Chapter 3

Did that just really happen?

“Mmm.” Whatever that smell was, it was doing wonders for my throbbing head. It was the smell of a light rain on the air. It was so soothing. I buried my face deeper in the source of the scent, the hairs tickling my nose.

“....” Hairs? I opened my eyes, regretting it instantly. The light was like daggers that drove themselves into my eye sockets. I quickly shut them again. I became more aware of my symptoms as memories of the party flooded my head.

“Ugh.” My tongue felt thick and swollen and my jaw was sore. My head was throbbing fiercely. I would say to the beat of my heart but I think I am not allowed to use that saying anymore. I opened my eyes more slowly this time.

After blinking a few times to let my eyes adjust, I noticed a bright, multi-coloured mane at the bottom of my vision. I very slowly moved my head to look down at it. “Rainbow Dash?” My voice came out in a hoarse whisper, but even that was enough to make my head throbbed. I smiled despite it. Dash just looked so cute, laying on top of me snoring like she was.

My smile quickly faded though. Something just struck me as odd, though I couldn’t put my hoof on it. Why was Dash in bed with me? Why was she acting as my blanket? Why was my jaw sore if all we did was drink? That last question may have been a bit of subconscious denial. C’mon, think. What happened last night?

I remember my first drink of that black cider then...then what? I tried to concentrate. I remember vaguely asking Dash if she was into mares and then nothing. “Oooh no...” I shook my head and looked away from the top of Dash’s, only to come face to face with Twilight. Her purple eyes were staring right into mine.

I don’t know how I didn’t notice Twi snuggled up against me earlier. We sat there for what seemed like hours, stuck like deers in headlights, staring into each others eyes. I wonder what color my eyes were in this pony body? I was mildly aware of Twilight breath washing over my muzzle and our noses touching.

I didn’t know what to do. I sure didn’t want to be rude, especially after the activities of last night. “Good morning, Sunshine.” Then I kissed her. That was an accident. I didn’t want to really kiss her but my brain was running on autopilot. I quickly pulled away and waited for her to scream or smack me. Neither came.

Twilight just blinked. “Did...” She took a deep breath. “Did we really do that kind of stuff last night?” She continued to stare at me.

“Dash is sleeping on me and and my jaw is sore...” Still couldn’t talk above a whisper. “And...” I swished my tongue around on my mouth. “There is a weird taste in my mouth.”

Twilight nodded. “Ok. It’s alright. Everything is fine, everything is ok. “ She smiled and patted my face. “Last night was just...a test! Yeah, a test. For science. Yeah.” She started giggling creepily. “I can write a report to Celestia about what I learned. Oh wait. I can just tell her when she gets here. I’ll have to tell my parents and my brother. Not sure how they are going to react but it should be all okaaaay.”

“Twilight...You are scaring me. Please calm down.”

“Calm down? CALM DOWN?!” I winced as she raised her voice. “How can I just calm down?! How would you feel waking up in bed next to two mares?!” I smiled and opened my mouth to answer but she stopped me. “No...No no no. This is so wrong. Rainbow Dash is one of my best friends! How could this have happened?!” She curled up as she started to cry.

“Oh no. Twilight. It’s going to be ok?” I tried to comfort her but I was pinned under both her and Dashie. I settle with just trying to give her my most comforting look. “Look, when Dash gets up, we can talk this whole thing out and it will just be a secret between the three of us, ok?” I gave her a smile. She seemed to calm down a bit and nod.

“Should I just ignore all this then?”

Me and Twilight whipped our heads to the ceiling. Way too quickly, I might add. My head throbbed as I glared at the pony on the ceiling. “You!” I hissed. It was the mare from the hospital, completely defying gravity as she sat on the ceiling staring up at us. Or down at us. I don’t know.

“Oh? Did you really think you wouldn’t see me again? That is a weak train of thought if that is what you expected, little one.” She giggled and pushed off the ceiling, slowly floating to the ground in the middle of the room. “My my. You work quick. You have already bagged two little cuties, and in one night. I am jealous.” She grinned deviously. “How did they taste?”

I felt my face fire up. “Shut up. Just what do you want? I am kind of getting sick of you popping up where you please.” I tried to sound intimidating, but being pinned under a multi-coloured pony lessened the effect a great deal. Dash sleeps like a friggin rock!

“Oh come now, little one. I am truly here for your benefit. Trust me...”

“Get out!” Twi yelled from my side. “Get out of my room. Get out of my home. Get out!” Twilight’s distress was only met with laughter.

“Oh, darling. I do believe this is a public library. Isn’t rude to tell ponies to get out of a public place?”

Twilight got out of her bed and walked up to the mare. “Not only is the Library closed today, this is my private room! Now get out of here before I get the authorities!”

The unicorn mare just smiled smugly at Twilight, infuriating the Element of Magic even more. “Ok ok. I understand my presence isn’t wanted at this sensitive time. I will let you three get back to your lovemaking. Arrivederci.” The mare quickly disappeared.

“Uuuuuggghhh!” Twilight groaned and fell to the floor, holding her head. “My head...why does it hurt so much...” I couldn’t help but giggle.

“That is the curse of alcohol. I take it you don’t drink much?” I was just ignoring the fact I was under Dash at this point. Truthfully, I didn’t really mind. She was soft, warm and smelled really good.

“No...I have drank only a few times....nothing like this though...I will never drink that cider again.” I would have laughed but I was afraid of agitating my head. “Why would anypony make such a drink?”

“Probably for the situation we are in right now,” I muttered under my breath.  I sighed and took another deep breath. I could smell something else in the air than just Dash. “That smells like....pancakes.” Dash snorted and raised her head sleepily.

“Did somepony say pancakes?” I bursted out laughing, quickly stopping because of my throbbing head. I smiled innocently as Dash looked down at me. “Okay...What the hay happened last night?” She didn’t freak out like Twilight did, or was doing, but she looked a bit peeved. “Newbie?”

I shrugged. “Seems me, you and Twilight got to know each other better last night.” I wonder what kind of reaction I am going to get that. Dash just snorted and rolled off of me. I missed her already .

“Well that’s great. Where is Twilight anyway?” I sat up and pointed to the purple lump on the floor. Stretching my wings out felt so good after they had been cramped up under me all night. “Twilight?” Rainbow Dash got out of the bed and sat next to her friend. “What’s the matter, Twilight?”

Twilight looked up at RD with the saddest eyes. “What am I going to tell everypony? How am I going to explain this?” Dashie just smiled and puffed out her chest.

“Don’t worry about it, Twi. These things happen sometimes. You can’t go around beating yourself up about it. All you can do is just explain to everypony how things are.” When the hell did Rainbow Dash get so inspirational? “Now, let’s go downstairs and bug Berry about these hangovers and get some pancakes.”

Ah. Pancake driven inspiration. Happens to the best of us. Rainbow Dash patted Twilight’s head as she looked over to me. “Hey newbie. You hungry too?” In response, my stomach growled loudly.

“Yeah. Seems I didn’t get enough to eat last night.” Crude joke is crude. Twilight just gave me a confused look as Dash laughed. I was surprised how much Dash was taking this in stride. This only leads me to believe she may have gone through a situation like this before.

This bravado only lasted until we got downstairs. When the three of us entered the kitchen, we shied away from prying eyes with red faces. “Oh boy.” Applejack pulled her hat over her face a bit. “I just knew it was a mistake to let her sleep up there after the way Twilight was all over her. I knew  should have rushed up there when I heard that thumpin’”

“AJ...Maybe we should talk about this later.” She nodded. “Where are Berry and Pinkie?” AppleJack frowned and pointed to a shadowy corner of the kitchen. There sat Pinkie Pie. Her mane and tail were flat as a single blue eye stared at us from under the pink mane.

“When ya all were making so much noise last night, ya woke up Pinkie Pie. There was still a half a bottle of cider left. It’s empty now.” We turned back to Pinkie Pie.

“I am pain. I am suffering. All shall know my torment upon this land!”

“I don’t recommend gettin’ close to her. “ The three of us nodded in agreement. I watched as Dash and Twilight sat down at the table. I kept my place by the door. “Hey June Bug, them pancakes ready yet? They smell delicious.”

June bug! I know that name. No wonder I didn’t recognized her. Haven’t seen the mare since season one. “Pancakes are good, but you haven’t told us where Berry Punch is.”

“Uh...well....She um....She went to.....She’s gettin’ some.....groceries!”

“Groceries?” I said, skeptically.

“Eeyup...groceries.” AJ gave a very unconvincing smile. I knew she was bad at lying, but this was just shameful.

“Applejack...What is really going on? Where is BerryPunch?” I really didn’t feel like playing games. My head was throbbing way to much from the events of this morning.

“Well she....” AJ rubbed the back of her head. “I’m not sure how to put this...” JuneBug sighed and turned to us.

“Berry is out buying more booze. She wants to have another drinking party again tonight.” Dash, Twi and me groaned.

“No.” Twilight slammed a hoof on the table. “That is not happening again.” Twilight sighed and laid her head on the tabled. “Doesn’t matter. She’ll just take what she buys home...” Twilight move her gaze over to JuneBug. “Those pancakes almost done?” She said hopefully.

JuneBug nodded. “Just give me a few more minutes. It’s not easy cooking for so many ponies, don’t you know?” She turned back to the stove and kept working. We mostly sat in silence until the food was done. Even then, we didn’t talk much. AppleJack and Junebug was talking about business, Dash speaking out once in awhile to boast about some new trick she was trying.

Things seemed to be smoothing out for us as breakfast went on. Even Pinkie slunk from her corner to grab a pancake before going back. When I finished my stack of pancakes, I noticed Berry Punch still hadn’t gotten back. “Berry Punch has been gone awhile. Maybe we should go find her...”

The others seemed to notice this as well. “She is usually pretty punctual until she gets some punch in her, but even then she is never this late.” Junebug frowned and collected our plates. “I think I will go look for her.” She deposited our plates into the sink. “Well, everypony. I had a great night. I hope we can meet again.” She smiled as she left the room.

The room was silent for a moment before AppleJack stood up. “Welp, I think need to head off too. Can’t leave Big Mac and AB with all the chores. See y’all later.” AJ tipped her stetson and departed, leaving the three of us at the table in an awkward silence.

“So...What about last night?” I asked, finding the bare table top to hold my gaze.

“What about last night?” Dash sighed. “There really isn’t anything we can do about it. We just have to accept that it happened and move on.” Oh yeah. I am almost positive Dash has been in this situation before. Now I am curious of the details.

“That is easier said than done.” Twilight laid her head on the table. “I mean, I am not even into other mares! How could this have happened? This is so bad...” She began hitting her head against the table top.

“Oh come on, Twi. At least it was with friends and not some strangers! We won’t judge you for it and you know it’s going to stay a secret. None of us are gonna tell anypony.” Dash sighed, fluttering over and patting Twilight. “It’s alright...” I felt so out of place. I turned to leave the room.

I ran right into a big, poofy pink mane. “Where are you going, Crystal?” Pinkie Pie is fixed. She grabbed me up and took me to the others, gathering us all into a big hug. “Now girls, What happens at Pinkie’s Punch Party stays at Pinkie’s Punch Party, even if it was cider.”

Dash scratched her head. “Isn’t that what they say about Las Pegasus? I am sure it is...”Pinkie Pie giggled and let us go.

“Come on, Twilight! I wanna see that frown turned upside down. “ Pinkie flashed a big infectious smile to the downtrodden mare. Twilight looked up at Pinkie. Nothing happened at first but then the corner of Twi’s mouth twitched. The longer Twilight stared at Pinkie’s gigantic smile, the larger her smile got until she finally started laughing.

“Oh Pinkie...Ok ok. I am better now. “ Twilight put a hoof to her chest and then extended it, letting out a heavy breath. “Alright. Now I have to start getting things ready for Princess Celestia if I want to stay on schedule around here. Um...” Twilight frowned at me. “I really don’t have anything planned for you..”

I quickly held my hoof up. “Hakuna Matata, Twilight. You don’t have to change your schedule around to compensate for me. I’ll just go take a fly above town. I have really been wanting to try these wings out again.“ I extended them out for effect.

“Good idea, Newbie. We should continue our training. I have a couple tricks that I think you are ready for.” She patted me on my back rather harshly. “Let’s go.” She began pulling me towards the door.

“Oh wait.” I stopped and looked back at Twilight. “What time should I be back for Princess Celestia?”

“Oh. She is suppose to arrive around two so being back here around noon would be great!” She smiled as she began washing the dishes. I nodded and left the kitchen with Dash. As we reached the front door of the library, I could hear Pinkie singing from the kitchen.

“It means no worries for the rest of your days!”

I laughed as I opened up the door and stepped into the bright, beautiful Equestrian morning. I felt the rays of Celestia’s sun warming my fur and the slightest breeze running through the feathers of my outstretched wings. Taking in a deep breath, I could smell everything. Well, that might be an exaggeration but it was amazing.

I could smell breads baking from some shop, the multiple breakfasts of the ponies throughout town. I could smell the flowers, the air, the clouds! There was no polution in this world. Nothing to bog down the many wonderful scents it had to offer. It was crisp and clean. It was wonderful. It was, for the lack of a better word, magical!

I must have looked really strange because she ask me, “Hey there, Newbie. What’s wrong with you?” I opened my eyes, not even knowing I had them closed. Opening my hooves wide, I motioned to...everything.

“This, Dash. This whole world. It is amazing! You can’t even begin to imagine what this is like for me.” I took another deep breath. “My world..it is an industrial one. It is shameful to say but there is sources of pollution everywhere. I doubt you could find anywhere in my world as pure as this one.” I let out a relieved sigh.

“I don’t know, Newbie. This sounds like something you should be talking to Twilight about.” Rainbow Dash looked around. “But yeah, I guess this place is kind of cool.” Dash spread her wings and took to the air, quickly clearing the top of the Library. “You coming, Newbie? Or am I gonna have to carry you like yesterday?”

“Oh it. Is. On!” I grinned and got into a take off stance. The moment I was about to kick off, it felt like an electrical surge passed through my body. It wasn’t painful, actually quite the opposite. I gasped and fell to the ground, holding my chest.

“Crystal!” Dash dove from the air and landed next to me. “Crystal, are you ok?” The feeling had passed and all was normal again. I nodded and got to my hooves.

“Oh yeah...I am fine. Come on. Let’s go...”

Dash stopped me and frowned. “Maybe we should talk to Twilight about this. That didn’t look like you were fine.” Why was she stopping me? I had to fly, I had to move! I couldn’t sit still while Twilight probed at me.

“Oh I see. You are scared I am gonna kick your flank up there, aren’t you?” A smirk from me and a glare from her. “Oh what shame. The great Rainbow Dash getting her tail whipped from some newbie.” Where was this coming from?

“Oh now you’re asking for it!” I quickly took to the air before Dash could say anything else, flying up in the clouds. I looked behind me, expecting her to be right on my tail. I couldn’t see her anywhere. I stopped in mid-air and began looking for her.

“Hey, Newbie. Looking for somepony?” I looked up to see Dash’s head poking over a cloud. “You look lost!”

I huffed and flew up to her. “Yeah yeah. Fastest flyer in Equestria.” She nodded and moved to the side to let me land on the cloud as well. I didn’t fall through like I thought I might. I settled down and smiled. Discord wasn’t lying. I really could see why Pegasi enjoy clouds so much. They were comfy.

“Hey Newbie...”

I looked to her to see her blushing and messing with the bit of cloud in front of her. Rainbow Dash looking this embarrassed was nearly overwhelmingly cute. “Yeah, Dash. What is going on?” I watched as she molded the cloud into different little shapes. I wonder if I can do that? I’ll have to ask how later.

“Well...It is about this morning. Do you...Do you regret it like Twi does?” She stopped playing with the cloud and stared at me. I sighed. Why was she confiding in me? She hardly knows me.

“No, Dash. I am not in the same boat as Twilight though.” I rubbed the back of my head. “You see...I am really a guy, or rather I was one. I mean, I could whine about the whole different species thing but that doesn’t exactly strike true in my heart. I am a lenient soul.” I frowned. “I am getting off subject...”

Sighing again, I patted Dash on the back. “You really like Twilight, don’t you?” Dash just shrugged against my hoof. “I am not really sure what to say, Rainbow Dash. Just give her some time to sort it out herself, I guess. Not much sense worrying about what ifs and what could bes.”

“Yeah yeah. I guess you are right. You wanna come with me to Fluttershy’s? I need to pick up a book about turtles for Tank.”

“Isn’t Tank a tortoise?”

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “C’mon.” She jumped off the cloud and headed off. I chuckled and quickly followed suit. As we gently glided towards Fluttershy’s cottage, Dash took the liberty of coaching me on corrections in my flight pattern. Everything was going smoothly.

I relished in the gentle breeze. The wind felt great, trickling through my feathers and fur. There was nothing I have experience on earth that was exhilarating as this. As we neared the looming forest of Everfree and Fluttershy’s house, a movement of colour snapped me out of my flying stupor.

“Hey, Dash. Isn’t that Junebug and Berry Punch down there? Why are they heading into the Everfree?”

Dash looked in the direction I was motioning to just before the two ponies disappeared into the trees. “Yeah. That don’t seem right. Let’s go check it out, Newbie.” Rainbow Dash tilted and began descending towards the edge of the woods with me following behind. I had a hard time keeping my eyes off the mare in front of me, cursing the alcohol for sapping my memory. You can think it lewd or what have you. I don’t really care.

We landed just at the edge before shrubbery and trees started thickening. “Hey, BP...Junebug....You in there?” Dash called out. “Weird. C’mon, Newbie. Let’s go find them.” I didn’t move. “What’s wrong, Newbie? Are you scared?”

I huffed. “No. I am just worried. This is the Everfree Forest we are talking about. It isn’t the safest place in Equestria you know...” Rainbow Dash began laughing.

“Don’t worry about it, Newbs. I’ll protect you from all the big baddies.”

I scoffed. “Whatever, my little Dashie. Let’s go find them.” Dash blushed.

“H-hey! Don’t call me that.” She growled. I just smiled and flicked my tail at her as I passed.

“You look so cute when you blush like that.” I stuck my tongue out at her before entering the forest. Dash said nothing but followed me. We walked into the forest a bit until we couldn’t see where we came in anymore. “This is getting creepy.”

The forest was deathly silent. It was like out of a horror movie yet things were real. The wind was still and I could hear my heart thumping in my chest. Oh wait. No I couldn’t. Every little sound seem to be amplified as we trekked through the fallen leaves.

“There she is!”

Dash yelled from right next to my ear. “Aaah! Dang it, Rainbow Dash! You nearly gave me a heart attack!” I got a smirk from her.

“Look!” She pointed over near some tall bushes. “There is Berry!” Sure enough, laying in front of the bushes, was Berry Punch. She was laying there unconscious. “Come on! We gotta see what’s wrong.” I could feel that electric tingling in my body from before, only not as much. Dash dashes forward to Berry’s side.

“Dash...wait. I thi-” I froze in horror as Dash was blasted aside by a burst of green magic. I watched her smack against a tree and go limp, slumping on the ground. “W-who’s there?!” There was a rustling from the bushes. I spread my legs a bit to make myself look sturdy but I am not sure how effective I would be fighting like this.

First thing to come out of the bushes was a long white horn. It was then followed by an ever-flowing, multi colored mane. The snow white fur of the mare coming from the bushes seemed to glow in the low lighting caused by the thick foliage. “No way...”

There standing in front of me was none other than Princess Celestia herself. My mind raced at the possibilities of why she was out here in the forest. Nothing seemed to make sense. I was too wrapped up in my astonishment to even notice her walking to me until she was right next to me.

“Princess...What are you doing out here?” She smiled warmly at me, staying silent. Pain exploded through my head as Celestia suddenly raised her hoof and smacked me. This knocked me off my hooves. Celestia didn’t wait for me to make a move before she started kicking me in the ribs and face. I could barely shield myself. I could feel that tingling from before growing, my chest getting hot.

She must have gotten bored of kicking me, as I was lifted into the air by magic and thrown against a tree. Coughing, I slowly got to my hooves. My whole body was throbbing and the burning sensation in my chest was becoming bothersome. I looked up to see her horn glowing with a green aura. It was like a flame as it licked at her horn.  Princess Celestia then leveled her head to me.

“Oh no...” I remembered the burst of magic that took out Dash. The condition I was in, I had no hope of dodging it. I could only watch as the energy was released in my direction. Time seemed to slow down as it flew through the air at me. “No...” My chest was on fire. “No...” I threw my hooves in front of me and closed my eyes. “NOOO!!”

A ringing echoed throughout the forest. I heard something scream out in front of me. I opened my eyes, blinking. Floating in front of me was a circular disk of glass. No, that isn’t glass. It was crystal. I slowly reached out and touched the crystal with my right hoof gingerly. I gasped as it flowed onto and wrapped around my hoof.

Past my hoof, I saw Celestia. She wore a grimace as a green flame spread across her chest. Where the flame died out, a black chitinous shell was revealed underneath. It spread quickly, revealing tattered wings and a crooked horn. She had piercing blue eyes and fangs that slid over her bottom lip. “A changeling...”

The thing hissed at me. “Stupid pegasus pony! You can’t use magic!” It lowered its horn at me again and fired another green blast of energy. Same thing happened as before. Time almost seemed to slow down. Everything seemed so much clearer. It was like going from standard to high definition. I yelled out as I swung my crystal covered hoof and punched the blast of magic.

The energy was refracted on the crystal, shooting off into different directions. As I watched the magic get harmlessly redirected, I smiled. I can beat this thing. I lunged forward, closing the distance between us before it had a chance to recover. I swung my hoof, connecting with it’s jaw before it had time to defend itself. There was a satisfying crack.

I stood on my hind legs, using my wings for balance, as I unleashed a flurry of punches and jabs on the thing. I followed up on it, not letting the changeling fall to the ground. This thing gave no resistance. Probably has never had to defend itself. I watched as it finally swung its own hoof in an attempt to fight back. I smirk, feeling the crystal over my hoof shift into a sort of sword.

I swung upwards, completely separating its entire leg from it’s body. It screamed out in pain as green blood gushed out of the open wound. In swung it’s other hoof weakly at me in anger. I knocked it aside easily and drove my sword into its shoulder, pinning it to a tree. It growled. “What are you waiting for? Finish me off!” I shook my head.

“No...you are beaten. Just leave this place. Go home or find someplace else to live....just never show your face around here again....any of them.” I pulled my sword from the tree and it’s shoulder, turning around. I started back to the two mares, planning to check on Berry and Dash. I had only taken a step when I heard the thing hiss and the crunch of leaves as the thing attacked me from behind. I whirled around and drove the crystal sword hard into the things chest.

I watched as the light of life slowly faded from the things eyes and it slid off my sword and onto the ground. I stared at the blood covered sword attached to my hoof and leg with an exhilarated smile.

“Did that just really happen?”