//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 // Story: Change Your Mind // by Scottish Brony //------------------------------// Twilight had just sat down to enjoy her breakfast in the living room with the animals when she heard a knock at the door. Who could be knocking this early? she wondered. After a quick bite into her toast, she stood up and opened the top half of the door to see Rarity and Pinkie. “Hi, girls,” greeted Twilight. “...Yeah, hi, er, Fluttershy,” said Rarity, glancing at Angel sitting on the pegasus' back. “What's wrong?” “Um... I got bad news.” “Oh no, what is it?” “Well, it's about... you know... what's happened to us.” Twilight got a sinking feeling in her gut, “Oh... let's talk about this elsewhere,” suggested Twilight and sat Angel down on the floor. “Now, Angel, Mommy has go to talk to her friends about something important, so you take care of everyone while I'm gone, okay?” The bunny sighed and nodded. Before hopping away, he shot a glare at the two ponies who were distracting his mother from him. Twilight walked outside and led the two ponies across the bridge and out of earshot of the animals. “So, what's going on?” she asked, turning to the two, “This bad news isn't going to be what I think it is, is it?” “Kinda depends on what you think it's gonna be,” replied the unicorn. “Pinkie, please,” said Rarity, “This is no time to try and be funny.” “Who said anything about being funny? It does depend on what she thinks the bad news is. Like, if she thinks it's that Sugarcube Corner is out of cupcakes, then she'd be totally wrong!” replied Pinkie, ending her sentence with a huge grin. “Get on with it,” Twilight said loudly, her hunger and lack of morning coffee not doing her patience any good. “Sorry,” said Rarity, “You see... well, you know my sister, Sweetie Belle?” The pegasus felt her gut sink lower, “Yeah?” Rarity grit her teeth, hesitating. “...She knows...” she said in a low voice. Twilight covered her face with a hoof, “I knew it was gonna be something like that...” she said with a sigh, then looked at Rarity, “How'd it happen? I'm assuming you didn't just come out and tell her?” “No, no, it was... er...” the earth pony paused and glanced at Pinkie, not wanting to just lay the blame on her. “It was my fault, Twilight,” Pinkie spoke up, ears flattened against her head, “I didn't mean to, but I kinda gave it away.” “Meaning?” “See, Sweetie Belle had a nightmare, so I was comforting her, and telling her that I was there for her... and I accidentally said my name instead of 'Rarity'. That, and I've not been acting very Rarity-ish.” “Well, this is just great,” muttered Twilight, turning her head away. "Not to worry, not to worry!" said Rarity quickly in an attempt to douse any embers of anger in the scowling pegasus, "Sweetie has promised to keep quiet about the situation." "I wonder how long that'll last..." "We'll do our utmost to make sure it lasts until we're back to normal. Won't we, Pinkie?" "Yup! Even if it means tying her up and locking her in her room," replied the unicorn with a serious expression. "Pinkie, that's my little sister you're talking about!" "Sorry!" Rarity shook her head, "Anyway, Sweetie thinks that only Pinkie and I have been affected." "I guess that'll make things easier in case she does spill the beans," said Twilight. "And if she does, we'll tell her to clean them up," said Pinkie. "Right," said Twilight, rolling her eyes, "I'm gonna go have my breakfast. I can't think on an empty stomach. If you girls need me later today, I'll probably be at the library with Fluttershy." As the three separated, the pegasus heard Pinkie asking Rarity what beans had to do with the conversation. Spike set his cup down with a small clink. “So, is it okay?” asked Fluttershy, referring to the bowl she had transformed into a cup. “It held the apple juice perfectly,” said Spike, “It didn't spill or anything. It's a bit lumpy on the sides, but that's no problem.” "Oh, good. This is tricky, though." "A lot of things are, at first. But who knows what you'll be able to do in the future? Just keep at it." "Okay. I'm going to try to change it back, now." Halfway through the transformation, there was a knock at the door. "That's probably Twilight," said Fluttershy, glancing over her shoulder at the door, "Spike, could you get that while I finish this, please?" With all of her attention focused on moulding the cup's sides into a bowl shape, the unicorn didn't notice Twilight walking over to stand on her right, observing. She did her best to smooth out the bowl's sides, then dispelled her magic. She looked right, and jumped back with a squeak, not expecting Twilight to be there. “Oh! Twilight! I–I didn't see you there.” “Sorry for startling you. But, um, I've been... getting that a lot, actually,” replied the pegasus, “Not being noticed, that is.” “You have?” “Yeah. Sometimes, I feel invisible.” “So did I, when I was still me. Not... not that I minded... most of the time.” “What do you mean?” “If nopony notices me, then if I make a mistake, I don't have to worry about them seeing it,” said the unicorn, eyes on the floor. “Nopony's perfect, Fluttershy. Everyone makes mistakes.” “I still don't want to make them in front of anyone.” “I understand that. But you also said 'most of the time'. What do you mean by that?” “Sometimes, I've tried to buy something at a market stall, but the salespony is too busy talking to a friend. I can never get their attention, so I just walk away and try later. That's when I wish they'd see me.” “Your friends see you, Fluttershy. Remember that. We'll never ignore you.” The unicorn gave her a small smile. “So, how are you getting on with transformation?” asked Twilight. “I'm not perfect with it, but I'm getting better.” “Pretty good for a few days' worth of practice,” commented the pegasus, lifting up the bowl and inspecting it. “You think so?” “I'm surprised at your progress, to be honest. For someone who's never used magic before, you're picking things up quicker than I thought you would. I'm impressed.” Fluttershy blushed at the praise, “Oh... I–I'm sure I'm not doing that well...” she said, crossing her forehooves. Placing the bowl back on the table, Twilight walked over and put a wing around her friend, “Don't be so doubtful of your abilities. I'm telling you the truth.” Fluttershy nuzzled her friend, “Thank you.” Twilight released the timid mare and closed her wing. She deliberated on whether or not to tell everypony else about Sweetie Belle's discovery, then decided not to, thinking it might cause the others to overact their parts around the filly and tip her off. While Fluttershy continued her practice, Twilight took a book about otters off a shelf. She was having trouble understanding their behaviour, sometimes, and decided a study session was in order. She placed the book on a lectern near an open window and sat down to read. However, she found it hard to absorb the information like usual and concentrated more on the tweeting of two birds outside. She smiled as she heard a soon-to-be mother bird telling her mate about her eggs recently moving under her. With a vigorous shake of her head, Twilight stuck her nose in the book again, trying to rekindle the love of research she once had. “Um, Twilight?” asked a soft voice. “Yes?” “After lunch, would it be okay if I go and visit Rainbow Dash at the hospital?” “Well, of course! Would you mind if I joined you?” “I wouldn't mind. I'd love for you to. Do you want to come, too, Spike?" "I'd like to, but I've got a couple of things I really need to do. Maybe next time." A few hours later, as the two ponies prepared to leave the library, Fluttershy turned to the baby dragon. "Are you sure you can't just do your chores when you come back?" she asked. "Yeah, you don't have to do them right now," chimed in Twilight. "Nah, I just want them done. I don't want to end up leaving them to the last minute," said Spike, filing away books onto an almost completely empty bookcase, "Say 'hi' to Rainbow for me." "Alright. We'll see you later, Spike. Bye!" As the two ponies neared the entrance to Ponyville Hospital, they saw Big Mac and Apple Bloom leaving. “Hi, you two,” greeted Twilight, “Visiting R– Applejack?” “Uh-huh,” nodded the filly, “She's feelin' more awake'n yesterday and looks loads better.” “Well, we came to see her, too,” said Fluttershy, “Is... is she awake? Oh, maybe we should come back later?” she said, looking at Twilight, “Maybe she's sleeping?” “Nuh-uh, she's awake. Least she was when we left,” said Apple Bloom, looking over her shoulder at the hospital. “I don't think she'll mind if we give her a quick visit, too,” said Twilight, laying a wing over the unicorn's back, “By the way, where's Granny Smith? Didn't she come with you?” “Nah, she stayed at home fer a sleep.” “Listen, sorry, but we need to get back to the farm,” said Big Mac. “Oh, sorry to keep you,” said Twilight and waved them goodbye, "Um, see you later, bye!" The two ponies entered the hospital and made their way to Dash's room. Fluttershy gently opened the door and peeked in. She stepped in fully when she saw the earth pony, now wearing a pale green hospital gown, sitting up awake in the bed. “Fluttershy! Twilight!” exclaimed Rainbow, smiling. “Hi! We met Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom outside,” said Twilight, “They told us you were feeling better. We're glad to hear that.” “Yeah, a lot better,” said Rainbow, returning Fluttershy's hug, “Just bored looking at these same four walls all the time. Big Mac brought me a book Applejack's been reading, but I can't get into it. It's about a farm filly, or somethin',” she explained, holding up the book. Under the title, the cover displayed a filly with a sprig of wheat in her mouth and a ragged straw hat walking along a river bank. “Oh, Huckleberry Whinny,” said Twilight, remembering reading it a while ago. “Eeyup,” replied the earth pony, then shook her head, “Sheesh, now I'm talkin' like an Apple.” “After living with somepony for a while, you do tend to start talking similarly.” “I guess,” said Dash and returned the book to her bedside table, “So, what's been going on with you two?” “Fluttershy's still advancing rapidly in her studies,” said Twilight, smiling over at the unicorn, “You know, I'm enjoying teaching you and seeing you get better every time. You're doing so well.” “Well, I'm being taught by you, after all,” said Fluttershy. “Maybe I should become a teacher?” said Twilight, half-joking. “Yeah, and overload everypony's brains with information,” quipped Rainbow, holding both forehooves to the sides of her head. “Is that so? Fluttershy doesn't seem too 'overloaded with information'.” “C'mon, you know I'm just messin' with ya. But I'm glad you're doing good there, Fluttershy.” The unicorn nodded. “Oh, by the way,” she said, “Spike says 'hi'. He wanted us to say that for him.” “Oh. 'Hi' to him, too.” “He would've come, but he had some chores to do.” “Sounds like somepony I know...” said Rainbow, gazing out the window with a longing look. “You'll be out of here soon,” said Twilight. “Yeah, tomorrow afternoon, if they think I'm okay.” “Just remember to eat what they give you and drink plenty of fluids.” Dash rolled her eyes, “Yes, mother.” “I'm only saying that if they don't see you eating, they might think you're not well enough, yet.” “I know, you just sound like a mom.” “Maybe it's because she takes care of Spike?” suggested Fluttershy, “Do you think that counts as being a mother?” she asked the pegasus. “...It's more of a brother-sister relationship,” said Twilight, “But I do feel motherly towards him, sometimes. I've raised him his whole life, after all.” “That makes sense. Um, Rainbow Dash? How do you feel about being a sister, now?” “I'd never thought much about what it would be like, before,” said the earth pony, adjusting her sitting position on the bed, “I've always been an only child, but when I was a filly, I remember sometimes thinking what would happen if my parents had another baby. This is gonna sound weird, but it... it scared me, a little.” “Why would you be scared?” asked Twilight. “I dunno. I guess I thought they wouldn't love me as much if a baby was around. I know, it sounds stupid.” “I can see why you might think that. But you know your parents wouldn't love you less. In fact, when Shining Armor was told he would be getting a sister, he told me he got really excited and kept asking Mom and Dad when I was going to be here. And they loved him just as much after I was born.” “If only he knew what he was getting into,” joked Rainbow. “Definitely,” laughed the pegasus, “I sometimes annoyed him because I followed him almost everywhere. Even when he was meeting his friends, I'd tag along like a little puppy. I wonder, though, Rainbow,” she added, tilting her head, “Did you ever feel lonely without a sibling?” “Nah. I had plenty of friends to play with. And Fluttershy...” Rainbow looked fondly over at the said pony, “You've kinda been like a sister to me for years, anyway.” “I'm glad we met, Rainbow Dash,” said Fluttershy softly, “I don't have a brother or sister, and as a filly, I didn't even have any friends.” “Well, ya got plenty of them now,” said Dash, pulling her into a tight hug. With a smile, Twilight watched the two embrace, then glanced at the clock. “Listen, I have to go,” she said, “I need to feed the animals. Will you be okay getting back by yourself, Fluttershy?” “I'll be fine, yes. Thank you.” “Okay. Just remember not to stay too long; Rainbow still needs to fully recover. Bye, you two!” The unicorn and earth pony said their goodbyes to her and she left the room. Once she was sure Twilight was out of earshot, Rainbow sighed. “Seriously, she's like a mom. I was expecting her to tell me not to stay up too late.” “You shouldn't, though,” said the unicorn, putting her forehooves on the bed, “You need to have some early nights for a while.” “Oh, don't you start,” said Dash, grinning. “I'm just worried about you.” “I know. And besides, this body isn't mine,” she said, patting her chest, “I need to take care of it.” “That's right. So be a good girl and eat up all your vegetables.” “But mooooom...!” “And I want you to wash your face and hooves before bed. I'll read you a bedtime story if you do.” “Okay...” said Rainbow pushing her lips out in a mock pout. The two couldn't keep up the act and burst out laughing. “You're so silly, sometimes,” said Fluttershy. “You started it.” “Only because you said me and Twilight were acting like mothers.” “Huh. Actually, Twilight started it by acting that way in the first place. Give her a punch on the nose for me.” “Well, no bedtime story for you, if that's how you're going to act.” Rainbow smiled placed a hoof one of Fluttershy's, “Y'know, all this talk about moms and stuff has got me thinking; I bet you'd make a great mother.” The timid mare's face flushed scarlet and her ears flattened against her head, “M–Mother? M–Me?” she squeaked. “Yeah. I don't mean be one right now, but eventually, you know?” “But who would want to be with me?” “What are you talkin' about? You're a catch!” “No, I'm not. I mean, s–stallions have talked to me before a couple of times... but... but then they find out how sh–shy I am and just give up...” she mumbled, looking at her hooves. “So? Forget about them. You'll find somepony who'll take the time to learn who you really are,” Dash leaned over and added, “Like I did.” That additional little line sparked a thought in Fluttershy's head. Her friend was right. If even Rainbow Dash, a brash, speed-loving, and sometimes impatient pegasus could take the time to get to know her, then surely someone else would. “Maybe... someday...” “Sure!” “And... and someday you could be an auntie!” Dash's face scrunched up in uncertainty. “I dunno...” "Why?" The earth pony scratched the back of her head, "'Auntie Rainbow Dash' makes me sound like an old mare." Fluttershy giggled, “You're being silly again. It doesn't make you sound old. Besides, you'd be the coolest aunt ever.” Rainbow leaned against the headboard, “Yeah, true,” she said, grinning. “What about you, Rainbow? Have you ever thought about being a mother?” “Only if I find somepony almost as cool as me. But that might take a while. And I'm only countin' stallions, by the way, so, ah... don't think you've got a chance with me,” she added with a wink, making Fluttershy smile and shake her head, “Honestly, though, I think it'd be awesome to have miniature version of me I could fly around with. Yeah, a junior Wonderbolt in the making. Cool thought, isn't it, Auntie Fluttershy?” “Oh, I'd love to hear a foal say that, someday,” said Fluttershy, clasping her hooves together. “Maybe you will.” The two ponies continued talking until it was time for dinner to be served. At that point, Fluttershy decided she should leave, as she was getting hungry, herself. Rainbow grimaced at the portions on her tray. “Ugh. Say, Fluttershy, before you go... you said you've gotten kinda good at transformation, right?” “Rainbow Dash...” “C'mon, can't ya change one of these things into actual food?” “I'm not that good at it, yet. I might change it into something worse.” “I don't think that's possible,” said the earth pony, looking at the food as if it were poisonous. “Please, Rainbow, eat as much as you can. Don't make me and Twilight nag you again.” “Fine...” sighed Dash. She scooped up some of the cheap, horrible-tasting hay and tried not to gag as she put it in her mouth. Fluttershy nodded and turned towards the door. “Bye, Rainbow. See you tomorrow afternoon?” “Mmf. I hmp sm...”