//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: I guess it could be worse... // by Mekapix //------------------------------// The two boys followed the unicorn into the boutique. Their eyes scanned the room, laying upon various manikins shaped like the locals. A few had coloured fabrics draped across the in a haphazard fashion. Near the centre of the room was a raised, circular platform with another manikin. This one however was dressed in a black tank top with a blood red corset lifting up the bust. A tight, black skirt reached down to the top of the knees while the whole ensemble was completed by a long black cape reaching all the way down to the back of the thighs. “Nice, very swank.” Sam said as he looked around the room. “True though it's a bit of a mess.” Josh added. “I'll have you know that a mess is what one can find in a child's bedroom, this is merely a case of organised chaos.” Spoke a posh voice. They all turned to see Rarity wearing a white, frilly t-shirt and a long purple skirt descending the stairs. The boys took note of the red glasses resting on the ridge of her snout. “Hi Rarity.” Twilight said with a smile, Rarity nodded to the unicorn and smiled back. “Hello Twilight, what brings you here?” “I thought that Josh and Sam could do with a few sets of new clothes, it also seemed like a good way to give them a small tour at the same time.” Twilight explained. Rarity nodded and made her way down the rest of the small staircase. “What is this for?” Josh asked as he motioned towards the clothing on the platform. “Oh that? That would be my costume for Nightmare Night.” “Nightmare what?” “Nightmare Night dear.” “What Night?” “Nightmare Night...” “... What?” Rarity let out an exasperated sigh. “Nightmare Night. It's one night of the year where everypony dresses up in scary costumes and goes around town collecting sweets, some ponies also like to play pranks on each. The night usually ends with everypony offering some of their candy to a statue of Nightmare Moon.” “Wow, just like Halloween then.” Sam replied. “Hallo-what?” Twilight and Josh asked. Sam sighed and slapped Josh around the back of the head. “Don't be a tit!” He said. Sam then turned his attention to Twilight. “Halloween is a once a year thing where, just like your Nightmare Night, people dress up in scary costumes and go house to house collecting sweets and playing pranks.” “Only difference is that we don't offer up the sweets to anything, our night usually ends up getting stomach aches from eating too much.” Josh added. “Unless we go to our friends for a Halloween party, then it usually ends up with us and our friends getting drunk.” “And staring at girls who use the holiday as an excuse to dress scantily...” Josh muttered so the two mares couldn't hear him. Sam could hear him however and gave a nod in agreement. “Very true, good times...” “That's interesting... Maybe we should have another discussion about other festivals, we may have more in common than we thought.” Twilight mentioned as she had her hand on her chin. “Well I'm sure that will be most enlightening but as for now, I believe I need to take your measurements. I'll need you two to strip down to your underwear as your clothing seems quite baggy.” Rarity said. “Sam, could I take your measurements first?” Sam nodded and followed Rarity behind a screen. “|Ok, could you please remove your clothes darling?” “A-Are you sure that's completely needed?” Sam asked. “Of course darling, you haven't got a build like a pony and so I need to make sure to get accurate measurements.” She explained. “Go on darling, strip to your skivvies.” Josh said. He chuckled a little as he saw the silhouette of Sam sticking his middle finger up at him. While chuckling to himself, Josh turned to see himself in a nearby mirror and raised an eyebrow before turning back and seeing Sam start to strip and Rarity take the measurements. “What does that mean?” Twilight asked. “It's a little thing from our world, you have swears here right?” Twilight nodded. “It's a swear basically.” Twilight furrowed her brow at the explanation. “Why would you swear at each other? You're friends aren't you?” “We are but where we are from, it's not always as it seems. We can swear at each other but we never really mean it, it's just teasing each other.” “I... don't understand.” “Don't worry about it, I do have one question for you though.” Twilight tilted her head. “While Sam stuck his finger up at me, I looked at a mirror and saw that I seem to have, what appears to me, something that resembles a small pony on my back.” Josh turned his back to Twilight, she saw a little white unicorn in a light pink dress gripping on to the back of Josh's shirt. “Does this belong to anyone?” “Don't you mean 'anypony'?” The little unicorn asked. “Thanks little one, does this belong to anypony?” Josh asked again. “Twilight, I don't know what this is but I caught it! You quickly go grab the other one before he gets my sister!” “Sweetie Belle, this is Josh and the one that your sister is working with is called Sam. They are humans and they are staying here in Equestria for the time being.” Twilight explained. Sweetie Belle looked up at Josh with a sad frown. “I-I'm sorry Mr Josh, I'll get down now...” She said as she began to loosen her grip. The frown on her face nearly broke the humans heart. “It's no problem at all and it's just Josh, no need for Mr. In fact, you can ride on my shoulders if you want.” She looked up at him with curiosity and a hint of hope. He liked the expression of hope a lot more. “Are you sure that's ok?” She asked. “Of course it is but could you just do me a small favour? I have an itch just around your right hand, could you get it for me?” She nodded and scratched where her hand was. “Up a bit... right a bit... little bit more... there we go. Thanks a lot Sweetie Belle, climb on up.” She smiled and clambered up onto Josh's shoulders where he grabbed her legs to keep her from falling. “Enjoying the view up there Sweetie Belle?” “Yeah, it's really high up.” She replied. Josh and Twilight smiled at the little filly as she beamed down at them. The sound of clothing drew their attention back to the screen to see Sam pulling his top back on as he returned to the group with Rarity following behind, writing some notes on a notepad. “So, uncomfortable was it?” Josh asked with a knowing grin. “Of course it was, they look human enough and she's still a woman.” Sam muttered with a small blush. “You know that it makes me feel really weird.” “Oh I know it does.” Josh said with a smirk. “Josh, make I take your measurements next?” Rarity asked. “There's no need Rarity.” He replied. “When we were at the castle, the seamstress there took our measurements for our dinner suits. She said that the castle would send the details to you within the next few days.” “Wait... When did she say that?” Sam asked. “When she was taking my measurements and you went to the toilet.” “Why didn't you tell me that before I stripped?!” Sam asked. Josh smirked a little and pinched Sam's cheek. “Because your flustered and embarrassed face amuses me greatly.” He replied. Sam's eyebrow twitched in annoyance and a his face grew redder than before. “You... mother fu-” “Ah! Wait! No hitting or bad language, there is a child present.” He replied, pointing at the little filly on his shoulders. “Hi!” She said as she waved to Sam. Sam lost his anger and smiled at her. “What's your name?” “My name's Sweetie Belle. Your name is Sam right?” “That's right.” He said with a smile. Although he still faced Sweetie Belle, Sam's eyes looked at Josh and he muttered. “You do understand that I'm gonna get you back right?” Josh nodded, the smile still on his face. “So then.” Josh started, trying to change the subject. “Tell us a bit more about that Nightmare Night.” XXX “Did you see that?” One pony said to the other. She was an earth pony wearing a light blue blouse and a frilly yellow skirt. Her mane and tail was a silky blonde while her coat was a dark blue. “Yes I did, what a strange body he had. They look a lot like monkeys more than ponies.” The other replied. This one was a pegasus male with a dark red coat and short green mane and tail, he wore a grey, short sleeved shirt with brown shorts. “Not that you fool! We saw him remove his clothing and there was no sign of his weapon. The other one doesn't appear to be concealing a weapon either, they are both un-armed!” She explained. “So what? They still have their powers.” “True but as long as we bound their hands, I doubt they will be able to use them. This could be our best shot, go inform the others and tell them to get into position.” The pony nodded and took to the skies. “We have you now, your power will allow our Queen to assume her rightful position before long...” XXX The group talked into the evening, discussing things from the holiday coming up a couple of months to the group called the CMC or the Cutie Mark Crusaders. After the two boys mentioned that they lacked these cutie marks, Sweetie Belle had told them that she would arrange a meeting with the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to see if the two were allowed to join. Of course she didn't hear that humans can't get cutie marks, she was already in her own little world thinking of various plans for their future endeavours. It wasn't long before the sun met the horizon and the moon began to rise, the boys left the boutique and said their goodbyes to Twilight, Rarity and Sweetie Belle. “Well today went well. Got to nose around, a girl saw you strip... granted they aren't human but that seems a little racist or something.” Josh said as they made their way home. “True, they seem more human than any pony back home, much more colourful too. By the way, what did you get up to at Pinkie's?” “Oh well she and I made some brownies and muffins. I ended up helping out during the lunch rush which was good but the best part was she took me on as an apprentice. I got me a job already.” Josh exclaimed with a grin. “Lucky you...” Sam huffed. “I only went to Applejack's farm, met their family, wasn't too bad... except their granny...” Sam shuddered at the memory. “Ok then... Why don't you try to get a job there? It's only a farm, might not be so bad for a physical guy like you.” “Not going to happen. It's an apple farm where they actually kick the apples from the trees. I can't do that, I'll break my damn foot! I'll find something eventually.” “Fair enough mate... So Pinkie makes a lot of her cupcakes out ponies that she kidnaps. She takes them down into a dungeon, cuts them up and uses their body parts to make the cupcakes.” Josh stated randomly. “Pffft, yeah right. Dude, this place is strange but it doesn't seem that twisted, where did you even come up with that?” Sam asked. “Yeah, was a long shot. Pinkie took me into the cellar of the bakery, it was a little dark but I could make out a table covered in these big red rope things that I thought were some kind of organ. Then there was a red ooze covering the table too that was dripping out of the ropes as well as on a knife that was next to it all. I thought I discovered some sort of fucked up secret until Pinkie turneed on the light.” Sam rolled his eyes. “And what actually was it?” “Pinkie was experimenting, she had made big strawberry liquorish ropes filled with a cherry jam. The knife was for cutting off a piece to taste it, I shouldn't have let my mind run away with me.” “Seriously, what kind of fucked up mind would come up with that idea??” “Mine obviously but besides that? No clue, probably someone crazy.” The two eventually reached their home and made their way in. “Well I don't know about you Josh but I tell you what, I'm beat.” “Me too, I think I'm going to go hit the hay... no situation based pun intended.” Sam rolled his eyes and said goodnight. Josh walked into his room and stripped to his boxers before hopping in bed. “Ahh, nothing better than your own bed.” “What about some company~?” Spoke a soft voice in a seductive tone. “Well it can be ok but I'm too tired to be in the mood, strange couple of days... Wait a sec...” Josh slowly turned round to have his gaze blocked by light pink. His eyes widened as a yellow furred hand moved the light pink mane to show a pair of half lidded teal eyes. “Hello there, so you had a hard day huh~?” She asked as she stroked a hand down his chest. Josh opened his mouth but no words managed to make their way out. She giggled. “Speechless? It's ok, I'm sure I'll get you very very vocal~.” Josh blushed heavily and shot back, falling out of the bed. “W-W-What are you doing??” Josh asked, pointing a finger at the mare. She smirked and moved out of the covers of the bed, the moonlight shining through the window lit up her naked body. Josh could feel his heart speed up like a bullet out of a gun as his eyes trailed down her body, now taking notice of her curves and well developed chest. 'Gotta be an E cup... Wait! Don't get carried away!' “Answer me!” Josh demanded as he closed his eyes. Fluttershy just giggled again. “Well nothing right now, but I know someone I want to do~” She replied as she fluttered her eyes. “W-What are talking abo-... Did you say someone...?” Josh asked as he reopened his eyes. The attention of the room was taken by a shout from the next room. “Josh! They are fakes! Watch ou-” Sam's voice cut off and a thump could be heard a second later. Fluttershy frowned at clicked her tongue. “What is going on he-!” Josh was interrupted and a blast of green magic hit him and coated his body for a moment before vanishing, taking his consciousness with it. He only noticed two things happen when he lost consciousness, he saw Fluttershy's mane disappear and her yellow coat turning a hard black and he couldn't help but think to himself. 'Will I ever get a peaceful nights sleep again?' XXX Josh found himself in the dark abyss once more. He looked around and let out a small sigh. “Why is it that nothing good seems to happen when I go near a bed lately? I feel like I should boycott sleep...” “Of course, typical you, always thinking about yourself and no one else...” Came the female voice from before. Josh felt a cold chill run down his back. “Why are you here?! I'm not stupid enough to not realise when I'm dreaming... It especially can't be real if you're here...” “You know exactly why I'm here, it's because you can't forget, won't let yourself forget what you caused!” “It's not my fault! I can't be the one to blame for this!” Josh cried into the dark. “Then why do you dream of me? Dream of me coming to you and blaming you for what happened? It's because you know it is your fault and that will never change...” The voice began to fade away, Josh tried to retort, to find at least one line of defence but nothing came out of his mouth and the darkness around him began to turn to light... XXX Josh opened his eyes and clenched them shut when he felt a small pain shoot through his head, he tried to put his hand to his temples but felt nothing, only hearing the clinking sounds of chains. Josh slowly opened his eyes and looked towards his hand, it was chained up to a wall. As he looked around his person, he saw that he was still wearing only his boxers while he chained against a wall by his wrists and ankles. He looked around the room and saw that he was in a small room, dimly lit but the torches on the walls. “What the hell is going on...?” He asked himself. He heard a reply in the way of a loud snore, Josh spun his head round and saw Sam I the same position as himself, only asleep. “Sam! Sam! Wake up!” Sam frowned and shook his head. “No... No Granny Smith... Leave me alone...” He mumbled. “Granny Smith? The fu- Sam, wake up damn it!” Sam shook his head harder this time. “No... Granny Smith... We shouldn't do that...” Josh frowned. “Wake up you damn moron!” Sam's eyes darted open and his head shot up. “No Granny Smith! I don't want to plough your field!” Sam took a few deep breaths and looked around. “Wait, I'm not at Applejack's place... Where am I?” “I don't know but it doesn't look good.” Josh said. Sam nodded in agreement and looked round the room again. “Seems a bit like that Canterlot dungeons.” Sam moved his foot along the ground and felt something squishy, he looked down at his foot and saw a green ooze. “Except it wasn't covered in this green crap.” “I'm sorry that our dungeons are not up to your standards boy but we don't care much about our tools.” Said a female voice. The two looked at a doorway at the other end of the room to see a tall figure with long hair. “Who are you and what do you mean by tools?” Josh asked. “I should punish you to talk that way to royalty but since I am such a forgiving Queen and you have not long arrived here, I shall let you off this once.” The figure left the doorway and made it towards the two. “I am the Queen of the changelings, I once powerful and proud race until we began to starve. My name is Chrysalis.” The figure made its way into the light and showed off her apparel. She was as tall as Celestia had been with a long, dirty green mane that went down to her bust. She wore a green silk dress that hugged her figure while her body was as black as coal. Her eyes were slitted like a snakes, bug like wings fluttered behind her slightly while a crooked horn reached out from her forehead. “As for tools...” She said with a grin. “I sent my subjects to follow you and inspect your home. While there, my subjects came across your magic window. They accidentally activated but the amazing things they saw, we know of your powers and the order of which you protect.” “What is she talking about?” Josh asked. “I think the magic window she's on about is our tv, not sure about order or powers though...” Sam replied. “Do you take me for a fool?!” She hissed. “You know what I mean, we saw that visual report! The documentary on the terrible state your universe is in! The great war against that empire you so despise! I will help you return to your fight as long as you become soldiers for me, use your powers to bring me Canterlot!” “Documentary...?” Josh asked. Sam thought for a few moments until his eyes grew wide. “She means a dvd... Remember what we was doing before we ended up here? The movies we were watching?” “Well yeah, we was doing marathons. We started with Potter, the we went to the Lord of the Rings and then we were watching... Oh crap...” “So you remember now?” Chrysalis asked with a smile. “I know you need to return to your home to help in that war of yours now you will help me bring Canterlot to its knees and I will return the favour... Jedi...”