Delta Change

I, among many, would think the universe to be complex, amazingly diverse, and quite beautiful. I, among others, are wrong. The universe is an angry, simplistic, egocentric bitch who, decided one day, GRAVITY, is a good idea. It's nice to have around, it is really, holds a lot of stuff together, but it tends to be an asshole, a lot. I may be a bit biased on this matter, but that's mostly because right now I’m desperately trying NOT to be crushed under my own weight.

Yea, Imagine my surprise when I find myself in Equestria (first hint? Canterlot mountain, ain't hard to miss, even in a forest), then, not even a second later, I start constricting myself. Imagine the feeling of popping a zit or pimple, then imagine the painful feeling all over. Most would start screaming, panicking, the usual. I didn't. Kinda seen this coming really. Not the nicest person in the world, nor been treated the nicest. And, being one that thinks off of logic with a bit of theory thrown in, I expected death-by-Equestrian-gravity would be the best way to go.

But, like my grandfather when he went, my life flashed by my eyes. All of it, birth to my twentieth birthday. From High school nicknames (Sideburns, one effect of being Irish: stereotypes), to my continuing study of animation at UOIT. And of course, My Little Pony. Yup, brony. I was never one of those guys who would select a favorite pony and defend him/her as if Hitler himself wanted him/her dead. Mostly, I would agree, tell them my side, and ask for theirs. For a time however, Rainbow Dash was my favorite. Remembering the prismatic pony sparked something in the universe. No, it was not lust, I was never and still am not into clop, even with what happened next.

Our "friendly" neighborhood bitchy universe decided to throw me a curve ball then, and I caught it with both hands. I felt the crushing weight lift from my everywhere in abandon for a new feeling. A bright white light surrounded my body. Inside the Whatever-The-Fuck-This-Is I had so promptly named it, I could feel my body changing and when I got out; I was changed. I had shut my eyes in pain before, but with it gone now, I opened them quickly.

When my eyes opened I found myself looking down at two cyan hooves. I could see in my vision a length of red, orange, and yellow hair as well as a small blue muzzle. It took me a second to realize I had turned into Rainbow Dash.

My inner fan-boy exploded, and my logical side of my mind went to take a dump.

I fell on my haunches (never thought I'd say that) and began looking myself over. Cyan fur, rainbow mane, wings (eeeeeeee! Yes, men squee, fuck off), rainbow tail. As I soon found out, my inner fan-boy rebuilt himself and an idea formed in my mind. If I looked like RD, should I sound like her? And there could be no better word.

"Awesome..."

My inner fan-boy, again, went up like the fourth of July (for you Americans that is, Canadian here). The voice was identical right down to the vocal chord. I jumped to my hooves and began reciting every line I remembered from the show. I had no idea I was also flying until I stopped myself on another realization, which caused me to drop several meters. The realization? If I turned into Rainbow, what was stopping me from turning into the rest of the Mane6? I pictured the next pony on my list, Applejack, in my mind. Of course, if I were to be in any other situation, my core logic would have listed off multiple reasons why that would be a load of bullshit and usually the universe would back up those claims. But, that was not the case. My logic was still on the shitter and the universe seemed to be taking a nap. Within the Whatever-The-Fuck-This-Is, I shifted into a much bulkier pony. When it faded, I found myself as Applejack, stetson and all. Strange, I would have thought clothes wouldn't appear as well. I attempted differently, picturing an Applejack without a hat, I tried again. Still, I had the hat. No matter, all the better actually.

I spent the next hour turning from pony to pony, everypony I had seen in the show. It was like a dressing room. Each mare, stallion, filly, and colt, exactly the same (yes, I even checked down there, kinda wished I hadn't. Tit's in the wrong spot, ugh its weird). In my excitement, my core logic returned from his unfortunate bowel movement and got back to work. Immediately, the realization of me being in a forest struck. And within most forests in Equestria, and most video games, monsters of multiple sorts stuck around. Thought's of Timber Wolves, Manticores, Dragons, and oddly enough, the last giant from Dark Souls. At the moment, I was in the middle of the transformation between Doctor Whooves and Roseluck when I felt my body change again into something much different. My limbs extended, claws formed and my body shifted. When the light faded, I found myself being the last giant hims- er, itself? Did that thing even HAVE a gender? While staring at my new claws and black appendages (NOT THAT ONE!), my logic came to another conclusion (I need to pay this guy mor- wait NO! Fuck off! my text brackets).

I could, and probably can, turn into ANYTHING, binding under the rule it isn't human or human nature too much, gravity and all.

So, what did I do? I went nuts.

Everything, from Skyrim dragons to werewolves from The Order: 1886, to aliens from Alien and even a bloody APE! A song popped into my head whilst I went through every badass creature I knew, it went along the lines of this. Never into Hedley, but I'll be damned if this didn't fit the bill.

But, during my excitement, I almost failed to notice the smoke rising in the distance. When I did though, it looked as if a volcano was having a bad day. Stopping mid stride as an Agnaktor from Monster Hunter 3, I sniffed the air. Even with a face made of fire, I could smell burning wood. My house caught fire one time, and this smelt no different. My logic and the other half of my head concluded together:

They might need help, I have badass game-breaking superpowers, and I haven't done my nice deed of the day.

Though, the also concluded I couldn't just stride up there with not a care in the world as something or other from hell. I need a form they won't scream at.

I need a pony.

Of course, I had an OC already. But, he was a unicorn, and I found out previously I suck at magic, and flying, and being a duck and/or marshmallow and/or chicken. So, goal in mind, I imagined an OC based on my human form (Which I never plan on seeing again, no way gravity, you ain't killing this soul). I imagined a slightly taller than average grey earth pony stallion, not Big Macintosh style, but like a cross between him and Cadence style. I also didn't share his hoof style. I pictured a disheveled blond-going-on-bleach mane and short tail like my human hair with lengthy side burns going down my head to my lower jaw as well as some light scruff along my face. For comedy's sake, and because my eyes actually did that sometimes, I gave him one silver eye, one gold. For some reason, my eyes cycled through multiple colors of the spectrum each day. Isn't the weirdest thing ever though, knew a guy who's hands couldn't stop peeling skin. Image in mind, I felt the familiar Whatever-The-Fuck-This-Is (I need a better name, how about... DELTA! Yea, ok, that works) Delta surround me. And, out flashed me.

Giving myself a once over, I found everything to be in order...

...except I forgot a Cutie Mark.

Correcting myself, I flashed through the Delta again and on my flank, a pile of black dust. Or... ash... or something. I had imagined a delta symbol to appear on my flank but I got this. I... guess my name is Dust.

Works for me.

New body, new name, goal in mind, sprinted towards the rising pillar of smoke.

It seems as fate would have it, the town was closer than expected. I remember (and memorized, cause that's me) the Equestrian map saying stuff about this place. Hollow Shades. Never appeared on the show, I don't think. But,  there was no time for memory, as I found the town under siege by Changelings.

When I stepped into the town, I noticed a few things. All the houses lined the outside of the forest in a big ring. Most of said houses were on fire. In the center, lots of Changelings pillaged and plundered general house appliances and furniture from the burning buildings, creating mounds of general stuff. Most, or if not all, of the town population were rounded up and on their knees in the open field center. And among them, the Elements of Harmony, bound and gagged in green snotty shit. Finally, to top it all off, Queen Chrysalis stood in the center, Fluttershy held by hoof, ready to suck the emotions out of her and run her dry. I could tell the Elements were trying to put on a brave face, even Flutters, but even I could smell the fear coming from them.

What a Monday.

Shrugging, I casually walked into the town. I didn't seem to draw much attention to myself. Seeing on how I was halfway to Chrysalis, already thinking of a monster to bury her with before Changelings started to take notice. To my amusement (and amazement) they started to back off, as if I radiated power or something. I just kept smiling and made it a few more feet- er, trots I think the measurement is, before Chrysalis stopped freaking out Fluttershy and turned on me.

"Sup" I said under my breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear. The Changelings seemed to take this as a threat or something and started hissing loudly. Chrysalis on the other ha- hoof, approached me slowly and, bleh, seductively. But as a final act, she tail slapped Fluttershy. Hard. Even from here, I could see the tears beginning to run down her cheeks.

I swear I could hear the thousands, if not millions, of bronies screaming in rage from where I stood. Even I knew the rule, and my own rage built up under my calm mask. NOPONY. MAKES. FLUTTERSHY. CRY. Even so, her tone of voice only made me madder on how toxic it felt.

Chrysalis, being the emotivore she is, must have smelled my rage. Laughing, she made me more mad, "Oh, is the knight in shining armor here to save his precious princess?" She turned back to the Mane6, brushing against the bound Twilight and moving along the rest of the row. "How noble of him. I wonder, which one of you is his princess?" She put a hoof on Fluttershy's cheek, and swiftly cut it. I watched the blood flow from the open wound, the rest of the group in horror, and, as any self respecting brony would do, my anger exploded and my calm demeanor dropped for one of blinding rage. "We have a winner" Chrysalis cooed from her mouth.

Yea, I got the perfect one for you, bitch. Approaching slowly, I attempted to give her a final choice before I burned her to a husk, "If you stop now, lay down your hooves, I won't burn you alive" I may have put a bit more anger than necessary into that final part, but I could care less. Chrysalis just laughed, "You? A measly dirt pony? Ha!"

I only smiled as I activated the Delta. I took as long and as slow as I possibly could. I felt every inch of my pony body turn to black bone. I felt every bone form and shape into hind cloven hooves and claws on my hands. I felt my tail turn to one of flesh and black bone. I felt wings grow into black leathery membranes. I. FELT my core BURN in rage as my entire new body heated to hotter than the sun. When the delta disappeared, hell itself appeared. I could feel no greater satisfaction than seeing the face of Chrysalis as I turned into the Balrog from the Lord Of The Rings. Back on earth, it may not be all that scary, but here? Out in the open like this? All the stuff they've seen looks like something out of a foal's book compared to the form I took. If that wasn't enough, I stood a good six times her height, wings not included. All I did next was fall onto my fists, shaking everything from here to Canterlot like an earthquake, and roar in her face. Like the movie, my mouth looked like the inside of a heated forge, and probably burned like one too. When my echoing roar stopped, she lacked both mane and tail and seemed to be slightly singed from the neck up, her eyes pinpricks. Like all comedy scenes, her minions turned tail and ran while she fainted on the spot.

Reactivating the Delta, I turned back into Dust. I wasn't actually going to kill her, no, that wouldn't be nice. However the massive headache and drain I felt made me think it to be preferable. 'All superheroes have their limits' echoed through my mind. I promptly told it to shut the fuck up. Flashing into a griffon, I cut away the snotty shit on the elements before flashing back. I made note of their still shocked faces before passing out myself from power drain.

When I awoke, I found myself on a train. The click-clak of wheels on rails was familiar, but the position I found myself not. Lying on my back, staring at the train car ceiling. Through my peripheral vision I could see the familiar seating of a MLP train. Lifting an appendage, I saw the familiar sight of a grey hoof. Groaning and letting it fall limp, I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the pounding headache I'm having. I felt a tingle in my head and reopened my eyes. The headache was gone. Turning, I came face to face with Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Right, control inner fan-boy here. Sitting up, I mumbled a measly thanks and rubbed my eyes. Blinking a few times, I looked into the eyes of Twilight, Pinkie, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity, all looking at me expectantly, as if they wondered if I could breathe or something. Giving a puzzled look, I asked, 'Why are you staring at me?"

The six mares blushed and looked away. Applejack, ever the one to step up, was the first to recover. "Well uhh, we we're kinda expectin..."

"You expected me to be a Changeling or something didn't you?" I finished for her. I have a feeling this is going to be like Bridle Gossip all over again. The mares before me nodded slowly, and I sigh'd, leaning back in the seat.

"What.. are you? Exactly?" This came from Twilight, who, in their moment of embarrassment summoned up a paper and quill.

I moved to say human, but that's not true is it? I guess... I'm everything? Right Dust, just go with the tried and true. "I, guess you can say I'm a Delta. Name's Dust, by the way"

Twilight scribbled down a few things before asking, "And what is a Delta?"

I have no idea how to answer that, "I... have no idea how to answer that" I say, much to her disappointment, "I guess you can say I'm everyone"

"Every-one? That's impossible!" She recoils with a disbelieving tone. My comedy sensor 10,000 goes off and a little idea pops into my mind. Activating the Delta, I turn into a familiar pink pony and in a voice of bubbly fun ask, "Is it really?"

I get the reaction I had hoped for, five out of six of the mares gasped and one gaped in awe. Of course, the pink pony herself comes after me next. "Ohmygoodnessyou'reme!Me!Me!Me!ME! Ooooo do Twilight! No, Rarity! No, Rainbow Dash! Ooooo this is so  aweso-" She's cut off by a hoof-in-mouth courtesy of Applejack. Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash is next in line.

"Hey! Can you turn into me?" I nod and flash the Delta, two prismatic mares smile. I flick my ear as I hear Twilight recover and start scribbling down note after note. Rainbow draws the Rainbow-me's attention again, "You did a griffon right?" I nod, and flash up a standard male griffon. "How about a Minotaur?" Flash. "Zebra?" Flash. "How about a dra--" I cut her off with a hoof in her mouth, and turn back to Dust. Pointing, I get the attention of everypony who isn't Twilight. Said pony is hell-bent on writing everything in her notebook. I turn and give everypony a devious smile. Flashing the Delta, I change into none other than Princess Celestia. Looking back, I managed to catch the five ponies move to bow, and snicker as they awkwardly correct themselves. Quietly making my way to Twilight, who is writing even faster than before. I slowly and gracefully push the notepad downwards, giving her a warm princess smile.

"Princess? Wha- when did you get here?" She stammers. Since she doesn't fold, I'm guessing the ponies behind me are holding in their laughter. Lifting her chin so her eyes meet mine, I give her the best bedroom eyes I can muster. It seems to work as she blushes red. "I need to tell you something, Twilight" I moan.

Blushing down her body, her wings ruffle as I lean in closer. "Wha.. what?" She whispers.

I balance on my hind hooves and bring a second hoof up to her face. Caressing her cheek, I bring myself even closer. She leans in, expecting the soft touch on what happens next.

As quick as lightning, I pull back my left hoof and poke her in the nose, "Boop!"

Twilight falls back, scrunching her muzzle out of her control and making a hilarious face. The ponies behind me burst into laughter. Switching back to Dust, I fall into the train seat and laugh with them. Though I can tell someponies enjoyed it more than others (Blue Wing Boner, Twelve O'clock), even a non-prankster like Rarity laughed.

The rest of the train ride I spent answering questions as best I could without going into detail about humans. I may have shown a Balrog to them, but humans can be far worse (Looking at you Hitler) and I'd rather not share with them what happened the last century. Even so, during the train ride, we laughed and got to know each-other a bit before sunset. We slept the rest of the way to Canterlot.