Alex Viator and Harry Delrarity are good online friends. When he hears Harry's friends are transformed into five of the mane 6, He heads off to help. But his opening of an email from the MLP Theory Analysts turns a helping hand into an adventure.
Alexandre Viator has been corresponding with Harry Delrarity in Australia for a while and transferred to his new school in Perth, Australia. However, after being contacted by the MLP Theory Analysts, Alex gets transformed into an anthropomorphic female mouse with a Cutie Mark on her shoulders, just in time to find Applejack and Rarity looking for him at the airport.
Alexandre Viator looked out of the window of the plane he was on and watched the field of white that was the tops of clouds. He smiled as he thought of events that lead up to his heading to Australia to meet an online friend.
*******FLASHBACK BEGINS*******
He was enjoying a small amount of time surfing the net and enjoying videos when he stumbled upon MLP: Theory Analysts. Out of curiosity, he registered then then did a survey. One question in the survey read “If Cutie Marks actually existed what would yours be and whereabouts would it appear on you?” He answered, “The mark itself would be a red circle w/ a white kite shield on it that had three blue 0Stars (one large six pointed and two five pointed in a triangle) in the center. The mark would appear on the shoulders.” After that he joined a random chat room and struck up a conversation with a HarryFssn, and the two of them became friends.
For three months they chatted about Harry’s passion, which was clothing design. Even though he only had a passing interest in fashion and talking about it gave him ideas. One day, Alex couldn’t get back online because he got dragged into an adventure dealing with cat-nappers as soon as he could he got online. Thinking back on it, he would’ve been better off just going to bed because that chat got weird.
The Chat room finished loading and he had logged on as Straveller. His online friend Harryfssn opened a private chat room and said, “You are back!”
Alex smiled as he typed, “Great to be back. How’re things down under?” He could sense Harryfssn was nervous by the time it took for him to respond, “Glad you asked. Things have gotten intense lately.”
Alex’s eyebrow rose as he typed,”OH?”
Harryfssn still took his time responding, “Yeah. First John Turns into an anthro version of Princess Twilight Sparkle, then Kurt changes into Applejack, then that jerk Darrell became Trixie, then Matt and Terrance transformed into Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, respectively. Rina turned into Pinkie Pie and threw a party for everyone at school who turned into an anthro pony.”
Alex felt as somebody was watching him unseen and start silently laughing at him as his fingers flew over his keyboard, “Whoa! Whoa! WHOA!!!!!!!!! ARE YOU TELLING ME YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE BEING TURNED INTO ANTHRO VERSIONS OF THE FREAKING MANE 6?!?!!”
Harryfssn typed, “Well yeah.” Alex felt his temper flare as he responded, “I’m grabbing my passport and catching the first flight to Australia.” He could somehow sense his friend’s panic when he responded quicker than usual, “Dude. We can handle things; don’t go off the deep end.”
Alex’s mood darkened as he replied,”I don’t leave my friends in the lurch. Besides I got a feeling I have no choice but to get involved.” Alex went to dresser and packed two changes of clothes, his phone charger and phone. He checked his computer one last time before he shut it down.
Harryfssn’s last post said, “*Sighs* Twi’s gonna flip, but I’ll ask if someone can go pick you up at Perth.” Alex smiled as he pulled out a computer backpack and his passport when he read it. His Answer was a simple, “Thanks.” afterwhich he shut down his computer and packed it and set out to get the soonest flight to Perth, grabbing his Dodger’s cap as he left
*******END FLASHBACK*******
Alex Looked up as the Pilot announced that they were about to land so he put the tray up and waited. Once on the ground he went through Customs and got his passport stamped. Then putting on his backpack he started heading to the exit. He got two emails, both had attached pictures. One was of Ashley (the Anthro version of Applejack). The other was a picture of the cutie mark he described for the survey. The email it was attached to was from the MLP: Theory Analysts that simply said, “Enjoy.”
When he got outside he looked around for a place out of the way but still within view of the airport entrance to wait. Finding a spot next to a potted palm, Alex sat down and lowered his Dodgers cap over his eyes and fell asleep.
As he slept, Alex started to undergo some changes. His hair changed from a reddish brown to a golden blonde. His arms and legs became feminine in shape. His hips and waist took feminine proportions. His or her teeth changed into sharp incisors, much like a rodent’s as his nose turned into a mouse’s snout, complete with white whiskers. A long pink tail grew from his or her backside. His eyes turned a deep forest green, framed by dark lashes. White fur sprouted all over his new mouse body, except for his new paws, which remained pink. His ears grew bigger as everything around him seemed much louder by comparison to a human’s hearing. Finally he began to shrink, his clothes collapsing as he became smaller and smaller. The Cutie Mark that was from the video appeared on his shoulders. When the final changes completed, the new female mouse reached the size of 3” tall. He was rudely awakened when his computer fell down on top of him.
She climbed out from under her now larger clothes and computer, rubbing her head. When she saw her reflection in a nearby window, she was quite startled by her new appearance. “Sweet cheese & crackers! I’m an anthro girl mouse!” The new female mouse exclaimed, although her voice sounded higher-pitched and squeaky. As she attempted to calm down and think things clearly, a candy apple-red pickup truck pulled up and two anthros resembling Applejack & Rarity stepped out into the parking lot. They walked through the parking lot and into the terminal where one would wait for new arrivals. The Rarity anthro was carrying a purse and wearing a light blue blouse and dark skirt, while the Applejack anthro wore a brown Stetson, a white t-shirt with a brown jacket and blue jeans. She wore her blonde mane in her signature pigtail.
The female mouse recognized the two anthros as two of the Mane Six ponies and attempted to get their attention by jumping up and down, “Hey, you! Rarity, Applejack! Down here!” She even whistled to get the pony girls’ attention.
AJ looked about before saying to Rarity, "You sure yer online friend will be arriving today, Rarity?”
Rarity nods, “Indeed, Applejack dear. If Alex Viator is said he was coming then…” Rarity then noticed the mouse girl jumping up and down and heard her frantic squeaks…”Sweet Celestia! Is that...a ... MOUSE!!!”
In hindsight, it probably wasn’t best idea to start jumping up and down waving her arms to get their attention, Alex mused about later. But the sight of Rarity’s irises shrinking to pinpoints set off warning bells gave her enough time to drop down to the floor and flatten herself to avoid getting sent sailing by a purse swung by the panicky anthro unicorn mare.
“Aw come on!” Alex moaned as saw Rarity lift a hoof to check if she accidentally stepped on the mouse. “A female panicking at the sight of a mouse? How cliched can you get? YEOWLP! " Alex rolled to one side to avoid Rarity’s hooves.
“Alright.” She thought aloud, “Let’s first get of sight, then try talking some sense into that fashionista before she turns me into mouse pate.”
“HOLD ON SUGARCUBE!” Ashley said as she heard the mouse apparently said something though she couldn't understand what she said. Finally, Rarity caught Alex in a light blue telekinesis field and lifted her so she could smack it with her purse. Ashley grabbed the mouse out of the light blue aura before Rarity did something that she would hate herself for. She brought the mouse up to her eye level. Alex’s eyes met Ashley’s green eyes for the first time.
“Well Ah’ll be; this here mouse is an anthro! And look, Rarity, she has something that suspiciously looks like a Cutie Mark on her shoulders.” Ashley’s southern drawl sounded much like her equine counterpart on the show.
As Ashley showed Rarity the new mouse and her Cutie Mark symbol, Rarity snapped out of her panic/rage and prompted her to look closer. “Indeed it does *GASP!* A-alex?" She breathlessly said. She then realized she almost killed her online friend. "Ashley, we must get her to the others, posthaste!” She said with some urgency. Before starting to head to AJ's pickup, Alex realized they were about to leave her stuff behind. She promptly jumped off AJ's hand and rushed to her stuff, standing on it and refused to move, crossing her arms in defiance.
"Confound it!" Ashley said in frustration. "Fer corn’s sake, girl! Get in the gosh darned truck!" Ashley pointed at her red pickup truck. “Ah gotta have this vehicle back home before dinner!”
Just then the mouse shouted at the top of her lungs, "NOT WITHOUT MY STUFF!!!!!" Rarity looked at the pile, containing clothes, a backpack and a pair of boots, "AJ, I think these items are hers before her transformation."
It took only a couple of minutes to gather Alex’s stuff and get on the way on the way back to join their friends. Alex rode on AJ's stetson and fell asleep again from all the rocking the truck did.
AJ smiled as the mouse made herself comfortable on her stetson. “Ah would get Flora to take a look at Alex here. She loves animals, being the anthro Fluttershy of our group,” AJ suggested.
Alex woke up when the truck came to a stop. She looked curiously about and saw they were at an animal shelter. She was puzzled why they were there until they started to pass a mirrored window and wilted, “Oh yeah.” She muttered muttered to herself. “I’m a blinking mouse girl.” Feeling depressed this had started out as a jaunt to help a friend, got two emails, took a nap because of jetlag only to be turned into a three inch mouse girl.
They passed a sign that said, “Everfree Animal Shelter. Pet Adoption Week. Free Pet Vaccination with Every Adoption!” Alex didn’t pay attention to the sign, otherwise she would’ve realized she was about to get a bear hug from a child.
Ashley carefully put Alex on the front counter and said, “Now, you just wait here, Alex. Rarity and I are going to hunt down Flora and bring her to you.”
Alex Sighed and sat down as they went to talk to a distinguished gentleman,who was Flora’s supervisor. She pulled up her knees as quietly said, “Maybe this Flora’s like Fluttershy in MLP:FIM.” Though she heard herself say things in American English, everybody else heard squeeks, which she found quite frustrating.
She didn’t see the small hand rise up and close with her until it quickly closed around her and yank her off the counter with a “YOWLP!!!!” She could barely breath as a young child ran up to a young woman shouting, “MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY! I found Mousie! Can we keep her?” The little girl asked excitedly, holding up the struggling mouse girl in her tight grasp.
By then, Ashley heard the excited girl and went over to investigate, “Now hold on, sugarcube. That ‘mousie’ is not fer adoption. She’s a friend of ours and needs to be checked out by our friend Flora.”
“Help!” Alex weakly said/squeaked. The little girl was squeezing the life out of Alex unknowingly. In fact, if Alex had been a normal mouse instead of an anthro, she was certain she would’ve passed out from lack of air. Which unfortunately was a possibility fast approaching.
Ashley found Rarity and asked if she found Flora, “Alex is in trouble! That there lil’ girl thinks our mouse friend’s for adoption!”
“Just my luck.” Alex thought as the world started to get darker. “Killed by a little girl wanting a pet. What a crappy way to go!”
“ELMIRA!” A new female voice sternly said, ”How many times have I told not to squeeze the animals!” Alex watched as the world spun briefly and a butter yellow Pegasus with a pink mane and tail came into view as she walked up to the girl, “The STARE” fully active.
Elmira reluctantly handed over the semi-conscious mouse girl to Flora, “Sorry, Miss Flora. I just wanted to pet her!”
Eventually, Elmira’s mother pulled her aside and out the door to have a stern talk about not hurting the animals in the shelter.
Ashley chuckled as Flora’s stare forced the girl to surrender the mouse to her. “Ah hope she’s gonna be okay, Flora.” Her expression on her face turned to concern for the mouse girl.
Alex gulped life saving air and Said/squeaked, “Three cheers for the Element of Kindness!” She lay flat in the anthro mare’s hand as she slowly recovered.
After a few minutes, Alex sat up before saying/squeaking, "Thank you for the save. If it weren't for you, I would've been squeezed to death, literally!”
“I'm sorry Miss Mouse, Elmira’s mother helps run the shelter so Elmira visits the animals often.” Flora said. “While she mostly visits the dog pens to play with the bigger ones on the weekend. We have been teaching her how to treat the smaller animals now that she’s five years old.”
Ashley smiled, “Well, Flora, Rarity and I came by to show you Alex here. Turns out she’s the friend Rarity needed to pick up at the airport.” She pointed at the mouse girl. “Ya can understand her, right? All Ah’m hearing’ is cute squeaking mouse noises.”
“It’s even easier than with anypony except Angel Bunny,” the butter yellow anthro smiled at the thought of her oldest pal. “Alex might still be speaking American English, but her size and the transformation could be what’s causing the sounds to change.”
Ashley nodded to Flora’s explanation, “But ya can still understand her, right? Ah mean, if yer supposed to be Fluttershy, you c’n talk to all sorts of critters. Even this here mouse. She even has a Cutie Mark on her shoulders.” She pointed out the Cutie Mark on Alex’s shoulders to Flora.
POOF! That's not too surprising if we’re dealing with an anthro of any kind!” Ayumi said, teleporting in. “Dad and I got Rarity’s text and no it wasn’t him who anthrofied Alexandra. That could have been the MLP Theory Analysts.” ‘I swear if it was Mama Luna, I’ll laugh out loud!’ “Twilight will be here soon; she’s still meeting her second mother as my mom came to visit last night.”
Ashley nodded, “That’s good to’ hear. How’s yer mother dealin’ with ya being, well, an anthro?”
“Well enough, considering she’s one too. She never told me she was a fan of Gen One; guess who she is! I’ll give you a hint; She’s the Twilight that started them all!”
Ashley raised a brow, “She’s the original Twilight? Twilight’s mother, Twilight Velvet, or Mrs. Sparkle, from our show’s practically based on her, right?”
“Close but no cider, AJ! My mother turned into Twilight Twinkle, the Gen One pony the Lady Faust based both Velvet and Sparkle off of.”
Ashley shook her head, “That’s a lot ta take in. Ah take it Ah’m supposed to be based on the ol’ Applejack from that time period? But the MLP version, Generation Four?”
“Actually AJ’s design is based off of a gen two or three pony. Oh, and get this! Rarity is based of of Gen three Rainbow Dash while Scootaloo is based off of Gen Three Rarity!”
Ashley tipped her hat back in thought, “Just don’t tell Rarity that or Rainbow.” She could imagine the looks on their faces.
“I already did, back during Pinkie’s party; they took it very well all things considered. I even showed them the movie in which both first appeared last Friday. but let’s get back on topic; how’s Alex doing?”
Ashley smiled, “Flora’s tendin’ t her now. She may need to get some new clothes as Rarity and I found her with her old clothes and other items she brought for her trip to meet up with us.”
“Maybe not! Daddy just taught me a resizing spell that could either get Alex bigger or resize her clothes to fit. It all depends on her magic quota.”” Ayumi said most enthusiastically.
Ashley scratched her head, “I dunno anything about magic quotas and spells that change one’s size or clothes, but if Alex is up for it, you can surely try. Probably do the spells someplace private-like; maybe at Twilight’s or maybe Rarity’s? Our next stop was to see if Rarity would design some clothes for a mouse.”
“Magic quota just means how much magic one has in their body. The Elements have so much magic it's not even funny! Alex, from what I can sense, has similar amounts of magic to Flutters.” Ayumi explained.
Ashley nods, “That does make perfect sense now. Ah have the Element of Honesty, and Flora’s element is Kindness.”
“And we have two elements of magic! One with more power and knowledge than anypony but herself and the other a teacher in her own right.”
Meanwhile, Flora had taken Alex to the veterinary clinic in the shelter. Flora performed a thorough physical examination and found the only thing majorly wrong was a dislocated tail.
Alex tentatively moved her tail, eliciting some major pain when Flora reset it. The pain subsided enough for Alex to strike up a conversation with Flora. “ It's a good thing you're around Flora. I was afraid I was going to be forced to pantomime what I want to say to everybody else.” She said to do the butter yellow Pegasus.
Alex then looked at Flora, “I think I better choose a new name to go with this body.” She adds as she looks over her new body. “I’m thinking Alexandra Traveller.”
Flora smiled then frowned. “Alexandra and Alexander sound very much alike; won't that be confusing?”
The mouse girl shook her head, “Not all that much since both use the nickname Alex in them. I answer to Alex more often than not. Add to that, Viator translates from Latin to Traveler. Huh?!” Alex worriedly looked about, first the clinic in general then at herself followed by Fluttershy then towards the shelter. Her tail then begin to whip about in agitation.
“Alex?” a worried Flora asked. “Something wrong?”
“Well it's official.” Alex said dejectedly. “Another adventure just dragged me in.” Flora got a worried look on her face but before she could ask, Alex said, “I’ll tell you and your friends later.”
At that moment Alex’s stomach growled loudly. Alex blushed at the sound, a sheepish look crossed her rodent face as she said, “Ah, I might be a tiny bit hungry as I missed a few meals getting here.”
Flora smiled and placed a small pile of alfalfa pellets and a bowl of fresh water in front of her. After a couple of minutes of contemplating the pellets, Alex picked up a pellet and ate it. After the first pellet, the rest disappeared down her rodent gullet.
Not long after that, Ashley walked in with Rarity and Ayumi in tow. Alex saw Rarity and another anthro she hadn't seen before step in.
“Is Alex gunna be okay, Flora? Ah knew you’d be the girl to go to for animal caretaking’.” Ashley asked, removing her Stetson, waiting for Flora’s prognosis.
Alex gave a small burp from her alfalfa meal. “Excuse me.” She said/squeaked.
Ashley chuckled, “At least the girl’s got some manners.” She turned to Ayumi, “Ayumi, this is Alex. Alex, this is Ayumi. She’s stayin’ with Pinkie Pie, one of our other friends.”
Alex stared at Ayumi and said, “Pleased to meet you.” She held out a paw, and smiled. “Now could somemouse tell me what is going o….” Alex clamped her hand around her snout, eyes wide in surprise.
Ashley chuckled, “Sounds like some mouse uttered her first ‘mouse-ism.’ Kinda like our pony-isms, only fer mice.” Alex looked herself over and said, “Would some mouse please explain why I am suddenly using … mouse-isms?”
Ashley shrugged, “Dunno, sugarcube. Ah’m an Earth pony, not a mouse. Maybe because the same way we ponies use pony-isms, mice would use mouse-isms?”
Alex nodded as it made sense then sniffs and examines herself then says, “I think I need some grooming.” Flora smiles and holds her hand down for Alex to climb on. A little later Alex is standing in a sink rubbing flea shampoo into her fur and hair.
While Alex was being tended to by Flora, Ashley waited with Rarity and Ayumi. She checked her messages for any updates with Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, or Twilight. She finds a message from Twilight. “Don’t forget the party’s at my place. Bring Rarity’s friend as well. Pinkie wants to meet him.”
Alex stayed still as Flora brushed her fur and thought to herself, “Maybe I should tell that I am used to dealing with magic. I know Flora noticed me looking about when that mystic flare occurred. But was it a threat or another mystic surge. *SIGH* I don’t know. What I do know is I felt mystic resonances from Ashley, Flora, myself (no surprise there),and Rarity. I also sensed a fifth resonance in where Ashley and Rarity is. *SIGH* As long as it isn’t chaos magic I’m ok” Alex rinsed herself off, and braced herself as Flora use the blowdryer on her. What happened next neither of them were prepared for. *Poomph!!* Alex's fur poofed out turning her into a literal furball, causing both females to dissolve in a fit of giggles. After they both recovered Flora brushed Alex down, and carried her to where Ashley, Ayumi, & Rarity were waiting.
“Alex,” Ashley Called as the mouse girl rode in Flora’s hand. “Ayoumi here says she could use a resizing her dad taught to make you human sized again.” Alex thought a bit before replying, “I got something for you.” Ayumi said pulling what looked like a black coin with Discord’s face on one side and Ayumi’s cutie mark on the other. “It’s a translator that will let the others understand you're squeaks Daddy Discord made it in case of a anthro couldn't speak or the others couldn't hear them.”, “It would be a good help as I would be able to wear most of my clothes again.” Rarity then spoke up, “Why can’t you wear all of them once your human size again.” Alex gave Rarity a look and replied, “Rarity, I was a guy before I changed into this. Think.” Rarity thought about it. A moment later Rarity blushed as she meekly said, “Nevermind.”
Alex in the meantime looked at the translator then at Ayumi. She then said, “Three questions. First how am I going to use it? second, Discord’s your Father?
“It’s automatic,” Ayumi said “as long as you’re near it everyone can understand you. Second this Discord knows my oc’s farther and has agreed to teach me about chaos magic. My human father passed before we moved from Rochester NY to the siberian plains.
Alex starts to look nervous, “ is your resizing spell chaos magical?”
“Somewhat, the spell itself is based in more traditional merlinian magic, but to use it outside of that reality I have to use chaos magic as a base.” “That’s what I’m afraid of.” Alex says that she jumps from flows hands and goes to the center of the room. “*SIGH* Let’s get this over with.”
“Dude I’m living magic energy I’ll keep it stable trust me.” Ayumi said as she changed into her elemental from for better control over the chaos magic now flowing through her “Trust me.” Alex said “It's Nothin On You. Ready when you are.”
Ayumi aimed her claws at Alex as the spell took hold and Ayumi kept pouring the power on. At first it seemed that Alex hadn’t been affected but that was due to the spell starting off by analyzing her genetic structure. Then Alex started to grow the mouse-girl grew and grew till she reached about 5’8” .
“See no problem.” Ayumi said reverting back to her dragonoid pony hybrid form. “The chaos magic only brought the spell into this reality is power and effects are all my own alicorn magic.” ‘wonder if i could use fairy law? Maybe later.’
Alex looked herself over. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Flora’s eyes widened as she said, ”Oh my.” everybody could see that at 5’8” Alex’s bust was the same size as Flora.
Suddenly, every unicorn and alicorn in the place began to feel some sort of pressure build up. Alex's eyes widened and she realized what about to happen. “Oh crap” I was all she had time to say when a green flash followed by a small Shockwave knocked everypony on their off their feet.
Ayumi absorbed the Shock Wave into herself as Alexandria stood there “Nice! Figured that might happen. The spell I used analyzed you gene's Alex. It seems you’re like me, a being who had experience in magic before we changed. Mine was dream magic what was yours?”
Alex shrugged as she looked up from her 3” height. “No clue.” She replied. “All I know it’s where my magical bursts come from and it doesn’t like chaos magic.” “I can use the spell again without chaos magic i just needed it to bring that spell into our reality. It’ll stick this time.”
“We hope.” Alex took a deep breath then said “Maybe you can analyze it when next time I burst.”
“Actually I absorbed your ‘surge burst’ into my being.” Ayumi replied. “It seems you just need to learn how to hand cast. You’ve been building up magic within your being to the point of saturation, and the reason chaos magic is so volatile is because of the fact that you hold almost as much of the stuff as Sonata Dusk. I have my oc’s memories and Sonata became one of her wives at some point after rainbow rocks.”
“And what is the spell level of the siren?” The mouse girl asked. Alex put a paw to her chin and mused aloud. “Maybe that’s the reason for my wild luck.”
“I’ll call her up she and my oc linked there pendants and it seems mine is linked in as well.” Ayumi said pointing to the purple gem hanging from a black satin cloth on her neck. “Hey Nata! You There?”
<Yeah this Twily or Ayumi?> the blue girl’s voice came through.
“Ayumi hey what’s your chaos level again?”
<12,000,000 Why need to talk with Dagi again about bring us over?>
“Nope just need a reference for a new anthro.”
<Oh cool! And about the transfer Dagi said Novo is thinking about it.> “Out of curiosity.” Alex said pound enough to be heard.. “How many of the Viator clan is in your realm?”
“Huh Viator clan what’s that?” Ayumi said as she got ready to recast the size spell. “If you're trying to talk to my Wife only the elements and other immortals can use my link sorry. It’s one of the few thing my magic can’t fully influence yet.” “Sorry.” Alex meekly says. “Don’t worry. The big thing with that is that i can link minds as well as worlds. So unless you have a strong mind or a link with someone else it can hurt A LOT to use that kind of magic. I guess you didn’t notice that you heard Nata through Thought-speak ah-la Animorphs.”
“The Viator clan is my clan. Due to the nature of the curse my family lives under has spread to multiple realms. I was just wondering whether I had some family in that realm.” “But nevermind that now that I've been cleaned & groomed I think we better go and find me something to wear.
“Actually let me cast this before we go it’ll be much easier now that it has no chaos magic.” Ayumi said. “Besides I think you would at least like to be a bit bigger.” “I would like to avoid a repeat of my near squishing.”
“Ok,” Ayumi said “for now i’ll make you 4’ 8”. I think part of your surge was my making you normal height too soon sorry. Your body might need some time to adjust to the new size.” “Ok.”
“Alright!” Ayumi said as she cast the newly chaos-less spell “Here goes nothing!” Ayumi activated a magic syphoning spell to keep Alex from surging again as the she-mouse grew to the new shorter size. “That should do for now. I also used a small syphoning spell to allow my magic to alter you without another surge and yes it’s Tirek’s spell but in a low-power form. Your magic tastes like grapes for some reason.” Alex had a puzzled look on her face. “I feel … odd.” Without any warning, Alex was 3” tall again with only a flash green to signal magic in use. “WHAT THE CATS?!” Alex said her spot as a 3” mouse. “ okay. okay. Now's not the time to freak out. After a half-hour of more attempts to get Alex taller than three inches tall it took Ashley saying, “It’s like she locked at that size.” “Time to go.” Alex said. “If were get to Rarity's place with enough time for her to make me some outfits and for everybody to get to the party we gotta leave now.” Alex then jumped down then climbed up Asley, who grabbed the translator coin they returned to her pickup. Alex made sure to stay on Ashley’s stetson the three of them left the Everfree Animal Shelter and towards Alex’s date with new wardrobe
Alex was sitting on the dashboard of the truck feeling both down and happy. She was feeling down because her latest Surge Burst may have forever robbed her of any chance to be taller than three inches tall and she hadn’t run into Harry yet. But at least she had solace in the fact that she could now be understood without Flora needing to translate.
After a few minutes she turned to look at Rarity and said, “Harry has told me that Ashley, Flora, Micaela, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight had some very interesting adventures at school. Befriending Trixie, meeting some new anthros, and solving friendship problems at school to name a few.”
Alex then focused on the Fashionista “But you, you’re still a mystery.” Alex stared at the alabaster furred, Indigo Maned and tailed unicorn before stating matter-of-factly, “And if you're another friend of Harry’s, he would have told you that I can't resist a mystery!” She ruefully chuckled. “I guess I should tell you the chat room me and Harry met was named after your boutique.”
Ashley continued driving down the road to Rarity’s shop as the girls continued to talk. “Welp, Ah reckon Rarity owes ya an explanation, right Alex?” The mouse gave the farm mare a puzzled look.
“Huh?” She said. “What do you mean?”
Ashley looked over to Rarity and then back to Alex, “Well, here’s what’s been goin’ on. This is the honest truth. It all started when our friend ended up transformed into the Princess o’ Friendship herself. After that, Ah ended up as good ol’ Applejack. Twilight helped me unlock all my Earth pony heritage and explained about the three different pony tribes. Then Micaela and Flora ended up as Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, respectively. Rina, the hyperactive gal of our group, naturally became Pinkie Pie.”
“Of course; the human that embodied the party mare element, laughter, became the party mare herself. Makes sense. But what has this to do with Rarity?” Alex was getting sinking feeling she knew where this was headed.
Ashley looked over at Rarity, “You up to tellin’ Alex what happened when we had to use the Elements of Harmony on the anthro version of Nightmare Moon?”
Rarity looked at the rodent adventurer then pleadingly at Ashley. The farm mare just mouthed, “Just tell her.”
Alex looked at Rarity then asked, “Rarity, what is Ashley getting at?”
Rarity took a deep breath and braced herself for the figurative explosion she was about to happen. “Maestro had to change me into my fabulous self only then….uh oh.”
The mouse had a look of anger mixed with hurt as she said, “YOU’RE HARRY?!?”
Rarity winced from Alex's shrill shout. “I come all the way from America, get changed into a female mouse for some unknown reason, what is the first nightmare blasted thing you do when we meet? You tried to kill me!!!!! If it wasn't for somemouse nearby you would’ve…” She would’ve have said more if it wasn't for the flash of emerald green light which occurred. When the light disappeared the mouse girl sitting on the dashboard was nowhere to be seen.
Ashley applied the brakes, causing the truck to come to an abrupt stop. There was a loud thump against the back of the cab and it was barely perceptible, due to their ears being equine instead of human say “Ow.”
==============A few moments earlier===============
Alex appeared in the back of Ashley’s truck about three inches above the bed. After she landed from her height she straightened herself and….went flying backward and hit the back of the cab. “Ow.” She said as sunk the floor. She heard one of the doors open and close.
A few moments later Ashley’s head poked into the bed and Said, “You okay, sugarcube?”
Alex nodded then said, “I got to remember not to get upset too much. Damn bursts.”
Ashley sighed in relief. “Well, let’s get you back up front. We can sort this out after you have some clothes.” Alex nodded as she got up, staggering up to her feet. It was at that time both the mouse and fashionista said, “I’m sorry.” If either of them had something else to say it was for gotten us both stared at each other mouths open in surprise for a few seconds. Then both burst out laughing. Ashley joined in a few seconds later.
And after about 5 minutes of the three were laughing their heads off.
Alex sighed, composing herself, “I'm sorry for getting upset for you nearly killing me. Please understand that up until we met at the airport, I got involved in an escapade and unintentionally earned some of the spending cash in the process. This was the fifth time someone tried to kill me since this adventure began. I'll explain after this escapade is over.” Rarity and Ashley had looks of shock but Alex's assurance they'll learn later eased both of their worries.
They soon reached Rarity’s home and shop. Ashley and Rarity enter with Alex riding on Ashley’s stetson. Once Alex jumps down to a counter.
Rarity beamed with pride, “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique!” She gestured around her shop daintily, which held many elegant designs and various fabrics for untold new creations.
Alex looks around before saying, “One fancy dress shop.’ She eyed some of the designs on the display mannequins with Rarity’s assistance.
While Alex and Rarity looked at dress choices for their party, Ashley contacted Twilight and Pinkie about Alex. “Twilight, hey, we are at Rarity’s shop. Alex needed some new clothes and a clean up from Flora. Alex is, well, she’s a mouse girl with a Cutie Mark on her shoulders.”
“A CUTIE MARK?!” Twilight shouted exuberantly over the phone. “You need to bring her straight to my place so I can talk with her! She can talk, right?”
Ashley winced at Twilight’s outburst, “No need ta yell, Twi. Yeah, Alex ain’t no ordinary mouse. She’s got a Cutie Mark and can talk just like a regular person or pony can.”
Alex chose the one dress Rarity offered her; it was a forest green color and stopped at her knees.
Rarity gave a tender smile and brought out her measuring tape in her warm blue aura. sliding on sewing glasses to jot down Alex’s measurements. “A bold yet daring choice in color, Alex, dear. It really compliments your eyes.”
“And, it matches the color of my magical burst manifestations. Too bad it isn’t in my size.” Alex says before sighing.
Rarity smiled at Alex, looking over the measurements she took earlier carefully, “If that is the dress your heart desires, I shall alter it for your size post haste, darling. I do believe I can create something fabulous.”
Ashley nodded, “That’s our Element o’ Generosity! Always helpin’ others and usin’ her talents to bring out the best in everypony, or everymouse.” She winked at Alex.
“If I remember right,” Alex muses. “In the show, Rarity is at her best when facing a fashion challenge. In fact she, made an entire line of dresses using less-than-ideal fabrics after her special order fabric was used by that bitch pony to make her own line.”
Ashley sighed, “Yet you helped inspire her former assistant to stand up for herself. What was the name o’ that gal ya helped out at that fashion convention?”
“Coco Pommel” Rarity quipped, starting to design Alex’s dress, based upon the unique choices each girl came up with.
Alex yawns and Says, “I’m dead dog tired. Can I find a place to nap? Jetlag: It’s a killer.”
Ashley nodded, “Rarity, ya have a mouse-sized bed for Alex to rest up while you finish her dress? After that, she needs to get ready to meet our friends.”
Rarity nods and walk to a cabinet and pulls a mouse sized bed. She places it next to Alex, who promptly lays on it and is out like a light.
Ashley smiles at the mouse-sized bed, “You sure are prepared for any emergency, Rarity.” She then finds a small pillow and a blanket to place near Alex so she can rest comfortably.
“I think I’ll create her a casual line as well.” Rarity gave a wry smile. “Ashley please be a dear and bring Alex’ belongings in?”
Ashley nods, “Sure thing, Rarity.” She brought some of Alex’s clothes and other possessions that belonged to the former male friend of Rarity’s from the truck. “You sure ya can make these here clothes into something for her?”
“Without a doubt, Ashley!” Rarity says as she opens a chest for Alex’s belongings.
Ashley thought about all the anthrofications happening recently, “Rarity, what would happen, if say, yer sister ended up as Sweetie Belle, and mah little sis became Apple Bloom?”
As luck would have it, Alex’s cell phone falls out of the pocket of the Blue jeans that Alex had been wearing and lands next to a dozing Alex. Alex briefly flashed green but nothing happens.
A moment later a scream of “RARITY!!!!” is heard and an anthro version of Sweetie Belle runs in a full panic to Rarity and hugs her. “IwasjustcominginandthisgreenflashblindedmeandwhenIcouldseeagainIamSweetiebelle!”
Ashley chuckled, “Easy now, Melanie...er Sweetie Belle. Take a deep breath or two and tell us what happened.” Ashley knew from visiting Rarity’s shop with Twilight that Melanie was Harry’s sister. It would make sense that Melanie would become the anthro version of Rarity’s younger sibling and one third of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
With a groan, Alex sits up and looks around. Then gets nailed by a flying mathbook thrown by an already panicked Sweetie Belle. “Ow.” Alex said from under the book. “Worst. Day. EVER!”
Ashley picked up the book to free Alex from her entrapment. “Can somepony or some mouse explain why Rarity’s sister now is Sweetie Belle?”
“It must be an unfocused burst.” Alex said. “Something must’ve happened while I slept and triggered a Burst of transformation magic. Unfortunately when these bursts happen while I’m asleep it’s unfocused and as a result random effects occur.”
“Like randomly transformin’ people inta anthro ponies like Sweetie Belle here? Not that Rarity’s going to enjoy havin’ a little unicorn filly t’ teach about magic.”
Alex buried her face in her hands and mutters “Somemouse either up there or down below hates me.”
Ashley headed over to pat Alex on the back gently with her fingers, “Now, now, sugarcube. Ya didn’t know this was gonna happen. Man, Twilight’s really goin’ to enjoy talkin’ t’ ya about these magic surges.”
“Joy.” came the sarcastic response.
Alex takes a deep breath then p emerald glow as her cellphone shrinks down to mouse size. “WHOO HOO!” Alex shouted as she jumps up and down. “IT WORKED!”
Ashley nodded, “Great job, Alex! You now can talk t’ us on yer cell phone, which is the same size as you!” She looked over at Rarity, “How’s Alex’s wardrobe comin’ along? Ya know Twilight’s waiting for us for that party. Ya can come along too, Sweetie Belle...if it’s okay with Rarity.”
“The muses had spirited me away, for I fear I’ve outdone myself.” Rarity spoke in enchantment as she produced the dress Alex chose, along with a delicate line of casual mouse sized garments
Ashley nodded in approval of the new clothes for Alex, “What do you think, Alex? Give ya some privacy while Rarity helps ya put on yer new outfit for our party?”
Alex nods. Rarity then lowers her hand, which Alex climbs into. Rarity carries Alex to a spot that she could have some privacy. After a few minutes Rarity receives a text from Alex that says, “I’m coming out. Will you do the honors?”
Rarity grinned removing her sewing glasses, "Well, now, I must admit creating a line for mouse fashion was quite a challenge, but with Alex's help and choice of his...er her unique style, I created something breathtaking. Presenting the daring and fabulous Alexandra Traveler in her new Rodent Couture!"
Rarity lowers her graceful hand near the spot so that Alex can climb onto it. before carrying Alex over to the others joyously, proudly showing her off. “So? What do you think darlings? Isn’t she just beautiful?”
Ashley smiles, “That’s a mighty fine job, for the first try. Ya goin’ to get Sweetie Belle ready?”
Just as Rarity was about to reply, the bell of the store rang, and Trixie came in a huff. “Oh, this is no good! Trixie has nothing good enough to wear!!” She then storms over to Rarity, and grabs her by the shoulders. “You’ve gotta help Trixie! She’s going somewhere real fancy this Saturday, and she can’t disappoint!”
Ashley looked over at Rarity, then to Trixie, “If she can make Alex look good, Ah reckon she can help ya out, Trixie.”
Trixie looked over to Ashley in confusion. As she was about to ask who “Alex” was, she noticed a mouse on the dresser. She stared for a bit, and realized that it was an anthro. Trixie raised an eyebrow. “A mouse? Well that’s a new one.” She then saw the dress it- she, Trixie mentally corrected- was wearing. It was a miniaturized alteration of a dress Trixie had seen elsewhere in the shop. She looked back to Rarity. “Trixie knew you were good, but didn’t realize how good.” She then rummaged through her pockets, and managed to pull out a piece of paper. “That’s got a few suggestions for the dress, along with my measurements. I’ve gotta go- I’ll be back to check on it on Friday.” She then handed the paper over to Rarity, and was about to leave, but turned to the mouse anthro, whom she surmised must be Alex. “Listen, Trixie wishes she could stay a little longer, but she needs to go. Maybe we’ll see each other later, though.” She then exited the building.
Ashley opened the door to wave bye to Trixie and then went back into the shop to talk with Alex and Rarity. “Well, looks like ya got yourself a new client.” She then texted Twilight about Trixie’s arrival at Carousel Boutique and Alex’s magical surge turning Melanie, Rarity’s human sister, into the anthro version of Sweetie Belle.
Alex looked at Rarity then said, “I’m sorry my friend. But until I learn to access and control it my magic may be a hazard. Anyhow I’m dressed to thrill so let's go to meet your friends.”
Twilight Radderson was pacing in the garage of her home where she, Pinkie, & Micaela where waiting for the others to arrive. A few minutes later, Ayumi and Flora arrived in Flora’s car. Flora parked her car on the side of the street then got out of the passenger side after Ayumi. As they walked up, they noticed that Pinkie was being Pinkie by rolling out an actual cannon that was painted pink. Of course it was happening literally behind Twilight and Micaela’s backs. “Uh. Little Sis,” Ayumi said with a knowing smirk. “Pinkie has a cannon pointed at the Buffet.”
Twilight turned around saying “WHAT?!”
The Pink Anthro pony shouts “FIRE IN THE HOLE!” and fires the cannon.
“KABOOM!!!!!”
The entire garage was filled with smoke for a few seconds until it was blown away by a fan that was mysteriously there, revealing a couple of cupcake platters and a banner that read
“Welcome Alex!”
“Finally got the mark one Party Cannon working Pinkie?” Ayumi asked as she grabbed a few cupcakes and a can of pop.
Twilight brought her hands to the bridge of her nose as she fought off a migraine and she shouted,
“PINKIE!!”
*** at the same time in Carousel Boutique*
Alex was waiting as Rarity finished altering one of Sweetie Belle’s Sunday best dresses. She felt bad about one of her unfocused surges had changed her from a human into her current form.
She dusted off her new dress, glad she had some clothes. “Why do I have to come, Rarity? I got to meet my friends in two hours!” Sweetie Belle complained.
Rarity sighs “This morning you were begging to come to this party. Why the change of heart?”
Sweetie Belle’s response was, “I want to show my friends the new body Alex gave me.”
Alex’s response was, “It was my magic acting on its own during a surge. I'm sorry I robbed you of your humanity.”
She hid her face behind her knees. She had feared this would happen ever since the surges started to happen when she turned 13 and when they started to happen in her sleep, her fear doubled.
Suddenly she felt herself being picked up and carefully hugged. She up looked into Sweetie Belle’s face who said, “I forgive you Miss mouse and I’m sorry for throwing my math book at you. Friends?”
“ I forgive you.” Alex replied. “And yes, friends” Sweetie put Alex down when suddenly a Persian cat that bore an uncanny resemblance to Opalescence from MLP pounced at Alex. Alex disappeared in a flash of green. Opal skidded to a stop against Rarity's legs. “Opal?” Rarity said as she bent over to look at the cat. She saw Sweetie looking around frantically and that Alex was nowhere in sight. “ALEX!!!” She shrieked out of concern for the mouse when she heard “SQUEEK SQUEEK SQUEEK!” Rarity looked it the direction of the squeaks and sighed with relief as she saw Alex sitting on Ashley’s stetson. She watched as her American friend pointed next to Sweetie Belle. Rarity saw Alex's translation coin who walked over and picked it up. Rarity then looked at Opal and said, “You're lucky Missy. If you had eaten that Mouse, I would be looking for a new cat and burying a friend. No tuna tonight when I get back.”
With that out of the way everybody climbed into Ashley truck and went to Twilight's.
***At Twilight's place***
Alex was feeling low. When Ashley parked at Twilight's house. Alex looked at the buffet and found her mouth watering and stomach growling. “Hey guys!” Twilight said as she hurriedly walked up to them. “Did you bring…. Sweetie Belle?!?” The Alicorn morph said when she saw the unicorn filly. Sweetie Belle timidly waved at twilight before sidling closer to Rarity. Twilight asked Rarity, “How’d this happen to her?” Rarity was torn between telling Twilight the truth and coming up with a cover story to protect one friend from the wrath of another. Fortunately, Alex said, “It was my fault Miss uh… Radisson.” Before Twilight could answer, Pinkie shouted. “FIRE IN THE HOLE!”
“KABOOM!”
Twilight was once again blinded copious amounts of smoke and confetti this time. Twilight noticed the small Flash of green in front of her and a larger flash of green behind and two voices shouting in Surprise. When the smoke was blown away by the fan which reappeared she saw Alex's small form curled up on on Alex's hat shivering in fear. Twilight then look behind her and saw the reason why Alex was afraid. Her older brother who promised to pop in to enjoy the party with her was standing right behind her. Instead of the human brother of John Radison standing there, an anthro of Shining Armor Ayumi and Twilight's Big Brother. “I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry!” the mouse girl repeatedly said. Ayumi looked at Shining Armor and smiled, “He’s going to have mare troubles of the good kind when he gets home.”
Ayumi had seen a third flash from behind John’s car. “Hey big bro and little sis I think we may have a new Alicorn on our hooves.” Excalibur Edge walked up with Princess Cadence in tow. “Hay there Edgy!”
Alex leapt from Ashley’s Stetson with the intention of finding a place to hide. Only to be caught in a purple aura. Alex lost her grip on her translator coin. Twilight brought Alex to her eye level who had curled up into a ball shivering. “I CAN’T TAKE IT QUIETLY ANY MORE!” She shouted in despair. “I CAN’T! THESE SURGES STARTED HAPPENING WHEN I TURNED THIRTEEN. THEY SCARED THE FRIENDS I HAD BEFORE I TURNED THIRTEEN. I STARTED GETTING DRAGGED INTO ADVENTURES JUST AFTER THEY STARTED. EVERY FRIEND I MADE WAS SCARED OFF WHEN I HAD A BURST. FOR THREE YEARSI GOT DRAGGED INTO ONE ADVENTURE AFTER ANOTHER, MY SOCIAL LIFE HAS BEEN DESTROYED, I HAVE BEEN EXPELLED FORM THREE SCHOOLS BECAUSE OF MY BEING DRAGGED INTO ADVENTURES AND MY SURGES. AND TOP IT ALL OFF THE LAST TWO SURGES ENDED UP CHANGING RELATIVES OF A FRIEND OF MINE AND HER FRIEND INTO ANTHRO PONIES FROM THE SHOW!“
The next thing Alex knew she was gently taken out of Twilight’s aura and hugged by Pinkie Pie. “Aw don’t be sad.” Pinkie said. “You have had a hard time. But cheer up because you have seven new friendships!” The next thing the distraught moussette knew, she was taken by Rarity's magic and brought over to the fashionista who hugged her carefully saying, “Those who claimed to be friends were not true friends. You were just too fabulous for them to stand. I won’t throw away the friendship we have, darling. ”
She was then carefully handed to Ashley who carefully hugged her saying, “You can count on me, sugarcube. That’s the honest truth!”
Flora then simply hugged her.
She was then passed to and hugged by Ayumi, Candice, Excalibur, and the new Shining Armor.
Alex then found herself blinded by pink as Pinkie hugged her again saying, “I won't run away from you if your surges happen, like those meanie pants did!”
“Besides we now know what caused them. I'll be teaching you how to use them and how to prevent them in the future remember?” Ayumi said smiling a gentle smile. “I'm pretty sure Shiny and Cadence's anthrofying would have had to happen anyway, so don't feel too bad at least their transformations were instant and painless unlike mine. Besides your surge didn't actually change Cadence. I think that was an accident with my Equestrian mom, Nightmare Moon meeting my human Mom after she anthrofied. Edgy just teleported Cadence to her fiancee.”
Alex soon found herself in a clumsy hug by Micaela, who then said, “I won’t leave you hanging like those dorks who called themselves your friends before. Besides you're an actual adventurer. Like Indy and Daring Do.”
The cyan anthro handed Alex to Twilight who hugged her as well. Then held out a finger for her to shake and said, "As the Princess of Friendship, as is my official title here, I welcome you to our little get-together. You know the rest of the girls, right Alex, is it?"
“It is.” Alex replied. She was going to say more when her stomach growled. “Can we eat?”, Everypony laughed!
While the group began to collect their food, the doorbell rang. Ashley answered the door and saw the anthro version of Starlight Glimmer standing before her. “Sarah? Is that you?” Ashley asked.
“Yes, I had some changes. Also, I heard something about a party you’re throwing. Is there any problem if I join?” Starlight asked.
Ashley nodded, “Well, shucks, you can surely join our party! Ya know all the rest o’ the gals from school, right?” The farm girl offered to allow Starlight to enter Twilight’s home.
Starlight entered, thanking Ashley. “Yes, I already know them.” Then, she saw something else. “Wait, is that a mouse?”
Ashley smiled, “That mouse is Alex, who we are throwing a party for. She’s Rarity’s friend who came to stay with us. She even has a Cutie Mark.”
Starlight cracked a smile, “Oh, ok then. Alex, I’m Starlight Glimmer. Nice to meet you.”
Ashley looked over to Twilight, who was talking with her brother and fiancee, “Hey, Twilight! Starlight Glimmer’s here for the party. Hope ya don’t mind me invitin’ her over. She really needs some friends right now.”
“That would be a good way for me to forget what happened days ago. You know, the Hollywood thing…” said Starlight, looking down.
Ashley came beside Starlight and gave her a side hug, “Listen, sugarcube. We all make mistakes from time t’ time. The best thing to do is learn from them and move on. That and trust in your new friends. Which o’ mah friends would you like to meet? Flora’s really good with animals; Ah have an apple farm where ya can come over and pick some apples or make some o’ mah Granny Smith’s homemade apple pie. There’s Pinkie Pie, who loves to throw parties. She did all the decorations here. Then there’s Rarity. If ya need some new clothes, she’s your go-to fashionista. Twight’s really good with magic and friendship; after all, she is the Princess of Friendship. And, Micaela loves to fly and show off her skills.”
“I have Pinkie as one of my classmates on Arts, so I know some things of her. Every picture she draws is… how to say it? Like she has a different party each time,” said Starlight. “And I didn't want to admit it, but it made me laugh a little.”
Alex tore a chunk out of cupcake that Rarity placed next to her and ate. She then noticed something was missing.
“Does any mouse have my translator coin? Without it, all I sound like is a squeaking mouse!”
Ashley looked around the area, “Where did ya last have it, and what does it look like?”
Starlight asked “Wait, you understand him?”
Ashley looked over at Starlight, “Uhm, Alex is a girl mouse, Starlight. And, yes, Ah think it’s because of the magic translation coin she needs. Ya may want to ask Alex or Twilight on that.” She looked Starlight over, “So, yer a unicorn like Rarity and her sister, Sweetie Belle. Ah have a little sister o’ mah own named Apple Bloom. She’s ‘bout Sweetie Belle’s age.”
“Ok. Sorry. I guess I’m a little confused about this.” said Starlight.
“You’re confused?” Alex said. “Think what it's like for me?”
“Just a little. I heard squeaks before, but now I understand you like there is no problem.” said Starlight.
“Wait, wait, wait!” Alex said in surprise. “You understand me?”
“I think it has something to do with my transformation. Oh, by the way, sorry for thinking you were not a girl.” said Starlight.
Alex replied, “It’s okay.” She takes a thimble and drank soda out of it. Alex looked around then said, “I just realized a couple of things. One, whether I wanted to or not, I just immigrated to Australia. I no longer look like my passport photo. Two, I have to enroll in a high school if I want to graduate. Three, unless I chose to live on the streets, I got to find a place to live.”
Rarity sighed. “Due to Opalescence’s presence at my place. We can safely say it’s ruled out.”
Alex looked at her friend and said, “I agree. I rather not end up as mouse tartar for that cat.” Alex thought about it and asked, “Ayumi Sensei may I share your abode?”
“Wait did you say Ayumi?! As in Tempest_Flare Ayumi! I'd heard from Ashley that she was an anthro but I thought she was going to be in Russia settling in!” Starlight said.
“After I got anthrofied I headed here. I'd already signed up for a student exchange program and I kept to it.” Ayumi said.
Star blinked at that, but shook her head. Things were pretty crazy, considering everything. But, just as the party was starting to pick up, the door opened up once more. The anthro that walked in seemed to be speaking to somebody as he entered. “... And remember, we meet up tomorrow for the collab piece.” He waved at the person he was talking to, then entered. The door closed behind him, and he spoke nonchalantly. “So, what’d I…” He blinked as he looked at Star. He raised an eyebrow. “A Starlight anthro? Didn’t think I’d see one, considering who it is behind all this…” He walked closer to her, his eyes judging. “Then again… I’ve seen stranger things, I suppose.” He reached her, and the crowd stared. Star herself was a bit anxious. He spoke cautiously, measuring something. “But, I want to know something... “ He paused for a moment, letting his words hang in the air. He then picked up where he left off. “How can I be certain that you’re on our side?”
Time seemed to slow for Star, as she considered this strange anthro. He was a unicorn, but not one she recognized. He was taller than most everyone in the room, but seemed… guarded. She decided to put the rest of her musings for later, and ask a question of her own. “Just who are you, anyway?”
The dark teal anthro sighed theatrically, his eyes closing. “Oh, the shame it is that I have to do this so often.” But judging by the grin he had as he opened his blue-green eyes, he actually enjoyed doing this. He adjusted his blue glasses with his turquoise magic, and held a hand to his chest as he stood taller than before. “I am called Maestro Spectrum Star. You might have seen my emporium out of the corner of your eyes once and not recalled.” He then looked to her, and stopped posing. “Now, back to my question. How do I know if I can trust you?”
Before Star could get in a word edgewise, Alex pulled on one of Maestro’s pant legs. He looked down, curious. Alex spoke out. “I think you’re judging a little too quickly. Can’t you give her the benefit of the doubt?”
Maestro blinked. He then chuckled softly. “Maybe I could, if things were different. But alas, things are the way they are…” He then thought of something, and turned to Star. “That being said, I am about fair play. So how about this: I’ll give you a bit of leeway. I won’t act as if you’re the bad guy or anything. I’ll treat you like a decent associate, at least for now. Prove to me that you deserve better, and I’ll treat you better. But, if you mess up, well… Let’s just say that you don’t want to see me angry. Deal?”
He stretched out his right hand to Star, and she grasped it without hesitation. “Deal.”
After the handshake, she noticed Maestro slouch just a tad, perhaps relaxing. He then turned his attention to Flora. “Hey, we gotta jet. Xavier’s not gonna wait much longer, ya know.” A small “eep!” from her, and she went out the door.
Before Maestro could follow, Alex got his attention by yelling up to him. “Hey! I need to talk to you!”
He once again looked down to her, expression neutral. “Yes? I’ve got to be somewhere, so can you make it quick?”
Alex sighed, and spoke up to him. “How is it that you can understand me without the translator coin? I thought that was a privilege for very few.”
Maestro chuckled, shaking his head. “Just one of my many enchantments. I call it the ‘Universal Understanding’. Pretty self-explanatory, really.” He then turned to the door. “Now, unless you want to tag along, I best be going.” As he exited, he muttered something, dragging a hand through the reddish-brown portion of his hair, just missing the turquoise streak in the center. “Xavier, how much longer until you’re back to your old self?” The door closed behind him, just missing his seven-colored rainbow tail.
Alex took a couple of steps before she tripped on something and went sprawling. “OOF!!!” she squeaked. She looked towards what she tripped over and gave cheerful squeak as she got up and tried to pick up the quarter-sized means for more people to be understood by more than a few people. She sighed as she found the damn thing was to unwieldy to pick up she took a deep breath and stepped back. She then place her hands so they framed the coin as she looked at it through them. Her hands began to glow and emerald green. The translator coin was surrounded by an aura of the same color.
The feel of magic being gathered caught the attention of all the unicorns and alicorns alicorns present, Twilight, Starlight, Ayumi,and Excalibur Edge eyes widened and their irises shrunk to pinpricks. Ayumi made to warn alex but Alex said, “Reducere.” and started moving her like she would to reduce and image on a computer. At first the coin began to shrink but when it got to the size of a nickel, it began to oscillate before snapping back to it’s original size. The backlash knocked Alex on her rump and a surge of magic flew out of the garage and out of sight. Alex held her head and moaned, “OW! Would somemouse please explain why I could shrink my cellphone with no problems but when I but when I try to shrink my translator coin I get knocked on my butt?”
Alex stood up and rubbed her butt next to her tail. She devoured more of her cupcake then looked longingly at the soda as filling a thimble was a pain.
“There, let me help,” said Starlight, filling the thimble with some soda. With that generosity, Alex’s face was priceless. She walked up and jumped up to her shoulder then walked next to Starlight’s head and kissed her cheek.
Suddenly two stacks of books appeared in the garage. One stack next to Twilight and the other in front Micaela. Unfortunately, Micaela was walking back to the buffet table to get another helping and, as a result, tripped over the stack. “HEY!” The Cyan anthro said. “what tripped me?” Looking back she saw the front covers of several books. All of the ones she could see read, “DARING DO and the …..” Twilight Looked at the books in shock. How did these books get here? She thought. Then her mind as she remembered a few things. Wait! First the energy released by one of Alex’ Surges flew out the garage door, second, these book exist on Equestria in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Third, Twilight sparkle and Rainbow dash both own copies of them. In fact Twilight owns the whole collection. Oh shit! They were brought here through that last surge. “uh … Micaela I think my last surge either created them or ,brought them to you and Twilight”
Alex hopped off the table she had been on to the floor. She walked to the pile Micaela tripped over and looked at the covers. One cover however caused her to freeze and her to shoot out streight. Alex, & Micaela (as well as Lyra Heartstrings & Rainbow Dash in Equestria) said in disbelief, “No way."
“No way.” Alex said as she stared at the front cover. “She was Daring Do?” On the cover was a split picture featuring the intrepid adventurer and treasure hunter Daring Do shown jumping from one side to another. On one side was the tropical jungle, and the other side was Hollywood Boulevard. The siding with Hollywood Boulevard on it also showed a picture of Alex before her transformation. The title read, “DARING DO and the Mirror of Latrop Htrae. Featuring Traveler, the heir to Indiana Jones.” Alex covered her face in her hands and said “Me and my big mouth! With my luck Daring Do’s going to have to come back to Earth to pick up my journals!”
Ashley was passing by where Alex was looking at the latest Daring Do book by renowned author “A.K. Yearling”, one of Micaela’s favorite fiction writers. “Howdy, Alex! Ya like Daring Do? Micaela wanted me to pick up a copy of her newest adventure story.” She took a glance at the cover and saw a young man on the cover near the Hollywood Boulevard sign, “Uhm, Alex, didn’t ya say ya were a guy and human before ya turned into an anthro blonde female mouse?”
“Yes.” Alex replied. “You’re wondering how a picture of my old self is doing on the cover. When I had my breakdown earlier I did happen to mention about being dragged into Adventures, well believe it or not, this black book tells of one of my Adventures from the point of view of the adventurer I helped out. Daring Do herself!”
“No Way!” Micaela exclaimed as she entered the room. “Daring Do is a fictional character!“ This bit of information piqued the rainbow-maned Pegasi’s interest in Alex’s adventures.
Alex just crossed her arms and looked cross. Ashley looked at the mousette and the way she was standing. “Ahem, sugarcube, she’s telling the truth.”
Alex just nodded and said, “Five of my last six adventures involved a Dr Caballeron who was after an artifact created by somemouse by the name of Meadowbrook. I can honestly say I pissed him off because on two occasions he shouted, ‘DAMN YOU & DARING DO!’ I swear I didn’t know who or what he was talking about when he said that.
Micaela interjected, “You mean Mage Meadowbrook and her mask she used to distract the flash bees that produced a special honey that can cure even Swamp Fever?”
Ashley nodded, “An’ not ta mention Twilight and Trixie discovered two more enchanted items; Trixie’s item allows her to use her magic for her magic acts and Twilight’s artifact allows her to use her magic better, kinda like a mana reserve thing.”
Alex continued her tale, “The last time I encountered him, he was after a horse skull made of crystal. He was trying to escape from me when he pulled out a hand mirror and reading the inscription on it. The next thing I knew, a mirror hovering in the air appeared. Just as he was about to run through it something flew out of it. I mean LITERALLY FLEW. OUT. OF. IT!!”
“It slammed into Dr Caballeron and both rolled back towards me. I wasn't fast enough when I got knocked off the scaffolding I was on. Fortunately, my left foot got tangled in some rope and ended up hanging by my leg.”
Alex continued her story, “I watched as Dr Caballeron got away as the thing that attacked him flew down and helped me down. As I untangled my foot, I heard the bad ol Doctor shout, ‘Blast you Daring Do! Thanks to you, I lost the Mirror of Latrop Htrae. But I can rest comfortably in the fact neither you nor Viator have it.’ He then dashed into the disk and was gone. I remember me and my savior shouting, CABALLERON!!!”
Alex then uttered a monstrous yawn. She then sat down as Twilight entered and suddenly said, “Wait, are you saying you met the actual Daring Do and Dr Caballeron?”
“Not surprising that the mirror was what brought Daring here. After all, The Equestrian Earth from the show is connected by a mirror.” Ayumi said as she passed a small cube of cheese to Alex ,“What does surprise me is that no more magic got through to our world till now.”
Alex thought about it before saying, “It doesn’t surprise me. Considering Professor .Henry “Indiana” Jones, Jr.’s adventures concerning The Ark of the Covenant, the Sankara Stones, the Holy Grail, & one of the famed Crystal Skulls all lead to the conclusion that Earth has a magical field of its own.” She took a bite out of the cheese. Alex noticed several of the gathered anthros looked at her puzzled and said, “What?! You think the spells on us would sustain themselves on the magic of the world they came from? My family has been adventuring over 12,000 years. Earth’s field of magic fluxuates like the tide and right now the ‘tide is comin in’. But let’s finish this party!”
Alex took another bite of the cheese cube Ayumi gave her and ate it. As she ate a thought occurred to her. “Come to think about it, I was nursing a leg injury when I was surfing that day I met you Rarity, before your transformation that is, because of Ol’ Caballeron. I think I owe him a ‘thank you’. Right before I give him a buck to the cheeseballs.”
Ashley looked over at Twilight, “Ya think that’s how we ended up becomin’ anthro versions of the Mane Six from the show?” She turned to Alex, “After Ah transformed and met Twilight, she explained all the differences of the three main pony tribes and the alicorns, which were considered royalty.”
Alex just sighs. She was feeling down when Micaela said “What happened next? Did you find out who saved you?”
Alex nodded and Said, “Yes. Daring Do herself. Or at least the anthro version of her. By the way Micaela, except for her coloration she looks surprisingly like you. Well getting back to the tale, Ms. Do was a little peeved at me because she had to save my life. She let me know what she thought of the situation rather passionately. I listened as I untangled my left foot from the rope, but when she insulted my father…”
Alex rubbed the back of her head sheepishly as she continued, “I had a surge that was triggered by my anger. She became wrapped like a mummy in gauze bandages.” Alex cringed at the memory. “ I pulled a pair of scissors out of my fanny pack and cut them off. Once free, she asked me if I could control my magic. I told her no. I looked to the crate and saw the handmirror the bad Doc had was Gone as well as that floating mirror appeared and she flew through.. When we looked toward where it was, it had disappeared. Like the gate closed or something. Wanting to make it easier between us, I introduced myself to her. She replied by introducing herself as ‘Daring Do’ That’s when we both did a double take and pointed at the other saying ‘YOU’RE HIM/HER!’” Alex couldn’t help the grin she made at the sight of Micaela and Twilight.
Micalea was ecstatic at the hearing of Alex’s adventure with Daring Do. “That...was so...awesome! And you have the book version! Mind if I borrow it later? I totally want to read it now!”
Alex looked at the pile that Micalea had tripped over. She hoped down to the floor and walked over to the pile and with a bit of straining opened the cover. She smiled before saying, “Go ahead, but take care of it, as it’s an autographed copy. I think I somehow teleported my collection and created a copy here” She walked back to the table and jumped back up to its top. She then ate more of the cheese cube Then said, “If you want the COMPLETE story of what happened in the book, ask me about what happened during each of the times Daring and I got Seperated.
Ayumi then said, “I could teach you how to use magic, but I warn you, I’m going to teach you the same way Mother Luna Taught me and she was a slave driver.”
The new Shining Armor then said, “Hay Twilly! Remember that model of the Golden Oaks Library from Ponyville you made?” Twilight nodded that. “I made it with a rodent sized interior layed out like the treebrary in the show. But the layout was mostly guesswork. But I don’t see wh…. Wait! She’s rodent sized!”
“It could be a place she could live in until we figure how to unlock her size limitation.” Ayumi said as the she followed the thought, “And with all the unicorns and Alicorns here, we could give her running water, give the ability to cook her own food and electricity.”
Alex did a fist pump at the anounceme then looked about and noticed that almost all the food was gone and both Sweetie Belle & Apple Bloom were napping in an easy chair. “Ah think it time we end this. Here shinding. Ah gotta get Apple Bloom ‘ere home.” Ashley says as she picks the sleeping filly. She then looks to Alex and says, “See ya Alex and for what it’s worth Welcome to Perth.”
As Ashley and Rarity left with their sleeping little sisters in Ashley's truck, Alex noticed that Shining Armor wasn't acting totally shocked being an anthro pony and in fact was leaving with Candance. "Why do I have this feeling I just ruined somemouse's hard work."
"Oh I don't know." Twilight said in a singsong voice before switching to a sarcastic tone, "Maybe because you did. I spent three hours on how to figure out and cast that spell and you go and dispell it by accident."
"Sorry."
Twilight carried Alex out to her backyard and she saw what looked like a model oak tree that had made into a living building sitting on the ground near the door. Twilight put Alex down and said, "here you go." She smiled as she put Alex down next to the door.
Alex hesitated before opening the door. She closed her eyes and walked in. She open her eyes and was greeted by the sight of the lobby/living room of the GOL. With a look of anticipation she ran up the steps. She opened one of the doors on the floor and was greeted by the sight of Twilight Sparkles bedroom sans furnature.
Opening the window, she looked at Twilight Radison and said, "I don't know how you did but it's a perfect copy of the Golden Oaks Library save for the lack of furnature and books but that can be remidied later.
Twilight smiled and said, "Glad you like it. *YAWN!* Now I got to go to bed. G'Night."
Alex smiled as she replied, "Bye Twi and g'night." She closed the window and removed her dress and put it in the closet. She walked a spot next to the window and settled down to to sleep. "I'm going have to ask Rarity how she'd want for the bed she let me use at her place." She mused. "I hope she has some casual clothes for me tomorrow." And soon Alex was embraced by Morpheus and fast asleep.
Alex yawned as she climbed out of her bed, and walked out of her room. Out of habit she turned left and bumped into the guardrail.
“Wait a minute.” She thought and looked around. “Wait. A. FREAKING. MINUTE!” She shouted as she looked around. “When I went to sleep there was nothing in here. No furniture, no appliances, no books. Yet it’s all here. This must be a dream.” Alex walked down to the ground floor and looked at the books.
“You seem calm for someone who found themselves’ in a situation like this.” A voice spoke behind her, turning around she saw a midnight blue alicorn mare with a mane and tail like the night sky. Recognizing the night princess, Alex went down onto one knee. “You honor me Lady Luna, dream guardian.”
Luna then said, “ How do you know I am real and not part of the dream?”
Alex smiled and said, “Your response just confirmed it. If you were part of the dream you would’ve either demanded what I did to Twilight or asked when I expected her to return.”
Luna smiled and said, “Arise. You don’t seem too surprised meeting me or frightened.” Alex smiled and stood up.
Luna looked at Alex’ cutie mark then said, “When I wake, I’m going to ask Discord about why you have a cutie mark though your a mouse.”
Alex sat in a chair and replied, “Maybe I’m a proof of concept.”
As Luna faded from her dream another pony started fading in. “I’m surprised my husband transformed you young Alice,” Nightmare Moon said. “His magic tends to follow no logic but if what you told our daughter you have had some interaction with our world and it’s magic before.”
Alex backed up in shock and then started to say something else when the trebrary began to shake.
Alex jolted awake as the model of the golden Oaks library was knocked on again and she heard Spike say, “wake up sleepy head. Breakfast time.” Alex got up and opened the window and said, “I hope you made mouse sized servings.” As she leaned out. Spike quickly turned around and said, “Alex. You’re naked.” The miniaturized adventurer gave a deadpan look and said, “You think?.... In case you’ve forgotten I only have my party dress to wear.”
Just at that Alex heard Rarity say, “It looks like my timing is perfect, as usual” A moment later a blue aura lifted part of the model was lifted wup, followed by small bundle and the model bed she used a the carousel boutique. The roof was placed back on as Rarity said, “I made you some everyday clothes for you.”
“Thank you!” Alex called from the model. A few minutes later, Alex came out wearing blue jeans made from the pair she wore she got to Perth. Her new blouse was sleeveless and in emerald green. Alex got dressed and left the model, outside she saw Spike, Twilight, Ayumi, Rarity and Ashley waiting outside. Alex held her arms out and said “How do I look?”
“You look fabulous Darling.” Rarity replied.
“Rarity out did herself.” Spike said as he looked at the alabaster mare.
“It looks good on you sugarcube but we got to get going able to make it to school on time.” Ashley said lowering a hand for the mouse to climb on.
As she did so her cell phone begin to vibrate in her pocket. Alex pulled it out of her pocket and answered it with a “My I help you?” After a pause to listen she sighed.
“No mother my phone wasn't stolen, I got transformed.” There was another pause.
“Mother you understand that you married into a cursed family so something like this was bound to happen when I started adventuring.” Alex said as she hopped on to Ashley’s stetson.
“It's not like I have a choice in the matter to go on adventures Mom. The curse arranges things to happen to know I have no choice but to get involved.” Alex said as she took her translator coin from the anthro farm mare.
“Okay now that your freak out is over, I've been turned into a female anthro mouse. Also could you contact Professor Jones and see if he could call in a few favors to get my citizenship transfer to Australia?” Alex said with a sigh of relief.
“MOTHER?! I'm 3 inches tall what guy is going to give me a second look unless he a feral mouse and I am in heat. I’ll call you later when I can. Bye-yi.”
Rarity looked at Alex and said, “I’m surprised your mother lets you out of the house let alone go on adventures.” Alex looked at her and replied, “After my first adventure she tried to ground me. Unfortunately or fortunately she got kidnapped and me and Prof. Jones had to rescue her. Afterward we came to an agreement to at least try to call and tell her I’m ok once a week.” Alex looks out the window at that moment and said, “Looks like we’ve Arrived.”
As Ashley turned into the school parking lot, she asked, “Okay who’s going to take Alex to the Principal?”
Twilight thought a moment then said, “I think it should be you and I should take her, Ashley, so we can help her when she has her meeting with the principle.” Ashley nodded as she parked her truck. Alex steadied herself on Ashley’s Stetson as the three headed to the principal's office.
They walked into the school and headed to the principal's office. The Principle looked up and asked “What can I do for young ladies?” Ashley responded by saying as she carefully put Alex on his desk, “We’re helping our friend here enroll in this here school.”
Alex waved at him feeling a bit nervous about the situation. Principle Barwell looked at Alex then at Ashley and Twilight and said ruefully, “I miss the days when I only had to worry about normal things like truant students not which students are going to turn into anthros.”
Alex looked at the principle who looked tired and old. She took a deep breath, checked the location of her Translater coin and said, “Mr principle I do not presume to know what’s been going on here, but because of events in my life I am not even going into detail about I have to enroll in high school again. Add to that I have been forced by forces beyond my control to change my citizenship to Australia. This time around I got some friends to help me.”
Alex sighed and sat down on a pencil as if it was a fallen log and waited for Principle Barwell’s decision. She didn't have long to wait as the Principle touched the intercom and said, “Ms Conners would you please register a Miss …” He looked at the mouse.
“Alexandra Traveller.” She supplied. “By the way, you’ll find my educational transcripts under Alexander Viator. V-I-A-T-O-R.”
Principal Barwell nodded saying, “I’ll have to ask you to sign the form later but that can wait until the end of day.” He then looked at the mouse and said, “Until something is done about your height your going to attend the same classes as Ms Radisson. Ms Radisson I'm going to have to help Ms Traveller with her tests”
Twilight nodded and placed her hand for Alex to climb upon and went to class once she was aboard.
All Periods (Except PE & Lunch)
"Good morning everyone. Today we have a new student. No I'm not trying to prank you. The new student is standing on Miss Radisson shoulder." The teacher said.
"Where I don't...." A student called out.
WHEET!!!
"Oh There she is. A MOUSE ANTHRO!?"
"Ahem. Please welcome Ms Alexandra Traveler. She has transferred from America was anthrofied after reaching here."
Twilight then carried Alex and placed a spare pencil and the paperback she was planning to read onit so Alex could have desk space.
First Period
Alex listened to the teacher as he taught his subject. She suddenly sneezed. Looking around the classroom she spotted a couple of students with their heads together talking quietly. She smiled to herself guessing she was the subject of the secret discussion.
Second period
Try as she might, she couldn't stay awake. Damned jet lag knocked her out.
PE
Twilight arrived at the McDonald’s that was across the street from the school and set her hand on the Table she and her friends usually sat at. Alex climbed down to the table. Twilight pulled the quarter-sized translation coin out of a pocket and set down next to Alex. “You’re going to be alright until Ayumi arrives Alex?” She asked eyeing the sky looking for the natural predators of mice.
Alex chuckled and said, “I’ll be fine. This isn’t the first time I’ve been shrunk to this size. Though it is the first time that this size is part of my natural state.”
Twilight sighed, “Okay.” she said. “But what if you are attacked by a Feral cat? Or a poisonous viper sneaks up on you? Or a stranger throws something at you? Or a …”
“TWILIGHT!!!!” The anthro mouse shouted breaking the alicorn anthro’s train of thoughts. “Sweet cheese and crackers! If somemouse told me I’d one day have to stop an anthro of Twilight Sparkle from over worrying about something, I’d have decked them.” She commented. “Now to PE. I’ll be fine.”
Ayumi teleported in the moment Twi had left Mickey D’s. She went to the counter and ordered aEVMs Ayumi teleported in the moment Twi had arrived at Mickey D’s with Alex. She went to the counter and ordered Alex an Extra Value Meal. Since Ayumi had better control over her magic and strength than her sister she was allowed a free period instead of pe to make it fair. So Ayumi always started her lunch early instead. For the first hour Ayumi decided to get to know her newest student in magic instead of her usual two hour lunch. Her first question, "How're you familiar with the existance of Magic?"
Alex shrugged before replying, “Family history and Legends. Plus Daring Do told me the basics.”
Ayumi blinked in surprise then said, “Oh. At the party you did say met her before you met Ashley and Rarity.” She then bit into her burger and said, “For your first exercise I want you to shrink the burger I got you..”
Alex nodded and gathered the magic. Her hands were covered in and emerald green aura but Ayumi notices that Alex’s eyes start glowing as well. ALex then framed the burger then started moving them as if she was using a touchscreen and zooming out, saying, “Reducere”
The magic enveloped the burger and Ayumi scanned the magic. The info on the magic cause her eyes to widen in shock. As this happened the Triple quarter pounder shrank to mouse size. Alex licked her lips and enjoyed her delicious triple quarter pounder.
Ayuni pulled out her cell phone and called A certain pony.
“Hello Mama Luna” She said.
“We might have a problem.” Ayumi replied with worry.
“You know the mouse anthro I’m teaching magic to?
“Well I had her shrink a triple quarter pounder so she could eat it so I could analys her magic to find out what type her magic is. I expected it to be chaos magic since daddy Discord cursed her family. Why are you laughing?”
“That family did what?!”
“Beat him by using a mirror to reflect his magic back at him? Before you and Auntie beat him? Oh that’s rich. Erham. Getting back to Alex, she has two forms of magic."
“One is chaos and the other is alicorn.”
Ayumi held her phone at arm's length from her head as Luna said in the Royal Canterlot Voice, “WHAT!?”
“You heard me right. Apparently she absorbed some of my magic and it reached critical mass and now her body is generating it now. O.k. I’ll have her display some ki hopefully she has a lot of it.” Ayumi hung up then looked at Alex as she finished of her burger and said, “I want you to create some ki energy you see chaos magic tends to put a massive strain on the body when first used as the magic needs to sync with your body and even more since you're also generating alicorn magic now. Sorry about that.”
Alex shrugged and created a ki sphere.
Ayumi’s eyes bugged as the ki sphere was the size of a softball, which signified she had a lot of ki.
“Wow guess you’ve tried the Kamehameha before?”Ayumi asked with a cuckle “I’ve tried it too and it’s pretty cool but how do you have so much Ki already?”
“Actually, I’ve been practicing martial arts since I was 5 fortunately my father wasn’t like Genma from Ranma 1/2.” Alex replied then asked. “What’s a kamhameha?” Alex suddenly was glad to be sitting down when Ayumi face planted the table they were at.
“Do you know anything about the Dragonball series?” Ayumi asked worried that the orb of pure energy would need to explode soon. “Because the Kamehameha wave is not only the first ki attack ever shown on the show but has the most destructive potential when used at its highest level.”
“Very little. I only saw a few episodes and no ki attacks were shown.” Alex replied. “It diddn’t help that when they powered up they sounded like they were constipated and trying to take a shit.”
“That's Dragonball Z not Dragonball. Z is the sequel to Dragonball and Dragonball follows Goku’s story from the moment he met Bulma all the way to the 23rd world Martial arts tournament and Goku’s wedding.”
Alex thought about it then said, “Isn’t DBZ in the same world as DB?”
“Yeah but the power up sequences only started in Z before that the yelling was reserved for attacks. Can you either reabsorb that or blow it up outside the others are starring.”
Alex reabsorbed the ki and said, “Okay. Now what’s next?’
Ayumi had Alex do a few more spells the asked her to meditate and cast several cantrips for a week. She then got up and left as Twilight retruned.
The rest of the day was uneventful thankfully.
It was the time time school was over Alex got a chance to move around the school with someone other than Twilight. Alex couldn't help feeling that something was building and should learn whenever she had these feelings to be ready for a fight or flight.
What she didn't expect as she wrote on Rarity shoulder to see of all things two Trixies. She stared in shock as the scene unfolded before her, as Rarity and Star Gaines (and herself as she was riding on Rarity’s shoulder) when they got closer, all three blinked. Trixie Two raised an eyebrow. “Who’re these people?”
Trixie One turned to see the two others, and blinked. “Well. The mouse is Alex, the white unicorn is Rarity, and the pinkish unicorn... “ Her eyes narrowed. “Starlight Glimmer. What’re you doing here?”
Before things could get out of hand, Rarity stepped in. “Trixie, this is Star Gaines, the Starlight on our side.” she raised an eyebrow. “Surely Maestro mentioned that?”
Trixie One balked. Maestro hadn’t talked about that- it probably just slipped his mind with all that was going on. She just shook her head. She then pointed a thumb to her semi-dopplegänger. “So, any idea how Trixie Two ended up here?”
Trixie Two snapped at that. “Hey! Why am I Trixie Two?!?”
Trixie One smirked smugly. “I was in this world first.” At Two’s galre, One held up her hands placatingly. “Okay, I get it! How about we call you… Trisha.”
Trisha sighed reluctantly. “I suppose that is a little better…”
Clapping her hands together, Rarity spoke. “So, to answer your earlier question, I believe Alex’s magic surge could have dragged Trisha here.”
Trixie blinked. “Does that mean she’s stuck here? What about the important things she has going on in her world?”
Alex shook her head. “Not necessarily. Discord could easily send her home. If she wants to, that is.”
Trisha thought for a moment, but shook her head. “Not just yet. I think I want to stick around for a little while. After all, I’m certain that Lightning Dust, Octavia, Moondancer, and Flutterbat can handle things without me for a little while. It’ll give me a much needed break before continuing the search for the other one.”
Trixie seemed intrigued. “So, since you’re planning on staying, how do you plan on differentiating yourself from me so people don’t mix us up from a distance?”
Lighting her crooked horn in green light, Trisha smiled. “Watch.” She was engulfed in green fire, and suddenly her coloration changed. Her fur was now a dark blue as the chitin disappeared, and her mane and tail had become indigo. Her eyes had changed to green, and her horn had disappeared. At Trixie’s shock, Trisha looked bemused. “What? Did you think the chitin was just for show? That’s not how it is with us shift-bloods.”
Rarity shook herself, and spoke. “You’re part changeling? That’s quite something…”
Sighing, Trixie looked downtrodden. “So you can do something I can’t…” But, it didn’t last long, as she got back her usual smugness. “No matter! I can imitate it if I work hard enough!”
Trisha had to admit she was impressed with Trixie. She smiled. So that’s how I would’ve turned out in a different world, huh? Not so bad, I guess.
Then, they went to find the others that were needed for their little project with Xavier, Trisha going off to look around.
Alex repositioned herself so she couldn’t be observed and asked Rarity, “Whose this Xavier you're going to talk to?” Rarity replied an old friend of Maestro’s who has given up of friendship. We’re going by a plan to try to use each element of harmony. Today we’re trying generosity.”
Soon they arrived at their destination and she jumped down and scampered to a place where she could hear and see what was going on.
Alex was sitting in front of the model of the Golden Oaks Library. She was meditating as she was trying get a hold of her chaos magic. Ashley stormed up to the model and sternly said, “What in tarnation were you thinking when you decked Xavier?” The farm mare looked at her crossly and crossed her arms as she waited for an explanation.
Ayumi walked up and observed her student’s meditating “Settle this later, Ash. Alex is meditating and that means she’s much more prone to lash out instinctively. It’s not a good idea to try talking to her since she’s trying to control two different and godly types of magic. Besides I already got my own punishment for her later;let’s just say it involves pain and sparring.”
Alex tuned Ashley and her teacher’s voices out as she meditated. She focused on finding her chaos magic as it was the magic that was the most familiar. She hadn’t had any luck doing it the traditional way and her lack of results was starting to get frustrating. Then it hit her like ton of bricks. She was going about it the wrong way. The traditional way involved ordering one’s thoughts. Order was the opposite of chaos in order to find her chaos magic she needed to meditate with a method that involved chaos!
Without warning, she grew to her 5’8” frame, destroying the clothes she was wearing and caused her to go flying and land in a heap at Ashley and Ayumi’s feet.
“Ah reckon that’s one thing that c’n happen if yoah concentration is broken.” The farmmare commented wryly. Ayumi nodded with a barely suppressed grin. She then pulled out her phone and took a picture of Alex. When Alex recovered from her latest surge and got up Ayumi asked, “What happened?”
Alex replied, “I realized I was doing the wrong thing for getting control of my chaos magic and it got away and surged.” After that she looked around and noticed the scraps of cloth laying about, the sensation of wind in her fur, Ashley’s surprised yet concerned look, and her sensei's look of anticipation as she cracked her knuckles. She then handed Ashley a stopwatch after starting it and asked, “Would you be so kind and stop it when Alex returns to mouse size?” The farmmare nodded and stepped back.
Alex watched as Ayumi transformed herself into her anthro Tempest form and got into a stance as she said, “I think you just got some control of your Chaos magic and it rebelled by surging. So to test that control we’re going to spar. Also this is a bit of a punishment because you let your temper get the best of you during your time with Xavier that reflects badly on all anthro-kind. Get ready I’m holding back less of my earth pony strength to test your new body.Oh and before we start...” Tempest snapped her claws as a training Gi appeared on Alex’s body “Kinda don’t want the goods on display, I’m not ready to teach you kunoichi yet.”
Alex nodded, “I would have expected no less from you, Sensei.”
With that they both started the spar. Tempest noted that Alex was fighting with a lot more discipline than she originally figured. As they traded blows she noted Alex was also moving faster than expected. She noted that Alex wasn’t kidding about being a trained martial artist which explained the large reserve of ki she showed back at the McDonalds.
Their spar lasted for about an hour and a half before Alex got the over stretched rubber band feeling she got the previous day that warned her the she was about shrink back to mouse size. She put up a guard just before she snapped back to three inches high. Unfortunately for her Tempest had started a spin kick and Alex was still in mid air when the kick arrived.
Tempest’s foot slammed into her and sent her sailing towards the back door of the Raddison home.
Alex’s bad luck worsened when the door opened and Twilight stepped out of her house.
“Okay Granny. I’ll pass i -*OOF!*-” Twilight said as Alex sailed forcibly into her gut knocking her on her butt. “TWILIGHT!!” both of the other mares shouted as they ran up to the pair. Alex lay on Twilight’s belly knocked out. Tempest changed back into Ayumi and asked, “You okay little sis?!”
Twilight groaned and looked to her belly and saw an unconscious Alex. “What happened?” But before anyone could say anything, a voice said, “Twilight? You okay?” Ashley picked up Twilight's phone and said, “Twi’s Okay, Granny. Whatcha want her to pass along?”
Ashley listened for a moment then said, “Ah’ll be home in a few and wash Winona. Bye Granny.” She hung up the phone and handed it back to Twilight.
“Sorry, sugarcubes. Granny Smith says Ah gotta go home and give Winona a bath and fix dinner f’r the family. Maybe Ah can bring over some pies and apple fritters for snacks?” Ashley said to the group.
“That’d be great, Ash! Also could you also take Alex over to meet Lady Smith and the rest of your family? I think it would be good for my student to meet the families of our friends to learn more about her own.” Ayumi said “Besides I kinda want to talk with Miss Raddison about how I relate to her now that she’s become Lady Velvet. And that’s more of a family thing than not. No offence.”
“None taken.” Ashley replied. She picked up the mouse girl and caught a bundle Twilight teleported from inside the GOL model.
A few minutes later, Alex woke up on the dashboard of Ashley’s truck as she drove back to her farm. “*GROAN!* Sensai kicks like a horse literally.” She moaned, before she noticed she was in Ashley’s truck. “How’d I get here?” the bewildered mouse girl looked about and noted where she was and what her head was laying on. “Okaaayyy’” She said. “What happened after sensei kicked me?”
Ashley chuckled as she replied, “Well, ya ended up knockin’ Twilight over, but not ‘fore ya changed back from a human-sized mouse girl. Twilight got ya some clothes Rarity made f’r ya. Ah need t’ get home and check with mah family. Granny Smith needs me to fix dinner and wash mah dog, Winona. She’s a border collie.”
“Any idea how she’ll react to me? I don’t want a repeat of Opal.”Alex said quickly getting dressed. Alex shuddered at the thought of the close shave with the Delararity family cat. If it hadn't been for a panic surge, would’ve been in for a bit of hurt.
Ashley thought a moment then said, “Most likely lick you to death. Though that might turn literal if we’re not careful.” Alex nodded.
The pair rode in silence as the Truck rolled toward Ashley's farm. A few minutes they started passing acre after acre of of all things apple trees. “H-how many acres does your family own?” The mouse girl asked.
“About ten acres; more than a hobby farm.” The farmmare said as she turned up the access road to the farm. Alex looked at the sign and did a double take as it said, “Sweet Apple Acres.”
“WTF?!” She thought. “Has Buhe figured out how to return to Earth? Or is this a HUGE coincidence.”
“Hay Alex.” Ashley said. “What are you thinking about?” Alex shook her head to bring herself back to the here and now and said, “Wha? oh! Sorry, Ash I just saw the name of your farm. Did you know your farm and the farm of the pony you are the anthro version of have the same name?”
“Huh.” Ashley said. “That’s some coincidence.”
“Somemouse may have had a hand or should I say a hoof in it.” the mouse adventuress remarked as they pulled up to the farm house. Ashley shut the truck down and carried Alex to the farm house and set her down on the railing of the porch. “Now wait here while I go tell Granny Smith & Big Mac about ya.” Ashley cautioned. “we dun want a repeat of what happened with Sweetie Belle.”
Alex nodded and watched Ashley enter the house. Alex played down on the railing and waited. After about an hour, Alex dozed off. She slept for about five minutes before she rolled off the railing. Alex woke up a split second before she hit the ground and was blinded by a flash of emerald magic.
When she could see again, she felt something hard strike her and she went sailing over the farm house. She landed with a splat and heard a dog sniffing then Ashley say, “Sorry, girl, just got ya washed up. Ah’m not giving ya ‘nother bath just ‘cause ya chose to get dirty again.” Ashley stooped down to see what her dog was so interested in.
“Alex, that you in that mud puddle?” Ashley began to look for something to help scoop Alex out of the mud when she heard the mud grunt in affirmation.
“May I help you?” Ashley looked up when she heard someone’s voice.
She smiled when she recognized the owner of the question. “Oh, Howdy, Starlight! Just tryin’ to get my mouse friend out of this mud puddle as I wait on mah little sister and her friends. They promised to help me out with some baking. Rarity wanted some o’ mah Apple Fritters.”
“Well, I don't know about the second thing, but I think I can help out with the first thing!” Before Ashley could ask, Starlight's magic was already working. She used a levitation spell to get Alex out of the mud puddle.
Ashley held out her hands to receive Alex from Starlight’s magical aura, “You okay, sugarcube?” Alex nodded, wiping mud out of her eyes. Ashley smiled at Starlight, “Thanks for helping’ out. Seems like yer learning a lot about friendship by hanging’ out with us.”
“No problem. And yes, now that I discovered it, friendship is such an amazing thing to learn about.” said Starlight.
Ashley wiped one of her hands on her jeans before directing Starlight to her house. “Well, welcome t’ Sweet Apple Acres. Mah little sister should be coming in anytime now. She’s got red hair, a pink bow and yellow fur.”
“Well, it will be good to meet… um… what’s her name?” asked Starlight, blushing a little.
Ashley sighed as she opened the front door, “Amy was her human name, but she wants to be called Apple Bloom. She’s friends with Rarity’s little sister and Micaela’s sister Sam. Ah also have a big brother, and mah grandmother. Plus lots of other extended relatives all around on their farms.”
“Sounds nice! Oh, and sorry for asking. I’m still used to hearing human names everyday, so these transformation one’s are still strange to me.” Starlight said, plopping down on a couch.
Ashley shook her head as she followed her friends lead. “Ah hear ya. Turns out we have Trixie at school, as well as Sunset Shimmer. Both unicorn anthros.”
“Oh, interesting… Are any of them bad or both of them good?” Starlight looked at her expectantly.
Ashley paused for a second, “Well, Sunset’s really nice and she even sang at a talent show we held. Trixie used to be a bully and even challenged Twilight to a magic duel. But it turns out she wasn’t in her right mind. Apparently there’s this amulet that can cause unicorns to become evil. I think the amulet’s gone now, but this really evil entity has been causing trouble at school lately. He’s been turning humans into anthros without their consent.”
“Well, at least I know that I wasn't turning crazy when all I could see were anthro ponies everywhere.” Joked Starlight, inciting a small laugh from her friend.
Just then, the Ashley’s younger sister ran into the room where the older anthros were talking, skidding to a stop when she saw Starlight, “Sorry, sis! Ah didn’t know we had company!” She panted out as she caught her breath.
“Oh, you must be Apple Bloom! I’m Starlight Glimmer, nice to meet you!” Starlight’s eyes ‘glimmered’ when she saw Applebloom.
Apple Bloom smile and extended her hand to Starlight, “Nice ya meet ya, Starlight! Yer one o’ mah sister’s friends from school, right?”
Starlight got up shook the little girl’s hand. “Correct! And I was doing a visit there, so we could talk about things.” She responded lightly.
“Mighty glad ya stopped by, Starlight. And, here comes the rest of mah family.” Ashley nodded toward the figures coming through the door. “This here’s Granny Smith and my big brother, Big MacIntosh. And before ya say anythin’,yes, mah family’s specialty are apple-based products.”
“I can see that, you do have a lot of apple trees here! That’s so cool!” Starlight squealed.
Ashley nodded, “Well, those there apples we need for some treats Ah’m planning to deliver to Rarity’s. Just need t’ find Sweetie Belle and Sam.”
Apple Bloom interjected, “Sam and Sweetie Belle were behind me coming as fast as they could, but for some reason Ah got here before them.”
Ashley rolled her eyes at her sister. “Ah’m sure they’ll be here any moment.” right on cue, Sweetie burst into the room. “See? There’s Sweetie Belle right there.” Ashley got up and began walking towards the door. “Ah’m gonna go get Sam.”
“There’s no need.” Ashley watched in confusion as a young orange Anthro walked into the room, trying to hide behind her short mane.
“Are you takin’ over for Sam?” The older mare scrutinized the younger one’s face, trying to place why she looked familiar. “Ah’m soory, do ah know you from somewhere?”
The filly seemed to shrink, finally figuring out out to hid behind her mane. In classic Fluttershy, she said, “I am Sam.”
“Ah’m sorry sugarcube, ah can’t hear you. What was that?” Ashley leaned closer to the kid, who in turn shrunk even more.
She cleared her throat, and tried to speak up. “I said, I am Sam.”
Ashley blinked, rubbing her ear as she stood back up. “And now ah’m hearing things. Starlight, please tell me what you just heard.”
“I believe she was telling you that she was Sam. What’d you hear?” Ashley’s eyes widened, and she stumbled back to the couch. Starlight looked at her reproachfully. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong? Ah’ll tell you what’s wrong. Sam over there has been stuck in a wheelchair ever since I’ve known her.” Starlight gasped and looked over at the filly, who just smiled at her weakly. Ashley rubbed her eyes.
After examining Sam for a few seconds, Starlight looked at her thoughtfully. “I guess that the transformation could fix previous injuries.”
Ashley sighed and nodded, “So Sam can walk and run again? Ah guess it’s ok if it only healed injuries. How much magic does that take, anyways?” She looked over at her friend, who just shrugged.
“Hell if I know. Oh, speaking of magic and all, I saw something pretty strange on my way here…” Starlight said, changing the subject so as to mask her failure of understanding what she thought was a basic function of the world, however new it was.
Ashley tilted her head, “Ya don’t say. What kinda strange thing, other than us and the other anthros around school?”
“Well, I saw some checkered floor, a house floating around, and some kind of… dragon thing?”
Alex's head snapped to take a look at the anthro version of Starlight Glimmer and asked “Did it have a Dragon’s body, eagle’s claw, a lion’s paw, a bat wing, a feathered wing, and body parts of different animals?” Starlight stared at Alex’s words more from the venom in them than the description she provided. But before the unicorn anthro could say anything the elderly green mare anthro grabbed the the muddy mouse anthro and said “Consarnate varmits are getter bolder by the day.” before she hobbled towards an open window and pulled back to hurl Alex, who squeeked/said “AshpleasestopyourgrandmotherbeforeshegivesmeaflyinglessonandIdon’thavewingsyet!”
“GRANNY NO!” Sweetie Belle shouted as the ancient mare threw Alex. Without thinking, she tried to catch Alex with her magic. Alex gave a sigh of relief as Sweetie caught her magically. Sweetie belle also sighed in relief has she brought her tiny friend close to her then hugged her.
“Ack!” Was all Alex said as Sweetie Belle hugged her to small yet ample chest. “Help.” The mouse said as she was being unintentionally suffocated by the filly. “Um… Sweetie Belle?” Ashley queried. “Alex needs to breathe.” Alex’ head swam as she was jerked away from by Sweetie. “SORRY!” Alex nodded then noticed the orange filly anthro w/ a purple mane and tail. “Sc-scootaloo?”
“This here is Sam Dashel, Micaela’s adopted little sister.” Ashley said. “Though I should say, her pony name would be Scootaloo.” Ashley sighed, “Looks like we have all three Cutie Mark Crusaders.” She then added, “An earth pony, unicorn, and a Pegasus.”
Alex giggled and said, “Looks like we have the full set. By the way, I have good news and bad news for Scoots.” The Pegasus filly looked at the mouse with curiosity. “The good news you’ll have cloudwalking, weather manipulation, added resiliency vs blunt force trauma (provided you don’t get piercede) & quick healing” Alex said, “The bad news is you’ll have a vulnerability to piercing weapons and attacks and you have traded one disability for another. Though my sensei and your sister may be able to help with that.” The anthro versions of the CMC stared at Alex in surprise. Ashley was puzzled but everyone was surprised when when Granny Smith asked “Why is this mouse talking?”
Ashley shook her head and said, “Granny, remember I told you about Alex had come with me to help when she could?”
Granny muttered, “Here Ah thought Alex was one o’ yer pony friends.” She warily kept an eye on Alex.
Ashley sighed, “Alex is mah friend, regardless of her bein’ a mouse or a pony. Right now, she’s a mouse due to her unique transformation.”
“What’s wrong with being a mouse?” Alex asked crossly.
Ashley looked at Alex, “Nothing, sugarcube. We somehow accepted the MLP Theory Analysts’ offer, starting with Twilight. Then Ah changed, followed by Micaela and Flora, then Pinkie, and finally Rarity. The other anthros like Trixie and Starlight came during different times.” She sighed to her mouse friend, “Alex, Ah’m truly sorry Ah yelled at ya ‘bout slappin’ Xavier You meant well and Ah hope we can still be good friends.” She waited for the mouse girl’s response.
“It’s okay.” Alex replied. “But you were in the right though. I’ve had a temper for as long as I can remember. And seeing Xavier blow up at my friends who were trying to help him, got my blood boiling. And when I found myself suddenly standing at human size in front of him caused me to blow my stack. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
Ashley smiled and gently picked up Alex in her hand, “Well, then, we were both honest with each other, then. Ah appreciate ya bein’ honest with yourself and your friends. Just so we have no hard feelings, ya want to help make some treats to share with your friends? Ya can have some yourself as a reward f’r helpin’ out. You four as well.” She indicated to the Crusaders and Starlight Glimmer.
Alex looked herself over and sheepishly asked, “May I get cleaned up first?”
Ashley picked up the small bundle of clothes Rarity brought and Ayumi offered for Alex to wear, “Sure thing, Alex! Ah’ll take ya to the washroom and get ya cleaned up in the sink. Starlight, ya think ya can handle mah sister and her friends?”
Starlight nodded saying, “Sure I’ll baby sit these three. What could possibly go wrong?”
Ashley winced at that question, “Now sugarcube, Ah wouldn’t be temptin’ fate. Girls, you mind Starlight, y’hear? Alex needs t’ get cleaned up before we start baking. Granny’s recipe book’s somewhere in the kitchen. Find the recipe f’r apple fritters or them candy apples y’all like so much.”
Apple Bloom exclaimed, “Ah know where Granny keeps her cookbook, sis! Ah’m on it!” The young filly went into the kitchen to retrieve the cookbook while Ashley took Alex to the washroom for her bath.
Ashley closed the bathroom door to give her and Alex some privacy. “All right, let’s run the bath water and get ya some shampoo and soap, a washcloth, and a small towel. She went to retrieve these items in the bathroom for her mouse friend.
Alex carefully climbed into the sink. “You know since she said that line, there is a good chance we’ll find the kitchen a disaster area.”
Ashley chuckled, “Then Granny would have Apple Bloom and her friends clean it up. She’d do that f’r me when Ah attempted to bake somethin’. Since mah transformation, Ah’ve been gettin’ better at cookin’ meals and apple themed snacks. Must be the whole Cutie Mark thing, right?”
“That’s right.” Alex said as she used her magic to start the water. Looking at her own Cutie Mark and sighed. “I just wish I knew what my talent was. A cutie mark is supposed to show everymouse what your special talent is.”
Ashley thought, “Well, maybe we can ask Twilight when we have a chance. She’s pretty good at interpreting Cutie Marks. Then again, Cutie Marks are open to one’s own interpretation. Kinda like that Trouble Shoes feller. He has an upside down horseshoe Cutie Mark.”
Alex stepped under the water falling from the tap and rinsed off the large pieces of mud. She then began using her magic to float spheres of shampoo to her. She scrubbed her self down for a few seconds before stepping back under the stream and rinsing herself off.
Ashley pondered the mouse girl’s Cutie Mark, and then said, “Perhaps it’s something about those there magic orbs and the shield thing is similar to Shining Armor’s shield emblem. Those stars are something about yer friends, right? Twilight’s got five stars surrounding the element o’ magic as her Cutie Mark.”
“My family has always stood for what is right and every generations some are born with magic.”
Ashley nodded, “Sounds like you and Ah are going to be best friends, seein’ Ah’m the bearer o’ the Element o’ Honesty. As fer the magic thing, yer gettin’ better at it. Just need t’ learn to make yerself human size fer school for about say, 6-7 hours or so? Ah mean, arent the principal, teachers and other students okay with ya being mouse-sized?”
“But being this size makes for heaps of hassles. I have to keep an eye on the day and night for airborne preds. watch out for hungry cats like opal.”
“And to make sure you aren’t stepped on. Otherwise, ya got lots of friends, yer stayin’ at Twilight’s place, and you have a trainer t’ help ya with your magic surges. Here’s your new clothes by the way. Looks like Rarity made ya some undergarments to go with yer outfits.” She presented the clean clothing bundle to her mouse friend after a dry washcloth was offered as a makeshift towel.
Alex dried herself off and with the help of her magic put her clothes on. It was then they both noticed that she was wearing a vest. Her Cutie Mark was visible for all to see. In fact the tan shoulder patches seemed to draw eyes to it. “Huh.” she said. “Guess it’s to cut down on the prev slaps.”
Ashley chuckled and helped Alex with the rest of her outfit. “Rarity’s really outdone herself with your outfits. Heard Trixie came in t’ try on some outfits and was impressed with all the work Rarity’s done on her outfits. She even helped design some of our outfits for school, and of course for Sweetie Belle. Maybe she can make something nice f’ Sam and Apple Bloom.”
Alex snickered as she thought of something. When Ashley looked at her puzzles she explained, “I just relised I’m living in the home of both Twilights.”
Ashley blinked and said, “Care to explain that sugarcubbe?”
“I am living in a model of the Golden Oaks Library, which was Twilight Sparkle’s home before the Castle of Friendship. And that model resides in Twilight Raddison’s home.”
Ashley chuckled before replying, “Lan sakes you’re right”
Alex then took three steps back then ran a short distance then a ki assisted jump and landed on Ashley’s shoulder. Ashley then went to the kichen when the pair heard a muffled *Wumph!!**
Taking a deep breath Ashley opens the door to the kitchen and she and Alex were greeted by the sight of half baked dough and apples all over the place. The anthro CMC and Starlight were covered with some of it.
Starlight held up one finger and said, “Not. One. Word.”
Alex covered her mouth to hide a chuckle.
*poof*! “Hey Ash! I got Star’s text about Scoots. How she taking it?” Ayumi said teleporting into the room. After seeing the mess Ayumi levitated it all off of them. “Better girls?”
Apple Bloom looked at herself and said, “Yes ma'am.” then she looked at the mess on the kitchen and added, “But how did this happen? We followed the recipe exactly.” The young filly anthro held up the recipe cards for Ayumi to examine.
“Did Sweetie use magic? Last time I tried cooking with levitation I kinda blew up my microwave.” Ayumi said.
“I wrecked the toaster oven back home in America when a surge levitated a tray of chocolate chip cookies into it.” Alex said with a shudder.
“Um… yes.” Sweetie Belle said sheepishly.
“I told you ‘don’t try too much with magic yet,.’ Sweetie. Practice the small stuff till I can train you in your magic.” Ayumi said ruffling her mane. “But it’s nice that you’re trying at least.”
“She saved me when Granny Smith mistook me for a regular mouse.” Alex said, after a moment of thought She asked “Sensei, would you know what Cutie Marks mean?”
Who’s cutiemark the Cmc’s or yours? Cause the Cmc should get their canon Cutie Marks soon now that we have them all here.” Ayumi said.
Alex motioned to her shoulders and said, “Mine.”
“Try to grow again so we can take a picture this will be a great way for the Cmc to regain their Cutie Marks, after all it’s the secondary meaning of their Cutie Marks.” Ayumi said turning to the Cmc “Still I hope you three will help regardless.”
Alex focused on her magic, First she tried to access her Chaos magic but it slid away from her. She started to get frustrated and the chaos magic began to build towards a surge when suddenly she felt her alicorn magic latch onto the spell she was trying to cast. Alex’s hands stopped glowing and her eyes started to glow. Then Alex slowly grew to her human size and her clothes weren't destroyed.
“Stop Alex! You’re surging! I meant use your alicorn magic it should be safer!” Alex heard in her head as her magic flowed through her. “Good! Just don’t be surprised when you look in the dining room mirror.”
Alex’s eyes stopped glowing the moment the spell completed.
“Whoa nelly! How’d you get those wings, Alex?” Apple Bloom said.
“Say What?!” Alex said and looked in to the nearest mirror. She watched as they faded away. “Wha-what happened, Sensei?”
“Well I kinda wanted to see your alicorn magic but I forgot to tell you to try using it and you started surging, so I tried using my telepathy to help you but it turns out your alicorn magic had already took over thus your wings.” Ayumi said “Though that makes me wonder if you keep your magic going if you can fly without ki. Oh! i forgot to tell you ki can be used to fly if you have enough of it which you most definitely do.”
“I’ll give it a try later.” Alex said.
Ashley cleared her throat and said, “Well what are we waiting for? Let’s get cooking!”
“Give me a second to take that picture of Alex’s cutie mark and we’ll start.” Ayumi said taking out her phone “Show your cutie mark and stand still Alex.”
Alex turned her shoulder so it faced her sensei and froze. She stayed still until her ears picked up a faint click/whir.
“Ok we’re good. By the way what bacon are we cooking or was Granny Smith making lunch earlier when she called?” Ayumi said. “Cause i still smell it.”
“Granny was making lunch.” Ashley replied. “It was the last of the bacon we bought when we bought groceries. We all had Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwiches.”
Apple Bloom added, “Ya, ever since we became earth ponies it started to taste yucky.“ The young filly made a face to show her disgust of the taste of the bacon in the BLT sandwiches..
Ashley nodded, “All of us could barely keep it down; land sakes, it tasted so bad! The lettuce and tomato tasted heavenly though. Don’t rightly know why though.” The apple farm girl shrugged.
Alex thought a moment then said, “Could be you’re vegan biologically. Pegasi & unicorns can eat meat because they need the protein to fuel their magic.”
“Not really, most of us have human digestive systems even normal ponies like Pinkie do eat and enjoy meat still.” Ayumi said confused. “It might be how heavily processed the bacon is here or that it wasn’t applesmoked. After all the whole family is apple based right?”
Alex nodded and said, “Okay let’s clean this place and get cooking.”
After helping to clean up the mess Alex and the others got started on a fresh batch of apple pies. Once finished Alex noticed she was still human sized, but a bit shorter than before.
Ashley looked over at Alex after the last of the pies were placed in the oven, “Alex, is it mah imagination, are are ya a might bit shorter? Ah mean, Ah’m about 6’1” or so.”
“Well she used alicorn magic to grow slowly this time. She might be shrinking slowly as well.” Ayumi said with a chuckle “At least this time her clothes didn’t explode.”
Alex looked at time and added, “I don’t understand; I matched the amount of mana that caused me to grow the last time, or at least I think so.”
“Alicorn magic is structured and has better control over its Mana usage meaning that it would be more efficient in how you grow and Shrink.” Ayumi said “we could also factor in the extra mana that comes from your surges as you almost did surge till your Alicorn magic took over.”
“Oh great.” the mouse groused. “Now I have figure out how much mana to put in to remain human sized until school is out for the day.” By now Alex was able to look the CMC in the eye.
“I could make a mana sink bracelet that’ll be what the spell pulls from, kinda like your translator coin.” Ayumi said “it’ll be a good time to try Skyrim-level enchanting.”
“Erk!” Alex said, “I could never figure that style for enchanting.”
“Soul gems are the problem. We don’t want to use them, due to how you fill them, but something like ‘em. That’s why I was testing crystal batteries back at school.” Ayumi said with a frown “Spike has been looking for better quality gems to help out.”
Alex thought over her adventures as Alex Viator, tapping into her Alicorn magic she remembered a certain box in her bedroom in America. Gathering local mana then shaped the spell. “Abracadabra!” she said. As she prepared the spell, she finished shrinking so the ornate box appeared in midair and dropped to the ground two inches in front of Alex.
“WHAT’S IN THE BOX?!!!!!!!!!!!” Screamed Ayumi as everyone stared at her confused as to why she screamed it out “I always wanted to use that meme so give me a break! Seemed a perfect time to! Anyway WHAT is in the box Alex? The BlackStar? Cause if it is, send it right the fug back home.”
Alex winced at her sensei’s scream. “A gift from Daring Do sent by dragonfire. It contains twenty-five fire rubies. It was supposed to have 30 but Spike the dragon on her side ate five before she could stop him. She sent them to me as thanks for my help with the mirror of Lathrop Htrae adventure.” with that Alex opened the box revealing twenty-five fire rubies scintillating as if radiating heat yet none could felt from it.
“I think those will work but I’ll have to use my dragonfire to charge them,” Ayumi said “by the way the bracelet will be made out of Nightmare metal and an Ice Ruby or Ice Sapphire as it can also be called. That’s cause ruby and sapphire are the same gem, just different colors due to their impurities making the gem blue or red respectively. I was a rockhound well before I became part dragon so i know a lot about gemstones. That’s also why I’m building my home in the Coober Pedy opal mines since you can keep any gems you find.”
“So you can dig up a snack when you feel snacky?” Alex said teasingly.
“That and I can get gems easily.” Ayumi said with a grin. “I'm already rich so I won't need to sell anything I find. The Nightmare metal will not need to be enchanted to shrink and grow after I tie it to your alicorn magic making for less work for me.”
“I’ve collected a lot of stuff over the three years I’ve been adventuring, some are pretty exotic.” Alex said. “Would some them be useful in enchanting?” Alex then did a ki assisted jump to the tabletop and began using her chaos magic to gather the rest of the remains of the unfortunate pie. She then telekinetically threw the resultant blob into the trash.
Alex then placed her hands on her knees and caught her breathe as the action took more out her than she realized. “I feel like I stayed up for sixty hours straight at a con.” She said as she looked at Ayumi. “Is this what you mean about chaos magic being hard on the body until it aligns with my body?” To which she received a small nod.
“That’s the first stage of chaos magic exhaustion. If you keep going, it’ll start hurting then knock you out for a couple of days.” Ayumi said “So be careful and try using more of your alicorn magic and ki levitation.”
While Sensei and student talked, the new fully anthrofied CMC began making apple fritters with Sweetie Belle mixing the ingredients and dishing it out into chunky balls of dough. Apple Bloom took over by putting them into a dutch oven with boiling oil. Scootaloo finished the job by putting the finished fritters into a large basket.
Alex smiled as she watched the filly anthros work at making the applely treats, sat down at the edge of the table. She felt a sudden sadness as she watched, at her current level of mastery she doubted that she could be more help with her magic.
Ayumi picked her up in her own magic “You shouldn’t be sad, Alice! You helped out so much already; plus you can taste test once the pies are done. So cheer up! At least Pinkie isn’t here to eat it all before anyone else.”
“It’s Alex.” The mouse says with slight annoyance. “Nightmare Moon called me Alice.” She then turned to Ayumi, “Discord visited us earlier. What was that all about?”
Ashley chuckled, “Discord is what we call a being of chaos an’ disharmony. He must have sensed yer chaos magic and wanted to check it out fer himself.”
While they waited for the pies to finish, the newly minted Scootaloo got bored. Picking up a nearby magnifying glass, she carefully examined Alex's cutie mark. The red circle didn't seem special. The shield itself looked like the shield Shining Armor had in his Cutie Mark. The two five pointed stars reminded her of the stars on the American flag. The six pointed star was identical to Twilight’s cutie mark, right down to the tiny stars surrounding it. “OHMYGAWD!!!” Scootaloo exclaimed. Alex] pies and fritters look delicious, by the way. Nice job foldin’ the dough around those apple slices.”
“Alex’s cutie mark has Twilight’s cutie mark as part of it.” Sam said excitedly as she handed the magnifying glass to Ashley. “Take a look at the six pointed star in her cutie mark and you’ll see what I mean.”
Ashley took the magnifier and looked at Alex’s cutie mark while Alex remained still. “Lan sakes,you’re right. Alex did you ever draw a picture of what your cutie mark would look like?”
“On the plane on the way to Perth from LAX. I got bored and drew it to pass the time.” Alex replied. Unfortunately my laptop hiccuped and rebooted itself before I could save it.” Ashley was about to ask about if she saved the e-mail attachment she got from the mlp theorists when something clicked and she asked, “Cloud you describe this here Buhe fellar looked lahk?”
Ayumi, Starlight, Sweetie Belle, and Sam looked at Ashley in confusion. Alex thought a moment, then said, “Buhe was described as having the head of a horse, the body of a dragon, the paw of a lion, talon of a raptor, hoof of a goat, claw of a lizard, a bat’s wing, a feathered wing, one antelope horn, one deer antler and the tail of a gator or dragon.”
“Sugarcube ya just described Discord.”
“SAY WHAT!” everybody else but Ayumi shouted. Where as Ayumi shouted “DAMMIT DAD! YOU HAVE SOME SHIT TO ANSWER FOR NOW!”
Suddenly there was a flash and there was the Lord of Chaos Discord. He was smiling as he looked at Ayumi. “Tempest! My lovely abomination what ‘shit’ do I ha… this version of Earth feels familiar, but I can’t put my claw on it.” He said before fidgeting with his beard.
Ashley looked at Alex and saw the mouse girl was outlined in emerald fire and looking pissed. “Come on girls let’s find the first aid kit.” She said as she herded the CMC out of the room. “But why do you need our help t’ find it?” Apple Bloom asked in confusion.
“I think I’ll help.” Starlight hastily said as she joined them.
Discord watched in a little puzzlement as the anthro equine’s hurriedly left the room. “Why are they leaving?” He asked Ayumi. Ayumi was fuming and said, “Dad look behind you and meet my student.”
The dragonequis looked behind and saw Alex as she jumped down to the floor and grew to human size. “A mouse girl?” He said in surprise.
Ayumi changed into Tempest then said, “Dad I’d like you to meet Alexandra Traveller, formerly Alexandre Viator.”
Discord looked at the mouse girl as she cracked her knuckles. “Viator? I haven't heard name that since I was on this Earth… 15,000… years… ag...ERK!” Discord said as Alex grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground.
In hallway out of sight of the Kitchen Ashley pulled a large box. A put out Scootaloo was leaning against one shoulder asked, “Why are we all here? You already knew where it is.”. Starlight looked nervously towards the kitchen and said, “You girls probably noticed that Alex looked like she was on fire back there right.” Sweetie Belle got a look of concern and asked, “Why?”
“Don’t rightly know sugarcube.,” Ashley said looking back toward her family's kitchen “All Ah know is that Discord messed with Alex’s family along time ago cursing them with sumthin. I didn’t think it was this Disord though as Ayumi said that her Pony Dad was never truly evil jus’ that he went Mad for awhile.”
Suddenly there was a crash! it was wass followed by four more. Worried about what was happening in the kitchen Ashley picked the first aid kit and hurried back. When they got there, Discord was laying in a hole in the floor that was ironically the same spot the pear jam was hidden “The Perfect Pear” in the show. Alex was still human sized and had her arms crossed as she looked at Ashley and said, “I apologize for the floor, but he had it coming.”
Tempest had an evil smile as she raised her phone and said, “Mama Luna’s going to have a cow for missing this. Momie Selene even more! Good thing I got pictures!”
Alex sat on the nearby table and shrank by to mouse-size. “I want to thank you for giving me the chance to blow off the steam that’s been building up for three years.”
“Hay Alex I think you just combine both of you magics with that flaming cloak!” Tempest said “While I’m proud of you for doing so you should try to control your anger, after all we don’t want a hulk-like situation to come up without need for it.”
“What do you mean by that Sensei?” Alex asked in puzzlement.
“Tempest please don’t give that little mana bomb any ideas please” Moaned Discord before he noticed Tempest dialing on her phone. “uh… Tempest sweetie what are you doing?”
“Oh nothing.” The Alicorn of Destiny said. “Just sending Auntie Celestia, Moma Luna, Momie Seline and Velvet some recently acquired pics.”
Discord groaned. “Your finally getting me back for that pranksgiving last year.”
“Yup.” Tempest said with a cheeky grin “Also nice reference there dad.”
“Well I better leave before Miss mouse-hulk gets pissed at me again and does a repeat performance. “ He says as he crawls out of the hole before teleporting away.
“Now that that’s over what I meant is that not all the threats we’ll face my little sister and her friends elements won’t be able to beat alone.” Tempest said as she reverted back to her normal form of Ayumi “ there will be blood and possibly gore so we train to prevent this.”
Alex started to say something when her cellphone began vibrating in her pocket. “Hello?” Alex asked.
“I almost forgot.” Discord’s voice came back. Alex could almost swear she was hearing the voices of ten individuals, seven of which she thought she recognized, laughing in the background. “During the next week do try to wear denim slacks or shorts. Unless you want your mother to be a grandmother and don’t forget to check the news about swamp fever where you’re at.”
Alex looked at her phone puzzled. “Now that was cryptic.” she said as she put her phone away.
“If I’m right then your alicorn magic might cause a false heat due to adjustments it’ll go through.” Ayumi said with distaste “Dad must have thought it’d be hilarious to speed it along. And before you ask, yes chaos magic links us so I heard it too.”
“Oh great.” Alex said with a heavy dose of sarcasm. “But what did he mean about Swamp Fever though.”
“That i don’t know but it might be a reference to fallout 3 and it’s point lookout dlc or worse the countryside is changing as we do.” Ayumi said a slightly worried expression on her face. “As far as i know there’s no swamp near here, at best the banyon grove could be considered a coastal swamp of sorts.”
Alex facepalmed as a thought occured to her. “Sensei, we better check the news.” she said.
Sam rushed ahead, enjoying beinging able to run again and turned on the TV. It showed an air born view of Ayers Rock surrounded by a swamp of all things. All the anthros in the room could say only one thing. “Aw horseapples.”
The group, led by Ayumi, Alex, and Ashley, along with Starlight Glimmer and the Cutie Mark Crusaders went out from Sweet Apple Acres to investigate the Ayers Rock reports. As they cautiously approached the site in question, Alex voiced her concerns to the group, “This is bad.” Alex said with trepidation. “That is no ordinary swamp.”
“Whatcha say that for?” Ashley asked.
“During my last adventure, where I met and teamed up with Daring Do, I visited my neighbor, Dr Henry Jones Jr.” Alex explained. “He told me a theory where he said, ‘one of the signs of a magical age is starting is the appearance of lands in or around areas of magic.’ And Ayers Rock has been stated to be magical.”
Ayumi’s eyes widened as she realized some critical information. “Dad wasn’t referring to the Earth version of swamp fever.” She said. “He meant the Equiis or Equestrian version.”
Alex pulled her phone back out and started to dial a number. “Who’re you calling?” Sweetie Belle as the mouse finished dialing.
“My Mother.” She said. “I am going to ask her to send all my mementos from my past adventures here. Including my dragonfire candles.”
Alex waited as her mother’s phone rang then made a sour face. “Mom forgot to pay her cell phone bill again.”
“Why do you need dragonfire candles? And how do you have in the first place?” Starlight asked.
“To send a message to Daring Do. They came with the fire rubies in a set of 12.” Alex replied.
“Uh hello, I’m a dragon hybrid!” Ayumi reminded “I can just send it myself! in fact, I can control the place i can send it to, just like Spike; no need for those candles.”
Alex rubbed the back of her head and an embarrassed, “Oh.”
Alex then grew to human size then winced in pain when she was done growing. “Sensei, but how long does chaos magic take to recharge?”
Ashley then asked Alex and Ayumi, “Whatcha know about the Swamp Fever from the show, so we c’n avoid it? Sounds like something we shouldn’t be messin’ with, like Poison Joke.” She looked back to her sister and friends, “Ah don’t want anypony or anyone goin’ near that there swamp fever stuff until we know more ‘bout it.” She really wanted to contact Twilight, Micaela, Flora, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, but they would probably be busy. “Should we contact the other girls back home? Send them some pictures of this here swamp around Ayers Rock?”
“It’s caused by exposure to the pollen of the flower of trees that is sadly created when Swamp Fever reaches its conclusion. “
Ashley looked back at Starlight and the Crusaders, “Then we’d better not go any further near that there swamp or them flowers. Any known cure if we somehow get exposed? Ah want to be ready fer anything.”
Alex replied. As she began to write a letter. “I am writing Daring Do and ask her to somehow send a few jars of flash bee honey. It’s the only cure for Equestrian Swamp Fever.”
“Good point. And it will be even better if Twilight and the others know about the swamp.” said Starlight.
Ashley nods, “Anything about the symptoms of Equestrian Swamp Fever we should look for?” She said while texting Twilight and the other girls about the swamp around Ayers Rock and to beware of the dreaded Swamp Fever.
“Coughing up bubbles. Orange splotches. Some flu-like symptoms. Sneezing lightning (that can be a shocker). And finally, metamorphosis into the tree with the flowers that make the pollen.”
Ashley shudders, “Well, then, we’d better have some o’ that flash bee honey on-hand in case some o’ us get too close to them flowers. What do the flowers look like so Ah can warn mah sister and her friends?”
Alex thought about what Ashley said, “They are resemble water lilies with blue petals and orange spots, and they shoot a cloud of pollen if they are disturbed. So it be a good idea to avoid going into any form of water that has water lilies, just to be safe.” Starlight wrote the information in a notebook.
Alex finished the letter and put in an envelope then used a seal before handing it to Ayumi who changed into Tempest and sent it on its way.
“Now we wait.”
At that moment, the timer signalled the pies were ready. “Oh, good! The pies are done!” Ashley went to her portable oven and put on some oven mitts, “Now be careful with these here pies; they’re mighty hot. That’s why Ah brought some fresh apple cider for everypony, er and every mouse, creature…”
“They look delicious! But yeah, we'll wait until they're not too hot.” said Starlight.
Alex chuckled. When she realized something, “ Weren’t we making all of the applely good treats for a party or something? “
Some of the pies were packed into a special case. “These cases are f’r the party. Some of the pies are for us and whoever else wants some. Ya never know who ya might meet.”
Just then, some rustling in the nearby bushes revealed an anthro Earth pony stallion with a dark orange coat and a yellow mane and tail, “Oh my stars! Are those apple pies Ah smell? Ah sure am hungry. Ah’m Cattail. Ah’m a local around these here parts.” The earth pony anthro’s stomach growled in response.
Ashley waved to Cattail, “Oh, howdy, Cattail! We were investigatin’ the swamp here.”
As Cattail approached the group, He failed to notice Alex until a green flash occurred and the mouse girl appeared on Ashley's stetson. “Ow.” The mouse said. “How am I low on chaos magic? “
Ashley looked up at Alex on her hat, “So when ya are low on Chaos magic, ya conserve yer mana by assumin’ yer mouse size?”
Alex gave Ashley a nod. “It seems that way. I’m just learning to control both it and my alicorn magic.” She replies. “I am going to have to use my Alicorn magic for size changing. By the way Cattail, what are you doing here?”
Cattail nods, “Ah was explorin’ this here large rock area when suddenly, the swamp appeared. Ah knew those trees and flowers weren’t natural ‘round these here parts. Ah’ve been avoidin’ gettin’ near those flowers, with their pollen and all.”
“Good thing you did.” Alex said. “If you were exposed to the pollen you would’ve contracted Equestrian Swamp Fever.”
Ashley looked around for her sister and her friends, “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo; you gals need ta stay away from them flowers and pollen, y’hear? Ah’m not sure we have the flash bee honey yet.”
Alex gathered some of her alicorn magic, resulting in sprouting wings to fly higher. Taking off she looked around then said, “I don’t see them anywhere!”
Ashley grew very worried about her sister and her friends. The image of three anthro fillies covered in orange splotches, sneezing lightning, blowing bubbles, and growing tree limbs made her even anxious. “Land sakes, Ah told those girls not t’ go wanderin’ off like that!”
“Sounds like they were the CMC in spirit before they anthrofied. “ Alex commented. “You guys go look for them. I’ll stay here and in case they come back or the honey arrives” She lands and lets her manawings fade.
Ashley nodded and hoped the girls would be okay. “Apple Bloom! Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo!” She called out to the area where the Cutie Mark Crusaders were last at.
“ASHLEY!!!!” Apple Bloom’s high-pitched voice shrieked. The farmmare ran to the sound and skidded to a halt at the sight of a park ranger covered with orange splotches.
Ashley skidded to a stop near her sister, “Apple Bloom, don’t touch him! He’s got Swamp Fever! Where are Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo?” She pulled out her cell phone to contact Alex via text; “Found Apple Bloom. Park Ranger is in need of Flash Bee Honey. Swamp Fever confirmed.”
“We spotted some glowy bees flyin’ n’ out of a hollow tree. They attacked us, so we ran back toward your location. Then this here ranger tripped over me.” The yellow filly said.
Ashley’s cell phone alerted her of a message received. It read, “Trampled by Sweetie Belle & Scoots. I’m ok though.”
Ashley sighed, “You aren’t infected by the Swamp Fever, are ya, sis?”
Apple Bloom shook her head. “We never saw any of the plague lilies; just the glowy bees.”
Alex texted Ashley, “Got letter from Daring Do. She wrote that she, Twilight,& Fluttershy were heading to some place called Hayseed Swamp to get the flash bee honey. As well as something else.”
“How long is that gonna take? Ah don’t want the park ranger to end up as a tree.” Ashley texted back as she helped the ranger up to his feet, “Easy does it, sir. We’ll get ya cured in no time.” She hoped she wouldn’t get infected by merely touching the ranger to move him to a safe location.
“So you know of a cure.*COUGH POP POP POP* The ranger says. “Do you know what I got?”
“You got Equestrian Swamp Fever.” A harsh voice said. “Don’t worry. It’s not contagious.” When Ashley looked in the direction of the voice she saw none other than Dr. Caballeron, the arch-nemesis of Daring Do.
Ashley turned to face Dr. Caballeron. “Dr. Caballeron, Ah presume?” She ushered her sister behind her. “What are you doin’ here anyway?”
The good doctor smiled and said, “In the furred flesh.” He then added, “It would seem my reputation precedes me. Now you seem to know something about Swamp Fever.”
“What ‘bout it?” Ashley maintained a defensive stance to protect her sister from Dr. Caballeron. “This here swamp appeared ‘round Ayers Rock, which happens to be one o’ the best known tourist attractions in Australia, next to the Sydney Opera House and Canberra, the capital.”
The tan earth pony anthro frowned and said, “Don’t get on my bad side, Apple.” At the Snap of his fingers six anthros stepped from their hiding spots. “You’re not Daring Do or Alexandre Viator, so you and the filly with you ...”
Ashley was ready to throw down. “Ah hope yer ready fer a fight, ‘cause these here hooves were meant fer Apple Buckin’.” She adjusted her Stetson and clenched her fists.
One of the henchponies looked a little nervous and said, “Uh boss. That mare looks alot like Applejack.”
Ashley snorted, “That’s ‘cause Ah am Applejack. Bearer o’ the Element o’ Honesty and the most dependable o’ ponies. This lil’ gal’s mah little sister, Apple Bloom. Ya still wanna take a chance yer gonna get bucked t’ next week, be mah guest.”
The hench pony wearing a black vest and Stetson backed up a step.
“That’s what Ah thought. Smart pony.” Ashley kept a wary eye out for the henchponies surrounding her and Apple Bloom, “Man, Ah wish mah friends were here.” She muttered to herself as she kept the henchponies at bay and hopefully, from attacking Apple Bloom or herself.
Three of the hench ponies looked like the anthro versions of the good Doctor’s hench ponies from the show. The others were different. One looked like a Unicorn dressed in a suit that looked more like it belonged in a disco than the Outback. The second was a head shorter and was dressed in black and wearing ill-fitting aviator sunglasses and looked ready to fight, thought the wings on his back somehow ruined the look. The third was an earth pony that was as big as Big Mac dressed in a blue suit. He cracked his knuckles and said, ‘At least we don’t have to worry about Chan spoiling the fun.”
Ashley counted up all the henchponies, “Six on two seems a lil’ unfair, if ya ask me. Thankfully, Ah didn’t come alone.” She whistled to signal for her backup.
-
A green flash and roman candle effect announced the arrival of Alex. Alex looked around and said, “You called?”
Ashley smiled, “Sure could use some help dealin’ with these guys. Turns out Dr. Caballeron’s up ta something. Man, Micaela would love this; straight out of her Daring Do novels.” She turned to Apple Bloom, “Ya up fer a fight, sugarcube?”
“As ready as Ah’ll ever be.” Apple Bloom said nervously.
“I’ll take the San Fran trio. You get the the derp squad.”
“That leaves these three ta us. Unless somepony else wants to join in.” Ashley smiled as she prepared for battle.
Just as Ashley said that, smoke surrounded their enemies, and one familiar girl was attacking them.
“Starlight? That you, sugarcube?” Ashley called out to her friend.
“That's what they get for messing with my friends.” said Starlight as she appeared.
Ashley smiled, “Told ya! Ah never go anywhere without proper backup.” She sent an Apple buck at the nearest henchpony’s muzzle.
Meanwhile, Dr Caballeron had recovered from the smoke, and was walking towards them.
He didn't get far, though. A thunderbolt struck the ground besides him.
Ashley looked up in search of whatever produced the thunderbolt, only to see an odd-looking pony and a draconequus standing on the clouds.
Alex squared off against the unicorn and performed a roundhouse kick to his horn. He cried out in pain and grabbed the base of his horn as he fell to his knees.
“Two down, four ta go.” Ashley observed as she continued to fight the hench ponies.
The rather large earth pony tried to grab Alex from behind, only for the mouse to apparently vanish in a flash of green. “Where’d she go?” He said confused.
A shrill whistle at his feet caused him to look down. The last conscious thing he saw was a fist surrounded by a roman candle effect as Alex grew under his jaw with a jump to add momentum. He fell onto his partner, knocking him out.
Two of the henchponies were running away while screaming.
“Don’t ya dare come back, y’hear?” Ashley taunted.
“Where are you two going? I was having fun!” said the odd-looking pony. Discord giggled at that.
Apple Bloom was so relieved the hench ponies had ran off. “What about that Dr. Caballeron fella? He took off too?”
Alex dusted herself off and said, “He’ll be back.” She turned to the disco unicorn and said to him, “What are you three doing down under? And how did you become anthrofied?”
Ashley watched as Alex interrogated the fallen unicorn who was wearing a disco-style outfit. “Rarity would probably question his choice of clothing.” She quipped. She then listened as the hired goon told his tale.
Starlight looked around in case anyone could return.
“The Boss reformed the Black Hand. He found some sort of Talisman that turned him into a unicorn made of crystal.”
“King Sombra? He ruled the Crystal Empire until he was defeated at least two separate occasions.” Ashley stated.
The unicorn shook his head. “No, the Talisman was a gold disk. A curved red horn lead him to it.”
“Hold on. The Black Hand?” asked Starlight.
Alex nodded. “A criminal organization I helped render defunct. At least I thought it was.”
“Then Dr. Caballeron somehow promised you something; money and/or power if ya joined his group o’ treasure hunters.” Ashley smiled, “Ah have a friend back home who loves the Daring Do novels.”
“No. Dr. Caballeron is Valmont’s partner. The one in charge speaks through a curved red unicorn horn. A King Sombrero or something.”
“King Sombra.” Ashley corrected. “You have much ta learn ‘bout Equestrian lore, sugarcube.”
“What lore?” The unicorn stammered.
“Let's just say you need some teachers.” Starlight chuckled while saying it.
“Seems Sombra’s horn ended up here on Earth after his second defeat.” Alex commented.
The unicorn squinted at Alex and asked, “Who’re you? The way you speak sounds familiar, but the voice doesn’t ring any bells.”
“You just have to figure it out, Disco dope.” Alex smirked.
Alex turned to the others and said, “Sombra’s Horn on Earth doesn’t bode well.”
Ashley nods, “Darn tootin’. Better call Twilight and the others. Sounds like we’re gonna need everypony’s help on this one. By the way, we still need to cure the park ranger before he starts sproutin’ branches.”
“What are Flash Bees?” Apple Bloom asked nervously near her sister.
“A variety of honey bee from Equestria; they are immune to the pollen and make the cure. They appear at a distance as yellow and blue glowing cloud.” Alex replied.
Apple Bloom gulped, “Ya mean that yellow and blue glowin’ cloud?” She pointed at the yet-far away cloud of bees.
Ashley looked very worried, “Was there some sort of mask that Mage Meadowbrook used t’ collect the honey from their hive t’ make the bees think yer their queen or somethin’?”
“Yes, but it’s in Equestria. Hold on!” Alex teleported everymouse back to the truck where Ayumi, Sweetie Belle, & Scootaloo where waiting.
She promptly shrank and collapsed.
Ashley gently picked up the passed out mouse girl and held her in her hand, “Thanks fer savin’ us from the Flash bees, Alex. You need yer rest.” She petted Alex to make sure she knew her assistance was much appreciated.
Discord and the strange pony appeared. The draconequus looked at the mouse girl and said, “She’s got to work on controlling the amount of magic she uses in her spells.”
“Hey guys!” Ayumi called out from the front of the truck, “You might want to take a look at this!”
The portable TV came to life, showing some rather large figures approaching from the sky, “Those cannot be either Twilight or Fluttershy coming with that Flash Bee Honey. What in the wide worlds of Equestria or Earth can that be?” Ashley said, attempting to make out the figures coming towards the group.
“I had left Equestria again a few minutes ago and ended up in that altercation with those thugs accosting the Honesty of Earth and her sister.” The strange pony, who turned out to be Selene Ayumi/Tempest’s other Pony mother said. “By the way dear Tempest, you sent great pictures of Discord being slammed about by that mouse girl.” Discord facepawed and groaned.
“As to those approaching us they appear to be dragons.” Discord pointed out matter-of-factly.
“Shit!” Ayumi said as black and white flames suddenly cloaked her body “Mother, I'll deal with you later. Girls, if we're going to survive this I have to warn you, I'm not going to hold back anything.” The TV zoomed in now showing five large adult dragons. “These may be wild dragons but make no mistake this is one of the threats I mentioned earlier. My Equestrian counterpart was trained in anti-dragon tactics and since I have both her memories and skills; I’m sure I could take down these guys with little trouble but,... I might need some ground control, cause those thugs seem to be riding the first two.”
Ashley began to prepare for a battle, “Alex is out of this one until she can recover her magic. Where should I put her so she won’t get hurt?”
Apple Bloom picked up the passed out mouse girl and joined the rest of the CMC as Scootaloo said, “We’ll take Alex and hide nearby.” The trio of fillies then dashed out of the soon to be battle.
“I hope you won’t mind if I help out.” The former nightmare moon said. Nobody seemed to object to it.
The motley crew were ready to fight, to stave off the dragons. Selene summoned her armor, and took wing. Ayumi changed into Tempest and did likewise. As the alicorns of destiny and nightmare closed with the dragons, the air started to feel charged. “Daughter, the air feels like it does before a thunderstorm.” Selina says. “Though I must admit that all the dragons being blue is pleasing to the eye.”
The lead dragon opened it’s maw and a blue glow can be seen which slowly got brighter. Lighting began arcing across it’s maw.
The growing scent of ozone filled the air.
“Well Mom you ain’t seen nothing yet!” Tempest said and as flames began to cloak Her she started to Change. The dragons let loose lightning but instead of hitting the two alicorns the lightning became drawn to Tempest’s flame cloak and started circling it seeming to further empower this new transformation. The ball of flame and lightning that surrounded Tempest grew to equal the size of a dragon itself. With a hollow ‘BOOM!’ the fire and lighting disappeared and where Tempest the alicorn dragon hybrid once flew was an Elder Dragon with Tempest’s color scheme.
“Tempe what is this?!” Selene asked “we knew of your battle form but... this and your power is rising still!”
“I said I wasn’t holding back, mom! This is the form of my dragon half fully utilized.” Tempest said in a deep yet somehow Still female voice “I was trained in dragon combat by Ember herself back in our home timeline; when I’m in this form not much can hurt me, and I gain my own unique breath attack.” an orb of purple energy suddenly formed in front of Tempest’s Maw, “Antimagic.” with that the energy orb rocketed forward and flew just above the two lead dragons as blue lines of energy were pulled from them and their riders. This loss of magic both grounded the two leaders and knocked out the thugs. “I can’t use that attack again for another minute or so, but at least the girls on the ground will have something to do now. And since my antimagic orb drained those dragons of almost all their magic, it’ll be easy for Ashley and Starlight to knock them out while we finish up the rest up here.”
“Well at least there is some left for me!” Selene said with a laugh “but are you certain that those girls will be ok? I’d think-”
“Mother, there is a law of the multiverse: NEVER and I mean NEVER Tempt Murphy- you almost did. Let's just focus on the guys in the sky, ‘cause it looks like they’re going to fire their lightning again.”
“Oh , right”
Just as the lead dragon was about to fire, a crystal scythe came spinning through it, clean and elegantly. The dragon was burst apart into dark cloud, revealing how false that particular dragon was. They saw the scythe curve back through the air, and it was caught by its owner mid-arc. They saw that it was Maestro- though evident from the look in his eye, this was the one from Equestria. He popped his knuckles. “Alright then. Now that I have your attention, allow me to pose to you a question:” Suddenly, his expression turned serious and full of rage, as his coat, mane, and tail darkened. “Who’s the idiot that had the bright idea to abduct my daughter? Step forward now, and I might be lenient.” His glaring eyes were boring into the dragons, causing them to squirm a little.
However, a bold soul spoke up from among them. “Why should we say? Prism is a dragon; she belongs with us, not a pony like you. Besides, wh-”
The dragon was cut off as Maestro’s scythe arced towards him, and turned into a hammer to knock him out. It flew back to Maestro, but just hovered at his side, ready to attack the next fool. “I’ll ask again. Who among you took my daughter? If none of you step forward…” His coat, mane, and tail darkened a shade more, his eyes following suit as they split coloration. The stripe of what was once turquoise started to pulsate a bit, threatening change. His voice as he spoke sounded a bit distorted, vicious. “I’ll just have to unleash Cacophony upon all of you!”
The dragons squirmed, unsure as to why this one pony was so intimidating. Nevertheless, they parted, and sent forth the fool who had abducted Prism- He even still had her with him, oddly enough. As he let go of her, Prism flew over to Maestro as the changes melted away. “Daddy! Oh, I’m so happy to see you again!” She nuzzled him, and sighed. “I thought I’d never see you again…”
Maestro comforted his daughter, soothingly. “Shh. It’s alright now. Dad’s here. Let’s go home, alright?” The scythe collapsed into a gem, and was pocketed away. He put his arm around her shoulder. “Besides, Trix and I have something we want to tell you…”
Just as he was walking away, Tempest called out. “Wait! Aren’t you going to help us?”
He looked back, and shook his head. “I’m not fond of violence. Sure, I’ll use it if I feel I have to, but never when I can avoid it.” He turned back, and led his adoptive daughter back home.
“Fair enough,” Tempest said “when you get home, send Ember my best.”
Maestro paused, and looked back. He was about to ask why, but shook his head, and thought better of it. He smiled. “Will do.” And with that, they were gone.
Ashley looked to see the dragons were gone. “Wow, that was something….y’all okay?” She asked the assembled anthros.
Starlight nodded in response.
Apple Bloom popped her head from behind a rock formation and said, “Is it safe?”
Tempest landed and became Ayumi. “Yes it is. You can come out now.” The CMC came out from behind the rock formation with Sweetie Belle carrying Alex, who was curled up in her hands. Ayumi looked crossly at the magically drained mouse girl. “How’d get to this point?” She asked.
“Alex teleported AJ, Apple Bloom, Starlight and herself to escape a swarm of flash bees.” explained Sweetie Belle, holding Alex in her hands.
Ayumi nodded then said, “Okay. An emergency teleport is draining under normal circumstances. Doing one when you are low on any form of magic is downright dangerous. She could’ve suffered mana overdraw, or worse, died. We’re lucky that it only took the remainder of her magic supply. She’ll recover with some rest, and some elixir if we can get our hands on it.”
Just then a mirrored disk faded into existence. A few seconds later an anthro pegasus dressed like the classic adventuring archaeologist stepped through.
She was carrying a box under one arm. She looked around and did a double take as she spotted Ashley. “Applejack?” She said in surprise. “How’d you get here before me?” The bottom of a compass could be seen, as well as a barely perceptible bulge in her belly.
“Sorry ma'am.” Ashley replied. “You must be confusing with the mare from your world. Is that what I think it is?” The pegasus adventurer nodded and said, “12 quarts of flash bee honey and one specially made beekeeper’s suit. Now where is Alex? I have a surprise for him.”
“Dammit Daring! Ring me next time! You can’t go timeline hopping! It can easily break the portals!” A voice similar to Ayumi’s came through another portal “We can’t be doing this again, think of your kid!” Tempest said as she stepped through the portal.
“Alex needs to know, Tempest.” Daring Do says. “This is too important to rely on letters alone.”
Ayumi just chuckles before saying, “Hello Tempest. How’s Equestria?”
Tempest looks at her other self and says, “Still in one piece and dull with a chance of adventures.”
“I have taken on a student.” Ayumi said with a grin.
“That’s a surprise.” Came Tempest’s sarcastic reply.
Daring Do glared at Tempest Flare and Ayumi and said, “You two can catch up later. Where's Alexandre Viator. I got im…. Scoots?” as the pegasus adventurer spotted the local Scootaloo.
Sam stepped up nervously and said, “Hello. My name’s Sam, but I think I’ll change it to Scootaloo.”
Daring Do smiled at Scootaloo then looked at Tempest and Ayumi then asked Ayumi, “Considering the last time I was in this world, the locals I ended up teaming up with were suffering from magical surges. I suspect your student is Alexandre Viator. If so where is he?”
Ashley took a deep breath and let it out before saying, “Alex got turned into a mouse girl shortly after arriving Perth from America. Ayumi here’s teaching her on how to use her magic. She’s currently suffering from using up her magic.”
Tempest sighs as she pulls out a case containing twelve eight ounce bottles of a liquid that had red and blue colors swirling about yet not mixing and saying, “She’s going need these delivered to recover quickly.” She then turns to Daring Do says, “Don’t take too long, unless you want to give birth in this world."
The alicorn then stepped through one of the portals which closed behind her.
Ashley then gathered up the supplies, “So, we have a beekeeper’s suit, 12 jars of the flash bee honey, and the special jars f’r Alex t’ recover her mana. Let’s get the park ranger healed up and head back inta town. Ah have mah own deliveries ta make.” She said, indicating all the still delicious pies and treats to share with those who ordered them. “These here fritters and pies make up most of mah food and beverage sales. Ah sure hate f’r mah hungry customers t’ not be able t’ have their orders fulfilled.”
“Don’t mind me.” Daring said as she took one of the bottles and walked up to Sweetie Belle and kneeled. Sweetie Belle adjusted Alex so she was sitting in a reclined position. Daring Do popped the cork and carefully pour some of the elixir into Alex’s mouth, allowing the mouse girl to start drinking the liquid from the bottle..
The mouse adventurer perked up and began to drink it greedily. When the bottle was empty, Alex wiped her mouth and said, “THAT gives new meaning to the words ‘en. ergy drink’.” She then noticed who gave her the elixir. “D-daring? What in Luna’s name are you doing on Earth?” Daring looked Alex and said, “I had to get the flash bee honey to you delivered. She then placed her hand on her slightly swollen belly before she continued. “And inform you of the bun you put in my oven.”
Alex sighed before saying, “I knew the magic you sensed in that room we got trapped in by Dr Caballeron was for more than getting reluctant newlyweds to consummate their wedding. It was to ensure pregnancy.”
Ashley looked over at Daring Do and then at Alex, “Say what now?”
Daring Do nodded. “If I was carrying anypony else’s foal, I would’ve started plans to have it given to an orphanage. I’d like for you to come back with me.”
Ayumi walked up and placed a hand on Daring’s shoulder. As Daring turned to face Her, Ayumi slapped her face in anger.
“OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!” Daring shouted, rubbing her face in pain.
Ayumi looked at Daring her eyes filled with pure rage “One: you wait this long to tell Alex about her kid. Two: you ask her to come with you when you know that could rip the already unstable fabric that bridges our worlds. And three and this is the big one: YOU ABANDONED BOTH DASH AND SCOOTS BACK ON YOUR HOMEWORLD!!!!!! HELL YOU MET THEM BOTH AND NEVER EVEN TOLD THEM!!!!!!!!” Ayumi roared that Daring a pulsing vein showing on her forehead. “Now you are staying here till your kid is born, don’t worry about your villans, Tia finally knows and is putting them behind bars till you get back. Once the kid is born BOTH you and Alex are going to take care of them. And while you wait, you are going to write a letter to both of your other kids so they can be present for the birth of their younger sibling. GOT IT?!”
Daring wide eyed in fear replied “Yes, my Queen.”
Ashley muttered to herself, “This is so very confusing’” She said, scratching her head, trying to make sense of all the dialogue between Daring Do and Ayumi.
Alex grew to human size and shouted, “RAINBOW DASH AND SCOOTALOO ARE YOUR KIDS!! WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?!” Daring Do winced at both Ayumi’s and Alex’s shouts. “I got family scattered across the multiverse! From the time we teamed up, you never passed up the chance to tell me how proud you were of Rainbow. Answer me this, do they know?”
Daring lowered her head and said, “Yes and No. I got caught in a trap on one my first adventures. I was fortunate that Rainbow’s father, a rainbow maned adventurer named Bow Hothoof freed me from it, but it cost me my virginity. I didn’t even know I had had her until I tracked him down. By that time, he had moved on and Rainbow had been adopted by his new wife, Windy Whistles, and was in flight camp. Scoots was the result of me tripping a trap that would’ve destroyed a village if I hadn't banged the high priest. When I met Dash myself, I learned she had been told that I was actually Windy’s surrogate due to her being infertile. Bow never told her my name to protect her just what I looked like.”
Alex grimaced and said, “Damn. It’s like you're either under a curse yourself or your unlucky regards to breeding traps.”
Daring sighs “I had always suspected as much. I left Scootaloo at an Orphanage in Ponyville to protect her from my enemies. I still regret never leaving a note or something for her to know i cared.”
Apple Bloom looked Ashley with confusion and asked, “How do you bang someone?”
“Tell ya when ya older sis.”
“Okay.” Apple bloom said with some disappointment.
“Miss Do, is it ok if I ask you something?” Sam asked a slightly nervous smile on her face.
“Go ahead.” Daring said already suspecting what the human turned into her daughter wanted to ask.
“Is it ok if me and my sister our Rainbow Dash call you mom? It’s fine if you say no; we have a human mother too but after this happened,” she gestured to her anthro form “I was able to walk again. I’d like to know the mare who brought my other self into the world as thanks and Dash will love to know one of her idols is actually her pony mother.”
“I’d be honored.” Daring said with a grin “Though I think your human mother would want to speak with me on this, as I don’t want to hurt her feelings if she hears about it secondhand.”
“Good point,” Sam said “hey Miss Ayumi, can you teleport me to my mom? I think I should to get home to show her my new look anyways.”
“Sure thing Scoots, think I’ll head with you. I got to check in with Dash anyhow; I had her make me a little something to help with your wings and it should be done by now.” Ayumi opened a small portal “Daring, if you want to head to my penthouse I’ll be there soon” With that both Ayumi and Sam walked through the portal leaving the others to talk among themselves.
Alex sighed and said, “I wanted to be a parent, but I thought I’d have the luxury of it happening after I left high school and I’d be the father. But family history should’ve warned me that wouldn’t be. *SIGH*”
“To be accurate you’re still the father of our kid. You switching genders doesn’t change that fact so don’t feel down about it.” Daring stated “Hope that helps a little”.
Everybody climbed into Ashley’s truck and handed Cattail one of the jars of flash bee honey, “Here you go.” Alex said. “One tablespoon is all you need to cure the ranger.”
“Got it. See you around.”Cattail said as he pat the side of the truck to tell Ashley they could head off.
Daring Do and Starlight sat in the bed while Ashley, Apple Bloom & Sweetie Belle sat in the cab. Alex sat on Daring’s pith helmet as Daring wrote a letter to Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. She looked up at the equine adventurer and said, “As much as I like to avoid it there's a high probability that our foal’ll will become an adventurer around the time she becomes a teenager.” Daring put a hand on her belly and sighed. “So much for her having a normal life.”
Alex quirked an eyebrow, “Her?” She Asked. “Why’re you so certain our foal will be a filly not a colt?”
Daring smiled. “Because for every foal born, there’s a 75% chance it is a filly.”
“oh.” Alex said as she rubbed the back of her head.
“How’s Dr Jones?” Daring asked curiou about the human whose life almost perfectly mirrored hers and Alex’s
Alex’ ears drooped as she replied sadly. “His health is failing. I think the time he got from his cup of water from the Holy Grail is running out.”
“That’s sad.” Daring said. “I've met him only once and I can tell he was a good friend and mentor to you.”
“Yeah. I’ll miss him.” Alex commented with a sad nod of her head.
“This world will be a more dangerous place with him gone.” Daring Do said before smiling at Alex. “But he found a worthy heir in you.”
“Thanks for the compliment.” Alex said with a sad smile.
They travelled for a while with Ashley stopping at a few places and either her or Apple Bloom going out to make the delivery. At one point Ashley dropped one quarter of the bed’s cargo at a mansion and Ashley spoke to a distinguished gentleman before coming back to the truck. She stopped and called back, “Have a nice time, and tell Mr. Rich it’s nice doing business with him.” She tipped her Stetson to the butler, whose name was Randolph before heading back to her vehicle for the rest of her deliveries.
Daring then commented, “It’s kind of comforting to see the family of the element of honesty and the Riches are partnered regardless of the realty.” She then pulled out an Equestrian Bit and said, “I’ll have a bag of fritters if you don’t mind, Applejack.”
Apple Bloom, Starlight, and started to laugh and Ashley smiled and took the gold coin before saying as she put twenty-six apple fritters in a bag and handed it to her saying “You had gotten me confused with the pony me. Ah’m Ashley, nice to meetcha.”
Alex pulled out her phone and dialed her mother’s number again. She smiled as her mother picked up. “Hi Mom. I….” she started before pulling her hand away from her head as her mother was shouting at the top of her lungs. “ALEXISAWTHREEPONY-LIKETHINGSFIGHTINGOVERASWAMPTHATWASAROUNDAUERSROCKARETOUALRIGHT?”
“Ow!” Alex said as she slowly brought her phone back to her head. “Mom, I’m OK the dragons were soundly ass kicked.”
“Yes there were dragons there but sensei, one of her mothers and a friend kicked their tails.” Alex said more than a little pride in her sensei. She then got a look of relief as well as a bit of concern.
“Oh That’s why you didn’t pick up. I hope Dr. Chan’s martial arts teaching came in handy.” The reply came. Perplexed by this information, Alex just had to know how. “Uncle Sea Hearts took care of it? How?”
“He was turned into a classic equestrian unicorn because of a magical mishap.”
“Oh.” Alex said.
“Don’t tell me he turned Hak Foo into a cutie marked mouse.” Alex facepawed as she thought about the one uncle she has that could do magic on Earth. Of course his mastery of magic was on par with Aunt Clara of the TV show Bewitched.
“I told you not to tell me. *sigh* HE WHAT?!” Alex’s tail went straight out at what her mother tolder her.
“WHY’D HE SEND THAT MOUSE TO AUSTRALIA!?!” Alex facepawed again as she loudly shot back at her Mother told her.
“*sigh* Ok Considering the amount of predators mice have, Hak Foo won’t be somemouse I'll have to keep an eye out for.” with relief when her mother told her the reason why. Right before she unloaded another surprise.
“Don’t tell me Hak Foo’s an anthro.” Moaned in dread.
“Why’d you’d tell me?” Alex groaned as she yet again facepawed.
Alex took a deep breath to calm her nerves then said. “Okay the reason I called this soon is Daring Do’s back on Earth from Equis”
“Yes, that ponygirl I went on an adventure with five month ago.” Alex said with relief that her mother was quiet out of curiosity.
“About that, turns out she has bad luck with traps where she has to mate to get out of.” She said before moving the phone away for her sensitive ear in preparation of her mom raised her voice when she responded.
Starlight and Daring listened to Alex’ side of the phone conversation. Starlight asked, “Is it me or is that conversation starting to get weird?”
Daring Do shrugged and said, “Sounds normal to me.”
“How can that be normal?” Starlight said in confusion.
Looking at her incredulously, Daring replied. “You do realize that you’re talking to a born pegasus and not a transformed one, don’t you?”
Starlight thought a moment then said, “Good point.”
Alex in the meantime had placed the phone close to her ear and said in reply tiredly, “Yes, I’ll do good by her. And yes, I’ll marry her if she’ll have me.” The pegasus Adventurer smiled when Alex said that. When Alex finished the call she put it in her pants pocket. She looked at Daring and saw her writing in a small book. The dusty yellow pegasus looked up and said, “I'm thinking about publishing, with your permission, of course, your journals.”
Alex smiled and said, “Go ahead. You think my adventures would go over well with Equestria’s ponies?”
“Considering how well my adventures are over here. Of course.”
Suddenly, Alex’s cell phone returned to its original size, destroying her pants.
“OH COME ON!” Alex shouts. “I shrink you when I get down under and my chaos magic chooses now for the spell to run out of time?!” Alex flops down on Daring’s baby bump and looks up at the sky and pouts. Her small size not causing any disturbance.
Daring Do covers her muzzle to hide a giggle.
They rode in amicable silence as Ashley drove the truck to various places. At each stop either Ashley, Apple Bloom or both would take the deliveries in. Each time a delivery was to an eatery, Alex would lay flat on Daring’s belly so she couldn’t be seen by those within. Starlight had noticed Alex did not seem too upset her pants had been destroyed earlier. “Excuse me.” She said. “Aren’t you worried about what Discord said?”
“I don’t see any reason to.” Alex responded.
“Well your jeans had been destroyed by your cellphone returning to its normal size. You are in heat. Add to that a past foe of yours has been transformed into what can only be your male counterpart.”
Alex shrugged and replied, “what of it?”
Daring Do choose to speak up at that moment to speak up. “Our being sentient doesn’t remove the distracting effects of being in heat. It only tones them down.”
Alex propped herself up before asking,“What distracting effects?“
Daring smiled as she said, “Certain spots on your body get more sensitive. Add to that you will tend to arouse males with your scent. The sight of a male’s crotch tightening in your presence making you wet. That doesn’t cover clopping to fantasies of males pounding your plot and leaving a milk delivery inside you.”
Starlight jerked her hand out of her shorts. Daring gave a knowing nod and asked, “Who's the stallion?”
“I don’t know.” Starlight said with a slight blush that was somehow showing through her fur. “Glimpsed him as we got into the truck and he was buff.”
Daring Do smirked as she said, “Starlight, you might have been thinking of this world’s version of Big Mac, Applejack’s big bro… OW!” Daring Do cried out as Ashley slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting a kangaroo, sending Alex sailing into Daring Do’s breast.
Ashley looked over at the group, “Sorry ‘bout that, sugarcubes. There was a kangaroo in the road. Flora would be upset if Ah hit it. Besides, Ah don’t want t’ cause mah vehicle insurance premiums to rise.” She then looked over Daring, “No offense, Darin’ Do, but you mind keepin’ yer fantasies t’ yourself? Ah don’t want mah little sis gettin bad ideas.”
“I was only telling Starlight and Alex about going into heat.” Daring Do responded. “The first one is always the worst. In fact I advise anyone who was male before their transformation to get certain ...toys and lock yourselves in a room for a month to avoid having foals.”
“Ashley, I wasn’t acting out any fantasy. Your hitting the brakes sent me flying again. Though this time, I landed on something soft.” Alex blushed as she spoke.
Daring couldn't help a smile.
Ashley sighed, “Alright, just try not ta use that kinda language ‘round the young fillies,” she paused, “Ah have enough trouble as it is t’ explain to Apple Bloom ‘bout the “birds and the bees.”
It was mid afternoon when they reached Ashley's last delivery. Ashley asked Starlight and Daring Do to help. After they left, Alex began to wander around the bed trying to find someway to prevent her from flying the next time. Suddenly, she felt a flying kick hit her in the back sending her sprawling. She rolled onto her back to do a kip up and get into a fighting stance, but what met her eyes and nose made her freeze. Standing in front of the anthro female mouse was the anthrofied Hak Foo. He resembled a mouse wearing the clothes he had worn on their last meeting. But the scent of a healthy and aroused male mouse caused not only her to freeze, but spread her legs subconsciously.
“Well. Well.” He said. “Eve is here.” He walked up to Alex slowly, allowing his scent to rob her of the will to fight.
“The satchel of Mage Meadowbrook; where is it?” he inquired as he knelt down and began to unbutton her shirt. Alex's mind wanted to kick Hak Foo in the groin, but her body wanted to be mated and Hak Foo had something it wanted.
“Why do you want it?” She asked, hoping he was so confident about the situation that he’d let his guard down as well as arrogantly give her the info she wanted.
Hak Foo proved to be as arrogant as she hoped as he said, “Sombra wishes to use the homunculus recipe Meadowbrook created to make himself a new body.” He stopped to drop his pants when a blue aura enveloped him and he was lifted up and away from Alex.
With Hak Foo moved far enough, Alex was able to stand. She looked as saw the others had returned and Starlight’s horn was a glow. “Thank Luna you guys got here when you did.” She said.
“You O.K.?” Daring asked. Alex closed her blouse as she answered, “I don’t know what happened. The moment his scent hit my nose, my body just refused to obey my mind.”
Ashley and Starlight got concerned looks. Daring Do just nodded and said, “It was bad luck that he found you when you going through your first heat after you were transformed. The good news is that when your next heat comes, he won’t be able to do that again.”
With the last delivery out of the way they went to drop off Daring at Ayumi’s penthouse in the old opal mines.
“I’m surprised any version of Twilight could live underground.” Daring said as they entered Ayumi’s new living room. “Though i can see why she wanted to move out here less risk of human deaths from her snores. She still snores flames every now and again in her Equestria.”
Alex winces then says, “We got a problem though. Some version of King Sombra survived his fall from the recovery of the Crystal Heart and that his severed horn has fallen into the hands of a criminal mastermind.”
Daring frowned and grimly said, “That is not good. Sombra had enslaved the Crystal Empire before The princesses dealt with him. Not only is he a unicorn, but he has access to and uses dark magic.”
“I was afraid of that.” Alex said glumly.
Daring nodded with a frown. “Not to mention I found five dark magic sites on this world. Any one of them could boost Sombra’s magic. *GASP!* This world has no magic users! If Sombra gets a new body he’ll take over this one.”
Alex shook her head and said, “Right now Earth doesn’t. During the last age of magic we had a lot. There’s bound to be magic texts hidden away and ancient libraries as well academies scattered around the world.” She smirked and added, “There will be a lot of adventurers going out to find them. Of course most of them won’t have advantage of your special talent. Also Sombra is after the homunculus recipe in Mage Meadowbrook’s satchel.”
“I say let Sombra have his new body. The pony on the inside deserves to have a chance to fight back against the Umbrium he came from.”Ayumi said from the kitchen “besides i have to give my father in law a chance. And not all Sombra’s are evil; this one may just want to live his life here on earth and his reputation is what is causing the others to commit evil in his name. You did say his horn is in the hooves of a criminal mastermind.”
Alex grew using her alicorn magic. She stretched and sat down on a couch. Ayumi stepped out of the kitchen to say something else but she noticed Alex’s pants were missing. “What happened to your pants?” She asked with concern.
Daring Do replied as Alex hid her face out of embarrassment, “Alex’s cellphone returned to its original size, destroying them in the process. Also we have confirmation; Alex is in heat.”
Ayumi got a concerned look on her face. “How did we get this confirmation?” She asked.
“I got ambushed by an anthrofied old foe. He was turned into a male cutie marked mouse. The moment his scent hit my nose… my body refused to do anything but lay there and wait to be mated. Daring said it won’t happen again but the fact that it happened at all scared me.”
Ashley drew a sigh of relief and went over to hug Alex, “Ah f’r one am glad y’r all right, sugarcube.”
“Thanks Ash.” Alex said. “But what about when you, Flora, Twilight, Micaela, and Rarity go into heat?”
Daring Do simply said, “They’ll probably have as bad as you since they were male before their transformation.”
Ashley shuddered at the thought, “And just when we were gettin’ used to our new bodies and our special talents that come with them.” She wondered about how Trixie and the new Sunset Shimmer were getting along.
“Well that’s a drawback to maredom.” Daring replied. “Fortunately after your first heat you won’t suffer breeding paralysis if you encounter a non family stallion.”
Starlight did a double take. “Breeding paralysis!? You mean there are males being turned into females on Equestria?”
“Uh about that, are there mares with both sets on your Equestria, Daring? Cause my counterpart’s world does have a solution to Breeding Paralysis with temp herm spells.” Ayumi said with a blush “Also Starlight, it seems your counterpart is from my timeline and has both. Luckily for you you didn’t inherent that bit, unlike me.”
“There are only 30 stallions on my Equestria.” Daring says. “And you’d be surprised at how many Drunken stallions get a tg spell only to forget to ask for the temp version.” She says.
“Red Gala? That incident happen?” Ayumi asked.
Ashley thought about that family member, “Red Gala? Isn’t that one of mah family members?”
Daring shook her head.
Alex sat cross legged and started to meditate when a large wisp of smoke drifted into the room swirled into a pile of three boxes which landed with a thump near her.
“What the hay?!” Daring & Alex said in surprise.
“I had Luna send over some heat suppressant amulets and the other two boxes must be from Dash and Scoots, and Windy and Bow.” A fourth box appeared in a flash of white magic. “Dad must have found the object i asked for Somba’s purification.”
Alex was about to say something when another box appeared above her. Alex avoided getting pinned by diving out of the way. The box landed with a thump and the lid popped and fell off as two books were bounced out. One landed on its spine and opened; a label and one of the front page read
Adventures of Alex Viator:
The High Flying search for the mirror of Laptrop Htrae
Alex rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment.
Daring picked up the journal and read the label. She smiled the asked, “I guess you were going to publish them yourself, Ali.”
“ALI!?!” Everyone else but Ayumi shouted in surprise, whereas Ayumi just smiled
“Who in the Hay is ‘Ali?” Ashley asked, wondering about the new turn of events.
“Me.” Alex said. “It’s Daring’s pet name for me.”
Ashley nodded, “Ah see. Kinda like how I prefer AJ to mah close friends?”
Alex nods.
“Anypony want some Hayburgers? Luna and Selene sent me a few hundred bits worth of orders of the triple deckers, seems like my characters love for them is multiversal maybe omniversal.” Ayumi asked. “Before you ask they’re made with some hay as a binder for the tofu in the burgers giving them the unique flavor.”
“I’ll try one.” Alex said.
“Here,” Ayumi said hoofing over a bag and cup. “they came with fries and surprisingly Sunset Sarsaparilla. Always did love New Vegas.”
Alex took a bite and her face literally lit up at the taste. With a hungry squeak she devoured no inhaled it. After that she tried a sip of the Sarsaparilla which she then drained in a few gulps.
“So you like it?” Ayumi asked before giggling. “The fries are really good too.”
Alex tried the fries and made sour face. “Ugh.” She said. “These fries taste worse than hour cold McDonald’s fries”
“Oops forgot the sauce.” Ayumi handed over a bottle of green liquid “It’s a mix of mint and neutralized Dragonsbane should make the taste a lot better.”
Alex tried them with the sauce. The wolfed them down. “Damn better with the sauce” Came the comment.
“The mint keeps the bitterness of the fry oil and the neutralized dragonsbane both heats up the fries and enhances the fried hay’s flavor.” Ayumi said “They use a native Equestrian corn oil. That’s why it’s so bitter.”
“Don’t they have potatoes on Equestria?” Alex asked. “They don’t take on the oil’s flavor.”
“They do have potatoes but hay is safer due to how potatoes tend to grow near gem fields and they’re diamond dogs main crop besides those gems.” Ayumi stated “They’re the prefamie irish equivalent.”
“Can Equestrian potatoes grow any place else or only near gem fields?” Alex asked Daring
“In the Crystal Empire but they tend to be Crystal potatoes and only editable by crystal ponies and dragons.” Daring said “also the other reason is most potatoes also absorb gem shards. Making them very hard to cut up and eat.”
Alex thinks then asks, “So if a farmer was sent a bushel of potatoes from Earth could they grow them?”
“No not unless you give them to the Pies they are the only safe farmers of potatoes in equestria but maybe the dragon kingdom would be better.” Ayumi suggested “After all volcanic soil is super fertile and good for growing.”
“You mean there's no area within Equestria that there are no gem shards in the soil?”
“Not really, at the least not in my Equestria.” Daring said “And I’m pretty sure that follows for all Equestrias. After all gems are common enough to use in everyday clothing in our universe.”
“It’s looking like Equestria will never enjoy french fried potatoes or hash browns.” Alex said glumly.
Alex looked at Ashley and said, “Ashley I think we need to call everybody together. It’s looking like the Elements of Harmony of Earth are in a race against the Black Hand to Locate the Satchel of Meadowbrook & the homunculus recipe.”
“Actually they would never succeed. I’m friends with the deity who actually allows Homunculi to be created.” Ayumi said “I informed Truth of the group and It’s reassured me that if they try it’ll remove them from existence. Though It is a tricky bastard and might still give Sombra the choice to come back.
Also The Pie Family does grow potatoes it’s their second cash crop besides construction rocks. Hash browns and french fries are luxury products but are still available in Equestria.”
Alex then said, “I’m afraid we can’t take that chance. There are recipes that don’t rely on the rules Truth set forth. Homunculi are created on Abeir-Toril with no ill effects to the creators of them. Better to find the satchel than rely on the divine.”
Daring Do added, “not to mention that Earth has several ancient artifacts scattered all over it.”
***** Thirty minutes later the group had gathered at newly opened sweet shop Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie had managed to get a job there so the group decided to gather there. Micaela was a little unnerved at how Daring Do was staring at her. When Daring Do introduced herself, she began to geek out. “No way it's the Daring Do! I can't believe you're here!”
Daring gave Micaela a motherly look and said, “Not surprising. I go where the adventure is. I had come back to earth because my partner gave me a little bun that I am now baking in my oven.”
Micaela nodded “Okay but that doesn’t explain why are you looking at me like that.” The cyan pegasus scooted away from her after that.
“You haven’t talked to your sister yet have you?” Daring asked.
“No.” Micaela admitted. “I haven't gone home yet. I was hanging with Flora and Twi when we got Ashley’s text.”
“Well I’ll let Scootaloo give you the news.” Daring said with a playful grin. “Besides Sombra should be our main focus.”
“Right.” Alex said. “What we know is the reformed Black hand is after the satchel of mage Meadowbrook and they’re working for King Sombra. Unfortunately we have three problems. (1) We don’t know where to look save it is in Australia. (2) Dr. Callabron is working with them. (3) We don’t know what it looks like.”
“So an anthrofied crook became a Dr Caballeron anthro. It's Not like we’re dealing with the real Dr. Caballeron himself.” Miceala scoffed.
“Actually we are. Guy’s got all of Caballeron’s memories and skills. I should know; I fought the bucker.” Ayumi said “He must of synced just like Trixie and me. So we should expect him to know just as much as we do.”
Alex nodded. “When me and Daring teamed up, the bad ol’ doc had acquired the mirror of laptrop Hthrae. It allowed him to jump between Equiis and Earth.”
Daring added, “He is one of my foes after all.”
“Just who are these Black Hand fellas anywho?” Ashley asked.
“They were once a very dangerous gang of hoods.” Alex said. “theft, tomb robbing, poaching, slavery, you name it. If there was something illegal going on they had their slimy hands in that pie. I helped ”
Alex nodded to Starlight who used her magic to float necklaces to hover in front of Twilight, Flora, Rarity, Ashley and Micaela. “ What’re these for?” Twilight asked.
“Heat suppression pendants.” Starlight replied. “They’ll weaken your heats.”
“Males that have switched genders or in my case a female who gained the other half tend to experience super strong first heats and the elements enhance all parts of that due to being bonded to a fertility goddess previously,” Ayumi explained “we found out that that those problems crossed the veil as well also both yours and mine are much stronger as we’re alicorns and the Sparkle family tends to naturally have strong heats.”
“Before you guys object those pendants will keep you from experiencing ‘Breeding Paralysis’. If you’re wondering what that is. imagine want to kick a guy in the nuts but all you body does is rip your clothes off, lay down, and spread your legs waiting for the guy to rut you, though that has only happened a few times, mostly you freeze up to the point you can barely breathe. “ Daring said,
“I experienced it. Hak Foo ambushed me and the moment I caught his scent….” Alex said before hugging herself and shuddering. ”trust me it’s not fun even for those of you with a submissive side. If Starlight hadn’t flung him away I would probably be getting ready to have another kid, only it would be me giving birth.”
“Truth is I don’t think any of us should try to walk around during a heat.” Ayumi said “I’m the only one, Pinkie aside, who can still control our bodies during that time. In fact I’m surprised that I’m the only one who has gone through a heat cycle besides Alex we all should have had our first the moment we changed. Even the CMC should be affected.”
“Daring, Mage Meadowbrook was equestrian like yourself were there any descriptions for her satchel?” Starlight asked.
Alex suddenly remembered something. “Starlight may going through a heat cycle.” Ashley looked over at Starlight while sitting next to Alex on the couch, “You okay, sugarcube?”
“Y-yeah.” Starlight said. “Though I can’t keep from fantasizing about that big red hunk I saw at your farm as we were leaving. Was he a farmhand or something?”
Ashley stared at Starlight then asked, “Did this stallion have a blonde mane and tail?”
Starlight rubbed the back of her head and nervously said, “Y-yes. he was wearing a white muscle shirt that hugged his yummy body.”
Ashley chuckled before saying, “That was my big brother, Big McIntosh.”
Starlight eeped and sunk down to hide.
Apple Bloom chuckled, “Wait a minute, Starlight; ya got a crush on mah brother? Ah thought he’s supposed t’ be seein’ another mare who’s helpin’ out Mrs. Cake at Sugar Cube Corner as an apprentice baker.”
Everybody burst out laughing at that.
Suddenly a wisp of smoke floated in and swirled into a scroll sealed with the seal of the Princess of Friendship.
Ashley took the scroll and held it up for Twilight to see. “Ah believe ya got a scroll, Twi.”
Twilight picked up the scroll and broke the seal and read, “Dear Twilight Radisson, “I’m writing to inform you and Daring Do that Dr Caballeron has fled Equestria via the Mirror of Lapt Htrae. He vowed to get even with Daring Do and somepony named Viator so you’d better warn them. And check out some place called Ayers Rock. “Signed Princess Twilight Sparkle”
“Just our bucking luck” Ashley, Ayumi, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Starlight groan. “Looks like we are goin’ back t’ Ayers Rock. We have a contact there, Ah believe he’s the anthro version o’ Cattail. He used t’ be a local fella that helped the park rangers with guided tours.”
Alex was glad Rarity was the fashionista she was, as she was wearing mouse sized explorer’s shorts as well as the rest of an explorist ensemble she made. The group was riding in a jeep that Alex was able to buy with Flora’s help.
Ashley was surprised to say the least when they found out as was everymouse else except for Flora and Ayumi. “I know you are an adventuress, darling.” Rarity said. “But you never let on that you are rich.”
Daring Do looked at the Rarity of this Earth and said, “She comes from an unbroken line of adventurers that’s been around for over 12000 years and spread over multiple realities and you never thought about it?”
“Besides I’m rich and the most I’ve ever spent was on magic proofing the school and upgrading the lab.” Ayumi said “And most of my money comes from family as well.”
Rarity looked a bit flustered and said, “I… I never thought about it. It’s hard to wrap one’s mind around the idea a single family has been around for so long.”
Alex sat on the dash as Ashley drove towards Howard’s Ayers Rock, she said, “Anymouse got one or more of the bottles of Flash Bee Honey? Ayers Rock is surrounded by the new swamp in case anymouse forgot.”
Ashley nodded, “Sure. We need t’ be prepared for everything. Right, Rarity?”
“Quite right, Ashley” Rarity replied. “On another subject, other that dreadful experience with breeding paralysis, how’re holding up, Alex?”
“Honestly, I'm wondering about that too my young student.” Ayumi asked “You seem to be coping with it, but I have to wonder if I can help in some way?”
“Figuring out how I can stay at human size without having to return to this size would help.” Alex said somberly. “I feel that until my first heat ends in about twenty days, I’m going to have to stay close to somemouse in this group, or Hak Foo’'ll catch me and buck me until my belly is swelling. *SIGH*”
Ayumi then hears Alex quietly mutter “I just hope I don’t have to get knocked up to be able stay at human size.”
“I'll get my uncle Dirk Pitt to get his godfather on the search for any maritime references to Equissian Ships. I might be able to finish the amulet if we can find some Equissian rope.”
Daring Do reached into her backpack and Said, “I always pack a coil of it. You never know when it’ll come in handy.” After which she pulled a coil of rope out. Alex let out a squeal of joy and hugged the equine adventurer the best she could at three inches.
“You don’t mind if I pull out some string from one of the ends? The metal and gem work is done I just needed something strong that had mana inside it.” Ayumi said “Plus, I wanted uncle Dirk to meet Henry Jr.’s other heir. Besides Henry the third.”
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the jeep, Micaela found the journal which told the story from Daring Do’s last book from Alex’s point of view. Since she was bored, and from the label inside indicated it was going to be published, she decided to read it. Her eyes widened as she read the part where Daring Do was introduced. When she read what Daring said to Alex, she pulled a wingboner and accidently smacked Pinkie and Rarity in the face with her wings.
Both of them shouted, “RAINBOW, WHY’D YOU DO THAT?!?”
This caused Daring Do to look and then say, “She didn’t do it intentionally. When excited pegasi’s wing muscles tighten and snap their wings, it is for a couple of different reasons. One is to quickly cool the body by increasing the surface area of said body. Two, this locks the wings in a glide state to keep the pegasus from falling out of the sky. And the last one is to spread their scent around though their wing oil. At least that’s what I can remember from sex ed at flight camp.”
“Sorry.” Micaela said. “I just read Alex’s side of the meeting between Daring Do and Alex.”
Alex looked out the window of the Jeep Hummer before looking back the others. Her sensei was in the shotgun position concentrating on the amulet, Ashley was driving, while Daring was in the center seat. Micaela was in the center of the back seat with Rarity and Pinkie on either side. Twilight, Flora and the CMC were in the rear area. They were heading back to Ayre’s Rock, following a lead provided by none other than the Equestrian Princess of Friendship to find Meadowbrook's Satchel.
Alex looked at her sensei and asked, “How do you sync memories, and can it happen naturally?” She was rubbing her temple from a headache as well as a serious case of Déjà vu.
As they grew closer to what Alex was mentally calling the Everfree swamp, the anthro Scootaloo leaned on the seat and said to Micaela, “Why’re you so nervous around Daring Do big sis?”
Michaela looked towards the pagasai adventurer who was having a conversation with Alex who laughed at something she said.
“I can’t understand why she seems to look at me with pride.” She said. “But I don’t know except from the books about her and what Alex told everybody at the party.”
“Maybe it’s because she’s the mom of the pony you.” Scootaloo said with a grin.
“It's true.” Daring Do said looking at her over her shoulder. “I got caught in a breeding trap. Bow Hothoof rutted me to to free me. Of course when I met him he was going by the adventuring name of Spectrum Flash. I passed out when I came. When I woke I found him gone and a note. It told me he took RAINBOW in and the he was retiring from adventuring. I tracked him down and found out he married Windy Whistles and she had adopted Rainbow Dash.” Daring sighed. “She has done me proud. Becoming a bearer of an element of harmony, being a member of a princess’s inner circle are the least of her accomplishments.”
Ayumi had been musing over Alex's earlier question and asked, “Why do you ask?”
Alex took a deep breath and replied, “Because of several dreams had in the past that felt too real to be dreams.”
Ayumi motioned for Alex to continue.
Alex took a deep breath and said, “I can remember three ‘dreams’ clearly at the moment. One: I remember watching a male RAINBOW doing A Sonic Rainboom. The second, I remember looking up from a violet shoulder at a regal midnight blue alicorn with a night sky for a mane and telling me she was proud of me for befriending her sister’s student and being called her student. And the third, and this one is hazy, me wandering in a labyrinth.”
Pondering this for a moment, Ayumi finally reached a conclusion. “I know that not all of those happened in the same reality. If he were here, Maestro would probably call it ‘multiversal syncing.’ It hasn’t happened to many so far, but to know that you’ve experienced these dreams… maybe it’s starting to spread. Though the second is probably just the main timeline Luna contacting you about me. Selene has been trying to find her and Tia. She says they’re somewhere on Earth.”
Alex thought a moment before saying, “I don’t think it was the prime equestria. There wasn’t a thousand year period where Luna was banished to the moon in that world.”
Alex watched the terrain move and change as they got closer to the new swamp. As the swamp got closer, the ground got wetter. Alex frowned as they passed a row of drowned desert trees. “Something’s wrong here.” She said in a worried tone. “The swamp shouldn’t be affecting the surrounding environment so fast.”
Ashley looked at the downed trees while stopping the vehicle to avoid getting too close to the swamp. “This ain’t natural, Ah’ll tell ya! Could it be Equestrian Magic leaking out all over this Earth?”
Daring Do nodded before adding, “The Equestria-earth suffers from magic leaking from Equestria mostly from the gateway being forced open by the device Pinkie made. This Earth has at least five natural gates that open up on their own. Possibly more.”
Alex grew worried as she then said, “Add Doc Callaberalon’s using the Mirror of Laptrop Htrae to move freely between Earth and Equestria, plus Earth’s rising thaumic field may have caused a permanent gate to be accidentally created.”
Twilight then put in, “Then Equestria’s magic would start leaking into this one and if the leak isn't plugged, Equestria’s magic would flow in at an increasing rate until both world’s magic has reached the same strength.” She turned to the others, and simplified. “In short, it would cause magical equilibrium.”
Alex then said, “And that’s what causing the swamp to affect the environment as fast as it is.” Alex rubbed her temple then added, “We better find that interdimensional breach soon, or there will be no way to close it.”
Ayumi looked at her student and asked “Are you ok? That looked like an early sync transfer.”
“I don’t know.” Alex replied.
They rode in silence, all the while growing closer to Ayers Rock and what the news media had dubbed Ayer’s Swamp. They listened to the radio and learned that there was a travel advisory regarding travel to Ayer’s Swamp and Ayer’s Rock because of the flowers that cause Equestrian Swamp Fever and Flash Bees. One piece of information lowered the spirits of everybody though. The news of an entomologist disappearing after he went into the swamp to study the flash bees. The only thing they found was his campsite with one of the new trees in the center and his journal.
Alex face pawed at the news. “You’d think a researcher would take the time to have the park rangers help him.” Alex moaned.
“That might be why we found that one ranger with swamp fever. He might have been with the guy; I think one of us should check it out. See if I'm right.” Ayumi said.
Alex noticed what looked like a hastily built ranger station as they approached. “We might get a chance looks like they built a station already, thought it looks like it was in a hurry”
As the humvee rolled to a halt near the new ranger station an airboat glided in and slid to a stop at a nearby pier that had also been recently made. The pilot turned out to be none other than Earth’s Cattail and his passenger the ranger they saved. As they got out they heard the tail end of what Cattail was saying to the ranger. “....so don’t be beating yourself up for taking too long. It was just good luck that Apple Bloom tripped over you and her friends were there with the cure. And speak of the devils, here they are.”
Every one exited the humvee. Ashley waved to Cattial saying, “Nice seeing you again Cattail.” Cattail waved at them and said, “nice of you to drop in, but what are you doing back here?”
Alex smiled as she relied, “We got a lead on an artifact somewhere in that swamp and that some lowlifes are going to go after it!“
“Well if you're going into the swamp, you're going to need transportation.” Cattail mentioned. The ranger nodded and added, “We have an airboat and a zodiac available for the trip..”
The ranger looked at the group and said, “Some of you look like the ones that saved me. Normally I’d warn you from going in, but considering you guys seem to know what you’re… just don’t get your selves killed.” The Ranger went into the station.
Daring Do then said, “Ok until we get word on where we should look we should head into the swamp. We’ll head towards Ayers Rock on as a direct path as possible I’ll use my special talent to help us locate the satchel. Rainbow, I mean Micaela, Princess I want you airborne and keeping pace with the boats. Pease call us and warn us if you see large patches of the flowers so we can avoid them. Flut… I mean Flora you will ride in the airboat with me Alex and Cattail. I am hoping you can talk local predators out of putting us on the menu.”
Alex hopped up to Daring Do’s shoulder as everymouse climbed into the boats. Twilight and Micaela took to the air, though Twilight was a little shaky, Daring Do's, Flora, Cattail, the anthro CMC and Ayumi boarded the airboat while Rarity, Pinkie, Starlight, Ashley & Rick Boarded the zodiac. Ayumi Shifted into Tempest and pulled out two of her short swords stating “A precaution against hydras and cragodiles. I won’t hurt them too bad if I can avoid it but, I’ll behead the hydras to slow them down if needed.” She then handed Daring a small blue crystal “This thing holds five charges of ice magic I’m handing it over to you due to your knowledge of relics so you should know how to use it effectively just be careful and throw it after the last charge is used. Trust me you’ll understand why I say this when it happens. Also I sent Spike ahead to scout out some of the flash bee hives in case we need to collect our own honey at some point.” After seeing everypony’s looks she added “Dragons are immune to swamp fever and bee stings due to being literally hot blooded and damn near bulletproof. He’ll be fine, my counterpart had her Spike do the same thing.”
“We might have to keep watch for umbrium as well. The Black Hand used to summon Shadow Kahn. Ninjas who’re made of shadows. If we encounter them we might face shadow ponies because of Sombra.” Alex called out from Daring Do’s s shoulder.
“Spike and I can take care of-” Ayumi started sniffing the air “You smell that? Someone’s following us. Keep your eyes open.”
Alex looked about as she sniffed. “I smell the San Fran Trio & Dr. Callabreon’s goons.”
“No this smells like someone worse.” Ayumi said as she tasted the air with her shifted tongue. ”It smells like the Pony of Shadows, Sombra’s elder brother. Though from the smell of it he’s non hostile.”
Alex frowned “The Pony of Shadows?” Alex sat there confused which expressed by asking, “Wasn’t he trapped in Limbo? Pellets. How did he get out of limbo?”
“His host was freed during the 7th season of the show along with the other pillars.” Ayumi said “I think he’s here for me I have a shadow form I can take that’s similar to his. If he becomes hostile then I’ll worry but as it sits he may just want to see his kid brother again.”
“Pellets. I think he might have gotten a new host.”
“Your mousefriend isn’t his host, my student. Like I said he’s here from me.” Ayumi said darkness in her eyes.
Daring Do nodded. “Mage Meadowbrook Expressed an interest in visiting this world. She said something about wanting to learn about Earth’s ailments and curing them.”
Alex looked at her sensei and asked “Any clue on where we should look in this swamp Sensei?” Alex couldn’t help half liddening her eyes as she enjoyed the breeze of riding on airboats relaxed her in a way she couldn’t place her paw on, yet she enjoyed it.
“Well if she did travel to this world through the natural portal here we should try to find her old camp as there wasn’t a swamp back then.”
Alex frowned and said, “The problem isn’t finding a portal on Earth, it’s keeping them under closed. Portals have been opening and closing at random for over 13, 000 years. Earth seems to have affinity for them. Add to that Pocket realms both natural and artificial.’
Twilight flew lower and said, “We got a Huge Patch of the flowers ahead and a large patch of dry ground just beyond.” Alex shouted, “Can we go around to get to it?”
“ARE THE FLOWERS BLUE LITTLE SIS?!” Ayumi RCV’d “REMEMBER THIS SWAMP HAS JOKE IN IT!” Ayumi then took to the air herself but stayed next to the airboat. “Sorry bout the rcv guys but i wanted those in the zodiac to hear too, the fan is pretty loud after all.”
“Eh?” Alex said as she tried to get her ears to stop ringing.
Twilight looked uncertain as she replied, “They looked like Blue water lilies with orange spots.”
“We do not land there.” Ayumi stated flatly “Those flowers are Fever infected Joke if we get anywhere near we’ll all get infected.”
Alex got a confused look and flew up to Tempest & Twilight and said, “I thought Poison Joke looked more like a blue petaled rose not a water lily.” After saying that she landed back on the boat. She panted as she sat down. She use her alicorn magic to levitate a granola bar to her from the backpack she was sharing with Daring Do then began munching it. The exhaustion she had felt was familiar to her. Daring Do looked at her mousefriend and asked, “Are you ok?”
Alex looked up from the granola bar she was eating and replied, “It’s only ki exhaustion. Just a little food and rest and I’ll be as good as new.”
“Swamp Joke is a slightly different subspecies” Ayumi clarified “Even if it’s not Swamp Joke those orange spots indicate fever infection and that stuff can go airborne through flower pollen”
“Ah.” Alex said. As they maneuvered to avoid the swamp joke, she began to feel a subconscious tug on a direction close by. Daring Do noticed and said, “We’re close aren’t we? Like when we teamed up.” Alex nodded.
“Everypony duck!” Ayumi saId as a swarm of Flash bees passed by overhead of those in the watercraft. She the directed her gaze towards the two adventurers. “I heard you two. We’re close enough that those of us with active magic can sense the portal and Meadowbrook’s satchel. Be on guard for those ninja. I know how they operate, but I’m wary of fighting them at all.”
“Alex was able to sense the mirror of Lathrop Htrae when I was here the first time.” Daring noted.
Alex grew to human size and started scanning the area. “Sounds like you had a few run ins with the Shadow Kahn.” She remarked.
Her tail was twitching at a rapid pace and she lowered her ears closer to her skull.
Ashley spoke up in response to Alex’s body language, “You okay, sugarcube?” She addressed the mouse adventuress.
“Yes AJ" Alex replied. “I just hate running into those shadow ninja.”
“More than a few; the other reason I moved to the Siberian wilderness was to hide from the last embers of the Fourth Reich. My uncle Dirk fought them during a NUMA Operation in Antarctica. The embers learned how to use the twelve talismans before they turned into animals,” Ayumi stated “Naturally, the Shadow Kahn stole the monkey and tiger talismans back from us after a few days.”
“Ugh! That was two head aches and a half.” Alex said. “I had to round up the rabbit and it didn’t help I got shrunk to my mouse size for the first time during that escapade. You DON’T want to ride a rabbit bareback. Especially when it runs fast enough to make sonic booms.”
“Rabbits that make sonic booms? That’s so awesome!” Micaela exclaimed. “But not as impressive as my Sonic Rainboom.”
“Two words. Dream Angel.” Ayumi said “Been there, done that.”
As they were talking they came up on a wrecked Airship with the markings of the Australian Armed Forces.
Ashley looked at the wrecked Airship, “Maybe we should send a picture of this aircraft to Shining Armor? He was in the Armed Forces before he became, well, his pony self.”
Having a shocked expression on her face, Alex spoke with disbelief. “I don’t believe it! That’s the Flying Unicorn! She was supposed to be an armored zeppelin. But she disappeared on her maiden flight without a trace. The project was abandoned afterwards.”
“Ya think maybe Twilight knows more about this here zeppelin, or her brother?” Ashley asked.
“If he has the proper level of clearance, he might.”
Both water vehicles slowed down and came to a stop near the wreck. They then noticed it was on a sizable piece of dry land. Everyone disembarked and looked the wrecked airship over from where they stood. It looked like a cross between a zeppelin and a destroyer with a rigid support cage for the armored airbag of which there was no trace of. It looked like it had been in a battle for it’s life…. And lost.
Alex let out a low whistle and commented, “To think that if this poor thing made it into WWII the atom bomb may have never have been invented.”
The CMC announced as one, “This is so awesome!”
Twilight, Micaela, & Ayumi landed and the group got ready to explore the wreck. Alex stayed on Daring’s shoulder, she looked at the Flying Unicorn and said, “The satchel (or at least something that could lead us to it) is somewhere in the there.” She the turned to look at Cattail and said, “Cattail? Would you watch after the fillies?”
Cattail smiled as he replied, “Sure thing.”
”Not cool.” Scootaloo groused.
“I thought we were going to help you!” Sweetie Belle complained.
“We could be a help!” Apple Bloom offered.
“Please?” All three Crusaders said with big pleading eyes, hoping to gain permission from the older adventurers of the group.
“And you can help by watching the boats and staying with Cattail. Especially you young lady.” Daring said focusing on Earth ‘s Scootaloo. “You look too much like my daughter for Dr. Callabron too resist using you as a Hostage.”
“Why would he do that?” Scootaloo asked.
“He’s just the stallion who would do that kind of thing.” Daring Do replied. “He once took the pony version of Miceala hostage in a pyramid near the village of the legendary Somnambula.”
“Don’t forget that he is an experienced adventurer in his own right. With his own bag of tricks.” Alex added.
The anthro CMC looked at each other then at the older anthros and said, “You can count on us!”
“Good.” Ashley remarked. “Now you three mind Mr. Cattail while we're inside and stay outta trouble.” With that the Rest of them approached the crashed ship to find Meadowbrook’s satchel.
They enter through the nose area into the bridge. It looked like the bridge of a submarine with the bridge of the USS Enterprise from the original series with the helms in a station at the front, The Captain's chair behind. A plotting table to one side and the stations for communications, engineering and navigation over land in a bank on the other side.
The ten anthros looked around, curiously causing some of them to walk around it. Alex noticed something and hopped down to the engineering station. As she walked on the console she said, “This is amazing! Did you know Australia had planned to build an aerial navy if the Flying Unicorn didn't disappear on its maiden flight?” She hopped back on Daring Do’s shoulder just before the Equestrian adventuress joined the others at the plot table.
“Okay.” Ayumi said. “We got two objectives right now. Locate either Meadowbrook’s Satchel or the portal whichever is here. And we may have to beat the clock on the portal.”
Alex rubbed her head briefly before saying, “That’s what worries me. Portals like the Wondercolt Statue in Equestria Girls would be designed to block magic from flowing between the worlds they link. But that was a creation of Starswirl the Bearded and he was an experienced unicorn sorcerer. If someone from a low magic world was to create a portal without the fail safes to hold back the magic from a high magic world from rushing to the low magic world. In essence we get the magical version of when a window is shot out in a 757 at 10,000 feet.” Daring Do asked, “What do you mean?”
Starlight commented, “We’re gonna have to show the final confrontation of the movie ‘Goldfinger’.”
“Anyhow we're gonna have to split up.” The dragonoid continued. “Daring Do, Alex, Starlight and Ashley. You three got the crew quarters. Flora, Rarity, and Pinkie; you got engineering. Twilight, Micaela, and I will checkout the rest.” Ayumi then passed out the heat suppression amulets to everyone except Pinkie and Daring. “Everyone who used to be male put these on. Especially you, Alex.”
“What's wrong with Alex that she has wear some frou frou jewelry?” Demanded Micaela crossly.
“This piece of frou frou jewelry is a heat suppression amulet.” Alex stated as the pendant shrunk down to fit her. “Remember Heat Paralysis? It nearly got me in hot water with Hak Foo, who is now a male mouse.” She shuddered at the thought of giving into her baser urges when around Hak Foo.
Ashley looked at her pendant and placed it around her neck, “Ah hope these pendants don’t interfere none with the Elements o’ Harmony.”
Alex rode on daring Do’s shoulder as she and the other two went to a ladder and climbed up it. They climbed through a tube for a few seconds before they exited into a hallway that went down the length of the wrecked airship and had a total of ten doors. “One of the doors on the end has to be the captain’s quarters and the other the officer’s mess.” Alex observed. The others nodded. On a silent agreement they entered one of the rooms on the side.
Ashley searched her knapsack for a flashlight to help her and her friends explore the room. Upon turning it on, she said, “Starlight, can ya use yer horn to cast some sort o’ illumination spell?”
“Yes.” Starlight responded before she concentrated and a small ball of light came into existence.
The room was set up with two bunk beds on each side, along with two small desks against the far wall. The setup was completed with four foot lockers at the feet of the beds. There was also a secured fold down table (probably for eating meals or a friendly game of cards). Starlight, Ashley, and Daring began to examine the footlockers and the desks. Alex hopped down to the ground and began to check under the desks and beds.
.
Meanwhile, Pinkie, Rarity and Flora had climbed the ladder up to the crew deck then climbed to a ten by ten room with various gauges covering one wall, a table covered with vacuum tubes and crystals and one wall that had a window that took up a quarter of it overlooking a larger room beyond.
“Um… what are we supposed to look for?” Flora asked as she walk around timidly.
“Anything that could lead us to either Meadowbrook's Satchel or the portal, dahling.” Rarity replied.
Pinkie skipped over to the window to look. “Wouldn’t it be neat if the portal was like the Stargate?” She just before she started to vibrate. “A-a-a-a d-d-d-doooozieeee i-i-isss ab-b-b-bout t-t-t-to hap-p-p-pen!” She announced.
Ayumi, Micaela, and Twilight were searching the bridge for any clue when eight individuals walked in. Dr. Caballeron, a crystal pony unicorn in a green Armani suit known as Valmont, the San Fran Trio, known as Ratso, Finn, and Chow, and the hench ponies who followed Dr. Caballeron.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Elements of Magic & Loyalty of this world and Tempest Flare.” The tan earth pony anthro said. “Looking for Meadowbrook's satchel, no doubt?”
“Indeed.” The crystal unicorn said. “If the Elements of Harmony are anything like you three, the world will be child’s play.”
“You three!” Dr Callabron commanded as he pointed to the henchponies. “Head up to Engineering and round up those there. And if any freeze up from breeding paralysis you may rut them before bringing them back.” Valmont looked at the Equestrian anthro and asked, “What the hell is breeding paralysis?”
Callabron just smiled and answered, “Breeding Paralysis occurs during the first time they enter heat for the first time. Mares who are transformed stallions are especially vulnerable to it.”
After hearing this something snapped in Tempest’s mind “Girls, I suggest you run,” She said “cause I’m going to Kill them!” and with that she extended her dragonic claws. “I'm not letting you anywhere near my SISTER!”
“Well you have this handled Sensei.” Alex said fearing for the lives of the thugs in front of them. “Just don't go Nova on them okay?” Both she and Daring backed out of the room.
“Will she really kill them?” Daring asked as the two of them headed back to the bridge. All the while keeping on guard in case the shadow Kahn showed up.
“No but they'll wish for death when she's done with them.” Alex said remembering the genjutsu based illusion Ayumi showed her back at her penthouse. “Though I don't doubt she'll hurt them. After all they threatened to rape Twilight and the others. I believe that she's giving them just what they deserve.”
Valmont grinned and said, “I think you’ll find it a little difficult to do as so.” The next moment several shadowy anthro ponies stepped out of the shadows, along with an Alicorn made of shadows. “I’m afraid I can’t allow that to happen, Princess Tempest Flare!”
The hench ponies and San Fran Trio scramble up the ladder as four of the shadow ponies grabbed Twilight & Michaela. “Now unless you want something to happen to your friends you’ll wait for the others to return. I WILL HAVE MY BABY BROTHER BACK!”
As that was happening, Alex, Ashley, Daring Do, & Starlight were searching the captain's quarters when the San Fran Trio (aka the Enforcers) entered. “Hay look guys.” the unicorn said. “There's one for each of us. “
“You know they use to be guys, Finn.” The earth pony commented.
The ship started shaking as black flames raced across the wood and metal. An insane laughter was heard from below.
“You!” Alex said “What did you do?! This ship is literally shaking purely from Ayumi's rage!” She asked the four stallions in front of her.
“We did nothing! The pony of shadows grabbed your friends and just started laughing like that!” Finn said.
The shaking and laughter suddenly stopped while the black flames created a wall between the two groups.
“The fuck is this stuff?!” The earth pony exclaimed as 5 roughly anthro shaped creatures made of the flames walked out of the fire wall.
“Guess what Ratso… The Pony of Shadows just got my sensei pissed off.” Alex said as she cracked her knuckles before growing to human size.
The pegasus of the three ran for the large window saying “I’m getting out of here! Valmont’s not paying enough for me to fight litteral fire demons and demigods!” but one of the fire demons as they were now called stopped him by grabbing one of his wings burning it. “Aaaaaagghhh!” he screamed in pain as his wing blackened.
“GET YOUR HOOVES OFF MY SISTER!!!!!!!” Was heard throughout the entire swamp.
Alex turned to face Ratso and Finn, glaring at the Dark Hand enforcers as green flames surrounded her body. Ashley and Starlight grabbedDaring and husled out of that room. “Wh-what’s going on?” Daring and pulled her back.
“Now don’t go trying to help her, sugarcube.” Ashley said “Ayumi has been teaching her more than just mana control. Alex has been adamant that she learn how to protect you and your kid in her new form and with her new powers.”
“Ayumi’s been teaching all of the new unicorns in combat magic and Alex is no different.” Starlight said “Those flames around Alex are part of her training. Ayumi’s been showing us that everypony has an elemental power tied to their natural magic.”
Alex had heard the San Fran Trio’s comment when they came in and it got her blood boiling. Her sensei’s shout of rage caused her mind added to it as it leaked a small portion of it to her, feeding her own.
“Rrrrrrarrrrrrgh!!!!!” She shouted as a pulse of elemental magic flew out from her. The elemental magic emanating from Alex washed harmlessly over Daring, Ashley & Starlight, and at the same time, manifested as a wall of fire to destroy the summoned fire demons, extinguishing all of them in the process. Once the fire demons were extinguished, the very angry mouse girl turned her attention to Chow, who was attempting to escape with his dignity intact.
She stormed up to the pegasus anthro and jerked him up by his shirt. “Were you planning to have some ‘fun’ with the pegasus if breeding paralysis affected her, Chow?” She growled.
The now identified Chow gulped as he looked at the flame shrouded mouse anthro. His sunglasses fell to the ground from his frantic nodding of his head. She pulled him close and he could see he fur starting to change from white to black and her hair was starting to look like it was made of fire as she growled out, “That mare is pregnant with my foal. AND YOU WERE PLANNING TO RAPE HER, YOU INSECT!”
“Whoa, nelly! Ah’ve never seen Alex this angry before!” Ashley said, attempting to keep out of harm’s way with Starlight. “You were sayin’ somethin’ about each o’ us have some sort o’ magic? Ah believe mine’s super strength, bein’ an Earth pony. Twilight told me ‘bout that when Ah met up with her shortly after Ah became AJ.”
Daring Do realised something and said, “You guys said she gained Alicorn magic when Tempest Flare attempted to alter her size and failed several times. Princesses Luna & Twilight are both alicorns and when their darker emotions got the better of them they became Nightmares Moon & Nova. We gotta calm her down before she fully awakens her Nightmare.”
Saying they she flew to Alex and embraced Alex and said, “Alex calm down. Breeding Paralysis doesn't affect pregnant females. I am safe. Your Nightmare is awakening please calm down.”
Alex's hair stopped changing and her fur was a dark grey and stopped getting darker. Starlight pulled Chow out of her grip then embraced the rodent adventurer “You’re not alone anymore.” Ashley joined the hug as she said, “Ah said I wouldn't abandon you and ah won’t.”
Back on the bridge The pony of shadows looked up and said, “It would seem a nightmare is awakening we shall go and return later.” then there a flash of darkness and the Pony of Shadows, Dr Callabron, Valmont and the shadow ponies were gone. Ayumi and Twilight had started sensing flaring of the magic and Ayumi suddenly realised that some of her anger must’ve leaked through the student/teacher bond to Alex. She then remembered Alex admitted to having a temper she fought to control.
“Oh buck”Ayumi said “We both almost went Nightmare without control of it.”
“Ayumi are you ok. You’re shaking.” Twilight asked seeing her adopted elder sister trembling
“I’m not but as long as your safe I will be.” Ayumi said “sorry you had to see me almost kill someone sis but the thought of you or anyone i care about being hurt is nearly enough for me to go Nova.”
“It’s ok, I understand your anger they were going to try and rape us.” Twilight said hugging Ayumi “Lucky they didn’t know about the pendants.”
“Heh in my anger I forgot you guys were wearing them,” Ayumi said “but still, if those things come off by anyone hand but your own then … Lets just say even my Nova persona can still love her family.”
In engineering, Pinkie stopped vibrating then said, “Girls, we have to give Alex a hug now!” The pink mare anthro then literary dove out through the hole where the ladder was. When Flora and Rarity got there there was no pink splatter at the bottom.
“I swear, Rina was Pinkie Pie from the get go, and her anthrofying was only a formality.” Rarity commented as she made her way to the bottom of the ladder to wait for the others. She and Flora descended spotted Pinkie heading toward a door at one end of the hallway behind Ayumi, Twilight, & Micaela. Both ran to the door.
What they saw chilled them. Inside there was a white pegasus with a black mane & tail and a burnt wing. What scared them was a grey furred Alex with partially flaming hair. Daring Do, Starlight, and Ashley were hugging her.
Pinkie ran up to the hug and join saying, “Alex, don’t be a meanie! This is not you!” Alex's fur lightened and her hair became less fiery.
Flora put her hands to her lips. Tears formed in her eyes and she dashed up and hugged the mouse girl, saying, “Alex, stop it! Please, stop it!” Tears flowed from the butter yellow Pegasus said as she joined the hug.
Rarity was next to join the hug as she said, “Alex, darling, your making a scene! Please don’t do anything you’ll regret later, my friend! I’m sorry for my reaction when we first met in person. This THING you’re becoming isn’t the fabulous friend I met on the internet!”
“Come on Alex!” Micaela said. “You’re too awesome for this!” The rainbow maned mare joined the group hug, hugging Alex warmly.
Twilight gulped as she walked up and hugged Alex as she said, “We’re safe. Please don't let this happen. Put the nightmare to bed!” Alex’s fur was almost white and her hair had ceased being flames.
Ayumi then joined the group hug and said, “Control yourself. The nightmare isn’t all powerful!” At that moment Alex returned to normal. As soon as she was back to normal, she shrank back to mouse size and passed out.
“Is she going to be alright?” Flora asked. “She seems shaken up by this, Ayumi.” Alex’s face was grimacing in her sleep.
“I'm not sure.” Ayumi said “Nightmare forms aren't inherently evil; just manifestations of raw emotional energy. If someone becomes a Nightmare due to purely negative emotions like Mom and Mother, then they will lose their sanity and become true monsters. But, if they become one due to anger and an urge to protect, then they will only gain access to much more power and a brutal and vindictive mind against the people who are harming the beings that the Nightmare wishes to protect. Which mindset was she in when the change started, Darling?”
“Pissed off that they were planning to rape Ashley, Starlight and I.” Daring said from the hug. “She started changing when Chao…” She indicated the pegasus with the burnt wing. “Confirmed it.”
As they were talking Chao chose that moment to try to slip out without anyone noticing. Unfortunately for him, the burns from the fire demon caused him to groan out in pain as he tried to fold his wing back in, making Ayumi glare at him.
“Don’t fucking move! I’ll deal with you soon.” Was all he heard in his head as his body stopped moving under his own will.
“Yes Ma'am.” He said meekly
“Good” Ayumi turned to the others, her glare nonexistent.
“Then she’ll be fine. I just have to train her to control her emotions better.” Ayumi said with a smile “In all honesty when turning into a Nightmare like that it’s more of a Super Saiyan transformation in the way it affects a being’s personality. With both our chaos magics we can even access that power as well but we have to actively want it not just let our emotions take over. Kind a benefit of being demigods in a way.”
“Just what is Alex?” Starlight asked.
“She’s destined to be someone great but at this time she needs the training to control her vast power.” A voice and as the group heard hoofsteps approaching the room.
“I can only remain here for a limited time, but I’m Tempest’s second mother, the Luna of that world.” She said as she entered. “I felt the nightmare emerging from little Tempe here and her student while on the other side of the portal with mine daughter of that world monitoring how much of our worlds magic was flowing through now that the portal is constantly open. I rushed through hoping i wasn’t too late to prevent another Nova incident. And now knowing that you all are safe and why the two of you decided to tap into that power i’m sure that you’ll learn to control it with time after all the first nightmare was born of negative thoughts but your nightmares are a part of you.” Luna hugged Ayumi “I’ll stay here for now, but I’ll have to leave by night’s beginning; our Equestria needs at least one Night Queen to raise our moon.”
Alex groaned as she woke up. She slowly sat up but went “Eep!” when she saw Luna.
“Calm down Alex, it’s one of my other mom’s from Tempest’s timeline.” Ayumi said “She was worried about why she felt nightmare energy on this side of the portal and came through to check on us. They’re monitoring the flow of magic between their side and ours and Luna was helping out.”
“Indeed, young one, we just wanted to be sure that another incident like Nova never happens here, as even with the elements of harmony of this world the humans are woefully unprepared for that beast.” Luna said “And as we learned from mine daughter’s shout and this groups conversation you both happened to tap into the dark powers for the right reasons. Though we have to wonder how you gained a nightmare as only those with great power in magic can even glimpse this dangerous power.”
Alex sighed and said, “I’m the latest of a family that’s been on earth as the brief time Discord briefly tormented it. There were thirteen members in the party that banished him from earth 12,000 years ago. Magic has been apart of us since then.”
“My student,” Ayumi said “the fault is mine. When I gave you your alicorn magic by accident, it seems to have formed some sort of empathy bond between us. I noticed you were using my anger along with your own to fuel your transformation. This means that your magic must still have some of mine inside of it but i don’t think that’s a bad thing after all your cutie mark has mine and my sister's in it. meaning your linked to the Royal family in some way and the both of us much more specifically.”
“I’m going to have work harder on controlling my temper.” Alex sighed. “Luna, give me strength!”
Luna raised an eyebrow. “To which of Us are you asking, Young One?”
“I don’t know.” Alex said. “All I know is that feels natural for me to say that. For example, if the Castle of Friendship were to rise, and say Rarity and I saw it. She would say ‘Sweet Celestia’, yet I would say ‘Sweet Luna’ I think it's because I am naturally nocturnal and most ponies are diurnal."
“We thank you for the compliment all the same, young one.” Luna said “ever since mine and Selene’s return we have noticed that more ponies pray to us than my sister on our world. But we are glad that people in this world do so as well.” Luna walked over to Alex and levitated her up to eye level. “If you and your family ever need it my blessing is with you now.”
Using her ki, Alex created a floating disk then used it to respectfully bow to Luna. “Thank you my Queen of the Night. It lightens my heart that my family now has your blessing to balance out the curse my family has carried for 12,000 years.”
Daring Do then stepped up to place her palm under Alex and smiled at the adventurous mouse. She then said, “Princess, may I ask a favor?”
Ashley took out her lasso, “Perhaps we should tie that there varmint up ‘til we can have a chance t’ talk to him more civil like?”
“I’m interrogating him using my genjutsu based illusion spell as we speak.” Ayumi said “Look at his eyes they’re moving in rem patterns showing he’s in a dreamlike state. I started it when i glared at him earlier.”
“If you want a blessing on your child, Tempest is better suited for that.” Luna said. “In fact we think your Tempest would be proud to be the godmother.”
Ashley sighed, “Ah’m just glad Alex is back to her old self again. P’rhaps we should continue lookin’ fer Mage Meadowbrook’s satchel? We were lookin’ f’r this here satchel before those thugs tried to attack us.”
Daring Do blushed at Luna’s comment. “I-it’s not for me. Its for Alex. Princess, can you tell me if she and this Hak Foo are the only cutie marked mice?”
“While we held the element of honesty before dame Applejack, we have no idea if there are others as we have never met others on our Equiss.” Luna said. “That does not mean there are none; just that we have not personally met others.”
Daring Do sighed before saying, “I can’t believe Alex & Hak Foo are the only ones of their race. It’ll be a heartless joke if events brought forth a new race only for it to die out within two generations of it coming into existence.”
Alex took a deep breath and said, “I’m going the room on the opposite side and search it.” She then hopped down and walked out.
“Need any help?” Rarity asked.
“No.” Alex replied. “I also need time to think and the distance will give me that." She opened and closed the door as she left the room.
“I hope she doesn’t do anything rash.” Flora said waiching the mouse girl leave. “She sounded and looked down.”
“Well, duh.” Micaela said.
Alex walked down the corridor towards what was believed to be the mess hall. Several things had fallen into place. The fact that Hak Foo had become a cutie marked mouse male. Her being in heat. Hak Foo being more interested in breeding her. Her suffering from breeding paralysis when she caught his scent. It all added up to something wanting her race to exist.
It was something she could agree with but, Hak Foo as the Adam of the cutie marked mice didn’t sit right with her. And, he hadn’t earned his cutie mark yet. She sighed as she thought about it. Hak Foo was fit and strong in body and spirit. But how strong was he magically? His fitness showed that he would sire healthy and strong young. His lack of cutie mark told her he hadn’t found his special talent.
Suddenly Hak Foo himself, dropped down and said, “We meet again, Eve. Now let us start increasing the chances of our survival as a species.” He moved closer and she could smell his scent and felt her amulet prevent breeding paralysis. When he was close enough, she did a spin kick to his groin.
Hak Foo cried out and fell to his knees, clutching his family jewels. She strode up to him then said, “Do you think I’ll let a male that hasn’t got his cutie mark breed me?” She then showed Hak Foo her cutie mark and added, ”Until you get your cutie mark I will not let you put ANY buns in my oven! And don’t cheat by getting your shoulders tattooed!”
Hak Foo slowly got up and asked, “How do I get one, then?”
“I don’t know.” she admitted, her ears wilting.
He got up and bowed saying, “Then I accept your challenge! I will not return without it. And when I return with my mark, I expect to put one or more buns in your oven.”
The moment he was out of sight Alex jumped at the sound of applause. She spun around and took a step back in surprise at seeing everybody there.
“Masterful way you handled that ruffian!” Rarity cheered.
Darring let out a concerned sigh. “Though, I’m not exactly keen on that challenge you gave him…” Her eyes bore into Alex, causing her to shift about uncomfortably. Darring shook her head. “It is what it is, though.”
As Alex was about to explain, Micaela jumped to her defence. “Hey, at least it got rid of him! Can’t argue with what gets results.”
Alex smirked and said, “I only gave facts. As a female of my awakening species, I have to select a male that’ll give my young the greatest chance at survival. Hak Foo is a bare blade and as such not even in the running, in spite of being the only male of our species.”
Twilight’s eyes widened in a sudden realization, “We left Cattail and the fillies outside. The Dark Hand might’ve…” She began.
“Don’t worry, Miss Radderson. They never even saw us.” Cattail said as he and the CMC stepped away from the ladder. “In case you forgot, airboats are not exactly silent. We heard their approach long before we saw them. We hid behind the wreck in my airboat before they came into view.”
Darring smiled as she said, “I was wondering why they didn't try to use hostages. Turns out that they didn't have any.”
Ashley went up to hug Apple Bloom and encouraged Micaela and Rarity to do the same for their sisters. “Ah’m so proud o’ ya gals, stayin’ out o’ trouble. Ah hope they weren’t any trouble, Cattail?”
Ayumi whispered in Daring’s ear. “If you want, I can use some changeling magic on myself or you to go mouse form to breed Alex. The changelings in my timeline change down to the DNA when switching species. Though I should warn you if I use changeling magic on you there might be major risks.i’ll explain what could happen when we talk with Alex.it concerns your kid.”
That’s fair though your offer would certainly put my mind at ease.” The Equestrian adventuress replied. “I don’t want that mouse anywhere near our foal. The child or children would be able to gain Cutie Marks, I hope.”
Cattail smiled at Ashley and said, “They were full of questions, and they behaved themselves.”
“We’ll see if Alex likes the idea later. Right now I need to talk to her about her Nightmare, Alice.” Ayumi said “If she does agree then I’m blessing both our kids. Though I’ll bless yours no matter what.”
As Ayumi and Daring Do had their little meeting about Alex, Rarity and Micaela embraced their sisters.
“Hope you were awesome, squirt!” Micaela said as she hugged Scootaloo and then ruffled her mane.
“You betcha!" Scootaloo replied.
“I hope you were a proper lady, dear?” Rarity asked Sweetie Belle.
Nodding, Sweetie smiled. “Yes ma'am.” she replied.
With the relieved reunions over, the entire party split up to check the remaining rooms, Ayumi Luna, and Daring remaining with Alex while Twily, AJ, Rainbow, and Rarity went to check the cargo hold. Starlight, Trixie, Cattail, and the others decided to check in the general area outside the airship for a place to camp and to make sure there were no other areas where the satchel could be hidden.
“Hold up!” Ayumi shouted to the group heading out “if you’re heading out there, I think Spike should accompany you.” In a flash of green dragonfire, said dragon appeared.
“Lady Tempest, you called?” Spike said.
“Yeah, can you and Barb help them check the surrounding area? We had a run in with the Black Hand and Umbra Mortis. I just want to be safe and knowing my dragon knights are protecting my family puts me at ease.”
“Ok! Barb and I will keep them safe just don’t take too long in here; I’m worried they might try again.”
As the two dragons left Alex hopped down to the deck. The Cargo hold showed the eerie state the crashed airship was in. Crates still in the spots they were placed in when the ship was launched and nothing to indicate what happened. The four of them then began the search. Ayumi and Luna using magic to scan and lift things, Daring Do flying to look at areas that were too high and Alex checking out areas that were too small for the others to go.
An hour later they had searched everywhere and haven’t found anything save two bottles of Coca Cola cerca 1939.
Alex sat on Daring Do’s shoulder as she pouted about their apparent failure. She activated her Alicorn magic and flew around the cargo hold. As she flew around at mouse size, she couldn't put her paw on it but she had a feeling she was missing something was being overlooked. At her current size and species, she was overlooked frequently, which meant she could be putting herself in grave danger.. “Sensei! Twi! Daring! I’m going to release a pulse of mixed chaos and Alicorn magic watch for anything that might glow.”
Ayumi looked towards her student and asked, “Why are you doing that?”
“There is a perception filter on the satchel’s hiding place.”replied Alex. “ If we keep looking for the satchel’s hiding place, we will never find it. So I am using the principles behind sonar and radar to expose the filter itself and in doing so find the hiding place.”
The two sisters both face palmed as they realised what Alex was referring to.
Daring got under the flying mouse ready to catch her.
Alex curls up then stretches out and a multicolored pulse leave her body and expands past the cargo hold’s walls. A lone box sitting all alone begins to glow. Alex then drops into Daring Do’s waiting hands.
Ayumi waked over to the and noticed that the closer she got to it the more she felt that the box was of no importance. When she was close enough, she used her magic to open it. A multicolored pulse left the box and the airship as the perception filters were dispelled.
Ayumi looked inside and saw a simple emerald green healer’s bag. When she picked it up a folded traveling journal fell out.
Alex asked “Was I right?”
“Indeed, you uncovered Meadowbrook's satchel, and removed the spells hiding other artifacts aboard this ship as well.” Luna said “It seems Meadowbrook’s journal fell out as well.”
“I did all that?” Alex said in surprise. “I did that pulse hoping to just reveal the hiding place.”
Nodding, Luna continued. “Your magic is strong, and still sometimes has unintended results. But do not be disheartened, this is quite the boon. Though the satchel is what you came for, the other artifacts aboard this ship will be easier to obtain if you return here. It is ill-advised to go after them right now, though. It seems the paths to those artifacts are guarded by long-dormant traps that have sprung to life. It’s best that you leave the artifacts for when you are better prepared to tackle the obstacles.”
Alex hopped down from Daring’s hand and walked to the journal but yeeped as Luna scooped her up in her telekinesis and placed in her hand. “How can dispelling not one, but multiple Perception filters, not to mention activating dormant traps, be considered a boon?”
Smiling a little at that, Luna explained. “The artifacts themselves would be useful, should you seek them out. However, the traps are there because not just anyone should be able to get possession of them. Even though you are proficient in adventuring, I think the traps in place are a little out of your league at the present time.”
“Ugh!” Alex grumbled. “I can’t seem to go on an adventure without encountering some kind of setback!”
Luna set both the satchel and Alex down. Alex then walked up to the satchel and reached out to touch it. The moment she touched it, a cloud of glitter was expelled from the satchel and enveloped her entire frame.
The next instant Alex was grown to human size. Unfortunately destroying the current set of clothes she was wearing.
Outside, the other anthros heard an ear- piercing scream. “AGAIN! WHY!?”
Inside Alex just sat down in the hold and pouted. She was nude, surrounded by pieces of her destroyed outfit. Daring walked up to her and hugged her. Alex grumbled, “It seems that my curse is trying to kill me from embarrassment.”
Removing her jacket and placing it around Alex’s shoulders, Daring smiled gently. “Take heart. At least it’s just us girls here.” She lifted Alex’s chin, and chuckled a little. “Maybe you should get your clothes enchanted, so they don’t break on you next time.”
Alex nodded as she replied, “I’d better. That was the second set that was destroyed by a sudden size change.”
Putting a finger to her muzzle, Darring posed a question. “What was the deal with that glitter, anyway?”
“I honestly don't know.” Alex replied. “It came from the satchel when touched it.” Alex scrunched her face and concentrated. Alex’s eyes lit up and a emerald aura appeared around her hands. An identical aura appeared around all the pieces of her clothes and floated in front of her. They then came together and in an emerald flash they were a whole set of clothes.
Alex then shrank back to mouse size after putting the satchel on. As she put on her restored clothes, she noticed Ayumi and Twilight had puzzled looks on their faces, while Luna and Daring were thoughtful. Ayumi then realized what was most likely going on. “You weren’t able to use that spell the last time this happened, remember? Maybe that glitter cloud somehow gave a little jumpstart to your magic skills? Maybe now, you can use spells that you couldn’t before. It would just take a little concentration to pull them off, is all.”
“Well that’s a time saver.” Alex said as she carefully adjusted the size of her clothes with her magic as she slowly eased herself to return to human size. She then sat on a crate and said. “Now that that’s out of the way, who’s Alice?”
Jabbing a thumb in Ayumi’s direction, Darring spoke up. “She said something about a Nightmare mode of yours, or something. Didn’t quite understand the whole jist of it, but that’s what she told us.”
Turning to Ayumi, Alex asked her teacher a question. “I thought that Nightmares didn’t have a name until they manifested?”
Seeing her confusion, Ayumi explained. “That’s the case most of the time, yes. But on rare occasions, Nightmare entities will choose their own name before fully manifesting. Most do allow their… host… to create the name, but others just won’t wait that long. I mean, most concur that Nightmare Moon came up with her own name, so that’s quite the example.”
“But Why Alice?” Alex asked. “That’s what has me puzzled.”
“Have you ever meet an anthro Nightmare Moon in your dreams?” Luna asked “Mine Wife looks much more like our nightmare form than We do.”
Alex nodded. “At Sparkle's place in Radderson’s place on my first night down under.” She replied. “She called me Alice.”
“Then she sensed the good half of the Nightmare in you, and gave it and you her name.” Luna said “Selene also can access the aspects of the dreamscape, so she’d be able to feel the young but powerful dark core within you.”
They all turned when they heard steps announce somebody come into the room. It was Maestro who’d popped onto the scene, and he sighed. “Good Nightmare entities… I think they should be given a different name, just to differentiate them from the malicious ones. It’d save us a load of headache trying to explain it every time we brought them up. How about…” Mulling it over for a moment, his face lit up as he thought of a fitting moniker. “Daydream entities. Much less negative connotations that come with that name.” He then pulled out a compass of sorts, which glowed. “Now… where are you taking me…?”
The others were uncertain of why he was even here, but before he could leave, Twilight caught his attention. “A moment, if you would, Maestro?” He paused, and gestured for her to continue. “Why are you here right now? I thought you’d be with the others and Xavier?”
Putting away the compass for the moment, Maestro turned to Twilight. “I’ve been searching for something. Something that could prove to be an ace up our sleeve in the days to come. I enchanted a compass to lead me to strong magical items or places, but no luck so far.” he shook his head and sighed. “Honestly, I thought that I’d find something useful by now… Maybe this ship has something….” He took out the compass again. “I’d love to stay and chat, but I’ll be on my way…” He lowered his hand that held the compass for a moment. “Unless somebody here wants some… enchantments cast?”
Alex summoned her remaining mouse sized outfits to her and a golden orb. “Could you enchant these so they fit me regardless of my size?” She asks. “You can have this Fearunian Mana globe as payment.”
Raising an eyebrow, Maestro used his magic to levitate the golden orb to himself. “Fearunian? Rare stuff, at least these days.” In a flash of turquoise, he summoned his portfolio, and opened it up. The orb shrunk in size as it was swallowed by the portfolio. He teleported his portfolio away, and took a look at the clothes. Spreading the glow of magic to his right hand, he started tracing a symbol mid-air.
“Hey, when you belong to a 12,000 year…” Alex started.
Shushing her, Maestro resumed his work. “I really don’t need to know. At least, not right now. Let me work.” Turning his focus back to the spell, he pushed out that voice again. He traced a symbol that looked like a small figure over a bigger one, which was over another slightly bigger one, which in turn was in front of a giant figure, all within a circle. He focused as he placed the enchantment on the first piece, and then painstakingly recreated it for each piece. All the while, the voice tried to distract him, but he would not be deterred by any force, be they internal or external. Eventually, he finished enchanting all the pieces. But before he gave them back, he had to make certain of something. “Alright. They should be good, but just to make sure…” Tapping into a bit of chaos magic, he snapped his fingers, and a life-like doll of Alex filled the clothes. With another spell, he made the doll grow instantaneously to human size. The clothes reshaped their size, just as they were supposed to. Using the spell to shrink the doll provided similar results. Satisfied, Maestro dispersed the doll out of existence, and levitated the clothes back to Alex. “Alright. All done. Sorry about cutting you off earlier. I just prefer to work while people don’t talk at me.” Once all the clothes were back with Alex, he spoke once more. “Those enchantments will last you a lifetime and beyond, guaranteed.”
“I understand.” Alex replied before sending her wardrobe back.
Dusting off the compass, Maestro smiled. “I best be on my way. I’ll be seeing you guys later.” The compass blinked its glow in a certain direction, and Maestro was about to be on his way. “Hmm… I may have results yet!”
But, before he could leave, Ayumi addressed him. “Wait.” Turning back at the edge of the room to face her, he sighed, and gestured for her to continue. “Maestro, you’ve been a great help, but something bothers me. I’ve seen with the weave, and it seems… you’re still hiding something from us. Why? Don’t you trust us? Aren’t we your friends?”
Pausing for a moment, Maestro looked a tad darker in coloration than earlier. “Tell me… what did you see with that weave of yours to give you that idea? A snippet of before I reveal this supposed ‘secret’?” at her nod, he continued. “Did you see anything else?” She shook her head, and he calmed down, his colors returning to normal. He sighed. “Look… I do have more secrets. But… I just…. I don’t feel that I can… trust you with them… yet. I’ll get to that in my own time, not before.”
Alex frowned as she said, “Unless more harm is done by revealing it. I feel you should try and trust us.”
For a moment, everything was silent. Then, Maestro started to… laugh? “Trust? Just given away?” He shook his head as he calmed himself. “Sorry. Not gonna happen, at least not from me, let alone the rest of my family. Sure, you know that the four of us are hybrids, and that we have capabilities that we shouldn’t, but what else do you know? Nothing, and for good reason. Sure, it’s not like the family secret’s are all that ‘dangerous’, per say, but not just anyone can be trusted. Sure, I’ve told you some of the history of the Star Clan, but practically nothing of the pony counterpart. It’s an old family. Older than you think.”
“12,000 of experience has taught the Viator Clan to use a balanced policy for trust. *Sigh* I’ll trust you that the pony portion must remain unknown for now.”
Blinking for a moment, Maestro considered Alex. 12,000 years was nothing, compared to his legacy. He shook his head. She had a point about trust, he knew that, but… it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. He chuckled mirthlessly. “There may come a day where you know all about my family. Or perhaps it will never come. Who is to say? I’ll keep your advice in mind. Maybe it’ll help keep him at bay…” He shakes his head. “I’ve got to clear my head of these Cacophonous thoughts. I’ll see you around.” He walks away, muttering to himself. “The future… what does it have in store…?”
“May your path be clear of foes.” Alex says as she waved farewell.
For a moment, Ayumi mulled over something. “What is with him and mentioning- and emphasizing- the word cacophony? He’s mentioned it a few times more recently, ever since his reunion with Brianna…”
“That’s the first time I remember him saying it. Anyhow. I was wondering what Daring asked you earlier, all I know it had something to do about me.” Alex said.
Concerned that Alex had decided to just disregard that word entirely, Ayumi was about to explain, but thought better of it. It was clear to her that Alex wasn’t interested in what this might mean, so Ayumi decided to answer her question instead. “I offered to use changeling magic to turn Daring or I into a Cutie Marked mouse so that we could give you a kid instead of Foo. Though using my magic on Daring is a risk.”
Ashley sighed, “Okay, so we have Mage Meadowbrook’s satchel, which Ah believe has been entrusted to Alex. Ya can store any of yer items in the satchel, like yer school books or other things.”
“Sensei I am having a tough time thinking about anything but intimate time and about carrying a new generation of my kind into this world.” Alex said. “But she would have to futanari. Hmm. Then again, it would only be fair if she put a bun in my oven after I put one in hers when I was still a male.” A devilish grin at the thought of denying Foo a chance for his bloodline continuing through hers. “Although I think you're attractive Sensei, I think we should at least know each other better before I could take you up on your half of the offer.”
“I'm only suggesting it because Changeling magic might have some serious side effects on pregnant ponies.” Ayumi said “And one of the better known ones is miscarriage. The odds of that happening rise exponentially the further along the pregnancy is. While I'm not willing to risk your kid but this is Daring's decision I'm just making sure you understand the risks using Changeling magic this late into her pregnancy.”
'I knew that I recognized Maestro's name!’ Ayumi thought as the implications of having a multidimensional malevolent monster try to get to her or her friends hit her harder than tirek did during their battle in hell. 'I hope that our Maestro doesn't try to become The Maestro from all those stories, cause if that happens, I will have to let Nova’s true form out of the cage. I'm not sure that our timeline is stable enough for that kind of battle.’
“Crap.” Alex said. “So do I.”
Daring sighed, then said, “My foal’s going to be their life when they get old enough. So I would be honored to have you sire Alex’s child.”
“As would I, sensei.” Alex said.
Alex sat down and hugged herself as the memories of her interrupted transformation hit her. Luna sat next her and said, “What troubles you, young Traveler?”
The mouse adventuress sighed and said, “It’s Alice even partially formed she scares me.” She shivers and adds, “Her voice was so… hallow in sound.”
“That’s a good thing young one if she sounds hollow that means she has no power as of the moment.” Luna said “She wanted to sleep meaning she does not want to interfere.”
“I’m scared of what she’d do when she fully manifests.”
“Mine own nightmare can not be formed without mine better half Selene but i do have some nightmare magic with me and we can sense yours.” Luna said “your dark core is much less violent than ours. If we had to guess your alice is more of a protective being than Moon or Nova that may be because she started manifesting from your protective rage. Have faith and remember that even demons were once angels.”
“She would've tortured Chao.” Alex half sobbed, “Turned both his wings to ash painfully.”
“Is that any better than what I’m putting him through?” Ayumi asked “Hell ,that’s exactly what the spell I’m using does, torture the one it’s cast upon ‘till they break and give up their info. The only difference is that the damage isn’t physical, but mental. And as my saying goes, ‘I’ll become a monster to keep those that I care about safe’. That’s exactly what I am, I don’t deny it. But just like the Hulk is a monster who fights for good, I try to do the same. Fight to save those who can’t save themselves.”
Alex relaxed a bit then says, “Like sensei, like student I guess.” She then stands up and hugs Luna and Ayumi. “Thanks.”
Several minutes later the group was back in the humvee heading back to home. Chao had been dropped off at ranger station so he could get medical attention for his burnt wing. The day had been fruitful and they were looking forward to a least one calm day
In the shadows of a large rock formation, a pair of glowing eyes could be seen. A moment later Valmont steps into view, before tar appears to flow out of his eyes and over his body, replacing Valmont with the pony of shadows. “I will be avenged.” He says with his eyes glowing when he finishes.
Meanwhile, back in the ship…
Stumbling around, Maestro finds an oval-shaped body-length mirror. “Hm? The compass points to here…” He ventures into the room, and calls upon his magic as he touches the mirror. He gasps as he reads the enchantments on the mirror. “That can’t be right… that mirror should still be in Equestria…” He delves deeper, looking through the connectivity of the mirror’s anchored portal. “Okay so… you don’t connect to Pastel Human land… But you connect to…” His hand leaps away as he gasps. He backs away. “A Mirrorworld. Where everything is inverted… Good people over here are bad over there, and vice-versa…” He shook his head. “This thing’s more trouble than it’s worth… it may be dormant for now, but I best ensure that nobody messes with it…” lighting his horn once more, he constructed a sealing spell. Carefully, he intermingled the new spell with the framework of the mirror. Using the enchantments that were already there, he siphoned off energy from them to power the seal. He cut his spell, and sighed. “Wasn’t what I was looking for, not by a long shot… Better search elsewhere.” he then walked off, to attend important business.
Timeline note: The day after Day 10: Natalie Lends a Hand.
Alex was pacing as she was talking on her cellphone to someone and having an argument with who ever was on the other end. Daring Do was watching her rodentine life partner through a window, puzzled on how one of Alex’s Uncles had a pony name. She looked up to see Ashley, Twilight and Ayumi walk out to the patio. She waved to them and continued to watch what was happening inside the Motel as they walked up.
Inside Alex was feeling queasy as well as agitated. Her heat suppression amulet was laying on a shelf, as she didn't need it for a long while. She shouted into her phone, “We managed to take care of it, Uncle Sea Heart, so there’s no reason to you to come to come to Per...hello?” She hung up her phone, grabbed her satchel and headed to her front door. “Nonononono…”
“...nononono" She said as she came out and shifted to human size as she hurried to get out.
Daring, Ayumi & Twilight saw how panicked she was and before she got far a lavender aura surrounded her and she was carried back to the trio and sat down in front of them. “Okay student, what has you freaked out?”
“My Uncle Sea Heart is coming to visit!” Alex said with trepidation.
“I don't see why that has you in a panic.” Twilight said.
“Wait a moment...” Daring said. “His name is a pony name. How does a human get one?”
“He tried using a mirror portal he created on a whim. It worked for one round trip. He visited a version of Equestria that was close to the show. He was turned into a unicorn pony and got trapped there for three years on that side. When finally got back here, his portal turned into magical dust. To Make matters worse, he was still a pony. And his mastery of magic is top notch… when he get his spells right.”
Ayumi got a puzzled look “What do you mean by that?” She asked.
Alex looks at the Sparkle sisters and says, “Imagine a unicorn with your power, but without your youth and mildly absent minded.”
“So, Starswirl?” Ayumi said “He may have been a jerk in the story but he was always somewhat absent minded in canon.”
“More like either Aunt Clara of Bewitched or Madame Raz of She-Ra.”
“Never seen either show, but I’ve got an idea of what you mean. So why is your uncle still alive?”
“He won a bet with the Discord of the Equestria he ended up trapped for three years in.” Alex deadpanned.
“Dammit dad!” Ayumi said
A puff of smoke appeared and dispersed revealing a Navy Blue unicorn. On his flank was a heart on a wave.
Suddenly a shield surrounded the three girls. “Not letting you screw up and hurt us, you crow in pony form; if you don’t get that it’s a RWBY reference, Sea Heart.” Ayumi said with a smirk.
“Crow? Ruby?” Sea Heart says in a jovial voice.
“Character’s power was bad luck kinda like your curse from Discord.” Ayumi said “He was always a sore loser.”
“Tell me about it!” Seaheart & Alex said in unison.
Sea Heart then clapped his hooves and said, “Now where's Alex, my favourite nephew?”
Alex shrank back to mouse form and tried to hide. But before she could, a navy blue aura appeared around her and she was caught in her uncle’s magic glow.
“Now who are you, young lady? The way you move is familiar.” Sea Heart said as he examined the young mouse.
“UNCLE SEA HEART PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!!! OR I WILL TELL YOUR BROTHER, MY DAD, YOUR TRUE NAME!!! OOF!!!” Alex cried as she was dropped on her butt.
Alex stood up and grew to human size. She was cross at his not realizing she was who he had been talking to on the phone.
“A-alex?” the unicorn said before he walked around the mouse girl. “Got your gender changed as well as your species. Well like Father, like daughter. I see that you got your mother’s figure. I bet that you have to beat back amorous males with a stick.”
Rolling her eyes, Alex huffed. “You don’t know the half of it! But let’s get to the core of the matter. Up to now you had been more interested in figuring out the rules of magic in our reality than family. You only came over on Thanksgiving because my mother guilt tripped you into coming or you wanted to share what you discovered lately or demonstrate a spell you figured out. So why in Luna’s name are you here?”
Sea Heart smiled as he said, “Because the last of the suppressors have shut down meaning Earth's magical field will finally rise high enough that spells will be more commonplace.”
“What would happen if Earth was opened to a high magic world, like say, Equis?”
“Earth’s magical field will rise faster, and if the portal is not closed with a day of its opening, it can’t be closed until the magic fields have equalized.”
Alex had a sudden feeling of dread. “Um. Uncle where was the last suppressor?”
“It used to be next to the the Great Barrier Reef, but it was moved due to an innovation in airships. The Flying Unicorn, I believe.”
“Why were the suppressors even made?”
Sea Heart sat on his haunches and crossed his forelegs as he replied, “Because some damn fool aristocrats got it into their heads that magic was the cause of all the wars that had been fought. They reasoned that if the world had less access to magic, then cooler heads would prevail and fewer wars would happen.” He gives an equine snort and adds, “Damn fools. Look through history and see how peaceful it has been.”
“Okay now, why are you here?”
“To give you a gift that make up for the times I missed.” Sea Heart said as he turned to face the model of the Golden Oaks Library and fired a spell at it. With nothing happening to it. “Nothing?” He said in puzzlement then he got a feeling of doom. “Ohlookatthetimegottogo.” He teleported before anyone could react and he dropped a mirror in his haste.
Alex, Ayumi, and Twilight looked at each other then rushed into the Radderson Home.
Inside they found Mrs. Radderson, who become the anthro version of Twilight Velvet looking at the TV. On it was the image of the Golden Oaks Library in a formerly vacant lot that ironically a library was supposed to be built. A reporter stood in front, and gave their thoughts on the new development. “It’s an amazing thing that happened earlier today. Meer moments before the mayor was to arrive an explosion occurred in what used to be a vacant lot and in its wake was this huge oak tree with of all things windows and a door….”
On the screen was something that resembled the home of Twilight Sparkle. The Golden Oaks Library of Ponyville.
Ayumi and both Twilights stared at the image. Alex took a deep breath and shouted, “DAMMIT UNCLE SEA HEART!!!!!”
Alex shrank back to mouse size. “Just once I’d like a gift from Uncle Sea Heart be something sensible, like a deed to the Everfree Forest.” She complained.
At the looks both Twilight and her sensei were giving her she said, “What?”
There was a knocking at the front door. Alex went to go open the door when she grabbed her face and rushed outside. Daring made a face and said, “She may feel miserable in the mornings, but that won’t compare to the end.”
Twilight nodded as she went to the door. Standing at the door was Ashley, “Ya heard the news about that new library that looks like a tree?” She waited for Twilight to respond, when a voice from the mirror spoke up.
“Hey, can you help me?” a mysterious voice called from the mirror.
Alex wiped her muzzle as she walked towards the voice she heard while she was emptying her belly.
“I’m in the mirror on the ground; please don’t step on me!” the voice said
Alex stopped next to the mirror. At her three inch height, the mirror prison was roughly the size of a full length mirror. She lifted the mirror in her magic then said, “Why my uncle would be carrying a mirror prison is beyond me.” She said as she leaned the mirror against the model.
An anthro bat pony mare with a dark red mane and tail and bloodshot red eyes appears in the Mirror. ”Hi! I heard from my friend that you could possibly help me?” the mare said.
Alex felt a sinking feeling in her stomach and it wasn’t due to the new life growing within her. “That friend wouldn’t happen to be a navy blue unicorn?”
“Yes it would; why do you ask?” the mare said.
“That Unicorn happens to be my Uncle. Now. Who’re you, and how’d you get in there?”
“Ahh my name... I've been stuck in here for so long, I forgot my original name; but your uncle called me Bloody Mary and for how I got trapped in here, I tried buying time for the Elements.” Bloody Mary said.
“Bloody Mary doesn’t fit you.” Alex said. “Serine Nocta sounds better. Were you trying to buy time for Celestia to use the Elements of Harmony?”
“Yes I was, and thank you for my name!” Serine Nocta said
“Well, it fits you better.” Alex said as Ayumi, Twilight & Daring Do came back for her. “Bloody Mary is more fitting for a vampire than one of the the ponies of noctrali.”
“Well your uncle said my eyes and this mirror reak of blood magic and now that I’m in a mirror; the name was ironic.” Serine said.
“I’ll put your mirror in my home, so you’ll be safe.”
“Thank You!” Serine said
Ashley spoke up, “Sugarcube, ya feeling okay?” She asked Alex, “Anything we can do t’ help?” She heard the mirror speak, “Uhm, did that mirror just speak?”
Serine starts laughing.
Ashley looked around for the source of the laughter, “Ah swear Ah heard something comin’ from that there mirror!” She looked to the others for an explanation.
“I can try to make myself visible to them? Though it is enjoyable to watching her freak out ” Serine asked
Alex covered her mouth and said, “You did hear the enchanted mirror speak. Or rather, the mirror’s prisoner.”
Serine makes herself visible for them to see her.
Alex then motions Serine’s image saying, “Meet Serine Nocta. ”
“Hi everyone.” Serine said.
“Sensei, Serine claims she was trapped in there because she was buying Celestia time to use the Elements of Harmony on Nightmare Moon!” Alex said then got a perplexed look. The look was seen by Ashley, (Who was the one knocking at the door), Ayumi and Serine.
“Not claim. It’s the only thing I that can remember before meeting your uncle. You try being trapped in a mirror that's eating your memories! ”Serine said, sounding upset.
“My apologies." Alex said before she tapped both her magics and cast her spell. It flowed into the mirror and wrapped itself and orbs that held the same resonance as Serine. When she felt it had a secure grip on her, Alex started to pull the batpony out. At first Serine stayed stuck until one of the orbs touched her. The orb was absorbed into her and Serine felt one of her memories returned. One by one the memory orbs were pulled back into her and the moment the last orb melded into her she floated through the window that was the mirror.
But before she was completely out, an argent tentacle of energy wrapped itself around her and tried to pull her back in. Alex dug her feet in and pulled against it.
It appeared that Serine was going to be pulled back in when two auras of two different shades of violet added their strength to the pull.
Tempest and Twilight added their magical might to the tug of war against the mirror. An ethereal growl began to emit from the mirror and tendrils of the mirror’s magic began reaching out towards the three.
Serine had drifted free of the mirror, which had fallen flat on the ground. The Mirror gave an ethereal roar of triumph as one tendril started to wrap itself around Alex.
Just when the tendril had wrapped around Alex’s waist to pull her into the mirror prison, a brown cowboy boot with the strength of years of applebucking came down on the mirror pulverizing it. “Ah hope we’re doin’ the right thing by destroyin’ that there mirror.” Ashley said, looking over the now-damaged mirror under her boots.
Alex found herself momentarily buried under a full sized black-furred batpony as a solid Serine landed on top of her.
‘Thank you thank you thank you!” Serine said happily and hugs her.
“And before I forget, let me drop this illusion.” claps her hooves together and becomes a anthro version of herself.
Alex then said, “You’re welcome. Now could you get off me? You’re crushing me."
“That was really brave, my student.” Tempest said before shifting back to Ayumi. “Pulling something out of a mirror prison is dangerous, for the reason that you could've been trapped in it as well.” Then Ayumi enlarged Alex before promptly slapping her.“YOU REALIZE YOU PUT OUR MOUSLING IN DANGER WITH THAT STUNT?!!”
“WHAT DO EXPECT ME TO DO, LET THE DAMN PRISON DEVOUR HER!?!” Alex shouted back. “SHE HAD TOLD ME THE ONLY THING SHE COULD REMEMBER WAS THE EVENTS JUST BEFORE SHE WAS IMPRISONED IN IT. SHE WOULD HAVE FADED INTO OBLIVION IF SHE WASN'T RELEASED!”
Ayumi was taken aback by Alex’s response as well as the passion behind it. Twilight was as well, but recovered faster and asked “H-have you encountered mirror prisons before?”
Alex sigh and replied, “My family has run into mirror prisons through its history. We found that they come in three varieties: Photographic, where the victim is frozen in time until released. Cell, where the prisoner is in a mirror plane until released, of course it may or may not have needed to provide food and water for the prisoner. And devouring, where the memories of the victim loses memories until they have none. And when they have no memories left, they fade away into oblivion as they’re consumed. Of course if they’re removed from it, their memories are restored.” She turned to Serine. “She was trapped in the third kind, which is why I acted the way that I did.”
Daring Do just sighed before asking, “Are we going to have to deal with situations like this when our foal becomes a young mare or stallion?”
Alex nodded and said, “Yes, as well as his or her half-siblings.”
“Sorry about that, and you’re right about the mirror. Now let me get dressed.” Serine said, and with that she snaps her fingers. A crimson dress appears on her and stops the suppressing her magic the ones can sense magic will sense her black magic.
“Ah, so you're one of mother’s guards trained in the truth of the black arts.” Ayumi said as her pendant ignited in black flame along with her hands. “I have a feeling your Nightmare Moon was a single being corrupted by her anger and loneliness instead of outside forces. Am I right?”
“I think her Nightmare Moon was one of your Moms. When I was pulling her out, I got images from the memories that weren't fully devoured.” Alex said then added when her sensei gave her an odd look. “The spell I used had a few side effects, none permanent, thank Luna.”
“Funny thing is, I come from a alternate dimension. In my world dark magic is practised very heavily, And the reason that is... have any of you heard of the grimdark stories?” Serine said.
“Urg! Well the images I got were fragmentary so I could be wrong. But we have to figure that out later.” Alex said as she headed out the Radderson home. The entire group then piled into Alex’s Hummer and they headed out to where Golden Oaks had appeared in the real world.
When they got there they saw several officials, a navy blue unicorn and one person whose presence lit up Alex's face. She parked the hummer and ran up to the person shouting, “DAD!!!”
The man was of average height and slightly buff. He wore a navy blue shirt and blue denim trousers, with a belt made of a black scaley hide, alligator boots, a beat up fedora and what appeared to be a crocodile vest covered in rocks. He spun around and caught Alex in a hug. “How is my little adventuress? He asked.
In Serine’s head a voice said “I can protect them for you, all you have to do is give me control.”
“No Mary, I’m never going to willingly give you control again, not after last time.”
“Aww, you’re no fun, Strings! Or should I call you Serine now? And do you honestly think that they’ll want to be around you once they figure out that you lied to them, and you were the one that the elements where fighting?”
“It is Serine now, Mary. I don’t want to hear that name again! And it's not my fault! They believed Chrysalis over me, and they got whats was coming to them and so did she.”
“Yes we showed her, didn’t we? And you let me out. But you can’t blame me for getting us sealed in that mirror, because I know that you liked what I did to her, just admit it!”
“I will never admit that, now stop! Stop talking to me Mary, because they have guests.”
“Ok just stay away from the Aj and Discord. Bye~!”
Alex hugged her father for all she was worth when something occurred to her. “Not that I’m complaining but what’re you doing here?” She asked. “I thought that you were still trapped on Equestria-Earth? I mean the Mirror of Lathrop Htrae can open a portal to there once every thirty full moons. Add to that Dr. Caballeron has it right now so… How?”
“I don’t understand it and I am NOT even going to try to figure it out.” He said. “Two young women both of whom were named Pinkie Pie (one of them being an anthro) literally took markers and drew doors and opened them. I am going to have a few words with my brother later.”
“Good idea, that will save you a headache. Not even Discord can figure Pinkie Pie out.”
“Someone the lord of chaos can’t figure out? THAT'S a feat I don’t want to duplicate.”
“Here's a sentence that can save you a headache and is good for your health: ‘it's Pinkie Pie, don't question it.’”
Ashley chuckled, “Even before Rina became our Pinkie Pie, she was always makin’ us and others laugh with her antics.” The farm girl added.
“Erhem. Well now that’s out of the way,” Mr. Viator said before turning his gaze on Alex and Daring, “My brother tells me you both have buns in your ovens. Alex, I know you’ll try to raise the children, but the curse will make it hell to do so.” He then focuses on Daring Do.
Ashley tipped her hat back on her head, “No wonder why Alex wasn’t feeling well earlier before we found that mirror.” She said to herself.
“You're the adventuress that my daughter met before her transformation. Did she warn you the child would be forced to become an adventurer when they become a young adult?”
“Well, it's better than my family curse.” Serine said.
Mr Viator looked at Serine and asked, “What is the curse? Is it passed through bloodline?” It
“It is passed through bloodline. Every member of my bloodline will be put in a prison for some reason or another at least once in their lives, that's our fate. So, I would welcome your curse over mine.” Serine said.
“Compared to every member being forced to become an adventurer until the day they die, and only members who marry into it can avoid that fate? What did your family do to get it?”
“We were Nightmare Moon's honor guard, and as such we did her dirty work. But when she got banished, so did we. We tried to keep her sane and not so lonely, but we failed. So, she cursed us so she would never be lonely on the moon.” Serine said and hopped they had forgotten what she had said while in the mirror.
Ashley looked at Serine, “Well, since yer free, you can start over and make some new friends. Ah’m Ashley Smith; this universe’s Element o’ Honesty. Mah best friends are Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Micaela, our Rainbow Dash, and our own Fluttershy, Flora. We also have Darin’ Do and Alex, among other anthros.”
Internally shit “Hi, I’m Serine.” Ashley would be able to tell she was lying to her friend and not telling the full truth.
“Is there somethin’ ya aren’t tellin’ us? Ah mean, Alex went to a whole heap o’ trouble gettin’ ya out o’ that mirror prison when ya asked us to. Ah even broke that mirror so nopony or creature would be trapped in there.” Ashley addressed Serine.
Alex crossed her arms and said, “I risked getting trapped in that mirror to free you, and I got some fragments of your memories as a side effect. Plus, it’s better to come clean from the start. You told me that you got trapped in the mirror because you were buying time for Celestia to use the Elements of Harmony.”
The elder Viators crossed their arms (or forelegs for the unicorn) “You’ll find it safer in the long run, miss." Mr Viator said.
“My name is, or was, Crimson Strings. Each member of my family has their own nightmare or Nightmare Moon's blessing. It is the other half to my bloodline’s curse, and each nightmare is different. For example, my mom’s nightmare was a serial killer, but my dad's was a cannibal.” Serine said.
Alex sigh then said, “So Bloody Mary is the name of your Nightmare. So is she manifested by negative emotions or the desire to protect? I case you're wondering remember memory fragments?”*
“ERHEM!” The Mayor of Perth interjected. “As fascinating as this is, Reginald Viator, you were in the middle of talking me into not putting your brother on trial for terrorism and having that tree chopped down and turned into firewood.”
“I'm going to leave before Mary wants to “play” with you, and Yes she is, and yes I do. Yet she likes to make me admit that I like her methods, or reminds me of what she did to Chrysalis during the wedding.”
Alex frowned at the way Serine emphasized play before saying “That doesn't answer my second question.”
“She's my loneliness and sadness and anger but aimed at one person and protecting a friend.”
Alex’s frown deepened and looked to her sensei.
“You wanted the truth, we gave you the truth” Serine and Mary did this to mess with Alex.
Mr Viator the got the mayor’s attention and said, “Look, as bad as it seems, I think Perth came out ahead."
The Mayor crossed his arms and asked “How so?”
“Firstly, you get to save the taxpayer's money, seeing as no money was used in its creation. The fact it's both a library and a Residence. Secondly, as a living tree it helps with the air quality.“
The mayor thought deeply and said, “Hmm. You have a point, but your brother's going to have to spend two years at a petting zoo for community service. But who’s …”
“Give the job to my girl’s partner the job and allow both my daughter and her partners to live there as well as any children they might have.”
“Throw in that we can call on them to get rare books for the Library and artifacts for the museum, and you got a deal.”
“Daring will get paid for her work? Miss Dno’oove doesn’t need the money but I’m sure she’d appreciate a job herself if only to keep her from being bored.”
“Yes, Yes. You just get your brother to the nearest petting zoo so he can start his community service.” The mayor as he held out his hand.
Reginald Viator shook the Mayor’s hand the Mayor walked away muttering to himself.
Mr Viator then turned to the group and said, “Well I smoothed a few feathers, and got my Daughter and her partners a place to live. Now I’m heading back to America to give my wife an anniversary gift she won’t forget.” With that he hailed a cab and he and Sea Heart got in and left.
Alex watched her father & uncle left before saying, “Well let’s go in. I’ve been wondering if the show was very accurate.”
When they entered the treebrary, they found that MLP: FIM was mostly accurate. The library itself was about a fifty foot radius, there were more chairs and tables than was shown in the show. There were a few things that weren’t show, like a desk for the librarian, an actual card catalog, a wooden cabinet (most likely for record storage), and a stand with applications for library cards. There was two more doors that were hidden in an alcove. One was labeled “Stallions/Colts” while the other was labeled, “Mares/Fillies”. The door to the kitchen had a sliding door and inside it was a round table big enough to seat nine.
There were things that were shown in the show, such as the knight-like bust, a door leading to the basement/storage area, the staircase leading up to the living quarters which was blocked by a door. Beyond that door was some more things not shown in the show. It opened into a study that had four rooms leading out of it, a stairway leading to a hallway with four other rooms and a balcony with a telescope that looked a bit scorched.
“Wow!” Twilight said. “There’s more here than was shown in the show. I’m envious you, Ayumi and Daring get to live here.”
Daring Do smiled and said, “You and Spike can join us, if you like.”
“I can live mobile as long as there is a mirror, I can live there.” Serine said
“Spike and Barb can have my penthouse in the opal mines.” Ayumi said “I’m renovating the basement into my new lab and connecting it to my other one in the opal mines. It’s been too long since I’ve lived here, I’m not passing this up again! Not ever again!” a tear slid down Ayumi’s cheek “I thought I’d never see the tree I planted so long ago and lived in ever again, not after what Tirek did to it and it’s keeper. Come on out, Shelly. I can feel that you’re here.”
A blue-green orb of light floated from the branch net to the balcony. “Who called me?” it said.
The group looked at the orb in disbelief while Ayumi chuckled “Do you know what has kept this tree living since most of the heartwood has been removed? This girl is the source of the tree’s life. Shelly is a tree spirit from the Heart of the Everfree. I only met her once I moved into Ponyville. She’s what kept the tree alive and kept the books from decaying while the library was ownerless. But with us here, she’ll probably want a more physical form at some point when she regains her strength.”
Alex smiled, then bowed to the sprite. Then she remembered what was said on the news. “UNCLE SEA HEART I’M GOING TO BRING YOU A BUNCH OF CARROTS WHEN I VISIT YOU!” She shouts. “Sensei THIS is your home. Uncle Sea Heart’s spell must’ve brought it to this world the exact instance Tirek’s raw magic blast struck it. The blast you felt when you were escaping with your pet owl was most likely the blast Sea Heart’s spells interacting with each other.”
“I think that I can help with that, my talent when I was Crimson Strings was puppeteering and puppet making.” Serine said.
Alex looked at her Sensei and said, “I think you should see if any of your things are here.”
“Ok see you soon.” Serine jumps through the closest mirror.
Daring Do noticed something and walked over to a small shelf. On the ground near it was a picture frame on the ground. She bent over and picked it up and took a look at the front. The revealed picture was of Twilight (Tempest) and the rest of the bearers of harmony.
(Meanwhile in the mirror in Tempest’s home)
Serine comes to a house and unlocks the door and a dog comes to meet her “Sis, do you want to come meet our new neighbours and my friends?” Serine asks. The dog nods her head. “Ok then, you know the drill to get out of here.” Serine said. The dog nods her head again. “But before you do that, can you get me my tools? A blank female dryad puppet, and the Jack puppet?” Serine asked. The dog growls, but listens and grabs the things and disappears into Serine’s shadow. “Thank you, sis.” Serine says and walks out of the house and towards the exit of the mirror, and then to Alex.
“Hey Alex.”
Alex jumps.
“Hi I’m back, and brought my stuff and my sis that wanted to meet you more than the others.” Serine said.
“Serine!” Alex said in an annoyed tone, “Please don’t sneak up on me like that. I’m a mouse and more prone to being scared.”
“Sorry about that, but do you want to meet my younger sister? Because you and her have something in common.”
Alex smiled as she replied, “Yes. Anything I should be wary of?”
“She’s not human anymore in any sense of the word.”
“As long as she’s not a cat, I’ve got no problems with her.”
Ashley smiled as Serine reappeared from the mirror. “Alex would have lived with Rarity at her Boutique if it weren’t fer Opal, her cat.”
“Ok, you can come out sis!” after saying this, a black dog with purple eyes steps out of Serine’s shadow.
“Gah!” Alex shouts in shock then says, “Okay. Wasn't expecting that.”
“Ya she is in the body of a shadow wolf Ravengirl, now the only member to not have a nightmare.” Serine said.
Ashley saw the black dog, “Whoa, nelly! That dog’s bigger than Winona, mah border collie. We got her from mah ol’ friend, Wrangler.”
“Well let’s hope and endeavor to make sure she doesn't get one. Alice nearly manifested fully, and I shudder to think what she would do if she did.”
Meanwhile, Daring was sorting the books. She was taking books on equestrian specific subjects and putting them into a box for placement later. Ayumi was helping and finding the act of reorganizing the library both familiar and calming. An emerald flash and a familiar photograph appeared above her hands. She caught it as it dropped. She took a good look at familiar photo with her Equestrian friends.
She saw though the glamour that the six of them placed on the photo so that other visitors to the library would see 1 alicorn, 1 unicorn, 2 pegasi, & 2 Earth ponies instead of 6 alicorns. Ayumi saw 3x5 with a note saying, “One of Uncle Sea Heart’s favorite foods is carrot lasagna. He saved your home trying to give me a home that couldn’t be accidentally demolished by simply backing into it. Your humble student, Alexandra Traveller”
“Well at least they don’t know how common alicorns are in my counterpart’s Equestria yet.” Ayumi thought “If they knew that all six of them will be immortal along with their families…. I don’t know how they would react to the waiting game for their own ascension. I wonder if my Chrissy will somehow show up after all my counterpart and I agreed that her wives are mine.”