I sit up and I’m in the Queen’s chambers, laying in Chrysalis’ bed. I shake my head, was that a dream?

“Well, how was it?” Chrysalis leans next to me and a green glow leaving her horn.

“Wh- what did you do?”

“I gave you a vision of what could happen if you became king of the Changelings. I hoped it might help make up your mind.”

I shake my head. A vision. That’s all it was, some twisted dream Chrysalis designed to brainwash-

“So.” Chrysalis interrupted my thoughts. ”What did you see?”

My eyes widen. “Y- you mean you didn’t create that?”

“I don’t have the power to do that at the moment. It’s really more of making you imagine what you think it might be like.”

I choke on my own breath. What!? Did I... do I want that to happen? No, I can’t. I’m not a murderer. On the other hand...

Chrysalis interrupts my thoughts again. “Seriously, what did you see? It must have been interesting.” She gives me a sultry look. “Did you think about what it would be like to be my husband?”

That didn’t even occur to me that we’d be considered a couple. “Uh, no. I... I think I’d like to, uh, go back to Ponyville. I think I may need more time.”

She grins. “Of course. When you’ve made your decision, you know where to come.”

I nod numbly as I’m teleported to Ponyville. I run to the library as fast as I can go and slam open the door. “Twilight!? Twilight!?”

“Jeez Anthony, I’m right here, you don’t have to- urk”

I cut her off as I hug her, relieved that she’s alright. I’m just so happy she’s not hurt. What I did in that vision... I shudder at the violence of my own mind.

“A- Anthony! Let go, you’re gonna squeeze my head off!”

I yell as I leap off of her and look around, making sure everything was normal. “What the hay has gotten into you, Anthony?”

“Let’s just say I had the worst experience of my life, and I’m just glad you’re alright...” I hug her again, but a bit lighter this time. “So glad you’re alright...”

“Uh, yeah, thanks... I think?”

I’ve never felt so glad that everything was fine! I’m practically skipping as I move through Ponyville. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and Rainbow Dash is about to crash into me!

Wait a sec- *WHAM*

“Alright Anthony, that’s it, you’re gonna get yellow, and you’re gonna do it today!”

Oh well. “You got it, Dashie, I’ll go get the paint if you round up everybody at Town Hall!”

“Don’t try to- Huh? You’re... gonna do it?”

“Yup!” I grin.

“Really? No tricks? You’ll do it?”

“Of course!” I give Rainbow Dash a big hug.

“Jeez, man. Did you swap brains with Pinkie Pie?”

“Nope, I’m gonna go get that paint, now. Meet ya at Town Hall!”

I run back to the library to get the paint, leaving a very confused Rainbow Dash.

I grab the bucket and brush, take it to Town Hall, and tell the mayor that I will be putting on a very special performance. No point in spoiling the surprise for anyone.

I look out at the crowd, and yes, all of Ponyville is here. Every. Single. Pony.

Rainbow Dash approaches me. “Alright, this is gonna be awesome! I’ve been waiting a while for this.”

“Yup, and you’re going to get it. Everyone here is gonna get it. Hope you enjoy the show.”

Rainbow gives a smirk. “Oh, I will!”

I walk out onto the steps and clear my throat, all the ponies quieting down and shifting their attention to me.

“Hello everyone. By now, most of you know me, so I doubt I need to introduce myself.”

I get replies of nods and sounds of agreement. “So, I will get to the reason you are all here. I made a deal with Rainbow Dash. We got into a competition to see who was the fastest.”

A few ponies chuckle, others gasp. Apparently a lot of ponies know how fast Rainbow Dash is.

I continue. “And, I lost. I was beaten rather easily, and now, I will face the consequences, as per our agreement. Rainbow Dash, you win, so I’m going to do this for you.”

Rainbow Dash leaps up into the air, wings flapping and pumps her hoof into the air “Yes! This is gonna be good!”

I grin. Yes it will, Rainbow Dash, yes it will.

I take off my shirt and dip the paintbrush into the paint bucket. I drag the brush from my stomach up to my chin very slowly and deliberately. Rainbow Dash’s eyes widen. She realized what I was doing.

So, I continued my show, a few ponies laughing, some blushing, and a few parents covering their childrens’ eyes. This was perfect. I can feel the paint start to dry as I drag the brush across my arm. It feels a bit uncomfortable, but I am not stopping, not yet. I then take off my pants and continue onto my legs. Some ponies turn to Rainbow Dash curiously.

The show is over, and I am completely covered in three coats of paint. Rainbow Dash stomps up to me. “I cannot believe you did that!!”

“What? I painted myself yellow in front of all of Ponyville. That was the deal.”

Rainbow Dash yells at the sky, hooves to her eyes. “You unbelieveable bastard!”

“Thanks for noticing.” I give her a big hug, getting some of the paint on her coat. Rainbow gasps loudly and flies off into the sky to her house as fast as she can. I call after her. “Be careful about who you win against!”

I walk back to the library laughing my head off, carrying my clothes. I walk in and I see Twilight. As soon as she sees me, she holds her book up, blocking her view. “Shower. Now!”

“Oh, totally, this paint is getting itchy.” Next Chapter: Chapter 28 Estimated time remaining: 31 Hours, 19 Minutes