//------------------------------//
// 57 - Explain 
// Story: Gladiator 
// by Not_A_Hat 
//------------------------------//

"So, Bitterbloom isn't a pet?" Fluttershy removed her wide-brimmed straw hat, setting it nearby.
 
"Right." I poured her a glass of iced tea. "Bit's my assistant. Aide, if you will. He - "
 
"He?" Her brow crinkled.
 
"Ah." I sipped my tea. "Bit, if you would?"
 
"I am currently genderless." Bit's inflection was flat.
 
"Huuuuh?"
 
"I am not actually a pony. It seems most efficient to remove my disguise. If I may, sir?"
 
I waved a hand negligently. Watching someone else explain was oddly cathartic.
 
"Miss Fluttershy, I will change shape. But I remain myself." Bit gave her a serious look. Onyx had impressed it with the importance of perceptions.
 
"O-okay." Fluttershy set her glass down, watching curiously. Bit’s disguise flickered out. She gasped.
 
"You're shiny!" She swept Bit into a hug. Its ears twitched. Maybe it did that because she directed strong emotions at it?
 
"Yes." Bit squirmed slightly, and she released it. "But as you can see, I'm not actually a pony. I am a shapeshifter, called a changeling. We are slightly similar to insects. I am a hatchling. I may have a gender after my metamorphosis."
 
"Oh." Fluttershy put her hat on, lowering the brim to cover her eyes. "Um… I'm sorry… "
 
"It's not bothersome." Bit's emotionless voice calmed her. "Continue addressing me as female if you like. Many feel it fits better. Wesley uses masculine because he is a contrary person, who enjoys being difficult."
 
I twitched at that. Was Bit… teasing me? That was progress.
 
"Sir, I have a request."
 
"Shoot."
 
"May I try a more advanced disguise?"
 
"What are you thinking?" I sipped my tea, and gave Bit my full attention.
 
"I would like to test the limits of my metamorph capabilities. I want to try a bipedal morph."
 
"Hmm." I leaned back, glancing at Fluttershy. I'd considered this, but... "Fluttershy, how do you feel about Bit?" This Fluttershy was very similar to pony-Shy, but blithe assumptions were a quick trip to trouble.
 
"She's… nice?" Fluttershy avoided my eyes.
 
"No, I mean…" I rubbed my forehead. "Are you scared? Bothered?" I paused. "Disgusted? Confused?"
 
"A little… confused." She looked up slowly. "Is, um, how…" Her voice trailed off.
 
"Oh, right." I set my tea down. Of course she'd be confused, after a reveal like that. "Um, for now… we're not from here. We're from a very, very long way away. We ended up here because - "
 
"Magic."
 
I stopped, surprised again. Bit was interrupting me? I gave it a long, slow look. That was also progress, and I was happy. But... was this quick progression from our talk? Should sudden changes worry me? Or was I just now noticing a slower change? Maybe I'd given Bit too much incentive to grow up. It improvised poorly; I'd need to watch carefully so it didn't overcommit.
 
"Magic?" Fluttershy's response was slow. She turned to me.
 
"Bit…" I gave the bug a glance. "Are you sure?"
 
"She is… " Its antennae twitched. "Genuine. Honest. Loyal." I nodded. Bit seriously thought a direct approach was best here, based on what it sensed from Fluttershy.
 
"Ok. Well, as my aide said, we're here by magic." I shrugged. "We can give you a more complete explanation later, if you like." I pulled out my wand, and drew a few sparkles in the air. Her eyes widened. "For now, I'll demonstrate." I scooped up drops of tea, floating them through intricate patterns before suspending them before her. She hesitantly touched one, amazed. "Magic is real. We - Sunset, Bit, and I, - can all use it somewhat. If Bit changes shape drastically, will you be okay? Can you keep it secret?"
 
"Um… I-I'll be okay. But I'm bad at secrets." She lowered her eyes. "C-can I tell my friends?"
 
"Pinkie already knows. If you want, you can tell Rarity, Dash, Applejack, and Twilight. I'd trust them, although I really, really hope we're not staying long enough to cause issues." I frowned. We needed to stop Glisten, and return Bit and Sunset. I wouldn’t mind returning if Earth-normal wasn’t an option.
 
"Twilight?" She frowned.
 
"Purplish? Lavender hair, maybe with a magenta streak? Surely you know her?"
 
"No." She shook her head slowly. "I've never met Twilight."
 
"Huh." I tried to hide my surprise. This world wasn't quite the same.
 
"How do you know Rarity, Dash, and Applejack? U-um, if you don’t mind.”
 
"Fluttershy." I caught her eyes, even as she shrank back. "I’ll explain. But can Bit try this first?" She nodded slowly. I turned to my aide. "Go ahead, Bit.  But do a projection first." I was even more cautious than Bit. It calculated for foreseen problems, but hadn't learned to account for unforeseen ones.
 
"Yes. Projection. I am about to attempt a full-bipedal transformation." Bit took up a serious posture, reporting. "I have sufficient resources, though I will rest afterwards. I may be unresponsive, but probability of harmful draining is negligible."
 
"Negligible." I frowned. That meant it was large enough for caution. "Can you extrapolate ways to simplify?"
 
"I will try." We sat in silence for a good five minutes. I sipped my tea. Fluttershy examined Bit. "I have a proposal."
 
"Let's hear it."
 
"I believe working on a smaller scale than previous attempts could have a positive effect. I can adjust my fundamental pattern. This is not from Onyx's teaching, but I am confident it is possible. My instincts say so."
 
"Hmm." I'd learned to trust Bit's instincts. I had no idea how much the little bug had inherited; its knowledge was extensive and erratic. It knew names, but not uses. It knew organizational systems, but couldn’t apply them. If it had instincts, it could certainly do this… but if it had trouble, I couldn't help. Still, it had built-in failsafes. It couldn't hurt itself easily, any more than swinging my arm could break my elbow. With care, the worst-case scenario was exhaustion.
 
"I'll give permission. But." I fished around in a pocket, and pulled out the half-full vial of loyalty. "I want you to take this back, and proceed cautiously. Remember. Do not hurt yourself." This was something I'd systematically impressed on Bit ever since my thoughtless words had left it standing overnight. "Healthy bugs are helpful bugs."
 
"Yes." It nodded, but only looked at the vial. "Must I?"
 
Fluttershy's eyes flicked back and forth in obvious confusion.
 
"Yes." Its ears drooped. "But maybe not all." I popped the top off, and poured the condensate into my tea. The emotion sparkled for a second, before diffusing; a swirl of blue, twisting into the dark liquid. I passed it to Bit. "Probably breaking more rules. Leave me a sip."
 
Bit hesitantly accepted the glass, and took a careful swallow. Its eyes immediately changed, blue swirling darkly. For a second, a catseye pattern showed. Fluttershy gasped.
 
After a few swallows, it handed the glass back, nearly an inch left in the bottom. I took a gulp.
 
It was sweet. The refreshingly bitter tea was now smooth and gentle. I enjoyed the cold drink for a second, and passed it to Fluttershy.
 
"May I?" Her voice was soft.
 
"If you're okay with it." I shrugged. "It's just a little magic. You don't really know us, but…" She gazed at the glass uncertainly, but took a sip.
 
"Mmm." She sighed. "What is that?"
 
"Loyalty." Bit's voice was impassive. "Wesley's feelings for me."
 
"Ah." I paused. "Actually, give me a minute to meditate, and maybe you can draw a little more. You'd best have every advantage before trying this."
 
I opened my eyes a few minutes later. Bit stood in the shade, ready.

"Fluttershy, may I please have a hair?" She plucked a strand and held it out, gasping as a gray aura disintegrated it.
 
"Sir, if you don't mind?"
 
I wordlessly offered one of mine, trying to scan the procedure. I blinked as I caught a trace. This wasn’t quite a spell; more instinctive. There was none of the intentional structure that denoted a magic school. Power flowed smoothly around the strand, deconstructing it on a very basic level, and sending something back.
 
Was Bit reading DNA?
 
This needed investigation.
 
I paused as Bit started to glow, a bluish aura building. I'd never seen it use fox-fire like Onyx; I'd assumed it was simply different. But here it was. Maybe it just needed more of a challenge.
 
Magically, the transformation was normal. It followed the patterns I'd seen before, only on a more precise and exacting level. The blue glow intensified as Bit writhed and changed. It assured me transformation was painless, but I winced as joints torqued, fetlocks changing into wrists and ankles, its face shortened, fingers and toes formed.
 
It was done in moments. Bit looked up, white hair falling from an androgynous jet-black face. It wore green denim and a straw hat. Almond eyes, milky white, blinked at the sun.
 
"You look like a Drow," I said, the first thing that popped into my mind.
 
"A what?" Its ears twitched. Sure enough, they had points.
 
"A dark elf. An imaginary creature." I paused. "Probably. Your transformation seems successful, but still needs work. Good job on the clothes.”

“They are illusory. But being properly dressed is important.” It had been listening.

“Can you stand?"
 
"Yes." Bit promptly rose, took a step, and wavered. "I will improve."
 
"Don't hurt yourself!" Fluttershy stood, and offered a hand. Bit hesitantly accepted, leaning slightly on her. At a glance, Bit looked twelve or thirteen. "We s-should get back to the house." Fluttershy bent to gather the tray. Bit stumbled, nearly falling, as her support shifted.
 
"Okay." I took the pitcher and glasses instead. "Yeah. Sunset and Pinkie are probably wondering what happened."
 



 
"Oh." I stopped, as we stepped into the kitchen.
 
"Um." Fluttershy stepped in behind, and stopped when she saw more people around the table. Applejack and Rarity, if eye, hair, and skin color were any indication. Not that I disliked candy-colored people any more than candy-colored ponies, but sometimes I felt I was living in a bowl of Skittles. The cool colors were especially odd. Red through brown didn't faze me, but Lyra's minty complexion had been weird. I tried to imagine Dash, and failed. I wonder what a tan would look like on them?
 
"Oh my." I jerked back to reality as Rarity gave me a considering look. "So, this is your brother?" She turned to Sunset.
 
"Yeah." She tossed her flaming hair back and waved. "And… " She gave our companion a curious glance. "Bitterbloom?"
 
"Yes."
 
"Hmm." Applejack gave a suspicious glare. "Ah thought you said Bit was a pony?"
 
"She was!" Fluttershy's excited exclamation was quiet. "But… magic!"
 
"Hmm." Rarity joined in the suspicious stare. "Really."
 
"Yupperooni!" Pinkie Pie nodded enthusiastically. "These people are magic!"
 
"Um." Fluttershy plucked at my sleeve. "You promised…"
 
"Right." I ran a hand down my face. "Explanations. Let's do this."
 



 
"They believed us."
 
"Well yeah." Sunset gave me a puzzled look. "How long have you known these people?"
 
"A day?"
 
"No, I mean…" She paused. "Okay, you're right. It was a little startling. Even with demonstrations." She looked around. We were walking past the school.
 
"You think Bit's doing okay?" I asked, slightly apprehensive.
 
"Come on. They wouldn't hurt Bit for the world."
 
"I know, but…" I stopped. I'd left Bit with Rarity and Fluttershy attempting to improve its disguise. We were walking back to Sugarcube Corner; I'd left the white phone with Bit, giving succinct instructions to call if it needed me.
 
"Bit will be okay. You've been doing a good job with her." Sunset glanced at the statue; the corner I'd trimmed had been hastily patched. The sun hung overhead.
 
"Thanks."
 
"That's him!" I turned at the familiar voice.
 
"Here comes trouble," I groaned.
 
"Is…is that Lyra?" Sunset gave the green girl a disbelieving stare.
 
"Yeah. And that's gotta be Dash."
 
"See?" Lyra gave Rainbow Dash a dig in the ribs as they neared us. "He knows your name, too! I told you he's strange."
 
"Hmm." Rainbow gave us both speculative looks. "Yeah, you're an odd one. What's your name?"
 
"Wesley." I crossed my arms. "And my sister, Sunset."
 
"A likely story." She crossed her arms as well, and started pacing. "You have shifty eyes, Wesley. If that's really your name."
 
"Oh, please no." I rubbed my temples.
 
"You know what I think?"
 
"Please, please don't say it." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I swear, Rainbow - "
 
"Aha! I've never told you my name. The only way you could know about me, is if - "
 
"Don'tsayit don'tsayit pleasedon'tsayit - "
 
"You're a spy!"
 
"Aaaaargh!" I threw my head back. "Are you serious? Rainbow, come on! You're only slightly less noticeable than a neon sign because you don't flash! I bet everyone in this school knows who you are!"
 
"I told you!" Lyra bounced excitedly. "He's a Jedi! He can fight, too! He was all like, Zam! Pow! Swish! And he did this freaky Vulcan Nerve Pinch thing, and knocked out Rover!"
 
"You knocked out Rover?"
 
"Nopenopenope!" I stepped backwards, setting my back against the statue. "No way am I fighting you!"
 
"But I need to know if you're a spy!"
 
"Give it up, Rainbow! I'm not a spy! Ask Pinkie!"
 
"Why are you so hung up on that?" Sunset stepped in. "Who'd bother to spy on you? What's the point?"
 
"The Shadowbolts!" Rainbow stepped forward, punching a fist dramatically in the air. "They're serious about beating my team! They'd stoop to any low, go any distance! Hey." She stopped, suddenly realizing something. "You know Pinkie?"
 
"Yeah! Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack, too! Please, can we not fight? I promise to not be a spy!"
 
"Weeeeeellll… Okay."
 
"Really?" I didn't lower my guard.
 
"Of course!”
 
"Good." I stepped forward, lowering my hands.
 
"Not!" Rainbow struck suddenly. It was a good strike; more trained than Lyra's, oddly, although with a little less genius behind it.
 
It hit me on the chin.
 
"Ow." I rubbed my jaw, chasing stars. I'd flinched to soften it, but she had a strong right hook.
 
"Why didn't you dodge?" Sunset stepped between us.
 
"I really, really don't want to fight you, Rainbow." I shrugged. "If that means you get to hit me a few times, I can live with that. Picking a fight when you meet someone new is silly." I thought so last time, as well.
 
"But Lyra says you're good!"
 
"I am. So are you. That's no reason to fight." I stepped out of range, keeping an eye on her. "Look, talk to Pinkie. This is really a waste of time, and - "
 
"Hey, dawg!"
 
"Oh, shoot." Lyra looked behind me. I risked glancing over my shoulder.
 
"Oh, shoot." I echoed. Behind us stood the three 'dawgs' who had harassed Lyra the other day, along with three more.
 
"Rover!" Rainbow stepped to the fore, shaking a fist. "Didn't I tell you to keep your mangy sidekicks on your home turf?"
 
"Heh, yeah, because I'll listen to you." The leader stepped up, practically bristling with aggression. "I don't take orders from you, Captain Splash. Besides, we're not here for you. We want him." He pointed at me.
 
"At least you thought to bring help." I cocked an eyebrow. "Although if they're no better than you, six still won't be enough."
 
Rainbow whistled, impressed at my bravado. Lyra pumped a fist, mouthing 'Fight! Fight!' Sunset gave me a derisive glance. I shrugged. Sure, it was juvenile, but sometimes being a jerk is fun. Besides, letting these guys punch me once or twice probably wouldn’t be enough.
 
"Heh, no." He took a step closer and flexed his arms. "No, I've got something new this time." My eyes narrowed as I saw a faintly-traced rune circle on his arm. I harmonized my magic, and flipped the wand to Sunset.
 
"See what you can get from this joker." I stepped forward, placing myself in front. She'd scan, while I fought. I could maintain my echonarchy without the wand, although not for more than a few minutes. I'd have reversed the roles, but I was actually the more effective fighter right now. That was a little unnerving, especially with Glisten looming on the horizon.
 
But I'd cross that bridge when we arrived.
 
"Hey, now." Lyra stepped up beside me. "You can't take all the fun."
 
"Right." Rainbow joined on the other side. "I might not know you, but I won't let Shadowbolts pick on anyone on my turf."
 
"I can't stop you." I tried to stay calm. "But be careful. They're rocking something unusual. I think they might be on drugs."
 
"Hah!" Rover cracked his knuckles. "As if I'd dope! No, I've got something better." He clenched a fist, and blurred towards me. "Magic."
 
Surprised, I instinctively blocked. His blow was good, magically enhanced, and with solid weight behind it, but I could take it.
 
What surprised me was the numbing effect. A chilly sensation spread from my arms, leaving them feeling sluggish and numb. I stepped back in surprise.
 
Sunset clicked her tongue behind me.
 
"Wes, get serious," she said flatly.
 
"If you insist." I drew on my harmonized magic, centering the power just under my breastbone. I palmed my Emerald, pulling a touch of power through it. Green haze flickered around my fists, and a thin wailing filled the air. The gang stepped back, suddenly apprehensive. I pushed a touch of power through my feet, feeling the resonance of the pavement, and gave chase.
 
Thwack! Thok! Thump! Thud! Thik! Twang!
 
They never stood a chance. My footwork was unreadable, my blows were blurs. Each was loaded with just enough power to stun, and they had no idea how to block magic. With muffled groans, they slumped to the ground. I turned, and dusted my hands off.
 
"Was that worth it?" I asked Sunset, calmly pressing a hand to my arm as my wound broke open.
 
Lyra and Rainbow stared, frozen.
 
"Yeah." Sunset grinned, knelt, and pulled back Rover's sleeves. The rune-circle I'd glimpsed before stood clearly against his ashy bicep. "I’m better at scanning than you. I got what we need. Also, we’re trying to lay low, right? Fighting draws attention. Let’s get these and get gone.”

“Ah.” I nodded; that was good reasoning. “So, what do we have?”

“A lead.” She grinned up at me. “He's either working without Glisten's knowledge, or she's stupider than I thought. With this, we've got a start." She started scanning the runes more closely, carefully snapping pictures with her phone. She'd warmed to the new tech fast.
 
"H-hold on a second!" Rainbow exclaimed. I turned to face her and Lyra. "What the hay's going on here? What the hay was that? Did he say magic?"
 
"I thought you were a Jedi!" Lyra stomped one foot, angrily. "You can't be a wizard too! That would be no fair!"
 
"Ugh." I sighed again. "More explanations. Sunset, would you - "
 
"Busy."
 
"Haaaah." I crossed my arms. "Okay, here's the basics…”





“This is bad, bad, bad!” Rainbow was pacing up and down Pinkie’s room. Sunset was carefully annotating printouts of the rune-circles. I was sitting on the couch, watching my mirror-friend’s reaction. Lyra stood near the door, watching me speculatively.

“Yeah, I’ve been saying that.” I shrugged. “There’s something about an evil dictator and his minion - “

“Not that!” Rainbow threw her hands in the air. “I mean, that’s bad too. But Rover… did you see how fast he was?”

“Yes?” I gave her a puzzled stare. “I was there.”

“With magic!” She turned again, began pacing the other way. “I mean, magic shouldn’t even be real!” She gave me a flat look. “Not really real, I mean. Although it’s pretty awesome that it is.” She rubbed her jaw. “I mean, it makes the world - “

“Please, no!” I cut her off.

“What?” She shot me a puzzled glance. “I was just going to say about twe- “

“Anyways, Rover!” I cut in again. “Did you know him? Who is he?”

“Hmmph.” She crossed her arms, and huffed. “He’s from Ever Free High. He plays for their soccer team, the Shadowbolts.”

Sunset and I exchanged glances at that. Some things in this world were just too different, despite pretend similarity.

“And you’re worried, because…?”

“We’ve got to play them, duh!” She waved her hands, wildly. I grinned slightly. Everyone here was younger than the versions I knew, and it made me smile a little.

“Wait, you play co-ed teams?”

“We’re a small, private school, and soccer is non-contact.” She crossed her arms.

“Huh.” I frowned. “Okay.”

“And now, they’ve got magic!” She turned back to her pacing. “Did you see how fast he was?” She turned to me, suddenly speculative. “You know stuff about magic. Can you… I dunno, cancel it out, or something?”

“I’m not helping you cheat, Rainbow.” I paused. “Unless it’s really necessary.”

“Hay, no!” Rainbow gave me an offended look. “I’d never ask for that! I mean, can you stop them from cheating!”

“Um, probably not.” I paused. “Wait a second. Why do you even think they’ll use this for the game, anyways?”

“Didn’t you notice who had those funny markings?” She shot me an unimpressed stare.

“The leader, the short guy, and the long-haired girl.”

“Exactly!” Rainbow stabbed a finger at me. “They’re the ones who are on the team. There’s no way they won’t be playing next week. Hay, I bet the whole team has magic by then!”

“Um.” I rubbed my jaw. “I’m sorry, but - “

“What’s the prize?”

“Hmm?” Rainbow turned to Sunset.

“What’s the prize for the tournament?” Sunset asked again.

“A plaque or something.” Rainbow waved a hand. “But that’s not important. I’m not trying to get something shiny with my name scratched on, I’m in to win!” She struck another dramatic pose.

“Of course.” Sunset nodded, but rubbed her chin.

“What did you realize?” I turned to her.

“Glisten’s got an angle on this.” She gave me a serious look.

“Sure.” I shrugged. “But what’s the prize got to do with it?”

“Remember what I said about the gem?”

“And vortices?” I frowned, thinking back. “You mean, the reason she’s interfering, is because she needs to win?”

“Exactly. I doubt she’s as intricate a plotter as Sombra, but I could be wrong. Still, if she satisfies the transfer conditions of the gem, even with trickery, she’ll have ‘legal’ possession.”

“Oh.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Maybe we’d better thank Rover.”

“What?” Lyra stepped forward. “Why?”

“Because, if he hadn’t been so foolishly revenge-hungry, we wouldn’t even have this much of a lead.” I grinned. “I won’t jinx my luck by saying things have started going my way… but once in a while, it’s nice to catch a break.”

Sunset winced, and tapped on the wooden desk. I shrugged. If I was worried about bad luck, I’d be sweating for seven years.

For now, I’d take what I could get.