Chapter 9: True stripes revealed

Brony: "Well, I was planning on doing a Hearths Warming chapter, but sadly it's not winter in the story yet and it's past Christmas. Oh well... wait, why is my name next to what I'm saying? Isn't this usually down as a note?"

Pinkie: "Hi Tommy!"

Brony: "Pinkie?! What are you doing in my bedroom?!"

Pinkie: "Well, I figured that, since I would eventually end up on fanfiction because of your other story, I would take an early visit."

Brony: "That doesn't explain why you're 'here' though."

Pinkie: "I was getting to that, silly. Anyway, I saw in other stories how the characters and the writers would talk before the stories, so I thought it would be fun to do just that."

Brony: "So, is this going to become a regular thing?"

Pinkie: "Planning on it."

Brony: "Okay, you might as well bring somepony else next time. It's boring with only two people."

Pinkie: "Okie dokie Lokie. Anyway, Brony Boy does not own My Little Pony."

Brony: "Wait, I forgot to mention something!"

Pinkie: "Can't it wait?"

Brony: "Ugh... fine. Just because it's you."

Pinkie: "Oh, you're so sweet. Maybe that's why you have all the mares after you."

Brony: *blushes* "On with the story!"

I have to admit, being a stepdad isn't so bad. I got to know Dinky and Amethyst really well. It's so sad to find out how Amethyst became an orphan, though. For a little while I started to think that Dinky was adopted too, what with how similar she and Amethyst were in personality. But Derpy... let's just say she had some 'photographic evidence.'

That morning, I was at the front of the school house, ready to drop off 'my' girls (whom I care about very much). Derpy was to my left and Dinky was jumping up and down between us.

"Remember, Dinky," I said, nervous about the filly, "I want to know everything you do in class. So when you get home, tell me and your mother about everything Miss Cheerilee teaches."

"Tommy!" warned Derpy.

"Oh, right," I continued. "Your mom and I have packed you a lunch, which we've already put in your saddle. Inside you will find a hay-burger, a few roses, and (of course) a muffin. Now be good today."

Dinky beamed up at me. "Thanks Daddy! And don't worry, I will!" She then raced off to class.

I looked around for Amethyst, only to find that she had disappeared. Derpy then tapped me on the shoulder and pointed behind me. When I turned, the was nopony there. I thought it over for a moment before realizing that I felt a little heavier than usual.

Just by... well, trying to look into Derpy's eyes I asked her for help. She nodded and with a lot of effort (Amethyst has one heck of a grip) we were able to pry her off my back.

"Nnnnnnnooooooooo!" she screamed, drawing tons of unwanted attention. "I don't want to go! I want to stay with mom and dad all day! I've barely gotten to know you!"

I smiled at her. "Okay, you can stay with us all day."

"Yay!" cried both Amethyst and Derpy. I had to scowl at Derpy to get her to realize what I was doing.

"But," I continued, "I guess I'll have to cancel the plans I made to have supper later this week with Princess Luna." Her eyes bugged out at the sound of the princess's name. "I know how much you admire her so-"

Before I could finish my thought, Amethyst took off at top speed for the school building. Then, Derpy leaned in close to me. "I knew that would work."

"Work?!" I asked, not believing my ears. "You were going to let her miss out on school!"

"Yeah," she replied, "but I've learned to trust you a little more than myself."

I looked at the schoolhouse, thinking about the wonderful time I knew that Dinky and Amethyst would have. The sound of screams tore me from my train of thought and a sudden pain tore surged in the back of my head. I fell to the ground and my vision turned black.

Twilight's POV

So... Tommy has a herd now? I'm sure he's seen me blushing when we're around. Maybe I can use this to my advantage.

Finally, I got my mind off of the red and yellow stallion to remember why I was currently walking through town. Why is no pony around? Did I survive the ponyclypse?

"Oh sweet Celestia, I'm going to have to fight zombies, aren't I?" I asked myself.

"Twilight, I don't think that's the case," Spike said, wierd I forgot he was on my back. "How did you just notice that Ponyville is deserted? I've been trying to tell you that since we left the library. What's on your mind?"

I responded a little too quickly with a guilty, "Nothing."

Spike didn't buy it. "It's that strange colt isn't it?" I nodded. "I don't trust him, he keeps saying that he used to be a human, whatever that is."

"He did used to be a human," I snapped back. "I will not let you ruin his good name."

"Good name? Twilight, he's the element of DECEPTION, what's to say he isn't still evil? He could be fooling you all!"

I thought it over for a little bit. "That... is a very good point. How can we trust a guy that has saved our lives multiple times and helped destroy Nightmare Moon and turn her back to Princess Luna."

Spike seemed to have it all thought out surprisingly. For a baby dragon, he could actually think some things through, not all but some. "Maybe he just wanted to beat you all himself, let you all feel safe around him so that you would let your guard down. After defeating the Elements of Harmony he could then either take over Equestria or make a quick escape to wherever he's from."

"Okay, why are you never this smart when I want to help me?"

"... Me no know what you talking about," he said while jumping off my back and starting to walk away. "Bye bye crazy pony."

Okay, one of these days I'm going to have to overwork him just for that. "Okay, now where was I? Oh right, where the hell is everypony!?"

"Psst, Twilight," I heard from the far right. When I turned to see who it was, nopony was there.

Five minutes later, I heard the voice coming from a different building. Once again there was nopony there. When I turned away, though, a pair of hooves wrapped around me and pulled me inside. To my delight it wasn't a zombie or even some stranger, just honest Applejack.

"Twilight, what are ya doin' here? You should know know by now to hide when she comes to town," she said in a hushed tone.

"When who comes?" I asked. When I looked around I saw that everypony was there: Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Apple Bloom, Derpy, Rainbow, and even Tommy. Though, he wasn't in the best condition. "Why is Tommy tied up in rope?" He was on the ground struggling and shouted muffled words into a bandana that was tied around his mouth.

Everypony looked to Rainbow and Derpy for the answer. "Well," Derpy started, "when I found that Zecora was coming, I kind of... banged him over the head with a frying pan."

"Why?" Derpy only shrugged her shoulders.

Dash just stared, wondering what Tommy saw in Derpy. "Anyway," she started, "we grouped together here in order to hide and everypony started to show up."

"He woke up when I came," Pinkie said. "and I showed up right before you."

"When he did wake up, we told him what was goin' on," Applejack continued. "He started resistin' and ah was forced to tie the poor boy up."

I just stared in amazement, shocked about the craziness that had happened while I was taking a nap at the library. "What exactly is going on?" I asked. "And who is this Zecora?"

A loud crunch was heard from outside the door and everypony just pointed outside. I took a glance out the window and there was a strange mare standing in the middle of the street. The only thing I could see was the bottom of her legs which were striped in black and white.

Suddenly her head turned to show glowing yellow eyes. Eyes that seemed like they could pierce the soul and unlock all the secrets to a pony's mind.

When I turned around everypony was curled up in each corner of the room, pretending that they didn't exist.

"She's a witch." "She's evil." "She's going to kill us all," everypony said one at a time.

"Mmmph, mmmmmmmmph!" cried Tommy, muffled by the bandana.

"What's that boy?" Derpy asked. "Pipsqueek fell down the well? I'll save him!"

Everypony grabbed hold of her before she could get too far to the door. "Derpy," Dash said, "since we're sharing the same colt I have to tell you that is not what he said and going outside would be suicide."

"What's suicide?"

"Just don't go outside."

I watched as everypony cowered in fear, except for the poor kidnapped stallion who seemed to get angrier by the second. "Um... girls, Tommy knows the future. Is there a chance that he thinks Zecora is nice and not evil?" At this he shook his head in agreement. "Like that?"

"Oh please," Dash said, "he's obviously just delusional from being hit upside the head by a frying pan."

Derpy looked down in sadness, "Sorry, too far. I know that now."

Tommy's eyes seemed to soften and his body started hopping towards Derpy who was crouched on her hind knees. With a nudge of his head he got her attention and laid his head on her lap. This seemed to cheer her up as she pet his mane.

I could tell what Tommy was probably thinking. Probably something on the lines of: If you want, you could just untie me instead of petting my head. Please? Yeah, that sounds about right.

"But, what if Twilight's right?" Apple Bloom asked. "What if Zecora is nice and just wants a friend?"

A rag was quickly held underneath her mouth, by Applejack, as she breathed in. Soon her eyes became heavy and she fell to the ground, knocked out. "There, there," Applejack whispered, "this is for ya own good, little sis."

"Did you just use chloroform on your own sister?!" I cried. "Isn't that going a little too far?"

Applejack glared at me in anger, "Too far? Is anything too far to protect mah kin?"

"Yes," Derpy spoke up, still stroking Tommy's mane, "using chloroform on family is past the border for helping them."

"Who asked ya?" Applejack snapped. "Y'all have been a single mother for years now. Not until this misfit from another world showed up."

Tears started to form in Derpy's eyes as she started to rub Tommy's head with more force. Even though they didn't get along all the time, Dash flew over to her to comfort her.

Everypony glared at Applejack now. A huge argument broke out over who was right and who was wrong. Rarity was on Applejack's side, which makes sense since she has a younger sister. What didn't make sense was that Pinkie Pie, who hasn't seen her family in years, was also on their side.

I tried to calm everypony down, and during the huge fight, where Tommy was thrown around the room for some reason, I saw Apple Bloom wake up and sneak out of the house. I tried to get Applejack's attention so she could stop her, but she just kept yelling her ideas of protecting a family. Sometimes I feel like I need some more friends, mine are just too crazy.

"Um... Applejack," I tried again.

"Ah'm tellin' you, Ah did the right thing!" she snapped, not knowing that I wasn't in the fight.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance, "Fine, sure you are. Do you know where Apple Bloom is?"

Applejack looked around the room to see that her little sister was nowhere to be found. "Shit, where'd she run off to?!" she screamed.

I pointed to the door then watched as everypony started to go frantic with fear. With one quick sweeping motion, Derpy hoisted Tommy onto her back and trotted to the door.

"Save Muffin Bloom!" she cried.

"mmph mm mmmph," Tommy tried saying.

"Right, save Apple Muffin Bloom!" Derpy said this time. Tommy banged his head in frustration on Derpy, which accidently made her start to move full speed outside. Maybe they are the perfect match for each other; I mean, that wasn't the smartest thing to do.

Everypony else, probably to save Tommy (not Apple Bloom), ran out the door in order to try and help. Before I did the same I looked for Spike in order to tell him to stay in case she came back. Then I remembered that the ungrateful bastard went back to the library.

"Okay, baby dragon's going to have triple chores for the next few weeks," I mumbled under my breath before I started out the door as well.

My POV

May I just say, being tied up sucks ass. No one bothered to even listen to my story. I think it is fair to say that if I ever get back to my world, this will be my least favorite episode EVER. Tied up and now riding on the back of Derpy, I have to say I'd enjoy this if I was still human and it was under different circumstances.

Round and round we went, Derpy didn't seem to have any sense of direction. With every trot I was thrown slightly into the air and landed back where I was before.

With a little force, I was able to push most of my wings through the ropes and get some air. I may have been tied up, but at least now I could float a few feet off the ground. Now, to find Apple Bloom.

Why is it that I was tied up and stuck riding on Derpy with no help from anypony in town? Come to think of it, I flew all the way to the Everfree Forest (still tied up) and still nopony helped. What the fuck is wrong with this town?

Anyway, when I did make it to the Everfree Forest I was able to catch up with Apple Bloom. When she saw me, she pulled down the rag around my mouth and I explained what was going on. "Zecora isn't evil, you're doing the right thing," I finished.

"Well~," Apple Bloom looked at me like I was crazy; sure I knew the future, but a few whacks to the head by a Derpy can mess somepony up. "Okay, Ah'll believe ya, for now; but you're coming with me. I need a hostage in case you're wrong."

"Oh, well that's fine," I started, then my eyes bugged out. "Wait, wwwwhhhhaaaat?"

Before I could argue, she moved the handkerchief back over my mouth. "Now stay quiet so we can sneak up on her." I can't say I thought this was going well, but hey, when you're a guy transported to a world controlled by colorful ponies and you died once, you're not sure when everything's going to be okay.

I went along with what was going on, slowly hovering in front of Apple Bloom and watching out for any timberwolves, dragons, hydras, or whatever the fuck could be out here.

I actually forgot the danger of the time until we came to the edge of a patch of blue flowers. My eyes widened under my glasses in fear, and I quickly backed up until I bumped into Apple Bloom.

"Hey, what are you doin'? We have to keep moving," she said, trying to push me forward to no prevail. We kept up our little game of chicken until a familiar voice reached our ears.

"Apple Bloom," we turned around to see Applejack, Derpy, and the rest of the girls, staring angrily from another patch of the blue flower, "you get back here right now. You too, Tommy." While Apple Bloom did as she was told and jumped onto Applejack's back while I shook my head and looked around at all the miniature patches of the blue flower, unseen before by the incoming mist.

Derpy flew over to me and picked me up on her back before carrying me to where she stood before. I was having a miniature heart attack, staring at what I hoped would not be my future. We stood in silence until a low, yet still female voice broke through the mist. "Beware, beware you pony folk."

Everypony in the group turned to see a striped figure covered in a brown cloak, Zecora herself. "Those weeds of blue are not a joke."

Mumbles of anti-curses slipped out of everypony's mouth to prevent what they thought would happen. "Silence witch!" cried Pinkie Pie.

"Beware, beware~" Zecora continued, backing away.

"Good riddance," whispered Applejack.

Moments went by, I thought I was going to make it out of there without something bad happening to me. Then... three... two... one, "Yeah, run away you evil pony!" yelled Derpy, standing back on her hind legs and causing me to fall with a thud onto my back. Where you might ask? I fell right into a patch of blue, the cause of all of my fright.

Unrightful words about zebras and bewitchment that even I don't feel like mentioning. After that, with me struggling to get free, I was carried to the home I shared with Derpy, Dinky, Amethyst, and Carrot Top and placed into bed, my room painted black with no windows. It was not until morning, when a bright light woke me up... did I mention my room had no lights either?

Twilight's POV

My night was filled with nightmares of evil ponies, annoying Pinkie songs, and curses. I know that curses are fake magic. They don't really exist; they're just like Trixie's magic, mear tricks.

I woke up the next morning, my hair a mess, and walked to the mirror. I tried to use my magic to lift my violet comb so I could brush my mane only for a beam of energy to shoot out in the opposite direction, picking up my toothbrush instead.

"What the?" I mumbled to myself. My magic had never worked like this before. Yes I could shoot out beams of energy to hurt others, I had done that to to keep Tommy in his place multiple times, but I could always control where they went. I tried to pick up my comb again, only for another beam to hit my mirror, bounce back, and hit my mane, causing it to get even messier.

I could work with this though, with the power I now had over my hair I straightened it down to the state I usually kept it. That's how I discovered why my magic was acting all... wonky!

My normally all light purple horn had somehow grown blue spots all over it and was... is flaccid an appropriate word to use in this situation? It slowly flopped to the left and I tried using a simple transportation spell. My result was a beam of light teleporting my toothbrush one inch to the left.

"Okay," I said, taking deep breaths to try and calm down, "So I can still use any spell I like, I just have to aim now. My horn only works on objects that it's pointing at."

I kept quiet for a few more seconds before letting out a scream that would wake a sleeping dragon, which it did. "Ugh, what's with the racket?" Spike asked, looking at Twilight. "What happened to your horn?"

My morning was spent looking up spells that could fix my horn, sadly, I found none. Spike kept trying to get me to read this book on curses, but I kept having to explain to him that curses were not real.

Suddenly, there came three loud knocks on the door. BANG, BANG, BANG! On the third knock, a blue streak broke through the door and crashed into the opposite wall. When I turned around, there was Rainbow Dash, upside down on the floor, an angry look on her face.

A creak from behind me too my attention away from Dash, though. Entering now was a bright light... wait, what?

The light moved to the side to let Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and a strange mare that I'd never seen before, yet, she seemed familiar. She had a tan coat and mane with what looked like spots around her. Her eyes, were... derped? Is that Derpy?! But she was an earth pony, how could this be Derpy.

In fear of the idea, I looked away at my other friends. Pinkie had a blue spotted tongue (just like my horn), Rarity had hair that dangled off her in strands to the floor, but Fluttershy looked completely fine.

Once Again, I glanced at the light; it was a simple circle, but something was off about it.

"Ssspparrre, into the wight," Pinkie whispered, soaking me in spit.

"Oish ing bu, Pinkie Pie," a voice boomed, shaking the entire library.

That voice, "Tommy?" I squinted as hard as I could and finally I saw a dark figure in the light. The figure trotted forward to show a colt with a red coat and yellow zipper design. He wore his usual tux shirt with black shades. "What happened?"

"A chi wa ki, yo fo bobo Zecora," he said, once again shaking the library.

"Sssspppeeee!" Pinkie tried to shout, "It spwas Zecorrrra!" As she spoke, she spat all over Tommy. He opened his mouth to try to yell at Pinkie, but I quickly shut it by using magic to turn it into a zipper and closing it.

I glared at the group in front of me, "Okay, I'll admit that something strange is happening-"

"I'll say," Rarity interrupted, "look at my normally gorgeous hair!" Each enormous strand of her hair waved back and forth with each word she spoke.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "As I was saying, something strange is happening, but there has to be a reasonable explanation, there always is."

"Ok," said a high pitched voice from nowhere, "how do you explain this?" I turned around and there was Apple Bloom, except on her back was a micro size version of Applejack.

I tried to come up with an answer and ended up shrugging my shoulders. "But nothing seems wrong with Fluttershy."

Everypony's attention turned to the yellow pegasus. "I don't want to talk about it," she said, except her voice was like a colt who had swallowed anti-helium.

Spike then began to laugh like his life depended on it. "Oh sweet Celestia, this is hilarious! Here we have Hairity, Rainbow Crash, Flutterguy, Appletini, Spitty Pie, an Element of Deception who can't stay hidden, a mare who keeps eating herself, and an Element of Magic that can't even control it!"

A blast of energy then sent Spike through one of the bookshelves. "Who said I can't control my magic?" Twilight asked. "All I need is to make sure I point my horn."

"Are we gonna get anything done about our condition, or not?" Applejack asked.

Tommy unzipped his mouth to speak up, without anyone noticing, "Apple Bloom," he said, easily grabbing our attention by shaking the entire room.

Everypony looked around, trying to find the little filly. "Oh no!" Applejack cried. "Not again, she wouldn't go try to find Zecora again."

"Come on girls," Dash rallied, "It's time to pony up, we have to take down Zecora! Who's with me?"

"Isppp am," Pinkie spitted out.

"As am I," agreed Rarity.

"Muffins," Derpy chanted, now missing a hind leg and her tail. She was about to take a bite out of one of her front legs when Tommy flew over to stop her.

"Derpy, stop eating yourself!" I yelled. "And the rest of you, there has to be a reasonable way to confront this!"

"Okay, then, what is it, wise girl?"

I thought about it for a while. "Well, we could... um... we... uh... I'm sorry." I started marching along with the group as we left out the door, determined to return to normal.

Tommy began humming a little tune, as if he was enjoying this. I just don't get him sometimes. The tune, it sounded similar to "We're Off to see the Wizard" from the Wizard of Oz. The tune that Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the tin mare, and the cowardly manticore sang while on their way the the emerald city at the end of the gold dirt road.

On top of Tommy's head, Applejack hitched a ride, soon beginning to sing along with the hum. Next Fluttershy and her deep voice started to sing. By the time we were halfway through town all of us were singing along to Tommy's humming.

Meanwhile At That Fancy Outdoor Restraunt

"Uh... hey Bon Bon... am I crazy or is that a tiny Applejack, riding a beam of light, following a shaggy Rarity and a floppy horned Twilight? And does Fluttershy have a guy's voice?" Lyra asked.

Bon Bon didn't even turn away from the menu she was holding. Bon Bon thought her friend was the pushing the luck of being given a birthday lunch. "No, but who do you think is watching the Wizard of Oz right now?"

"I'm serious, and they're the ones singing that song!"

"Whatever you say, have you decided what you're having for lunch yet?"

Lyra stood up from her haystack, to get Bon Bon's attention. "Come on! Look!"

"I think I'll have the spicy jalapeno and Daisy salsa with rose bud chips for an appetizer. For the meal, I'll get a nice tall glass of hard apple cider to drink and... hm... I guess some apple and pear fruit salad. What about you?"

Lyra, knowing that Bon Bon wouldn't listen, sat back down. "Will you share the chips and dip?"

Bon Bon sighed, "I guess, since I get free refills on that."

"Then I guess we can share that and I'll have a bean burrito with extra salsa and sour cream with a tall glass of hard apple cider. Sound good?"

"Of course," Bon Bon replied, "It's your birthday, I'm paying for everything."

Lyra raised her complimentary glass of water, "Well, then happy birthday to me. I love you."

Bon Bon raised her glass for the toast. "I love you too."

Also Meanwhile

Berry Punch also just so happen to notice the strange group trotting through town, right in the middle of the Ponyville wine tasting competition, her being the only judge since she was the biggest alcoholic in town.

She had just taken a small sip from Vinyl Scratch's wine when she saw the mane six and Tommy strutting by. Immediately, thinking the sight was a delusion from the wine, Berry declared Vinyl the winner and started towards home.

"That's it, I'm never drinking again," she declared. Then she spotted Hoity Toity's wine, which looked like perfection, "Okay, maybe this once." After she took one sip, she immediately one gulped the entire bottle. "You know what, nevermind."

Vinyl went off towards the train station, happy with her victory. "Oh yeah! Tavi isn't going to believe this! I'm going to have to come up with a new song for this." Vinyl then began thinking up beats for a new wub sound.

Back in the Everfree forest My Point of View

Our group had finally made its way through the final wall of bristles to the opening leading to Zecora's hut, just as the zebra was about to enter her home. The poor girl never saw what was about to happen.

"Quick, geppt her!" Pinkie cried in her spitting voice.

Not needed to be told twice, everypony, except me, sprinted and tackled her to the ground. Applejack, being the height that she was, stayed behind until the zebra was on the ground.

"Yah gonna join, sugarcube?" she asked.

I slowly shook my head, trying to make sure I didn't knock her off.

"Well alrighty then." She then did something I never expected her to do. She kissed me right between the eyes. "You're the best, yah know that. Thank you for helping us."

I watched as a transparent-pink heart started to form around the two of us. Within seconds, the heart grew darker and more solid until nopony would been able see through it if they weren't interrogating Zecora. The heart then began to squeeze in until it just melted into the two of us.

"Well," Applejack said, slightly blushing, "does that mean you love me too?"

I, not being able to speak due to my lips being zipped up again, reached up to grab her and pressed my lips to the top of her head in a kissing motion. I then placed her on the ground so she could do what she wanted.

She decided to attack the zebra. Maybe I shouldn't have put her down.

Now all the girls had Zecora pinned down, though the only reason Derpy had her pinned was because she was nothing but a head now. Applejack was on Zecora's chest right in her face yelling at the zebra, asking what she had done with Apple Bloom. There was only one thing that could stop them from out right tearing the poor zebra to shreds. That thing, wasn't me.

About half of these girls may love me, but those girls include two tomboys, Applejack and Rainbow Dash would turn all their attention on me. I can't be sure if it would be good attention or bad attention, but, considering I don't need anymore kids at the moment, it probably wouldn't be the best decision either way.

The only thing that could stop these girls, was the pony that they had set out to save.

"What in tarnation is goin' on out here?!" Apple Bloom screamed from Zecora's doorway.

"Apple Bloom, you're ok!" all the mares cried.

The little filly smiled. "Well of course I'm okay, I've been here with Zecora."

"But the curses? Hexes? She didn't put any spells on you?" Twilight asked.

"Of course not, you should know that there's no such thing as curses."

"Oh come now, dear," Rarity spoke up, "You honestly can't stand there and say that these monstrosities that we've become, aren't because of a curse."

Apple Bloom stood still and looked at Rarity's mane covered face. "There are no such thing as curses, this is not a curse."

"Uh... apparently she can," Fluttershy spoke with her deep voice.

All the girls got off the zebra and let her stand up. Many were blushing, except for Derpy who now had no ears or mane.

"If you would please remember back," Zecora said, "Those words I spoke were quite exact."

Flashback

"Beware, beware you pony folk."

Everypony in the group turned to see a striped figure covered in a brown cloak, Zecora herself. "Those weeds of blue are not a joke."

End of Flashback

"It wasn't a curse she was speaking," Apple Bloom said happily, "It was a warnin'. Those plants y'all were standin' in was poison joke."

"This plant is much poison oak, but its effects are nothing but jokes," Zecora continued. "This blue plant does not seek wrath, instead all it wants is a laugh."

"So all these things are just pranks that a stupid weed pulled on us?" Rainbow Dash asked. Zecora, Apple Bloom, and I all gave a nod. "I can respect that."

Fluttershy said, "Well I can't, may I please have my voice return to normal?"

"Of course, of course, come right in here." Zecora beckoned everypony into her house. "Unless you can't from cowardly fear," she then said with scorn.

Everypony was more embarrassed than scared now, though. When the group walked into the tree home, they found a long table with many different herbs and flowers on it.

"Zecora and I have been gatherin' these up so we could make an antidote for y'all. Now all we need is a giant bath that yah can soak in."

Rarity said, "Well, I can help you with that. It's going to take plenty of explaining, but I may be able to get the spa to help us."

Well, here we are. I'm no longer an all screaming spotlight, Twilight has a normal horn, Pinkie has a non-spotted tongue, Rarity has normal hair, Dash can fly straight, and Fluttershy has a female voice. The nice hot tub that we soaked in was filled with all the herbs that Zecora and Apple Bloom had gathered.

"Oh, Zecora," the spa pony Lotus Blossom spoke up with a strong Eastern Europe accent, "you simply must give us a list of ingredients for this herbal bath. It is just divine!"

Zecora went on to give the list to Lotus when Apple Bloom cried out in fear. "Where's Applejack?!"

A voice then came from the other side of the hot tub. "Ah'm over here, little sis. I ain't tiny no more." There she was with a bucket attached to her flank because of her sudden growth.

"Okay, Derpy," I said, "roll over here so I can put you in the hot tub."

Nopony answered.

"Derpy?"

Everypony else started to look around for the muffin head that was Derpy. When I went to the wall where we left her, all that was there were a few crumbs. I picked them up as tears came to my eyes.

When I walked back to the hot tub, Twilight asked, "Did you find Derpy?" I nodded and held up the crumbs and shock spread everypony in the room.

"Sh-she can't really be..." Pinkie tried to say, her hair losing its frizziness and straightening out.

"There's only one way to find out." I then dropped the crumbs into the bath. At first only a few bubbles came up and nopony could be seen. After a minute or so I just gave up hope.

"I-impossible," without saying another word I trotted over to the corner and got into the fetal position. "No, no, no, no, can't happen. What about Dinky... what about Amethyst. Then there's the Doctor and Carrot Top. Things just won't be the same without her."

I thought I heard a splash, but I dismissed it as one of the girls getting out of the spa bath. Moments later, I was knocked into the wall by a pushing force.

"Ow, what was that..." I asked angrily, then looked up to see some derped eyes and my tone softened to surprise, "for?"

"Thank you for helping me," Derpy said. "I love you."

Once again I started to tear up, but this time from joy. I said, "I love you too," and wrapped her in a hug. When I saw Dash and Applejack staring I motioned for them to come over and join us. Soon it was a group hug with our happy family. "I love all of you."

That night I entered the house Derpy and I shared with Carrot Top only to hear a sobbing sound. When I entered Dinky's room, she was in the middle of the floor, bawling her eyes out.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" I asked with sympathy.

Dinky looked back up, her eyes bloodshot. "I don't want you to leave."

Okay, this is confusing. "Who said I was going anywhere?"

"Nopony did. But there was that time that it looked like Princess Luna was going to send you someplace, then there was this morning where you and mommy ran out of the house looking strange but scared and you were yelling."

Oh, poor girl. I must have scared her senseless. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

"You aren't?"

"No, I'm not. Do you wanna know why?"

"I guess. Why?"

"I'm not going anywhere because I love you, and your mom, and your new sister, Amethyst, and Aunty Rainbow, and your new Aunty Applejack. We are a big happy family, and I wouldn't trade any of you for anything in all of Equestria," I said, wrapping my wing around her in a hug.

"Really?"

"Of course! And I even have a song for you. I'll sing it once and then I want you to join in. Okay?"

Dinky sniffed her nose a couple times before saying, "Okay."

I cleared my throat.

(sadly, I can not find a recording that works well. So... um... try to put a baritone voice with a young girl's voice)

"The other night, dear,

As I lay sleeping."

"Oh, I know this song!" Dinky said happily.

"Well then join in," I encouraged.

"I dreamed I held you, in my arms.

When I awoke, dear,

I was mistaken,

So I hung my head and cried.

You are my sunshine,

My only sunshine.

You make me happy

When skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear,

How much I love you.

Please don't take, my sunshine away.

So let the sunshine in,

Face it with a grin.

Smilers never lose,

And frowners never win.

So let the sunshine in,

Face it with a grin.

Open up your heart and let the sunshine in.

My mommy told me something,

that little foals should know.

It's all about the devil and I've learn to hate him so.

I know he'll be unhappy,

Cause I'll never wear a frown.

Maybe if we keep on smiling,

He'll get tired of hanging around.

So let the sunshine in,

Face it with a grin.

Smilers never lose,

And frowners never win.

So let the sunshine in,

Face it with a grin.

Open up your heart and let the sunshine in.

So let the sunshine in,

Face it with a grin.

Smilers never lose,

And frowners never win.

So let the sunshine in,

Face it with a grin.

Open up your heart and let the sunshine in."

"Do you feel better Dinky?"

"Yeah," she replied before yawning.

I picked the little filly up with my wings. I walked her to her bed by carrying her with my wings and one foreleg, three-legging my walk. I set her down, pulled her blanket over top of her, and walked out of the room- slowly closing the door so it didn't make very much noise.

When I turned around, there was Derpy, a happy smile on her face.

She nuzzled her head against mine and whispered, "You know, you make a really good father."

"You think?"

She kissed me and pulled back. "I know so."

Brony: "Finally done! This is probably the wordiest chapter yet, and I didn't even include a song parody"

Pinkie: "Yeah, that doesn't happen very often. Now, what were you going to say before?"

Brony: "Oh, I was going to say that with this story I'm posting a new story. Plus, it might star a certain pink pony."

Pinkie: "ME?!"

Brony: "The one and only... Lotus Blossom!"

Pinkie: "Oh..."

Brony: "I'm joking, of course it stars you!"

Pinkie: "YAY~, what's it about?"

Brony: "It's like the Chinese anime Naruto. But since it won't have any of the characters from that show, I won't make it a cross-over. You're gonna be a ninja!"

Pinkie: "Ooooh, I love it!"

Brony: "Good, also I have a bunch of other ideas for fanfics that I want others to vote to see if they want me to make them or not."

Pinkie: "What are they about?"

Brony: "Well one is going to be a cross-over with Percy Jackson and the Olympians where you just so happen to be a half sister of Percy's."

Pinkie: "Sounds funny. I'm curious on how a pony could be sister to a human."

Brony: "That'll be explained."

Pinkie: "Lyra would love this."

Brony: "Eeyup, anyway another on is a cross-over with Yu-Gi-Oh, an anime that has an entire card game created from it. Though it also will not not have any actual characters from Yu-Gi-Oh, just the cards."

Pinkie: "Doesn't star me?"

Brony: "No, Pinkie."

Pinkie: "Ah Pony-feathers."

Brony: "Well these are getting long, so I better finish this up. The final story is a Percy Jackson and the Olympians and a Yu-Gi-Oh cross-over."

Pinkie: "It sounds like there's a pattern here."

Brony: "Well who asked you. Do you have anything to say to those who read this far down?"

Pinkie: "Good night everyone, or good day, or... whatever time of day it is!"