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// Of Men and April Fools. 
// Story: Of Men and the Madness of Misdirection. 
// by VeganSpyro97 
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Of​ ​all​ ​of​ ​the​ ​friends​ ​that​ ​Allan​ ​had​ ​made​ ​so​ ​far,​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie​ ​was​ ​perhaps​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who could​ ​make​ ​him​ ​the​ ​happiest,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​most​ ​exasperated,​ ​within​ ​a​ ​day,​ ​and​ ​today,​ ​during​ ​his third​ ​week​ ​of​ ​living​ ​in​ ​Equestria,​ ​she​ ​seemed​ ​determined​ ​to​ ​do​ ​just​ ​that.​ ​Misfortune​ ​be​ ​upon Allan​ ​that​ ​the​ ​third​ ​week​ ​of​ ​his​ ​stay​ ​in​ ​Equestria​ ​included​ ​a​ ​day​ ​that​ ​put​ ​three​ ​particular residents​ ​of​ ​Ponyville​ ​in​ ​a​ ​very​ ​good​ ​mood.​ ​National​ ​Prank​ ​Day.  
The​ ​human​ ​turned​ ​changeling​ ​had​ ​already​ ​figured​ ​out​ ​that​ ​Ponyville’s​ ​three​ ​resident pranksters​ ​would​ ​be​ ​paying​ ​him​ ​a​ ​visit​ ​at​ ​some​ ​point,​ ​which​ ​meant​ ​that​ ​he​ ​would​ ​be​ ​getting pranked.  
How​ ​could​ ​he​ ​defend​ ​against​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie,​ ​Rainbow​ ​Dash,​ ​and​ ​Discord?​ ​One​ ​could predict​ ​things,​ ​one​ ​was​ ​super​ ​agile​ ​and​ ​athletic,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​other​ ​was​ ​the​ ​Lord​ ​of​ ​Chaos.​ ​Just how​ ​could​ ​he​ ​keep​ ​himself​ ​from​ ​being​ ​pranked,​ ​like​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​he​ ​would? 
As​ ​the​ ​day​ ​in​ ​question​ ​drew​ ​closer,​ ​Allan​ ​got​ ​an​ ​idea.​ ​A​ ​devilishly,​ ​deliciously, dementedly,​ ​dastardly,​ ​dreadfully​ ​delightful​ ​idea.  
But​ ​he​ ​would​ ​need​ ​some​ ​help… 
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It​ ​was​ ​finally​ ​Prank​ ​Day,​ ​and​ ​Rainbow​ ​Dash​ ​giggled​ ​and​ ​chuckled​ ​as​ ​she​ ​flew​ ​towards Fluttershy’s​ ​cottage,​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​set​ ​up​ ​her​ ​pranks​ ​for​ ​Allan​ ​while​ ​he​ ​was​ ​out​ ​in​ ​town.​ ​Landing​ ​in front​ ​of​ ​the​ ​cottage,​ ​Rainbow​ ​trotted​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​front​ ​door,​ ​and​ ​knocked.​ ​She​ ​wouldn’t​ ​dare​ ​to intrude​ ​in​ ​her​ ​friends​ ​home​ ​without​permission….​ ​Not​ ​after​ ​the​ ​last​ ​time.​ ​That​ ​had​ ​been embarrassing​ ​for​ ​both​ ​pegasi.  
Hearing​ ​hoofsteps​ ​approaching​ ​the​ ​door,​ ​Rainbow​ ​prepared​ ​her​ ​best​ ​pleading​ ​face, complete​ ​with​ ​puppy​ ​dog​ ​eyes​ ​and​ ​quivering​ ​‘lip.  
When​ ​the​ ​door​ ​swung​ ​open,​ ​it​ ​wasn’t​ ​Fluttershy​ ​who​ ​stepped​ ​out,​ ​but…​ ​Allan.​ ​Who she​ ​had​ ​just​ ​seen​ ​heading​ ​down​ ​the​ ​path…​ ​Not​ ​one​ ​minute​ ​ago.  
The​ ​weight​ ​of​ ​her​ ​saddlebags​ ​was​ ​suddenly​ ​very​ ​noticeable​ ​to​ ​her,​ ​​ ​and​ ​she​ ​quickly tried​ ​to​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with​ ​some​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​excuse​ ​for​ ​her​ ​being​ ​there.  
“Hi,​ ​Dash.​ ​What​ ​are​ ​you​ ​doing​ ​here?”  
“Oh,​ ​hi,​ ​Allan…​ ​I​ ​was​ ​here​ ​to…​ ​uh,​ ​ask​ ​Fluttershy​ ​if​ ​she​ ​could….​ ​Um….”​ ​Rainbow’s	brain​ ​tripped​ ​over​ ​itself,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​be​ ​helpful,​ ​and​ ​failing​ ​dismally.​ ​“Help​ ​me​ ​with…..Tank!​ ​Yeah!​ ​I think​ ​he’s​ ​ill,​ ​but​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​sure…”​ ​That​ ​sounded​ ​convincing,​ ​right? 
“Oh,​ ​well,​ ​you​ ​just​ ​missed​ ​her.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​she​ ​went​ ​to​ ​town​ ​to​ ​talk​ ​with​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie. Something​ ​about​ ​a​ ​red​ ​herring,​ ​I​ ​think.” 
“Oh,​ ​okay,​ ​thanks​ ​anyway!”​ ​Rainbow​ ​turned​ ​tail​ ​and​ ​forced​ ​herself​ ​trot​ ​at​ ​a​ ​casual pace.​ ​“That​ ​was​ ​close!”​ ​She​ ​breathed​ ​out​ ​a​ ​sigh​ ​of​ ​relief​ ​as​ ​she​ ​finally​ ​got​ ​far​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​fly​ ​off.  

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Discord​ ​winked​ ​into​ ​existence​ ​in​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​living​ ​room​ ​in​ ​a​ ​shower​ ​of​ ​shredded​ ​paper and​ ​a​ ​chorus​ ​of​ ​quacking​ ​ducks.​ ​“Hello,​ ​Fluttershy!”​ ​He​ ​crowed,​ ​looking​ ​around​ ​for​ ​his​ ​best friend,​ ​his​ ​yellow​ ​and​ ​red​ ​eyes​ ​filled​ ​with​ ​glee.​ ​Today​ ​was​ ​the​ ​one​ ​day​ ​he​ ​could​ ​cut​ ​loose without​ ​so​ ​many​ ​repercussions,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​was​ ​not​ ​going​ ​to​ ​waste​ ​it!​ ​How​ ​could​ ​he​ ​resist pranking​ ​Ponyville’s​ ​newest​ ​resident?​ ​The​ ​answer​ ​was​ ​“Not​ ​at​ ​all.” 
The​ ​mare​ ​in​ ​question​ ​came​ ​trotting​ ​in,​ ​pleasant​ ​smile​ ​on​ ​her​ ​face​ ​as​ ​she​ ​noticed​ ​the draconequus.​ ​“Hello,​ ​Discord.​ ​How​ ​are​ ​you,​ ​today?” 
“Oh,​ ​I’m​ ​​ ​just​ ​wonderful​ ​today,​ ​my​ ​dear!​ ​You​ ​know​ ​how​ ​national​ ​prank​ ​day​ ​is​ ​for​ ​me, after​ ​all,​ ​so​ ​I​ ​was​ ​just​ ​wondering​ ​if​ ​our​ ​mutual​ ​friend​ ​Allan​ ​was​ ​here.” 
“Yes,​ ​I​ ​am.”​ ​Came​ ​the​ ​answer,​ ​the​ ​bronze​ ​shelled​ ​changeling​ ​trotting​ ​in,​ ​a​ ​rather​ ​large compendium​ ​of​ ​spells​ ​floating​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​him​ ​in​ ​his​ ​bright​ ​blue​ ​magical​ ​aura.​ ​“I​ ​thought​ ​I​ ​would get​ ​some​ ​more​ ​studying​ ​in​ ​before​ ​I​ ​braved​ ​going​ ​into​ ​town.​ ​I​ ​know​ ​that​ ​you,​ ​Rainbow​ ​and Pinkie​ ​are​ ​probably​ ​preparing​ ​pranks​ ​for​ ​everyo-​ ​I​ ​mean,​ ​everypony​ ​in​ ​town,​ ​and​ ​I’m​ ​pretty sure​ ​I’m​ ​on​ ​the​ ​list.” 
Discord​ ​ground​ ​his​ ​sharp​ ​teeth​ ​in​ ​frustration.​ ​Allan​ ​had​ ​proven​ ​far​ ​too​ ​observant​ ​for him​ ​to​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​pull​ ​his​ ​usual​ ​tricks​ ​without​ ​the​ ​changeling​ ​noticing.  
“Why,​ ​of​ ​course​ ​not.”​ ​Discord​ ​lied.​ ​“Just​ ​because​ ​we​ ​love​ ​pranking​ ​doesn’t​ ​mean​ ​we just​ ​go​ ​about​ ​pranking​ ​willy​ ​nilly!​ ​We’d​ ​get​ ​into​ ​so​ ​much​ ​trouble​ ​that​ ​it​ ​just​ ​wouldn’t​ ​be​ ​worth​ ​it.” 
Allan​ ​raised​ ​an​ ​eyebrow,​ ​in​ ​a​ ​rather​ ​Twilight-esque​ ​fashion.​ ​“And​ ​since​ ​when​ ​did​ ​the mighty​ ​Discord​ ​ever​ ​care​ ​about​ ​consequence?” 
The​ ​Draconequus​ ​held​ ​back​ ​a​ ​growl,​ ​and​ ​smiled​ ​cheekily​ ​instead.​ ​“So,​ ​just​ ​what​ ​is​ ​it Twilight​ ​has​ ​you​ ​studying,​ ​anyway?​ ​Nerdiness​ ​101?” 
“Actually,​ ​Twilight​ ​recommended​ ​a​ ​particular​ ​spell,​ ​just​ ​for​ ​today.” 
“And​ ​what​ ​would​ ​that​ ​be?”​ ​Discord​ ​asked,​ ​eyebrow​ ​raised.  
“Discordius​ ​Repellus.”​ ​The​ ​Changeling​ ​said​ ​in​ ​a​ ​casual​ ​and​ ​jovial​ ​manner,​ ​as​ ​though he​ ​had​ ​not​ ​just​ ​told​ ​Discord​ ​he​ ​was​ ​learning​ ​magic​ ​that​ ​was​ ​essentially​ ​poisonous​ ​to​ ​him.  
“That’s​ ​far​ ​too​ ​advanced​ ​for​ ​a​ ​beginner​ ​like​ ​you.​ ​Twilight​ ​would​ ​never​ ​teach​ ​you​ ​that spell!” Discord spluttered.
“Well,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​take​ ​a​ ​look​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​really​ ​don’t​ ​believe​ ​me.”​ ​Discord​ ​snapped his​ ​claws,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​book​ ​was​ ​suddenly​ ​in​ ​his​ ​his​ ​claws.​ ​To​ ​the​ ​Draconequus’​ ​​ ​shock,​ ​the​ ​book actually​ ​​was​​ ​open​ ​to​ ​the​ ​spell​ ​known​ ​as​ ​“Discord​ ​Repellent”​ ​to​ ​the​ ​more​ ​skilled​ ​Ponyvillian 
unicorns.​ ​It​ ​also​ ​was​ ​a​ ​book​ ​that​ ​belonged​ ​to​ ​Ponyville’s​ ​resident​ ​egghead​ ​Princess,​ ​which was​ ​just​ ​as​ ​surprising.  
“Well?”​ ​Allan​ ​asked,​ ​eyebrow​ ​raised,​ ​and​ ​with​ ​a​ ​slight​ ​smirk​ ​on​ ​his​ ​muzzle.  
Discord​ ​shrugged​ ​his​ ​shoulders,​ ​and​ ​pretended​ ​not​ ​to​ ​care.​ ​“Well,​ ​that’s​ ​all​ ​well​ ​and good,​ ​but​ ​just​ ​knowing​ ​that​ ​spell​ ​won’t​ ​save​ ​you​ ​from​ ​every​ ​prank​ ​I​ ​could​ ​cook​ ​up.”​ ​He​ ​said,​ ​a large​ ​white​ ​lab​ ​coat,​ ​goggles​ ​and​ ​smoking​ ​beaker​ ​appearing​ ​on​ ​him​ ​and​ ​in​ ​his​ ​eagle​ ​claw,​ ​as 
he​ ​spread​ ​his​ ​arms,​ ​balancing​ ​Twilight’s​ ​book​ ​on​ ​his​ ​lion​ ​paw.​ ​“Anyway,​ ​I​ ​just​ ​thought​ ​I​ ​would drop​ ​in​ ​for​ ​a​ ​visit​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​nopony​ ​else​ ​had​ ​started​ ​pranking​ ​either​ ​of​ ​you.” 
“Right.​ ​You​ ​totally​ ​didn’t​ ​come​ ​here​ ​to​ ​set​ ​up​ ​a​ ​bunch​ ​of​ ​pranks​ ​for​ ​me,​ ​while​ ​I​ ​wasn’t here.” 
“As​ ​if​ ​I​ ​would​ ​ever​ ​sink​ ​to​ ​such​ ​cheap​ ​tactics!”​ ​Discord​ ​snapped,​ ​denying​ ​his​ ​own previous​ ​track​ ​record​ ​of​ ​underhanded​ ​tricks​ ​“With​ ​all​ ​the​ ​power​ ​at​ ​my​ ​disposal,​ ​I​ ​have​ ​no​ ​need to​ ​sneak​ ​about,​ ​like​ ​a​ ​common​ ​thief.” 
“So​ ​the​ ​Elements​ ​of​ ​Harmony​ ​vanished​ ​from​ ​the​ ​box​ ​in​ ​the​ ​vault​ ​in​ ​Canterlot​ ​Tower​ ​on their​ ​own,​ ​did​ ​they?”​ ​Allan​ ​asked,​ ​his​ ​own​ ​snarky​ ​streak​ ​having​ ​been​ ​triggered.  
“That​ ​was​ ​the​ ​old​ ​me.​ ​I​ ​have​ ​changed​ ​since​ ​then,​ ​and​ ​everypony​ ​knows​ ​it!” 
Fluttershy​ ​glared​ ​at​ ​Allan​ ​from​ ​behind​ ​Discord,​ ​silently​ ​telling​ ​Allan​ ​to​ ​stop​ ​antagonizing Discord.​ ​The​ ​Changeling​ ​nodded​ ​his​ ​understanding,​ ​and​ ​turned​ ​apologetic​ ​eyes​ ​up​ ​at​ ​the Draconequus.​ ​“I’m​ ​sorry,​ ​Discord.​ ​That​ ​was​ ​rude​ ​of​ ​me.​ ​Forget​ ​I​ ​said​ ​anything,​ ​okay?” 
The​ ​Lord​ ​of​ ​Chaos​ ​grumbled​ ​a​ ​little,​ ​but​ ​accepted​ ​the​ ​apology,​ ​and​ ​after​ ​talking​ ​with Fluttershy​ ​and​ ​her​ ​house​ ​guest​ ​for​ ​a​ ​little​ ​longer,​ ​vanished,​ ​beginning​ ​to​ ​re-plan​ ​his​ ​pranks​ ​for Allan.  
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Pinkie​ ​Pie​ ​pronked​ ​her​ ​way​ ​up​ ​to​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​cottage,​ ​not​ ​five​ ​minutes​ ​after​ ​she​ ​had seen​ ​Allan​ ​in​ ​town,​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​set​ ​up​ ​a​ ​party​ ​cannon​ ​or​ ​two​ ​in​ ​the​ ​guest​ ​bedroom​ ​in​ ​the​ ​cozy little​ ​cottage.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​so​ ​excited​ ​to​ ​see​ ​how​ ​Allan​ ​would​ ​take​ ​a​ ​few​ ​jokes,​ ​and​ ​she​ ​hoped​ ​a few​ ​harmless​ ​pranks​ ​would​ ​help​ ​him​ ​feel​ ​more​ ​welcome.  
She​ ​saw​ ​the​ ​telltale​ ​flash​ ​of​ ​magic​ ​from​ ​a​ ​teleport​ ​through​ ​the​ ​window​ ​of​ ​the​ ​cottage, and​ ​her​ ​smile​ ​grew​ ​bigger.​ ​That​ ​was​ ​probably​ ​Discord,​ ​having​ ​set​ ​up​ ​a​ ​few​ ​tricks​ ​of​ ​his​ ​own. 
His chaos magic made pranking others incredibly easy, but Ponyville’s​ ​premier​ ​Party​ ​Pony​ ​would​ ​not​ ​be​ ​outdone​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Draconequus,​ ​Lord​ ​of​ ​Chaos​ ​or not.  
She​ ​bounded​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​door,​ ​quite​ ​certain​ ​of​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​the​ ​Allan​ ​was​ ​in​ ​Ponyville​ ​​ ​with Fluttershy​ ​today.  
Her​ ​surprise​ ​when​ ​the​ ​Changeling​ ​himself​ ​opened​ ​the​ ​door,​ ​complete​ ​with​ ​a mischievous​ ​grin,​ ​was​ ​beyond​ ​Equestria,​ ​a​ ​pair​ ​of​ ​words​ ​that​ ​Pinkie​ ​made​ ​note​ ​of,​ ​for sounding​ ​like​ ​the​ ​title​ ​of​ ​a​ ​really​ ​good​ ​story.​ ​She​ ​started,​ ​not​ ​quite​ ​sure​ ​what​ ​to​ ​make​ ​of​ ​it. Sure​ ​enough,​ ​this​ ​was​ ​Allan,​ ​and​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​she​ ​saw​ ​him,​ ​she​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​he​ ​was​ ​in​ ​the cottage,​ ​not​ ​in​ ​town.  
“Hi,​ ​Pinks.​ ​What’s​ ​up?”​ ​He​ ​asked.  
Pinkie​ ​fought​ ​through​ ​her​ ​confusion​ ​to​ ​give​ ​a​ ​response.​ ​“Oh…​ ​Hi,​ ​Allan!”​ ​She squeaked​ ​in​ ​her​ ​normal​ ​voice.​ ​“I​ ​was​ ​gonna​ ​try​ ​and​ ​set​ ​up​ ​a​ ​bunch​ ​of​ ​pranks​ ​for​ ​you​ ​today,​ ​but you’re​ ​here,​ ​and​ ​doing​ ​that​ ​with​ ​you​ ​at​ ​home​ ​would​ ​be​ ​weird,​ ​and​ ​wouldn’t​ ​work,​ ​because you’d​ ​probably​ ​see​ ​me.” 
Allan​ ​blinked,​ ​before​ ​smiling.​ ​“Well,​ ​I​ ​can’t​ ​fault​ ​you​ ​for​ ​trying.​ ​Wanna​ ​come​ ​in?​ ​Twilight and​ ​Rarity​ ​are​ ​here​ ​too,​ ​so​ ​why​ ​not​ ​join​ ​us?”  
Pinkie​ ​nodded​ ​with​ ​glee.​ ​At​ ​least​ ​she​ ​could​ ​have​ ​fun​ ​with​ ​friends.  
True​ ​to​ ​Alan's​ ​word,​ ​Twilight​ ​and​ ​Rarity​ ​sat​ ​on​ ​the​ ​couch,​ ​their​ ​heads​ ​bowed​ ​slightly towards​ ​each​ ​other​ ​and​ ​talking​ ​quietly,​ ​giggles​ ​breaking​ ​up​ ​the​ ​conversation​ ​at​ ​random intervals.​ ​They​ ​looked​ ​up​ ​as​ ​Pinkie​ ​and​ ​Allan​ ​entered,​ ​their​ ​faces​ ​breaking​ ​into​ ​happy​ ​smiles​ ​at the​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​them.  
“Pinkie!​ ​Darling!”​ ​Rarity​ ​cried​ ​in​ ​greeting.,”So​ ​glad​ ​you​ ​could​ ​join​ ​us!​ ​Come,​ ​my​ ​dear! Have​ ​a​ ​seat!” 
“Hello​ ​Pinkie.​ ​You​ ​not​ ​pranking​ ​today?​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​you’d​ ​be​ ​having​ ​fun​ ​with​ ​National Pranking​ ​day?”​ ​Twilight​ ​asked,​ ​her​ ​head​ ​tilting​ ​slightly​ ​to​ ​the​ ​side.  
“Well,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​gonna​ ​try​ ​and​ ​put​ ​some​ ​pranks​ ​up​ ​on​ ​here,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​think​ ​I​ ​made​ ​a​ ​mistake​ ​in my​ ​timetable​ ​for​ ​him​ ​today,​ ​because​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​he​ ​was​ ​supposed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​town.” 
“You​ ​made​ ​a​ ​mistake?​ ​That’s​ ​not​ ​like​ ​you.”​ ​Twilight​ ​seemed​ ​concerned,​ ​and​ ​Pinkie​ ​felt a​ ​little​ ​guilty.​ ​Twilight​ ​would​ ​need​ ​a​ ​cupcake​ ​as​ ​an​ ​apology.​ ​She​ ​shoved​ ​one​ ​she​ ​had​ ​been keeping​ ​in​ ​her​ ​mane​ ​into​ ​Twilight’s​ ​face,​ smooshing​ ​bright​ ​yellow​ ​icing​ ​all​ ​over​ ​her​ ​startled friends​ ​muzzle.  
“Don’t​ ​worry​ ​about​ ​me​ ​Twilight,​ ​I’ve​ ​made​ ​mistakes​ ​before…”​ ​Pinkie​ ​paused,​ ​suddenly struck​ ​by​ ​a​ ​strange​ ​sense​ ​that​ ​she​ ​was​ ​being​ ​misled.​ ​She​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​check,​ ​just​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure that​ ​her​ ​friends​ ​really​ ​were​ ​her​ ​friends​. Time for some questions... ​“Twilight, what​ ​are​ ​you​ ​afraid​ ​of?” 
“Huh?”​ ​The​ ​Princess​ ​of​ ​Friendship​ ​seemed​ ​confused.​ ​“Why​ ​are​ ​you​ ​asking​ ​me​ ​that?You already know the answers.” 
“Humour​ ​me.”​ ​Pinkie​ ​said,​ ​in​ ​jovial​ ​tones.  
Twilight​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​Allan,​ ​obviously​ ​not​ ​wanting​ ​to​ ​share.​ ​“Quesadillas….”​ ​She​ ​said slowly.​ ​Allan​ ​burst​ ​out​ ​laughing.  "What?! They're just so....." She shuddered. "Cheesy..." Allan laughed harder, prompting the Princess to pout.
“Rarity,​ ​what​ ​colour​ ​do​ ​you​ ​least​ ​like​ ​wearing?” Pinkie asked, once Allan had stopped laughing.
“Green.​ ​It​ ​doesn’t​ ​really​ ​suit​ ​me.”  
“I​ ​dunno.”​ ​The changeling​ ​said,​ ​hoof​ ​on​ ​chin,​ ​scrutinizing​ ​the​ ​Alabaster​ ​mare.​ ​“I​ ​could​ ​see​ ​you​ ​in a​ ​rather​ ​slim,​ ​green​ ​silk​ ​gown.”  
Rarity​ ​glared​ ​at​ ​him,​ ​before​ ​the​ ​idea​ ​started​ ​to​ ​take​ ​root​ ​in​ ​her​ ​mind.​ ​“.....Oh,​ ​that​ ​might actually​ ​work!​ ​Something​ ​simple,​ ​yet​ ​elegant…..”​ ​She​ ​drifted​ ​off,​ ​muttering​ ​ideas,​ ​and scribbling​ ​down​ ​notes​ ​in​ ​her​ ​notebook,​ ​which​ ​hovered​ ​in​ ​her​ ​blue​ ​aura,​ ​as​ ​did​ ​the​ ​scribbling 
quill. 
Fluttershy​ ​had​ ​trotted​ ​in​ ​midway​ ​through​ ​Pinkie’s​ ​questioning,​ ​some​ ​chocolate​ ​chip cookies​ ​balanced​ ​on​ ​a​ ​tray,​ ​which​ ​in​ ​turn​ ​was​ ​balanced​ ​on​ ​her​ ​back.​ ​She​ ​watched​ ​it​ ​all​ ​with mild​ ​amusement,​ ​before​ ​Pinkie​ ​was​ ​suddenly​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​her,​ ​making​ ​her​ ​release​ ​a​ ​very 
familiar:​ ​“Eeep!”​ ​sound.  
“Fluttershy,​ ​what’s​ ​your​ ​secret​ ​dream?” 
“Oh…​ ​um,​ ​which​ ​one?”​ ​True​ ​enough,​ ​the​ ​pegasus​ ​had​ ​several,​ ​most​ ​of​ ​which​ ​she thought​ ​were​ ​potentially​ ​embarrassing,​ ​including​ ​knitting,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​strange​ ​desire​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​tree.  
“Doesn’t​ ​matter!”  
“Oh,​ ​um...I​ ​guess…​ ​I​ ​just​ ​want​ ​somepony​ ​to​ ​take​ ​care​ ​of​ ​me,​ ​for​ ​once…”​ ​That​ ​was​ ​a good​ ​answer.  
Allan's​ ​gaze​ ​was​ ​softer​ ​then,​ ​as​ ​she​ ​said​ ​that,​ ​and​ ​Pinkie​ ​could​ ​see​ ​sympathy​ ​in​ ​those eyes.​ ​As​ ​Fluttershy​ ​had​ ​been​ ​looking​ ​out​ ​for​ ​him,​ ​Pinkie​ ​could​ ​see​ ​how​ ​his​ ​own​ ​feelings​ ​for her​ ​were​ ​growing.​ ​That​ ​was​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​convince​ ​her.​ ​He’d​ ​not​ ​told​ ​anypony,​ ​so​ ​it​ ​was​ ​as​ ​deep 
a​ ​secret​ ​as​ ​she​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​know.  
Still,​ ​she​ ​could​ ​feel​ ​a​ ​nagging​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​being​ ​lied​ ​to,​ ​but​ ​she​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​these​ ​were​ ​all her​ ​friends,​ ​so​ ​it​ ​couldn’t​ ​be​ ​them….​ ​Unless​ ​they​ ​were​ ​planning​ ​a​ ​surprise​ ​for​ ​her…​ ​Hmmm…. 
Perhaps​ ​she​ ​should​ ​just​ ​let​ ​them​ ​have​ ​their​ ​fun.​ ​She​ ​wouldn’t​ ​want​ ​to​ ​pry​ ​too​ ​hard,​ ​like​ ​when she​ ​had​ ​forgotten​ ​her​ ​own​ ​birthday.​ ​It​ ​wouldn’t​ ​be​ ​very​ ​nice​ ​of​ ​her​ ​to​ ​ruin​ ​something​ ​they​ ​were planning.  
Fluttershy​ ​looked​ ​embarrassed​ ​after​ ​her​ ​admittance,​ ​her​ ​cheeks​ ​red,​ ​and​ ​her​ ​eyes fluttering.​ ​Allan​ ​averted​ ​his​ ​gaze,​ ​not​ ​wanting​ ​to​ ​make​ ​her​ ​feel​ ​uncomfortable.​ ​Pinkie​ ​noticed everypony​ ​else​ ​do​ ​the​ ​same,​ ​so​ ​she​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​take​ ​their​ ​minds​ ​off​ ​Fluttershy’s​ ​anxiety,​ ​via 
cookies.​ ​Cookies​ ​from​ ​the​ ​tray​ ​on​ ​the​ ​pegasi’s​ ​back.  
“Hey​ ​everypony,!​ ​Let’s​ ​eat!”  
That​ ​got​ ​everypony​ ​smiling​ ​again.  
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Not​ ​so​ ​far​ ​away,​ ​Rainbow​ ​Dash​ ​flew​ ​over​ ​the​ ​town,​ ​grumbling​ ​at​ ​missing​ ​her opportunity​ ​to​ ​prank​ ​Allan.​ ​Oh​ ​well,​ ​plenty​ ​of​ ​other​ ​ponies​ ​to​ ​pull​ ​a​ ​fast​ ​one​ ​on.​ ​Searching​ ​for​ ​a good​ ​victim,​ ​Rainbow​ ​spotted​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie.​ ​Pinkie​ ​was​ ​always​ ​down​ ​for​ ​a​ ​prank,​ ​so​ ​she​ ​wouldn’t care​ ​much.  
Now,​ ​what​ ​trick​ ​to​ ​play….?​ ​Rolling​ ​thunder?​ ​Nah,​ ​no​ ​clouds​ ​on​ ​a​ ​sunny​ ​day​ ​like​ ​today. Her​ ​team​ ​had​ ​seen​ ​to​ ​that.​ ​Dragoon?​ ​Nope.​ ​Where​ ​would​ ​she​ ​find​ ​a​ ​dragon​ ​costume​ ​at​ ​this time​ ​of​ ​year,​ ​anyway?​ ​Perhaps…​ ​oh,​ ​Fluttershy​ ​was​ ​with​ ​her. Rainbow​ ​was​ ​about​ ​to​ ​fly​ ​away​ ​when​ ​she​ ​caught​ ​a​ ​snippet​ ​of​ ​the​ ​conversation.​ ​
“This​ ​is gonna​ ​be​ ​so​ ​fun​ ​when​ ​we​ ​see​ ​their​ ​faces!”​ ​That,​ ​from​ ​Fluttershy,​ ​of​ ​all​ ​ponies?​ ​Suspicious.  
“Yes,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​gonna​ ​be​ ​awesome!”​ ​Pinkie​ ​crowed.​ ​“I​ ​just​ ​hope​ ​none​ ​of​ ​them​ ​catch​ ​on​ ​too soon.”  
Fluttershy​ ​nodded​ ​her​ ​agreement.​ ​Come​ ​on​ ​then.​ ​We’ve​ ​gotta​ ​get​ ​into​ ​position​ ​for Discord.​ ​He​ ​should​ ​be​ ​coming​ ​to​ ​prank​ ​the​ ​town​ ​soon,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​told​ ​us​ ​to​ ​be​ ​there​ ​in​ ​time.” 
An​ ​explosion​ ​of​ ​ice​ ​cream​ ​nearby​ ​made​ ​them​ ​exchange​ ​panicked​ ​glances​ ​before zipping​ ​off​ ​to​ ​find​ ​Discord,​ ​leaving​ ​Rainbow​ ​to​ ​ponder​ ​the​ ​meaning​ ​behind​ ​the​ ​conversation.  
******************** 

Discord​ ​laughed​ ​at​ ​the​ ​myriad​ ​of​ ​ponies​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​escape​ ​the​ ​deluge​ ​of​ ​ice​ ​cream,​ ​and ultimately​ ​failing.​ ​As​ ​he​ ​he​ ​was​ ​about​ ​to​ ​scram,​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​avoid​ ​the​ ​scathing​ ​tones​ ​and angry/amused​ ​looks,​ ​he​ ​spotted​ ​a​ ​pink​ ​blur​ ​come​ ​shooting​ ​around​ ​a​ ​street​ ​corner,​ ​screaming: 
“ICECREAM​ ​ICECREAM​ ​ICECREAM!”  It​ ​was​ ​the​ ​pony​ ​that​ ​followed​ ​that​ ​made​ ​him​ ​pause​ ​though.  
Fluttershy,​ ​looking​ ​nervous​ ​at​ ​the​ ​extreme​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​ice​ ​cream,​ ​trotted​ ​slowly​ ​into​ ​the street.​ ​“Um,​ ​Pinkie…​ ​That’s​ ​probably​ ​not​ ​safe…”​ ​She​ ​tried​ ​to​ ​caution​ ​the​ ​logic​ ​defying​ ​Earth Pony,​ ​but​ ​to​ ​no​ ​avail,​ ​as​ ​Pinkie​ ​dove​ ​headfirst​ ​into​ ​the​ ​small​ ​mountain​ ​of​ ​ice​ ​cream​ ​that​ ​had 
emerged​ ​from​ ​nowhere.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​just​ ​seen​ ​her​ ​at​ ​the​ ​cottage,​ ​and​ ​unless​ ​she​ ​had​ ​somepony teleport​ ​her,​ ​she​ ​couldn’t​ ​cover​ ​that​ ​distance​ ​on​ ​her​ ​own.  
“It’s​ ​no​ ​use​ ​Fluttershy.”​ ​A​ ​third​ ​voice​ ​joined​ ​them.​ ​A​ ​familiar​ ​bronze​ ​changeling​ ​trotted out​ ​from​ ​the​ ​same​ ​alleyway​ ​that​ ​Fluttershy​ ​and​ ​Pinkie​ ​had.​ ​​ ​Allan!?​ ​He​ ​was​ ​here​ ​too?​ ​Things were​ ​getting​ ​out​ ​of​ ​hoof.​ ​“You​ ​can’t​ ​reason​ ​with​ ​her​ ​when​ ​she’s​ ​like​ ​this.” 
Discord’s​ ​eyes​ ​narrowed,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​snapped​ ​his​ ​fingers,​ ​reappearing​ ​in​ ​Fluttershy’s cottage. Allan,​ ​Fluttershy​ ​and​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie​ ​all​ ​sat​ ​on​ ​the​ ​sofa,​ ​happily​ ​munching​ ​away​ ​on​ ​oatmeal cookies​ ​with​ ​Rarity​ ​and​ ​Twilight.​ ​Discord​ ​did​ ​not​ ​let​ ​himself​ ​be​ ​seen,​ ​staying​ ​invisible​ ​to​ ​them 
all,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​peered​ ​at​ ​each​ ​of​ ​them​ ​with​ ​intense​ ​focus.  
They​ ​all​ ​seemed​ ​perfectly​ ​normal.  
Discord​ ​snapped​ ​his​ ​fingers​ ​again,​ ​silently​ ​bringing​ ​himself​ ​back​ ​to​ ​the​ ​ice​ ​cream drenched​ ​street.​ ​Allan​ ​and​ ​Fluttershy​ ​stood,​ ​watching​ ​on​ ​with​ ​exasperated​ ​expressions​ ​as Pinkie​ ​Pie​ ​dove​ ​in​ ​and​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dessert​ ​like​ ​a​ ​dolphin,​ ​complete​ ​with​ ​dolphin​ ​noises.  Once​ ​again,​ ​they​ ​all​ ​looked​ ​normal.​ ​Something​ ​strange​ ​was​ ​going​ ​on​ ​here,​ ​and​ ​he wasn’t​ ​so​ ​sure​ ​he​ ​liked​ ​it.  
*********************** 

Rainbow​ ​watched​ ​the​ ​flooded​ ​street​ ​with​ ​a​ ​frown.​ ​Allan​ ​didn’t​ ​know​ ​teleportation,​ ​so how​ ​had​ ​he​ ​gotten​ ​here​ ​so​ ​quickly?​ ​She​ ​had​ ​seen​ ​Discord​ ​hovering​ ​around,​ ​but​ ​his expression​ ​at​ ​seeing​ ​Fluttershy​ ​and​ ​Pinkie​ ​had​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​one​ ​of​ ​surprise.​ ​This​ ​whole​ ​thing 
was​ ​getting​ ​very​ ​strange.  
*********************** 

The​ ​nagging​ ​feeling​ ​that​ ​Pinkie​ ​had​ ​just​ ​wasn’t​ ​going​ ​away.​ ​Something​ ​was​ ​funny here,​ ​and​ ​not​ ​​ ​in​ ​the​ ​“Ha​ ​ha!”​ ​way,​ ​either.​ ​The​ ​longer​ ​she​ ​sat​ ​with​ ​her​ ​friends​ ​eating​ ​chocolate chip​ ​and​ ​oatmeal​ ​cookies,​ ​the​ ​more​ ​the​ ​little​ ​niggling​ ​worry​ ​grew,​ ​which​ ​was​ ​starting​ ​to​ ​get​ ​on her​ ​nerves.  Twilight​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​pick​ ​up​ ​on​ ​it​ ​first,​ ​her​ ​face​ ​growing​ ​increasingly​ ​less​ ​happy​ ​and more​ ​concerned​ ​again.​ ​She​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​want​ ​to​ ​ask,​ ​but​ ​she​ ​simply​ ​mustn't​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to broach​ ​the​ ​subject.  
The​ ​little​ ​gathering​ ​finally​ ​ended,​ ​Twilight​ ​and​ ​Rarity​ ​saying​ ​their​ ​goodbyes.  
“Wait!”​ ​The​ ​cry​ ​was​ ​from​ ​Fluttershy.​ ​“Why​ ​don’t​ ​we​ ​all​ ​go​ ​into​ ​town​ ​together?​ ​Allan​ ​and I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​go​ ​into​ ​town​ ​today​ ​anyway,​ ​but​ ​you​ ​came​ ​over​ ​before​ ​we​ ​could.”  
“Oh,​ ​what​ ​do​ ​you​ ​guys​ ​want​ ​in​ ​town?”​ ​Twilight​ ​asked,​ ​curiously.  
“Oh,​ ​well…​ ​it’s​ ​actually​ ​Allan's​ ​idea.”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​explained.​ ​“He​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​get​ ​me something​ ​as​ ​a​ ​thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​letting​ ​him​ ​stay​ ​here.​ ​And,​ ​he​ ​has​ ​something​ ​else​ ​he​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​do too,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​won’t​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​what​ ​it​ ​is.” 
That​ ​seemed​ ​strange.​ ​“Sounds​ ​fun!”​ ​Pinkie​ ​said,​ ​plonking​ ​in​ ​place.​ ​“Can​ ​I​ ​come?” 
“Of​ ​course!”​ ​Allan​ ​grinned.​ ​“All​ ​our​ ​friends​ ​are​ ​welcome.” 
*********************** 

Rainbow​ ​watched​ ​the​ ​group​ ​below​ ​like​ ​a​ ​hawk,​ ​her​ ​magenta​ ​eyes​ ​focused​ ​entirely​ ​on her​ ​quarry.​ ​She​ ​didn’t​ ​even​ ​notice​ ​Discord​ ​appear​ ​behind​ ​her.  
“Isn’t​ ​spying​ ​on​ ​your​ ​friends​ ​rude,​ ​Rainbow​ ​Dash?​ ​I​ ​wouldn’t​ ​ask,​ ​except​ ​that​ ​I’m apparently​ ​still​ ​a​ ​novice​ ​at​ ​friendship.”  
Rainbow​ ​squealed​ ​loudly,​ ​though​ ​it​ ​was​ ​thankfully​ ​muffled​ ​by​ ​the​ ​cloud​ ​she​ ​was​ ​using as​ ​cover.​ ​“Discord!​ ​You​ ​better​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​what’s​ ​going​ ​on,​ ​right​ ​now!​ ​Or​ ​I’m​ ​gonna-” 
Discord​ ​covered​ ​her​ ​mouth​ ​with​ ​a​ ​claw.​ ​“I​ ​would,​ ​miss​ ​Dash,​ ​but​ ​unfortunately, whatever​ ​is​ ​going​ ​on,​ ​it​ ​isn’t​ ​any​ ​of​ ​my​ ​doing.​ ​I’m​ ​innocent.”​ ​He​ ​said,​ ​failing​ ​to​ ​sound convincing​ ​at​ ​all.  
“I​ ​don’t​ ​believe​ ​you!”​ ​Rainbow​ ​cried,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​punch​ ​Discord.​ ​All​ ​she​ ​did​ ​was​ ​put​ ​her hoof​ ​through​ ​a​ ​previously​ ​non-existent​ ​hole​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Draconequus’​ ​body.  
“Look,​ ​no​ ​matter​ ​what​ ​you​ ​think-”​ ​The​ ​Lord​ ​of​ ​Chaos​ ​stopped,​ ​ears​ ​picking​ ​up​ ​a​ ​new group​ ​of​ ​voices.​ ​Rainbow​ ​stopped​ ​too,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​two​ ​of​ ​them​ ​peered​ ​through​ ​a​ ​hole​ ​in​ ​the cloud. 
Two​ ​groups​ ​of​ ​their​ ​friends​ ​stood​ ​below,​ ​but​ ​now,​ ​where​ ​the​ ​Pinkie,​ ​Fluttershy​ ​and Allan​ ​from​ ​the​ ​ice​ ​cream​ ​street​ ​had​ ​stood,​ ​Applejack,​ ​Starlight,​ ​and​ ​even​ ​Trixie​ ​stood,​ ​with​ ​the stetson​ ​wearing​ ​farm​ ​girl​ ​waving​ ​over​ ​to​ ​the​ ​others.  
“Howdy​ ​y’all!”​ ​Applejack​ ​called​ ​in​ ​greeting.​ ​“Lookie​ ​who​ ​I​ ​ran​ ​into​ ​on​ ​my​ ​way​ ​to​ ​the market​ ​today!” 
“Starlight!​ ​Trixie!”​ ​Allan​ ​called,​ ​trotting​ ​over.​ ​“Good​ ​to​ ​see​ ​you​ ​two​ ​again.”  
Twilight​ ​looked​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​gag​ ​at​ ​the​ ​mention​ ​of​ ​Trixie,​ ​but​ ​she​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​herself under​ ​control,​ ​so​ ​she​ ​didn’t​ ​end​ ​up​ ​embarrassing​ ​her​ ​student.  
“Oh,​ ​hi​ ​Starlight.​ ​How​ ​have​ ​you​ ​been?”​ ​Fluttershy​ ​asked,​ ​she​ ​Allan​ ​and​ ​Starlight descending​ ​into​ ​small​ ​talk.  
Discord​ ​and​ ​Rainbow​ ​glanced​ ​at​ ​one​ ​another,​ ​before​ ​looking​ ​back​ ​at​ ​their​ ​friends.  
****************************  
Allan​ ​grinned,​ ​sneaking​ ​a​ ​glance​ ​up​ ​at​ ​the​ ​cloud​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​concealed​ ​Rainbow​ ​and possibly​ ​Discord​ ​too.​ ​This​ ​was​ ​too​ ​easy.​ ​He​ ​continued​ ​his​ ​conversation,​ ​and​ ​waited​ ​for​ ​the fireworks​ ​to​ ​begin.  
*********************** 

“Alright!​ ​That’s​ ​it!​ ​I’m​ ​going​ ​down​ ​there​ ​and​ ​sorting​ ​this​ ​out​ ​right​ ​now!”​ ​Discord​ ​fumed, snapping​ ​his​ ​fingers​ ​once​ ​more,​ ​teleporting​ ​himself​ ​and​ ​half​ ​of​ ​the​ ​cloud​ ​the​ ​two​ ​were​ ​hiding in,​ ​right​ ​into​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ponies,​ ​and​ ​changeling,​ ​below.​ ​“Enough​ ​of​ ​this!​ ​All​ ​of​ ​you​ ​have been​ ​acting​ ​strange​ ​all​ ​day,​ ​and​ ​for​ ​one,​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​happy​ ​about​ ​it!​ ​I​ ​demand​ ​an​ ​explanation!”  
Rainbow​ ​swooped​ ​down​ ​beside​ ​him,​ ​glaring​ ​at​ ​him​ ​for​ ​leaving​ ​her​ ​behind.​ ​“Yeah!​ ​And you​ ​better​ ​explain​ ​it​ ​good!”​ ​She​ ​demanded,​ ​glaring​ ​at​ ​Fluttershy,​ ​Pinkie,​ ​and​ ​Allan.​ ​“We’ve seen​ ​you​ ​popping​ ​up​ ​everywhere!​ ​You​ ​were​ ​at​ ​Fluttershy’s,​ ​then​ ​you​ ​were​ ​here,​ ​then​ ​you were​ ​here​ ​again,​ ​but​ ​not​ ​where​ ​we’d​ ​just​ ​seen​ ​you!” 
Allan​ ​seemed​ ​the​ ​one​ ​that​ ​was​ ​most​ ​alarmed​ ​at​ ​their​ ​sudden​ ​arrival​ ​and​ ​their aggressive​ ​questions,​ ​but​ ​despite​ ​that,​ ​an​ ​despite​ ​his​ ​face​ ​being​ ​wet​ ​drenched​ ​by​ ​cloud vapour​. ​(He’d​ ​caught​ ​a​ ​face​ ​full​ ​of​ ​the​ ​stuff.)​ ​he​ ​was​ ​also​ ​the​ ​only​ ​one​ ​who​ ​seemed​ ​ready​ ​to offer​ ​up​ ​some​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​account​ ​of​ ​the​ ​bizarrities​ ​of​ ​that​ ​morning.)
“Well…​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​know​ ​what​ ​you’re​ ​talking​ ​about.​ ​Me,​ ​Fluttershy​ ​and​ ​Pinkie​ ​were​ ​with Twilight​ ​and​ ​Rarity​ ​all​ ​morning.We​ ​haven’t​ ​been​ ​in​ ​town​ ​until​ ​just​ ​now.​ ​Whoever​ ​you​ ​saw,​ ​it wasn’t​ ​us.” 
Despite​ ​the​ ​sincerity​ ​of​ ​Allan's​ ​testimony,​ ​Discord’s​ ​ancient​ ​mind​ ​was​ ​whirring,​ ​literally, with​ ​cogs​ ​and​ ​gears​ ​having​ ​appeared​ ​all​ ​over​ ​his​ ​lengthy,​ ​equine​ ​muzzle,​ ​clicking​ ​and​ ​whirring as​ ​they​ ​processed​ ​the​ ​information​ ​he​ ​had. Friends appearing and disappearing, with no sign of teleportation. The more he thought about it, the more obvious the answer became. 
“You’re​ ​all​ ​shapeshifting…”​ ​Discord​ ​said​ ​slowly,​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​them​ ​all​ ​with​ ​sudden​ ​clarity. “You​ ​figured​ ​out​ ​some​ ​way​ ​to​ ​let​ ​everypony shapeshift…”  

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnHmskwqCCQ )

Allan's​ ​face​ ​turned​ ​from​ ​anxious​ ​to​ ​extremely​ ​energetic​ ​in​ ​the​ ​space​ ​of​ ​a​ ​heartbeat. “Meep​ ​Meep!”​ ​He​ ​cried,​ ​and​ ​after​ ​making​ ​a​ ​strange​ ​noise​ ​that​ ​sounded​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​repeatedly popping​ ​cork,​ ​he​ ​suddenly​ ​sped​ ​off​ ​in​ ​a​ ​cloud​ ​of​ ​dust​ ​that​ ​left​ ​both​ ​discord​ ​and​ ​Rainbow coughing.  
“What​ ​the-?!”​ ​Rainbow​ ​cried,​ ​amid​ ​coughing.​ ​“He’s​ ​never​ ​been​ ​that​ ​fast​ ​before!” 
Discord​ ​wiped​ ​the​ ​dust​ ​from​ ​his​ ​eyes,​ ​then​ ​quickly​ ​took​ ​them​ ​out,​ ​brushed​ ​some​ ​dirt out​ ​from​ ​behind​ ​them,​ ​and​ ​started​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​the​ ​changeling,​ ​only​ ​for​ ​Rainbow​ ​to​ ​stop​ ​him​ ​by tugging​ ​on​ ​his​ ​arm.​ ​“What​ ​is​ ​it-​ ​oh…”​ ​Their​ ​friends,​ ​sporting​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​biggest,​ ​mischievous 
grins​ ​in​ ​the​ ​history​ ​of​ ​grins,​ ​were​ ​standing​ ​in​ ​a​ ​circle​ ​around​ ​them.  
“MEEP​ ​MEEP!”​ ​They​ ​chorused,​ ​before​ ​doing​ ​exactly​ ​as​ ​Allan​ ​had​ ​done​ ​and​ ​speeding off​ ​in​ ​different​ ​directions.  
Rainbow​ ​and​ ​Discord​ ​spent​ ​another​ ​little​ ​while​ ​coughing​ ​the  Dust​ ​out​ ​of​ ​their​ ​lungs,​ ​before​ ​the​ ​pegasus​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​ask.​ ​“Are​ ​they​ ​all​ ​Changelings?!” 
“*cough*​ ​No.​ ​They​ ​must​ ​have​ ​some​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​charm​ ​that​ ​lets​ ​them​ ​shapeshift​ ​at​ ​will.​ ​No doubt​ ​our​ ​mutual​ ​changeling​ ​friend​ ​and​ ​our bookworm​ ​Princess​ ​cooked​ ​this​ ​whole​ ​thing​ ​up.” 
“So...” 
“Let’s​ ​catch​ ​them!”​ ​Discord​ ​roared.”Nopony​ ​makes​ ​a​ ​fool​ ​of​ ​Discord​ ​but​ ​Discord!”
Discord​ ​sped​ ​off​ ​after​ ​Allan,​ ​while​ ​Rainbow​ ​went​ ​off​ ​after​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie.​ ​She​ ​caught​ ​up with​ ​her​ ​quickly,​ ​only​ ​for​ ​the​ ​pink​ ​pony​ ​to​ ​leap​ ​through​ ​the​ ​air​ ​in​ ​a​ ​graceful​ ​arc,​ ​landing​ ​inside one​ ​of​ ​two​ ​wooden​ ​barrels.​ ​Rainbow​ ​stopped,​ ​eyeing​ ​the​ ​wooden​ ​container​ ​with​ ​a​ ​wary​ ​stare, 
only​ ​to​ ​be​ ​surprised​ ​when​ ​Pinkie​ ​popped​ ​back​ ​up,​ ​pulling​ ​a​ ​face​ ​at​ ​the​ ​prismatic​ ​pegasus. 
“Nyah​ ​nyah!!” 
Rainbow​ ​growled,​ ​then​ ​dived​ ​in​ ​after​ ​her​ ​friend.​ ​Seconds​ ​before​ ​Rainbow​ ​slammed down​ ​on​ ​top​ ​of​ ​her,​ ​Pinkie​ ​suddenly​ ​dived​ ​back​ ​down,​ ​disappearing​ ​into​ ​the​ ​dark​ ​bottom​ ​of​ ​the barrel.  
Rainbow​ ​slammed​ ​down​ ​in​ ​the​ ​bottom​ ​of​ ​the​ ​barrel,​ ​only​ ​yo​ ​find​ ​no​ ​Pinkie,​ ​just wooden​ ​boards.​ ​She​ ​could​ ​hear​ ​Pinkie’s​ ​laughter​ ​somewhere​ ​outside,​ ​and​ ​her​ ​own​ ​frustrated yelling.​ ​She​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​pull​ ​her​ ​forelegs​ ​free,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​pushed​ ​herself​ ​up,​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​barrel.
Spotting​ ​Pinkie​ ​was​ ​easy.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​half​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​neighbouring​ ​barrel,​ ​clutching​ ​her​ ​stomach as​ ​she​ ​fell​ ​over​ ​laughing. 
Rainbow​ ​launched​ ​herself​ ​at​ ​the​ ​pink​ ​menace,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​tackle​ ​the​ ​mare​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the wooden​ ​container.  
Pinkie​ ​easily​ ​dodged​ ​the​ ​assault,​ ​vaulting​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​way​ ​and​ ​galloping​ ​off​ ​down​ ​the street,​ ​peals​ ​of​ ​laughter​ ​trailing​ ​behind​ ​her.​ ​Rainbow​ ​slammed​ ​her​ ​hoof​ ​into​ ​the​ ​side​ ​of​ ​her barrel,​ ​her​ ​irritation​ ​growing​ ​with​ ​each​ ​staccato​ ​burst​ ​of​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie’s​ ​hooves.  
Before​ ​she​ ​could​ ​make​ ​a​ ​move,​ ​Fluttershy​ ​was​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​her,​ ​panting,​ ​but​ ​with​ ​an expression​ ​of​ ​boundless​ ​joy​ ​on​ ​her​ ​face.​ ​She​ ​seemed​ ​exhilarated​ ​by​ ​the​ ​chase,​ ​and​ ​was​ ​off again​ ​in​ ​a​ ​flash,​ ​the​ ​serpentine​ ​form​ ​of​ ​Discord​ ​careening​ ​after​ ​her.  
As he pair were crossing a street intersection, Allan​ ​crossed​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Draconequus,​ ​distracting​ ​him​ ​from​ ​Fluttershy.​ ​The​ ​Lord​ ​of 
Chaos​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​chase​ ​down​ ​the​ ​changeling,​ ​whilst​ ​Fluttershy​ ​disappeared​ ​into​ ​an​ ​alleyway further​ ​down​ ​the​ ​avenue.  
This​ ​whole​ ​situation​ ​reminded​ ​her​ ​of​ ​a​ ​comedy​ ​show​ ​she’d​ ​once​ ​seen​ ​with​ ​her​ ​father, one​ ​that​ ​had​ ​focused​ ​almost​ ​entirely​ ​on​ ​slapstick​ ​comedy​ ​and​ ​a​ ​chase​ ​scene​ ​backed​ ​by​ ​quirky trumpet​ ​music....
Gritting​ ​her​ ​teeth,​ ​Rainbow​ ​took​ ​to​ ​the​ ​sky,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​spot​ ​one​ ​of​ ​her​ ​friends.  A​ ​flash​ ​of​ ​blonde​ ​hair,​ ​trailing​ ​out​ ​from​ ​under​ ​a​ ​large​ ​brown​ ​hat​ ​notified​ ​her​ ​to Applejack’s​ ​whereabouts,​ ​giving​ ​her​ ​a​ ​target.  Rainbow​ ​streaked​ ​down,​ ​only​ ​for​ ​Applejack​ ​to​ ​twist​ ​her​ ​head​ ​around​ ​and​ ​spot​ ​her. 
“Woah,​ ​nelly!”​ ​The​ ​Earth​ ​Pony​ ​cried,​ ​diving​ ​down​ ​a​ ​different​ ​street​ ​to​ ​try​ ​and​ ​shake​ ​her pursuer.​ ​Rainbow​ ​had​ ​to​ ​quickly​ ​flip​ ​herself​ ​over​ ​backwards​ ​and​ ​twist​ ​around​ ​so​ ​that​ ​shestayed​ ​on​ ​Applejack’s​ ​tail,​ ​only​ ​to​ ​see​ ​that​ ​Applejack​ ​was​ ​inexplicably​ ​going​ ​back​ ​the​ ​way​ ​she 
had​ ​come.  
Rainbow​ ​dropped​ ​to​ ​the​ ​floor​ ​on​ ​instinct,​ ​pivoting​ ​on​ ​her​ ​hooves​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​the​ ​farm pony.​ ​As​ ​Rainbow​ ​went​ ​to​ ​follow,​ ​Rarity​ ​screamed​ ​past,​ ​laughing​ ​all​ ​the​ ​while,​ ​an​ ​angry Discord​ ​chasing​ ​after​ ​her​ ​with​ ​several​ ​pieces​ ​of​ ​fruit​ ​clinging​ ​to​ ​his​ ​fur​ ​from​ ​where​ ​she’d​ ​​ ​no 
doubt​ ​thrown​ ​something​ ​in​ ​the​ ​way​ ​in​ ​an​ ​attempt​ ​to​ ​slow​ ​him​ ​down.  Another Discord​ ​appeared​ ​at​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​alleyway​ ​as​ ​well,​ ​finally​ ​using​ ​his​ ​chaotic​ ​powers​ ​to catch​ ​the​ ​two​ ​ponies​ ​before​ ​they​ ​could​ ​escape​ ​again.​ ​Applejack​ ​and​ ​Rarity​ ​chuckled​ ​nervously as​ ​Rainbow​ ​and​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Discords​ ​approached,​ ​their​ ​manes​ ​plastered​ ​to​ ​their​ ​faces​ ​from​ ​a little​ ​sweat.  
As​ ​Rainbow​ ​was​ ​about​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Applejack,​ ​the​ ​Discord​ ​on​ ​guard​ ​suddenly​ ​blew a​ ​raspberry​ ​at​ ​the​ ​two​ ​irritated​ ​pranksters,​ ​and​ ​vanished​ ​in​ ​a​ ​flash​ ​of​ ​blue​ ​fire,​ ​replaced​ ​by Pinkie​ ​Pie,​ ​who​ ​then​ ​charged​ ​off​ ​again,​ ​closely​ ​followed​ ​by​ ​Rarity,​ ​who​ ​hoofed​ ​it​ ​the​ ​moment 
that​ ​Pinkie​ ​appeared.  
Applejack​ ​wasn’t​ ​so​ ​lucky,​ ​as​ ​Rainbow​ ​grabbed​ ​her​ ​before​ ​she​ ​could​ ​run,​ ​quickly finding​ ​the​ ​trinket​ ​that​ ​was​ ​letting​ ​her​ ​shapeshift.​ ​She​ ​pulled​ ​the​ ​amulet​ ​up​ ​and​ ​over Applejack’s​ ​head,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​moment​ ​it​ ​came​ ​loose,​ ​Applejack​ ​vanished,​ ​the​ ​real​ ​Rarity​ ​standing in​ ​her​ ​place,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​back​ ​laughter​ ​at​ ​the​ ​look​ ​of​ ​befuddlement​ ​on​ ​the​ ​pegasi’s​ ​face. 
“That’s​ ​the​ ​real​ ​Rarity,​ ​the​ ​other​ ​one​ ​must​ ​be​ ​somepony​ ​else.​ ​Come​ ​on!​ ​Let’s​ ​get​ ​the others!”​ ​Discord​ ​ordered,​ ​snapping​ ​his​ ​fingers​ ​and​ ​teleporting​ ​away.  
Rainbow​ ​gave​ ​Rarity​ ​one​ ​last​ ​look​ ​before​ ​charging​ ​off,​ ​leaving​ ​the​ ​fashionista​ ​a​ ​little tired​ ​after​ ​her​ ​run.  
The​ ​other​ ​Rarity​ ​had​ ​far​ ​too​ ​much​ ​endurance​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​real​ ​thing,​ ​which​ ​gave​ ​her away​ ​as​ ​really​ ​being​ ​Applejack,​ ​as​ ​no​ ​other​ ​pony​ ​besides​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie​ ​could​ ​get​ ​so​ ​far​ ​so​ ​fast. 
The​ ​“Rarity”​ ​up​ ​ahead​ ​made​ ​a​ ​wrong​ ​turn,​ ​going​ ​into​ ​an​ ​alley​ ​with​ ​a​ ​dead​ ​end.​ ​Rainbow​ ​sped up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​corner​ ​and​ ​then​ ​around​ ​it,​ ​to​ ​see​ ​“Rarity”,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​figure​ ​out​ ​how​ ​to​ ​escape.  Rainbow​ ​pounced,​ ​eliciting​ ​a​ ​squeal​ ​from​ ​her​ ​adversary​ ​as​ ​she​ ​ripped​ ​the enchantment​ ​away,​ ​revealing​ ​Applejack.​ ​“Aww,​ ​shucks.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​havin’​ ​fun.”​ ​The​ ​farm​ ​pony grumbled.  
Slinging​ ​the​ ​amulet​ ​around​ ​her​ ​own​ ​neck,​ ​to​ ​join​ ​it’s​ ​companion,​ ​Rainbow​ ​dashed​ ​off again,​ ​as​ ​Applejack​ ​trotted​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​alley​ ​at​ ​a​ ​more​ ​sedate​ ​pace.  Spotting​ ​Starlight​ ​being​ ​strung​ ​up​ ​by​ ​Discord​ ​near​ ​the​ ​marketplace,​ ​only​ ​for​ ​the removal​ ​of​ ​her​ ​amulet​ ​to​ ​reveal​ ​Trixie,​ ​Rainbow​ ​searched​ ​for​ ​somepony​ ​else​ ​to​ ​catch.  
As​ ​luck​ ​would​ ​have​ ​it,​ ​Allan​ ​came​ ​hurrying​ ​around​ ​the​ ​street​ ​corner​ ​opposite​ ​of​ ​her, completely​ ​oblivious​ ​of​ ​her​ ​presence.​ ​Rainbow​ ​streaked​ ​forward​ ​with​ ​a​ ​war​ ​cry,​ ​only​ ​for​ ​the startled​ ​changeling​ ​to​ ​dodge​ ​at​ ​the​ ​last​ ​second.​ ​Twilight​ ​rushed​ ​in​ ​as​ ​well,​ ​teleporting​ ​the​ ​pair 
away​ ​in​ ​a​ ​flash​ ​of​ ​violet​ ​magic.  Rainbow​ ​spotted​ ​the​ ​nearby​ ​flash​ ​that​ ​told​ ​her​ ​exactly​ ​where​ ​the​ ​pair​ ​had​ ​teleported to,​ ​just​ ​a​ ​few​ ​buildings​ ​away.​ ​She​ ​took​ ​off,​ ​her​ ​wings​ ​pumping​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​get​ ​there​ ​in​ ​time,​ ​only for​ ​Allan​ ​to​ ​charge​ ​past​ ​her​ ​the​ ​other​ ​way,​ ​and​ ​Twilight​ ​start​ ​galloping​ ​in​ ​the​ ​other​ ​direction. Rainbow​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​go​ ​after​ ​Allan,​ ​and​ ​was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​catch​ ​up​ ​quickly,​ ​her​ ​wing-power​ ​quickly trumping his​ ​leg​ ​power.​ ​She​ ​grabbed​ ​him​ ​by​ ​the​ ​barrel,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​two​ ​went​ ​down​ ​in​ ​a​ ​tangle​ ​of​ ​limbs.​ ​His amulet​ ​went​ ​flying​ ​off,​ ​and….revealed​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie.  
“Whee!​ ​That​ ​was​ ​so​ ​much​ ​fun!​ ​Can​ ​we​ ​do​ ​it​ ​again?​ ​Huh?​ ​Can​ ​we?”​ ​She​ ​squealed.  
Rainbow​ ​rolled​ ​her​ ​eyes,​ ​retrieved​ ​the​ ​amulet,​ ​and​ ​started​ ​off​ ​again,​ ​leaving​ ​Pinkie​ ​Pie to​ ​pronk​ ​her​ ​way​ ​back​ ​to​ ​the​ ​place​ ​they’d​ ​started. 
She​ ​spotted​ ​“Trixie”,​ ​or,​ ​most​ ​likely,​ ​Starlight,​ ​hiding​ ​up​ ​on​ ​the​ ​balcony​ ​of​ ​Town​ ​Hall. 
The​ ​Unicorn​ ​was​ ​quick​ ​to​ ​spot​ ​her​ ​too,​ ​and​ ​in​ ​typical​ ​“Trixie”​ ​fashion,​ ​she​ ​threw​ ​down​ ​a​ ​smoke bomb​ ​and​ ​vanished.​ ​Rainbow​ ​cursed​ ​Starlight’s​ ​friendship​ ​with​ ​the​ ​show​ ​mare,​ ​and​ ​flapped​ ​off again,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​find​ ​anypony. She​ ​flew​ ​over​ ​the​ ​little​ ​square​ ​that​ ​this​ ​silly​ ​chase​ ​had​ ​started​ ​in,​ ​spotting​ ​Discord depositing​ ​Twilight​ ​and​ ​Fluttershy​ ​into​ ​the​ ​middle,​ ​where​ ​everypony​ ​else​ ​was​ ​waiting.​ ​That​ ​just left​ ​Allan​ ​and​ ​Starlight.  
Discord​ ​joined​ ​her​ ​in​ ​the​ ​air,​ ​both​ ​of​ ​them​ ​glaring​ ​intently​ ​at​ ​the​ ​streets​ ​below,​ ​until Rainbow​ ​spotted​ ​a​ ​“Pinkie”​ ​creeping​ ​along​ ​behind​ ​Sugarcube​ ​corner.​ ​She​ ​pointed​ ​her​ ​out​ ​to Discord,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​let​ ​herself​ ​fall​ ​a​ ​few​ ​feet,​ ​to​ ​gain​ ​momentum,​ ​before​ ​she​ ​angled​ ​herself 
towards​ ​the​ ​bakery​ ​and​ ​snapped​ ​her​ ​wings​ ​open.  
Somewhere​ ​behind​ ​her,​ ​the​ ​startled​ ​yelp​ ​of​ ​somepony​ ​who​ ​sounded​ ​like​ ​Trixie,​ ​but probably​ ​wasn’t,​ ​revealed​ ​that​ ​Discord​ ​had​ ​caught​ ​Starlight.  
Rainbow​ ​grinned,​ ​and​ ​rammed​ ​into​ ​Pinkie…​ ​or​ ​would​ ​have,​ ​had​ ​the​ ​pink​ ​party​ ​pony not​ ​ducked​ ​at​ ​the​ ​last​ ​second,​ ​forcing​ ​Rainbow​ ​to​ ​smack​ ​straight​ ​into​ ​the​ ​ground.​ ​Rubbing​ ​her now​ ​sore​ ​head,​ ​Rainbow​ ​snarled​ ​in​ ​Pinkie’s​ ​direction,​ ​expecting​ ​her​ ​to​ ​run​ ​off​ ​like​ ​before.  
Instead,​ ​“Pinkie”​ ​was​ ​backing​ ​into​ ​a​ ​corner,​ ​Discord​ ​and​ ​the​ ​other​ ​Elements​ ​of Harmony,​ ​all​ ​around.  
“Alright​ ​Allan,​ ​the​ ​fun’s​ ​over.”​ ​Twilight​ ​said​ ​with​ ​a​ ​smile.​ ​“I​ ​think​ ​it’s​ ​about​ ​time​ ​we​ ​all calmed​ ​down,​ ​so​ ​just​ ​let​ ​the​ ​disguise​ ​go​ ​and​ ​we’ll​ ​head​ ​back​ ​to​ ​the​ ​castle.”  
Allan​ ​looked​ ​around​ ​the​ ​semicircle​ ​of​ ​his​ ​friends,​ ​his​ ​gaze​ ​lingering​ ​on​ ​Rainbow​ ​and Discord,​ ​before​ ​he​ ​sighed.​ ​“Okay.​ ​Fine.​ ​I’ve​ ​had​ ​my​ ​fun​ ​anyway.”​ ​Pinkie’s​ ​clone​ ​vanished​ ​in​ ​a flash​ ​of​ ​blue,​ ​revealing​ ​a​ ​tired​ ​looking​ ​changeling.  
“I​ ​take​ ​it​ ​the​ ​two​ ​of​ ​you​ ​cooked​ ​this​ ​up?”​ ​Discord​ ​queried,​ ​an​ ​edge​ ​to​ ​his​ ​voice.​ ​He pointed​ ​at​ ​Twilight​ ​and​ ​Allan​ ​in​ ​accusation.  
“Yep!​ ​I​ ​supplied​ ​the​ ​emotion​ ​gel​ ​to​ ​make​ ​the​ ​amulets,​ ​and​ ​Twilight​ ​figured​ ​out​ ​how​ ​to duplicate​ ​a​ ​changeling’s​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​shapeshift!​ ​Then​ ​it​ ​just​ ​took,​ ​oh,​ ​about​ ​a​ ​week​ ​of​ ​planning and​ ​practice.”  
“Yeah!​ ​They​ ​told​ ​me​ ​about​ ​it​ ​today​ ​after​ ​switching​ ​places​ ​with​ ​each​ ​other!​ ​Then​ ​they asked​ ​if​ ​I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​join​ ​in,​ ​and​ ​since​ ​it​ ​looked​ ​like​ ​so​ ​much​ ​fun,​ ​I​ ​did!​ ​And​ ​it​ ​was​ ​so​ ​much​ ​fun! I​ ​was​ ​the​ ​one​ ​playing​ ​Allan​ ​when​ ​you​ ​figured​ ​it​ ​out,​ ​so​ ​I​ ​said​ ​:​ ​“Meep​ ​Meep.”​ ​and​ ​ran​ ​off!​ ​It 
was​ ​so​ ​fun​ ​watching​ ​the​ ​looks​ ​on​ ​your​ ​faces-”​ ​Applejack​ ​cut​ ​Pinkie​ ​off​ ​by​ ​putting​ ​a​ ​hoof​ ​in​ ​her friends​ ​mouth.​ ​Pinkie​ ​still​ ​blabbered​ ​on,​ ​completely​ ​oblivious​ ​to​ ​the​ ​hard​ ​keratin​ ​in​ ​her​ ​face.  
“Well,​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​know​ ​about​ ​you​ ​two,​ ​but​ ​I’m​ ​beat.”​ ​Applejack​ ​said​ ​motioning​ ​to​ ​the​ ​two pranksters.​ ​“Why​ ​don’t​ ​we​ ​head​ ​on​ ​back​ ​to​ ​the​ ​castle​ ​now?​ ​We​ ​can​ ​get​ ​something’​ ​to​ ​eat,​ ​get some​ ​nice​ ​hot​ ​chocolate….​ ​That​ ​sounds​ ​real​ ​good​ ​right​ ​now….”​ ​The​ ​farm​ ​pony​ ​trailed​ ​off​ ​at the​ ​thought​ ​of​ ​the​ ​hot​ ​beverage,​ ​and​ ​both​ ​she​ ​and​ ​Pinkie​ ​started​ ​drooling,​ ​causing​ ​Applejack to​ ​pull​ ​her​ ​hoof​ ​away​ ​in​ ​disgust.​ ​“Consarnit,​ ​Pinkie!” 
“What?”​ ​Hot​ ​chocolate’s​ ​gooooood.”  
“Wait​ ​a​ ​minute,​ ​where’s​ ​Trixie?”​ ​Rainbow​ ​asked,​ ​upon​ ​noticing​ ​the​ ​absence​ ​of​ ​the show​ ​mare.  
“Oh,​ ​you​ ​didn’t​ ​know?”​ ​Starlight​ ​asked.​ ​“Trixie​ ​has​ ​a​ ​show​ ​tonight,​ ​so​ ​she​ ​had​ ​to​ ​go back​ ​to​ ​her​ ​wagon​ ​and​ ​get​ ​ready.” 
“Oh…​ ​well,​ ​I​ ​guess​ ​that’s​ ​okay.​ ​Let’s​ ​just​ ​go​ ​get​ ​something​ ​to​ ​drink.”​ ​Rainbow​ ​said, turning​ ​and​ ​flying​ ​off​ ​towards​ ​the​ ​castle. "I'm done with chasing you guys around today."
************************ 

The​ ​group​ ​pushed​ ​open​ ​the​ ​doors​ ​to​ ​Twilight’s​ ​castle,​ ​walking​ ​slowly​ ​inside,​ ​each​ ​of them​ ​tired,​ ​heads​ ​low​ ​and​ ​tails​ ​flagging.​ ​Rainbow​ ​and​ Discord​ ​seemed​ ​rather​ ​pleased​ ​with themselves,​ ​though,​ ​both​ ​of​ ​them​ ​smiling​ ​smugly​ ​at​ ​having​ ​foiled​ ​the​ ​plan​ ​Allan​ ​and​ ​Twilight 
had​ ​cooked​ ​up.  
The​ ​troupe​ ​of​ ​ponies​ ​trudged​ ​inside,​ ​taking​ ​the​ ​time​ ​to​ ​wipe​ ​their​ ​hooves​ ​on​ ​the welcome​ ​mats​ ​that​ ​Twilight​ ​had​ ​set​ ​up​ ​both​ ​inside​ ​and​ ​outside,​ ​for​ ​double​ ​effectiveness.  Together,​ ​they​ ​marched​ ​through​ ​to​ ​the​ ​closest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​castle​ ​many​ ​kitchens,​ ​with 
Discord​ ​repeatedly​ ​mocking​ ​Allan​ ​for​ ​how​ ​he​ ​had​ ​beaten​ ​his​ ​silly​ ​game​ ​of​ ​switcheroo.​ ​The changeling​ ​just​ ​smiled,​ ​happy​ ​that​ ​he​ ​had​ ​spent​ ​his​ ​day​ ​having​ ​fun.  
The​ ​kitchen​ ​was​ ​as​ ​immaculately​ ​ordered​ ​as​ ​everything​ ​that​ ​Twilight​ ​put​ ​her​ ​hooves​ ​to, with​ ​the​ ​coffee,​ ​hot​ ​chocolate​ ​and​ ​tea​ ​all​ ​organized​ ​via​ ​flavour,​ ​effect​ ​and​ ​strength.​ ​​ ​“So…. who​ ​wants​ ​what?” 
************************* 

“I​ ​think​ ​this​ ​the​ ​best​ ​hot​ ​chocolate​ ​I’ve​ ​made​ ​in​ ​a​ ​while.”​ ​Twilight​ ​congratulated​ ​herself as​ ​the​ ​group​ ​trotted​ ​easily​ ​into​ ​the​ ​throne​ ​room.  
“Allan!”​ ​Twilight’s​ ​voice​ ​suddenly​ ​echoed​ ​across​ ​the​ ​room,​ ​but​ ​not​ ​coming​ ​from​ ​the Twilight​ ​holding​ ​a​ ​steaming​ ​mug​ ​of​ ​coffee​ ​in​ ​her​ ​magical​ ​aura.​ ​Instead,​ ​it​ ​came​ ​from​ ​the​ ​the side​ ​of​ ​the​ ​room,​ ​where​ ​Twilight​ ​and​ ​Spike​ ​had​ ​just​ ​walked​ ​in.​ ​“Did​ ​you​ ​take​ ​the​ ​changeling 
amulets​ ​I​ ​was​ ​working​ ​on,​ ​without​ ​my​ ​permission?​ ​You​ ​know-”​ ​She​ ​stopped,​ ​noticing​ ​herself standing​ ​with​ ​her​ ​friends,​ ​all​ ​but​ ​Rainbow​ ​and​ ​Discord​ ​looking​ ​around​ ​in​ ​mock​ ​innocence.​ ​The Princess​ ​spotted​ ​the​ ​amulets​ ​hanging​ ​on​ ​Discord​ ​and​ ​Rainbow​ ​necks.​ ​“Allan,​ ​what​ ​did​ ​you do?”  
“Relax​ ​Twi,​ ​we​ ​got​ ​‘em​ ​all.”​ ​Rainbow​ ​said,​ ​confidently​ ​flapping​ ​over​ ​to​ ​her​ ​Alicorn friend​ ​and​ ​giving​ ​her​ ​the​ ​amulets​ ​she’d​ ​taken​ ​off​ ​of​ ​the​ ​others. 
“Yes,​ ​no​ ​need​ ​to​ ​thank​ ​us.”​ ​Discord​ ​boasted.​ ​“We​ ​stopped​ ​Allan​ ​and​ ​our​ ​friends​ ​from running​ ​rampant​ ​with​ ​them​ ​throughout​ ​ponyville.​ ​No​ ​need​ ​to​ ​thank​ ​us.” 
“Only​ ​eight?”​ ​Twilight​ ​asked,​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​the​ ​bundle​ ​of​ ​necklaces​ ​that​ ​the​ ​pranksters​ ​had given​ ​her.​ ​“I​ ​had​ ​twenty.” 
Discord,​ ​Rainbow​ ​and​ ​the​ ​real​ ​Twilight​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​stare​ ​at​ ​their​ ​friends.​ ​All​ ​of​ ​them​ ​were wearing​ ​new​ ​amulets,​ ​and​ ​grinning​ ​again.​ ​Blue​ ​fire​ ​swallowed​ ​them​ ​all,​ ​replacing​ ​each​ ​of​ ​them with​ ​a​ ​bronze​ ​changeling.​ ​They​ ​spoke​ ​as​ ​one. “Ready​ ​for​ ​round​ ​two?” 
“Oh.”​ ​Rainbow​ groaned.​ ​“Ponyfeathers.”  


The​ ​End.