Celestia encounters problems when Queen Chrysalis tries to take over Canterlot again, and she is forced to use her failsafe on all ponies in the room. Well, two Alicorns, a Draconequus and a changeling.
While Celestia was defending Canterlot from Chrysalis, one of her spells hits a mirror and splits into four, hitting her, Luna, Discord, and Queen Chrysalis. Cadence arrived on the scene, and now is the mother of four, very powerful foals.
Having no idea how to handle babysitting Changelings, or Draconequus, she leaves Shining Armor to watch over the Crystal Empire and heads to Ponyville to ask six very important ponies what to do.
I mean, a spell that got divided between four can't be permanent, can it?
It was a quiet, dark night in Ponyville. Most ponies were just settling into bed. In a cottage near the edge of the Everfree forest, a yellow pegasus mare named Fluttershy was preparing to do so herself.
Fluttershy heard a knock at the door and turned her head. Opening the door she was greeted by the eager face of a flying Draconequus, and jumped out of the way with a surprised ‘eep’.
“Fluttershy it’s Cadence,” spoke a voice from the door, and four footsteps could be heard entering. She quickly peeked out of her hiding place behind the couch, and blinked. It wasn’t that she was shocked, it was more confusion then anything else.
Cadence walked into the house, closing the door behind her. At her feet were three foals of different species. There was the Draconequus from before, gazing around the place with exited glee. A changeling with green hair and some sort of crown. She looked familiar too. There was also a dark blue Alicorn. On Cadence’s back was also a pure white filly, casually munching on Cadence’s mane.
“Uhm, he-hello.” Fluttershy cautiously walked out, and saw Cadence turn to look at her. There was bags under her eyes, her hair was strangely silky smooth, and the look of pure desperation was enough to cause Fluttershy to become slightly worried.
“You have to help me! I can’t take care of four foals at once!”
Celestia and Queen Chrysalis were engaged in a battle royal. Each fired spell after spell, trying to hit the other. Luna chipped in occasionally, but she had her hooves full holding up the shield to keep the changelings out of Canterlot. Cadence was on her way, she could hold on.
Discord watched this with a sense of amusement, occasionally snapping his fingers and changing something in the fight. Once such change was when he made all their spells make whoopee cushion noises, that was his favourite so far.
Celestia knew her spells would not keep Chrysalis down for long, she needed a more permanent solution. Suddenly, memories of a certain purple Alicorn currently in Ponyville brought a smile to her face before she grew serious again. Changing the intention of the spell, she began to prepare.
Chrysalis fired off a spell, and Celestia was not quick enough to miss it. She winced in pain, and fell to the ground, Chrysalis stopped darting around and prepared a stronger spell. Celestia acted quickly, leaping into the air and firing straight at Chrysalis. However Chrysalis had been expecting such a plot, and pulled a shard of one of the broken windows over to deflect it.
It hit the mirror. Celestia and Chrysalis’s eyes widened as both saw the magic deflect back to them. Discord had yawned and completely missed the beam of magic flying toward him. Luna had turned to fire a spell to assist and saw a beam heading towards her. The spell activated and the room filled with magical dust, which quickly cleared.
A minute later, Cadence burst into the room, and was met by the sight of four foals. Their eyes locked onto her, and for a moment everything was silent. Then the Changeling foal opened her mouth and began to cry.
“This better not be what I think it is…”
“So-um-what is it you want me to do?” Fluttershy didn’t understand, shouldn’t she have gone to Twilight for this? Cadence sighed, and pulled her hair out of Celestia’s mouth again, shinier then ever.
“Twilight said you know about animals. I was hoping you could help in some way. Discord keeps causing trouble, Chrysalis won’t stop crying unless I feed her, Luna won’t stop clinging to my leg, and Celestia is eating my mane!” Cadence couldn’t handle four foals at once. Discord was hard enough to keep away from everything, and not to mention him making things appear. But when you factored in the other three she was on a balancing act, and about to fall.
“To b-be fair your hair looks like ice cream," commented Fluttershy. Cadence glared at Fluttershy, and growled in annoyance. Fluttershy flinched and took a step back in response.
“My hair is not ice cream!” She glanced to Celestia, and pulled her hair out of the foal’s mouth once more. Finished that, she turned just in time to see Discord make a cookie appear and snatch it away before he could eat it. She was just in time to send a quick love spell at Chrysalis as she began to cry but didn’t reach her full tempo. And finally she pulled Luna off her leg and placed her beside Chrysalis.
“W-Well I haven’t h-had a pet changeling before. B-But Discord is my f-friend so I could probably take care of him for a while i-if you want.” Cadence frowned, unsure if she should do as Fluttershy said. However as Discord plucked another cookie from thin air, and Fluttershy quickly picked him up and took the cookie away, she paused to watch what happened.
"No," whispered Fluttershy, her voice soft but commanding. Discord didn’t do as she said at first, making another one appear. However Fluttershy was known for her patience, and eventually Discord stopped and simply giggled at her. Giving a gentle smile, she began to rock him to sleep.
Cadence sighed in relief, it seemed Fluttershy at the very least knew what she was doing. She couldn’t leave a foal in some strangers care in good conscience. But since Fluttershy obviously knew how to take care of a high-maintenance foal, Cadence could see Discord would be fine here for now.
“Ok Fluttershy, only if you are sure” she replied finally. Fluttershy raised her head and gave a smile before retuning her gaze to Discord.
“I’m sure we will be fine. He’s a regular Angel.” Cadence smiled, and left Fluttershy’s place. She would check on them in the morning. Cadence was sure Fluttershy would be fine.
“So is there any way you can help?” Cadence was in town in a place called Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie was the source of her question. Twilight has said she had experience babysitting and would probably be the next best place to check.
“Oh sure! Why don’t I take one?” Before Cadence could react, Pinkie had already picked up Luna and was tickling her and making cooing noises.
“I’m sure the Cakes won’t mind me watching the little tyke for ya.” Pinkie Pie made silly faces, and Luna chuckled slightly before becoming quiet again. Cadence didn’t know if she could really trust Pinkie with Luna of all foals, but Twilight had said she was capable.
“Do you think it might be wise to ask the cakes first?” She asked, glancing around the store. When she glanced back she blinked, Pinkie was gone. She was back a moment later, face filled with a grin.
“They said yes! They also said don’t worry about it I might not look it but I’m pretty capable.” So with those parting words from Pinkie Pie, Cadence left the store with two foals in tow. While she was less sure of Pinke Pie, she had history to back her up.
“Ahm not sure how ah could be of any help.” Applejack frowned at Chrysalis. Cadence had heard about how Applejack had raised AppleBloom more or less by herself from Twilight. It was the last place she could think of going.
“You raised your sister didn’t you? Is there any chance you could give it a shot?” Cadence was desperate for help, even with two foals taken care of.
Applejack considered it, “well…Ah guess I can give it a shot.” Cadence watched as Applejack picked up Chrysalis and plopped the foal onto her back. Cadence said her goodbye’s and walked away, Applejack waving as she left.
“So you’ve got Celestia left? Where are the others?” Twilight greeted Cadence at he door, opening it to let her in. In the time Cadence had been gone her hair had become even shinier then before. Cadence pulled it out of Celestia’s mouth.
“They’re with Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack. I only wanted advice but they seemed willing to take one each off my hooves.” Cadence rubbed her eyed and glanced to the final foal on her back.
“Well if you want I’ll take care of Celestia for you.” Twilight spoke casually, as if a no would not be a problem. Cadence frowned, and considered it. Twilight had no experience taking care of a foal, but she would be in the house if she had any problems.
“Okay Twilight, but if you need anything promise me you will come and get me.” Cadence could only chuckle as Celestia was pulled off her back and brought over to Twilight by the eager mare. She watched them for a while, before heading upstairs to the guest bedroom.
She was sure there was no way this would backfire on her.
Fluttershy was not in the best of spirits. Angel wanted some kind of grilled carrot smoothie, and her new guest wasn’t being much help either. Discord was keeping to his name. If he wasn’t spawning in a river of cookies, he was changing objects from a solid into a liquid, or the other way around. Fluttershy had lost her couch to his antics already.
“Now, now Angel, please just eat your yummy salad.” Angel merely glared at her in response to her whispers. Angel raised his paw, and swiped at the salad, causing it to topple over. Fluttershy dived for the salad, but her antics caused the salad to merely flip out of the bowl and continue onto it’s target.
Needles to say, Discord was not amused. Trying to roar, he gave a small bark before flicking his hand at the salad on his face, causing it to lift into the air. He gazed up at it, and smirked.
Angel’s eyes narrowed, and he leapt into the air, dodging every piece of salad that was hurtled at him. Discord was quick to reload his ‘gun’ with more fresh produce, standing up and giving a childish chuckle. If he wasn’t so dangerous, it would have probably been cute.
The attacks began, Angel dodging every leaf, every carrot(Well, almost.) He ducked and weaved around the house, looking for the moment to strike. Discord giggled, and increased the amount he threw. For good measure he included some green paint.
Angel dodged a can, and lunged forward, punching Discord in the face with his soft paw. It wouldn’t hurt much, but it was enough to startle Discord, who dropped a paint tin right over his own head. Angel leapt back, and smiled.
Discord stood there for a moment, and then without moving the paint can floated off his head, landing beside him. He glared at the rabbit, and raised his hands. Angel had just crossed the line. There was one thing you did not do lightly, and that was make a Draconequus angry.
“Oh Dear.”
Cadence gently knocked on the door to Fluttershy’s house, eager to check on the rowdiest of the babies. Her fears were confirmed as the door opened to her press, it hadn’t been closed properly. Walking inside, Cadence could only gape at the mess.
If there was a single bit of the room that wasn’t green and covered in lettuce, she couldn’t see it. To her left was the remains of what looked like an army of ponies made out cookies. They were small ponies, about the size of a filly, but she could only gape at the fact they had eyes.
Turning to her right, she saw a single rabbit fighting what she assumed was the remains of the first division. Spotting a yellowish green form trying to calm down the two, she finally saw Discord.
Hovering above his cookie forces, the anger on that small face was almost insane. With a wave of his hand, the second force of cookie ponies charged the bunny, causing cookies to explode around the room. Throwing up a wing to protect herself, Cadence winced with the force the cookies hit her. Unfurling her wing, she frowned and her voice resonated through the room.
“Discord!” Cadence walked into the room, her figure towering over even Fluttershy. Angel took one look at her and held his hands up in surrender, even going to one of the piles of lettuce and eating a handful to show willingness.
Discord, mouth agape, could only gaze in wonder at the figure before him. He was obviously outmatched, and his anger had already faded. His forces crumbled around him, and he glanced guiltily at the mess he had made. Cadence approached the Draconequus, closing her wings and looking at him sternly.
“No Discord, no.” Her voice was not loud, but it held the unmistakable command of authority. Discord glanced at the floor, giving a small nod.
“Sowee…” he trailed off, and Cadence approached. Picking up Discord in her magic, she embraced him lovingly, before hovering him in the air, and giving him a stern look.
“It isn’t me you should apologise to Discord, but Auntie Fluttershy.” Discord gazed at Cadence, and gave a shaky smile before turning toward the green and yellow blob slowly picking herself up at the other side of the room. Discord snapped his fingers, and slowly the room repaired itself, the damage he had just caused fading and Fluttershy finding herself clean. She turned to Discord, and gave a loving a reassuring smile of gratitude.
“Sowee Untie Ughterhi.”
Cadence followed the road, watching Sweet Apple Acres come into view. She didn’t want to leave Fluttershy with Discord, but the worst thing that had happened there was nothing compared to her journey here. At one time the train had transformed into a dragon and flown away only to transform back shortly after. It must have been his limit, for he fell asleep soon after. Suddenly a high pitched sound, similar to a filly’s cry, rang out.
“I AM WEEN WHYSALIS! And I shall dwestwoy you twee!” Eyes widening, Cadence galloped the final stretch and headed toward the voice. Coming up on the scene she saw the Apple Family crowding around a small black filly growling angrily at the tree.
“Hey now Chrissi, tha’ tis no way to treat Trunky ‘ere. Jus try ta kick ‘em like ah showed yah to.” Applejack was calmly talking to the filly as Cadence approached, noticing more features. It was definitely Chrysalis, but she had grown exponentially. She was now about the size of a filly. Noticing Cadence’s arrival, the group turned to greet her.
“Howdy Cadence, checkin up on us I see. We’re ah’ll fine ‘ere. Chrissi’s jus having some trouble buckin trees tis all.” Applejack held out her hoof and Cadence shook it, giving a quick smile. Chrysalis gazed at her suspiciously, but returned to trying to buck the tree. Copying the post Applejack normally took, she kicked the tree once more, putting as much strength as she could into it. Waiting patiently, she was rewarded as a single apple fell into the basket near her feet.
“I wid it!” As Chrysalis spoke Cadence could only take a breath in surprise. The filly’s face lit up with a huge beaming smile of pride. The Apple’s were quick to reinforce the lesson with praise, and Cadence could only smile at the warmth flowing from the family. No wonder Chrysalis had grown quickly. In such a loving environment, it would be hard to not crack a single smile.
“I can see Chrys-Chrissi. I can see Chrissi is in good hooves.” Cadence could only smile at the warmth, at least until the moment Chrissi began shouting at the tree and calling it her minion. Saying her farewell she gave a small chuckle. She had nothing to worry about, nothing at-
CRASH
Cadence glanced behind her, her smile frozen on her face. Turning away, she continued heading back to Ponyville. It seems Chrysalis had decided the tree was evil, and had dive-bombed it from the air. As she walked away, she prayed that Applejack could handle her for now. She had to check up on Pinkie Pie, and then on Celestia once more. It was almost time for-
“I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! Eat your lunch Luna! Pretty Please!? What if I do the flour thing?! I know you haven’t yet found it funny but the 50th time could be the charm!”
Cadence rubbed her forehead, and gave a sigh. That did not sound like good news.
Pinkie Pie was an expert at multitasking, it was one of her many talents. However when tasked with the handling of someone who wouldn’t smile, it was hard not to focus on that instead of her job. It was made worse by the fact the Cakes had gone on a picnic, so they had closed the store for the day. She had only one thing to focus on, the small Alicorn filly named Luna.
Luna had been fairly quiet for a foal, not too demanding and content to sit and watch the sky from the window. However when Pinkie Pie had tried to feed her without the Cakes nearby, problems had begun. Reaching out to pick up Luna, Pinkie’s mouth opened to speak.
“Luna, it’s time for lunch, afterwards we can makes cupcakes. Won’t that be fun?” At the mention of food, Luna suddenly vanished, leaving Pinkie Pie clutching thin air. Turning around, she saw Luna at the front windows, peering outside. Walking over, Pinkie saw Luna glance in her direction, before vanishing once more.
Leaping over the counter, Pinkie Pie dive-bombed thin air, catapulting to the side to land on a table to ensnare thin air. Leaping up the stairs she smashed into the window, complete with thin air. Jumping back downstairs, she leapt for the door, turning around and gasping for breath as her eyes whirled around the room.
“Come on Luna, it’s only Lunch. Or is it the cupcakes you don’t like? I thought everyone liked cupcakes. I’ll even make some Rainbow ones if ya like.” As Pinkie finished talking, she realised Luna had failed to remerge. Pulling a net out from behind her back, ear twitching, eyes flickering, she advanced slowly around the room.
“Oooh Luuuna. Where’s the cute little itty bitty baby I know is around here? Why doesn’t she want her lunch. Ok, how about I make Lulu a deal. We eat cupcakes first before we eat lunch. How about it Lulu?” Gazing around the room, Pinkie Pie saw a form flicker into view before going invisible again. She smiled, there was no running from Pinkie Pie.
Leaping forward, she captured the air that held the invisible foal. Her grin stretched wide as she felt the net give, she had caught something! Holding the net carefully, so as not to lose her prey, she carefully put a hoof in to grab; thin air. The net flopped, her prey gone.
Turning around slowly, grin still stuck on her face, ear twitching, eyes combing the room, she saw the little foal perched on the front bench, watching her. Her smile didn’t fade as she carefully approached the foal.
“EN GARDE!”
Roughly an hour later, Cadence opened the door, and could only blink. There was flour everywhere, rainbow icing splattering the walls. She counted over 50 butterfly nets, and there might have been a hook shot in there too. In the middle of the mess, Pinkie Pie sat nursing Luna as she drunk the milk from her bottle. Her hair was a mess, more so than usual. Eyes bloodshot, ear twitching, she seemed to be only just calming down.
Luna saw Cadence approach, and vanished from view. Pinkie Pie watched as the bottle fell to the floor, before exploding.
“AHCANTAKEHITSHEWONTBENICE!” Throwing her hands into the air, Pinkie Pie fell backwards, and fell straight to sleep. A moment later, Luna reappeared on her chest, eating something invisible in the air.
Cadence sighed, gently picking up Luna in her magic. She didn’t know what she had been expecting, but it wasn’t this.
Eying Luna suspiciously she said, “I think you did that on purpose.” Luna of course, merely continued eating the air. Gently closing the door, Cadence left Pinkie Pie sleeping.
Of course, it was never as simple as walking back to the library, when a pegasus who liked crashing into ponies, lived in town. Narrowly avoiding both Cadence and Luna, Rainbow Dash stunk the landing, getting a mouthful of dirt.
“Oh hey Cadence, how’s the babysitting the rulers of Equestria, Lord of Chaos, and Queen of the changelings goin?” Rainbow Dash pulled herself out of the dirt, and spat out what had gotten in her mouth, dusting herself off.
“It could be worse, I think,” mused Cadence. She wasn’t honestly sure how worse it could get, but it definitely could. And she had a very bad feeling that fate would make sure it would go wrong. But she couldn’t explain why.
“So what cha doin with Luna?” Rainbow Dash had finally recovered from yet another crash landing, and had actually noticed the small dark blue form on Cadence’s back.
“Pinkie Pie couldn’t handle taking care of her, so I’m going to take her back to the library with me. I can handle one foal, it’s just four is well over my limit.” She laughed nervously at her words as she noticed Dash was peering at Luna.
“I might come around tomorrow, see how you are doing. I’d be happy to help raise one of them if you want.” Cadence saw Dash reach for Luna, and jumped back out of reflex.
“NO, thanks but no thanks! I’d rather not stress Luna more then needed today!” Dash frowned, but shrugged off Cadence’s words. Hiding a sigh of relief, she could only feel relieved that Dash wasn’t that interested. A stubborn pony was not what she needed. Carefully retreating, she bid farewell to Dash, who flew off shortly after.
She could only hope that Dash wouldn’t try to babysit one of them, there were some ponies that could not, and must not, take care of a foal.
“Twilight I’m back!” Cadence knocked on the door, waiting for a reply. Twilight seemed to have a lot more experience then Cadence had first thought. When she had asked about it, Twilight had mentioned she had to take care of Spike for most of her life.
“Welcome back! The door's open so come in.” Twilight’s reply was devoid of any of the obvious signs of stress, and as Cadence opened the door to the pleasantly warm room. She was relieved to see nothing amiss. Twilight was reading a book while nursing Celestia. She had grown a fair amount overnight, but she was not a filly just yet.
“An problems with Celestia?” Cadence put down her saddlebags near the door, glancing toward the kitchen where Spike was warming up some milk.
Twilight closed the book and raised her head to greet Cadence. She was completely relaxed. Celestia was completely different to raising a baby dragon of course, but she was well behaved and easy to read. In other words it wasn’t hard to work out what she wanted. Of course there was one problem.
“Not really, she nearly burned down the building twice while you were gone, but it’s getting less frequent as she grows.” Cadence sighed, well that was good news. They had spent half the night getting Celestia to sleep, and ensuring she didn’t burn down the place. However she did make a good heater.
“That’s good to hear. Fluttershy is having some trouble, and I don’t think her bunny is helping the situation. Applejack is having very little problems, I think. It’s hard to tell when Chriss-Chrisalis is threatening an apple tree.” Twilight blinked and raised an eyebrow.
“And you don’t want to know what Pinkie Pie’s place was like. I’ve got Luna with me.” Pulling the foal off her back, she gently placed her on the ground so she could explore. Walking toward Twilight she got a better look at Celestia.
“Well the good news is the spell does seem to be wearing off. But it’s hard to tell how long it will take before they return to normal.” Twilight pulled a book from the shelf and opened it to a page. On it, describe the effects of a spell being separated, and how long it can take to wear off.
Suddenly, Celestia gave a yawn and opened her eyes, gaining both pony’s attention. The foal glanced toward Luna, and they locked eyes. A small giggle escaped her mouth, and a small smile tugged at Luna’s in response. Twilight let Celestia down near Luna so they could spend time together.
“It’s funny how quiet it is,” remarked Twilight. Spike walked into the room with the bottle of milk and glanced to the two foals. Cadence smiled as well, the two were close even as foals.
Rainbow Dash, best flier in Equestria, was very bored. While she could practice stunts, maybe do a few tricks, or maybe even take another nap, it just didn’t appeal to her today. With nothing left to do, she was slowly cruising around town, looking at the buildings as they passed by. It was then, as she was passing Twilight’s house while flying upside down and backwards, that a dark blue foal appeared on her stomach and blinked at Dash.
“Whoa,” she exclaimed, quickly picking up the foal and slowing to a hover, already outside of Ponyville. Looking down at Luna, Dash wondered why the foal had decided to land on her just as she was passing by. However, as she gazed at the foal, she had a feeling that Luna didn’t like staying still.
“Is that the problem? You like to be moving?” Dash landed on the ground and began walking back toward the library. However after a certain distance, Luna would teleport back to sit on a crate. Frowning, Dash realised Luna was not going back to the Library. At least, awake.
“Okay okay, I get it. Let’s go to my place then.” Dash lifted up the foal gently, and took to the sky, heading for her house. Putting the foal on the cloud, Dash ensured she was a floating baby, as all Pegasi were, before heading into the kitchen to look for some milk. Finding it, Dash returned to the lounge room and met the eyes of the foal, and narrowed hers.
Dash dived for Luna, who teleported to the couch. While Luna was fast, she just couldn’t match Dash’s speed in terms of rapid teleportation. Eventually the bottle was drunk, and Dash had barely broken a sweat. With that done, Dash burped Luna, and used one wing to begin rocking her to sleep.
As soon as the foal was sleeping, Dash wrapped her in a blanket and rested her on the couch. Turning toward the door, she was relieved to see Derpy, a grey pegasus with a yellow mane, arriving right on cue, late as normal. Walking toward Derpy, Dash opened her mouth to speak.
“Derpy, mind going and giving this letter to Twilight?” Dash saw Derpy salute, and fly off toward the library. If Dash was right, Twilight would get the letter sometime in the afternoon, before rushing over. That left her caring for a foal for a full day.
“I suppose I could try transporting Luna,” mused Dash, but shook off the thought. The chance of the foal waking up was too high. And it would cause more problems then it would solve. Dash supposed she would have to get some kind of diaper as well. Would a towel do the job?
“No, a foal is not using a towel.” Dash began rifling through old cabinets for anything of use. However other than some pure white bath robes, Dash couldn’t find anything. With a silent sigh, Dash began to make crude nappies from the robes, just as Luna woke up crying.
“Shh, it’s ok,” spoke Dash quietly, picking up the foal and rocking it back to silence. After a few moments Luna was quiet again. And it was probably a good thing, Dash could see a hole in the wall where Luna’s scream had punched a hole in the cloud.
Carrying the foal to the bathroom, Dash checked the diaper and saw her worst fears were true, and quickly changed it. Dumping the diaper in the bin, Dash swore to return once Luna was taken care of to dispose of it.
Dash found some small cloud clumps and fashioned them into blocks for Luna to play with, which she did enthusiastically, while she searched for proper toys. Finally settling on a Soaring action figure, Dash handed it to the foal, who then proceeded to bite down on it.
“I am so glad I didn’t give you Spitfire.” Dash watched Luna play for a while, until she finally got bored and was hungry again. After feeding Luna, Dash heard the door open and flew over to let Twilight and the others in, who were in obvious panic.
“Not so loud, you’ll wake Luna.” Dash motioned toward Luna, who was sleeping peaceful on the couch. While Twilight and Cadence looked on in wonder, Dash gently picked up Luna and brought her over, and began reciting instructions, handing over some cloud blocks and the half-chewed Soarin.
“Luna likes to be in the sky, and constantly moving, so make sure to grab a cloud on your way back for her to play on. She had had her diaper changed, and has been fed twice.” With that finished, Dash held out Luna, which Twilight took, dazed.
“But, Dash, how are you so good with foals?” Twilight watched Dash smirk and pull out a photo of her at the academy, caring for a potato sack.
“Extra credit project. Foals are pretty easy.” Dash saw Cadence lean in, and smile.
“I think you should take care of Luna, you have done great so far.” Cadence motioned to Twilight, who smiled and handed Luna back over to Dash, who smirked in response.
“Just don’t leave me in charge of filly’s and colt’s. Foals are easy, kids are hard.”
It was a peaceful day in the Ponyville park, and a few ponies sat on the soft grass, enjoying the peace and quiet of the afternoon. However, as soon as they saw the parade of ponies coming, most quickly got up and walked away, grumbling in irritation. Word had quickly spread about the magical infants, and no one wanted to be nearby in case it turned out hazardous for their health.
“Aaapllleejack, I’m old enough to feed myself you know.” The first voice was low, and yet high pitched at the same time. It was coming from a tall gangly filly who had bug wings and holes in her feet. Chrysalis’s ears were perked back as she glared at Applejack.
“An jus how are ya’ plannin’ on doin’ that missy? I’m not gonna’ let ya suck the love outta some unsuspectin’ pony. Fool me once shame on me, you won’t fool me twice.” Applejack paused and looked to Chrysalis who had stopped in silent defiance. After a moment of staring, Applejack relented and rolled her eyes.
“Fine, but only a small bit an’ only from ya’ aunts ya hear?” Applejack found herself suddenly gripped in a strong hug as the sound of a squee reached her ears, and Chrysalis bounced eagerly toward her ignorant victims. Applejack smiled as she left, shaking her head, she really didn’t understand Changelings.
“Fwuffy! Fwuffy!” Luna was sitting perched on a cloud beside Rainbow Dash, bouncing up and down and giggling. In the time they had spent, she had grown considerably, almost as big as a filly instead of a small foal like she had been. Dash poked her gently, before swiping the cloud from underneath and hiding it behind her wings. Luna began to hover.
“Oh dear, your awesome aunt has hid the cloud. I bet you can’t find it.” Dash grinned as once more Luna teleported, instead opting to get a new cloud and bring it down from the sky. Bouncing up and down, she released a torrent of water on the grass, drying up the cloud and rendering it poofy once more. Dash kicked the old cloud into the sky as Luna began to hover near Celestia and brag about her cloud.
“I wan ta cwoud,” sulked Celestia, scrunching her face so her bottom lip stuck out. Twilight chuckled and took to the sky, grabbing Luna’s old cloud and bringing it down for Celestia. Celestia was similar in size to Luna, but was slightly larger. She also knew more words, a fact she often held over Luna.
Settling into her cloud, she raised her wings and stood tall, mimicking a regal posture as Luna looked on, immediately copying the action. Suddenly both clouds turned pink, causing the two fillies to get caught in the cotton candy, and slowly be rained out with chocolate. Both turned to glare at the baby Discord, who hadn’t grown an inch.
“You wess wif wour wuffies!” Celestia stood tall and accused Discord, her sister copying the action as she stood beside her. Discord looked at them, and rolled his eyes, snapping his fingers and turning them both fuzzy with a slight jolt of electricity. Both quickly flattened their fur and narrowed their eyes at Discord. With the fate of the fluffies at stake, they prepared for battle.
Discord fired beams of static at the princess as they both fired their own beams. Celestia’s made fire where it landed and Luna’s froze the land. Discord swatted both attacks away, giggling with mad glee. Both dived for Discord, only to realise he had turned into a pie, and both fell face first into the large pie, pulling their heads out and turning to the maniacal laughter.
“That’s enough Discord, say sorry.” Fluttershy stepped between them and fixed a stern gaze on Discord, who growled irritably in response, and nodded. Fluttershy stepped aside as Discord stepped to his tubby feet and bowed.
“Sowee,” he spoke, falling down as his weight carried him forward. Luna and Celestia began to giggle, and Discord began to create something to get revenge. However everyone blinked as a large poof sounded, and a pink cloud appeared where Chrysalis had been standing a moment earlier. As the pink dust cleared, all realised that the filly Chrysalis had vanished, and was instead once more full grown.
“Well, that puts a damper on the whole ‘invade Equestria for food’ plan,” she spoke simply. Applejack and Twilight stepped forward, sharing a confused glance. Cadance watched this, charging a spell of her own just in case Chrysalis attacked.
“What does?” Applejack was the first to open her mouth, approaching Chrysalis slowly, unsure of the situation. Twilight glanced to Cadance, and began charging her own spell. Chrysalis ignored the flighty Alicorns, and focused her attention on Applejack, giving a weak smile.
“Well you only gave me permission to feed off my aunts. I can’t feed an entire army on that.” Hearing Chrysalis’s words, both Twilight and Cadance relaxed, sharing a good natured smile as they realised that Chrysalis hadn’t forgotten the memories of her time in Ponyville. Applejack chuckled and approached Chrysalis, pulling off her hat and putting it over the Changeling’s crown.
“Dun ya worry hun. Yer an Apple now, part of tha’ family ya hear? Ahm sure once this whole mess is sorted out we’ll get yer family sorted right ahn proper. Right Twilight?” Applejack turned toward Twilight, who gave a smile and nodded vehemently in agreement.
Chrysalis smiled, and looked down to the ground, her wings buzzing slightly in response. If anyone had been able to see under the brim of the hat, they would have seen an embarrassed blush on Chrysalis’s cheeks. Speaking so only Applejack would hear, two words left her mouth.
“You shant ‘isobey tha’ night!” A high pitched voice woke Cadance, and she quickly cantered downstairs to see that it was nearly pitch black in the room, excluding where Twilight was standing, horn glowing as she held something that was wriggling in her magic. Turning to Cadance, a relieved smile fell on her face.
“Cadance, thank Celestia! Luna’s turned into Nightmare Moon. Celestia made fun of the moon.” Twilight glanced toward a small filly looking guilty in the corner of the room, pouting. Twilight could tell she still stood by her argument. Cadance nodded once, and her horn began to glow. After a moment, she sent a brief pulse of magic at Luna, who stiffened, and stopped struggling. Twilight gently put her down as Cadance approached the filly. Both had grown substantially.
“Moonie, you know your sister doesn’t mean what she says.” Cadance glanced to Celestia and narrowed her eyes in warning. Celestia’s pout grew and she turned away.
“Fine. I am sorry.” Celestia’s grumpy reply wasn’t enough for Nightmare Moon, however Cadance was quick to interrupt any act she had been about to do, and brought the filly into a hug.
“Dear, don’t worry about what others say about your pretty moon. Only worry about what you think of your pretty moon.” Letting the filly down, Cadance was satisfied to see Luna had returned to normal. Temper tantrums from Alicorns were not fun even on a good day.
“Why is Luna here anyway, isn’t Dash meant to be watching her?” Cadance raised her head as she let the two fillies find something fun to do together. Twilight motioned to the window.
“Weather duty. Dash won’t be back until the afternoon. I also have to pick up Discord and take them over to Applejack’s for a picnic. Fluttershy needs a day to tend to the animals. I hope that’s alright, I assumed you would be fine with it for a few hours now they’re not as high maintenance.” Twilight began to pack things that would be required for the picnic. Cadance picked up Celestia and Luna and placed them on their clouds, pulling a tuft with her magic to drag them along.
“Stay on the clouds you two, or no ice cream for dessert.” Cadance’s words were a death sentence to the two fillies, and they both nodded gravely, giving each other the look. You did not mess with dessert.
“Alright, let’s go meet up with Applejack, and grab Discord on our way.” Twilight opened the door, and the group left the house.
“What do you mean Applejack’s, Big Mac, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom aren’t here?” Twilight was almost in mute shock, they never left on such short notice. Chrysalis leaned against the barn door, and hovered a basket of Apples over.
“Applejack said to give you these and tell ya’ the north field is yours to use for the picnic. She also said; ‘sorry, but Bloomberg is sick with Tree Fungus.’ You know how Applejack is about family.” Chrysalis glanced behind her to the barn, and opened it, poking her head inside and muttering something quietly. Closing it, she turned back and gave a smile. Chrysalis was still wearing Applejack’s hat.
“Alright then, would you like to join us?” Twilight smiled warmly, juggling Discord in her magic. It seemed to keep him entertained, for now. Chrysalis considered it, glancing once more to the barn. Twilight turned and they headed toward the field. Chrysalis paused for a moment, and made a motion toward the barn when no pony was looking, and quickly followed Twilight and Cadance out of sight of the barn as it slowly opened. After setting out the picnic, Luna and Celestia were quick to eat, and then head to the top of the hill to play.
“So, did Applejack assign you some work?” Twilight looked to Chrysalis curiously. It was the logical reason for her glances toward the barn. Cadance began to chase after Discord, who had drawn a moustache on her face.
“Yes, I am to harvest the Apples from one of the fields.” Chrysalis raised her head and glanced back in the direction of the barn.
“Twilight, can you give me a hand with Discord? He’s straying too close to the Everfree and he won’t come back.” Cadance caught the attention of both ponies, and indeed they were alarmingly close to the Everfree, which was quite a distance away. Twilight stood up, and quickly glanced back at Chrysalis.
“Mind the other two for now, we’ll be back soon. Come back Discord! I’ll let you rain chocolate!” Twilight quickly galloped after the retreating form of Cadance, and Chrysalis looked to the two Alicorns playing in the flowers. For a brief moment, Chrysalis considered attacking them.
“Oh noes, eeht is a ‘hangering!” Luna pointed at Chrysalis and both rounded on her, giving her the death stare. Chrysalis felt her mouth pull up into an awkward smile, her eye twitching. Were these fillies serious?
“Ahrack!” Celestia and Luna charged, knocking Chrysalis over and kicking her in the stomach. Chrysalis looked at them awkwardly trying to damage her, and confusion overrode curiosity. What should she do?
“Uh. Oh noes you have defeated me once again?” Chrysalis was sure the fillies wouldn’t buy it, but as they stood on top of her they beamed and giggled to each other. Standing tall, both were proud of their victory. Chrysalis felt the beginning of a smile slide onto her face. So they wanted to play ‘Changeling attack?’ What an amazing coincidence.
“Oh noes, I have overpowered you rawr!”
Applejack returned home shortly after noon, pleased to find out Bloomberg would make a speedy recovery, with Granny Smith staying there for family support. All three of them paused at the gate to the barn and blinked, glancing between Applejack and the sight before them.
In the barn were stacks of Apples, being delivered by Applejack, who was being given them by another Applejack, forming a daisy chain right up to the trees where the sound of a least a hundred thunks could be heard.
