Rarity woke up one early morning feeling refreshed as she looked out her window. She could see the sun rising above the rolling hills sending its rays down over Ponyville. Rarity slowly got out of bed as she stretched out her forehooves. Feeling up for a walk, she slowly strolled to her front door and gave a big whiff of fresh morning air. She sighed feeling relaxed. “My what a wonderful morning!”
Rarity strolled out her door peeking around. Most ponies were still asleep leaving the streets empty and content. During her stoll through the quiet town, the mare couldn't help but smile.,”my goodness I've been living here my entire life but I never realised just how serene Ponyville is in these early mornings.” She paused on her stroll when she returned to her shop now noticing that grass surrounding her boutique was covered in sparkling dew and bunnies hopping around munching away. Something odd caught her eye as she leaned down and picked up what appeared to be a chicken egg. However this one was covered in a pink spiral pattern. She gave it a delicate sniff expecting a nasty rotten egg smell but instead was surprised to find a satisfying chocolate smell. She has memories of last year came back to her as she recalled how foals had found these mysterious chocolate eggs all over town. Not even Pinkie could figure out where they came from. With her curiosity peaked, Rarity took a bite out of the egg a creamy milk chocolate filling her mouth. she moaned, “oh my, that’s so delicious.”
Wanting to solve this little mystery, she quickly looked around for whomever had left the teart lying around but could only the few bunnies bouncing about., “but who’s leaving these eggs?” Her fine eye for detail was quick as she spotted a trail of the colorful eggs and began to follow them. The trail eventually lead her all to Fluttershy’s cottage. Nearing the small bridge that crossed the brook to her friends house, she noticed a giant white fluffy bunny rabbit in a rainbow vest and wearing a colorful bowtie and holding a small rainbow colored wicker basket. Her first thought was that discord was the cause of such an odd sight but said assumption was soon dashed when heard it talking. “oh what if she doesn't know if there are other easter bunnies? Heck what if she freaks out?”
Rarity eyes went wide, “What is that?”
The bunny’s fine hearing picked up on whisper and turned to face Rarity and gasped. “Hey you’re not supposed to be here?”
Rarity scoffed and threw a hoof,”What am I doing here? What are you doing here?”
The bunny rolled his eyes and explained, “well if you should know, i’m the Easter Bunny and it’s my job to lay eggs for the kids of..uh...I guess now Equestria. I’ve only been doing this for a year though.”
Rarity blinked in surprise having never heard of this Easter, “wait a year? So you're the one who laid all those mysterious candy eggs last year? I sort of assumed it had been Discord’s doing.”
The bunny sighed rubbing a paw down it’s face. “Well yeah but I’m not supposed to be showing myself to others. That was one of the rules I had in the other world. My father would be furious if he found out I was spotted in my previous world.”
Rarity eyed the creature. “Why is that?”
He grumbled as he stomped one of his big back paw on the ground in angry manner, “it’s an ancient pact I had with various other Easter bunnies like me. We swore to never be seen. It ruins the surprise and wonder of it.” He sighed again and shook his head as he dug a paw into his basket. “I was hoping I would never have to do this to a pony.”
Rarity gulped as she stepped back with fear printed on her face. “Wh...what will you do to me?”
The bunny looked up. “Well I have to wipe your memory of course, I can’t have you going about telling everypony about me.”
Rarity held up a hoof. “Wait you can’t I promise I won’t tell a single pony. I think your story is quite fascinating.”
The bunny eyed her and smiled. “Really?”
She nodded as she circled the bunny. “It sounds like a very fun tradition. I might add that your vest and bow are quite worn out. if you would allow me i’d be happy to make you a new vest and bow.”
He tapped his chin before taking out a gold pocket watch staring at the time., “oh well I don’t see why not? I have at least an hour to spare.”
Rarity took him by the paw and lead him towards her botique. “Then come on darling, new clothes can help anypony be happy.”
He rolled his eyes as he hopped with her. “Alright, but I don’t even know why? It’s not like anypony is going to see me.”
Rarity was busy at her sewing machine putting together a new vest as the giant mythical bunny was hopping around hiding eggs throughout her boutique. Rarity smiled seeing him scurry about looking for places to hide his eggs and asked, “I have to ask, but why do you hide eggs?”
He put his little basket down. “Well in truth just to make kids happy. For over a thousand generations my family has been doing it and I was given this job by my father just recently before I fell though a strange portal at a high school.”
Rarity nodded and eyed the basket “Ah, Tradition, I complete understand darling. So where do the eggs come from?”
He giggled, “well...female easter bunnies make them but since I've came here I haven't found one. In fact I wanted to ask your friend Fluttershy if she knows of other easter bunnies around here because i'm running out of candy eggs. I heard she good with animals.”
Rarity blushed, “well I have to tell you, we don’t have creatures like yourself around in Equestria. As far as I know you're the first i've ever seen. Discord is about as close as I can think of.”
“That guy give me the creeps.” The bunny shivered.
“He can be a little off putting at times but he can be fun to hang with don’t worry.” With the newly furnished rainbow colored vest and bow finished she came over to him and helped put them back on. She smiled watching him look himself in one of her mirrors posing a little.
“This is beautiful!” how many candy eggs is this?”
Rarity laughed and waved a hoof, “It’s nothing darling, besides you hid eggs all over my botique already.”
He blushed and brushed the back of his head, as he looked back at Rarity “Sorry about that and, thank you it’s very generous.” He sighed looking at his basket with only a dozen eggs and mumbled, “ but it also seems this could be my last year then. I doubt any foal wants to hunt for carrots and lettuce.”
Rarity leaned down staring at the poor dear. “Well this isn't your old world darling, you can find a new job.”
The bunny shrugged, “Maybe but I don't know what else is out there. We Easter bunnies hide eggs for children to enjoy it in our blood.”
Rarity scoffed, “well i'm sure there are other jobs...I could even try having a friend of mine make some candy eggs for you.”
He groaned and started tapping a paw again, “no that won’t work…”
He then looked up at Rarity and gave a blush. “Well how about I award you for your hospitality.”
He took out a shiny golden egg and Rarity gazed upon it with wonder “well...if you insist.” She took the golden sparkling egg taking a large bite out of it swallowing down the milky caramel chocolate. But a strange sensation went through her as her body expanded. She squeaked in horror as her back hooves turned into giant rabbit paws and her belly blew up like a balloon. Rarity fell onto her back as her body expanded her fur became thicker. She looked down in time to watch her forelegs morph into chubby paws. She gasped at the pink toes underneath “what is going on!?”
The other bunny gulped as he explained, “Calm down just let the changes come over you.”
Rarity groaned putting ehr chubby paws to ehr face which morphed and rounded with her ears becoming longer. The mare closed her eyes and waited for the final changes to be completed hearing her bones click and peeked to see her large chubby body covered in a sea of fluffy white fur. The mare stood onto her back legs with a large plop and gasped seeing a stubby purple ball of fluff where her long elegant tail once was.
Staring into the mirror looking herself over. She was grateful that her mane at least was intact accented by floppy white ears. The long whiskers on her cheeks twitched about on her little pink nose.. The mare turned towards the Easter bunny and shouted, “you did this to me!” She bounced on top of him and slammed him on the ground as he squeaked, “wait! Hold on!”
She crossed her forepaws and growled, “turn me back now!”
He squeaked seeing how angry she was, “I can't that egg will transform you for at least twelve hours.”
Rarity groaned tugging at her ears. “Why why would you do this to me! You didn’t even ask first how rude.”
The bunny wiggle out from under Rarity and patted his vest. “I needed your help to lay some eggs and hide them for the foals.”
Rarity turned,”what! Lay eggs!?” She then felt something moving through her followed by a loud plop sound. She looked down to see a pink coated candy egg on the ground. She squeaked jumping back, “did I just lay that!”
The bunny nodded and placed it in his wicker basket. “Yes and you’ll be laying a lot of them, now I need you to continue my work just for today.”
Rarity turned over and scoffed,”as if! i’m not going to let anypony see me like this.”
The bunny took out his wisker basket and gave it to the female bunny. Rarity blushed, “so...you want me to hide them?”
He nodded.”You'll be laying them so why not. Oh my name's Cookie by the way.”
Rarity was still a little angry but could tell this ‘Cookie’ was just doing this for the foals. The little ones did enjoy hunting for the eggs last year. She groaned and held out a paw. “Alright Cookie i’ll hide eggs, but your going to owe me.”
Cookie blushed. “S-sorry I should have told you first but uh..you look cute as a Easter bunny.” He watch another egg being pushed out. “Better hurry before you have too many.” He couldn't help but smirk.
Rarity looked down seeing the candy blue roll from underneath her and picked it up. “Fine let’s go, i’m sure we can hide a lot of eggs before any foals wakes up.”
An hour had gone by as Rarity had manage to hide from any ponies wondering about despite her size. She snuck one of the eggs into Applejack’s apple stall before hopping abng. “Well at least I finally got use to how to move around.”
Rarity watched as Apple Bloom picked the egg and gasped she ran over to her big sister and started shouting, “Applejack! the candy eggs are back! Can I go sis?”
The farm mare looked it over and chuckled, “alright well ya better go out and find more before they’re all gone. Last year they disappeared faster than apple cider. ”
“Sweet,” Apple Bloom runs off laughing. This got smile out of Rarity as she watched from an alley.
Rarity looked down the street see the furious wheel and other rides. “Oh yes, the spring fair how could I forget.” She facepalm a little remembering she’d promsed Sweeti Belle she hang out together too.
Twilight was busy checking things off with a checklist, “ferris wheel check, stands full of fresh food check.” The purple coated alicron turned to see Fluttershy setting a stand with baby bunnies bouncing around in a small pen. Twilight dawwed, “oh their adorable, baby bunny stand check.”
She then noticed a purple coated egg hidden below a basket and picked it up eyeing it close. “Oh these are back.”
Fluttershy turned, “oh those strange candy eggs? Yeah I saw those all around my cottage, you should try one their really good.”
Twilight sniffed it and took a curious bite smling at the taste.
Rarity blushed feeling another egg pop out from under her watching Twilight eat. She put the egg in the lap before hopping about. “Okay, maybe I should find Sweetie Belle. No reason to keep her waiting.”
As if on cue, Rarity spotted Scootaloo zooming by on her scooter, The large bunny bounced along trying to keep up with the little dare devil all the way to the schoolhouse. Cheerilee was with a group of school foals all wearing silly costumes, She cooed,”what a great rehearsal so remember be here by six thirty P.M for the spring pageant.”
Scootaloo blushed “so-sorry for being late. There was a bunch of candy eggs and I kind of got sidetracked in picking them up.”
Pipsqueak gasped. “Those are back?!” He darts of to look as the other kids followed suite.
Cheerilee shouted,”alright have fun but don’t forget the pageant!” She turned around once the kids as gone off spotting Rarity soon enough who was only half way hidden behind a tree. She waved over to the other mare smiling. “My Rarity, that a lovely costume. I can’t even see a zipper.. But why are you hiding?”
Rarity gulped as she asked, “uh...thanks I know that Sweetie Belle is in your pageant and I thought i’d just dress up as well. I-isn’t it lovely.” she asked, trying to hide her sweat.
The teacher cheeks flush suddenly making Rarity nervous. “Uh...did I just see a candy egg come out of your..um…”
Rarity squeaked in horror as she saw a purple egg roll out and explained, “oh that’s just...um...uh mechanism that pops out candy, it’s hidden underneath the costume.”
Cheerilee clapped her hooves, “oh that’s so ingenious! Well you can help lay eggs in the begging of the play and set the mood as the snow melts and spring comes! Oh I can hear the applause already!”
“Y-yes I’m sure you can.” Rarity blushed her whiskers twitching some more. She felt a little relieved when Sweetie Belle came running over (she was also wearing a fluffy white bunny costume) giving her a hug. “Rarity you look great and a little silly. I can’t wait to hang out together it’ll be so much fun.”
Rarity ruffled her mane, “oh thanks, it’s going to be fun you and me hopping all over Ponyville.”
Sweetie Belle blushed, “um...I was meaning to take this off actually. You know don't’ want to get it dirty.”
Cheerilee waved a hoof, “it’s fine I made a few backup costumes just in case. You and Rarity should go and have fun as bunnies.”
Rarity nodded ‘Of course we will.” She held her basket as they hopped along Rarity hipping about.
“Wow, how do you do that?” Sweetie asked, trotting along side her.
Rarity giggled, “oh just getting into character, you should try it it’s fun.”
Sweetie curled her hind legs pushing up as she gave it a try. Only to fall onto her face a moment later. “Ow. you make it look easy.”
Rarity blushed helping her sister up and plopped her on her back “hold on tight!”
The younger sister did so feeling Rarity hip along with her effortlessly occasional spotting eggs appearing from nowhere. “Where that come from?” She tilted her head as they near the fair set up around the town hall. The filly beamed ear to ear as her sister hips along. Soon letting out a whoop. ‘weee!”
Cookie meanwhile was finishing up hiding the last of his eggs around the fairgrounds and watched with a smile,”there I think Im done Rarity should be turning back to normal in a few hours.”
The easter bunny turned one corner to see the baby bunnies in the pen and dawwed as he bounced over. He smiled and spoke in ‘bunny’ “hey little guys how are you doing?”
One replied, “great mister!” The baby bunnies bounced over with surprised expressions asking random questions, “wow your big!” “are you a boy or a girl?”
Cookie held up his paws. “Woah, woah, hold on look i’m only big because im a special bunny and two im a boy thank you very much.”
He then took out a bag of baby carrots and dumped it in the pen. “Now go on their bite sized and steamed so you should have no problems eating them.” The baby bunnies all started devouring the little carrots with smiles on their faces.
“Awww that’s adorable!” Cookie squeaked and jumped into the air and turned to see Fluttershy standing nearby with a big smile on her face. He blushed and asked,”oh hey uh you heard me?”
Fluttershy blushed as she ground a hoof in the dirt. “Well um I do speak bunny sweetie.”
The yellow Pegasus started moving towards Cookie who backed up trying to explain, “look i’m not a normal bunny nor am I a baby bunny.”
Fluttershy laughed, “Oh I know, especially with that fancy vest and bowtie...are you a friend of Discord’s?”
Cookie scoffed and crossed his forepaws, “no, im a easter bunny and I'm not really fond of that Discord.”
“Oh why don’t you like Discord, he's alright once you get to know him.”
Cookie raised his voice flailing his paws, “He made me pink and then he had me beat on a drum for hours! Just kept going and going and going.” He shivered.
Fluttershy gave him an apologetic smile,”sorry he can be quite outrageous with his pranks sometimes. It’s all in good fun…” She paused for a second then asked, “by the way, what’s Easter?”
“Never mind, that’s from another world altogether, it’s not important.”
Fluttershy shrugged and looked at her baby bunnies feasting on the carrots “well I just wanted to say thank you for feeding my baby bunnies is all, you could even stay at my cottage if you want?”
He shook his head, “I have my own burrow in the Everfree forest.”
Fluttershy gasped,. “The Everfree Forest! Why in Celestia’s name would you live there!”
Cookie shrugged, “well i’m not really fond of you ponies yet and I didn’t want to impose. I was taught to never reveal myself under any circumstances in my old world. I guess that rule no longer applies anymore now does it.”
Fluttershy shook her head with a smile, “oh no, we have all strange creatures here even a sea serpent. Trust me you’ll be fine here.”
Cookie turned to the Everfree forest. “Alright, maybe i’ll take your offer outrunning timberwolves can be exhausting and the candy attracts lots of bugs.”
Angel had been standing on Fluttershy’s back watching the odd sight of the talking bunny only to notice Rarity he instantly began falling in love with the large hare. He adjusted his tail and looked around for something. He beamed as he hopped off the mare’s back when she wasn’t looking and snagged a rose from one of the many vendors knowing it wouldn't be missed. He had little hearts bubbling over his head as he quickly hipped over to Rarity. To get her attention he tugged her tail.
Rarity eeped and turned soon looking down a the love struck rabbit. She recognize that look anywhere having seen it many times with Spike. ‘O-oh my.” Her cheeks flush. “It’s just a costume.”
Angel shook his head still holding out the flower. He sighed staring at her pretty features.
Sweetie Belle turned back from the cotton candy machine to see the odd sight and chuckled. “Why does Angel have hearts in his eyes?"
“He thinks i’m a real bunny how silly is that.” She rolled her eyes. She hesitated upon seeing Angel ears droop. “F-fine i’ll take the flower , thank you Angel it very nice.” She reached to take it only to end up nibbling it down in few bites.
Angel moved forward and nuzzle nose to nose quickly before pulling back. Sweetie laughed. “Was that a bunny version of a kiss?”
“Angel is just confused. Being a real bunny that’s just silly.” She blushed more as another egg slid out from her bottom.
Sweetie Belle nodded as she ate her cotton candy. “Yeah i’m sure real bunnies don’t lay eggs.”
Rarity laughed nervously. “Yeah that's right rabbits don't lay eggs.” and kicked the egg down the street. “Of course, that what chickens and birds too.”
As the mare tries to think of what to say next, Fluttershy came over with Cookie looking at Angel love stuck eyes. “Oh there you are Angel.”
Cookie fell onto his back laughing at the sight. “Oh man this is hilarious. What next you’ll make a burrow an have a litter.”
Rarity turned her eyes went wide. “Cookie! What are you doing!”
The easter bunny got up recovering and waved a paw. “Hey Rarity! I’m just teasing.” He hopped over and asked. “Rarity I was talking to Fluttershy and I think i'm going to stay at her place for now on. Also the magic is about to wear off so thank you for the help.”
Everypony in the vicinity that overhear the conversation turned to watch as Rarity body was clouded in a pink mist of sparkles and glitter. When the fog blew away Rarity stood there having hooves once more but still wearing a bunny costume. Angel frowns looking down in disappointment.
“Oh don’t feel bad Angel, plenty of hares out their I bet.”
A few minutes later every foal that had been hunting were now clambering around Rarity asking her questions “so you were hiding the candy eggs!” “oh what was it like!” “did you really poop eggs out of your butt!”
Rarity shouted,“One at a time!” The foals all settled down as she growled, “look I was only the easter err spring bunny thing this year.” She pointed at Cookie smitking “he’s the one who hid the eggs last year.”
The foals all squealed and ran at him as he fell backwards “Gah help!”
The little children all looked him over for more candy eggs as he whined, “hey only girl Easter bunnies make eggs!”
They all got off him whining “awww.”
Discord poofed out of nowhere. “Aww what’s the matter? I thought you foals were having so much fun earlier.”
Pip cma eup “we were, we ‘ve been finding candy eggs all over Ponyville!”
Discord nodded ”Oh I see well guess we should have another egg hunt right, Cookie?”
He growled crossing his paws, “like I said, only girl easter bunnies make candy eggs. That’s it until next year Rarity did enough.”
Discord smirked,”Seems like it’s your turn then.”
‘Eep don’t you-” a puff of glittery smoke arounds Cookie soon clearing as the bunny shrieks in high pitched voice as his fur turned pink and his tail poofed out. The horrified Easter Bunny squeaked and shoved his forepaws around his groin as he whined in a high pitched voice, “Gah change me back Discord!”
Discord looked over Cookie, ”What should we call you now...maybe Cookie dough?
Cookie blushed as a few eggs popped out from underneath her and the foals gathered them. She sighed seeing how happy the foals were and conceded, “Oh alright I'll be a girl Easter Bunny. But at least there's no drums.” She smiled a bit the kids cheering.
Fluttershy giggled seeing Angel heart eyes again. "will you take Angel on date then?”
Angel was again drooling his eyes having a dreamy look. Cookie’s face turned a deep red. “uh...I don’t think so.”
She then turned to the foals, “alright well how about you all close your eyes until I count to hundred as I hide these eggs.” The foals all nodded and started to count together as Cookie bounced off smiling, you know...this might actually be a lot of fun!”
Rarity smiled hugging Sweetie Belle. "You know I wouldn't mind doing that egg thing again next year. I should make a dress for it too.” The two sisters just laugh walking off to enjoy the day while it lasted.
It was late in the afternoon and Cookie was sitting in a crowd with the foals all surrounding her with their parents watching the little spring pageant. Rarity was up on stage with Sweetie Belle in their bunny costumes hopping around as little foals in flower costumes grew up through the cardboard grass with Rarity and Sweetie belle singing Winter Wrap Up and the crowd chanting along. Then scootaloo in a cute Celestia costume with long fake fluffy wings came down on a rope spreading her wings, “now I princess Celestia declare let the sun come up and let spring begin!”
A piece of cardboard sun came up and the crowd clapped and cheered. Rarity bounced over and asked, “princess Celestia? Would you like a candy egg?”
Scootaloo smiled,”why not? Chocolate is my second favorite dessert, cake is the best am I right?”
The crowd chuckled a little as Cookie whispered, “I don’t get it?”
Discord poofed by as small as a mouse. “Oh Celestia just loves cake, how’s being a female?”
Cookie blushed feeling another egg pop out. “I have to say it was a lot of fun, but im still uncomfortable with this.”
Discord shrugged. “ Well you can stay this way or I guess you'll just have to make a hare each year then."
Cookie looked at the foals around her and then looked up at the play with Rarity hiding her eggs and whispered, “I mean...I can start a whole new life here. But, I think it should be my responsibility to make sure eggs are around every spring.”
Discord dawwed, “well alright but I assume you want to only be a pretty female bunny in spring.”
Cookie nods but squeaks as another pink coated egg poped out. “Yeah please turn me back to normal.”
Discord smirked,”alright.” He flicked his claws and Cookie was poofed into a male again. However the poor bunny was shrunk into a normal sized bunny and the foals all dawwed and started petting him. He squealed “Discord!”
Angel came by with another bouquet of flowers only to see Cookie was a male he threw the flowers and cursed and plopped down on his rump. Then the play started wrapping up with Apple Bloom coming out in a egg costume that shook about until she burst through with a little bird hat on her head as she explained., “spring comes to an end with the little birds hatching and baby bunnies are born!”
The foals all came together “but don't worry spring will come again!” They all bowed and the crowd cheered and clopped their hooves in applause. Rarity came down stage with Sweetie Belle and they both smirked seeing Cookie as a little bunny blushing, “hey Rarity nice play.”
She picked him up cooing, “oh look at you, want some pellets?”
He made a bleh sound “no way I tried those before their disgus-” He stopped mid sentence and chuckled,”oh that’s a joke.”
Fluttershy came by and gave a light giggle before asking, “ok Discord turn him back.”
The draquenious rolled his eyes, “fine.” He flicked his claws turning their small bunny back to his giant size. He brushed his vest and turned to Rarity. “Hey i'm sorry for turning you into a easter bunny without your permission.”
Rarity waved a hoof, “oh don't mention it darling, I think you’ve learned your lesson from Discord.”
He nodded grudgingly, ”yeah I don't think this isn’t the last time he's going to turn me into something embarrassing.”
Sweetie Belle giggled and hugged the big bunny “aww you were so cute a female please do that again next year please!”
All the foals looked up at Cookie and he smiled and nodded,”yeah sure, i’ll have some better ideas too hide eggs too. But you better make sure you found all the eggs before bed, they'll rot if they stay outside for too long.”
They all squealed and ran off as Fluttershy pat Cookie on the rump. “Well it's almost your bedtime soon come on i'll show you your new burrow.”
Cookie's ears drooped as he hopped along side Fluttershy. “I’m not a baby.”
Fluttershy lead him along. “Oh I know you're not but you have to admit you're adorable.”
Cookie had a bandana around his eyes as he waddled into a dark burrow and asked, “so..Discord made this for me?”
Fluttershy cooed,”yes now here we are!”
She lifted the bandanna and he gasped seeing the round room was small but it had a small fridge stocked with carrot juice and fresh vegetables, a shelf filled with books on bunnies and a poofy bed with thick white comfortable sheets. Cookie nodded in approval, “this looks great, I’m going to sleep well here.”
Fluttershy took off his vest and bow tied and placed them in a closet stocked with other varieties vests and bowties. She then then cooed, “now come on let's get you tucked in bed.”
Cookie blushed feeling a little patronized as he climbed into bed and Fluttershy pulled the sheet to his neck he whispered, “thanks Fluttershy.”
She kissed him on the nose,”don’t worry about it sweetie if you need anything i'll be only a few feet away.”
He blushed as he whispered, “um Fluttershy i’m not a baby.”
Fluttershy giggled “sorry I get carried away sometimes.” She then walked out of the burrow shutting the door behind her. Cookie started to drift off thinking how wonderful Ponyville was. Discord poofs into his burrow chuckling as he flicked a claw poofing the sleeping bunny in a thick diaper with little pink easter eggs printed on the fabric. The draquenious turns towards you and shrugs, “ what? I couldn't help myself.”