//------------------------------//
// Cutie Mark Changeling 
// Story: The Wandering Physicist Adventures 
// by WanderingPhysicist 
//------------------------------//

Main Characters: Del, CMC, Cheerilee
Cameos: Stormy, Big Macintosh, TWP
Original Write Date: May 12, 2013





        Del trots to school with a big smile on her face. All her friends smile and wave as she passes. She goes straight to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.
        ‘Good morning, Apple Bloom, Scoots,’ Del greets.
        ‘Mornin’, Del. Y’all seem t’ be in a good mood.’
        Del smiles wider, her fangs peeking out, and nods.
        ‘You still riding the high of your dad getting married?’ Scootaloo asks.
        ‘Maybe a little, but this is different. Look!’
        Del turns to show her friends her flank. Their jaws drop when they see a magenta triangle on her side. Other foals come over and marvel at Del’s new cutie mark.
        ‘Ya got yer cutie mark!’
        Del nods. ‘I finally came up with it. Pretty good design, right?’
        ‘The hell does a triangle mean?’ Scootaloo asks.
        ‘Triangle?’ Diamond Tiara scoffs. ‘She should have a square since she totally is one.’
        Del hisses as the pink filly leaves. ‘Actually, it is a delta, the symbol for change. And it is the same color as Sparkly Twilight’s star too!’
        ‘That’s, uh, nice?’ Apple Bloom comments. ‘What does it mean?’
        ‘Well, uh, it has a bit of a special, secret meaning to me. That is why I picked it.’
        ‘How can you “pick” your cutie mark?’ Dinky asks.
        ‘Did I say that? I didn’t mean it!’ Del dodges. ‘I wasn’t trying to come up with one for months...’
        The bell rings, and the students file into the schoolhouse.
        ‘Where’s Cutie Belle?’ Del asks. ‘She hasn’t said anything yet.’
        ‘Sweetie ain’t here t’day,’ Apple Bloom replies. ‘She’s sick.’
        ‘Does that mean we aren’t having any adventuring today?’ the pegasus asks.
        ‘Probably not,’ Scootaloo sighs. ‘Kinda tough with only two Crusaders.’
        ‘I can always help,’ Del offers. ‘Just because I have my mark now, doesn’t mean I can’t help you get yours.’
        ‘Thanks, Del. That’ll help a lot,’ Apple Bloom replies.
        ‘I don’t know...’ Scootaloo hems. ‘Last time we tried that with Stormy, look at the mess that got us in.’
        ‘That’s ‘cause ya started fightin’ with him. Like ya doin’ now with Del.’
        ‘It is okay, Apple Bloom,’ Del sighs. ‘If Scoots doesn’t want to do anything later, it is fine with me. I can always help in my sister’s store or something.’
        ‘Sorry, Del,’ the earth pony apologizes. ‘Hey, that don’t mean we can’t have fun while we’re at school.’
        Del sighs and nods as she and her friends enter the schoolhouse.

        After school, the students file out to begin their afternoon adventures. Del waves to her friend before darting back into the building and heading to the opposite exit.
        ‘Del, where are you going?’ Cheerilee asks.
        ‘Oh, uh, hi, Miss Cheerie. I was just heading out.’
        ‘You were out already.’
        ‘I was? Silly me. I guess I am just weird.’
        ‘Del... What are you up to?’
        ‘I’m not up to anything, Miss Cheerie.’
        The teacher glares at her student. Del smiles as innocently as she can with her fangs creeping out.
        ‘Well, see you later.’
        Del scurries out of schoolhouse. Cheerilee frowns and wonders what her student is up to. Del goes around the building. There is a green flash, and Sweetie Belle trots from behind the building. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are about to say their goodbyes when they notice their friend trotting up.
        ‘Hey, girls! How’s it going?’ Sweetie Del asks.
        ‘Sweetie Belle? Thought ya were sick,’ Apple Bloom replies.
        ‘Oh, you know me. I just lied so I could stay home. I just napped in Stormy’s bed and drank juice all day.’
        ‘Lucky,’ Scootaloo grumbles. ‘My mom always bugs me when I’m sick. I can never pull off faking either.’
        ‘So, are we doing something today?’ Sweetie Del asks. ‘I’m up for adventure!’
        ‘Ah guess we can find somethin’.’ Apple Bloom turns to Scootaloo. ‘Should we get Del? She really wanted t’ hang out.’
        ‘Don’t worry about her,’ Sweetie Del says. ‘She was heading the other way. Probably going to spend the day with her sister.’
        ‘We can always stop in and see her later,’ Scootaloo adds. ‘Come on. Let’s go!’
        The Cutie Mark Crusaders cheer and gallop away. Cheerilee hears the cheer and steps out of the schoolhouse. Her curiosity turns to anger when she sees Sweetie Belle out with her friends. The mare finishes cleaning up and storms out of the school.

        ‘Welcome to Carousel Boutique. Here everything is blah, blah, blah,’ Stormy says without looking up from his hoofheld game. ‘Sorry. We’re closed this afternoon. You can schedule an appointment for tomorrow.’
        Cheerilee taps the counter to get the young stallion’s attention. ‘I want to see your sister,’ the teacher demands.
        ‘She’s busy with orders right now, hence we’re closed.’
        ‘I meant your little sister.’
        ‘Applelanta. Probably making ice cream or something fun.’
        Cheerilee sighs. ‘Your other little sister.’
        ‘She’s dead.’
        The mare’s jaw drops. ‘What?!’
        ‘You can see her, but the body is currently under quarantine to prevent a zombie outbreak.’
        Cheerilee stares in shock. A moan comes over Stormy’s mobile.
        The unicorn looks at his mobile. ‘Well, you are pretty much a zombie. I’m not going anywhere near your room until you’re better.’
        There is another moan.
        ‘I love you, too.’ He looks at Cheerilee. ‘She is such an angel.’
        ‘So, Sweetie Belle is fine? You had me worried.’
        ‘I’m pretty sure she has a bad case of zombie, but Redheart says it is only a flu.’ -- a moan comes from his mobile -- ‘And I am not going anywhere near her until she is better.’
        Cheerilee looks away and thinks. ‘Then who was the Sweetie Belle I saw earlier...’
        ‘Robot clone?’ Stormy guesses.
        The teacher looks at the unicorn then turns away and sighs. ‘I think I have an idea, and that is not it.’
        Stormy covers his mobile. ‘It was Del, right?’
        ‘You know?’
        ‘I made her presentable for your first meeting. Just tell her dad and he’ll punish her for abusing her powers.’
        ‘I’ll find her and take her home. I don’t want her to accidentally hurt herself or her friends.’
        Cheerilee sighs and leaves the shop. Stormy goes back to his game. A moan comes over his mobile. The stallion levitates a juice box from the kitchen and upstairs.

        The Cutie Mark Crusaders take an apple from Apple Bloom’s family stand. They wave and trot away.
        ‘Thanks, Big Mac,’ Apple Bloom and Scootaloo say.
        ‘Thank you, Apple Mac!’ Sweetie Del adds.
        The fillies trot away eating.
        ‘Isn’t that what Del calls him?’ Scootaloo asks.
        ‘I must have picked it up, Scoots.’
        ‘Give her a break,’ Apple Bloom sighs. ‘We got more crusadin’ t’ do.’
        The friends gallop off together. The stallion takes a breath as he goes back to watching the stall. All the mares out shopping giggle and give him affectionate looks. Big Macintosh sighs. Cheerilee enters the market and searches frantically for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She trots to her friend.
        ‘Big Mac, I need your help.’
        The stallion raises an eyebrow.
        ‘Have you seen Sweetie Belle recently?’
        ‘Eeyup.’
        ‘Do you know where she is?’
        ‘Nope.’
        ‘Dang. I need to get her back home before something goes wrong.’
        ‘Did somethin’ happen, Miss Cheerilee?’ the stallion asks.
        ‘N-no. Not yet. She is supposed to be home in bed, not out with her friends.’
        Big Macintosh nods. ‘Ah understand what yer sayin’. Ah can help ya.’
        ‘You do? You will?’
        The stallion nods again. ‘Ya can’t have a sick filly runnin’ about. She could get int’ trouble.’
        ‘Well, that’s not exactly it, but I appreciate the help. Do you know which way they went?’
        The stallion closes up shop, turns to the mare and nods. He leads her in the direction the Cutie Mark Crusaders went. A few moments later, Applejack comes to the stall. She looks around and goes to one of the neighbors.
        ‘Carrot Top, have y’all seen Big Macintosh?’
        The other mare shrugs. ‘I think he just left with Cheerilee.’
        ‘Dagnabit! Ah thought Ah told him no more sneakin’ out early t’ spend time with a mare.’
        ‘I think they were doing something with your sister. She just came by too.’
        Applejack takes a deep breath and snorts. ‘At least he ain’t causin’ trouble. Don’ need more o’ that from him.’
        The farmer grumbles to herself as she reopens the stall.

        The Cutie Mark Crusaders trot out of Sugarcube Corner. Sweetie Del licks frosting off her face. Her friends look at her and sigh.
        ‘Ya know, fer somepony who wanted t’ adventure, ya seem t’ need a lota snack breaks,’ Apple Bloom comments.
        ‘A happy stomach leads to a happy pony,’ Sweetie Del replies.
        ‘The way you’re eating today, you’re happier than Pinkie Pie,’ Scootaloo jokes.
        ‘Ah’m glad yer the one payin’ fer it too...’
        Sweetie Del giggles. ‘So, where are we going now? We can go to Bon Bon’s shop and try to be Cutie Mark Candy Tasters.’
        ‘Stormy didn’ feed ya t’day, did he?’
        ‘He didn’t what?’ She blinks. ‘Oh! Right. I just wanted something different.’
        ‘Stormy is a baker, and you wanted something different, so we went to a bakery.’ Scootaloo knows that does not add up.
        ‘Stormy is good, but I like the Cakery too.’
        ‘That’s another Del term,’ Apple Bloom notes.
        ‘Is something up, Sweetie Belle?’ Scootaloo asks, trotting up to her friend.
        Sweetie Del looks at the other fillies and grins nervously. Her fangs start slipping out.
        ‘There you are!’
        The fillies turn to see Cheerilee and Big Macintosh galloping up. Sweetie Del grimaces and gallops away. Her friends are confused but follow.
        ‘You’re in trouble now!’ Scootaloo taunts. She uses her wings to get some extra speed.
        ‘Shut up!’ Sweetie Del shouts. ‘She’s the least of my worries right now. I need a place to hide.’
        Apple Bloom groans. ‘Let’s go t’ the clubhouse. All the runaways end up there eventually...’
        The fillies make their way through town with the adults in chase. The fillies use their smaller size to try to dodge under other ponies. The plan backfires when the ponies in their path clear out for the charging Big Macintosh. As soon as Sweet Apple Acres comes into view, the fillies make their way to the trees for cover. The chasing stallion figures out where they are headed and leads Cheerilee safely through the orchard. The Crusaders reach their clubhouse first. Sweetie Del makes a flying leap to shack, surprising her friends. The rest of the fillies bolt inside and seal the door. Cheerilee marches up their stairs and pounds on the door.
        ‘Want me t’ handle it, Miss Cheerilee?’ Big Macintosh offers.
        ‘Girls! Open up!’ Cheerilee shouts. ‘The longer you hide, the worse you make it.’
        ‘One good kick...’
        Cheerilee snorts at the stallion and turns back to the door. Before she can shout again, the door opens.
        Scootaloo clears her throat. ‘Sweetie Belle isn’t here right now. If you would like to leave a message...’
        ‘She is under that doily with a vase on her head,’ the teacher sighs.
        ‘Told ya, ya couldn’ hide as a table,’ Apple Bloom groans.
        ‘Worth a shot,’ Sweetie Del whimpers.
        Cheerilee shakes her head. ‘Okay, girls. Clear out. I need to have a word with your friend.’
        ‘Have fun with her, Scootaloo!’ Sweetie Del cheers as she lines up a jump out a window.
        ‘Not her. You. And I want to talk to you privately unless you want your friends to find out your secret.’
        Sweetie Del frowns and looks away. She sits and waits for the teacher. Her friends snort and stand in front of Cheerilee.
        ‘She is our friend and a Cutie Mark Crusader,’ Scootaloo states. ‘We’re all in this together.’
        ‘Yeah!’ Apple Bloom agrees. ‘Anythin’ ya do t’ her, ya do t’ all of us.’
        Cheerilee advances on the fillies, giving Big Macintosh barely enough room to get in the building. The teacher glares down at her students.
        ‘Do you want to tell them?’ she says directly at Sweetie Del.
        Del takes a deep breath and drops her disguise. ‘They are my friends. They should know.’
        The other fillies look at their friend. They instantly flashback to the time Chrysalis kidnapped them. They scream and hide behind Big Macintosh. The stallion growls and stands his ground.
        ‘Okay,’ Cheerilee huffs. ‘Now that your secret is out in the open, I can deal with you better.’
        ‘Ya think ya can handle her?’ Big Macintosh says, stepping forward.
        ‘Big Mac?’
        ‘Cause Ah think Ah can handle a changelin’ better.’
        The large stallion rears up to stomp the cowering changeling. Del screams and covers her head.
        ‘Don’t you dare hurt her!’ Cheerilee shouts. She stands on her hind legs between the stallion and the filly.
        ‘Outa the way, Miss Cheerilee. She’s a danger and needs t’ be taken care of.’
        ‘Big Mac! No!’ Apple Bloom begs, grabbing his leg. ‘She’s mah friend!’
        ‘She doesn’t mean to hurt us!’ Scootaloo adds. ‘We were just startled!’
        ‘She’s a monster and should be dealt with!’
        ‘You hurt one hair on her head, and you who will have to answer to her father,’ Cheerilee threatens. ‘As of now, she is the only one that broke any rules. Celestia help you if you so much as touch her and Mr Wanderer finds out.’
        ‘Please don’t get in trouble, Apple Mac,’ Del whimpers. ‘I like you.’
        The stallion growls and returns to all fours. ‘Ah want t’ have a word with yer father ‘bout this.’
        Cheerilee sighs and helps Del up. ‘Talk to Applejack first. She should know most of the details too.’
        Big Macintosh snorts and storms out of the clubhouse, shaking the flimsy shack.
        ‘Are you ready to go home?’ the teacher asks her student.
        Del changes to her pegasus disguise and nods. The two ponies trot from the clubhouse.
        ‘Wait!’ Scootaloo calls. ‘We’re going too!’
        ‘We’re friends. Friends stick t’gether!’ Apple Bloom adds.
        Del smiles back at her friends as they follow her and Cheerilee back to town.

        Del frowns and stares at the ground. Her father glares intensely at her. The young changeling tries to not cry as her punishment is dealt out.
        ‘Del, go to your room,’ James says. ‘You are not allowed to have any sweets. I know you have stashes, but you are not allowed to have any of them until I say so.’
        The filly gets up. ‘Yes, daddy.’ She starts heading to her room.
        ‘I’m also going to tell Chrysalis you broke one of her rules too. She’ll want to talk to you too.’
        Del nods and wimpers as she goes to her room. James takes a deep breath and looks at his other guests. Cheerilee stands behind Apple Bloom and Scoolaloo. The two fillies watch their dejected friend go to her room and close the door behind her. James clears her throat and motions for the fillies to come over.
        ‘What do you think of your friend now?’ James asks.
        Apple Bloom looks at Scootaloo then at the stallion. ‘Ah was startled t’ see that Del is a changelin’, but she’s Del. She’s mah friend.’
        ‘Yeah,’ Scootaloo agrees. ‘Other changelings are scary, but Del is one of the best friends we have.’
        ‘Do you hate changelings for kidnapping you? I heard what Chrysalis did to you while you were there.’
        ‘Pfft! She’s a pushover,’ Scootaloo scoffs. ‘We had her wrapped around our hooves.’
        ‘She took Del into her family. Del is her heir.’
        ‘I mean, she is a very kind and gracious ruler. One of the best I’ve ever seen.’
        Apple Bloom and Cheerilee facehoof.
        James sighs, ‘Are you going to tell anypony about Del’s secret?’
        The fillies shake their heads.
        James smiles and nods. ‘Good. There is juice and soda in the fridge. Get yourselves some and take one to Del too. Get to know your friend better. Learn that changelings aren’t all bad.’
        The fillies nod and go to join their friend. James groans and sits at the dining room table. Cheerilee joins him.
        ‘Why did you have them do that? I thought you were punishing Del for revealing her secret.’
        ‘Did you see how terrified she looked? I’d be mad at Big Mac for threatening her but knowing ponies like him are out there is punishment enough. At least we’re even for me threatening his sister.’
        ‘What do we do about her revealing herself?’
        James thinks. ‘As long as her friends don’t let it slip, she will be more careful. You’ll keep an eye on her for me, right?’
        ‘I always have. She is a sweet little filly. I’d hate to lose her.’
        ‘Thank you.’ He stands and groans. ‘I can’t wait to hear what Twilight will say...’
        Cheerilee laughs. ‘It will be fine. She has great mothering instincts. She knows it will be for the best.’
        James nods and shows Cheerilee out. He takes a breath and goes to check on the fillies. He smiles when he sees them sitting around Del’s room, laughing together. Neither of the ponies seem scared to be so close to a changeling. James laughs and gets ready for dinner.