//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Change Your Mind // by Scottish Brony //------------------------------// “There’s Cloudsdale,” said Rainbow Dash, looking up at the sky city, “Beautiful, huh?” “Sure is,” agreed Applejack, flying next to the earth pony. “Yeah. But how it looks isn’t really important right now. You need to know how to get to the weather station. Now like I said, I could fly around there—” “With yer eyes closed, yeah. Ah remember.” “Fine, fine, I’ll get on with it,” said Rainbow, rolling her eyes, “Okay, you see that strip on the right?” she said, pointing at a long, narrow outcropping of clouds, “That’s Nimbus Port. You have to check in and out of Cloudsdale at the ports. That one’s pretty close to the station, so you won’t have far to go.” “Check in?” “Yeah. Just a security check, no big deal. Ever since Cloudsdale got wind of the changelings, we’ve had to prove we are who we say. I don’t think we need to worry about those creeps any more, but I don’t make the rules.” “What’ll ah need to do?” “They’ll ask for your name, first. Rainbow Dash, obviously. Then your position: Weather Patroller, First Class. And lastly, your Pegasus ID Code: Four-six-three-four, in my case. Then they’ll let you through.” “Wait, wait, position and code, again?” “Okay. Position: Weather Patroller, First Class.” “Right.” “Pegasus ID Code: Four-six-three-four.” “Right.” Applejack repeated the position and code to herself a few times. “Ah think ah’ve got it.” “I hope so. Now, to get to the weather station from the port, go straight along the road dead ahead from the exit and turn right at Sunny’s Restaurant — good place to eat, by the way — then take the second left and you should see it along the street on your right.” The two went over all the details several times to make sure Applejack remembered everything. “Okay,” said Applejack, “Now, before ah go, is there anythin’ else ah should know?” Rainbow Dash thought for a moment, then shook her head, “Nah. I think that’s everything. So, you ready?” “A bit nervous, but alright otherwise,” said the pegasus with a hint of a quiver in her voice. She took a deep breath and nodded, “Okay, ah’m goin’. Oh, and you should get along to Sweet Apple Acres. It’s the middle of Summer, and we gotta buck our trees while the apples are at their best. Now, the trick is—” “Yeah, yeah, shouldn’t be too hard. I got it. It’ll be like kicking clouds.” “Uh, probably. Anyway, ah best be goin’. See ya later, Rainbow!” “Good luck, AJ!” Applejack beat her wings and headed towards Cloudsdale, the home of the pegasi. Rainbow Dash glumly watched her friend fly towards the city the former pegasus grew up in. This isn’t permanent... you’ll be back in the air once Pinkie and Fluttershy get a hold of magic... the young earth pony thought to herself, doing her best not to let the situation get to her. Taking one more look at her own form flying away — a feeling she found very strange — Rainbow turned and headed back to Ponyville. Normally, she would know exactly which direction to head, as she could make out Sweet Apple Acres from the air, but she didn’t know the terrain very well from the ground. Once she got back to town, she would be able to figure out where to go. Finally landing on Nimbus Port, Applejack turned her head and saw a short line of pegasi forming in front of the gate leading to Cloudsdale, while on the opposite side, a group of six were preparing to take off. Here goes... now remember to keep yer accent down, Applejack... As she walked to join the four other pegasi lined up, she noted how soft the clouds were. She had felt them before, when she and her friends had come to cheer Rainbow Dash at the Best Young Flyer competition, and they felt just like she remembered. They were softer than the softest carpet, yet at the same time, for pegasi, were as solid as the earth they serenely floated above. While she waited, Applejack repeated the details she had to give in her head. When her turn was up, the pegasus stepped forward. A middle-aged yellow pegasus with a brown mane and a clipboard in her hooves looked at the young pegasus and pushed up her reading glasses. “Name?” she asked in a tone that made it clear she was bored. “Uh... uh, Rainbow Dash.” Darn it! Gettin’ all nervous here! The older pegasus raised an eyebrow at her as she flipped through the pages on her clipboard, “Forget your own name or something there?” “Heh. Ah had a crazy mornin’,” said Applejack with a nervous smile. “Right,” replied the pegasus, “Position?” “...Weather Patroller, First Class.” “PID Code?” “Four-three-six-four.” “You sure about that?” “Um... oh! I mean, four-six-three-four.” “Alright, go on through,” said the pegasus with a sigh. “Thanks.” “Yeah. Next!” The guard standing in front of the barred gate moved to the side and opened it. Applejack quickly stepped through, glad that was all over. With no small amount of wonder, she gazed around at the white buildings and pillars. She now stood in Cloudsdale proper. This city is so beautiful up close... “Hey lady, would ya mind movin’? You’re blockin’ the gate,” said the guard. “What? Oh, sure,” said Applejack, stepping aside. Way to ruin the moment... she thought with some annoyance, Now, where was the station, again? Straight on ‘til that restaurant, then take a right and then... a left? Yeah, second left... The pegasus unfurled her wings, then took off in the direction of Sunny’s restaurant, hoping she would be able to keep up her act. She also hoped Rainbow Dash would be able to give a convincing enough impersonation. She didn’t like deceiving other ponies, but like Twilight said, some may take advantage that the six weren’t themselves anymore. Up ahead, she spotted a yellow circle with the words Sunny’s Restaurant in front of it. The large sign was on top of a long, blue building with windows running along its length. Maybe ah’ll pop in there after ah’m done... She dipped her right legs and turned the corner, keeping an eye out for left junctions. It didn’t take too long at the speed she was going. After finding the second left, she turned and slowed, looking for the weather station. Less than halfway down the street, she saw a large building with an arch doorway. Above it, in plain lettering, Cloudsdale Weather Station. This was the place. The pegasus opened the door and walked in. “Time to be AJ,” Rainbow Dash said quietly to herself walking up the path to the Apple Family house. Opening the door, she saw Apple Bloom sitting on the floor of the living room, staring at a book with a pencil in her mouth. Hearing the door open, she looked up. “Affle–” the filly dropped the pencil, “Applejack! Where have you been?” “Oh, just decided to stay overnight at Twilight’s,” replied Rainbow, remembering just in time to put on an accent. “Why?” “Well... why not?” “...So, if ah just decided to stay over at Sweetie Belle’s without tellin’ anypony, that’d be alright?” Oh... what would Applejack say here? “I... well... no. See, ah’m older than y’all, so ah’m allowed.” Applebloom looked confused, “What? ‘Y’all’? Who else you talkin’ to?” Oops... “...What ah mean is... ah’m older, so ah can make those decisions.” The filly scuffed the floor with her hoof, “Great. Can’t get mah cutie mark, can’t make mah own decisions...” Rainbow walked over to the young pony, trying to think of a way to make her feel better, “Hey, uh, don’t think about it. Um... what’re you doin’ right now?” “Homework,” replied Applebloom, “Ah know, ah know, ah was supposed to do it on Friday when ah got home, but ah was too tired. Forgot about it ‘til now.” The earth pony had no experience of being a sister before, but she tried doing what she thought was sisterly. “Maybe I... ah could help you out?” “Yeah. Please.” Rainbow sat down next to the filly and looked over the book. It appeared that the task was to think up two different ways of saying the words listed, and Applebloom already had a few filled out. Speak — Talk — Chat Bite — Chew — Eat Soil — Earth — Dirt Smart — Clever — Intellagent “Oh! Oh! You spelled a word wrong,” said Rainbow, “Intelligent isn’t spelled like that. Ain’t spelled like that.” “Huh? Well, how do you spell it?” “See that ‘A’? Change it to an ‘I’.” “Oh,” said the filly and picked up the pencil from the opposite end. She rubbed out some of the word and amended her error, “Thanks.” “No problem. What you stuck on now?” “The word Shout. Ah got Yell, but ah can’t think of another way of sayin’ it.” “Hmmm.” “How’s about Scream?” “Mmmm. Ah think Bellow might work better.” “That’s a good one!” said Applebloom and scribbled it down, “Now... Smile.” “Heh, Pinkie Pie would know plenty of words for that.” “Oh, ah know! Grin!” she wrote the word down, “And, um... ah dunno...” Rainbow’s mind was also drawing a blank. Her eyes flicked around as she thought and she noticed the sunlight coming in through the windows, creating bright splashes on the wooden floor. This gave her an idea, “Well, what does the sun do?” “Shines?” “Yeah, but this begins with a ‘B’. And it ain’t Bright.” “Sun does somethin’ that begins with a ‘B’? B... B... Beam!” “Right!” Rainbow sat next to Applebloom for the remainder of her homework. The filly was able to think of many words on her own, but the older earth pony helped her when she needed it. “Ah’m done! Thanks, Applejack!” said Applebloom and hugged her ‘sister’. Although initially surprised, Rainbow put a hoof around the younger pony. Helping the filly with her homework and receiving a hug felt... nice. So this is what it feels like... “You’re welcome, Applebloom,” replied the earth pony, smiling. Just then, the front door opened. Big Macintosh stood in the opening, looking at Rainbow expectantly. “What?” she asked. The large colt calmly nodded behind him. Rainbow just stared. The colt nodded behind him again. “Uh, Applejack, you’re supposed to be harvestin’ right now,” said Applebloom, “Sorry, Big Macintosh, ah guess we didn’t notice the time.” Rainbow stood up and went over to the pony who was essentially going to be her brother for a while, “Yeah, sorry. Let’s get goin’, huh?” “Eeyup.” Big Mac turned and left for the large apple orchard with Rainbow following. Seeing the veritable sea of trees, the earth pony was momentarily dazed. Boy, I knew they had a lot, but... It was going to be a long day. “Hey, Rainbow Dash,” greeted the receptionist. “Hi,” replied Applejack, walking over. A puzzled look passed over her face when the brown pegasus went back to reading her magazine. Applejack shifted from one hoof to the other and smiled awkwardly. The pegasus looked up, “What?” “Uh, where do I go again?” “Ha ha ha! Good one, Rainbow Dash. Okay, what is it you want?” “No, really.” “Seriously? You’ve been doing this for three years and you suddenly can’t remember where to go?” “...No. See, I was at a party last night, and it got kinda crazy, so my head’s all... foggy.” “Must’ve been really crazy if you can’t remember you go through the door at the end, there,” said the receptionist, pointing to a corridor leading off from the reception area. “Oh yeah! I remember now! Thanks!” said Applejack and trotted away. “I’d avoid crazy parties from now on, if I were you,” the receptionist called after her. The rainbow pegasus ignored her and stood in front of the door with the sign over it saying WEATHER PATROL: First Class. Down the corridor, she could make out two other signs for the Second and Third Class Weather Patrols. She pushed open the door and entered the large room. The ten other gathered pegasi turned their heads when the door opened. A few of them gave a smile and nod in welcoming and went back to talking with each other. A lavender pegasus with a yellow mane cantered up to Applejack. “Hey! So, you ready for today, Rainbow?” she asked. “I guess.” “You feeling okay?” “Sure! Why wouldn’t I be?” “I dunno. Something about you seems off.” “Oh, you know her, Cloud Kicker,” said another pegasus, “She’ll be back to her usual self in no time.” “Yeah, ah just... I woke up feelin’ funny,” said Applejack, hoping nopony noticed her accent slipping in. “Well shake it off,” said Cloud Kicker, “The team leaders are due in about ten minutes. If you wanna do any last minute wing stretches, might as well do them now.” Applejack did her best to blend in as more pegasi poured in until there were thirty in total in the room. Not long after, the three team leaders entered and began calling out names, not wasting any time — this was First Class Weather Patrol, they should know the drill. The pegasi called formed a line in front of the their respective team leaders, ten in each team. The rainbow pegasus found herself following a large dark grey pegasus named Storm Chaser. Once outside, he flew into the air and hovered as his team assembled. “Alright, team, I got a bit of bad news,” he said. The pegasi exchanged worried glances. Storm Chaser sighed, “We’ve been assigned Unicorn Range. Yes, I know,” he said over everyone’s groans, “It’s a big area, but I don’t choose the routes. Since it’s so big, let’s get started now. The sooner we start, the sooner we can finish.” Oh, ‘course. Mah first weather patrol and it’s a big ‘un... thought Applejack as she flew after the grey pegasus towards one of the ports. She shook her head, Keep it together, AJ. These are clouds. They should be nothin’ compared to trees... Ah hope...