//------------------------------// // Ch. 4: Haters, Haters Everywhere // Story: The Great and Powerful ... Walter? // by Westphalian_Musketeer //------------------------------// The TV flicked on and my parents and I stood as we watched the news. The events which had unfolded, which involved the world as a whole, had apparently started a over a week ago. What was really impressive was that there were news stories still covering bronies who had become ponies even for such a dated event. "It all began last Saturday," the newscaster on the television began, "when Lauren Faust, producer of the TV show 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' transformed, for reasons not known by scientists, and not really cared about by anyone else, into the monarch of the show, Princess Celestia. Now, fans of the show, collectively known as 'Bronies' are turning into ponies themselves. Faust has requested that all the ‘main 6’ meet at an abandoned shoe factory in New York state." "In other news, a new organization has been formed," the middle-aged TV man said, adopting a more serious tone. "The People Against Ponies Association, or PAPA, is now forming protests over what they call the mixing of realities." "Oh come on!" I exclaimed. "One week and we already have some pseudo-human-liberation-front?" "The group's main concern is adapting the new calendar, in which one week now contains three hundred and sixty five days," The news reporter continued. "Oh, well, actually that kinda makes sense," I stated, thoroughly relieved that I would not have to worry about being attacked by angry humans, only envious or fan-coltish persons. Wait, was that a ponyism? Fie! My father turned off the television at that point and sat down on the couch. His face was surprisingly neutral, then again, he always had rather unreadable features. My mother on the other hoof, darned ponyisms, simply turned around and looked at me with sorrowful eyes. "Now, now mother, there is no reason for you to cry over Walter... I mean me. I still have my mind, plus a slightly different grammar and syntax, but I'm still the child you've raised," I said, trying to comfort her. "Oh that's not it." She said. Beg pardon? "I just don't want to see my little baby go to New York, it's a long trip." "Empty nest syndrome? Now? When the reality of the earth is at stake?" I asked incredulously. "I think I don't really have a choice in the matter, the functional equivalent of a demi-god just made a request for the main six to come to her, and let’s face it, they’re going to need all the help they can get.” My dad spoke up at this time. "So the moment some stranger who got turned into a horse-" "Pony," I corrected my father. "Right, the moment this Faust asks you to come you decide to go running--" "Galloping," I interjected. "Would you stop that?" my dad asked in an irritated tone. "Sorry, force of habit," I said. It was an old habit, I often interrupted others when speaking, often to finish their sentences, but this was not the case here. "Apology accepted. So you just obey Faust after going on for years of not going to church with your mother." My father looked at me candidly. I offered my retort. "Now that's not fair, this is hardly comparable-!" "And now I'm going to be left with her nagging me to go instead." My father smiled “Now that’s just cruel to toy with me like that.” I said, planting my own smile on my face. “Well, it is settled; you’re going to be headed for New York. I’ll get you a bus ticket this afternoon,” my mother stated, lowering herself to a kneeling position. “But first, I need to go pick up your little sister from her sleepover.” Ah, yes, my dearest sister, the little cherub who introduced me to My Little Pony, bless. “That sounds like a good idea. I should say goodbye to her, and also tell her what has happened obviously,” I said, walking over a vent that was blowing hot air. “AIEH!” I yelped when a stream of air went to areas hitherto unknown by me. “What’s wrong?” my mother asked. “Nothing!” I squeaked, “but I uh... really need to just tend to a few things downstairs first, then I’ll be back up for breakfast.” “Certainly,” my father said. I headed towards the stairs and looked down, crud. I sat on my haunches and descended in a series of short controlled falls. When I reached the bottom I stood up and walked to my room. There I magicked off my improvised trousers and opened my underwear drawer. Too big, too big, not the right color, how would I get my tail in? Ahah! Just then I saw an older set of briefs with a set of holes in the back. Don’t judge me, they still do their job. I slipped on the undergarments and put my pants back on. “Well, now that that is taken care of, I can have breakfast.” I returned upstairs and saw my father sitting at the table, he had already set it up for breakfast. A large plate adorned with pancakes, syrup and… sausages. The prospect immediately made my stomach turn in protest. Shoving the feelings down I walked up to the chair. I placed my forehooves onto the chair and lifted myself up, kicking my hind legs in the air briefly, I struggled into the seat and turned myself around. My eyes immediately set on the sausages. The world just seems to be mocking that little detail isn’t it? I lifted up a fork with my magic and plunged it into the stack of pancakes and began eating with gusto, never once touching the sausages. When I finished I hopped off my chair and walked towards to the living room. It was then that I heard the front door open, and the voice of my sister call out, “Daddy! I’m home!” My little sister, Anna, stepped around a corner a few moments later. Her eyes immediately locked onto me, I was a sky-blue pony in sitting against a light brown carpet after all. “You got me a pony toy!?” She asked as a bright smile spread across her face. She ran towards me as I began to talk. “Now hold on, the Great and Powerful Tr-!” I was placed in the vice like grip of a child with a new toy as my sister wrapped her arms around my neck and chest. “Can’t… breath, lungs... not... that powerful!” The arms released me and my sister gasped. “It talks?” “Yes I do,” I replied. “You’re Trixie!” she stated excitedly. “Yes, I am. Well, not technically, I woke up this morning in Trixie’s body.” I looked at Anna to gauge her reaction. “Are you Walter?” She always was able to think one step ahead in a conversation. “Yes,” I said. Immediately my sister started hugging me again. “I always wanted a pony!” “Yes, and you also technically gained a sister like you were always bugging your mother and I about,” my father added at this point. My sister drew herself away and looked at me. “How did it happen?” “Woke up this morning, was four feet shorter, covered in blue fur, and had a horn. Honestly, I have absolutely no idea as to how this has happened, but it’s happening all across the world and well... I’m going to New York to find out what is going on.” I locked my sister into another hug as soon as I finished talking. “I’m going to miss you,” she whimpered. “I will too, I’m only leaving tomorrow though, so we have the day together at least.” We stood there for a few minutes. I noticed my mother joining my father on the couch out of the corner of my eye, but neither interrupted us. Finally I worked the nerve to pull back. “So, want to help the great and powerful Walter pack?” I asked. “Absolutely,” Anna answered. We went back down the stairs, well, Anna did; I shuffled down the stairs on my flank, it hurt a little, but it was better than falling head-over-hooves down to the basement. I went to my room to gather supplies while Anna grabbed a suitcase for me. Let’s see, a few more pairs of underpants, more regular shorts, laptop... what else? I went the bathroom and grabbed some soap, and shampoo, and some conditioner, okay fine. I grabbed nearly every hygienic product I could think of. I honestly had no idea what my grooming requirements would be. I opened the cupboard below the sink and saw one of my mother’s... ‘pads’. I gulped and looked over myself. Was I going to need that? Or was I going to get used to the idea of very cold showers come next spring? I shuddered and grabbed two of the ‘lady things’ and marched back to my room. Anna had brought the suitcase and set it on the floor beside my bed. I lifted my pile of supplies with my magic and stuffed it into the suitcase. Only having a few shorts for clothing made for a much more spacious compartment. I spent the rest of the day with my family and getting more accustomed to my new body. when I fell asleep, I felt like the journey to New York was going to be uneventful, oh how wrong I was.