Sacks and light wooden wagons flew through the sky as changelings of different colors, all shining and reflecting the light of the sun, carried and pulled these containers.
Ponies walking by pointed up, some saying "Look up!", others adding "Changelings!" A brooding silence rested among the ponies. Almost nopony that looked up and saw the changelings made a smile, nor did they say a word in that happy or cheerful tone. The only ones who saw and were elated at the strange sight of some changelings in the air were the foals and the colts and the fillies—and not even all of them, especially the older ones, were glad about it.
The changelings, in their rigid and well-structured formation, landed in sequence right in front of one of the buildings. Its walls were of a cream-yellow paint, supported and framed with wooden beams. A gap was there that divided the wall into two horizontal parts. Through the gap, there were a variety of things on display and also on sale—there were hats, vases, jars, mirrors and plates, among others. A double wooden door with windows stood at the entrance.
The double doors opened.
There went out a stallion with a gray-amber coat and black, brushed hair. He had eye bags yet still smiled. He wore a white collar, a blue half-suit, and a red tie.
"So, you're the new customers?" He gazed upon the plenty wagons and sacks.
Inside, swarms of changelings carried and held all kinds of things, taking them off the shelves and throwing them off to the brown sacks. A few of the stronger, burlier changelings hauled the full, bulky sacks outside and threw them to the wagons. Outside, changeling guards in their armor stood and eyed everypony passing by with watchfule eyes.
The ponies continued walking by, some of them taking a long glance at the event that was happening.
Meanwhile, Filthy Rich fixed his tie as he trotted through his store, checking each and every changeling that was in his sight. He did not say a word; his face showed no emotion as he looked at the many items being moved, being given, being taken, being thrown away to yet another sack.
"Just be careful with the fragile stuff, changelings," he said, looking at no one in particular. "I wouldn't want any of my precious items to be broken before it's even used."
One of the changelings flew up to him. He wore armor unlike most of his fellows. "Don't worry about us, Filthy!"
Filthy coughed. "Uh, I prefer 'Mr. Rich.'"
"Oh, alright!" The changeling gave him a smile.
"What's your name, anyway, changeling?"
"Con Voyer, sir!" He saluted Mr. Rich.
"You're pretty optimistic, aren't you?"
"Just take a look around at all of us helping out our own place!" Con Voyer motioned a hoof at all the changelings moving about in their carrying and their holding and their moving. "On behalf of King Thorax and of the rest of the changelings, I and all of us here thank you for supplying the Changeling Kingdom with your great products!"
Mr. Rich chuckled and shook hooves with Con Voyer. "It's my pleasure, too." He smiled.
Filthy Rich stood right outside his store. He looked up and saw the changelings with their wagons and their sacks moving and flying in the sky. Sometimes, a sack would fall off the wagon, but the changeling right under the wagon would swoop in to catch it and return it to the wagon.
He took a deep sigh. "Stinkin' Rich started the shop just to make some simple, honest money. Now, here I am, with a family and a shop that is now somehow involved in investing in foreign political entities. Huh."
Filthy Rich walked back into the store.
The sky was now an orange-yellow once again as the sun was setting in the horizon.
The double doors of the store were closed as Filthy Rich placed a sign on it. On the sign, there were the words, "Off to early close. Please come back tomorrow for normal schedule."
Beside him was his wife whose coat was a pink of pale and who wore fancy, blue and yellow clothes. Also beside him was his daughter of a brighter and fuller pink, wearing a tiara.
"So, how did it all go, daddy?" Diamond Tiara asked in that cheerful tone.
"Oh, it all went well, Tiara." He brushed his daughter's mane with a hoof. "Your daddy just needs to have some rest time in order to relax from the strenous work today—it was more than I expected, to be honest." He looked at his wife. "Spoiled Rich? Any suggestions for a dinner out?"
Diamond Tiara's smile faded when she looked at her mom.
"What about a trip to Canterlot?" Spoiled Rich suggested in her haughty, high-falutin voice. "We have more than enough money to afford multiple meals at one of those fancy restaurants."
"Good thing, dear."
Filthy Rich and his family entered the restaurant.
"Good evening, and welcome to the Tasty Treat!" Saffron Masala greeted, wearing a smile on her face as the wonderful noise of ponies talking and eating around the wooden tables to the smell and the taste of the cuisine continued.
"What is this place, Filthy Rich?!" Spoiled Rich yelled while she recoiled and took steps back in surprise.
"I heard that it's a really good place to eat in," Filthy replied. He looked at Diamond Tiara. "I bet there's lots of food in here that you haven't even thought of, Tiara."
"Hi, Diamond Tiara!" three fillies shouted from their table.
The pony eating at the table beside them shushed the group.
Rainbow Dash, seated beside the Cutie Mark Crusaders, glared at that pony.
The pony hurriedly went back to eating his food.
"The bully, eh?" Rainbow said from her seat as the family drew nearer. "The former bully, I mean." She smiled at the filly.
"The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Rainbow Dash." Filthy shook Rainbow's hoof. "It's an honor to meet you after, well, some time, Rainbow Dash."
"Hmph!" Spoiled Rich just looked away. "How long will I tolerate you lowering yourself down to their level?"
"Whee!"
A changeling flew by.
"This day has just got even worse with even more changelings!"
Apple Bloom broke away from the group hug with Diamond Tiara. "But, that's only one changeling." She grinned. "And he's awesome!"
"What?! That changeling is awesome?" She gestured to the changeling loudly eating and noisily slurping all the food in front of him—and the food was plenty, with plates and bowls containing various culinary fragrances and tastes.
"He's now a regular customer," Saffron Masala said. "It's a testimony that our food can connect not just many different ponies, but even different creatures as well! We aren't just cooking for the Canterlot ponies, anymore!"
Spoiled Rich sighed. "Can we try some place else?"
"I wanna eat here with my friends!" Diamond Tiara yelled.
Then, she rushed off to the table of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Rainbow Dash flew back to her seat there.
Spoiled Rich just stood there, mouth open and eyes just staring at her daughter mingling with the lower class. Meanwhile, the unique smells of the many foods there wafted through the air as the decorative lanterns and candles and walls exuded that exotic yet familiar sense.
"Come on, Spoiled, let's get to their table already," Filthy Rich said as he walked off to the table.
"What?!"
"It's an extra large table, Spoiled. We'll all fit."
"Uh..."
"Come on, mom!" Diamond Tiara yelled from her chair. "You don't want to miss out on the family-and-friend dinner, do you?"
She slowly walked her way to the table. "Uh, yes, dear Tiara. Of course, I'll go there."
The filly crossed her arms and closed her eyes, smirking.
Everypony at the table laughed. Spoiled Rich didn't.
Neon Guard stood in the big warehouse. The many, many green lights above gave the large building a bright glow inside. All the shelves were clearly seen with their boxes and their sacks and their labels. The smell of cardboard boxes filled the air.
"Did you check everything?" he asked the changeling in front of him who was looking at all of the shelves and their items.
"Yes, sir." He saluted.
"Are you sure you checked everything."
"Yes, sir." He saluted again.
"Did you double check everything, Post Parcel?
"Yes, sir." He saluted again.
Neon Guard sighed. "Why did you give yourself a lazy name?"
"It's not lazy, sir," he went on in his professional voice. "I took Parcel Post's name and switched the words and now I have a totally unique and not lazy name of Post Parcel."
"How long did you have your name again?"
"A week, sir."
Neon Guard quickly flew out the warehouse.
"Is it really that bad, sir?" Post Parcel still saluted.
Floating islands of ground in the background of purple and blue something as train tracks and bridges held by ropes connected the disconnected pieces of land together as a tree stood on the metal island that was clean. In the middle of all the chaos, an island of green grass and a normal tree floated. The red and yellow house was there, surrounded by a white wire fence.
And Parcel Post, a beige earth pony in blue mail pony uniform complete with the hat, knocked on the door.
The door opened.
Discord laughed for some time.
Parcel Post took a step back, watching the choatic scenery. He turned his head around back at Discord. "Uh, what's the matter, Discord?"
Discord picked the pony up. He stared at him eye-to-eye. The draconequus was smiling rather inexplicably at him. "I just figured out that there is someone out there with your name on it!" He rubbed his chin, his smile not there anymore. "Well, not exactly your name, but it will do."
Parcel Post looked down from his dangling state. "Uh, are you sure you're not going to drop me?"
Discord dropped him to the ground. The pony landed with a loud thud.
"Goes to show how uncreative changelings are with their names."
Parcel Post hurriedly stood up. "But, I-I'm not a changeling!"
"Course you are."
Discord snapped his clawed fingers.
A changeling appeared right beside Parcel Post.
"Parcel Post," Discord said, gesturing his claw towards the changeling, "meet Post Parcel."
Discord grinned and shook his paw and claw together, revelling in the conversation to come.
"Hi, Parcel Post!" the changeling waved. He looked around. "This sure is some nightmare, right?!" He laughed. Then, he stared at Discord. His laugh trailed off to a nervous chuckle then to a quiet, concerned laugh. "Please tell me this is just a nightmare, Discord!"
"Nope. This is where I live, thank you very much." He stepped aside and opened the door. "Would you like to see my house?"
"Uh, no! No, thank you!" Post Parcel said, slowly stepping away from Discord as he placed a shaky smile on his face.
Parcel Post just stood there, looking at the changeling and the draconequus. "Is your name really Post Parcel?"
"It's a nice name, right?!"
Parcel Post now took a step back from the changeling. "I was just here to deliver mail to Discord, out of all ponies and creatures!"
Neon Guard stood in the night, on the grassy open field.
There were many lights, most of them either yellow or white. As the lights brightened the field, changelings talked and played and moved around. Some brought baskets of food and drinks; they sat down and talked and laughed as they ate and drank.
On the roads, changelings on the sidewalk passed by, most of them wearing smiles.
"Newspapers! Nightly editions!" a changeling with a cap yelled to the passers-by. Beside him was a newspaper stand.
Neon Guard and looked at Blue Alarm and Red Noise beside him. "Are you sure it was a good idea to let Humerus stay in Canterlot for one more day?"
Red Noise shook his head. "I think it was a terrible idea, Neon Guard. Why did you let him out like that? You know it was a bad idea!"
"Maybe if I was more lenient on Humerus, he would grow better." Neon Guard looked off towards Canterlot though the city itself could not be seen in the background. "Blue Alarm?"
He was staring at his own fellow changelings. Happy, smiling.
He looked at the library, one of the few buildings with no lights on.
He looked back at his friends and the other changelings around on the grassy field.
And then he looked at the changeling that just appeared right in front of him.
His eyes went wide open.
Neon Guard and Red Noise lunged into their fighting stance.
Blue Alarm hovered over the ground.
Many of the changelings there stopped their talking and their laughing and their eating and their drinking and turned their attention towards the new arrival.
"Post Parcel?" Neon Guard asked.
"Yes, it's me, sir!" Post Parcel replied with gladness.
"When did you learn teleportation? Only unicorns could do that!"
"Discord teleported me!"
"Discord?!" Neon Guard leaned towards Post Parcel with an angry face. "Discord is no laughing matter, even though he's good!"
"Well, he teleported me back here!"
"From where?" Red Noise asked.
"From his front yard!"
"Discord has a front yard?" Neon Guard asked. "Are you serious?"
"I met Parcel Post there! I was so glad to see him!"
"That's not the point!"
Post Parcel flew up towards one of the boxes. On it were labelled the words "Additional Zap Apple Jam."
He looked around.
In the dark warehouse, a few changeling guards flew about.
Then, he opened the box.
Several jars filled with rainow-colored jam were there.
Post Parcel took one of the jars.
Filthy Rich yawned as he walked towards his shop in the early morning sun.
The sign was still there on the double doors.
He took the sign down.
He opened the door.
Filthy Rich turned to the right.
"Ah, it's the news."
He picked up the bundled newspaper with his mouth and went inside.
Walking past the lines and rows of items and goods, he approached the counter and went behind it.
Filthy Rich dropped the bundle and opened it up.
His eyes went wide open.
"What?!"
"Congratulations, Post Parcel," Neon Guard said, hovering above the ground as he held his copy of the newspaper with one hoof, "not only do you have an unoriginal name, you've also shamed pretty much the entire Changeling Kingdom by eating jam." He struck the nervous Post Parcel with a piercing look.
Post Parcel laughed nervously, scratching his head and smiling while looking here and there.
"Specifically, Zap Apple jam. You're not supposed to eat the entire supply of Zap Apple jam!"
Post Parcel laughed again, still nervously.
"You did not even place the jam on sandwiches and bread! You ate it straight from the jar! And now, it's on newspapers all over Equestria and beyond! Everypony, including the Princesses themselves, plus everyone else! The dragons, the yaks, the griffons, the zebras!"
"Maybe if I could explain—"
"Explain what?!"
"First, they shapeshifted their way to almost complete domination twice, then there's this!" Filthy shouted as he walked, bemoaning his condition. "Well, the money that I did gain is going to comfort me." He shook his head with closed eyes. "No, what about the Apple family? Granny Smith is going to tell me that their produce is not supposed to be used like that—argh!"
A loud bang from the counter.
Filthy Rich groaned, panting for a second. He rubbed his forehead, closing his eyes.
He opened his eyes and looked at the shelves, the shelves that used to have items.
Now, there were just spaces, gaps of open air.
He looked at the ponies that were just outside, seeing him in his haggard condition through the open walls. Some of them gasped.
Filthy placed a smile on his face. "Uh, welcome to Rich's Barnyard Bargains! How may I help you this fine day, ponies?"
Several of them moved away; a few walked inside the shop.
Filthy sighed in relief, brushing off the sweat from his forehead.
He pensively eyed his cashier with its buttons and its metal shelf. Filthy whispered, "At least I didn't steal from anypony, or anyone, for that matter."
"Filthy Rich?"
He quickly turned his head towards the pony in front of him. "Ah, yes, what can I do for you?"
The stallion dropped a bucket of sweet, frosted donuts and wrapped chocolates. "How many bits do I have to pay for this?"
"And, what's the donuts and chocolates for, Soarin?"
"For myself, of course!"
Filthy Rich gave a short laugh at that. "Well, that's nice to know, Soarin. That would be ten bits, Wonderbolt."
Soarin gave his ten bits and dropped them onto the counter.