Transformation Part 2
A streak of blue zipped through the sky leaving behind a rainbow trail. It wasn't unusual for Rainbow Dash to fly at this speed. Racing was her life after all. What was unusual was that the Pegasus actually had a reason for such haste beyond the nonchalant "I felt like it".
At such speed, none could see the book tucked tightly in her jaws. Rainbow Dash had gotten up late in the morning to reread the current Daring Do book she was on. It wasn't until she finished the novel that she released the book was overdue. Though the proud cyan Pegasus would never admit it, she still had nightmares of the last time she was tardy with a library book. How Twilight got into her house without wings was beyond her.
Rainbow began to slow down as she approached Ponyville's library. Something didn't smell right. Was that...smoke?
Rainbow Dash looked down. Right below her and next the the library was a giant raging fire. If the fire got any closer, the entire tree with all of its paper contents would be lost. Poor Twilight would be devastated, not to mention the unforgivable destruction of the entire Daring Do series that the Pegasus could read for free.
Rainbow Dash scanned the skies. She could clear them in ten seconds flat but could she find what she needed in time?
*****
Ash peeled off a layer of purple goo from his sleeve and flicked it into the bonfire in front of him. From within the flames came a weak croak. That Human watched in grimly as the purple slime darkened and brunt to ashes. There was something immensely satisfying about setting something on fire and watching it burn away. Something immensely satisfying...
Ash's musings were interrupted by a sudden shadow overhead. He tilted his head upward and to his surprise, a giant gray cloud hung above him. He thought he saw a blue head with rainbow colored hair peek out.
"Never fear! Your friendly neighborhood Rainbow Dash is here!"
"Eh?"
A roll of thunder was quickly followed by a sudden downpour. Rain fell hard and fast. Ash was soaking wet within seconds. The bonfire died straight away.
The gray cloud eventually ran out of rain, draining away its color to white. Rainbow Dash opened the cloud, revealing herself and the sun. Ash felt his robes dry stiffly against his skin.
The Pegasus jumped down next to the Human. "No need to thank me, it's what I do?" Rainbow struck a quick pose, flexing one of her leg-arms. "Okay, no, really. How amazing was I?"
Ash shook his head, his hairs sweeping back and forth releasing droplets. "Alright, I guess."
"You guess?" Rainbow gave the Human a hard glare. "I just saved the libr-- hey, I thought I got rid of the cloud."
The shadow cast over Rainbow Dash caused her to turn around and look at what Ash had been watching.
The giant slime monster had been restored and towered way over the Pegasus and the Human. It released a mighty roar. Rainbow felt faint; its stench was so horrid.
"Tch, it regenerated already." Ash flicked his wrists. Small sparks and embers flared before dying out completely. Under his breath, the Human swore.
"Bad news: there's too much moisture in the air to form a decent fireball."
"Any good news?" Rainbow Dash asked weakly as she tried to cover her nose.
"Yep." A small manic grin spread across the Mage's features. Ash clenched a fist and reopened it. Hundreds of tiny watery spheres began to form in the air. Rainbow shivered; was it just her or did the temperature just drop.
"There's too much moisture in the air." The spheres began to crystallize. Ash turned to the purple abomination.
"Today's forecast: a freeze."
*****
"Oh, that was refreshing."
Twilight stepped out of day spa and stretched. She seemed more energetic yet more relaxed at the same time. On her face was a very cheery smile.
"See, darling? A trip to the spa now and again can be good for one's health." Rarity gave her friend a quick examination before nodding in approval. "You look so much better now than you did an hour ago. Doesn't she, Fluttershy?"
"Oh yes, much better..." The shy little Pegasus quickly glanced down. "That is, it's not like you looked too bad before...I mean, I don't want to offend but..."
Twilight chuckled. "It's alright, Fluttershy. I know I probably looked like a mess this morning. I've been so busy these days. I've been barely getting enough sleep."
"I suppose that explains why you kept falling asleep during the massage. And in the sauna. And in the tub."
"Heh heh..."
"Twilight, you shouldn't work yourself so hard. You need to sleep."
"Thanks for the concern, Fluttershy, but this is really important."
"What have you've been working on then, dear?" Rarity inquired.
"I've been working with Ash on a transformation spell, one that will turn him into a pony."
"You mean like the spell you used the day of the Gala?" Rarity shuddered at the memory. Her stomach turned at the mental image of the mice-stallions with their whiskers and their twisted bodies.
"Yeah," the purple Unicorn said in reply, oblivious of Rarity and Fluttershy's discomfort. "Only permanent."
"Why would he do that? I like how he looks now." Fluttershy blushed as her friends stared. "I think he looks cute, like a monkey. A big monkey. With no fur. And no tail."
Twilight shook her head. Only Fluttershy would consider a Human "cute". Then again, the Pegasus found skunks and bats endearing as well.
"I guess Ash wants to try and fit in better. I just guessing though. It didn't seem polite to ask then but maybe we can ask later."
"Are you sure such a spell is what Ash needs?"
"What do mean, Rarity?"
What I mean is that I don't want to see another animal be turned into a pony. I don't need to see a Human-pony. "What I mean is that a spell is just a shortcut. Wouldn't it be more rewarding if Ash managed to integrate himself into Equestrian society. I believe Ponyville could also learn something of acceptance as well. Just like with Zecora."
Twilight thought for a moment. "Do you really think that's a good idea?"
Better than that spell. "Of course, darling. I'm sure once all Ponyville sees--oof!"
The Unicorn was knocked flat as a brown stallion ran into her, his hat flying, his camera swinging.
"Be more careful," Fluttershy said as she help Rarity up. "You could hurt somepony."
The stallion briefly turned around. "No time!" he cried. "Some weird purple goo monster just got out of the library! I knew libraries were dangerous!" He began running again. "Head for the hills!"
"The library? Twilight, do you think--" Rarity stopped at the sight of Twilight's twitching eye and grinding jaw. All traces of serenity and peace as a result of the spa treatment disappeared.
"SPIKE!"
*****
Ash took a step back to admire his handiwork. The purple slime stood before him encased in a massive glacier. The Human nodded, impressed by how quickly he was able to cast such a spell. And after being out of practice for nearly two thousand years. The cyan Pegasus, however, was not.
"Not bad, not bad. But definitely could use some work."
"What do you mean?"
"Well for starters, your pre-fight line. I mean, come on. Couldn't you think of something less lame and more original?"
"Original?"
"And all you did was wave your hands a bit and just stood there. Where were the dodges, the cartwheels, the exciting close calls? Seriously, you made some potential awesomeness real lame."
"Lame?"
"And another thing: you needed some creative line to say after you win. Like, you're on the ice or chill out."
"I'm guessing you've had experience in this area," Ash said, shaking his head. He leaned against the the frozen foe.
"Hay yeah, don't you know it. You should have left some of that thing for me. I'd show you how a real hero handles things."
"Did somepony mention a 'real hero'?"
Ash and Rainbow Dash turned the direction in which the new voice came. On the roof of a nearby building stood a masked mare in dark blue and purple. Her cape waved behind her despite the lack of breeze.
"Mare-Do-Well!" Rainbow Dash gasped. "Wait, Twilight? Applejack? Nah, she probably couldn't get up on the roof in the first place. Fluttershy? Pinkie Pie?"
"I am not the one who is known as Pinkie Pie is because I am the mysterious Mare-Do-Well but if I was somepony else I would totally be Pinkie Pie because she's the friendliest pony ever and throws the best parties ever. Oh, hi Ash. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about your party. I mean, Pinkie Pie hasn't forgotten about your party because Pinkie Pie never forgets. Or was it elephants that never forget?"
Ash glanced down at Rainbow Dash who smacked her face with her own hoof. "Pinkie Pie?"
"...Pinkie Pie."
"Geronimo!"
"Wait! If you hit--" Once more, Ash's warning came too late.
The mysterious Mare-Do-Well dived off the roof, bounced off the frozen slime monster, and landed right on top of Ash with as much grace as Twilight dancing freestyle. The Human groaned into the ground. He muttered a stream of profanity into the dirt.
"Pinkie Pie, what are you doing?"
"There is no Pinkie! There is only--"
Rainbow yanked the mask off, revealing the pink party pony. Pinkie Pie grinned cheerfully. "Hi!"
The annoyed Pegasus opened her mouth to say something. A loud crack interrupted her.
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie turned around. Small fractures spread throughout the ice statue. The cracks grew wider and began to branch out. The monster inside twitched.
Rainbow Dash groaned. "Horse--"
*****
"Apples! Git yer fresh apples! You sir! You look like you could use sum apples!"
"Not again..."
Applejack sighed and quickly pulled her younger sister away from the brown, hourglass marked stallion she had been harassing. Or, as Applebloom called it, marketing.
The farm pony turned to stallion to apologize but he had already left, leaving behind a trail of dust and mud.
"Aw, why'd yah go and mess things up fer me, sis?" Applebloom began to pout. "Ah almost broke him."
"Why don't yah go have the rest of the day off? Ah'll finish up here. It's a pretty slow day anyhow." Applejack scratched her head. "Lotsa folks runnin' 'round crazy all day though. Wonder if Twilight knows anything."
*****
"All I know is that when I get back, I'll, I'll..." Twilight quickly searched for the worst punishment she could prepare. "I'll take away all of Spike's books for a week. No, two weeks! Then he'll be sorry!"
Rarity and Fluttershy struggled to keep up with the purple Unicorn's pace. Twilight ran at full gallop, fueled by rage and worry. Like a mother or elder sister, Twilight feared for her little assistance's safety despite her anger. Ignoring the pains and signals from her body, the Unicorn ran even faster, leaving her friends in the dust.
Twilight braced herself as library entered her view. The horrid sight of her home burning would have been too much and so she shut her eyes, fearing for what laid ahead.
In retrospect, running blindly was not a good idea.
"Oof!"
The Unicorn opened her eyes and to her relief, the library stood intact and undamaged, besides the new giant hole in the library's sign as the result of Twilight's mad and uncontrolled sprint.
With a groan, Twilight picked herself up. Her attention was drawn by a sudden laugh from above.
"You should of seen yourself!" shouted Rainbow Dash from above. "That hilarious!"
"Hey, Rainbow Dash!" Spike swung open the door. "You've seen Twilight yet? Oh hey Twil, li, li, li..." The little dragon gulped.
"Spike," Twilight said slowly, almost menacingly. Seeing Spike safe relieved her much of her worry, leaving plenty of room for anger. "What have you been up to?"
"Me?" Spike began to sweat. "Oh, nothing. You know, this and that and um, stuff and..."
"Spike..."
"I mean, it was all Ash's fault! Yeah, he wanted to--"
"What's my fault?"
Ash and Pinkie Pie stepped out of the library. Ash held a large broom while Pinkie Pie held a dust bin full of ashes. "Hey Twilight!" Pinkie greeted cheerfully before gasping and showering everyone with dust.
"Spike! Spike! Twilight's here! We have to hide the evidence! Everypony run!"
The pink pony zoomed off, leaving everyone else to suffer Twilight's great displeasure. The library just came into Fluttershy and Rarity's view before both were sent into the air like bowling pins. Both would later only recall a pink blur and a quick cheerful salutation.
For a few moments, everypony and Ash stood just stood there and watched as Pinkie Pie ran into the horizon. At last, Twilight spoke:
"Would somepony please explain what's going on?"
"Um, well..." Spike began to wring the own tail. He refused to look into the purple Unicorn's eyes. "You see, funny thing..." The baby dragon quickly dove onto his knees and looked up the white puffy cloud that hung overhead. "Rainbow Dash, you've got to help me!" he begged.
"Heh, heh, sorry dude but you're on your own." The Pegasus flew down and handed her late book over to the librarian. "Thanks for letting me borrow it. Gotta dash!" and with that, Rainbow flew off, leaving Ash and Spike to their fate.
Spike gulped, sweat falling like a heavy rainstorm.
"Spike, just tell me what happened. I'm disappointed that you'd try to get out of responsibility like this."
Twilight's tone was to much for the baby dragon, who threw himself at the Unicorn's feet, begging for forgiveness.
"Spike," Twilight repeated, "just tell me what happened."
"Me and Ash found a recipe for a potion that could change appearances and we thought it couldn't hurt so we went down to the basement and accidentally made a giant slimy ooze monster that Ash fought off and man I wish I was there because it sounded awesome even though Rainbow Dash thought Ash was kinda lame and I'm so sorry I'll never disobey you again!"
Spike began to bawl, reminding Twilight that her ward was still very, very young in draconic terms.
"Spike..."
The dragon began to cry louder.
"Spike!"
"Wahh!"
Twilight, a bit red in embarrassment, turned to Ash. "So...giant slimy ooze monster?"
"Giant slimy ooze monster," the Human said in reply, pointing at the ashes and dust that had once been in Pinkie Pie's dust bin. The Unicorn grimaced at the fact that the remains of another creature now laid within her mane. After all that time at the spa resort, Twilight would need another bath.
She sighed. "Well, at least the library's still standing this time. I've got to start locking up the basement." Twilight went inside.
"What about Spike?"
"Don't worry. After a few hours, he'll have tired himself out. I'll take to him then. As for you..."
"Crap."
*****
The cries of the little dragon drowned out the clicks of a camera equipped with lenses specific for long-ranges. The hidden Pegasus fired away, capturing every moment. He grinned; old Mr J.J.J. was going to pay big for this. Carefully tucking the camera away, the Pegasus fly off.