For the whole walk to the boutique, I was glancing everywhere, not sure where Pinkie might pop out from. If there’s one thing I had figured out about her by now, it’s that she has some kind of impossible set of skills.

Fluttershy caught on to my wary glances for the pink mare. “Pinkie won’t pop up like she usually does, Yang. She learned her lesson already.”

“Well, I can’t be sure of that” I answered, my glances not stopping in the slightest. I just knew she could be anywhere at any time.

“Oh, I just remembered something. I have to let Discord know not to surprise you. He truly is reformed now, but he can be worse than Pinkie if today was any indication.”

I didn’t like that. I’ve never taken sudden surprises that well. I made sure my friends knew that. I was called a coward sometimes because of that, but I didn’t let it get to me, even if it was true. “So, who is this Discord guy?”

“He’s the embodiment of chaos. He was troublesome in the past, but now he’s nicer, and has actually helped us out of a few tough spots recently. He’s really nice now. Most of the time. He also looks like a bunch of creatures spliced together.”

I had trouble imagining what Discord looked like, so I gave up on that endeavor. I still kept an eye out for Pinkie.

Fluttershy continued talking. “Oh, did Rarity tell you about Opalescence?”

“Who?”

“That’s her cat. She’s really nice once she starts to like you, but can be a bit mean until then. You’re really alien to. . . well, everything here, so I don’t know how she’ll take to you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Once we got to the front door, Fluttershy simply opened it and walked in, suddenly raising a big question in my mind: If someone’s business is also their home, do you knock or just walk in? I’d have to get that clarified.

Since nothing happened when Fluttershy walked inside, I followed her without Pinkie checking. Nothing Pinkie-like happened, so I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“Rarity, are you here?” Fluttershy said.

“Inspiration room, Fluttershy” Rarity said. “Yang, how are you doing? Better?”

“A bit” I said. “I don’t know if I’ll get any sleep tonight, though. I’m afraid Pinkie will show up out of nowhere again.”

“Oh. That doesn’t sound good. And it’s still your first day here in Equestria. At least, your first day fully awake.”

I suddenly imagined every waking and dreaming moment full of Pinkie randomly appearing out of all kinds of places like some kind of jack in the box yelling “SURPRISE!”. It was not something I wanted to deal with.

“Yang, how about you go take a nap?” Fluttershy suggested. “Perhaps Luna will come and help you with your worries.”

“That may take a while to do.” I suddenly imagined Pinkie popping up out of the covers next to me when I had gotten into an empty bed. “I’ll give it a try though.”

“Before you do that, Yang-” Rarity came out of a fairly well hidden door, a box in her magic. “Here’s your robe.” She floated the box over to me and I accepted it. Holding it and the cookies with one hand and opening it with the other, I saw a neatly folded white robe inside with purple trim. Certainly not my first choice of colors. “I know it will fit you fairly well, Yang. Oh, if you could lend me your clothes after you change, that would be great. I’d like to figure out just what they’re made of so I can make better clothes for you.”

“I’ll put them in this box and set it outside the guest bedroom door then.”

I hadn’t made it two steps before Rarity spoke up again. “It’s not the guest room right now. While you’re here, it will be your room, and I hope to hear you refer to it as such.”

“Alright, Rarity.” She did not interrupt my careful walk up the stairs. I was still looking out for Pinkie, but she still didn’t show up. I carefully opened the door to the guest. . . My room. Once I was sure Pinkie wasn’t there, I dashed inside and closed the door.

Rarity and Fluttershy watched Yang’s quick entrance into the guest. . . her room.

“Do you think Yang will be okay?” Fluttershy asked Rarity.

“I think time and Luna’s help will do her some good” Rarity said. “Personally, I can’t imagine what she must be going through, the poor dear.”

“Neither can I. Would you like to know what I think, Rarity?”

“Certainly” Rarity said as she looked over and prepared some fabrics. “Don’t worry about breaking my focus.”

“I think you’re doing Yang a great service. You offered her stability in a strange place, and I really believe you were the best option for her.”

“Oh? Do explain.”

“Applejack would probably have her helping around the farm fairly quickly, Rainbow lives in the clouds, Twilight’s castle is huge and can get really busy sometimes, I have all my animal friends and Discord, and we know what happened with Pinkie”

“Tragic. Just tragic. Pinkie’s heart is in the right place, but she acted too soon, in my opinion. I know we shouldn’t be talking about her behind her back like this, but I can’t help it.”

“I understand, Rarity. I also agree with you. I hope Luna can do Yang some good.”

“No need to hope, darling. Luna’s presence always helps.”

“You’re right. Oh, Yang just put the box out. Should I go get it for you, Rarity?”

“I’d appreciate that. Just put it by the inspiration room door.”

Fluttershy quickly had the box with Yang’s clothes in her hooves and was gliding down the stairs with it when Rarity finished her sentence, and so was quick to gently set the box by the door.

“Is there anything else I can help with, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked.

“Hmm. If you have any ideas for what Yang might like, I’ll keep them in mind. She wants simple designs.”

Fluttershy put a forehoof to her chin in thought. “I think colors like those on her clothes would be a good start. I also saw a black logo on one piece of her clothes. It looked like a heart with flames on it.”

“Hm. Thanks, Fluttershy. It’s always nice to have extra input.”

“Oh, it’s no problem at all. I’d better go take care of my animal friends. They love playing with Discord, and he has a great time too, but he can’t take care of them that well.”

“I remember that one incident. Have a good day, Fluttershy.”

“You too, Rarity.”

Taking off my clothes, even behind a closed door and drawn curtain, was a daunting task. Not just because I’d be facing my new self, but because I also knew deep down that Pinkie might still show up in here.

I started by taking off the Ember Celica, which had been retracted the whole time. Nothing happened when I took them off, which drove home the point of my body’s changes a tiny bit further. Still female. Still Yang.

I came to the realization that what I was facing right now was like a taking off a band-aid: it’s daunting since you know it will be unpleasant, but it’s best to do it quickly and just get it over with. Unfortunately, my clothes now were like a puzzle band-aid.

I will not describe the process of my experience undressing, but I think the best word to describe it would be ‘interesting’. Once I had everything in a semi-decent pile on the dresser, the Ember Celica separate, I pulled the robe out of the box. As I had observed before, It was white and purple, which I didn’t really care for. What I didn’t notice before was a short skirt, since it was within the folded robe. It fell onto the floor softly, but I still heard it. The skirt matched the robe’s colors and material, so it went with it nicely.

As I held the skirt, the male part of me strongly objected to putting it on. I was inclined to agree with it, but the sensible part of my mind told the male part to shut up, swallow some lightly salted pride, and just put it on, as it would be better to at least be somewhat decent with something disliked than not decent at all. I followed the sensible side’s argument and just put it on, followed by the robe, which, while it did feel like it was made for something a bit bigger than me, still fit nice enough. It was also incredibly soft.

There was one thing the male part and sensible part of my mind agreed on though: the skirt was too short for my liking. For now, I’d just have to put up with it.

As I slid the robe box out into the hall, now filled with my still new (and only) clothes, I entertained the thought of getting regular pyjamas made of the same stuff as this robe, though black and yellow would probably be a better color scheme.

I suddenly realized what I was thinking and did my best to banish the thoughts to a dungeon somewhere deep in my mind, but the idea remained. Maybe just a personal robe in those colors would suffice. Yeah.

I checked under the covers for any pink ponies, and even though the search yielded nothing, I was still cautious about climbing into the bed. I still did make the climb in, and though my borderline paranoia about Pinkie showing up slowed it down, sleep did come to me.

Ah, the beach. The most ideal place for summer relaxation. A reclined lounge chair to lay on and an umbrella to provide shade made it all better. A chilled drink in one hand simply made things perfect. However, I couldn’t help but feel that this beach was a little. . . off. Or maybe that was just me?

Despite the strange feeling, I just kept watching all the people. I took a sip of my chilled drink. It was strawberry flavored. I looked up towards the sun and felt at peace. Then the sun suddenly turned into the moon and night fell upon the now deserted beach. The temperature also started to quickly fall and I found myself starting to shiver a bit.

A dark blue pony with a mane and tail like the night sky walked into my line of sight. Aside from the mane and tail, it also had a horn and wings. I would have said something, but my teeth were too busy chattering from the still-dropping temperature.

I could only watch as the pony drew closer, and I was able to tell that it was a mare. She sat down a short distance from me and just looked into my eyes for a moment. Suddenly, her horn glowed and a dryer came up out of the sand. She opened it with her magic and pulled out a large blanket. I felt her magic lift me a bit off the beach chair before she wrapped me in the blanket. It was toasty, and I was quick to relax. “Thanks.” And my voice was Yang’s. A quick shift of my muscles also indicated the same for the body, and the sight of a lock of golden hair simply confirmed it.

“Think nothing of it. Now, could you tell me what troubles you?” the mare said. Her voice was regal, yet warm.

“First off, who are you?” I would have pointed a finger at her, but alas, the warm blanket was too powerful for such a feat to be executed. Since I couldn’t point, I settled for a gaze in her general direction.

“My apologies. I am Princess Luna. I control the moon, paint the night sky, and watch over the dreamers in Equestria at all times. I do believe it is your turn to introduce yourself.”

“I forgot my real name, so I go by Yang Xiao Long, or just Yang. It’s who I got turned into.”

Luna had a contemplative look on her face for a moment. Perhaps she was making a mental note? “Interesting. Anyways, you seem troubled. What’s on your mind?”

“Where to start?”

“How about the beginning?”

“Alright” I took a deep breath before starting. “I got sucked through a portal, leaving my friends behind, crashed through a crystal castle, woke up to find I’m not even on my planet anymore, went from male to female on the way, forgot my name, been comforted at least three times by a yellow pegasus, found myself living with a unicorn in a clothing store, found out I’m illiterate here, developed a fear of pink ponies popping up out of nowhere, and now I’m talking to a horned pegasus who can summon dryers in my dreams. And it’s still only the early afternoon of my first waking day here.”

Luna hung her head for some reason. “That does sound like a hectic day.” She then looked into my eyes again for a bit before continuing. “It seems Pinkie Pie is your biggest problem right now.”

The moment Luna uttered that name, a whole herd of Pinkies started showing up from all kinds of places. The dryer, the sand, the umbrella, each of their manes, and I swear one of them popped up from between my back and the chair I was in. I retreated down into the warm blanket, shivering despite its warmth.

I heard a number of what sounded like laser blasts and things disintegrating outside my warm cocoon. Eventually, all was silent until Luna spoke. “You can come out, Yang. The Pinkies are gone.”

I slowly made my way up from the inside of the blanket, looking around everywhere. All I saw was Luna, the sand, the waves, and the umbrella. “You’re sure?”

“They were a bit tougher to remove than some other apparitions I’ve seen in the dream realms, but they are gone. It must be serious.”

“I don’t take sudden surprises very well. She somehow managed that twice in five seconds both inside and outside the bakery. It makes my head hurt just wondering how she did it.” I brought my hands up to clutch my head, and at the same time, a large fissure appeared in the sand, a sickly purple glow coming from it. A number of smaller cracks crept out from it, expanding its area of influence.

“I can not remain here much longer, Yang. All I can say is that you should be ready to fight.”

“But I don’t know how! I’ve never fought anyone or anything before! Not even in any games.”

“You must fight. It is the only way you can save yourself and your friends.” Before Luna or I could continue, she disappeared as a wisp of smoke.

When Luna disappeared, the crack’s growth accelerated a short distance in front of me, and I couldn’t help but watch as a giant pink hoof reached out and planted itself on the beach, followed by another, and then the rest of the giant Pinkie came up, punching out even more of the beach. “SURPRISE!” she shouted before bringing a hoof down on me, the happy smile never leaving her face.

I jolted awake practically screaming my head off and scared stiff. As much as I wanted to move, I couldn’t. Not even a finger or toe would move. I wasn’t screaming for long when Rarity came in and pulled me into a hug, which quieted me down almost instantly. I was covered in a cold sweat and my breathing was ragged. Rarity was saying something, but I couldn’t make out what it was.

I heard another set of hooves approaching the room and I felt myself stiffen up. Eventually, their owner came in, and I relaxed. I don’t know who it was, but it wasn’t Pinkie Pie. Her coat was white, and her mane and tail were light lavender and pale pink with simple curls on them.

“Rarity, what was that- oh, that’s what it was” she said. Her voice was unbelievably clear. “Is there anything I can do to help her?”

“If you could get her a glass of water, that would be great.”

“Okay” she left in a hurry.

Rarity turned back to me. “Did you see Luna?”

I nodded, unable to force any words out.

“Did she help?”

I shrugged.

“That doesn’t sound good. Oh, here comes Sweetie.”

I saw the same pony come back in, a glass of water in her green magic. “I got the water, Rarity. I also got a straw, just in case.”

“Thanks, Sweetie.” Rarity broke the hug and used her magic to gently set me against the headboard before pulling over the glass of water. I reached out with both of my slightly shaky hands to grab the glass, ignoring the straw and just bringing the edge of it to my lips and drinking it all as fast as I could. My shaking hands didn’t stop shaking, but my breathing became more regulated and normal. “What happened, Yang?”

“Giant Pinkie.”

A look of understanding crossed Rarity’s face, while Sweetie’s became one of confusion. “Huh?”

“I promise I’ll explain in a bit, Sweetie. Just not here or now.” Rarity floated the glass onto the nightstand. “Yang’s just had a long day.” Well, that’s putting it lightly. I quickly hugged Rarity before getting my legs to moving again and slowly working my way out of the bed, or at least to a sitting position on the edge of it.

“How long was I asleep?” I finally asked.

“No more than thirty minutes.”

“I feel more exhausted than when I went to sleep.”

“Nightmares will do that. Did Luna tell you anything?”

I thought back on the dream. “She said I must fight to save myself and my friends.”

“Fight? Yang, from what I’ve seen of you today, you’re the last person to send into a fight, tough as you are.”

“And that’s the problem. Sure, I like watching fictional characters fight spectacular fights, but when it comes to real fights, I have all the fortitude of a piece of overcooked pasta. The fights I have been in, I was always the one getting beat up. I never got beaten too badly, but that’s because I always had some friends who would help get me out of there.”

“And even though you’re surrounded by ponies who care about you, you’re still alone. That sounds like the-”

“Stop right there, Rarity” Sweetie Belle said. Honestly, Rarity and I both forgot she was there for a bit. “Yang doesn’t need the dramatics right now. Anypony can see that.”

“Oh. Oh yes. Right.” Rarity cleared her throat. “Changing topics, I haven’t finished looking over your clothes yet, Yang. Would you like them back or. . ?”

“If you could make something quick and simple, that would be fine. I’ll just wait up here.”

“I can do that. It shouldn’t take me more than half an hour.” Rarity left the room to go downstairs to work on things for me, leaving me alone with Sweetie Belle.

“So. . .” Sweetie awkwardly started as she walked over to me. “I’m Sweetie Belle.” She held out a forehoof.

“Call me Yang.” I grabbed her forehoof and shook it. “When did you get here?”

“About ten minutes ago. Rarity said we had a guest and to treat her well, but didn’t give me any other details. So, if I may ask, what are you?”

“A female human, formerly a male human, and well on the path to a crazed human. I have not had a good day. It started out okay, especially in hindsight, but it’s just spiraled down from there. I hope things ease up from here.”

“You’ve certainly earned an easy day from what I’ve heard. What was that giant Pinkie thing you mentioned?”

“I’m scared of Pinkie Pie.” I felt a tingle go down my spine at the mention of her name. “She scared me twice in five seconds earlier today, both inside and outside the bakery.”

“Sugarcube Corner?”

“Yeah. I’m probably not going there on my own anytime soon. Or even with someone.”

“Can you tell me more?”

“No.”

“Aww.” I suddenly heard some frantic knocking from the front door, followed by frantic hoofsteps, and a few different frantic voices. Then came silence, followed by Rarity’s voice. I couldn’t make out anything that was being said, but it sounded important.

After a bit, Rarity came back in, a plain white T-shirt being put together in her magic. Rarity must have some serious skills if she can be that far along on it and make it without looking at it. “Yang, it appears a lot of ponies in town heard your scream from earlier. Twilight, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie-” I recoiled a bit at the last name. “-are all here and want to know what happened. Do you want to tell them what happened or should I?”

“I think Yang should” Sweetie said.

“Nopony asked you, Sweetie” Rarity chided as she looked over the just finished shirt, which she floated over to me after it met her satisfaction.

“I agree with Sweetie” I said, accepting the shirt. “Just give me a moment and I’ll be down there. Could I get a bit of privacy, please?”

Sweetie looked confused at the request, but obliged anyways. Rarity did not look confused, and closed the door on the way out. Once they were gone, I quickly took the robe off, put the shirt on, and then put the robe back on. With the addition of the shirt, I suddenly felt a lot better. It also fit me very well. It was a little on the loose side, but I was fine with that.

With that done, I walked out the door and went down the stairs. I saw Rarity and her friends there, but I kept my eyes locked on Pinkie. As long as she was in my line of sight, I felt safe. She was quick to catch my gaze and. . . did her coat get a few shades darker? And did her mane just deflate a bit? I was now weirded out by her some more.

I took a breath and began talking. “You’re here about the scream, right?”

“Yes, we are” Twilight said. “What was that about? Everypony in town is on edge because of it.”

“My animal friends all went into hiding once they heard it” Fluttershy added.

“Ah heard it back on the farm and had to check out what it was” Applejack stated. “Spooked Granny straight outta her hide.”

“I thought there was a monster down here” Rainbow contributed. “And all of Cloudsdale wants to know what it was too.”

“And I think I know exactly what it was” Pinkie glumly added. I may not like Pinkie, but I had a feeling she shouldn’t be like that. With those words, every eye and ear was on her. “I think Yang had a nightmare where she got squashed by a giant me.”

Every eye and ear then turned to me. “And now you’re scaring me even more, Pinkie” I said. “That’s exactly what happened to make me wake up screaming.”

Applejack gave Pinkie a bonk on the back of her head with a hoof. “Ah warned ya this would happen someday, Pinkie.”

“I know, AJ” Pinkie said. “I know. I already feel bad enough.”

“Did Luna visit you?” Twilight asked.

“Who exactly is Luna? A deity of some kind?” I asked.

“She’s the princess of the moon and the night. She watches over all those who dream and aids those who are having nightmares. She’s a dark blue alicorn, so she has a horn and wings, her mane and tail look like the night sky, and her cutie mark is a crescent moon.”

“I don’t know about that last part, but I think she did visit me. Wait, how would she do that?”

“Luna can travel through the dreamscape and enter any dream she likes. She’s the only one with that kind of magic.”

“Ri~ight. Moving on, is there anything else I can help with?”

“No, I think we’re done here. I’d better go tell the town what happened” Twilight said as she beat a hasty, yet polite exit.

“And I should go inform Cloudsdale” Rainbow said as she beat a hastier and less polite exit.

“Ah’m heading back to the farm” Applejack said. “You should come visit sometime, Yang.”

“I’ll see when I can” I said as Applejack beat a very polite and not too hasty exit.

“I’ll just go take care of my animal friends” Fluttershy said as she made a quiet exit.

Pinkie did not follow suit immediately. “Yang, there is something I need to do for you before I leave.”

I locked my gaze on her. “What is it?”

“I need to make the most solemn of promises I am able to make: the Pinkie Promise.”

I looked at my pinkie finger and promptly gave up on starting a coherent line of thought. “Explain.”

“The Pinkie Promise (patent perpetually pending) is a promise that you must never break. Breaking a Pinkie Promise is the best and worst way to lose a friend. Forever.”

I looked over to Rarity. “Those promises are serious. Trust me” she said. “I don’t know how they work, but they do.”

I turned back to Pinkie, who sat on her haunches, raised her right forehoof, and put her left forehoof over her chest. “I, Pinkie Pie, do solemnly Pinkie Promise never to scare Yang again through my actions.” What then followed were a series of movements corresponding to the words she spoke. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Immediately, a strange sense of peace fell over me, like most of a heavy weight was lifted from my shoulders. I still felt some unease being around Pinkie, but I now felt that I could at least walk around without looking everywhere. Shortly after I had relaxed, Pinkie literally and figuratively brightened up and got her energy back. “Now that that’s done, I’d better get back to Sugarcube Corner.” Pinkie left so fast, she left a dust cloud shaped like herself behind, like she was some cartoon character.

Once the cloud dissipated, Rarity turned to me. “So, how does the shirt fit? Does it need any adjustments?”

“No, it’s good” I answered. “I like the fit.”

“I thought you would. Since your tastes are so simple, I could get you a whole outfit made today. Undergarments too.”

“Thanks, Rarity. I’m going to go back and try again at a nap.”

“I’ll wake you when I finish here.”

I nodded back at her in acknowledgement and went back up to my room, where rest claimed me much more easily.

Author's Notes:

I was going to post this after I got 100 followers, but some things came up (like work and a headache) which delayed that. Oh, I Burn has over 100 followers now. yay

I would also like to say that going over a chapter that's already written and four chapters behind the one you're working on is kind of difficult.

Please leave your thoughts in the comments below. I love getting comments.