Lorraine and John sat next to each other on the picnic blanket Pinkie had set up moments earlier. Rainbow was hovering nearby as she and Fluttershy watched Trixie perform magic tricks for a small crowd by the lake.
Rarity, who sat on Lorraine's other side, helped herself to a sandwich. "How has your day been?"
"Good, Fluttershy's gonna help me get things set up for my new pet after this," Lorraine said and paused. "No sign of Twilight yet?"
Pinkie popped up from inside the nearby picnic basket. "Nope! I checked, she's got the study bug!" the pink mare leapt out and took the empty space next to John and shrugged. "I'll bring her a cupcake later."
"So, anyone else find it weird that John's like, super popular?" Rainbow asked as she landed and snagged a sandwich. "It was all anyone on the weather team could talk about this morning."
Fluttershy looked surprised as she turned to face her friend. "Really? I haven't noticed."
“I’m what now?” John blinked leaning forward to look at the rainbow mare.
“You’re popular.” Rainbow repeated. “Pretty sure half the mares on my team were bitching about how you were taken.”
“Excuse me?” Lorraine looked at Rainbow, looking slightly offended.
“What, it’s true. He is taken.” Rainbow waved a hoof at John.
“Why are they complaining about that? For fuck’s sake.” The noodle groaned.
“But I swore to God, or Gods in this case, that mares weren’t into other species.” John raised a brow. “Because the whole breeding thing.”
“Oh, most of the mares already have stallions in their herds. And I quote, he got pretty all of a sudden.” Rainbow said then mimed gagging. “And, it was either pretty or cute.”
“I have become the equivalent to a small yappy dog that can be carried around in a purse.” John said flatly.
“Well darling, you are small enough.” Rarity commented, glancing at the semi-pouting noodle dragon.
The smol bug decided to crawl into Lorraine’s lap and settle into a smol bug loaf. “Sweetie, it’s kay. I can handle a few mares suddenly realizing that I’d make a good piece of eye candy.”
“First off, they’re objectifying you again. Secondly, how much do you want to bet, this is only going to get worse?” Lorraine asked with a small frown.
“No bet, with you two, It’s probably going to get worse.” Rainbow said, taking a bite out of a sandwich.
“It’ll be fine, you have us and we have some pull.” Pinkie grinned at the pair.
“Even if things do end up getting worse, we’ll be here for you.” Rarity patted Lorraine on the shoulder.
“And I believe that was quite a good show.” Trixie announced her presence by plopped down next to Lorraine and set a sack of bits in front of the noodle dragon. “Donation funds from the show, and that is taking into account my rent and spending money.”
“Do they just throw bits at you?” John asked, opening an eye at the blue mare.
“Why yes.” Trixie nodded. “Haven’t you noticed how much Ponyville is starved for any sort of entertainment?”
“No.” John replied bluntly. “Then again, I leave the house only so much and I never really go looking for entertainment things.”
“Ponyville doesn’t even have a movie theater.” Pinkie complained.
“I mean it has a few restaurants, a single bar (that’s not really that popular for some reason), and… Not much beyond that. Ponyville ponies like to do stuff at home with their families.” Rainbow shrugged. “I hear Vinyl Scratch is trying to buy a lot so she can fund a nightclub.”
“Never really been my scene, but I’d support something like that.” John hummed. “How sweetie, how bad would it be if I was a bit more philanthropic? Like I’m gonna throw money at people to support projects and small businesses and the like?”
“I mean, you’re in charge of the finances, so as long as we have money for food and shit, we’re good.” Lorraine said with a small chuckle.
Every mare blinked.
“He’s what?” Rainbow asked.
“I’m in charge of the house finances, which isn’t that much to be honest. It’s basically just budgeting. And that budget does have a lot of money that’s kinda just there. I mean, it could technically be called saving, but it’s really just not being used.” John looked at the mare.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever known a stallion that controls the house finances.” Rarity blinked. “Well, aside from Filthy Rich. Then again, his family has always been weird, to quote the mares of ponyville. And that includes his wife.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is. I was used to living week by week, so no way I was gonna be in charge of this shit.” Lorraine replied. “Having this much financial freedom is kind of daunting.”
“Which is why I just pretend that a decent chunk of our money doesn’t exist.” John nodded. “Though, now I have a reason to acknowledge it.”
“U-ummm…” The group as one, looked over to see a few mares standing sheepishly together. A blue unicorn levitated a magazine, a magazine they recognized. “Uh, Mister John? Can we have your autograph?”
John blinked. “Sure?”
Lorraine decided to take this moment to start digging into her sandwich.
A green aura sprang to life around John’s horn. He took an offered sharpie from a mare and spent the next few minutes signing copies of magazines.
“So John,” Rarity started as the last of the mares left, “when did you learn levitation?”
“Huh?” John looked over at her.
“You’re horn, darling.” Rarity pointed a hoof at her own horn. “You used it.”
“Huh.” John blinked. “I dunno, just kinda happened at one point. I think I was thinking about grabbing something like I would with my hands and it just happened.”
“But, can changelings actually do that?” Rainbow asked. “I thought the stories just said they could shapeshift and shoot lasers.”
“Rainbow, John’s clearly special.” Pinkie said, nodding sagely. “He can turn into tiny ponies, or giant lizards, and use his horn like a unicorn’s. Maybe his body’s compensating for his size?”
“I’m just happy you can do stuff.” Lorraine commented.
“Thanks. I have been trying to get more training-ish stuff done when I first wake up.” John nodded at the noodle. “And to think I used to sleep in late.” He paused. “Then again, I don’t think my body actually needs much sleep to begin with.” He hummed, then shrugged.
“Unique or not, John dear, would you be interested in doing a little more modeling?” Rarity asked.
“If it’s more costumes, then sure.” John shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”
“Can Trixie get in on that?” Trixie asked.
“If we want a group photo shoot, or make a day of it, fine.” Rarity nodded.
John looked up at Lorraine, she seemed to be thinking hard about something. “You good?” He asked, tilting his head to the side a bit.
“Can I say something dumb?” Lorraine asked bluntly.
“Always.” John nodded.
“Of course darling.” Rarity nodded.
“Kinda wanna see you in a suit.” Lorraine said with a toothy grin. “Or a butler outfit.”
“Well John, I know what we’re doing first.” Rarity tittered.
“As do I.” John nodded. “I require your best and smolest suit. I shall be... the Spy Bug!”
Rainbow face-hoofed. Pinkie giggled. Trixie just glanced between the couple.
“What, I like guys in suits.” Lorraine explained with a small shrug.
“It’s because of Persona, isn’t it?” Rarity raised an amused brow. “Darling, you can request a special suit for your little bug any time, you know.”
“Rarity, just because I stuck all the male characters in butler outfits, doesn’t mean I want to stick my boyfriend in one without his permission.” Lorraine deadpanned.
“Wait. Wait. Wanna try a thing.” John got up off of Lorraine’s lap, stretched like a cat on the blanket, then trotted a small ways away. He closed his eyes, stuck out his tongue, and…
~Fwomph~
There was a small white-coated, blue-maned, blue-eyed earth pony stallion… in a butler outfit.
“Hey! It worked!” John, the butler pony, said happily. He dance-trotted in place. “I can manifest clothes!” He paused.
~Fwoomph~
And he was back to the normal smol bug.
“Awww.” He wilted. “Only when I take on a non-bug form I guess.” He paused, blinked, then looked at Lorraine. “Wait- Wait. Thing. Idea.”
~Fwoomph~
He was back to the butler pony form. The smol pony trotted over to Lorraine. He gave her a deep bow. “Is there anything I can do for you, my lady?” He said in a surprisingly deep British accent.
Lorraine snorted and burst into giggles. “I can’t take you seriously when you look like the ponified P3 protagonist. But damn, you clean up nice though.”
“Mmmm, tails aren’t quite long enough, neither are the sleeves.” Rarity said with a hum.
“Gag.” Rainbow rolled her eyes.
“Shush! It’s cute!” Pinkie shoved a hoof into Rainbow’s face.
“Oh my…” The, since then, quiet Fluttershy squeaked with a bright pink blush.
“Yeah, the suit probably needs a little work.” Trixie agreed with a nod.
“Oh hush, it’s my first time and I did the first thing that came to mind.” John pouted at Rarity and Trixie before shifting back into his bug form.
“Does this mean that I won’t have to make all sorts of small costumes?” Rarity gave the bug a small smirk.
“How dare you!?” John gasped, putting a hoof to his chest. “I love those small costumes!”
“Well, she is paying you in them.” Trixie commented.
“He’s such a cute boy!” John bounced around the shiba like an excited dog.
Ironically, the actual dog just looked at him like he was crazy.
“So, you got the house a dog.” Gilda commented. “He seems well behaved.”
Koromaru gave an affirmative bark and a nod to the griffon.
“If you say so.” Gilda shrugged and moved into the kitchen to start dinner.
“Wait… Wait, wait, wait, you speak dog?” Lorraine asked with a grin.
“Less actual language and more intent.” Gilda called from the kitchen. “It’s a griffon thing.”
“Damn, I have so many questions to ask him.” Lorraine swore.
“That’s why you’d have to go to Flutters.” Gilda added. “Though, that’s where you got him sooo…”
The front door opened and Alastor trotted in. A cardboard box levitated in after him. “Evening everyone, how’s-” His voice died when he got to the living room and saw the dog.
John paused and backed up, feeling the mood in the room shift.
Koromaru glared at Alastor and started to growl.
Alastor stared and narrowed his eyes at Koromaru.
“Anybody else feel that tonal shift, just me, okay.” John trotted towards the kitchen. “I’m just gonna go help with dinner.”
“Hey, it’s okay.” Lorraine said to the pair.
Koromaru gave a wary yip.
“He’s a smart one.” Alastor said, raising a brow. “Yes, fleabag, I am a demon.”
Koromaru growled.
“Oh, that’s just rude.” Alastor gasped.
Koromaru yipped.
“Do you lick your mother with that mouth?” Alastor smirked as he trotted past the dog and set the box on the dining room table.
“I don’t know if you’re bullshitting or not and that’s annoying. I wanna speak dog.” Lorraine said with a huff.
Koromaru whined, glared at Alastor, and waddled over to sit in front of Lorraine protectively.
“It’s okay. He’s not going to do anything.” Lorraine said to the dog.
Koromaru looked at her and pinned his ears back, before laying down and just watching the deer.
“I got your… Wait- Twilight got your research done. She insisted. Spike however served me tea, when he wasn’t running books around. It was Earl Grey. It was quite nice.” Alastor said with a nod as he settled into his wing-backed chair.
“Remind me to thank her later.” Lorraine said with a nod. “So this is Koromaru, my new dog-slash-bodyguard. He’s a good boy.”
Alastor blinked at the dog, who was giving him a death glare. Alastor blinked. “Right. Hello Koromaru, I am Alastor.”
Koromaru barked.
“My name precedes me it seems.” Alastor chuckled.
Koromaru yipped.
Alastor blinked and seemed to wilt. “Oh, of course she told you.”
Koromaru nodded.
“Huh?” Lorraine blinked.
“Lorraine, we’re both servants of The Nightmare. We just happen to have different jobs it seems.” Alastor explained.
“Wait, but noooo. No way. Nightmare is Philemon.” Lorraine said with a grin.
Both Alastor and Koromaru blinked at her.
“Come again?” Alastor asked, accompanied by a questioning yip from Koromaru.
“Ok, so! In the Persona games, Philemon is the manifestation of all the good humanity can do, he bestows the power of personas onto to people to save the world from powerful shadows born the human races collective negative emotions, at least it's implied he's the source of the ability held by the main characters in the later games," Lorraine began to explain passionately. "I never played the games that came before Persona 3, only did some basic research out of curiosity."
"Dear, I wouldn't exactly call The Nightmare a force of good." Alastor pointed out.
"I'm not saying it's a one-on-one comparison but, Koromaru works for her, which means the process of awakening to and using a Persona is a valid form of shadowmancy, or translates as such when crossing over to this world," Lorraine continued. "You've also mentioned Nightmare's association with blue butterflies, another trait she shares with Philemon. The point is, I can see the parallels between what's going on here with Koromaru and the games. He was sent here to protect me."
Koromaru barked.
"Ah, your furry friend here was employed to fight Night Terrors after he passed away, it appears he was asked to guard you out of the blue," Alastor commented and looked over at Lorraine. "Is The Nightmare aware of your... fanaticism, surrounding these games?"
"Yeah, I've been talking to her about the stuff I like when we practice controlling my dreams," Lorraine replied. "Do you think she set this all up? My personal copy of the game affected an actual world an' all."
"No, I believe she couldn't make the connection until recently, it seems like she's trying to take steps to prepare you for something," the buck mused. "and given how things have been for you as of late I can see why!"
“I heard Lorraine gushing about something, guessing it was Persona.” John came in and hopped up onto the couch. “What’s up?”
“I have Best Dog as pet.” Lorraine stated with a nod. “Do you have any idea how much I am overthinking the shit out of this right now?”
“Sweetie, it’s you. Of course you’re overthinking.” John said with a chuckle, leaning in to nuzzle her. “Just try not to give yourself a headache.”
“I know.” Lorraine nodded.
“You know, I liked the idea at first.” John called in the small changing area that had been made for the day’s photo shoot. “But I didn’t think we’d be doing it this much.”
“Darling, it’ll be fine.” Rarity called back. “Spike and Garble have offered to keep ponies away for us. Plus, I have some suits that I think Lorraine would like to see.”
John blinked as he unzipped one of the garment bags. “Oh, I see.”
The changeling emerged in a finely tailored black suit with a white button up undershirt, a nice black bowtie, and some rather nice black boots to go along with it. He swore he heard a couple fangirl screams from further away. He rolled his eyes. “Rarity, have you counted how many stalkers I have?”
“Oh Darling, don’t be dramatic.” Rarity said, setting up the camera, and pointing towards the lake.
Seconds later there was the sound of loud barking and a scramble of panicked hooves. Seconds after that Lorraine and Koromaru plodded towards the small spot they’d picked for the photo shoot. The noodle dragon was smirking.
“Scare ‘em good honey?” John chuckled as he fidgeted in his suit.
“I politely asked them to leave. They wouldn’t. Soooo…” Lorraine let the sentence hang.
“I thought that was our job.” Garble said coming in for a landing and setting spike down.
“Looking good.” Spike gave John a thumbs up.
“Spikey. I have one for you too back there.” Rarity smiled as the small dragon gasped and raced into the changing area.
“To be fair, one of them was getting rather huffy. Koro-kun didn’t like that.” Lorraine said matter-of-factly.
“Fair.” Garble shrugged as Spike came back out.
Rarity frowned and lit her horn adjusting a few things on the pair of suits. “There much better.”
“You guys look awesome.” Lorraine grinned.
“Why, thank you.” John bowed dramatically. “Now let’s do the posing thing.”
John hummed to himself (still mentally kicking himself for not getting something to play music) as he trotted through town. Lorraine was busy helping the Peacewalkers with another bake-sale. On that note, since his popularity grew, mares had begun to go a bit easier on Lorraine. Not what they’d expected, but John would rather take getting asked for autographs or pictures, over getting sneered at or his girlfriend getting assaulted.
He had to clamp down on his paranoia. Couldn’t be paranoid when people stared at you all the time.
He rolled his eyes as he passed the flower trio and at least two of them gave the over enthusiastic notice me sigh.
“Oh John.” A recognisable voice made him sigh through his nose as he internally groaned. He stopped and looked over to see an irritatingly too chipper Spoiled Rich trot over to him. “Look at you moving up in the world.”
“I haven’t really done much besides pose and look cute.” John shrugged. “How can I help you, Miss Rich?”
“Now that you’re so popular, do you think you could talk to Lorraine for me?” Spoiled asked with a sweet smile.
“I talk to her all the time anyway, how’d this be different?” John raised a brow.
“Well, you have some influence. You need to be sure you’re sending the right message.” Spoiled replied.
“Define, right message.” John said flatly, frowning a little.
“Now, I know your marefriend means well," Spoiled said sweetly. "But she needs to focus on the benefits of herds alongside all this progressiveness she's trying to spread. After all, herding is a long-standing Equestrian tradition. It deserves to be given the respect and consideration it deserves."
“Hey, we’re both all for herding. Just so long as all participants are willing members and everyone’s equally loved.” John nodded. “Counterpoint however, are monogamous relationships just as valid as herd relationships?”
“Oh- Of.. Of course they are!” Spoiled’s smile looked a little strained.
“Also, why focus on tradition?” John asked, as if thinking aloud. “Can’t tradition lead to stagnation and rejection of new ideas?”
“I’m not asking for much, just a simple word here and there.” Spoiled replied.
“Have… Have you been paying attention?” John blinked. “I know Lorraine’s mentioned herding more than once when she does one of her school seminar things.”
“I have, I was just hoping she’d give it more of a focus.” Spoiled said with a nod.
“Focus as in this is better than that?” John raised a brow at her.
"Well, the poor girl doesn't have proper experience with how we do things in Equestria. She can say she supports herding but all her evidence for advocating other relationships seems... Limited." Spoiled replied. "The two of you being non ponies isn't helping her efforts either. I merely thought that, with the influence you have now, you could aid your marefriend's efforts, perhaps if she put more focus on Equestria's history, more ponies would listen to her."
“And what about Equestria’s history should we focus on?” John asked, deadpanning at the mare. “Would you prefer pre or post unification? Or would you prefer something like the origin of the species?”
"You could do a seminar on the history of herding, how it practically saved ponydom from extinction and how the laws that govern it keep our society afloat," Spoiled sniffed. "Of course, you could gain more supporters if the two of you had experience on how herds work in practice as opposed to using second hoof accounts."
“Uh huh.” John blinked. “And how is herding necessary now?” He paused, and sat on his haunches. “I mean, from everything I’ve been reading, Ponyville is one of the only towns or cities that practice herding to this extreme.”
“Well, we Ponyvillians do keep our traditions more than other towns, and we’re also right by the Everfree Forest. We mares have to keep our stallions safe.” Spoiled replied.
“I understand that.” John nodded. “All I can say is I will let Lorraine know what we talked about.”
“That’s all I ask.” Spoiled smiled sweetly. “Have a wonderful day.”
With that she trotted off.
“Ugh.” John shuddered a bit. “I need a drink.”
“John. You’ve got mail.” Gilda called out from the front door.
“Huh?” John poked his head around the corner.
“Lots of mail.” Gilda turned to look at him.
John’s brow furrowed as he trotted towards the door. “I wasn’t expecting the figures I ordered to arrive for another week.” He paused when he got to the doorway.
“I’ll pause it.” Lorraine called out as there came an annoyed dog whine.
John blinked at the packages next to the door. “You sure these aren’t for Alastor?”
“His are right there.” Gilda pointed a talon at the pile to the left of the door.
“Pardon.” Alastor stepped over John and levitated the pile of his packages. “I need to go burn these.”
John was having a nice morning. He’d convinced Lorraine to take the day off (Resulting in her and the dog binge-watching anime.), he’d done a little more changeling training in the Everfree, and he’d had a nice walk to Bon Bon’s for some coffee. (Or in his case his creamer with some coffee in it.)
So he sat at a table, reading the manga that he brought with him.
“Ummmm, Mister John?” A nervous stallion’s voice spoke up.
John paused, put his bookmark in the manga, and looked up to see a tan-coated stallion, with a short brown mane and light-blue eyes. The stallion had three blue horseshoes on his flank. “Oh, hey there. You’re Caramel right?” John asked. “Don’t you work for the Apples?”
“Uh, yes sir, I do.” Caramel nodded, shifting awkwardly from hoof to hoof.
“Have a seat, you look nervous as hell.” John chuckled while smiling at the poor stallion. “And call me John, Mister John just sounds weird, might need to give myself a surname or something.”
Caramel scooted a chair out and sat down. “Thank you Mis- I mean, John.”
“No problem. Now what’s up?” John asked, tilting his head to the side curiously.
“Well, you’re a successful stallion.” Caramel started.
“Unfortunately, but go on.” John nodded with a small eye roll.
“Well, how do you deal with mares that want you to join a herd?” Caramel asked, seemingly unsure of where to put his forehooves, before settling them on the table.
“I just say no?” John asked, blinking in slight confusion. “Are you okay?”
“Yes! Well… Kinda?” Caramel bit his lip. “See this mare wants me to be in her herd.”
“Okay.” John nodded.
“And I’ve said no.” Caramel continued.
“Alright.” John nodded again.
“So she asked why…” Caramel chewed his lip.
“Gotcha, waiting for the problem.” John said with a small chuckle.
“So I told her I like stallions!” Caramel blurted out.
John blinked. “Okay?”
Caramel blinked back at him. “Okay?”
“Yeah. I mean, do you like stallions?” John asked.
“Well… kinda? I kinda like both... and zebras… and dragons…” Caramel said with a growing blush.
“And there’s nothing wrong with that.” John said with a nod.
Caramel blinked at him in shock. “There’s… not?”
“In my entirely unprofessional opinion, you are a xenophiliac. You are attracted to all species. You’re also probably bi-sexual, meaning you like both genders. Congratulations.” John grinned.
“Huh? Why?” Caramel blinked.
“Because you have the pick of literally anyone you want.” John grinned.
“But… But isn’t that like… a sin or something?” Caramel blinked.
John sighed. “Solaire.”
‘No, my son, it is not.’
“There you go.” John pointed a hoof at him.
“What was that?” Caramel asked.
“God… Well, a God.” John shrugged. He paused for a moment. “Huh. Just hit me how weird my life has become lately.” He shook his head. “Anyway. You’re perfectly fine, maybe not normal but fuck normal anyway. Embrace your weirdness. Maybe you’ll find somebody equally weird and you two can be weird and happy together.” The smol bug smiled.
“I… don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say that.” Caramel blinked. A small smile grew on his face. “Thanks John.”
“Of course. Any time.” John smiled. “Want some coffee or something?”
“I mean, sure?” Caramel shrugged. “Any other words of wisdom you have for me?”
John slid out of his chair. “Lemme see if I can think of something.”
John looked between the frantically apologising Fluttershy and the trying not to panic Lorraine.
“I am so sorry! It was just so good!” Fluttershy squeaked out.
“But my fanfiction is popular! Flutters! What do?!” Lorraine asked, staring bug-eyed at her.
“I don’t know! I just thank the kind people that like my work!” Flutters replied.
“But that’s so many likes!” Lorraine thrust a claw at the screen. “And what about all these comments?! I can’t respond to all of those!”
“They still at it?” Gilda asked, walking past.
“Mmmhmmm.” John nodded.
“Why are there so many letters?” John groaned as he opened the umpteenth request letter. “I swore I did a thing for one of Rarity’s magazine things that I don’t accept brand deals.”
“They still try.” Gilda shrugged.
“Want me to burn them?” Alastor asked as John opened another letter.
“The opened ones, yes.” John nodded. He was looking rather tired, and perhaps a bit stressed.
“I can handle this.” Lorraine spoke up.
“You sure? You don’t have to.” John looked at the noodle dragon.
“You go chill. I go do this.” Lorraine nodded.
“Kay, I’m gonna go throw on PoneTube and crash on the couch.” John slid out of his chair and half-wobbled over to the couch.
“I think the pressure is getting to him.” Gilda said, sweeping letters into a garbage bag.
“Hey John, want me to cancel all your upcoming gigs?” Lorraine asked.
“But I don’t wanna disappoint anybody.” John replied.
“John, when it’s hazardous to your health, you outweigh whatever gigs they want you to do.” Alastor commented.
“So, I can take a break, but you can’t?” Lorraine asked with a small huff.
There was a brief silence from the couch. “Fine. You all have a point. I could use the rest. Think I should quit before this gets worse?”
“John, if this is making you as ill as I think you’re getting, then yes.” Alastor said with a nod.
“Do you find all of this fun, because it’s not like we need the money.” Lorraine added.
“It was at first. Now it’s just stressful.” John called out. “Yeah, it might be time to quit.”
“Cool, I’ll go talk to Rarity after I sort this mess out.” Lorraine said, looking at the rest of the letter pile.
“Darling, you can’t be serious!” Rarity gasped as she stared at Lorraine from across the small kitchen table. “He’s been doing so well! And everypony loves him!”
“He’s not having fun anymore and he’s stressed.” Lorraine replied.
“Lorraine, darling, stress comes with the job, and there are so many gigs- he can’t just quit.” Rarity replied, looking shocked.
“Yeah. He can.” Lorraine replied, upending a sack of letters onto the table.
Rarity blinked. She levitated one of them up. “John I want you to hold me down and- Ugh!” Rarity’s face screwed up in disgust. She looked at Lorraine and gestured at the letters “Are all of these…”
Lorraine grinned, which was more of a bearing of teeth than anything related to a smile. “Oh, they get worse.”
Rarity, already a pale white, somehow managed to get paler. She looked down at the pile.
“That’s just from yesterday.” Lorraine added.
“Yes. I think I see your point.” Rarity nodded. “I… may have let John’s stardom get to me. I might’ve been trying to live vicariously through him, per say.” She cleared her throat. “Lorraine, I’m sorry. I’ll tell John as well later, for now I need to contact a few people.”
John didn’t want to leave the house. Somehow, someone leaked the fact that he was quitting to the tabloids.
Most of Ponyville took exception to that.
John felt trapped.
Even though all the doors were locked, all the lights were off, and all the windows were shut and shuttered, he could still hear them.
He knew his friends out there were trying to defuse the situation.
He just wanted to be left alone.
His eyes snapped open. They glowed green.
He just wanted to be left alone.
Lorraine was on her way back from the Library with Koromaru. She’d needed to send a letter to Celestia. She normally wouldn’t want to bother the princess, but when you have ponies virtually pounding down the doors to their house…
She’d also sent a letter to Luna, but had never gotten a reply back.
She plodded as fast as her legs would carry her, as the shiba beside her kept a close pace.
“Oh Lorraine?” A familiar, and downright unwanted voice called out.
“Sorry, but I have stuff to do.” Lorraine stated as she kept plodding.
“Oh it won’t be long.” Spoiled Rich trotted up beside her, causing Koromaru to growl at her. “And reign in your dog please.”
“He’s a service dog.” Lorraine replied. “Please give us a bit of space.”
“I see.” Spoiled did not, in fact, give them space. “I was just wondering… I talked to John last week. Has he mentioned our chat?”
“Yep.” Lorraine replied bluntly.
“And what do you think about my suggestions?” Spoiled asked as Koromaru growled again.
“The history of herding is an interesting topic, and we’ll be covering that along with inter-species rights, gay-rights and monogomous relationships.” Lorraine rattled off.
“It doesn’t sound like you’re giving herding the respect it deserves.” Spoiled frowned.
“Everything I do is based on my own experiences. Herding is not a thing where I come from, so I do the best I can.” Lorraine replied as she tried to pick up the pace, to little effect.
“See, that’s why you should give herding a try.” Spoiled said with a sweet smile.
“But why?” Lorraine asked.
“Eh- To see what it’s like, of course.” Spoiled said after her momentary slip.
“Why would I do that, when I can just interview the herds around here?” Lorraine asked in response. “All my seminars use data from those interviews.”
“But you’d have a better understanding if you were in a herd yourself.” Spoiled tried once again, only causing Koromaru to growl again. “And can you tell your dog to stop growling.”
“In a min.” She said, glancing at Koromaru. “Do I really need a better understanding when my job is just trying to advocate for other forms of relationships?”
“Ugh, it’s things like you that are trying to destroy centuries of tradition!” Spoiled had finally decided to drop the nice act.
“Lady, I ain’t doing shit. Now if you don’t mind, I have somewhere to be.” Lorraine said with a small head shake, then turned to continue her plodding.
There was a pounding of hooves, followed by a snarl and a dog yelp.
Lorraine whirled to see Koromaru favoring his right foreleg and glaring daggers at the clearly pissed Spoiled Rich.
“Stupid dog!” Spoiled snapped.
In the distance a roar echoed through Ponyville.
Lorraine turned.
Where Lorraine’s house no doubt was, stood a giant dark brown dinosaur. Boney spikes emerged from its elbows. The entire front of it’s torso was covered in dark brown boney ridges. It’s head sported a single horn over its nose as well as a boney beak-like protrusion at the front of its maw. The back of its head was boney crest in the shape of a crescent moon.
It reared its head back and roared, seemingly more of an intimidation tactic rather than a sign of aggression.
“What in Equestria is that?!” Spoiled half-shrieked.
“That’s my boyfriend!” Lorraine snapped at her.
"That's your coltfriend?!" Spoiled shrieked. "You are irresponsible, letting him and that beast," the mare pointed at Koromaru. "run around unchecked!"
Lorraine ignored the vitriolic mare, looking at Koromaru. He was standing but growling softly with his fur on end and ears splayed back in rage despite his injury.
Lorraine looked over at John in the distance. Guards flew overhead, their armor glinting in the sunlight as they headed towards him. She needed to do something now. She felt the phantom sensation of cold metal pressing against her forehead, a fleeting glimpse of a card hovering in front of her and the weight of a mask fitting snugly to her face.
A blue butterfly landed on her nose as she reached a decision.
No more.
"What are you doing?" Spoiled asked, a hint of fear in her voice. Lorraine looked down at hers to see dark blue energy rolling and flickering off her body like flames.
Lorraine ignored the mare. As she stared at the roaring form of her boyfriend, a pillar of blue fire engulfed the luck dragon.
John watched the ponies flee in terror. Part of him felt bad, but he was honestly tired of being harassed.
His head turned, and he growled deeply as a few town guard pegasi kept a safe distance. He wouldn’t hurt anybody, and it’s not like they could actually hurt him like this, but getting snapped by static was still annoying.
He looked down and saw Gilda and Rainbow gaping at him. Alastor looked… unimpressed. Twilight looked shocked. Pinkie seemed to be in the middle of a particularly long gasp. Rarity looked frightened. Fluttershy, out of all of them, looked worried.
Fluttershy seemed to steel herself, then flew up towards his head. The mare landed on his muzzle. “John, it’s okay. They’re gone, you don’t have to be mad anymore.”
John started to calm at Fluttershy’s word, but something caught his eye.
Koromaru was charging down the path towards their house. Following him… was a unicorn.
Not a unicorn like anyone from around town. A unicorn.
It was like it stepped out of Earth myth. It had thick white fur and a wild silver-white mane trailing in the wind. The horn was a long gold spiral. Only a single eye was fully open. The right eye was a blazing red, the left was half-shut. There was a visible scar through the fur of the chest, a pink vertical line running from collarbone to stomach. There were shackles around its neck and ankles. There was a long chain hanging from the neck shackle. Only a couple links of chain rattled from the shackles around its ankles. The air around it seemed to shimmer like a heat haze, and it was accompanied by a faint light blue glow that was barely perceptible in the light of day.
The unicorn skidded to a halt in front of everyone. Now everyone just seemed startled.
“John what happened?! Are you okay?!” Lorraine’s voice emanated from the unicorn.
John blinked his bright green eyes.
‘Lorraine?’ John’s voice seemed to echo into everyone’s mind. ‘You’re a unicorn!’
“Well, yeah, Koromaru got hurt, and you’re this. I had to do something!” Lorraineicorn nodded quickly.
John relaxed. Fluttershy flew off his muzzle as the green flames surrounded him.
John, swiftly returned to smol bug form, wobbled a bit. He shook his head and trotted over to Lorraine. “I’m okay. I’m good now.” He wobbled a bit more when he got to Lorraine and craned his head up. “You okay? You got tall.” His speech seemed to be slurred a tiny bit.
“You are not okay.” Lorraine the unicorn stated with a nod. “I’m popping a heal.”
“A wha-” John blinked as rings of white light surrounded the smol bug.
Only the rings encircled not only John, but Gilda, Alastor, Koromaru, the girls, and the unicorn herself.
John blinked. “Well I feel great.” He commented.
“That was a thing.” Gilda said bluntly, looking tired and generally done with the day.
“Quite.” Alastor nodded.
“What was that?! That was amazing!” Twilight immediately started to babble.
“Salvation, fully restore the party’s HP and remove status ailments.” Lorraine quoted with a nod. “I am very OP.”
“And you look fabulous.” Rarity agreed.
“Ooooo! What are your stats?” Pinkie bounced happily around the significantly taller mare.
“Can you explain just what, the fuck, just happened?” Rainbow blurted out.
“Just now, the past few minutes, today, or life in general?” Alastor asked, raising a brow at the mare.
“Stuff it, Fancy!” Rainbow pointed a hoof at the buck only getting a chuckle in response.
“Guys, come in, let’s chill. We can head inside and we can talk this out.” Lorraine offered.
“Sweetie, two things first. How long can you keep this up, and two, is there gonna be any backlash from turning into this.” John gestured at horned-horse Lorraine.
“For as long as I need to, and I’m probably going to crash when I turn back.” Lorraine replied.
“Well let’s get you inside before somebody has to carry you.” Rarity said, attempting to usher everyone inside.
“So, let’s recap.” Rainbow stated, pacing back and forth (in mid-air) in the living room.
"So, you can turn into a super powerful unicorn from a video game in your world," Rainbow said. "and it's not just the unicorn but your unicorn from your own copy of the game which had maxed out stats and your perfect build?"
"Pretty much, the maxed stats carried over but the abilities seem to be a mix of builds from a couple different games," Lorraine replied and flicked her mane out of her face. "Makes sense, I had planned on recreating and improving the build in the most recent game in the series anyway."
Rainbow turned to the smol bug sitting next to her. “And you snapped, came outside, and turned into a giant, city-wrecking dinosaur from a TV show that made constant reappearances throughout the multiple series iterations because it was a well known and popular kaiju.”
“To be honest, I’m thankful I turned into Gomora and not Godzilla. I’m also thankful I have no idea how to use anything like Super Oscillatory Wave, because that would be bad.” John winced a little.
“I’ll take your word for it.” Rainbow nodded, looking rather tired.
“Ponies aren’t going to be happy, regardless.” Alastor commented. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a visit from-”
There was a knock at the front door.
“Speak of the Mourning Star.” Alastor commented dryly. "Girls, you may want to leave."
John blinked at the apologetic looking Mayor and the awkward-looking pair of guards.
"I'm sorry. Legally speaking, my hooves are tied." The Mayor said with a sad sigh.
John gave a quick glance to the others. Gilda looked pissed. Surprisingly, so did Alastor.
John trotted over to the unicorn and gestured for her to lower her head. Once she did he placed his fore-hooves on her cheeks and leaned up to kiss her nose. "I'll be back."
"John no-" Lorraine shook her head as the bug trotted towards the front door.
The guards jumped a little as John trotted right past them.
"John?" The Mayor asked as the bug stopped in the middle of the path towards Ponyville and The Everfree, as well as a decent ways away from the house. "John, if you try to run-"
"Here's the thing." John cut her off.
His wings buzzed and twitched in irritation. "Everyone seems to forget that everything we do as a couple is basically supported by the fucking Crown. We have the Princesses on fucking speed-dial. Yet we don't like bringing that up, that would just be fucking rude."
His eyes started to glow with green light. "We're harassed, Lorraine more so, for simply existing, and you know what. I'm fucking done."
His body ignited in green fire. "If everypony thinks I'm a danger to Ponyville, then I'll just leave for a bit. Celestia will probably have this bygone law sorted in no time."
"John-"
'No.' John's voice echoed in their heads as the fires engulfed him. The flames grew into a pillar that rose high into the sky.
With a shock wave of heat the pillar of fire burst. Standing there was the same gargantuan brown dinosaur that John had become earlier.
John lowered his colossal head, his bright green irises glowed softly, yet lit the mayor and the guards as he stared right at them. 'I'm just gonna leave. Go on a walkabout or something, meditate, probably work on controlling my shape-shifting better.’
The giant dinosaur that was John rose to full height. 'I mean, if the guards want to stop a forty meter tall, twenty-thousand ton dinosaur from walking into one of the most dangerous places on the planet then they're willing to try to stop me.’
John turned, his long tail whooshed over the house with a rush of air. He took a step, displacing dirt and causing the ground to shake. His head turned back towards the house. 'Before I go. Lorraine, I'll try to remember to call you every night, keep you updated. I don't want you to worry too much.'
His head turned back towards the Everfree and the gargantuan dinosaur stomped off towards the forest.
The mayor blinked in shock as Lorraine wandered back into the house, only to come out moments later with saddlebags on.
"That solves that problem, however I suggest you three leave." Alastor said stiffly, his tight-lipped grin dangerously close to a frown. "I don't believe you are welcome here at the moment."
The guards and the mayor quickly left.
“What are you doing?” Gilda turned and looked at the unicorn.
Lorraine shifted the saddlebags a bit, seemingly ready to take on the world.
"I really don't think you should go out," Gilda stressed, worried. "You can't risk it."
"They drove my boyfriend away," Lorraine said in a clipped tone. "I'm doing something about this."
"Do what? What if you get hurt again? After that they're not going to listen to you." Gilda argued.
"I'm afraid Gilda is right dear, the vocal majority are simply stuck in their ways," Alastor stated. "They know you won't stoop to their level."
"Guys, they drove my boyfriend away," Lorraine reiterated. "I'm not letting this go."
"What are you gonna do about it?" Gilda asked.
"Well, we have money, the ear of the princesses and a job to do. I say we move our plans forward and get that Safe Space up and running," Lorraine stated. "After that, maybe try negotiating with Mourning Star to get Alastor's gear back so he can start advertising and put the town on blast. Then I'mma go check on John."
"Darling, while that sounds like a solid plan, you realize that means putting yourself in the line of fire," Alastor commented. “However, how are you feeling, any headaches, chest pain, an unnatural sense of righteous fury?”
"Nope," Lorraine replied. "Just righteously pissed."
"Well, in that case, you'll be just fine! Have fun pursuing vengeance dear, I believe I shall stay in today." the buck replied and trotted off to his room.
Gilda face-taloned. "Lorraine, you're supposed to be relaxing."
"I will, after I do this." Lorraine said, eerily calm.
“I really don’t think you should go out looking like that.” Gilda warned, frowning. “Plus, enough has happened today. Just… come inside. We can try to decompress, start figuring things out tomorrow.”
“You do have a point… Fine.” Lorraine sighed. “I just hope John is going to be okay.”
The unicorn trotted back inside. There was a ~whoosh~ of blue flame and Lorraine was back to being a noodle dragon.
She immediately slumped a bit. Gilda moved up to support her.
“I'mma go chill on the couch.” Lorraine said, sounding exhausted.
“You go lay down. I’ll bring you some hot chocolate.” Gilda said as the noodle dragon plodded into the living room to flop onto the couch. “You’re gonna need it.”
“Thank you.” Lorraine called from the couch as Koromaru hopped up onto the couch and snuggled into her side.