Enchantè

                                                            Cold Truth

After a few frantic hours with Rarity, Pawise and his parents each had a new outfit for that night. Rarity had even persuaded Zecora accept one of her garments, which had not been easy as she usually preferred her native look. Rarity had surprised her by presenting her with a gown that perfectly complimented her style, which was a project Rarity had been secretly working on for some time. This was an example of not only Rarity’s friendship with Zecora, but also a business move. If she could make something Zecora would like, perhaps it would catch on in her zebra country.

They all thanked Rarity as they made their way out. She had refused payment, even though Lorewise tried again and again to do so. He was greatly impressed with her creativity, but somewhat disappointed she was giving away such fine work.

Typical of Ponyville, he thought to himself. Here is a Unicorn with real talent, and yet she gives away some of her finest examples.

There was the possibility she’s generating free advertising, but he doubted there were enough ponies in Ponyville who would see these outfits to make a good return on her investment. Even so, there was no denying her talent, and his wife absolutely loved her dress, so he made a mental note to mention her to some fashion moguls once he got back home.

After parting company with Zecora and then meeting at Pawise’s home, Willow said, “I believe we have just enough time for me to visit that spa before the party.” Here she gave both her males a kiss, then said, “You two behave, I’ll see you in a bit.”

They watched her as she skipped off out the door, then turned to each other. The silence grew for a moment, then Lorewise said, “It’s time for you and I to talk.”

“What about, Dad?”

Lorewise sighed, “You are my only son and I love you, but I don’t know why we usually get into an argument. I just want to know you are sure," and here he indicated Ponyville, "this is what you want.”

Pawise smiled, “You asked me to tell you if I have any real doubts, Dad. The only thing of which I’m not sure is how Fluttershy feels about me. But I guess I’ll find out tonight, for I’m going to take your advice and simply ask her.”

Lorewise’s chest swelled with pride. “That’s my son!” Here he hesitated, and then said, “Your mother and I talked about this last night. I still do not believe a pegasus is good enough for my son, but she convinced me this mare makes you happy, and that’s all I really want.”

“She really does, Dad.”

“Then why wait until tonight? Go ask her now.”

“Now?! As in…right now?!”

“What better time?” his father replied. “Would you rather wait until some moment at the party, only to find out the worst and then have to find some excuse to leave? How awkward would that be? No, it’s much better to know beforehand.”

Pawise sat and digested his words, then got to his feet. “You are right, Dad. The time has come. Wish me luck.”

His father scowled. “You don’t need “luck.” You are a Unicorn, and you are my son. Go.”

The entire way to Fluttershy’s cottage, Pawise went over and over what he should say, and how he should say it. He finally decided to simply be direct: tell her how he felt, and wait to see if she responded in kind. Even though that way was potentially more painful, it was the best way, he thought, for he would not be putting any undue pressure on her to say what he wanted her to say. Her response would come from her heart, he reasoned, and as his Dad had said, would be the honest one. Even so, he still had to take a few calming breaths as he steeled himself, and knocked on her door. After a moment it opened, and there she was.

“Oh my! Hello, Pawise!”

“Uhh…hello, Fluttershy! Can…can I talk to you?”

“Of course.” She stepped aside. “Please come in. Have a seat anywhere.”

Pawise had never before been inside her cottage, so he was delighted to see all the birds and little creatures who made their home there, only they seemed quieter than he expected. Even Angel Bunny was behaving himself off in a corner eating, pausing only to give Pawise a dirty look before he resumed his meal. She placed herself delicately on the couch beside him. He wasn’t expecting her to sit so close, so for a moment he had trouble breathing.

She turned a soft gaze up at him, and asked, “What did you want to talk to me about?”

For a moment more he continued to falter. Then, remembering his Dad, he took a deep breath and said, “I love you, Fluttershy. I have loved you from the first moment I saw you.” He shut his eyes and waited.

There was a long pause, during which the universe seemed to be in stasis, then she spoke: “How delightful!”

This…this was not the response he had expected at all! He opened his eyes and looked at her, and his entire body went cold with fear. Her eyes had turned green and become catlike, and she was grinning evilly up at him. When a lizard-like tongue flicked out and licked her lips, it was all he could do to keep from screaming.

Quickly backing away from her, he said, “Who…what ARE you?! What have you done with Fluttershy?!”

        She laughed, and as he watched in horror she morphed into some sort of unicorn creature, but with insect wings and fangs. Angel Bunny was laughing as well, as he morphed into a similar creature, only smaller. All around him, what he thought had been various animals turned back into their true forms. Changelings! Fear gripped him for a moment more, and then he stood and lit his horn.

“WHERE IS FLUTTERSHY, YOU MONSTER?! I WILL KILL YOU IF YOU'VE HURT HER!”

         Even though he had never levitated anything larger than a suitcase, in his rage and fear for Fluttershy he tore a huge chunk out of a wall and sent it hurtling towards the creature. The mocking laughter died in her throat as she saw her danger and ducked just in time.

Now it was her turn to become angry. “GET HIM!!” she yelled to her minions.

        As one they swarmed him: biting, clawing, punching from all directions. He was able to knock a few aside, but for every one he repelled another took its place. Soon, bruised, bloody and beaten down they held him as he continued to struggle.

Due more to anger than pain, he clenched his teeth and demanded, “Where. Is. FLUTTERSHY?!”

The Changeling Queen leaned in close and said, “Oh, she’s safe for now. She’s such a delightful creature, and so loved by all, it would be such a waste to lose so much delicious emotion! Even now, your feelings for her are intoxicating!” She stood up and began to pace the room.

“I can see now I should have attacked a small place like Ponyville before. There is so much love and happiness here, my children and I will soon be strong enough to challenge Celestia herself! Once we take over Ponyville, and my children have increased in number, we will begin our conquest anew. The only one who could have stopped me at this point was that fool Discord, and I have you to thank for giving me the solution!”

Pawise turned cold. “What do you mean?”

She laughed again. “Discord is FRIENDS with Fluttershy! Can you believe it? He’s immortal, but YOUR relationship with her has him worried he may lose her! How pathetic! He is so blind right now, he cannot tell it is one of my children keeping him occupied, instead of his precious Fluttershy! By the time he realizes, it will be too late, and we’ll have taken over Ponyville!”

She turned cold eyes on him. “But now, there’s the question of what to do with you. I could kill you, replace you and even your own parents wouldn’t know the difference. But you truly fell in love with Fluttershy, and at your first sight of her! Do you have any idea how rare that is? No, my little love-sick fool, I think I’ll keep you around for a bit. You are far too delicious to lose.”

Turning to her minions, she said, “Tie him up and take him to the Forest. We can feed off him and his beloved later!” As she spoke, she morphed back into Fluttershy. When they had gagged him and were beginning to drag him off, she said “Don’t worry, Ponyville will get its fairytale ending tonight when you two announce your engagement! The surge of emotions will make me stronger than ever before!”

As they took him away, the last thing he saw was one of the Changelings turn into a perfect replica of himself.