//------------------------------// // Chapter seven: A Family Picnic. // Story: A changeling in the beginning. // by inum76 //------------------------------// Chapter seven: A Family Picnic. The morning light shined through the windows waking the two foals, as well as the two parents in the other bedroom near by. Triumph was the first to be up, and she had something important to take care of. A growing need that had to be attended to. She got Fluttershy up as well. "Fluttershy, it is morning." Fluttershy woke up feeling the same need that Triumph did. She looked to Triumph. Fluttershy could see it on Triumph's face. It was time to go. Triumph felt she should do what she can to help Fluttershy out in the mornings. Mostly with using the potty as the adults told her it is called. She wished to help Fluttershy in anyway she could, and as Stella, her new mom as she is getting use to thinking of her as, has asked her to. She now feels it is her place to help teach Fluttershy what to do when needed. Triumph jumped up and crawled over the crib railings. Fluttershy in turn, said, "You are not to do that." Triumph was surprised Fluttershy was still insistent about that. She needed to get Fluttershy to leave the crib and follow her out to the bathroom. She stood up and gave a big wave of a hoof to follow, while pointing to the door with the other. "Come on! Remember what Mom said?" Fluttershy thought about this. Mom said do what sister does. Fluttershy reasons this is likely one of those times. She did not wish to leave her crib, she was told not to, but her mom also told her to use the potty when she needed to as instructed. Both seemed to be conflicting orders to her. So, she got herself up and over the bars and joined Triumph on the floor, seeing her sister is insistent that they go now. Triumph felt pleased Fluttershy is getting it. She lead Fluttershy out of the room and into the bathroom. For all Triumph knew the two adults are not up yet. They both needed to go now, but no help was here, and she did not wish to disturb them. She is not sure if she should. Triumph took it upon herself to help Fluttershy on her own. The training seat was not in place. She found it near by but is too big for her to place on her own. So she looked to Fluttershy while pointing at the training seat cover. "Fluttershy, help." Fluttershy helped with putting the seat cover in place. After, Triumph took off her sister's diaper. Next, Triumph helped Fluttershy up on training seat. She got on all fours and let Fluttershy use her to climb up like a step later. As her sister is busy, Triumph took her own diaper off. Fluttershy did what she needed to. She got herself back down then helped Triumph up next as her sister helped her. Once both finished and Triumph was back down, they both saw Stella at the open door looking in on them. Fluttershy was momentarily stunned at being caught out of her crib by her mother. A short shock went through her. But her mother did not look upset as she smiled at them, and that put Fluttershy at ease. Stella looked in to see what was going on, and marveled on how they both worked together on their own to do what they needed too. She didn't need to do a thing for them. Seeing that they just finished, Stella did not feel the need to put them right back into their diapers just yet. Stella gave praise to both of them. "This is wonderful. You both did this on your own? I am proud of you both for helping each other." Stella didn't see what they did as they did it, but she knew what happened without her there. She also reasoned that Triumph had taken charge. She knew Fluttershy would not have left the crib on her own. She decided to let Fluttershy know that leaving the crib to use the toilet was okay. "Fluttershy you did good leaving your crib to do this together with your sister. You are allowed to do so anytime you need to for this. Understand sweetie?" Fluttershy smiled with a nod. She was happy that she was not in trouble for being out of her crib, and that she is now given permission to do so again. Stella addressed Triumph now. "Triumph, this goes for you as well. You are allowed to leave the crib only to use the potty. OK?" Triumph smiled with a nod as well. She also understood her sister's insistence on staying in the crib.   Stella intends to feed them before setting up for the morning picnic. She did not want them to wait till after all was set up, before they got to eat again. "Come with me back into the bedroom." Triumph and Fluttershy followed as instructed. As they passed by, Chaser headed into the room they just came out of. The three settled into the bedroom. Triumph felt at a loss as what to do next. This being her first start of a new day with them, she felt out of place. Triumph got the idea after Stella lay down on the mat as she had last night. After a full night's sleep Stella has enough milk to give them some for the morning. But with feeding two now, Stella did not have enough for a full feeding as she did last night, and as she usually does for just one. She will have to supplement with some formula For Fluttershy this morning. Usually she would feed Fluttershy at night, then have enough in reserve and some after sleeping to give Fluttershy another full feeding in the morning. But not this time. As the two fed again, Stella wondered if Triumph should get some formula too, or have something else after. Stella knew she lacked info on just what Triumph's change has fully done to her body, and if she did need to change her eating habits to fit Fluttershy's nutritional needs, or if she could do with a regular morning breakfast instead. That is after nursing them both what she can. Stella still felt unsure if Triumph even needed this as Fluttershy does. She did reason it wouldn't hurt her. As for her concern, she felt it might be something Patience could figure out for her, if even she could. Both fed in silence till Stella ran out. Fluttershy felt disappointed she did not get her fill as she usually did in the morning. This was the first time Stella ran out like this. Try as she might, she just could not get any more. She gave up and looked over to her mother with confused disappointment planted on her face.. Triumph looked the same as she didn't get anymore either. Stella knew she was out. "Sorry, that's it for this morning. I will get you both something more from the kitchen though." Fluttershy move up to Stella's chin and nuzzled her mother in response. Triumph liked what she saw going on, and joined Fluttershy in snuggling up to Stella. For Stella, this tickled, and Stella is starting a fit of laughing. The other two started to giggle at this, and continued in more of a tickle attack on Stella. Stella blurted out as she tried to speak, while giggling herself. "Oh' no. I have two cuddle monsters on me now!" Chaser walked in as he saw a sight of the two foals, not exactly having Stella pinned, but did have her down together. They tickled Stella as they rubbed against her, and kept her down and laughing. Chaser felt undecided who to help. He just stood there, amused by this seen. After a time he could see Stella getting out of breath, and decided to save her from this tickling assault. He move in with a mock tackle, as he brushed the two foals off Stella, and rolled onto his back with the two in his grip. The two started their attack on him in return. Stella got up as she watch Chaser get subdued by a flurry of rubbing by head and hoof by his two mini assailants. Chaser was not as easy to overtake though. He turned the tide with his own tickling attempts on them, and it worked. He managed to sit up as he rolled them over. He now has them on their backs while he kept them under hoof, and in a fit of giggling as he shook his hooves all over them. He stopped a moment after, when he felt they had enough. He stood himself up and let them do the same. "OK, you two. Time we get ready to go out today." The two foals felt quite awake now, and the extra activity has also made them both a little more hungry. Stella has already reasoned that this would be the case and let Chaser know. "Chaser, I still need to feed them some more. I didn't have enough milk for them both this morning. “Now that I have two to feed, I may need to adjust when I feed them. That is feed them more early at night. I will also have a little more to eat myself at night, just so I can make enough for them in the morning. “For now, I will have to make do with giving Fluttershy some formula to fill her. As for Triumph, She might be able to make do with some cereal. “I will have to check with Patience to see if Triumph will be OK without having what Fluttershy needs as a foal. For now, I am not sure." Chaser walked over to Stella. "Cereal it is than. I think I will have some myself. And I know what you mean by not knowing what to give Triumph. “We did talk about this before, and she does already eat what we do. Still you are right, we don't know just how much she has changed from what she was, or still is in a way. "after all, her change does not keep her from changing back, even though she doesn't have a horn anymore. Not from what we can see anyway. So, she still must be part whatever she was, and possibly part pony now. Without any extensive checking into her change, we just will not know what her change has really done to her. "I don't particularly like the idea of doing that to her though. Even if it would give us some more answers as to what she has become now. I trust Patience. If she does some workup on her, I might be OK with that, but only if necessary. For now, let's get this day started." Stella felt they are both in agreement on not knowing how to handle Triumph's change, or what exactly she did to herself. "I think it should be safe to give her some normal food. But I will still continue to nurse both of them when I nurse Fluttershy. So she will have that, just in case. “I can tell she likes it, and I like feeding her along with Fluttershy as well. If nothing else, it does help create a stronger bond between us, I think. And I like that even more." Chaser moved closer to her and gave her a quick kiss. "Whatever you say hun, it's your call on that one. Let's go and have some breakfast." The four of them left the room together. Stella instructed that the two find something to do, while she prepared something for them both. Fluttershy went over to her toy box and got out her paper and crayons. Stella had put everything away for them last night, before she went to bed herself. Triumph decided to watch what her sister is doing. Stella went into the kitchen to warm some formula for Fluttershy and to set up some cereal for the rest of them. Chase set himself to help her. As Stella prepared the formula, Chaser got out three bowls. He next went to the fridge and got out some berries. A mix of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries they got from the market yesterday. He next got out a box of cereal called Tasty O's. He poured some cereal into each of the three bowls. A little less in one of them. As he next started to mix some of the berries in, Stella started to cut up the strawberries into smaller pieces. She added them to the bowls after too. Chaser got himself to mixing it all, then got the milk out to add last. Stella checked on how warm the formula has gotten, and put it into a bottle when ready. As all that was going on, the other two got into some drawing. Triumph could not tell what it is Fluttershy is doing on the paper. As far as she could tell, her sister is just making some wavy and curly marks on the paper with the crayons. Triumph had not done anything like this herself yet. She felt like giving it a try. She got her own paper off the pile, and grabbed a crayon that is not currently being used by Fluttershy. She chose green. Watching her sister a bit more, she felt she might have the hang of it herself. Puting the crayon to the paper, she moved it to make a line. Next a wavy line. Then a few simple arcs. She went all the way around with one and made a circle. She got an idea after. She grabbed the blue crayon next. She used it to fill in the circle. Feeling that she had accomplished something, she decided that she liked drawing. lifting the paper in the air she showed it to her sister. "See," she said while pointing at the filled in circle she made. "This is neat." Fluttershy felt her sister is right. She wished to make a circle like that one. So she set herself to it. After finding a blank spot on her paper she made a circle of her own in yellow. She then filled it in with red. It is hardly perfect but Fluttershy felt excited about it. Not so much for the filled in circle she made, she made those before, but for the colors she used this time. This gave her an idea of her own. She put the red crayon back down to the paper and scribbled out the best pony she could draw in red. Next to it she scribbled another in yellow. After she grabbed the pink crayon and scribbled out a tale and main on both ponies. She picked up the paper and held it up for her sister to see. She pointed at the ponies. "Is us!" Fluttershy has a grin as she is pointing them out. Triumph took a look at them. Not great looking but she liked what her sister did. It has meaning to her. She felt good about it. Stella came out to give Fluttershy her bottle. She got a look at what Fluttershy made. "Oh' that is so sweet. You are getting better honey. Now I want you to put that down and have this." Stella handed her the bottle after Fluttershy put the paper down as asked. She addressed her other daughter. "Triumph, I have some milk and cereal out in the kitchen for you. It is all ready. I want you to come in with me to have some. Triumph didn't wish to leave Fluttershy, but is feeling hungry, as she did before they all left the bedroom. She also didn't wish to disobey. She followed Stella in to have her first breakfast in this house. Stella set Triumph up in a high chair. Stella thought for a moment, I should remember to get one more of these. I only have the one. This will have to do for now. Stella placed the bowl of cereal on the little table attached to the chair. Chaser was already eating. Triumph watched how he ate. She picked up the spoon after and copied what she saw him doing. It is some kind of O' shaped things floating in the milk with a mix of berries. She took a spoon full of O's. Not the best tasting food she has tried, but it is not bad either. She found she liked them more, the more she had of them. And the berries she felt went good with them. She took her time and finished it all. Stella took the empty bowl. She looked around, not a drop spilt. I told Summer that Triumph is well behaved. She is clean too.  Stella set the bowl on the main table, then got Triumph out of the high chair and put her down. "OK, sweetie you can go play again. Triumph went back into the parlor and found Fluttershy drawing again. Fluttershy is back to drawing yellow and red ponies all over her paper. Chaser walked across the room as he called out to Stella. "I am off to the Apple's farm to get a pie. I think I will get an apple crisp while I am at it, if they have any. And some carets. I forgot to get them yesterday." He looked down and saw the two sisters having fun drawing. He felt like taking one of them with him. Then he thought best not. He could travel faster without one, and he did not wish to disturb them as they spent time together. He felt that is important that they did. He still wanted to take one or both just the same. He reminded himself that they all had a big day yesterday, and Stella had insisted that Triumph gets a chance to relax, without more for her to deal with for one day. So he let them both be. He saw what each of them are drawing something different. Fluttershy filling another paper with ponies of herself and her sister, after filling her first paper with scribbles and ponies. He imagined the red ones being of him, but he did not have a pink mane and tail as the one on the paper did. Triumph is making filled circles, trying to make each one better, that is more round. She is also experimented with different colors, and different circle sizes, and thicknesses. Chaser thought, She might become an artist one day. Or it is the structured life she has had, that makes her try and work on those circles methodically. She keeps making them. She just tries and get better at whatever she doing. Much as Fluttershy keeps making ponies of themselves, in an attempt to make each one better herself. He is pleased the two found something more they like doing together. Chaser felt he watched enough and left the house. ~~~~~~ The sun is bright as it came over the horizon when he stepped out. Chaser glided down to the farm. He knew he was going to get an earful for not bringing Fluttershy along, as Granny Smith requested. As Chaser approached the farm he saw a real young red colt sitting outside, enjoying a few apples on his own. The colt looked up at him. Chaser knew who is his. Big Mack. Chaser walked up to him. "So is the Apples in today." Big Mack without much ado, he just simply stated, "E-yep." This was the most Chaser expected to get out of him. For a young colt, he is a pony of few words. Big Mack got up and went into the house. A short while after, Granny Smith came out. "So, yea came for a fresh apple pie?" Chaser felt like being humerus and stated, "E-yep." Granny Smith looked about. "I think you are missin somethin. I thought you was going to bring your two foals with yea." Chaser knew this was coming. "Stella and the other two had a long day yesterday. They are just not feeling up to visiting today, I'm afraid." Granny Smith looked a little disappointed at first, but perked right up after. "Well, there is always another day. So yea come fer somethin else or just the pie?" Chaser felt relieved that Granny Smith let him off the hook. "I would like some apple crisp, and a bag of carrots as well." Granny Smith smiled. "Well now. The Apples have a cart set up that they are taking into town. It has all that yea need. She lead him to the cart. Chaser looked over all that is on it. He found one thing he wanted that was not on his list. Caramel covered apple slices. Chaser eyed them. Oh' I bet our two foals would love these.  He looked over the price. Nothing he couldn't afford. He turned to Granny Smith to pay her. "I'll take some of these Caramel apples slices as well." Granny Smith gestured to the table. "Help yourself, everything on it is for sale." Chaser pulled out the bits and payed her. She smiled and replied, "Nice doing business with yea Sunny." Chaser then grabbed what he wanted and took off. Not before waving good bye to Granny Smith. ~~~~~~ Stella busied herself preparing for the outing. She wanted some fresh muffins made, a salad, some orange juice, and whatever Chaser brings back. She set herself to making the muffins and the salad. She felt she could shred a few carrots and add them in as well later. The two sisters got bored with drawing the same things. They both sat together to think of what to do next. They did not have long to wait as someone was knocking at the door. They watched as Stella moved to answer the door. It is Patience. Stella moved aside to let her in. "Come on in." Patience came in and started to look around the room. Stella felt curious as to what this was all about. "So what can we do for you." Just as soon as she said that it dawned on her just what Patience would be looking for. "Never mind, I got it in the kitchen." The sisters watched the two adults leave the room. They both were quite pleased to see Patience come in, but seeing that patience didn’t stop to see them, they found something else to do together. Watching Triumph color in circles gave Fluttershy another idea. She got out her coloring book and opened it up to the first page. The page has a group of different fish swimming around. Fluttershy picked up a yellow crayon and started to color one in. Triumph watched and decided to do the same with another fish. As she filled one in blue, she though this is more fun than filling in her own circles. She felt glad Fluttershy showed this to her. They amused themselves filling in shapes and animals on other pages as the adults did their own thing in the other room. As that was going on, Patience followed Stella into the kitchen as she caught a whiff of some fresh muffins still in the oven near done. "Oh' that smells good." Stella stood to take in the smell as well. "Yes, they do. They are almost done. Wish to stick around to have one. I made plenty. More then enough for our outing." Patience shook her head. "I would love to stay. But I got to get back to the clinic. I just came for my bag." Stella felt a little disappointed. "Well, that's too bad. I didn't want to do a any visiting today myself, just have a nice peaceful day out with the family. But I wouldn't wish to rush you out the door or anything. “I want to give Triumph a chance to relax as well, after everything that happened yesterday. It was an eventful day for a foal. “Mostly I just wanted to know from you, how your outing went yesterday. Find anyone you like?" Patience stood looking disappointed herself. "No, As interested as I was in looking, I guess I just wasn't feeling it. You know? I traveled for a bit. But none caught my eye. Not that any were not worth talking to. "It was more that I just didn't feel like flying up to some young stallion and introducing myself to one, and asking him to go out with me. I just didn't want to look desperate or too hopeful. And I think I might have, if I did talk to any yesterday. “It just didn't seem like the best time. I wasn't in the right frame of mind, and I knew it. Losing Kicker to Misty was not something I took well. And I was being hasty in trying to fill that gap, much too soon. I will try another day when I am more calm, and thinking better." Stella felt for her, but thought she did the right thing. "Well, I am glad you feel you should wait. Even though you didn't get what you wanted yesterday." Patience got herself moving and went for her bag after seeing it on a counter. She put some bits on the counter as she picked up her bag. "Thank you for keeping this safe. I must be going." Stella stopped her. "What are the bits for? You don't need to pay us for that keeping that for you." Patience chuckled for a moment. "No, that's not for keeping the bag for me. That's Chasers bits he gave me for some ice cream yesterday." Stella shook her head. "You didn't have to give that back. I know Chaser wouldn’t mind, not with you helping us and all. Besides I may have something else we may need to pay you for shortly anyway." Patience felt that this is not going to be as quick of a stop as she was hoping. She thought she should explain the bits. "First, Floater gave me some more for free. So I didn't need nor used the bits Chaser gave me. I tell you, Floater is a curious one, he is. And Misty gave him quite a show yesterday. So, what else you need me for?" Stella remembered her night visit with Floater and Summer Breeze. "Yes, I know a little of what happened in Floater's ice cream shop, with you and Misty. Floater told us about Misty's confession of love for Kicker, while in his shop. Oh' I wish I could have been there. "I have two things for you. One is to tell you that both Floater and Summer knows what Triumph is now. You wished to be informed of any changes with who may know of her true form, yes? Well they do now. And they are both willing to watch Fluttershy and Triumph for us while Chaser and I work." Patience did not know whether to be disappointed or happy about this news. She felt it is done now, and perhaps it will work out with them knowing of Triumph's real self, after all. She wished to move on from that subject and find out what else Stella has on her mind, so she can leave. "So, what else you got for me?" Stella could see Patience is in a rush. "Well, it has to do with what Triumph needs. That is her nutritional requirements. She told us that she eats normal foods. Foods like Apples, melons, and such. "She has not been Milk fed, nor bottle fed like a pony foal would have been. But she is a pony foal now, I think. That is while she is in that new form of hers. You said so yourself, she seems like one. "So I was wondering, if her body has actually changed so much from what she was, does she need what a foal would need now, or will she be okay eating as she had been eating before her change?" Patience sat down after that question. "Wow! That is a good question. I have no idea. I never dealt with anything like this before. I would have to run some tests or something? But I would not know what to check for. This is all so new. You got me stumped on that one. What have you been feeding her?" Stella felt it best Patience knew everything. "Other than the ice cream, we gave her an apple. She ate that quickly. You should have saw the look on her face when she first had a bite of it. It must not have been like any she had before. She really liked it. Next, I nursed her with Fluttershy before they went to bed." At this Patience eyes widened a little. "You did?” Her features went back to normal after considering it. “Well, after what little we know of her change, that was not such a bad idea. So, how did it go?" Stella, smiled some. "About as expected. It was all quite new for her. I imagine she felt more odd about it at first than I did. But in time, we both just went along with her feeding from me, as a pony of her age should be fed, or so I think she should. I fed her my milk again this morning as well. I didn't have enough though, but I will fix that for next time. "After we just given her some cereal, and a mix of berries with it. That is all she has had so far." Patience sat and took all of this in. "Well, all I can say, is to keep feeding her as you are, and keep a watch on her. If she seems to be getting sluggish, looking lost, feeling tired, sick to her stomach, or any other odd symptoms, you let me know. "I will see what I can do about finding more about her new change form her, if need be. Her requirements might indeed be the same as Fluttershy now, or there is also the chance she might have gotten ill on your milk. It would not be good to just guess on that. "She might not be able to handle milk for long if she will get sick from it. Though seeing she did not get sick yet form the ice cream, nor your milk from last night, I don't think it will be a problem. She likely would have gotten sick from it by now, if she was going to. “Till any symptoms show, it will have to be a wait and see, unless you do want me to try and do a full workup on her physiology now? “I don't think she would like that though. Not that I would do anything to hurt her. I might have to draw blood at the most to check that out, and have her sit through a scan, and a few other unpleasant tests. But what foal actually likes going through all of that." Stella sighed. "No, I don't want her to go through that, and neither does Chaser. I will do as you say, and keep feeding her as I am, and I will let you know of any other changes with her. “Sorry to keep you. I just wanted your opinion, and I know you need to be going." Patience shook her head some. "No, it is all part of my job, and your family is of great importance to me. I do need to get going but I am not in such a rush that I can't listen to your family issues. “It's what I am here for. If anything, I would just log my time here helping you, as just another day at work. And it would be. With what you are asking of me, it is what I do. Sorry I have no good answers for you. But if you don't need me further, I would like to get going." Stella walked up to Patience, sat then put a hoof on her shoulder. "Thank you Patience. Thank you for your time. No, I will not keep you. You can go." Patience pulled Stella in for a quick light hug. "You take care now. I will see you again when I can." With a smile from both, they stood up. Patience grabbed her bag and went into the living room. She saw the two foals looking up at her as if waiting for something. Her resistance to their cuteness she saw them as having, made her put her bag down again, and she went over to them. "Oh' come here you two cuties!" she stated with her front legs open to them. Triumph instantly got up. She could not resist this invite. She knew she would get a good feeling from being near her again. That feeling she liked the most. Fluttershy moved as she saw her sister get up. They both moved together over to Patience. Patience pulled them both in a warm embrace. Triumph got what she was expecting, but from her sister as well. The moment didn't last as Patience knew she could not stay. She got back up as she let go of the two foals. She got her bag and went to the door. After she opened it she saw Chaser standing there. Patience quickly put her bag down to talk. "I can't stay, I must go now. Whatever you might wish to know, Stella will fill you in. Bye!" Patience just as quickly picked up her bag once more and moved past him to leave. Chaser moved aside to let her pass. Patience took off without even a wave good bye. Wow. She is in a rush. Well she did take yesterday off, and she probably shouldn't have. At least she got her bag. I wonder how her day went. I guess I might find that out from Stella.  Chaser stepped inside. After closing the door he moved to the kitchen. He greeted Stella who was about to get the muffins out. She stopped herself as she saw him come in, and turned her attention to him instead, after turning the stove off. Stella gave him a kiss, then asked, "So, you get a pie this time?" Chaser went over to the counter to put what he got down. "Yes, and an extra nice treat. Some caramel covered apples slices. I remember Triumph said she liked honey and apples. I thought she might like this as well. Maybe even more." Stella smiled at that thought. "Good call. I do believe she might. This is going to be such a nice outing. I think we all will need this." Chaser thought about Patience and her outing. "So, Stella, I take it that you got a chance to talk to Patience, right?" Stella nodded. "I did. Poor girl just didn't feel right yesterday. She looked around, but didn't talk to anyone. She felt she was a mess, and wished be feeling better before asking anyone out. I am sorry her day did not go well, but I am sure she will find someone soon enough. When she is truly ready." Stella moved to take out the muffins before they got overdone while sitting in the stove. Chaser responded as she was doing that. "Yes, in a way, yesterday was not all too good for her or us. But it was not all bad either. Even though Triumph got misplaced, and she is away from something familiar, despite that tragedy, I am quite glad I found her, and we have her here now." Stella got the muffins taken out and placed to cool as she listened. Chaser moved to her side as he talked. "I think I know why, I think I understand what you mean when you say you wished we had another foal. There is just something that feels more complete about having her with us. “Fluttershy has a friend to play with and be at her side. And now, there is a foal for each of us as well. I feel I am personally quite taken with our new addition too. I think she will play a big part in our lives, for the better." Stella leaned against him. "I do hope so. We still have no idea what her clan is truly like, or what it is they are doing about her missing. “But you're right about Triumph. She will be good to have around if nothing else bad happens due to her being here. I don't see her being a problem to us, herself. She is such a good little foal. “I also feel Fluttershy could learn a lot from her I think. Well, she already has. Potty training went well this morning. And they are already helping each other on their own now with that. “Hmmm... If this keeps up they may not need me at all, soon. What's a mother to do?" Chaser smiled. "You will always have me, and I will always need you." He tilted his head to give Stella another quick kiss. After, he saw movement on his other side. Both foals he found just standing there staring up at him. Both with the same inquisitive look on their faces. He still had no idea on what to make of them doing the same thing, in exactly the same way, at times. And just staring together, as if waiting for something. Stella saw this as well. She nudged him a little. "See. They're doing it again." The two sisters turned to each other and looked at the other, and has the same question in mind. What are we doing again? Chaser tuned back to Stella. "What do you want me to do about it? They're twins, what do you expect?" Stella nudged him again. She leaned in closer to whisper in his ear. "They are not really twins, you know that. And that is what makes this so odd." Chaser whispered back to Stella. "I know, but we don't really know how much she copied from each of us. Or if she had done anything to Fluttershy, or us by doing so. I don't feel like I have been affected by anything unusual. Do you?" Stella shook her head slightly. "No, not really. Other than love for her, that is it. But that is normal, right?" Chaser nodded. "Yes, I would say so. And I do too, nothing wrong with that. However, we don't really know how her magic works, or everything she can do. She might not even know it herself. And from what I can tell, she doesn't fully know. “Let's just accept that the two are twins now. We will figure out the rest as time goes on." Stella nodded in agreement. She knew she was just over reacting. She just felt this was just too strange. But she was willing to let it go and accept this behavior from them, as a possible harmless side effect of Triumphs change. It is still kind of adorable, and creepy at the same time. I suppose there is nothing really wrong with it though. It is just another thing to get use to I guess. Stella addressed her two foals. "So are you both ready for a picnic. Fluttershy nodded, but Triumph did not fully understand the question. Triumph did remember her mother did say she was going to get some apple pie during this picnic, she just didn't know what it was. As her past training took over she felt the need to ask on what she didn't know. "What is a picnic?" Stella reasoned that she did not get to do many of the things ponies do for fun and relaxation. She decided to explain it. "It is just some free time outside. We get to enjoy the day together as a family, and have some of our favorite foods. It'll be fun." Triumph liked this. It did sound like fun to her. In time, preparations were finished, and they set out for the day's outing. Stella still did not feel the need to put her two little ones in diapers. She told them both that if they be good and needed to go, just let her know and she would take them down below to take care of that. The sisters liked the idea of spending the day free of their diapers. They didn't hate it, but they rather not have it on. It felt nice to them not have it on as much as they did of late. Both made note to do as their mother asked, for they knew if they didn't, their mother would likely bring them back home and have one put on them again. And they didn't want that. They didn't feel they would have a problem anyway. Stella and Chaser found a nice spot among the clouds to set everything up. A cloth was placed and the basket was set on it. They did not feel the need to get everything out yet. They ate earlier after getting up, and did not need to eat again right away. Stella and Chaser each took a foal and flew around with them on their backs. Each of them are real good flyers. They had to be, in order to handle storm clouds safely. Each did not over do the flying though. It was just to excite the little ones a bit. Though the two sisters did not like flying on their own yet. They did not mind getting a ride with their parents. Both felt safe with them. Stella and Chaser weaved in and out between clouds and even did a few big loops. The two sisters liked this a lot. They flew through a few clouds, and made a few free fall drops while high up. All of this was basic simple tricks most any pegasi could do, but it made for a thrill for the foals just the same. This went on for about an hour. Stella felt they had enough for the moment and let Chaser know. They both set back down on the cloud next to the picnic setup. The two sisters got off and wandered around a bit. The excitement of the flight was still in them both. Stella and Chaser settled down together to watch their little ones run around. They saw both of them, actually trying to fly. Each foal ran and made a leap as they buzzed their wings. Each got a little higher and staid up a little longer every time. Stella and Chaser were thrilled to see each of them trying. As a pegasus, the two knew flying is very important to them. The two adults got more relaxed as they rested against each other. They both felt this is going to be a fine day indeed. After some time Stella and Chaser put their attention on getting the food out, as the two sisters continued to practice on flying. Each of them fluttering about in different directions. The activity got the attention of someone else near by. One who decided to have a look. She saw something very familiar from the day before. That red pegasus that took her chosen meal from her. Her eyes narrowed as she thought about him, his possible mate, and those other two little ones nearby, but not so near to him, or his possible mate. The two sister got tired of trying to fly. Triumph did a little better then Fluttershy. She managed a quick burst forward. That got her tired quick. She moved to head back to their parents after a time. She spotted Fluttershy not following along. In the distance those pair of eyes were still watching, and waiting for an opportune moment. That moment looked more open the longer she waited. Both a feeling of hunger and a need for vengeance put her on edge to strike, but the other two older ponies were still too close by. She looked back to that red pegasus, She intended to take something from him. The two little ones she figured is his, and she intended to take one of them as payback. She knew she would have to be quick. Timing is everything with such a theft. Fluttershy caught a glimpse of some flittering movement of color moving about in the clouds in the distance. She did not know they are just some light reflecting off some small clouds. She thought it looked pretty. She wished to get a better look at it. She giggled as she tried to get closer. Triumph heard her sister giggling, and moved to follow her sister instead. Stella noticed this as well, and with a word or two of concern she shouted out. "Fluttershy dear, don't go too far! We are near ready to eat hun! Stella put her attention back on setting the food up with Chaser. She felt Fluttershy will come back on her own now, with a word from her to do so. Fluttershy was not interested in food, not with chasing after something shiny and colorful on her mind. She move along more quickly, at a brisk trot, to get to those lights before her mom came to get her. She figured her mom would come get her, and she wanted to see these colors of glittery light before that happened. As the two sisters got further out, Triumph suddenly got a bad feeling. She remembered all too well doing something like this. It was what got her in trouble before. Worse than that, it was when she last got attacked. She got worried. She moved more quickly herself, to catch up with Fluttershy. At that moment, Triumph was not the only one on her way to Fluttershy with speed. Triumph called out to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy! Please, come back. It is not safe!" As she moved to get with her giggling sister that got separated from her as they both tried at flying, she saw what she feared. A shadow moved past her and in the direction of Fluttershy. Triumph looked up and saw that same small red dragon thing that Chaser called a wyvern. And it is after her sister. Her little heart sunk. In a panic she opened her wings as she used them to move even faster. She now screamed out to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy! Look out! Run!" Both Chaser and Stella instantly was on the move after hearing Triumph scream. Panic filled them both as well now. Fluttershy stopped. Hearing her sister scream made her freeze in place. This made it all that more easy for the wyvern to grab her unsuspecting target. The wyvern swooped down quickly and nabbed Fluttershy right where she stood. Triumph was beside herself. This living nightmare came back, and now has her sister. She felt there was nothing she could do about it. But for her sister, she would try anything. The action was going so quickly none had much time to think. Chaser and Stella is well on there way, but still too far, as the wyvern carried Fluttershy further off with haste, intent on getting away. Triumph more out of fear for her sister then for herself, picked up her pace to the point of an all out flying sprint. She darted so quickly and out of control she slammed right into the wyvern. In surprise at being hit from behind, the wyvern turns on who bumped her, snapping at it. Triumph did the best she could to stay out of reach as she rolled about. She finally got to her hoofs, and stood up. She looked right at the wyvern with a glare of anger in her eyes. "Let my sister go!" This little pony startled The wyvern for a moment. She felt confused at this action taken by this little red pony before her. It reminded her of the red male adult, that glared at her form high above, after he knocked her around in the air. She felt almost compelled to let go as requested by this little red one with the demanding eyes. Her grip relaxed a little, and she could feel her captive squirm. In reflex she clamped tight her claws again, and held Fluttershy in place. She got angry herself, and in defiance she turned her attention to the one in her claws. She gave it a good squeeze as it gave a squeak in return. She hissed at the little pony in front of her giving orders in more defiance, then brought her head back down to bite onto her chosen captive meal to be. She brought Fluttershy up in her mouth for the other to see what she intends to do with it. Fluttershy looked at Triumph in fear, and with tears in her eyes. She did not fully understand what is going on, but she is in pain as the small teeth of the wyvern dug into her. Fluttershy felt scared of this thing that now has her. She spoke softly to Triumph with a shaky voice. "Help." She was in high hopes that Triumph could help. She very much wished her sister could saved her, like she did from the ball the other night. Though this is nothing like the ball, and Fluttershy knew it. Triumph could not stand to see this, and made a leap at the wyvern's head. The wyvern moved her head, as Triumph missed. Triumph got up and turned to try again. Right after, the wyvern bit down hard, and Fluttershy went limp with a small whimper of a squeak. The wyvern quickly juggled Fluttershy in her mouth to point her prey's head down to her throat. Then she lifted her head high as she swallowed the tiny morsel like a snake swallowing a mouse. This was hard to do. The young pony was bigger than she could easily handle. But she got her down. Triumph screamed again, as she saw her sister get swallowed whole. "No! Fluttershy!" The wyvern turned around quickly to get away after what she did, but it was too late for her as well. Her attention was so fixed on the two little ones, she near forgot about the big ponies coming after her. She realized too late that she delayed for much too long. Chaser grabbed the wyvern by the tail with his mouth as it tried to make its escape. He yanked on it hard, then pulled it down with him as he made a plummet to the ground far below. He used his wings to pick up speed. He was beyond furious and intended to kill this thing, once and for all. The wyvern tried to use its tail spike but it was of no use. So she made due with her claws and teeth. She bit at his ears and clawed at his face. She almost raked an eye, but only got his eye lid as he closed that eye. This attack only spurred Chaser on to move faster. After he got within a few feet from the ground he wiped his head to the side to fling the wyvern off his face by the tail and onto the awaiting land below. The wyvern hit the ground with a crunch. Chaser swooped around in a loop in the air without losing speed and came down hard on the wyvern with all his weight on his hooves, crushing the wyvern under them. He continued to stomp about on it as he made a bloody mess of it. For good measure he stomped on its head a few times till he felt it quite smashed in. With anger still in him he knew the thing was dead, but wished there was more he could do. He let out a sigh as he calmed himself. He felt nothing but cold hate for this thing he just stomped to death. He decided to just leave it there. His Little Fluttershy was gone, and he had no intentions on trying to retrieve her likely broken body from the belly of the beast. He just didn't want to see it. In anguish he lifted himself to head back to Stella and Triumph up in the clouds. Seeing that Stella was not there with him, he reasoned she stayed to protect Triumph as he took care of the wyvern himself, and he is fine with that. He finally made his way to them, finding Stella doing just as he predicted. She had Triumph close to her in a protective embrace. Stella's eyes are red and full of tears. She opened her mouth slowly to speak. "What happened? Where is Fluttershy?" Stella did not see everything that happened, she flew too close behind Chaser to see around him part of the time. All she saw was Triumph fight with the wyvern on her own at first. As they got closer she only saw Chaser grab the wyvern and go down with it. She did not see Fluttershy get eaten as Chaser and Triumph did. She hoped that Chaser could save Fluttershy from it just as he saved Triumph. After Chaser went down Stella saw Triumph alone, and trying to follow Chaser and the wyvern down. Stella stopped her and held her tight to keep her safe. She did not want to lose another of her foals. She knew chaser could handle that thing on his own. And Triumph struggled too much for Stella to feel safe with letting her go, to leave herself and help Chaser, as part of her wished to. Stella's question after Chaser came up surprised him for a moment, then he reasoned that she did not see the wyvern eat Fluttershy. He spoke softly to her and with shock at his own words he found himself saying, as if the realization of what just happened was hitting him again for the first time. His voice shaking as he spoke. "She... She is gone." His eyes went wide as he talked, just staring into the distance, looking lost to Stella and Triumph. "I didn't get to her in time. It it killed her and ate her.” Chaser turned his head and looked deeply into Stella’s eye with a look of pain in his own. “I am so sorry Stella. I didn't save her. I... I have lost our precious little Fluttershy." Tears formed in his eyes after saying that. Not wishing to believe his own words as being the reality of the moment. Stella put a hoof to her mouth at the horror of what she was told. "No! Not my sweet little baby." Tears flowed from her eyes too, as she could feel the hurt Chaser felt, along with her own. Chaser moved in to embrace and comfort his wife. "I am so sorry. I just was not there in time. I just wasn't there!" Stella shushed him. "It's not your fault. I saw them wander away as you did. I should not have let them get so far. Even Triumph was trying to tell Fluttershy to come back. And we did nothing then. "It was not up to Triumph to retrieve her. It was up to us. I failed her too." She pulled Triumph a little closer, knowing that Triumph did try to protect her sister from something that might have even killed her. Even if Fluttershy was not really her sister, she still tried. Oh' Triumph, all I have is you now. I will not let this happen again. I will do better to protect you, like I should have protected you both. You did what I should have done. And now you lost your sister too because of it.  The three sat like that for a time. Their day out ruined. All they wished to do now is go home. They did not bother with picking up their basket of food. They left it there as they silently went back home. As they got back in, each of them sat in their own place in the main room, each felt pain from what just happened. It was near unbelievable to them, but the situation was real, Fluttershy was now gone to them. There is so much sadness in the room. The love and laughter was gone now too. Only the loss of a dearly loved one could be felt by those there. Triumph craved that feeling of love again, so much more now. She never knew such sorrow could be felt, or that it would hurt so much. She wished the wyvern had taken her instead. She felt Fluttershy belonged here, not her. Stella cried with her hooves to her face. She cried hard with mournful sobs. She breathed deep between them. In time she dropped her hooves back down. Her face a mess. She spoke with a shaky voice filled with her sadness, "I wish I could see my little one again. To hold her, to feel her, and hear her sweet soft little voice." She broke down with one more deep shaky sob before she spoke again. Tears flowed as she wept, matting more on her face. "Oh, my little Fluttershy!" She wished to say more but couldn't. Triumph was beside herself as she watched both Chaser and Stella's grieving. She missed seeing Fluttershy as well. She closed her eyes and pictured Fluttershy in her mind. She remembered the very first time she had changed, she was so happy right after that. She remembered how it felt during her first change. She tried to hold onto that feeling. It washed over her. The feeling grew stronger. It consumed her for a short moment. Then she heard Stella speak. "Triumph! What are you doing!" Triumph quickly opened her eyes and looked up at Stella. She found Stella's eyes wide open, and on her. Triumph took a look at herself and found she had changed again. She once more looked exactly like Fluttershy. Triumph did not suspect that she would actually change. She felt by the way Stella was looking at her that she did something wrong again. "I am sorry mom! It just happened." Her voice sounded exactly as Fluttershy's did. This made Stella gasp. Her heart sank as she heard Fluttershy's voice again. She was hardly able to believe what she was seeing and hearing. It was as if Fluttershy has come back to her, as though her wish was made real. Triumph was sitting there looking so sad and sorry. But there was more to her than that. Stella for a moment truly did think she is seeing Fluttershy sitting right there in front of her, even though she knew it is Triumph. Her heart gave a momentary leap as if wishing against all hope that it really is her little Fluttershy right there, and needing her. Stella mind snapped, as she gave in. The more Stella looked at Triumph, the more convinced she is that Fluttershy is right there before her again. The thought griped her. She felt desperate enough to believe it. She knew it was not true, but deep down she wanted to believe it. She wanted her little Fluttershy back so much, and there she is, looking as sad as can be, and asking for forgiveness. The more Stella saw this, the more she just wished to reach right down and hold her. To feel her own little Fluttershy once again. To give her all the love and comfort she can give, and to let her know everything will be alright, and to forgive her for leaving. Triumph was now feeling nervous by Stella's gasp, and Stella's silent stare after. Triumph was beginning to tear up more at having done something wrong again. She wished to fix this. She tried to speak "Don't cry mom. I can change." Stella's heart tore at her more at hearing Fluttershy's voice again, and for what was going on, and fear of losing what she is now seeing. As if this moment might just disappear like a dream. She could see Triumph is scared and sorry, but to Stella all she saw is Fluttershy there looking scared and sorry for having done something bad. Stella's mind warped the truth, as if it is Fluttershy saying sorry for leaving her, and not to cry. Stella could not take this anymore. Stella's bottom lip curled in as she gave a whimper, and more tears filled her eyes. Her own resolve over what is happening shattered. She could not bear to see her own little Fluttershy filled with tears and looking sad, scared, and sorry for being bad. Her mind lost reason, as she could not resist the urge to comfort her little one in need of her again. Her own motherly need to do so, swelled beyond her control. Stella reached right out and scooped up her precious bundle, and held her tight. With most of her mind lost to the moment, she could feel Fluttershy with her again. Just as she wished her to be. Stella shook and cried all the more at this, in a momentary happiness. Who she held looked like Fluttershy, smelled like Fluttershy, and felt like Fluttershy. It was like having Fluttershy all over again, and Stella did not want to let her go. A small part of her mind snapped back and focused on the one thing Triumph had said. It filled Stella with dread. I can change. Stella's heart sunk again at that thought. She said as quickly as she could, "Don't ever change. I love you so much just the way you are. Please, please don't ever change." As Stella said this, Triumph could feel that same feeling of love coming from Stella that she was craving, and more than ever before. It felt oh' so good to her, like a warm blanket, yet also filling her with strength and soothing comfort. Triumph thought on what Stella said. Does she really want me to stay this way? Does she want me to be like Fluttershy? Or to be Fluttershy? A part of Triumph liked that. She remembered that she liked looking like Fluttershy for the very short time she did. A small part of her during that time made her wish to be her. It’s what made her change this time. Can I be Fluttershy? For them? Would they want that? Stella showed no signs of letting her go or putting her down, so Triumph asked softly, as softly as she felt Fluttershy would, "You want me to be Fluttershy?" Hearing herself say this made herself feel as though she was Fluttershy for a moment. It warmed her inside to think that she could be her for them. To fill the loss they all felt. Triumph felt good about remembering Fluttershy by trying to pretend be her as best as she could. It helped her too, even though she still missed her sister so much. It made her feel as if Fluttershy might never be gone, so long as she could be her for each of them. It was in her own way something to remember her lost sister by. She felt she could give up who she is, to bring back her sister as best she could. To bring back the love for Fluttershy. Not only for Stella, and Chaser, but for herself as well. She also felt it was not right Fluttershy was taken.  That question Triumph gave drifted about in Stella's mind as she tried to reason it. This is not Fluttershy. But she looks and feels and sounds, and even smells like Fluttershy. I know I shouldn't ask her of this. But having her like this is so much more than having a simple photo, or memory of my little Fluttershy to only remember her by. With her like this, I get to feel Fluttershy still with me, and not just in spirit, by only getting to remember her. I get to actually hold her, and have her with me as I have. She is not Fluttershy, but she has been so much like her in the short time they spent together. Much as they were the same. And now...  She knew her answer, even though a part of her felt it is wrong. But her resistance to doing what she felt is right is too strong at the moment. She herself wanted this, and by the way Triumph asked, and brought up this question to her, a part of Triumph's voice made Stella believe that Triumph actually might want this as well. So she gave her answer. "Yes. Oh' yes, my sweet little angel, yes." Stella's answer gave Triumph a small leap of joy inside. She had one more question for her, "Mom. Can you call me Fluttershy? I like hearing her name. I do not want to forget her." Stella stopped for a moment, then held out the little one she is holding, so she could again have a good look at her. In her mind she still only saw Fluttershy. So she gave her answer. "Yes, you are my little beloved Fluttershy. Thank you for this gift of coming here when you did. Because of you, I can have what I lost." Stella went back to holding her new Fluttershy close to her again. "Thank you," Stella last said to her. Chaser saw what is going on, and had his own misgivings about it. But did not dare question his wife on this matter. He knew her motherly instincts is in control of her at the moment. There is a saying. Ignorance is bliss. I know what it is you both are doing. Setting aside an unpleasant truth for a more comforting lie.  He saw they both are trying to be happy, despite the self given deception he saw them give each other. He would not say or do anything to take away their happiness. Not for all the world, no matter how wrong he might see this as. He did not like the idea of trying to forget Fluttershy so easily in this way. Or that she was just taken from them, ever. He was the one who killed the little beast that took her after all. And he has the scraps on his face he could still feel, as a reminder of it. He gave a slight half-hearted chuckle to himself over a thought. Slight enough the other two did not notice. I was the one who brought Triumph here, and it was I who convinced Stella to go along with the idea of pretending Triumph is ours. I can go along with this as well for her. For them both. So Triumph is now to be Fluttershy I guess. How ironic that this should happen. I bring home one lost foal only for her to replace the one we already had. I can't say I can feel the same about it as Stella does, but... Oh' what the hay. If I am going to do this, I might as well accept her as Fluttershy as well, and try to forget she was ever taken. I know it's a lie. I know this. But they are both right. It's better to think this way then be sad all our lives over what is, and what happened. It's not like we can actually change what happened. I don't think we will ever forget her either. Triumph will not let us forget her, or be sad about not having her around anymore. I think I can do this. I will, for both of them. After all, I am the one who started this. Chaser gave himself a sigh. I will not ever forget you my little Fluttershy, or that we have lost you. I just hope you would be happy with us in remembering the love we had for you in this way. By continuing to do so, each in our own way. And by this, is how we will continue to always love you, and remember you. I just hope you can be happy with this, and not feel we are betraying our memories of you with this lie. Please forgive us, my precious little Fluttershy.  More tears fell down his face as he closed his eyes in remembrance of Fluttershy. The thought of having to really let her go hurt to do so. This Pretending that Triumph is to be Fluttershy now, just did not sit right with him still. Feeling full of grief, He move in a little closer to Stella and their new Fluttershy to be. He gave a light kiss on her little head. He spoke with words he felt is true, but he said them not so much to the one he kissed, but to the one he missed. "I will always love you my little Fluttershy." He felt after that he would make himself let his lost Fluttershy go, and decided he will move on, and be supportive to the other two in his life, for their sake. He would never let them know about any misgivings he has on this self deception he saw going on. And he would do his best to let this new situation heal each of them from the pain of loss they each now shared.