Size Doesn't Matter

by Pixel Berry


Chapter 11

John made his way from the Cheerilee’s school to Twilight's school of friendship, trying to find Liz. She had shrunk and was hiding somewhere, in which he needed to find her first before someone could mistake her for a real wasp. However, navigating this school was easier said than done, as it resembled more of a university than a simple school. Of course, as he strolled by, he could see Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie teaching their classes respectfully, but tripped over somepony else, with an avalanche of clothes falling on the two.

“AHHH!!! My dresses!” The screaming of a woman came out, sounding older than the other teachers. “You better have a good explanation or I'll-!” She stopped as she took the clothing off of John’s head. Her anger quickly went away, replaced by concern. “I my, I'm dreadfully sorry for yelling at you like that, good sir.”

“Uh… nah, it's my fault.” He replied. “I should've been looking. Let me help you with those.”

“Oh nonono, these are my dresses! The students, along with Ms. Fluttershy, will need these for class.”

“... Fluttershy?”

“Another one of our teachers, darling. Oh! I forgot to introduce myself. I am Ms. Rarity.”

“John.”

“Ooh! You must come with me, darling! The students can use your help!”

“But I-”

“No buts!” Rarity's horn glowed, picking up John and dragged him away.

“Wait! Liz! HELP!!!”

~-~-~

Liz wasn’t even at the friendship school, choosing to just sit at the top part of an empty bench, still as small as a wasp. “Of course he wouldn’t understand. Like this whole freaking world is either along with him or against me.” She thought out loud. “Maybe I should just keep my mouth shut and let him do everything since it all goes well for him.” She added, crossing her arms as she just wanted something good to happen cause of her own actions.

“Aww, alone now, are we?” Tempest's voice spoke to her left. Liz jumped at the sudden voice, and a bit more seeing the unicorn’s face right by her with a fake pouty face. “What's the matter? Popularity too much to handle?”

“Like you would know anything about that.” Liz huffed, turning her head away as she didn’t want to give this mare any attention.

“Oh, but I've had.”

“I highly doubt that.” She mumbled, placing a knuckle on her cheeks.

“You don't think I don't know what it's like to be mistrusted? To do something that, without context, everyone says you're evil? Trying to better yourself in ways everyone likes?”

“Yeah, pretty much.” She simply said. “But that isn’t why I’m here. I just wanted some alone time away from John...”

“He's been showing off while you feel like his shadow?”

“Seems more like I’m cleaning any mess he makes while he goes and has fun.” Liz kept her eyes on her lap, really wishing that it wasn’t true.

“Same exact feeling I had working for the Storm King, but at least your friend isn't a tyrannical ruler bent on world domination.”

“Have a feeling it would still feel the same way.” She grumbled.

“Please, from what I've seen, your friend is more than willing to sacrifice himself for your safety. The Storm King literally used me and betrayed me, all because I trusted him in bringing back my horn.”

Liz didn’t give a response, knowing that she had a bit of a point seeing how he saved her from Shining. ‘Or maybe he just didn’t want him to step on the gem shards.’ She thought.

“You know, you're cute being this small.”

“I’m not cute.” She said, glaring at her as it wasn’t intimidating at all at her size. Tempest placed her hoof on her head.

“You sure about? Look how small you are compared to me. Do you have a short temper as your size?”

All the response she got was a growl from Liz, clear that she wasn’t fond of short jokes, having to face it even when she was back in her own world.

“Aww, what's wrong? Is because I think little about you as this?”

“I swear Tempest, I won’t let you get away with this.” She said, already feeling angry from before, she felt that her fuse was getting short before she finally lets out all the bottled up rage she’s been saving her whole life.

“Why? You couldn't even measure up to me out of that suit.”

There was no warning, nor a moment for Tempest to react, but Liz was quick to flare her wings out, and give the mare a strong, but swift kick right on one of her cheeks, the impact being enough to tumble her back into a tree. Liz grew back to normal size, showing the anger and fire in her eyes. Tempest laid on the floor for a bit, but got up with a cough, cracking her neck.

“What was that?” Tempest asked with a slight chuckle. “I've received worst beatings from the Storm King.”

“I told you to knock it off, so might as well give the same reaction as you and your broken horn.” She said, really wanting to give the mare a good beating after what happened at the Crystal Empire.

“Please, I was going easy on you.” Her broken horn crackled with magic, showing how unstable it was, with some lightning surging over her body. “This is me going hard!” Tempest whipped her head back, launching a ball of lightning at Liz.

Liz shot a blast of electricity, it being enough to keep Tempest’s magic at bay. “You’re gonna need more than broken magic.” She said, a smirk on her lips as she felt she might as well get her in the heated mood as well.

“I'd say the same to you.” Tempest ran around Liz, sliding and tripping the woman, right before being picked up by Tempest’s magic and thrown into the electrical blast in a matter of seconds. Since the electricity wasn't ported into her suit, she felt the full blast, and it was painful for a lack of better words. She fell to Tempest’s hooves. “See, unlike you, I've already had years of military training and combat, unlike you and your friend. You're not even sure if you can beat me alone, can you?”

“I don’t need John. I can handle myself just as much.” She said, quick to get on her feet and even get a good distance away from Tempest. “I don’t know about him, but I got fighting experience cause I needed to learn.” She said, this time getting herself ready, keeping an eye on all four of her hooves and horn to try and figure out what move she would make.

“Well, you seem to be doing a poor job on that.” Tempest ran to Liz before jumping into the air, performing a somersault kick to Liz's face.

Liz was both quick to deflect Tempest’s kick with both her arms, but also to grab the hind leg and swing Tempest to another area of the park, it only being a few feet away from where Liz stood. Tempest reacted quickly, bouncing off the tree and use the momentum to crash into Liz, her horn glowing with her unstable magic, making herself a living missile.

Liz only smirked as she turned the buckle on her belt and shrunk down, even flying forward and making Tempest both miss her, and practically kiss the grass and dirt. Tempest shook her head, turning to find the now shrunken woman.

“Oh, Waspy!” Tempest teasingly spoke. “You better come out now! I doubt other wasps will take you in.”

“Who said I was hiding?” Tempest heard the girl’s voice right in her ear, making her think the small girl was flying by her ear. The unicorn shook her head, trying to get Liz out. “A little shaking never got the bugs away.” Liz toyed, still flying by her ear and annoying her with the buzzing of her wings as well. She regretted it as Tempest slapped her out of the way, falling to the floor.

Using her wings to soften the fall, she needed a moment to stop the minor pain in her head. But it seemed that moment was long enough for Tempest to make a comeback. Tempest saw the small human and began to stomp at the small human.

Liz was able to dodge the stomps for a moment, before she was right under Tempest, using the moment turn her belt and give Tempest a strong kick right in the center, most likely hitting her stomach, ribs, and lungs. Tempest took the blow and used the momentum to kick Liz's face, launching her into a tree.

The blow seemed enough to cause her to bleed in her mouth, spitting some of the red liquid on the floor before she charged right at her, only to shrink back down and slip into Tempest’s tight armor. Tempest felt Liz fly all over around her, and she was ticklish.

“H-hey! St-ahahaha-p that!”

“Oh, looks like even the Edgehorse has some tickle spots,” Liz said. “Now let’s see if she can still feel pain.” She smirked, charging one of her electric blasts before she released it to the exposed coat of the mare.

“Uh oh.”

That was when a large electric shock went all over her body, it being enough to even let her horn spark at the pain coursing all over her body.

“Rrr… clever move. If you're going to be like that, then I don't need this!” Tempest grabbed her own armor and tore the breastplate off, with the rest of her armor off, revealing only her body. One thing Liz didn't exactly take notice until now was the strange markings on these ponies’ flanks… or butts, as John would say. Each of their marks at least matched the pony, looks, and personality-wise, but Tempest’s Mark was an ice cream shake of sorts with some sparks around it.

“Oh yeah. Tempest Shadow really goes with that ‘dark’ butt mark.” She jokingly said, seeming to catch a hint that Tempest wasn’t who she is.

“This was my talent BEFORE I became a soldier. And face me out, out of your suits, so we may fight on equal terms.”

“Whoever said it would be a fair fight? All is fair in love and war. You should know that as a soldier.” Liz said, not giving Tempest any advantages if she didn’t have her suit. “And even if I agreed to do it, you still have your magic… if that’s what you call that stuff coming out of that broken horn.”

“Then I will not fight if you don't contemplate.”

“Then I guess that means you forfeit and I am the victor.” She smirked. “Sheesh, for a soldier you really aren’t a fighter if the odds aren’t fair or with you.”

“No, I am a soldier, but I am honor-bound. If you do not follow, then you have brought shame onto yourself, and I am the victor.”

“Meh, I’m used to bringing shame no matter where I go, so that tactic won’t work.” She said it sounds like she was boasting about it… but there really no reason to. But she did grow back to normal size as she felt tired of flying for so long and not doing anything.

“So you wish to forfeit yourself?”

“Well, since you’re such a sore loser, I guess I can keep your ‘pride’ afloat.” She said, rolling her eyes as she clicked the helmet off and dropped it to the floor, even kicking it to the side knowing without it she couldn’t use her suit. Tempest got up and cracked her neck, a deep breath.

“Focus… feel the earth…”

Liz only cracked her knuckles, it being both a way to prep herself and also ease any secret tensions she had within her.

“Feel free to strike, if you wish.”

“Yeah right. I’m not dumb enough to charge right at you.” Liz said, not taking whatever bait Tempest was offering to get her to strike at a vulnerable spot.

“Then we are at a stalemate of sorts. I will not fight, but we can discuss if you so wish.”

Liz only blew a small raspberry to the side, showing that she was nowhere interested in that. “Fine then. If you don’t want to fight after all that complaining about fighting fair, then I guess I’ll take my leave.” She said, turning to go and grab her helmet to just fly off someplace where she could be alone again… but was secretly waiting in case Tempest was gonna try anything.

“Will you be looking for your friend?”

“Tch. Yeah right. Not now, I’m still not ready to see him.” Liz said, tightly gripping her helmet. “He’s probably off enjoying himself without cleaning his mess.” She grumbled the last part.

“You sure? He seems to be in quite a pickle at Twilight's School.”

“He’ll be fine. He got his own suit and a colony of ants in his control. He doesn’t need me.” She huffed, but couldn’t help but be curious as to why he was there in the first place.

“I don't think so. He's looking quite fabulous about the last time I saw him, even if he was searching for you.”

“Fabulous?” She only repeated, turning back to the mare to show just how lost she was in what she was saying.

“You can see for yourself.”

“I’m guessing you won’t just explain yourself and make me go there,” Liz said, rolling her eyes as she figured she might as well see whatever trouble he has gotten himself into.

“Nope.”

Liz stayed quiet for some time before she finally responded. “Fine. Might as well see whatever dumb thing he’s done.”

~-~-~

John hated his life. Rarity, one of the professors at the school of friendship, had applied so much makeup on him, and had him wear so many dresses, he was unsure if he was actually becoming a drag queen. It didn't help that the students (especially Ocellus) were too busy giggling at his appearance.

And if he felt it couldn’t get any worse, Liz and Tempest came into the classroom, and it was obvious that Liz was trying hard not to laugh.

“Oh, please, laugh away,” John replied. “Let me perform Abba’s Dancing Queen for you.”

With the permission she was granted, she immediately laughed out loud at John’s predicament, the girl needing to lean on the doorframe and even started to tear up. “Oh my god! My side!” She said mid laughter. “You’re so ugly, not even RuPaul would accept you in their show!”

“And I won,” Tempest spoke with a smirk. “We'll have to do this some other time.”

“Some other time?” John asked. “What happened? And why are you bruised up, Liz?” The butter-yellow pegasus with the long pink mane and tail, professor Fluttershy, scooted Liz out of the room.

“Oh dear, you poor thing.” She cooed. “You need help, ASAP.”

“Wait, what? Who are you? And I’m fine, I don’t need any help.” Liz said, trying to get around the mare that was now trying to make her go somewhere else. “I need to see more of drag queen John.”

“It's ok, I'm sure Discord won't mind a guest.”

“I'll see you later after class!” John yelled as Liz and Fluttershy disappear. He turned to Rarity. “How long until this torture ends?”

“Another half hour, good sir.” The unicorn answered.

“Ugh… fine… let's get the 70’s, Disco inspired dress ready.”

~-~-~

When Liz was finally brought to a school nurse office, she was made to sit on the weird hospital bed while the pegasus worked on patching any wounds and constantly asking if she was okay and apologizing when she thought she was being too rough, which wasn’t rough at all.

“Oh dear, that must've been a rough fight you had.” Fluttershy continued speaking. “I hope it wasn't Rainbow Dash or any cuddly critter.”

“It was Tempest. We had a small battle, but the mare gave up as soon as I wasn’t ‘playing fair’.” She rolled her eyes. “Sheesh, for a soldier, she sure doesn’t understand that in a fight, there’s no such thing as being fair.”

“Oh no, she was a soldier but follows a code. At least it was her, I don't think Harry would be happy with holding you down.”

“Harry?” She was confused about the sudden name. “Whatever, I wasn’t a part of the army she was in, so I have no reason to follow whatever rules she follows. And if she used to be in it, then why bother to follow those rules?”

“It's her own code, really. And as I said, she was a soldier, but is now more of a lone wanderer, occasionally helping us out when it's needed… for the most part.” A knock on the door was heard. “Ooh! I think that's Harry with the tea!” She flew right to the door and opened it. Standing in the doorway was a full-grown bear, holding a silver tray with a kettle and glass cups. John was in the background, wearing a disco-inspired dress, but turned and ran away upon seeing the bear.

“We got a bear on the loose!!!” he screamed.

“Why is there a bear with a tray of tea..?” Liz could only ask, hoping that if it was wild and going to attack them, Fluttershy would figure a way out cause Liz would bail on that situation.

“Thank you, Harry.” Fluttershy took the tray from the bear and flew back. “He's my assistant. Don't worry, he's much softer than he looks.” The bear gave a toothy grin, seemingly blushing.

I’m guessing both physically and mentally.’ She thought, crossing her arms and staring at the bear a little longer until she felt it would be too weird as if it wasn’t already.

“Care to pet, Mr. Harry?”

“N-no. I’m good.” She declined the offer, thinking that the bear’s fur might not be the softest thing or the safest thing to touch as she could only assume a wild animal would have fleas, ticks, and unbrushed fur. Harry frowned before walking away, out through another door.

“Well, I hope you enjoy the tea and get yourself acquainted with Discord.”

“Discord?” She repeated the name, only thinking of an online texting site that she barely used.

“Oh please, Everyone knows me.” A kinda elderly, but still mischievous sounding man’s voice spoke. Appearing right on the tip of her nose was a small, slender creature of sorts that was a mix of several creatures at the limbs.

“Ahh! Something’s on my nose!” She was quick to freak out, thinking it was a bug and shaking her head to get it off of her.

“Discord!” Fluttershy spoke in a stern voice.

“Relax, Fluttershy, I'm just introducing myself.” The small creature spoke in that voice. It snapped its lion paw, and in a flash, it was now an 8-foot tall version of itself, sitting in thin air, dressed up as a news reporter. “Name's Discord, here to report on some new heroes! Tell me, what's your name and what do you do?” He shoved a microphone into Liz’s face.

Liz didn’t give an answer, only scooting backward away from the mic, clear that the weird actions and appearance of the creature frightened her no matter what size he was.

“Oh? A shy one, eh? Well, this calls for some serious action!” His outfit was swapped, turning to that of a miner. With another snap, he was gone… until Liz swore she felt something enter her left ear, with the sound of a jackhammer banging everywhere inside. “Hi-ho! Hi-ho! Into your mind, we go!”

“Gethimout! Gethimout! Gethimout!” Liz shouted, shaking her head once more as she didn’t think she would feel so violated this way.

“Discord! No!” Fluttershy shouted, her calm demeanor was now replaced by anger. “Stop that! NOW!!!” Discord appeared outside, now as a puppy, making small, whimpers. John entered the room with a wave of ants.

“Alright! I'm here to take care of the bear!” He announced. “Now where did it-” He stopped. “Aww! A puppy!” John picked up the ‘puppy’ “Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy!?”

“I am the best boy.” The Discord puppy answered.

“Of course you-” John paused. “... DEMON DOG!!!” He threw Discord to the floor, who vanished in a puff of Smoke, back to his normal self, wearing a scientist outfit.

“Well, that's not very ‘heroic’ of you. Assuming a talking dog is evil instead of an innocent Diamond Dog.”

“WHAT IS THIS THING!?!?!?”

“Discord! Ruler of Chaos!”

“Somebody get rid of it!” Liz shouted, it being clear that neither of them liked the ‘Ruler of Chaos’. Discord appeared in bed next to her.

“I think the correct term is ‘somecreature’.”

“Discord! Enough!” Fluttershy shouted, making John jump. Discord teleported next to the shy pegasus.

“I'm just following what Twilight said.”

“Making friends is one thing, but this is not one of them. You need to apologize.”

“Apologize!?”

“Yes. Apologize… unless you want some secrets spoiled for you on your next session.”
Discord released a dramatic gasp.

“You wouldn't!”

“Hmm, then you wouldn't mind knowing that Spike planned you all to-”

“NO!!! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to freak you both out!”

Liz just stayed quiet, not buying it from such a weird looking creature. Discord gave what looked like Bambi's eyes with a bit of a toothy grin.

“Please!? I know a fun thing we can do!”

“... I don't know…” John spoke before leaning to Liz. “What do you think?”

“I guess we can accept the apology, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let my guard down,” Liz responded, still keeping her eyes on the creature before them.

“Oh please,” Discord spoke, appearing from right behind Liz. “it's not just me you should keep your guard up around.”

“How did you-!?” John asked, turning to see how Discord vanished in mid-air, but snapped out of it and shooed him away. “Bad touch! Bad touch! Stranger danger!”

Discord scooted away and blew a raspberry at them. “Fine, but you're not invited to this session of Ogres and Oubliettes.” Discord snapped and he was gone.

“... Something felt oddly familiar with that guy.”

“Let’s hope we’ll never see that creep again.” Liz crossed her arms.

~-~-~

Climbing over the mountains that border Ponyville, Katrina, the feline sorceress, looked over the peaceful village.

“So… you both choose to hide here?” She asked herself. “Well, I hope everyone will see what will happen. NO ONE gets in the way of-!”

“Hi! You hiking as well?” Pinkie asked, appearing beside her.

“GAH!!!” Katrina stumbled down the mountain.”... Ow.”

“Oops! Sorry! Do you need help!?”

“Just… let me know when a party is starting.”

“Oki-Doki-Loki!”