Change-Ling Your Attitude

by Grazy Polomare

Chapter 3: "First Day Involves a Love Coma"

Today was another beautiful morning in Ponyville. The birds were chirping a melody of love and joy. The squirrels were climbing down the nice, soft bark of wood as they gathered their nuts for winter. Here and there, ponies greeted each other with sweet 'hello's and 'good morning's. And on the ground, a little green foal was happily taking a morning walk with Buster, his nice brown, fluffy puppy.

Buster was happy to get some exercise on the weekend. In fact, he reveled in it. As him and his master made their daily round around the park, Buster joyfully barked at a few weather ponies moving a cloud. Cloud Kicker, being the friendly mare that she was, landed to give Buster an affectionate pet.

"He's so cute Short Round," Cloud Kicker complimented.

"Thanks!" Short Round pipped up as he took his dog down another street. Pinkie was running the bakery with...NONE OTHER THEN DARING DO! Short Round and Buster literally trampled the line of customers to get a better look. No doubt was in his mind that this was a real-life, breathing replica of his idol.

"Daring Do!" he cried out, "can I have your autograph?"

The brown pegasus smiled, laying her pith helmet over his dark green mane as she took out a piece of paper and quill to sign. Short Round was practically bouncing up and down with joy, Buster waggling his tail because there was nothing better to do then see his owner's own jubilant demeanor spread on this fine, sunny day!

"There you go!" Ms. Do gave a wide grin as Short Round examined the hoof-writing. Then storing it in his saddlebag with a caution only reserved for his most prized possessions, he took a free cupcake from Pinkie and continued on his merry way.

There were oo's and aww's as the customers in line watched him go. Truly, this was turning into a great weekend. As the colt and dog were just about to cross the street, Buster took the initiative and went before his master, walking with a dignified air to him.

"Oh Buster," Short Round giggled, "stop acting all fancy-"

"OUT OF THE WAY STUPID DOG!" A harsh voice hissed.

Before Buster knew it, a firm hoof collided with his side, and he was flying back towards a haybale, crying for his master as he did so. Short Round wasted no time in reaching his friend, only to see him whimpering in the hay. Turning around to confront the assailant, he was shocked to see of all things three changelings. The two at the side seemed relatively stern, but the one in the middle looked irritated.

"Excuse me," Daring Do had rushed to the scene," How dare-"

"Do?" The changeling laughed, before firing a green bolt of energy. In a matter of seconds, Daring Do's brown fur was peeled away by green flames to reveal a hard, jet-black shell The site of another changeling was shocking, causing several fillies to gasp along with their respective audience.

If looks could kill, the changeling really wanted to kill this guy in the middle. But as fate would have it, he was already moving past the scene, the crowd only shaking their heads in disapproval.

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"Really Reflect?" Zeth facehoofed himself as they turned another corner. "Not two days after the verdict and here you are...kicking puppies and breaking foalhood dreams."

"Like I care," Reflect scoffed, "I learned long ago not to keep pets. Those things will devour you in your sleep. I say I saved that kid's life."

"Okay Reflect," Zeth sighed, "if you want to make a good impression today, you'll need to learn some manners."

"Yeah," Vapor agreed. "The sooner you pass the sooner we all get out of this right?"

"Perhaps," Reflect replied coldly, "just like how I'm getting escorted by my two well-mannered friends like a captured fugitive."

"Now no one said that," Vapor argued, "but you need to calm your nerves. Or else you'll spit out breakfast."

"I didn't eat breakfast," Reflect smirked at this fact, as if he was proud of it.

"What happened to the hay oats?" Zeth inquired.

"Threw them down the drain," Reflect shrugged. Zeth and Vapor both facehoofed themselves for their friend's paranoia of his meals being poisoned. The last thing they needed was Reflect getting grouchy, but they figured that even with a well-balanced breakfast that was impossible.

Reflect himself was wondering why he'd gotten into this mess. He was an agent of the Changeling Intelligence Agency, the CIA! How does someone in the CIA get sent to anger management? Because they know too much? Because they think too hard? Because they made a few bad calls? It wasn't his fault that Morpheus got his hooves on a party cannon!

"Here we are," Vapor revealed, his hooves presenting the large, ornate building in the center of town.

Ponyville Town Hall, aptly named with the town's title, was like the tower of a mystical steeple...that had then been chopped down by a giant and thrusted in the middle of nowhere to stand as a testament to society's downfall. The wooden framework formed two stories, with a nice wooden spiral fitted with ornate, glass windows. Reflect considered such important buildings to be filled with flaws like these. All it took was one clumsy individual to bring the entire castle crumbling.

And he would know. After all, he'd spent most of his years with Leech.

But the worst part about the town hall was the fact that the roof was larger then the second story, forming some sort of sandwich-like system that always gave him the feeling it was going to collapse. The ruby red doors seemed to beckon him closer, as if their enticing entrance could lure him into his architectural death trap.

"I'm going to die in the town I hate," Reflect affirmed dejectedly. He was sure of it, in fact, he could bet a good amount of bits that he wasn't even going to make it past Wednesday. If only he had initiated Fall-Back Plan B, which was to morph into a chipmunk and retire to the Everfree Forest. He could still do it, but then again, he felt he could also still convince his Queen of the dangers in Equestria.

"You ready Reflect?" Zeth and Vapor inquired simultaneously. It was quiet as the three stood just inches away from the door. Was he ready? Reflect pondered on that simple thought, wondering if now was the time to run.

No, he glared at the doors, I'm not going down without a fight! And with that, he pushed down the red ruby doors.

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The inside of Ponyville Town Hall was like an opera house. The wooden framework blended with the window panes to form the illusion of a canopy. Several circular balconies jutted out from the second floor, while the center was occupied by a rather ornate semi-circle podium. Below, a fine red carpet ran down the diameter of the hall, meeting its end at the door.

And currently occupying the center was a rather interesting group of folks. They were sitting in a circle, their pink-pillowed cushions facing each other as they tucked at their wings or played with their horns. At the very right of the circle, Iron Will hastily checked the clock on the second floor.

In two more minutes, he would be receiving another subject to work his magic on. He was worried that they would miss class. However, the rest of the group was here, no thanks to the imposing poster he had positioned at the front.

Anger management was a new course for him to take, but not one he was unfamiliar with. After a successful tour with his Assertiveness Training seminar, the minotaur had taken all his knowledge on being aggressive to figure out how to reverse it. Amazingly, the same discipline and training he gave to teach assertiveness could also be instituted to cure it.

And so far, Ponyville was not short on recruits. The town was by far his biggest customer, next to Manehattan and Canterlot. Only one failure still plagued his mind, and he would never forget the day a customer stood him up and refused to pay. It was a mistake he vowed to never repeat.

BANG!

The door flew open, causing everypony to turn their heads in astonishment. Before them, was a grotesque equine with a solid black shell, icy blue eyes, a sharp horn, and saber-like fangs. His hooves looked like they had been pulled through a cheese grater and his snout sniffed the air hungrily.

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I just had to skip breakfast, Reflect regretted. But there was no time to nourish himself as he kicked the door off its hinges, which was rather unnecessary as it swung open. The inside of the town hall was just as fragile as the outside, and the intelligence general scolded himself for not trying to kick the door harder. After all, a structural collapse would mean no anger management right?

"WELCOME!" a gruff, booming voice bellowed. The owner of the voice was a minotaur that Reflect could describe in one word: buff. Everything about the monster was buff. His muscles were about as big as Reflect's gut, while his chest looked like he could fit a whole pony inside. The black tie seemed to be stretched to its limits around that hulking piece of flesh he called a neck. The horns shimmered like sterling silver, and the nose ring was so well-polished, he could see a reflection of the monster's nostrils, which made Reflect gag.

But there were some minor setbacks. The minotaur had very small eyes, something Reflect had an advantage over. Also, his bottom half looked like it belonged to a goat, and a very small goat at that. In fact, from a distance, Reflect thought that it was just a glob of flesh balancing itself on a tiny stool.

The minotaur waltzed over, flexing his muscles as he did so. Although Zeth and Vapor stood at attention, Reflect could sense they were shivering uncontrollably.

"My name is Iron Will," the beast grinned, "and I'm here to make you master the art of self-control!"

Reflect merely stood there, unable to find the right words as his counselor continued.

"You are Iron Will's first official changeling to undergo this course!" Iron Will seemed to be very proud of this fact. "And Iron Will *flexes muscles* will ensure that you, Mr. Changeling, will be satisfied or you get to pay-I mean you get to spend a free day with me...not including charges, you will pay for any products bought."

What is this fool talking about? Reflect had seen a lot of cheesy advertisements, but this was by far one of the worst. Not only did this minotaur not know his name, but his own delusional pride was aggravating. And the last thing Reflect needed was another reason to get mad.

"I pity the fool who doubts my methods!" The minotaur stuck his nose within inches of Reflect's own snout. "You don't doubt my methods do you?"

"Frankly cupcake," Reflect sneered, "I believe in you just as much as I believe in breakfast..."

Iron Will tilted his head, a perplexed expression on his face.

"...and I didn't even touch a single oat this morning!"

The room was silent, waiting to hear the monster's reaction to this outburst. Nopony had ever lashed back at Iron Will on the first day, and here was this changeling, a delicate bug, challenging the minotaur on his own methods.

"Then you're a FOOL!" Iron Will declared, "and I pity you! But do not fret, for Iron Will's Anger Management Seminar will change that! In fact, why don't you step down here and I'll introduce you!"

Ignoring the fact he had been insulted, Reflect followed the minotaur to the circle of chairs, where several mares and stallions awaited him with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance.

"This is Amethyst Star! Or Sparkler as she prefers!" A pink coated, violet maned unicorn rose from her cushioned pillow, giving a broad smile. "Hi there!"

"What's with the diamonds?" Reflect pointed at the unicorn's cutie mark.

"Oh," Sparkler chuckled, "that's-"

"Boring," Reflect interjected, "Next!"

The unicorn sat down, a fresh scowl plastered over her face. She had dealt with insubordinates before. Heck, she even dealt with other changelings before, but this one was different. Iron Will merely continued with his introductions.

"This is Bon-Bon!" The familiar beige colored earth pony from the theater mumbled a brief hello, not even bothering to get up from her cushion.

"On your right we have Vigilance!" A dark brown earth pony with a crew-cut grey mane gasped in surprise at seeing the familiar changeling. Reflect simply waved back.

"I got my eye on you," the security guard pointed at the bugger.

"Please," Reflect scoffed, "I've been monitoring you for much...much longer!"

"And finally we have Raindrops!"

Reflect did a double take at the jasmine coated pegasus. His mortal enemy was indeed watching him, but there was something off. And that was when he moved his eyes just a few centimeters below. The flash of white was blinding, but once he got over it, he realized that she was actually smiling at him! The pegasus slowly rose with the grace of a butterfly, landing with a dull thump, inches away from the changeling.

"Raindrops has been in our program the longest," Iron Will chuckled, "was just as stubborn as you too!"

"Hi Reflect," the pegasus embraced the changeling in a bear hug that nearly squeezed out all his organs through his mouth.

"Put me down!" the changeling gasped. Without so much as a protest, the pegasus dropped the changeling on the wooden floor, where he immediately began to refill his lungs with oxygen.

"Oh Reflect," Raindrops giggled, "I've learned that I was being a little too harsh with you back at the hive."

"What?" Reflect rubbed his frill, "Is this some kind of joke?"

"Not at all!" The pegasus exclaimed. "Why, I'm just saying that I understand what you're going through, being a changeling intelligence general and all. I realize that you didn't mean to embarrass me and Derpy back there. In fact, you were just doing your job right?"

"Yeah," Reflect slowly got to his hooves, "my...job..."

"And I also learned," Raindrops continued, "that your behavior in Ponyville is just a result of you unable to ventilate your stress in a productive manner. For me, I usually go out in the woods or in the air to calm myself down. But for you, well...Mr. Fury your name alone shows that you want to shove all your anger at anypony you meet!"

"Stress?" Reflect shook his head. "No no! I don't have any stress!"

"Allow me to reiterate," Raindrops calmly stated. "You're unhappy with your life and you choose to just be a grumpypants because you can't have it your way. I've learned that you're just doing your job the best way possible. And I appreciate you-"

"Stop it," Reflect warned, "Raindrops you're starting to delve into some real thin ice."

"-but I think we can improve that," the pegasus continued.

"You're freaking me out!" Reflect backed away.

"Well let me be the first to welcome you to anger management," Raindrops presented a sprinkled, white frosted cupcake to the now bewildered Reflect. "Have one on me!"

There was absolute silence in the room as the changeling's eyes slowly widened in horror. Then, calmly looking into the eyes of turquoise maned pegasus, he seemed to take in a deep breath.

"Two words: Mind. Control. Bye bye!"

And with that, he dashed towards the exit, only to collide into his two hive mates, who heaved him back. But Reflect was desperate, and a changeling who was desperate wouldn't go down easy. With a flash of green, he was replaced with a rhino. But his friends, thinking two steps ahead, morphed into dragons.

So Reflect turned into an eel, to where his friends turned into anacondas. Then he turned into a polar bear, to where his friends responded with some weird, black smoke monster. And then he tried a lion, only to be surprisingly held back by wildebeests. After around 50 more animals, the changelings were back in their original form, although Reflect had chosen a rattler, his tail shaking like a maraca.

"LET ME GO!" Reflect hissed, his reptilian eyes glaring at both changelings.

"NO REFLECT!" The two brothers pushed back, "You can't leave!"

"THEY'VE GOT MIND CONTROL!" Reflect shrieked, "you can't let me stay here! They're going to probe me!"

The two drones had managed to drag the sand-colored snake to the circle of cushions, right next to the yellow pegasus who was still smiling.

"I'll never be the same!" Reflect flashed into a falcon, his friends each taking a leg as they fought against their airborne friend.

"Reflect! That's the point of anger management!" Zeth hollered, "Do you want to go to jail?"

"I'd rather be imprisoned with my mind still under my control if that's what you mean!" Reflect snarled. "This minotaur is insane! He's going to perform a lobotomy using his triceps!"

The group just watched as the three friends struggled against each other in a battle of strength and endurance. Finally, it was Raindrops who trotted forward to the rather short mountain troll that was currently Reflect Fury.

"Allow me to help!" With that she closed her eyes, focusing on the changeling. Both Zeth and Vapor exchanged quizzical glances, wondering what exactly the mare meant by that.

It didn't take long however, when Reflect suddenly flashed back to his normal form, his eyes drifting in and out as the woozy drone stumbled back. The realization hit them like a freight train and both changelings promptly backed off.

"Sweet Chrysalis!" Zeth exclaimed, "She's trying to put him in a love coma!"

Love comas were a rare side-effect of the changeling's nature that involved their ability to absorb magical energy. Before, changelings use to thrive on it, the system being a careful intake of the arcane power source. If the intake was too much, the drone would enter into a subconscious state that would render them comatose for around an hour or two, or even more depending on the amount. Even with the changelings no longer requiring love to feed on, they still had the organs that managed their love intake.

Right now, Raindrops was generating so much love for the changeling, that his organs were going into overload. Even now, Reflect was gradually swaying, his eyes trying to focus on the pegasus. But he couldn't do anything, for magic was one of the first functions to be disabled in a love coma. The reason being that there was so much energy stored in the horn that it somehow clogged the system, causing the magic to flow elsewhere in his body.

The crowd just watched as Reflect grasped at the air, swinging here and there. Finally, with one last punch towards his hive mates, the changeling comically fell over on his back, landing with a large thump. Zeth and Vapor carefully moved toward their brother to examine his condition. He was out cold, sprawled over the red carpet, unresponsive to any of their movements.

"Wow..." Raindrops murmured, "Didn't think that I could love a former enemy that much-"

"STAY BACK!" Zeth warned, holding his hoof out in surrender. "...you...I think we should take Reflect back."

"NO!" Iron Will barked, "REFLECT IS UNDER MY COMMAND NOW! You've done your jobs and now you have Iron Will's permission to leave."

"But you just knocked our friend out with a love coma!" Vapor argued, his eyes still focused on Raindrops.

"I'm sorry," Raindrops apologized, "I didn't know any better. Heck, I thought you changelings didn't even have such things as love comas."

"We'll make sure to avoid such matters in the future," Iron Will assured, "now you two need to head back."

Zeth was just about to protest when Vapor nudged him in the gut, pointing at Raindrops. Although they were sure she was earnest with her apology, both changelings didn't want to take a chance. Slowly backing towards the door, they nervously waved goodbye to the group.

Neither of them knew what awaited Reflect here, but all they knew was that their friend had survived a lot worse without them before. And if he still had that stubborn attitude of his, then their concern was not directed to the changeling so much as it was directed at the group.

I just hope they can handle him awake.

As Iron Will watched the changelings depart from the town square, he turned around to face Raindrops with a reprimanding glare. "Don't love the changeling so much so that you're going to knock him out!"

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The first thing Reflect saw was a pair of teal eyes regarding him with genuine concern. As he slowly came back to reality, however, he saw the jasmine snout and the turquoise mane of his nemesis. The very nemesis who was now over him!

"GAH!" The changeling back away, startling Raindrops to flare her wings up. "What the buck?"

"Sorry," Raindrops sheepishly grinned. "We didn't know-"

"REFLECT!" The booming voice of Iron Will interjected, "Glad to see you've come around to join us!"

But Reflect was anything but glad. Getting on all fours, he turned to see that he was on his own cushion, which was seated right next to the navy blue counselor. He also felt rather energized, almost hyper even. "Which one of you eggheads thought it was funny to put me in a coma?"

The group was silent, none of them raising their hooves. Reflect facehoofed himself, before letting out a thunderous roar. "WHO BUCKING PUT ME IN A COMA? I WANT ANSWERS!"

"-but you won't get them through anger!" Iron Will laid an arm over the changeling's shell. Giving a soft nudge, Reflect felt a hundred pounds heavier as he sank back in his cushion.

"Now Iron Will," the minotaur rose to his hooves, "understands that you, Reflect Fury, are a little perturbed about that accident. But rest assured, it will not happen again, and you need to calm down."

"Calm down?" Reflect repeated, his voice slowly rising, "CALM DOWN?! Would you like to explain to me what's going on here?"

"This is anger management," Iron Will shrugged, "these ponies have been in the class longer then you have. They've learned to embrace the world instead of antagonizing it."

"No," Reflect shook his head, "that's horse scat and you know it. Raindrops here is never this nice...EVER!"

The pegasus seemed to be a little taken aback by the harsh comment, but none the less smiled at Reflect. "I understand this is a bit of a surprise. I'll admit I was surprised too, but I look back at the Old Raindrops and I'm glad she's gone!"

"Maybe that's fine with you," the changeling pointed at himself. "But Old Reflect likes Old Reflect and doesn't need any bucking change in his age!"

"Now come there," Iron Will chided, "is that any way to treat a pony for trying to be nice and celebrate you for who you are?"

"Celebrate me?" Reflect backed a few feet from his neighbors. "That mare nearly tried to squeeze me to death! And on top of that, I know for a fact that nopony...no matter how much training...ever forgives so easily like that!"

"Well Iron Will's classes will change you," the minotaur beamed, "Raindrops was just like you, Reflect. She was grouchy, didn't want anypony to bother her, and then one night she had an epiphany. She was happy, she bought everypony gifts, and is now Iron Will's personal assistant!"

"I call mind control!" Reflect yelled.

"Iron Will would never step so low!" the minotaur growled. "Why the mere thought of using drugs to control my patients would be discovered by doctors and render Iron Will incapable of-"

"Who do you think I am?" Reflect interrupted, flying snout to snout with the burly beast. "I know every little trick in the book, Mr. Will. It's my job to know! And mark my words when I say I will find out what you're up to!"

Iron Will was unfazed at the threat, crossing his arms together with a half-hearted smirk. "And how do you suppose you'll accomplish that?"

"Believe me," Reflect sneered. "You will know, Mr. Will."

The two continued to eye each other for another good minute. Reflect was now staring into those eyes, searching for any hint at fear or guilt. But he could find none, which only strengthened his conviction that the minotaur was insane. As if to prove this point, Iron Will suddenly burst out laughing, causing Reflect to fly a few inches back in surprise.

"Ahhh Reflect," Iron Will teased, "you're such a jokester here. But Iron Will also wants to help you, and I can't do that unless you let Iron Will conduct his seminar!"

Reflect wanted to lash back, to morph into some giant crab and just go wild. But what would that accomplish? He had already tried going in horn's blazing before, and that failed pretty quickly. He had tried to gather information, and that only got him a restraining order. What was the point of fighting back?

No, Reflect thought, methods must change to better suit the swarm. If this Iron Will character is truly behind mind control, then I'll defeat him myself. No press, no stealing, no spying (yet). Mr. Will, I'll play you're little game for now. But just wait. This phoenix is coming back in a blaze of glory!

With that he plopped down on his cushion, nodding at the minotaur. Indeed, it would be a tough battle, but one that Reflect was accustomed too. He could never resist a challenge after all. Besides, it would be nice to tear Iron Will's empire up from under him.

"Alrighty then," Iron Will grinned, "let's start by talking about triggers..."

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"Just like that!" Zeth reiterated, "put him into a love coma Your Highness!"

Chrysalis gave a brief yawn with her hoof, amused with the report her two guards came in with. It was unusual for a changeling to receive a love coma, but she figured it was Reflect's own fault for not controlling his stress levels.

"Zeth, Vapor," she announced, "You're free to go back to Manehattan. I'll make sure Reflect is taken care of from here."

The two drones bowed before flying off, once again leaving the Queen alone to her thoughts.

I wonder what they're doing now?

Author's Note:

What happened with Raindrops?

Will Reflect's plan against Iron Will succeed?

Find out next time on Change-Ling Your Attitude!

Comments

[A Dark Reminder]

So Reflect turned into an eel, to where his friends turned into anacondas. Then he turned into polar bears, to where his friends responded with some weird, black smoke monster. And then he tried a lion, only to be surprisingly held back by wildebeests. After around 50 more animals, the changelings were back in their original form, although Reflect had chosen a rattler, his tail shaking like a maraca.

REFERENCES!!!!!!