Minuette hummed quietly in thought as she stepped out of the school, her gaze locked on the ground. She felt the warmth of the sun on her back and she could hear the laughter and eager chattering of the other foals all around her making their way home. She gave passing glances at some of the louder ones that went by, but she wasn’t giving them much thought. Her mind was occupied instead with her time in the statue gardens earlier.
She lifted her gaze when familiar voices reached her ears, and a smile blossomed on her face at the sight of her friends all gathered in their usual spot by a street corner. They would typically meet up there and walk together as a group for the majority of the way to their homes before splitting up at an intersection. Minuette picked up the pace, her smile turning into a wide grin. “Hey, girls!”
The others turned to her, giving an assortment of greetings.
“Hey, Minnie!”
“Sup?”
“Oh! Hey.”
“Hi…”
“Hello, Minuette.”
Minuette came to a stop by First Aid’s side, bouncing eagerly in place. “So, how were the rest of your days?” she asked.
“It wasn’t bad,” Twinkle Shine replied with a casual shrug. “But alchemy class sucked. Like usual.”
Twilight wrinkled her nose at that. “You really need to get a better appreciation for alchemy, Twinkle. Seriously, it’s fascinating!”
Twinkle stuck out her tongue in dismay, earning a few giggles from the others.
Moondancer spoke up a moment later, in her usual, quiet voice. “I’ve mostly been thinking about what I want to do my history report on… the princess gave us a lot of options, and I don’t know where to start.”
“Ditto,” First agreed with a slow nod. “But I was kinda leaning towards covering those fillies from Sire’s Hollow and all of that social drama. It could be interesting.”
Twilight shrugged. “Maybe it could be, but I don’t see myself doing my report on that,” she stated bluntly.
Minuette smirked knowingly. She nudged the other unicorn in the ribs with her elbow. “Gonna do your report on Starswirl, ain’t ya?” she asked slowly.
“N-no!” Twilight shot down, stiffening slightly. A series of doubtful frowns went her way, and she was soon forced to concede. She deflated with a sigh and nodded. “Okay, fine, yes, I’m thinking I’ll probably do another report on Starswirl.”
“And this one won’t even be for extra credit,” Twinkle noted. “Progress.”
“Oh, hush. It’s not my fault that he led such a fascinating life!” Twilight protested, growing flustered from the teasing.
Lemon Hearts smiled in amusement. “No, I guess not. I think it’s really admirable of you, though. You have a really good work ethic.”
Twilight glanced at Lemon for a few seconds before relaxing. “I try. I’m the princess's student. I need to have a good work ethic. I can’t afford to let her down! She made me her personal student for a reason, and I don’t mean to let her down!”
Twinkle Shine coughed into her hoof, disguising the words ‘hero worship’ with it, not that she fooled anyone. Twilight pouted at her and lightly smacked her upside the head, drawing some more giggles from the foals.
Satisfied that Twinkle had been properly punished, Twilight turned back to the others. “But what about the rest of you? What are you planning on doing your reports on?”
Minuette was the first to pipe up. “Oh! I plan to do mine on that chaos fella!” she said, her mind wandering back to the statue in question. She didn’t know why, but it had just drawn her in, and she meant to dig into it. Plus, she had what was effectively a second-hoof account for a lot of historical events living in her bedroom. She could only hope Fangs had been paying attention to what was going on back then.
“Makes sense,” Twinkle noted with a smirk. “You’re the spazz of the group.”
Minuette gave a chirpy nod. “And don’t you forget it!”
First Aid giggled in amusement at that, draping a foreleg around Minuette’s shoulders to pull her into a side hug. “Ha! As if you could ever let us forget!” she said lightly.
“Heh. Well, we should probably be getting a move on,” Minuette said, nudging First off of her after a moment. She turned to Twilight. “You gonna tag along this time?”
Twilight shook her head. “Sorry, girls, but not today. Princess Celestia has lessons for me, and I’m going to be late if I don’t get a move on.”
“Gah, oh come on, really?!” Twinkle blurted out in exasperation, earning surprised looks from everyone else. Minuette frowned at her in confusion. She knew Twinkle was the most outwardly easy to anger of the group, but that had come out of nowhere.
Twilight raised an eyebrow. “I’m… sorry? Twinkle, you know that I can’t miss my-”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Twinkle cut her off, placing a hoof against her temple and taking a deep breath. “Sorry. I just… it bothers me how rarely we get a chance to, you know, hang out with you. You’re our friend but you’re usually off with your nose in a book somewhere. I want to spend time with my friends out of school, not just in it!”
A silence fell over the group, and Twilight’s ears drooped. She almost looked guilty at that, and she scuffed a hoof against the stone beneath. A few seconds passed before Lemon Hearts chipped in. “Yeah, I kind of agree…”
Minuette looked back and forth, her ears drooping. Well, this had gone downhill fast, hadn’t it? The sudden and intense drop in the mood left her fishing for words, hoping to lighten things back up again. Luckily, cheering up her friends, or at least dispelling tension, was something she was very good at, and it did not take long for an idea to come to mind. She turned to Twilight with a hopeful look in her eyes.
“Well… hey, Twilight, I got an idea. What if this weekend, we all go to the library and pick up some books to study our subjects with, and then we can all meet up at your place to have a little study party?”
Twilight straightened up, looking surprised. “Wha- I mean, I’m good for most of that plan, but why my house?”
“One, so we can spend more time with you,” Minuette pointed out, poking Twilight on the nose for emphasis and making her go cross-eyed. “Secondly, Spike’s cute.”
“He is that,” Twinkle added with a smile returning to her face. “I like how his leg kicks when you rub his belly. He’s almost like a dog.”
“Plus, your house is pretty quiet most of the time,” Moondancer added, adjusting her glasses and smiling. “And your parents are really nice.”
Twilight looked between them all for a few moments before relenting. “Okay, okay, fair enough. We can figure out a precise date and time tomorrow, but for now, I really need to get up into the castle. Celestia’s waiting.”
Minuette grinned. “Disaster averted!” she cheered internally. She gave Twilight a good-natured clap on the shoulder. “Oki doki! We’ll see you then, Twi!” she chirped before spinning to the rest of the group. “C’mon, let’s go!”
“Yeah, and we can hit the donut shop on the way,” Twinkle said as the group began to make their way down the street, leaving Twilight to head into the castle. “Dad got me my allowance early this week, so it’s on me!”
Minuette was unable to hold in a high-pitched squeal. “Aw, HECK yeah!”
After taking a brief few minutes to pick up a box of donuts for each of them at Donut Joe’s, the five fillies continued on their way home, talking energetically about this and that. They speculated on what they might find out in their history projects and discussed the rest of their options. They listened to Lemon Hearts regale the others with the story about how Twinkle Shine had gotten her tongue turned yellow in alchemy class earlier with merciless sweetness, much to the lighter unicorn’s disdain.
But eventually, the time came for the group to go their separate ways, leaving Minuette to prance home on her own. She hummed a merry tune to herself as she went while scarfing down another donut, her eyes alight and her smile wide. Her home came into view soon enough, and she wasted no time in throwing open the door.
“I’m home!” she called out with a fanciful flourish.
To her surprise, there was no answer. Frowning, Minuette poked her head into the kitchen to see a note on the counter. She didn’t bother lifting it up to read it. She knew her parents well enough to know that they were simply out shopping, meaning she had the run of the house until they got back.
And that also meant she was alone with a certain someone…
Fighting to contain the rush of excitement at seeing her best friend again, Minuette shoved another donut into her mouth and sprinted up the stairs for her room, already formulating how best to start asking him her questions. There was a resounding crash as she pushed open her bedroom door and leaped into the room with yet another flourish. She made sure to strike a cool pose.
“Beefholf, Eimff hmmf- wah!” Minuette said through the donut in her mouth, only realizing too late in her sugar-rush that opening her mouth so wide while chewing was, perhaps, not an idea worthy of song. Her eyes flew wide, and her heart tore with panic as the partially chewed remains of her donut, a deliciously frosted thing covered in colorful sprinkles, went falling to the ground below.
There was a flash of yellow light, and she just saved the chewed remains with her magic before they hit the floor. Minuette heaved a sigh of relief and stuffed the contents back in. She couldn’t help but shudder in mild revulsion. Somehow, eating something already damp with saliva and partially chewed was not as pleasant as just doing it from the start.
She was drawn from her ruminations on that by the sound of chitinous hooves clapping from the far end of the room. Minuette’s cheeks puffed up and turned red with embarrassment as she realized her friend had seen all of that. “Oh, I am never living that down, am I?” she thought.
Fangs was in the mirror, an amused smirk on his face, while he gave her the most sarcastic applause she had ever received. “Bravo, little one. Truly, an entrance to strike awe into the masses. You’ll be the next superhero for sure!”
Minuette pouted at him. “Sh’up!”
Fangs chuckled at that, lowering his hooves. “Ha ha ha. Your parents headed out a little under five minutes ago, give or take. They should be back before long,” he said, lowering himself to his haunches. “So, how was your day?”
Minuette took a seat in front of the mirror, popping another donut into her mouth. She only had one more after this one. “It was fun! Princess Celestia gave me and the rest of my first period class a tour of the Canterlot sculpture gardens up in the castle so we could find inspiration for a big, independent history report we gotta do!”
“I see, I see. What about the rest of your classes?”
Minuette shrugged. “Meh. Same old, same old,” she dismissed. “I was actually kinda hoping you could help me out with my history project, though.”
Fangs raised an eyebrow, taken aback. “Me? Are you quite sure about that? I haven’t exactly been involved with the events of the world for… well, ever, it feels like.”
“I know,” Minuette said, popping the last donut into her mouth. Once she had it swallowed, she set the box to one side and nodded at Fangs. “But you’ve known a lot of ponies who were, haven’t you! The mirror was owned by one family for several generations, after all, and from what I’ve heard, they were pretty wealthy.”
“They were a business family, yes,” Fangs conceded. “Though I fail to see how that’s relevant…”
“Rich ponies are important ponies,” Minuette pointed out casually, leaning back in place. “Or important ponies become rich. Or something. And rich ponies love talking! So you probably heard plenty about history from them, and even if not, what about the ponies who came before them? You’re, like, a walking fossil! You’ve been there for things that happened when my great-grandma was in diapers!”
Fangs’ expression flattened. “Gee. Thanks. I feel so young.”
Minuette grinned and slid up to the mirror, nudging it with an elbow. “Heh. You’re an old guy.”
Fangs sighed and placed a hoof against his forehead. “Ugh… Okay, fine, if it will spare me any more of this ignominy, very well, I’ll answer whatever questions I can.”
Minuette grinned and clapped her hooves together. Great! She had secured her ticket to an easy A! At this rate, she wouldn’t even need to go to the library for books. She’d just go spend time with her friends and help them study!
Fangs adjusted himself to get more comfortable before focusing on Minuette and letting his expression relax. “Alright. What are you doing your report on?”
“Well, Celestia said we can do our report on just about anything in Equestria’s history, and she just took us through the garden to give us some inspiration,” Minuette said, scooting back and rubbing her chin. “And there were a lot of really cool things she talked about. How a bunch of fillies ended the strife of some other town, how Starswirl fought and defeated evil monsters, how some old thestral rebellion ended. She also told us about this mean old draconequus that represented ‘Discord,’ who apparently was one of her oldest and most powerful enemies. It’s that guy I wanna do my report on!”
Fangs blinked. “...Draconequus?” he asked, his brow furrowing. “I am unfamiliar with the term. Could you describe it for me?”
Minuette nodded. “Uh-huh! Okay, so, he had this really long body with a pony head. But instead of unicorn horns, he had a goat horn and a deer horn, and this really tacky little poof of a beard on his chin. All of his other limbs were mismatched, like a dragon and pony leg, a lion paw and eagle claw, and a pegasus wing and a big bat wing. He was apparently around before Celestia was Princess, if you can believe it, and- ...Fangs?”
Minuette stopped talking when she realized that Fangs had stopped paying attention. His head was downturned, hiding his face from view. He had one hoof pressed up to his temple, and his breathing had become labored.
Immediately, Minuette was on her hooves, worry and confusion coursing through her. She had never seen Fangs look like this before. Any time he had appeared uncomfortable, it had been a result of emotional discomfort, not physical. She stepped forward, pressing one hoof up to the glass. “Fangs? Are you okay?” she asked urgently.
Fangs looked up at her, and her heart almost stopped beating. Fangs’ face was contorted in pain, one eye shut and his fangs showing in a strained grimace. He let out a pained hiss, his forked tongue slithering out.
Minuette’s other hoof found the mirror, propping her up on her hind legs. “Fangs?!”
“I… Ugh,” Fangs finally began to speak, forcing the words out. He took a few deep breaths to calm down, and his face gradually began to relax. “Guh… f-forgive me, Minuette. I just… I just had a headache. A bad one…”
Minuette slowly eased off, but her heart was still alight with concern. “Are you alright? I’ve never seen that happen to you before… is something wrong? Is the mirror damaged?!”
“No, no, it’s fine,” Fangs dismissed her with a wave of his hoof. He took another few breaths and gave her a weak, reassuring smile. “They are rare, but I have had headaches like this from time to time. Don’t worry, it’s not a problem. I just need to wait it out, that’s all…”
Minuette frowned. “Is there a reason they happen?”
“If there is, I have never deciphered it,” Fangs replied, rubbing at his temple more tenderly. “That being said… this one was particularly aggressive… I’m sorry, but perhaps your questions can wait until another time. Right now, I think I just need some quiet.”
Minuette’s ears drooped, and her hope at getting some quick and easy answers ground to a halt. She looked down, scuffing her carpeted floor with a hoof. “Oh… okay.”
“I’m sorry, little one,” Fangs responded, slipping back from the mirror a little. “It’s bad timing… we can talk more later.”
With that, the bug in the mirror turned and stepped out of view, leaving Minuette alone with her thoughts.
... Hmm. Headaches at random times, happening this time when Discord is described? I think Discord might have been the one who trapped Fangs. No proof, though.
Aww, poor Fangs, hope he feels better...though that makes me wonder...ah, nevermind, I'm probably not right. Anyway, great chapter!
Yep, Discord definitely has his grubby fingers and claws all over this...
I feel so bad for Fangs!
I feel like Discord had something to do with it....
Just a hunch
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Celestia will probably be surprised at her report when she manages to dig out the information from Fangs.
Oh great, he has a geas as well? That sucks...
10580643
I used to believe Tom was in fact Eru's kin, a lesser god yet still above Vala and Maiar. Basically the thrice removed cousin that comes to your home and sleep in the spare room "for a few days"( read until the end of the world).
Then I realized Tolkien was a hardcore Christian and Iluvatar having equals would have been akin to heresy.
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Curiosity is mankind greatest blessing and bane.:)
Great! My theory is Discord trapped Fangs.
Every group has that one friend who's the chaos maker. And dear Minnie does it so well.
I'm on board with everyone supposing that Discord had something to do with Fangs' situation.
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It is going to be kind of hard for Minuette to get around a geas. I think there are a lot of headaches in Fangs' future while she tries.
Hmm. Not what I expected there. I would have thought that maybe Fangs would just be scared of Discord and ask Minuette to try and not mention him or something. Not...a massive headache.
The problem with Discord being the one to trap Fangs is that he's a showboat he wants everyone to know he's responsible for the things he does. Geasing Fangs to forget him doesn't fit his style at all. That said he does have some pragmatism when it comes to dealing with big enough threats. But how could a lone changeling possibly have been a big threat to Discord?
Discord must have something to do with Fangs' imprisonment, probably some kind of curse.
It's been a long time sense I sat down and read through a story on here,
I can say I'm glad I decided to read this one up to date (as of writing this comment), it's been a great read
(and I definitely didn't shed a tear at one point, what are you on about).
I.., was way to formal, urrmm
I enjoyed it so far, hope too see the next chapter when it's up.
So they might be in there because of something random Discord did.
But since Discord's chaos caused it, then his chaos could just as easily undo it when they break free again. There is a chance for them to get out.
But would that be during his breakout or after his reform? Because it would be interesting to see how they react if they are still trapped in the mirror when the changeling invasion happens.
this all reminded Fangs of bade times. Discord is tied to Fangs being in the mirror some how.
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That is why it is so insidious.
I’m not entirely on board with the idea that Discord trapped Fangs intentionally. Perhaps he just making the world chaotic and Fangs was caught in the crossfire or Discord made the mirror and Fangs became trapped by it on a later date.
Or this was originally Discord punishment before getting turned into stone and Fangs was somehow sucked into it.
I dunno, I have really out there theories. I could be entirely wrong!
I mean, she’s not wrong.
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All this talk about Discord possibly why he's stuck in a mirror makes sense, fitting the data we have. I just wonder when they blast Discord with a rainbow to undo the newest chaos, will it also free our trapped changeling?
I'm having a curious thought; is this the origins for Kevin, the Ponyville changeling we see for a moment just minding his own business at the donkey wedding? It's entirely possible he stays to the background, unknown to the "heroes of Equestria", while remaining a lifelong friend and confidant to Minuette.
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More likely something he did on a whim, and forgot about, then was turned to stone.
Everyone talks about geas and stuff....
Seriously, where did you pull that from?
The reason why he doesn't remember may very well be just because he doesn't want to remember.
For example, one of the most common reasons for amnesia, after head trauma, is mind hiding traumatic thing from consciousness to protect it.
It simply doesn't make sense to curse someone yet leave them not knowing why.
And this curse is definitely deliberate.
Because of the age restriction.
He must win a heart of a child, who will not judge him from looks alone, yet be scared from his appearance still.
And stuff, idk
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How could he trouble Discord? Maybe something he knew, or know?
As someone mentioned, the headache may be Fangs himself repressing a traumatic imprint.
However, maybe it's the opposite. Could be that Fangs was placed in the mirror, to keep something from being forgotten - but he doesn't seem aware what that something is.
Only Foals can se him, and we don't know if there's any conditions for him to remain capable of interaction.
What if the mirror and it's conditions are meant to preserve Fangs - so that he can tell his story to generations of foals?
Could simply be that Discord's description is so chaotic and asymmetric, it's making Fangs' instinct to copy it go haywire.
Orrrrrrr Discord mind-boinked him and prevents him from remembering for reasons. Though that would means Fangs is over 1000 years old, and could be one of the first changelings.
I can totally imagine Discord going "Oh, I actually forgot I threw you in there." As if it's just another day.
Rolled the credits
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The second seems more likely to me, also because Fangs recognized that there was something wrong with the moon, meaning he had seen it when Luna wasn't imprisoned.
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Remember those 7 warriors send by the queen to look at why things went bad, one of them got separated from the group. can that be this changeling?
The fact that Fangs has a headache when Discord is being described is no coincidence but trapping a changeling in a mirror doesn't fit Discord at all.
Calling it now, Discord trapped Fangs in the mirror!
... Which, in hindsight, seems really obvious.
The plot thickens... Minuette should really ease up on the donuts.
Oh, HECK no!