> Ask a changeling > by ParadoxPony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Ask. 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Maybe curly?" I lit my horn and was immediately engulfed in green flames. *Swoosh!* I glanced in the mirror again. "Or...Maybe not..." *Swoosh!* ... *Swoosh!* ... *Swoosh!* ... I looked into the mirror once again, still unsure of what I wished to look like. Through the reflection, I could see my mother walk into the room. "Narris, my child, what are you doing in here?..."She looked me over and sighed."What does it matter of how you appear?" I rolled my eyes. This is just the thing my mother would say. "Because mom,"I began," I want to look...Normal...But not too normal." Mother gave a light smile. "Normal, is no word to describe me. And yet, from these ponies, I do not flee." "But at least you kinda look like them...Aside from your stripes and tail and all." To my annoyance, she laughed. "I guess that is true, but if you change how you look," she put a hoof to my heart. "Make sure you don't change you." With a flash of green flame, I morphed back to my original black, chitin skin and clear, blue mane. "This is kinda what I do... Has Scenta chosen a form yet?" Scenta was my sister. My younger sister. I explain it this way because she doesn't normally act like it. Always telling me how I'm wrong or whatever, but I would lose my magic to save her. "Your sister, I'm afraid, is not one for stealth." I lifted an eyebrow. "Why don't you go down stairs, and see for yourself?" I had nothing better to do, so I came to the base level of the hut and saw Scenta admiring herself in the full pony mirror she had received for her birthday. Mother was right, she stuck out like a sore thumb. Not quite in a bad way though, but one can never be to careful. I mean, to think if she were too popular, it would be hard to get away, and easier to have any little signs be noticed. She notice me staring and struck a pose. Her mane and tail were both long and braided and red with two white stripes throughout them. She looked like a candy cane! She also were a green dress that frilled white at the bottom and fashioned a blue stone on a chain around her neck. I also noticed the black boots she was wearing. It did look a little...Neon. "What do you think?" "Um...Well...They sure will notice you sis...But, don't you think this is all a little too....Bright?" Scenta turned from me, back to the mirror. "Nope." She stated flatly. "If you say so..." "Um. Sissy? You're in soul form still. Shouldn't you, oh, I don't know, CHANGE!?" "Oh! Right!" I was about to light my horn when I heard the sound of a wagon pull up. Crap...The bus was here! Panic filled my eyes. Last chance! get this right! I grabbed my pack and swung it over my shoulder then ignited my horn. I didn't have time to look in the mirror to see just what I looked like, but the feathers rubbing against my side suggested pegasus. I grabbed my key necklace as I ran out the door and locked it around my neck. Scenta was already on the hay filled wagon and I quickly followed. First day of school. The hive taught me enough that I could be in my age group, but I wasn't sure how these ponies teach. What if they only talk about pony things? What if it's lunch and somepony offers me something? Should I say no? What does pony food even taste like? While I pondered these questions the driver, a large, red stallion, stopped at another pony's house. With all my worrying, I hadn't noticed we reached the town. I looked to my right in the direction of the house. This place almost looked like a store, with the dresses in the windows and all. Did all ponies live in stores? A white unicorn with a pink and purple mane got on and sat in a row next to me. I continued to stare out over the side at all the differently colored beings. I wonder if th- "Hi!" I turned to see the white unicorn was looking at me! What should I say?! Is there some sort of special unicorn greeting I should do? "Um...Hi?" "Your new! What's your name?" The unicorn spoke in a high pitched voiced. "N-Narris. What's yours?" "I'm Sweety Belle. So, where did you-" She stopped mid sentence. Was my chitin showing? I followed her gaze down to my flank. Correction, my blank flank. I had forgotten a.. what-cha-mi-call-it...Cutie mark! "Oh. My. Celestia." "I can expl-" "I DON'T HAVE MY CUTIE MARK EITHER!" Sweety Belle stood up to show me her flank. Sure enough, it was blank. I looked over at my sister's, hers was blank too. this was a little embarrassing since I was the oldest. Suddenly I was glad I didn't have to go to the same grade class as her. We arrived at the new school after a few more stops. Sweet Belle led me through the school. She told me it had grown since last year and was almost twice a big. I didn't like the thought of being near that many ponies. Sweety then led me to the correct classroom. She was in the same one. Upon entering, Sweety immediately ran to a group of two other fillies, leaving me to stand dumbly in the doorway. She motion to me and I came. "Girls," she said," this is Narris! Narris, this is Scootaloo," SweetyBelle motioned to and orange pegasus. "and Apple Bloom." She then motioned to a yellow earth pony. The orange pagasus put a hoof around me and span me around to examine my wings and flank. "Cool! Your a pegasus and a blank flank!" I gave a small attempt at a smile. I was about to ask them a few questions when a voice was heard from behind me. "Well, well, well. If it isn't our favorite blank flanks!" > Ask. 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I turned to face them. The first thing I noticed about the two standing in front of me is that they were both of earth pony origin. The pink one had a nasty smile on her face while her companion, a gray mare, was just glaring at us. I was about to inquire on their names when another voice graced my ear. Narris, whatever you do, don't do anything brash to the [profane word] with the tiara on her butt. Or her tacky lacky. Ooh, that rhymed! I winced. "Who said that?" The pink one began a girlish laugh. "So you are a blank flank and deaf? Wow girls! Nice choice in friends! what a looser!...I guess she'll fit right in." Her friend chuckled at the seemingly funny joke. I didn't get it. Was I supposed to laugh too? Was this some pony joke? The others weren't laughing. I decided it would be better to keep silent. But still... Where did that voice come from? I remember the words, don't do anything brash and, tiara on her butt. It sounded like a hive broadcast, the way the Queen would communicate with the other members of the hive. I leaned to one side and caught a glance at both their flanks, one had a silver spoon imprinted on it and the other a crowny thingy. that must be the one the voice spoke of. The pink one. I felt three hooves pull me toward them and saw as three ponies stepped in to block the path between me and the snickering two. "Leave her alone Diamond Tiara!" Scootaloo said, raising a roof in the air. "Yah! She aint dun nut'n to yall!" "Yah!" The two fillies looked at at other, a pleased smile upon each face, and walked away. "Sorry bout that Narris. Those two are just big meanies!" "Her name is Diamond Tiara?" I asked. Sweety Belle looked at me with an odd expression. "Um...Yah. But I think Brat one and Brat two would be more fitting." I laughed after seeing that the others were. I sat at my desk, trying to pay attention to what Ms. Cheerilee was saying, but my eyes drifted elsewhere, around the room at all the strange objects, each filly's and foal's face. But there was one face I kept coming back to... A loud bell rang out and I almost lost form. The kids around me began to file out and I fallowed, all the while thinking of two things, the voice...And the face. We walked until arriving at an exit where we continued on out into some sort of play place. My heard turned in a million directions. It was all so colorful and new compared to the shades of black and gray at the hive. I walked around until satisfied that I had seen everything. The three girls I had met showed me around and, more often than not, how to use everything. It was odd, they acted like I was the weird one for not knowing. My favorite had to be the swing. Up- down -up- down. I loved it. after the day ended, and a very awkward lunch, I left, still looking for that face in the crowd. Calm. Relaxed. At total ease. I let the words mother had told me sink in. Though the pond water around me began to wake from their slumber, I remained still. Completely focused... So narris how old are you? quick question, (i'm not sure if i missed this information or not) what is Narris's age? Splash! "Oh! Come on!" I shook the water out of my mane and coat. "Who's there!?" So narris how old are you?The voice repeated. "Umm...15..." I listened for more but the voice had stopped. Great. "Look...Um...Mister voice? Are you still there?" do all changelings have blue eyes, or some have green ones instead? Dear Narris.... What DO you look like in your new form? "Well," I began. I didn't see any harm in that question. "Males have blue eyes and females have light green or yellow. Red and purple are other rare colors though. And as for what I look like? I have these weird pony eyes. They are blue...Also, my fur is dark blue. this mane thing is black, but with blue stripes. And then there are my wings. But....Why are you asking me this? Who are you?" The voice was silent once more and for the better. It was getting weird. A crack to my left could be heard and I froze. A pony, a mare, came from he bushes and stared right at me. Still in soul form, I launched at her, pinning her to the grass. "Wa-wa-what d-do you w-want?! I-i'll give you any-" It was too late. I ignited my horn and held it to her, feeding through my magic. When I was done, I switched to my disguise, which I had found out to have a dark blue coat and blue and black scruffy mane. One more light from my horn and she had forgotten the whole thing. The mare got up, looked at me, and shook her head. "Oh, i'm sorry! I didn't see you there! Would you kindly direct me to town?" I pointed a hoof back to the bushes from where she had come. "Many thanks!" She said, leaving with a happy trot. What had I done? It all just happened so fast. One moment there was that voice and the next... I let myself fall back to soul form and the voice came back to me. Narris, how does love taste? I puzzled at the question. "well, I don't know about taste, but it just kinda feels...Fuzzy and heavy, like having a blanket on or instantly gaining 10 pounds." I rubbed my wings against my sides. I haven't tasted love in forever. It felt so good! Narris, why are you a filthy leech monster, and what do you plan to do about it? I winced. "I am not a-...I mean, I am certainly not a monster...i just...don't know what happened." I let my head rest upon my hooves. What if mother or Scenta were to have seen me? 'Ey Narris, what is your opinion on Moustaches? "You're chiding right? Did you see that? what I just did?...It looks fine...." Diamond Tiara sat in her personal, indoor pool awaiting her butler to return with a fresh glass of lemonade, extra sugar. That was when she heard it. A voice, unrecognizable to her, formed in the air. To Diamond Tiara: BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA Her eyes shrank to the size of pin heads. "What did you call me!?" A calm walk through the woods calmed my nerves easily, but to so easily as that face. I wish I could meet them! I lay my saddlebag on the table, snatching a strawberry from it as I did so. I wish I knew where all these voices were coming from. It drove me crazy not to know. I watch as Scenta happily trots into the room, a stack of papers held in her magical, green aurora. "What you got there sis?" I asked. She turned as if startled, then continued to smile on. "Homework." A whistle formed from her lips as she left, still holding up her work as if proud of it. I rolled my eyes. This was just like her. I didn't realize just how much I missed my little sister's smile. Narris, can Changelings feed from other emotions, or is love the only one? -Lightning "Is that your name? Lightning?" there was no reply. "Well, Lightning, yes it is, but my kind used to feed on hate and fear. Those were the good days, but then Luna was banished and Discord, turned to stone. Not much fear after that, so the queen found a spell to change our appetite." Just curious, is Zecora a changeling, or is she their adoptive mother? So narris, how did you and your sister come to live with Zecora? Complications with the hive or what? "Oh..That. Well. The queen produces over half of changeling offspring, I was one of them, and as for my father, he was taken in battle..." A hole formed in the pit of my stomach. "Zecora took us in. She found us in soul form by her hut." I listened for more but the voice went silent. How long have I been walking? The trees loomed over me like a shadow. I recognized this place! I put my ear to the ground, sure enough, I could hear it buzzing. Before I even had the chance to run, the hive was on me. Why was I running anyway? They followed me through thickets and in between trees. I couldn't loose them as the buzzing became ever clearer. I screamed but no noise came out. The words just didn't come. I felt a hoof grab mine and pull me into a darkness. Then all was quiet. He was brown was an even darker brown mane. He smiled, and to even my surprise, I smiled back. "got you in the nick of time?" "Thank you! But...Who are you?" His smile instantly changed to a look of sadness or worry. "Why would you go and ask a thing like that?" My vision blurred and the buzzing returned. The next thing I new there was blackness... I switched on my bedside lamp...It was just a dream... In the bed across from mine, my sister lay, snoring loudly. A changeling's snore does sound like buzzing. I carefully got out of bed and went into the living room. The sun was already up but I still had another hour or so before school started, so I went back to the pond only to find mother there. I could already tell, it was going to be a long day! > Ask. 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~Professor. "Sweet girl, what are you doing out here? Is it a nightmare that you fear?" Mother was smiling which could only mean one thing, she didn't need me to answer for that question. "Um," I rubbed the back of my neck, "yah, I guess so." Mother walked to my side and put a warm hoof to my shoulder. "Do you plan on sitting here like a fool? Go on my girl! Get ready for school!" The way she said it didn't leave me with a good feeling, but I obeyed. Once in the hut I could see Scenta already at work in the kitchen, eating love from our pet, and brushing out her long, perfect mane....Long and perfect. I ran a hoof through my mane. It was long...but her's had to be twice as long as mine! I scowled behind the few locks that covered my face. I like you're mane narris "Oh?!...Thank you..." a small smile crossed my face. Okay, maybe I wasn't perfect but this pony voicy thingy saw my mane and thought-.... "Hey!? You can see me?!" A certain pink mare held the binoculars to her nose, watching a certain hut intently, that was until a certain voice interrupted. Oh geeze. Pinkie Pie, we've got another leak in the quadphase plumbing system, could you be a dear and check it out? It looks minor for now, but the filters are out and it's affected two or three sinks. "Already on it." she said with a voice tone more serious than usual. "Plot device....activated..." I walked to school that day and, to my surprise, got there early. But not early enough to rid myself a few minutes of Diamond Tiara. Lucky for me, her friend was not with her. "What are you doing here blank flank?" "My name is Narris, not blank flank." I said calmly. " And I just came here to...to..toooooooo...-'' It was that face...Those dark brown eyes...the dark mane and cream colored fur... I must not have noticed I was staring- or "ooing"on like an idiot- because Diamond Tiara burst out laughing. "Wait, wait wait! You think that you, you a blank flank, have a chance at even getting a special somepony? Give me a brake! Wait till Silver Spoon hears about this! why, I bet-" I wasn't listening what she was saying, because for a moment, for the smallest, most important moment in my life, his eyes met mine. Just for a moment, but the most wonderful moment of my life. A hoof waved in front of me and broke my trance. "Are you even listening to me?!" "Huh? Wah? Oh, right, I'm listening." I sat down and looked at the ground, showing her I was listening. "Ha! Your so easy!'' She went on to talk about how stupid I was for a few more minutes and then got bored. She pulled a brush from her saddle bag and got busy on her mane. "You know, "she said after finishing. "i am a very important pony! You should consider yourself lucky to bask in my presence. In fact, I thing you owe me! What did you bring for lunch?' "Lunch?" I repeated. "Yah Narry." "Narris." "whatever!" "I didn't bring anything for lunch mam." I said. "You must be a poor pony! What do you eat anyway? Dirt! You look like you do!" I was about to inform her that I did not eat dirt for that would not be very healthy when Scootalo, Sweety Belle and Apple Bloom came to my side. "Who do yuh think yall are talk'n to her like that!?" Apple Bloom said. I smiled. "She's a very important pony." Scootaloo groaned. "What are you doing!?" "Basking in her presence like she asked."I stated simply. "Diamond!" The three chanted in unison. ''Look Narris, you don't have to be so nice to that bully." I raised an eyebrow. The three groaned in unison then pulled me to my desk and told me simply not to speak to her. I obeyed. Hive broadcasting? huh...sounds quite unique really, what else can the Hive do? if you don't mind me asking of course! -Midderp "Huh!? Oh, it's just you again... You mean you didn't know we could do that? Well, forget it because we can't...not anymore. The queen is too weak now to do anything. But members of the same hive can, if they have a lot of power that is. It's sorta like a telepathic, short ranged telephone." The foal to my right gave me an odd stare, then moved himself a few steps further from me. That was normal, right? Afer a few classes, the early wake up that morning was getting to me. My eyes drooped and my head bobbed every few minutes. Each second passed slower than the next until- ... I found myself trapped in the void once more by the buzzing sounds of the hive, drowning out all other noises of the forest. All other noises, but his. He wasn't that cute stallion at my school, no this voice was his voice. I just wish I knew who he was. I concentrated on his voice only. I had to see him...Just once more. There was something about him....Something... " Narris! I-..Come...And then..." It was impossible to hear him above the buzzing wings and buzzing voices. Than one of them grabbed at me, pinning me to their body and-....Hugging me? My first instinct was to run, to get away, but then this warm feeling came over me, like feeding on love, but this was better. The thing held me in its embrace for what seemed to be an eternity. And I loved it! ...I hadn't noticed the buzz go down until it spoke to me, or should I say he spoke to me. I recognized his soft, warm voice instantly. He saved me again. I wanted to say something, to tell him how thankful I felt, but my mouth seemed to be glued shut.I looked up at him, i had to know if he was real. My eyes were met with his. "Hey." He said softly. I don't know what it is, but he looked, just a tiny bit, older. "Hey." Is all I managed to say. I feel blood rush to my face and the world swirl around me, or what seemed like my world, was spinning out of control....And I loved every second of it.He stroked my wing-like blue mane from my face. I was in soul form, and he...He didn't care? After what seemed like an eternity squished into a second of his gaze, he leaned down, his lips a mere two inches from mine and coming closer. This couldn't be a dream. I wouldn't allow it to be... Woah woah woah. What was that dream thing all about? Is that the first time this has happened or is this a recurring thing? "WHA!?" I stumbled backward as the stallion holding me lost his grasp at the sudden out burst. I fell from his arms and into a blackness I did not know.... "Narris!" "Huh? What? Where?" A roar of laughter burst around the room....I had fallen asleep in class, my lips still forming that pursed look. "Narris," repeated Mrs. Cheerily, "I said, get out your notebooks please." She gave me a deathly stare that only a teacher can do. The day seemed to slow down every time I looked at the clock. Did't it say 2:59 a few minutes ago? By the time school had ended I was ready to hit the hay- that's a pony thing right?- but not if the CMC had anything to say about it. No sooner had the bell rang was I blindfolded by three giggling fillies and led off to who knows where. I remember the smell of apples, a brief encounter with a tree branch to the face, and being taken up some stairs. "Tu-da!' The blind fold was taken off and I had to blink a few time to get used to the light. I was in a fairly small room with a window on every wall with the exception of a door. My attention turned back to my friends, each one with a physically impossible smile on their face. "Where am I?" Scootaloo put a hoof over my shoulder. "Welcome to the Cutie Mark Crusaders club house!" "This is...." I looked at the three, their smiles still visible. How did the do that? "Amazing!" "Wow! You really think so?" "Yah!... But, why? I don't understand." "Narris, we're gunna make yah part of the club. Yah wanna be in our club. Don't yall?" "Of course I do!" The minute the words came out of my mouth, the windows were shut and the room went dark. I stumbled around in the dark for a second or two and then a single light shone in front of me. I squinted, then saw Sweety Belle standing behind one of those judge stands a few feet ahead of me. She was wearing a black cape and hood. Scoots stood next to her, pounding a drum to a perfect beat. That is until breaking out into a rhythm of head pounding bangs. Sweety Belle held a long sheet of paper in front of her and began to read. "We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, elect Narris to join us as a sister, friend, ally, buddy, gal-pal, chum of chums...Scootaloo! You said you fixed this!'' "Hey! I've been busy! Besides, you were the one who said 'don't bother with that Scoots! Let's get our cutie mark in sex-ed Scoots! You can get that later Scoots!'" "Oh, right...Um...." Sweety Belle ran a hoof down the words until stopping a few inches from the bottom. "There it is! Ahem! -And fellow Cutie Mark Crusader! You are solemnly sworn in here this day in witness of your fellow sister, friends...Congrats! Your in!" With a burst of shiny confetti, a red cape was flung across my back by Apple Bloom. "Does this mean i'm in?" I asked. "Well, ya! Now, as a Cutie Mark Crusader, you are henceforth sworn to the total awesomeness of of this clubhouse!' I looked to the floor, not wanted to meet their eyes. "What's wrong? Don't yah wanna be a part of our group?" "Well, ya....It's just...Can I tell you girls something?" The mood instantly changed in the room and the three sat down in front of me. I took a deep breath. "...I hear...Voices." They looked at each other, and then took a few steps away from me. "Wait! That didn't come out right!...Okay, look, I need you to close your eyes, okay?" They looked at each other questionably, but subsided. Just to make sure, I waved a hoof in front of each face. So far, so good. With a small burst of light I turned back to soul form, then started a spell on my three friends. Once finished, I changed back to pony form. "Okay, you can open your eyes now!" My friends looked around the room expectantly. "It'll be any time now, I'm sure...oh! Come on voices! Say something!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo took another few steps away from me, pulling Sweety Belle along with them. "Ah'm just gunna go get Aj." "No! Trust me! I-" Does she know that we can manipulate her world and control her pretty much or well she learn it if she hears this? They jumped back in surprise as the voice boomed around the room. "See! I told you...wait, you guys can do what!?" Scootaloo began hyperventilating. 'There's a- It's a- I- you?- how did- but, but, but-" I put a hoof to her mouth. "Hush! Don't wake the whole farm! Geez!'' "Deep breath Scoots. Okay, you have a lot of explaining to do!" All eyes turned to me. "oh...Right. Look, I don't know much myself. It just started happening a few days ago! They just come and go. I swear!" They smiled. "It's alright Narris," said Sweety Belle, "we'll help you out!..Wait what did that thing say?!" Would you like a tasty Love-Flavored Cookie, Narris? "Why would she want'a love-flavored cookie? That's just weird." "Um, yah? Why would I? *Cough* yes please *cough.*" Something small and hard hit the back of my head and I swiftly shove it under my wing. "what was that?" "I don't know what you're talking about." "A-any wa-ay. Narris, what do these guys do?" "Well, sometimes they ask me questions, and sometimes they give me advice." "Okay. what kinda things they ask?" "Um.. You know, this and that." Sweety Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo formed a tiny talk-circle, whispering things I couldn't hear. After they seemed content with themselves, they turned back to me, nodded to each other and- "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS TELEPATHIC PONIES! YAY! " > Ask. 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey Narris, Do you plan on telling your new friends your... secret? I was sure the blush was visible on my face since the three crusaders turned to me with questioning looks. "W-what secrets? I-I-I j-just told them? Shut the horse up voice!" They shrugged, to my pure relief, and then began talking to the voices. "Where did you guys come from?" Asked Scootaloo. "Can you see us?" Asked Sweetie Belle. "Do yuh like apples?" Asked AB to which she received odd looks from the rest of us. There was no reply. I cleared my throat. "Sooo...Let's try a few things out. Girls, I want each of us to go to a separate end of the orchard and listen." "Why?" "I wanna know if we can hear the voice, even if we are far away." The girls nodded and went our separate ways. I made sure to go to an end where I wouldn't run into somepony. It's been about ten minutes since my departure and I still haven't heard anypony, or any voice in their case. I'm starting to wonder if they left or maybe just got board with us. The grass is quite soft under my hooves and I feel it alright to let myself relax and go into soul form. Bad move. No sooner had the green flames surrounded me than I heard the cracking of a branch to my left and saw what I had feared. A large red stallion stood about 15 feet away from me, just staring at me. As soon as he saw me looking he marched in my direction, not blinking, just staring at me. What should I do? Should I kill him? What if he was apple Bloom's dad or something? I had decided what I would do! I would launch myself at this stallion...This large stallion... This kill-you-with-three-hooves-behind-his-back stallion and put a memory erasing spell on him. Gulp. I narrowed my eyes, set my hole filled hooves in a offensive stance and.... Fell to the grass crying like a filly. I am a dead mare. I cringe my muscles in preparation for the blow. I feel every scale on my back stand on end as he... Pets me? I open one eye to see this massive stallion looking down on me with what seemed to be compassion in his eyes. Did he just not know what I was or something? "Howdy there." His voice is deep, but soft. I'm too afraid to reply and he knows it, because he stops stroking my back and lends out a hoof that I gradually take. His strong arms lifts me up to my hooves in a mater of seconds. I was more amazed than scared at this point. He was so strong! "H-hi.' I finally manage after a few moments of awkward silence. He gives me a genuine smile and nothing else. I wonder is you can feel us? *poke poke* "Ouch!" "Are yah hurt?" The stallion asks. "No, no I'm fine." How did they do that? And more importantly, did the others feels it too? He nods and then begins to go back to his work as if I had never been there. Before I could stop myself, I call out, "Wait!" He turns back to me. "I-um...I didn't catch your name!" He looks down for a moment, as if considering the question. "Macintosh, ma'am." I wait for a moment for him to ask me my name but he just goes back to bucking apples. "I'm Narris." "Eeyup." This stallion was strange, but I didn't want to bother him any longer, so I left the orchard and went back to the tree house. My three friends are waiting for me by the time I get back. "Anything?" I ask. "No" they reply in unison. "You?" "Well, yah. I, uh...I got poked." "Poked?" -pokes Narris again- "OUCH!" "What happen?" My friends rushed to my side in defense, searching or sign of injury. "Why didn't we feel it?" Scootaloo asked. "I...I don't know. I think because it was directed at me." The three of them looked at me, a smile on each of their faces. Oh horse. You may want to be a bit cautious in the Crusader's antics Narris. They mean well, but they can be sort of...dangerous. They didn't seemed to notice that remark as they inched closer to me and I inched back. "GIrls? You know what this means? If WE can be one of those voice thingies, WE can get in other ponies heads!" I took a few more hoof steps back as they advanced farther. I was getting dangerously close to the clubhouse wall. "Think'a what we could do'ta Diamond'n'Silver Spoon!" My back hits the wooden wall behind me and my ears fold down. "Yeah! Time to get back at these bullies!" I slowly skidded down, filling my back with a few splinters. "Think of the cutie mark we could get!" In unison,the three fillies became very close and very loud. "Show us Narris!" A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead. "B-b-but I-I can't! I don't know how." "But earlier you-..." "What?" "Oh, never mind." Sweetie Belle fibbed. I couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. The four of us stood in thought and silence, wondering what to do next when the southern voice of Apple Jack was heard on the ground bellow. "APPLE BLOOM! AH THOUGHT AH TOLD'JA TA CLEAN OUT THE PIG'S PEN!" "COME'N BIG SIS! Sorry girls, Ah gotta go. See ya'll on Monday." Apple Bloom trotted drearily out of the tree house and down to her older sister. Something about that mare gave me a bad feeling. Apple Jack. Scootaloo sighed. "I think I better go too girls. Rainbow Dash and I have a play date soon." "Me too. Rarity wants me to help her make her dresses...Or at least I'm sure she will when she sees how helpful I am!" My two remaining friends left the tree house in search of home. Something about all those names did seem familiar though. Something bad... Oh frick... Pinkie, the problem is worse than I thought. They've hit three more sinks, unstable ones too, and it seems that there's a rupture in the first one. I know we usually don't do this, but... you have permission to activate Derpy Hooves for assistance. Good luck, citizen. "No...Not yet...Not now...Not like this..." Pinkie can I tell him what's going on? "Which him? I already informed the muffin man if that's what you mean.'' I drank the strawberry shake in one large gulp and set the glass heavily back to the table. It was Saturday. It was a lonely Saturday... Apple Bloom was catching up on chores, Sweety Belle was grounded (something about setting the house on fire?) and Scootaloo was on a camping trip with Dash. Even Diamond Tiara was busy, she said she had to wash out her mane, I believe. I searched around Sugar Cube Corner for a familiar face in this lonely crowd. Umm… Narris,…do you know what your into. Just try not to fall down cliffs, bridges, roofs, ropes connecting mountains, etc. I don't want to lose a bet with Nigel. -Lightning "Why would I fall of a-...Whose Nigel?...Never mind, I'm afraid to ask." My friends were the only thing on my mind. The only thing worth my time. Hmmm... You might wanna get the Crusaders out of your head, Narris. I'm sure that somepony will just scream out something about you-know-what. Some telepathic ponies are like that. "Don't worry. They can't hear you as long as we aren't next to each other...I think." Also, how was your cookie? "Oh, I haven't eaten it yet. I'm saving it for 'lunch' on Monday. I think I'm starting to get what ponies eat.' Psst hey narris I'm a changeling as well "Do you mind not telling everypony that?!" I poked around the cherry at the bottom of the glass. It was hopeless. Scenta wasn't even home, too busy exploring the boring world of clothe shopping. I felt a nudge to my right as somepony's shoulder brushed by me. I wasn't about to see who it was until the voice was heard. "oh sorry, I-...Hey, it's you!" The blood rushed to my face when I saw him. It was that tall stallion at school. He was wearing a blue apron and holding a broom in one hand. "M-me?" "Yeah. You're the new mare, right?" New mare? I took a shot in the dark and answered yes. That seemed to satisfy him and he took the booth across from me. "So, how do you like it here?" "It-it's, uh, nice?" He smiled awkwardly as our conversation grew quiet. "Well...I have to get back to work. Nice meeting you, um.." His hoof made a circular motion as I stood there looking like a confused idiot. "What was your name?" "Oh! Narris, my name is Narris." "Right, right. Narris. Okay. See you Monday." "Y-yah." I said dully with the dumbest looking smile I could possibly have had. He turned away...and right into a gray mare, dropping his broom and tumbling back into my hooves. I caught him in my wings just in time before the Pagasus he had ran into came toppling on top of the both of us, smashing the whole lot to the tile floor below. My wing twisted uncomfortably below the two of them. Hooves and wings gambled together, each trying to escape the mess. A cream hoof hit me upside the cheek and a wing of the same color found its way inside my mouth. I spit out the feathers and squirmed out. I looked back out at the two still struggling to escape...Or at least one was. I pulled a feather from my mouth...It was cream which means... Oh my... His wing was in my....His wing...My mouth... I rushed from the cafe, passing laughing ponies and a particularly odd pink one on my way out. Pinkie's smile grew wider. "Mission accomplished." > Ask. 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Narris, you cannot hide in there forever. Besides, spending your life in a tree would not be so clever." "Yah, come in sis! I'm sure whatever happened wasn't that embarrassing!" My grip on the tree branch strengthened. "You're right...It was worse!'' To add to the embarrassment, I started crying. "Narris, yah can't hide up there forever!" My friends had come over after I didn't come to school on Monday. This day couldn't get anymore embarrassing!...No wait, it could. I made the mistake of opening my eyes and saw the bus pulling up. I should have chosen a tree to spend the rest of my life in in the back yard... "Come on Narris! I can't just fly up and get you! School' starting and we gotta go!" I watched helplessly as my three friends made their way to the wagon..bus...thingy... when a green aurora surrounded me in its grasp. Scenta. I struggled in her magic, flailing around in the air while being dragged into the wagon and being placed in a seat next to hers and then being released from her horn. "So...Who is he?" My cheeks instantly flush red. "W-w-what ar-are you talking about?" "Just tell me already! I promise, I won't tell anypony." I looked from my sister to a few seats away where the colt sat and then back to Scenta. If told her, there would be no living with it. If I didn't, there would be no living with it. "Scenta? Remember that time you formed a grown mare because you wanted to get into that "night club"?" "N-no!" An unforgiving smiled twisted its way onto my face. "I kept the pictures." "FINE! didn't care about your stupid crush anyway!" Pinkie kept her eyes on the wagon as it rolled to a stop in front o Rarity's house to pick p Sweetie Belle. The Cakes had insisted on giving Pinkie the day off after the other day's 'incident'. With a flash of light, a changeling with purple eyes and matching armor appeared directly in front of Pinkie Pie. It nodded to her and then spoke, in doing so, teleported the two of them in to what was seemingly a control room. It's voice was crackled at first, like a bad radio signal, but then cleared sounding almost as loud as Luna. So the gingerbread is working on his spy treats, also pinkie the three new anomalies known as the cutie mark crusaders are trying to abuse the power for revenge. Activate distraction 5279 Pinkie grabbed the shoulders of the changeling and shook it furiously. "Are you crazy! This pony-er, changeling isn't ready...yet..."Pinkie Pie pulled a clueless Derpy Hooves from seemingly nowhere and pet her mane mischievously. Another being appeared with a flash in the center of the control room to which received surprised looks from both ponies...one pony and one changeling. the creature stood no taller than three hooves tall and looked to be half pony, half two-headed kitten. The cat, pony, thing cleared its throat and looked right at the changeling. "HEY! Who let you into the command center?!" "Where did you come from mr. kitty-cat-meow-face?" Pinkie then moved on to stroke the small thing's soft fur with no reaction. "Oh dear flark it's worse then I thought, PINKIE! His intel is correct but you do NOT have permission for 5279 as of yet! We all know the risks... I won't have another Unicornia incident. Derpy, if you're active trail that filly that just left. Don't be spotted. Just... use your judgement. This is above my pay grade, I need to get the captain "Yeth sir mister kitty!" Derpy said, saluting the two-head-cat-pony. A bead of green sweat dropped from the changeling's forehead. It darted to the nearest exit yelling, being a changeling helps The three left standing in the control room shared an odd glance in the changeling's wake before it shot left toward a wall and disappeared through it. The cat-pony grabbed an intercom. Oh no you don't! Ugh. Somebody call security, we have a shapeshifting native either pranking or gone rogue- Pinkiepie snatched the device. "HELLO EVERYPONY!" The cat-pony grabbed it back and, after tabbing it a few times, cleared his throat and spoke. -cressh, is this still on? The cat-pony then began to fade from view like a ghost and with it, the control room. Pinkie once again found herself at the treeline and watching the wagon pick up Sweetie Belle...it seemed like longer than that... "Nnnnarrrriiiisss?" I wonder how old he is. Is he still mad at me? Oh, I hope not! "Earth to Narris." He's got to be mad! I would be! I'm such an idiot! It was that mare...not me... "Narris!" "Wha? huh?" The room focused back into view and with it, my three friends. The schoomare smile on each of their faces indicating they had easily seen my crazed eyes and deep blush. The trio burst out into fits of giggles and snorts, rolling on the ground and holding their stomachs. "H-hey! T-that's not funny!" "You're riaght...It was hilarious! I ain't never seen anypony turn so red in all mah life!" "S-so!" Sweetie Belle put a hoof around my neck and gave a sly wink I was sure only I could see, then brought her lips closer to my ear while my other two friends continued to laugh at me. "Relax! If it'll help, I'll come over today and we can talk about...it..." Another rush of blood flared my cheeks. "T-there's nothing to talk about!" "Pppllleeeaasse?! rarity is having some big, fancy party and I have to stay in my room! Please Narris! It's soooo boring1" "..." "Please?" Sweetie's eyes grew larger than I thought possible and her bottom lip stuck out. "...Fine..." I deadpaned. The bell rang and my friends took their seats, Sweetie Belle being in the desk next to me. Narris, you really should go talk to that colt. He must feel really embarrassed about all this. Just go talk to him! ...Horse feathers... Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo's heads turned in unison. Pinkie Pie could only watch from the window helplessly while the changeling inside sheepishly wobbled her way to a creamy-brown colt. "If not plan 5279, then what?" A voice drifting on an evening breeze answered her thoughts. i think what he meant was distraction 2579 not 5279 both very similar and easy to confuse one is less risky than the other though so yea activate distraction 2579 pinkie "2579 eh? Hmm... It may be just number-y enough to work! Go get Lightning! We shall need him in my plan...." The mare stroked Derpy's mane once more, an evil smile growing on her muzzle. "Truth! I choose truth!" "Okay! Okay! Um... Have you ever worn you sister's..." the creases on my lips widened into a sly smile"...Delicates?" It was fun to watch Sweetie try to block her ever growing blush. "Y-yes." "HA! " "h-hey! I w-was just a young filly! Besides! I thought it was a hat!" "Okay, okay!" "Your turn! truth or dare!?" "Hmm...Truth!" "Aw! That's no fun! Okay... Why were you all moon-eyed at school today during science?" "I-I...Ugh! Fine. You know that...That, erm..." The temptation of lying was almost tangible! But Sweetie's friend...Twistlight? Twilit?...Twi-something had taught her an anti-lying spell box. Each time you lied, the buzzer would go off. "I, I like...Rumble!" BUZZ "Narris!" "Okay! I like a stallion!" ... "Aw! no fair Narris! " "The buzzer didn't go off, did it?" "I hate loopholes." "Okay, your turn. Truth or dare Sweetie Belle?" My gaze lifted to Sweetie Belle to which I immediately regretted. Standing almost directly behind Sweetie was a tall, gray alicorn with a striped yellow and white mane that flowed roughly down his strong legs and neck. If he was a little taller he could probably be mistaken for Celestia's twin brother. He had a certain disapproval about him. I lifted a hoof in the direction of the stallion. Sweetie followed my hoof to the stranger, a moon glazed look crossing over her eyes at the being before the two of us. I managed a few words before falling silent once more. "W-who are you?" "Just another lost soul who has breached the barrier at some level. Some more than others, see'' This voice I recognized...Lightning, one of the first voices to enter my head. But this time, he wasn't a voice. He was standing in front of me. As cautiously as i could, my hooves set into motion in the direction of Lightning. Slam! The stallion had kicked a hoof under mine, sending me for the floor of the hut. "Ow! What'd you do that for?!" "Damn… I just lost a fiver." The pony disappeared and I was once again alone in my room with Sweetie Belle, who was staring wistfully at the spot which once stood the alicorn. "Who was that?" "I have no idea...But I think these voices are more powerful than just...well...voices..." Not two minutes ago I knew the facts. facts that weren't supposed to change. And they just did...drastically! "He was so...so.." "I know! A total wierdo!" I spat. "Gorgeous..." "What?" Sweetie Belle's only answer was the soft sigh that past through her lips. 30 seconds earlier... "Plan set into motion..." Pinkamena Diane Pie had a perfect view of the changeling's room from underneath a potted plant. Wait for it... Waaaiit... A stallion appeared and spoke a few words she couldn't hear. Sweetie Belle's blush shone brightly against her white fur. "Ppperfect.." *Derpy horse pet* So you can feel us what about weapons do i have your permission to give you a small cut on your hoof. It well barely hurt and it wont be deep "Shh!!! Sweetie is sleeping!" I turned my head as little as possible to take a peak at my sleeping friend. "...Wait! What did you say?!" Fedoras make everything better. Have a fedora, Narris. Something blinded my eyes and I caught a brief sight of....Sweetie throwing me a hat? My hoof reached the air just in time to stop the fedora from reaching Sweetie Belle. I placed it on my head...It did make me feel better! I could be the teacher or the janitor or that pony you just met or....that red stallion A soft groan came from my right as she turned in her sleep. "You don't think I would be able to tell?" Those mares your friends were talking about killed many changelings, don't trust them. "Well isn't somepony paranoid!..." *Snicker* "Somepony!" How does your queen feel about belly rubs? I rubbed my chin with my hooves. "Hmm...I don't know..I..I wish I could have a belly rub..." I yawned quietly and removed the fedora from my head and placed it on the floor to my left. Why was one of your first thoughts to kill big mac? "Wha? Who's Big Mac?" My head dropped to the pillow as sleep took over... A moon.... Hooves. No, changeling hooves....No, my changeling hooves... my eyes won't open, but I can see what is happening... I see somepony...I see...him... What does he want? he is..Waving? No...those are his legs...he is coming my way... "Narris?" The brown stallion laid a hoof on mine. "Y-yes?" "I think I like it here." "Here?" I asked dumbly. "Yes, I do." I shook my head. "No, where is here?" "Why, that's where we are of course!" He smiled mater-of-factly. I inched a small bit closer to him. "Your not making sense-...pony.." He inched a few hairs too. "Yes I am.' Though he looked to be almost full grown, his speech seemed almost younger than mine, giving him a fun person about him. Inch. "Noo yourr no-ot." I sing-songed. Inch. "Look at you! You don't make sense!" What do changelings taste like? the stallion casually licked my face as if it was normal and smacked his lips together. "Hmm...Kinda like chicken!" "Hey!" I tried to sound as serious as possible while blushing. Can changelings love? "Um...Well, I thi-" A pair of lips were pressed against mine in an array of sparks flying around in my head...I slowly opened my eyes, my lips still forming a *kiss* and looked deep into the eyes of SweetIe Belle, lifting up for ano-.... "Sweetie Belle!?" Sweetie burst into laughter, holding her side and rolling onto the floor in a fit of snorts and giggles. "You should have seen your face!" "Th-that's n-not funny S-sweetie Belle!" "Oh lighten up Narris! I- I,uh..." Sweetie Belle rubbed the back of her neck. "I had some...dreams of my own." "Oh?" She had caught my interest now. "Uh, hehe...Y-yah. That.. 'voice'...w-what was his name?" "Lightning or something like that." My friend sighed at the name. "Lighting..." "RRRiiight..." Fluttershy and a very bored Rainbow Dash sat on either sides of a tea party table, sipping their invisible tea happily- or at least one of them were-. "Look, Fluttershy, it's not like I'm not enjoying drinking from empty cups with a bunch of animals or anything-" The blue pegasus push a duck off the table. "- but I really need to stretch my wings." "Oh...but the animals love you soo much!" Half of Fluttershy's cute, green eyes were hidden behind her long, pink mane, a single strand falling out of where it had been tucked behind her folded ears. "And they would be soo sad if you left." her voice was barely audible to Dash. A small baby kitten came to rest on top of Fluttershy's head, purring contently. "But if you really want to leave,-" The smallest of small tears formed on the bottom of her large eyes. "Than I won't keep you any longer Rainbow Dash." Rainbow shook her head in attempts to clear the cutesy spell she was under. "UGH! Fine!...Pass the tea..." to Fluttershy: If two changeling fillies lived with Zecora and you found out, what would you do? Rainbow's face turned stone cold. "WHO SAID THAT! WHO SAID...Ugh...Changelings?!" to Dashie: Would you kill two innocent changeling fillies who have done nothing to you? Rainbow Dash's expression softened. "No..Pass the tea Flutters..." Fluttershy gratefully passed her an empty tea pot to which Rainbow reached for, knocking her tea cup off the table. With a groan, rainbow Dash ducked under the tablecloth in search of her lost cup. "Umm...Fluttershy? What's a katana doing under the table?" > Ask. 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Wonderbolts were created to protect princess Celestia after the banishment of nightmare moon. The general's name was Firefly. he was a leader who leaded ponies. No that doesn't sound right. He was an amazing pony and leader. No! Why can't I get this right?! He was an amazing pegasus and general. ...Eh, it'll have to do. I never knew much about these guys anyway. I lay my pencil back down on my small, wooden desk. My head lifted softly up to the wall-clock. 2:45 ...15 minutes. I put my left hoof in front o my and rested my head upon it, trying to quint at various items in the room. Blurry pencil. Blurry Sweetie Belle. Blurry door frame. Blurry teacher. Blurry unicorn with earphones... Unicorn with earphones?! A blue unicorn topped with a scruffy gray mane waltzed casually into the classroom, holding one hoof up to block a long, drawn out yawn. Wow..man...what did I miss? A disapproving frown crossed the face of my teacher and he pointed an accusing hoof in his direction. "Midderp!? This is the third time you were late this week! You didn't even bother to show up yesterday." I've been gone from this thing a long time...maybe I'll come back just to bug you..hehe, get it? "Bug" Hee hee...heh... An awkward silence settled in the room. The colt then found his seat among his classmates and dug his red face in a book. He is one of them. I know he is. He talks differently than everypony else. The look different. I know he is. I continued to stare at the colt, waiting for something, anything to happen. "Um, hey." The voice startled me so much I almost fell out of my seat. "Huh? Wah?" Narris, Find out your crush's name and ask him on a date! -Dream Seeker (I'm watching you) A furious blush formed on my face. "I'm not gunna do that!" i immediately regretted the words when I looked up into the face of that colt. He was much much taller than me up close and seemed to be an earth pony. "What?" "Oh! S-sorry." "Uh-huh. Anywaaay...Do you know what the hay I'm supposed to do here? I really don't get it." I flailed around my desk until finding the papers I needed for math. "Y-yah. It's easy. Alright, these are negative so I put them here, then divide this because it is multiplied, then do the same to that side. Minus these and find the square root of that one because its power is to the second!" I smiled largely up at im, feeling quite good about myself. "Yahhhh...." He approached Silver Spoon and pointed at the same question. my blush grew deeper. Not from my feeling, but from the scar of embarrassment I had just suffered. I was almost ready to change form into a bat and fly out the window. Fluttershy held the katana up to her snout. She had never seen anything like this before....recently. Dash reached for the katana to which Fluttershy pulled quickly away. No way she was letting DASH handle this around her animals. "Hey! Who are you?" "Dash, who are you talking to-" Umm… hi Rainbow, have you seen a katana? I was promised it was here and- THAT KITTEN IS ADORABLE!!! …oh, hi Fluttershy, do you know where I can get a budgie? Both ponies stood speechless, glancing left and right for indication of the voice with no success. Another voice arose from their silence, this one familiar as Pinkie's. "They're heerrrre." She spoke grimly, poking her head out of a flower pot. "Who's here Pinkie?" inquired Dash, knowing well enough not to question her presence. in a pot. Her answer came in the form of a....kitten...It looked up at Pinkie. Pinkie, I hate to say it but we're no longer operating on pure secrecy. If anypony asks about the weird stuff, tell them about the weird stuff. Pinkie nodded, but Fluttershy could only watch in utter cuteness, her yes growing too large to measure. Fluttershy, I get that you're daw'ing over me and I like it but unfortunately I do have a bit of a task for you; lookout. If you see anything, or your animal friends see anything that's out of the ordinary, just tell this blinking blue box. Drool dropped from Flutter's mouth and her eyes almost shook now. In a flash, Dash held an accusing hoof to the 2-headed-kitten. No you cannot just attack every weird tghing that comes in the situation is delicate enough- "What do you want feline!?" . -just, just get Zecora, and ask her where she found her kids. Make something up-- "Oh, yah?! Or what?" The cat got on all fours and gave a menacing look to Dash, who immediately sat down in obedience. "Z-zecora you say? I-uh, I've been meaning to pay her a visit anyway....yah..." The two headed-cat sighed and rubbed its head with a paw. Pinkie, can I have some ice cream? Please? I lay peacefully on my bed, thinking of all the ways this day could ave gone right. Mostly being the colt incident. will you ever tell your friends that you are a Changeling? "Why would I ever do that? They are happy with who I am and so am I!" *rubs your belly* I clear my throat. "Uh t-thank you.." I'm not paranoid, those mares killed hundreds of your kind. "You mean those sisters? I doubt it! I was over at Sweetie's just last week and Rarity seemed like quite a nice mare." how many ponies have you killed? "None..Beside almost killing that red stallion t Apple Blooms." Big Mac is the big red stallion. "Big Mac? Huh...That's an odd name." The squeaking of hinges could be heard and a shadow crossed my bedroom floor. "Sis?" "What are you doing up Scenta?" "I-I don't know. But I just feel like something's coming...you know?" "...No. Only you get those tremors sissy. Come on up." I tapped the edge of my bed and she reluctantly crawled in. "I don't like it...I don't want it to happen...." I was worried for my sister. Ever since she was a young young filly, she has had tremors when bad things were to happen... I can remember when they were so bad she cried from the pain...but not as much as she did the next day, when the news of our parent's death reached the hive. I put a reassuring hoof around my sister. She was the reason I was here. I would always protect her...Always. A large field with endless daisies. A large field with my parents. They were never gone. I had woken up from this terrible dream and was free. No voices, no Ponyville, and no more....no more him. It would be a sad dream to loose but he was a dream in my dreams. Right? "Narris! Com over here sweetheart!" My father's sing-song words felt like honey to my ears and my mothers laugh sweetened the air around me as she held my sister in her arms. It was beautiful...But I felt another presence...somepony was behind me. I swung around in instinct, ready to fight the pony that threatened my family. But he was anyting than a threat. "Miss me?" "But you were in my dreams! You were the dream boy?...you don't really exist." He smiled. I wasn't sure if it was one of coldness or sadness, but he turned away. I placed a hoof to his face and pulled it back for him to face me. "What is it?" "I'm coming to get me Narris." "Wait, what?" "You know how ponies say you have...different sides? Like a loving one, or a kind one? Or even an angry one?" "yeees?" I was getting more urgent for the answer as the skies around us turned an evil shade of black. "I'm..his loving side." He said this while raising one eyebrow repeatedly. "and then I found you!" The wind began to pick up, and thunder could be heard. "Why do I keep dreaming you?" "I don't really know...I guess I just like it here...in your mind. Beside, I couldn't leave, even if I wanted to! I have to be attached to somepony. And, uh- " He stroked my cheek then whispered. "I'd rather it be you." "But my family is right over-" I turned and pointed into an empty obis. Terror and anger clouded my vision in red. "What have you done with them!?" He spoke words I did not hear and then...blackness, no. Not blackness...A blue light. It was too dark and too early to tell the source, but it was being held up to my face. A cold, blue light. More importantly was what hid behind it. Dream boy was in my room. > Ask. 7 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Though my eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room, it was still dark and cloaked the stallion nicely. He emerged from the darkness and into my field of vision. It was him. It was really him standing in my room! I tried to speak, but that only resulted in my mouth agape like an idiot! The stallion leaned inches from my muzzle. I felt a rush of heat flood my face. "You're not me." "I'm not....what?" He rolled his eyes and backed into the darkness of my room once again, mumbling something about a tortoise? Yell for zecora Not a bad idea... I opened my mouth and took in a breath before his eyes grew wide and a hoof was pressed against my muzzle, pressing it shut. "Mmf mm mmhf!?" "Well, I can't have you going'round telling ponies I'm here now can I?" "Mmf.... MMG!! Mmmm mf?" "Well of course I can hear them too!" "Mmf." "Oh, right. Sorry." He pulled back his hoof and I was able to take in a breath. "So, you can hear them too." "Well...yes, and no." We have been discovered, flee immediately. The stallion rolled his eyes. To Narris: It's only natural that you would want answers to what is happening here. Unfortunately, I seem to be about as clueless as you are on this subject. You may want to question the pony. "Yah! Why do you exist, how did you get here, who are you, and what in Luna's name if that blue glowing thing in my room!?" The stallion cleared throat and took in a deep breath; "Because I just do, with my TARDIS, I'm the Professor,and that's my TARDIS." "oh." "Have...um, you...seen, me?" Suddenly calling mom didn't seem like such a bad idea again. "Y-yes. I'm looking at you." "Ugh, simple equine brain...Okay, not this me, the other one...or one of them" I took a moment to ponder his words in my mind. "Do...you mean the colt in my dream?" "I-" The Professor as he claimed to be called, almost looked like he was the one in the dark here. "I'm where?" "I-in my dreams. You rescue me when the nightmares come." He continued to stare at me, his expressionless face about five inches from mine. He gave no indication that he had a single clue or memory for that mater, of what I was talking about. "You...'' I considered my words carefully for what I was about to say. "Y-you cared for me." "Well, I guess that was to be expected." "Expected? Expected of who?" "Me of course!" The Professor smiled brightly down at me, showing off his white teeth and breath that smelled oddly of lavender. "...Just get it over with." He nodded and pulled out the glowing item from before, holding it up to my face. "Yup! He's in there!!" The lights in my room flickered on and off, my heart began to beat abnormally fast and I felt as though part of my soul was being torn out from my chest. Lastly, I remember a blackness, not the kind you would find when you sleep, but more off a blinding one. I seemed to subconsciously explore my new, dark world only to find there was nothing new about it. I traveled days on end into the madness of my own mind. When would t end? Then I felt something. It was cold, which was plenty exciting for me, having spent many years inside myself. The soft, cool breeze took no time in turning into a vicious, icy storm though I could not see it. t swirled around me, almost tricking me into thinking I had one. But I knew I didn't. I would forever be stuck here, in this wasteland because of him. The ice froze even the slightest urge to move, nowhere to explore, nothing to find, even if there was nothing to find in the first place. But I did find something. It was warm and welcoming. It called my name in a voice that could put angels to shame. "Narris...." I tried to call back, but the words did not come. That was when I remembered I had no mouth to speak them with. So instead, I listened. If I was never going to see my world again, I would remember this for the rest of my eternal torment. "Narris? Narris?! Is she okay?" "Yes, can't you see she is fine?! Honestly, you are so blind!" I reached out to them, feeling as though I had limbs "Oh! She moved!" "Yes, I can see that..." My eyes opened and gazed upon...two Professors. "Narris, you must have gone through a lot... are you okay?" ..."Yah! Why wouldn't I be?" Wait, what happened when I was asleep again? "Professor...s." "See, told you!" Though they both looked the same, one seemed slightly younger than the other, I could see a liveliness in his eyes that could not be found in his clone. "H-hi there." The younger one spoke. Definitely younger, that was for sure. "H-hi." I could see the blood running into his cheeks when I spoke. "Yes, yes can we get on with this...And stop looking at her like that!" Older Professor said. The next moment was spent staring at his eyes. They were so bright with life! The older Professor waved a hoof in front of my face. "Stop you two! I won't be having any of that!" So narris when are you going to ask that colt out, i well give you something nice and that's my word you can trust it "Sh-shut up!" "A colt you say?" The older Professor stated. "Y-y-yes, but that's non of th-their business!" He turn to his younger copy. "Will you step outside for moment?" "Sure!" He cheerfully trotted into the hall, leaving me alone with the Professor. "Can you keep a deal with me?" "Yes? What are you getting at?" "That colt you like, if I can get you a date with him, will you give myself back?" The Professor stated flatly. "You mean that stallion that looks like you out there?" "Yes. He is...a part of my person. My personality." "How is he...you know. Not part of you?" "I already explained, there was an accident." The Professor looked away for a moment, an almost angry expression on his face. "Al-alright..." Almost immediately, he seemed himself again. "Good!"