Warning: slightly random concept.
Sweetie Belle is eager to start casting actual spells.
A little too eager.
After things go awry and Sweetie Belle's body goes through some... changes, Twilight steps up to aid in her recovery and teach her to see the bright side of the situation.
After all, turning yourself into a balloon isn't easy. That takes talent... and effort. Whether you'd want to is another matter entirely.
Additional tags: balloon, Twilight mentoring, post-spell rehabilitation, Scootaloo not being the elephant in the room, Sweetie Belle's parents showing up when they are needed, and a notable lack of Rarity. Really, you can note the lack. Also implied cruelty to bullies, which the author does not recommend, condone, or preach in any way, shape or form, and he wouldn't be warning people about it if he could have nice things.
Written for the Balloon Ponies January Contest.
In the words of the Amazing Mumbo Jumbo:
"I think it's only fair to warn you: I have no idea what I'm doing."
In the words of myself a few moments ago:
Pity I'll probably have to wait something like seven hours before I can read this, unless I manage to at lunch...
3901924
No worries, no rush. Heavens know enough rush went into this thing. From concept to upload in one day, along with an epilogue coming tomorrow... yeah, take your time.
Welp, I'm boned. No way I can beat this.
3902023
But don't do it if you're not: negative thinking does not help. I've tried. 
Nah. I've never had Kaidan read any of my things, and this thing's just a random idea. I don't even know what the stories will be judged on, let alone how to win this thing. At any rate, don't ever sell yourself short. Unless you're Belgian, and especially if you're Flemish. Then it's okay, and expected. Clichéd, even.
I think now might be a good time for me to hit the sack. The self-imposed chat-deprivation is starting to show. Good night!
Well, that was different.
tinyurl.com/mbho6go
3902372
Different good or different bad?
I'm obviously a sucker for Sweetie Belle and magical accidents. I enjoyed the description of the ritual she was using as well...
--arcum42
I loved the story here I think I found a pic that could work as a cover pic. th08.deviantart.net/fs70/200H/i/2013/261/3/e/balloon_sweetie_belle_1_by_noordinaryballoonman-d6mvfqf.jpg
3905372
Much obliged, but I have a policy of only using homemade cover art, so either screenshots with captions (I might pluck those off the Internet) or vector/3D art I made myself. That both forces me to get better at the arty stuff and it covers my donkey in case any artist doesn't want their art on my story.
Also, this is a competition entry, and I don't know if cover art counts in judging. Seeing as the other contenders have no cover art, I'm not planning to use any in the near future, just to be fair.
That said, glad you liked it. My main goal was to be slightly different from the norm in balloon TF's and make it about the recovery, rather than a bad ending. It was a rush job, though, no secrets there.
I think it's only fair to warn you that I'm going to attempt to blow this one out of the air.
But in all honesty, a nice read, very well flowed. While I wish I knew Kaidan's thought processes, I don't, and that makes this a very viable contender. I really wish I could enter one of my other already written stories..
3905463
No worries, man. It was fun cranking this out in a creative fervour after a little bout of negativity (which came back with a vengeance, sadly), I'll take that and the knowledge that I got one of the more prolific authors here to read my stuff as a positive.
We'll just have to see who wins, really. What matters is that the contest does what it's supposed to: get more balloon pony stories out, and get more good ones out, too.
3905485
I don't remember if it's different if you write mature or not.
Hint:
clopfic inbound
Good luck!
3905498
May have been a mistake.
There were two folders for the contest: mature and non-mature. I think yours would be the fourth mature one. Mine's the only one that's not, so far.
But really, it was either this or a Rumbaloo clopfic involving Rumble turning into a pooltoy, stuff happening, and Scoots then finding out the toy is really a boy, with some recovery and coping involved afterwards. And I'd really rather not write another Scootaloo fic if I can help it: I hate rehashing old material. Even if it doesn't win, at least this is kinda new, compared to my other stuff.
Anyway, one day left, I think, better hurry up, no? Might upload the epilogue to this one tonight.
3904850
Good, I think. I also kinda smirked at the ending.
And once again your stories can be described best with the adjective "interesting".
It's a good story, though, not too long... And then there's trying to imagine DT's reaction, of course. Well, I guess there wouldn't be much of a reaction from her for a while.
Great story, would read again
3906486
Chuckles achieved. Mission accomplished.
I never thought I'd say this, because it's usually my favorite part of most stories, but you focus way too much on dialogue, leaving every other element as barely more than a skeleton. For example, you describe Sweetie Belle as having a fear of being blown away, but you don't let the audience feel it the same way you force us to feel her initial fear of being trapped (which you did really well, by the way), unable to even move or talk. The method and explanation of the transformation is interesting, though, and there are plenty enough jokes that I think a "Comedy" tag would be warranted.
3906502
Again: it was rushed. And I'll be sure to keep that in mind for any future transformation stories, if any.
Edit: By that I mean you're right, I didn't put as much thought into Sweetie's thoughts once she was already transformed. The reason that it didn't shine through so much is because she was lacking most of the things she could use to express it. I could have gone for trembling membranes or feeling a phantom heart race, maybe, but at the time I didn't see the need or the option. I will keep that remark in mind, though, it's a good point.
The start of this story was quite interesting, and the way it flowed felt like an actual episode. I could easily see this being in the series.
As for the ending, I loved it, actually. As Twilight said, she can reverse it, too. And those two did insist she demonstrate her talent, and she did warn them she might hurt them. All in all, I can't find fault on Sweetie at the end there. Those two brought it on themselves.
The three best pony races:
Balloonicorns.
Earth Pooltoys.
And Pega...
...uhh...
I got nothin'.
3911264
I'm surprised no one's thought of that, actually. The thought of a latex pony race has crossed my mind. Not like an ancient race, but a new mutation to resist against some of the modern threats. I've had this thought of a scenario where Sweetie Belle basically saves Ponyville from a mind leech infestation by turning herself into a balloon: no brains to leech onto. Add in Twilight and you've got a whirlwind adventure. But a whole race? Latex ponies, sure.
Balloonicorns, Earth pooltoys, and Inflatus ponies, or Inflati? And of course rubber alicorns, because that's one bit of bragging rights I'll treasure forever.
Hmm... inflatable pegasus, rubber pegasus. Wait, hang on.
Pegastretch.
Huh. That wasn't exactly the sort of 'dictator' I expected from this chapter.
Excellent story! Very enjoyable.
3912893
The words "What are you, a dictionary?" seem appropriate to describe Sweetie's reasoning there.
3914498
I imagine that is a consequence of Sweetie's (as yet unknown to her) cutie-mark talent as a singer; she knows all the words(1), so that she can use them in song lyrics and easily get lines that rhyme and fit the rhythm.
(1)Except, maybe, the ones unsuitable for foals
3914693
Huh. I never considered that one. *takes note* Thanks for pointing that out, it could come in useful sometime.
And now I'm stuck imagining Apple Bloom singing a Sweetie song called 'Potater Dictator'
3914726
My pleasure.
Where can I find the balloon ponies contest entries? Is there a group for this? Any and all info on this would be appreciated.
I also love this story. It's adorable.
I like the premise and light-hearted nature. It was light on details of turning into a balloon, but I like some of her thinking and the inevitable reversal on DT and SS at the end. I'm judging for the contest and should have results soon.
3922875
Right here is where the non-clop entries of the contest are placed. I can't link to the clop, since this isn't an M-rated fic, but you shouldn't have any trouble finding them if you click around in the group.
Glad you liked it!
Well, I'd never bully anyone, but being turned into a living plastic/latex shell? Oh my god, yes plz.
Why did I only see this chapter now...?
Why didn't I have this favorited already?
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. Hope you enjoyed the little blurb of an epilogue.
No idea. Glad you did, though, on both counts
4067654
Did I?! You're humor is exactly the kind I enjoy most.
This was fantastic. The portrayal of unicorn magic, the gradual recovery, the karmic payback, the princesses' reactions, all marvelously done. I can;t help but suspect that Luna may have a job open for Sweetie when she's old enough. After all, balloonifying is just the kind of nonlethal pacifier that seems perfect for the Guard.
Thanks for this story.
4072884
Non-lethal pacifier? Sure, if you remove the ability to move, which I'd wager she can do. More importantly, though, suppose a bunch of brain slugs invade that crawl into ponies' ears and manipulate the nervous system?
*poof* *spit* "Nice try, but you can't control an airhead."
That was my first instinct. Pacifier's definitely an option, though.
lol.
Pretty good story. Also, DAT ENDING!
Hmm...What if you were to continue writing about Sweetie's magic practice? I would love to see what other similar results would occur in her experiments.
Sweet story.