Rarity was blushing furiously. She could feel the heat in her cheeks. She couldn't help it. The group was currently making their way through the Everfree Forest, with Twilight in the lead, Chris in the middle, Rainbow Dash flying overhead and Rarity bringing up the rear. This proved to be an uncomfortable place for Rarity to be. She hadn't noticed it when Chris was human, but now the subtle swaying of his hips whenever he took a step kept catching her eye. The motion sent his tail rippling back and forth over his flank, where Rarity could see the muscles flexing and contracting with every movement-.
SLAP!
"Uh, Rarity?" Rainbow asked. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, yes I'm fine," Rarity said as she rubbed her cheek where she'd smacked herself. "It was a, uh… bug. On my face."
Rainbow shrugged and went back to flying. Rarity released a shaky sigh. Come on this is ridiculous, she thought. You're not even the same species. It's only a superficial attraction to the physical features of the body he's currently occupying. Once he's changed back to normal everything will be fine.
Meanwhile, up ahead, Chris was oblivious to Rarity's issues. "I think I'm finally getting the hang of this," he said, trying not to stare at his hooves. As such he didn't notice the small patch of damp grass until he put a hoof on it. The hoof slipped and both front legs flew out from under him, planting his face on the ground. This had the unfortunate side-effect of his rump being raised into the air, right in front of the already conflicted Rarity.
"Oh uh haha, I just remembered," she said, holding back her blush through sheer force of will. "I left the stove on at home. Gotta run bye!"
"That was weird," Twilight said as Rarity dashed off.
Chris picked himself up and said, "Probably too much dirt around for her." Twilight raised an eyebrow at him. "Yeah, you're right. That was a bit mean."
Twilight sighed and shook her head. "You've had a tough day. I'll let it slide."
"Yeah plus you were thinking it too," Rainbow said.
"I – shut up." Twilight turned away and stalked off. Chris grinned up at Rainbow and trotted after her. For several more minutes they travelled in silence. Chris glanced around at the trees, feeling uneasy.
"Does anyone else think it's… too quiet?" he asked.
"I was just thinking that," Twilight said. She looked up at Rainbow Dash. "Can you see anything up there Rainbow?"
"Nothing," Rainbow said. "This quiet is really creeping me out. Hang on a second. I think I can smell something."
Chris took a sniff of the air and grimaced. Whatever it was it smelled foul. And it was getting stronger.
"I don't like the look of this," he said.
"Me neither. It smells familiar though," Twilight said.
The smell quickly got worse, thick and choking. Then something else came. Faint at first, but getting louder by the second. Deep, rumbling thumps, like giant footsteps.
"Oh dear," Twilight whimpered.
"What?" The crashing and creaking of foliage had joined the thunderous footsteps.
"I just remembered where I'd smelled that before."
There was a booming thud and the trees ahead of them crashed to the ground, revealing a huge monster towering above them. Its body was round and covered in brown scales, its legs short and stubby. Four heads rose high above them on four sinuous, snake-like necks. Four pairs of eyes locked onto them with malicious intent and four fang filled mouths unleashed a stench laden roar.
"A hydra!" Twilight yelled.
"What do we do Twilight?!" Rainbow yelled, terrified.
"I don't know!"
"Let me handle this," Chris said, completely calm. Then, defying all common sense, he strode forward and waved up to the hydra. "Hello," he called. "Excuse me." The hydra stared at him, confused, and lowered its heads slightly. "Hi there," Chris said with a smile. "I feel that we've got off on the wrong foot, er, hoof. But I've had a bit of a bad day, so I would appreciate it if you would just leave us be and got about your business. 'Kay?" The hydra replied with a ground shaking roar that threatened to throw Chris back. "Fine then. Have it your way," he said, losing the smile. The hydra's heads reared up, preparing to strike, and Chris's horn started to glow. A sky blue aura surrounded the hydra and its triumphant expression quickly changed to confusion as it was slowly lifted into the air. Twilight stared in amazement as the hydra lifted higher. Chris's horn was glowing painfully bright, his teeth gritted and brow furrowed. The hydra stopped rising and hung there for a few moments. Then Chris flicked his head forward in a violent motion, propelling the hydra into the ground, only to be instantly lifted back up and slammed down again. And again. And again. Twilight's jaw hung slack as Chris continually pounded the hydra against the ground. Then he gave a grunt, tensed his muscles and tossed his head upwards, hurtling the hydra towards the sky. The glow of his horn faded, and for a second or two he stood there, looking up at the sky and panting heavily. Then he looked back at the girls, both of whom were staring at him in disbelief.
"Shall we continue?" he said. The hydra hit the ground behind him with an almighty crash, spirals in its eyes.
"Uh…" Twilight managed.
"Wow…" Rainbow said.
Chris shrugged, getting his breath under control. "Too much?"
"You... really needed to let your frustration out didn't you?" Twilight said.
"Twilight my dear, back so soon? To see you again is surely a boon," Zecora said when she opened the door to her hut. Twilight gave a tired smile.
"It's good to see you again too Zecora. But I'm afraid it's not a social call." She gestured to her horn, still floppy and riddled with spots.
"Ah I see what has happened here. Poison joke again, my dear?"
"Yep. But I think I got the better end of the stick." Twilight stepped aside and Chris waved.
"Hi Zecora," he said. Zecora's eyes widened.
"Oh my, Chris is that you? This is something I've never seen that plant do. However there is a question that bothers me still. Can you not get a cure in Ponyville?"
"The spa's all out of the rights herbs," Chris explained. "They wouldn't have any new stock for at least a week."
"Ah now I see. Come, I shall make you the remedy."
A half hour later a large cauldron filled with brew sat bubbling away in the middle of the hut. Twilight used Zecora's stepladder to climb into the cauldron. Then she took a deep breath and stuck her head under the water. A few seconds later she re-emerged, her horn back to normal condition.
"You're turn Chris," she said as she pulled herself out of the pot, taking the towel offered by Zecora. Chris stepped up onto the stepladder and gently lowered himself over the edge of the cauldron. The potion was delightfully warm and fragrant. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before ducking under the water. The others stared at the brew for a few seconds. Then the surface broke and Chris's human head popped up.
"Fingers!" he cheered, holding up his hands. "Beautiful, beautiful fingers." He kissed them, laughing in relief. The others laughed too as he leaned his head back with a contented sigh.
"You know," he said. "I just realised something."
"What?" Twilight asked. Maybe it was some sort of lesson about friendship?
"I'm naked in a cauldron," Chris said, dashing Twilight's hopes. "Can someone go get me some pants?"
The others burst out laughing. Chris raised an eyebrow. "No, I'd really appreciate some clothes please."
Bit of a short chapter. I was expecting it to be a bit longer.
On a related and important note I'm thinking about doing some restructuring with the chapters. What I'm thinking about is putting all the chapters in one story arc (eg. Chapters 1-5, 6-7, 9-10 etc.) into one big chapter. I'll also be sticking to that in future, which will mean longer chapters, but maybe longer writing times as well. Give me your feedback. I'll make a note at the start of the next chapter if I do go through with it. Though you'll probably notice anyway.
Also I am not, I repeat NOT, going to be shipping Rarity and Chris under any circumstances. That was only a little joke at Rarity's expense. I have no intention for them to get together. Just thought I'd make that clear.
Another thing, related to what I said last chapter about writing Zecora's dialogue. Not actually as hard as I thought.
Favourite, follow and review. And another big thanks to everyone who already has.
