//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Volcanic Ash Library (Brimstone Side) // Story: The Big Switcharoo // by RobtheMorpherPony //------------------------------// Around the same time as when Equestria's Twilight was returning to Ponyville's Golden Oak Library, Brimstone's Twilight was returning to Dragon Vale's Volcanic Ash Library. "Hope Smolder was able to stay up to keep an eye on Spike to make sure he got sleep." Twilight said. "You encountered my daughter?" Celestia said. "I did. She wanted so badly to help, but I told her that Spike needed her help more. He is still a pony at the end of the day." Twilight said. "That is fine, actually. This was better." Celestia said. "Twilight!" A female voice said. At that point, an orange dragonness suddenly ran up to the group. "I...I have a situation..." "What's wrong Smolder?" Twilight said. "I...I fell asleep watching Spike. And when I woke up, I noticed he was out of his bed. So I headed downstairs to find him and...well...the rest your better off seeing for yourself." Smolder said. The group entered the Library, only to find a purple dragon sleeping on the floor where clear signs of magic being used were detected. "...Spike cast a spell to turn himself into a dragon?" Twilight said. "Nuh uh. That's not Spike. At least, not the Spike we know." Smolder said. "He has a pony smell on him, but he smells more like a genuine dragon, then a pony turned into a dragon. I should know. I am the daughter of Celestia." "Smolder, there's a reason why I wanted you here in Dragon Vale: I want you to make friends with your future subjects. I don't want you acting like your better then them. I don't want you heading down a path that would make you a tyrant." Celestia said. "...I get it mom. I'll be good. I'll try and make friends. Going to be hard though." Smolder said. "Well judging from the way this dragon is, he's actually not too different from Smolder." Twilight said, as magical auras were scanning the sleeping dragon. "Wait, what do you mean he's not different from me?" Smolder asked. "Smolder, you may look like a Magic Dragon now, but given time, you will undergo a process where you gain the same attibutes as me." Celestia said. "Yeah I figured that much. I mean...wait..." Smolder said. "Does...does that mean this dragon is the same?" "I don't know how, but yes; he'll become a combination of our three dragon tribes just like how Consert Celestia is." Twilight said. "Wow. So it really isn't our Spike." Rainbow Dash said. "Ugh...why are so many ponies talking?" The purple dragon asked, as he groggily woke up. But then he suddenly went wide eyed. "Oh good, your awake. Greeting, I am--" Twilight began before suddenly the new dragon looked like he was trying to go back to sleep. "...Seriously? Dude is actually trying to go back to sleep?" Rainbow Dash said. "He must think what he saw is only a dream." Twilight said. "I know what'll wake him up." Pinkie Pie said. "And now I understand why the bookshelves are up so high off the ground..." Twilight said as Pinkie Pie suddenly let loose a turrent of water from her mouth that was dousing the sleeping dragon in cold water. The Purple dragon spluttered as he was forced awake. "Okay so this isn't some strange dream." He said. "Afraid not sport." Rainbow Dash said. "So...do any of you know what exactly happened?" The purple dragon asked. "Looks like a spell book was opened to a specific spell. A spell called 'The Big Switcharoo'." Twilight noted. "...Wait really?" Rainbow Dash checked the book. "Huh. Says here that the spell is designed to switch you with someone who bears your exact same life signature. You trade places with them from the same point in time as yourself when you cast the spell." "...So your saying this dragon is just another Spike?" Smolder asked. "Seems that way." Rainbow Dash said. "So, is this some kind of version of Equestria where every there's dragons as the majority instead of ponies?" Spike asked. "Got that right." Smolder said. "Except it's not called Equestria. It's called Brimstone." Spike suddenly felt himself get a crush on Smolder. T-talk about beauty. She easily outshines Rarity. Gotta play it cool this time though. She's a dragon. Probably not like Rarity at all. "Well I dare say, this has been one heck of an experince for the dreadful dear." Rarity said. Spike noticed the white dragoness, but despite noticing her beauty was even greater, something inside him was saying that being attracted to this Rarity was just wrong. What's happening to me? Spike thought to himself. "So, bet you'd like to stick around for a party huh? Because until we figure out how to undo this, your stuck here." Smolder said. "Sure...I suppose I could do that." Spike said while trying to be cool. And failing. "Good. Because your coming with me, cutie." Smolder said, grabbing him and running off with him. Rainbow Dash was actually the last one to leave. That's because she noticed what the other dragons missed: There was a note attached to the spell. It said the following: Warning: If both versions of you suddenly find an attachment in your new worlds, then this spell cannot be reversed. Not even a being capable of ripping through reality like it was nothing could switch you back. So whatever you do, don't gain any romantic connections in your new worlds, or your both stuck for good. Rainbow winced upon reading this. Well obviously this Dragon Spike likes Princess Smolder enough. Heck, I can see it. It's basically all over his face. And she certainly likes him back. Never heard her call any boy dragons "cutie" before Dragon Spike. So I guess, if Pony Spike finds his own romantic connection...then they're stuck switched like this. She thought to herself. Also, whoever named this spell "The Big Switcharoo" needs to be punched in the face. The Sky Dragon thought to herself. She did notice that the spell's author was some drake named "Star Swirl the Bearded". Never mind; if this was made by Star Swirl the Bearded, then no way in the world am I going to punch Twilight's idol in the face. Welp, there goes my plans on punching the namer of this spell in the face. Rainbow thought to herself. "Hey wait for me!" Rainbow Dash called out as she rushed after her friends.