//------------------------------// // Episode 38: SHE KNOWS!?!?!? // Story: The Life of a Wanted Changeling Season 2: Debt to a Doctor (Comment Driven Story) // by Down with Chrysalis //------------------------------// Theme: Aloe would be too obvious so its Fluttershy who pulled u in. You slowly turn around, terrified of what you might see, and see... Fluttershy giving you a sweet "I can't believe it's actually you" smile. You look at her strangely as you say with a stutter, "Fluttershy? Wh... Why did you drag me in he-" Your question is interrupted as Fluttershy tackle-hugs you to the ground... tightly and says, F: Bugze, I’m so glad you’re back You: Um…I’m not Bugze, I’m Baker Sylvester… F: (Looks at you pointedly) You: Sigh, fine, yes it’s me Fluttershy continues to hug you to the point of rib cracking. F: Oh Bugze, I knew it, I just knew it was you. You: OK OK, I need air F: Sorry (let’s go) You: OK. Anyway, you can’t tell anyone alright? F: Oh, alright…but still, I can’t believe it’s actually you. Boy, Applejack is sure gonna feel silly when she finds out she has a crush on you… You: Yeeeeaaahhh…if she finds out, she’s probably gonna feel even more awkward than you think… F: Huh? You really don’t feel like explaining the Whole “The Apples are My Kin” situation at this point in time. You: Nothing…but yeah, promise you won’t say anything. F: Don’t worry, I pinkie promise I won’t You: Thanks (you smile) F: But Bugze, what exactly do you think you are doing living here? I thought you’d go back into hiding far away. You: (Sigh) It’s complicated. Let’s just say I owe a certain Immortal Time Traveler big time, and I need to be his eyes and ears in Ponyville for awhile. F: Oh, does this have anything to do with Derpy and her friend? You: I…can’t really say much about it F: Oh, it’s Ok…that’s what she says as well. Every time I asked if you were OK, she’d just say Spoilers. You: Yeah…anyway, I’m surprised you’re the first to figure it out. I mean, even I admit I’m not very subtle about who I am. F: Well…to be honest, I only just knew right now when I hugged you and had you admit it… You: What?! F: Well…I mean, everytime I’ve seen you as Tennant, I always thought there was something familiar about you, and Night Shade too. Something at the back of my mind told me I knew who you were, but then I would dismiss it. You: Then…how? F: Well, last night you showed me your face, but even then I kept trying to dismiss it, so I forced myself to remember, and that’s why I cornered you here to prove to myself it was you. NM: A perception filter You: Huh? NM: She is describing the effects of a perception filter. There must be one upon us and Night Shade that makes those who have seen and know us before to turn a blind eye and doubt their senses. You: So that’s why everyone just kind of accepted that I was a new pony with a medical condition and not me in disguise…and why the Deadly Six didn’t recognize Night Shade…I didn’t even hide her name. NM: Now our situation begins to make more sense…though I don’t sense any spellcraft… You: The Doctor! NM: What? You: The Doctor doesn’t use magic, he uses technology, he must have done something to Night Shade and I to help us blend in better. NM: So the only way to break the enchantment is to blatantly reveal yourself, as you did to her last night you fool You: heh heh, yeah, not too bright on my part NM: You can say that again… F: Bugze? (Waves hoof in front of his face) You: yeah? F: Are you alright? You kind of just faded out. You: Yeah I’m fine, just thinking. F: Oh, OK, well if you’re busy thinking I can just go… You: No, wait, don’t go! I need to talk to you. F: Oh…OK You: Listen, I know you’re the president of the Horde here in Ponyville F: Oh…well…I didn’t mean to be the president You: What? F: Well, I just kind of wanted to let ponies know you were a good person. Then word spread, and since I was the first, well…they appointed me leader. You: Well you’re doing fantastic at it F: Th-Thanks. But really, if it weren’t for Spike’s organizational skills, I wouldn’t be as good. He really helps a lot. You: Yeah, he’s a good kid…but anyway, back on topic, I need your help. F: OK You: I spoke with Princess Luna last night. She is kind of downgraded on my most hated list right now since I found out the real reason behind the whole “Kill Night Shade” thing…it’s complicated, but still, she told me that Horde Members have been speaking about starting a Revolution F: Oh…My…that’s not good You: Exactly. I don’t know if there’s been talks about that in Ponyville or not, but I need you to find out. F: Oh…OK, I guess I could call a meeting tonight…just a small one with the elite members though, because too many ponies in one place would make Pinkie suspicious. You: How many members are there? F: Well…the way Spike explained it, we aren’t the biggest faction when it comes to numbers, but when it comes to members per population, Ponyville has the biggest percentage. You: OK…now explain that to me again as if I have brain damage NM: That shouldn’t be hard on her part You: Can it Nimmy NM: Grrr… F: Oh, well, I think that during our last poll, more than half of Ponyville was in support of you. Your jaw drops… You: Daaaannnngggg…..(awed) Fluttershy giggles You: OK, yeah, just the elite members I guess F: Alright, I’ll have Spike send out the invitations tonight. Keep an eye out for yours You: Will do…also, I’m gonna need you to speak with the leaders of the other factions, to let them know not to cause a revolution. F: Oh…well…I can send them each a letter I suppose…but I don’t really hold any sway over them…I don’t think they’d listen to me. You: please try Fluttershy, I don’t want anyone starting a war in my name. F: OK…I’ll try. You: Thanks Fluttershy, I knew I could always count on you. You pull her into a hug You: Hail the Horde F: Hail the Horde You are both interrupted by a shriek Rarity: FLUTTERSHY! You/F: EEP! You both turn around and see the Twins and Rarity giving shocked looks, while Lotus covers Night Shade’s eyes Rarity: What are you doing? You: Oh well… F: W-we were just… Aloe: tch tch tch…naughty naughty Ms. Fluttershy F: Wha-No! We Weren’t… You: I swear! I didn’t… NS: What’s going on Daddy? You: Nothing! Rarity: Oh I just knew one day Aloe’s stories and advice would corrupt you…this is all my fault for bringing you here. Aloe: Corrupt? More like inspired… Lotus: Quiet Aloe, this is all your fault, you just had to go and get him all riled up didn’t you? Rarity: He’s a single father Fluttershy! Sure he’s easy on the eyes, but you can’t just go throwing yourself at him like that! F: Wha…but…I! Eeep…(hides behind mane) "Oh Hoody, I’m so glad you’re back." "Um…I’m not this 'Hoody' of which you speak. I assure you that I have and always will be Baker Sylvester-" You stop when Fluttershy gives you a pointed look. You sigh in defeat and come clean, "Fine, yes it’s me." Fluttershy continues to hug you, "Oh Hoody, I knew it, I just knew it was you..." "I'm happy to see you too Fluttershy, but maybe that's enough hugging?" Fluttershy's eyes widen and she blushes as she says a quick "Sorry" and lets go of you. "OK. Anyway, you can’t tell anypony who I really am, alright?" you tell her. "I would never do that to you Bugze, but still, I can’t believe it’s actually you. Boy, Applejack is sure gonna feel silly when she finds out she has a crush on you…" "Yeeeeaaahhh… if she finds out, she’s probably gonna feel even more awkward than you think…" you say as you rub your hoof behind your head. "Huh?" Fluttershy says in confusion, You really don’t feel like explaining the Whole “The Apples are my kin” situation at this point in time so you reply, "Nothing… but yeah, I trust you, but can you promise me you won’t say anything to anypony about who I really am?" "Don’t worry, I pinkie promise I won’t" "Thanks." you say with a smile as you and Fluttershy perform the Pinkie Promise motions. "But Bugze, what exactly do you think you are doing living here? I thought you’d go back into hiding far away?" Fluttershy asks. You sigh and explain, "It’s... complicated. Let’s just say I owe a certain Immortal Time Traveler big time, and I need to be his eyes and ears in Ponyville for awhile." "Oh, does this have anything to do with Derpy and her friend?" "I… can’t really say much about it. Sorry," You feel bad for not being able to tell her more, but Fluttershy is one of your few true friends and you don't want to burden her with your misadventures. "Oh, it’s okay…that’s what she says as well. Every time I asked if you were okay, she’d just say 'Spoilers'." "Yeah, that sounds like her… Anyway, I’m surprised you’re the first to figure it out. I mean, even I admit I’m that I haven't exactly been subtle about who I am." "Well… to be honest, I only just knew right now when I hugged you and had you admit it…" You lay there confused for a few moments before you give a flat, "What?!" "Well… I mean, every time I've seen you as Tennant, I always thought there was something familiar about you, and Nightshade too. Something at the back of my mind told me I knew who you were, but then I would dismiss it." "Then… how?" "Well, last night you showed me your face, but even then I kept trying to dismiss it, so I forced myself to remember, and that’s why I cornered you here to prove to myself it was you." A perception filter... Nimmy chimes in, Huh? She is describing the effects of a perception filter. There must be one upon us and Night Shade that makes those who have seen and know us before to turn a blind eye and doubt their senses. So that’s why everyone just kind of accepted that I was a new pony with a medical condition and not a disguise… and why the Deadly Six didn't recognize Nightshade- Oh buck, I just realized I never even bothered to hide her name! Imbecile! But now our situation begins to make more sense… though I don’t sense any spells- The Doctor! What? The Doctor doesn't use magic, he uses technology. He must have done something to Nightshade and I to help us blend in better. So the only way to break the enchantment is to blatantly reveal yourself... as you did to her last night you fool. Heh heh, yeah, not too bright on my part... You can say that again… "Hoody...? Bugze?" You suddenly realize that Fluttershy has been saying your name while waving a hoof in front of your face. Snapping out of it, you say the most intelligent response you could think of, "Huh?" "Are you alright? You kind of just faded out." Fluttershy asks in concern. "Yeah I’m fine, just thinking." She looks a little saddened and prepares to get up and leave while saying, "Oh, OK, well if you’re busy thinking I can just go-" "No, wait, don’t go!" you interrupt startling her a bit so you apologize, "Sorry, but I need to talk to you." "Oh… OK." "Listen, I know you’re the president of the Horde here in Ponyville-" "Oh… well… I didn't mean to be the president." she interrupts shyly, "What?" "Well, I just kind of wanted to let ponies know you were a good pony-er bug. Then word spread, and since I was the first, well… they appointed me leader." "Well you’re doing fantastic at it." you compliment causing her to blush a little, "Th-Thanks. But really, if it weren't for Spike’s organizational skills, the Horde would have fallen apart. He really helps a lot." "Yeah, he’s a good kid. I should visit him sometime, but anyway, back on topic; I really need your help." "Okay. What do you need?" she asks with determination, "I spoke with Princess Luna last night. She's kind of downgraded on my "most hated list" right now since I found out the real reason I've hated her isn't what it seemed... it’s complicated, but still, she told me that Horde Members have been speaking about starting a rebellion." Fluttershy gasps and says in alarm, "Oh my… that’s not good! Many ponies and animals could get hurt!" "Exactly. I don’t know if there’s been talk about that in Ponyville or not, but I need you to find out." "OK, I guess I could call a meeting tonight… just a small one with the elite members though, because too many ponies in one place would make Pinkie suspicious." "How many members are there?" "Well… the way Spike explained it, we aren't the biggest faction when it comes to numbers, but when it comes to members per population, Ponyville has the biggest percentage." "OK…" you say uncertainly, "Now explain that to me again as if I have brain damage." That shouldn't be hard on her part Can it Nimmy. Grrr… "Oh, well, I think that during our last poll, a little over half of Ponyville have a favorable opinion of you. And that's just the anonymous poll." Your jaw drops as you say in awe, "Daaaannnngggg..." Fluttershy giggles at what you said snapping you out of it, "OK, yeah, just the elite members I guess." "Alright, I’ll have Spike send out the invitations tonight. Keep an eye out for yours." "Will do… also, I’m gonna need you to speak with the leaders of the other factions, to let them know not to cause a revolution." "Oh… well… I can send them each a letter I suppose… but the Horde factions work separately from each other so I don’t really hold any sway over them… I don’t think they’d listen to me..." "Please try Fluttershy, I don’t want anyone starting a war in my name." you say in determination. "OK… I’ll try." she responds uncertainly, but with determination. "Thanks Fluttershy, I knew I could always count on you." You pull her into a hug and whisper, "Hail the Horde." She hugs back and whispers, "Hail the Horde." You know, the last times she's hugged me I always had my coat on, but now she feels REALLY good on- NO! VERY BAD BUG!!! "FLUTTERSHY! HAVE YOU NO SHAME!" "I wanted him first..." You both "EEEP!" at the sounds and turn your heads around to see the Twins and Rarity giving you both shocked looks, "What are you doing?" Rarity demands/asks, You and Fluttershy then suddenly realize you've both been lying on the floor together this whole time so you both nervously bolt back up to standing, "Oh well…" "W-we were just…" "Tch tch tch… naughty naughty Miss Fluttershy," Aloe teases. "Wha-No! We Weren't…" "I swear! I didn't…" You and Fluttershy stammer with blushes on your faces. "Oh, I just knew one day Aloe’s loose behavior would corrupt you… I'm so sorry darling, this is all my fault for bringing you here," Rarity says. Aloe looks at Rarity in offense and says, "Corrupt? More like inspire-" "Quiet Aloe, this is all your fault!" Lotus interrupts, "You just had to go and get him all excited, didn't you?" "He’s a single father Fluttershy! Sure he’s easy on the eyes, but you can’t just go throwing yourself at him like that!" Rarity scolds, "Wha…but…I! Eeep…" Fluttershy stammers as she hides behind her mane, You blush like crazy and your nose bleeds a bit at what's happening, but you can't help but think angrily, I can't believe they would think me and Fluttershy did... that! I'm saving it for stinking marriage! Seriously, I need to say that out loud or something some day so ponies can get it though their thick skulls that I'M SAVING IT FOR BUCKING MARRIAGE! And besides, Fluttershy is wayyyyyy to innocent to have those kinds of thoughts. Although Fluttershy is supermodel-level attractive and feels really- NO! VERY BAD BUG! I gotta put a stop to this before they give Fluttershy a heart attack... or break me to pieces judging from Rarity's intense glare directed at me. You scoot away in fear a little bit from how intense Rarity is glaring at you, but you shake it off and are about to set things straight when you hear a sweet little voice say, "Whats going on?" Everyling freezes in slight terror at the sound of your daughter's innocent voice and they all (besides you and Fluttershy since your both already facing the door) turns around and... You turn to see who it is, but nearly have a heart attack at what you see. "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHhhh!" you scream and point a trembling hoof at the monstrosity standing there. "Oh dear, is everything alright darling?" it tries to ask over your screams, but all you can focus on is its pasty, peeling, zombified face wrapped in seaweed like the monster from the black lagoon and the soulless vegetable eyes bulging from its skull. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHhh!" you continue exorcising your lungs and stumble backwards. Not able to pay attention to where you're going, you fall into one of the hot tubs. "Oh, my face treatment. I do apologies for the scare." Rarity says as she pulls off the cucumbers and tries to help you out of the tub. "AAAABLUB-GLUBL-GARBLE-BLARGLE!" you scream and flail underwater as the monster pulls off its eyes and tries to drown you. But you won't let it win, you're too young to die! You have so much to live for! So much that you've yet to accomplish. In fact, you feel so determined to live, you feel like screaming everything you're going to do once you get out alive. (the following translated from underwater screaming) "You won't take me alive! Not here... not like this, you here me?! I am going to enjoy this complimentary spa treatment, go back to the farm and sleep, wake up for work the next day and complain about how hard it is, and then get paid! Then I'll likely spend that money on food 'cause I'm running low and I don't want my daughter to starve! Then I'm going to... going to... why is everything fading to black?" "Because you're an idiot who tried to talk underwater." you hear Nimmy chide you before you lose consciousness. [Several CPR sessions later] You hear an argument taking place as you come to. "It's my turn!" "No it's my turn." "You've had your turn twice, let somepony else do it for once." You open your eyes to see Aloe, Lotus and Fluttershy standing over you, with Aloe apparently laying down some rules. "We go in line; It goes you then me then Fluttershy, back down to me, then you. Then me, then me. Then you, Flutters, me, Flutters, me, me, me Flutters, you... and then me. And then me again." she spouts off before all three realize you're awake. "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHhhh!" you scream and point a trembling hoof at the monstrosity standing there. "What is it Daddy??" it tries to ask over your screams and the mares in the room look at you in startled alarm, but all you can focus on is its pasty, peeling, zombified face wrapped in seaweed like the monster from the black lagoon and the soulless vegetable eyes bulging from its skull. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHhh!" you continue exorcising your lungs and stumble backwards. Not able to pay attention to where you're going, *splash* you fall into one of the hot tubs. The creature pulls off the cucumbers and tries to help you out of the tub. "AAAABLUB-GLUBL-GARBLE-BLARGLE!" you scream and flail underwater as the monster pulls off its eyes and tries to drown you. But you won't let it win, you're too young to die! You have so much to live for! So much that you've yet to accomplish. In fact, you feel so determined to live, you feel like screaming everything you're going to do once you get out alive (the following has been roughly translated from underwater screaming), "You'll never take me alive! Not bucking here! Not like this, you here me mohterbucker?! I am going to enjoy this complimentary spa treatment, go back to the farm and sleep, wake up for work the next day and complain about how hard it is, and then get paid! Then I'll likely spend that money on food 'cause I'm running low and I don't want my daughter to starve! Then I'm going to- why is everything fading to black?" Because you're an idiot who tried to talk underwater. you hear Nimmy chide you before you lose consciousness... SOME TIME LATER Your vision clears as you feel warmth on your lips and air being blown in, but the feeling suddenly disappears and you hear an argument taking place as you come to, "It's my turn!" "No it's still my turn!" "Um... You've had your turn twice, so maybe you should let somepony else do..." You open your eyes to see Aloe, Lotus and Fluttershy standing over you, with Aloe apparently laying down some rules. "No, we go in line. It goes you then me, then Fluttershy, then back down to me, then you, then me, then me, then Fluttershy, then me, then me, then Fluttershy, me, me, Fluttershy, you, Fluttershy, me, me, me, Fluttershy, you. Me. Then me again. It makes perfect sense!" What they were really arguing over flies over your head as usual and you just think they were arguing over who should save you, so you say, "*cough* You know I could have drowned *hack* while you mares were arguing over who should save me right?" The mares give a startled gasp when they see that you're not unconscious anymore. You slowly get up to see Rarity and Nightshade in the back with relived expressions on their faces. Nightshade runs over and tackles you- *splash* ...back into the tub again while screaming, "DADDY! YOU'RE OKAY!" You chuckle slightly as you get up, while patting her on the head. Once you're up and Nightshade clams down, you think the worst is over, that is until Aloe says, "So Miss Fluttershy, how was Mr Tennant?" Fluttershy suddenly gets the deepest blush you've ever seen and it looks like the mares are going to start arguing again. You start to get really annoyed at this so you shout in annoyance, You: OK, enough of this. EVERYONE THIS WAS ALL JUST A BAD DREAM! You hold up the Luna plushie and knock out all the mares, excluding Night Shade. NS: Daddy, what’s going on? You: Nothing Honey, just a big misunderstanding. Now quickly, get in the mud baths with me before they wake up. You leave a note on Fluttershy reminding her about the meeting and you and Night Shade go back into the mud. When they wake up, they don’t really remember what they were doing, so they proceed with their schedules. Though Fluttershy holds up the note and winks at you, so she still knows the plan. "That's it... EVERYPONY, THIS WAS ALL JUST A BAD DREAM!" With that, you hold up the Luna plushie (that was conventionally lying on the floor of the room for some reason, but you didn't have time for little details like that) and knock out all the mares, excluding Nightshade who asks, "Daddy, what’s going on?" "Nothing Honey, just a big misunderstanding. Now quickly, put away the plushie and go back to your treatment before they wake up." Nightshade says "Okay daddy" before grabbing the plushie and leaving and you quickly write and leave a note on Fluttershy reminding her about the meeting. Once Nightshade has left and you've hidden the note in Fluttershy's mane, you gently shake the mares to wake them up before quickly dashing out of the room. When they wake up, they don’t really remember what they were doing, so they proceed with their schedules. As Lotus escorts you to the massage room for the second time (with Lotus swearing she did this already) you see Fluttershy and Rarity getting escorted to somewhere else (you guess their next relaxation center) with Aloe who's... blushing alot as she shoots quick looks at you? You look at her in confusion and think, Why is she... oh right. Knock out plushie that gives the ponies good dreams... Oooooooh. You blush a little, figuring out something for once in your life, cause you think you have a good idea of what Aloe considers a... good dream. As you walk by them, Fluttershy quickly pauses, checks to see if nopony is looking, and gives you a wink as she holds up the note you gave her. You nod your head in understanding and continue to follow Lotus when you both hear someling yell, Nightshade keeps eating the cucumbers much to [character name here]'s annoyance. "PLEASE STOP EATING THE CUCUMBERS! YOU'VE EMPTIED OUR WHOLE STOCK!" You sigh as you think, Why do I get the feeling that this is Nightshade's fault... As if on cue, you hear Nightshade yell, "I CAN'T HELP IT! THEY TASTE SO GOOD!" You and Lotus look at each other and Lotus says, "Your daughter has quite the appetite." "Yeah... I'lllll pay you back... somehow." you say uncertainly as Lotus gives you a quick look of pity before continuing to guide you to the massage room. As you walk to the massage room, you walk by a mirror. You stop by it to get a good look at yourself and see... Look in a mirror to see your disguised form (a unicorn with orange mane and tail, normal blue eyes, and a shade of dark grey that's just lighter than your normal changeling shell), when you notice that u got a Cutie Mark (couldn't tell before due to wearing pants)! A unicorn stallion with orange mane and tail, normal blue eyes, and a shade of dark grey that's just lighter than your normal changeling shell. But what really catches your attention is... you have a cutie mark! You stare at it in wonder, but for some reason it just looks... off. It looks like this, but with the black part being the same color as the nightmare cloak (midnight blue). You stare at it in worry, before shaking it off, Meh, it's probably just part of the transformation potion. Changelings don't get Cutie Marks unless they're impersonating someling, and I could never seem to make one pop up anyway. And with that you follow Lotus into the massage room... After the touching reunion/mind blowing revelation/mad, passionate love scene/of the sauna, Lotus finally gets you settled down for a massage. "How does that feel, Mr. Tennant?" "Ughhh..." She giggles. "Glad to hear it!" You mentally thank Zecora for the potions again. There is no way you could have held a disguise under this feeling. Just know that I have the gong at the ready. Uh oh. You search for a mental distraction, but the only thing on your mind is... "So what's your story?" Lotus stops for a moment. "Me? Ha! Usually this is the other way around." You grin at your sudden good fortune. Your secrets would have no defense under this mare's touch. "Ponyville isn't exactly an obvious choice for a grand spa like this." She giggles again. "Grand? Oh, you should see where we trained at Las Pegasus. The guests could choose between hot tubs plated in gold or silver. Real gold and silver!" "So how did you go from there to here?" "I smelled opportunity." Her hooves gently move down your back again. "I figured all the mares in a farming town might enjoy a day of luxury every week or so. Save for Miss Rarity, I was wrong." "Yeah, I have a hard time seeing Applejack being a regular here." "Truthfully, if it wasn't for Aloe, we wouldn't have stayed. She found the market we needed." You raise an eyebrow. "Are you talking about the stallions?" "Yes. All that strain on their muscles needs to be released, and a sultry mare is often enough to convince them they need it." Her hooves stop near your hind legs. "She really is a sweet girl. This new persona of hers only came out because we needed the business. I hope you don't hold that against her." "I know a thing or two about desperation." "Is that so? Then may I ask what you think of Aloe?" You blush and stammer for a bit. "Yes, she does have that effect on stallions. There's just one more thing, Mr. Tennant." Lotus grabs one of your hind legs and pulls it up to your head, bending your back the wrong way. She ignores your screams and crouches down to hiss in your ear. "You also know a thing or two about protecting a loved one. She is my sister. If you hurt her, you will not be safe in Ponyville. Am I clear?" "YES! YES! CRYSTAL!" "How does that feel, Mr. Tennant?" Lotus asks in her accent as her hooves rub your back. "Urblblurblgaarblduh..." you incomprehensibly mumble in relaxed pleasure. "Glad to hear it!" she giggles, Thank you Zecora. There's no WAY I could have held a disguise under this feeling. You know, Aloe is definitely attractive and Lotus is her twin sister so- Just know that I have the gong at the ready. Uh oh... You search for a mental distraction, but the only thing on your mind is... "So... what's your story?" Lotus stops for a moment in confusion before responding, "Me? Ha! Usually this is the other way around." You grin at your sudden good fortune as your secrets would have no defense under this mare's touch. "Well, Ponyville isn't exactly an obvious choice for a grand spa like this." you point out. She giggles again. "Grand? Oh, you should see where we trained at in Las Pegasus. The guests could choose between hot tubs plated in gold or silver. Real gold and silver!" Genuinely intrigued, you ask, "Interesting. So how did you go from there to here?" "I smelled opportunity." Her hooves gently move down your back again. "I figured all the mares in a farming town might enjoy a day of luxury every week or so. Save for Miss Rarity, I turned out to be wrong." "Yeah, I have a hard time seeing Applejack being a regular here." "Truthfully, if it wasn't for Aloe, we wouldn't have stayed. She found the market we needed." You raise an eyebrow and ask, "You talking about the stallions?" "Yes." She sighs, "All that strain on their muscles needs to be released, and a sultry mare is often enough to convince them they need it." Her hooves stop near your hind legs as she continues, "She really is a sweet girl. This new persona of hers only came out because we needed the business. I hope you don't hold that against her." "I know a thing or two about desperation..." You mutter. "Is that so? Then may I ask what you think of Aloe?" she teases. You blush and stammer for a bit, but Lotus speaks before you can say anything, "Yes, she does have that effect on stallions. There's just one more thing, Mr. Tennant. Just like how Miss Rarity and Miss Octavia took Karate classes, me and my sister are quite skilled in Jujutsu or Neighponese grappling..." "I've seen enough anime to- Yahhh!" Lotus suddenly grabs one of your hind legs and pulls it up to your head, bending your back the wrong way. She ignores your screams and crouches down to hiss in your ear. "Mr. Tennant, you know a thing or two about protecting a loved one so know this; Aloe is my sister. If you hurt her, you will not be safe in Ponyville. Am I clear?" "YES! YES! CRYSTAL! UNCLE!" you scream as you repeatedly bang your hoof on the table in submission. She lets go of your legs as she cheerfully says, "Good, I'm glad we're on the same page." After you take a few seconds of deep breathing to recover, you ask, After Lotus releases you, you ask why Aloe seems to be "super-flirt" towards you and Lotus responds "Quick question, if Aloe's flirting is just an act, how come she seems to be super-tease towards me?" Lotus gets a contemplative look on her face before saying, "I honestly don't know. While she teases and flirts with stallions, she's never kissed any of them before, so yesterday was a surprise for me too when she kissed you. And I was even more surprised when she still flirted with you so openly when you entered the spa, normally her flirting is more subtle and less frequent when the stallions have already entered. She must really like you Mister Tennant." "Oh..." you say with a blush, but then you notice Lotus giving you a stern glare causing your joints and back to slightly sting from memory so you quickly stammer, "I got it! I got it! I'll be a eunuch around her!" Lotus gives an approving nod before saying, "Good. Now, what would you like to have for a massage, numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4?" You look at her in confusion as you ask, "But... didn't you just give me my massage?" She chuckles lightly and says, "Oh no no no. That was just so I had you attention when I gave you my... message. Now what will you take?" Your fear of this mare just increased by ten fold from that sentence, but you snap out of it as you say, "I'll have the-" When asked what kind of massage you want (just numbered 1-4) you decide on a 4 seeing how you're probably really tense from your misadventures and logically, 4 should be the highest massage (and it turns out a 4 requires both Lotus AND Aloe). When you go to Room 6, you see both Aloe and Lotus there... lathered in a thin sheen of massage oil and speaking in seductive harmony. Your oblivious to it at first as they activate the steam and pour oil on you until Nimmy chimes in. They're trying to seduce you, you imbecile. Don't be silly. Lotus isn't interested in me so this is just a massa- Wait... Bodies lathered in massage oil, speaking in harmony, door locked... Oh Luna... IT'S THAT "HAPPY ENDING" THAT GRANDBUGGY IS ALWAYS BLABBING ABOUT!!! "On second thought, m-maybe I'll just take the 3, or even a 2!" you say nervously "Too late Mister Tennant." Lotus says teasingly, "Once your number's up, there's no going back." "First time, huh?" Aloe teases. "We'll be gentle..." Oh Luna... these twin mares lathered in oil that shimmers off their nubile bodies want to- Wait, this is every stallions' fantasy! Why do I NOT want it to-NO! BAD BUG! CURSE YOU GRANDBUGGY'S PLAYCOLT GENES!!! The twin mares get closer and closer... and then you feel two weights on your back as they both jump on your back and Lotus grabs your back limbs while Aloe grabs your front limbs and they start folding and crunching you like a pretzel of pain. In spite of that... extreme massage (or even because of it), you feel really great afterwards. NOTE: The above exchange is based on the exellent changeling-based fanfic: The Incredibly Stressful Life of a Ponyvillian Changeling "4." Lotus looks at you uncertainly and asks, "Mister Tennant, this is your first time in our spa. Are you sure you want a 4? It requires both me and my sister." You briefly flash back to your misadventures in the past week (and the Jujutsu-ing of your leg and back from a few moments ago) and when you're done you bluntly reply, "I'm sure." With that, Lotus pours some water in the coals to create some steam before leaving the room. After a few minutes, she returns with Aloe... and they're both lathered in a thin sheen of massage oil that glistens on their bodies. *spurt* "S-sorry bout that!" you quickly say as you wipe off the noseblood. The twin mares giggle as they lock the door behind them and say in harmony, "Don't worry, it happens to alot of stallions..." "Ready or not, here we come..." You shrug and lay back down on your stomach and are oblivious to their double meanings at first as they pour oil on you until Nimmy chimes in. These strumpets are trying to seduce you, you imbecile. Nimmy, that's not nice. And don't be silly, Lotus isn't interested in me so this is just a mass- Wait... Bodies lathered in massage oil, speaking in harmony, door locked... Oh Luna... IT'S THAT "HAPPY ENDING" THAT GRANDBUGGY IS ALWAYS BLABBING ABOUT!!! "On second thought, m-maybe I'll just take the 3, or even a 2!" you say nervously. "Too late Mister Tennant." Lotus says teasingly, "Once your number's up, there's no going back." "First time, huh?" Aloe teases. "We'll be gentle..." Oh Luna... these twin mares lathered in oil that shimmers off their nubile bodies want to- Wait, this is every stallions' fantasy! Why do I NOT want it to-NO! BAD BUG! CURSE YOU GRANDBUGGY'S PLAYCOLT GENES!!! AND I'M SAVING IT FOR MARRIAGE! The twin mares get closer and closer, walking in giggling harmony... *thump, thump, STRETCH* ...and then you feel two weights on your back as they both jump on the middle of your back. Lotus grabs your back limbs while Aloe grabs your front limbs and they proceed to start folding and crunching you like a pretzel of pain, your agonized cries blocked out by the soundproofed room... ONE PAINFUL YET SURPRISINGLY RELAXING MASSAGE LATER "Luna, I feel REALLY relaxed." you comment as Nightshade, Fluttershy, and Rarity nod in agreement as the four of you walk out of the spa together (you and Nightshade put your clothes back on). Fluttershy's and Rarity's relaxation ended around the same time your's and Nightshade's did and Rarity responds, "It's like I always say, an afternoon at the spa can do wonders for your complexion. Speaking of which, I think I feel a pimple coming on. Oh! Only one solution!" With that Rarity runs back into the spa, but you don't care as you feel to relaxed to care. Despite how painful the number 4 massage was, you still feel complete and utter relaxation right now. You smile and think, Nothing could cause this relaxation to go away. Nothing could cause me to do something to let this relaxation disappear. Nothing at al- "LOOK OUT BELOW!" ... "Buck you lady luck..." you mutter before all three of you look up and see Rainbow Dash in an out of control descent to the ground... and heading straight for Fluttershy! Without even thinking you dive and push Fluttershy out of the way, but you couldn't move in time... *CRASH* *CRACK* After a few moments of blackness, you open your eyes from your downed position to see... Fluttershy covering Nightshade's eyes and holding the filly close while staring at you in stunned horror with watery eyes. You look at her in confusion as you ask, "What? Is there something on my scarf?" Fluttershy just points wordlessly at you in horror. You look at her in confusion as you look at yourself and see... Rainbow Dash lying on her back unconscious, on top of you, with her wing bent at on odd angle while your limbs are... Pointing backwards... in the wrong directions... You look back at Fluttershy with a deadpan expression and nonchalantly ask, "Are limbs supposed to bend that way?" She slowly shakes her head. "Huh... In that case..." You take a deep breath and yell, "OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!" Outro: What do you do?