//------------------------------// // III. A Muscular Red Stallion // Story: Twilight's Dollhouse // by Kaidan //------------------------------// Twilight sat on her balcony, sipping at her tea. Lyra sat next to the tea saucer, staring longingly out at the clear blue sky. A couple clouds floated by in the distance, and the sound of birds filled the air. “I wish New Ponyville was this beautiful. It’s dreary, especially when you turn the lights out." "I've been planning to finish the moon and sky today, actually. Then it will have a day/night cycle that follows the real one," Twilight explained. "I think that'll be wonderful. What happens after that, though? You're really going to bring every single pony to live in New Ponyville?" "Well, not all ponies deserve my gift of immortality, only my friends. And I'll have to do it gradually and carefully, so nopony notices when an entire town vanishes overnight." Lyra pondered this for a moment. She had gained Twilight's trust, but what could she do with it? For now, it was enough that she had ensured Bon Bon wasn't taught a harsh lesson. Perhaps she could help more ponies, but that meant admitting defeat. If she accepted her new role, then she accepted that every pony would have to live forever as a plastic doll. "Once you get more ponies, will I still be your best friend?" Lyra asked. She stood up and looked over at Twilight. "Of course, Lyra, you were my first doll. You'll always be special to me." Lyra smiled. She was in, now she'd just have to wait for some miracle to allow her to free an entire basement full of trapped ponies at once. Hey, Lyra thought. Stranger things have happened. “Could you do me a favor?” “That depends,” Twilight stated. “I’m afraid of you freezing me because I had claustrophobia as a filly, and it brought those memories back. I spent the whole first night screaming and panicking and—and please don’t ever do that to me again,” Lyra sobbed. “Lyra,” Twilight cooed. “You’re my new best friend, so I won’t freeze you anymore.” “What if the others are scared too? I know Bon Bon hasn’t behaved, but I can only imagine how horrible she must feel being stuck all the time. Can you please start letting everypony stay free?” Lyra begged. “I’ll double-check the warding spells and consider it, but only once you promise to tell me if Bon Bon and Vinyl start plotting anything,” Twilight ordered. Lyra was wondering how to reply when she heard somepony approaching the balcony. Escape was her number one goal, however she was starting to feel concerned for Twilight. "Oh hey, Twilight, I didn't realize you'd be up here having tea. I was supposed to clean the deck furniture today. Oh. . . is that Lyra?" Lyra had frozen the second she heard Spike's voice. The little dragon was unlikely to overpower Twilight and free them, so she did the only other thing that came to mind. She played the role of an inert plastic toy. Twilight recovered quickly from her shock, looking back and forth between the now-motionless Lyra and Spike. He had gotten home early. "Remember the replica I built? I’m making a figurine of every pony in town to put in it. Since Lyra died. . . I made hers first." "Oh, that makes sense. Why build a replica town without replica ponies?" Spike asked. "Exactly, Spike. I miss Lyra so much I painted this doll of her. I still haven't gotten the other dolls perfect. . . Eventually I’ll even paint a lovely doll for Shining and Cadance." "Twilight, if you ever want to talk about the nightmares, or anything, let me know. Mind if I go for a stroll?" Twilight laughed. "Sounds good, Spike. Say hi to Rarity for me." Spike always wound up at Rarity's when he 'went for a stroll.' “Oh, before I forget, you got another letter from Celestia.” Twilight winced for a moment, before turning to smile at Spike. “Thanks, leave it on my dresser.” She would stick it with the other unopened letters later. Once Spike was gone, Lyra chuckled and sat down. "Thanks, Lyra. That was some good acting. Just in time too, I'm not sure my spell works on dragons yet," Twilight explained. Lyra relaxed and took a sip from her miniature tea cup. "You're going to get Spike too? He's a dragon so won't you two live, like, forever?" "I guess, I'm still wondering which is better.” Twilight lifted her own tea up and sipped from it. “Once he gets older his scales will become resistant to magic. So I either turn him into a doll while he's young, or eventually I'll have to tell him the truth so we can spend the next several millennia as friends." "Wow, that's a tough one." "Yeah, and that's nothing compared to taking out the elements of harmony. If I don't have my methods perfect by then, I won't be ready when more ponies are sent by Celestia to investigate." "Do you ever think that maybe you won't have to save everypony? Do you want to talk about how you're feeling?" Lyra asked, softening her tone. Twilight took a sip of tea and just stared at a cloud drifting through the sky for a minute. "I think I'd like that, since I can trust you. I don't want to talk about it all right now, though. Just thinking about the accident, knowing that I was powerless to stop it—I'll never get to see either of them smile or laugh." Lyra sat and intently listened while she continued. "I tried rebuilding their house, painting figures to look like them, but it's not the same. I'll remember how happy they used to make me. Give it a hundred years and I’ll forget them completely." Twilight rubbed her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Twilight. I can't imagine losing all my friends one at a time, but won't other ponies feel just as bad when their friends end up in the basement? They'll never know what really happened to them." Twilight's sorrow was replaced by a fiery determination in her eyes. "That's not my problem. They're my friends. Their families can go grieve until they grow old and die too." Lyra sat there quietly, playing with the miniature tea set Twilight had set before her. She reflected on how Bon Bon must feel right now, trapped alone downstairs. If Lyra couldn't get her roommate and best friend to be Twilight's friend, what hope was there for the rest of the town? Would Twilight discard all of her dolls if they kept misbehaving? "Come on," Twilight said. "This was relaxing, but I have some chores to do." "So soon?" Lyra whined. The bell rang downstairs, signaling that a pony had entered the library. "We have company. I'm putting you in my mane, stay put and keep quiet." Twilight tucked Lyra into her mane and trotted downstairs. Big Mac was waiting in the atrium. "Hey, Big Mac, what brings you by?" Twilight inquired. He smiled and shifted a bit of hay to the other corner of his mouth. "Just turnin' in ah book for 'sis." "The Farmer's Almanac. I hope she found it useful." "Eeyup. Don't expect her ta admit it." Mac responded. "What's in the saddle bags?" "Groceries." "They must be heavy, care for some tea?" "Eeyup." Mac took a look around, and then slid off the yoke and saddlebags. He was always a bit nervous to be alone with mares. "Ok, wait right here." Twilight walked into the kitchen and let the door gently close behind her. She used her magic to open a cabinet door and access a secret compartment where she kept some of the herbs she used. Lyra gasped softly. It was hard to see at this distance, but there were at least a dozen jars and pouches. "Hmm," Twilight spoke to herself softly. "I haven't tried nightshade yet, its onset is a little longer than I'd like. Still, it shouldn't be affected by his larger body weight or stamina" "Twilight," Lyra whispered. "Yes?" "Isn't Octavia next? You should let him go." "It's okay, he's integral to me getting to Applejack. If you don't want to watch, I'll leave you in here." Lyra considered the offer, yes she wanted to know as much as possible. This information could come in useful. "I'm okay." Twilight continued to prepare the nightshade as the teapot started to whistle. Doing the math in her head, she prepared a dose. "He may not be a unicorn like Vinyl was, Lyra, but his strength could be a problem if not sedated first. Better safe than sorry." Twilight walked out to Big Mac and sat down at the table. She levitated the two teacups onto the table, placing the special tea on Big Mac's side. "So Big Mac, I heard a rumor from Apple Bloom you have my smarty pants doll," Twilight chuckled. Mac took a long drink from his tea to hide his embarrassment. "Eeyup." "It's okay, I'd like you to keep it. You're such a sweet stallion." "Thanks, ah always sorta liked ya to." Mac blushed and couldn't hide it behind the dainty tea cup this time. He instantly regretted admitting his crush on her because he had no clue what to say next as his mouth dried out. "Mac! I never knew you had an interest in me. That's so sweet, I always knew there was a big teddy bear beneath all those muscles." He chuckled nervously. "Eeyup." "Wait, that's it. It doesn't always have to be dolls. Maybe teddy bears, or porcelain. . . Bon Bon was already latex. I'd hate for things to get boring and repetitive." Twilight rushed over to read a few books as they levitated in mid-air. Big Mac just watched, refilling his tea and having some more. Twilight hadn’t known about his crush on her, and it was moments like this when she turned into a complete egghead that made her so adorable. Once she returned to the table, she began speaking softly about improvising a new spell. Mac just smiled and waited for her to reveal what the spell would be. Maybe she could create more smarty pants dolls. Mac was brought out of his day dreams of a lovely spring wedding when Twilight asked him something. "Hmm?" Mac replied. "I said, are you feeling okay?" Twilight asked. "Eeyu—" Mac reached for his tea again, finding himself drowsy and his muscles heavy. "—Nope." Mac lifted his hoof and examined it. His vision was slightly blurred, and the hoof felt ten times heavier. His muscles resisted his commands and he realized how badly he just wanted to curl up and take a nap. Twilight levitated a notebook out and jotted down some notes. She looked up slyly and smiled. "Hmm, and you had a few cups of tea from the same cup. Interesting." "Ah don't understand." "Oh it's simple, just a side effect of a . . . gift I have for you. I just have one question first. Do you like me enough to ask me out to hearts and hooves day?" Mac was blindsided by the question. Sure, he'd thought about it, but he was far too shy. Still, she was here now, and she obviously knew the truth. "Eeyup." "Definitely such a sweet, handsome stallion. I just have to make you into a plushy now. I get so lonely at night.” "What?" Mac asked. "I poisoned your tea, and now I'm turning you into a stuffed animal. Is that clear enough?" Twilight paused for a moment as her words caught up with her. “No, poison has such a negative connotation. . . I’m going to make us both happy for a long time!” Mac's mouth fell open in surprise and he found himself unable to close it again. Adrenaline pumped into his veins. This wasn't a want-it need-it spell, Twilight poisoned him and was planning to kill him! The apple family needed him, so he put all his strength into his forelegs and flung the table at Twilight. Twilight gasped at his unexpected outburst. She wasn't quite ready to transform him and tried to paralyze him instead. The spell proved unwieldy. Like the poison, Mac's sheer size made it difficult to properly restrain him. Mac ran for the door, nearly stumbling, and then tried to unlock it. He couldn't focus enough strength to turn the lock. He found himself panting heavily, his throat dry, and his stomach burning. Twilight flung a heavy dictionary into the side of his head. It bounced off like a piece of cloth would have. She hit him again, harder, knocking him away from the door. Twilight kept her distance having learned from Vinyl not to get to close during the process. Mac's heartbeat was racing, pumping the poison throughout him quicker. He was feeling weaker the harder he fought. "Please, ma family needs me," Mac pleaded. "They'll join you soon enough," Twilight replied. “No!” Mac continued to breath heavily and inch his way towards the table for cover. Twilight just waited patiently, checking the time on the clock and jotting down some additional notes. "Well, looks like the nightshade has taken effect. You can come out now, Lyra." Twilight levitated her out onto the floor. "Keep him company while I finish documenting this." Lyra walked over to Big Mac frowning. She had gone through a similar paralysis, though Mac at least retained some of his mobility. That probably made it all the more frightening. She petted his hoof right above the keratin so that he could feel her soft gesture of comfort. "It'll be okay, Big Mac, she did it to me too. She's really hurting from the loss. Twilight probably thinks she'll wind up just like Cadance. She's afraid of letting go of so many friends." Mac looked over at the tiny talking doll, trying to figure out what was going on. It looked like Lyra, it even sounded like her, but she was dead. They had found remains at the home of Lyra and Bon Bon. Lyra heard Twilight mumbling about dosage calculations, spell alterations, and cuddling. "Sorry, Mac. I wish I could make her feel better and stop, I really do. She needs her friends more than ever right now, Mac, please don't hate her. And if you do, don't tell her or she'll punish you." "Okay, Lyra, the spell is ready. Back up please." Twilight jotted down one quick last note. Subject still able to resist capture and breathe without assistance. Research later if this is due to the proper dosage or his earth pony genetics. "Now, as much as I love to try new spells it means I don't know what they'll do. Good luck, Big Mac!" Twilight charged up her horn. It changed from a shimmering purple to a flickering brown. A stream of magic poured out onto Big Mac, bathing him in a golden brown glow, and then vanishing. Big Mac opened his eyes, using what little strength he still possessed. His muscles were beginning to feel lighter, and he thought he would have his mobility again soon. Next, he felt as if millions of ants were crawling over his skin. He was being stung repeatedly and forced his painful moans through the paralysis. Lyra watched as artificial hairs sprouted from Big Mac's coat. They were becoming longer and softer, more like a stuffed animal then a pony. Big Mac could feel cotton in his throat. It was getting hard to breath, and he had the terrible need to sneeze. He couldn't clear his throat and his slow, forced swallow did nothing to help wet his dry throat. The cotton feeling spread to his lungs, causing a severe itching sensation. Lyra watched as she saw something fluffy inside Big Mac's mouth. His lips were flopping open and closed slowly. Finally, they touched and did not come apart. Small stitching appeared, sealing them shut. His nose vanished, turning into two dots that looked like they were drawn on. Mac convulsed as his lips stuck together. He tried to force air past the cotton to his lungs, yet it felt like they weren't there anymore. His entire body felt light as a feather, and had the strangest itching and tickling sensations. His mind was hazy, and he could feel a pressure building inside his eyes. He wondered if this was it, if this was how he would die, or if fate had crueler plans for him. Lyra watched Mac's eyes shrinking. They had taken a glossy sheen, and adhered themselves open. The eyelids and lashes vanished, leaving only two glossy plates where his eyes should be. They were a near perfect replica of a pony's eyes, yet they had the marble-like quality of a teddy bear's eyes. Mac felt so warm. He was still aware, and he was still himself. However, there were new thoughts in there. Thoughts that shouldn’t be in there. Mac wanted Twilight to hug him, more than anything. He wanted to be cuddled. "What do you think, Lyra?” Twilight asked. She walked over to examine Big Mac more closely. While circling around him, she double checked the new spell and the enchantment she put on him. "He's. . .a stuffed animal?" Lyra asked. "Yep! Now I won't have to cry myself to sleep anymore. . . at least not alone. It gets so bad everytime I go to sleep. I hated when I had to say good night to you, Lyra. Now, I can cuddle with Big Mac at night!" Twilight wrapped her arms around Big Mac and hugged him. Mac felt sheer elation at being held in her warm embrace. He couldn't tell if they were his feelings for Twilight, or the implanted thoughts of life as a plushy. "Now, I'll just have to keep him out of Spike's sight. I'll shrink and re-grow him as needed so he can live in New Ponyville too!" "That's neat, so you can just make all sorts of toys then?" Lyra asked. "Hmm, well I wasn't sure this one would work, but yes. I can probably adjust to make any type of toy, doll, or figurine I want. Oh, maybe a wooden one next! This is so exciting, now I can make my town just as diverse as the real town!" "Okay. . .Well, maybe we should just hurry up and get him downstairs. Another pony could drop by any minute." "Good thinking, Lyra." Twilight cast a spell on Big Mac. There was a quick glimmer in his eyes as she activated the enchantment on him, compressing him into a miniature stuffed Big Mac. He was now the same size as Lyra and the others, until Twilight reactivated the enchantment. "You've been so kind to me, Lyra. If you ever get lonely in New Ponyville, you can come sleep with me too," Twilight offered. "Aren't you afraid I'd just run away while you're sleeping?" Lyra asked. "Don't be silly," Twilight laughed. "You're my Little Doll Best Friend Forever! We'll never have to be apart again, and all the joy I've felt the last day is thanks to you!" Lyra blushed, something she didn't even realize she could do. Part of her was glad to see Twilight happy, and part of her wanted to run away the first time Twilight let her out of the cage. Twilight levitated Lyra and Big Mac towards her back. Lyra nabbed a sugar cube with her own levitation on the way past the tea set. She made herself comfortable in Twilight's mane and began to lick the sugarcube. She was surprised she could still taste the sweet treat. Maybe being a doll wasn't so bad after all.