An element bearer has gone missing and rumors of Discord's return have begun to circulate; The adventure is on, but, are the characters ready for what is in store?
Midnight Strike, bearer of the element of Loyalty, has gone missing and rumors Discord will return soon. Will she return to stop him if he's released or will they quash the rumors before they get out of hand?
Super thanks to Rancor for being a great proof reader and inspiration assistant.
Five months had passed since the return of Luna and the land had been restored to its once glory. The nations surrounding Equestria were at peace once again, ponies, zebra, minotaurs, and others were trading freely in a way they had never before.
Dear Element Bearer,
I hope this letter reaches you well as the message I deliver is most troubling. A statue of one of the most dangerous creatures to ever exist has been stolen from the gardens in Canterlot’s Royal Gardens. As a sworn defender of the realm and knights of the crown you are required to report to the Castle of the Sun in Canterlot by the 7th day in the ninth week of this Spring in the new Calendar of Luna’s Return.
Thank you and travel well.
***
“Twilight?” Trixie asked as the lavender mare sighed sadly and rolled the scroll tightly.
“It’s the royalty,” she responded and levitated the scroll to Trixie who tossed it aside with her magic, “they want me, all of us, to return to the capital for some statue.”
“So,” Trixie smiled, “they’re making a statue of you? Perhaps the Great and Powerful Trixie can stand with you in your triumphant moment!”
Twilight lay her head on her hooves and huffed. “Sounds like it’s a lost and found mission. Whoever wrote the letter wants the Element Bearers to find it.”
“So, can the Great and,” she stopped her gloating voice when Twilight glared at her, “c-can I come along? Trixie will miss you,” she pouted.
“I’m sorry, but the show must go on, right?” Twilight smiled reassuringly.
“Yes, but it’s not the same without you… I’m not the same without you.”
“Don’t worry,” Twilight whispered, “it’ll be a couple days and I’ll be back. It’s a statue, how much trouble could it be?”
***
“Fluttershy! Fluttershy! Look, A leeter got here for us,” Rainbow called as she galloped back to the fully regrown and beautiful cottage. “I went to the mail hut and they gave me a letter from the royal palace! Lookit, read it,” she shouted in excited glee as she entered the house and looked around the main room.
Sparse as it was the living room was cozy and clean, bright and inviting. Nothing like it was a year before when Rainbow lived alone in it.
“I’m in the kitchen, Rainbow,” Fluttershy called out. Rainbow hurriedly took to flight and flew into the kitchen, stopping inches from Fluttershy who was mixing some batter. “Oh, that’s the letter you were talking about? Let me see,” she said taking to her hooves and extending a wing, her regrown wing, to take it.
“Oh my. Oh,” Fluttershy mumbles as she read. “We’re going to the royal palace, Rainbow!”
Rainbow landed and grinned widely. “Yes~! I knew it, they loved my rainbow boomer so they want me to do it again. Just,” Rainbow giggled, “don’t fall this time.”
Fluttershy gave Rainbow a playful shove. “I’ll tell Scootaloo, you get a saddlebag packed.”
***
“Well, Ah’ll be. Big Mac, Ah’m headin’ back to the castle,” Applejack called as she rolled to her hooves. “Maybe Ah’ll have mah little one there.”
“Well,” Big Mac replied in a calm voice, “maybe. Only thing ya have ta do is find a statue, then next month ya have the baby. I’m proud’a ya, AJ. Takin’ back the farm and rebuilding it. Hiring ponies ta farm it so yer sis doesn’t have to. You’re livin’ up to yer element.”
“Heh, and I know I’ve taken back to the local accent. It’s sure easier ta talk like this,” she replied with a slight drawl. “Let’s pack and git, Ah wanna see the girls again.”
***
“Girls!” Fluttershy called as she and Rainbow landed in the courtyard of Canterlot castle. Applejack and Twilight grinned to see the duo and a little cart behind them. Scootaloo peeked over the side as they landed and she wasted no time jumping free and kissed the ground.
“Oh, sweet Celestia I love the earth,” she kissed the ground and nuzzled the grass as Applejack rolled her eyes.
“For a pegasus ya think she’d think it was a thrill ta fly around up there,” Applejack mumbled to Twilight.
“Sorry, Scootaloo. We got going a little fast and might have done some stunts-”
“They were awesome-tastic! We were all whoosh and ka-swish, then whirrrrrrrr-oomp!”
“Yes, and that was about the time Scootaloo vomited,” Fluttershy blushed, “and we’re very sorry for that. We promised her some iced cream when we got here. Is there any word from Midnight Strike yet?”
“Nope,” Applejack said as she approached the filly and patted her back.
“We’ve been here nearly an hour and no one’s come by to even greet us.”
“Twi’s right. Somethin’ ain’t right here.”
Rainbow snickered as she unhitched herself from the cart. “Jack talks funny, like the farmers in town. Ya know, the apple ones.”
Fluttershy nodded. “She’s part of their family, remember?”
“Duh,” Rainbow rolled her eyes, “but we haven’t seen her for like, forever! I know cuz I counted,” she stuck out her tongue, “and her sister still lives and we play tag and hide and seek-”
As Rainbow began to ramble about the games she played with Apple Bloom and other fillies and colts around town Twilight, Applejack, and Scootaloo stood in a semicircle watching.
“Wow, she sure can ramble,” Twilght said to Scootaloo.
“You have no idea. She talks as much as any three ponies when she gets excited. And so you know, don’t bring up her,” she leaned closer and the others leaned in to listen, “her past.”
“Why wouldn’t we bring up her past?” Twilight asked aloud, startling Fluttershy and causing Scootaloo to facehoof.
“Oh, when I was a hermit I was living in the tree that Fluttershy helped and fixed and when I was a little filly I moved in and was really hungry and there was a time that I had no food in the winter and it was so cold I could use my nose drippings as pokers to poke stuff. It was fun but my heart was so sad that it was hard to have fun a lot like and then there was the spring where it flooded and all my--”
“Oh, that’s why.”
“Oh, that’s why,” Scootaloo mocked Twilight as she huffed, blew her bangs from her eye and trotted past the mares, stopping suddenly, then bowed.
The rest of the mares stopped talking/listening and looked to the palace doorway and the tall white Alicorn exiting. “Rise, my little ponies. You needn’t bow to me, I should bow to you for all you have done for the world. Come, time is important in this matter and my sister has news for you all that few know but those privileged.”
“Why, thank you, your highness,” Twilight chirped as she trotted beside Celestia, “I often wonder what you two have been up to since we all parted ways. Trixie thinks you’re too important to talk to us now, even though I told her you’re more than willing to make time for us-”
The mares behind Twilight and Celestia rolled their eyes.
Celestia listened patiently as she led the mares and filly to the throne room where Luna waited.
Twilight fell silent as she viewed the equally tall and regal Alicorn sitting on her throne of dark blue cloth and pillows of the purest materials available and looking intently at the entering ponies. Twilight fell behind and in line with the others as Celestia took wing to her throne.
The mares bowed once they reached the base of the stairs leading to the throne.
The five remaining element bearers gathered and bowed low before Princesses Luna Moon and Celestia in a large private room. "Hello mine subjects, hath thy fared well since last we met?"
"Sister," Celestia said calmly.
"I apologize, Celestia. Ahem, have you all been well since last we met?" Celestia chuckled nobly into her hoof garnering a slight look from her lunar counterpart.
The five ponies cowered slightly as Luna Moon spoke to them. "Yes, your majesty. What can we do for your highness's?" Twilight asked as she and the others raised.
"Hearths Warming Eve is next week and we'd be honored if you join us in our royal box to view the show."
The girls gasped and smiled hesitantly. "Yer highness, we'd be honored. I've always wanted to see it up close and personal. Right girls?"
The others looked at Applejack and smiled, their confidence growing as they nodded. "Splendid. Thou shalt join us post haste, we have another matter to attend to that thy may be able to help with," Luna Moon turned and trotted to the door at the far end of the room while Celestia and the others stood still. The ponies were waiting to see what Celestia would do as Celestia waited for something. Luna opened the door and walked through the threshold, turning to see the others a ways back she scowled.
"Tia, why hath thy not approached me with thine subjects?"
"Luna Moon, where are your manners we spoke about?"
"Celestia and her subjects, please come with me."
"Luna, we spoke about this; we don't use the royal Canterlot voice anymore. Like we practiced," Celestia said calmly.
Luna Moon cleared her throat and spoke in several octaves, each softer than the last until her voice was barely audible from across the room. "Dear subjects, and my sister Celestia. Will thy, you, please follow me?" With a nod Celestia led the others.
"Luna just got scolded by her sister. In front of us!" Scootaloo whispered to Rainbow Dash.
"Totally. Awesome." She replied loudly enough to make the others look at her quizzically. "Oh, just girl talk, ya know." Scootaloo smiled and fluttered her wings as she jumped onto Rainbow's back. "You're getting big, Scoots. Wanna hang out later and go to the spa? I like getting groomed and then my hooves done. It tickles and totally makes my body all shiny like when Fluttershy gave me my first bath, you gotta go with me. Please?"
"Wow, okay Dash. Relax. Lets just see what's up first then we'll talk about going to the spa or whatever. I might be able to get one of my friends to go in my place. Spas are kinda lame but I can't tell Rainbow that, she's addicted to being pretty. I miss Night, she was kinda cooler than Rainbow Dash.
They entered a darker room lightly furnished; the lights held the same ominous dark blue glow as what Nightmare Moon has turned the castle interior into during her reign. "Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo and Twilight Sparkle. You are five of the six bearers of the elements of harmony so I entrust this information to thee all. Discord may return soon," she waited as the gasps subsided, "my sister and I defeated him last time however we are no longer able to bear the elements of harmony. Thy still have five of thy elements and that may be enough to hold him at bay, should he return."
"Hey, who's this Dishworm guy? Sounds like a lame-o to me," Rainbow laughed and raised a hoof to Scootaloo for a bump that was returned with a laugh in agreement.
"No ya two, he's bad. Discord almost destroyed the whole world a while back, don't ya know yer history?"
Maybe I should make a movie about Discord too.
"Yes, 1,200 years ago he almost used his chaos magic to turn the world into madness. Luna and I used the elements to stop him and seal him in stone. His stone prison was stolen last week and we have only one pony in custody."
Luna stomped her hoof loudly and the floor trembled. The door glowed light blue and Shining Armor walked in followed by four other ponies. "BBBFF! I missed you," Twilight shouted as she charged her brother who entered just behind her in the doorway. Almost knocking him over they hugged tightly before he whispered in her ear.
"I'm sorry Twiley." He pushed her away and she stumbled back as he looked back at the other ponies.
"Night! What're you?" Twilight was excited for a moment before looking at the bearer of loyalty shackled and her wings tied to her body, a guard on her muzzle to prevent her from biting her guards. She looked well in every respect other than her confinement and a look of fear in her eyes at seeing her friends. "Shining, what's going on? Why is Night... Oh no, Night. You're not a part of this, are you?"
Lowering her head in defeat Shining spoke in her place. "She's a child of Discord. A secret group of ponies who worship Discord as the true ruler of Equestria and the world. She was caught after she was betrayed by her conspirators and left tied up in Discords place. She won't tell us where he is or anything about their plans and we can't interrogate her because of her status as an element bearer. We're hoping she'll talk to you, guards, release her and bind her to," he looked at the mares before him and settled on one, "Scootaloo."
"What?" "Why?" "Ya can't be serious." "Oh dear."
"Wait! Why me? What'd I do, I'm sorry if I did something bad; I didn't know. Please don't hurt me."
"Scootaloo, I apologize for this but we know she cares for you and if she does anything or tries to escape from your group, you will either go with her or die. I suggest you two stay close for your best interests. Mages, bind them." Two of his unicorns wearing dark brown cloaks lit their horns and chanted as the other two unicorns levitated the two side by side as Scootaloo cried and fluttered her wings and galloped in the air. The others protested but were held back by Shining Armors magic.
A red light engulfed Scootaloo and Midnight Strike before dissipating and a magic rope appeared around their right rear ankles then vanished.
"Twiley, I'm really sorry. I have my duty to Equestria."
"Shining Armor, I-" Twilight started to cry as he released her and the others from his magic. A sobbing sound was heard from Night as she turned her head from the others.
"I'm so sorry, this wasn't supposed to happen. I was just supposed to help get the statue then I was going to live in hiding for the rest of my life. I was going to send my gem to you, Princess Celestia, and just let a new bearer come into light." Her heart was aching so much she couldn't describe it even if she had the words. "Scootaloo."
"Don't talk to me, I hate you. HATE YOU." Scootaloo started to gallop away and got to a couch and after jumping on it pulled a pillow over her head.
"Scootaloo," Fluttershy started as she trotted to the couch, "it'll be okay. We're here for you and we'll solve this problem together. You can talk to me anytime, you know that right?"
All Scootaloo could do was squeak under the pillow as she remained silent. The others dried their tears and began to glare at Shining Armor. "Shining Armor, thy are dismissed. Thank you for you duty and this will work out fine, I'm certain."
Shining Armor bowed his head and turned to leave. "Hey, Big Head. You're being a jerk face. Why're you being mean to my friends?" Shining didn't stop as he and his mages left the room, Celestia closed the door behind them.
"Princess Celestia, how can you be okay with this? It's almost Hearths Warming Eve and now you've pretty much cursed two of my friends?" Twilight asked calmly, she didn't dare upset the goddess of the sun, reputation or not.
"Twilight Sparkle, there is something you have to understand. Discord is worse than you can imagine and even if you do manage to stop his return his followers will still try again someday. I will probably be there to see it happen then if it doesn't happen soon. Another three thousand years is no issue to us, however the world may become less prepared to defend against his return then. We have to take the initiative now and find his statue and return it to the castle where we will seal it in the royal vault for the rest of time."
The argument was unarguable. There was nothing any of them could say against it. Now or in the future Discord could return unless he was in the vault and they all knew it. "Princess, I've known ya for a while now. Can ya show us the vault so we can see where the elements are and where he'll be?"
"I see no harm in that, also you have to have your elements available to fight if you need it. We now have all of them thanks to Night. Follow us."
Leading the group through the castle for what seemed like an hour they finally reached a jeweled door that made them look in awe. "Scootaloo, those are really pretty. Wanna go get some and we can make dresses someday? How about you, Night? I think you'd look really pretty in a dress."
"Rainbow, I missed your positive attitude. I don't know what I'd look like in a jeweled dress but I think it'd be nice to try once."
"I didn't think you were into acting like a filly, Night," Scootaloo said with mocking aggression in her tone.
"Everypony needs to feel pretty or handsome sometimes. When this is over I'll have you in a dress and you'll love it."
"You wouldn't dare."
"I double dare myself." Night said with an honest smile. Scootaloo rolled her eyes and trotted up to Fluttershy.
"I think I'm gonna talk a lot this time."
"I understand and am ready to help you with anything I can."
"Girls, wait here while I unlock the door. Only I can open it, so wait a moment." Celestia walked to the door and inserted her horn into a slot and imagined a pattern of runes and ancient symbols lost to time immortal. The door clicked and opened revealing a chest. "These are you are elements. Take them and follow me." The chest opened and their elements floated to them and adorned them then they followed Celestia into the vault.
"You are the first ponies to lay eyes on the vault. Behold the treasures of Equestria." The room was stacked with books, scrolls, pieces of armor and nick knacks from across the ages lined in order of acquisition along stacked shelves higher than it seemed possible for such a room. Gold items decorated the back wall and jewels with power so great even the passive magic in the Pegasi in the room felt like it was going to do something they couldn't imagine.
"This'..."
"Yes, incredible. I know, often over the years I've returned here to visit the past of our world. If Discord wins this room will be all that he can not touch. The ancient scrolls from before my time and the armors of creatures that no longer exist or that come from other worlds beyond our reality or other stars. This is what we're fighting to defend, this room contains the history of our world and beyond, there is nothing like this and someday it will be opened to the public. Every pony will know secrets that will shake them to their cores, but that day is far off. You're not ready yet, children. But your children's children may be, do this for them."
"We'll do all we can, Princesses," Twilight spoke up for the group.
Celestia smiled and gestured to the vault entrance.
"You know what you have to do, and Night. I hope you do what's right for the greater good." Celestia walked ahead as the others looked at Night, almost pleading for her to help without any coaxing.
Later that night Twilight had just finished a letter to Trixie and asked it to be delivered as soon as possible. She knew it might be the last letter she sent so she tried to convey all she could in it. The others wrote letters to their loved ones before they went to bed, except Scootaloo. She helped Rainbow Dash write a letter to Pinkie Pie for making such great desserts and to her parents. The night was somber as they laid in the middle of a very large bed.
"Heya Night, why'd you leave and not say bye. It really sucked and made me mad and sad, ya know?" Rainbow asked as she laid her head on Fluttershys flank.
"I had my orders, I didn't plan for it to happen but in the middle of the party one of my clan was there and gave me a letter. I'm bound by my honor to do as the Children of Discord command. I had to leave or they'd kill me on the spot, they don't tolerate disloyalty, especially lately."
"But, why in tarnation did ya join them? What about your clan honor?" Applejack asked.
"Because, I was young and I was rebellious. The offer came to me through a fellow recruit in the service. Once I was in the room to be initiated I regretted it immediately but leaving meant death or imprisonment until his return in a stasis field. I had no choice, and before you ask the stallion that recruited me is in stasis somewhere in Equestria right now.
I'll tell you the same thing I told the guard, I don't know where he is. Discord's statue is somewhere only the high elders know, so where ever that is has to be some place as safe as that vault of Celestia's."
"Well, then you're stuck to me for no reason except to punish us both."
"Why are you punished, Scootaloo?" Night asked looking at her.
"Because I trusted you to be my best friend." Scootaloo turned her head away and huffed.
"Scoots, I'm really sorry. I'll always be sorry for this and I'll do anything to make it up to you." Scootaloo mumbled something under her breath. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Scootaloo said, but Applejack heard her. You can die.
It was unsettling but she knew it was just frustration. She'd let it go, everything should work it's way out in the end.
The next morning the girls left the castle ready to find Discord and get back to life as normal. "Scoots, Night. I need you two to take the lead on this one. Night agreed to help us and I trust her enough to not hurt Scootaloo. Where do we start?"
"I don't know, every time we'd meet it was always in a different place. A cave, a hotel, a random abandoned house. There wasn't any pattern I ever saw to it."
"Great, so now I'm stuck to a dummy who doesn't know anything."
"So, like, where are we going anyway? We can go to the park or maybe get some cake or a apple salad!"
"Rainbow, you need to calm down. First we have to think, where is a safe place that seems random that they could hide the statue of Discord. A place that no pony would ever look."
"Oh, I know! If i was gonna hide something like that I'd hide it under the castle and no pony would ever look there cuz it's, like, totally there but no pony knows, ya know."
The others groaned as they walked into Canterlot from the castle gates. "Rainbow, thanks for the idea however you imagination is," Fluttershy tried to think of a nice way to dismiss the idea, "getting the best of you. We need an idea; maybe a cave or a city or one of the old places you visited."
"Well, there was a place in Appleoosa that I went to twice. A cave outside Las Pegasus. Under a mental hospital near Manehatten and a store in Whineypeg."
"Great, so it could literally be anywhere in Equestria. Where do we start, fearless leader?" Twilight asked sarcastically to Night.
"How the flock should I know? How about we start in your house, fillyfooler. Maybe its in your closet."
"Woah, not cool Night," Scootaloo scolded, "she's happy and that's all that matters. Also, she lives in a wagon with her marefriend. You'd know that if you didn't disappear to join a cult that wants to kill every pony."
"He doesn't want to kill, just wreak chaos."
"What the flock does that even mean?" Scootaloo snapped back as she scowled at Night.
"Scoots, you shouldn't use such language until you're older. It's disrespectful and shows a lack of class for such a nice filly like you," Fluttershy said, "I think we should start at the last place you met. Maybe there's a clue that was left, where was it?"
"Well, that'd be a factory in Cloudsdale."
"Great, so Twilight and Applejack can't go. What if we have to fight them there? We can't do it with four elements or even just a sonic rainboom, if that even has an effect. It's a great place to hide, somewhere we can't all get to."
"Applejack, you're right except for one thing. I learned a spell that can help, we'll be able to walk on clouds for six hours so we should find something by then."
"Or what, we fall through the clouds to our painful and sudden death?" Applejack asked seriously.
"Well, the buildings have sold floors in Cloudsdale I heard," Fluttershy nodded in agreement, "so only when we touch the clouds outside the buildings and by then we should have found something or I'll recast the spell and we'll get out of there with the help of our Pegasus sisters here."
Fluttershy and Rainbow nodded as Night and Scootaloo smiled. "Don't worry, I'll catch you and totally save you if I need to," Scootaloo said proudly.
A round of laughter filled the area as the mares headed for the train station, after a power lunch.
"Okay, we're standing on a cloud in a city of clouds in the sky. What's the worst that can happen, right AJ?" Twilight said nervously as she hopped lightly feeling her heart jump in her chest expecting to fall even though she knew her spell was safe. "Where's the factory, Night?"
Night was standing with the other Pegasus with their wings open slightly by their sides and looking to the sky, bathing in the unencumbered sunlight. After a moment they relaxed and looked at Twilight and Applejack with a refreshed expression. "Twilight, something you'll never understand is how great height and clouds are to us Pegasi."
"Except that time Fluttershy flew me to the top almost and it was all dizzy," Rainbow said as she mocked herself in a stumble and crossed her eyes. Fluttershy chuckled into her hoof recalling the rainboom over the city shortly after.
"Yes, most local Pegasi know of Rainbow Dash personally after that time."
"You also got me iced creams on clouds of flavor! It was so great, oh Scootaloo. I didn't tell you but don't ever bite ice cream or you'll get a major headache, ya know?"
"Uh, yeah Dash. Gotcha," Scootaloo said smirking from one side of her muzzle. Is she serious? She never knew that, I know I've seen her eat ice cream in Ponyville at least a dozen times.
"Well, where the spell do we go? We don't have forever, lets move it."
"Wow, rude. Okay it's over a few nimbus' - uh, clouds that way. You can gallop there and we'll carry you across any gaps, let's go." Night and the other Pegasi too to the air with Scootaloo on Night's back as the others cautiously galloped in pursuit. A few Pegasi looked at the galloping ponies with humor. Seeing non Pegasus was not common and to see some on a mission and not in royal armor was a treat.
Arriving an hour later near the factory the group stopped at a small bistro to catch their breath and freshen up. "Hey, I got a few bits, who wants to split a shake?" Scootaloo asked the group. A dozen bits landed on the table as they all smiled and raised their hooves in the air. Scootaloo took the money to the counter and returned several minutes later with a server. Four flavors among the six of them was still enough for them to sample them all.
A round of compliments to the chef and a few bits tip they left refreshed and ready to continue their mission. Standing outside the factory they read the sign over the main entrance. "Floating Fog Emporium? What kind of place is this, Night?"
"Um, it's a factory that makes cloud stuffing for Pegasus dolls," Fluttershy said poking her hoof at the clouds beneath her feet.
"Yeah, I heard you have a lot of puffed animals at your home. Right Rainbow Dash?" Night shot Rainbow a smile.
"Yeah, we have a bunch and they're so cool, Fluttershy sleeps with three every night. You can throw them at the ceiling and they float to the floor," Rainbow grabbed a puff of cloud from under her and threw it in the air and it floated down as the others continued.
"Okay, so where did you meet them? Some cool secret door around back that leads to a hidden floor under the factory where it's all dark and full of fire lit torches and monks are chanting in secret languages?" Scootaloo hovered off Night for a couple seconds in excitement before she lowered again.
"Scoots, you have to stop watching so many movies. It was after hours and it was in the back of the factory in a managers office-"
"See! It landed finally." Rainbow shouted pointing a hoof at the cloud she threw up a minute earlier. The others looked back at Night who continued.
"Managers office. The mare should be there right now and with Rainbow Dash leading us we should be able to get in no problemo."
"Leave it to me, I'll get us in there no probleemo."
Five minutes later two guards were leading them out the gates. "Listen, you can't barge in and expect to use your reputation to see the factory. You want in, you have to get approval from the office or join a tour."
The girls smirked to each other. "Hun, when's the next tour, we'd like to get in on it."
"The school foals will be having one in the next couple of weeks, mares. Come back if you enroll in flight school or get a letter of approval. Buzz off and don't trip over the edge," the lead guard said.
"Yeah, well... Don't you fall of the edge yourself pal!" Twilight shouted as they walked away. Night nudged Twilight and shook her head.
"That's an insult to non-fliers. It means don't trip and die." Twilight felt her anger flare as she turned around and cast an illusion on the lead guard.
"SEE you later, jerkface." They all galloped as the guard shouted and blinked, his eyes were pitch black; blinded by a temporary spell.
"Wow, Twi, that was intents. You totally blinded that guy, his eyes were all like, whoosh and gone. You're mean, but a good mean."
Twilight was in much better shape than she was a couple months ago and was barely panting after such an exciting run. "Nah, it's only a three minute spell. I can cast light, darkness, a few illusions and fireworks easy. A couple others I'm learning or know but don't use, like cloud walking. So, yes. It was intense but I'm not evil, just... mischievous." She grinned with a forced wicked smile that startled Fluttershy for a second before Twilight chuckled.
"So, where the hack're we gonna get an approval letter? I don't know anything about this place but I can find a rep I work with, I'm sure. Just gotta find a phone."
"AJ, they don't have phones up here yet. Too many wires to have hanging to the ground for such a mobile city. We have radios to communicate but you have to pay for them and only at radio centers. There's one a little way over there but we're burning through the spell so let's just fly the two with us, okay girls?" They nodded at night and Fluttershy grabbed Applejack while Rainbow grabbed Twilight and they all followed Night and Scootaloo into the city.
Landing at a street intersection they followed Night to a radio center and let Applejack go in while they waited outside. Ten minutes later she returned smiling. "We'll have the paperwork in two hours. Let's find something ta do, any places or sights ta see?"
"Well, we have two hours in a city made from clouds that two of us have never been to for sure. I think I can find something. Let's go to the park and wait, where are we meeting your people, AJ?"
"At the gates of the factory. Let's get going before we waste too much time and Twilight has to recast the spell."
As they walked they all held conversations until Scootaloo asked a good question. "AJ, why do you sound more country now than when we met? You don't live on the farm so, whats the deal?"
"Well, since I had to take my sister Applebloom in, we're talkin' a lot and she's catching me up on her life when I'm not around. I used ta talk like her when I was a filly and I guess it's just coming back, 'z all. We travel together and I let her watch while I make a movie or have a script meeting. Sometimes anyway. Usually I'll have to kick her out when she gets bored. Oh yeah, we've got the screen play and script done for your movie, Dash. You're gonna love it, we've got a great cast in mind and you're all gonna play a part in the sequel when we fight Nightmare Moon."
"Wow, I'm totally psyched to watch me on TV. Can we get a TV, 'Shy?" Rainbow asked as they turned onto a main street towards the park.
"There isn't electricity to our cottage yet, Rainbow Dash. And it'll be a movie first, so we have to go to a larger city to see it. I'm certain Jack will get us to Las Pegasus or somewhere to view it." Applejack smiled and nodded at Fluttershy.
"Aw, 'Shy. Can't we watch it at Filthy Riches house? He has a movie theater there?"
"Rainbow, we can't impose. His daughter is a hoof full as it is and his time is valuable in its own way. We'll just wait, remember to be patient Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow groaned. "I'm always being patient, I wanna TV 'Shy. C'mon, please?" She pleaded loudly in the crowd of Pegasi that were walking between shops. "I'll be good and make your bed for a month!"
"Rainbow you are making a scene. I'll have to see about getting something, until then we will have to go to city hall to watch TV or movies, understand?" Fluttershy was scolding Rainbow in front of every other pony without regard for her own anxiety, "And furthermore if you don't display patience with this electricity and television issue I won't even consider it. Now hush." Rainbow opened her mouth to protest but knew better than to argue with a psychologist and closed her mouth and frowned looking ahead huffing in frustration.
The others felt the awkwardness in the air watching a relatively calm mare be so parental to her ward in public.
"Well, anyway I think it's a really good idea to get electricity someday. It's really cheap and it makes jobs for ponies. Not only that it's nice to not have to light lanterns and blow them out all the time."
"Well, I can understand that. I spend enough on lantern supplies to pay for electricity and creating work for ponies is always a good thing. They can help support their families or make their own better. I'll consider it, for Rainbow's sake and the sake of my own sanity." Fluttershy and Rainbow shared a smirk as they went back to side conversations.
Arriving at the 'park' they took a seat in a cloud and watched a couple earth and unicorn children play on a slide and throw cloud balls at each other while Pegasus children fluttered their wings and tried flying through rings hovering in the air.
"Oh, can I play? Can I? Please?" Scootaloo squeaked excitedly. When the others nodded without hesitation she jumped from Night and galloped to the park fluttering her wings as fast as they'd move joining a group of Pegasi in their play and exercises.
"She looks so happy, it's easy to forget that we're looking for a creature that can destroy the world."
The others nodded, smiling as they watched her play. Scootaloo raced a group of Pegasi around the park before seeing a new group approaching for the distance. A colt in her group pointed to them and they bolted away to the older ponies. Scootaloo fell into the clouds suddenly as the bearers watched. "She must've gotten a cramp, what a noobie flier. I thought you were working with her," Night said looking at Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.
"Oh my! I don't think she's hurt, the spell!" Fluttershy and the others looked at Nights expression change to shock as they all bolted to Scootaloo. Pushing the kids away Night picked Scootaloo up, limp and asleep the filly didn't move for a second before gasping back to life.
"Wha-What happened? It felt like I was... I don't know," Scootaloo said looking around at the group gathered around her.
"So, now we know how far she can go and that they were serious. Sorry but flock your brother, Twi," Night said as she helped Scootaloo to her hooves. Scootaloo shook it off and asked to go back to playing. The others nodded but informed her to stay close and at the park.
Walking to a place to sit closer to Scootaloo and readying her wings to fly after Scootaloo if she went even a little too far they relaxed a little. "Night, even if my brother is being a bit of a jerk I have to say that if you insult him or my family again I'll make sure you regret it. Element or not, you've got a long way to go to earn our trust back."
"Twilight Sparkle," Night feigned a gasp placing a hoof to her chest, "I didn't know you could be so imposing. I'm genuinely scared right now," dropping her facade she smiled warmly, "if you tried I might accidentally hurt you fatally. One of us is a trained soldier, the other a low level mage that can cast a few powerful spells and that works with her lesbian, I mean marefriend, peddling stories of how they alone beat Nightmare Moon. You have a lot of trust to earn yourself, dear."
The two jumped to their hooves and took their own fighting stances as they glared at each other. "Fine, then if it comes to it we handle it like adults?"
"Fine Twi, may Celestia be with you if that happens."
Lowering their stances but glaring at each other the time passed. "OH NO, SCOOTS!"
All their heads snapped to the playground and Night took off without a though toward Scootaloo who was second in a race. "She's gonna lose," Rainbow shouted, "go faster Scootaloo!" The others laughed as Night stopped and flew back to the group.
"Rainbow, that scared the Tartarus out of me! Why did you have to," Night thought and joined in the laughter immediately. She couldn't get mad at Rainbow for cheering her friend.
Returning to the factory the guards were accepting the document and nodded to the girls to enter. Guiding them to the factory the guards let the group in and returned to guarding the door.
"Well, that was a total change in their attitude, what's their deal?" Twilight asked openly.
"Guards for companies are military trained and on loan for a fee to the military. Those two probably wouldn't have killed us but may have put a couple of us in the hospital if we fought back last time."
"Oh."
"Yeah, our history is all about war and controlling the weather. That's our nature, just like farming to the earth ponies or casting magic for unicorns." Her logic was impeccable and no pony argued with her as she led them to the back of the factory. "This' it. A warehouse, amazing isn't it?"
"Lets ask the supervisor."
Entering the office they noticed a lack of ponies and sighed. "I guess she disappeared when the statue was taken. She won't be found unless we find the others." Turning to leave Night shouted. "Dark Wind? You're here! I thought you'd disappear," the two embrassed in a hug briefly, "I have to find him, where'd he go?"
"Can I trust them?" Night nodded, "I don't know. After that meeting they left me here. I got a message that said 'no contact'. That's three days now, three days of peace and quiet. Only work and home. Wait, you were supposed to be in hiding, are these our sisters?"
Night looked at the floor and poked the material with her hoof. "No, I was betrayed and left in his place. The guard took me and, well, these are the bearers of elements. My other sisters."
"Oh," Dark Wind said flatly, "well it's nice to meet you. Anything you tell the guard I'll deny to my last breath, understand?"
"Oh, don't worry. We don't really care about that, we just need to find Discord. Can you give us any ideas where to go?"
"Uh, and you are?"
"Her name's Fluttershy and don't forget it," Rainbow said sternly.
"Well, Fluttershy. I gave my life to my religion, I'm not going to betray them even if I did know anything. It's only the elders who know the plan, so find them and you find him. Good luck with that," Dark Wind walked to her desk and took a seat, "few ponies know where they are much less who they are. Us two, we're considered low level conscripts. We do what we're told, not what we want."
Night nodded and sighed. "That's one other way to put it."
"Well, that's great. I used a good favor gettin' in here and now we're empty handed. Ya gotta bathroom, foal's kickin' my bladder I swear."
"Oh! You're pregnant, that's great news. I'm glad for you, c'mon. I'll take you personally," Dark Wind hopped up and flapped to the door opening it for Applejack. Applejack turned and winked at the group as she left.
"Okay, we've got about six minutes to find something, let's split up and don't make a mess, Scootaloo."
"Oh c'mon, that was one time and it was a Pinkie party. Everypony goes crazy at those things." Scootaloo said trotting to a low file cabinet.
The others split up and looked under every desk table and Rainbow tried looking for a secret door or safe hidden in the cloud wall.
"Bingo! A train ticket to Manehatten. The asylum, it has to be," Night said as she slipped the ticket back into the purse.
"Well ah'll be. A real clue, like this' a mystery or something."
The others giggled for a moment. "Scoots, why're you talking funny like AJ?" Rainbow asked.
"Well, I thought it'd sound cool. Guess not?"
Gathering back together Night let Scootaloo back onto her back. "It was funny, but don't do it with AJ around, she might get offended." They all nodded and talked until Applejack came back laughing with Dark Wind.
"Hoo-wee that was one heck of a hair do they put on me. Heya gals. I was telling her about a show I put on once. We ready to go? I wanna get some food, little ones hungry again," she said turning slightly showing her growing belly.
"Okay, lets get you two a big bowl of salad."
"With eggs and extra onions with extra dressing and a lot of juice,' Applejack chimed in sticking out her tongue slightly.
"Well, no denying you're pregnant. You three have fun," Dark Wind nudged Applejack. Applejack gasped as looked at her side.
"Two? Oh Celestia I hope not. I'd lose my figure for sure," she giggled with the others before turning to leave.
"Wow, great acting AJ."
"No, I really want a salad like that. Let's get one before we lose this spell."
The taxi pulled into the driveway at Broadhoof Asylum, the girls got out and entered the main lobby. It was shiny and sterile white with inspirational posters and colorful artwork across the walls. Walking to the heavy paned glass the nurse smiled. "Welcome and greeting. How can I be of assistance?"
Fluttershy went to the window and smiled. "I'm Fluttershy, a licensed psychologist living in Ponyville. I was hoping to see," she turned to Night.
"Hypo Campus."
"Hypo Campus. Is he in?"
"I'm sorry, I've only seen him once in my seven years here and that whole Nightmare Moon fiasco kept us too busy for months after it was over. He's probably on another vacation to an island no pony knows."
"Can you call him? It is very important to even have five minutes of his time."
"He won't answer, I'll pass word along to him but I can't promise anything. Where's your hotel?"
"We'll wait, I have nothing else to do and this towns all about bits. My mom would kill me if she found out I was shopping here without her."
"Night, relax. Nurse, we'll wait an hour and see what ya can find."
Turning the group went to a table and waited as the nurse wrote a note and it left the floor off to parts unknown.
"I'm sorry," the nurse said walking to their table, "he's off site an no pony knows for how long."
"How's he have a job if he's not here?" Rainbow asked.
"Good question, if I knew that I'd have his job, I'm sure," the nurse mused. "Have a great time in the city." She turned and left the group.
"Twi, stop staring. You've got that loud mouth to go home to," Night joked.
"Shut. Up." Twilight growled through her teeth. "Besides, looking is fine. Doing is bad."
Night laughed. "Ya know, I really like you. I just give you a hard time."
"Well you're really mean about it!"
"You're an easy target and you don't defend her! How'm I supposed to know where the line is?" Night challenged back.
"The line is don't tease me or her about our sexual preferences! I thought they'd teach you that in the military."
"They teach us to survive, not have feelings for filly foolers!"
"THAT'S IT," Twilight lit her horn brightly as Night jumped up and flared her wings. They both fell to the floor asleep instantly at the same time.
"No fighting is allowed on premises. Please vacate the area or you will be removed."
A prerecorded voice chimed from a speaker near them embedded in the ceiling. The nurse shouted from behind the glass. "I cast sleep on them, they'll be fine but you have to leave."
The others nodded and picked up the sleeping mares and walked out. "That was quite embarrassing. We have to get these two to see eye to eye."
"They could do it." Rainbow stated before grunting as Twilight slipped slightly on her back.
"What?! Rainbow, how is that an option and how do you know about it?" Applejack said shocked.
"Well, when me and Fluttershy fight we hug and talk about it so we understand the other. If they're fighting about being sex they should do it and then they'll understand each other."
"Um, that's not quite how it works, Rainbow. But thanks for the idea. We really should focus on where he'd vacation to. Let's focus on the facts. Major cities, high position personnel. Applejack, are you one of them?" she mused as Applejack nodded comically, "so, we have to think of another place with high position ponies that can hide a group of Discord worshipers."
They stopped in the grass opposite the driveway and let the sleeping mares fall to the ground. Shrugging they looked at Rainbow. "I guess it's worth a shot, we have no idea where to go next."
Rainbow smiled wide and her wings flapped a couple times. "To Canterlot."
Arriving late in the evening at Canterlot the group walked to the castle to ask the Princesses about any places the Discordians could hide.
"Greetings element bearers, you have returned sooner than expected. Have you located the statue of Discord so soon?"
"Uh, not exactly Princess Celestia. We have an idea they may be hiding beneath Canterlot itself so, is there a place they could hide?"
Celestia raised an eyebrow slightly in interest. "There are caves beneath the castle, yes. They are full of crystals we use to aid us in focusing our magic easier for the celestial movements, it would make an ideal hiding place since we can't focus our magic into it without scattering it aimlessly. I will show you the entrance and give you two guards to accompany you. When you're in there use caution with your active magic usage since some of the crystals have reflective powers and will redirect your attacks."
Walking to the throne room with the others she asked two guards to accompany the six as they went below the city. Walking behind the throne Celestia cast a spell that opened a hidden door with a staircase leading down. "Follow me."
Walking down the group felt odd magic swirling around them. "What is this place? It feels all weird, like creepy almost."
"Scootaloo, this is where the caves begin. To the left is Starswirl the Bearded's laboratory to the right is the entrance to the crystal caves. You are not permitted to go left at this time. Fare well, I will leave your to your mission." Celestia turned and walked back up the stairs leaving the eight in the mystic glow of the crystals to the right and unending arcane fires to the left.
"LEFT!" Rainbow shouted galloping to the entrance only be to shocked and flung back by a magic field.
"There was a reason her highness said you are not allowed in, colorful one. We will take the lead and you will follow us." The guards turned and walked ahead, spears at the ready and wings lightly opened ready to attack or defend in an instant.
Walking into the caves they all looked around in admiration at the beautiful formations and the light the emitted and reflected.
"Where d'ya suppose we should go? This place is a dangerous maze, these things're sharp. Take a wrong step and we could get impaled," Applejack said poking a crystal tip with her hoof carefully. It wasn't sharp but it was blunt at the tip and a fall of a few feet would pierce flesh effortlessly.
"Lets just walk and try to get as deep as we can, they would probably find that the safest."
"How do ya think, Twi?"
"Secret of the Dark Knights."
Applejack and the others laughed loudly. "Ya think one of my movies is gonna answer this riddle? Why not throw a rock and say 'that way.'"
Twilight blushed lightly and puffed her cheeks. "Well it's an idea, what else do you have?" The others let their laughter died down and the guards shrugged putting their spears back on guard they walked another path leading deeper into the caverns.
"Ugh, we've been at this for hours. How long until we get there?" Rainbow moaned as she flew slowly with the others.
"It was your idea to come down here in the first place and Twilight had the genius idea of watching one of AJ's movies so now we're moving to the center of the mountain I guess. Keep your wings sharp and your mind smooth, we'll find something soon."
"Fluttershy, what's she mean?"
The Pegasi all chuckled. "It means be ready to move fast. I haven't had a chance to tell you about phrases we use yet."
"I know flock you and buck you and get the spell out. Those count?" Laughter erupted again as Fluttershy blushed slightly.
"That's not what I meant, but you're on the right track. We'll discuss it when we get back to the cottage." Again the laughter died down as they moved deeper into the mountain.
The guards stopped suddenly and readied their spears while flaring their wings. "Hoof prints, stay behind us and prepare your spells Twilight Sparkle." Twilight thought of spells she knew but most were low level defenses she used to keep Trixie and herself safe. She could expand it into an arc shield but it'd break easily. She nodded confidently hoping she wouldn't have to use magic as they slowly moved ahead. Fire and lantern light reflected through the crystals getting more random as they continued.
"We're getting close, stay quiet" the guard whispered. Entering a clearing where the crystals had been removed and cleared out stood the statue of Discord, laughing into the caverns roof. The area was deserted and it looked like it had been for a while. "I think it's clear, Twilight can you sense any ponies around us?"
Twilight cast an area spell that detects mice but it had picked up cats and dogs before. It might work on ponies. "Nothing nearby, as far as I can tell anyway. Let's get the statue and get out."
"Twi, how do you expect us to carry that out of here? On our backs or with your magic?" Applejack smiled as the humor washed over Twilight.
"Yeah, good point. Let's see how much it weighs, maybe it weighs less than it seems," the group walked to the statue and tried to move it without luck. "Okay, my idea's out. Any other thoughts?"
"Oh, we can push it?"
"Scootaloo, that's a very nice idea however it's too heavy and we don't know what would happen if we broke it."
"Why don't we talk to it, maybe it'll roll. Cuz it's a rock!" Rainbow laughed and held her sides as the others rolled their eyes.
"I wish Trixie was here, she has really good telekinesis. Together we could do it."
Night chuckled under her breath. "I bet you'd do it."
"Oh yeah, whatever. You wish you had what we had. Your only love interest is a statue of a monster. 'Oh, he's strong and knows magic and is full of surprises.' You sure know how to pick 'em."
"Like you're any better choosing a show boasting twit that talks in third person all the flocking time. Sex must be a blast. 'Trixie likes this. Trixie wants more. Trixie-"
"Shut up you traitorous bitch! What the spell gives you the right to take my lovers name like that. She never did anything to you or any pony else except want their admiration. And in bed she talks normal and is a dynamo. You wouldn't last five minutes with her, or any other pony in Equestria that isn't a statue."
The statue began to crack as they argued, the others stepped back as a laugh began to fill the chamber stopping the mares just before they came to blows again.
"Oh crap, what's happening?"
"HE LIVES." A pony said from the distance, others began chanting his name filling the chamber as his laughter and chants. "Discord. Discord. Discord."
With a shatter the stone around his body flew away then stopped turning to flower pedals raining across the area.
"Ah, a thousand and a half years in stone is suck a pain in the neck. Thank you for freeing me with your lovers quarrel, if you're both into each other you don't need to fight over me."
With a snap of his fingers he was part of the floor looking up at them. Jumping back they got into a fighting stance with the others, their element of harmony gems vanished from their necks and appeared in front of Discord as he sat on the pedestal where his statue was. "Oh, certainly you aren't the new element users? Last time it was Celestia and Luna, now it's you six? Oh Puh-lease. What can you offer in resistance against me? Here, take your elements," they reappeared on them in different order with a flash of light."
"Discord, we're here to defeat you before you can destroy the world."
"Oh Twilight Sparkle, you jest. I'm not here to destroy the world, only to make it more fun," he smirked snapping his fingers again every pony was in Canterlot Castle's throne room with Celestia and Luna.
"Discord!" The regal mares shouted in unison before he swiped his clawed hand at them making metal appear over their mouths silencing them.
"Oh, princesses how I've missed you. You look simply amazing and haven't aged a day! Tell me, how do I look? Tired? Groggy? Maybe a little upset you trapped me in stone for 1,500 years? Well I think its all the above and I think the most correct answer is for you to say 'I'm sorry.'"
Moving his head closer the sisters didn't even make a noise as he turned an ear to them. "Oh, not in the mood to apologize? I'm certain we can find the time for it later." Snapping his fingers both sisters appeared in small hourglasses he placed in a pair of pants he was wearing before they vanished from him. He took several deep breaths in like he was about to sneeze then sneezed, the walls to the throne room fell flat as though they were held by nothing while the roof remained in place.
"Oh, pardon me. I must be allergic to celestial ponies." He wiped his nose with Celestia's tail before making it vanish to unknown places. "Well that was quite the sneeze, I must learn to control that someday. So, my little ponies, how about a game? I feel like tag, what do you say?" Smiling and laughing jovially he winked and looked at the mares. The guards were gone and their elements were replaced with tags tied to their necks with cloth cords. "Find the clues and you'll find your elements. I can't guarantee you'll find them but," he stood tall and saluted them with his bear arm, "Celestia be with you." A laugh and he was gone with all his worshipers, except Night.
"Okay, let's find the first clue. Let's all read our tags and see our riddles." Looking down they couldn't see their own so they tried looking at each others. "It's illegible! What kind of game is that? Illegible clues to find the only way to stop him."
"Okay, Twilight. Let's just calm down. There has to be an answer, let's think about what he said. Allergic to celestial magic. Clues about our elements. and again Celestia. Maybe there's a clue in her room or on the throne. Lets check quickly, who knows what havoc he's wreaking already."
Galloping and flying to the throne they looked it over and found nothing of interest. "The door behind?" Rainbow suggested. "Nothing."
"What about under the throne?" Scootaloo asked. Fighting the weight they toppled it and looked at a few adult magazines were laid scattered. "Oh my, that's adult stuff isn't it?"
"Don't look Scootaloo or we'll have to talk for hours about it," Fluttershy warned as they turned away. Rainbow stayed back and picked up a magazine and looked inside with wide eyes before slipping it into her saddle bag and joining the others. Walking to the far wall they carefully left the throne room and down the hall, walking over flattened guards moving across the floor. "They look like they're shouting at us, why?"
A huge crash and plooms of dirt and dust washed over them as the roof to the throne room fell. "Woah, heavy." Scootaloo said. Rainbow offered a hoof bump and they giggled.
"Let's go everypony, we have a goddesses room to search."
Arriving at Celestias room they forced the door open and looked inside at the spartan setting. "A bed and a dresser. That's all she needs after thousands of years?"
"Well, she did have the vault and it was quite full. I imagine she has everything she needs there. So, now we have a bed and dresser to check. Easy enough, Scootaloo and Rainbow check the dresser. We'll check the bed." All nodded and split up. The more mature mares gasped at what they found under the bed while nothing of interest was found in the dresser save for a lot of socks and a picture of a stallion.
"We didn't find anything, did you gals find anything?" Scootaloo asked.
"Nothing you two need to know of." Twilight said flatly.
"Well, for a mare over a thousand years old I'm surprised she still uses such archaic toys, I should offer her-"
"Enough night. Applejack shouted. "We have a world to save and you're talkin' about... That stuff? Get yer head outta the gutter and lets focus. No clues, tags that we can't read and clues to where our gems are. What've we got?" All the mares looked down and poked at the floor. Night gasped as she heard a hollow sound.
"A secret panel! Twilight can you open it?"
With a nod Twilights horn glowed and the floor lit up in a trapezoid shape opening and revealing a mirror. Holding it up she leaned her head to the side and floated it over and looked at her reflection. Her entire body was distorted except now the tag was readable.
"Turn your eye to the light and be blinded by true sight." She began letting the others read their tags.
"Open the book and find the path."
"Turn the key and the path will open."
"Down the hall and to the right be ready for a fright."
"The secret lies in the lies."
"Back to the beginning of the end."
"What in tarnation? I don't see what the plan here is." Applejack said. "Wait, these all seem to be references to books! Should we check the library?"
"No, it's too direct to have us look in the royal library and how do we know it isn't a path? One step leads to the next?"
"That makes sense," Fluttershy said meekly, "maybe the library on Ponyville or the Everfree castle?"
"Are you okay, Fluttershy? Ya sound a little more reserved than usual."
"I-I have anxiety issues and this is a cause for them. I don't have my medication and w-what if we don't figure this out?" She turned and hid her eye behind her bangs.
"Fluttershy, it's okay to be ants-ous. I have it too, ya know. I'll help you. You're a great mare and like a mommy to me, thank you."
The others smiled warmly at Rainbows comment as Fluttershy turned to look at Rainbow. "Thanks, I love you too. C'mon, lets find this book or whatever."
Night turned and led the group from Celestias room and a loud crash and billowing dust flowed over them and down the hall layering the hall with speckles of marble and stone. "Looks like when we find a clue the roof falls. Something to watch for. Well lets go outside and see what we can find." Leading the girls through the castle they found the front door and opened it with some effort and looked in shock at what they saw.
"I-is that Canterlot?" Scootaloo asked in concern.
The palace doors opened to the main road into the city for some reason and the landscape was familiar and yet alien to them all. The buildings were normal however the streets were made of what looked like red licorice and rodents were standing outside buildings juggling bowling balls between each other. Carriages were pulling ponies that hovered in the air behind them and as the group looked around it began to become strange.
The clouds were pink and rained chocolate that foals were happily lapping up from the air and the ground, much to their parents' protests. Before the girls could take in the scene the moon rose to its apex in the sky casting night across the land as windows opened and odd calamaties of nature looked out and spewed forth soapy bubbles from their beak tipped muzzles which emitted dozens of animal noises when they popped; frogs croaking and crickets chirping to a tiger roaring.
"Are, are those dogs mixed with birds?" Rainbow asked in awe, "What the hay?"
Looking left and right the sights made less and less sense as they each focused on a different area from birds flying backwards to paper chasing a scribe writing across his back. "Everything's gone all crazy, Night? This' what you wanted, a world in complete chaos?" Applejack asked as Night stared in front of them.
Fish swam through the air and upon closer look several objects were hovering and spinning randomly in the sky in the distance. As they looked up the mountain they saw a small dot on the peak that contrasted everything else. As they all followed each others stare at the object it grew in size until they could swear it was flying at them. The rush of air told them they were flying to it and suddenly they stopped. Or rather, the castle stopped?
The throne was a gaudy throne made of simple wood but curved in a way that no creature except maybe a snake could sit upright in. "That must be his throne. This place is crazy!" Twilight shouted as she let the images of her hometown finally creep into her rational mind. Suddenly they noticed the base of the throne was made from hide; still moving pony hide. Piles of fruit were scattered around the base of the throne, each bearing a cutie mark. Gasping they reeled back in horror and Night fell to the floor covering her eyes.
"That cutie mark, it's my friends'... The throne is made from his worshipers. Oh Celestia this is beyond chaos, it's horror."
"Oh, certainly a little chaos is good for the soul." Discords voice rang out from behind them. As they all spun around to look at him only a green gummy wall that oozed grape jelly as a mortar graced their view; they all huffed in frustration. Turning back around they looked down the hall from where they had left Celestias room, rubble slightly powdering them as it settled again as they looked behind them and sighed.
"Back to her room again, but why?" Night asked.
"Okay girls. We know our clues and that it might be in a library. What's that tell us?" Twilight asked focusing on the task at hand.
"That you're an egghead and think too much about reading?" Rainbow snorted.
"Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy said scoldingly eliciting a trademark roll of the eyes from Rainbow. "You had the idea to look under the castle, what other ideas do you have?"
"Well, I guess if I was him I'd put them in the farthest parts away from each other so we couldn't get them but since Night and Scoots can't go apart I guess we'd have to be in pairs of twos to find the answers cuz he's getting impatient." The others turned to Rainbow and forced smiles.
"And, what makes you come to that conclusion Rainbow Dash," Night asked mockingly.
"It's written on the wall back there."
The others turned and looked at the clearing rubble and a yellow banner was hanging midair with letters of every color alternating between them sparkled above them. "Well I'll be... Looks like Rainbows is our lucky charm," Applejack smirked and looked closely at the banner, "Ain't no denyin' it. Let's pair off and find our clues and beat this guy."
"Yeah, but all we know is my and Night are together, what about you four? If we mix it up then we have to figure out what went wrong."
"Well, I think me and Applejack should be together."
"You're already in a relationship Twilight and I hear it's pretty good." Night quipped.
"And AJ's pregnant!" Rainbow interjected trying to get into the conversation.
"Oh, please stop it girls. The sooner we figure this out the sooner we can get home and I can relax again," Fluttershy said as she lowered herself to the floor slowly and spoke softly.
"Fluttershy, I haven't seen you like this before. Is it your anxiety?"
"Yeah, she's awesome and all but when she gets like this we usually have to take pills and drink lots of milk and water then sometimes have a biiig lunch and go take a hot bath outside with a couple birds but I like to lay in the glass when she does it-"
"Okay Rainbow! Sheesh, you really talk too much," Scootaloo groaned, "lets think about our clues again. Who remembers them all?"
Twilight sighed. "I do."
"Egg head," Rainbow whispered to Scootaloo and they shared a laugh as Twilight recited:
I had: "Turn your eye to the light and be blinded by true sight." Rainbow had: "Open the book and find the path." Night had: "Turn the key and the path will open." Scootaloo had: "Down the hall and to the right be ready for a fright." Fluttershy had: "The secret lies in the lies." and Applejack had: "Back to the beginning of the end."
So, taking Night and Scoots out that leaves us four," she motioned to the others unpaired, "so... Secrets and lies, true sight? Me and Fluttershy?"
"Well, books have a beginning and an end. I think it adds up so we'll pair off like that. Now we have to find out where each of us needs to go."
They all looked at Rainbow then around the hallways for another clue but all they got was a shrug from Rainbow as she sat on her flank and inspected a hoof. "I'm getting bored too, can't we do something more fun? Wanna race 'Shy?"
"N-no. Not really, I'm sorry but I need a minute. Just give me a minute to collect myself."
"Uh, do we think it's a good idea to separate those two? Maybe she'll get worse," Night said looking at Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.
"Yeah, and what if she's perfectly fine and just needs to get home? Let's get this bucking done and get me back to my life! I," Applejack stopped shouting and calmed herself with several breaths in quick succession. "Sorry gals, sorry. I'm half way there in my pregnancy and I'm gettin' moody, it's not y'all. Just, just give me a minute too." Applejack went to Fluttershy and laid next to her on the floor and sighed. "Now we're both having issues," she chuckled.
Fluttershy sighed and turned her head, moving a foreleg across her mane she brought her bangs across her face and lowered her head into her hooves. "I'm having more than a couple issues right now."
"Doncha worry none, I've got your back."
"Actually I do, she's my partner and, shut up Night, I'll help her just like she'll help me." Night snorted lightly trying to keep her jokes to herself as she nodded in agreement before walking to Scootaloo and opening her wing into a bridge so Scootaloo could run up it onto her back.
"So where do we go, Scoots?"
"Me? You want me to guess?"
"You take the lead captain," Night said smiling and giving a salute to the filly who grinned as wide as she could while flaring her tiny wings in pride.
"Well, where can we get keys in a castle?"
"And a door to open? Hehe, that narrows us to every door in Equestria when we find it. Well gals, let's just split up now and get this over with."
Rainbow jumped up excited and flew to Twilight and hugged her tight. "Take care of Fluttershy, okay?" Breaking her hug she flew above and landed between Applejack and Fluttershy with an 'oof' from both mares as she squeezed herself in. "We'll be fine and you all stay safe and if anything happens just do what I'd do."
"Hide in a tree for ten years?" Night blurted loudly then chuckled. Under the weight of four sets of eyes glaring at her Night felt her confidence shatter and the weight of her quip landed on her heart. "I'm, I'm sorry; I didn't think before I said that." She hung her head and sighed. Nice one funny mare. Always gotta dive before you look down.
"Rainbow, it's okay. Look at me," Fluttershy asked as she turned her attention to Rainbow who was poking a small pile of debris under her with her hoof, "she didn't mean it. No pony is going to do that and you'll never have to again."
"Yeah, I know. It's just that I remember it all and everyday was the same. All those years and all I did was cry, sleep and eat. It was so lonely, you know I can't be alone anymore, 'Shy. If I had to go back," she stamped her hoof on the floor crumbling a piece of rubble, "I'd go crazy," she growled as she shot Night a look of anger.
"Woah Nellie. Just let it go, no pony's gonna go crazy as long as we're together. Let's get our clues and meet back here, I'm getting a hunger pain and need a bite so I think I'll start in the kitchen."
"We'll come too, I know Scoots here hasn't eaten for almost a day, however long that is with the day and night flipping every so often."
"Well let's mosey, I wanna see A.B. when this' over and I can't do that if we're stuck in a castle playin' some monsters game."
Carefully walking to not step on the 2D guards stuck in the floor they followed one of them who was "walking" ahead. "Hey Night, I guess even like that they still do their job. I hope he's taking us to the kitchen and not someplace else."
The guard stopped and looked up at Scootaloo, at least it seemed he did, then thrust his spear forward and continued sliding across the floor. With a shrug the four mares followed.
Several minutes later Rainbow groaned in frustration. "What the hay, why does this keep happening to us? I mean sure, we're super famous and I know I'm getting better with Fluttershy but still."
"I know what you mean Rainbow. I actually liked my life a soldier and now I'm a deserter from the guard and a traitor to ponykind not to mention the only survivor of a cult that followed the god of chaos. I don't think it can get any weirder or worse for me."
"Well, ya got me beat. I'm just pregnant with a baby that could be from any of a half dozen stallions."
"Wow, I'm only a filly and I know that's a busy night."
"Not all at once, Scoots. She's a classy mare and probably had a tough month in the movie business."
"Night, for once you're right. I'll tell ya later though, might be a bit mature for filly ears."
"Hey, I'm bigger and tougher than I look! I'd totally take on Dishworm and beat him in one hit."
The others giggled and even the guard seemed to laugh as his wings flared quickly. "It's Discord, Sugar cube."
"Whatever."
"So, where do you think we should go Fluttershy?" Twilight asked as they wandered the halls randomly.
"Um, well I don't really know. I'm sorry," Fluttershy said as she lowered her head and faced the floor.
"It's okay and it's no problem," she replied sighing, "so, I guess we just wander around until we find a clue about our clues? Maybe if we look everywhere," she chuckled lightly.
"Well, if you insist," Fluttershy said looking around the walls.
"I wasn't serious, sheesh. Maybe a locator spell would help," Twilight said squinting her eyes and focusing on the spell Trixie taught her. Her horn lit up with a purple aura and shot a ball of light ahead of her that spun in circles before popping. "Well, that was a bust. Nothing for it to find, or maybe I was distracted."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Not by you Fluttershy, relax," Twilight said with frustration seething out of her entire being.
"Eep, I'm really sorry. I mean I'm sorry that I'm sorry."
"'Shy, it's fine. I'm not upset with you. Let's just keep looking, maybe one of these guards can help us. Gentlecolts, or ladies, do you know where Discord his the elements of harmony so we can kick his flank and get back to our lives, lovers and whatever you do when you're not a flat thing in the floor?"
A guard moved below them and looked up, his flat face and body almost like a photo as he moved his mouth Fluttershy looked closely and sighed. "He said none of them know and would tell us if they did. However one of them did say he saw Discord trying to break into the vault with some kind of light sword that went whoosh or something like that. I can't make out sounds but I can read his lips well enough. Sir, mister guard sir. Thank you very much." The guard nodded which was an odd sight to see before returning to his post by a door.
"We have to go to the vault, um, if that's okay with you."
"Okay Fluttershy, it's worth a start."
"All right! The kitchen and it's huge! Thanks mister guard, when we kick this Discords flank I'll make you a sandwich, 'kay?" The guard looked up to them and smiled before turning and leaving.
"Too bad, I think he's kinda cute. I bet in three dimensions he'd be a real catch," the guard obviously paused for a moment before continuing out of the kitchen, "I think her heard me," she whispered to Rainbow.
"Yuppers. Let's get some food in you and get looking for a clue, I wanna go home and see bunny. I didn't really say bye right. Oh, Jackie. Remember when I thought you really were hiding a foal in your tummy and asked you to let her come out to play before I went home?"
Applejack laughed. "Yeah, that was pretty funny. So, a full royal kitchen at our disposal, who wants what?"
"I want a pizza!"
"Sugar cube, that sounds great but I don't know how to make one and I don't know if we have the time."
"Oh pshaw! There's a cook book right there. I'll get it," Rainbow said as she hopped into the air and flew to a massive book shelf full of cook books from ancient times all the way to the modern age, "Pizza for beginners. Got it!" Rainbow called as she lowered herself to the others. "It was under 'P' for Pizza."
Handing the book to Applejack she beamed. "Thanks Dashie. Now let's see what we need here," she said as she flipped through the book. "There's so many options! Even some for carnivores and omnivores. I'm not even gonna look at those, yuck. Let's see, here we go," Applejack exclaimed and pointed to a drawing of a pizza with mushrooms and onions topped with cold spinach.
"Ooo, yummy. Can we put olives on, I like those," Scootaloo said.
"Okay, now I gotta find the recipe." The book had pictures in the first hundred pages and recipes listed on the faded drawings. "The corners ripped, I guess I'll find the index." Flipping to the back of the book a bright light flashed before their eyes and the element of Generosity. "Oh Celestia, that's it! That's what it meant? I can't believe it, it can't be that simple."
Grasping the necklace she raised it and smiled. "It's the real deal gals," she slid it over her neck and the tag vanished in a flash of light. "Now to find yours Dashie."
"Well, mines open the book," she took the book and closed it then opened it, "Well that was a bust. Maybe another book." Flying to the 'R' section she began opening books and flipping through them quickly and tossing them to the ground quickly moving onto the 'S.'"
"Well, I'm actually gonna make the pizza. C'mon gals, she can look by herself just fine." Reopening the cook book she flipped to the back and found the recipe page and moved the book to a counter. "We're gonna need a few ingredients but it looks pretty easy. Let's just get it done and find your elements. It was pretty easy to find mine so you're should be right around here somewhere."
"Maybe it'll pop up in the pizza," Scootaloo said enthusiastically.
"Yeah, this guys kinda nuts." Rainbow shouted as she threw another book to the floor. She looked down and giggled as she saw what appeared to be a chef running around crazily around her growing pile of books. She was starting to make a game of trying to drop books on him as she was looking oblivious to the valuable nature of the tomes she was discarding like common magazines.
"Well, here we are. At the vault. Looks like he scratched a few of the gems but didn't break in or anything. Looks like Celestia's protection spells are working. So, now what? Look to the light? What light thought, it's night time."
As though the celestial mechanism heard her the sun and moon switched places filling the hall with light. "So, does that mean we look for sunlight reflections through the windows?" Twilight asked as she and Fluttershy walked ahead looking at the reflections cast on the floor expecting a clue. A square lit and shimmered slightly, the duo looked at each other then smiled, Fluttershy weakly but still a smile none the less. Twilight trotted ahead to the tile, almost as long as she was in a square it shimmered in a purple light as they approached.
Placing a hoof on the tile a bright flash of light engulfed them. I found it, look to the light. The light faded and they were in a forest cast in shadow by the trees overhead.
"What the spell? Where are we?" Twilight looked but didn't see her friend. Her concern grew as she heard various growl in the distance and wind rustling through the leaves in the trees. A shadow was cast in passing for over the canopy as she looked up, ears twitching every which way to find any familiar sounds and anything dangerous. The object passed, A cloud? No Pegasus, oh no. I'm in the "Everfree forest," she said aloud as her body trembled realizing the magic that had washed over her. It's not nerves, it's the dark magic of this forest. Oh Celestia, what do I do? She looked around and saw nothing familiar except the tile. A large square marble slab out of place in the forest, she rolled her eyes and walked to it poking it with her hoof, eyes shut tight. Opening her eyes she smiled for a moment then it faded. She was still in the forest poking a slab of marble like a foolish foal.
"Great, what do I do now?" Twilight asked looking at a tree in frustration before stomping the tile. "Stupid tile, why won't you take me back?"
"Twilight Sparkle, element of magic, is that a way to speak to the floor?" Discords voice came from behind her. Spinning around she didn't see him and she grunted angrily as a tree moved smoothly and took a wooden form of the god of chaos. "Certainly you don't mean the floor is to blame for your current predicament?"
He leaned to the side and hit his head knocking several woodland animals out of his wooden ears. "Ah that's better, now I can hear what you have to say. Will you apologize to the floor, kiss and make up then start a new friendship?" He smiled bark teeth as a bird flew from his mouth he extended his tongue and a smaller version of his true self walked out of his mouth. "Friendship can be the strongest magic of all, or so I've heard. It's like a bear in the woods," his wooden body leaned over and knocked the side of his head and a large grizzly bear tumbled to the ground from it's ear before vanishing being replaced by Discord again.
"You see, without this bear," he picked up the bear by the scruff of its neck and took a bite out of its right foreleg.
"NO," Twilight screamed as the bear looked with wide eyes as the bite tore free.
"-the forest wouldn't be nearly as sweet." He smiled as he turned the bears wound to the shocked mare.
"Is that, jelly?"
"Oh Twilight Sparkle? This is a 'gummy' bear," the bear smiled with candy teeth made from various gummy colors as Discord shrank the bear to a smaller size and popped it into his mouth chewing loudly. "Now, why do you think I showed you this?" He blew a large rainbow colored bubble that popped, with a large inhale it returned to his mouth and he began chewing loudly again.
"Because you're a crazy monster?" Twilight was standing firm but her trembling flanks gave away her fear she was trying to hide.
"Well, whats the point in challenging you to a match of wits when you jump right to the answer. You seem to know everything so why don't you ask me a question. One question that you don't know the answer to." In a flash he was resting on her muzzle with a leg dangling freely sipping a cup from between his claws. Twilight crossed her eyes to focus on him briefly and watched him for about 5 seconds holding a cup of juice and drinking the cup that contained it. Her mind wrapped around this curious act briefly before she shook her head furiously to dislodge him.
"So I can ask you one question," she stated still standing firm as the normally sized Discord discarded the juice as though it were rotten before dabbing his mouth with a hand full of leaves from a nearby tree; his attention focused on her, "where is my element?"
"Oh, I love this. Straight to the point, my little pony. Ah, what I have to tell you will shock you to your very core," he produced an apple from behind her ear and reared back several feet taking a bite he bit it in half perfectly, "and, undoubtedly, be quite exciting." He turned the apple half toward Twilight as he leaned closer the apple grew in size until it was almost as large as her. "That is, of course. A matter of perspective," he cackled with laughter as he fell to his belly on a soft futon propping himself on his wrists kicking his legs slowly behind him.
"The answer to your question is," he held an hourglass he pulled from beneath his chin and waited a long five seconds for the sand to pour through, "yes." He said in a low flat voice. He tossed the hourglass at Twilight who dodged as it struck the ground where she stood a moment before. The sand spilled across the ground and slowly began to spread until it was nearly touching her hooves. She backed away but the sand kept growing in a widening rough circle as she turned to gallop away from the ever increasing sand.
"Yes?" she said frustrated, "that's where my element is? What the spell does that mean?" She asked as she galloped through the clear path that was ahead of her.
Discord was flying above her intangibly though the canopy and branches silent for a moment as if in thought. "You asked if you can ask one question. then you wasted my time with that annoying gibberish I didn't understand afterwards. I answered your question 'yes' you can ask me one question. And for wasting my time I'm wasting yours. Don't let the sand get you or you may be in for a quick surprise." He said smiling with one finger of a paw touching his tooth innocently before disappearing in a flash of light.
I swear when I catch that monster I'm gonna get him. He's gonna get a taste of his own medicine if I have anything to say about it.
Galloping faster she looked behind her to see the sand was still following her, staying a pace slower than her. I can outrun it. Just keep going Twilight. The path began to vanish behind natural brush and foliage to her dismay as the darkness of the forest began creeping heavier to the point where she was reliant on her night vision. Most ponies had a low amount of night vision, a remnant of their long past that in recorded history was a good as a cats. Over the last two millennium the use of magic and fire had rendered that feature relatively meaningless and the magic that coursed through them had changed that useful evolution into another feature. Or so researchers suggested- mid thought she tripped over a vine or protruding root and tumbled horn over tail twisting and landing on her side after landed and shouting in pain as her wing was pressed under her.
Wait, a wing? I have "Wings?" She hopped to her hooves and flapped to her best of her ability trying to leave the ground and get away from the sand. She managed to get to a branch and grab onto it before she became awkwardly twisting in the air with her inexperienced wings. Folding them to her body after a few tries and concentration she hung there on a tree branch as the sand passed under her. As far as she could see in all directions sand coated the ground. Using a spell she learned from Trixie she focused her magic into a beam and shot it at the canopy blasting the trees and leaves away letting light spill in from the sun above her.
"Okay, think Twilight. You've read about quick sand, the key is to not get in it. If you do don't struggle and try to get free using a vine or rope." She looked around and scowled. Everything she could ever hope for was all around her but she'd only been using her magic regularly for a few months now. Training mostly with Trixie in illusions and party tricks wasn't going to be of help here.
Wait, she was helping me to work on my telekinesis. We'd bounce that ball back and forth for hours some nights when it was raining out, she'd tell me. Gah, what'd she say? I was always too into her eyes to care about what she said, oh yeah! Think of everything you grab like it's in a claw that you control.
She thought for a minute and sighed. Her forelegs were already becoming tired as she focused her magic on a vine nearby and pulled it. The vine snapped and fell to the sand. She grunted with displeasure before imagining a claw, she reached with her magic to another vine and imagined the claw grabbing it. She smiled as she enveloped it carefully and tugged. The vine broke and part of it flew at her snapping her in back of the neck before falling to the sand. Her grip slipped slightly and she fought the reflex to touch the stinging throb on the back of her neck to the center of her mane.
Okay, too much pull. More control on something else. Maybe I can pull a tree down and use it as a bridge, she thought before squeezing her eyes closed at the foolish thought, a tree, really? Why don't I become a lumberjack? Think Twilight. There has to be a way out of this. She looked around and sighed. She couldn't fly well enough to get anywhere and her magic was at a level a foal would giggle at. Is this how I'm going to die? She felt her heart ache as her forelegs slipped slightly.
"H-help," she said quietly. "Help." She stated in a normal voice. "HELP" She screamed, again and again. She called up a spell she used to announce the start of the show with Trixie that made her voice boom in volume. "HELP" She screamed, the echo shouted back at her a half dozen times before she hung her head.
"Too loud, if anypony did hear me they know I'm in the forest. Not much help," she gasped as her forelegs began to cramp and her heart ached again. She looked at the sky and let a shaky sigh leave her as the sun and moon switched blanketing the world she saw in night time darkness. Everything became blurry as her eyes filled with tears, she tried to squeeze her eyes shut and open them to wash them away. Please, not like this. I have to tell Trixie I love her, I have to tell my parents and brother how much they mean to me. I have to- "Ah," she groaned as she slipped from her shoulders to her knees and felt herself slipping farther; her joints holding on for all they were worth wasn't enough as she looked at the stars again and blinked as she slipped from the branch holding her to the sandy ground below her.
Fluttershy gasped as Twilight vanished in a flash of light, the tile was missing and now a hoof deep drop in the otherwise seemingly perfect marble floor was laid bare. "T-Twilight?" she asked the missing space where the tile was. She whimpered slightly and shrank into herself as the weight of being alone crashed on her. Her legs tucked tightly beneath her body and her wings fell and wrapped tightly by her sides as her head lowered to the floor between her front hooves. She almost resembled a turtle with feathered wings.
Her eyes widened and her breaths became shorter as she tried to focus on anything besides being alone in a castle haunted by a god of chaos but her mind wouldn't shake the thoughts of what may happen now that she was alone.
"Fluttershy~," Discords voice slowly sang out from all around her, "oh my, are you okay? Perhaps you should take some of these." A small leather bottle appeared and rattled before her.
My medication? How does he know I take it or even need it?" She reached forward with her right wing and touched it lightly with a primary feather and it fell to the floor clattering the pills inside. She crawled forward carefully and grasped the bottle in her mouth and pulled the cork lid to get the medication she needed so desperately.
Reeling back in terror as a snake lunged out of the bottle slithering quickly into a coil, the bottle turned inside out to become a rattling tail that shook consistently as the snakes tongue darted out in her direction. Fluttershy backed into a wall and her wings flattened against it as the snake lunged at her. She winced and turned her head as the snake slithered faster than she had thought possible, the stained glass coloring it various shades of the broken rainbow as it reached her.
With a final gasp Fluttershy waited for the bite and her life to end as the snake curled around her. She felt it tighten around her body and it's tongue tickled her ear. "Oh, where are my manners?" Fluttershy opened her eyes and released the breath she didn't know she was holding, she began to pant from the poor breathing she'd been doing.
In front of her sat a table, seemingly set for two. The table was slanted from the height of two ponies tall where Discord sat in a tall chair where it cantered down to Fluttershy sitting at her end. The table was long and rectangular and decorated with linen and lace doilies. The stained glass windows were all covered by white linen curtains blowing in a wind that didn't come from anywhere as the night seemed to loom with a beautiful pale full moon outside. Candles were set on the table and smaller candles littered the halls making an almost romantic scene as she looked at Discord. The Draconequus was holding a glass of red wine upside down in his claw and a rose in his paw. The wine swirled slightly as he sipped it from the bottom of the glass while he stared into Fluttershy's trembling eyes.
"Fluttershy, I apologize for rushing our courtship. Please, accept this as an apology," he extended the flower to the trembling mare a few pony lengths away across the table almost reaching her before she leaned back. With a blink there was a flash of light and the hallway was full of rose bunches. "Is this more to your liking? I really should find out more about you before I take this to the next level of our relationship, don't you agree?"
"Um, I think I'd like you to put everything back the way it was before, if that's okay."
"Oh, you think it's that simple? Just ask me nicely and meekly in your soft voice and poof," all the flowers popped into fully buttered tubs of popcorn that spilled across the floor suddenly, nearly burying the nervous mare, "it'll be all better? Mmm, cheese flavored," he smiled as he popped a popcorn puff into his mouth crunching loudly, the sound of breaking glass filling the area with each movement of his jaw. "Oh," he spit out Fluttershy's necklace bearing her element into the air before his face, "how'd this get in my popcorn?" he asked incredulously before Fluttershy perked up and jumped onto the table. With three beats of her wings she flew at high pace, her beating wings creating strong enough down drafts to make the popcorn roll away from where she sat a heart beat before.
He lunged forward quickly forming a mouth like an alligator before snapping it back into his mouth and making a loud gulping sound. A yelp left her and she bumped into Discord as the gem slid down his throat, an obvious lump moving down. He wrapped her into his arms and batted his eyes, eye lashes longer than normal.
"Oh 'Shy I knew we had a connection," he said falling back with her momentum into a pile of heart shaped pillows.
"I'm sorry Discord, but I'm not interested in you that way. Please let me go," she asked trying to sound confident but the tremble in her voice was obvious. She placed her hooves against him and tried to push away but his grip was too strong her to free herself. She shut her eyes tight and felt a tear leave her right eye as she dug her fore hoof tips into his body and shouted loudly jabbing him repeatedly. He didn't resist her fighting as she opened her eyes and gasped.
She was standing on a cloud in the sky over a town still jabbing her hoof tips into it before stopping suddenly and blushing lightly. She looked at the cloud and turned around on it watching as the Pegasus magic pulled the billions of water molecules together tightly under her hooves and supported her while thinning around the areas she wasn't touching. She sighed and laid down feeling the cloud resist her as she looked over the edge.
I hope Rainbow is okay, I certainly didn't think this would happen when we separated and now I'm over some town somewhere in Equestria, alone, and without my medication. What if I can't fly down from here? What if I fall again? Who would help me and would I survive? No, stop thinking like this, she buried her head in the clouds with some force and groaned. I can't do this to myself again, not like when I was a filly. How many years did it take to heal my body? How many more to get me to go back to public school or make friends? How long to get me to leave the ground and take a trip back home to my parents' house in Cloudsdale, and to finally laugh again.
No, she stood up as tall as she could and flapped her wings a few times feeling the air draft beneath her body and against her sides before she gritted her teeth and tipped over the edge. The feeling of air flowing across her face and mane was warm and fluid like swimming in a pool, and with her wings closed tightly to her body her speed increased until she reached terminal velocity. The ground sped closer as she held her breath and opened her wings quickly at a steep angle so they cut through the air. Carefully she angled them and began to change her direction until she carefully began to glide in a spiral descending around the town.
'Always angle slowly and keep the wind moving. Turn too fast or break speed too quickly without focusing your magic in just the right way and you risk breaking your wings.' One of the many things I learned at flight camp but only recently get to practice. Rainbow, I hope you're okay...
Scootaloo opened the oven and anxiously awaited Applejack to put in the pizza and gasped as she looked inside. There was a porthole at the back. "Girls! Look, I found a secret passage," Scootaloo shouted with glee pointing her right forehoof at it. Applejack and Night turned and followed the path of her point and smiled.
"Sugarcube, looks like ya found the next clue. Too bad this' gonna have to wait," Applejack said sighing as she looked at the pizza on a large sheet pan, "I was thirty seconds from starting lunch."
"It's okay Jack, we'll eat after we get the next element. Can't be that hard. You got yours opening a book," Scootaloo said mockingly as she turned to the bookcase where Rainbow was throwing books a moment earlier. "Hey where's Rainbow?"
The others looked and didn't see her anywhere in the spacious kitchen. "Where'd she go?" Night asked openly.
"I dunno, maybe she had to go to the toilet."
"Jack, the door hasn't opened since we got in here and you know how loud it is. It clunked, I didn't hear a clunk," Scootaloo looked slightly worried as she scanned the area for her friends' colors contrasting with any part of the kitchen. "Rainbow? Where are you? This isn't funny," she shouted cringing slightly as she awaited Rainbow to jump or fall screaming at her as another lame joke. When only silence answered the other mares looked at each other with concern in their faces as they began calling Rainbow's name and looking around for her.
Night flew across the ceiling scanning the area while Applejack and Scootaloo stayed close below looking under and behind anything they could see. With a frustrated grunt they gathered by the book shelf and felt their hearts sink.
"Night, Jack. What if, what if she's hurt or turned into an apple by his throne? What'll we do?" Scootaloo said as she walked under Night and laid down, taking comfort in the larger mares energy surrounding her.
"Well we found the porthole, let's see where it goes," Night said turning her focus to the mission at hand. She flapped her wings twice and landed a length back and poked Scootaloo in the flank with her muzzle. "Scoots, let's check it out and I'm sure we'll find her or our elements. Discord may be a god of chaos but he isn't in control of us. C'mon captain, lead the way."
Scootaloo smiled weakly and walked ahead to the oven which was cooler now since the oven was open. "Night, ya think it's a good idea to let her lead the way, she's a little filly still," Applejack said quietly to Night.
"AJ, she's gotta get confidence and this' the best way for a young mare like her. She's gonna do fine," Night reassured Applejack. Gathering at the oven they looked in and sighed. "Looks like it's not big enough for all of us at once. We'll have to go one at a time, captain?"
"I'll go first," Scootaloo said looking to Night and pointing her hoof into the oven smirking.
"Yeah, I guess taking the grills out makes sense now," Night said as she turned and took a few steps to the left. Opening a drawer she pulled out a pair of oven mitts and tossed them onto the floor. She smiled and hopped onto the counter and with her weight stomped her forelegs into the drawer smashing it spilling towels and oven mitts beneath her. She smiled at Scootaloo and Applejack as she opened her wings and knelt to the floor, using her wings as a brush she pushed a pile of cloth protection to her friends' hooves.
"And here we have our way in without getting burned on the walls of the oven," Night said proudly picking up a potholder in her mouth and leaning into the oven grasping a grate and pulling it out. It clattered loudly as it struck the door startling her. She jumped back and was airborne in a strong down stroke as the grate clattered against the floor. She looked on as Applejack and Scootaloo scampered back quickly, while not in the path of the falling grate fear still struck them.
With a feeling of shame Night landed and apologized before removing the next grate more carefully. "There girls, I'm sorry again for that. But we're ready to go in," she smiled and nodded at Scootaloo who wasted no time slipping a pair of pot holders on her hooves and hopping onto the open oven door. The air was warm but not hot as she took a step forward into it and looked around.
"So this' what a pie feels like?" she joked as she walked to the back of the oven and peeked into the porthole. There was a bright light that shone from an unknown source and a sudden slam as the oven closed. Scootaloo whinnied and spun around looking at the others through a small glass window that wasn't there a moment before.
She and the others pounded on the door trying to get it to budge as Discord's laugh came from above them. Scootaloo looked up and saw a small speaker in the roof of the oven and sighed lowering her head. "It's another trick," she said solemnly.
"Scootaloo, isn't it? Well looks like you're just in the hottest predicament a pony could imagine."
"Let her go Discord," Night shouted flaring her wings.
"Ah, Midnight Strike. Loyal follower extraordinaire and traitor to both ponies and those you called your family," Discord said dressed as a lobster in a pot of boiling water on the stove top, "While I may not agree with your current choice of lifestyle I fully support it." With a flash of light a bra strapped across Night's barrel appeared. "And when I support I mean it," he giggled hopping from the pot, steam coming from his entire body and a towel wrapped around his midsection.
Stomping on the stove top the fire roared to life inside the oven. "Ow, hot hot hot! Help Night, AJ. Do something, please," Scootaloo panicked as the temperature spiked.
The other two mares gasped in shock and couldn't think of anything to say or do. "Ahem. Am I not important anymore," Discord said pouting holding a long licorice rope in his paw and stretching it. A tapping sound came from next to Night's hoof, Discords tooth was tapping the floor as the licorice piled at her hoof. Night glared at Discord before trailing the red candy from herself to the monster to the oven.
"What're you doing? Is that a lifeline? What's the game, please? Let her go," she asked bowing her head as she finished her sentence.
"Oh Night, I thought more of your ability to tell the obvious-"
"It's the spell binding you two!" Applejack interjected. "He's stretching it," she turned to Scootaloo and shouted, "get through the porthole, we'll save you. Quickly before it's too late."
Scootaloo gasped and tried to answer but the heat was almost blinding her as she turned and galloped through the small opening tumbling through it and gasping for the breath she had lost. Her body felt uncomfortably hot as a cool breeze washed over her sending goosebumps across her body.
A few seconds of cool air and she was feeling slightly dizzy but shook her head to get her bearings. She was in a hallway, bright white walls with black contrasting doors with red handles every few lengths apart. The floor was lightly carpeted, enough so that when she tapped her hoof the sound was muffled almost completely. The ceiling seemed to glow without any insects, candles, lanterns or electric lights. Must be magic then, so where do I go?
She coughed lightly and looked behind her only to see a photo of her friends standing in front of an oven with Discord sitting on top of it and a bowl of water on the floor.
At least he's thoughtful enough to give me a drink after trying to cook me, she thought as she turned and took the few paces to reach the bowl. She leaned down and slowly let her tongue protrude from her mouth and touch the water.
Cold fresh water that could have been from a river tickled her tongue and she thrust her muzzle into it gulping loudly until she had her fill and fell back with a sigh of refreshment. She looked back at the bowl and smirked. Still full of water, I think I'm gonna take this home; never get thirsty again.
The thought passed quickly as her eyes widened and she turned to look at the hall behind her again. It seemed to go on forever, doors vanishing in a single point farther than her eyes could see. She shuddered as she imagined spending days or years looking for a way out, she collapsed to the floor in front of the bowl and fought the urge to cry, scream, and vomit in the face of possible death that loomed in front of her as the only choice became clear.
Standing again on trembling legs she fluttered her wings and cracked her neck side to side and steeled her gaze forward, looking at the photo. "I'll be back soon girls," she said as she felt her stomach trembling with fear. She picked up the bowl and placed it on her back and turned to the endless hallway ahead of her and began trotting ahead.
Rainbow tossed a book over her shoulder and lowered herself another shelf down. The fun was gone and she was almost done with the books. She growled lowly from the back of her throat and took a book to her face, pressing it firmly against herself. The book smelled old and musty, more than it should have given the enchantments the books were under and there was an odd feeling around her. The air was cooler and the magic felt different around her wings as she hovered. Lowering the book she whinnied and spun around dropping the book and looking around twice before her wings shut tight to her body causing her to fall a body length to the floor on all fours.
She backed up to a solid wooden wall behind her as she looked around and began to tremble. She was in a huge tree furnished like hers when she was younger only much larger. The broken couch was there, her pillow laid in its old spot like she had left to go collect mushrooms at the edge of the forest. The broken clock was on the wall, the small hand was pointing left and the right was missing. A small door on the top was broken and hanging off a hinge. Fluttershy had purchased a new one that had a bird that came out of it every hour, Rainbow had loved that new clock and would wait for the little bird she had named Butters, because it slipped out like butter and went back in. Also it was yellow, one of her favorite colors.
The air was dusty and musky with particulates floating in the air flickering in the one beam of sunlight that shone through a boarded window above the door, sometimes at certain times of the year it would cross her flank while she was on the couch, just barely between her tail and hip the light would warm her slightly in the otherwise cold shadows. She shuddered as she glanced around the room and took in the things she remembered. Chills ran down her spine as she felt another presence in the room she lived in and knew intimately. Rainbow glanced back to the couch and stared at it with terror in her eyes, she could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she began to cower.
Discord slowly stood from behind her couch and slithered over it laying in her spot like she used to, his head laid on the pillow and he smiled wickedly at her. Without a word he pointed around the room and circled his clawed hand twice in a circle, fist closed as he sat up. He stood tall and stomped toward the terrified and cowering Rainbow Dash stopping in the center of the room. He pointed his bear paw to the stairs and then gestured up twice. Down Twice. Left. Right. Left. Right. Up. Down. Then back to the couch smiling, with a soundless laugh he vanished in a flash of light leaving Rainbow alone in the room.
Shivering she slowly laid on the floor and coughed lightly as the old dirt debris filled her lungs from the floor. The dirty and cluttered floor she said she'd never see again, that she had personally helped Fluttershy and her restoration crew sweep, mop, polish, and write her name in the corner of the room.
She sat up quickly and flew to the corner tossing a small end table away that she always ignored in the past since it wasn't on the way to the couch and with it being covered with dust, blended too well into the dark background to be noticeable. Breathing in she coughed heavily as the dust covered the area filling her entire respitory system with it's chocking concoction of microscopic debris. Flapping heavily she maintained her position in the room and tried to clear the corner foolishly.
She was blinded by a tornado of dust filling the room swirling around so heavily she could feel it covering her entire body. She landed and pulled her mane over her head and into her mouth between coughs and waited for the dust to settle as she tried to filter the air through her hair.
With little effect to filter the air she slowed her breathing and waited, curled into a fetal position on the floor next to her destination. Fluttershy, I hope you're safe from this monster. I'll get back to you, I promise. Just like when I saved you from falling and you saved me from this place.
Twilight looked at the night sky as she fell. She held her breath and tightened her back in preparation for the impact. ‘Hard sand and a soft body, even if it is quick sand I’ll be lucky to not break a bone from this height.’ She thought to herself.
She impacted the sand with a loud grunt as she was enveloped by the grains. She felt her body wiggle freely in the sand as she fell before she lined her body vertically and began to swim to the surface breaking with a loud splash she opened her eyes and gasped fresh air. Her heart elated as she leaned her head back and swallowed hard.
“Grits. A lake of grits, what should I have expected? Chaos doesn’t have to make sense,” she said out loud as she rolled to her belly and began swimming through it. “Milk and sugar too, hmm,” she sighed while thinking out loud identifying the flavors.
“Cinnamon, apple, and a dash of rosemary? What an odd but delicious combination, I’ll have to tell Trixie about it.” Smiling as she reached what felt like a shore, she stood up tall and shook heavily trying to clear her body of the meal. “I can’t wait to show Trixie I have-” turning to look back she sighed and sagged slightly, “-wings. I guess they weren’t breakfast proof.”
With a dry laugh she leant down and took a large bite of grits from between her forelegs and began trotting ahead, no direction in particular in mind.
It’s been at least three hours, what the hay am I doing? I should have tried to get my bearings, ugh what am I saying? I don’t know what day it is now since the the moon and sun are juggling and even if I did get my bearings the stars are blanked out during the day and I can’t get any shadows under the canopy here.
She stopped and looked around the area she could see and groaned as the entire scene was similar in all directions, nothing but trees that looked dark and menacing with branches that hung low like claws of a giant beast that hungered for flesh.
They’re only trees, Twilight thought rolling her eyes and picking a direction to walk. “Oh my, those sure are pretty,” she said spotting a patch of flowers. A slight blush filled her cheeks as she approached. “Just like Trixie, small blue, and beautiful.”
Leaning down she took a bite of a colorful blue flower that was in a small patch with a hundred others like it. Spitting and coughing she stuck out her tongue and wiped it off with her forehooves. “Gross, tastes like Shining Armor made salsa.” Turning around she trotted several paces to a deeper pocket of grits and chewed loudly before swallowing a mouthful with a loud gulp.
“Ah, much better. Now thoo gloum thhp!”
Oh spell, what the hay? I can’t talk?! Calm down Twilight, it’s just a lisp. Easy to fix, just- Looking down her muzzle she shrieked and stumbled back falling into the softened forest floor with a splash, scrambling to touch her tongue to see if it was really hers. It’s huge, what am I gonna do? It’s the size of my rear leg and I can’t close my mouth. Oh Celestia what if I asphyxiate? Stay calm, don’t breathe too fast, don’t breathe too fast. “Dmothp blttp-”
She felt herself panicking and couldn’t stop as her head began to swim and she fell to her side huffing heavily through mucus caked nostrils, through her whimpers she heard the splash of an approaching quadruped from behind her. Trying to move the world went dark before she could see, what she hoped with her last thought, was a pony.
Waking up groggily Twilight opened her eyes and tried to lift her head but the weight was almost too much and only her neck lifted slightly off the ground before she began to breathe heavily again.
“Stay calm pony of such great color or you may injure yourself further,” a calm baritone female voice said as a hoof was placed on the crown of her head, “You fell prey to the flower of blue and fell to your side into the soup. I can again make you well however I would like to hear the story you have to tell.”
Twilight snorted and a light whinny left from the back of her throat as her vision focused to see a Zebra leaning into her view. With an odd sensation she felt her tongue being poked and prodded before the Zebra stepped back. A giggle and a flash of light shortly followed by a machine sound made Twilight kick her forelegs trying to get to her hooves instinctively.
A photo? Why’d she take a photo, is this one of those blackmail things? I’ll be in her debt for years or she’ll show the photo to the world and ruin my reputation?
Twilight stopped struggling when the Zebra placed a hoof on Twilights chest and spoke calmly. “Purple horse from lands unseen, this is a photo you see. I will show you what the joke has done and then you will understand how to look before you run.”
Twilight rolled her eyes and wished the Zebra would talk normally but laid still as the Zebra walked around her once and sighed. “My name is Zecora and from the sands of the desert I hail but to my people; this much cereal would be a holy grail. Food can be scarce and hard to find and you show up and bring me peace of mind. When you are well I want to hear the tale of how you got such food from here to there.”
Zecora walked away from Twilight and there was a slight clattering sound as Twilights vision cleared up fully. Looking around from her perspective she could see she was on a table near the center of the room, a circular room that looked like a hollowed tree, similar to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy’s only darker and with the feel of alchemy all around her. Bottles on strings hung suspended in the air from the ceiling, with all the bottles clustered in one area.
Shelves holding various gourds and bottles with marks and letters denoting their use were inlaid in a wall and a door could barely been seen from the top of her vision. Resigning herself to trust the Zebra she relaxed and then whined as long as she could to get Zecora’s attention.
“Silly pony of fun color, why do you call me over?”
Twilight shut her eyes tightly and squeaked before waving her tail and raising her hips twice. Embarrassment flushed her body as Zecora’s eyes communicated her understanding. Without a word she walked to Twilight’s belly and placed her muzzle at the seam where Twilight met the board's holding her.
“Up,” Zecora said. Turning her rear she got to her hooves, head planted to the table as Zecora slid her neck under Twilight and with a firm strike to the purple mares side making her fall unsteadily onto Zecora’s back. Without a word Zecora turned and cantered slowly out of the hut with Twilight trying to stay steady without falling off.
A short walk later and there was a small clearing with a tree stump surrounded by bushes that Zecora trotted around once to show Twilight where she needed to go. “Pony, this is your first test; this is the area where we rest.”
Twilight used all her energy to shake her head in protest. I am not using a nature toilet with a Zebra under me, Night and Trixie would never let me live this down.
Zecora turned her neck slowly so she could look Twilight in the eyes. “I cannot place you on the ground or your tongue will find the taste most unsound. Not from me, do not fret. However other animals make this land quite wet.”
Twilight shivered and felt queasy as Zecora turned and leaned Twilight onto the stump with care. The scent of urine was faint but present and at that moment Twilight felt more helpless than she had since she was a foal.
“Be not worried purple pony, what happens here will stay with you and me. Many creatures I have help and in common always one thing; they must feel humility’s harsh sting.”
Twilight shuddered and let nature take it’s course as Zecora hummed lightly an unknown tune until Twilight was done then knelt down slightly more so she could slide onto her back safely again.
“You have done well and worry not, this will be between us and that infernal pot.”
Twilight chuckled slightly at Zecora’s humorous rhymes. “A laugh, now that is great to hear, one more step until you’re completely clear.”
The path Zecora took was dark and full of roots that had broken ground, branches from larger trees were gracefully stepped over and ducked under with a fluidity that made Twilight, for a brief moment, feel like a child in her mother’s grasp being rocked to sleep. Twilight felt the urge to yawn but grunted as she inhaled deeply through her nose. A small twitching fit stopped Zecora who looked back to see a large beetle had landed on Twilights muzzle between her eyes and was perched in a way that almost seemed to taunt the incapacitated mare.
With a swish of her tail Zecora startled the small bug away and resumed her fluidic motions through the underbrush leading back to the clearing that announced a lived in home. The dirt was lightly tilled by hoof and a small garden of herbs of unknown origin grew around the door while mushrooms took hold of the earth at the base of the tree Zecora called home.
A small patch of grass was visible in the freshly turned soil, a patch of natural grass that would grow in any town in central Equestria was here in the middle of the Everfree forest in front of an alchemist's home. Twilight saw all this in passing but stiffened her rear legs when she noticed a large green mask over the doorway that allowed access to the tree home.
I really want to ask her what these mean. Stupid magic blue flower. Twilight chuckled as Zecora laid her back onto the table. It is like Trixie, always playing a joke on a pony.
Zecora turned and began rifling through a book, pages turning in quick succession she hummed an agreeable tone before the sound of wood clattering out of sight was heard. Twilight let her mind race as she tried to imagine what was happening. Zecora began to sing a song in her native language as she knelt out of the sight line of Twilight.
Clacking and grunting sounds emanated from Zecora for a moment before the scent of burning wood wafted from out of her sight. She’s making a fire? I know Zebras don’t eat meat so what’s she up to? Maybe she’s going to mix a potion and make me grow into a giant so my tongue will fit.
She laughed at the thought as Zecora rolled a large cauldron into view and onto the fire.
Quickly and expertly grabbing bottles she began pouring a concoction into the cauldron and stirred the brew. “Silly pony you did not know the flower you ate was the poison joke, to spread its poison all it needs is a poke. The pollen does not a thing but inside the petals there is a sting. If flesh it shall touch then something wrong is a must.”
More rhymes. I heard from Shining they rhymed but I didn’t know it was this bad.
As the brew mixed and thickened into a green watery substance
With a ladle full of the brew Zecora, withholding a snicker, poured it across the large darkened tongue and then lifted Twilights head, turning it so she could pour some in her mouth. The flavor was almost sweet as it passed her tongue but then bitter bit her in the back of her throat like a snake and she tried to resist coughing or inhaling the mix.
“Normally a long bath should be had, but I will pour it over you enough to make you glad. A bath you will still have to take to get rid of the jokes poison with a shake.”
A moment later she felt her tongue tingle and a gasp of air flew down her windpipe filling her respiratory system fully in one motion. She sat up as her tongue slowly withered almost back to its normal size and into her mouth. “Work your jaw slow or you will be in more pain than you know,” Zecora said with a smile patting Twilight on the shoulder.
Sitting up onto her flank and leaning on her foreleg Twilight took her lower jaw in her hand and moved it slowly closed. The stinging sensation was painful but she was glad Zecora had suggested taking it slow. “Zthekowah?”
“Ah the pony speaks and at the same time it’s mouth leaks,” Zecora said with a chuckle passing Twilight a towel quickly. The towel struck Twilight in the muzzle and Zecora rushed over to pick it up off the floor. Twilight tried to excuse herself but Zecora was apologizing before Twilight could make a sound.
“Tiny pony I am at fault, I was unaware magic was not in your care. In all my years I have seen few who use magic as little with a horn as you do.” Zecora sank her eyes to the floor and carefully placed the towel on the table beneath Twilights head and backed away.
“Icthshnl… Bluck!” Twilight bucked the empty space behind her and sat up in frustration as she took the towel to her mouth and wiped it as clean as she could before focusing her magic. Her horn lit and she moved it side to side slowly as Zecora watched cautiously. A slight spash sound came from behind the Zebra making her jump to the side with a speed and efficiency of a soldier as the ladle shakily left the pot and hovered a hoof space above the surface of the green liquid before falling back in with a light splash.
“Pthee, Ach xhan ooth maddic,” Twilight said with some awkward pride.
“Yes, magic you can use. Practice is a must unless you muse?”
Twilight rolled her eyes again. I can’t even argue. Where’s this bath? Twilight pantomimed taking a bath as Zecora watched with amusement. With a gesture of her head Zecora encouraged Twilight to follow her into a side room.
“This is the room I use to be clean, the forest can be a nasty thing. I will bring the potion here fast and you can get that bath.” With a nod she left the room and Twilight alone in the small alcove. Not more than twice her height and a little more than that wide a small wooden tub sat. Just deep enough to cover her to her flanks sitting up or less than half her body if she could lay down all the way.
This is a bath? More like a personal hoof soak. What the hay am I doing? I drank some and got better, what’s the worst that could happen if I drank some more? Oh well, she’s helped me this far, I guess I’ll just bathe in her bitter green slime and get on my way.
Zecora returned with a small bucket of the potion, handle in her teeth, and poured it into the tub looking expectantly happy as Twilight stepped in and sat down. A few seconds later another bucket was deposited over the head of the purple mare, her attitude becoming slightly grouchy.
The third bucked came in and was poured over Twilight. “Look Thecorah, I apprethiate… My voith and tungng, oo can undra thant me betow?”
Zecora shifted on her hooves slightly before turning to get another bucket. I can’t believe that it’s working so fast, I’ll be hunting my element in no time at this rate. Twilight looked to the wall and imagined a window was there with Trixie looking in at her waving. I’ll be home before you know it.
Night and Applejack glared at Discord as he knit from the red rope that bound Scootaloo and Night. Holding it up he smiled proudly; the shape of a tiny pony, mane and tail included. “I think it’s just the right size, don’t you? For the little Jackie inside you?” He pointed to Applejack as the knitting hovered in place. Flapping his wings Discord flew above them and sneezed.
“Gasp, he said aloud. I think somepony is talking about moi.” With a blink he was sitting in a small single engine airplane hovering in place. “Ciao mi amore,” he waved as the engine revved like a race car before laying a heavy stream of bubbles behind him. A leather cap and goggles appeared on his head and a white scarf flew in the wind, waving behind him.
“Uh, Discord?” Night asked with her head cocked to the side walking beside him as the noise came to an abrupt halt. The sound of tires screeching filled the kitchen before a parachute exploded from the back of his tiny plane.
Discord flew, shouting loudly, from the airplane at a velocity then smashed through the kitchen door; a loud clamour echoed through the halls and back into the kitchen. Night and Applejack backed away and watched the plane lower to the floor and pop like a balloon leaving the room and door as they were before he arrived.
“The bastards gone so let’s try and get Scoots outta there then find Rainbow,” Applejack said turning to the oven and galloping fast. Looking at it they gulped loudly before Night opened the door carefully. Both peeking inside they had a rush of calm and fear as the oven was empty; no body, no Scootaloo, no secret door.
“Well cut, let’s go find somewhere else to look.”
“Cut?”
Applejack smirked. “Language of the biz, gotta stay in habit. Hey,” Applejack said turning away and walking away from the stove toward the large classically wooden door that led to the hall. The paneling and engraving of ponies across the center with various cooking utensils and etchings of popular foods around the edge was enthralling, even to Night.
“I bet the time and bits they put into this door could pay a soldier for a month. Let’s get out of this stupid place and finish our mission.”
“Yeah I know. I’ve gotta get somethin’ to eat though. Lemme stop at the fridge real quick.” Applejack turned and left Night at the door to make a quick food raid, only a few paces away.
“Jack I’m not really into art,” Night said leaning forward looking closely at the door almost scrutinizing the details, “but this is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. The detail is almost pre-Navin’chi and the cross hatching would rival Gra’th from the Griffon lands,” she said with an expert’s interest. “Jack, Jack?!” Night said excitedly calling below her. When did I start flying? I guess I may like art more than I admit.
Looking around she noticed the fridge door was open so she flew down to the floor opposite of it and knocked lightly on the door.
“What? I’m eating here,” Applejack said through bites. Night leaned around the door and looked at the pregnant orange mare laying on her side with fruits and vegetables scattered between her legs. Jack, smiling wide, bits of vegetables stuck between her teeth and a stem hanging from under her top lip almost flattened against her lateral incisor as she beamed happily. “This’ the best, freshest, most tasty food I’ve had in weeks. Ya want some?” She asked moving her rear legs back to give Night room to sit in the cool air with her.
“Um, no. But thank you!” Night said smiling, “I’m really not that hungry. I’m trained to eat once a day after all. And not even that mom look will change my mind. I ate a big meal yesterday before all this mess so I’ll be okay until tonight. And no, not that flipping-”
“Okay, okay Night. I got ya. Ya aren’t hungry, no big deal. More for us,” she smiled wide and leaned in to take a bite of a carrot she had been looking at on the rough marble floor. A slight trail of mucus stuck to the floor and led to Applejack’s mouth as she held the orange vegetable in place with a forehoof and chomped loudly. Three bites and the carrot was inside her closed muzzle crunching noisily as a content expression crossed her face.
Night looked on in awe for a moment remembering pet cats she had when she was a filly growing up in Canterlot. Dig was his name and all he wanted to do was sleep and eat during the day and dig at night. Weirdest cat ever they said, but I loved him all the same. When him and Dug had their wedding and had kittens he sat and guarded them more than she did. He’d lay just like that and his kits would play around him.
I’ll never forget how much I was laughed at for arranging a full wedding for two cats, but mommy and daddy were supportive and- Her thoughts stopped before she let nostalgia get the best of her.
“AJ, we’ve gotta go. I’ll grab a bag and you can fill it up, we have to find Rainbow Dash before she hurts herself in this place.”
Applejack rolled to her belly and pulled her legs under herself, with a light grunt she forced herself up in one movement and turned to Night. “Alright, I let my belly do the talkin’ when I have to eat ya know. So, let’s just get. I’ll be fine and so will she.”
Night smiled as Applejack nudged the door closed. “So it’s a she? You’re sure?”
“Nope, but most of Equestria’s ponies are female so by the odds…”
“Well may the odds be our favor.”
“Heh, yeah. Well anyway I haven’t even got a name yet.”
“How about Night Shift?”
Applejack rolled her eyes and stopped them on Night, giving a smirk. “Right, how about not. It’s something for me to think about being the mom and all. Now I’m an element bearer, a movie director, and actress… My life is so full I really have to find a way to be a mom, a real mom, and not do what my advisers suggest. I don’t wanna be the one to send my little one to school across Equestria so she won’t distract me from my job.”
“You’re Jack, the great philanthropist, I’m sure you can find a way,” Night said opening her left wing and draping it over Applejack as their sides bumped, “and no matter what, you’ve got us all here for you. There’s nothing that’ll stop us from helping you or your foal. Not even my god Discord.”
Applejack pulled away stopping suddenly and faced Night. “Your god? You still believe in him?”
Night looked at the floor and poked it with her hoof. An awkward silence built as she tried to find the right way to speak her mind. She raised her head and looked into Applejack’s emerald green eyes and felt a chill run down her flanks to her pasterns.
“I guess I still do, but only from habit.” Night shook her head and sent her mane flying as she did, trying to clear her mind. “We had three hour prayers we’d have to do in his honor, tests of mind and body to endure, almost endless hours of recitation of his past acts and the world as it was under his rule.
Once I was in they were the most dedicated ponies you would ever meet to the cause they believed in. No Celestia follower has the faith in her that they instilled in me for Discord, and now that I’m free of them I get to meet the creature I spent years being told was ‘god,” she motioned with her hooves as her ears swiveled around nervously, “and I’m supposed to kill him.” Her ears fell flat to her head as she winced.
“Imagine you had to kill Celestia because she wasn’t what you thought but were always told to believe. What would you do, jump at the chance and denounce her or be conflicted?”
Applejack walked close to Night and leaned in close to the mare letting her cheek brush hers in a light nuzzle. “Sugarcube, you’re right. I wouldn’t know what to do and would probably be worse off than you. I’ve had most of my life laid out for me since I was a filly, not everypony has what we have Night. We have to do better for them, whether it’s me helpin’ young’ns or you saving the world. All we can do is set the best example for the next generation and hope they don’t make the same mistakes.” Night had taken a step forward and was nuzzling Applejack back as her stress faded away.
“AJ, how’d you get so good at comforting ponies?”
“I’m a director, I have to know how to resolve conflicts. Plus you need to know the truth and the best pony to hear that from is a pony who cares about you.”
Night sighed lightly, letting a light moan vibrate her throat and backed up. “I haven’t felt that calm in a while, thanks AJ.” A warm smile crossed both their muzzles as they turned and began walking side by side, Night’s wing over Applejack as they began a small conversation on what city has the best ice cream and pizzas.
“Okay, we’ve been wandering for an hour -I think- and still no sign of anypony that isn’t painted into the floor. What do you think we should do?”
“Night, I haven’t the foggiest. Let’s take a break, my lower back is startin’ ta smart,” Applejack said glancing at the marble floor. Two guards were standing beside each other ‘marching’ beneath the mares. “Where’s a good place to rest guys?” she shouted to the floor as the soldiers rounded them.
One of the guards stopped and looked up to look at Applejack before looking ahead. The second guard stopped and returned as both mares watched. “It’s almost like watching a movie but the movie is from the top instead of the front,” Night whispered to Applejack.
Yeah, but this wouldn’t get as much revenue and the no sound aspect would only work for a select few ponies. I’ll mull it over with my advisors, Applejacks thought maintaining her smile.
The guards stood side by side and began to march ahead turning right at a corner. “I think we should follow them, most of these guards are pretty helpful.”
Night nodded. “Yeah, it’s our job. We’re trained in a lot of things however a lot of times I really wondered if our job was defense and war or being armored butlers. Except for training days most of our lives are spent standing around looking mean, waiting to stand around and look mean, or helping lost ponies around the castle,” she said in a mocking tone to the high vaulted ceiling.
“Look Sugarcube, I understand your job was tough but at least you had a good lot in life. Some ponies get their cutie marks and have to spend their lives digging in sand or pulling carts.”
The guards stopped by a door and one pointed her wing to the door before they turned and marched away. “Guess this’ the room, what’s in here Night?”
“I dunno, I spent most of my time on actual city patrols or guarding the delegates’ rooms. Roaming the halls to stay busy isn’t any of our idea of a fun way to kill time and, honestly, most of those stuck on hall duty are marginal soldiers or those under punishment.”
“Marginal?”
“Soldiers who do just enough to not get kicked out. In it for the benefits and easy work. A world at peace is a boring job for a soldier.”
“Yeah, I can see that. Let’s see what’s in here. Maybe another fridge.” They both chuckled as Night opened the door and they looked inside the brightly lit room.
Fluttershy dove to the town below her, wings folded, and aimed to strike the center of the town. The cobblestone square was surrounded by smaller houses that looked like they were made of sticks and mortared with dried mud. She opened her wings as she neared a dangerous point in her terminal velocity descent to the ground, making her bank quickly. She tipped her body to the left and spiraled tightly to the ground ending in a small tornado spin. She stopped her spinning on her right foreleg, the left crossed across her right and her forelegs in the air she landed on all fours and smiled.
“Land in style or don’t land at all,” she said lowering herself to the ground to steady her spinning gaze, “Rainbow would be so proud to have seen that landing. We were working on that one for a week and I think I nailed it. I’ll have to tell her about it,” she said smiling as she pushed herself up enough to feel the air blow beneath her as she looked around.
The doors and the windows were closed as she looked around the town center, save for part of a face in one window. That was the one she locked her eyes on. The shadow figure pulled back and a cloth covered the spot the face was just a second before. Somepony was in there, she knew it. She took in a deep, deep, breath and held it as she walked to the door, exhaling as she reached her hoof up to knock.
She hesitated for what felt like a hundred heartbeats before her wrist moved and her hoof touched the door. knock
“No ponies home, better come back later,” she said sighing backing away.
Two paces back the door creaked open and a twitching nose peeked out with whiskers. [size=0.5emOh my, she thought. A mouse-thing stepped out from the house with an iron skillet in its hands ready to swing like a baseball player.
(What are you? Are you here to hurt us? Are you with that beast?)
“Uhm, Miss Mouse?” Fluttershy said as her legs froze stiff and her eyes widened in terror. “I-I-I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s going on.”
(The snaps you don’t! You’re here to eat us!?) The mouse squeaked as she took a threatening step towards Fluttershy. Her first step out the door was what caught Fluttershy’s attention. ‘A mouse taller than her walking upright on it’s hind legs and using its hands so efficiently and *gulp* threatening her.’
“O-o-oh p-please n-no, I don’t eat meat. I’m a pony not a m-m-monster,” tears welled in her eyes as she scrambled backwards with her forelegs and tumbled backwards onto her back, her wings sent a slight sting on pain as she landed firmly on them. The mouse took another step ahead closer to Fluttershy and bared its jagged teeth and fangs as Fluttershy raised her forelegs to guard her head while her rear legs crossed protecting her abdomen.
(Wha-? Let me go 7, it means to harm us!) the mouse said as a slight struggle ensued followed by a frustrated grunt and muffled arguing. Fluttershy didn’t dare move yet but she focused her hearing to try to listen.
I can understand and speak rodent so maybe I should bribe them with crumbs or cheese? Wait, mice prefer nuts and berries not cheese; it gives them gas and that’s not proper.
(Grr, fine. Strange creature from the sky, why are you here. Be honest or I will strike you.)
“I-I’m a pony and I was sent here by a monster and he wants to turn the world crazy with his chaos magic and I’m really sorry and if you let me go I’ll never bother you again if you’ll just plea-he-he-hease don’t hurt me,” she wailed.
(Great, another coward creature. IT’S SAFE TO COME OUT, JUST ANOTHER RUNNER,) The mouse screeched to the sky. Fluttershy curled into as tight a ball as she could and fell to her side as tears wet the stone under her face as she sobbed and prayed to Celestia for help.
A small hand touched her withers and she squeaked in fear. (Creature? You can get up now, you’re not in trouble. It’s safe.) Fluttershy’s ears left the sides of her head and slowly turned to the voice behind her. (Don’t worry creature, we’re not going to hurt you. Just open your eyes and see you’re safe.)
Fluttershy trembled slightly and opened her eyes to look around and gasped as she uncurled herself slowly and rolled to her belly. The cool stone below her calmed her nerves a little as she looked at the creatures coming out of their homes.
Mice, rats, squirrels, chinchillas, and raccoons filed out of their homes talking amongst each other as they gathered in the square around Fluttershy.
(What is it?)
(Is it dangerous?)
(Why are we so close to the house, couldn’t she have been in the center of the square?)
(3, it’s cute. Can I keep it?)
“Um, how are you all communicating? You all have your own languages,” Fluttershy asked the tallest, closest creature to her, “mister raccoon sir.”
(It talks too?!)
(Wow, so cute.)
(And in our language!)
(But, what is it?)
“I’m a pony and I can speak with rodents.”
(Rodents?!)
(That’s what she thinks of us?!)
(Common mindless creatures? The insult!)
“Oh, I apologize. I didn’t mean to insult you. Um, where am I?”
The mouse that had threatened her a moment before cleared its throat. (You’re in Young Town. We live here and where are you from?)
“I live in a cottage outside Ponyville in Equestria.”
(Eque-who-wa?)
“Equestria, where we are now.”
(This isn’t… Oh! 3, 7,) the mouse asked turning around, (I recall that name. It’s what our ancestors called this land.)
“Called?” she asked as her eyes widened.
(Yes, thousands of generations ago this land was refounded and it belongs to us. Are you here from the sun goddess?)
“No,” Fluttershy said standing taller and walking closer to the mouse, “I’m here to find a gem that was taken from me by a monster.”
(Monster?!) The crowd gasped and looked around fearfully.
“No, I don’t think he’s here. I was sent here to find my element of harmony,” she said as she calmed herself, “are you going to let me go?”
(You’re a runner, you may do as you wish as long as you don’t harm us or our town. Would you like some food as penance for my attempt to harm you?)
“Oh, that would be nice,” Fluttershy said as her wings left her sides and waved slightly.
The crowd gasped and chattered. (Wings? A pony is a bird too?)
“No, I’m a Pegasus. A pony or horse with wings that can fly. We control the weather, haven’t you ever seen a Pegasus before?” she asked cocking her head to the side.
(How, how does one control the weather?)
“Um, that’s a really big explanation. Maybe I can eat while I tell you? If that’s okay with you.”
The mouse smiled. (My name is Jane, this is 7, my mate. Locals, disperse and allow the pony-wing to discuss with you later.)
“Jane? That’s an odd name, to me anyway. My name is Fluttershy.”
(Hm, then the feeling is shared by us.)
She passed the pan to 7 and walked inside. 7 regarded Fluttershy with a nod as he returned inside. Fluttershy heard steps and turned to see the residents leaving the area to bring their town to life.
Fluttershy followed 7 inside the house and looked around. It was a quaint and simple with a bed in the corner, a stove in another corner, a table in the center of the open room, and a bookshelf against the wall opposite of a single double pane window in the wall between the stove and bed. She stepped inside and smiled, “It’s nice in here, I like it.”
(Well, wait until you see where we live.)
Fluttershy cocked her head again trying to understand what that can mean. The two mice went to the table and laid down on the floor, reaching under it they pulled a board up and pressed something below the floor. A click sounded and they both stood slowly pressing their heads to the underside of the table raising it off the floor and opening a secret passage with stairs leading down.
Rainbow coughed and opened her eyes, shutting them tightly immediately. She squeaked as dirt and dust fell against her eyes beneath the lids and stung more than it had in over a year. She flapped her wings and rolled to her belly as she hovered in the air trying frantically to wipe her eyes clear.
She fell to the floor when she lost concentration on her flying as her eyes began to burn, tears began streaming down her face as her body tried to wash the debris out. “So,” she said as she planted her hooves firmly on the floor with a thump, “this’ how he wants to play it? Fine, I know this place better than I know anything. I don’t need to see to find that stupid necklace to kick his stupid rump.”
She shook her head as she felt and heard debris falling to the floor, a cough let her know there was a lot of dust around her and she stood tall and backed up. Several long paces later and she had bumped into a wall, she then turned her body to face her left, walking with her wing lightly brushing the surface tracing the familiar walls she had known for years.
“There we go, that damned door. Sturdy, like me. Then I turn that way,” she turned slightly and began cantering ahead until she bumped into her couch and frowned, “to Tartarus with this thing.”
She reached her left foreleg up and poked it. As soft and rough as the last time she laid on it three weeks after Fluttershy came back into her life. Life, what it was and how great it felt to do things. To fly, to eat, to laugh with ponies, and to have friends. She turned and bucked the couch hearing it crack under the stress. She smiled looked to her right.
“The stairs would be there so away I go.” Rolling her eyes slowly in her head she felt the sting but it wasn’t as bad. Opening her eyelids again she felt a slight burn but she could almost see through the haze of tears. She coughed a little as she took in the sights of her old home, just like it used to be, only a little larger for some reason.
Only a few hooves difference, but it was still larger, she couldn’t place what else was different as she placed a hoof on the stairs and took the first step. She closed her eyes and felt the tears stream down her face but she persevered and continued up the steps, finally reaching the top, she opened her eyes and gulped.
That’s what was different... She felt foolish for not noticing it before. There was a run of stairs leading down and Discord had pushed the wall against the stairs back to make space for it. She looked down and saw the floor below her was dusty while the floor she was currently on was dirty and dusty but hadn’t been blessed by her flapping wings’ impromptu dust storm.
She walked from the stairs to the center of the room, she winced but opened her eyes wider. Her vision swam slightly but she could still trace the sunlight from the boarded window to the couch, which was intact, and the mud trailing across the floor. Broken clock, “The corner!”
She trotted carefully to the corner table and carefully moved to away watching as dust left it and settled on the floor over where she wanted to look. She hesitantly opened her wings and closed her eyes tightly as she turned and brushed the floor lightly clearing the corner.
She waited a moment and opened her eyes. It stings and hurts still, she thought as she turned her head, not her eyes, to the floor.
“Rinbuw Daz Lyvz Hire”
She sat on her haunches and sniffled. “It’s my old home, not my new one. This’ the place I really would have died if I’d stayed here a little while longer. Why would he send me here?”
She moved her head to the left to look at the rest of the room. Dust in the air, broken everything.
“No, wait,” she said hesitantly standing up, “not everything is broken. Fluttershy fixed ME. I’m not broken in this tree anymore and that means I can fix everything.”
She turned and galloped to the door grabbing the handle and turning it. Pulling the door open she jumped through the threshold and stopped quickly on the spot as the door slammed shut behind her.
Turning her head left and right she growled deeply. Back in the room just like it was on the other side of the door. She galloped to the stairs and up them, leaving a trail of dust behind her. Again and again, floor by floor it, was exactly the same. Stopping suddenly she was washed from behind in a cloud of dust that had trailed her coating her more deeply in dirt.
Coughing as she turned to the floor and made her way to the couch instinctively she stopped and sat on her left flank leaning over and looking at her coat front and back and did her best to not cry.
“I look almost as bad as I used to, and I can’t cry cuz it hurts. I’m just gonna have to think about this. Think like Fluttershy told me to do when I have a problem. Think like a mare, not a filly. What did he say with his paw things? Darnit I was too scared to think about his dumb face. Couldn’t be that hard so I’ll just try different ways to get out.”
She laid on the floor and closed her eyes and smiled. It didn’t hurt anymore to use her eyes. She began to remember his silent movements and how badly she wanted to be a monster like a dragon and bite his paw off. “Fluttershy said I shouldn’t be mad at other ponies but he isn’t a pony and I hate him. If he hurt her,” she huffed loudly and growled as she looked to the couch and remembered him pointing to it last.
“Bucking couch!” She turned and bucked it cracking it before she went up stairs and smashed that one and the next and the next. She stopped when she felt her coat getting matted from the dirt mixing with her sweat.
“Grrreat. Just like before,” she said before she laughed. “‘Shy’s gonna be mad when she has to clean me again.”
“Okay, what did that worm guy do. Up, down, that way, this way, what the hay? Well, upstairs and downstairs. Left is the door, right is… the door, if I turn the other way. And that flocking couch is where he said last. I’d better just test the place. Fluttershy always said tests are important and this’ important so this’ a test? This’ a test!”
She jumped up, standing straight, and looking around excitedly. She glanced at the stairs and walked up slowly counting each step and listening to each creak they would give. Her ears twitched and fluttered around as she listened so intently she could almost hear her heartbeat as she topped the stairs and ascended the next flight.
“Last stairs was 16 so this might be the same.”
She stepped slowly up the steps. Each one sounded exactly the same. “Hmph, 16 steps. One more then I try down.”
The next flight was just as uneventful until she reached the top. It wasn’t something she heard but felt. The magic, an unexplainable ethereal energy force that was typically inert it flooded over her from head to tail, it was almost tangible albeit as light as a single hair going across one's body it was still noticeable.
She shuddered as the chills ran down her spine and to her tail root making her tail swish uncontrollably like an excited dogs before she smiled and counted to 16 on the next run, the sensation returned from the tip of her nose to her tail.
Scootaloo trotted along looking at every door from her peripheral vision as she kept a pace going forward, the hall seemed to never end, and it was the same the farther she walked.
“Ugh, c’mon. There’s gotta be a way out of here,” she said, slowing to a walk, and looking at the nearest door to her right. She reached for the handle and turned it until it clicked. “Oh! It’s unlocked. Sheesh, why didn’t I try that sooner?” She looked in and saw another door similar to the others so she walked through and the door slammed behind her, startling her, making her drop and spill the water from the bowl across the carpeted floor.
She turned to see the door behind her was gone, she was in the same hallway, everything was the same, and now her feet were wet.
“Wait, what the hay? What are these?!” she stumbled back and fell to her bottom and rolled to the side and screamed looking to her naked body. “Wha-what am I?! Where’s my orange coat? My fur? My,” she gasped as she turned and looked to her smooth peach white fleshed back, “my wings? My tail? What the flock am I? What happened to me?” she began to weep as she held her arms in front of her and inspected them.
Fingers moving independently and her arms twitching she felt tears streaming down her cheeks and she moved her right hand to wipe the tear away and smacked herself in the face. “Ow! You stupid thing, where’s my hoof? Where’s my foreleg? Where’s my BODY?!” She shouted down the hallway before leaning her head back and resting it on the wall where the door was, she started looking at the ceiling.
“Even looking around is different,” she sniffed and scrunched her nose and reached her new arm up to touch it. Jerking as she got used to it she brought it to her face and touched it breathing in sharply as she noticed how flat her face now was.
“And my muzzle too? What else have you taken from me?” She looked down her body and around her legs, between them and tried her best to examine her body as best she could. “Well, doesn’t seem like much else is changed except for this hole in my stomach and my teats are different and moved but at my age that’s nothing for me to worry about.”
She got to all fours and reached to pick up the bowl with her mouth but couldn’t manage it until she sat on the carpet in frustration staring at the bowl full of water and grumbled. “I can feel everything in this body. Ever drop of water is soaking my not fur wet. I can’t pick up the bowl and what are these things?!” she shouted looking at her hands again.
She slammed her right hand down into the bowl and splashed water across herself and growled making a fist against the side of the bowl, lifting it with her raising arm.
“Ohhh… So it’s like a grabber? Why didn’t they just, no. Nevermind,” the image of having mouths on the end of her new forelegs was the creepiest thing she’d ever thought of and pushed it from her mind as she moved the bowl in her outstretched arm. trying to learn about the limits of the changed appendage.
Half an hour passed as Scootaloo smiled and giggled learning the new range of motion of her body and the ways she could grab the bowl with her fingers and toes. “I never though this freaky body could be fun but it sure has it’s uses. Well, I’d better get movin’ and find the next way out.
She got to her hands and feet and stumbled forward awkwardly before sitting again. “I don’t think this’ a four legged body, the rear ones are way too long or maybe the front are too short. Okay, I think this is a reared up body like a Diamond Dog so,” she leaned on the wall and heaved herself up waving and weaving as she locked her knees.
“Okay, I’ve done this a billion times like a pony so it shouldn’t be that hard like a... Tall, naked, peach, and pink colored thing that totally is NOT a pony.
“Hey! I’m as tall as Luna now,” she giggled as she took a step forward leaning on the wall, “easy, I’ve totally got this! Piece of -- woah,” she shouted stumbling forward along the hallway and landing face first onto the carpet.
“Owowow. Rug burn hurts more, a lot more!” she said holding her face in both hands and choking back tears. “Okay, I’m not a foal I’m a young mare. I can totally do this,” she sat up and grabbed the bowl determined to not stay in this area for a second longer as she stood tall again, and spilled the water from the bowl across her body.
“Dammit again,” she cursed as she took her first steps and began to wobbily make her way down the hall.
Scootaloo wiped sweat from her brow as she stopped to catch her breath. “Okay, this thing can run, but not as good as my pony body,” she lifted the bowl to a level position and smiled as it slowly filled with water. She lowered it to the floor and lowered her mouth into it and coughed loudly as she inhaled the water.
“Great! Now I have to learn how to eat and drink?” she growled and squeezed her eyes tightly,” and I have to go to the bathroom. Everything looks mostly the same but Luna knows what’s gonna happen. Fine, these funky hooves are grabbers so I guess I pour it in. Sheesh, why’s this so difficult. Why couldn’t I just be a pony and finish this stuff?
“Turn right and prepare for a fright my plot.” She poured water into her mouth and across her body again and drank as best she could before dropping the bowl to the floor in frustration. “Discord, you’re a plot-hole. I hope you get a tail infection, and it has to be really itchy for months.”
She stuck her tongue out down the hall to her left, then right, and placed her hands on her hips. “Okay bowl, you’re my assistant on this, where do I go next? You know where the bathroom is?” she ask mirthfully as she picked the bowl up and stood tall again. “I didn’t mean to yell at you, lets just get this done and over with.”
She began walking and several doors later she stopped and turned to another door to her right. She couldn’t open it with her mouth she knew so she grabbed it with her left hand and turned the handle. “Ow, it doesn’t bend that way I guess. Sure is slick, c’mon. There we go,” she said as the knob turned and the mechanism clicked letting the door swing open.
“Big surprise,” she said looking in, “another hallway, what are the odds?” she said sarcastically as she walked through and fell to the floor almost landing her face into the door across the way as the door slammed behind her.
“Fine, this door it is.” She got up and opened the next door, the next, and the next going through in a straight line through the halls, door by door until she got bored and frustrated.
“Okay, now I really have to pee and I’m lost in a maze or something and no toilet in this weird world. C’mon, where can it be? I’m not some dog that goes wherever. Gotta. Find, Toilet!” she began to panic slightly as her grip on the red bowl she tightened her knees together as she made her way down the hall opening doors as she went between both sides.
“There has to be something besides halls here, there HAS to be.”
She tried dozens of doors before she squeaked in pain, and resigned herself to what she had to do and where she had to do it. All the doors opened away from her so she couldn’t even hide behind one to make herself feel like it was private as she knelt against the nearest wall and hid her face behind the water bowl and went.
Three ounces lighter she blushed deeply and jogged quickly through a door into another hallway hearing the doors all slam shut behind her leaving what she had done in a hallway out of her reach. “Oh no, what if the owner comes back and finds that spot? He’ll get mad some weird creature peed on his carpet,” she said fearfully as she turned and walked down the new hall trembling slightly.
“What if a dragon lives here? Or, or a Minotaur with two heads and six arms that carries an axe in each set of it’s hands and, OH! these are hands! I can’t believe I forgot that, it’s just like in that story Rainbow let me read. So these are paws I’m standing on. Hands, paws and a toes on my face,” she sniffed.
“Wait, I smell something. It smells good, kinda sweet and heavy like a hay-burger!” She followed her nose as she walked ahead until the smell was almost making her mouth water. She stopped in front of a door that had a white mark on the corner and smiled. “Different. That’s good.” She reached forward and turned the handle letting the door swing open.
She gasped as she saw herself mixing ingredients in a bowl. The table was set with oatmeal, something on the table that she didn’t recognize, carafes of juices, bowls of berries, and waffles dripping with three different kinds of syrup sparkled in the light.
“Um, Scootaloo? Can I have my body back? I know who or whatever you are you must really miss this thing and I know I’d love to be a pony again.”
Her smaller Pegasus body didn’t respond save for her wings fluttering quickly. “I don’t know what you mean,” a mature mares voice came from the little fillies body, “I love this body. I can imagine when it grows up all the things I can do that I couldn’t as a human.”
Scootaloos mind raced and her vision blurred for a second then she squealed as she did her first jump landing on her feet fairly well but still fell to the floor safely. “I’m a HUMAN!? I thought they were myth or made up!? Can I get a mirror? What color is my mane? I can feel it but can’t see it. What about my, your body, that’s the one I’m looking at? Are you okay using it? How come you’re so okay with this, shouldn’t you be scared or have to learn how to use my body? What about flying, can humans really fly when they’re in heat to find mates across the land?”
“God dammit shut up you little shit!”
Scootaloo stopped talking and sat up straight. “You said a bad word.”
“Like I care, I was fine and dandy as a human until I got pulled here by that dragon thing then trapped here. That was years ago. He popped back up a bit ago and said I could be another creature to pass the time so he gave me a choice. Pony or slug.”
“Which did you choose?”
The creature inhabiting Scootaloos body dropped the bowl onto the counter she was at and turned to look at her human form with a disgusted sneer. “Are you the most vapid creature in your world or do you have to study to be this stupid? I picked a freaking pony and poof, here I am. Let me guess, you picked the most amazing creature to ever run a planet into the ground?”
Scootaloo didn’t know how to respond but she lowered the bowl to the floor by her side and looked into it. “I can almost see myself in the water. I was a filly. Nine years old and I had lost my whole family to a war. The first war in over a thousand years that was to decide the fate of the planet,” her bodies inhabitant listened intently and got closer.
Sitting cross legged the small pony moved a hoof outward inviting her to continue. Scootaloo shifted her body and laid on her stomach to get comfortable, shivering slightly as she noticed the floor wasn’t carpet but a polished wood. And cold.
“Well, then I found out I had the magical power of courage-”
“Wait sweetie, magic?”
“Yeah, it’s everywhere. Don’t you need it to fly when you’re in heat?”
“We don’t fly when we’re in heat!” she shouted, “Just tell me more. I haven’t heard a story for a long time.”
“Okay, so my friends and I used our elements of magic-”
“The elements have magic in them now?”
“Well, kinda. See the Pegasi do the clouds and rain. Earth ponies usually do the farming and unicorns do the special magical work but-”
Her counterpart hopped up. “Wait, you have real unicorns!? Oh my god, oh my god. OH MY GOD! What do I have to do to see them?”
Scootaloo looked at herself and raised an eyebrow quizzically. “What’s so special about unicorns except their magic and horns?”
Her counterpart screamed and fell backwards giggling.
“Um, I’m Scootaloo, what’s your name?”
After a moment to compose herself she rolled to her belly and turned face to face. “My name is Amber.”
“Amber? That’s a nice name, like the color?”
“Exactly! Scooter dude, we’re gonna get along fine.”
“...My names Scootaloo. Scoots for short.”
“Oh, sorry,” Amber said rubbing the back of her neck. “So, how do we get out of this house?”
“House? You mean hallway maze,” Scootaloo corrected.
“What? No it’s not,” Amber said trotting to the door and climbing up a small flight of stairs by the door. She grabbed the knob in her mouth and pushed it in until it clicked and popped open. “See?”
Scootaloo gasped as she looked into a large entryway, double doors at the far end of the corridor with natural sunlight shining in through the windows in the glass framed door.
“We’d better get you some clothes, you can’t go around in a human body like that or you’ll get in trouble.”
“What? You’re not always like this? We almost always are,” Scootaloo asked as she stood up to follow Amber out of the room. “Wait, can we eat first?”
“Eat after, I couldn’t stand to look at myself before and now I have to look at my entire younger self? No thanks. Follow me.”
Leading Scootaloo upstairs and stopping by a door Amber waited for Scootaloo to open it. “I’m too small to open it now. Would you mind?”
Scootaloo reached up and turned the handle letting the door swing open. “See, hallway!”
Amber facehoofed. “Close the door, genius. Okay, now push the handle.” The door popped open to a lavish bedroom with a terrace bed with a veil in the center of the room, large dressers against one wall, a wardrobe and closet near the door, and a large glass rectangle against another hanging on the wall.
“This’ awesome! Is this your room? Can I have a sleep over?”
“Wow, you’re a total child.”
“Hey! I’m almost ten years old, and I’m going to school, and I was gonna start flying soon I bet. Then it’d be a breeze to get my cutie mark and live the dream.”
“Okay, you’re gonna have to explain a lotta things to me over the next few hours. Let’s find you an outfit that suits the old me.”
“So,” Scootaloo asked as she followed Amber into the room to the closet, “this used to be your body?”
“Yeah, when I was a little girl your age. I’d grown up before I was taken here. I guess that since I didn’t age, and luckily didn’t go insane, I stopped caring really. I was a woman of thirty five when that alligator dragon stole me from my family and life.”
“So, a girl is like a filly then and a wool man is a mare?”
“Woman, and yes, I suppose so. You evolved on a world where horses were dominant and me, humans won the charge.”
“Horses aren’t really around anymore and what charge?”
Amber tugged a dress down and it landed on her covering her completely as Scootaloo giggled and knelt down to take it for herself.
“So, this’ a dress you humans wear? Wait, are you a boy or girl?”
“Wha, you don’t know? What’re you?”
“A filly, so girl to you.”
“Exactly, the first thing I checked for was a penis. That woulda been another perfect prank from that thing.”
“Oh my, you said another bad word.”
“What? Penis?” Scootaloo dropped the dress and covered her ears. “Penis penis penis,” Amber shouted giggling, as Scootaloo blushed and grabbed the dress to cover her head.
“Oh Celestia, please stop.”
“Holy shit I haven’t laughed this much in years.”
Scootaloo gasped. “You are such a plot mouth!”
“Plot mouth? Is that like a bad work to you horses?”
“Ponies, and no. It’s a bad mouth. You need soap and when I get back I’ll take you with me and introduce you to Fluttershy can she teach you proper manners.”
“Proper manners? Are you a lady or something? Rich and well off living the highlife?” Amber joked.
“No, I live in a small house next to a tree. My parents lived in Cloudsdale for a while but then we had to move to the earth because they got different jobs.”
“Put that on and talk. What do you mean moved to the earth?” Scootaloo laid the dress out and began to worm into it like she was still a pony and got stuck.
“Well, Pegasi live in the cloud city Cloudsdale. Earth ponies live all over the kingdom and the same for unicorns,” she said, as she struggled to get her arms into the right holes in the dress, “Unicorn can use magic actively and don’t ever touch anything, cuz they’re always using their telekinesis. Earth ponies do the,” she grunted as she pushed her head through and began shaking it down her body like she would as a pony letting it stop at her hips and smiling proudly.
“Does it look good on me?”
“Only if you were twenty years older and drunk. Stand up and let it fall, dear.”
“Well, we all live in peace and harmony with the planet and the goddesses Luna Moon and Celestia make sure we’re safe.”
“Wait, you have goddesses?”
“Yeah, alicorn ponies with incredible power. I’m friends with them and the other fillies and colts in my class are super jealous cuz I can stay at the royal palace whenever I go to Canterlot. Luna Moon controls the moon and Celestia the sun. They raise and lower them and Luna Moon makes the most brilliant star displays some nights.”
Amber sat with her mouth agape as she listened. “So, what exactly are alicorns?”
“A super magic combo of Earth, Unicorn, and Pegasi that are super awesome,” she said waving a hand, “I can totally introduce you if you want.”
“Wow, you’re serious, aren’t you? You’re some kind of superhero where you’re from and now I’ve got your body which means… I’m the super hero! Magic activate,” Amber shouted rearing and thrusting her forelegs into the air. “Just kidding. So, let’s get you something to wear.”
“I’m wearing a dress, that’s enough.”
“Nope, you’re me, and I’d never leave my room without jewelry. Go over to my chest and pull out a few options.”
Scootaloo stood up and an audible ripping noise was heard as she tore her dress by standing on it. She shrugged and went to the dresser and gasped. “My element!”
She grabbed it and put it on as Amber trotted over, shouting something and tripped, landing face first on Scootaloos foot as a light flashed around them both.
The mice gestured for Fluttershy to go in the trap door leading down, and smirked when the now timid mare shook her head slightly.
(Very well, I’ll lead the way. Follow close and no fall on me.)
“Oh, alright.”
The mouse led the way and 7 gestured for her to go so the door could be closed behind them. Fluttershy took her time entering the door, as the darkness began to envelop her she trembled, but followed as the mouse walked on the creaking stairs descending into the earth.
I hope this was a good idea to trust a creature I just met.
The stairs stopped creaking ahead of her and she froze in place, her ears swiveling every which way as her fears began to flood her mind with a vicious attack in the darkness. There was a loud clunk and a light pierced the stairs startling her. She opened her wings and screamed toward the light as she flew ahead.
She shouldered a door and it pushed up making the mouse squeak as he fell forward. She stopped and hovered in place and tried to understand what she saw as the mouse got to his feet and called her to him from a metal grid walkway no more than two lengths wide.
(Flutters. Come here. You are not to fly in this place we call true home.)
“True home? What is this place?”
She landed by the mouse who was leaning on a guardrail and then gestured to the massive city. (True Home, welcome.)
She looked at the city that was a rival for Canterlot in size but made of metal and glass that shone in an artificial light that glowed from every floor of the spiraling tower in the center of the gleaming city. She looked ahead and followed the tip of the spire she was looking at down the way and gawked.
“It, it’s bigger down there? How many of you are down here?”
(We do not keep count anymore. All are welcome in peace. Violate that law and you will have your rights revoked permanently. We have only four laws.
Do not steal but you may trade
Do not harm another outside of a fair challenge
Do not speak of True Home to any creature that will violate the rules
Help the needed as you can
Follow the rules and you may come and go for the rest of your days.)
“I don’t want to live here forever, I just want to get my friends and go home to my cottage with Rainbow Dash. Can you help me?”
(First Flutters we eat. Then you may seek what you need, follow.)
Joe led the way down the catwalk to another catwalk leading to the spire. Looking around, Fluttershy noticed dozens of other walkways connected along similar catwalks across the cavernous space that was domed with a material she couldn’t identify. She could barely see across the cavernous space with her Pegasus eyes telescoping to their best which impressed her briefly as she listened to Joe begin to talk as he led her.
(We didn’t build this place and few creatures know of it outside. Not even the sun and moon goddesses. When we were given this land we were attacked several times until a mole was found digging into the ground. We decided to make tunnels to connect our homes and to have a place hide and then,) he paused his speech and pace and looked to the ceiling.
“What happened?” Fluttershy asked.
(A family of squirrels broke the barrier right over there,) he pointed a crooked finger at the far edge of the cavern where a tree was planted into the wall.
“How is that tree growing from the wall?” she asked as he started walking again and she followed.
(It is fake. It is a reminder that we are eternally indebted to their loss. They found the city and our ancestors have lived here for the past 850 years.)
“How is it that nopony has known of this place? Some rumor should have come by that much time.”
(Simple, every creature that lives here is implanted. Any creature that visits could easily be considered foolish or misinformed and any creature that comes looking will find our village.)
“That’s actually really smart.”
(We aren’t fools and the system helps us.)
“System? Like a social justice system or your civil system of rules and laws?”
(Well, kind of. But we follow rules by the ones who built this place. A lost tribe of ponies from ages past who were advanced to the point where they had nothing to do and, of all the silliest ways to die, they died from boredom.)
Fluttershy smirked as they reached a door that opened as he approached. He entered with her right behind. The door closed behind her and she felt a movement she knew to be falling. She held her breath and looked quickly to Joe who smiled at her with his crooked gapped teeth.
(It’s called an elevator, used to transport us around the city. We’re going to the market first to eat then I will take you to the ‘hub’ to ask your question.)
“Oh,” she said quietly, “I was hoping to be on my way soon. Can we go to this hub first?”
(We will wait. Eat first, I’m hungry, and 7 is not a good cook,) he joked making a click noise as he laughed.
“Why do you call your mate 7? I’ve heard mice talk and names aren’t important for the most part but never numbers.”
(We’re almost there so I’ll be quick; we number our mates. She is my 7th and she calls me 3.)
“Oh my,” she said blushing lightly, “so you’re just breeding mates and not life mates?”
(Pretty much. It’s the way of us mice and our aggressive cousins the rats, but most others mate for life. We just like to have fun and the system says eugenics is not logical for mice.)
“Eugenics,” Fluttershy said startled as the doors opened, “but that’s an awful way of reproducing. It was a system banned hundreds of years ago in Equestria by Celestia herself.”
(Well system has it worked out and euthanizations are cheap too.)
Fluttershy stopped just outside the door mouth agape at Joe as he walked away. “Euth-, you? That’s awful, how can you be okay with that as a society?”
Joe turned to look at her and laughed with an occasional clicking noise leaving his wide open mouth.
“Are you teasing me Joe?”
(You believed it though, didn’t you? Oh I haven’t laughed like that in weeks. No, we don’t reproduce with multiple partners or use eugenics. Her name is 7 because she’s from the seventh generation of her clan. I am indeed the third but with how long we live having children isn’t very important,) he said gesturing for Fluttershy to follow.
(Even though you may not notice it being this close to the city center has increased my mental abilities and as you eat you may not notice the effects right away but there will be an increase in all your abilities.)
“Um, why, exactly?”
He shrugged. (No one knows. There are parts of the city locked to us ‘rodents’. However since this was pony built maybe you can answer that for us. One problem at a time though, first we eat.)
I hope he’ll stop pestering about food soon, she thought as she looked ahead. “This is amazing,” she said as she let her eyes dart from structure to structure. Signs hovered in midair in front of shops and stores that translated to Celestian when she looked at them from whatever language they were a blink before.
Every shop was made of polished white metal that seemed to be made of hexagonal bricks and each brick emitted an energy that, while not magic, was noticeable in how they shimmered as she passed. All types of rodents and even small pack of Diamond Dogs in the distance were making business and trading across the distance she could see.
She opened her wings and prepared to hover before Joe placed a hand on her withers
and looked at her shaking his head. (Griffons were once here and tried to fly away with some denizens. System stopped the griffons and instituted a no flying sub-rule. Flying is allowed but it must be either an emergency or you have clearance.)
“Oh, and how did System stop the griffons and how would I get clearance to fly?”
(System removed their feathers with fire light. To get clearance now you have to simply ask the air. System hears everything, sees everything, and knows more than any of us combined could know.)
Fluttershy wiggled her wings before they pressed to her body. “I guess not flying is something I’m used to. You see-”
Joe turned and scurried on all four legs to a stall selling pies. He stood tall again and beckoned Fluttershy over.
(These are the best mince pies in the undercity. Try one,) he said taking one and holding it to her with a toothy smile.
“What’s in it?”
(The aborted fetuses of fowl and various capsicum vivisected and chopped into fine pieces before baked into a crust. Delectable,) he said taking a bite from the one in his hand.
Fluttershy looked, staring at him as he swallowed and licked his lips with a long thin tongue as it brushed his teeth. The sales creature laughed and leaned out to peek at Fluttershy, gasping before ducking back inside her shop, and opening door just missing the mare by a hoof width and squatting next to her.
“It’s a quiche. Teasing you, that one is. Can the pony speak or are you mute?”
Fluttershy blinked quickly and looked at the creature. A diamond dog, female. “You speak Celestian?”
“I speak Diamond Dog, as it’s called now. A great many things this one has learned from System and I cannot leave without the knowledge, truth of the past, staying.”
“So, being here makes you smarter?” Fluttershy asked.
“Well, this one can ask questions and remember it better, easier, than when this one leaves. The pony will see this itself when it leaves, if it leaves.”
The diamond dog turned and stood tall to the mouse. “Four credits for the pie. Pony will have one free as a welcome,” she turned back to Fluttershy and smiled, “My name is Trall. The pony has a tongue so it has a name.”
“F-Fluttershy. I’m Fluttershy,” she said standing taller and loosening her wings.
“And a flying pony at that? Mouse, you are in luck with this one. Pony, take a pie and enjoy. We are equals now, enjoy the times.”
The diamond dog turned and reentered the room closing the door and reaching a pad out to the mouse. With a smile Joe touched his palm to the pad and a chime was heard making Fluttershy’s ears turn to the stall. A large set of paws held a pie out and held firm as Fluttershy trotted to it.
“The pony will take it, yes?”
“Yes, the pony- I will. Thank you Trall,” she said taking the pie on her left wing and moved it to her mouth and took a small bite of the crust and smiled. “This crust is really goof. I mean good,” she blushing slightly at the crumbs that littered the ground from her spitting them.
“I’m sorry,” she said as she took a larger bite. She giggled and her knees buckled sending her stumbling to her left and almost into the practically hidden door. She sat on her flank and closed her eyes in blissful chewing as the flavors danced across her palate in every best way possible.
“How is this so amazing?” she asked opening her eyes to see a small group of creatures giggling at her.
(Her first meal?) one said as they dispersed smiling at her.
“This one recalls her first meal. Most embarrassing it was. Took four other beasties to pick me up and help me see straight, I had to see a medical provider. This one would give anything for that again,” Trall said, resting her muzzle on her clasped hands. “The pony will recover shortly but will rarely enjoy this much again. Try many foods while here but be careful,” she looked to Joe and they shared a grin, “too much will make you fat.”
Fluttershy looked between them and cocked her head. “Oh, okay. Thanks for the pie, it’s amazing and I’ll finish it on our way. May we go now Joe?”
(My word is as good as the stone we walk upon. Follow me,) he said walking ahead and making a friendly gesture to Trall as they parted ways. (Flutters, we make for the hub. You may ask your question there.)
“And I can meet System finally” she said as she took the last delectable bite of the pie and began to lick her wings clean from crumbs. “Can we get a few of those before I leave? Wait, you didn’t use bits, how do you pay?”
Joe snickered and looked back at the mare preening her wings. (You’re new here so you have 500 credits allotted to you every month. The pie was 4 credits; basically everything you need to survive here is 450 credits a month. Any work you do extra goes into your chips for your personal needs.)
“So, basically it’s just a magic currency?”
Joe smiled and looked ahead on their path. He had taken a less traveled street and there were less creatures to gawk at the pony. (Yeah, if you wish to simplify it to a method you can understand then yes, magic.)
Fluttershy scowled at him. “I’m not simple, I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and I’m treating a mentally regressive pony at the moment with intensive in-house care. Just because I don’t understand how this place works doesn’t mean I’m stupid, only ignorant of the facts that have been given to you as opposed to the knowledge I was taught through years of hard work in a difficult environment.”
(Well, I didn’t know that. I have no advanced education, so I respect your education, and apologize for implying you-)
“Apologize? You insulted me and now you’re just acting like I’m a foal? Ready to accept your apologies like it was an accidental slip of your tongue?! If I had my way I’d… Oh my, I apologize,” Fluttershy said blinking quickly and looking around at the gawkers going by. She looked at Joe who was standing slightly leaned back with his arms in a defensive position.
She fell forward and closed her wings from a flared position and shrank behind her bangs. “I’m really really sorry. I don’t know what just happened, I’ve never said anything like that before in my life.”
(Flutters, you have emotional problems and now they’re being fixed. When you’re here and this close to System you become truer to yourself and your species. Are ponies aggressive often?)
“N-no, we’re a peaceful race. Unicorns, Pegasi, earth ponies; we all live in harmony with the planet.”
(Ah, I see. You must walk with me and I will explain,) he said picking up his pace as she stood and trotted closely behind him. (You are Pegasi. The war ponies, in your blood swims the battle cries of a thousand generations of soldiers from before the time you were at peace with each other. You may know some tales of your past but I know a lot more. I studied in history when I was a kit until I was fifty.)
Fluttershy stopped suddenly in shock before catching back up.
“Fifty? You’re not that old, are you?”
(System helps us live longer. I am nearly 110 years old now and I have twelve left before I have to choose to continue to live or to die. I may not have advanced knowledge but here, in True Home, most of us are quite versed in many things.)
Fluttershy looked ahead at a large domed building coming into view from the streets and buildings in the distance. A sign over it flickered and the words changed to ‘The Hub, System Access Point’’.
“So, System is in there? Is he nice and knowledgable like you?”
Joe snickered. (Well, that’s a matter of opinion. Facts and honesty based on years of memory are what System uses to answer questions. You will have to find out yourself… Wait, ‘he’?)
Joe laughed again and pointed to a mobile walkway in the street letting Fluttershy take the lead. (Walk on it and it will take us the rest of the way faster. My legs grow tired from all this, I am not a pony after all.)
They walked into the domed building and were greeted by a simple sight that almost disappointed Fluttershy. Books opened sideways on tables rows by rows and columns by columns with creatures sitting at them with headsets on their ears and glasses over their eyes waving their arms and forelegs like they were painting in the air.
“Is this an asylum?” Fluttershy whispered.
(No, go to a terminal.) Fluttershy cocked her head. Joe rolled his eyes and went to an open computer and sat by it patting a seat for her to sit at. Handing her a set of glasses and earphones from under the table he placed a set on himself and waited for her to follow suit.
“This is kinda different. Is this going to test my vision or-” she stopped as a large horse appeared before her making her scream and fall off the seat with a thud onto the floor. “Joe, that’s a horse here! Where’d it come from?! I’m sorry mister horse…”
The sound of laughter vibrated the entire dome as a voice called out. “System virgin at 8 o’clock!”
Fluttershy turned a shade of red, not from shame from from anger as she jumped into the air hovering in place. Teeth bared and face in a sneer she looked to the horse before her and growled gutturally before the horse flashed away and a squeal filled her ears making her fall to the floor.
Aggressive actions detected. Activating moral discipline deduction. Chipset not found. Identity unconfirmed. Visitor tagged. Please begin guest inquiry.
“Um, Joe?”
(Say hello to System. A device that runs the entire city and knows just about everything. Ask any question and I’m certain there’s an answer.)
“Anything?”
(Anything.)
“Like, I could ask ‘why is sky is blue’ and…”
A clear cloudless day-time sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue
light from the sun more than they scatter red light. When we look towards the sun at sunset, we see red and orange colours because the bluelight has been scattered out and away from the line of sight. There are many events that can affect the color of the sun however such as-
(That’s enough System. Thank you. So you see Flutters, anything.)
Fluttershy blinked and looked in awe at Joe as she adjusted her glasses and the horse reappeared. “Y-you’re System? I thought you were a pony or something.”
I am the system that controls the city, environment, defensive systems and global information relays.
“Global? So there’s more than this city out there?”
System flashed a message across her visor and spoke.
Identifying guest. Please hold still.
…
…
…
Identity confirmed as pony; Pegasus.
Class: Warrior/Defender.
Granted Access Permission Level G-7
Place hoof in slot by entrance/exit portal immediately
Joe and Fluttershy looked to each other wide eyed and then turned to the door where a light lit by a small hole that opened, a yellow light illuminated from it. “Should I?”
(Do as it says, I’ve never seen, heard, or read anything like this happening. You’re the first pony here, who knows what we can learn now.) Creatures stood and looked at the doorway waiting for anything to happen and let their eyes trail to the pony walking slowly to the yellow light.
She looked back to Joe who was at his seat a mere fifty meters away, she felt like he was galloping away at top speed as her anxiety flared.
Just do it ‘Shy, Rainbows voice called from the back of her mind as she reached the doorway and placed her right hoof inside. The light turned green and the small slot closed on her right foreleg, sending the nervous mare into full panic. She screamed and flapped, twisted her foreleg and pulled her best as other creatures ran to her to help in any way they could only to run into an invisible field of energy that appeared from the wall encircling the struggling mare.
The room turned sky blue briefly before Fluttershy was released, the field fell, and she tumbled back into several creatures knocking them down as they broke her fall. She scrambled to her hooved and curled into a crying ball of feathers and fur as System spoke aloud through hidden speakers across the room and flashed messages across the area outside the building.
Owner Operator Detected.
Activating System Override Protocols for User
Full System Access Granted at Level G-7 Access and Clearance
Scanning for higher level access across global net
…
…
...
…
No other users located at remaining (4) facilities, current pony has been granted temporary Level A-1 Access; full control authorized
Please speak your full name…
Fluttershy lay frozen on the floor as she felt every set of eyes on her and looked up and around at the various rodents looking at her in awe. “Um, my name is Fluttershy of Cloudsdale formerly. Currently Outside Ponyville.”
There was a click followed by a rumble beneath the dome that grew louder and heavier. It took less than thirty seconds for the entire dome to be evacuated by the scurrying crazed rodents before they huddled outside; Fluttershy stuck in the middle somewhere watched as the dome trembled then stopped.
The doors opened and several robotic ponies that glittered with shining polished metal , sealed joints and that moved as fluidically as a real creature trotted out and into the growing crowd until one located the yellow mare, trembling behind a garbage container.
A beam of light surrounded Fluttershy as she was pulled to a growing group of five robotic ponies that surrounded her and placed metal bands on her forelegs and one around her neck. She shouted as she struggled then screamed as the bands pinched and pulled her fur. She opened her wings and whinnied at a volume she didn’t know was possible for her tiny body before the robots released her, backed away and lowered to their fore knees, bowing.
The other creatures didn’t know how to react since they didn’t have royalty they simply stood by for the long moments as the robots bowed before they stood tall again.
“What are your orders Fluttershy?” they asked in unison in commanding robotic voices.
“Uh-h-h-h, where’s my element?” she asked as she looked at them in front of her standing imposingly.
“There are 217 elements on the periodic table of elements in Equestria. Please specify.”
“Oh dear,” she said looking around to the creatures who were whispering, some taking pictures and video, “I mean my element of Harmony? A jewel that looks like my cutie mark on a necklace. The element of Kindness?”
“Seeking device; harmony gem 35491774.0025. Located in city named Canterlot.”
“Oh my, if my element is there then why am I here?”
“My my my Fluttershy. So many questions and finally you have all the answers at your hooftips,” Discord’s voice came from one of the robots as it stood tall and morphed into a metal version of himself.
“You have the ability and power to know everything about everything about the entire non-magical facts of the world,” he grabbed a nearby robot that was completely stationary and compressed it into a ball as the onlookers scattered back to watch the interchange.
The robot was morphed into a tactile three dimensional globe that hovered between his hands and began morphing between different creatures, lands, plants, and animals as he continued.
“Will you stay and rule a city of thousands for the next ten thousand years and better all of Equestria and the world? Or, will you give it all up to stop little old me? A creature that wants the same thing as you do, dear Fluttershy. A world in balance.”
“You don’t want a world in balance with anything. You want to rule a globe of nightmares and chaos. To turn every hope and dream into a perversion of their owners reality.” She opened her wings and took the most aggressive stance she could and lowered her voice while raising the volume artificially through her technological band.
“I will stop you and nothing, not even the end of everything and everypony I know will ever stop me from bringing peace back to this land.”
“Oh my, the Royal Canterlot Voice, somepony sure has scared me now,” he said rolling his eyes. His eyes rolled from his face and fell onto the floor where they popped and confetti began floating up. He grabbed the bits and pulled them into a string and began flossing with it before he pulled it into his mouth and through his head severing it.
His head clattered on the ground with a loud clang and several thuds as his body crumbled into complete robotic pieces and circuits.
He reappeared from the ground below Fluttershy with a grin rising from the sidewalk only a few hooves tall. “Dearest Fluttershy, you hold no royal powers and this technology you possess is more ancient than I,” he didn’t notice she had motioned every creature back and had distanced herself from him slightly, “the abilities these machines possess is nothing compared to the grand chaos I can offer and control. You see-”
A beam of green light pounded into him from a reflected spot on the dome on top of the cavern. He screamed and reverted to his true form shaking and trembling, fighting against the beam, each shield he created was shattered. Dozens in a row pounding him into the ground as he struggled to move without avail. The beam stopped and he fell forward to the floor, light wisps of smoke leaving his body.
He lifted his head and raised a claw. “That’s one for old technology versus chaos magic.”
He fell face first melting into the concrete. A flash of light brought the robots back to normal and Fluttershy groaned.
“Great. Back to Canterlot I gue--,” a flash of light engulfed her before she could finish.
Twilight stood and stepped from Zecora’s bathtub, shaking lightly as the water beaded down her coat and into the wooden bathtub. Her hair touched the surface of the water as she stepped out into a towel Zecora was holding, wrapping it gently around the soggy mare.
“Thanks Zecora. I guess I can help some,” Twilight said as she focused her magic and took control of the towel sliding it over her body.
“I see you can use magic some, but what will you do when it must be done? Will you cast a spell to heal if you mean well, or to hurt if it takes too much work?”
“If I understand you right I can use magic as I need to and I’m not reliant on it. I spent most of my life working with my hooves like any non-unicorn pony and my life was doing just fine,” Twilight said, rolling the towel across her tail, soaking up the water as she moved it to her mane, and began roughly drying her neck and head.
“My life was great before that stupid monster popped back up. I had a traveling show with the perfect partner and our love made the stars jealous. The great and powerful Trixie, I’ll do anything to get back to her.”
“So this Trixie is a mare? Why did this monster take you from there? Happiness and joy were things you cherish and this creature means to feed on your pain as though to nourish?”
“Yeah,” Twilight said as the once vanilla color towel was now a light brown, “he’s a god of chaos. He lives off the pain and suffering of others. He took my friends and our weapons to defeat him, and scattered us across the land,” she sighed and looked back at Zecora, who was on the opposite side of the tub smirking.
“Purple pony with power so mild, can you help drain this out in a while?” Zecora asked touching the tub with her hoof.
“Oh yeah. I guess I should help out,” she replied focusing her magic around the tub and struggling to lift it, “it’s really heavy,” she grunted as it lifted off the floor and floated towards her. She backed slowly out the door as Zecora watched with a smile at the struggling unicorn carrying a tub of water out of the room and through the house with caution. Stepping outside with Zecora right behind her Twilight raised the tub and looked to Zecora.
“Well, where do you dump it?”
Zecora giggled. “Silly pony with magic so good, pulled the plug you simply should.”
“Wait,” Twilight said dropping the tub on its side into the grits mixed with dirt splattering the mess and water on the ground, “plug? There was a plug I could have pulled? Why did you make me carry that thing all the way out here?”
“Make you do such a thing I did not, now you must help me clean it out.”
“Darn it that barely even rhymed, and you had me carry a 400 pound tub of dirty water through your house?! What the spell? Is this some game to you?”
“Ah, I see what the problem is my dear. Using magic causes you much fear. May I be of help with the problem of this monstrous whelp?”
“Yes you can Zecora. Help me find my friends and my element, then I can get back to Bea and be happy again! I swear if I never go on another stupid ‘save the world mission’ again it’ll be too soon,” Twilight said, walking to the tub. The tub almost completely empty of water, but now a sludge of mud mixed with the food bits were inside, as well as caked in clumps to the sides.
“Luna Moon dammit,” Twilight said glaring at the mess she had made, “I’m sorry Zecora. I don’t mean to be angry with you. A lot has happened in the last few hours and I can’t get my mind around it all. Just a couple days ago I was cuddling with my partner in show. Now I’m standing in the middle of the Everfree forest with a Zebra in a wasteland of breakfast food and mud!?”
Twilight whinnied loudly and reared landing heavily on the ground. She winced as the sludge splattered across her underbody and then rained several clumps onto her head. She ground her teeth as Zecora watched her tantrum and waited for the moment to pass.
She walked to the slightly messy and very emotionally confused mare placing her side against hers and nuzzling Twilights neck in a comforting way.
“Purple pony with such fury you must not be in such a hurry, the time will show you how to win and make the world you know whole again. Find peace in your heart and before you know it you will play your part.”
Twilight sniffed and looked to her side at the comforting Zebra. “You have a way with words Zecora. Thanks, I needed to hear that, and I really am sorry about your tub. Let me fix it up for you.”
Twilight took a few steps into the muck to the tub and raised it into the air just out of the mess and looked it over. “I know a spell that can clean this but I’m not very good at controlling my magic yet so stand back.” She listened but didn’t stop focusing on the tub as she heard the retreating steps of Zecora.
Focusing on the cleaning spell she had learned at the stronghold before she and her friends began the traveling show several months sooner she smiled. I’ve had almost no use for this spell but lets see how it works.
Her horn glowed brightly as she relaxed and imagined the runes, glyphs, and amount of magic to pull from the aether as she opened her eyes and released. The spell flowed through her like water off your back in a shower and made her skin tingle slightly. She felt a wave of energy surround her and grow in a sphere outwards from her and for a moment she remembered the feeling of absolute power she possessed before banishing the Nightmare spirit from Luna Moon.
Then she gasped. The flood of magic was too much for her to control and it rushed through her body and out her horn. She recalled a high mage telling her to focus on the energy needed when casting a larger spell and don’t get too distracted or the magic will be cancelled.
Why wasn’t it cancelling? Why was it growing? What could she do to stop it?
“Pony? You must stop this spell or you will send us all to hell!” Zecora shouted at the top
of her lungs. Barely a whisper reached Twilight but it was enough to give her a point to focus on. She thought of the cleaning spell again and fell to the ground panting as the light faded from her and washed across the forest and part of Equestria.
“Wh-wh-what happened?” Twilight asked the ground as she lifted her muzzle and refocused her vision.
“Purple pony you have done wonders, never have I seen such a clean blunder.” Zecora stood beside Twilight and pointed. Twilight followed her foreleg and out into the sunlight that now covered the land.
“What the hay?” Twilight said standing tall again and looking around. “The dark feeling is gone and the ground,” she poked the earth and it bounced back slightly, “it’s so fertile I can sense it. The forest is… Zecora, what is this?”
“The forest is healed. No more dark magic resides here,” Zecora said in shock and awe, “the evil spirits; they are clear,” she said with wide eyes as she turned to look at Twilight. She stepped away slowly. “Are you an agent of hell? If so I mean you only well…”
“No, I’m a unicorn pony and I defeated Nightmare moon with my friends.”
“You are the one who leads the ponies that… The leader of… Oh my,” Zecora said stumbling back falling on fresh grass that had just grown.
“Yeah, we’re the elements everypony heard about. Well, I am for now. I don’t know what’s going on completely but I know I have a lot to do and less time to do it all in. Can you help me? Us? The world in any way you can?”
Zecora stood again and smiled at Twilight. “I apologize for my stumbling rhyme, never has that happened in a very long time. I will help in any way I can for the sake of all the lands.”
A flash of light came from Zecora’s house, the pony and Zebra looked at the doorway and smiled. “Rainbow Dash! Where’d you come from?”
Rainbow flew out of the house and tackled Twilight.
“Oh Celestia I’ve missed you Twi! How long’s it been? Two, three days? I was stuck in that place for so long. Hey, who’s the stripey pony? Oh look! I got my element! It was in the couch the whole time. Stupid puzzle but I know that couch and when I went to sleep on it it was totally there but he hid it and it wasn’t a good hiding place at all.”
Twilight coughed lightly and lifted Rainbow off her with magic before rolling to her belly and pushing herself up. “Congrats Rainbow, you’ll have to tell me about your thing later and that is a Zebra. Her name is Zecora and she’s been a great help.”
“Zecora the Zebra? I like it,” Rainbow said flying to Zecora and holding her hoof out in greeting.
“Flying pony of such color the honor is mine, however what is that on your collar?” Zecora asked as she bumped hooves.
“Hey Twilight! She rhymes, that’s so cool. This isn’t a collar though, Fluttershy got one once for a puppy we found and this’ a necklace lady. Magic gold and gems and everything, see?” Rainbow tapped the gem in her necklace and smiled. “Oh, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well and I look forward to being your friend.”
“Wow, did Fluttershy teach you that?” Twilight inquired while she watched Rainbow hover beside Zecora and drape foreleg over her withers.
“Yeah, I have a lotta friends in Ponyville now cuz I’m so nice. Fluttershy’s taught me so much, I hope she’s okay.”
“Ponyville? That’s a town nearby and you can get there in no time if you fly.”
“Oh, I can fly!”
“We know Rainbow Dash but I can’t. What about the others? Have you seen them since me and Fluttershy left?”
“Hey, where is Fluttershy? You two were together and now you’re here. I thought she’d be somewhere around here,” Rainbow said as she hovered and raised a hoof to her brow and looked around, “and where is here exactly? Whitetail woods? Sure is bright.”
“We’re in the Everfree forest Rainbow Dash.”
“Oh, but where’s all the dark spookiness?”
“I, uh.... made it go away?” Twilight said as she smiled awkwardly.
Rainbow squinted her eyes and looked at Twilight for a few seconds as the silence was broken by birds chirping and flying overhead. “Okay, sounds good to me,” Rainbow said smiling and flying to Twilight to hug her.
“Oh my words; never have I seen so many happy birds. The Everfree is a place of fear yet suddenly they flock here?”
“Hey Twilight she’s rhyming again! That’s so cool. Fedora, can you sing too?”
“Zecora is my name silly filly.”
“...Twilight she didn’t rhyme that time,” Rainbow whispered loudly.
“Rainbow she did, technically. Silly filly rhymes.”
“Hey, I rhyme as I must, this is something in which you can trust. Now that I know of you and you know of me, perhaps you can repair what you have damaged from my tree.”
“What the?”
“She means the tub Rainbow. I got a bath after getting joked and then I broke the tub.”
Rainbow looked at Twilight with a form of disgust. “What the hay are you talking about? I don’t even get it, tell you what,” she said holding a hoof up before Twilight could elaborate, “I’m going to fly around quick and scope the scene and maybe find Fluttershy. She’s close by since you’re here she can’t be far.”
“Wait-” Twilight got out before Rainbow was flying up and away leaving her and Zecora looking at a white cloud that moved itself slowly across the sky. “Well that’s that then. She’ll be back soon. Until then let’s just wait here. I don’t see any reason to leave her wondering where we are, she’s kinda simple.”
“Simple as she may seem there is more in her eyes than you would believe, a powerful hunger and strength and a dedication that will never leave. A truer friend is hard to find that will help you out in any bind. Not only that but I see a joy in her that would leave most other quite coy.”
“Well yeah, she has a way about her and I can see something special in her alright but… Hey, are you teasing her?”
“A tease you say? I reply nay, such is not my way,” Zecora said smiling wide and turning to walk into the house. “Goodness me how many more will there be?”
“Oh, is it another friend?”
“Well if it isn’t tattle teats, how’s it hangin’?”
Twilight narrowed her eyes. “Hey Night, glad to see you.”
“I’m kidding plum, it really is great to see you,” Night said ruffling her wings and walking to Twilight offering a hoof. Twilight reluctantly shook and they smiled. “How was your whole find your element thing? We were wandering the castle when we appeared here. Hey, who’s the Zebra?”
“Night, that is no way to speak to our host.”
“No, it’s okay Jack. Her name is Zecora, and this’ her home in the Everfree.”
“Great, now we’re in the Everfree? Sure is, I dunno, happy feeling for once.”
Twilight smiled wide. “I cast a spell and I guess it dispelled the evil. Not too bad if you ask me.”
“What she says is true however for how long is unknown to me and you.”
Night and Jack snickered. “Yer a rhymer? Ya know most Zebra talk normal, only the shamans rhyme.”
“While this is true to speak in such a way is quite rude,” Zecora said frowning as she faced Jack, “and for a pony who acts so true may I ask who are you?”
“Name’s Jack. Applejack but I’m an actress so call me Jack.”
“You know, why not ActressJack? It’s catchy and it fills in the whole Apple family part.”
Jack nickered. “Tried it when I was a bit younger, didn’t fit my publicists marketing plan. Them nobles in Canterlot woulda thought I was pretentious for havin’ such a name.”
Twilight shrugged dismissively. “Just a thought. Anyway, Zecora, should we head in- Wait! AJ, it works for both Applejack and Actressjack. Whatdya think?”
Applejack smirked. “I knew I liked ya for a reason. Now why nopony else thought of that, I’ll never know. Small minded money grubbers is all I bet.”
“Wait, I like it out here. I’ve never been in the Everfree and felt like this,” Night said trotting away stopping at the treeline and taking a deep breath. “I actually feel safe and happy here,” she turned to look back to the others.
“Graaaar!” a voice screamed.
Night screamed and galloped ahead to the others and turned around to see what had just scared her only to hear a giggling sound from the bushes past where she was standing.
“Night, you’re the easiest to scare.”
“Rainbow you punk, when’d you get here?”
Everypony laughed as they enjoyed the moment. “I got here first and heard you talkin’ from up there when I got back and then landed over there and crawled all~ the way to that butch and then screamed and it was so funny,” Rainbow said falling onto her back laughing.
The others had stopped laughing while Rainbow was explaining and chuckled nervously as Rainbow laughed.
“Rainbow, it’s pronounced bush.”
Rainbow gasped and looked to the voice. “FLUTTERSHY,” with one motion she sent her hooves into a full gallop to Fluttershy, only a few lengths away.
“Wait Rainbow,” Fluttershy got out before she was tackled into a hug to the ground. “It’s wonderful to see you too,” she groaned for a second, “too tight Rainbow, too tight,” she said giggling.
“Fluttershy,” Rainbow said sitting up, “what’s with the weird stuff on your legs and neck?”
“Well you see, I kind of found a city under the ground and I may have become their ruler.”
“What?!” the others asked as Zecora raised an eyebrow.
The more I see the stranger this gets, I should try to simply forget.
“You did not,” Night said waving a hoof dismissively.
“Well she did. If she said so then that’s what happened. Fluttershy that’s so cool, so how many ponies? Are they ponies? Are they like gophers or something? They dig holes. What kind of hole are you Princess of? How m-”
Fluttershy put a hoof over Rainbow’s mouth to stop her. “I’ll explain later, what matters now is we’re all together finally.”
“Well, actually, I haven’t seen Scootaloo yet, but if things stay like they are I’m certain she’ll show up in no time.”
They all looked around expectantly for a few seconds scanning the area.
“Or maybe not Twi. Let’s do something, I’m getting bored.”
“Well, this’ Zecora’s place so we should ask her,” Twilight said motioning to Zecora.
“Oh my, I’m sorry if we’re trespassing miss Zecora.”
Zecora chuckled and turned to walk in her house. “I declare, is anypony in here?” she shouted before she crossed the threshold. Nodding to the others she walked in and to the table set against the wall. “If you can grab the other end I would appreciate it and not pretend.”
“Ooo, I got it,” Rainbow said flying ahead and rearing up to the table pushing.
“Rainbow, wait, you push the wrong way. Your end should stay while it is mine first to sway.”
Rainbow giggled letting the table go. “I like how you talk, it’s really funny. Hmm, your words are funny… I want something yummy,” she beamed a smile.
Zecora nodded as she grabbed her side of the oval table and pulled it a few paces back. “Now your side is free to turn only do not go too fast or shame shall you earn.”
Rainbow snickered then nodded pushing the table to a notch in the floor she had just noticed. “Well that was easy.”
“I shall put on some tea, then we can discuss what you need from me,” Zecora stated turning to her cauldron in the center of the room. Placing a carafe inside she poured some of the light yellow liquid in the carafe then proceeded to walk to different shelves gathering herbs and ingredients.
“Hey AJ, is your foal okay?” Rainbow asked. Zecora’s ears flicked to the conversation while she trotted across the room.
“Yeah Rainbow, it’s only been a couple hours. Nothing should have happened in that time. Well besides me being a bit hungrier now.”
“Hungry, and a foal you say? This is by far my most exciting day. Ponies appear right and left, inside and out, one appears and is greeted with a shout. This day is most fun and will be quite the remembered one.”
“Eeyup. I agree with that, no way I’ll ever forget today. Ponies disappearing all around, looking for gems and jewels. Canterlot going all upside down, Discord doing his things. No way history forgets this one.”
“Well I hope not,” Twilight chimed in, “history is written by the winners. I’m pretty sure that ancient writers guild is probably a bowl of fruit being juggled by a fish or something by now and most ponies have a problem remembering specific details under stress.”
“Whatever, ‘Shy can we go play? Race you to the upside down city,” Rainbow said flying to the door before she was stopped inside a force field.
“Wait, upside down city? Ponyville you mean?”
“Yeah, it’s the closest city I saw then I came back here. It’s not totally upside down but most of it is. Well, spinning counts as upside down, right?”
Twilight canceled her spell letting Rainbow catch herself in the air as she pressed a hoof between her eyes. “I was gonna go there with Zecora to get help with my element, what now? Wait,” she looked at the others, “what about your elements?”
“Me and ‘Shy got ours, see? And so did AJ.”
“Well I almost got killed in grits and cursed with, something,” Twilight rubbed the back of her head nervously, “but thanks to Zecora I was fixed. Hey you took a picture, lemme see.”
Zecora laughed mirthfully waving her left foreleg. “I am uncertain you wish to see the photo I have taken, you see.”
“Yes I do, I wanna know what I looked like with a giant tongue.”
The others laughed. “A giant tongue?”
“Well it’s not as funny when it happens to you.”
“Very well, should I show you this you will laugh more than did I tell.”
Zecora went to a shelf and removed the photo snickering. Turning she placed it on the table, backing up and trying to not laugh out loud.
Twilight was the first to see it. She whinnied loudly rearing up and stumbling back in shock as the others looked on in startled awe.
“Fluttershy? Isn’t that a stallions thingy?”
“Oh my, don’t look Rainbow, you’re not ready for that.”
“This. Is. Priceless.”
“Tarnation that’s a big one.”
Zecora poked Twilight who was covering her closed mouth with a few tears streaming down her face. “You were warned to not look, that is a photo that will go in my scrap book.”
Twilight uncovered her mouth enough to speak while glaring at Zecora. “Burn it with fire, please.”
“I shall do no such thing, this is a warning to all you see.”
Twilight rolled to her belly and stood up walking away from the giggling gaggle of ponies to the window by the door. Bea is never gonna know about this... “Wait, do you hear that?”
“Yeah, we’re all laughing at you is what I hear,” Night said happily.
“No, hush, seriously. I hear something outside,” Twilight said hopping left and opening the door. Jumping a few feet outside she listened. He ears turned trying to find the sound that didn’t fit until she heard a growl far in the distance combined with a scream.
“Someponie’s in trouble!” she shouted galloping in the direction of the roar. It was far enough in the distance so she didn’t worry about leading it to her friends, but as she galloped, hopped, and ducked through the bright forest she wondered what she’d do if it was trouble. Combat magic wasn’t a strong point of hers, but she knew a couple emergency spells.
No, her current specialty was illusions with Trixie, so she’d have to use that if she had to fight and couldn’t handle whatever it was. Another scream came from in the distance ahead as she heard flapping behind her. She smiled to herself.
“Don’t worry Twilight, we’re here with you,” Night said from above her. Feeling motivated, she galloped faster, casting small attack spells on branches and objects in her way to clear a path. Feeling proud she focused slightly higher and cast another spell as she stumbled.
“Crap,” she said as she felt the spell overcharge. She shut her eyes and hoped for the best as the others shouted. She felt her chest impact the ground as she stopped the spell. She opened her eyes and groaned as she saw the damage. A swath of destruction in the shape of a cylindrical beam was laid ahead of them through the trees giving them a clear view of the forest in that direction as far as they could see.
“Wow, I’m sorry for every joke I ever made at you,” Night said landing next to Twilight as she was standing again. “How and why did you do that? We lost any element of surprise now.”
“I don’t know how it happened it just did,” she said kicking an exposed root. “Rainbow, can you go higher and tell me what you can see?”
“Sure thing,” Rainbow said saluting to her ground based friend from above and taking higher into the sky.
“Let’s wait until she’s back and then go back to finding the pony that needs our help, she can’t be too far now.”
Another scream pointed them in the direction they needed to go and they took off. Night took to the air meeting up with Fluttershy while Twilight and AJ galloped ahead.
Ahead they heard another roar getting closer and heard voices. “Almost there girls. Do you see anything up there?”
“Um, no. I’m sorry, I mean not yet.”
“I see a Manticore! Chasing somepony, it’s about a mile out, we’re almost there,” Night shouted, taking a faster pace gliding higher as Fluttershy stayed level above the canopy. Rainbow came in from the sky and leveled next to Fluttershy and they spoke a few words but kept on the path.
“Help, anypony. Night? Rainbow Dash, are you there?”
The others gasped and kept their pace to catch up to their friend.
Amber jumped through a large bush landing and galloping ahead as Scootaloo chased behind her using her forearms as guards against the various bushes and branches that were in their path. Panting she did her best to keep up but her human body was no match for either pony or beast running.
“Amber, what do I do? I can’t run much longer,” Scootaloo shouted as her blue dress tore slightly on a low branch.
“You’re a human, we can fight. Do you know how to fight?”
“NO, I’m a filly pony not a soldier and I’m in a filly human body.”
Amber stumbled but caught herself as she led the way the best she could. “A girl, not a filly. We’re almost there, keep up.”
“Almost, where? Where, are, we, going?”
Great, her body’s getting tired. I feel like I can go another mile easy. C’mon, keep the kid going. “We’re almost there, just keep running. That mannycore can’t move fast through the trees like we can.”
“But he’s, not, stopping! I’m scared Amber,” Scootaloo shouted before calling for help with her last great breath.
“There has to be someone out here, please, anyone help,” Amber shouted looking back to see Scootaloo leaning on a tree gasping. She took a few more steps ahead then began jogging behind Amber to keep a pace.
“I’m thirsty and I gotta pee. This body sucks, how do you live with this?”
“Shuttap and follow me,” Amber said galloping ahead again to the chagrin of Scootaloo who was starting to wheeze.
Amber jumped through another large bush and gasped as she approached two ponies who looked at her with a sudden beaming smile. Running past she felt her joy peak before hearing a roar. Fear replaced it as she passed them without looking back. They turned and followed her at full pace as Scootaloo climbed through the bush.
She felt her heart drop as she saw AJ and Twilight chasing her old self. “H-h-hey, I-I’m here,” she panted unable to yell. She took a dozen steps before her lungs felt like they were burning, her throat was dry and scratchy and her muscles gave way causing her to fall forward.
”Please, don’t let me die here,” she whispered reaching her hand towards the vanishing ponies she called friends. The beast drew closer and she knew she couldn’t do anything so she sighed and let her face fall into the ground. Closing her eyes she awaited the beast’s maw on her legs first. Maybe her back, so it could toss her about for a while. Playing with their food was a common thing carnivores did, she had heard that but she didn’t understand why. Food was there, eat it or don’t. Why play with it? Were these going to be her last thoughts? She moved her arms under her and did a pushup moving her knees under her.
“If I’m gonna die I’m going out like a pony,” she said preparing to buck the bushes behind her. She screamed and kicked the air behind her twisting and wiggling as she felt a firm pinch to her sides.
(Stop fighting, Thing, or I’ll drop you for the beast.)
Scootaloo stopped moving and choked, coughing roughly and wincing as her throat felt like it was going to bleed. “N-Night?”
(What? I don’t understand you, creature?)
Scootaloo looked ahead and smiled relaxing her body.
(“Flock it you’re heavy, I’ve carried boulders lighter than you.)
I missed you too. She looked left and right to see Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash to either side.
(Heya scoots, you look really weird. Did you get a new dress?)
(Rainbow, that isn’t Scootaloo. Don’t be rude. “Um, creature, when we land we can speak civilly, please don’t be afraid.)
Scootaloo felt her smile fade. “Fluttershy? Why’re you talking weird?”
(What is she saying?) Night asked Fluttershy.
(I don’t know. It’s a language I’ve never heard but I may learn it quickly, depending on what kind of animal it is.)
(This isn’t Scootaloo, it’s some creature I saved from that monster. I didn’t see you doing anything, by the way.)
(Well, I was gonna help but I thought I’d wait to see if she’d fly herself.)
Night groaned loudly as she banked left quickly to go straight to Zecora’s house and not worry about the rally point.
“Hey, I heard my name in there I think, what’re you talking about? I’ve gotta pee. Are we there yet? C’mon guys talk to me, I got so much to tell you,” Scootaloo whined.
(Any luck understanding her yet Shy?)
(I almost understood something but this would be so much faster on the ground where I can actually engage her and understand her better.)
(Ohhh, so you need to do something like hang out with her before you can know her?)
Fluttershy and Night turned to stare at Rainbow Dash intently.
(Yes, actually. That’s a very good way to put it. Thank you very much Rainbow Dash.)
Fluttershy felt a slight headache forming but chose to ignore it. It’s just stress. Once I drink some legendary Zebra tea I’ll be in a much better place.
Looking ahead Night smiled as she steadied into a glide to rest her wings. (Almost there, I can’t wait to get this thing off me, she weighs as much as any two stallions.)
(Wait, how’re you carrying her then? You shouldn’t be able to hold her this long, are you fibbing to us?) Rainbow asked.
(You never told her about focusing magic?) Night asked Fluttershy.
(Well we aren’t there yet and, well, I don’t really know how. I didn’t make it into flight school and I was,) she glanced to Rainbow, (indisposed before I learned that myself.)
Fluttershy blushed and looked ahead again. Night nickered to Scootaloo’s surprise. (Great, I’ve gotta play guard to this thing and teacher to all you others. What a flocking day.)
(Oh my, please watch your language around the creature. You don’t want that to be it’s first word in our language?)
(Well, it’d make it more interesting. Hey creepy creature, can you say ‘buck your flocking spellbook’, huh, can you?) Scootaloo smiled at Night but didn’t say anything.
“I hope you start talking normal soon, this’ really tough. And I really gotta go, are we almost there?”
Night leveled to the ground and released Scootaloo to the earth, letting her stumble and fall on her own before landing herself. Fluttershy and Rainbow landed beside Night and they all looked at Scootaloo; the human.
(So, now what? Do we tie it up and march it around?)
(That’s cruel! You can not be serious; taking a creature and treating it like a dog.)
(How’s it cruel? Maybe it is a dog, just different. I see Diamond Dog in its movements.)
(Girls, why’re you talking about Scoots like that? Can’t you see her?)
The others looked to Rainbow again. (Rainbow,) Fluttershy started, (that isn’t Scootaloo, we saw her running with Twilight and AppleJack, remember?)
(Well then there’s two of them, remarbleless, this one is our Scoots.)
“Hey!” Scootaloo shouted getting their attention. Her hands were on her hips and she wore an angry frown that spoke between species at her displeasure. “I don’t know what’s going on but this isn’t funny. Talk normal and tell me what’s going on and where we are and when you learned that language and what it is.”
(S-she’s talking again,) Rainbow whispered, (hey Scoots. I like your new look but it’s really weird, can you change back to normal?)
Night rolled her eyes and looked to Fluttershy and nodded her head in Scootaloo’s direction. Fluttershy took a step back and forced a smile.
(H-hello, um, thing that isn’t a Diamond Dog,) Night reached up and pressed a hoof to her forehead, (m-my name is Fluttershy. Can you speak slower so I can try to understand you?)
Scootaloo huffed and crossed her arms. “Fluttershy, what the hay are you saying?”
(Hey! She said your name ‘Shy. Told ya,) Rainbow beamed.
Fluttershy pointed a hoof to herself then the others. (Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Midnight Strike.)
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know who you are… Ohhhh, but you don’t know who I am,” she pointed to herself and spoke slowly. “I. Am. Scootaloo.”
The others gasped and took a step back. (S-she must have heard you say that name Rainbow, right?)
“You are my,” she gestured to her friends with her arms and clapped her hands together, “friends. We fought Nightmare. Moon. Big rainbow boom,” she made an explosion noise and expanded her hands.
“You fixed your wing and eye,” she pointed to Fluttershy’s wing followed by covering her eye, then pointing to Fluttershy’s healed eye.
Fluttershy gulped heavily as Scootaloo pointed to Rainbow and pressed her hand to her throat and spoke hoarsely. “I live in tree, now I live in cottage. Boom,” she spoke normally, “now I am everypony’s friend.”
She looked to Night and scowled. “I can’t really do anything about you.”
Rainbow laughed. (She nailed you perfectly,) she pointed to Night as she giggled.
Night tittered and looked to Fluttershy. (Any luck? What language is it?)
(I-I don’t know. She’s not an animal, I can’t communica- owww,) she groaned holding her head and falling to her chest.
(FLUTTERSHY!) Rainbow screamed leaping to her friend and placing a hoof to her back. Scootaloo gasped and took two steps before Night turned and bore her teeth, opened her wings and took a fighting stance.
(Try it and we’ll see what color your blood is,) she growled through a sneer.
“B-but I might be able to help Fluttershy,” she said backing up slowly, moving her arms out, palms open, to show she meant no harm.
(Stay the buck back, creature. You may know something about us but we know nothing of you,) Night growled.
Fluttershy held her head whimpering as her necklace made a whirring noise getting Rainbow’s attention. Before she could ask Fluttershy screamed in agony and rolled over clutching her head, then she stopped and lay still, her head held high, her breath steady as she looked around.
(“Oh my. What was that?”)
“Fluttershy! I understood you, thank Celestia you’re alright. What happened?”
(“Scootaloo? I-is that really you?”)
(Hey, what’s going on? You can understand her now?) Night asked maintaining her stance.
(“Yes, I can, I think. Scootaloo?”)
“Yeah! I’m me alright. What’s with the weird language you’re speaking?”
(“Oh my. Can you tell me what happened to you?”)
Fluttershy got up and Rainbow returned to her side, draping a wing over Fluttershy and pulling her in for a close hug before moving a pace away.
“Discord.”
The others looked at her. The name they understood. Night relaxed and ruffled her wings before closing them to her sides and sighing. (So, this’ Scootaloo? Did he do this to her as another joke?)
(“It seems so,”) Fluttershy said walking closer and standing taller, (“Can you prove you’re Scootaloo?”)
“I-I don’t know how else? I told you about our fight with Nightmare Moon and you getting healed,” she said taking a knee and looking into Fluttershy’s eyes. On her knees she was slightly shorter than Fluttershy so it gave them a chance to look each other over closely.
“‘Shy, you look different too. Like, more fluffy. It must be these human eyes, they see different than my pony eyes.”
(“H-human? Like from those shows and books and that one mare-”)
(Lyra!) Rainbow shouted in.
(“Yeah, Lyra… aren’t h-human… c-carnivores?”) she said stopping and leaning back slightly.
“Nah, Amber said we can eat anything ponies do… and meat too, without getting sick. and I have no intention of trying it out.”
Night hopped forward and opened her wings slightly. (Is she threatening you?)
(“No, she’s just telling me she… mean us no harm in this form. Her body is very different and she sees things differently than we do, she says.”)
“Well, thats kinda what I said. So, where’s the other me? Amber I mean? Discord swapped our bodies,” she said reaching out to touch Fluttershy.
Fluttershy took a hesitant step forward and lowered her head into Scootaloo’s hands. Her fingers pressed lightly through Fluttershy’s soft coat and to her mane, pulling her into a soft hug. “I missed you. I was in there for, like, hours.”
(“How… wait, hours? Rainbow,”) she asked pulling back and looking at the cyan mare who was poking at a bug on the ground.
Looking up she smiled. (Yup?)
(“How long were you in the… where you found your element?”) she asked, cautious to avoid a trigger word that might upset Rainbow.
Rainbow sat and tapped a hoof to her chin. (About a day or so, why?)
(“Night?”)
(An hour, maybe, after everypony separated, why?)
(“Well, I was gone maybe, half an hour. It seems as though, while we’re all here now, we were gone for different times, so-)
(GIRLS! I’m so glad you’re alright,) Twilight shouted as she hopped into view, Amber on Applejack’s back. (You’ll never believe, oh! You found Scootaloo, the real one, but in this one’s body.)
Everypony looked to the Scootaloo on Applejack’s back. “Heh, heya. I’m Amber, from earth.”
(Hey, why can we understand her and not the real Scoots that isn’t the real Scoots but is--) Rainbow began mumbling to herself, trying to understand how to say the obvious.
“It was a ‘joke’ by Discord,” Amber said sliding off Applejack, “I was in that forsaken house for about a year, but it felt like forever, to be honest. And by the way, who the hell are you all?”
(“I’m Fluttershy, that’s Rainbow Dash,”) who smiled before turning away to find another bug to follow, (“she’s in therapy and I’m her-)
(She’s my best friend ever!)
(Wouldn’t be surprised if she was more sometimes,) Night said softly.
(Shut. Up. Night,) Twilight hissed.
“Woah, so you’re a lesbian? Are you like, the only one or something?”
Rainbow turned around. (Nah, most mares are sometimes. I’m not but Fluttershy said-)
(“Nothing! Nothing about that is what I said,”) she interjected starting to blush. Twilight blushed slightly.
(I had no idea ‘Shy, I’m sorry.)
(What the hay, Night!? You apologize to her but you tease me all the time!?) Twilight said loudly.
(Girls, lets discuss this later. First we have to get to Zecora’s, there’s still a Manticore on the loose and it’s probably hungry enough to track us. We have to move,) Night urged as her ears began to swivel before locking behind her. A tremble shuddered through her body as her eyes widened.
(Shit.)
A low growl loudly rumbled through the air filling all their chests with terror, their hind brains first instinct kicked in; whinnying loudly they all began galloping blindly ahead, turning and swerving through trees. Scootaloo stood behind, frozen in place.
Why aren’t I running? C’mon body, move. Get away, don’t stay here...
She felt a hot breath on her back and turned her head slowly to see the beast looking at her. Her heart pounded in her chest, then she did something she never expected.
“Heh, heheh. Hahahahahe,” her laugh grew. The manticore’s face turned puzzled. Never had a meal laughed at him before. Cocking his head to the side he watched as she faced him and, still standing, laughed harder.
“Y-y-you, hahahahehe, you smell like candy to me,” she giggled as she sniffed at the beast. “Mmm, carrot cupcakes? What did you eat last, mister monster?”
“Hrrghmnm?” it responded, confused at the reaction. It sniffed Scootaloo and took a step back and sat on it’s rear, looking at her, puzzled. As if it were deciding if this was a meal or, something else.
“Hey, you’re kinda fuzzy too. Can I, can I touch you before you eat me?” she asked slowly raising a hand and holding it in place.
Looking at her hand he sniffed closer to her, standing slowly, then took a step forward and inhaled deeply. Her blood was metalic, her skin was soft and sweet, her hair was short and wouldn’t make a hairball. A perfect meal, but he didn’t desire her flesh. He leaned in and pressed his head lightly to the palm of her hand and felt awash in calm.
“Aww, you’re not so bad. I kinda wonder what you taste like though, since you’re about to eat me and all,” she sighed as she raised her other hand and placed it to his face and pulled him into a warm hug. His head was as large as her whole preteenage human body was, but she didn’t care.
She felt compelled to hold him by a sense she didn’t entirely understand. With a heavy, hot huff that blew her dress around and warmed her legs the manticore fell to its belly and let a soft purr vibrate its body and its tongue slowly slid from its mouth. A light brush against her feet made her giggle as the manticore sighed and looked at her.
Their eyes met and for a time they regarded each other. A twitch of its ears got her attention, she looked where they were pointed and let him go, turning to face her friends. All deeply blushing and embarrassed they stood a ways back looking at the duo holding each other.
(How the hay did she tame a flocking manticore?) Night asked, mouth agape.
(Wel-Ah-I-uh, hmm.) Applejack stammered before looking to Twilight.
(Don’t look at me? I was running faster than all of you. Fluttershy, can you-)
(I know! She’s totally all warm, can’t you feel it?) Rainbow said excitedly.
(...Warm?) Twilight asked.
(Yeah,) Rainbow said sitting and smiling at Scootaloo, (her body is warming my heart, don’t you feel it? It must be human magic, right Antler?)
“My name’s Amber and I don’t know,” she looked cautiously at the creature her tiny body was standing next to, “I mean there are some legends of my people befriending beasts, but those are under weird circumstances.”
(“This counts as weird, I think,”) Fluttershy said softly, (“Also, I was wondering how you’re able to speak both our languages and Scootaloo can’t.”)
“Oh, why that would be thanks to me,” Discord’s voice chimed in. Everyone looked around to find him to no avail until Scootaloo reached back to touch the manticore. “Oh my, please, not there until we’ve been properly introduced,” he said softly.
With a scream she hopped back and took a fighting stance, surprised she was able to so well and quickly in her new body.
(Discord, I swear if you don’t fix this I’m gonna do to you what I did to Nightmare Moon.)
“Oh?” he smirked as he stood tall and waved a claw, conjuring a small rainbow in the air, “you’ll try to stab me then throw gems at me? Honestly Night, I expected at least a little more from the soldier who sold our her friends, comrades, and entire species just to save little old me.”
He extended his fingers and the rainbow exploded like a rainboom filling several square feet in radius. “A rainboom isn’t quite enough to do more than offer a light show and those silly elements of yours,” he held his paw up. Twilight’s, Fluttershy’s, and Night’s gems were dangling from his fingers.
With a sneer he glared at the group then glanced at Scootaloo who was inching her way back to the others. “You think that any of you have a chance to defeat me? Return me to stone? Stop my chaos from making this place far more interesting and fun?! The audacity, the gall, the… oh the chaotic thought process that takes! I can almost taste it,” he laughed jovially.
“Oh my, what is this I see? A dragon, pony, and other things all in one. You also laugh like a creature that loves to have fun.”
“Oh my, a Zebra? Is she your secret weapon?” he raised his claw slowly and a chair rose from the earth that he fell upon and rested his chin on his knee, then raised his head, leaving his mouth. “So, Zebra, do you rhyme all the time or is it only when you feel like slime on a dime?”
Zecora smiled and exhaled a puff of smoke then stumbled to the side catching herself just barely. “I can see that you look funny and you rhyme in type the way a child plays in the wa~ves in the sea… where I once peed,” she burst into laughter and fell to her chest laughing.
“Oh my, that is rich indeed. The Zebra is smoking some herbs?”
“Funny dragon that I do not know, would you care to take a blow?” she asked pulling a small pipe from her mane that blended in so well even Discord didn’t see it.
“Oh my, making peace with the god of chaos? I can certainly accept the offer but do not agree to peace on these terms alone.”
He grabbed the arm of the chair, ripping it like paper from its place, and stood tall, his mouth replacing itself on his face as he walked to Zecora.
“Zecora, don’t let him get too-” with a glance all the mares, and Scootaloo, were encased in bubbles that held their voices at bay.
“Wait your turn, never pass on the peace pipe,” he scolded.
He raised the arm of the chair, what was once a tree root was now a bull horn. “I ACCEPT YOUR OFFER,” he whispered into the amplifier. Zecora giggle madly and rolled to her side.
“That thing you use vibrates the air, now I will not be able to hear.”
She reached into the back of her mane and pulled a small leather pouch and placed it on the ground before her. Fumbling to open it she couldn’t grasp the drawstring grunting in frustration. Looking to him with pleading eyes as she lain in a bowing position he smiled at her before leaning down and picking the pouch up.
Turning the bullhorn speaker up he pulled the string and poured the whole contents into it. Holding the handle he pulled his extra tooth off and it burst into flames. Dropping it into the speaker bowl he pulled a heavy breath in from the handle. Holding it for six seconds he sighed exhaling a blue mist.
Zecora stood tall and looked at him proudly. “I heard you speak of your way out of prison like it was a yolk. I offer to you; the poison joke,” she bowed slightly.
He coughed heavily and his eyes widened. “Oh, clever girl.”
He grunted and looked to his feet as they became encased in stone. Then laughed as it crept up his body. As it reached his chest and his arms froze he looked to Zecora. “Oh dear, I think I’m… Stoned.”
Before he could let a laugh go the bubbles surrounding the mares and girl popped and his body was encased in stone; A laugh filled his expression.
“Wait, that was it? Ya got him to smoke a silly herb and he’s gone?”
“No, it was poison joke, the same flower that gave your friend a manly yoke.”
Twilight blushed and covered her mouth with a hoof while Scootaloo hopped in place. “So, am I gonna get my body back?” she gasped. “I understood you! AJ, say something else.”
She jogged a few paces to Rainbow and gave her a tight hug. “Finally, I can hold the coolest pony… Oh my, you’re so fluffy I could die, Dash.”
“We must go and time we must not waste; the spell will not last, let’s move post haste,” Zecora said as she turned and walked back to her home, carrying the bull horn in her tail.
Everyone looked to her then each other. Finally to Discord. “If he’s not in prison then we should go,” Fluttershy said in resignation. She was the first to follow Zecora and the others followed. Rainbow Dash to her side talking about the weather. Amber had climbed to Applejack’s back again while the others stood guard while Scootaloo relieved herself in the bushes. With a light blush Scootaloo left with her friends leaving the stoned Draconequus in the forest.
A low growl rumbled the air around Discord after they had left.
Zecora led them quickly to her home and opened the door, ushering them in. Taking the bull horn she dropped it on the floor and stomped on it several times until there were broken pieces littering the floor around her hooves. She picked up the handle and quickly dropped it in her cauldron then looked to the other mares and girl.
“Quickly, we must get the right stuff. This concoction will be tough. You three go and get some green roots from flowers with blue shoots and buds of two, as high as your knee. Twelve minutes run to the east, be quick and move fast like you ran from a beast.”
She looked to Applejack, Twilight, and Fluttershy. They looked to each other then turned to gallop out the door.
“From you I need bark from a tree that is minutes by two. Run northwest to a tree that is the size of thee,” she pointed to Amber and Night, “the bark is tasty but bring it to me. Do not eat it and do not waste, we need this right away. Post haste.”
“Um, what can we do?” Scootaloo asked as she rocked between her feet keeping balance with uncertainty. She squatted and fell back onto her butt with a light thud. “Ow, it never hurt when I was a pony.”
“Scoots, why are you not a pony now? I mean, you’re still you but, not… It’s weird to see you like this. OH! Ahouizotl, you look like him kinda.”
“The arch meninenisis of Daring Doo,” she said scrunching her face, “my most favorite hero in the books I readed, uh, read.”
Rainbow trotted to the other side of Scootaloo and sniffed her hair and poked her soft skin lightly. Scootaloo pulled back reflexively.
“Ow, your hooves are scratchy, Rainbow Dash. Why did you do that?”
Rainbow poked her again, this time in the chest. With a light gasp Scootaloo blushed as she crossed her arms over her chest and turned away.
“Dash, those are really sensitive. Don’t touch there, okay?”
Rainbow and Zecora looked to her with concern. “A-are you hurt? Scoots, you shoulda told us,” Rainbow said taking a step back and looking at the dress closer. “I don’t see, erhm, blood. Is it a bruises?”
“What? No, Rainbow Dash. This body is different than my pony body,” she said feeling her face heat up in embarrassment.
“Well no duh, you’re like, all weird. I’ve never seen a creature like you in my whole life,” Rainbow said rearing and waving her forelegs in the air for effect.
“Not only like that… these here,” she moved her hands to her chest and cupped her budding breasts, “are where they have their teats, and it’s really weird,” she said crossing her legs and hugging herself tightly. “Why am I still like this, Zecora? Your name’s Zecora, right?”
Zecora nodded. “That is indeed my name, if you forgot do not speak with shame.”
“Heh, she rhymes too, Scoots.” Rainbow observed.
“Yeah, I can see that. Zecora, why am I like this? Can you make some magic like they said on the way back that could fix me?” Scootaloo sniffled a little and did her best to make a sad face that would entice Zecora to do what she could; but without her pony features it didn’t work too well.
“Little pony is a human body your attempt to sway me is most naughty. I will not do what I cannot so until then away I shall trot.”
Scootaloo harumphed and looked to Rainbow. “I miss my tail too.”
“It’s okay Scoots, Zecora will fix you, right Z?”
“Hm, I have never had such a short name, I like it and thank you,” she giggled softly, “it is like my mane.”
“Wow, you really do rhyme a lot. Do you ever, ya know, stop rhyming and talk normal?”
Zecora smiled and turned to face Scootaloo. “First of all I can not change you back, it is in the power of the dragon; heart of black. Second is easy too, I rhyme now and always shall. I have now answered you. You must answer me a question true, what does it feel like to be this new you?”
“Hmm,” Scootaloo looked to Rainbow then back to Zecora, “well, it’s weird. I see different, smell things different, I bet I taste things different too. Amber said I was an um, un-knee-thor?”
Zecora slowly opened her mouth as she looked at Scootaloo, trying to form the rhyme. “Uh, um,” she scratched the back of her head and looked to the floor, “you see the problem to beat is you have to eat meat,” she finally said.
Scootaloo and Rainbow gasped. “I-I know, she told me. But, I don’t have to live off it only, right?”
Zecora forced a smile. “This is true, but you cannot eat what used to please you. Your diet now must be vegetation and meat or you will not be able to stand on your own two feet.”
“That’s what those things are called! I knew I remembered the word from the Daring Doo book! Ahouizotl has three of them and… um,” Rainbow looked up quickly, “clams!”
Zecora laughed. “Hands are what you think, clams are what some eat.”
“Oh. Well, I was close,” she said smiling wide and standing tall, proud of her attempt.
“Dash, you’re so silly,” Scootaloo said giggling. She covered her mouth with the back of her left hand while she moved her legs and leaned back onto her right. “Ya know, this new body does have it’s ups too.”
“Really, Scoots? Like what, you can eat whatever you want, so I know that’s a thing that could be helpful since sometimes monsters are scary and if you try to eat them they’ll run away!”
The others giggled. “No, I mean like I can smell things better and the colors are so much more, I dunno, brighter. I tamed that manticore with my feelings so maybe there’s a lot more than I know about being a human and Amber can tell me later.”
“Well, I bet that manticore was just Discord in disguise. He’s tricky like that, so we better be careful of other manticores that show up.”
Zecora turned to a shelf and began gathering ingredients, walking to the pot and adding them one at a time while Scootaloo and Rainbow talked.
“I don’t think so, that manticore started chasing us from the second we stumbled into it’s den trying to figure out where we were. It was totally gonna eat us, but I know I’d have beat it before I coulda chomped me,” she said waving a hand.
Rainbow watched Scootaloo’s hand with reverent awe. She raised her hoof and waved it.
“Rainbow, what’re you doing?”
“It’s so neat how bendy that cla-hand is. Can you do other stuff with it? And what were you talking about your teats moving up there? And why did you have to pee the way you did? And why is your mane only on top of your head?”
Scootaloo laid back and looked at the ceiling as Rainbow pelted her with questions. Several questions later Rainbow took to the air and hovered over Scootaloo.
“And most important, where’s your wings? How can I learn you to fly if you don’t got your wings, ya know?”
Scootaloo scrunched her face and rolled to her side using her hands as a pillow. “They’re on my old body with her. I might never fly, but I heard humans fly around to mate and stuff so maybe there’s a way.”
Zecora snickered but the others didn’t pay her attention.
“So, you’re saying you have to mate to fly? That’s crazy! You’re still a filly and you haven’t even gone into that thing growed up have, you know,” she raised her tail slightly and pointed back, “back there when you have to really wanna do stuff but you can’t cuz it only feels good when you put stuff-”
“Oh my Dash, the words you speak are not for her ears. You must take care before you tell about the birds and the bears.”
“Hey, I know about that stuff,” Scootaloo said sitting up and rolling to her knees, “mostly.”
Scootaloo winced as her knees stung from the floor. She rocked back to her feet and fell back to her butt again. “Darn, I can’t get up. This human thing is so weird.”
“Hey, you didn’t answer my questions, Scoots.”
Scootaloo sighed and looked to her dress and the tears across it, the slight trickle of blood that had stained a spot by her calf, and the dirt across the bottom.
“I think I should get new clothes,” she said sitting up and trying to pull the dress off. She stopped when she heard it rip slightly.
“Ya know, Scoots, ya can’t take it off sitting on it.”
Scootaloo blushed slightly then rolled to her hands and knees. Pushing herself up carefully she stood, finally, and looked down at Rainbow. “You’re pretty small.”
“Awe, I know I’m pretty. Fluttershy tells me every time we take a bath together.”
Zecora stumbled and dropped a bottle of flowers onto the floor as she snickered before composing herself and going back to mixing ingredients.
Scootaloo and Rainbow looked at each other again and shrugged. “Well, I guess I’ll get outta this thing.”
Scootaloo pulled the dress up and off, dropping it in front of her feet. “Holy Celestia, Scoots, where’s your fur and… wow, everything’s all different.” Rainbow looked at Scootaloo and hovered around her looking at the quickly blushing peach skinned human before her.
“No tail, wings, fur, little bitty mane, your teats are all the way up there and lookit your place, it’s all weird,” Rainbow said as Scootaloo watched her friend size her up. She felt very, naked. She leaned down and picked up her dress and began to put it back on.
“Hey, I was looking! Why’re you covering up again, I have so many questions now!” Rainbow said jovially.
Scootaloo’s blush grew deeper as she pulled her arms into the dress and stumbled a step back, keeping her balance barely.
“How are you changing colors? You were kinda pinkish but now you’re reddish. Are you getting human sickness?”
“Silly pony of colors so many, she is shy and you are not helping by looking so close. Leave her be and help me get those,” Zecora pointed to a staff leaning against the wall. Rainbow smiled wide again before landing and trotting happily to it. Grasping it in her mouth she walked it to Zecora.
“Rainbow Dash, can you give her the staff?”
Rainbow looked to Zecora and raised an eyebrow before nodding and turning to Scootaloo. Leaning forward when she was close enough she waited for Scootaloo to take it in her mouth. Instead she reached with her hands and grasped the staff to Rainbow’s surprise.
Zecora smiled and reared up and held out her hooves. Scootaloo looked to Rainbow then Zecora and carefully tossed the staff to her.
Grasping the staff, Zecora spun it expertly and moved faster than it seemed she should. The staff whooshed in the air and Zecora spun around, kicking the air, landing on her rear legs with the staff leaning against her back she balanced and nodded to Scootaloo.
“I can see you are meant to stand to fight, if you wish I will teach you to do it right.”
Scootaloo and Rainbow were awestruck and slowly looked to each other before launching to a question barrage against Zecora. She held a hoof up and fell forward to all fours.
“Answers will come in time. For now just listen to me rhyme. We will wait the next few moments for the others to return, then we will cast a spell to keep the beast from being a burden.”
“That didn’t totally rhyme,” Rainbow chimed in sitting by Scootaloo.
Zecora shrugged and sat by the cauldron in silence.
Discord began to chip out of the stoned state he was in. As he freed his head first he looked around and frowned to see the world moving sideways and a huffing noise behind him. He rolled his eyes and waited for the rest of himself to become free while he was being carried by the manticore, possibly back to its den.
Discord groaned, stopping the beast in its tracks. It dropped him and shattered the rest of the stone holding him. Standing up Discord bent backwards and twisted his body. A series of cracking sounds emanated from his body before he looked to the manticore.
“Oh, how rude of me. Care for some nuts?” he asked untwisting himself and freeing a small flood of shelled nuts around him. The manticore growled and sneared at his prey. “Oh, don’t jest me silly child. I’ve been through more than you can offer,” he snapped his fingers and was dressed as a carnie; chair and bullwhip in his paw/claws.
The manticore backed up and roared loudly. “Down Simba, back!” Discord shouted, transforming the manticore into a small lion cub with a red mane, “there, much less a bother. Shoo kitty,” he said cracking the whip near the tiny cub who yelped and turned to run away.
“Now, where was I? Oh, that’s right.” A small flash of light and he was outside Zecora’s home, the size of a small bug, watching as Scootaloo put her dress back on. “Well, glad I missed that. I’m many things, that is not one of them. Different species or not, I leave them their dignity. Oh my, what’s this? The Zebra is a fighter?
“This is too rich,” he grinned and closed his eyes, sensing the location of the others, “time to have some more fun,” he chuffed.
With a flash he was far above the everfree and took a look around to scout the landscape grinning widely. He raised his hands above his head and began to focus a spell of randomness, delving deeply into his chaotic magic.
“This’ gonna be good, or bad. We’ll see together, my little ponies,” he said with a wry smile.
Applejack, Twilight, and Fluttershy reached the bushes, a small clearing nearby with a spring running through it filled the area with lapping water creating a peaceful quiet. Looking to the bush Twilight began picking flowers while Applejack turned to the clearing.
“‘Shy, wanna come with me ta drink quick? I’m getting a bit parched from that run and we still have to get back,” Applejack asked.
Fluttershy nodded and looked to the sound, then up to the trees. “I don’t hear any animals, it’s unnerving. Twilight,” she spoke softly, “hurry, I don’t like this. There are always animals in a forest.”
The others looked to each other with growing concern and nodded. “Drinkin’ can wait, let’s get the flowers and get back.”
Amber and Night looked at the tree they were sent to and then to each other, then back to the tree with caution. “She didn’t say anything about it being glowing blue with thorns guarding it.”
“Well, back on my world we’d call this a trap. We’d better just get back,” Amber said as she turned and began trotting back.
“Woah… whatever you are. We have to get this bark so help out.”
“Did you even get a reason why? I sure as fuck didn’t.”
Night’s eyes widened, ears pressed to her head, she took a step back in surprise. “Y-you just used a bad word.”
“Yeah, aren’t you like, an adult? You swear all the time.”
“W-well, we say things related to our races mostly. ‘Buck’, ‘flock’, ‘spell’. Like that, never a heavy one,” Night said sheepishly.
“Great, I’m surrounded by kids. I’m going back, you get poked by a poison thorn if you want.”
Night watched Amber walk away with her head held high in pride, then back to the thorn covered tree and sighed. She turned and cautiously followed the tiny pony back to Zecora’s.
“Urrugh! How much longer do we have ta be in this heat, Twilight?” Applejack grumbled as she pulled a makeshift sled with a barrel of water on it.
“What? Anyway, for the millionth time, I don’t know. It’s just our luck we land in a desert without water besides what Discord left us. At least Zecora had enough in storage to help us get moving,” Twilight replied, her own sled carrying the more full barrel of water.
Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Night were in the air above them providing poor, but usable, shade and scouted for civilization or dangers. So far they’d had a bad feeling about where they were.
The sky was slightly duller and less vibrant than what they were used to, and the clouds were so much higher. Rainbow and Night had tried to race to them to gather them for shade and nearly lost breath from exertion they used to reach them.
Amber was sitting on Zecora’s back while the Zebra pulled a sled containing a box. She was also having problems with their reaction to her personality. She was more, abrasive, than what they were used to; they were too cheery and positive for what she was used to. Most of her time had been spent in relative silence.
Not more than two days before they were elated to have possibly destroyed Discord and gotten back to their lives; then everything they knew vanished and they were outside the land they knew, the magic they had used and felt all their lives, and the stability of routine they had become accustomed to were gone.
The night was only several hours long and the day was already past what should have been noon, only the place the sun had drifted meant it was only around ten in the morning.
“It is true I had to spare, but when my tree was gone I had a lot to fear.”
“I know Zecora. Whatever Discord did sent us here, wherever this is...” Twilight sighed as she looked up and watched a cloud cluster slowly approach the sun, offering a break from the heat.
“I am used to the desert heat, but time is what we must truly beat. The water has begun to run a bit low, so I think-”
“Mares! I found something,” Night shouted as she descended from above.
The mood was changed from apathetic to jovial as she arrived, landing with a thud and sending sand rolling down the dune they were crossing..
“Finally,” Scootaloo said, “I hate this place. I’m getting sunburnt, I’m too thirsty, I have to shower, I haven’t eaten for two days, and I can’t wait to sleep in a real bed and not on a pillow in the sand,” she whined as she rubbed her reddened exposed skin.
Eyes rolled as the young woman complained, again, about their situation.
All the pegasi landed to listen to what Night was going to say. “I found a caravan. If we go that way we’ll intersect with them in an hour.”
A round of groans left the ponies. “Hour? Well, I guess it’s better than staying in the sun forever,” Scootaloo whined.
“Hush, Scoots, yer messin the mood up. Sugarcube, thank you and I suggest we get moving,” Applejack said in a slight southern accent, “this’ll get us outta here faster than wandering alone.”
“Plus,” Twilight added as she turned and began to walk through the hot sand, “they may have information. That’s always a great thing, too. Maybe we can be home by the end of the week and I’ll be with Trixie, cuddling to sleep in our nice warm wagon.”
The group groaned.
“Anywho, let’s go,” Twilight said turning the direction Night had pointed and took the lead with a little hop in her step. The other ground bound ponies copied Twilight’s step for a little bit before laughing with each other. Night took to the air and rejoined the others pegasi and took the lead in the sky, prepared to meet the caravaneers first, if need be.
An hour passed and the girl was beginning to whine again. The mares ignored her, but understood she was still a filly, girl, whatever. They all fell silent when they met the pegasi who had landed and were standing still in silence.
“What? What’s wrong?” Amber asked as she looked at the pegasi.
“The caravan, it’s… not exactly normal,” Fluttershy said as she brushed her hoof on her chest before she ran it across her mane, showing her anxiety. “Just, be ready for what you see, okay?” She looked pointedly at Scootaloo before turning and whispering to Rainbow Dash and taking to the air, staying low, as they flew to the caravan in the distance.
The mares hurried after them with Night staying close to Scootaloo until they got within reach of the caravan. “What the hay?” Applejack muttered as she took in the sight of six humvees and twenty humans in combat armor.
“Tawaqquf! Yalla! Stop! Hold it right there,” one shouted as the pegasi held still behind a line drawn in the sand deeply enough to show where they weren’t going to pass. “What the hell’s going on?”
“Um, hello, I’m Twilight Sparkle and these are my friends-”
“Holy shit it talks!” a female shouted and raised her weapon, several others followed her action and within three seconds all weapons were raised at the mares.
“Stand down! Stand down! Hold your fire! Shit, why me? My name is Captain Donald Shutte of the United States Army…” he paused and stared at Twilight. “What the… are you, a unicorn?”
“Why, yes I am! You know of our tribes, then?” she asked hopefully. When she looked at the soldiers lined and armed staring at her with mixed expressions she let the rope holding the sled go and walked to the line. “There are three tribes of ponies,” she gestured to herself, “unicorn, pegasi, and earth ponies. We live in harmony in the land of Equestria and have for generations. We offer you peaceful greetings and hope to… uh, build on that.”
There was a silence that lasted a long moment before a male laughed, then another and another and before long most of the people were laughing. “So, you’re aliens that come in peace?”
“And speak English?”
“And are ponies?!”
“Holy crap,” a man shouted and took a phone out, and began recording while others began taking photos of the nervous mares while the captain regained control of his platoon.
“Attention! Get in the vehicles if you’re not a sergeant or higher!” With a round of groans and sighs the soldiers got in the vehicles while the humans gathered and took a knee. “So, what’re you here for? Take over the world or something?”
“What? We just wanna go home. How far to Equestria from here?” Applejack said.
“Equestria?” A female sergeant asked, “never heard of it.”
“So it is as I thought, on our own world we are not,” Zecora said as she approached the line. “Zecora is my name, but nothing do we hope to gain. A way home is all we seek, so if you may, direct us while we speak,” she turned to Applejack and took the mare several paces back to talk privately.
“Yeah, what the Zebra said,” Scootaloo said.
“Miss, can I ask why you’re associating with these creatures?” A woman asked.
“I am one, well, I was before Discord turned me into this.”
There was a tense silence as the people’s eyes hardened. “You know Discord?”
“Know him?” Amber shouted, “we almost fucking killed him before he blasted us!”
“Yeah,” Scootaloo tightened her fists, “and I don’t care what anypony says, I’m not a human, I’m a pony and I just want my body back,” a tear formed in her left eye as she grit her teeth and looked around the people that were recording them. “Please, you have some spell to make me human again, right?” she asked Donald.
“Magic? That’s Discord’s game, and if you have it then you’re as good as one of his minions, only you’re not grey yet.”
“Maybe they are,” a woman said tightening her grip, “they could be spies.”
“No, he doesn’t need them. He’s too proud to hide his army.”
“Wait a minute, army?” Twilight asked. “Discord doesn’t have an army, he just plays pranks and tricks…”
“Maybe where you’re from…” Donald fell silent as she turned and moved to a humvee, “we’re on the move in three minutes,” he shouted, “I shouldn’t but I trust you enough. Get your asses in the third truck.”
“We don’t have any with us,” Rainbow replied quickly. “Do any of us look like donkey’s?”
That brought a snort from the Captain and the others smiled to each other. “Okay, that’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Rainbow flexed her wings with a big grin across her face. “I know, I’m cute when I wanna be.”
“She’s always cute,” Fluttershy corrected with a nuzzle to the blue mare.
“Gag me with a bundle of feathers,” Night groaned, “let’s just go. What’ve we gotta lose? I’ll take overwatch and report whatever I see, sir!” she saluted to the captain who looked at her with surprise. He saluted back and she took to the skies, holding steady barely a dot in the sky above them.
“Me and Rainbow will take, um, overwatch too, I guess. Just, please be careful,” she said to the others as she and Rainbow took to the air.
Applejack and Zecora returned and looked up, then to the group and Amber crossed the line to go to the humvee first. “You talk, I’m gonna see if I can get a phone call.”
“A whatsit now? Twilight, are we gettin’ in with them?”
“Applejack, we don’t have much choice. I know we need help and these caravanners can get us to civilization. At the least…”
“Nope, you are not getting me into that… thing,” Applejack said pointing to the humvee Amber was scrambling to get in. “Ah’ll just tag along aside.”
“I will do the same, getting in that machine might prove to be a pain.”
“Okay,” Twilight placed a hoof to her temple and sighed loudly, “me, Scootaloo, and Amber will get in and the rest of you keep up. AJ, you’re pregnant so if you have any problems let us know.”
“Will do.”
“I shall stay with the mare who is destined to bare,” Zecora said as she stood by Applejack. Within a minute the mares were in place and the convoy was back on track.
“So, this thing is terrifying,” Twilight said as she lay between the seats and lay as low as she could while sliding on her hooves slightly left and back as she stepped forward to keep her place.”
“It’s a humvee,” the captain shouted over the noise of the engine, “we’re between cities, and this’ the best way to travel the roads.”
“Roads?” Twilight shouted back.
“They’re under the sand, we track them using that,” he pointed to a computer monitor that was guiding the driver. “It’s a GPS tracker system, you know about them?”
“No,” Twilight smiled as she looked at it, her tail flicking one of the soldiers in the back of her head, “but it looks cool!” Her horn alit and she enveloped the small computer monitor in her magic, dropping it as a rifle pressed against her temple. Amber pushed between the mare and soldier, shouting something that was lost in Twilight’s fleeting thoughts of what the weapon was and what it would do to her head if used.
She trembled as the rifle was lowered and the soldier stiffened as the filly hopped onto her lap and began a side conversation that relaxed the woman. Scootaloo placed a hand on Twilight’s back and calmed the mare enough so she trembled less; a desire to pee was rising within her, mostly from fear of the situation.
When questioned, Twilight shook her head and let her body slide back to Scootaloo as the roaring dulled her senses and the motion made her uneasy enough to shut down.
The convoy stopped and Twilight opened her eyes again, the fear still ever present as she heard the doors open and she quickly followed the people out and kissed the sandy ground. Scootaloo was out next and kept a hand on Twilight’s neck as the ponies looked around. “Well, I wasn’t expecting this,” Amber said openly.
“Welcome to what’s left of New York,” the captain said gesturing to the city in the distance with a rolling sandstorm holding place, blowing sand like a light rain from the east while the buildings moved independently, swaying in cross breezes in a way that looked more like jelly than than steel. The street lights moved, the people were dressed to defend from the change in weather, and the city was alive, literally, all around them.
As the street rolled and rippled under them, Zecora and Applejack climbed from the back of one of the humvees and joined the other ponies and girl. “Yer world sure is strange.”
“I do not think this is their home, Discord’s game comes from his throne,” Zecora rhymed as she pointed to the top of the Empire State Building, which was twisting instead of swaying; a glowing light held at the point. “He has made his claim to this land of man, may they offer all the help we can.”
The soldiers widened their stance as they adapted to the land and watched as the pegasi lowered to a hover at eye level. “Oh my gosh! This place is like a super jelly wonderland surprise,” Rainbow squealed in glee as she looked at the buildings and landed on the sandy street. “The floor’s like cobblestone mixed with a snake, this’ so cool.”
“Focus, Dash. We have to get home to stop Discord and-”
“Home? Why, my little pony,” Discord chuckled, “home is where the heart is,” he held a beating heart in his talons and one of the soldiers grunted, falling to the ground clutching his chest as he died painfully, “and the heart grows fonder as time passes,” with a flash the heart vanished and the man gasped in relief.
Weapons of gummies raised to Discord as the people squeezed the soft triggers and the weapons disintegrated in their hands and curses were sent to the monster’s ears.
“My goodness, humans are such verbose creatures,” Discord hummed next to a man as he took a bite of a rifle. The man grunted and stood still as Discord wrapped his elongated body around him, “it seems the military of this world is trained to use certain words every sentence, am I correct?”
“Get off my planet!” A voice shouted as a bullet tore into Discord and sprayed a multicolored hue of blood from the draconequus. With a screech, Discord vanished in a flash as a lone figure dressed head to toe in wrags and wraps landed from above two yards away. A nondescript bladed weapon slung on its back and a rifle hand painted black slung to its front.
“Stay out of the city and don’t encourage the scurge,” the voice said in a synthetic tone. It stopped as it took in the ponies for a moment then looked back to the soldiers. “And don’t let them do anything too smart.” The figure turned and began to walk away before it stopped and looked back with blank eyes. “The name is Noname Three, see ya.” Without effort it entered a steady sprint through the sand as though it weren’t there and turned a corner.
“Well,” Night said looking to the others, “that happened. Should I follow it?”
“No,” Twilight said as she walked to the spilt blood and leaned closer to it, inspecting it closer. She yelped as the blood reached for her, forming a basic four fingered yellow hand, before stopping and sealing itself into a real form, falling to its side and turning to dust before them. “Luna poop, that was scary.”
“...Luna poop?” Rainbow asked as she snickered into her hooves, “I don’t know if that’s a bad word or not, but it’s funny!”
“Okay, let’s get our heads on right,” Applejack said firmly looking to her friends and then back to the people who were taking inventory and talking amongst themselves about the recent events; often glancing to the ponies and girl. “We know something can hurt Discord, that’s a good thing. We have the elements of harmony, right?” she asked looking to Twilight.
“Yes, they’re in the barrel with… Oh no! We haven’t fed him for a whole day!” Twilight shouted as she cantered to the back of one of the humvees and unlatched it with her magic. She took out a barrel, laid it on its side, and opened the top. A baby manticore stumbled to the edge before falling to its belly and coughing quietly.
“Oh no!” Fluttershy shouted as she dove to the tiny, thin, starving creature and scooped it up into her forelimbs and cradled it gently. “We need to get it food, quickly!”
“What’s it gonna eat?!” Twilight asked loudly as she looked around the nearly deserted street full of sand drifts, “wait! A shop,” she pointed then blinked. The others looked while Scootaloo ran to the door and pulled the door open, running inside. The mares followed quickly with Fluttershy in the lead to the door as it opened and Scootaloo was pushed out.
“And stay out, ya crazy kid. Ain’t no… What the hell?!” A large woman shouted as she looked at the pegasi and unicorn then jumped back with a level of grace that defied her shape and size as Fluttershy burst in through the door.
“We need food, meat or vegetables! Please, before he dies,” she asked loudly with tears in her eyes. She looked at the few people in the shop and then to the counter where deli meats were displayed. She didn’t wait longer than it took for her wings to flap before she was behind the counter. The clerk shouted and jumped the counter, keeping distance from the pegasi as Rainbow flew between Fluttershy and the large woman who had rushed to the counter with an obvious disgruntled expression. “You’re not gonna hurt Fluttershy!” Rainbow shouted as the woman stopped.
“You’re gonna pay for everything she touches?!” She countered.
“We’ll pay twice that,” Applejack said as she entered the deli and turned her head to her saddlebags. She pulled out a mouthful of bits and tossed them to the woman’s feet and smiled, “bit’s aren’t much of a problem ta me.”
“A bit?!” the woman looked to her feet and leaned over to pick one up and enspected it. “...Is this, gold?”
“Eeyup, with a gem in the center. Minted in Phillydelphia fresh last year.”
There was a silence in the room as the woman picked up the others and inspected them. “Wait here while I check that out. Gorgie, ya got the deli, I’m goin’ to Herman’s down the block for a bit.”
“Wait, you want me to watch these horses eat our food?!”
“We don’t eat meat,” Twilight said, “we’re ponies and we’re herbivores. The manticore we saved is more of an omnivorous monster, so with a diet of vegetables that we had, which wasn’t much, wasn’t enough to satiate-”
The woman walked away and pulled a thin shawl from a hat rack and wrapped it around her head before leaving while Twilight lectured. Several minutes later the woman returned with a grin and sparkle in her eyes. “My babies! It’s so nice to have you here, please, eat all you want. I called my friend, Kyle, he’ll be here in a few minutes with a cart of vegetables. They’re the freshest we have left so eat up!” she practically skipped to the counter as she took off her shawl and tossed it to George.
“How’s the little thing doing?” she asked in concern as Fluttershy fed the creature slowly. “Is that the roast beef? Bah, no big deal,” she dismissively said, “I can…” she paused and looked at Applejack, “that’ll be ten more coins.”
“Sounds fair enough. We did kinda bust in your business and start a mess,” she said as she looked around at the stunned people at their tables. Twilight was talking with two of them about unicorn magic while she moves some silverware around, commenting on the similarities between Equestrian and human dining wares.
“Okay, deal,” the woman held her hand out and gladly took the bits. “And I’ll be in the back. These horses get whatever they want! I’m Sandy, nice to meet you.”
“Yeah!” Rainbow shouted and pumped a hoof in triumph, “Cake and cookie party!”
“No!” Twilight shouted as she left the table she was at, “we have to stop Discord before he damages or destroys this world, then we have to get back to our earth. We have to get to that tower of crazy and blast him with the elements and turn him to stone again.”
“Then he will be banished to the darkest hole, none shall he bother again, not even the deepest mole.”
“What she said,” Scootaloo said from the doorway beside Zecora, “now, can we go get my body back? I’m starting to get used to this one and I miss my wings.”
“These things don’t even work,” Amber said from beneath Zecora. The door closed and a wave of dust and sand blew across the floor.
“Hey, they would if you exercised them right,” Scootaloo challenged the filly who stuck her tongue out. Scootaloo copied her and their attitude towards each other soured slightly.
“Anyway, we’re thankful for your help and Fluttershy might need to stay here to take care of our little friend, but we need to go and stop Discord. How long has he been here bothering you?” Applejack asked.
“About a week, the soldiers said,” Twilight said as she walked to the door and opened it, “let’s get out there and stop that monster before he destroys another world.”
“Another? Sugarcube, he didn’t destroy ours,” Applejack started as she followed Twilight out with the others in line, “reckon he didn’t put much effort into our world compared to this one.”
Fluttershy stayed behind with Rainbow Dash to watch over the Manticore baby’s recovery and with little more than a wave from Rainbow Dash they were left inside the deli.
Twilight coughed lightly as she took in the dry air to fill her lungs. “Okay, we have to get to the top of that building,” she pointed to the tallest building, “and get… what’re you doing here?” she asked Amber.
“Coming with you. Like it or not, this’ my world and I’d like to have my body back,” she pointed to Scootaloo who was taking a moment to look down her dress, “and get out of this thing. Much as I like it, I can’t stand to piss and feel natural.”
The mares looked at the filly and scoffed in unison before looking to Scootaloo. “Well,” Scootaloo said starting to lift her dress but stopped as the thought of every human staying clothed crossed her mind, “this thing sucks, too! If I don’t bend over it gets all over my legs and I haven’t even told you about pooping!”
“We know, Scootaloo,” Amber said wincing, “I had to teach you how to clean up with sand of all things. That isn’t right.”
“Well as a pony I didn’t have to worry about it!”
“As a pony all I eat is grass and hay!”
“It’s better than meat!”
“Nothing’s better than meat!”
“Girls!” Twilight shouted, “Stop acting like a couple of foals and get it together! You want to get your cutie mark in arguing?!” They both fell silent and looked to the ground. “I didn’t think so. Now, let’s get back in the humvee and get to the building. Night can fly to the top and get us some recon, or whatever.”
Night landed and snorted. “Maybe the air’s cleaner up there. I’ll go ahead then-”
“Hold it,” the Captain said as he approached, “you can’t fly up there because there’s a shield around the tower and we can’t take you. We’re at a rally point right now and our friends aren’t here. We can’t communicate with them so we don’t know where they are and we have to move on to our next waypoint before we lost satellite coverage.
“We’re sorry, but we got you to civilization and now,” he shrugged, “you’re on your own. Don’t do anything wrong and we won’t have to come back here unless it’s to help, or worse. Stay vigilant, uh, ponies,” he saluted Night who returned the gesture before he turned and returned to the humvees. They pulled away quickly and turned another corner, then were gone.
“Well, that was fast and anticlimactic, like my last few stallions,” Night mused before she started to hover. “Let’s get going, that looks to be a couple hour trot from here and I bet we can make it before we get too hungry.”
“Speaking of hungry, wasn’t there supposed to be a meal delivery for us soon?” Applejack said, rubbing her bloated side and smiling.
“Ugh, we can’t wait forever! I need Trixie,” Twilight sighed as Night landed and draped a wing over the purple mare's withers.
“Listen, I give you a hard time, but I want you to know that we’re gonna do our best to get you home to your mare, and everything back to the way it was.” Twilight whimpered and lowered her head, moving to nuzzle Night who pulled back. “Sorry, I’m not…”
Twilight sighed and turned back to the deli. “C’mon, let’s rest up. We’ve been pushing ourselves hard and need to recover… and maybe take a nice shower.”
“I call Applejack!” Scootaloo shouted with a hop as she turned to Applejack who smiled back. “I’d take a bath with the manticore at this point, no offense.”
Scootaloo started walking back to the deli and stopped as she felt a drop. Then another and another. She looked up and screamed as a downpour of orange soda began, making them all scramble to get into the deli. “What the hay? Orange soda rain?!”
“It got in my eyes, I don’t have soda proof eyes,” Scootaloo whined as the deli patrons chose to ignore the group this time and continue their conversations. “I need a bath, shower, and spa day.”
Rainbow hopped to the countertop and gasped. “Oh my gosh! Orange soda rain?! I’ll be right back,” she shouted as she flew to the door and pushed it open, stuck her head out, and took her time enjoying the moment.
“Okay, so the happy mare is going to drink the rain… we need to clean up and rest before we beat the unliving rainbow tar from Discord.”
“Night’s right, is there a spa around?”
There were chuckles at Twilight’s question while Sandy came over and greeted them with a warm hug before she noticed their muddy coats. “Eeyuck, okay, bath time for the babes. Come, come, upstairs is the bath and I can get whatever else you need. Do we need horse brushes?”
“Any brushes will do, we can take care of each others’ grooming, we just need to get clean.”
All the mares lay on the floor in a bedroom grooming each other and sharing short stories and little laughs while a reinvigorated manticore pup played with a ball of yarn in the corner of the room in a sunbeam cast from a window. Zecora lay on the bed quietly grooming herself contently with a naked Scootaloo. Amber had taken her shower alone and last, she was nowhere to be seen.
“I don’t believe it’s stopped raining,” Night said as she pulled a loose feather from Rainbow’s wing.
“Yeah, but orange soda’s, like, awesome! I want a cloud of it when I get home, Fluttershy, can we get orange soda clouds?”
Fluttershy chuckled around the brush in her mouth as she pulled it across her foreleg. “No, Rainbow Dash. We have to leave them here to dissipate while we enjoy a free Equestria.”
“That reminds me, girls,” Twilight said as she moved a brush around in her magic before letting it slip into Applejack’s mane and begin pulling knots free, “what happened to the princesses? We didn’t really think about them when we were running for our lives or survivng in a desert, but now…”
“Ah think they’re just fine. They’re Alicorns, what could happen to them? They’re probably just holed up castin’ some spell to banish Discord without the Elements of Harmony,” Applejack said before she yelped at Twilight’s brushing. “Ya better braid my hair nice after this or I’ll make yer mane hurt, too,” she mock threatened before smiling warmly.
“I hope so,” Twilight mumbled, “I mean about the Princesses!” she corrected as the room fell silent before Rainbow snickered.
“Yeah, right!” Night laughed, “you like it rough, just admit it.”
“I don’t! Honest, and what’s it matter?”
“It doesn’t,” Fluttershy said loudly, “we need to think about how to stop Discord.”
“Maybe we can get that boomstick the towel had and boom Discord away!” Rainbow said hopping into the air with a flap. She began boxing the air. “And then we pummel him to next week and then next week we do it again until he’s gone, pow, boom.” Night sat up and bit Rainbow’s tail, tugging her hard and making the blue mare land. Rainbow curled up and opened her other wing to Night for a preening while she hummed contently. “Yeah, that’d be cool.”
“Well, aside from being cool, and hoping the rag thing shows up again with its boomstick rifle thingie; we need some kind of plan,” Night said before she began to preen Rainbow’s wing, “and why can’t you do this yourself?” she asked Rainbow.
“Cuz, you asked and it’s nice sometimes to have a pony help when they can,” Rainbow replied. Night sighed and straightened out a primary feather, then another.
“Look, we need a plan but we can’t just make one up. We need to discuss this and write it out in a logical way that can be weighed against other options until the best one, or ones, are chosen.”
Zecora chuckled. “The purple mare is right to say that we need a plan today. To enter into a battle with a reckless head will certainly lead to us being dead.”
“Or worse,” Twilight amended, “he’s the Lord of Chaos, he could turn us into immortal fruit and eat us every day.”
“Oh! Or he could turn us into chairs or toilets and use us every day,” Rainbow said sitting up excitedly.
“Before she gets ahead of herself, we need to get planning,” Fluttershy said quickly, “and we need somepony to watch over Simba here,” she looked to the manticore still batting and hopping around the yarn.
“Simba?”
“The nice person at the booth named him, it’s a nice name, right?” she asked. The others in the room thought it over, shared looks, then nodded silently.
“Where’s my clothes?” Scootaloo asked as she leaned back on the bed, “I feel weird not having something on. And since I lost my coat all I had was the dress and it was all sandy.”
“Speaking of Sandy, she said she had something better, but where is she?” Fluttershy asked. The mares shrugged and glanced at the peach and pink flesh of Scootaloo, letting their eyes glance at the odd place between her legs before returning to their grooming. Zecora placed a hoof on Scootaloo.
“The looks you get are only because they care, they do not mean to stare.”
“Zecora, I know that, but I’m a freak,” she said dejectedly, “I don’t have any fur, my mane is a mess, my tail’s gone, my mare parts are all… different,” she said gesturing to her girl parts, “and everything feels wrong. I feel every breeze, the sun and temperature changes, the roughness of the sand between these foots things, and I got sand in my girl thingie and it wasn’t fun at all,” she moped.
“Scoots, we all got sand in our parts. Wasn’t fun for any of us,” Applejack said with compassion. “Look, you’re in a different body, but that doesn’t make you bad or a freak. You’re still the filly we love and the element of courage that we need. Amber sure as heck isn’t gonna be you,” she let herself feel crossly for a second and it showed, “the filly’s about as useful as a fly on our butts.”
“Well, yeah,” Scootaloo sighed and crossed her arms as she sat up, “but that doesn’t make this body any better. I can even smell you all, and it smells weird, like…” she paused and looked around at the others, “like a horse smell.”
“Do you wanna eat us?” Twilight countered.
“No, but I am hungry for some meat,” she said bashfully.
“You can get some downstairs, the woman said it was free and healthy to eat.”
“Something called brisket,” Fluttershy said thoughtfully as she looked at the calm manticore, readying itself to nap in the sunlight, “he liked it a lot and you share some of the same diet. You should get some while we finish.”
Scootaloo sighed deeply and grumbled as she stood up. “I swear I’m eating my weight in grass when I’m a pony again,” she lamented as she went to and opened the door. “I’ll be back soon, and if I smell weird don’t tell me… it’s just the meat this freak body needs to work.”
She closed the door behind her and the mares shook their heads while Zecora chuckled. “The girl was hungry so much that she forgot clothes here are a must.”
Twilight looked to the others and stood up. “I’ll finish your mane soon, I’ve gotta get her before she embarasses herself and whines about it all day.” Twilight made for the door just as it opened and Scootaloo was ushered back inside with Sandy pushing her lower back.
“Stop it,” the girl whined, “I’m sorry, I was hungry and I-”
“Girls don’t go running down a hall to eat food naked. Oi vey, what’ll the customers say if they see you like this? Okay, little one, stay here and I’ll get your clothes ready. I called in a favor and you’ll be wearing a nice dress and babushka to keep your head safe from the weather outside.”
“I, don’t know what you said, but I’m really hungry! Please can I get some food? I’m a human so I need meat, please,” she said pouting.
The smile that crossed Sandy’s face was almost creepy. “Ah! A little girl who loves to eat! My prayers have been answered, stay here, baby, I’ll get you a meal to satisfy a princess!”
Sandy turned and left the room, slamming the door. Great, now you’re gonna get fat,” Night commented with a smirk. “At least you won’t be eating us.”
Scootaloo glared at Night. “Shut up, or I might try a nibble of Night soup.”
“Don’t slurp soup, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy replied in a motherly tone. “I like Sandy, she’s got a kind heart.”
“So says the element of Kindness,” Twilight said. There was a round of chuckling before they went back to where they were and what they were doing before.
