincere hope they’d answer. “Felix” He answered back as he huffed. “You’re uh, pretty cute! I know your busy guarding me. But if I could have a moment of your time to talk about how sweet you are” I hated this but it’s probably going to work so I need to keep going. “Well… I grew up in a hive feeding off love and giving it to the queen” I giggled at that as he continued “I’ve never seen a cutie like you before, think I’ll give love instead of taking it” He looked at me with an intense look in his eyes. “Oh Twilight what did I get myself into?” He opened the cage , stepping closer all I needed was another step. “Felix! Don’t flirt with the prisoner!” One of the other changelings muttered to him as he backed away from obviously realizing I was about to buck him hard in the face. “Nice try filly, but there’s three of us and one of you” This one was a girl, she slammed the cage shut and left signaling Felix and the other changeling leading them out, also taking my armor to Twilight knows where. I was left alone, hungry, armor less, and pride less as I felt the cage consume me.

I smelled… Food! The blindfold was lifted off of me as I saw Thorax, he placed a tray of food down inside the cage. “Sorry! Its not much but Chrysalis doesn’t like dead prisoners, I’m sorry I can’t help you more” He said with a small smile as he added “Sorry about… You know” I didn’t want to think about it, I needed to survive. I ate the food, it was awful and didn’t sit right with my stomach. I threw up, feeling empty and away from the worst food ever. “Thorax! Do you know any way out?” I asked as he just shook his head no and replied “We have guards all over you now, I’ll be found out if I tried to get you out” He just looked sad at me and lowered his head adding in a whisper “I can probably sneak you food in here just not a lot” I smiled at that, for the first time, I trusted a changeling. A week went by, he kept his promise and every two days he’d bring me something good. We also talked about what we thought about this stupid war. “So what do you think about the war Feather Strike?” He looked at me as my sad expression on my face, I didn’t like it. “My mom and dad died trying to protect Equestria, It’s something a changeling would never understand” I looked over at him with a sad smile and added “I’m guessing you knew that already” He nodded and got up and asked me one question “Want to go for a walk?”

We walked around Ponyville, I’d never been here before a week and a half ago. He showed me the white unicorn's dress shop, a place called sugar cube corner, a cottage that belonged to commander Fluttershy, and a farm, all of them abandoned as well as run down. “All of this stuff just” I stopped and shook my head and added “Abandoned!” I continued but whispered my question “Do you know where Sweetie Belle is?” He shook his head as he replied “No one does, she disappeared after Scootaloo went into a coma and Applebloom left with Zacora trying to create some new potion” I sighed and looked around, tried and failed to use my magic. “I remember seeing all three of them after I got my cutie mark, what did they call themselves again?” We stopped and I turned to face him as he answered “The Cutie Mark Crusaders I believe that’s it”

I slumped to the ground, closed my eyes and wished this was a dream… It wasn’t. I opened my eyes and noticed Thorax staring at me oddly I got up on my hooves and saw he’d been turned to stone. I stammered backwards and fell to the ground fear creeping into my vision once more, I wished I were home… Thrown back into my cell, I’d been accused of turning Thorax into stone, but I didn’t do it? Right? I thought about it over and over “Am I going crazy?” A few days later Twilight came with the changelings as requested. I was still in that cage, I hadn’t had anything to eat in three days. “Want to go free? Do exactly as I say” Chrysalis said in my ear as she added “Attack Twilight when you are at the halfway point" I couldn’t do anything but nod, I wasn’t able to move that much but that was because of the spell I was under.

I was greeted by Echo, my heart raced as she smiled at me… Then there were two of her. “Get her Feather Strike!” They both shouted at each other, I can’t choose! One of the Echo's twirled them around asking a simple question “Which one of us is really Echo Talon?” To which I replied with my own question “Which one of you knows me better?” I told Thorax everything about me, he was a great listener.

I needed to ask questions only she would know, but what if I asked the wrong questions? “Where was I born?” The one to the left was quick as she replied “Fillydelphia!” I nodded as I continued. “Where did we go to school at?” The right Echo responded with the same quickness as the other “We went to school at Twilight’s school for training guards” That was correct but one more question will give me my answer. “What was the promise I gave to you after we started dating?” Then I added “If none of you answer I’ll be forced to blast you both with my magic” That got the reaction I was looking for. I also got an answer from the real Echo. “You promised to tell me everything and be a little bit nicer to the changeling outcasts” I knew she was the one for me, the fake teleported and I shot out a powerful spell that hit… The real Echo, I didn’t mean too. It was teleporting to fast! I shouted at the impersonator “WHY? WHY DO YOU TORTURE ME?” I ran to Echo and tried to heal her! Echo taught me, I can… I can do it! I started my magic up slowly and was attempting to heal her wound, a hazel glow began to appear around Echo as my eyes lit up in joy. Then just as quickly it disappeared “I can’t do it!” I’ve failed her, Twilight and myself, but I’m not done yet.

“Queen Twilight, teleport Echo out of here, I’m finishing these life suckers once and for all!” I screamed as I charged Chrysalis with tears streaming down my cheeks as I charged one final spell with all of my magic I had left. Chrysalis laughed and charged a spell of her own mocking my tone “Are you serious?” I’d had enough of her! I’ll kill them all! I jumped firing my spell straight down, everything caught fire as Twilight teleported her and echo out of harms way. Me? I was stuck without magic as adrenaline wore off. I couldn’t move, all I could do was lie there as my leg was broken by one of the changelings as I screamed in pain but never got the chance to end me, because I’m here now.

I thought to myself for a moment before Ocellus and I got on the train “When I get back Echo, I won’t do that again” My tears weren’t just for me, they were for my brother, my unit, my mom and dad, as well as me. The whole ride there we didn’t talk, fine by me I didn’t want to anyway! But in a way, I kind of did. “So” I started as we got on the train and looked for our seats “Can you tell me how the changelings, dragons and ponies all avoided war?” She looked confused at the question and spoke the response I didn’t expect “Spike did it” I blinked as we sat down, I couldn’t believe that. “There’s no way he did that!” I countered with obvious skepticism in my voice. The other ponies in the cart stared at me, I got up and summoned my spear, my magic returned finally as I shouted “Who wants some?” Ocellus got up and lowered my spear to the train car floor with her hoof, I looked away from her clearly not wanting anymore of her help.

I got back into the seat and Ocellus did the same. She was silent which made me very nervous for obvious reasons. I decided to remember what happened to my unit, come to think of it… It was my fault anyway, wanting to impress Queen Twilight so much that I actually got three ponies killed, I deserve this fate and so much more. “It’s go time everypony!” I was with unit ninety five again, and I knew we were going into an ambush, I just didn’t care. We were on the train and headed toward the Everfree Forest, to the camp of changelings. Night Shade chimed in “Yeah! Let’s rock!” I heard him yell as the rest of us joined in too, we were a family now and you know what? That’s all that mattered!

“Night Shade: Take point! We need to know of any enemy traps in the area as well as scouts then report back to us” He saluted and dashed off into the Everfree Forest, looking for any signs of trouble as well as scouts and traps. “So sis, how does it feel being in charge?” I just looked at him with a sad expression that read “I don’t like this” I could tell he felt uneasy as well, but despite that, we pressed on when Night Shade came back with an ok to enter the forest. “I don’t like this Echo” Daisy protested as we continued into the forest as she added “Shouldn’t we have seen some sign of Changeling activity by now?” I stopped at that and signaled everypony else to do the same. I flared up my detection spell… Nothing for miles. Echo slowly got down and looked at the ground suspiciously, we were waiting as Echo suddenly trotted up to me whispering desperately “We need to move from this spot now!” I nodded as I signaled everypony to move out this time Daisy was on point for this one. We stumbled upon skeletons with their uniforms torn but still recognizable, they weren’t killed here, there was a trail of scraps that led deeper into the forest. I had Echo examine the uniforms, they read "Eighty-six, forty-nine and seventy-two” and we moved on mourning the dead.

I sent Night Shade to scout more of the forest and he shouted once more, but then silenced himself when we all looked at him with stares that read shut it. I had Night Shade go in first, it was about three hours until darkness and we needed to move. “Night Shade?” I continued “Be brave soldier” Night Shade was gone for about two and a half hours before he came back, he looked scared out of his wings, oh Twilight what did he see? “Night Shade?” Lightning Strike asked in concern. “Night Shade?” Daisy asked with the same concern as Lighting Strike. I’d had enough of this and said to Echo “Dive bomb!” Echo threw me into the air while she was on her back as I hit Night Shade with my hoof sending him to the ground.

“Night Shade!” I yelled at him, he didn’t calm down, he just smiled and… teleported!? “Changelings!” I screamed and blasted that shape shifter when I saw it, I blasted my magic at the shape shifter as it connected… I heard Night Shade? Oh no! We saw a body hit the ground, twitch, then just stopped. I wanted to cry, ball up and go home, but I had a friend to avenge. “N-Night Shade?” Both Daisy and Echo were in tears as Lighting just looked away having seen this again. Me? I was angry and, for all my mistakes, I’d make this one right. So I started digging with my magic. Then my brother joined in, so did Echo and Daisy, we dug until it was a grave fit for a soldier.

Once we were done, we put Night Shade into the grave. I didn’t think I blasted him that hard! “Feather Strike?” Echo asked worried as I just responded with “Let’s kill them all” Daisy was busy arming the traps ahead when I used my detection spell, I knew we were being watched. We continued once Daisy was done setting the traps. We were ready for almost anything, or so I’d thought. “Ambush!” Shoot! We were surrounded as Daisy's traps went off one by one but strangely no changeling casualties. “We can’t stay here sis” I agree but we’d have to fight our way out. Ocellus shook me back to reality as the train stopped and I took a moment to get my bearings. “How long was I out for?” I asked her as we stepped off the train, it was a wasteland and I wasn’t liking it. “About six hours, it was kind of cute” that made me wince, made me want to jump at her and scream “Don’t ever say that again shape shifter!?” I couldn’t, no matter how much I wanted to… Orders come before personal feelings.

We walked for what seemed like forever, I decided to strike up conversation. “Ocellus?” I didn’t want to admit it. “Yes?” She asked quickly as we stopped for a minute to rest, I turned towards her, my eyes locking on hers as we stared. “I’m… So” Just say it Feather Strike! “rry” I managed to blurt out, looking away and looked down. I felt horrible at the way I’ve treated this changeling, Thorax taught me to trust certain changelings, she’s been nice to me so maybe… “Ambush!” I got tackled to the ground by a different changeling, this one didn’t look like any changeling I’ve seen before. “Pharynx! Get off of her, she’s our guest” A familiar voice boomed in my ears my spear already summoned magically and pointed at the changelings neck. If Thorax and Ocellus hadn’t stepped in, I might have killed him. I wanted too even after I got up but I kept my spear pointed at the changeling. “Pharynx! Do you have to do that to everyone that visits?” Thorax asked authoritarian like. “I’ve got to keep my skills in good shape, besides” He turned to me and just yelled and after that he laughed “Ambush! Ahaha” Thorax kept Pharynx a far distance away from me, the moment he did something to harm me or Ocellus I’d kill him! And that’s a promise!

[talesofgrandia-blog]

Foul Gunplay

A small little incident among the Bomirian Facilities. But it also seemed that an infiltration mission had gone awry due to a bounty hunter. May bullets fly. Oddly enough this being an early one, this is a rather long one.

This tale begins in the southern Tarnkan city of Province. It's a small bustling city as it is directly next to a portal to the Core. Making Province a strong merchant town. But just like quite a few merchant towns from the old world, it is also a centerplace for underhanded dealings and secret meetings. Even some members of the Tarnkan government council enlist secret operations. Unless things get botched, most people across all worlds do not know anything about these operations unless it gets brought up to the high council on the core. And right now, the high council has its eyes distracted as they are currently keeping an eye on Bomire.

The town of Province is bustling as usual on a fifth moon day. That would be equivalent to a Thursday on Earth.

And whilst in the town, you could hear much conversations of harder and heated arguments as to fairness of trade or transaction. Merchants tend to learn to hold their ground on making offers, doing this most of the time reels in the desired transaction. Here, the game that is played is 'how badly do you want it'. But progressively some of that rustle and bustle is silenced to some loud stomping and the sound of a bit of clunking metal.

Down these streets walked something odd. Not many have seen it before. But it looked like a suit of armor, almost too small to not fit anyone in it. The classic military coloring of it made some cower in fear, and some salute in respect. He seems to be just marching, but knows exactly where he is going as he heads directly to the large busy tavern towards the center of town. Where anyone can get a drink, or pick a fight, there was always something to do in Province.

Entering the tavern isn't homely. There were a few drunks littering the front, either passed out or beaten to a pulp. A lovely welcome, as the clunks begin to enter the door. The entire floor starts to go quiet. Well accept for a few ex-soldiers who had been there.

“Well. Lookey here fellas, that bucket of bolts they told us about showed up here. Of all places.” A man would break the silence. His body battle worn, missing an eye and a leg, which has been replaced with a prosthetic. He had gotten his four other friends' attention looking to the metal man. All with similar wounds and scars. And they had seemed offended by this man's prescense in the tavern. And a few of them stand from the table they were at. Looks like they were here to play cards, but something else has come up.

“How does it feel Williams? To be the only one in the squad to get the special treatment. When we were all banged up bad from that suicide mission.”

“Yea. And you get all that gear. And what do we get?! Full fucking discharge with no pay. Not even recognition for that op!”

“The branch screwed us and only you get the better of it. What the fuck Williams?!”

The metal man. Obviously recognized as Neil Williams, would stop in his stride. Staring back at them with his still human eyes. There is a light where his mouth used to be, and it glows as he speaks, his new voice comes from a thought to audio communicator. So he does say the very words he's thinking. And the tone from it sounds breathy, but the words can be easily determined.

“I can understand your anger. But I did not choose this. Hell. Damien, you of all people should know that I am supposed to be dead. We were all valuable units after that op. I know that. Why do you think that I took the explosive inside, as it detonated early?! I should be dead. There is no way you can change the choice the branch had made to give me this....body.”

The men just look at him angered, but begin to cool off. One of them sighing.

“Aye. You got a point. If you hadn't went in there on behalf of us. We wouldn't be standing here now would we? But why Neil? Why keep this?”

Neil was getting ready to start heading to the back. He walks to a door, stopping at the doorway and looking back. 

“Because, with this second chance. I can continue the fight. “

The other men just nod at this true soldier, before going back to their card game.

“He's on a never ending mission. Since he doesn't know his objective anymore.”

Old war buddies aside, Neil had other things to tend to. He was called to that tavern from his commanding officer. It is odd for him to have to come out here. But he has his suspicions as he heads to the back room. Seeing his officer in casuals who immediately greets him on entry.

“Glad you could make it Neil. This is of utmost importance.”

“Uhhh. Sir. If it's so important. Why drag me all the way out here?”

The officer sits down in a chair at the lone table in the room. Getting Neil to shut the door. “You have a weapon on you?”

“Always.”

“Good, I have a horrible feeling, but I have to tell you this here and now. It's a new task, given by the high council. You know everyone has been on edge about Bomire right?” The officer lights up a cigar. Neil told him how cliché that is, but the officer doesn't care since he smokes cigars anyway.

“I can understand everyone is on edge about it. Those eggheads have started getting shifty.” Neil stays standing, his arms cross in front of him. “I hear that the councilwoman of Launa wants nothing more than to put a stop to Bomire's biological research.”

The officer chuckles. “When I look into that woman's eyes, I can already tell there's a large reason she would want that. But I'll leave that as a side note for now. Now for the job at hand.” The officer stands up again and lays down a schematic of an array of bomirian research facilities. About three of them. “We've gotten intel that Bomire is working on some sort of artificial teleportal. Not quite like the ones already placed by Aldraea herself.”

“What makes this one so different.”

“The advantage Williams, this teleportal from what we understand, is remote and can open at any desired location. Meaning Bomire can have a way to steal things from other worlds for their 'research'.”

Neil looks at the schematic, looks like three buildings in a circular pattern. The officer explains, “These are the main research and data buildings, they are located near the center of the facility we will drop you off at. The computer with best access to the files is located here towards the south end.”

“And what do you want me to do. Destroy what they have built already? Don't you think the council will shut this down?”

The officer looks at him, taking another puff of the cigar. “Actually no. If we were planning a demolition, we would've sent a team. But this one we are sending you alone. And we think that even if the council intervenes, they will go through with their project in secret. And we are taking it upon ourselves to get preemptive. We need you to get a copy of their current data, schematics and everything. That way if what I fear does actually happen. We have an easier way to make countermeasures to it.”

Neil takes the facility schematic paper. “Alright. I'm sure I can get in and out with that data. I'll go ahead and head over now. Be ready to get Cree on the other end.”

The officer chuckles, “Admit it Williams, you have the hots for that chick.”

“Only on a business basis. Nothing further.”

“Whatever you say metal head, you have emotions under there and you know it.”

It's not long before Neil leaves the tavern. And exiting the town via a hoverbike. But what he and his CO does not know. Is that there were ears inside that room. And it transmitted long distance to someone. A wild card that no one had even considered.

“....we are being preemptive on this one. We need that data.”

A click of a button turns on the recording. 

“So. The cheeky ones need some data from the eggheads. If I beat this metal head to it. I might be able to get a nice chunk for it. Hehe.”

A slim hoverbike drives off to the southern portal to the core. From there it's faster to get to Bomire.

Neil waits for a night phase on Bomire. Hiding his motorbike in some of the shrubbery, the camouflage on it would make it blend in so well. As he waits he messes with his equipment, prepping his rifle and pistol. And making the final detail, hooking up and making sure his severely long range connection to headquarters. Making sure that Cree is on the other line.

Diane Cree is her name. A knowledgeable girl from Launa, who decided to serve Tarnk, and had risen through the ranks pretty fast. And she is the only person that Neil trusts on the other end of the line.

Cree on her end has a series of monitors to help keep an eye on Neil's position, situation, and condition. Neil can't exactly feel what injuries he sustains much anymore.

“Cree, you there?”

“I hear you loud and clear metalhead. I have all your readings up and going already.”

“Metalhead? I think the CO is wearing off on you. Or is that for earlier?”

A few clicks on a keyboard in front of her, and Cree brings up readings of surroundings and nearby scans up to a hundred yards around Neil.

“Oh what. The canceling our date? I can get over it. One of these days I'm going to get you to relax. All these ops are probably not good for that brain of yours.”

“Alright you considerate flower girl. I'll keep it in mind. I'm about to head in. Anything ahead?”

Cree scans through the radar. “Good timing tex. You are clear. But be careful. I am getting at least one reading in the room where your objective is. There are some surrounding patrols but they seem to be leaving. Those vents are big enough to fit your metal butt into them.”

Neil holsters his pistol starting to head into the building. Using a new clinging technology he is able to climb up the smooth sides of the building, making his way to an outward vent shaft opening.

The grate on the vent crumbles like butter in Neil's metal grasp, tossing it behind him and it falls with a splash into the swampy muck below. The vent was industrial sized, making it large enough for Neil to fit inside. It takes him a moment to even out his weight so he doesn't make a bunch of noise. A couple of times he had to stop moving to let Bomirian security by without making any noise as well.

The small maze of ventilation did lead Neil to his objective. And Cree sounds up on his silent communicator. “This is odd. That one reading is still in there. Be careful Neil.”

“Don't worry. I got this.” Neil removes the ceiling grate slowly. Bringing it upward instead of dropping it down as he slowly lowers himself down. Without a rope to help him with that, he drops down making a noisy bang on his landing. And immediately pointing his pistol towards this other figure who stands behind screens that are showing a progress bar titled “File copy progress.”

This other figure wore an outfit different from the scientists and security. It was mainly red. A blondish white ponytail hung below a dark sharpshooter's cap. His outfit from seeing it from behind, was a long red jacket, in which its tailcoat bore a golden emblem of a raven. 

Neil sounds out to the target.

“Stop right there.”

The figure ignores him for a second. The progress bar on the screen slowly going up as the figure turned his head to somewhat look towards Neil. “Why stop now? I'm almost done.”

Neil gets this suspicion, he remembers that raven emblem and knows exactly where that came from. “Why would someone from Wayland House want this data?”

The other man chuckles. Quite loudly while turning around fully to look at Neil. His attire was somewhat proper, wearing what looked like a vest and tie. He wore two leather belts, each one with a gun holstered onto it. He had yet another gun holstered in a shoulder holster, and even from the distance that Neil was at, he could see that the gun on the man's shoulder was much larger than the ones holstered on his belts. The man's sleeves were short and he had fingerless gloves on his hands. “What can I say. I can't get rid of family. And they don't want this data. They don't even know about it.” The man would smirk at the robotic man, who just urges on the questions, still pointing his pistol with an itching trigger finger.

Soon the man takes off his hat and bows to the robot. Speaking in an accent that sounded a mix from New Jersey and British, but it was natural. “But let me not forget to introduce myself. My name is Torma Wayland. Sixth brother in the seventh generation of Wayland House.” He puts the hat back on. “Well. That would be my title if I did not get disowned when I went to do my own thing.”

Through Neil's communicator, Cree has already gotten some info on Torma. And is telling it to Neil. “Torma Wayland. Wanted on four of six worlds. Went rouge from his family at the age of twenty-five. Is now a mercenary for hire. Neil, this guy is bad news. He's only in our system because we've dealt with him before. In other words, he's killed at least five others that are just as skilled as you are. Proceed with extreme caution. Being from Wayland House, he has countermeasures to your exo.”

Neil returns with a retaliation. “Well it seems I'll get two for the price of one. I'll get this data and bring in one of Grandia's most wanted.”

Torma turns back to the computer for a second. “Most wanted. Sir I am utterly flattered that I have the chance to be public enemy number one” The progress bar completes and he ejects a data chip. Turning back to Neil and showing it to him. “But right now. You're too late. I have the data for a more, business purpose.” Torma unholsters his large pistol, pointing it at the computer and firing a couple of rounds, destroying the computer. “Woops, and now it looks like I'm now the only one with a copy of the data.”

Outside the room, in the main security office, guards are immediately alerted by the gun's sound and the abrupt shutdown of a technology department computer. A few orders are shouted and a small squad of armed guards starts running toward the room where Torma and Neil are at. These blips on the radar cause Cree to warn Neil.

“Neil. That alerted security. Multiple armed hostiles are heading to your location now. You need to get out soon.”

Neil's eyes show the shock of Torma destroying the computer. “Then hand it over and we can all go away happy.”

Torma then points his large pistol at Neil, standing at a sideways sharpshooter stance. “Sorry, unless I get what I want from this. Which is a lot of money. I won't be happy. This data for a remote teleportal design will sell nicely.”

“I said I am NOT leaving without that data. And I will pry it from your hands if I have to.” Neil gets to resting his finger on the trigger.

“Is that a challenge soldier boy? I will make my leave. But it looks like I won't be until I show you why you Tarnkan types shouldn't mess with me. But first. We should get a little privacy.” And just after those words, the revolving chamber on Torma's gun lights up in strange symbols as a ring of those same symbols appear around his gun. And Neil has figured out the countermeasures Cree was talking about.

“Sorcery?! With a gun?! How is that possible? Wait....” His HUD scans Torma's gun. Scans showing normal parts and major parts made of a different metal. A metal that the Wayland family uses to forge all magi focuses for their family. “Runic Carbonite?! That's how you're able to do that!”

Neil had done those scans as Torma points his gun at one of the doors to the room. These were the automatic sliding doors. Equipped with bulletproof glass on them. Torma aims and lets out a word. “Cetro!” He fires his gun, and what fires looks like little bolts of electricity that fly at high speed. Hitting the control panels of the doors with such high impact they break and are short circuited. Torma does this to the other door as well. This causes the locking mechanisms on the doors to close and stay that way with now no way to open them from the outside. Torma chuckles again walking toward the doors as the guards just get there. The guards angered on the other side, and Torma just waves. Looking back to Neil. “There we are. Nice and quiet.”

“Good. Now I can get loud.” Neil already begins to fire his pistol at Torma, who uses quick reaction to run to the side behind a nearby pillar. This room was huge, it needed three pillars to support it. The rest of the room was filled with worktables and desks. Tactical combat is what gets Neil to duck behind the pillar next to him. Engaging his tactical HUD with the recording for Cree on a seperate screen. Who still calls out to him. 

“Neil. Please. The data might be gone. He has the means to destroy you. Evac and extract already.”

“Sorry Cree. This guy is going to be a problem if I don't take care of him Now.”

On the other side of the room. Torma sees a bullet hole in the tailcoat of his jacket. Just missing the raven emblem. He then pulls out his holstered guns from his belts. One was a revolver with powerful bullets. And the other a lower calibur and quick loading pistol.

“You know that's rude to shoot a man in the back.” He stands up. A small clicking of his guns priming could be heard. “They say shooting a man in his back removes all pride and courage he had before he hits the ground. I'm not going to let that happen to me, metal man.”

Neil speaks before peeking out from his cover. “Sorry if I'm not the polite type. I have my orders.” A chunk of the edge of the pillar disappears making Neil draw back in cover quickly, as Torma fired a near perfectly accurate shot and hit the pillar. Torma then says, “Then it looks nigh to fix our differences here. The only good soldier....is a dead one.”

Neil swerves out of cover, pulling out his automatic rifle. And fires some rounds swerving Torma's pillar. The two diving to cover across from each other behind a couple of worktables. Torma pulls out his large revolver again. And manually spins the revolving chamber. 

“I don't see this going anywhere fast. So I'm going to make it such.”

“Then be an honest man Wayland!”

Neil raises from his cover at about the same time as Torma. The revolving chamber of Torma's revolver having a glowing ring around it, and as even calls the word “Firon”

They both fire at the same time. Both guns causing a bang so loud it can be heard throughout the complex. Torma's gun shoots a large burst of fire that flies like a rocket at Neil, aimed square in the chest. Neil's pistol fires a large calibur shell, aimed at Torma's leg.

Torma's shot explodes on contact with Neil. Creating a small explosion that sends him and a couple of desks flying backward. Cree's screens blaring with alarms of significant damage to Neil's systems. “Left side gyro failing. Agile system hydraulics dropping. Neil, get out of there! You cannot fight this guy right now!”

Neil's shot pierces Torma's leg. Dropping the gun mage to a knee and crippling him. “Damn. You actually hit me. I don't like that.” Neil is against the opposite wall. Unable to move as a couple of limb gyros have failed. The endoskeleton twitching as he tries to move it. Cree going to town on the keyboard. “Damn damn damn damn. Hold on Neil. I won't let some bounty hunter take you down. Initiating emergency repair nanos.” After these commands, the innerworks of Neil's exo releases a small swarm of nanobots to repair the damage that is making him immobile. Allowing him to slowly stand. But Torma aims his two smaller guns at him. “Oi! I hate cheating nanobots. Alright you clunk!” Torma brings up only the small revolver, standing slowly himself. He can't move so well with a hole in his leg. So he takes aim.

Neil gets to standing, his exo still twitching slightly with evidence of his innerworkings malfunctioning. Torma takes aim putting his hand behind the hammer of his small revolver.

“Sorry junkhead. I'm going to have to put you down. You might be an issue for me later. You put up a nice fight thought. I'll give ya that much.”

Neil holds up his weapon once more, shakingly. “A fight that I can keep going through. This soldier isn't going down that easy.”

Cree begins to yell at him. “Neil. Haven't you been fucking listening?! You can't win this fight right now!!” Neil doesn't respond to Cree at all right now. Being too focused on the action ahead. Cree begins to have a slight panic attack. Activating those nanobots was the most she could do right now.

Torma's face twinges as he gets a little angered. Growling in his stance. “Then let me show you how easy it is. Be lucky if you make it out of here alive.”

At this time. The security on the outside is trying to find a way to bypass the damage Torma caused to the doors to get them open. It will take a long time and for scientists they are too stupid to go around to the other corridor.

Torma focuses for a moment. Then with quick motions using his hand on the hammer of his revolver. Unloading the revolver onto Neil, and dealing serious impacting damage to Neil's arms, legs, the center of his chest, and his face where his mouth would be. The damage of this causes his systems to lock up again and prevents Neil from being able to speak now.

Cree can only watch as her screens show more malfunctions and system failures. And the disconnect from his vocals. She starts to try and think. Working on the keyboards in front of her trying to look for a different solution.

Torma stands overlooking Neil. “Now. It seems you won't be any problem to me now. So if you excuse me. I'll be on my way. Don't wait up.” Torma readjusts his apparel. And with a slight limp he heads to the center of the room. And uses a grappling hook to raise himself to the vent that Neil entered from. And the security of Bomire still working on the doors. Unable to find anything that can bridge the connection, they go to call a technician to figure out what he can do.

Back at Tarnk headquarters, Cree is messing around with settings and console commands. Inputting something to make the Nanos spread around and repair Neil's body widespread now. Putting more focus on the limbs of his exo, which has sustained quite a bit of damage that will take a bit of repair at base. “Come on come on. Neil. If you can hear me. I won't be able to get your vocals going from here. The field repair will get you up and moving. And hopefully not a moment too soon..”

It takes a bit, but the nanos do their work. Neil gaining control of the limbs once more. He rolls over so that he can stand up much easier. Having to move slowly, a strong headache coming on as pain ensues. Lighting up Cree's screens again. “Holy crap. Neil. You need to stay calm. Focus on something. This is not good for your brain.”

Neil holds his head, waiting for the pain to stop. He actually thinks of Cree and his old crew, and soon the headache calms down. He looks around. Unable to talk to Cree makes him go to instinctual investigation while he has time. His exo is moving slow and clunky as the nanos do their work, he walks around. Some items did survive the fire fight, but mainly it was one console with about four screens connected to it.

Walking up to this console it showed live feeds from somewhere in the facility. A dome structure with four sealed doors. The structure had plant life inside. It seems that there is nothing out of the ordinary. But as Neil was about to look away, on the screen a large flower back centered in the room seems to open on its own. And Neil gets shocked to see that inside of this flower looks like a body of a woman. This is a susceptible amount of data. He lets his HUD camera record this. And even Cree can see it. She is at a loss for words, but remembers that Neil needs to get out of there. She looks upon the map. “Alright metalhead. Time to toughen up. There are guys at each entrance to that room. And according to the readings I'm getting. They're going to open up the middle one in a moment. You're too damaged to go through that vent again. Looks like its time to fight your way out. Gunho buddy. Just like that cargo raid.”

Neil complies. Having ready his assault rifle. By the time they get the door open Neil is semi repaired as he barges through the door as it opens. Firing upon the security, killing two and wounding one as he starts running towards his escape. Cree leads him using the blueprints as he makes his leave from the building that had been set to high alert, beating the front door as it closes. This mission was a failure. But Neil did get away with some useful info.

A good distance away. At the small Bomirian community of Rustial, a small slightly slummy northern community at the mercy of The Facility. Torma is huddled down in a small bunker. This was one of his safehouses where he goes to heal himself up. “Blasted robots. The damn metalhead managed to target me. Hmmm. Maybe he's not a whole robot. Interesting.” He holds up the chip with the data in front of him. After gawking at his prize again, he returns to finish closing up his leg wound. And is actually curious if he'll run into Neil again later down the road.

[evilprincesskeri]

Teen!Dean - Part Six: Pick and Roll

Bobby looked up from his spot at the kitchen table and squinted at him suspiciously.  “You’re going to a high school basketball game?”

“Yeah, well, what else am I going to do here Bobby?  It’s been a month.  You won’t let me go find Dad.  So, yeah, I’ve gone native.  What about it?”

Bobby put his hands up in front of him to forstall more arguments.  “I’m not gonna stop you from going to do a little bit of living while you got the chance.”  

“This is not my life Bobby.  I’m a Hunter, that’s my life - and at this rate I’m gonna have to match a corsage and a cumberbund and I only know what one of those is for.”  Dean huffed in frustration and kicked the door frame.  “You aren’t worried about him, Bobby?”

“Ain't my job to worry about your old man.  He’ll be back when he’s done chasing his tail.” Bobby stood up, and crossed the room to lay a hand on Dean’s shoulder.  “Boy, there ain’t much in a Hunters life but blood and pain.  You get a chance to have a little bit of something else - you gotta grab ahold of that.”

Dean scoffed, and headed for the door.  “I guess cheerleaders are a good way to pass the time.”  

“Take Sam with you.” Bobby suggested.

“No way!” Sam shouted from the study across the hall at the same time Dean did. Sam lowered the lore book he was reading and grinned over top of it.  Dean couldn’t help but grin back at the little nerd surrounded by all the occult books the little egghead could devour.  

“I’ll be back late.” Dean said as he bounded down the stairs into the early spring evening.  He drove back to school at a leisurely pace.  The route was familiar so his mind kept drifting to an image that had been stuck in his head for a solid week now.  His mind lingered on the memory of a wisp of blonde hair caught among obscenely thick caramel coloured lashes and those coffee colored eyes.  With effort he pulled his mind away from the thought.  Again. Instead he focused on Jenna’s familiar curve of cleavage and the way the sweater of her uniform pulled up from the waist so you could see her tummy peek out easily enough.   Although, going to a school game of any sort was a new low, cheerleaders really were the best way to pass the time.

He pulled into the parking lot, surprised to find it nearly full.  He parked and walked around to the gym doors, following the crowd of teens and parents.  Once inside he found a spot mid-way up the bleachers that was dead center, so he had a good view.  

The cheer squad were milling around on the court, some still arriving.  Mostly the girls, Jenna among them, stood in a clump chatting and laughing.  The last of the three male cheerleaders walked up to the bench where the the other two were sitting and dropped his duffle on the floor.  He said his hellos and then brushed a lock of blonde hair out of his eyes.  Dean held very still as he watched the gesture lift the bottom edge of his sweater to allow just a glimpse of his tummy.  He licked his lips thoughtfully as he remembered the first day he’d come to see Jenna at practice.  It had been Brandon that she had been talking to as he walked up that day.  Realizing that he was staring he dragged his eyes back to Jenna and the girls and tried his best not to think.  At all.  

It didn’t work.  He’d been thinking about all the books Brandon had suggested, the passion in his voice when he talked about all the subtleties of Shakespeare's lesser known works and had wandered off on a tangent about the Sonnets.  It had all seemed like so much chick-flick lovey dovey BS before, but Dean had found himself sat at a corner table in the library yesterday leafing through a ‘Collected Works’ during his free period.

Once the game started and the cheer squad got going it was easier to stay focused on Jenna and the other girls.  They were front and center, and very… energetic.  Still, he had never before noticed how much work male cheerleaders did, but he found himself impressed.  They smiled, kept pace with the girls bouncing, blended into the routines doing occasional acrobatics themselves all while lifting, catching and stabilizing the girls.  

He thought he finally understood why a guy would choose to be a cheerleader.  There were some perks.  Still, the dichotomy of Brandon’s cheerleading and his tutoring activities struck Dean as at odds with one another.  The guy read voraciously, was good enough at math to get paid to tutor it, and was a cheerleader; it was an interesting combination.  

At half-time Jenna, and two of the other girls, started their routine with an acrobatic set of flips and cartwheels to the center of the court and slid down into the splits when they landed.  Dean leaned forward, a smile pulling up the corners of his lips as he remembered how she had shown him just how flexible she was in a different context.  The girl was bendy.  Brandon stepped close to Jenna and offered her a hand. Taking his hand she got up in a whirlwind spin of legs, and with Brandon’s help continue the momentum, she spun up along the length of his torso until she basically sat on one of his shoulders.  Shoulders that were surprisingly broad and well muscled.  

Dean simmered with confusion and did his best to keep his attention on Jenna.  She was delicious; and he meant that both figuratively and literally.  Her barely contained breasts bounced wildly and her short skirt regularly flipped up flashing the audience.  Her outfit was designed to tantalize.   It should not take this much effort on his part to focus on her.  Instead, he kept finding his eyes drifting back to the intriguing triangle that Brandon’s wide shoulders and narrow waist drew.  Or the way the muscles in his thighs were outlined through the tight polyester pants when he squatted before going into a lift.

He told himself he was just impressed.  Or surprised.  Brandon had struck him as scrawny at Jenna’s house but he’d been dressed in loose fitting layers and jeans.  He’d just assumed he was gangly and skinny because of the nerdy stuff.   And, to be fair… he was skinny; but the shoulders took him by surprise.  

As the game ended and the bleachers emptied, Dean dug his book out of his pocket and read in his seat until the crowd started to thin.  When there the majority of the crowd was off the bleachers and were clumped around the doors Dean put the book away and headed down to greet Jenna.  She was excited to see him, or was still riding the adrenalin from the performance, because she threw herself at him and wrapped her legs around his waist to kiss him.  After kissing him she slid down his body and bounced away saying “I need a shower, and then we’re gonna go do something fun.  Because I’m totally hyped and we gotta go DO something.”  

Dean chuckled “Alright, are you going to be long?”

Jenna laughed “I’ll be quick.  I promise, don’t bail.”  Jenna took off after the other girls who were headed toward the changing room.    

Dean shrugged “Sure.”  He glanced at the crowd of people clumped at the doors around the doors.  They didn’t seem to be going anywhere as they were moving in a ‘calm and orderly manner’ out the door on their way out to the parking lot.  He turned around to head back to the bleachers to wait, until Jenna was done or the people at the doors were gone, which ever was first.  He was surprised to see Brandon was sitting on a bench hunched over a book.  Dean’s brows furrowed as he realized where he had been hiding those shoulders earlier this week.  Brandon slumped his shoulders forward, making them look narrower and himself shorter than he actually was.  It was a neat trick.

Dean took a few strides over and plopped unceremoniously down next to him.  “What’cha reading today?”

Brandon’s head shot up and he jumped sideways on the bench by almost a foot.  He held the book between the two of them like a shield; his breath coming short and fast.  There was genuine terror in his eyes.

“Woah, woah, woah…” Dean held his hands up at his sides.  “Didn't mean to startle you there.”

Brandon swallowed hard and made a visible effort to calm himself.  He set the book slowly down on the bench between them, cover side up; The Cat Who Walks Through Walls.  Then, after a moment, he blinked at Dean in confusion  “Uh.  Sorry… I uhm?  What?”  

“No problem man.  It’s a good book.” Dean flashed a warm smile, feeling bad for having sat down so abruptly.  “Seems like you’re into it, though.”

Brandon blinked owlishly, staring at Dean as though he might not be real.  Or worse.  “What?”  He said again, but then, before Dean could answer he continued, his voice shaky and confused.  “Oh, the book… it’s one you’ve read?”  

“Yeah.  Some of it gets a little rambly, but Heinlein can be like that.”  

Brandon nodded and his eyes darted to the doors, to all the doors; the exit to the parking lot and the doors to the school and changing rooms.  “Uh.  Yeah… a little… rambly.”  

“Man, are you okay?” Dean asked leaning forward in concern.  

Brandon finally took a deep steadying breath and squared his shoulders.  “I uh, didn’t realize you were here… and didn’t… uh.  I wasn’t paying attention like I should have been.  What are you doing here?”

“Jenna wanted me to see the routine.  She wants to go out.”

Brandon nodded.  “Ah.  That makes more sense.”  

Dean very nearly asked what he meant by ‘more’ sense, but, Brandon was rattled so he let it go.  “I didn’t realize you were… er, on the team.”

“Yeah.  I’m super manly so I can see how it would be a surprise.”  

The sarcasm in Brandon’s voice made Dean laugh.  “Well, seems like it’s got it’s perks.  Full access.”  

“Uh… yeah.  Sure.”  Brandon was less nervous now, but his eyes kept moving, as though he were on look out for something.  It reminded Dean of how he felt when he was on a Hunt, but, there was nothing dangerous in this school.  Nothing here at the game either.  

Dean wanted to ask about it, but, got the sense that if he did it would only make things worse.  He rested his forearms on his thighs and turned his attention away from Brandon to the slowly thinning crowd near the door.  “I’ve been reading Catch 22.”  He said

“Oh.”  Brandon’s voice tried hard for neutrality.  

“Yeah.  It’s a strange book.”  Dean was unsure what he was doing here.  When he’d seen Brandon sitting here he’d been excited for the chance to get to talk to him again, but it didn’t seem like Brandon felt the same way.  It had been a whole school week since that day at Jenna’s and he hadn’t even seen Brandon since then, but he’d picked up Catch 22, he’d read Shakespeare, and he couldn’t get that little wisp of hair out of his mind.  

“... yeah.”  Brandon agreed and he seemed to debate what to do next.  He chewed on his thumbnail and swallowed nervously.  

Dean glanced sideways at him.  “Jenna’s got some family thing tomorrow.  You want to grab a pizza and talk about weird ass books?”  

Brandon stared at Dean for a long moment.  Those dark chocolate eyes swam with a torrent of emotions, but eventually he nodded.  “Uhm, yeah.  Tomorrow?”  

“Yeah.  There’s this dive of a pizza place I found.   All of the tables wobble and the wallpaper is peeling, and I think it might be a mob front, but god love ‘em they can make a pizza.  Tony’s.”  

Brandon blinked in bewilderment.  “On 12th?  I know it.”  

“Yeah.  That’s the place.  I have some stuff to do tomorrow morning, but could be there by 1 or so.”  

By now the crowds had pretty much cleared out and Jenna came bounding across the Gym with the rest of the girls.  They were all showered and preened.  Jenna was wearing a short pleated skirt and shirt with a heart shaped cut out over her chest.  Her jacket was on, but unbuttoned and her hair was down out of the braid it had been in.  Dean grinned at her as she approached.  He stood as she got close and she stepped into his arms to give him a short but very wet kiss.

After the kiss she seemed to notice Brandon.  “Oh! Thanks for keeping Dean company again B.”

Brandon’s cheeks flushed pink, and those dark eyes fluttered over Dean’s face and then down at the ground.  “Sure, Jenna.  I was waiting for my dad to pick me up, so it’s no big deal.”  

Dean wrapped an arm around Jenna and asked her “Where are we off to?”  She told him where ‘the gang’ was planning to go after the game.  Before turning to leave Dean looked back to Brandon “Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?” Jenna asked “Is B gonna tutor you, so you can like… pass any of your classes?”

Brandon nodded stiffly, his shoulders were already sagging back into their slump.  “Yeah.  Tutoring… tomorrow at 1.”  

Dean gave Brandon a slight scowl before deciding, once more, not to argue the point.  As he left with Jenna he fought the urge to look back over his shoulder at Brandon.  Something was off with him, but, now wasn’t the time to push him about it.  The after party wasn’t some Hollywood fiction; Sure… pop music blared from the stereo loud enough to wake the dead and the beer was free flowing - in cans, not from a keg - but there was no dance floor.  No teen drama.  Just… 8 couples who had found a quiet place to make out or have sex.  

He was glad that Jenna had drawn a hard line in the sand because by 11 she was so drunk she was barely awake.  He poured her into his borrowed junker, drove her back home and helped her unlock the front door before he headed back to Bobby’s.

Bobby was, of course, still up when he returned.  His feet were propped on his desk, a glass of whiskey in his hand while he paged through a thick old tome.  “Midnight is late now?”

“Eat me.”  Dean said without malice and went to grab a bottle of beer from the fridge.  He plopped down on the couch and propped his foot on the stack of books on the floor in front of him.  

“Feet off the books boy.”  Bobby grumped.  “No cheerleader tonight?”

Dean grudgingly dropped his feet to the floor.  “We hung out for a while.  Then she drank her third beer and pretty much passed out.” Dean took a swig off his beer.  “What are you workin on?”

“Hunter in Des Moines is up against what he thought was a vengeful spirit.  Little girl keeps popping up, wreaking havoc.  She’s killed three people so far, but no one knows who she is and everyone who sees her gives a different description.  Something just ain’t sittin’ right with me about it.”

Dean pursed his lips and nodded.  No name meant they couldn’t dig up bones, no bones to burn meant the spirit was free to do what spirits did.., so that sucked.  He took another pull from his beer and sat in silence as Bobby went back to his reading.  

Bobby looked up about 10 minutes later and set his book aside “You got somethin on your mind?”

“Nah.”  Dean started.

“Okay, so, you’re just sitting here watching me read hoping your pretty face is gonna inspire me?” Bobby joked.  

“Can you take Sam shopping tomorrow?  He’s got some project he needs supplies for, and I told him I’d take him, but I got plans tomorrow now.”

“I thought the cheerleader had family stuff to do tomorrow?”

“No, not like that.  Jenna’s fine and all, but it’s not like we’ve got a lot to talk about.  Gonna grab a pizza and hang with this guy I met.”

“Awww.  Did you make a friend?” Bobby smirked and took a swig of his whiskey.

“Shut up.”  He took a final swig of beer and set the bottle on the table, before storming out of the room. 

Like what you just read?  Go back to the beginning: Part One: Arrival Part Two: Too Cool For School Part Three: The More You Know… Part Four: Ground Rules Part Five: Puzzle Peices

[whoopyjoonie]

Reader x Criminal!BTS AU Pt. 3

It’s been forever I know :( Sorry for not updating I got too busy with school I hate school smh, thank you for 100 lovely followers who had time to read my shitty posts <3 anyways enjoy this part, I hope it won’t suck and I hope you guys will love it!! <3

Part 1 | 2

———————

“I bet you know who we are,” The blonde man said to you as you sit in the other end of the long meeting table. 

“I bet the whole world knows,” You mumbled as you fold your arms.

He looks at you unamused before looking at his teammates and nodding. 

“You know that we’re recruiting right?” He asked.

You nod your head as you get nervous, you didn’t want to get recruited.

“We need the best of the best, the most accurate and the finest, the manipulator and the brave,” He said, folding his arms too and leaned on the table. 

Oh God, what about Areum? What will happen if they recruit me? Areum would be alone! I don’t want to be recruited, I’m fine just by myself! You thought, your brows furrowing. 

“Don’t worry about your little friend, we’ve got her too,” The man who captured you said as if reading your mind.

You don’t know what’s worse, the fact that they captured Areum too or the fact that the both of you will be recruited. 

“I don’t want to join you,” You said standing up.

The leader, Namjoon, laughed and winked at you. 

“Baby who said you can choose?” 

——–

So here you are, on your way to a high school for a mission. Wearing your uniform which consists of a short skirt and white blouse with the logo of the school imprinted on it. Of course you didn’t agree to any of this, but they promised you you’d like it. 

You had a plan to run away, but sadly they have people dressing up as students to watch over you and they have control over the CCTV camera. You didn’t like the way the uniform was so tight so you unbuttoned the 2 last buttons from the top so you could breath.

Bangtan had it all. 

The car came to a halt and you got down , the earpiece you wore connecting you to Areum. 

“In front of you is your new school, eliminate the headmaster and leave,” Areum said as you close the door. 

You turn around and leaned on the passenger door, Jimin sitting on the seat. 

“So I have to eliminate someone without any weapon? Who do you think I am? John Cena?” You asked, leaning down. 

Jimin stared down, his mouth dry as he peeks at your cleavage. 

“There will be a gun and knife in your locker, j-just in case you need it,” He said, keeping his cool in front of you. 

You turn around and walked towards the entrance of the school, swinging your hips left and right, because you know damn well that it affects him. 

Once you enter the school, you made a disgusted face because seriously? It’s school. You make your way to your locker on the second floor, getting stares from some people which you ignored. You open your locker slowly and peeked inside, and surely a gun and a pocket knife awaits you. You carefully put it into your backpack and made your way to your first class. Math. 

—–

“This lesson is SOOO boring!” You said loudly, disturbing the teacher who is currently explaining.

He stopped and looked at you, so does your classmates.

“Who might you be? I’ve never seen you here!” He asked you, squinting his eyes.

“I’m new,” You answered.

“Well shut your mouth if you don’t want to go to the headmaster’s office,” He said turning around.

Bingo.

“Well I can’t help it that this class is being teached by a bald headed man who might pop out an egg from his head at this very moment,” You smirked.

Some kids let out laughs and snickers. And oh God, the teacher looks so angry. 

“Don’t push me to my limits young lady!” 

“Now that wouldn’t be so fun would it egghead?” You challenged.

You can literally see fumes coming out of his nose and ears, his face redder than the blood you were used to see weekly. 

“Detention room! NOW!” He yelled at you, pointing at the door as he dropped his books. 

Your smirk dropped. Fuck. 

You did what he told you to and make your way to the detention room. A male teacher in his mid 40s was reading inside that classroom,. You entered the room and sat down at the very back, planning to just sleep the whole detention off. 

“Hey you,” You heard and you lift your head up. 

“What class were you from?” 

“Math,”

He stopped a moment before nodding.

“Got a boyfriend?” 

You sit up straight and cringed.

“Back off loser,” You said, folding your arms.

“You’re so naive you know,” He said, walking towards you and stopping once he was in front of you. 

“I said back off,” You grit your teeth as you stand up. 

“Detention is boring, how about we have some fun?” He asked you, smirking as he presses his body to yours. 

Your eyes widen and you punched him hard on his jaw, He stumbled back, his glasses on the ground.

“You bitch,” He growled before stepping forward and slapping your cheek hard.

You stumbled back too, before taking your backpack and taking out your gun. 

He backs away as he sees the gun, holding up his arms.

“H-hey, I was just joking,” He stuttered, backing up. 

“What a mess trouble I have to clean up later,” You grit your teeth.

He looks at you confused before you pulled the trigger and shoots him in the middle of his forehead. The silencer made little to no sound which made it easier because you won’t have any teacher coming into this room right now. 

You look at the man, lifeless on the ground before taking your backpack and exiting the classroom.

————

SUE ME I’M ENDING IT THERE LOVE YOU IM SORRY THIS IS SHORT

[briaabee-blog1]

Bordertown

While Netflix binging one may come across this FOX show created by Mark Hentemann. Bordertown is a provocative and thought provoking show about the Southwest and possible representations of real border towns across the country. The show’s start up song begins with the families whipping through a tornado and as they land the town clearly separates into Mexican and white half. In other words, the Mexican family was the "nonwhite other" and that was going to be made clear in the episode. I also immediately thought Hentemann was presenting stereotypes of both cultures in one comedy. The first episode 1 is entitled The Engagement.  

The story begins with the daughter of the Buckwalds running over to the Mexican family and telling the uncle how excited she is that his nephew is coming home from college. Becky said “I’d bake a cake if that didn’t enforce gender roles...”, excited she runs away and says oh forget It! I implied that she was going to bake one anyways. This statement was interesting because  The grandfather of the Mexican father told Ernesto not to talk to her because she is the daughter of la migra. Ernesto replied by saying “Oh come on papi, I like Bud. Don't hate him just for doing his job. That would be like the grass hating me for doing mines.” The camera moved to his landscaping truck that said Gonzalez landscaping: I will murder your grass and its family. This irony was saddening because the border patrol does have the power to "murder families" in a literal sense by sending a parent or two to Mexico resulting in orphan children in The United States.  

 The next scene the white father,  Bud, is sitting at his job at the Border control office. He is watching the newscaster talk about the new “Show me your papers law, prop 7010.” This law can send anyone back to Mexico if the police suspect they should be there. Bud comments and says “It’s about time, The Southwest belongs to retired teachers and meth lab entrepreneurs.” When Bud said that joke I immediately thought of New Mexico; where AMC’s Breaking Bad was filmed. Also New Mexico is a known retirement state. Hentemann is exposing racist tendencies the Southwest commits on a daily basis 

 When Bud Buckwald  is driving home he drives past a sign that says MEXIFORNIA U.S - MEXICO BORDER, this stood out to me because instantly you can tell the main character Bud strongly dislikes the Mexican race but he lives so close to them. In my eyes this is a contradiction, you cannot truly hate something and then be surrounded by it, in this case live in their environment. This contradiction is a reality today because more predominantly Black areas of New York are becoming more white dominated. When Bud is driving there are signs all over the area saying Vote NO ON 7010 and Vote YES ON 7010. As bud drives down his street there are all NO signs and his house is the only YES. This small detail also shows how he is living in an area not dominated by his master status but he feels entitled to kick out the whole neighborhood.  

 When he pulls into the driveway his neighbor greets him and he replies by asking “Ernesto, what the hell crazy holiday are you decorating for now?” This question is insinuating the stigma that Mexican families celebrate a lot of “crazy holidays” so Bud sounded annoyed and when asking which holiday is it now. Ernesto replies "No holiday, my nephew J.C is coming home from college." Ernesto's response altered a stigma attached to the Mexican population: they are not educated. His nephew is beating the odds by attending college successfully.  Bud replies by saying “Oh dear God that egghead is back? There is nothing worse than a Mexican with glasses.” and walks away. This comment demeans J.C’s character based on ethnicity (Mexican) and appearance(shape of his head and glasses). Ernesto plays it off by saying “He’s a great guy.” with the people surrounding him saying nothing. This “laughing from keep from crying” connect comes into play. Ernesto tries to overlook his neighbor’s rude comments by merely laughing it off and complying with his behavior. 

When Bud got home his wife had already made dinner, the pet fed and had the kids sitting at the table. This gender conformity moment stood out to me because since the father was out working this implied the mother attended to the house duties. Janice asks about his day he states it was okay... but that new immigration law will fix things! Becky screams "Dad how could you support that horrible law? If you get rid of the immigrants who's next?" Bud replies "Let's cross that gay bridge when we come to it, huh?" This statement is offensive to the LGBTOIA community because Bud is implying that the gay population is next to be 'dealt' with after the immigrants. Janice steps in and says "Oh, your father is just upset because a lot of our immigrant neighbors are doing better than us. He told me so in private. I didn’t want to say anything but my lips started moving and I couldn't seem to stop them, see! They're still going now!" This is an example of sexual prejudice because the author is portraying the mother as a 'time witted woman' who cannot control words coming out of her mouth. The stereotype that woman are as incompetent as children comes into play because children sometimes have lack of control as Janice did in that moment.  

In the next scene Becky stands up for the Mexican population by saying "Dad who cares if immigrants are doing better than us? They work hard. They deserve it!" Bud replies by ranting "I care! I used to be someone in this town. My dad owned the biggest flower shop on the strip, right across from the freeway. All you had to do was pull off the exit, park your car, buy some flowers. Couldn't get more convenient. And then Alejandro changed the game." This statement is ignorant because Bud is not taking into account that someone has to grow the flowers being sold. The Immigrant population is the only group of people that take odd jobs such as growing/planting and cleaning. Bud's dad may have sold flowers successfully but the middle man(immigrants) made that success possible. Also the fact that Bud thinks he is "someone in this town" because of his father is a sense of entitlement. Bud is acting like a stereotypical white, middle class male by assuming his father's reputation transfers over.  

The Buckwald family attends the Gonzalez's family celebration for J.C returning from college. When they arrive the grandfather shouts "Aw crap! Who invited the rednecks from next door?" This stereotypical phrase is used to demean one's character based on previously stigmatized individuals. This is also an aggregate term because Bud is white he is stigmatized as being a redneck. Bud shouts back to the grandfather "We ain't rednecks! Would rednecks have a five-year old beauty pageant star? Show em, Gert!" The white community may be unaware but there is a huge stigma behind beauty pageants and being white. Having young girls compete in beauty pageants  is a predominantly white, American pastime. Other cultures and  some ethnic communities frown upon sexually flaunting young girls but in America beauty pageants is a part of culture. Gert complies and says "Sparkles(Pet pig) you ready?" She then begins signing "I'm beautiful and famous, and you know what my name is." Then she runs  to eat trough with the pig. Bud condones with glee and says "My beautiful angel one day you're going to be on the cover of the internet." Gert singing about being beautiful and everyone wanting to know her name reaffirms the white bubble mentality. This mentality is that just because of my whiteness I am worth everyone knowing my name and paying attention to me. Also the fact that she has a pet pig and ate trough is stereotypically seen as a white country hillbilly. In other words, a redneck. Furthermore, Bud cheers her on by encouraging her appearance on the front of the internet. Modernizing magazine modeling Bud is foreseeing his daughter being famous based on looks and "talent".  

The next scene THE MEXICAN MOTHER hugs Janice and  says "Help yourself to food—tacos, burritos, quesadillas." This is a new stereotype because there are stats from ABC news that one out of every 10 restaurants in America sells Mexican food. Meaning Mexican food is adored and consumed more by Americans and Mexicans themselves. Bud screams "I don’t want any of that crap! I'll catch my own food." As he says that he pulls out a duck caller. Stereotypically hunting and duck calling is a white "redneckish" activity because you predominantly only see white people participating.  

When J.C pulls up to the house in a cab the driver asks for a tip. J.C replies by saying "Here's a tip, I'm no better than you. Don't ever forget it. It's the working class that keeps spaceship Earth running." The annoyed taxi driver replies  "I use to be president of Estonia." This is a good example of how people feel less obligated to help each other because of the fact that society is struggling as a whole. The middle class is a majority of America so any money one receives can advance them more than others. So not tipping someone lessens their chance of moving up and you moving down. Also, the taxi driver took an assimilation pay cut moving to America. He may have been royalty and a prominent source in Estonia but is just an immigrant taxi driver in America. When he states that he is wanting more respect from J.C than his speech about remaining middle class.  

Finally J.C and Becky get a moment alone and J.C instantly proposes! When Becky says yes, J.C replies "I've never been so happy to be heteronormative!" This is another offensive statement aimed at the LGBTOIA community. Due to the fact that heterosexual couple can get married with no problem this leaves the non-heterosexual community in the background to unofficially be a couple. Also the fact that they are heterosexual society will be more accepting than if they were gay. Excitement turns into worry as Becky mentions her father's views on interracial marriage.  Offended, J.C says "Your father cant cling to his outdated views forever, We're in a post-racial era. He's going to have to accept that the world has  changed. Look maybe there's hope! He's finger painting with the kids." When the camera goes to Bud he had painted a sign that read " GO BACK TO MEXICO." Pepito Gonzalez responds to the sign by saying "Mommy says if I'm good, she'll take me to your funeral someday." This is an example of the next generation being more liberal and open-minded to new ways of life. J.C is interested in a woman of the opposite ethnicity of himself but his family is supportive unlike Becky's.  

J.C is sitting on the couch with his family watching tv and his cousin says J.C I think it is great you and Becky are getting married. But you'll have a wife to support. Any leads on a job? J.C replies by saying How can I get a job when monsters are trying to pass this immigration law? Cousin Gonzalez responds by saying you're right that’s unfair of me. You should wait until all problems of the world are solved. J.C replies thank you, that’s all I'm asking. This example is a blaming the victim tactic. J.C feels he cannot get a job because the immigration law puts a stigma on his back. Although this may be true, there are plenty of employers who do not discriminate against others because of a law. Laws meant to deport immigrants are not made to disadvantage citizens of the same ethnicity. Cousin Gonzalez made a valid point because there are many millennials making the bold decision to marry and have children young to prove a point to society and themselves. Most of the time not thinking of the multiple aspects that play into the raising and sharing of a life.  

The next scene is a news reported talking to a four year old girl who was playing the role of a liberal. The liberal stance is equality so being the innocent child she is she states I think people should be nice. He yells shut up! in her face. She cries and says you're scaring me! He puts on a sombrero and roars at her and yells you should be scared of Mexicans!  

The moment the 7010 bill was passed a Mexican reporter reported the news and to make an example on national television he was escorted from the desk by an Immigration official as the stared spangled banner is playing. This could be an example of the American way because America thrives off serving "justice" to others whom they believe deserves it.  

J.C and Becky are watching T.V-- similar to a the late show, the host makes the joke of I'm not saying the Mexifornia law is racist, but Rosa Parks just moved to the back of her grave. This comment offends the Mexican and Black community. The immigration law stereotypes the Mexican population because their appearance negates any positive thoughts. If you have a Mexican appearance you are assumed to be illegal. The panel that laughed at the jokes was a Black man, white women with a shirt that read Lesbian, and a dog.  Analyzing this Bordertown episode this is the one part I could not understand why this was offensive. J.C says Look! Our town is a national laughingstock! This immigration law fight isn't over. I'm so mad! If I believed in making fists, I'd make one right now. Becky, overjoyed with excitement says Oh! You sounded like Danny Trejo just now. Excited as well he says Really? Call me Machete. This is a stereotype because just because J.C is Mexican and angry, the first angry Mexican man Becky could think of she made a comparison.  

This show demonstrates many stereotypes and stigmas that are prevalent to society today. Even though J.C is educated and aware of societal issues like immigration and racial profiling he is still an aggregate for the Mexican community. J.C and his family makes many stereotypical comments and acts in ways that demeans the Mexican community. Bordertown is a good example of how people perceive and treat particular ethnicities and stigmatize based off culture.  

-Bordertown Episode 1: The Engagement. Written By: Mark Hennteman, & Lalo Alcaraz , Directed by: Jacob Hair. Aired: January 3,2016, 2.34 Million viewers. 

[cyberpony10]

Another History

This is your warning: Not for children

No cussing or stuff like that but there are questionable parts

Other then that: Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Guardian

I came to in Celestia and Luna's castle, bruised and unaware of what happened. My mane was disheveled and was light blue, my coat had scorch marks on it and was light green and my eyes were hazel. My cutie mark was a feather with two spears crossed over it. I looked around, Celestia was laughing with some of her guards as I watched in confusion, but wait! Weren’t Celestia and Luna both gone? So Twilight took over and I was her guard. I was a Filly yes but I was strong with my magical abilities. I teleported, to what little magic I had left, to Ponyville to what should have been an empty town since every pony moved to Canterlot when I was there last. I trotted and to my dismay, my leg was broken, I needed Queen Twilight Sparkle to lead me and to tell me what in all of Equestria was going on. My teleportation spell landed me in front of a school? But that’s not right! It should have taken me directly to Queen Twilight! My uniform for my guard unit was ninety five, it was all cracked and dirty from battling dragons and changelings all month. I heard a bell as students started trotting out, I fixed my leg with wood and rope as it held my leg together. That's when I saw… A changeling and a dragon with multiple other creatures and ponies flocking out. I was breathing hard, I used up my magic quickly when Twilight told me to conserve. It doesn’t matter, as soon as the changeling got close I tackled it to the ground with my hooves as everyone gasped. I wouldn’t let this thing hurt our queen!

“Who are you and why are you here?!” I screamed at the changeling with as much authority as I could manage while it tried to squirm away but I firmly held it in place. It shook but I didn’t care, I repeated the question but louder. One of the ponies ran inside, probably to get help for me, good! I saw a purple flash and a purple alicorn appear in front of me as I looked up and my eyes widened. “Let go of Ocellus this instant!” Twilight demanded as I got off of the changeling and saluted to Twilight and shouted “Yes ma'am!” she looked confused. I stepped away from the “Changeling” with disdain for it, I wanted to end it’s existence in Equestria. “Now what in Equestria are you doing and what is your name?” Twilight asked me with Integrity as I straightened out and spoke. “Feather Strike: Unit ninety five, royal guard division under the guidance of Queen Twilight Sparkle of Equestria!” I saluted her once more as I bowed in respect. I glanced at the changeling and dragon with hate and felt my leg give as I fell to the ground in pain. The changeling came up to me looking sad, I freaked out and shouted at it “Stay away from me creature! Your kind is why I have no daddy… And you!” I pointed at the dragon “Your kind is why I have no mother!” I struggled to get up as I felt a small amount of my magic return as everyone looked shocked.

I saw Rainbow Dash and tensed up as I fought back tears of joy. “General! It’s good to see you well and out of the hospital… And your filly friend Ms. Shy too” I looked over at a white unicorn with a curly mane style as I added “Can I get you to fix my armor?” She looked at me and nodded a small bit, I smiled and tossed her my armor as I shook myself. “Excuse me!? But you were attacking my student!” Twilight gaped. I bowed once more and responded “You told me to stand down, so I did” I saw Pinkie Pie and limped towards the hospital in Ponyville… At least that was still open! Twilight started following me as did Rainbow, Fluttershy, Pinkie and the other two ponies. Twilight used her magic to lift my broken leg so I could move a bit faster. When we got there, I turned my head to Twilight and said “I’ve got it from here ma’am” I started trotting inside on three legs. Twilight was still helping me, and as we got inside Twilight made sure I got help.

I was lying in a hospital bed for the second time being in the guard, and all I did was get three guards killed in my unit. I can’t face Queen Twilight… That’s the last thing I want to do. I turned away from Twilight, not wanting her to see me tear up. A nurse trotted into the room I was in and asked “Twilight?” Twilight looked over and realized visiting hours were over and jumped up “Oh! Sorry, I’ll come back in a week or two” She walked out as the nurse trotted up to my bed, smiling, she covered me up and trotted out without a word to me. I was alone again, just like before… Only my unit isn’t yelling at me for not saving the three who died. “Great! Why do I have to be stuck here? I’m a royal guard for crying out loud!” I shouted to myself, my magic was slowly returning which was good because I didn’t like not having magic. I tried to go to sleep but I couldn’t, not because I wasn’t tired, but because I… I Failed Queen Twilight.

The next day I wasn’t hungry at all, I need to get better quick so I can protect Twilight as well as Equestria. The nurse came in, it was that same nurse too. “Who are you?” I asked her with determination in my eyes. The mare looked at me, then simply replied “Redheart” Nurse Redheart trotted over to me and placed a tray of food on my legs. “I’m not hungry Redheart! I’ve got to get better as quickly as possible so I can protect Twilight! I’m her royal guard, I” Before I could finish Nurse Redheart spoon fed me the food on the tray and said to me “I’m not leaving until it’s all gone young Filly” Then she smiled sweetly as I swallowed the food… It wasn’t bad! I felt good so I decided to talk to Redheart. “Ms. Redheart?” I started, hoping she is as nice as my mother was. “Yes?” She questioned back. “Do you know two ponies by the names of Echo Talon and Feather Strike?”

Echo was a year older than me, she was a unicorn and was mostly light blue. Her mane was teal and her eyes were green. She wore a modified guards armor to fit her medical status… If it wasn’t for her I’d be dead. She wasn’t trained in offensive magic, I taught her some. I can remember her voice, it was as sweat as she was. The other guards didn’t like the fact I was into Fillies and not Colts, I didn’t care as long as she loved me for me and I loved her the same, nothing else mattered. “Do you want to go out Feather Strike?” She asked me in that sweet tone of hers, I just nodded like an idiot. I regret it so much… I cried as I thought about her, I was her guardian… and I failed her… I failed my unit… and I failed myself!

Night Shade was our only flyer, and our scout. He had a dark coat and a dark blue mane. He had brown eyes and he was almost invisible at night. He was a goofball most of the time, but he knew how to be serious as well. He always said he’d beat any trap, he was right for the most part. Shade was… My best friend, even though he was a goofball he was kind.

Lightning Strike was my brother, he was an Earth Pony. He was our rear guard, real good with his job too. Our unit wouldn’t be as good as it is was if it was for him. Lightning was five years older than I am, I am lucky to have him. I’m too tired, I think I’ll sleep on my thoughts. “Miss? Are you ok?” Nurse Redheart asked me as I shook my head, blinked, and nodded to her. “Yes! I’m fine Nurse Redheart, why?” I smiled to her, and looked down at my hooves. “You were spaced out for a bit” Redheart looked concerned, then she asked “You know you can talk to me, you know that right?” I looked away and teared up, then whispered “I don’t know if this is real, and I'm scared! Honestly, I’m a guard but I need help”

The next day Twilight came to visit me, I didn’t understand why, she said next week! “I know it’s early but I needed material for this!” The door opened as Twilight looked… Exited? Material for what? “For what exactly?” I asked as calmly as I could manage with her in the room. “Research!” Twilight answered hovering the quill and paper as she clapped her hooves together with glee, and cleared her throat… And asked the first of many questions “You are ok with answering questions right?” I looked at her and replied with a “Yes ma’am!” Twilight smiled and started writing down questions… Or answers, honestly I didn’t know but I remained calm as she asked “Now, What is your name?”

“Feather Strike, Daughter of Cloud and Rain Strike” I answered Twilight's question as I sat up against the pillow. “Two questions, Where are you from and what are the jobs in your unit?” I straightened up at that question. “I’m from Fillydelphia ma’am, my job… In the unit was the seeker, my brother Lightning Strike was backup, Echo Talon was our medic, Night Shade was recon and Daisy Flowers was our trap disarmer” Twilight’s eye furrowed, she looked at me with intrigue. “And what happened to your unit?” Twilight asked as I just looked away. She immediately picked up on that and added “I’m sorry if I asked too much of you Feather Strike” Twilight looked away just as I did. “We… Went on a mission to get rid of some Changelings in the Everfree Forest” I started choking back tears, I could feel myself tremble but I continued “Only two of us… made it back” I couldn’t talk anymore, I broke down with no more words just tears and sobs.

It was silent, Twilight didn’t ask me anything else, at least for now. Finally the door opened and Rainbowdash flew in. I was still silently looking away as I whispered “It’s never too many questions ma’am” Rainbow looked at me and asked “She’s coming to the castle right?” Twilight nodded as both mares looked at me. Castle? When did she get a castle? I… Had to ask. “It’s crystal! I mean this structure is impossible not to mention the-“ I noticed Twilight smiling at me as I simply said “Sorry ma’am, I didn’t mean to bother you” Rainbow muttered something I didn’t quite hear but I’m guessing it had something to do with 'Egghead' whatever that meant, I looked at the ‘castle’ if you can call it that and felt a bit of uneasiness wash over me.

As Twilight opened the door, I thought the castle would collapse but it didn’t. I saw just how huge this place was, and I saw the pony who taught me combat magic in the first place… “STARLIGHT!” I trotted up to her and hugged her. She looked very confused but returned the gesture. “Starlight this is Feather Strike” Twilight said as Starlight nodded. “You sent me a letter explaining the situation, I should have a spell but it will take me awhile to perfect it” Starlight nodded as she questioned “Are you sure Twilight?” Twilight just looked at her and nodded. “Queen Twilight! What’s wrong?” I asked as Starlight looked at me as Twilight just said “Let’s get you some rest” I just nodded even though I wasn’t tired. As we walked to my room I’d be staying in until I’m healed, I started thinking to myself “That nurse Redheart only knew Echo, I hope I get better and find out what is going on. I need my parents and brother, I needed Echo Talon!” In the room was a bed and a dresser, not like what I’d been sleeping on for eleven years. Twilight said my armor should come off since there’s no danger at the moment, I wanted to protest but my body said no, I took off my helmet which was the only thing not damaged and put it on the table next to the bed.

It was already night? I guess I dosed off for a bit, probably did my body good my ears perked up as I heard singing and It took me a minute to actually get out of bed to investigate. I looked at the clock, ’11 p.m.’ as I walked down the hall, the singing grew “Spike the brave and glorious is here to save you!” Spike was singing about himself while I stood outside the library, I knocked as the singing stopped and I heard running towards the door. The door opened as spike with no pony to bother him was singing to himself a bit too loud. “Oh! Hey Feather Strike!” Spike exclaimed with a laugh. “Hi, what are you doing up so late?” I asked the tiny dragon. Spike was the only dragon any pony could trust so I kind of felt safe around him. “Mostly cleaning” He replied then added “And singing” Then he smiled and asked me what I was doing up. “Trying to find the bathroom, this place is a maze” He laughed an said simply “I’ll show you the way”

He looked… different, he’s a lot shorter then when I first met him. And as we walked throughout the halls, I noticed we passed my room a few times. “You’re not Spike, are you?” I asked curiously as I summoned my spear, in my magical grasp was a six foot spear with a five inch blade, pointed towards Spike. The changeling reviled itself, it was that multi colored one I’d almost ended a few days ago. “How’d you know?” Ocellus asked me as I de-summoned my spear and stared at her. “Detection spell, now” I was ready to end her as I spoke “Why are you here?” And as she spoke I noticed her voice was soft as Ms. Fluttershy's. “I got a letter from Twilight asking me to come here” Ocellus answered with a small smile. “You’re kind is why I have no dad! I’ll never forgive any of you!” I was angry, at the fact my dad died, mom died and big brother as well, the fact that… Despite all of that, I couldn’t save any of them.

I sighed as I looked at the changeling and… Echo? She looks like her! No, no no no no no! Not again! “Why…?” I teared up, then continued my question “Why do you have to torture me with her?!” I backed away as I yelled at her, breath labored and heart threatening to explode. “She wasn’t Echo! Get a grip Feather Strike!” I was now yelling at myself, trying to calm myself down. Twilight appeared in front of me, I had my spear summoned at the changeling? When did I do that? Twilight looked angry, more hurt then anything else. Did I do something wrong? I looked to Ocellus, she wasn’t hurt, just scared and for the first time… I saw fear in a changeling, and for once I felt bad. “Why do I feel bad for this love sucking murdering creature? They are still the enemy… Right?” I shook my head, I honestly didn’t hear Twilight. My scorch marks were almost gone, my magic loosened and I dropped the spear to the ground. My body fell after…

“Did I just die?”

I opened my eye’s and sprung up out of…Bed? “Did I fall asleep?” My head hurt and my heart felt like exploding, I opened the bedroom door and trotted out. I didn’t feel very well at all. The hall I was in had Twilight ‘s voice echoing through it. “You failed me!” One of the voices shouted. “No! I tried as hard as I could!” “You murdered them all!” “NO! They… I had to save them from the pain” “You let her die” I started tearing up and then I was crying, I shouted at the voices “I didn’t mean to kill her! I loved her…” I felt myself looking at Echo Talon… Sad and looking into my eyes. “Why did you kill me? I thought you loved me? I loved you, but then you took us on that mission that only you agreed too! As far as I’m concerned…” She stopped pointing at me with a hoof before adding “You wanted me to die!” I covered my ears as my heart broke and I cried harder. Then I woke up as water splashed over me. “Oh good! You’re not dead!” She looked relieved and calmed down.

“What?!”I was angry, like ‘Spear some pony' angry. “You had a heart attack and almost died” Redheart seemed shocked I was still breathing. “I almost died? How? Why? Who?” I only had questions, to my amazement, one answer. “Your dream is what almost took your life, I was unable to stop it” Luna replied as I almost fell out of bed as I looked at her and I said in a whisper “That’s not possible!” Luna caught that and arched a brow responding as if everypony had heard me. “I assure you it is, my dream took control of me turning me into Nightmare Moon. Then I attacked my sister trying to bring eternal night, and I was banished to the moon. Once I broke free I tried to do it again, this time I was saved by Twilight Sparkle and her friends” She spoke with grace and honesty “I was finally able to meet Luna… So why do I feel so sad?” I was wondering what I should ask first, but I decided to go with the most depressing on my mind first “Luna” I started “Was that real? Or was I really dying?”

Luna looked at me for a few seconds before answering “I don’t know, but I saw your dream and how much pain it caused you” She looked around before continuing “You were screaming to yourself, I tried to enter but I was blocked by somepony, I don’t know who it was but they certainly had a lot of magic powers… Enough to block me out” She shook and blinked her eyes then looked worried. “I have to go!” “Why did she sound so scared?” I thought about it for a few seconds, the I noticed everypony looking at me. “What’s wrong?” I asked Twilight as I sat down. Twilight looked intrigued by my question before she answered, she flared up her magic and fired it… At me!? I hit the wall hard and lost consciousness... Before blacking out I asked in a rasp “Why?” It hurts…

“You know what I’m going to say, right?” “Brother just ask the question” “Why the royal guard?” “Because Echo and you are in the guard!” “It’s dangerous you know?” “Ha! My middle name is dangerous!” “I thought it was Maya” We laughed at that. I needed him now more than ever. “Echo! Did you know flowers have personalities?” “They do Daisy?” “Yes they do, I’m learning them from the three flower sellers from Ponyville. Roses have fire tempers and Tulips have radiant personalities” “You’ll have to show me sometime” “You want me… as a scout?” “You aced the trial with little injuries so yes” “You got to tell me your name first, I’m Night Shade” “Feather Strike” “You need me? You realize I don’t know combat magic right?” “Yes but you’re the only pony I know who can do this. Please Echo for me” “Fine! Just stop tickling me hahaha” “We depart in three days” “We should party!” Night Shade announced. “We should um invite our commanding officer” “Why Daisy? Never mind I guess, me and Ms. Shy don’t exactly see eye to eye” “All the more reason to invite her then” Lightning responded as we adeasall ted getting supplies for the party while I went to find Ms. Shy. I found her in her usual spot, with the animals, not pep talking us just with animals. “Ms. Fluttershy ma'am! Unit ninety five requests your assistance with a matter of utm” “Stop right there Feather Strike!” I froze in place not wanting to know what she was about. Then she started giggling, I wanted to hit her. Then added in a quiet voice “Oh I’m kidding, whatever you need I’m here for you. You know after your parents died and all that” “We should get going ma’am” “Lead the way Feather Strike, if you don’t mind that is”

“Surprise! Happy tenth year Fluttershy!” Me and the four others shouted as Fluttershy jumped back obviously startled. But eased up and joined us adding “I should have you all go through training with Dashy again just for this! How did you know It’s been ten years since Ponyville fell and I joined the army with Rainbowdash?” She spoke so soft it was almost depressing. “They had help from the best flyer in Equestria!” I smiled at her silently asking “What now commander?” And now she’s glaring at me “What’s with her eyes?”

I opened my eye’s once more this time greeted by the five ponies with Twilight and Celestia and Luna… “Twilight, is this her?” Celestia asked as Twilight nodded. “I blocked her magic princess Luna, you can probably get into her dream now” Starlight said with an enthusiastic looked on her face. “Thank you Starlight” And I started falling asleep again… I could feel myself drifting off once more…

“It’s go time!” Night Shade yelled flying around the room. “Easy Night Shade, we’ve never encountered a changeling camp this large before” I said as my brother chimed in. “They also haven’t been this aggressive before either” Night Shade stopped at that and landed folding his wings with distaste. “Why now are they getting aggressive?” Night Shade asked as I sighed and replied “They know we are a threat now, reinforcing there numbers in Ponyville and the Everfree Forest gives them the upper hand here” As I finished, the door opened as a familiar yellow Pegasus came in and cleared her throat, we all immediately stopped looked at her and saluted. “Will we have back up commander?” Daisy asked with a worried tone in her voice. “No! More ponies means more targets. Fillydelphia is having a hard enough time as is and the crystal empire’s guards need assistance, I have every bit of confidence that unit ninety five will succeed” She paused then added “Just be careful ok?” We all yelled in unison “Yes ma’am!”

“Commander Fluttershy, permission to enter?” I knocked on the door to Fluttershy’s room. “Permission granted” I opened the door and saw Fluttershy packing food and water as I asked “Are you heading to Fillydelphia with general Dash?” She nodded and I looked worried then added “Be careful commander! And” I teared up fearing I would not see her again “It’s been an hon” Fluttershy suddenly quick put her hoof to my muzzle and simply said “Don’t ever say it! That’s an order! Saying that would mean you’re not coming back, as I’ve said before… You’re coming back or I’ll have Discord bring you back and ground your entire unit” I didn’t know if she was joking or serious, I just laughed at that Discord part as Fluttershy joined in. Once we were done laughing, I said as I trotted out “We’ll make you proud” I felt sick… Reliving those moments like that, Everypony was staring at me. “Why are you all staring at me?” I honestly didn’t know why they were staring at me as I added “The two of unit ninety five returned then received word of Fluttershy and Rainbowdash were admitted into Canterlot hospital” I think… I needed a councilor. After everypony left Ocellus was still here, I couldn’t understand why but for some reason I wanted to hit her hard. Ocellus spoke with a very sweet tone in her voice “Was all of that true?” She asked that question with purpose as I answered “Yes” My magic was still disabled, thank you Starlight. I could still take her though, I’m not scared of her or any other creature.

“Why are you still here shape shifter?” I asked with hatred in my voice, I relaxed a bit queen Twilight told me not to attack her. “Twilight wrote me a letter telling me to meet her here” I got up on my hooves and got off stomping one on the floor yelling at the disgraceful creature “That doesn’t answer my question! I mean why are you still in this room!” She blushed… Then ran out as I blinked “That was weird!” I said to myself as I sighed and opened the door, walking down the hall I heard talking in one of the rooms. It was wrong to eavesdrop but I was curious so I put my ear to the door and listened “Twilight! Are y'all sure about this? What if this goes wrong?” “I’ll take full responsibility if that happens” Twilight replied to the cowpony. “Twilight do I really have too?” Ocellus asked as Twilight replied with “We need you to do this, trust me if anything happens I will personally step in”

I couldn’t here anything after that. “I need to find somepony to talk to about this, maybe Starlight” I thought to myself. I noticed one of the doors opened “Open door ooooo! Spooky! Hello!” I heard a faint cough from inside. “No! This one isn’t it either! Oh where is it?” I peeked in and saw Starlight running through books like I’d never seen her before. “Starlight?” I asked her with a worried tone in my voice. “Oh! Hey um Feather Strike! What’s up?” Starlight asked back smiling as I stepped into the cluttered library. “I was wondering if I could talk to you about something” Starlight looked at me and set the book aside as I added “It’s important” She looked… Younger then when I saw her last. She looks nicer, and less… Crazy. “You want to speak with me right? I mean obviously you wouldn’t need me otherwise right?” Starlight still sounds a little crazy!

We trotted to sugar cube corner, me constantly watching for attacking changelings and other dragons and Starlight trotting like nothing’s wrong. We went inside an sat at a table “So, what did you want to talk about?” “Me” I replied quickly and added “I’m having problems trusting ‘Ocellus’ I don’t like changelings or dragons” I rethought that for a moment “Except for Spike” I didn’t know what else to say, Starlight smiled and the asked “When did this all happen?” as she asked that I saw a purple light emulate in front of me and Starlight as I fell to the ground in shock. Twilight stood there looking down at me then hopped off the table. “I have a job for you Feather Strike, It’s one you’re not going to like but it is very important” She handed me a scroll and added “Inside is your new job for the week and weekend, I order you to do this” Then she teleported away happy… Okay! I unwrapped the ribbon and opened the scrolls, I read it to myself…

Dear Feather Strike,

Your mission is to travel to the changeling hive and deliver a letter to Thorax, the new leader of the changelings. You are to take Ocellus with you, that’s an order. And Feather Strike: Try and make some friends. I know you don’t trust changelings but I think it will be a great learning experience for you to interact with other creatures. Plus you need to apologize to Ocellus. Be nice to her ok, then you can go to the hippogriff kingdom, I think you’ll like it.

Princess Twilight

I wanted to scream very loud right now, but Twilight ordered me to accompany 'her' so I will. I trotted away pretty angry that I have to spend all seven days will my enemies. But I decided to try befriending the changeling, even though everything in my head told me not too. That was my mistake that led me to something worse…

Chapter 2: Promises

“Can you keep your promise to me Feather Strike?” “Whatever it is, I won’t break it”

“I broke that promise… I remember how exactly it went” Thinking gave me time as me and Ocellus walked to the train station. “I was so stupid, we walked right into that ambush” As we hit the platform of the station, I sighed not wanting to do this but, orders are orders after all. We’d been waiting at the station for a while, I thought back to what happened to my promise. “Feather Strike!” “Yes?” I responded to Echo. “Let’s make Twilight proud!” We both laughed as Queen Twilight entered as we both saluted. “I need you two as spy's for me in ponyville” “Ponyville has been overrun for ten years ma’am” I stopped looking at her expression I knew she was serious about this. “Where should we camp?” She furrowed her brow and simply replied “There are bushes in Ponyville where I used to spy on Pinkie, I know you’ll do fine”

We talked before we left for Ponyville. “Why us? I mean, why not send down The Shodows?” Echo stomped her feat rapidly as I replied “The Shadows are busy with the Fillydelphia changelings and the Crystal Empire riots” I sighed and added “But then again we’re not the only unit here” We both turned as we heard shouting as we rushed towards it, I turned the corner and it was an orange pony with a cowpony hat and three apples as a cutie mark. “Twilight! Why’d y'all let my sister go like that? Applebloom still ain't ready!” I stepped around the corner, but as I stopped as Twilight looked at her and smiled.

“Applejack, I know you and Applebloom were close but let me make this clear; We have no idea where Sweetie Belle went, as far as what Applebloom did…” Applejack stopped her hoof and shouted once more “That wasn’t her fault Twi, you know that! That traitor will get what she deserves” She huffed adding “Where was she headin' Twi?” We’d stopped listening and decided it’s best to get to Ponyville right away.

We got to Ponyville in record time, two ponies being faster than a entire team. We snuck our way across town which sounds easy if they couldn’t fly, we ducked into some bushes that Twilight told us about. “I’m kind of scared” I could tell she was but I knew if we got out now, we’d be dead. Then we spotted her, Queen Chrysalis! She definitely was scary. “Queen Chrysalis, what are our plans to take Canterlot?” One of the changelings asked her as she stomped her hoof down. “Infiltration is out of the question, remember what happened last time? We lost so many” She laughed and noticed the bushes move as Echo got really terrified, I tried to keep her calm. Nothing was working! I felt two hooves on me as I was dragged out into the open. “Echo run!” I shouted as I summoned my spear and got up quick, I was surrounded and she left Echo alone to run away. “I’ll end you here” I jumped at Chrysalis, my spear lunging forwards and, as I got an inch from her, I stopped. I was held in place by four telekinesis spells. “Feather Strike!” Echo screamed as I was held in place while she was surrounded as well. We were face to face with the changeling leader. “Now what to do with you two?” Chrysalis smiled and laughed as she said “throw the bold one in our interrogation room” She pointed towards me as I swallowed what little hope I had of escaping. Then she pointed towards Echo as she added. “You are going to tell Queen Twilight that she’ll get her guard back after I get my changelings back” Echo was so scared as she just nodded and ran off towards Canterlot. I was tossed into a cell while all the changelings laughed. “Whatever you are going to do it won’t work” I spoke with authority as that just incited more laughs and chuckles. I looked at them with disdain adding in a question “What’s so funny?” I never wanted an answer but one of the changelings stepped up… A girl I think. “You’re so stupid, we’re going to torture you, then get information, then send you back with a message” That’s when I actually felt fear creeping in, but I couldn’t let that get to me that easily.

“Ooo let me do it first!” One of the said as they all shouted a collection of ‘No' as he added “Aw come on, mine break with in the hour” Another one smacked him as he fell to the ground adding “We want information not another death idiot” I heard another smack then laughter as I was blindfolded. “Let’s get Thorax to do it this time” One suggested as all of them laughed again. “We should, just for the laughs it’ll give us” Another chimed in so cheerfully my fear returned and I felt the cage lift off the ground as I was airborne once more. A few minutes later I felt the cage being thrown, how? Because I hit my head on the bars. I couldn’t use my magic anyway, this cage somehow wouldn’t let me. “Thorax, we found you a pet” One laughed and closed what I assumed was a door. “So” I started, wanting to have as much courage as possible to stay alive, I added the question “Are you going to have your way with me? Torture me? All you can do is try because I won’t break!” I felt magic brush my mane away as the changelings magic took off the blindfold.

He smiled and asked “Why would I do any of that?” Walking over to my cage I saw him, he was multi colored, I was curious so I looked closer as he added “Don’t worry, I’m a spy for Queen Twilight, she trusts me to relay information back to her” I sighed and said quietly “There’s no such thing as a good changeling, so if you want to torture me, you will have to make it real” I smiled at him then shouted “You’ll have try harder to break me shape shifter!” He just looked at me and put my blindfold back on saying “I’m sorry I have to do this” He used his magic to turn me around as I responded to him “Don’t be” I screamed and tried to get away as my innocence was taken away from me minute by minute.

Two hours passed and I was curled into a tight ball, the other changelings came to take me out when they noticed I was terrified. They noticed I’d been crying and from the smell they could tell what happened. “Are you ready to talk now?” I nodded still sniffing and tearing up, my first, had been with a changeling. I’d wanted Echo to… I mean we are both of age. The changelings lifted my cage out and to Queen Chrysalis in another house. The door opened and Chrysalis sat inside with a smile. “No I lied to them, when I get out of here I’ll” I was cut off by Chrysalis “You’ll what?”

I didn’t know, I just wanted Echo again as I broke down. I said through sobs “I’ll never tell you anything” She smirked and touched my face with a hoof as she said “Oh you will! Do whatever it takes to get information out of her now!” My cage was being dragged off again, they took the blindfold off so I could see them. “We will break you one way” I felt a slap across my face “Or another” I felt a tug on my tail as I curled up against the bars. I wasn’t about to endure this again, my magic was dead. The cage opened as I turned around and stood up, I wasn’t about to let them break me. He got closer and closer as I could feel his breath, I kicked his torso. I heard cracks as I bolted out of the cage and out the door flipping the blindfold off as I ran for my life. “I’m going to make it out of town” I screamed to myself in utter delight as I noted how silent it was… I turned around, no one. I used my detection spell… They were all around me! How? I heard laughing from behind me towards the edge of Ponyville.

“Oh you thought you could make it, that’s cute” Queen Chrysalis laughed more as I was hit with magic on the side of my armor. I screamed, it burns, I staggered a bit but maintained my balance as I saw a dragon, no bigger than Spike, standing with her. “Did… It just teleport?” I asked myself as it rammed into me knocking me down, this dragon was huge! I heard it! Fire! I protected my tail and my head from the firebreath, my spell wasn’t powerful enough to protect my entire body. My coat was scorched in patches and I was hit with its tail which sent me through one of the houses. I was going to die if this kept up, Queen Chrysalis teleported where I’d hit and levitated me up sayng in low voice “Try to run again and I’ll have you killed, got that?” Without me giving a chance to respond she threw me out onto the ground. “Twenty-four hour surveillance on this filly” She than threw me hard against the bars inside the cage, I think I heard a crack!

I was taken to the restored tree Queen Twilight used to live in before the princesses fell. Three changelings guarded me making sure not to get too close. “Do I get some food?” I was hungry, I could really go for an oat sandwich right now. “Food? Ha! You’ll be lucky if we killed you slowly” The first changeling replied in a snide tone. “Its lucky I don’t rip its head off” Another changeling spat at me. “Oooo take it easy on her, it’s not her fault she’s so stupid” They all laughed at me, I couldn’t see them but I could hear them. I didn’t like it, being here, caged like an animal. “Are they so afraid of me letting me out isn’t an option” I thought to myself as I got an idea. “I’ve got to use the bathroom” I actually needed to go, really bad. “Well then go!” The changelings shouted at me turning around in unison. I regret being in here because the cage stinks! And they’re laughing at me, which is what I wanted. I stripped my armor and, against my better judgement, threw it out the cage with my hooves. The armor clanked against the ground, all my years, ok all two years have taught me a few things.

One: Never strip your armor. Two: Never flirt the enemy. And three: Obey all orders given. I was about to break everything guards stood for. “What’s your name? In the middle” I asked with a sincere hope they’d answer. “Felix” He answered back as he huffed. “You’re uh, pretty cute! I know your busy guarding me. But if I could have a moment of your time to talk about how sweet you are” I hated this but it’s probably going to work so I need to keep going. “Well… I grew up in a hive feeding off love and giving it to the queen” I giggled at that as he continued “I’ve never seen a cutie like you before, think I’ll give love instead of taking it” He looked at me with an intense look in his eyes. “Oh Twilight what did I get myself into?” He opened the cage , stepping closer all I needed was another step. “Felix! Don’t flirt with the prisoner!” One of the other changelings muttered to him as he backed away from obviously realizing I was about to buck him hard in the face. “Nice try filly, but there’s three of us and one of you” This one was a girl, she slammed the cage shut and left signaling Felix and the other changeling leading them out, also taking my armor to Twilight knows where. I was left alone, hungry, armor less, and pride less as I felt the cage consume me.

I smelled… Food! The blindfold was lifted off of me as I saw Thorax, he placed a tray of food down inside the cage. “Sorry! Its not much but Chrysalis doesn’t like dead prisoners, I’m sorry I can’t help you more” He said with a small smile as he added “Sorry about… You know” I didn’t want to think about it, I needed to survive. I ate the food, it was awful and didn’t sit right with my stomach. I threw up, feeling empty and away from the worst food ever. “Thorax! Do you know any way out?” I asked as he just shook his head no and replied “We have guards all over you now, I’ll be found out if I tried to get you out” He just looked sad at me and lowered his head adding in a whisper “I can probably sneak you food in here just not a lot” I smiled at that, for the first time, I trusted a changeling. A week went by, he kept his promise and every two days he’d bring me something good. We also talked about what we thought about this stupid war. “So what do you think about the war Feather Strike?” He looked at me as my sad expression on my face, I didn’t like it. “My mom and dad died trying to protect Equestria, It’s something a changeling would never understand” I looked over at him with a sad smile and added “I’m guessing you knew that already” He nodded and got up and asked me one question “Want to go for a walk?”

We walked around Ponyville, I’d never been here before a week and a half ago. He showed me the white unicorn's dress shop, a place called sugar cube corner, a cottage that belonged to commander Fluttershy, and a farm, all of them abandoned as well as run down. “All of this stuff just” I stopped and shook my head and added “Abandoned!” I continued but whispered my question “Do you know where Sweetie Belle is?” He shook his head as he replied “No one does, she disappeared after Scootaloo went into a coma and Applebloom left with Zacora trying to create some new potion” I sighed and looked around, tried and failed to use my magic. “I remember seeing all three of them after I got my cutie mark, what did they call themselves again?” We stopped and I turned to face him as he answered “The Cutie Mark Crusaders I believe that’s it”

I slumped to the ground, closed my eyes and wished this was a dream… It wasn’t. I opened my eyes and noticed Thorax staring at me oddly I got up on my hooves and saw he’d been turned to stone. I stammered backwards and fell to the ground fear creeping into my vision once more, I wished I were home… Thrown back into my cell, I’d been accused of turning Thorax into stone, but I didn’t do it? Right? I thought about it over and over “Am I going crazy?” A few days later Twilight came with the changelings as requested. I was still in that cage, I hadn’t had anything to eat in three days. “Want to go free? Do exactly as I say” Chrysalis said in my ear as she added “Attack Twilight when you are at the halfway point" I couldn’t do anything but nod, I wasn’t able to move that much but that was because of the spell I was under.

I was greeted by Echo, my heart raced as she smiled at me… Then there were two of her. “Get her Feather Strike!” They both shouted at each other, I can’t choose! One of the Echo's twirled them around asking a simple question “Which one of us is really Echo Talon?” To which I replied with my own question “Which one of you knows me better?” I told Thorax everything about me, he was a great listener.

I needed to ask questions only she would know, but what if I asked the wrong questions? “Where was I born?” The one to the left was quick as she replied “Fillydelphia!” I nodded as I continued. “Where did we go to school at?” The right Echo responded with the same quickness as the other “We went to school at Twilight’s school for training guards” That was correct but one more question will give me my answer. “What was the promise I gave to you after we started dating?” Then I added “If none of you answer I’ll be forced to blast you both with my magic” That got the reaction I was looking for. I also got an answer from the real Echo. “You promised to tell me everything and be a little bit nicer to the changeling outcasts” I knew she was the one for me, the fake teleported and I shot out a powerful spell that hit… The real Echo, I didn’t mean too. It was teleporting to fast! I shouted at the impersonator “WHY? WHY DO YOU TORTURE ME?” I ran to Echo and tried to heal her! Echo taught me, I can… I can do it! I started my magic up slowly and was attempting to heal her wound, a hazel glow began to appear around Echo as my eyes lit up in joy. Then just as quickly it disappeared “I can’t do it!” I’ve failed her, Twilight and myself, but I’m not done yet.

“Queen Twilight, teleport Echo out of here, I’m finishing these life suckers once and for all!” I screamed as I charged Chrysalis with tears streaming down my cheeks as I charged one final spell with all of my magic I had left. Chrysalis laughed and charged a spell of her own mocking my tone “Are you serious?” I’d had enough of her! I’ll kill them all! I jumped firing my spell straight down, everything caught fire as Twilight teleported her and echo out of harms way. Me? I was stuck without magic as adrenaline wore off. I couldn’t move, all I could do was lie there as my leg was broken by one of the changelings as I screamed in pain but never got the chance to end me, because I’m here now.

I thought to myself for a moment before Ocellus and I got on the train “When I get back Echo, I won’t do that again” My tears weren’t just for me, they were for my brother, my unit, my mom and dad, as well as me. The whole ride there we didn’t talk, fine by me I didn’t want to anyway! But in a way, I kind of did. “So” I started as we got on the train and looked for our seats “Can you tell me how the changelings, dragons and ponies all avoided war?” She looked confused at the question and spoke the response I didn’t expect “Spike did it” I blinked as we sat down, I couldn’t believe that. “There’s no way he did that!” I countered with obvious skepticism in my voice. The other ponies in the cart stared at me, I got up and summoned my spear, my magic returned finally as I shouted “Who wants some?” Ocellus got up and lowered my spear to the train car floor with her hoof, I looked away from her clearly not wanting anymore of her help.

I got back into the seat and Ocellus did the same. She was silent which made me very nervous for obvious reasons. I decided to remember what happened to my unit, come to think of it… It was my fault anyway, wanting to impress Queen Twilight so much that I actually got three ponies killed, I deserve this fate and so much more. “It’s go time everypony!” I was with unit ninety five again, and I knew we were going into an ambush, I just didn’t care. We were on the train and headed toward the Everfree Forest, to the camp of changelings. Night Shade chimed in “Yeah! Let’s rock!” I heard him yell as the rest of us joined in too, we were a family now and you know what? That’s all that mattered!

“Night Shade: Take point! We need to know of any enemy traps in the area as well as scouts then report back to us” He saluted and dashed off into the Everfree Forest, looking for any signs of trouble as well as scouts and traps. “So sis, how does it feel being in charge?” I just looked at him with a sad expression that read “I don’t like this” I could tell he felt uneasy as well, but despite that, we pressed on when Night Shade came back with an ok to enter the forest. “I don’t like this Echo” Daisy protested as we continued into the forest as she added “Shouldn’t we have seen some sign of Changeling activity by now?” I stopped at that and signaled everypony else to do the same. I flared up my detection spell… Nothing for miles. Echo slowly got down and looked at the ground suspiciously, we were waiting as Echo suddenly trotted up to me whispering desperately “We need to move from this spot now!” I nodded as I signaled everypony to move out this time Daisy was on point for this one. We stumbled upon skeletons with their uniforms torn but still recognizable, they weren’t killed here, there was a trail of scraps that led deeper into the forest. I had Echo examine the uniforms, they read "Eighty-six, forty-nine and seventy-two” and we moved on mourning the dead.

I sent Night Shade to scout more of the forest and he shouted once more, but then silenced himself when we all looked at him with stares that read shut it. I had Night Shade go in first, it was about three hours until darkness and we needed to move. “Night Shade?” I continued “Be brave soldier” Night Shade was gone for about two and a half hours before he came back, he looked scared out of his wings, oh Twilight what did he see? “Night Shade?” Lightning Strike asked in concern. “Night Shade?” Daisy asked with the same concern as Lighting Strike. I’d had enough of this and said to Echo “Dive bomb!” Echo threw me into the air while she was on her back as I hit Night Shade with my hoof sending him to the ground.

“Night Shade!” I yelled at him, he didn’t calm down, he just smiled and… teleported!? “Changelings!” I screamed and blasted that shape shifter when I saw it, I blasted my magic at the shape shifter as it connected… I heard Night Shade? Oh no! We saw a body hit the ground, twitch, then just stopped. I wanted to cry, ball up and go home, but I had a friend to avenge. “N-Night Shade?” Both Daisy and Echo were in tears as Lighting just looked away having seen this again. Me? I was angry and, for all my mistakes, I’d make this one right. So I started digging with my magic. Then my brother joined in, so did Echo and Daisy, we dug until it was a grave fit for a soldier.

Once we were done, we put Night Shade into the grave. I didn’t think I blasted him that hard! “Feather Strike?” Echo asked worried as I just responded with “Let’s kill them all” Daisy was busy arming the traps ahead when I used my detection spell, I knew we were being watched. We continued once Daisy was done setting the traps. We were ready for almost anything, or so I’d thought. “Ambush!” Shoot! We were surrounded as Daisy's traps went off one by one but strangely no changeling casualties. “We can’t stay here sis” I agree but we’d have to fight our way out. Ocellus shook me back to reality as the train stopped and I took a moment to get my bearings. “How long was I out for?” I asked her as we stepped off the train, it was a wasteland and I wasn’t liking it. “About six hours, it was kind of cute” that made me wince, made me want to jump at her and scream “Don’t ever say that again shape shifter!?” I couldn’t, no matter how much I wanted to… Orders come before personal feelings.

We walked for what seemed like forever, I decided to strike up conversation. “Ocellus?” I didn’t want to admit it. “Yes?” She asked quickly as we stopped for a minute to rest, I turned towards her, my eyes locking on hers as we stared. “I’m… So” Just say it Feather Strike! “rry” I managed to blurt out, looking away and looked down. I felt horrible at the way I’ve treated this changeling, Thorax taught me to trust certain changelings, she’s been nice to me so maybe… “Ambush!” I got tackled to the ground by a different changeling, this one didn’t look like any changeling I’ve seen before. “Pharynx! Get off of her, she’s our guest” A familiar voice boomed in my ears my spear already summoned magically and pointed at the changelings neck. If Thorax and Ocellus hadn’t stepped in, I might have killed him. I wanted too even after I got up but I kept my spear pointed at the changeling. “Pharynx! Do you have to do that to everyone that visits?” Thorax asked authoritarian like. “I’ve got to keep my skills in good shape, besides” He turned to me and just yelled and after that he laughed “Ambush! Ahaha” Thorax kept Pharynx a far distance away from me, the moment he did something to harm me or Ocellus I’d kill him! And that’s a promise!