//------------------------------// // Revealing to Friends // Story: Acceptance // by Riddle-Me-Think //------------------------------// I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Away from the Changelings dealings and into a building that was deceptively disguised as a gingerbread house; a very cheerful and peppy pink Pony bounced about the place prepping for her friends. It had been nearly two weeks since their last get-together, so it was understandable she was excited over this. Edging her nose under a plate, and her tail under another, she flipped both sides and sent the plates up into the air. The cookies that were once on the plates found themselves air born and free falling. Quickly, the pink mare stretched both forelegs in either direction, grabbing a pitcher of milk in one hoof, and a large tray in the other, tossing those up as well. Dashing to another side of the kitchen, she grabbed seven glasses and threw them up too, fallowed closely by a few candies, cupcakes and a can of whip cream. Doing a surprisingly graceful back flip, she landed on her hooves at the entice of the kitchen and turned to the door. Not even a moment latter, one large tray, two plates of cookies of varying types, a glass pitcher with milk, seven cupcakes, fourteen pieces of candy, seven glasses and one can of whip cream all landed in their appointed spots, not a bit missed. This impossibility was the ever infamous party Pony known as Pinkie Pie. And as of right now, she was readying a somewhat small surprise party for her friends during this gathering. Pushing the door open and bouncing into the larger room, she spotted the table she would use during this. Jumping with her hind legs, she sent all the food and drink flying up again, catching the tray and beginning her trip back the kitchen. Turning around, she didn’t pay any mind to all the food landing at each seat without breaking or spilling. She shortly came back out of the kitchen with a green Alligator on her cotton candy pink mane that proofed out like said treat. She bounced with energy and placed the tray down on another table and looked at her handy work. Looking around the empty space, that was normally filled with customers, Pinkie Pie just reminded herself that one: The closed sign was up, and two: The cakes were out with the babies, leaving her with the day off. When the first assault of knocks were heard, she all but teleported --or could have, can’t be sure with this one-- to the door and swung it open, “Rainbow Dash!” And grabbed the rather surprised Pegasus from the front door before slamming it shut. This was shortly fallowed by her reopening the door and placing a welcome mat out before rushing back inside. Landing at one of the tables, the robin blue pegasus looked about in slight confusion at her friends more then excited way of greeting. But all those thought dispersed at the sight of some cookies and a pitcher of milk calling her name. Pouring herself a glass and placing it next her seat, she turned around in time to find Pinkie bouncing back from the door, alligator firmly attached to her head. “I have to say, you surprised me there, with how quick you dragged me in here Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash, self proclaimed fastest flyer, said while grabbing a cookie and eating it. Glancing at the pink pony she asked, “Cinnamon?” Gesturing to the round treat that was a yellow smiley face. “With a hint of vanilla!” Pinkie nodded before seating herself at her own side, “Did you see any of the others? Are they on their way here? Are they coming in twos, or ones? Did you see any new ponies this last week?” The last one was bugging her, as she felt there was a pony that was avoiding her from welcoming them. Like that one morning she swore she saw a this black unicorn, but turned out to be Twilight that went for a morning stroll. No book though, which was strange, but maybe her brain was hurting that day or she set it to defrag for the time being. Rainbow Dash only caught some of what the hyper pony said and gulped down her cookie, “No, I didn’t see any of the other girls on my way here.” Thinking on it, she commented, “Though, I did see that one group of merchants camped out near the edge of town.” “Oh, you mean the Gem Clan?” She asked popping a cookie into her moth and swallowing it whole. “Yea, they don’t like to be in town that much. You said their here?” By now, the small alligator had fallen off and was now roaming around in no apparent direction. At Dash’s nod, Pinkie Pie got a confused look on her face and commented, “Huh, usually Midpoint Gem would stop by to say hi with Ivory and Ebony.” And tapped her chin. “Who?” Rainbow asked her pink friend, who quickly responded, “Yep, those three would come into town and say hi to me before leaving for their next trip.” And continued to ramble, “Midpoint’s the best, he likes to act like a grandpa, and his two daughters are just as cool! Ivory and Ebony have this way to say, do and act as if they were the same Pony!” Rainbow Dash could not hold back the grin that grew on her face with her friends enthusiasm. It was hard not to like the pink pony who seemed to only want to love you and hug you and throw you parties all year long. “Maybe when you see them, you can introduce them to the fastest flier their ever was.” Dash said as if it was fact and taking a gulp of milk from her glass. Another series on knocks were heard and the pink missile was off once again with a streak of pink in her wake. Rainbow only took another cookie and bit into it while a set of yelps were heard and fallowed by a orange mare, a white mare, and a canary yellow mare that landed on the piled heap while Pinkie came bouncing back. “Pinkie.,” Grunted the orange Pony under the pile, “Ah know yer excited to see us all, bu‘ do keep in mind tha’ we don’t like t’ be tossed in.” On the top of the pile, the meek Mare Fluttershy nodded and gently lifted herself into the air, letting Rarity and Applejack up and untangle themselves. “I cant help it, we haven’t had a gathering in nearly two weeks!” And rushed up to Apple Jack, griping her by the shoulders punctuating right up to her face with her own, “Two. Weeks!” Shaking her head at Pinkies antics, Rarity said, “Now dear, you need to remember, we all have work and sometimes can't enjoy ourselves.” Using her magic to grab a napkin and a cupcake and daintily ate it, “After all, Applejack, Twilight and I are usually the most burdened with work and don’t have time to go gallivanting about.” Deciding to ignore the strange word Rarity used, Rainbow asked, “How is Twilight, I haven‘t seen her in a while?” And looked out the window to possibly spot the lavender unicorn. “Saw ‘er few days back when me an‘ the family were trading with the Gem‘s. She might ‘ave them twins hounding her for books.” Applejack said partially in thought. “Oh, oh, oh! Did you see Midpoint, huh, huh, huh?” Pinkie once again attached herself to the farmer with her questioning. Pushing back, she the orange earthen said, “Naw, I didn‘ see uncle Mid, though tha' lazy son of his was thar.” Speaking up for the first time, Fluttershy asked, “You have relatives that sell gems?” While she quietly ate her own treat at the table. Coming around one side of the table with Rarity and Pinkie joining them Applejack said, “No, I call him uncle Mid only ‘cuz he knew my parents before I was born.” “My, I was not aware those merchants were around that long.” Rarity chimed in while taking a drink form her glass, “I only see them in passing, and never for long.” With a light chuckle, the Apple Clan member told them, “Oh, they’ve been ‘round here longer than ya‘ll think.” And gathered the attention of everypony at the table, “Granny Smith says tha‘ when the Apple Clan was still getting started, the Gems would often meet up with ‘em and trade for anything they thought had value.” “So, they act like a year round traveling Traders Exchange?” Rainbow asked with a mouth full of cookies, and be lightly tapped by Fluttershy to remind her to finish eating before talking. “Eyup, bu' anyways, Twilight came over just after two of 'em Gem Clans members flew over. She help us get most o' the work done in no time.” Though, Apple Jack partly wondered were the older Gem Clan members were. Like the Apple Clan, they rarely lose ties with family, so seeing a number of them missing was rather confusing, But accepted Sham‘s excuse of them away on important business. “I saw Twilight a few days back myself as well, but it was after I was finished doing a workload.” Rarity soon chimed in, “Though, it was due part to her fine friend who was trying to put something together for Twilight.” “I knew it!” Pinkie suddenly proclaimed, startling them all as she stood on her hind legs and leaned on the while pointing a hoof up into the air, “I knew there was a new pony in town, but no matter what they slip by me!” To hear that a pony could slip by the pink pony sounded shocking to the four of them to say the least. So far, there has yet to be a pony that can out run or hide from Pinkie Pie. She was, after all, the current champion of hide and seek. “Anyways,” Rarity politely cleared her throat, “I saw him in the market the other day doing some shopping. I soon found myself listening in to one of his retellings of his foalhood times with Twilight.” Now that Rarity thought about it, Twilight seemed to be in every story Masquerade ever told her. He certainly seems fond of her, even if he see’s her as a sister. Narrowing her eyes at the thought she went on, or is it actually as I thought. “Rar‘ you still their?” Apple Jacks hoof waved in front of the white Unicorn that was snapped out of her thoughts. “Huh? Oh, yes, sorry about that. I was just thinking of something.” Rarity apologized. Rainbow Dash only snickered at her friends sudden lack of attention, “Thinking, you started to totally zone out and muttered something to yourself.” The seamstress’s cheeks flushed a bit at that and defended, “Don’t be ridicules, I was merely deep in thought about something.” “Uh-huh, sure.” The speedy pegasus said as if she didn’t believe her friend and take another large bite from her third cookie. Taking small bite from her cupcake that held a strawberry on top, Fluttershy asked, “What is he like, that is, if you dint mind my asking?” “Yes, what’s he like, where’s he from, does he like books, does her prefer his eggs sunny side up, or sunny side down?” Pinkie Pie sent a quick fire of questions at Rarity before being silenced by a jawbreaker from Apple Jack who said, “Finish yer food before talkin‘ Pinkie.” The hyper pink mare only hummed in delight at the candy while Rarity told, “Well, seeing as only Fluttershy and I are the only ones around when Twilight told us of him, I‘ll start with his name.” Now having all her friends attentions she said, “His name is Masquerade, and supposedly he‘s an actor of sorts. And I don’t mean a celebrity but something akin to a stage performer perhaps?” “Anyways, he‘s known Twilight long before we have, since her time as a young filly. And also learnt at the same school in Canterlot.” Digging further into her mind on his she continued, “When Twilight told both Fluttershy and I of him, I knew I had to see who he was. Turns out that he‘s not only polite and nice as Twilight put him to be, but just as much the scoundrel.” “How so?” Apple Jack asked, “Does he enjoy playing pranks tha' make ya’ll go half deaf while yer busy workin‘.” And sent a glare towards their own pranksters who foreign the picture of innocents. With a shake of her head she said, “Oh, nothing like that. He just has this way of catching you off guard and seems to enjoy some light teasing.” Taking another sip she concluded, “He‘s a rather nice stallion, if not slightly secretive, and seems to get along with other ponies very well.” Throwing her hooves in the air, Pinkie just about yelled, “Then why haven’t I met him yet!?” Lightly swatting her friends side, Rarity chide, “Hush you, I‘m sure you‘ll meet him in due time. So there is no need to get all worked up over it.” Though, both she and the others did have to wonder how a pony can avoid Pinkie Pie. Unless this pony knew how to sense her and go invisible, they couldn’t fathom as to how one could avoid the pink homing missile. A new set of knocks alerted Pinkie to her final two guests that for once, a little late. Throwing this fact to the wind, she zipped to the door and opened it wide calling, “Twilight, Spike!” And grabbing both and tossed them in too. Landing a little roughly near the table, both unicorn and dragon picked themselves off the floor while Pinkie Pie came bouncing back saying, “Now that were all here, we can play games, and talk, and play more games, have cupcakes, sing karaoke, watch gummy do the gummy shake--” Twilight nodded along with Pinkie Pie, slightly distracted with her thoughts and how to breach the subject about her position to the girls. Unseen by her, Fluttershy picked up on her distracted state and asked, “Are you feeling alright Twilight?” This got the attention of the others and left a slightly fidgeting Twilight who made a fake smile, “Oh, it‘s nothing, I‘m fine!” After all, I only have a shape shifting friend that has trusted me with a number of his secrets! “What are you talking about, you‘ve been out of it since this morning.” Spike crossed his arms, recalling how distracted Twilight had been since Masquerade ran off to who knows where. They were even two minutes late, and that wasn’t a Twilight Sparkle thing to do. Looking at the young drake and then around to her friends she tried to say, “Umm, well…” Rubbing one of her forelegs with her hoof, “The thing is…” Rolling her eyes with impatiens, Dash called out, “Just spit it out Twi, it can't be that big of a deal.” Then thought about it and lifted into the air, “Unless the next Daring Doo book was set back by two moths!” Seeing the questioning gazes by the others she sat back down slightly embarrassed. “Any who,” Apple Jack cut in, “Why don’t ya tell us what’s on yer mind sugar cube?” And put on a disarming smile, “I‘ma sure we can help with what’s botherin‘ ya. Right girls?” Getting a collective nod from them and seeing all their expectant eyes on her, Twilight looked away to hopefully escape the looks. This was met by Pinkies pet alligator, Gummy, who just sat before her with his own blank stair. Looking away from her friends pet and back to the expectant looks she caved, “I found out what was bothering my friend, Masquerade.” Like some kind of attack dog, Rarity was just about on Twilight asking, “Oh, he finally decided to get his problems out into the open with you?” And put on the most charming smile she could. That smile faltered at the lavender mares uneasy look as she scuffed the floor, “W-well, sort of…” Feeling the touch of scaly claws on her shoulder, she looked to her right where Spike encouraged, “Common Twilight, this is dragging you down, why not tell us what’s bothering you?” Seeing his encouragement, and then looking up to see the others keeping full attention on her so she might know they were listening, she said, “Almost everything I knew of him is not what it seems, and I don’t know how to deal with it.” Taking another heave of air, she told, “He‘s not actually a pony, and is something called a changeling. Capable of taking on the form of taking on the form of other ponies and masquerading as them.” Using her magic to pull out the same letter he had given her, she laid it out on the table while moving some of the snacks aside telling, “He told me that his own kin live among us, feeding on our emotions. He wrote and gave me this letter, giving me the choice to revile him and his clans, or give them a chance.” With their attention fixed on the letter now, Applejack said, “I don’ know Twi, this looks like your hoofwritin‘.” Pointing at the letter a little confused, as she didn’t seem to pick up any fibs, “But I can rightfully say you were tellin‘ the truth.” Picking up the letter in her own magical grasp and putting it before her face, Rarity scrutinized the writing saying, “I must admit, Masquerade knows how to forge things, I almost can't tell the difference!” That got looks from them all as Dash said, “How can you tell, it looks like Eggheads writing to me!” Showing it to them all, the seamstress explained while pointing to the letter, “The words aren’t evenly spaced, and the letters are reaching to high.” looking up to there baffled looks she told, “A fashioner’ such as myself, must have a critical eye for detail.” And put the letter back down. Looking at it again, Applejack said, “I jus‘ don’t ge‘ this part ‘ere.” Pointing at another section, “Wha‘ do the Gem Clan ‘ave to do with this?” Takeing a deep breath, Twilight told, “Their for one, his relatives.” Looking form both the letter and the unicorn, Twilight continued, “Their also one of the five Changeling Clans he told me about.” Looking back down at the parchment, the apple farmer wasn’t sure how to take this information herself. She could actually see Twilight plight in this, as the Gems have been friends of the Apple Clan since it got started. Hearing that they weren’t even ponies, but something else just looking like them didn’t sit well with her. But could she also be angry at them? “You said they can look like us right?” The robin blue pegasus asked while scratching her head, “So their like some kind of spies?” Shaking her head, Twilight‘s voice slightly cracked, “I don’t know, I really don’t know. I thought I knew him, but I don’t know any more.” By now the stress on her mind had reached its peek and a tear made its way out of her eye, “He gave me this letter right after showing me what he really looks like and then turning into me.” The others could see the turmoil going on in Twilight's eyes as she nearly broke down, “He told me I could reveal his race to everypony, or to trust somepony that could have been playing me since I was a filly.” Pinkie moved next to Twilight and put a converting hoof over her distraught friend, “This letter is like giving someponies executer their ax, and then leaning down for them to strike!” By now she was crying fully and letting out all the confusion that had built up from the day before and that morning from all the confusion Masquerade had put on her. Each of her friends had gathered themselves around Twilight and stayed close to her for comfort. Though, Rarity was the only one that knew even a little of Masquerade, it was understandable by them all he had hurt her. Maybe not purposely, but it still put Twilight in a confusion situation. To find out somepony you trusted was something they really were not, how could one go about it? After a while, Twilight began to calm back down from her crying and was left mostly sniffling. With a growl, Rainbow Dash got up and stomped, “When I see that jerk, I‘m giving him a right hook to the face!” “Now Rainbow Dash, I’m sure he had a good reason for not telling Twilight.” Fluttershy told calmly, before looking to said unicorn asking a little unsurely, “Right?” With a few sniffs and a nod, she confessed, “He wasn't suppose to even tell me of anything about them. He was also trying to send a point over he was suppose to do something if I ever knew.” And looked down still unsure. “Well, apparently he decided not to, but why?” Spike asked while looking at the letter, considering the idea of sending it. “Wait, I know, I know!” Pinkie waved her hoof in in the air, “Maybe he wants to be friends!” They all remind silent from that, but the lavender mare nodded, “I-I think that’s what he wants. Since yesterday, he‘s been telling me more about his kind.” And thought about one of the subject he had bought up, “Even told me a bit of why he was running.” “Do tell darling, do tell.” Rarity prodded, both of her blue eyes burning with some form of female fury at how Masquerade could leave Twilight in such a state. While she was at it, she added, “I also feel I must ask where the scoundrel went off to today?” Sighing, she told them, “Apparently the Gem Clan wasn’t to happy with the idea of him revealing the secret to me, and is probably with them trying to explain why he did so.” Seeing a cup of milk being placed before her, she looked down to find a few cookies and said milk in front of her while a pink hoof retreated. Turning to Pinkie Pie and giving a smile of gratitude, she took one up and started to eat. She surprisingly felt better after letting all that pent up emotion out, even more so with Pinkie's baked goods. Pinkie smiled and patted herself on the back in her mind as Twilights mood began to rise. But rather suddenly, something clicked in her mind. Friend of Twilights, black pony that wasn’t there, can become any pony. While Twilight began to relax and relay some of her findings, Pinkie yelled, “So that’s who’s been avoiding me!” Startling the others she said, “I get it now, if Twilight's friend can become other Ponies, even her, then that would mean he could have been all over town! I remember seeing Twilight around now and then, and a few other Ponies, but I would see them suddenly on the other side of town, but thought nothing of it because I was busy with deliveries and couldn’t stop. But I would get this feeling that a new Pony was around, but would never ever see them but the ones I know, but from the current information I have been given, I can safely assume he is here, then I can throw him a PARTY!!!” Ending this by throwing both hooves into the air while standing upright, the other five Ponies sat stock still throughout Pinkies epiphany rant before Applejack broke in, “What now?” With an utterly confused look on her face that was mirrored by the others. Twilight was the first to catch on, “Wait, your saying you noticed him, but never found him?” With rapid nods, the hyper active pink blur told, “About a week ago, I saw this pony I never seen before, and as you know I know every pony in Ponyville, so I went to greet him, but completely lost track of him. But I saw you, Berry Punch, Rose Luck, Time Turner, Dashy napping in a cloud-- the normal stuff, but no black pony!” Despite finding out the fact this was not Masquerades first time taking her form, Twilight merely commented, “I can imagine how hard it would be to find a pony that can turn into other ponies.” Which reminds me, I need to set some rules down on who’s body he can copy. Twilight noted to herself. “So, what are these…changelings right?” Rainbow asked the lavender mare before getting a nod, “What do you know about them?” “Not as much as I would like, but I‘ll tell you what I do know.” Twilight told, and began to retell what she had found out so far, “Masquerade is part of a one of five changeling clans. He himself, belongs to a clan called Malek.” Gesturing to the apple farmer, she said, “And as you now know, the Gem clan is another.” Taking a moment to think she recalled, “The other three are the Veron, the Willed and finally the Lue. Each clan has a roll that they fill for the others, form what I understand.” “Really now?” Rarity asked in interest, “What does Masquerades clan deal in?” “Apparently, the Malek Clan has a long line of leaders that are chosen from them.” Looking at Applejack once more she told, “The Gem Clan are the merchants and traders.” Then tapping her hoof on the table she finished, “Leaving the Veron as handlers for internal affairs between the clans. The Willed for outer threats and possibly as their militia force. And the Lue Clan as inventers, builders and spell crafters.” Taking a quick bite of her pink hosts snacks, Twilight continued, “Apparently, the Gem and Lue Clans are the only ones that Masquerade hinted to be hidden among ponies the most.” With wings slightly fluttering from being anxious, Rainbow dash asked, “So what do they want, if they apparently don’t want to be seen?” The idea of somepony she knew was actually a changeling actually creeped her out some. But she didn’t bother thinking about it and focused on the here and now. Turning to the pegasus, she replied, “The one thing anything needs, food.” Seeing the collective gazes that all but asked the same question she told, “They don’t really eat food like we do.” With a lifted brow and a quick swallowing of his pilfered candy, Spike asked, “But didn’t Masquerade just eat a bunch of food while here?” Curious to know if his cooking went to waste. It did make Twilight wonder about that, and had noted to herself to ask the disguised changeling later, “I don’t know, but what I do know is they need the one food source only ponies or any other race can provide.” “Apples?” The orange mare asked and drawing the attention of the whole table, “Wha‘, them Gems take ‘em by the bushel, I would think tha‘s what they want?” Shaking her head Twilight said, “No Applejack, I think the apples are the bonus. What they look for is emotions, love in particular.” Seeing a white hoof being held up to stop her, Rarity asked, “Allow me to clear this up darling, but are you saying they feed off our feelings?” “That’s exactly what I‘m saying Rarity.” The lavender librarian confirmed, “They apparently need it to survive, and looking at it now, I can safely say they would be drawn right to Equestria because of how much love we‘re willing to share.” Taking time to let this sink in for a moment and think over what this could mean Pinkie asked, “Do you think they can feed on things made with love? Like my super duper hearts and hooves cupcakes!” “I don’t know if it works like that…” Twilight said, “Mainly because I don’t know if you can put love into something like that.” Thinking on it herself, Applejack rubbed her chin, “Ah don’t know Twi, our apples are grown wih‘ the best care we can give. Think that migh‘ give ‘em some power?” Thinking further on the subject she admitted, “I don’t see how, unless you imbued the item with magic and proceeded to put love in it?” “But don’t Earth Ponies use innate magic to help grow crops?” Fluttershy spoke up, causing Twilight to stop and consider her words. Everything she knew had some form of magic in it, so it should stand to reason that if manipulated right, it could entrap some forms of energies. Like a certain incident involving a doll she would not speak of. “Something like that would require further study.” She concluded while leaning over and tapping her chin, already compiling a list of books she would possibly need in her head. To her right, Spike groaned at her tone and decided to drown his worries with more milk and cookies as they continued to talk on.