//------------------------------// // Carousel Boutique // Story: Harmony Mouse // by ScarletRhine //------------------------------// Alex was sitting on the dashboard of the truck feeling both down and happy. She was feeling down because her latest Surge Burst may have forever robbed her of any chance to be taller than three inches tall and she hadn’t run into Harry yet. But at least she had solace in the fact that she could now be understood without Flora needing to translate. After a few minutes she turned to look at Rarity and said, “Harry has told me that Ashley, Flora, Micaela, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight had some very interesting adventures at school. Befriending Trixie, meeting some new anthros, and solving friendship problems at school to name a few.” Alex then focused on the Fashionista “But you, you’re still a mystery.” Alex stared at the alabaster furred, Indigo Maned and tailed unicorn before stating matter-of-factly, “And if you're another friend of Harry’s, he would have told you that I can't resist a mystery!” She ruefully chuckled. “I guess I should tell you the chat room me and Harry met was named after your boutique.” Ashley continued driving down the road to Rarity’s shop as the girls continued to talk. “Welp, Ah reckon Rarity owes ya an explanation, right Alex?” The mouse gave the farm mare a puzzled look. “Huh?” She said. “What do you mean?” Ashley looked over to Rarity and then back to Alex, “Well, here’s what’s been goin’ on. This is the honest truth. It all started when our friend ended up transformed into the Princess o’ Friendship herself. After that, Ah ended up as good ol’ Applejack. Twilight helped me unlock all my Earth pony heritage and explained about the three different pony tribes. Then Micaela and Flora ended up as Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, respectively. Rina, the hyperactive gal of our group, naturally became Pinkie Pie.” “Of course; the human that embodied the party mare element, laughter, became the party mare herself. Makes sense. But what has this to do with Rarity?” Alex was getting sinking feeling she knew where this was headed. Ashley looked over at Rarity, “You up to tellin’ Alex what happened when we had to use the Elements of Harmony on the anthro version of Nightmare Moon?” Rarity looked at the rodent adventurer then pleadingly at Ashley. The farm mare just mouthed, “Just tell her.” Alex looked at Rarity then asked, “Rarity, what is Ashley getting at?” Rarity took a deep breath and braced herself for the figurative explosion she was about to happen. “Maestro had to change me into my fabulous self only then….uh oh.” The mouse had a look of anger mixed with hurt as she said, “YOU’RE HARRY?!?” Rarity winced from Alex's shrill shout. “I come all the way from America, get changed into a female mouse for some unknown reason, what is the first nightmare blasted thing you do when we meet? You tried to kill me!!!!! If it wasn't for somemouse nearby you would’ve…” She would’ve have said more if it wasn't for the flash of emerald green light which occurred. When the light disappeared the mouse girl sitting on the dashboard was nowhere to be seen. Ashley applied the brakes, causing the truck to come to an abrupt stop. There was a loud thump against the back of the cab and it was barely perceptible, due to their ears being equine instead of human say “Ow.” ==============A few moments earlier=============== Alex appeared in the back of Ashley’s truck about three inches above the bed. After she landed from her height she straightened herself and….went flying backward and hit the back of the cab. “Ow.” She said as sunk the floor. She heard one of the doors open and close. A few moments later Ashley’s head poked into the bed and Said, “You okay, sugarcube?” Alex nodded then said, “I got to remember not to get upset too much. Damn bursts.” Ashley sighed in relief. “Well, let’s get you back up front. We can sort this out after you have some clothes.” Alex nodded as she got up, staggering up to her feet. It was at that time both the mouse and fashionista said, “I’m sorry.” If either of them had something else to say it was for gotten us both stared at each other mouths open in surprise for a few seconds. Then both burst out laughing. Ashley joined in a few seconds later. And after about 5 minutes of the three were laughing their heads off. Alex sighed, composing herself, “I'm sorry for getting upset for you nearly killing me. Please understand that up until we met at the airport, I got involved in an escapade and unintentionally earned some of the spending cash in the process. This was the fifth time someone tried to kill me since this adventure began. I'll explain after this escapade is over.” Rarity and Ashley had looks of shock but Alex's assurance they'll learn later eased both of their worries. They soon reached Rarity’s home and shop. Ashley and Rarity enter with Alex riding on Ashley’s stetson. Once Alex jumps down to a counter. Rarity beamed with pride, “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique!” She gestured around her shop daintily, which held many elegant designs and various fabrics for untold new creations. Alex looks around before saying, “One fancy dress shop.’ She eyed some of the designs on the display mannequins with Rarity’s assistance. While Alex and Rarity looked at dress choices for their party, Ashley contacted Twilight and Pinkie about Alex. “Twilight, hey, we are at Rarity’s shop. Alex needed some new clothes and a clean up from Flora. Alex is, well, she’s a mouse girl with a Cutie Mark on her shoulders.” “A CUTIE MARK?!” Twilight shouted exuberantly over the phone. “You need to bring her straight to my place so I can talk with her! She can talk, right?” Ashley winced at Twilight’s outburst, “No need ta yell, Twi. Yeah, Alex ain’t no ordinary mouse. She’s got a Cutie Mark and can talk just like a regular person or pony can.” Alex chose the one dress Rarity offered her; it was a forest green color and stopped at her knees. Rarity gave a tender smile and brought out her measuring tape in her warm blue aura. sliding on sewing glasses to jot down Alex’s measurements. “A bold yet daring choice in color, Alex, dear. It really compliments your eyes.” “And, it matches the color of my magical burst manifestations. Too bad it isn’t in my size.” Alex says before sighing. Rarity smiled at Alex, looking over the measurements she took earlier carefully, “If that is the dress your heart desires, I shall alter it for your size post haste, darling. I do believe I can create something fabulous.” Ashley nodded, “That’s our Element o’ Generosity! Always helpin’ others and usin’ her talents to bring out the best in everypony, or everymouse.” She winked at Alex. “If I remember right,” Alex muses. “In the show, Rarity is at her best when facing a fashion challenge. In fact she, made an entire line of dresses using less-than-ideal fabrics after her special order fabric was used by that bitch pony to make her own line.” Ashley sighed, “Yet you helped inspire her former assistant to stand up for herself. What was the name o’ that gal ya helped out at that fashion convention?” “Coco Pommel” Rarity quipped, starting to design Alex’s dress, based upon the unique choices each girl came up with. Alex yawns and Says, “I’m dead dog tired. Can I find a place to nap? Jetlag: It’s a killer.” Ashley nodded, “Rarity, ya have a mouse-sized bed for Alex to rest up while you finish her dress? After that, she needs to get ready to meet our friends.” Rarity nods and walk to a cabinet and pulls a mouse sized bed. She places it next to Alex, who promptly lays on it and is out like a light. Ashley smiles at the mouse-sized bed, “You sure are prepared for any emergency, Rarity.” She then finds a small pillow and a blanket to place near Alex so she can rest comfortably. “I think I’ll create her a casual line as well.” Rarity gave a wry smile. “Ashley please be a dear and bring Alex’ belongings in?” Ashley nods, “Sure thing, Rarity.” She brought some of Alex’s clothes and other possessions that belonged to the former male friend of Rarity’s from the truck. “You sure ya can make these here clothes into something for her?” “Without a doubt, Ashley!” Rarity says as she opens a chest for Alex’s belongings. Ashley thought about all the anthrofications happening recently, “Rarity, what would happen, if say, yer sister ended up as Sweetie Belle, and mah little sis became Apple Bloom?” As luck would have it, Alex’s cell phone falls out of the pocket of the Blue jeans that Alex had been wearing and lands next to a dozing Alex. Alex briefly flashed green but nothing happens. A moment later a scream of “RARITY!!!!” is heard and an anthro version of Sweetie Belle runs in a full panic to Rarity and hugs her. “IwasjustcominginandthisgreenflashblindedmeandwhenIcouldseeagainIamSweetiebelle!” Ashley chuckled, “Easy now, Melanie...er Sweetie Belle. Take a deep breath or two and tell us what happened.” Ashley knew from visiting Rarity’s shop with Twilight that Melanie was Harry’s sister. It would make sense that Melanie would become the anthro version of Rarity’s younger sibling and one third of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. With a groan, Alex sits up and looks around. Then gets nailed by a flying mathbook thrown by an already panicked Sweetie Belle. “Ow.” Alex said from under the book. “Worst. Day. EVER!” Ashley picked up the book to free Alex from her entrapment. “Can somepony or some mouse explain why Rarity’s sister now is Sweetie Belle?” “It must be an unfocused burst.” Alex said. “Something must’ve happened while I slept and triggered a Burst of transformation magic. Unfortunately when these bursts happen while I’m asleep it’s unfocused and as a result random effects occur.” “Like randomly transformin’ people inta anthro ponies like Sweetie Belle here? Not that Rarity’s going to enjoy havin’ a little unicorn filly t’ teach about magic.” Alex buried her face in her hands and mutters “Somemouse either up there or down below hates me.” Ashley headed over to pat Alex on the back gently with her fingers, “Now, now, sugarcube. Ya didn’t know this was gonna happen. Man, Twilight’s really goin’ to enjoy talkin’ t’ ya about these magic surges.” “Joy.” came the sarcastic response. Alex takes a deep breath then p emerald glow as her cellphone shrinks down to mouse size. “WHOO HOO!” Alex shouted as she jumps up and down. “IT WORKED!” Ashley nodded, “Great job, Alex! You now can talk t’ us on yer cell phone, which is the same size as you!” She looked over at Rarity, “How’s Alex’s wardrobe comin’ along? Ya know Twilight’s waiting for us for that party. Ya can come along too, Sweetie Belle...if it’s okay with Rarity.” “The muses had spirited me away, for I fear I’ve outdone myself.” Rarity spoke in enchantment as she produced the dress Alex chose, along with a delicate line of casual mouse sized garments Ashley nodded in approval of the new clothes for Alex, “What do you think, Alex? Give ya some privacy while Rarity helps ya put on yer new outfit for our party?” Alex nods. Rarity then lowers her hand, which Alex climbs into. Rarity carries Alex to a spot that she could have some privacy. After a few minutes Rarity receives a text from Alex that says, “I’m coming out. Will you do the honors?” Rarity grinned removing her sewing glasses, "Well, now, I must admit creating a line for mouse fashion was quite a challenge, but with Alex's help and choice of his...er her unique style, I created something breathtaking. Presenting the daring and fabulous Alexandra Traveler in her new Rodent Couture!" Rarity lowers her graceful hand near the spot so that Alex can climb onto it. before carrying Alex over to the others joyously, proudly showing her off. “So? What do you think darlings? Isn’t she just beautiful?” Ashley smiles, “That’s a mighty fine job, for the first try. Ya goin’ to get Sweetie Belle ready?” Just as Rarity was about to reply, the bell of the store rang, and Trixie came in a huff. “Oh, this is no good! Trixie has nothing good enough to wear!!” She then storms over to Rarity, and grabs her by the shoulders. “You’ve gotta help Trixie! She’s going somewhere real fancy this Saturday, and she can’t disappoint!” Ashley looked over at Rarity, then to Trixie, “If she can make Alex look good, Ah reckon she can help ya out, Trixie.” Trixie looked over to Ashley in confusion. As she was about to ask who “Alex” was, she noticed a mouse on the dresser. She stared for a bit, and realized that it was an anthro. Trixie raised an eyebrow. “A mouse? Well that’s a new one.” She then saw the dress it- she, Trixie mentally corrected- was wearing. It was a miniaturized alteration of a dress Trixie had seen elsewhere in the shop. She looked back to Rarity. “Trixie knew you were good, but didn’t realize how good.” She then rummaged through her pockets, and managed to pull out a piece of paper. “That’s got a few suggestions for the dress, along with my measurements. I’ve gotta go- I’ll be back to check on it on Friday.” She then handed the paper over to Rarity, and was about to leave, but turned to the mouse anthro, whom she surmised must be Alex. “Listen, Trixie wishes she could stay a little longer, but she needs to go. Maybe we’ll see each other later, though.” She then exited the building. Ashley opened the door to wave bye to Trixie and then went back into the shop to talk with Alex and Rarity. “Well, looks like ya got yourself a new client.” She then texted Twilight about Trixie’s arrival at Carousel Boutique and Alex’s magical surge turning Melanie, Rarity’s human sister, into the anthro version of Sweetie Belle. Alex looked at Rarity then said, “I’m sorry my friend. But until I learn to access and control it my magic may be a hazard. Anyhow I’m dressed to thrill so let's go to meet your friends.”