Tootsie: You guys save me a drink? ??? 2: You got the chips? Tootsie: Yee-ah! ??? 2: Yee-!
??? 3: Pass me some-ah dat dried carrot goodness! ??? 2: Blam! ??? 3: Ah! Mah brand! You really do care.
Tootsie: Neh. So what’d I miss?
??? 1: Misty Rose was just starting to tell us about that one time with her sister and Golden Harvest’s farm.
??? 2: No I wasn’t…? Oh! Well, the first thing you need to know about my sister is that she is deathly afraid of… snakes. Like, end of the world, salvation lies across this bridge, but there’s a snake in the way? “Eh. I’m good.“
[Laughter]
??? 2: “It was- It was getting too hot here anyway. Just… bring on that heat-death of the universe!”
[Laughter]
Tootsie: The CMC said they went camping over the weekend.
Bon-Bon: Well that’s nice and wholesome.
Tootsie: Yeah, except they said they were attacked by a swarm of Flyders? Bon-Bon: [Coughing][Sputtering] FLYDERS?!
Tootsie: Ye- Bon-Bon: Where were they?!
Tootsie: I-Iuh… W-Winsome Falls?
Bon-Bon: That’s not far from here… Close all the windows! Call Lyra and tell her to get back here ASAP! I’ve got to contact the town exterminator! They have to prepare for this!
Tootsie: Bon-Bon! Wait! What’s a-…! What’s a Flyder?
a nsa agent in a suit looking through my laptop camera: she’s on her phone…….. our data shows that she’s got tumblr open on her laptop but she has tumblr open on her phone………. double check her browser?
some nerd hired straight out of college: *types rapidly* she’s definitely got tumblr open on her laptop
the nsa agent, softly: so why is she looking at it on her phone…..
Bon-Bon: Don’t mind me. Just leaving this here. For someone.
The defeated changelings lie scattered around me, a paltry effort to stop my advance. But with my attention no longer focused on defending myself, I noticed the clouds in the sky had gathered and darkened. Thunder followed shortly. They were concealing their movements. I chanced a glance at the few injured bodies around me. Too Few. Their attacks, spread too far apart. They were merely a distraction. They had succeeded.
My gaze returned to the sky in time to find something massive ripping its way through the clouds in a dive with me as its heading. A dragon? Working for changelings? Impossible as it was I searched for its heart with my magic. Would that I could claim and constrict its beating, I could lay low the beast in moments.
Three, four, five times I grasped. But try as I might the spell could not find its mark. As precise as the power must be to succeed, it had never failed me so many times. An illusion? In desperation I fired a beam, but it made no contact. The dragon’s body split in half to avoid it, then rejoined. The realization hit me like a cart full of apples. This was no dragon, nor was it a trick.
I dove to avoid the deadly swipe of their talons, the gust from their lunge whipped about me and I could not resist the need to shut my eyes. Dust filled the air and the taste of dirt flooded my senses. I coughed in fits as I stood once more and batted the air around me.
When I caught my breath and chanced use of my sight, I found the monstrosity silhouetted against the moon, turning in for another swoop against me. A dragon made of changelings… Just when you think you’ve seen all they have, they throw a curve-ball… A [omitted] Voltron dragon made of changelings…
Twist: Ah-ah! Butt’th are for thitting, Mth. Bon-Bon. And I’d be happy to acthept!
Bon-Bon: You are?! That’s great! I mean, for you. I mean, thank you!
Twist: Of courthe! How could I thay no?
Bon-Bon: Now you understand this is serious business. You can’t just leave for no reason or not show up- Twist: Of courthe, Mth. Bon-Bon.
Bon-Bon: I’m going to be scheduling things with your presence in mind- Twist: Of courthe, Mth. Bon-Bon.
Bon-Bon: If you get sick or- heavens forbid- hurt, you may have to come in anyway until I can relieve you. U-unless it’s serious-! Twist: Of courthe, Mth. Bon-Bon.
Bon-Bon: And we’re still going to have to figure out something once school starts back up- Twist: Oh Mth. Bon-Bon! Of courthe!
Bon-Bon: Fantastic! Can you start tomorrow?
Twist: I had planned to thtop by anyway! I’ll be here with bellth on!
Bon-Bon: Oh Twist, you’re the best! … But don’t let it go to your head.
Twist: Yeth, Mth. Bon-Bon.
Bon-Bon: How could you?!
Ribbon: I don’t see what she’s so broken up about. I did her a favor. She loathed that job. I half expected her to laugh in my face when I told her!
Bon-Bon: No… You knew. You knew how hard it is for her to get a job. And now you’ve not only hurt her, you’ve hurt me! Do you know how much debt we have right now? I’ve been depending on her paycheck!
Ribbon: Then I’ll give you the money you need. Let her have a vacation for all I care. It’s a non-issue. Or would that hurt your pride?
Bon-Bon: How… dare you! You take away our financial independence… and then have the nerve to insult me?! Ribbon: I- Bon-Bon: NO! Not another word! You crossed the line last time and I forgave you too soon! But this?! Y-You’re a traitor and a coward! You can tell Liza I’m sorry, but it would feel wrong for her to stay here where you’re no longer welcome. Ribbon: What-? Bon-Bon: Get out of my house! And don’t come back!
Ribbon: But-! Sister-! Bon-Bon: I HAVE NO SISTER!
[Slam!]
Ribbon: Bonnie! … Bonnie…? What have I done…?
Ribbon: It looks just like the pictures. Absolutely amazing, Tootsie!
Ribbon: Alright, alright. Go grab your things. I’ll carry your horticulture marvel. I’m sure your father will be delighted to see your work! Look Bonnie!
Bon-Bon: I’ve been watching her take care of that flower for the last few months, Ribbon.
Ribbon: But just look here! Where the leaves change color? The book says that’s very hard to do!
Bon-Bon: And that’s wonderful, Ribbon! I’m happy for Liza.
Ribbon: Oh you shush. I’m a mother and I’m proud of my daughter’s work. Nothing more.
Bon-Bon: Right… Can you hurry up and get that thing out of here? Lyra’s been sneezing like mad ever since it bloomed.
Ribbon: Oh-uh, our maid, dear. She has allergies too. I’m sure she won’t like the flower either. But nothing for you to be concerned with!
Dear Diary,
Sorry I haven’t wrote anything in you in like… 2 years. Lyra says that days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months and before you know it years have past and you don’t know what you’re doing with your life anymore. That might be an exaggeration. I’m honestly not sure.
I just wanted to write down my feelings before all of this just becomes normal. I spent more time than I would have liked with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon seemed kind of stuck up and proud, but Diamond Tiara was just this mean, controlling thing. I haven’t forgotten the ring of secrets she held over us, but it seems like such a long time ago.
After we came back from… our trip… They were a little nicer to me, but it was still all about being the best to them. Diamond Tiara, more than Silver Spoon, would do anything in her power to manipulate and blackmail others into getting what she wanted. Then this election thing happened. And suddenly everypony was ready to finally stand up as one against them. Against her.
Pipsqueak was the start, but it was the Cutie Mark Crusaders that rallied everypony together. Despite her threats and taunts, or maybe even in spite of them, Diamond Tiara lost. And not just a small contest, but something big. She lost her control. And she lost her friend. Perhaps it was wrong of me, but I immediately took the opportunity to hang out with Silver Spoon in her place. She was always so much more approachable when Diamond Tiara wasn’t around. We had fun. We played. I thought this was some huge change.
But then, Diamond Tiara. She told off her mother. Told her off in front of everypony. Just like I did… In that moment I felt like maybe she and I weren’t so different. As I watched it all unfold I felt like the entire world must have been changing. Diamond Tiara and the CMC as friends? They were the two biggest causes for conflict in the school! If they weren’t at each others’ throats anymore… Nothing would be the same! No more fighting! No more picking sides!
Maybe it won’t last. Maybe this is just a phase and everything will go back to how it was. But I hope it doesn’t. I feel… free. Like I can breathe again. Like I’m allowed to be a kid again.
~ Liza “Tootsie Flute“ Doolots
P.S.: The new playground is really cool! And so are the CMC’s cutie marks! I wish I had a shared cutie mark.
Bon-Bon: [Sigh] B is very strange. He does… something… When you look at him, you see a pony. It doesn’t look remarkable. Nothing about it stands out. And when you look away, you won’t remember what the pony looked like.
Bon-Bon: I’ve tested it before. I’ve wrote down a characteristic about
him, like “long mane”, then held it up next to him. And periodically
it’ll make sense. But then it… won’t? I’ve even tried writing down
something while looking at him, but I could never even finish a word
before I disagreed with what I was writing. Same thing with his voice.
Bon-Bon: He’s very serious. Not that he looks very serious, but…
Bon-Bon: I don’t really like him. I’ve tried to talk to him, but he’s just this… intimidating… thing… I don’t think anypony should have the kind of power he has. I don’t even like him being in the house. But let’s face it, there’s nothing I could do to stop him. At least this way I can see him. Sometimes… Even if I don’t know what I’m looking at…
With everypony else gone, you turn to Silver Spoon. She keeps opening and closing her mouth, like she’s struggling to find what to say.
“That was…“ She finally looks up and extends her neck toward you, “Really weird!“ You both draw back from that and she starts to look around. “I-I mean… In a good way?“ Her gaze rests on you and she lifts her hoof, “I know this whole trip was supposed to be Diamond Tiara’s present for me. But it never really felt like that, you know?“ Her eyes wonder again, “What I mean to say is…“ Then they fall back to you, “If you wanted to come to my birthday party, I wouldn’t turn you away or anything.“ She looks down and kicks at the ground with her hoof, “Not like it’s a big deal. It’s, you know, whatever. I mean, you already gave me a present. It’d be silly to give me a present and you weren’t invited.“
She looks up again, this time with her head tilted, “So, I guess I’ll see you there. You know, if you want to come, that is.“ Then she turns and walks away without waiting for an answer. You watch her until she disappears into a side street.
You suddenly feel very tired, and your head starts to pound. You definitely still have that knot on your head, though the swelling has gone down a lot. You release a long sigh, then head home. There’s still plenty of choices left to make, but you think you can manage for now.
“… Ran around all day like a crazy pony!“ Blossomforth points at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon in turn, “All I asked of you was to say put but no~! You wondered unsupervised in a strange world were you could have been hurt… or worse! And what was I supposed to do, huh? Once the students starting pouring in I had to escape and leave poor Liza behind! What if she was hurt more than I thought?!”
Blossomforth turns her head, sees you, and rushes over. As she walks away, you see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon roll their eyes at her.
“There you are! Are you alright?“ You nod and tell her that your head still hurts a little, but otherwise you feel fine. She looks relieved. This has probably been very stressful for her. You thank her for her help and give her a hug. She seems confused at first, but eventually hugs you back. Then you both let go and return to the statue.
Aunt Bon-Bon claps to draw your attention, “So, what did Lyra say?“ You tell her that she’s coming home, but skip everything else. Bon-Bon closes her eyes and sighs slightly, “I’m glad to hear that.“
After one last glance around town, you head back to the bus stop and wait for the bus. When it arrives the driver, remembering who you are, is worried at first. However, once you show him the green note he seems pleased and hands you two coins in return. You take your seat against the window and watch the world speed by again. It’s a shame you can’t see such a view more often.
Once the bus passes by the school you get ready to get off at your stop. You wave goodbye to the driver on your way out, who returns the gesture with a smile. While you walk back to the school you reflect upon your trip here. The wound on your head still hurts a little. You wonder if it will still be there when you get home.
In front of the statue you find Blossomforth scolding Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Aunt Bon-Bon is there too, but seems to be staying out of it. She sees you approaching and waves. Evidently she was already told you were coming. As you get near, you can hear Blossomforth.
The bus door opens and the three of you climb aboard. Up ahead, you hear the bus driver talking to Diamond Tiara.
“You two again?“ He sounds annoyed, “I hope you know I left a message at your school’s office. They’ll be telling your parents about you skipping school like this.“ “And when my daddy finds out you’ve been harassing us, he’ll make sure you’re out of a job. Now, drive this hunk-of-junk like a good boy and I might forget this insult.“ The driver mutters something under his breath and the two bullies head back and find a seat. Feeling uneasy, you climb up to the driver and he stares you down, “Come on, ma’am. Pass or fare.“ Diamond Tiara stands up in her seat, “She’s a student like us! Just let her through!“ The driver tilts his head toward Diamond Tiara, then back toward you, “I don’t recognize you. I either need to see a bus pass or you have to pay the fifty cent fare.“
Fifty cents?! If cents and bits are interchangeable here like they are in Equestria, that’s an astronomical sum! You ask if you can trade something instead. He drops his head into his hand and sighs, “I don’t get paid enough for this…“ You search through your bag and, after pulling aside your bloodied cloths, find that all you really have left are a few bottles of water and a wash cloth. He reaches his hand out, “Fine. I’ll take the water. Just go sit down, please.“ You hand over the water bottles and sit down across from Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. You hear the metallic click of the door locking and the bus begins to move.
