Rainbow Dash's POV
I looked around and studied my work. Clouds cleared over Ponyville? Check. Start an 'accidental' shower over Sweet Apple Acres as a favor to AJ? Check. Get rid of the rogue thunderstorm coming from Everfree Forest? Check. Most of the other pegasi aren't even awake yet and I already finished my job for the day, I thought happily to myself, now for a nap!
On my way to my favorite resting spot, I saw everypony getting ready to start the day. Derpy was out delivering mail, a blue changeling was flying towards Ponyville, Pinkie was hauling a... wait, A BLUE CHANGELING IS FLYING TOWARDS PONYVILLE! As soon as I made this realization, a worst-case scenario flashed through my mind. It must be here to capture Twilight!
Without any hesitation, I shot towards him and tackled him to the ground in a shower of... papers? One of the papers landed on top of the now cowering changeling and I looked at it curiously
____________________________________Flip Switch______________________________________
As most ponies would agree, Queen Chrysalis's attack on Canterlot, being your first contact with our race, has likely left a horrible first impression of changelings as a whole. To rectify this situation, we at the Veliidae Hive have set up a business specializing in altering the form and appearance of ponies to match the way they see themselves. Prices are as follows:
Cosmetic changes (mane, coat, etc.)- 4 bits
Structural changes (physique, height, etc.)-10 bits
Subspecies changes (Earth Pony, Pegasus, Alicorn*, Unicorn)-20 bits
Gender changes** (male, female, herm, etc.)-40 bits
Species changes (griffon, changeling***, dragon****)-80 bits
*A better aproximation is 'winged unicorn' since they aren't as powerful as alicorns
**If you change gender, be prepared for everything that goes with it (notably estrus)
***To avoid abuse of this form, you can only change into forms that you have bought
****More like a draconic pony of approximately alicorn height
Note that you are not permitted to mimic other ponies and that you may switch between bought forms for free.
Below that were directions to the building where the supposed business was located. I should check this place out to make sure they're not planning anything, I thought to myself before a sarcastic little voice at the back of my head added, Yeah, that's the reason. Not at all because that paper says that I could try being a griffon.
Seeing my sudden interest in the flier, the changeling switched from frightened to business-like almost instantly. "Would you like to take a copy to help you get there?" he asked.
"What makes you think I would want to go somewhere like that?" I snarked.
"The fact that curiosity tastes like grapes to us and you've got enough to start a vinyard?" He replied with a smirk.
Damnit. "Fine, give me one. I might check it out after my nap"
Later
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I CAN'T SLEEP! For anypony else, this wouldn't have been a very big deal. For me, however, it was (to quote Rarity) the WORST. POSSIBLE. THING! It wasn't for lack of trying, either. It's just that, whenever I got close to sleep, that damned flyer pops into my head. On the one hoof, I thought after the twentieth time, it could just be some big trap or something. On the other hoof, I've wanted to be a griffon ever since I first became friends with Gilda.
Eventually, I decided that I would go and, if I wasn't ambushed, pay for the transformation. I should also send a letter to Twilight just in case they do catch me. That way, she'll know what happened if I don't come back or if I get replaced. With that decided, I finally managed to get some rest.
Later Still
____________________________________________________________________________________________
This place wasn't what I expected at all. Sure, it looked like a bug's nest from the outside, but it was as fancy and upscale as the Carousel Boutique on the inside.
"Welcome to Flip Switch, miss." called a tall, and admittedly handsome, orange-maned changeling. "My name is Zephyr. What can I do for you today?"
"I want to know why you think you'd want to start something this close to to the home of the Element Bearers."
"The who? Wait, aren't they the ones who uncovered Chryssie's plan and kicked the flanks of half of her army? That would be great! Ponies won't be as nervous about us if they know that somepony's keeping an eye on us!"
Well, that was not the reaction I was expecting, I thought. Then, more begrudgingly, nor is it the reaction of somepony that's guilty of something.
"By the way, is that grapes that I taste?"
Celestia Damnit, stop doing that! "Yeah," I sighed. "I was wondering if I could try being a griffon." I looked away as I hoofed over the 80 bits.
"Excellent choice! Let's get started, shall we?" Without waiting for a response, Zephyr's horn lit up and I was enveloped in orange fire. I didn't hurt, though. In fact, it felt kind of... nice. Almost like the massage I got at the spa with Rarity that one time when Fluttershy was out of town visiting her parents. Even when I felt my bones and muscles shifting, it wasn't painful.
Then, it was over. I walked over to a mirror and I almost passed out in shock. Staring back at me was a cyan griffon with rainbow-colored tail and crest feathers! It was incredible!
"Is everything satisfactory?" Zephyr asked once I had finished gawking at myself.
"YES! I mean *ahem* it seems fine, but I won't know until I fly."
"Of course. By the way, if you are not satisfied, you get one cosmetic change free."
As I left the building, the only thing running through my mind was, let's see what I can do.