//------------------------------// // Chapter 26: My Special Pet // Story: Changeling Fate // by Nightmare Rift //------------------------------// Night Crystal’s POV: I decided to go to Fluttershy’s cottage to pick out my pet. I am leaning towards a snake or a bat. I never planned to get a pet back when I was in the Changeling hive but now that I am here, it makes sense. All of the Mane 6 have a pet, Starlight doesn’t, but that is because she doesn’t want something to have to take care of. I think I can take care of one since I am home often, unless I am helping one of the bearers or Zecora. However, I haven’t told Fluttershy that I need to meet the animals in my Changeling form. Just to make sure the animal that I choose is used to me, and can find me even if I am disguised to every other pony. I arrive at Fluttershy’s cottage to see that she is having a tea party with Discord. “Hello Night Crystal, are you here to pick out your pet?” “Yes, and Fluttershy, you can call me Styx in Discord’s presence. He does know I am a Changeling. I was thinking about either a bat or a snake. Discord, which do you think would be better?” “Snake for sure. Bats sleep all day so they aren’t around during the day. Besides, you can do this with a snake!” Discord says snapping his claw foot, making all of Fluttershy’s house go topsy turvy. Including the snake that Fluttershy brought out for me to see. The snake simply took it in stride and found its way over to me. I change and the snake doesn’t even react upon seeing my new form. “Fluttershy, would a snake be able to sense me even if I am disguised?” “Well, I don’t know. We would have to test it out in a pretty large crowd. But, in order to do that, he would need a name first. Something very unique to him, nothing generic.” “Basil,” says Discord nonchalantly. “What?” Fluttershy and I ask simultaneously. “Basil, you know, Basilisk; legendary, terrifying, giant snake creature that petrifies ponies.” Fluttershy and I look at him in confusion. “Oh goodness gracious, this thing,” Discord says snapping his paw foot this time, producing a 50 foot long snake with red glowing eyes. Fluttershy squeals and hides behind her couch and asks, “Discord, could you please stop and make it go away?” “Of course Fluttershy,” Discord snaps his paw again, “that is where the name came from.” “Well, I mean, it works and is unique for the little guy,” says Fluttershy coming out from behind the couch, and looking at the snake that is now looking over my shoulder at her. “Agreed, Basil it shall be. Now I suppose we should go find a big crowd to test out the ‘finding’ theory.” “Yes, there is a big concert being held today that is a fundraiser for the school. So that should be large enough. Don’t you think?” Discord asks. “Yes, you two stay here until I send Discord the letter to come find me. I will be my usual self, but we will see if Basil finds me,” I say, teleporting to the edge of the crowd. I switch to Night Crystal during the teleport and start weaving my way into the middle of the crowd. I send Discord the letter, and almost immediately sense him, Fluttershy, and Basil blipping onto the outer edge of the crowd. I simply stood in the middle of the crowd, waiting until I feel Basil. For now though, I pretend I am watching the concert just to keep up appearances for everypony around me who is actually enjoying the concert. After about a minute and a half I feel something slither up my right front leg and come to rest on my shoulder. I look down to see Basil curling up in a little ball on my shoulder. I kiss the little snake on the top of his head, and then teleport back to Fluttershy and Discord. “Well that worked out very well! I must say Fluttershy, you do work your own type of magic with the animals.” “Ah, thanks, but I think the pet always chooses the owner. I mean, look at Rainbow Dash and Tank, very different but fit together perfectly. I think you and Basil will be the same way. Different, but a good team together.” “Well I for one think that Basil is unique and is a perfect fit. Now I must be going, I have something I want to discuss with Twilight. Ta ta.” “Fluttershy?” “Yes Styx?” “How exactly did Discord come to be your friend?” “Oh, that’s a story best told over tea or coffee I think.” “Coffee. How about tomorrow morning at Sugarcube Corner?” “That sounds excellent. I can’t wait to tell you how Discord got reformed. He was quite ashamed of his behaviors once he realized he would lose his only friend in all of Equestria. Bye Styx.” “Bye Fluttershy,” I say, trotting off towards Rarity’s boutique. I needed to ask her if she could make me a dress that would be good to wear in any formal setting. I enter the boutique to see Rarity in the middle of a bunch of papers that cover the whole floor. “What happened in here Rarity?” “Photo Finish happened.” “What?” “Photo Finish came and looked through all of my dress designs. Then, she handed me these five designs for me to make for a fashion show two weeks from now. It’s no problem, really, but she literally threw every other design onto the floor making this mess.” “Well, I can help you Rarity. Do they all belong in a binder, book, or are they supposed to be organized by type or color?” “That’s just it, she ripped them all neatly out of a book. They didn’t have any order thankfully, but I don’t know a spell to get them back into the book.” “Well I do Rarity. I’ll do some for you and teach you how to do it. Then you can clean this mess up really fast. By the way, would you be willing to make me a dress for just like everyday formal events? Also, my new pet Basil would love a blanket.” “Basil, is that a snake?” “Yes, I was thinking a blue, black, and green blanket for him.” “Of course I can make the blanket darling. The dress will have to be done after the ones for Photo Finish, but I would be glad to make a dress for one of my friends. As for the help and spell, I would much appreciate it. I just don’t know what I would do with all of the designs otherwise.” “Glad to help Rarity. Let us get started,” I say, starting to pick up pages and hover them over to the book that Rarity pointed out. After about an hour of picking up pages and putting them back in the book, Rarity and I finish and she makes the blanket for Basil. I bid Rarity goodbye, paying her two bits for the blanket, then head home. I reach my house to see that there is a note on my door. I take it off the door and read: Have funsies. -Discord. Well that’s not good. I started to think that Discord wasn’t going to pull anymore pranks or give anypony ideas that were bad. However, his note may now make me believe otherwise. I head up to my room to sleep the exciting day away. I put Basil down in a basket with the little blanket that Rarity made for me, and I get into my own bed and slip easily into a deep sleep.