//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Unknown Magic // Story: A Ponyville Switch-a-roo! // by WRLB //------------------------------// Chapter 7 Unknown Magic Twilight opened the door with her magic horn and led all of her fellow friends inside. She was determined to find out what had happened to Fluttershy and see what she could do to turn her friend back to normal. Once she saw that all of her friends were in the center of the room, she cleared her throat and said: “Spike and Rainbow Dash, go to the magic section and bring every book about spells, incantations, and remedies to me.” “I’m on it,” Rainbow Dash said as she placed Spike on her back. Twilight was about to say fly slowly, but she had learned over the years that Rainbow Dash was anything but slow. She then looked at Discord and gave a small growl. “Discord, I want you to teleport all of my lab equipment from the basement to here,” she ordered. “I don’t know…” Discord said rolling his eyes to one side. “Discord!” Twilight said, agitated. “Alright I’ll do it,” he said, “but you’ll have to pay a price.” “Discord, we have no time to fool around!” Twilight pleaded. “Guess your lab will have to stay in the basement then,” he said crossing his arms. Twilight gave out a huge groan. “Fine, what do you want?” she asked impatiently. “Say, ‘Discord is the most stunning creature I have ever seen’ in the sweetest voice possible,” he said proudly. Twilight was boiling inside. She had no time for his juvenile charades, but if it meant turning Fluttershy back to normal, she would have to grit her teeth and go along with it. So, swallowing her pride, she said in the sweetest way she could, “Oh my, Discord is truly the most stunning creature I have ever seen!” Discord gave a soft giggle. “Oh, Twilight,” he said pretending to blush, “I had no idea you had such feelings for me.” “Ditto,” she said under her breath, “now teleport my lab up here!” “Right-ey oh!” he said, but right before he snapped his fingers, he asked: “Just to clarify, do you want the entire basement to appear here, or do you just want the lab to appear here? Or do you want this room and the basement to switch places?” “I just want my lab to appear here,” she snarled. She didn’t flatter Discord’s ego and bite her lip for nothing. With a snap of his fingers, all of her lab equipment appeared, seemingly unharmed. After Twilight checked each object to make sure Discord didn’t leave any surprises, she took some of the electrical equipment and plugged them into the nearest outlet. While she was doing so, Rainbow Dash flew back holding a ton of books in her arms while Spike, still on her back, was carrying as many as his tiny hands could muster. “Here ya go,” she said before dropping them on the floor. The sight of the books hitting the hard wooden floor made Twilight jump in fear. She quickly used her magic to safely place the books in a neat, organized, group on one of the lab tables. “Next time, please be careful,” Twilight said despite knowing that Rainbow Dash would just forget the next time. After Rainbow Dash landed safely on the ground, Spike gave Twilight his books so she could organize them into the group. “Now we can get started,” Twilight said. “How long will this take?” asked Applejack, “’cause I’m promised Granny that I would be cooking lunch this afternoon.” “I’m afraid I will have to go as well,” said Rarity. “I have an appointment with the mayor in the afternoon.” “An appointment with the mayor?” Twilight asked. “Yes. She wants to come to my shop so she can approve my designs for this year’s Ponyville Ball,” replied Rarity. “Ugggg!,” Twilight said slamming her head on the lab desk. She just remembered that she’d agreed to be in charge of the firework show at the ball, “How could I’ve forgotten? It’s next month, right?” "This weak, actually,” Spike corrected. “Ummmm…,” said Fluttershy hesitantly cutting in, “I don’t mean to interrupt your conversation, but can we get started soon?” “Yes,” said Twilight thinking that the Ponyville Ball would just have to wait. “First, I’m going to test your physical health by checking your vital signs. Will one of you kindly sit down in this chair?” The chair was made out of wooden boards that were connected by wraps of iron. On top of the chair was the metal helmet Fluttershy recognized from the last time it was on her head. On each arm set there were metal cuffs, each one able to slide easily and lock in place. One look at those metal cuffs made Fluttershy’s face to turn pale. “Why can’t we just use the helmet?” Fluttershy gulped. “Well, I need a more thorough examination this time,” Twilight answered. “Discord can go first,” Fluttershy said fearfully. “Why, thank you, dear. How gentle-coltly of you!” said Discord. He slithered into the chair, and Twilight began to clip the iron wraps onto Discord’s claw and paw. When Twilight snapped each one in place, Discord gave a gasp of shock that melted into pure ecstasy. “I think I can get use to this,” he said giving a slick smile. Twilight turned on the computer, and Discord started squirming and giving out loud moans. But he didn’t seem to be in any pain; in fact he was enjoying the experience moment by moment. “Could you please calm down,” Twilight growled, “you’re messing the process up!” “My apologies,” said Discord while smiling in pleasure, “I’ll try to control myself. The keyword being try.” After what seemed like hours, Discord finally calmed down, and Twilight was content. Two minutes later, Twilight, turned the machine off, ripped a long piece of paper with a squiggly line graph out of the machine, and opened the iron wraps. “To think, I was just enjoying myself,” Discord grumbled under his breath. “Alright Fluttershy, you’re next,” Twilight announced. Fluttershy looked around the room to see if her friends were ready to force her to sit in that death trap of a chair. “Don’t worry Flutters,” Discord said, brushing his claw against her back. Fluttershy felt her spine begin to tingle. Why was she feeling this way? “Well…” she said hesitantly, “Alright.” She fearfully walked to the chair and cautiously sat down. Twilight snapped the two iron bars over her hooves, making Fluttershy gasp in fear. When Twilight turned the machine on, Fluttershy started squirming in sheer terror, unlike her draconequus friend. “Calm down Fluttershy,” Twilight said patiently. “It’s alright. Nothing bad is going to happen.” Fluttershy took deep breaths and tried to calm down as best as she could. Once the process had finished for the second time, Twilight collected the second graph and let Fluttershy go. “See! I told you there wasn’t anything to be afraid of,” Discord cried jubilantly. “Now what?” asked Applejack. “Now I compare these readings with recorded readings from the average Pegasus,” said Twilight, letting some of her scholastic pride show through. “But what about Discord?” asked Spike. “You don’t have any books about him.” Discord snapped his feminine fingers, and a big book appeared. “Here you go! Vital Readings for a Normal Draconequus,” he recited proudly. Twilight used her magic to take the book from Discord and went to find her book about normal vital readings of a Pegasus. After comparing the results with the data, Twilight announced her conclusion. “Well, Discord’s and Fluttershy’s vital readings are normal,” she proclaimed, “that covers the physical aspect of things.” “What’s next?” Rainbow Dash asked impatiently. “Now for the magic test,” Twilight replied. Her horn lit up, and her magic surrounded Discord, making him shiver in delight “Oooooh,” he said, “I feel…” And then, suddenly…zap! Streams of white and black lights flashed, and Twilight found herself flying not forwards, but backwards. Seconds sped by when suddenly, Twilight hit her flank on a piece of wood and landed on a hard surface. Her vision went foggy for a little while, but she was soon able to hear the groans of all her friends throughout the room. Once her vision became clear, she asked, “Is everypony okay?” “What the hay was that?” screamed Applejack, who had her legs firmly planted in a shrubbery pot lying on the floor. Pinkie Pie popped her head out of a book shelf. “It was like some sort black and white explosion!” she screamed. “It was like….booommmm! And then it was like…kazapppp!” “We know, Pinkie,” said Rainbow Dash, flying back into the room with a branch in her mane, “we all saw it.” “MY MANE!” Rarity shrieked from Twilight’s bedroom. Discord snapped back into existence. Twilight was somewhat disappointed to see that Discord had not changed back. She’d really hoped that that blast of magic would have helped. “Jeeze Twilight,” Discord said, pretending to be appalled, “you’ve certainly let this place go.” “Discord,” Fluttershy scolded in her stern-but-soft masculine voice as she came from the kitchen entrance. Discord mumbled to himself as he shrunk down to half his original size. Twilight started taking roll to see if everypony was still there. “Where’s Spike?” she asked after noticing his absence. Suddenly Spike’s scream could be heard outside of the library. “AHHHHHH NOT THE BEES!” he screamed. “ANYTHING BUT THE BEES!” The front door was pushed open. Spike sped into the room and quickly slammed the door in front of an angry mob of honey bees. “What happened?” Spike asked, frantically catching his breath. “First I’m standing here, then suddenly, I’m lying next to a broken beehive!” “You poor thing,” said Fluttershy said with concern, which made Discord grumble some more. “Awwww, why do dragons have all the fun?” Pinkie asked, feeling disappointed. “I don’t know Spike,” Twilight admitted. “I’ve never experienced this type of magic before.” “You mean we’ll be like this forever?” asked Fluttershy. “Only until I can figure out what type of magic was used on the both of you.” Twilight said regretfully. “Which will take how long?” asked Applejack curiously. “Unknown magic can be a dangerous and sensitive thing,” Twilight replied gravely. “I’ll have to do some more tests and research to figure out how it works. Fluttershy, did the hens turn into roosters before or after you hid in the chicken coop?” “Ummmmm…” Fluttershy pondered hesitantly. “I’m sorry, I really wasn’t paying attention.” “Great,” Twilight said with a groan. “Until I know what we’re dealing with, you two will stay here.” “What?” Fluttershy and Discord asked in unison. “Who will take care of my animals?” asked Fluttershy. “Who will wreak havoc while I waste away in this…” said Discord before getting a glare from Fluttershy to shut up. “I’ll take care of the animals,” Applejack nobly volunteered. “And I’ll wreak the havoc!” Pinkie Pie said smiling gleefully. Rarity walked out of Twilight’s bedroom completely unaware of what was going on. “Sorry it took so long,” Rarity apologized, “but I had an emergency to deal with. By the way Twilight, I haven’t seen my blankets anywhere in your room. Is there something you need to tell me?” Twilight was about to tell her when there was a knock at the door. “Princess Twilight!” a deep voice said, “The Mayor of Ponyville would like to see you.” Twilight sighed. “Alright,” she called back. “Fluttershy, make sure Discord stays here. I mean it! I want you to make sure that his butt doesn’t leave this place.” “Got it,” said Fluttershy semi-confidently. “I’ll see you ponies later,” Twilight said as she opened the door and was greeted by the mayor’s top security stallions, all of them ready to escort her to city hall. The mayor’s security guards opened the door to City Hall. Twilight followed a buff security guard named Brunch Taste to the mayor’s office. As they walked onwards, Twilight was reminded how the place looked like it was once a theater, with one or two balconies popping out of one wall and another group of balconies on the other. Twilight and Brunch walked through the curtains and were greeted by a door with a glass window on it. On the window were words that read “Mayor of Ponyvile: Mayor Mare” The stallion opened the door and motioned for Twilight to walk inside. Mare’s office was everything Twilight expected to see in a politician’s office. A large book shelf resting next to the left side of the wall, a grandfather clock ticking the corner, a potted plant in the other corner, a picture of Mayor Mare hanging on top of it, and a wide desk filled with papers and pens in the center. In the picture, there was a pony with a curly gray mane and tail, blue eyes, a white collar with a dark green ascot sticking out, and paper thin glasses with a yellow rim. Twilight carefully looked at the desk, only to see that there wasn’t anypony sitting there. Before she could ask questions, Brunch slammed and locked the door. A couple of seconds later Twilight heard a deep voice. “Twilight,” it said, “don’t be afraid. What you’ll see may shock you.” Then a head popped out behind the desk. The head was like Mare’s, except it was narrower, and the mane and tail were shorter. Based on observation, Twilight knew exactly who she was looking at. “Mayor Mare?” Twilight asked, frightened. “It’s me,” she said sorrowfully. “I don’t know how it happened, but I just woke up like this.” “Oh no,” Twilight replied. “Oh no, is right,” Mare said sulking her head, “but I know you can help.” “I think I can,” Twilight responded, “because two of my friends are going through the exact same thing. I just have to do some more tests and…” “But how am I supposed to attend to the Ponyville Ball looking like this?” Mare asked desperately. “They’ll think I sent a stand in, and you know what they’ll think next? Everypony will think that I don’t care about their local events! Can you imagine how that will look when I run for reelection? That’s why I need your help now, Twilight.” “Sure,” said Twilight realizing she would have to work double time not only find a quick cure, but also to work on the magical fireworks. “Ummmm… the Ponyville Ball is this week, right?” Twilight asked. “Why, it’s only two days from now,” Mare replied. Suddenly, Twilight’s confidence completely shattered. Two days? Two days? Only two days? Why didn’t she listen to Spike? Why did she have to be so involved in her studies? Why did she have to be so absent minded? “Are you alright princess?” the mayor asked with concern. “No, no, no,” said Twilight about to break, “Ummmmmm…I’m alright. Don’t worry, I’ll have your cure in no time.” “Thank you Twilight. You’re such a good princess,” the mayor said honorably. “I’ll be sure to repay you once this is over.” “Sure, when this is over,” Twilight said feeling the pressure of the mayor’s words sink into her frazzled mind. “Well, I’ll be going now. Don’t want to waste anytime…” “Heaven knows we don’t want that,” said the mayor in agreement. She then pushed a button, and Brunch unlocked and opened the door for Twilight. Two days?! Ha! I can do this! Twilight thought to herself, despite knowing that deep down, that she couldn’t.