//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: A Surprising Changeling // by Pen Writer pony //------------------------------// Dinky Hooves sat in her room, concentrating. Her horn was glowing with yellow magic; strong yellow magic. She remembered what Twilight Sparkle had told her earlier: ”Just remember to read all about the spell and be careful who or what you cast it on.” Dinky had read all about the spell, for Ms. Sparkle had given her a book about it. She had read all about it, then decided it was time to try it out. It was a spell that un-did illusions. If somepony had used magic to change the appearance of something (or themselves), then this spell would undo that. “Muffin!” Dinky heard her mother call. “Some of your friends are at the door!” “Alright!” Dinky called back. The magic faded and she stood, trotting out of her room and into the living room. The front was swung open with the filly's magic, and she was met with three pairs of eyes. “Hiya, Dinky!” all three of the Cutie Mark Crusaders greeted her at the same time. “Hey guys!” Dinky greeted them back. “What are you doing here?” “We were thinking,” Scootaloo explained, “that Sweetie Belle's talent might be magic, since she's a unicorn and all. Twilight said she was busy, so we thought, 'why don't we go to the most talents unicorn in our class?'.” “I'm flattered, really.” Dinky said, “But I've got to get to Sugarcube Corner soon; Pinkie Pie's giving me a lesson on how to bake muffins!” The three fillies sighed in disappointment. “I'm really sorry, I'll help some other time; promise.” Dinky said. The Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded, then ran off down the street, regaining their excitement soon after and once again talking of their cutie marks. The visit had reminded Dinky that she did indeed need to go over to Sugarcube Corner soon. She trotted back inside to grab her book, deciding that she could practice the spell on her way there or while the muffins were baking. She levitated her book over to her with her yellow magic then turned to leave for the bakery. She was stopped when she felt something being dropped onto her back. Dropping her book now that her concentration was broken, Dinky turned around to see her mother standing behind her, having just dropped her saddlebags on her the filly's back. “You'll want saddlebags.” Derpy said. She picked up Dinky's book and slipped it inside the bag. “I know you'll get tired from levitating that book all the way to Sugarcube Corner.” Dinky smiled widely. “Thanks, mom.” Derpy reached down to hug her daughter. “I'm proud of you, my little muffin.” she said. “And I'm proud you're working so hard to learn that spell. Soon you'll be able to protect Ponyville from the changelings.” “That's my plan.” Dinky hugged her mother back for a few seconds then pulled away, racing out the door excitedly. Derpy smiled, her eyes crossed as usual. - Crystal blinked her eyes open, noticing that she had slept all night and it was now mid morning. Last night Pinkie had seemed very occupied, writing things down and shuffling through different drawers. Crystal had let her go about it; at least she was leaving her alone for some good rest. Her wings were feeling better, but she still got a stab of pain whenever she accidentally moved them. She still had to wear a bandage on her right eye, and she dreaded the thought of returning to the hive with only the sight of her left eye. How could she rule as Princess Crystal if her sight was damaged? She rolled over and spotted a mirror next to a window. She didn't remember it being there before she had fallen asleep, but it was there now. Maybe Pinkie's room, like the owner, was completely random. She gazed at her disguise, wondering how, out of all the different designs of ponies she could make up in her head she somehow came up with Pinkie's imaginary friend. Actually this disguise looked like an exact copy of Pinkie, just with different colors and wings. Their manes and tails were both messy and bouncy, Crystal's yellow and Pinkie's pink. Their cutie marks were both sets of three balloons, Crystal's purple and Pinkie's blue and yellow. And their eyes were both the same shape, Crystal's purple and Pinkie's blue. But Crystal's one visible eye didn't have Pinkie's usual laughter dancing in it; only stress. Suddenly, there was a loud knocking downstairs. Crystal stood abruptly, startled. She tried to fly as a reflex, but only groaned in pain as she tried to move her injured wings. She trotted over to the window and looked out to see a young gray unicorn filly knocking on the door with a hoof. The door flung open, and even though from the angle of which she was watching Crystal couldn't see who had answered it, she knew it was Pinkie when she heard, “Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, where everything is tasty- Oh, hiya Dinky!”. The changeling watched the filly, Dinky, trot inside. “Hiya, Pinkie! You said you were going to teach me how to bake muffins, right?” “Yup.” Pinkie said. “My friend's gonna help too. I'll go get her.” Crystal heard Pinkie's hoofsteps coming up the stairs. She decided she had better go meet the party pony and opened the door to the room a split second before Pinkie did. “Oh, great, you're awake!” Pinkie smiled. “Remember when I said a friend of mine's daughter wanted me to teach her how to bake muffins?” “Yes, Pinkie.” Crystal said, trying to pull off a cheerful smile. “Well, do you wanna help?” Pinkie asked. “We're gonna start now!” “Sure.” What else do I have to do? Sit and stare at myself in the mirror until my mother thinks to look for me? the changeling followed the happy pink mare down the stairs and into the main room of the bakery. She saw the gray unicorn filly reading a book, levitating it in the air in front of her with yellow magic. “Ooooooh!” Pinkie said in amazement, looking at the floating book. “You're gooood. Last time I saw you try that levitating-thingy you kept dropping it.” “I've gotten better.” Dinky replied, setting down the book careful and puffing out her chest in pride. “Mom says she's proud of how good at magic I've gotten.” “Great!” Pinkie stepped back and bounced into the kitchen. “Now for muffins!” “Muffins!” Dinky cheered. She sat back on her hind legs and clapped her forehooves, then raced into the kitchen after Pinkie. Crystal sighed and walked after them at her own pace. Everypony was so cheerful, but all she could think about was how terrible her situation was. But then a little voice in the back of her head said, You're pretending to be the imaginary friend of the silliest pony in all of Equestria! Why are you moping? Have fun while you can, before you have to go back to the hive and rule as princess again. Why don't you be the happy, cheerful, party pony Surprise while you can? You have the rest of your life to be Princess Crystal. The voice had a point. Crystal smiled and sped up, entering the kitchen. Maybe she should enjoy her situation while she could. Why couldn't she be Surprise, even if it was only until her wings healed? - Pinkie, who was covered in muffin batter, sat back and sighed with relief. Dinky and Crystal were also covered in muffin batter. There was a small muffin related explosion that caused the kitchen and the ponies within to get covered in batter. They had all just laughed happily and started baking another batch, which was now in the oven. “Twenty minutes until muffin-y goodness.” Pinkie stated. “What should we do while we wait? Any ideas, Dinky?” “I could show you two my newest spell.” the filly suggested. “Ms. Sparkle taught it to me and gave me this book about it. I haven't tried it out yet, though.” “Well, why don't you try it out now?” Crystal suggested. She wasn't that interested in magic apart from the simple spell that allowed changelings to shape-shift, but ponies knew so much about magic, it was fascinating. “Okay.” the filly used her magic to pick her her saddlebag. She wiped some muffin batter off it and pulled her book out. “It's a spell that un-does illusions. Any spells that changes the appearance of something will be un-done for a few minutes. I wanted to learn it because of the whole changeling thing. If Ms. Sparkle and I master it, we can check everypony in Ponyville and eliminate the threat of changelings.” Crystal gulped, suddenly nervous. “You... r-really have a spell like that?” “Yup, but it might no be very effective.” Dinky quickly skimmed through her book once more, just to make sure she wasn't missing anything. “I want to test it. I'll need something that's appearance has been changed by magic.” “Do I have anything like that?” Pinkie wondered out loud. She tapped her hoof on her chin thoughtfully. Then she said, “I know! Rarity made me some pink earmuffs! I remember because she thought I looked cold and gave me some blue ones. Then she was all like 'No, that color simply doesn't fit you.' and used her magic to make them pink!” “That should do.” Dinky said. Pinkie stood and darted out of the room, off to go find her earmuffs. “Is there something wrong, miss Surprise?” Dinky asked Crystal, who was quietly panicking. “I'm fine, Dinky.” Crystal lied. She'll cast the spell and I'll be revealed! Maybe I should make up and excuse and run while I can? If I'm here, they'll capture me because I can't escape! I still have trouble walking without depth perception and I can't fly yet... What am I going to do?! She took a deep breath, ignoring a skeptical glance from Dinky. Calm down, Crystal, calm down. I'm sure if the spell works you can run fast enough. If you get out of here before they see your true form, Dinky said it only lasted for a few minutes. I'm sure it will be fine. However, she didn't trust her own thoughts. Crystal snapped out of her thoughts as Pinkie hopped into the kitchen with a pair of pink earmuffs in her mouth. She dropped them in front of Dinky and asked, “Will these do? “Yep!” Dinky motioned for Pinkie and Crystal to step back and give her space. The changleing shivered with fear as the yellow magic form the filly's horn grew brighter. Dinky strained, trying to put as much magic in the spell as she could. The glow grew brighter and brighter, Crystal's panic inching closer and closer to the line that separated common sense and out of control. She forced herself to keep her hooves planted in place. Finally, Dinky released the spell, aiming it at the earmuffs. There was a bright light that blinded all three, causing all of them to close their eyes and shield them with their hooves. This was it; her cover was blown so soon... The flash was gone, and all three opened their eyes. Crystal was surprised to find that she was still Surprise. She immediately looked at the earmuffs, which were in fact, still pink. The spell hadn't worked! Instead of crying out in joy, Crystal stepped forward and patted Dinky on the shoulder. “Awww, too bad. But you said that was the first time you tried to cast it, right? You just need practice.” “You're right.” the filly said. “I'll try to cast it again, but in a few minutes. It takes a lot of power, and I mean a lot.” “I'd supposed it would.” Crystal agreed. I'm just grateful it didn't work. Maybe I could fake needing to use the little filly's room next time she tries to cast it. Suddenly, there was a crash in the pantry. There was a thud and a puff of flour sprayed out from the crack under the door. It was followed by a buzzing noise and joyful squeals. Pinkie gasped. “The twins!” She raced over to the pantry door and flung it open, followed by Crystal and Dinky. Inside laid one unicorn filly, giggling joyfully. She was covered from head to tail in flour, all except for her eyes. “Oh, Pumpkin.” Pinkie groaned. “I hope you didn't lose all of the flour.” The pink pony reach down and picked up the unicorn in her mouth, setting her on the counter. Then she walked back into the pantry and looked about through the mess of flour. “What are you looking for?” Crystal asked. “I know Pound's in here somewhere; I can hear his wings.” Pinkie said. The buzzing was suddenly silenced. “Smart guy, huh?” the pink pony asked the air. There was a set of giggles behind a case of raisins. Being closer, Crystal moved the case was saw another flour covered foal. Upon seeing that his hiding place had been discovered, the foal giggled louder and took off, wings propelling him out of the pantry and into the kitchen. “Oh no you don't!” Pinkie called after him. She raced through the kitchen and into the next room in pursuit of the pegasus foal. “We should go help her.” Dinky said, dropping her book and racing after the party pony. Crystal nodded and turned around to face the first foal. She would have to keep track of her while they were trying to catch the other one. The moment she had the thought, she realized the counter was empty. She groaned as she saw a flour covered tail disappearing around the edge of the doorway into the main room. She ran after it, careful not to run into anything, since she couldn't see out of her right eye. Crystal stopped when she found herself almost face-to-face with Cup Cake. “Have you seen the twins?” she asked, looking worried. “They're not in their crib!” “Well, one just ran through here.” Crystal explained, while scanning the room for the filly. “And Pinkie and Dinky are trying to catch the other.” “Oh, how do they get themselves into these situations?” Cup asked, exasperated. She started looking around the room with Crystal, who realized how much of a disadvantage she was at in this game of hide-and-seek when she could only see out of one eye. “Gotcha!” they heard Pinkie's shout from upstairs a few minutes later. She raced down the stairs with the male foal's tail in her mouth as he tried to fly away. “I caught him, Surprise. Now where's Pumpkin?” Her voice was muffled as she spoke through the tail in her mouth. “She got away, too.” Crystal sighed. She looked over at Cup, who also sighed. “Now's not the time for hide-and-seek, Pumpkin!” Pinkie called, accidentally letting go of the pegasus's tail. “Please come- no, Pound, come back!” the foal flew for the stairs, still giggling happily. Crystal raced after him, taking the stairs three steps at a time. She pounced once she got to the landing, grabbing Pound in her forehooves. She curled into a ball as she rolled towards the wall. When she unrolled, she was upside-down, but she had the foal's wings pinned so he couldn't fly away again. “You're more troublesome than the newborns at the hive.” Crystal grumbled, almost to herself. “You got him!” Pinkie said, bouncing up the stairs after the changeling. Crystal stood and held the foal a she walked back downstairs. She hoofed Pound over to his mother, who sighed with relief. “Did you find Pumpkin?” Crystal asked. “No.” Cup said. She called out to the room, “Pumpkin dear, won't you please come out?” There was nothing but giggling. “That's it!” Pinkie said, clapping her two forehooves together. She raced back into the kitchen and came back with some flour. “Pumpkin, if you come out I'll pour this flour on myself!” Suddenly, there was a glow of magic and the flour-covered filly flew out, levitating herself with magic. Dinky gasped. “That's powerful magic!” she whispered. But Crystal wasn't paying attention. With a wink from Pinkie, the changeling crept around behind the floating filly, opposite of Pinkie. The pink pony turned over to bag of flour on herself, turning herself white with flour. Pumpkin giggled delightfully, then turned around to fly back into a hiding spot before anypony could catch her. But her path was blocked by Crystal, who jumped up into the air and snatched her. “Ah ha! Gotcha!” The changeling said in triumph. She hoofed the second foal to Cup, who held both tightly. “Why were they running and hiding, anyway?” “It's time for their check up at the doctor's.” Cup responded. “They... really don't want to go. Thanks for helping me round them up, dears.” “No problem.” Dinky, Pinkie, and Crystal all said at the same time. Suddenly, there was a loud beeping. “Muffins are done!” Dinky shouted, racing into the kitchen. Pinkie bounced after and Crystal followed. - Much later that night, Pinkie was tucking the twins into their crib. In the corner of the room, Crystal and Dinky were talking about magic and spells. “It makes sense that your spell would take a lot of power.” Crystal stated, “I mean, it un-does any illusion spells you want it to. That would be complicated.” Pinkie reached down and kissed the twins of the foreheads. “You two were very naughty today.” she scolded them quietly. They gave the mare two sets of big, puppy dog eyes. “Aww, I can't stay mad at you.” “Hive.” Pound said, “The pony said 'hive'.” “What was that?” Pinkie asked. Pound pointed at Crystal, who wasn't listening. “Pony said 'hive'.” “Surprise isn't a bee, silly.” Pinkie pulled up the side of the crib. “Good night, you two.” To Be Continued...