//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven - Romantic Evenings and Magical Development // Story: The Struggles of Radiance // by Crystal Static //------------------------------// The Struggles of Radiance Chapter Seven So when I changed Blueballs into a mare, apparently I put more energy into the spell than I thought I did, so he could stay a she for as long as three months. Princess Celestia told me that she could undo it, but she feels that her 'nephew' (so many many times removed) could benefit from this 'learning experience' as she called it. I told mom about what happened, and about my idea to take photos and put in the newspaper… Today's issue of Equestrian Times has the headline 'Prince now Princess?' and a big full color photo of 'Princess Blueblood'. It goes on to tell a story about how he was always a mare trapped in a stallion's body, and he didn't have the courage to get that operation until the other day. We got a lot of bits for that 'story', and mom gave me half of them. I have that date with Scootaloo tomorrow; I was thinking that I would take her on a nice walk through the park, then a visit to that arcade two blocks from Pony Joe's, then we would get doughnuts. With all those bits we got from the whole 'Princess Blueblood' thing, I can afford to take Scoots out a few times, even though mom wants me to save my bits. --- I took Scootaloo out on our date today, it went really well. Our walk through the park somehow turned into a game of chase, but it ended with us rolling around in the grass giggling like crazy. After we left the park, we went to the arcade. Scootaloo likes playing Pac Mare and Cruisin' Equestria, and she is very good at them. I prefer Donkey Colt and Mario Chariot, but I am not very good at games. After I lost to her so many times, we decided to leave before I spent all of my bits on 'extra ponies'. When we got doughnuts, it was perfect. We sat and talked for hours as we ate our food. We almost missed our curfew we were so busy talking. I am a bit surprised, but Princess Luna is teaching some martial arts stuff to Scootaloo. Apparently she was friends with a master of Gale King about a century before she turned into Nightmare Moon, and still remembers some of what he taught her (Even if she can't do it herself). Tomorrow, Princess Celestia is going to have some new exercises set up to help me learn to control my magic better. I hope that I can get done with all of this 'control your magic' stuff so I can go on to learn some real spells and stuff. --- It has been a few days since my date with Scootaloo. I am doing much better at controlling my magic, and next week when I come back to Canterlot I will be learning some new spells. My magic has been feeling a little weird the last few days, spells haven't been using as much power as they should have, and my reserves don't seem to be draining at all. I will have to talk to Aunty Twilight when we get back about it. We will be going on the train later today, and I am sure Pinkie will have a party for us when we get back. --- Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle walk up to us as we get off the train, "Hey Radiance and Scootaloo, how was Canterlot?" Before I could respond, Scootaloo interrupts, "Oh, you know, just hangin' with the princesses, being marefriends with Radi, and earning this"- Scootaloo turns her flank towards Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom was the first to speak up, "Whew-ee Scootaloo! Yah got yer cutie mark! Yah know wha this means?"- Sweetie and Bloom raise their voices together -"Cutie Mark Crusaders! Cuteceaneara Planners! YAY!" Sweetie Belle pauses for a minute in thought, "Wait a minute, did you say 'being marefriends with Radi' when we asked you how Canterlot was?" Scotaloo and I both blush, and I answer before Scoots could say something daffy, "Yeah, she did. She's totally my little Scootacutie now." "Yea-HEY! I never said you could call me that in front of other ponies Radi!" We all start laughing as Scootaloo puts on an indignant pout. Seeing her pout, I chuckle mischievously, "You do know you are even cuter when you pout right Scoots?" "I'm not cute! I'm awesome!" Scootaloo's last response earns a rebuke from Bloom, "Why can't yah be both ah reckon Scoots?" I pipe in again, "Yeah Scootacutie, why can't you be both?" Scootaloo crosses her front hooves and mumbles indignantly. Sweetie decides to be the better mare, "Come on girls, we teased her enough. Lets go see if Pinkie can set help us plan the party." --- Scootaloo's Cuteceaneara was yesterday. It was very fun. There was cake and games and even a pinata in the shape of Discord. I actually wonder why somepony would make a Discord pinata… probably best not to think about it, or it will be the Tree Sap and Pine Needle store all over again. I talked to Aunty Twilight about my magic earlier today. She did a magic scan on me and it seems like the organ unicorns have to regenerate magic is growing in. None of us were sure if it ever would, but seeing how my body is about the same maturity as a young unicorn who is about to start developing their magic, it doesn't seem quite so surprising. My changeling spells seem to use more power than they did before, but my unicorn spells use less. I think my magic is starting to balance out some more. I can still feed to increase my reserves, but I don't have to feed to recharge anymore (Although if I do spend a lot of my magic, feeding could help me recharge faster). Mom took me to get milkshakes to celebrate my new recharging magic (nopony expected that *eyeroll*), and I asked her why she likes milkshakes so much. I can't remember her answer, as I ran to Aunty Twilight to have her erase the memory of what mom said. Apparently my mother has some really interesting infiltration stories I would rather not hear about…