Over the course of time I've come up with several short story concepts that are either not worth putting into a story on their own, or have fallen by the wayside. Here is where they see the light of day. I will try to tag each chapter with a short description at the start of each story.
I make no claims to the quality of these stories except that I tried to make sure they are legible.
Thunderlane shuffled on his hooves as Twilight attached more and more sticky pads to his barrel. "So,uh, Princess, why did you need me here?"
Twilight opened a box of electrodes and started counting them. "Well Thunderlane, thank you for coming in on such short notice."
Thunderlane blushed. "No problem, anything for a friend of Dash."
"Yes, about Dash... We've got a bet going on about bumblebees."
"Bumblebees?"
"Yes, bumblebees. You ever hear about how according to some mathematical equation they can't fly?"
Thunderlane nodded. "But obviously they do."
Twilight opened up one of her charts and started attaching the electrodes. "Exactly! I keep trying to tell Dash that the equation is wrong, but she's convinced that due to their lack of magic bumblebees can fly despite the equation saying they can't!"
Thunderlane lifted his wings and turned to give her easier access. "Okay, I knew Dash could be a bit stand-offish when she gets an idea into her head, but why do you need me?"
"Oh, that's simple," Twilight lit her horn up, "I need to turn you into a bumblebee to prove her wrong."
Thunderlane's limbs refused to move as he was enveloped in her magic. "What? How does that work?" His flanks, wings, and belly suddenly felt tingly.
Twilight pulled over a chalkboard covered in arcane formulae. Thunderlane might know quite a bit about math and aerodynamics from being a Wonderbolt, but this was way beyond his comprehension. "Well it's simple, you have magic. I turn you into bee and if you can fly Dash has to admit she's wrong!"
A series of creaks and crack rumbled through Thunderlane as a third pair of legs grew out of his midsection. He let out a gasp as the tender hooves reached the cold tile of the lab. "I... don't think that's what a bumblebee looks like," he muttered.
Twilight looked up from the readout of some large device. "Oh, no matter, proof of concept and all that."
Thunderlane grit his teeth as his tail turned into a cute little stinger, complete with yellow and black stripes. Siilarly, his wings flattened out and became transparent, his wings reminding him of a changeling. "You have a way to turn me back, right?"
After a few moments, his wings started to buzz away without him intending too, lifting him a few inches off the ground. Twilight completely ignored his question and bounced off giggling. "I did it! Now to find Dash and get a free soda pop!"
Thunderlane hovered in mid-air, trying to think of something to do until she got back. He looked up and saw a clear skylight. Some force compelled him to fly towards the light until he hit some sort of force field. He couldn't see the normal glow of a shielding spell, so he tried again. And again. And a few more times until he heard Twilight return with company. "Princess, there seems to be a powerful shielding spell on your skylight here. Also, hello Dash."
Dash looked between Thunderlane and an eager Twilight and back again. "That isn't a bumblebee, you don't win." Dash flew off despite Twilight's accusation of moving the goalposts, while Thunderlane went back to trying to defeat the dastardly shielding spell.
“Are you sure you’re going to be alright watching Nina tonight?”
“This isn’t my first rodeo Mr. Schwartz,” I nod and list off their usual schedule for their daughter, “Make sure she gets her homework done before any free time; dinner by 6:30 pm, money for pizza is by the fridge; in bed by 9 o’clock, her choice of bedtime story.”
Mrs. Schwartz nodded. “Thank you again so much for covering us on such short notice.”
I wave her off. “Hey, you’re my favorite family. Nina’s such a darling little girl.” Really I say that of all the families and children I babysit for, but it’s a ‘First Among Equals’ thing, I swear.
Mr. Schwartz called out to the back yard. “Nina, mommy and daddy are leaving, come say goodbye.”
“Coming!” Nina ran into the kitchen, wearing a black wig with a purple highlight in it. Her eyes lit up when she saw me. “Oh my gosh, you’re here.” She latched onto me and we hugged.
“Right, right kiddo, you’re parents have to do something tonight but I’m going to be watching you tonight,” I release her from the hug and nod to her parents. “Why don’t you go say bye to them.”
She practically hopped over to her parents and gave them the biggest hug she could, with a kiss complete with a fake ‘mwah’. “Bye mommy, bye daddy.”
“Bye honey, we’ll be back after you’re asleep so behave yourself.”
With that, and some more reluctant goodbyes, Nina’s parents left. She waved to them as they pulled out of the driveway and drove off. Once they were out of sight, I nudged her. “So, let’s go get that homework of your’s done and then we can watch some cartoons?”
To Nina’s credit, she is a really smart cookie. Certainly a better student than I was at her age. I knew enough that she was quirky, and didnt think twice when she insisted on keeping her wig on .Thankfully I had the advantage of several years on her, so I didnt have to embarrass myself when she asked for help with her math and science. Reading along with her for English was fun too.
Unfortunately by the time we got done the sun was setting early, so there wasn’t much time for playing outside. She had other plans though. She tugged me over to the living room and sat my rear down. “I found this show I love,” she said as she flicked through Netflix. So long as it wasn’t ‘Super Sex Doom Goresplosion’ or something like that she was allowed to watch it, which was fine by me. “It’s all about ponies! There’s a character in there I think you’d like.”
I already had an inkling what she was going to show me, but I let her surprise me. As I guessed it was the most recent incarnation of My Little Pony. “Oh hey,” I said as the theme song started, “I remember this show from when I was your age. Or at least another version of it.”
As the episode started I finally recognized Nina’s current hairstyle, belonging to the main character Twilight Sparkle. Then came another pink pony, who Nina pointed out to me. “That’s Cadance, that’s you. She’s the best babysitter and so are you.”
“But Nina, I’m not a pony,” I giggle, “nice rhyme though, did you just come up with that?”
She sticks her tongue out at me. “Maybe. But could we maybe, sorta do the dance they do?” She fast forwards to a part of the episode where Twilight Sparkle and Cadance greet each other with a simple song and dance.
I tousle her hair. “Sure thing, but you’re going to have to walk me through it.”
She pulled me to my feet with youthful exuberance. “Okay just do after me.” “Sunshine sunshine,” she bounced on her legs and I followed behind. “Ladybugs awake, “she covered her eyes with her hands, though I didn't so I could watch. “Clap your hooves,” this part I remembered, it was a patty-cake sort of deal. “And give a little shake,” we both turned around and shook our butts. “See, you got it! Now let’s see if you can do it from the top.”
Simple enough, and I did the dance again for her to satisfy her. Of course bouncing around was just too much fun and we both broke out into giggles. Soon enough she was satisfied and we sat down to watch the rest of the episode. It was short and pleasant enough, I couldn’t really follow most of it but I don’t think there was anything objectionable to it.
By the time the credits rolled around it felt like I sat on something, maybe a throw pillow that got bunched up. Nina got up to grab herself her one soda for the day while I tried to dig whatever I was sitting on out. I stood up, but there was nothing there. “Huh,” I reached down between the cushions to see if it slid even further down. A lock of pink hair fell over my eyes and I brushed it aside. “Nina, you got wig for me?”
Nina’s voice echoed from the nearby kitchen. “What wig?” She walked in and gasped, dropping her can of soda. “Y-your,” she stuttered, quickly picking the can back up.
I pushed by her, grabbing some paper towels. “Ach, let’s get this cleaned up before we slip on it.”
“B-but,” Nina continued to stutter.
I waved her off, kneeling to soak up the liquid. “It’s no biggie, just got to get this cleaned up.” The wig fell into my eyes again and I grabbed it to take it off. A sharp tug told me it was no wig. “What the heck?” I fell onto my rear, another pang of discomfort running down my spine. I reached into my pants and pulled out a long curly tail the same colors as my ‘wig’.
Nina rushed over. “I dunno what’s happening? Why are you turning into Cadance?” She gave me what little support I could as I stood up, socks hanging off my feet oddly. I took a step and the muted ‘clop’ told me I needed to look at my feet next.
Shock kept my voice even. “Nina, I think I want to lie down on the couch now, could you help me?” To her credit, she did help me to the couch without complaint and even got me some pillows before taking up a place hovering over my face, twirling my new hair around her finger. “Thank you. Could you help me some more? Can you help me get my socks off?”
Nina made a disgusted face. “Fine, but you owe me.” She bounced over to me feet, and tugged off my socks. As I suspected, they were horse-like hooves, and a fine pink fuzz grew up my legs. A similar fuzz creeped out from under my sleeves. Nina rubbed what used to be my ankle. “It’s like velvet.” She was quiet for a few moments. “Does it hurt?”
I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples. I could feel the fuzz creeping up my face, which was quickly pushing out. A horn poked through my fingers. “No, Nina, I don’t feel a thing. But it feels so odd.”
My ears flicked as Nina padded on over. “Aw, you’re turning into the pony? I want to be the pony!” Her voice was thick with disappointment.
I smiled at that. “Well, I don’t think your parents would be too happy with that.” She poked my nose, and I instinctively scrunched up. “What is it?”
“I want to do the dance again.”
I look at her, ears perking up. “What? Again? So soon?”
She shrugs. “Well, I want to do it again, especially with Princess Cadance.”
“I’m not,” I start, but her she puts on eyes that would make a puppy give in. “Alright,” I swing my legs over and stand up with surprising ease, “how does it go again? ‘Sunshine Sunshine’’...