As they leave Apple Bloom pipes up, “Does anypony know how’re we to get home?”
After closing down the Mysterious Section 7, the Anthro Apples, Daring Do, Ayumi, & Alex, prove a so called cure was not only worthless, but having originated from Grogar, an old enemy of not only the ponies but humanity. Now they have to figure out how to get back to Perth, Western Australia.
Alex and co. were walking in Manhattan towards the apartment building where Babs Seed (formerly Brian Smith) lived. Alex was mouse sized and riding on Ashley's Stetson. Daring was flying slowly and getting more than a few stares.
Ayumi was topless after having talked with the renewed Tempest Shadow about how Grogar found her and brainwashed her with the cure. She gave her top to Tempest Shadow after learning that she had none of her anthro fitted clothes with her. She was drawing some stares as well but she was more concerned with telling the group about a safe house her family kept Upstate.
“My family lived in Rochester for most of my life. I know the city and we will be safe there while I set up our flight home.” She said “As to why I'm topless; laws in New York state let me.”
Ashley nodded, “Ah don’t know about that, Ayumi, but Ah want to make it up to Babs fer helping us by letting her folks know she’s okay and explain she may be coming to live with us, if that’s okay with her and her parents.”
Alex nodded, as she was deep in thought then sighed, “I hope they don't reject her.” She jumps down growing to her 5’8 height. Daring landed and strode with the group. “We're almost there.” She says, “It's two buildings down.”
The lone Equestrian of the group looked about and said, “I've been to Manehattan several times, both book signing and work related and I still can't get over how close the names of this city and the one back on Equestria are.” She then wing hugged Alex before adding, “It's uncanny how this city is laid out. I could go to anyplace in this city by simply remembering how to get to the Equestrian location and comparing the names.”
Ayumi then noticed Alex looking down, “What's wrong, Alex?”
Alex looked up then said, “One of the things I hate about being an adventurer is sometimes an enemy I beat turns out to be a pain of another foe and my beating them destroys them. Take General Harrison; he loved the U.S.A., but he was like Frank Burns from MASH; bigoted, narrow minded, and a fool. His philosophy was the end Justifies the means. Add to that he was a power hungry Patriot. And you get the man we beat. Yet in spite of that, he was a good man and devoted father, And the way we beat him, leaves him with no future but the gallows.”
“Thats where your wrong when i restored Tempest and the other Grogar caught and sent her to our house with the last of my energy i learned that the version of The general we fought was never real just a product of Grogar’s mind magic. If the President asks i’ll explain it plainly someone used a puppet acting like the general to try and destroy the planet. “ Ayumi assured “ Harrison and his family had already moved to Australia when Grogar caught her.”
“Great, seems I just got on another ancient villain's shit list. *SIGH* par for the course.”
Ashley looked over at Babs, “Whatever happens with your parents, just t’ let ya know Ah’ll be there f’r ya.” Ashley gave Babs an encouraging side hug.
Apple Bloom nodded, walking next to Babs, “Same goes fer me, as well! We’re family!”
“Don't count me out!” Alex said. “My family never has let the families of those that help us in the lurch, ever!”
As the group approaches Babs’ parents’ house, Brian's mother steps out of the building with a female police officer saying, “I don't care if my son's turned into an anthro jackrabbit. He's still my baby and I want him back!”
They stop when they spot the group; both women freeze at the sight of the group of anthros. Then Brian's mother drops her shopping bag and charges the group to hug Babs. Knocking a surprised Alex out of the way with an “oof!” Brian/Babs finds herself hugged with strength that would've been unsurprising if it came from Granny Smith.
Ashley smiles and helps Alex up, “Uhm, Howdy, Auntie Smith! Ah’m Brian, er, Babs’ cousin, Ashley, and y’all know mah family; Granny Smith, Big MacIntosh, and mah little sister, Apple Bloom. This here’s Alex, Darin’ Do, and Ayumi. Babs has been on a big adventure since her transformation, and uhm, we wanted to bring her back safe and sound. She will definitely need some food and a bath, as well as a change o’ clothes.”
Mrs Smith nods and invites the group to come on in. She leads them into the house. Then gasps as she sees the condition both Alex and Daring Do are in. “Oh my goodness! You are both pregnant!”
Alex nods suddenly uncertain about her welcome. While Daring Do simply smiled. Mrs Smith then hustles both female anthros to the closest padded seats then says, “You two get off your feet while I get you something good for you and you little ones to eat!” Then looks at her transformed son, saying, “Don't just stand there young lady, help me get something to eat for our guests!”
Ashley removes her Stetson out of respect and has a seat on the couch next to Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, and Big MacIntosh. “Anyway, Ah’m gonna cut right t’ the chase; cousin Brian’s now goin’ by her new name; Babs Seed. And, hear me out now; Ah think she would be better livin’ with her pony kin. It’s up t’ y’all. But ultimately, it’s up to Babs. Ah just want what’s best fer her.”
“Besides, as an Earth pony, she's going have to relearn how to handle things to compensate for her increased strength.” Alex pipes up just before Babs accidentally crushes a glass of apple juice she was handing it to Granny Smith. Mrs Smith was up in a flash and examines Babs’ hand only to find slight scratches.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t know I’d be this strong!” Babs started to tear up as her mom examined her hand.
Daring takes a glass from the coffee table and says, “One of the good things about her being an Earth pony is she's a bit more durable.”
“And, mah family owns an Apple orchard outside the town where we live. Ah’ll make sure she gets to and from school and we can set up a schedule fer Earth pony trainin’. Plenty of acres t; explore and get in touch with her heritage. Ah also have a friend who is into fashion who might know somepony who can help Babs with her Cutie Mark. Let me guess; a pair of scissors with two halves of a Red Delicious apple for the handles?”
Mrs Smith looks at her daughter and says, “It's Okay. You did nothing wrong. You need to learn of your new heritage and your cousins are offering you a place for that.”
Babs nods, “One moment my butt was bare, the next there it was!”
Apple Bloom hugs her cousin, “Ya got yer Cutie Mark! It represents yer special talent! Ah reckon it’s about bein’ a hairdresser or something?”
Just then Alex's belly jerked a few times causing Alex to put her hand on her belly. “I guess my little ones are happy for you, Babs!” Alex mused. “I just wish they wouldn't use my bladder as a drum.”
Ashley chuckles, “Usually, when a pony earns his or her Cutie Mark, we throw a special party for them. It’s called a Cuteceañera, and our friend Pinkie Pie usually plans those.”
Mrs Smith smiles, looking at Alex and Daring and asks, “If it’s not too.much trouble, when are you both due?”
“Three months!” Both expectant mothers say in unison.
Ashley nods, “Remind Pinkie Pie t’ plan yer foal/baby showers soon as we get home. Ya can pick out names.” She sighed, “We still have to set up that appointment with the local veterinarian Flora works for.”
Alex nods, “I've already picked one name for one. But I am waiting until I either have a naming dream or the mouslings’ nursing at my breast for the other one.”
“Twins?!” Mrs Smith says in surprise. “H-how're you so sure?”
Alex looked at the human saying, “One word, mouse.”
“Well it beats being a shadow.” Raven said.
Ashley asked Raven how Serine was doing since she was attacked. “Ah hope she’ll be all right t’ travel back home. Pinkie Pie will probably want to throw a welcome home party f’r the lot o’ us at Sugar Cube Corner.”
“She should stay with the Crimson Strings form; it's almost impossible for them to die, though the nightmares that come with that form of theirs evens it out.” Raven says.
Babs then looked at Alex and said, “Miss Traveller, how did you get loose?”
Alex grinned and said, ”You remember those cylinders they put us in?”
Babs nodded wondering what Alex was getting at.
“They were built to hold human & human sized anthros.”
“But aren't you human sized?” Babs said in confusion.
Ashley chuckled and said, “Babs. Alex is a mouse. In fact Alex without her satchel, Alex would have to renew the spell that enables her to grow as big as a human. That’s how Alex can come to school with us in her human form. She still keeps her mouse ears and tail.”
Alex nodded. “Well, those cylinders had mystic dampers which is why Mac, Granny, Apple Bloom and Ashley couldn't use their earth pony strength to get out. Well, I couldn't renew the spell so I shrank to my normal three inch size and was able to squeeze my way out. My little passengers were a bit upset but I got out and, you know the rest.”
“Sorry for not helping and coming here unannounced.” Raven says with apologetic look on her face.
Both Alex and Daring jumped at Raven’s comment. While Mrs Smith quickly rolled up a magazine and swatted Raven. “you should be more careful especially around expectant mothers young...er ...lady.” she crossly said to unexpected guest.
Raven disappears, whimpering back into the shadows.
It was at that moment Brian’s Father came home saying as he entered, “Honey! I’m home! Did you finish making the missing persons report to the po….Who are these people?” He looked and the assembled anthros in concern.
“Hi Honey.” Mrs Smith called to her husband, “Brian’s back!”
Mr Smith looked around then said, “Where is he? I don't see him!” In moments he was hit by a equine torpedo as Babs ran up and hugged him. “OOF!” he said from the impact. He then winces from the strength.
“Hi” Babs said as she presented herself to her father. “I'm here Dad, though I've gone through some unexpected changes.” Mr Smith looked at the bufilly in confusion.
Mrs Smith smiles as she says, “Harold, meet the filly Brian turned into, Babs Seed; our Daughter.”
It took me about 2 hours to bring Mr. Harold Smith up to the same page as everybody else.
“ So you wanna take Babs back to Perth with you so she can learn about her abilities and continue school? Mr. Smith asked the group.
Ashley nodded, “Yessir.”
“You'll even help her get a part time job at the mall for after school hours?” he summarizes.
Ashley nodded again, “Ah believe that’s the plan, more or less. Ah still think she would need t’ focus on her academics first ‘fore we start lookin’ fer jobs at the mall that would accept her talents.”
Mr. Smith sighed, then looked at Babs saying, “You’re old enough to start making your own choices in life. Do you want to go with your cousins?”
Babs looked at her Australian anthro cousin, Ashley, then said, “Y-yes. I have less of a chance of getting into trouble there because of my new strength.”
Alex the stood up then walked up to stand close to father and daughter to say, “Plus she won't be the only American Anthro in Perth.”
“And i can all was deliver messages between you guys without any risks” Raven said from the shadow of Alex.
“GAH! RAVEN!!” Alex shouts in fright. Alex then sighs and say to Raven, “Can you even tell who's shadow you come from when you use somemouse’s shadow as an exit?”
Ashley sighed, “Uh, Alex gets startled very easily as a mouse. And the fact she’s expectin’ young; it just makes her more jumpy.”
“Yes i can. I’m in your shadow because i jumped in when the husband came home for it to be easier on you to explain who you were then who i am and also i miss having normal body” raven said while coming out of her shadow.
Mr. Smith looked at the show dog and said, “What's that thing?!”
“I'm a shadow wolf.” Raven says with a sigh.
Mrs Smith then said, “Well, to thank you nice girls for helping Babs, All of you can stay here until you return to Perth. WON'T THEY HAROLD?”
She him a look that promises time on the couch if he disagreed. Harold nodded.
“YAY! SIGHTSEEING TOMORROW!” said a pony Pinkie Pie on the TV. Who then waved at everybody before heading off to do something on the show.
“I swear that Pinkie is actually related to Discord. The way the fourth wall was just broken hints at it.” Alex muttered.
Ashley chuckled, “Rina is totally the same as Pinkie Pie; no wonder she was chosen as the anthro version of the Element of Laughter!”
“I know i think that it's true too.” Raven said in a whisper to Alex.
“Well at least you have a body.” Raven mutters.
“I'll have to do some research but I might be able to make you a body.” Alex whispers to Raven.
“Really, thank you so much! I have been stuck as a shadow for a long time.” Raven whispers back to Alex
“I'll have to access my family's library but I think I can do it.” Alex nods as she waits with the others.
Ashley nodded, “We were plannin’ t use the Legend o’ the Mirror Pool t’ make Alice, Alex’s “sister” a body, so maybe we can get ya one. Maybe that Homunculus recipe from Mage Meadowbrook’s journal? It should be in that there satchel o’ yours, Alex.” Ashley suggested.
Mrs Smith walks into the kitchen and says, “Well I’m about to start cooking dinner so why don’t you get comfortable!”
She then turned to Mr Smith, “Would you be a dear and go to the pet store and buy about ten bottles of flea shampoo so they could get cleaned up before dinner’s ready?” Mr Smith nodded and left. Before he left he hugged his son turned daughter and said, “Go do your homework; your friends from school brought back all your assignments and we got word from your teachers that as long as you turn in all your assignments they won’t penalize you.” Babs sighed and went her room to study.
Daring Do and Alex went to sit with Ayumi on the couch opposite the one the Anthro Apples sat on, then Granny Smith said. “I think we can spend a night here. But we’ll have to move into your safehouse tomorrow, Ayumi.”
Ayumi nodded at the elder Smith. She then said, I hope this adventure is over.”
Apple bloom got up then said, “Ah’ll go help Babs with her homework!”
Ashley nodded, “Good idea, sis! Babs really needs t’ connect with her cousin that is the same age as her. Plus, it’ll be a great way t’ bond with her. Tell me how it goes, ‘kay?”
Apple Bloom hugged her older sister warmly, then went to find Babs Seed’s room. “Babs, hey, ya need some help?” She called out.
“Yes!” Babs called out from her room. Apple Bloom scampered from the living room to head to Babs’ room.
As the young filly left, Alex said, “I hope Babs adapts well to Australia.”
Meanwhile, Apple Bloom entered her cousin’s room, and looked around, “How ya holdin’ up, Babs? Ah mean, with bein’ a filly and all?” She asked, attempting to break the ice, as it were, with her new cousin.
“It's still very difficult.” Babs replied. “My clothes don't fit anymore, I can't wear normal shoes, my skin jerks on its own whenever a bug lands on me, smells have gotten more intense, my hearing's gotten sharper, there's a moist slit between my legs where my junk used to be, and TO TOP IT OFF, I'VE CAUGHT MYSELF EYEBALLING GUYS, AND I'M NOT GAY!” Babs then thumped her head down on her desk.
Apple Bloom sat down next to Babs and said, “Don't worry Babs. My sister and her friends went through what you are going through, so they'll help you out!” The red haired filly puts her arm around Babs to comfort her in her time of need.
Babs nodded her head on her desk.
Elsewhere, in a darkened room a glowing globe sails into a wall to explode. “Graaarg!!!” Shouted an anthro ram who seemed to be mummified. “If I didn't already hate them I'd would hate them. That Tartarus-spawned family has cost me a chance to add both Equestria and this United States of America to Tamblon!!!!!”
A female anthro stepped out of the shadows. She looks like an older version of Starlight Glimmer. She smiled mirthlessly as she said, “I warned you about using that false cure as well as targeting this world’s version of the Apples. So you're going to take our alliance seriously, Grogar?”
“It would appear I have no choice.” Grogar conceded.
“Excellent.” She says.
Back in New York, at the Smith residence…..
“Well if you want I can give you back some of your masculinity.” Ayumi offered. “It can be hard to adjust to suddenly having both genders but it's a hell of an easier time than a full gender swap without the option.”
Babs considered then said, “Thank you, but no. I think I'll stay fully female, as I have a chance to make more friends.”
At that moment a shout of, “Dinner's ready!” calls out.
“JUST FINISHED!” Babs called out from the bathroom. Moments later Babs came walking out to the dining Room wearing a small dress that had been a joke gift from one of his male acquaintances in school. And the fact that it had been given to her when she was still Brian the day before her transformation was a boon. “I'm gonna have to thank my friend Jake Long for this dress.” She said. “ When I can catch up to him. That would be nice, A.J.”
Ashley smiled at her cousin’s choice of attire, “Well then, Ah’ll ask Alex to contact Rarity and maybe she can come up with some ideas. Maybe she needs t’ meet ya so she can get yer measurements.”
Alex's stomach chose that moment to growl loudly followed by Daring Do's. Both expectant mothers blushed as they sat down at the dinner table.
Once everybody was seated Mrs. Smith served dinner. They continued with some idle conversation and stories told between the American and Australian Smiths. While Ayumi, Daring Do, and Alex spoke about the Official forming of the first Earth Anthro Herd in pegasani, the old pre-unification pegasus tongue. After dinner was finished, the Smiths surprised everymouse by once again offering to allow the group to stay with them but they were turned down.
“No offense meant to you, but two of us are in a rather delicate situation and it would be better if all of us took Ayumi's offer of use of her safehouse; It would be better for all parties involved.“ Alex said.
After that Ayumi teleported everyone to the safehouse and they found places to sleep.
Ashley placed her Stetson on her head and went to fetch Babs and Apple Bloom for dinner, “Hey, Babs, you doin’ okay with yer homework? Yer mom says dinner’s ready, so you need to clean up. C’n ya get some new clothes fer Babs? Ah could call Rarity and see if she can help.”
Ashley got settled into the safehouse bedroom, choosing to bunk with Babs and Apple Bloom. “All right, girls. Time fer bed! We have a busy day to transfer Babs’ school records t’ her new school, get her some new clothes, and find a new job when we get to th’ farm.”