Mystery Track #02
“What was that!?” Rainbow shouted. “You could’ve taken them on!”
Emma was rubbing her bruised shoulder. Her gaze goes to the corner as she grumbled, “It’s fine either way. They got called on by the mayor and their parents.”
“Tattle tailing on them isn’t gonna get you out of this fix!” Rainbow stated. “They’ll come back, and they’ll keep throwing stuff at you!”
“I already feel different enough Dash.” Emma stated. “I don’t need the pony folk to think I’m some sort of troublemaker too. I’ll just take what they throw. I’ll be fine.”
“What happens when you get cornered!? What if something happens!? You can’t just take everything they have to hit you with!”
“… I’ll be fine…” Emma assured her. “Really.”
End of Track
Twilight’s POV – Readying the Party
With Rarity getting Emma’s dress ready, the surprise is underway! I make my way to Sugar Cube Corner to meet up with Pinkie, where she is currently setting up the party. Entering the bakery, I see her putting up streamers and other décor of the jovial event about to be made. As usual, she does a splendid job. As I make my way to her, she looks at me with a greeting and a smile.
“Hi Twilight!”
“Hi Pinkie.” I greeted back. “Is the party ready yet?”
“Almost!” She answered. “We just need to finish baking the cake, then everything will be done!”
“Okay then!” I said happily. I looked around and whispered another question. “So… you have, it, right?”
Pinkie placed her hoof on her chin before realizing what I meant. She leaned over to me and said, “Oh yeah! that’s still put away until later. When it starts, we’ll have it cooked during the party.”
“Good.” I sighed. “It was hard to find that kind of brand too. I’m not an expert, but I know it was pretty good. At least that’s what Fluttershy told me.”
“Emma’s gonna be so happy when she sees it too!” Pinkie noted. “Every pony else might not like it, but at least Emma will be happy.”
“Yeah… Speaking of which… I need to check up on her. She must have finished with the spa treatment by now.”
“When you get her, the party should be done! I’ll go make sure every pony else checks in on time too!”
As I left the building, I bumped into a dark blue stallion. He turns and grins at me from the surprising moment.
“Apologies miss. I didn’t see you there.”
“Oh, it’s not your fault.” I assured him. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Perhaps you can assist me.” He wondered. “I’m looking for a human in this town. I heard there was one in Ponyville.”
I tilted my head in surprise of the news. “You mean Emma? How’d you hear of her?”
“Word travels fast, especially about the return of the dead species.” He stated. “Other than that, I need to have a word with her. She and I have some business to discuss.”
Emma’s POV – Protector
I couldn’t even look at Spike during our walk. After the little peeper saw me, all I could think of was how to throw all his gems to charity. The violet lizard kept glancing at me back and forth, trying to not notice my glare of a thousand suns. Other than that, the spa treatment was wonderful. My skin has never been smoother! They also managed to get that icky feeling of mud off too. It felt as if it was never there.
“Sooooo…” Spike practically sung. “Was uh… that what you wanted to keep private?”
“Yes Spike.” I growled. “I like to keep them hidden.”
“Then why’d you let Aloe and Lotus see them?” Spike questioned.
“Cause they were girls, and they were gonna see me naked anyways since one of them was going to give me a massage!” I shouted.
Spike stepped back from me before looking around. “So… All human girls have them?”
I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. “Yes, of course.”
“Okay then…” he nodded before looking away. A moment later and he turns with one more question. “So uh… Emma?”
I had a feeling that I wouldn’t like the next question, but responded anyways. “What?”
“Can I… touch them?”
I held the small dragons shoulder and nearly froze it off as I stared into his soul. “If you ask me about my body or even peek when I’m unclothed, so help me, I will bury you so deep in the planets crust, not even Tartarus will be able to compete with your grave.”
“S-Sorry!” Spike cried out. “Won’t ask that again! Promise!”
“Good!” I stomped in attempt to get my anger out. “Now let’s just go get my new clothes and get to the party!”
Just as I yelled that out, another voice came into the fray. “There she is!”
Spike and I turned to the source and saw the buggering stallions from earlier return, and this time with some more mud.
“What’s with them and throwing mud at you!?” Spike questioned.
“They got nothing better to do.” I guessed. “Let’s get out of here! I’m not paying for another spa treatment!”
The two of us started our retreat from the bullies in an attempt to lose them off of our trail. However, with the two of us being bipedal beings, we didn’t stand a chance against outrunning three ponies with all four hooves on the ground. Knowing we couldn’t outpace them, we had to lose their trail another way. Running to the park with the playground, I jumped in the structure where the fillies and colts were playing, and helped Spike get inside.
The first stallion to sling was Stilly; a gray pony with an orange combed mane covering his eyes. His throw hits the wall of the playground, almost hitting me and Spike. We hid behind the wall before the second one, Jelly, had an awful throw, even with his magic. The ball of wet dirt flew so off course, it almost hit a filly if I hadn’t nudged her a bit to the side.
The last one, Billy had a great time doing what he does. He’s probably the ring leader of all the human hatred. He brought along with him a bag full of sludge to throw. The two of us took cover from his barrage of flying mud pies hitting the playgrounds roofs, walls, monkey bars, jungle gym, everything was getting recoated to look like dirt. It wasn’t long before a loud noise of rushing wind came and made the ground quake. The sudden shake brought me and the dragon to the ground. We took a moment to get up and see the heroic pegasus stop the feud. She was also our friend as a bonus.
“Rainbow Dash!” Spike and I called out.
Rainbow looked at the three and walked around them as she gave another threatening lecture. “Well, well, well! Look what we have here! The same horses that can’t seem to lay off! You remember what’ll happen if I caught you hay suckers again, don’t you?”
“Eh heh! Uh…!” Billy stuttered. “You… you’re not gonna tell on us, are you?”
“Get out of here before I buck you to next week!” Rainbow shouted, scaring the trio off. She gave a long sigh before turning to me and Spike. “You two alright?”
“We are now.” Spike answered.
“That’s good.” Rainbow grinned. “So Emma, you finally came out for some good old exercise? Cause after seeing how you were running from those guys, you must’ve lost a few pounds.”
Rainbow laughed at her joke while I grumbled at her for teasing about my weight. “I’m not that fat. This is normal size for humans.”
“Sure it is.” Rainbow chuckled. “But seriously, what are you doing out?”
“For the party Twilight told me about.”
Rainbow gave a surprised look. “Whoa! You’re actually going? Sweet! I thought you wouldn’t show up at all!”
I crossed my arms and tilted my head. “Yeah, well, Twilight made me go. She wouldn’t let me stay in any longer.”
The blue mare held in her laughter as she said, “Wow, you hit a new low if Twilight’s gonna press that on ya!”
“Okay Dash, that’s enough.” I growled, almost tired of this charade.
“Alright, alright… so, yeah, see there!” She said before taking off. Halfway through her launch, she stopped and turned back to us. “Oh yeah! And if they come back to throw whatever at you, call me out, and I’ll come flying in!”
“Thanks Dash. I’ll keep that in mind.”
With that, she flies off, leaving me and Spike to head back to Rarity once more.
3rd POV – Today is your day
Emma and Spike return to the boutique and find Rarity ready to greet them. It seems she has finished the requested attire for her casual party earlier, and had enough time to greet them in.
“Hello dear! It’s nice to see you back looking spectacular!” Rarity complimented at Emma’s soothing skin. “Why, it’s almost as if no pony ever threw that filth at you in the first place!”
“Heh, or like ten seconds ago.” Spike snickered.
“Oh, tell me about it.” Emma sighed in agreement.
Rarity tilted her head in confusion. “Hmm? Did something happen?”
“Oh, don’t mind it Rarity.” Emma assured her. “How about I just get into the new clothes so we can match my new spa treatment look?”
“Fabulous idea! I placed them over there.” Rarity informed the human, showing her the neatly folded clothes on the table. “Just go ahead and change away.”
The girl held her clothes and declined the idea. “I’m gonna do it with some privacy if you don’t mind.”
“Go right ahead dear.” Rarity smiled.
“Why?” Spike questioned. “It’s not like any pony will be surprised this time.”
Emma’s frown returned in an attempt to burn Spike’s scales off using the fiery rage of death. Unfortunately, she was not able to emit such high temperatures and instead made her face really red. Rarity was shocked however, finding out something as scandalous as a peeper, from the little dragon no less!
“Spike!” She screamed. “You didn’t… Peek at her, did you!?”
“Uh… well, on accident?” He shrugged.
“Spike! That is no way to treat a lady!” She scolded. “If you are to be a gentle colt, you’re going to have to behave like one. That means no peeping like some sort of… creeper…”
“You’re right… I’m sorry Emma.” Spike apologized, scratching his foot to the ground in shame.
“Just… don’t mention it…” Emma replied. “EVER.”
After Emma went behind the curtains, Rarity turned to Spike and whispered, “So… Why does she never go out naked? I expected her to be more like Rainbow or Applejack. Not minding that sort of thing.”
Spike leaned and whispered back, “Her chest gets really noticeable, and that’s not okay for humans.”
“Ah… I see.” Rarity nodded.
Emma changed her clothing and donned her new attire. When equipped, she looks at herself, and sees something that makes her pause. Exiting the room, Rarity and Spike take a look at the new Emma. Formerly wearing old, torn, and smelly rags, she comes out looking like a brand new person. Now wearing green cargo shorts, a lime green sweatshirt with a scarf patterned in emerald and copper colors. Her sweatshirt’s emblem was a brown gear, matching her gear like chains on her belt. Her boots were strapped in green lining and golden buckles, but still manage to match the steampunk set. Emma looks to the mirror and is at a loss for words.
The only things she could mutter was, “This… Whoa… This is like some sort of… fantasy…”
“Almost.” Rarity noted. The fashionable unicorn walks up to her friend and levitates Emma a pair of goggles, with copper rims and a green strap. “There! Even if this isn’t for some occasion like a gala, you’ll still walk looking beautiful!”
“Rarity, how’d you know what I’d want?” Emma wondered.
“Truth be told, Twilight gave me some pointers on what you might like. She’s been keeping track on what stories you’ve been reading on your pass time apparently.” She explained. “But using it for my first try, it didn’t turn out perfectly. The next time should be better-”
Emma embraced Rarity tightly and squeaked, “It’s perfect! Just what I wanted! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
“My! Emma!” Rarity exclaimed. “I never knew you had such excitement in you!”
Emma blushed and stopped the hugging at once. She looked away in embarrassment, kicking the floor. “Well… I don’t usually do that… but this is the first time I got something I wanted.”
“Strange. I guess no pony back at your home knew you like Twilight does.” Rarity thought.
“I guess you can say that.”
“Hey!” Spike called out. “I don’t want to rush or anything, but we’re gonna be late to the party! Come on!”
“Spike, you can’t rush a lady.” Rarity told him.
“But he’s right.” Emma stated. “I don’t want to waste another second not showing this off. Let’s go!”
Emma walks over to Spike and urges Rarity to make haste as well. Liking the much more energetic Emma, she follows along immediately as they make their way to the party.
A while later over at Sugar Cube Corner, Twilight and the other ponies ready their surprise. She looks around the dark room to see if everyone is in place and still hidden.
“Rainbow! Lower your head!”
“Oh! Hold on…!”
They all wait patiently for the guests to arrive. As the doors creak, in comes the human along with a dragon and a unicorn. The silhouettes of the newcomers look around the dark room, but not finding much to their blindness of the room. The human crosses her arms and tilts her head.
“What’s going on? Is the place closed?” She wondered, searching for the light switch. “And why are the lights off?”
Twilight gave the signal, and the lights flash on. As the shine embraces the room, Emma looks up to see the confetti shooting off with a long note with, “Happy Surprise Party!” written on it. The place is filled with streamers, party food, and familiar ponies all across the room. She stays perfectly still as the ponies yell and shout in joyful merriment that their friend has arrived. Emma, still confused, questions them all.
“What’s going on? Why’d you set up this party?”
“This day is a tribute to you Emma.” Applejack explained.
“I saw how you weren’t enjoying the time you had here in Ponyville. You didn’t go out to see any pony and your remained cooped up inside the library.” Twilight noted. “With that, my friends and I made you a day dedicated to you! In order to show you all the how much you mean to us, and that we care for your happiness!”
Emma stood there, taking in everything they said. She looks away and in deep thought, she gathered her thoughts. First time anyone would go that far for me… First time anyone would care that much for me either… She shivered a bit and smiled at her fate. Spike looked up to Emma with a few tears shedding from her blushing face.
“Hey… are you crying?” He questioned.
Emma jumped and wiped them off as quickly as she could. “N-No! They’re just sweat from my eyes!”
“We have another surprise for you Emma!” Pinkie exclaimed.
As Emma turned around, Pinkie rushed the present outside. Unwrapped, it was seen by everyone in the room of what it is. Emma dropped her jaw at the sight of something delectable in the place that only gave veggies for the pony populace. On the dinner cart Pinkie brought out was a nice, juicy slab of meat. While the ponies stood away from the thing, Emma began drooling at the sight.
“Like it?” Twilight asked. “We had to ship it over from the Griffon kingdom. Fluttershy gave us a good recommendation when we were buying something for you to eat.”
“It’s supposedly very delicious to carnivores and omnivores everywhere.” Fluttershy added. “Its smell also doesn’t make herbivores… well, vomit.”
“It looks delicious…” The hungry Emma mumbled, not having a good quantity of meet for a while now.
“Go ahead and eat!” Rainbow beckoned. “No pony else is gonna take a bite besides you!”
With that said, Emma went and took a good slice. The music started to play, and the ponies started talking. A lot of them asked how Emma was doing, and more about her home. Rarity was telling her friends about Spike’s incident in the spa room, creating a new gossip to be spread. Cakes and cupcakes were passed around, and the day turned to dusk in short time.
The late party goers still went on, drinking and eating. Emma has finished up her large meal, and sat down to take a minute. Her friends go to her and converse with their alien friend.
“I take it the party was to your liking?” Rarity asked.
“Yeah, it was a blast.” Emma replied.
“It was hard to get this stuff done you know!” Rainbow noted. “If it wasn’t for my awesome speed, that delivery would’ve been waaay later than it should have!”
“Not like she could do it on her own though.” Applejack claimed. “She needed some help to haul in that load since it was pretty big.”
“Well, I’m satisfied either way.” Emma claimed. “It was enough to last me a month.”
“Did you talk with every pony yet?” Pinkie asked.
“Yeah. The kids are still the same, poking around to know more about humans. Big Mac sure talks a lot more than I thought though.”
“Really?” Applejack said in surprise. “Well now…”
“And Mayor Mare told me about some paper work. Being a citizen and all.”
“Paper work?” Rainbow repeated. “Sounds boring.”
“I know, but without license, I won’t apply for any work, insurance, or back up against Changeling fraud.” Emma explained. “I don’t know what the heck the last one was about, but I’m not taking any chances in a world full of magic.”
“Ooh, you should get that done as soon as possible.” Twilight lectured. “Not having one means you can’t even check out a book! You’re lucky you live with me, otherwise, I wouldn’t have even let you read halfway past a book!”
“Wow, you are… wow…” Emma chuckled.
“Ah! I almost forgot! There’s some pony who wants to meet you!” Twilight remembered.
“Who?”
“He wouldn’t say.” Twilight shrugged. “But he says he has something to discuss with you.”
Just as she announced the stranger, he comes forth and greets Emma. “Hello! I’ve been looking for you for so long!”
“And who are you?” Emma questioned.
“Why, I’m the one who brought you to this world!” He answered, shocking everyone. The music scratches off the disc and the room goes silent. The stallion smiled warmly as he says, “I apologize for what I have done. Complete miscalculation, total error on my part. So I’ve come here to bring you back to your world!”