//------------------------------// // Morning misgivings // Story: Birth of the Draconequus // by HareTrinity //------------------------------// "Where's Pinkie? HERE I AM! Where's Pinkie? HERE I AM!" Mrs Cake smiled to herself, listening to her twins giggle in the next room as she started the day's baking. Yes, Pinkie had really been a gift to the family long before the twins and, though there had been doubts about her staying once the babies were in the house, the pink pony had again shone through. Rather than just taking up space Pinkie had proven herself to be the most perfect stay-in babysitter the Cakes could have asked for. After shutting the first batch of cupcakes in the oven Mrs Cake popped her head around the door to check on her favourite young ponies, "Who's ready for breakfa-" The happy twins and pink pony looked over at her. "Breakfast? We'd love that!" cheered Pinkie, the twins trying to mimic her as she did so. "Uh... Yes, well..." Mrs Cake gulped and forced a smile, not sure what she'd just seen, "Pinkie dear, were you... Wearing a mask just now...?" "Huh? Oh, no, that's my new party face! I was working on it and the babies seemed to like it so I thought I'd practice with them! It's not perfected right now but I think in a few days I'll have it just right!" Pinkie beamed. "Yes... Well... Breakfast will be ready shortly..." Mrs Cake forced the smile harder and backed out of the room. Had... Pinkie's face been green? Scaly? ...It must have been some sort of make-up, but that was very... Extreme, even for her... Maybe they'd need to have a bit of a talk about this later, but right now the babies seemed happy, the first batch of cakes were ready, the shop was about to open and her husband had only just come back with the fresh ingredients; things were about to get busy! A short breakfast later Pinkie Pie, hyped up on life and ready for the day, pranced out the door and paused. Today had the makings of something special and she was sure her best friends would want to see all her fun new tricks, but who to show first? She'd already seen Twilight and though it wouldn't hurt to say hi to a good friend twice there was no rush. Clouds had gathered overnight so Rainbow Dash would be busy until that was sorted. Pinkie tapped her chin thoughtfully, recalling her friends' schedules... Given the time of year it was a good bet that both the Apples and Rarity had started work early and they wouldn't appreciate distractions until at least midday. Fluttershy it was then! Pinkie started bounding her way in that direction. Boing, boing, boing, up and down with every move forward! She loved this mode of travel, it made the journey as fun as the destination. Thinking back she remembered how Twilight had shown her pictures in one of her books of an animal called a "kangaroo" that moved in the same way with help from its tail, apparently it- ooh! Pinkie looked behind her to see her tail had changed into a long, thick, shape like the animal's from the picture! A tuft of curly pink was at the end, reassuring her of its origin. "Hi tail!" called Pinkie to her rump, trying to wag it as she did so and quickly unbalancing herself, falling into the nearest flowerbed. The cream mare who had been watering the patch gasped, "Pinkie? What happened to your tail?" "Isn't it hilarious???" Pinkie sprung up, grinning. "It's a bit... Unusual..." replied Rose, eyeing it with a hint of worry. The party pony did not seem to have picked up on the concerned tone and continued with her excited babbling, "...AND I have an AWESOME funny face! I just know everyone's going to love it, it'll be so exciting! Still working on it for now but don't worry, by your mother's birthday three days from now I'm sure I'll have it ready! Right now I'm on my way to Fluttershy's and I'm absolutely, positively, certain that she'll have some GREAT ideas on how to make it the best party face EVER! Gotta dash, see ya!" With that the strange-tailed pony started back on her way, neck stretching into an "S" shape as she did so, giggling to herself. Rose dropped her watering can, body freezing as she desperately tried to reason out the correct reaction to her unusual friend's extra-unusual appearance. Birdsong and the happy chatter of woodland animals filled the air around Fluttershy's cottage. Here there were less clouds so the morning was a warmer one, a flower scented breeze occasionally combing through the grass and cooling down the various wildlife that rested there. Though many of the Ponyville gardeners opted for more orderly foliage none could deny that Fluttershy's barely tamed garden forever felt like a slice of paradise. Down by the gently flowing stream the long-haired mare herself carefully emptied out a little pot of fish food, "Here you go my little friends..." "HI FLUTTERSHY!" "EEP!" Pinkie giggled and hugged the yellow pegasus, "You're so funny Fluttershy!" "Oh, Pinkie, I- AHH!" "What's wrong?" "Y-your neck!" "Oh! Pretty good right?" There was a pause in conversation. It seemed Fluttershy did not share Pinkie's taste in necks as the pegasus was now hiding up in a tree, clinging to a branch. In the hope of (literally) calming her friend down Pinkie added, "Nothing to be worried about, Twilight's looking into it!" "Oh... Well, I hope you feel better soon..." came the quiet reply. Another pause. Pinkie stretched her neck up to where Fluttershy had leapt to, causing the yellow pony to whimper a little. The earth pony, looking a little hurt, retracted her neck, "Come on Fluttershy, this is fun! I'll show you!" With that the frizzy-haired pony hopped into a clearing, the curious animals gathering to watch as she burst into song... * Fluttershy darling come here won't you please? You can't spend your life hiding up in the trees! I know it's unusual, I know it seems odd, But I'm really enjoying what's up with my bod! See here's a bunny and look at his paws! A lagomorph feature you've always adored, Now I've got those feet too and I'll tell you what, I'll throw in the teeth of this big old marmot! (The pegasus watching from up in the tree, Does not seem too comfy with her company, She's worrying still but it's not really seen, By her earth pony friend who's now turning green.) You've always said chameleons were quite rare, Now I can change anything, even my hair! My legs and my torso, my head and my height, I really become a hilarious sight! All of your small friends, I mimic them well, Watch me create a cute snail shell, Small or big, either, yet always quite grand, My dear pegasus don't you understand? Your smile's so lovely and I want to do The funniest face, so I'm coming to you My dearest Fluttershy won't you please help and We'll have Ponyville's laughter ring throughout the land! At the last verse, as Pinkie popped back into her usual self, the yellow pegasus weakly smiled and finally flew down to her friend, "Well... I guess you are the same old you... I can try?" Pinkie beamed and hugged her friend tightly. Fluttershy knew LOTS about animals, so she'd know for sure which ones to use for a hilarious combination of looks! This was going to be awesome. * Author's note: There is a tune I had in mind when I wrote the song but sadly I don't think such a tune exists. It's a little like the chorus of "Oh Dear! What Can the Matter Be?" but more boring. If there's enough interest I'll (hopefully improve) record and upload the tune, that or tweak the lyrics so that they do fit with the afore mentioned folk song, but until then I hope you can enjoy the story with only those hints and your imagination!