//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 // Story: Change Your Mind // by Scottish Brony //------------------------------// It had been a week since the six ponies found themselves living different lives. To make sure they were all coping, Twilight had sent them each a letter asking them to attend a Sunday morning meeting in the library. "Alright, we're all here," said Twilight, looking at her friends gathered around the table. They all appeared tired, and she suspected that, for most of them, it wasn't because of the early meeting. "So how's everypony been doing?" she asked, “Picked up any new skills?” "Ah've been getting a little better at cloud clearin'," said Applejack, "Thanks to Rainbow Dash..." she trailed off as she looked at the earth pony. With her head propped up by a hoof, Dash lightly snored, fast asleep. "Rainbow, you awake?" asked Applejack. When there was no response, she thumped her hoof on the table. Rainbow snorted and jerked awake. "Huh? What?" she cried. She saw her friends looking at her, "Oh. Sorry..." she said, and rested her head on her hoof again, "Just... I've been so tired lately working at Sweet Apple Acres. I'm not used to getting up so early every morning. Did ya ask me something?" "Ah was sayin' you've helped me a lot with buckin' clouds." "Oh, yeah, yeah. You're..." Rainbow paused to yawn, "You're welcome." “Rainbow, how have you been dealing with applebucking?” asked Twilight. “Uh... Applejack showed me a coupla tricks to get more apples down. I'm still not as good as her, but I guess I'm getting there,” replied the earth pony, stumbling over some words and trying her hardest to keep her eyes open, “Huh... I didn't think applebucking would be that different from cloud clearing, but... it is. And, um... it's kinda fun on the days I'm more awake.” “Is Applebloom doin' alright?” asked Applejack. “Hey, I told ya a couple days ago she's fine. She's a great kid,” said Rainbow, smiling tiredly, “Speaking of which... Scootaloo talked to you, yet?” Applejack looked away, “Actually... ah've been avoidin' her. But not in a way that makes it obvious to her. See, ah... ah wouldn't know how to react to the kid gushin' all over me.” “Just accept her admiration. And every now and then, tell her I... you think she's awesome.” “Ah guess that would keep her happy.” Rainbow straightened up at this, “Hey, I don't say it just to 'keep her happy', y'know,” she said, “I do happen to think the little squirt's awesome.” “'Cause she's yer number one fan, right?” “No, of course not.” Applejack simply looked back at her, smirking. She could tell the earth pony was lying. Rainbow took a deep breath and let it out as a tired sigh. “Alright, that's partly why. But not just that. She's got potential. Something tells me that when she gets off the ground, if she puts her mind to it, she'll be able to pull off some amazing moves! Not as amazing as mine, you understand... but still... pretty... amazing...” As she said the last word, her eyes drooped shut and she fell asleep again. Applejack reached over to wake her, but Twilight held out a hoof. “No, let her sleep,” she said, “Looks like she really needs it. We'll wake her if there's anything she needs to hear.” The pegasus nodded. “So,” continued Twilight, brushing some loose strands of pink hair from her face, “Rarity and Pinkie, how have you two been doing?” Rarity, who seemed more awake than the others, gestured towards Pinkie Pie, offering her to speak first, which she did with no hesitation. “Gee, I didn't know how much work went into dress-making! I knew it took a lot of time and stuff, but wow! No, really! I mean wow! Like, I was watching Rarity do one and it took days, you know? She was sewing things and cutting things up, then just when I think she's finished, she asks me to get more things, and then she goes back to working on it for another couple of days and I'm just sitting there with a beginner's book! I can barely make a nice looking scarf! But that's okay, because I'll get better at it! Right, Rarity? Right?” “Uh... yes, that's right, Pinkie,” replied the earth pony, caught slightly off-guard by Pinkie's sudden question. “How about magic?” Twilight asked the unicorn. “Eh, I dunno. I've been practising dress-making more than magic. But I visited Fluttershy earlier this week and we did some levitation together. I think Fluttershy's really gotten the hang of it! More than me!” “Okay, that's good. Rarity? How are things going for you?” “Me? Not that bad, really. Although, I've got a way to go before I can whip up a batch of cookies with my eyes closed.” “I could probably do that!” piped up Pinkie. “Yes, dear, that's what I was implying.” “Wanna make some now?” “Maybe later,” said Twilight, trying to get on with the meeting, “So... Fluttershy, you can levitate things easily now, right?” The unicorn nodded in response. “I think I'll get you started on something new. Pinkie Pie, do you feel confident enough to start something else?” “Mmmm... yeah!” replied Pinkie cheerily. “Great! Now, as for me — I'm not an expert by any means, so I've had to borrow a few books on animal care, but I'm managing to keep on top of the workload, for the most part.” “Um, Twilight? When do we start something new? Can it be soon?” asked Fluttershy. She had been reading up on a few spells, so she had a fair understanding of a few Twilight might suggest and was eager to learn. “You're awfully keen,” said Twilight with a surprised smile, “We can start today, if you're up for it.” “Alright.” “Alright! Applejack, could you wake Rainbow Dash?” The blue pegasus gave the pony next to her a firm nudge. Apple green eyes fluttered open. “Huh? Did I fall asleep again?” said Rainbow, “Sorry...” “I just wanted to let you know we're finishing up the meeting. We'll meet back here again every week from now on, if you can all make it.” Dash yawned and nodded, “Okay. I gotta get to Sweet Apple Acres now, so, uh... yeah... see ya.” The orange pony half-stumbled to the door and leaned on the wall next to it, eyes closed. Worried, Fluttershy rushed over. “Rainbow Dash, are you okay?” she asked. “Yeah, fine, yeah, I got it. Just... gimme a minute...” “Ya don't have to go,” said Applejack. “Hey, those apples aren't gonna buck themselves, AJ,” replied Rainbow, her voice hinting at irritation, “You do what you're doin'... I'll do what I am.” With a small grunt, the earth pony pushed off the wall and exited the library. “Huh... well, she seems to have picked up mah hard-workin' attitude. She's mighty tired, though.” “Speaking of picking things up...” said Rarity, “I've noticed a few strange things about myself.” “Yeah, look at you! You're pink!” said Pinkie with a giggle. “Ha ha, very funny. But really, there have been times where I've looked at a dessert and felt like just... stuffing it into my mouth. Most unladylike.” “I don't feel like doing that so much anymore,” said Pinkie, “But I have started spending every morning in front of a mirror for a really, really long time. I spend forever on my hair.” “One hundred brush strokes?” “I think so. I get bored and lose count. I just stop when I feel like I've done enough.” “Ah've noticed a change in me, too”, added Applejack, “Now, when ah first started flyin', it was pretty darn fun. But you'd think it would lose its novelty after a week, wouldn't ya? Not fer me. Ah can't stop zoomin' around whenever ah got a free second, seein' how fast ah can go. In fact, ah wanna go outside and fly around right now.” “And.. studying is becoming less of a chore for me,” chimed in Fluttershy. “I think I see what's going on,” said Twilight, “The attributes of whoever we switched with seem to be surfacing. For example, I found out I can understand and communicate with animals.” “We're not going to... become one another, are we?” asked Rarity worriedly, “We're not going to forget who we really are?” “...I don't think so...” said Twilight, “Have any of you gotten memories that aren't your own? Anything you don't remember actually doing?” There was silence as the five of them tried to recall any memories that seemed out of place. One by one, they shook their heads. “Well, alright. As long as that keeps up, I don't think we have much to worry about.” “Except for doing what we don't want to do,” said Rarity, “It's becoming harder to resist each time I get the urge.” “It's not all bad,” said Pinkie. “Oh yes, I really want to start stuffing my face with cakes. Sounds delightful.” “It does, doesn't it?” said the unicorn, completely oblivious to Rarity's sarcasm, “But I wasn't talking about that. I mean, maybe you'll want to try making others happy. When I get somepony else to smile, I feel good! Really good! You should try it! I mean, you're me now, aren't you? Okay, not me me, but still me. You get me?” “It's hard to 'get' you, sometimes... but, I understand what you're saying. That actually does sound rather nice,” said Rarity, a small smile on her face. “Hmmm. I wonder if Dash has noticed anything?” mused Twilight. “She seemed like she would be too tired to notice,” said Rarity, “Poor dear. I hope she's okay.” “Me too. Hopefully, we won't get a repeat of what happened with you, Applejack.” “She's got Big Macintosh to help her out, and ah'm sure we'd all be happy to lend a hoof if she needed it,” said the blue pegasus. “Of course we would.” “Anyways, ah gotta get to Cloudsdale. Don't wanna be late for mah patrol. See y'all later!” “Have a good day!” said Rarity as the pegasus left. “Okay, then,” said Twilight, turning to Fluttershy, “Let's see... what could we teach you next?” “I've got a suggestion... if... you know, if you don't mind,” said Fluttershy, “I've been reading over simple transformation. I, um... think I might be able to do that. If you're okay with me choosing that spell...” “You mean transforming small, inanimate objects, right?” Fluttershy nodded her head. “Not large objects or living creatures?” Fluttershy shook her head. “Okay, we can do that. It'll be trickier than levitation, but still simple enough.” “Hey, hey! Does that mean we could turn all these books into cakes?” asked Pinkie excitedly, spinning around as she spoke, “Oh, imagine that! A whole libraryful of cakes! That sounds wondertastic!” “Wha... no it doesn't!” replied Twilight, mildly dismayed at the thought of all the books in the library suddenly becoming confectionary. “Oh, okay. So what can we turn into cakes?” “If all you're going to do is turn things into snacks, then I don't see any point in teaching you this, Pinkie. Does it have to be cakes?” “Yeah, you're right. What about balloons? Every party needs balloons!” Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes, “Let's just begin. Now, you might think transformation would be hard.” “You would?” asked Pinkie. “Well... yes. Shouldn't it be obvious why?” The white unicorn tilted her head. “Think about it,” said Twilight, “You're directly altering the molecular structure of an object.” “The whoozy-what-now?” “The molecular structure. You're changing an object's molecules to form something different.” “What're... 'molecules'?” “Oh, well, to put it simply, molecules are made of fixed numbers of atoms joined together by covalent bonds, and can range from the very small, even down to single atoms, to the very large, such as in polymers, proteins, or even DNA. Now, the covalent bonds holding the molecules together are very strong, but these are largely irrelevant to the physical properties of the substance. You see, physical properties are governed by the intermolecular forces, that is, forces attracting one molecule to its neighbours...” Twilight stopped as she saw her three friends' blank stares. “You catch any of that?” Pinkie asked Fluttershy out the side of her mouth. “Nope...” replied the timid mare. “This is... simple?” asked Rarity. With a frustrated sigh, Twilight hung her head in defeat, “Never mind, it doesn't matter. Look, simple transformation just isn't that hard, okay? Don't ask me why, magic's funny that way.” Pinkie scratched her head, “Like, 'ha-ha funny'? 'Cause I'm not—” “Yes, 'ha-ha funny'. Come on, let's get on with it,” said the pegasus and started walking to the other end of the room. “Wait, I got a question!” Twilight turned, “Yes?” “I still don't know what molecules are, but that's okay. The thing I wanna know now is... how do molecules taste? They sound like something yummy! And it's a funny word! Really funny! I'm gonna be saying 'molecules' a lot from now on! Molecules, molecules, molecules, molecules!” This is going to be a long day... thought Twilight. "Aren't bowls a little... uh... deeper than that?" asked Pinkie, looking at the oblong saucer, formerly a cup, in front of her. "It's my first try,"said Fluttershy in a quiet voice, lowering her eyes. "Oh! Sorry! I didn't mean it like that," apologised Pinkie. "It's fine, Fluttershy," said Twilight, "Try curving the edges a little more." “Yeah, change those molecules!” Fluttershy's horn lit up and she closed her eyes, a glow surrounding the saucer moments later. The unicorn opened her eyes and she extended and curved the rim like a potter manipulating clay. When she was finished, a deep, if somewhat narrow, bowl with an uneven rim sat on the table. “Not bad for a first try,” said Twilight, nodding, “Now... Pinkie?” “Mm-hm?” the unicorn turned at the mention of her name. “See if you can turn it back into a cup. It doesn't necessarily have to be the same one it was before. Now remember, concentrate solely on the shape you want. You can let your mind wander a little once you become more proficient.” After a few tries and some strange shapes, Pinkie Pie finally managed to create what resembled a miniature vase. “Not bad. Not bad,” commented Twilight. While it wasn't exactly a cup, it could at least hold liquid better than some of the other indescribable objects the white unicorn had created. One thing was clear to Twilight — Fluttershy was far better at magic than Pinkie Pie. She guessed this was probably due to her spending most of her time studying, whereas Pinkie's focus was mainly on dress-making. Still, it was worth having both of them learn some spells. Just as long as no major threat comes to Eques— no! Don't think about it! “Don't think about bad things or they might happen.” Mom always said that, but I never believed it. Right now, though, I don't want to take any chances... Twilight thought to herself.