The Three Sisters: Like Fudge

by Wanderer D

Planning

Acari walked through the market, making sure to think about possible things she might need for her trip to the Crystal Empire. While most of her stuff was ready and awaiting at Twilight’s Library, she wanted to make sure she made a good impression, after all, her mother had made a less-than-stellar one already.

Truth be told, she was nervous about the whole deal. She was going to be leaving soon to meet the Princess that her mother replaced, imprisoned and left to rot while she gallivanted around with Shining Armor. Or as Chrysalis liked to call him; “He of the Puppy Eyes”.

She hovered near a stall full of well-wishing knick-knacks. Maybe a card? That would be nice, right? Something that said: “I’m sorry my mom starved you in a crystal cavern for several days and had some very intense nights with your fiance, but let’s be friends!”

She sighed. “There’s no way I’m going to be able to fix this situation.”

Her thoughts were interrupted by another pony stepping next to her and frowning at the cards.

“Can I help you sir?” The vendor asked, looking up when the new pony approached closer.

“Um, yes. Do you have a card that says something along the lines of: “‘I’m sorry I had to leave instead of getting executed, but now I’m back and I want to be your dad?’”

The pony had raised a hoof to make a recommendation, but lowered it down, gaping at the pony. “Say what?”

Acari observed the newcomer as he shuffled uncomfortably.

“I’m not used to getting cards,” he finally explained to the salespony.

“Ah,” the salespony looked back at the cards on his stall. “I have uh… ‘I’m sorry I missed the best years of your life, but I’m back now!’ cards?”

“Aha! Excellent,” the brown pony said. “I’ll need four of them, please.”

“Four?” the salespony asked as he fished them out. “You’ll have to make up for a lot of missed memories and birthdays, sir, if you don’t mind my blunt honesty.”

“I know,” the pony said, “But there is no alternative.” He shuddered. “None.”

Acari tilted her head, looking at the book with a question mark cutie mark the brown pony had, and it reminded her of something Twilight had mentioned before. Slowly her eyes widened. “Wait…” she spoke up, drawing the attention of the two ponies as the cards were being paid for. “Are… are you Hidden Tale?”

Hidden Tale tensed as he studied the young mare in front of him. Slowly little details were revealed to his experienced eyes. Little flickers, inconsistency with the horn size by a few quarters of an inch. This was a changeling. But…“Um… that’s correct… and you must be… judging from your apparent age and proficiency… Acari?”

“Daddy!” Acari shouted in glee, throwing her forelegs around his neck. “You made it! I thought I’d be gone before you came here! I’m so glad you came,” she said, sniffing. “I don’t know what to say.”

Hidden Tale gave her one of the cards.

“So we have an accord?” Arachne asked Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.

“This. Sounds. Awesome!” Rainbow Dash gleefully exclaimed. “I’m sooo in!”

Pinkie’s smile was so big that if she had opened her mouth, Arachne would have expected her head to split in half. However, it sadly returned to a more normal size before Pinkie started talking.

“I’m in!” Pinkie Pie shouted bouncing up and down. “This is going to be the best Nightmare Night in the history of ever!”

“It is agreed then.” Arachne grinned before she grimaced and muttered darkly, “I have to go back to the shop, but I think I can get started on my part while I make other sweets.”

“Oh! Oh! I should go to Sugarcube Corner and get started too!” Pinky Pie bounced excitedly before shooting off. “See you girls soon!”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “I’ll go get my stuff too,” she said with a grin of her own. “This is a great idea, Arachne!”

“I know,” Arachne replied, rearing back and posing in all her royal glory foreleg extended as she gazed into the horizon. “A plan fit for a queen!”

“The Queen of Community Service,” Rainbow Dash countered.

Arachne slumped, grumbling a bit while Rainbow Dash laughed. “Laugh it up, turkey!” She growled. “Just remember your part of the plan!”

“Oh yeah,” Rainbow Dash waved her hoof lazily. “Don’t worry, I got it! See you tonight!” And with that she shot into the sky.

Nodding to herself, Arachne headed back to Bon Bon’s shop. There was much work to do.

“She’s coming!”

Fluttershy blinked. “W-who’s coming?”

“Carrot Top!” Phasmi squeaked, bursting into flames and taking her earth pony shape. “She’s coming! I saw her on the road here from your window!”

“I see…” Fluttershy rubbed her hoof on her foreleg. “Are you sure you want to do this, Phasmi? I mean… not that I think you shouldn’t! Only... it’s a bit early for a relationship, don’t you think? N-not that there’s a specific age requirement for it but... a-and what will you do if she finds out you’re a changeling?”

Phasmi paused. “I wonder…”

“Yes?”

“Is she into Bitalian? I like Bitalian!”

Fluttershy resisted the urge to groan.

“Oh, don’t get your feathers in a twist Fluttershy,” Phasmi said, smiling at her friend and mentor. “I’ll be fine and I’ll be careful.”

“Well, it’s just that Carrot Top can get very attached.”

“Oh? I’ll make sure she knows I’m not interested in a serious relati—”

“No, I mean really attached,” Fluttershy interrupted. “She’s been known to go to…um… extremes if she doesn’t feel like letting go.” She cleared her throat. “And she usually doesn’t.”

Phasmi chuckled. “I’m sure it wouldn’t be that bad, right? I mean, worst case, I’ll just transform into a pegasi next time. No more Ghost Leaf. She went off to… Bitaly! What’s she going to do? Start a riot? Set the town in flames? Of course not!” She waved her hoof dismissively.

“…”

“Fluttershy?”

It was then that she heard the knocking on the door. “She’s here!” She checked her fake mane on the mirror one last time before running to stand in front of Fluttershy. “How do I look?”

“Um… fine bu—”

“Great!” Phasmi gave Fluttershy a hug and trotted out of the house, closing the door behind her. “Hi Carrot!”

Fluttershy could hear the pair giggling outside before the sound faded as the pair took off.

“Oh my. Angel,” Fluttershy whispered. “I hope things go okay and Carrot Top doesn’t get any ideas.”

Angel shrugged, then made smashing motions with his little paws.

“I-I guess I should tell Twilight we might need to put the fire department on alert…”

Angel crossed his arms.

“A-and the Royal Guard…”

Angel raised an eyebrow.

“Angel, I don’t really think—”

Angel interrupted her by tapping his foot on the table angrily.

Fluttershy cringed. “Okay, Angel, you win. I’ll also let her Sponsor know.

Angel nodded and hopped off, leaving Fluttershy with a worried frown. “I hope it’s not such a horrible Nightmare Night this year…”