//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: A Change of Face // by Lannakitty //------------------------------// Pinkamina Diane Pie, bearer of the Element of Laughter, resident Premier Party Planner of Ponyville (hehe that was fun to say three times fast!) and Novice Unicorn stared intently at the muffin on the plate before her. The muffin was chocolate-chocolate chip-raspberry nestled in a silvery wrapper. It was the latest victim of Pinkie's self assigned task. It was also delicious. Pinkie had taken a nibble, just a little one, from one of the perfectly crispy sides. Her goal? Eat like a unicorn. "Okay, muffin. You're gonna be mine," she threatened, hoisting her weapons high into the air with a bit of unicorn magic. But not too high. There was a fork stuck in the ceiling she hadn't been able to yank down. Twilight had a lot of power at her hooves. Or was it her horn? Earth ponies had power in their hooves, she supposed. Pinkie tapped a lavender hoof against her chin, pondering for a moment. "Disposal," she decided aloud. "Twilight has a looooooot of magic at her disposal," she concluded to the muffin, smartly sidestepping the particulars of grammar. She'd have to ask Twilight about it later. But now... the muffin had avoided its delicious fate long enough, and Pinkie had magic to do! "Rise!" Pinkie commanded. The fork rose obediently, ready to skewer delicious muffin-y goodness, but the knife sort of flopped over onto its other side apathetically. Maybe she could get away with a little more power. She eyed the fork in the ceiling. Or not. Pinkie let out a huff. Controlling two objects at once was more difficult than it looked, but Pinkie would prevail! She was perfecting her Twilight-y Twilightness and that included eating like a unicorn. Muffins usually didn't need knives and forks, but Pinkie needed a helpless culinary victim. Plus muffins were delicious and Pinkie had some on hoof. Pinkie focused on the knife and a soft aura of purple surrounded the delicate utensil. As it rose into the air, her hold on the fork slipped a little. With a tiny "eep!" she refocused on that again, which, of course, make the knife bob and sway. She caught that and, predictably, the fork started to sag once more. After a few rounds of this, Pinkie was struck by how much this resembled juggling. She set both items of cutlery down and considered this for a moment. Juggling, she could do. It had been hard to learn at first, but it was fun, and therefore worth trying until she got it right. Perhaps if she treated the knife and fork in a similar way, she might do it. She wasn't certain if this was how Twilight managed things, but Twilight was too busy being Pinkie Pie to teach her at the moment. With renewed cheer, she focused on the fork, lifting it up, then the knife and- the fork went spinning off into the air. It sailed across the kitchen then clattered to the ground with a series of metallic chimes. Pinkie winced a bit then giggled. "Oops," she said to herself. She put the fork into dishwasher to be cleaned with the rest of the dirty dishes (running the dishwasher was not until 2pm on Twilight's schedule), and retrieved another fork. "Less power this time," she said aloud, then giggled again because she sounded like Twilight while her mind, or spirit or however this worked, was in Twilight's body. It was magic. So long as she got back to being a pink earth pony, the details didn't matter to Pinkie that much. Sure, she was supposed to attempt to live like Twilight, but it was pretty obvious that she couldn't jump right in to such advanced magic. You couldn't bake a super-duper tasty party cake with space enough for a pony to fit inside as a surprise, without knowing some basic engineering. Even Twilight had started in Magic Kindergarten. Pinkie focused her attention and Twilight's magic on the two utensils. If she could juggle her attention just right, she could hold both of them up at the same time. The utensils bobbed in the air as she switched her attention between the two, trying to find a rhythm like she had found with juggling. It started off well enough. She put a little too much into the fork and the knife dipped, she caught it but the same problem happened and she had to switch back to the fork. The dips and bobs increased in amplitude and frequency until Pinkie lost control and the fork went spinning across the kitchen floor. The knife joined the fork up on the ceiling. Pinkie watched the knife wobble for a second and blew a huff of air, puffing her bangs out of her face. She glared at the muffin. "You've won this round muffin, but your time will come!" She vowed. Pinkie then sniffed, flirted her tail with disdain at the silent pastry, and went to go pick up the fork so it might join its brethren in the dishwasher. She hoped she'd master this soon. She was running out of utensils. "Twilight Sparkle," Luna said as she tilted her head slightly to the side in question, "why art thou in the body of thy friend?" Twilight gaped for a moment, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. "It'sanexperimentpleasedon'ttellanyonetherewasanaccidentbuteverythingisundercontrolandthespellshouldwearoffsoonit'sjustforadayPinkieandIarelivingasoneanother-" She stopped when a silvershod hoof gently touched the end of her muzzle. "Please, breathe," Luna instructed. Twilight gasped for air. Luna nodded approvingly. "Now, please explain thy circumstances more slowly?" She looked somewhat amused and Twilight relaxed marginally. "It's an experiment," Twilight said, scuffing a hoof on the ground sheepishly. "My original plan didn't work... quite as I expected it to, but there was something interesting in this experience as well. Pinkie and I decided to live as one another for a day. There's a magical limit and everything should reset properly when it runs out. Part of the design was no one knowing though," she said with a small sigh. She frowned and looked at the princess. "How did you know?" "After the changeling invasion, Celestia and I cast spells on ourselves and our guards to detect guises of varying kinds. Since the Changeling queen was never found, we thought it a prudent precaution for the time being." "That makes sense, but- Princess, changelings only take the forms of other ponies. Are there-" Twilight broke off with a little gasp. She'd been about to ask if there were creatures that could control the mind of another pony, but she'd been a breath away from enacting a spell that passively viewed the world from another's eyes. She was in Pinkie's body. Her mind filled in the details and she shivered again. "Yes," Luna said, draping one large wing over Twilight's back and standing close so their bodies touched. Where Celestia was always warm and comforting, Luna was cool, soothing. "There art such creatures in the world, and such spells." "I- I hadn't really thought about the implications of... of control!" Twilight admitted. She pressed against the larger pony, finding comfort against the sudden realization. "I know," Luna said with a soft smile. "Thou art a kind and most goodly pony, Twilight Sparkle. Thy intentions are honorable and thy friends have taught thee well how to live in Harmony. I imagine thy least favorite magical subject was offensive spells?" Twilight nodded, giving Luna an oblique glance. "My least favorite homework," she admitted. Luna gave a feigned gasp, covering her muzzle with a hoof. She leaned in close to Twilight. "Worry not, I will not tell my sister," Luna said conspiratorially, drawing a real laugh from the other pony. "Now," Luna said, folding her wing neatly against her back, "I believe thou art in the middle of throwing a party." "You won't say anything?" Twilight asked. "Neigh," Luna said, with a dismissive gesture. "Thou art not a changeling, nor victim of a joke most cruel. I expect to read thy most informative report on the subject once it has been completed." "Of course, Princess," Twilight said, bowing. Luna nodded with a small noise of approval. She looked around the yard with a faint smile. "Attend me," she said. "I have a present for the birthday colt and a small matter of formality to conduct before I must, regretfully, return to less celebratory duties." "Of course," Twilight said. She followed behind Luna in as perky a canter as she could muster, trying to push the more terrible thoughts firmly to the back of her mind. "Pip?" Luna called out to the makeshift pirateship the swing set had become. "I have thy birthday present." The piebald colt stuck his head out of the little alcove at the top of the play structure, then hopped onto the twisting yellow side, riding it down to the bottom. He jumped off at the end and bounded forward, practically running into Luna's legs. The other children stopped what they were doing and followed after, curious. "Pip I thank thee for thy kind invitation," she said, nudging the little colt with her head. "I have a gift I think most fitting, if thou would be willing and able to care for it." "Of course!" Pip said, trotting in place. Iron made a little unsure noise, his expression surprised. He and the other adults had drifted over as well. Had Luna brought Pip something like a puppy? What else would need care? Twilight wondered if Luna had consuled with Celestia on proper gifts for foals in this era... And worried that she had as much as she worried that she hadn't. Twilight had come to realize that her mentor had a somewhat impish streak. Luna lifted her head, her horn shimmering with magic. There were a pair of soft pops and two objects appeared in the air. Luna caught them with her magic and held the first out to the colt. It was a complex looking device. A telescope was attached to a frame that closely resembled a slice of pie. There were bolted on mirrors and dials. Twilight recognized the device, though she did not have practical training with one. "Dost thou know what this is?" Luna asked. "That's a sextant!" Pip shouted. "You use it to tell where you are at sea!" "Correct!" Luna said. The Lunar diarch sat on her haunches and slipped her front hooves out of her silver shoes. She hit a switch and a telescoping pole extended to the ground, helping to hold the device in place while she manipulated the other controls much as an earth pony or pegasus would. Pip, and indeed all the ponies now surrounding her, watched in fascination. "This particular model was crafted for me personally by the same artisan that provided tools for some of Equestria's most famous explorers. Maregellan was an earth pony as well, and used a device just like this a long time ago," Luna explained as she manipulated the dials, slides and knobs one at the time for Pip's benefit. There was a lot of "oohing" and "ahhing" from the crowd, Twilight included. Luna hit the same switch and the telescoping stabilization rod slid back into place with a little metallic "twang". She held the sextant with her magic, slipped her shoes back on then offered the gift to the colt. Pip took the tool reverently then hugged it close to his chest with a huge smile. "Thank you, Princess!" "You are most welcome, Pip." Luna said as she stood once more. She regarded the foal and her expression grew a bit... sad? "While this is a most happy occasion, I have a second task this day." She gestured with a slight motion of her head and Pip's father came to stand by his son. "I was curious about the ponies I had met during nightmare night. While the beginning was... rough shall we say," she admitted to a smattering of chuckles from the ponies around her, "It was with great joy that I was able to make so many new friends, especially among the young ones." "I had interest in learning more about the ponies that welcomed me," she said looking around. She did not use the Canterlot voice, for she didn't have to. Every pony there listened with silent respect, sensing the Princess was building to something. "It was in this way I became aware of your family's story." Luna looked from Pip to his father. The expressions on father and son grew solemn. "Neigh, My little ponies. Do not look so sad. I come to you on this joyous day not to bring you more pain, but to celebrate Bright Shield's life, her honor, courage, and sacrifice. There is little I can do to give as fit and goodly a memorial than you two have already done in living on as her legacy." She floated the small box to Iron Smith. It was rich ebony with silver scrollwork inlaid in celestial patterns. It was simple and elegant. Iron opened the box after and encouraging smile from the Lunar Princess. He blinked as a soft, silvery light was cast on his face. Luna approached and spoke to the two in low tones that didn't carry further than the three of them. Iron blinked a few more times, his eyes suspiciously moist. He nodded with a watery smile. Pip gave the Princess a brief hug then attached himself to his father's legs, still holding the sextant close. Iron closed the box and bowed deeply to the Princess. She inclined her head deeply, conveying respect to the stallion. Then Luna stepped back, looking satisfied and feeling lighter. The mood around the three of them softened as well. "And now," Luna said with genuine regret, "I am afraid I must depart. Celestia was kind enough to handle some of my late afternoon duties before Night Court begins. She says "Happy Birthday" by the way, and I have been instructed to bring her a slice of cake." Twilight took that for the order it was and scrambled to get a piece of cake for Luna to take with her. Celestia loved frosting almost as much as Pinkie Pie did, and there was no question that Pinkie would have that information. She added a few slices strawberries to the side of the plate, a unicorn style fork then promptly trotted back over to Luna the plate balanced on her back. Luna chuckled and took the cake to go after saying her final farewells. She smiled at Pip again. "I hope you enjoy your gift. Learn its secrets, and the sun, moon and stars will always guide you home." With that, Luna stepped into the shadow cast by the house, and was simply gone. The kids all crowded around Pip, who began to explain his gift to his friends. The adults all looked at one another and promptly began to gossip. Twilight snickered to herself. Some ponies might claim that "small towns" had all the bad gossips, but she knew from personal experience that the nobles of Canterlot could be just as silly. She looked around for Iron and caught the end of his tail as he disappeared into the house. Twilight trotted inside, following him. Her right hoof was tingling and she felt drawn to follow the stallion. "Iron?" she asked. "Oh. Hey, Pinkie," the stallion said. He was chopping more fruit with the single-mindedness of someone who needed to be doing something. The box sat innocently on the end of the counter. He looked sad. Sad was not something that happened at a Pinkie Pie party. It was also something Twilight didn't want to see happen to her friends and neighbors. "Are you okay?" she asked. The stallion paused in the middle of slicing his cantaloupe. Something told Twilight to "Wait" so she did. Instead she stood beside him and began to wash some apples. Sweet Apple Acres Galas. They were really good this year. Eventually Iron began to turn the fruit into small orange chunks again. "I will be," he said, quietly. "Needed a moment away from the kid." Twilight pushed one of the apples onto the cutting board in front of him then swept the cantaloupe into another bowl. "Pip's mum was in the Guard in Trottingham," he said. "Her family didn't really approve of her joining the guard, but she felt it was her duty." He chuckled. "So she said, "buck you"," if you'll forgive my Prench, and joined up anyway." He continued to methodically turn the apple into slices. When he was finished, Twilight passed another apple over and added the slices to the impromptu fruit salad. "She was back on the night shift, covering for a thestral friend who was on maternity leave. Jasmine had covered for Bright when she was foaling Pip, so she was more than happy to return the favor for her friend," he explained. "And... There was a fire." He went silent for a few more moments. The only sounds in the kitchen were the muted laughter of the foals outside and the steady chopping of the knife. "Bright saved a lot of ponies, but she didn't make it." He set the knife down and stared at the cutting board and half-sliced apple. "I didn't think it was possible to be so proud and so angry at the same pony." "She sounds like she was very brave." "Incredibly," Iron said, nodding. "I loved that mare." He paused again, eyes distant. "The city had a little ceremony. All the other guards were very nice. Pip and I were miserable though. She'd always wanted to get out of Trottingham and serve the Guard someplace with a little less rain," he said, showing the first bit of mirth in the last few minutes. "Ponyville seemed like a nice place; lots of foals for Pip to make friends with, and I could get work here." Twilight wrapped her legs around the stallion and gave him a bone-crushing Pinkie Pie hug, because it seemed like the right thing to do. "Thanks, Pinkie," he said returning the hug after a moment. "You seem to know everything else, I'd half thought you'd know this already." He chuckled, turning back to slicing the apple. "Uh-" Twilight paused for a heart-stopping moment. "It's... it's your story," she said finally. "Not mine to tell," she concluded firmly. "And I don't always know all the details," she said, guessing and hoping she wouldn't be caught. "I'd figured it was something unhappy and if you wanted other ponies to know, you'd tell them." That was true enough and Pinkie could act with a surprising amount of tact when it was something very important. "Thanks though," he said. "Still it's kinda surprising that Princess Luna would have looked us up." "Uhmmmm," Twilight mused aloud. "I dunno. She's been trying to fit in and I think Pip made an impression." "Yeah but... What she gave us was, well," he shook his head. "Very generous if you can forgive me from being vague." Twilight nodded and gave him a cheerful smile as she systematically helped him reduce a small watermelon into little chunks of deliciousness. "You said she was on the night shift?" Iron nodded. "Think that's why?" Twilight nodded, remembering to be enthusiastically Pinkie. She got dizzy for a moment then refocused on the fruit. "Absoposilutely!" she assured the stallion. "I think she'd have been nice even if she wasn't, but it was the night shift." "Makes sense," he agreed. "Think we have enough?" "It looks okay," she appraised, but something was... off. It wasn't quite up to Pinkie Pie Standards. "Needs... A-HA!" she plucked a carton of blueberries off the counter, gave them a quick wash and dumped the whole thing into the bowl. "Now, it's perfect!" Iron chuckled and picked up the salad and led the way back into the party. Twilight bounced behind. "This. Ends. NOW!" The harsh words reverberated through the now messy kitchen. The chairs lay on their backs. The vase holding the daisies Spike had picked from the front yard yesterday was on its side, the flowers having been already eaten in a fit of pique. A battered box of muffins lay open, the delicious contents in a scattered massacre. The kitchen table had been flipped and was now resting upside down. Pinkie glared at the muffin, her right eye twitching. The muffin remained apathetic to the temporary unicorn's ire. "Hey, Twilight?" Spike poked his head around the corner of the kitchen, Peewee perched on his green head scales. "What?" Pinkie snapped. Her left eye twitched asynchronously with her right eye. Spike took in the kitchen, the frazzled mane, the twitching eyes, and the menacingly floating utensils in the air. "Uhm... Is everything okay, Twi?" "I'm running an experiment," Pinkie replied. "Riiiight," Spike said, looking up at the phoenix chick, who looked down at him and shrugged his wings. "Do you need any, uh, help?" he asked, looking back at the mare. "No. I got this. One way or another, Spike, I will. Eat. That. Muffin." Pinkie lowered her head, unicorn horn leveled at the muffin in a threatening way. "Right. I'll just be over here," Spike said, jerking a clawed thumb over one shoulder. "Uh, huh," Pinkie said, distracted by her rapidly evolving plan of attack on the Muffin. Spike sighed and went into the main library room. There were a number of books out of place. Whatever experiment Twi was working on, she'd once again forgotten to re-shelve her books. Spike chuckled and began to put them back in order. "Twi will get to this eventually," he told the phoenix chick, who seemed content to ride atop Spike's head, "but I might as well get a head-start. I was supposed to help with some cleaning today anyway. Once I'm done here, I was thinking we could take a walk through town and get something from Sugarcube Corner. How's that sound?" Peewee chirped and fluffed his wings in an encouraging way. Spike grinned and picked up the copy of "A History Of Magical Education". There was a loud bang from the kitchen. Spike winced. "Think I should go in there?" he asked the firebird. "SUCCESS!" Twilight crowed. Spike could hear the prancing hooves as she danced. He winced. The fledgeling winced. Both had been subjected to Twilight's particular form of "dancing" though Spike had tried to spare the little bird from such harsh realities of life as long as possible. "She sounds like she's fine," Spike said. The phoenix nodded in agreement. "Maybe we should leave her be." The sound of jubilantly dancing hooves grew louder. "Maybe we should get going." Peewee nodded and the two made a hasty retreat from the library.