Part 10
“Snails, have you seen Escargot?”
“Where is Escargot? The bag she was carrying is right here!”
“Even my location spell can’t find her!”
“This is getting serious.”
A Terrible Cold
It was nearly 7 PM when the train arrived back at Ponyville. The delegation stepped off the train with collective weariness. Little Diamond Tiara, still very weak from her encounter with the crystal heart, was being carried by her father.
Stepping off the train, Escargot looked around warily, his gaze darting from point to point. First, to the top of the train, then around the station itself. No CMCs, no dark creature. His nightmare would remain just that. Breathing a sigh of relief, he turned to Twilight, “Can I bring little Gisa to the castle? I think the trip tired her out. She’s just a grifflet, afterall.”
“Why does that sound familiar?” Spike grumped to himself.
Twilight gave Spike a reproving glance before nodding to Escargot. “Sure thing.”
Escargot followed the Princess to the crystal tree castle, Gisa laying on her back.
“I hope you enjoyed your trip to the Crystal Empire. And came away learning some valuable lessons, of course.” Twilight said as she trotted beside the filly.
Looking back at his flank Escargot had to shiver. “Lessons? It was... interesting, to say the least.”
Carefully, Twilight lifted the sleeping grifflet Gisa from Escargot’s back and tucked the little griffin into one of Spike’s old beds. “There we go. She’ll be fine here. Why don’t you go home and get some sleep? You look like you could use it.” She yawned “I know I do.”
“Thank you, Princess.” Escargot turned and picked up her bag and began her short walk home. He was sore, tired, and didn’t want to spend another moment as a filly. As he walked into his house, he realized that it was already past 8 PM. He left her bag in his room since it was the closest, and went to shower.
He could hear his mom and dad listening to music in the reading room, so he locked the door and took a nice, hot shower. He found himself coughing a bit in the steam, but at least it wasn’t as bad as the glacial ice water showers in the Crystal Empire.
“Escargot, is that you?” Snails heard his mom calling.
“It’s me!” He called back, drying off.
“Did you have fun on your camping trip?”
Fun? Heh. I used to remember fun. “It was ok.”
He just felt awful, but at least he could sleep as a colt again. Small favors. As he drifted off, he heard his dad.
“It’s not about fun. It’s about testing yourself to survive, proving you have what it takes. Just a stallion with his wits and hooves against the wild. It’s about showing that you can endure anything that’s thrown at you.”
All Snails could do before passing out was mumble, “Try sitting still for an hour with two Princesses and two diplomats discussing trade negotiations, while wearing a dress that’s squeezing you where you shouldn’t be squeezed.”
It seemed like he had just fallen asleep when his mom came in. “Snails! Are you getting up?”
Even sitting up hurt. A lot. His chest hurt and he was cold, and his shivering only served to exhaust him further.
Lying back down, he started coughing again.
His mom opened the door and looked down at the suitcase and sighed. “Snails, Escargot has her own room, you shouldn’t-” Blinking in worry, she walked over and put a hoof on his head. “You’re burning up! Stay in bed, I’m going to call the doctor!”
“Dear, he’s probably just got a little cold. You shouldn’t dote on him so much. How’s he supposed to be a real stallion otherwise?”
“This isn’t just a bad cold - he has a fever too.”
Snails lay in bed, coughing under the covers. He didn’t want to get out of bed for anypony or anything.
“Is Escargot in?” Snails heard Scootaloo asking downstairs. “We heard she got back last night.”
“I haven’t seen her, I’ll check.” He heard his dad call out, “Escargot?”
Nope, no way he could be Escargot right now. Maybe later in the afternoon, when he felt better. The girls and Gisa would just have to do without Escargot for now.
The doctor followed his mom through the door, wearing a worried frown. It only took Dr. Horse a few moments to examine him, but he didn’t like what he found.
“I believe he has pneumonia. He can’t go outside, and he must avoid cold shocks, such as cold water. Even so much as a cold rain could aggravate the condition, or put him into shock, killing him. He needs rest and to be kept in bed. I’ll have some medicine sent over to bring down the fever.” Standing up, the doctor looked straight at Snails’ mom. “This is very serious.”
An excuse not to go outside? Protection from cold water? How much better could this get? Coughing a few times, Snails relaxed. If only he didn’t feel so bad, he could enjoy this.
“Snails, Dinky’s here to see you.” Snails’ mom walked into his room. With a smile, she gave him some medicine and made sure the window was closed tightly.
Dinky trotted in with a panicked expression. “Snails, have you seen Escargot? Nopony’s seen her since she got home last night. She didn’t show up for her tutoring session this morning, and that’s so not like her. She’s always so responsible and dependable.”
Snails started coughing and shook his head, “Haven’t... *cough* seen her.”
“If Diamond Tiara’s done something to her… Even mom’s out looking for her.” Dinky turned and bounded out.
Snails pulled the blankets close. The medicine was helping the cough. It was helping him both relax and breathe better. Maybe Snips would show up and they could do something fun together.
“Where is she?”
Snails looked around blinking then it clicked in who’s voice it was.
Gisa landed on the end of the bed wings spread wide. “Where is Escargot? The bag she was carrying is right here. That means you must be the last pony to see her. Where is she?”
Snails moaned and coughed. “I didn’t see her. She just left the bag in here- she does that when she’s tired.”
“And you don’t know where she is?” Snails was not sure if the griffin was scared, angry, or just acting like a griffin. Either way, it was putting him on edge.
The griffin hopped down and dragged the suitcase with her.
“I’m not even going to get to enjoy being sick, am I?” Snails mumbled and relaxed.
Sweetie Belle and Applebloom both poked their heads over the bed.
“Nope.” Snails mumbled.
“Yer not gonna die, are ya?” Apple Bloom watched Snails with huge sad eyes.
“The doctor said that I should be ok as long as I don’t get cold drafts hit with cold water and such.”
“Did you get sick on your camping trip?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“I must have.” He paused “ Aren’t you girls looking for Escargot?”
Apple Bloom perked up, “We are but we wanted to check on you. Princess Twilight’s called in the town guard, Rainbow Dash has the pegasi, and even the Wonderbolts are searching the Everfree for her.”
“The Wonderbolts?”
“Yeah, Princess Twilight is in a panic. She was told by Princess Celestia herself to keep an eye on Escargot, so she’s acting like she failed a direct order from the Princess.” Sweetie Belle shivered.
“Her mane’s gone all poofie again, and she’s grinding her teeth. Scootaloo had nightmares for weeks last time she went like that.” Apple Bloom said nodding. “Now Scootaloo’s in her room hiding, and apparently ‘awaiting the end times’.”
“All for Escargot?” Snails said, before coughing again.
“You know Princess Twilight and how she acts if she thinks she’s failing at something.” The two said backing away. “Well, we’re off to search some more.” “Get well soon!”
They were barely two paces towards the door when Twilight appeared in Snails room with a POP! Her mane was frizzy, her eyes were bloodshot, and at least four veins stood out on her forehead. She ran around the room searching anything and everything. It was clear she was starting to lose it when she looked through Snails’ desk drawers. “Where is she? Where is she?”
The girls cried out and ran out the door for safety. This left Snails all alone in a predicament with a particular panicking Princess. Pulling his blankets up more he looked at her as she stared at him.
“The location spell can’t find her. Her things were here, this is where Gisa found them. Ponies don’t just VANISH into thin air! It makes no sense, it’s not possible! Celestia’s going to kill me! She gave me a direct order, on royal paper, to watch after Escargot.” Twilight shouted madly to nopony in particular. Before Snails had a chance to respond, she flashed away.
Snails moaned. “This is getting to serious. Maybe I should change and stop all this panic.”
He tried to push himself up, but collapsed, coughing. He was too tired and sore to even stand, let alone withstand the shock of cold water. Maybe if he was stronger like his dad wanted, this wouldn’t happen.
“What am I going to do? This just isn’t right, everypony is out looking for Escargot. If I don’t change, somepony could get hurt. this mess is all my fault.” Snails started crying a bit, “If I change to Escargot, I could die… the doctor said as much. If I don’t, and just lie here, Twilight could destroy the town and I’d die that way. I have to tell the truth, I have to-”
Snails’ father walked in then scowled when he saw Snails in tears. “Crying? A stallion does not cry. You’ll be fine. You are a strong stallion, you will just power through this. You are not some weak little unicorn filly.”
Snails gulped once and nodded, “Yes father.”
“It’s in times of tested hardship that a stallion proves himself. Do not disappoint me.” Long Hall said before storming out.
Why couldn’t dad just speak in fish metaphors or something? What else could go wrong?
“Pneumonia, is that correct?”
Snails went wide eyed when he heard that voice. He turned to see Princess Celestia at the door. Trying again to rise, he collapsed into the bed, coughing, just like last time.
“I’m here because of Spike. He sent me a letter because he was worried about Twilight. She was trying to find Escargot and keep the fact that she lost her a secret.” Looking back towards the study, “Given your father, it’s no wonder you’re scared.”
Snails nodded timidly.
“I already let Twilight know that I was testing Escargot. Given what I’ve seen and heard, she’s passed. However, she might not be back to town until tomorrow or the day after. So if you’d let Escargot know, she’s able to go to the School for Gifted Unicorns for this fall semester. That is, if she wants.”
“Princess-” Snails started then broke out coughing again.
“I just ask one thing: when you are ready, tell somepony. Both Twilight and Rarity would be understanding. Though, you are right- I’m not sure your father would react well.” With that, she turned, looking in the direction of Long Haul. Sticking her nose in the air she turned and vanished into the hallway.
what to do O what to do.
Snails has a hard choice.
Harts Fire
Nice Art. I'm really starting to dislike his father.
But, you might think about supplying some motivation for his father's attitude.
Edit: Oh, right, his hatred for Magic. Maybe his thing is not so much Snail being manly, as it is that he be Earth Pony like. If Snail's had been born female he'd have likely been just as focused that she be the perfect Earth Pony mare.
Snail's very likely things Celestia's invitation is for Escargot, only. But I don't think so. I don't think she makes a distinction between his two genders. She wants him in the school, despite the curse, not because of it.
Funnily enough, I can see Snails' hesitation to tell anyone be the reason there will be no cure for his curse.
Speculation: if he gets a cutie mark as Escargot, he'll have "locked in" the transformation ability by accepting "her" destiny. That is, he'd always switch back and forth and never be just Snails.
Get better Snails! So I wonder who will get the news first, Twilight, Rarity, the CMC, or his parents? I am willing to bet some how some way Pinkie already knows. The picture at the end is very nice and a good job to the artist!
Oh no... My heart... It's going to- HNNNNNGGGGG *plops dead* Picture... Too... adorable...
Kitsy, can I PLEASE turn that guy into a rug now? He's the worst example of "living through the kids" kind.
6537279
6537284
6537339
Thanks!
6537279
That kind of attitude don't need any motivation, sadly. It's happening all the time - people want to live their dreams through their kids, and the kids don't get to have an opinion on that. Sometimes it feels like it's the default attitude of a parent, it's that much of it around.
Why should she?
What she probably is interested in, is how would he attempt to get in while still hiding the curse.
I might have an idea on what's in store on that... but some of the pieces are not yet here.
6537284 Pinkie always knows.
I expected now an angry mob with torch and pitchfork at her doorstep.
Loved the update!
Awe, the perfect chance to play Gacha Gacha Secret was spoiled ... Which is ironic because the protagonist of that manga didn't even bother to change his name when he did the gender flipping.
http://mangapark.me/manga/gacha-gacha-secret/s2/v1/c1/5
6537360 A Rug is too good for Long Haul
6537521 I think kampfer did the same thing. The other people who didn't know would literally ask him if he'd seen the female... I don't remember his name atm, naru? Vice versa for his female form.
6538231
I tried watching the pilot episode of 'Kampfer' because it was recommended by hulu when I watched 'Gonna be the Twintail.' I had a hard time believing the protagonist of 'Kampfer' was a boy before the zombie gender bending teddy bear thing cursed him with the magic bracelet. 'Gonna be the Twintail is more believable in my opinion. But, the gender flipping trigger in Gacha Gacha Secret is Sneezing, and there was an issue where Akira had a cold and had to keep his sister and parents from finding out about his affliction. Still, while it is my understanding comedic gender flipping is an entire sub-genre in anime or manga I don't know what it's called so I can't really look it up intentionally, and even SAO almost has gender flipping.
6538584 I do remember he was a bit androgenous most of the time, but it still got a few laughs out of me. I think my favorite scene was when he finally goes shopping for his girl form, and ends up seeing himself in just his underwear in a mirror as a girl. He ended up with a nosebleed.
The genre is usually called gender-bending, and I've actually enjoyed a few of them. Tu-Luv-Ru had a character that had a similar sneeze thing, the difference was the personality changed completely. Therefore the two characters were considered twins, not the same person.
6537533 Well if you turn him into a panda first, then maybe...
6539612 Hmm that might work,
6540125 There's only one problem here. Kitsy wants him alive for the storyline.
6541765 That's quite alright, I can wait till the end...... maybe.... I think?
6541771 She might just go and redeem him by then. You know, she likes to do just that.
6541773 True, after all I have been chatting with her on Skype
6541780 My chainsaw is still ready. Just in case she doesn't.
6541781 Wouldn't that be too quick?
See this proves why Ponyville can't have nice things. 1 pony gets sick and Twilight freaks out.
I am confused...
Why is Princess Celestia telling Snails to 'let Escargot know'?
I thought Princess Celestia knew that Snails was Escargot. That only his body underwent the transformation.
Or are you suggesting that Princess Celestia has it wrong, and that she believes Escargot is a whole other pony which manifests itself by taking over Snails's body? And that Snails can convey a message to her?
So confused...
6543582 Snails IS Escargot. And Celestia DOES know. AND Celestia wants snails to tell Rarity or Twilight when snails is ready...
but at the same time she wasn't going to come out and say soemthing and risk snails dad overhearing.
6541942 I can be VERY slow.
6543582
The walls have ears!
pre14.deviantart.net/21c4/th/pre/f/2012/051/d/8/pinkie_pie_vector_by_patekoro-d4qd95p.png
Say it again--- everything and anything for Escargot.... but nobody gives a shit about Snails. Poor kid.
Did Loi had a line in the show?
6542214 sghe didn't just freak out she Lesson ZEROED!
OK, the visit from Celestia felt satisfying in a long-overdue way but, at the same time, it's taken so long and Snails has been "kicked by the plot" so much that, while the scene felt satisfying, it had no lasting effect on me because I'm left waiting for the other shoe to drop. (ie. "OK, this can't be it. What excuse for keeping Celestia's visit from causing any significant change am I going to find when I click 'Next'?")
(I should probably make it clear that I'm not against stories where a character who doesn't deserve trouble gets it... it just really takes the enjoyment out of things when the author seems to kick their feet out from under them every time they seem to be making progress... in this case, all the times Snails was about to tell someone. In Ranma's case, that was avoided because, aside from Nodoka's arc, Ranma himself was stubbornly keeping the secret and Nodoka's arc took place far enough into the story that other dynamics had been firmly established which could carry things.)
8859488
At this point, I'm pretty sure it's mostly due to inexperience. Balancing things like tension and release, and things like when to cause conflict is not exactly easy from the other side of things.
Especially since there is a lot of humor from unfortunate things happening to characters. It legitimately is funny - if not overused. Then it goes into the "sick joke" realm.
6541942
Not if you move slowly