Spot That Changeling

by Inspector Brown

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Mystery, Spike, Comedy, Thorax, Slice of Life
Length: 15611

Thorax and the Mane Six play a game where they try to figure out which of them is a changeling in disguise.

In order to improve their skills at detecting changeling infiltrators, Twilight Sparkle and the Council of Friendship ask their new friend Thorax to help them with a little training exercise. Their goal? Figure out which of their six friends is actually Thorax in disguise.

Dialogue heavy, as this story focuses on the cross-interrogation of the game itself.

Note: This story takes place before "To Where and Back Again."

Published 2016-09-15 17:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-09-24 23:22:46 UTC

Introduction and Round 1

“Okay, everypony, here are the rules,” Spike said to his six pony friends. “The six of you will close your eyes and tap your hooves against the table until I tell you to stop. The tapping will cover up any noise we happen to make.” By “we,” he meant himself and the changeling standing beside him. “Thorax will choose which of you he will try to impersonate. I will escort the pony he chose out of the room. When I tell you to open your eyes, it will look like nothing has changed, but one of your friends will secretly be a changeling.

“For the ponies who remain at the table, your job is to use logic, communication, and sheer gut instinct to determine which of the ponies you see is not who they appear to be. Remember, no bringing up personal details or inside jokes that only the six of you would know. The round ends when four out of the six of you can come to an agreement about who you think is really Thorax in disguise. Then, I’ll bring the dismissed pony back into the room, and the truth will be revealed.

“If you all guess right, you get a point. If Thorax fools you, he gets a point. First side to five points wins the match. Questions?”

“Just one,” said Rainbow Dash. “Not that I’m not totally psyched to beat a changeling at his own game, but, why are we doing this?”

“Because we need to be vigilant against all conceivable threats,” Twilight Sparkle explained. “If a changeling infiltrated our group, and disrupted the harmony of our friendship, all of Equestria could be in jeopardy. Personally, if I’m going to be fooled by a changeling, I’d rather that changeling be a friend than a foe.”

“And besides,” Thorax added, “if I get good at impersonating you guys, I could serve as a decoy to protect you from any other villainous threats.”

“Yes, that too,” Twilight agreed.

“Okay,” said Spike, “now that that’s settled, let’s begin the game of Spot That Changeling! Everypony close your eyes and start tapping your hooves.”

The sound of twelve hooves rapping was surprisingly quiet, Twilight thought to herself. It did make a lot of noise, but it was easy enough to tune out. Plus, Spike could be heard over the noise. “If you feel me tapping you, you are the one who Thorax is replacing this round.” Twilight did not feel Spike’s claw on her. Immediately, her curiosity sprang to life. Who was Thorax replacing? Would she be albe to spot him right away? If she couldn’t ask personal questions, what kind of questions would reveal a changeling? She didn’t want to admit this to her friends, but the suspense was kind of exciting.

“Okay, you can stop tapping your hooves now, but don’t open your eyes,” Spike instructed. “Thorax is in position. I’ll give you just a moment to compose yourselves before you look.”

Twilight took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She could do this.

“Ready, set, Spot That Changeling!”

Twilight opened her eyes, and true to Spike’s word, nothing looked unusual. Applejack sat in her throne immediately clockwise from herself, followed by Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. Twilight looked carefully at each of her friends in turn, as they all did the same. There was a changeling amongst her friends, but finding him was not going to be as easy as eyeballing him.

It was Rarity who finally broke the silence. “Well, I must say, whichever of you is Thorax, you’ve done an impressive job so far. I can’t tell which of my friends you’ve replaced.”

“I know I’m in no position to criticize anyone for bragging,” said Rainbow Dash, as she glared at the pony sitting opposite her, “but that sounded a little self-indulgent to me, Thorax!”

“Excuse me!” Rarity shot back. “How could you possibly think that I’m the changeling?”

“The changeling could be anypony, Rarity,” Applejack said. “Don’t take offense to being doubted.”

“But I’m not the changeling!”

“Not that I don’t believe you,” Twilight chipped in, “but that’s exactly what Thorax would say if we asked him.”

Rarity snorted in irritation.

“Just answer honestly,” Applejack said. “Rarity, are you the changeling?”

“I most certainly am not,” Rarity said flatly.

“Do you think that I’m the changeling?”

Applejack’s second question threw Twilight for a loop. Why would Applejack ask that question?

“Um…well, I suppose it’s possible,” Rarity said. “Not that I’m accusing you, mind you.”

Now Twilight got it. If Rarity were the changeling, she could answer with confidence that Applejack was not. Her uncertainty was a sign that she was still a pony.

“Okay, let me ask Twilight.” Applejack turned to face her. “Twilight, are you the changeling?”

“I am not,” Twilight said, hoping her sincerity came across as genuine.

“Do you think I’m the changeling?” Applejack followed up immediately.

“You could be. For all I know, you could be.”

“Do you think that Rarity is the changeling?”

“Rainbow Dash does have a point,” Twilight admitted. “Rarity’s comment might have been self-congratulatory. But honestly, I don’t think Rarity is the changeling.”

“Um, can we please stop calling him ‘the changeling’?” Fluttershy interrupted. “He’s our friend, and he does have a name. I think we should use that name.”

“You’re right,” Twilight said. “Fluttershy, are you Thorax in disguise?”

“No. I’m not Thorax, I just thought we should use his name out of respect for him.”

“Do you think that I am Thorax in disguise?”

“I don’t know. He could be anypony.”

“Do you think that Rarity is actually Thorax in disguise?”

“No. I think Rarity was just trying to be nice.”

“That does seem consistent with her personality,” Pinkie Pie added.

“Yes, and I’m glad so many of my friends noticed that,” Rarity said. “Well, those of you who are my friends, and are not pretending to be my friends.” Rarity narrowed her eyes at Rainbow Dash.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rainbow Dash said, putting both front hooves on the table.

“That’s a good point,” Pinkie said. “Rainbow Dash, are you the changeling?”

At first, it looked like Rainbow was shocked at Pinkie’s accusation. But then, Rainbow scrunched up her face, and composed herself. “I am not the changeling,” she said in an even tone.

“Do you think that I’m the changeling?” Pinkie followed, picking up on Applejack’s strategy.

“I don’t want to believe it, but you could be.”

“Are you still suspicious of Rarity, after all the discussion we’ve had?”

“I don’t know,” Rainbow Dash admitted. “I mean, I guess I see the point you guys are trying to make, but I just can’t rule out the possibility that Rarity might be a changeling.”

“Is there anypony else you suspect, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight jumped in.

Rainbow ran a hoof down her muzzle. “I noticed Applejack has asked a lot of questions, but nopony has asked her anything yet. Applejack, are you the changeling?”

“Nope,” Applejack quickly answered.

“Do you think that I’m the changeling?”

“You have been acting pretty suspicious, but I’m not certain.”

“Girls, I thought we agreed not to call him ‘the changeling’, remember?” Fluttershy said.

“I don’t think Thorax would be offended if you called him a changeling,” Pinkie said, “because that’s what he is.”

“Unless you know something that we don’t,” Applejack said to Fluttershy. “Are you trying to tell us something, Thorax?”

“I’m not Thorax,” Fluttershy said calmly.

“Do you think that I’m Thorax?”

“Not at all,” Fluttershy said. “You’ve been speaking with an honest demeanor that I’ve come to expect from you, Applejack.”

“Fair enough,” said Applejack. “But if I’m not the change…er, I mean Thorax, then who do you think is?”

“Oh, I hate to say it,” Fluttershy said, “but I still think it’s Rainbow Dash. She was just so mean to Rarity over her compliment to Thorax.”

“I disagree,” said Twilight. “Rainbow Dash was just being overly aggressive, nothing out of the ordinary for her.”

“Oh really?” Fluttershy said back. “Then you do you think is Thorax in disguise?”

“Right now, I’m leaning towards Pinkie Pie,” Twilight said. “Pinkie Pie, are you Thorax in disguise?”

Pinkie pursed her lips and shook her head no.

“Okay, do you think that I’m Thorax in disguise?”

“Not at all, your highness,” Pinkie said. “You have a good head on your shoulders.”

“Wait a second,” Rarity said. “Pinkie would never address Twilight by her honor title.”

“That’s it, Pinkie’s the changeling!” Rainbow Dash said, pointing an accusatory hoof in Pinkie’s direction.

“No, I’m not!” Pinkie protested. “I was just trying to be polite!”

“Okay, I’m convinced, it’s Pinkie,” Twilight said, adding her hoof to Rainbow’s.

“Pinkie,” said Rarity.

“Pinkie,” said Applejack.

Pinkie slammed a hoof on the table and pouted.

“That’s four votes for Pinkie Pie,” Spike announced. “This round is over. If I can direct your attention to the door, I will reveal the missing pony.”

Everypony watched as Spike walked over to the entrance to the throne room. He threw the double doors open wide, revealing Pinkie Pie (the real Pinkie Pie) out in the hallway.

“Super job, you guys, I knew you could do it!” Pinkie said as she bounded her way back to her throne. “Sorry, Thorax, but you picked the wrong pony to mimic. There’s nopony quite as Pinkie Pie as Pinkie Pie!”

Thorax dropped his glamour and glared at Twilight with his compound eyes. “I thought we said no personal stuff. How was I supposed to know Pinkie didn’t call you by your title?”

“None of my friends address me that way,” Twilight explained. “It makes me feel uncomfortable.”

“And it’s not her fault the matter got into the conversation,” Rarity pointed out. “You were the one who said it, after all.”

Thorax snorted. “All right, fine. But don’t expect me to make the same mistake in the next round.” He stepped down from Pinkie’s throne, and walked back over to Spike. Pinkie took her seat.

“That’s one point for the ponies,” Spike said to cheers from his friends. “Ponies lead one-nothing, playing to five. Next round, eyes closed, hooves tapping, now!”

Round 2

Even before Spike signaled the start of the next round, Twilight started thinking. There would be nine rounds of this game at most, and there were only six of them. So at some point, Thorax would have to mimic the same pony twice. It was unlikely that Thorax would try to impersonate Pinkie Pie again immediately afterward. After all, he’d need to see what the real Pinkie acts like in order to mimic her again. This narrowed her suspects down to four. Hopefully, her friends would think the same thing. Pinkie Pie herself would be at a disadvantage, however. She’d need extra help. Hopefully, Twilight could get Pinkie to trust her.

“Ready, set, Spot That Changeling!”

Twilight opened her eyes, and was greeting by the same five familiar faces. She felt herself relax a little bit, before remembering that one of them was still Thorax in disguise.

“All right, y’all,” Applejack started, “I don’t think Thorax would pick Pinkie Pie twice in a row, but just to be certain…Pinkie Pie, are you the changeling?”

“Absotively, posilutely not!” said Pinkie Pie.

“Do you think that I’m the changeling?”

“I have no idea!” Pinkie said cheerfully.

“Well, who do you think is the changeling?” Twilight asked.

The smile ran away from Pinkie Pie’s face. “I don’t know, you ponies all look just like yourselves. None of you look like Thorax.”

“Pinkie, darling, I think you’re missing the point,” Rarity said. “We must find out who Thorax is by seeing which of us is not acting like herself, you see.”

“Um, how do we do that?” Pinkie stage-whispered to Rarity.

“Like this,” Rainbow Dash said. “Rarity, are you the changeling?”

“Oh, pf, chk, tth, this again?” Rarity waved Rainbow off. Then she put her hoof down. “No, I am not.”

“Do you think that I am the changeling?”

“Maybe.”

“Okay, Pinkie,” said Rainbow Dash, “do Rarity’s answers sound genuine, or does she sound like a phony?”

“Dunno,” Pinkie said. “She does usually talk in that way.”

“There you go,” Rainbow said. “You’re getting the hang of things.”

Twilight smiled. Pinkie didn’t need her guidance, she had Rainbow Dash to help her out. That meant she could focus her attention on finding Thorax.

“Say, Fluttershy,” Twilight said, “are you still upset about us calling Thorax ‘the changeling?’”

“A little bit,” Fluttershy said, “but Thorax himself said he was okay with it, so I guess it’s not that big a deal.”

“That’s good to hear. On a related note, are you the changeling?”

“No, I am not.”

“Do you think that I’m the changeling?”

“You might be. I’m not really sure though.”

“Do you think it’s possible that Thorax chose the same pony twice in a row?”

Fluttershy’s eyes shifted. “Anything’s possible, I suppose. But I don’t think he did.”

“Okay, so who hasn’t been challenged yet?” Rainbow spoke up. “Applejack, are you the changeling?”

“I am not the changeling,” Applejack said.

“Do you think that I am the changeling?”

“To be honest with myself, I must say you could be. But to be honest with you, I don’t believe you are.”

“If not me, then who?”

Applejack did not answer right away. She brought her forehooves to her face and scanned the rest of her friends. “Has anypony noticed how uncharacteristically quiet Twilight has been?”

“I’ve been thinking, if you don’t mind,” Twilight said defensively.

“You know, Thorax did say he wouldn’t mistakenly address Twilight by her title,” Rainbow postulated. “He might have decided to impersonate her, just to make sure he wouldn’t.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Twilight blurted out. The words were out of her mouth before she could catch them. She knew it wasn’t ridiculous, it was actually a pretty good idea. But it was too late now.

“Is that what you think?” Applejack said. “Twilight, are you the changeling?”

Twilight inhaled sharply. “I am not the changeling.”

“Who do you think is the changeling?” That was not the question Twilight was expecting.

“I suppose it could be anypony,” Twilight admitted with a sigh.

“Do you not have a strong suspicion?” Rainbow asked.

“Not right now, but I might get to develop one if we keep talking.”

“I am not sure I believe you, Twilight,” Rainbow Dash said flatly.

“Rainbow, I am telling you the truth,” Twilight said, with as much authority and dignity as she could muster. She had to dissuade Rainbow Dash from believing she was the changeling. If the rest of her friends starting listening to Rainbow, they’d vote for her, which meant they would lose this round.

“So, who else hasn’t been questioned?” Rarity piped up. “Applejack, are you the changeling?”

“Nope.”

“Do you think that I’m the changeling?”

“You might be, but I have a stronger suspicion.”

“Who do you suspect?”

“Given Twilight’s overreaction to being suspected, I really think it’s her.”

“I was not over-reacting!” Twilight protested. “I was explaining to Rainbow Dash why you shouldn’t suspect me!”

“Twilight, darling,” Rarity began, “you know as well as I do that it does not do anypony any good to take offense to being doubted in this situation. At least, the real Twilight Sparkle knows that.”

“Et tu, Rarity?” Twilight said, glaring at her. “Sweet Celestia, isn’t there anypony here who trusts me?”

“Well, one of us is a changeling,” Rainbow said, “so you can’t really trust anypony. The real Twilight would understand that. I’m convinced it’s Twilight.” Rainbow pointed a hoof in her direction.

“Same,” Rarity said, adding her hoof to Rainbow’s.

“I agree with Rainbow Dash,” said Applejack, pointing a hoof.

Fluttershy put her hoof up as well. “I’m sorry, Thorax, but Rainbow makes a very convincing argument.”

“I’m not Thorax!” Twilight insisted.

“That’s four votes for Twilight,” Spike said. “This round is over. It’s time to separate the ponies from the impostor.”

Spike opened the double doors, and revealed Rainbow Dash waiting in the hall. Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy all gasped at the sight. The Rainbow Dash seated at the table (who was really Thorax in glamour) beamed in triumph.

“See! See?” Twilight shouted. “I told you I wasn’t the changeling, but nopony believed me!”

“I believed you, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said. “I saw your wings flutter while you were getting upset. Thorax wouldn’t have thought to do that.”

“Then why didn’t you say anything?” Applejack asked.

“I thought we weren’t supposed to bring up personal stuff.”

“But it might have convinced us that Twilight wasn’t the changeling,” Rarity pointed out.

As Thorax dropped his glamour, Fluttershy turned to him with tears in her eyes. “How could you?”

“Calm down, Fluttershy, it’s just a game,” Thorax said. “I had to make you believe somepony else was the changeling, and I did. I never wanted to hurt you.”

Fluttershy huffed. “I know, you’re right. I guess I was just really upset, because you were impersonating one of my closest friends, and you tricked me.”

“It’s okay,” Thorax said. “It’s just one round. You’ll learn from this, and do better in the next game, okay?”

Fluttershy wiped her eyes and sat up straight in her throne. “All right, I’m game.”

“Hey, Bug Face,” said Rainbow Dash as she trotted up behind Thorax. “You’re in my chair.”

Thorax stepped down. “I didn’t mind being called ‘the changeling’, but that is crossing the line.”

“Thorax wins this round,” Spike announced, “and we are tied, one-all. Round three begins, you ponies know the drill by now.”

Round 3

Twilight chided herself. Even while Thorax was accusing her, she still believed he was really Rainbow Dash, and still tried to dissuade him when she should have been trying to dissuade her friends. She remembered that nopony really challenged Rainbow; nopony made her answer the all-important question. That’s because she was being helpful to Pinkie Pie, Twilight realized. She hated the idea of doubting her friends, but that was the nature of the game. And it was her idea to play this game in the first place. While her eyes were closed, she resolved that she would question every word that came from anypony’s mouth. She wasn’t going to be tricked again.

“Ready, set, Spot That Changeling!”

Twilight popped her eyes open, then narrowed them. She shifted her eyes, analyzing her friends with great suspicion. Thorax was hiding from her, in plain sight. Nopony had broken the silence yet, so Twilight decided she would.

“Let’s be methodical about this,” she said, as she turned to face Applejack. “Are you the changeling?”

“No, I’m not,” was Applejack’s answer. Twilight immediately turned to Rarity and asked the same question.

“I am not the changeling,” answered Rarity.

“Not me,” answered Pinkie Pie.

“I am not the changeling,” answered Fluttershy.

“No way, not this time,” answered Rainbow Dash.

“Your turn now,” Applejack was quick to say. “Twilight, are you the changeling?”

“I am not,” Twilight answered.

Silence followed for a few moments.

“Well,” Pinkie Pie broke the silence again, “that didn’t do anything. You all sound so sincere!”

“Sincerity can be faked, Pinkie,” Twilight said. “And everypony here knows that somepony is lying.”

“That much is obvious, darling,” Rarity said. “Saying it now doesn’t help either.”

Twilight whipped her head in Rarity’s direction. “I know that. You know what would help? If somepony said they suspected somepony else! We need to get a discussion started!”

“Twilight, calm down,” Rainbow said. “Getting upset like this is what got you in trouble last round, remember?”

Whether Rainbow actually was Rainbow or not, she was right. Twilight put a hoof to her chest and inhaled. Then she pushed it away from herself as she exhaled. That helped to clear her head. She turned and narrowed her eyes at Rainbow.

“Wait a minute, the real Rainbow Dash was out in the hallway last round,” Twilight said. “If you are the real Rainbow as you claim, how could you possibly know about what happened in the last round?”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “The door isn’t soundproof, Twi. I could hear everything.”

“Why don’t I believe you?” Twilight said.

“Okay, as the moderator, I probably shouldn’t do this,” Spike interrupted, “but I feel like this line of questioning goes against the spirit of this exercise. Stand by.” He walked over to the door. “Attention, pony who is currently in the hallway. Please, do not speak, but if you can hear what’s being said in this room, please knock on the door three times now.”

Three quick knocks immediately followed that statement.

“There, you see? All seven of you can always hear everything that happens in each round.”

Twilight huffed in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, but you have to admit, it’s hard not to be paranoid when you’re playing a game that involves doubting your friends.”

“I understand where you’re coming from,” Applejack said. “In fact, I’m still not sure who to trust. Maybe I should start asking around. Twilight, are you the changeling?”

“Uh-uh,” Twilight said.

“Do you think that I’m the changeling?”

“I’m not sure at all,” Twilight said, her ears drooping as she looked away from the rest of the group.

“I believe you, Twilight,” Applejack said. “Rarity, are you the changeling?”

“I am not,” said Rarity.

“Do you think that Twilight is the changeling?”

“Not this time, no.”

“Pinkie Pie, are you the changeling?”

Pinkie Pie sighed. “I’m getting really tired of saying I’m not the changeling.”

“Who do you think is the changeling?” Applejack asked.

“Well, I know it’s not me,” Pinkie answered, “and I’m pretty sure it’s not Twilight. But everypony else is equally suspect.”

“I have something to say,” Fluttershy said. “Applejack, I want you to know that I’ve noticed two things about you. First, the way you’ve helped Twilight overcome her misgivings about this round is really sweet.”

“Thank you, Fluttershy,” said Applejack. “But, uh, what’s the second thing?”

“The second thing I noticed is that you’re doing the exact same thing Thorax did in the last round. By endearing yourself to somepony who is flustered, you are casting suspicion off yourself.”

Applejack tilted her head. “I don’t think I like what you’re insinuating, Fluttershy.”

“Very well then, I’ll speak plainly. Applejack, are you the changeling?”

“I am not the changeling,” Applejack said, a bit louder than usual. “And another thing, it would be plum ridiculous for Thorax to try and use the same tactic two rounds in a row. I reckon he’s going to try something else.” Applejack paused, and looked away. “Like waiting for somepony to be kind to somepony else and then accusing that pony instead!”

Fluttershy scoffed. “Oh, is that how it is? Do you really think I’m the changeling? Or, are you just lashing out at me because I accused you?”

“Honestly, your flippant attitude is rather unlike you, Fluttershy,” said Applejack. “I am starting to suspect that you are the changeling.”

Fluttershy’s eyes shifted nervously. “I…I guess I’m still a little on edge about the last round. You have to understand, I really felt betrayed.”

Applejack snorted, “Nice try, but you can’t un-say what you already said, Thorax.”

“Okay, so I made a mistake,” Fluttershy said. “Twilight made a huge mistake in the last round, and we all thought she was the changeling for it. And we were wrong!”

“That barrel of cider’s been in the sun for a week,” Applejack shot back, “and I ain’t buying it!”

Fluttershy scanned the eyes of the ponies at the table. “I’m not the changeling! Please, doesn’t anypony believe me?”

“I believe you,” said Rainbow Dash. “Applejack is the changeling!” She pointed her hoof to Applejack.

“No, Fluttershy is!” Applejack shot back, pointing her own hoof at Fluttershy. Fluttershy pointed her hoof right back at Applejack.

“I believe Applejack’s argument sounded much more like something Applejack would say,” said Rarity. “And I am convinced that Fluttershy is the changeling.” She added her hoof to Applejack’s.

Pinkie looked across the table at Twilight. Pinkie’s wide eyes and flattened mouth told Twilight that they were both thinking the same thing. They had to vote, and the two of them had to vote the same way, but neither of them knew who the changeling was.

“Twilight, who do you believe?” Pinkie stage-whispered.

Going on pure gut instinct, Twilight would have chosen Fluttershy as the changeling. It made her proud that Fluttershy was being more assertive. However, her defense of her own actions was a little too assertive to be, well, Fluttershy. But Twilight wasn’t sure she could trust her gut response. After all, Thorax could easily manipulate her gut feelings to fool her. That’s what changelings do best, after all.

“I don’t know,” Twilight admitted. “Who do you believe?”

Pinkie Pie looked back and forth between Applejack and Fluttershy. Then, she bowed her head and closed her eyes. “I believe Fluttershy. Applejack is the changeling.” Pinkie stuck her hoof out.

“That’s three votes for Applejack,” Spike announced. “We need one more to end the round.”

“Come on, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “Put your hoof up already.”

Even though Twilight was certain Rainbow wasn’t the changeling, she still didn’t believe her when she said Applejack was. So, she decided to stand her ground.

“I’m sorry, but I am not convinced Applejack is the changeling. My vote is for Fluttershy.” She pointed her hoof in Fluttershy’s direction.

Pinkie Pie exhaled loudly. “I only put my hoof up because Twilight wanted me to go first. But, I trust her judgement on this matter. I’m voting Fluttershy now.” Pinkie moved her hoof.

“What?” Rainbow Dash said. “Can she do that? Change her vote on a whim?”

“I’ll allow it,” said Spike. “That’s four votes on Fluttershy, this round is finished. Now, we shall see if you ponies chose poorly, or wisely.”

Spike walked back over to the doors and opened them. Fluttershy was waiting in the hall.

“You have chosen…wisely,” Fluttershy said with a smile.

Twilight cheered her victory. She was quickly joined by Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. Thorax (still in his Fluttershy glamour) sat and pouted. The real Fluttershy came up to him.

“Don’t get too upset,” Fluttershy told him. “It’s just one round after all.”

Thorax grimaced before dropping his glamour. “But I had this one!” he complained. “I thought by impersonating Fluttershy specifically, I could get away with staying quiet. Then I could cast shade on the first pony to do something nice, and get you all to vote for her instead of me. It was the perfect plan!”

“You came on a little too strong,” Applejack said. “That’s why I suspected you in the first place.”

“I guess it wasn’t the perfect plan,” Thorax sighed. “But think I understand what I did wrong.”

Thorax hopped down and took his position by Spike. Fluttershy resumed her position on her throne.

“The ponies win this round, and now lead two-one, still playing to five. Next round, so go on, and do the thing, with the thing, from the thing. Did I say ‘thing’, I don’t think I said ‘thing’, THING!”

Round 4

Even though Twilight’s instincts were right on the money in the previous round, she still felt nervous about this round. Although she was confident that Fluttershy was the changeling, Pinkie Pie cast the deciding vote before Twilight had a chance to explain herself. That scared her. What if, in this round, she expressed mere suspicion in somepony, and suddenly everypony jumped on her bandwagon? She could unknowingly end the round in Thorax’s favor before it even got started. She had to find a way to prevent that.

Twilight’s train of thought was interrupted when she felt a familiar claw tap her on the shoulder. She opened her eyes, and saw the rest of her friends still tapping their hooves on the table with their eyes closed. They had no idea Twilight had stopped. She turned, and saw Spike nod his head in affirmation. This round, Thorax would be replacing her.

Spike pointed to his eyes, then waved his two fingers in the direction of Thorax, bidding Twilight to make eye contact with him. She did so, and saw a small spark in his compound eyes. Then, magic rose around him like blue flames, changing his appearance almost instantly into an exact duplication of Twilight Sparkle herself. Twilight couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. Thankfully, the hoof clopping muffled her amused noise.

Twilight stepped down from her throne, and tiptoed over to Spike while Thorax took her place. Spike gently placed a claw on her neck, and escorted her to the double doors of the throne room. Once in the hall, Spike put a claw to his lips, reminding Twilight to be quiet. Unnecessary, Twilight thought, but whatever. Spike shut the doors. Twilight quickly found out that Rainbow had spoken the truth. She could hear everything in the throne room.

“Ready, set, Spot That Changeling!”

“Before we get started, I just want to say one thing,” Twilight heard Thorax say in her voice. “Pinkie, you should not have switched your vote like that. While I appreciate that you trust my judgement, I don’t want you following my instincts blindly, because I could be just as mistaken as anypony else. So, I would appreciate it if you let me explain my reasoning before you decide to agree with me.”

Twilight’s blood ran cold. That was exactly what she wanted to tell everypony right from the start. And Thorax said it exactly the way she would have said it herself. Could changelings read minds? No, that was silly. If he could have read Pinkie’s mind, he wouldn’t have been caught in the first round. But if it wasn’t mind-reading, then Twilight had to admit that Thorax was very perceptive.

“That makes sense, Twilight,” Pinkie Pie said. “I’ll try to do that in the future. Wait a minute, you’re not really Thorax, are you?”

“No, I’m not Thorax,” Thorax lied.

“Do you think that I’m Thorax?” Pinkie asked back.

“You might just be. But either way, what I said stands.”

It occurred to Twilight that Thorax’s plan was to say something wise and insightful at the top of the round, to make himself sound like the gentle sage her friends expected her to be. He was getting good at this game. Twilight was impressed and horrified at the same time.

“Let me pose a question to all of you,” Rarity interjected. “Do you think Thorax chose to replace somepony new this round? Or is he starting to revisit some of his previous victims?”

“I think he chose somepony new,” Pinkie said. “If I were Thorax, I’d want to get a good long look at everypony’s behavior before I tried to mimic the same pony again.”

“I don’t know if I agree,” Fluttershy said. “He was pretty upset that he didn’t win the last round. I think he’d try the same pony again, just to see if his plan would have worked.”

“Uh, Fluttershy,” said Applejack, “you realize that Thorax replaced you last round, right?”

“Well, um, yes, but I meant besides me,” Fluttershy answered. “I suspect he picked Rainbow Dash again.”

“No, Fluttershy, I am not the changeling,” Rainbow Dash said. “And to answer Rarity’s question, I think he chose somepony different, like maybe Twilight, or AJ, or you.” Twilight couldn’t see, but she suspected that by ‘you’, Rainbow meant Rarity.

“The way I see it,” Thorax said with Twilight’s voice, “it would be a sound strategy to pick somepony new. However, since it is in his best interest to be unpredictable, any good reason he has for picking a new victim is simultaneously a good reason not to pick a new victim. Therefore, I cannot safely eliminate anypony at this table.”

He’s biding his time, Twilight thought. He doesn’t want to accuse anyone too early, lest the heat fall on him. I hope somepony notices he dodged Rarity’s question. I think he’s trying to muddy the issue. As she thought through Thorax’s plan, Twilight felt the corner of her mouth tense up.

“For what it’s worth, I have not been the changeling once since we started,” Applejack said. “I think I ought to be insulted by that, but I don’t know what’s going on in that critter’s head.”

“You didn’t answer my question, Applejack,” Rarity said. “By the way, I do believe Thorax would pick a new victim. More specifically, I think you are the changeling!”

Uh-oh, Twilight worried. That’s just the opening he needs!

“I am not the changeling.” Applejack said plainly.

“If it’s not you,” Rarity countered, “then who is it? Do you think he’s impersonating somepony he already impersonated?”

“Okay, I believe he did pick a new victim for this round,” said Applejack. “I know that implicates myself, but I don’t mean myself.”

“Then who do you mean?” Rarity pressed. “Surely you don’t mean Twilight?”

“Well, I don’t rightly know, maybe I do,” Applejack said. “Twilight, are you the changeling?”

“No, I’m not the changeling,” Thorax lied, cool as a cucumber.

“Tell me the truth, do you think Thorax chose a new victim?”

“I could easily be wrong,” Thorax said, “but going by my gut instinct, I think Thorax did choose a new victim for this round.”

What an unusual gambit, Twilight thought. He’s honestly admitting the possibility that he replaced me, and he’s counting on his frankness to cast some suspicion off himself, even though the words he’s actually speaking make him sound more suspicious. Ooh, he is diabolical!

“Wait a minute!” Pinkie Pie interrupted. “Twilight, Applejack, and Rarity all think that Thorax replaced either Twilight, Applejack, or Rarity. That means that whichever one of them is Thorax just admitted that one of them is Thorax. But Thorax would never admit that, because he’d want to try and fool us! But it makes so much sense for him to do that! But it doesn’t make any sense at all!” Pinkie moaned like a banshee. “I don’t want to play this game anymore!” she whined. “It makes my brain hurt!”

“Well,” Rainbow said, “I guess we can safely eliminate Pinkie Pie. Not that I suspected her to begin with, but you know. Okay, let’s try this again. Twilight, are you the changeling?”

“No.”

“Out of Applejack or Rarity, who do you think is more likely to be the changeling?”

“Rarity did start us on this line of questioning, so I think it’s her.”

“Okay, Applejack, are you the changeling?”

“Nope.”

“Out of Twilight or Rarity, who is more likely to be the changeling?”

“I’m convinced it’s Rarity. She did jump on me for not answering her question.”

“Now, Rarity, are you the changeling?”

“I most certainly am not.”

“Out of Twilight or AJ, who is?”

“I still think it’s Applejack.”

“Why?” Rainbow pressed.

“I think her comment about not being replaced was a little forced.”

“I don’t believe you,” Rainbow said. “I’m convinced you’re the changeling.”

“I wasn’t sure before,” Thorax said, “but now I’m convinced it’s Rarity.”

That was three votes for Rarity, who was not the changeling. One more, and Thorax would win this round. It really hurt to think that her friends could be so easily fooled by an impostor. And yet, she couldn’t help but smile at his brilliance.

“Well,” Fluttershy spoke up meekly, “I believe Applejack’s comment was genuine, so I’m going to vote for Rarity too.”

Rarity groaned and grunted with irritation. “Fluttershy, darling, you know I love you, but I am so very upset that you cost us the point!”

“Sorry, Rarity,” Spike said. “But that’s four votes against you. Now, we shall see whether Fluttershy did in fact cost you the point.”

As Spike walked back to the double doors, Twilight found herself standing up straighter, and tilting her head just so, like she was posing to have her portrait taken. Spike opened the doors wide.

“Surprise!” Twilight sing-songed as she was revealed.

The whole room burst out with a mixture of emotion. Pinkie Pie whined, and slammed her head on the table. Fluttershy slouched in her throne, and hid behind her mane. Rainbow Dash screamed “What?” in a very angry tone. Rarity gasped at Twilight, while Applejack just stared with pin-prick eyes.

Thorax, for his part, cackled mightily with Twilight’s laugh, and cheered his victory. “All hail the Princess of Deception!” Suddenly, all five of them turned and stared daggers at Thorax. He dropped his glamour and smiled sheepishly. “Hey, hey, take it easy, girls. It’s just a game, remember?”

Twilight made her way back to her throne. “If my friends don’t feel like saying it, then I will. Thorax, you played that round expertly, and I’m very proud of you.”

Thorax smiled at Twilight. Then, he immediately hissed and flicked his tongue out. Twilight jumped back in alarm.

“Sorry,” Thorax apologized. “Old habits are hard to break.”

“Tell me about it,” Twilight mused as she resumed her place.

“Thorax wins this round,” Spike announced, “and we are tied once again. Next round starts…”

“No!” Pinkie Pie protested. “No more mind games! I’ve had all I can take, and I don’t want to play anymore!”

“But you can’t quit now!” Rarity said. “The game’s finally starting to get interesting!”

“But it’s so har-ar-ard!” Pinkie whined. “How am I supposed to tell who’s a changeling and who’s not just by asking ‘are you the changeling’? All of you are only going to give me the same answer!”

“That’s true,” Applejack said, “but only one of us is lying. Ponies, and changelings, always act differently when they’re lying than when they’re telling the truth. You just got to go with your gut.”

“But how do I know for certain if my gut is right?”

“You don’t!” was all Applejack had to say.

Pinkie Pie straightened up in her chair, and puffed a few breaths. “Okay, that works for me.” Pinkie Pie shut her eyes and started to make the “night noise” with her hooves. The rest of them just shrugged, and did the same.

Round 5

It took Twilight a moment to get her head back in the game. Thus far, Thorax had been openly contributing to the conversation each round, casting doubt on an innocent pony, and then subtly getting the four votes he needed to win the round. Twilight had a hunch that Thorax was going to try and lay low for the first few moments of this round, and then jump in after the conversation got started. She wondered what he would do if no discussion got started. There was one way to find out.

“Ready, set, Spot That Changeling!”

Twilight opened her eyes, and silently positioned herself in her chair, hoping her body language would convey to her friends that she was not the changeling. She looked each of her friends in the eyes, and waited patiently for somepony, anypony, to say something. Rainbow scowled, and narrowed her eyes at Twilight, like she was trying to see through her. Fluttershy would not meet her gaze. Instead, she looked forlornly at the table. Pinkie Pie’s head shifted from side to side, as she nervously tapped her right hoof on the table. Rarity squinted toward the center, and brought a hoof to her chin. Applejack adjusted her hat, so that her eyes were barely visible. And still, nopony said anything.

“Oh, jeez, everypony, one at a time, please!” Spike shouted, startling Twilight. “Nopony can understand you when you talk all at once like that!”

Twilight smirked, and rolled her eyes. Rainbow chuckled to herself. Pinkie did the same. Rarity cast a disapproving glance at Spike. Applejack hung her head and sighed. But Fluttershy did not react at all.

“Seriously, you guys,” Spike said, “this is a game of information based on information based on information. Somepony needs to say something, or this game isn’t going to get anywhere.”

“Okay, here’s something I’ve noticed,” Rainbow finally said. “We’ve been ahead of Thorax by half a point since the game started.”

“Half a point?” asked Applejack. “I thought we were counting one by one?”

“What I mean is, first we led by one point, then we were tied, then ahead by one, and then tied again. That averages out to a half a point lead for our side throughout the game. If this pattern continues, we’ll end up edging Thorax out in Round Nine by one point.”

“Okay, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“If I were Thorax (and I’m not saying I am, ‘cause I’m not), I’d want to break the pattern by making sure I won this round, so I could go on to win the game.”

Rarity moaned with irritation. “Of course Thorax wants to win this round,” she said, with a strain of exhaustion in her voice. “He’s trying to win as many rounds as he can! How does this help us find out which one of us he replaced?”

“Rarity,” Rainbow said, in a condescending tone, “what I’m trying to say is this round in particular is especially important for him. That means he’s not going to take any unnecessary risks in his strategy for fooling us.”

“Oh, I get it,” Twilight said. “That means we know the changeling is not Applejack or Rarity!”

“Wait, really?” Applejack said. “I mean, I know I’m not the changeling, but how can you be so sure about that yourself?”

“Well, Thorax has chosen a new victim each round so far, which means in this round, the two of you are bound to get more scrutiny. If Thorax chose either of you, that would be an unnecessary risk, which he wouldn’t take. Therefore, we can all be fairly confident neither of you is the changeling!”

“Wait a minute!” Pinkie Pie interrupted. “What if he anticipated that you would figure all of this out, and would immediately eliminate AJ and Rarity? Then, it would make even more sense to choose one of them for his victim, because you wouldn’t expect it!”

“That would be called a double bluff, Pinkie Pie,” Twilight explained. “And a double bluff doesn’t work if the pony you’re bluffing takes it straight. Pulling a double bluff would be another example of an unnecessary risk. Which is why I’m doubly certain it isn’t AJ or Rarity.”

“Oh,” Pinkie Pie said. “I guess that makes sense.” Pinkie frowned, and looked over at Applejack. “Buuuuuut, I’d better ask anyway, just to be on the safe side. Applejack, are you the changeling?”

“Uh-uh,” was all Applejack had to say.

“What about you, Rarity?”

“Sorry, darling, not this time,” said Rarity.

“Okey-dokey, I believe you,” Pinkie Pie said. “So who does that leave?”

“The way I see it,” Rainbow continued, “if Thorax wanted an easy win, he’d impersonate somepony he’s already won a round with. And since I know I’m not the changeling, that leaves only one other pony…” Rainbow looked back at Twilight.

“Not this again!” Twilight said, with a moan. “Do you really think Thorax would pick the same victim in back-to-back rounds?”

“Rainbow does have a point, darling,” said Rarity. “He hasn’t done that yet, and now would be the best time to break the pattern, since we aren’t expecting it.”

“I disagree,” Twilight said. “I think reduplication would be too much of a gamble. Also, and I cannot emphasize this point enough, I am not the changeling!”

“Twilight, I must confess,” Applejack said, “I’m not entirely convinced you’re not the changeling. But, I’m not entirely convinced that you are the changeling either.”

“In that case, you should forget about me, and investigate somepony else,” Twilight said.

“Fluttershy,” Applejack said. “We haven’t heard a word out of you yet. Would you care to weigh in on what we’re discussing?”

“Oh, um, ah, well,” Fluttershy stammered. “I’d really rather not say.”

“What do you mean, you’d rather not say?” Applejack pressed.

“Are you trying to hide something from us?” Rarity added.

“No, I’m not trying to hide anything!”

Applejack said nothing, but did raise an eyebrow at Fluttershy.

“It’s just, I don’t want to say who I think the changeling is, because if I’m wrong, but the rest of you believe me, we’ll lose another round because of me!”

“Fluttershy, we need as much input as we can get,” Twilight said. “Maybe you’re right, maybe you’re wrong. But we can’t know for certain unless you share your suspicions with us.”

“Besides,” Pinkie Pie said, “keeping quiet like that reeeeally makes it look like you’re the changeling. Wait, are you the changeling?”

“Goodness, no!” Fluttershy said.

“Well, then who is?” Pinkie pressed.

Fluttershy breathed deep, brushed her mane out of her eyes, and faced the rest of the group with a soft, but determined look.

“I think it’s Rainbow Dash,” she said. “She was the first one to break the silence, just like Thorax did in the last round.”

“I was trying to get the discussion going,” Rainbow said defensively. “Spike said we needed to start talking to find out who Thorax is. If I were Thorax, why would I do that?”

“To make it look like you’re not really Thorax, of course!” Fluttershy shot back.

“But that would be a double bluff!” Pinkie interrupted. “Uh, right, Twilight?”

Twilight nodded.

“And, we’ve already established that Thorax wouldn’t double bluff, so that means Rainbow Dash is not the changeling either!” Pinkie Pie gasped. “Oh yeah, it’s all coming together now!” She pointed an accusatory hoof at Fluttershy. “You are the changeling!”

“What happened to you, Pinkie?” Fluttershy said. “Just a minute ago, you were ready to quit. Now, all of a sudden, you’re playing with full gusto.” Fluttershy’s eyes widened, then narrowed as something seemed to dawn on her. “That’s it, isn’t it? You’re not Pinkie Pie at all!” She pointed her hoof back at Pinkie. “You are the real changeling here!”

“Okay, it seems we have another battle on our hands,” Spike said. “Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are voting for each other. We need four to end the round.”

“I believe it was Thorax’s intention to lie low from the beginning of this round,” Twilight said. “So, it makes sense that he would choose the pony we’d expect to be the quietest. And that’s Fluttershy.” She pointed her hoof at Fluttershy.

“I am not convinced,” Rarity said. “Fluttershy hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary. At this point, I am convinced the changeling is Pinkie Pie!” She held up her hoof.

“But Pinkie’s been acting so random this round,” Rainbow Dash said. “And that’s the way she usually acts! I say it’s Fluttershy.” Rainbow pointed her hoof.

All eyes fell on Applejack. She was the deciding vote.

“It was weird that nopony said anything for a long time at the start of this round,” she said. “I think Twilight is right; if Thorax was planning on laying low, he would try to pose as the pony we expect to be quiet.” Applejack lifted her hoof in Fluttershy’s direction. “Fluttershy, if it really is you, I’m sorry.”

“Well, sorry or not, you just ended the round, AJ,” said Spike. “Time to see if you did the right thing.” Spike walked back to the double doors, and opened them wide. Waiting in the hallway was a very real, and very cross, Pinkie Pie.

“Are you kidding me!?” she exclaimed.

Applejack, Twilight, and Rainbow groaned with the agony of defeat.

“I told you so!” Rarity sing-songed.

Fluttershy snorted and groused angrily at the group.

Thorax dropped his glamour, and smirked at Pinkie. “How was that? Was I Pinkie enough for you, Pinkie?”

“Not by a long shot,” Pinkie said angrily. “You gave yourself away! After you questioned AJ and Rarity, you said ‘okey-dokey’. But I would have said ‘okey-dokey-lokey’! You forgot the ‘lokey’!”

Thorax’s jaw hung loose. He turned to Twilight, and pointed his leg at Pinkie Pie. The confused expression on his face seemed to ask “Is she for real?”

Twilight simply shrugged, as if to say “It’s Pinkie Pie, don’t question it.”

“Either way,” Pinkie went on, “thanks for letting me sit this round out. It’s nice to have the pressure taken off once in a while. Plus, hearing you guys talking really helped me figure out how this game works. I think I can make it through to the end now.” Pinkie and Thorax switched places.

“No problem, Pinkie,” Thorax said. “It’s a good thing too. I was actually planning to replace Fluttershy again, but I changed my mind at the last minute when I saw how agitated you were.”

“What?” shouted Applejack, Twilight, and Rainbow. Once again, they groaned in agony.

“Thorax wins this round,” Spike announced. “And he takes the lead, three-two, playing to five. All right, everypony, eyes closed, hooves tapping. Round six begins shortly.”

Round 6

Hearing that Thorax had changed his strategy at the last minute really rattled Twilight’s train of thought. Her changeling-finding strategy depended on predicting his choices. But clearly, that wasn’t going to work anymore. What’s worse, Thorax was only getting better at mimicking her friends. If she didn’t step up her game to match his, he’d bowl them over without breaking a sweat. But Twilight had no idea how to do that, so she ended up doing what she usually did in a crisis. She panicked.

“Ready, set, Spot That Changeling!”

Twilight opened her eyes. She felt like she had to say something, anything to start the conversation. But she couldn’t think of anything to say, other than “We have to win this round,” which would not have helped the situation at all. She started shifting her weight in her chair back and forth, and took short shallow breaths through her nose.

“You all right there, sugar cube?” Applejack asked.

“No. No, I’m not,” Twilight confessed. “I don’t have a strategy anymore. I thought I could predict Thorax’s plan, but if he can suddenly change it at the last minute, then I don’t know what to expect anymore!”

“I know,” Applejack said. “But it’s okay. If guesswork didn’t help, we can always fall back on asking everypony directly. It’s not completely hopeless. Thorax is getting better at fooling us, but he’s bound to slip up sooner or later. Don’t give up, we can still win this.”

Twilight slowed her breathing down. “You’re right. Whether you’re Applejack, or Thorax pretending to be Applejack, you’re right. Besides, even if we lose, it’s not that big a deal. It’s just a game, after all.”

“That’s right,” Applejack said. “Now, let me pose a question to y’all. We know that one of Thorax’s tactics is reaching out to somepony else with kindness and helpful advice. So, does anypony suspect that I’m the changeling because of what I just said to Twilight?”

“It sounded pretty convincing to me,” said Rainbow Dash. “I’m pretty sure you’re really Applejack, but I’m not ruling out the possibility that you might still be Thorax.”

“Well, I was going to answer,” Fluttershy said, “but Rainbow already said exactly what I was thinking.”

“Right now, I’m more suspicious of Twilight than I am of AJ,” said Pinkie Pie. “Thorax let me sit out and catch my breath when he saw me getting flustered. Now, Twilight’s the one who’s flustered, so I think he’d do the same for her.”

“You make a valid point, Pinkie,” said Twilight, “but I am not the changeling. And, to answer Applejack’s question, I do not suspect her. I haven’t ruled her out yet, but at this point, I’m more willing to believe it’s somepony else.”

“Well,” Rarity finally spoke, “I believe both Twilight and Applejack are genuine. Currently, my suspicion lies with Rainbow Dash.”

“Excuse me?” Rainbow said, putting her hooves on the table. Almost as soon as she had her outburst, she backpedaled. “I mean, that accusation came out of nowhere. I’d like to hear your reasoning.”

“Simple, darling,” Rarity said. “I believe Thorax is trying to score another easy point this round. If he does, he’ll have three whole rounds to experiment with the kind of risky tactics we ruled out in the previous round. And since he won a round by impersonating you, I think he chose you again.”

“I’ll admit, you make a good point,” Rainbow Dash said. “However, I have a hunch that Thorax really wants to get practice impersonating each of the six of us at least once. He only doubled back to Pinkie in the last round because he knew we’d expect him to pick someone new. Now, I think he has chosen a new victim. Specifically, I think he chose you, Rarity.”

“Oh, pf, chk, tth,” Rarity scoffed. “You’re just accusing me because I accused you, and you want to make an easy target out of me!”

“I don’t know if I agree,” Applejack said. “Thorax did say he wanted to get good at impersonating all of us. He’s up by a point on the scoreboard, so the best time to pick a new target would be now. And since I know I’m not the changeling, that leaves only you.”

Rarity gasped, as if she were scandalized. “Darling, you cannot be serious! Surely, you see what Rainbow is trying to do, right?”

“All I heard was Rainbow Dash explaining her reasons for suspecting you,” Applejack said. “And I happen to agree with her.”

“Rarity, are you at least willing to admit that Rainbow has a valid point?” Twilight asked.

“Pf, chk, tth,” Rarity scoffed again, “Rainbow’s just trying to confuse the issue, by bringing up irrelevant details.”

“I believe you, Rarity,” said Pinkie Pie. “Rainbow did say it was just a hunch, after all.”

“This is a game of instinct and intuition, Pinkie,” Rainbow defended. “Hunches are the only things we have to go on!”

“That’s right!” Fluttershy said. “Your case against Rainbow Dash is just as hunch-based as her case against you, Rarity! What makes you think your hunch is better than hers?”

“Darling, I do not believe Rainbow’s case, as you call it, is based on anything other than a desperate need to cast suspicion on an innocent pony.”

“I’m sorry, but I just don’t get that feeling from Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said. “Let me ask. Rarity, are you the changeling?”

“Oh, pf, chk, tth, I most certainly am not!” she said.

“Yeah, no, not convinced.” Twilight put her hoof up. “I’m voting Rarity.” Rainbow Dash quickly added her hoof to Twilight’s. Applejack’s wasn’t far behind. Fluttershy almost put her hoof up, but held back.

“Wait, are we sure it’s Rarity?” she asked. “I don’t want to make another mistake.”

“Doesn’t the way Rarity’s been talking seem a little bit…I don’t know…forced?” Twilight asked.

“I don’t think so,” Fluttershy said. “Everything she’s said so far has been what I expect from her.”

“Yes, but not that frequently,” Applejack said. “It’s like she can’t help but say everything in an over-the-top, admittedly Rarity-esque manner. And it comes across as an act.”

“Well, what do you expect of me?” Rarity said, half-screaming. “You’re saying you think I’m the changeling because I talk the way I always talk? What kind of sense does that make?”

“That’s not what I said at all,” Applejack countered. “The way you’ve been talking is not how you usually talk. It sounds more like a bad parody of how you talk.”

“Oh, pf, chk, tth, you’re exaggerating!” Rarity waved Applejack off.

“Like that!” Rainbow Dash quickly said. “That’s the fourth time you’ve scoffed since the round started. I’ve never heard you do that more than once in the span of a half-hour!”

Rarity’s eyes widened. She quickly looked at the three accusing hooves still pointed in her direction. She turned to Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, darling, you can’t think that these ponies are serious, can you?”

“I…I…” Fluttershy stammered. “I don’t know what to think!”

“I do,” Pinkie Pie said, and she pointed her hoof at Rarity. “I’m voting Rarity, and that’s four.”

“Oh, horse apples,” Rarity blurted.

Rainbow Dash burst out laughing. Applejack and Twilight snickered to themselves. Pinkie started laughing too. Even Spike chuckled at that.

“Well,” Spike said, coughing a little to regain his composure, “I’d say it’s time to reveal the truth, but at this point, I think it’s just a formality.” Spike opened up the doors, and allowed Rarity to enter, and find her throne.

“There, there, Thorax,” Rarity cooed. “I’d say you did a splendid job, for a first time. If you could learn to be a little more subdued, I think you might actually pull it off. And I could certainly use a body double for when I need to travel to my other boutiques.”

“Hurmph,” groused Thorax, before he dropped his glamour. “I doubt it. A pony like you has a natural poise and elegance that is almost impossible for a changeling to do justice.”

Rarity chuckled demurely. “Oh, stop it, you. You’re embarrassing me! But, do go on.”

“A-HEM!” Spike loudly cleared his throat right in Rarity’s and Thorax’s ears. He narrowed his eyes at the two of them.

“Spikey-poo, there’s no need to be jealous,” Rarity said, as she resumed her place at the table. “It was just a polite conversation, and nothing more.”

“Yeah, I’m really sure,” Spike said, with a slight edge to his tone. “In any event, the ponies win this round, and we are tied once again, three-all. Time to make the hooftaps, ladies. The next round starts shortly.”

Round 7

Twilight felt much better going into this round. Thorax blurting out “horse apples” the moment he had been found out was the funniest thing she had witnessed since the game began. It felt good to laugh again, after so much annoyance and anger. She also felt pretty confident in her ability to predict Thorax’s next move. At least, she was certain he wouldn’t pick Applejack. Not this round, anyway. Still, she did believe he wanted to touch all his bases, so to speak. There would be at least one more round after this where he could. But right now, Thorax would want an easy win. Whichever side won this round would be one point away from clenching the match.

“Ready, set, Spot That Changeling!”

Twilight opened her eyes, and watched as everypony trained their eyes onto Applejack.

“No, everypony,” Applejack said before she was even asked, “I am not the changeling. Again.”

“Well, neither am I,” added Rarity. “It seems Thorax wasn’t interested in trying to capture my radiance for a second time. Can’t say that I blame him, though, all things considered.”

“I believe you, Rarity,” said Fluttershy. “But I’m not sure I believe Applejack.”

Applejack cocked her head at Fluttershy. “And why, may I ask, is that?”

“It’s the way you said you weren’t the changeling. You sounded disappointed. A little too disappointed.”

“It’s only natural,” Twilight interjected. “Applejack has had to question and doubt her friends for six rounds. The rest of us have been given a break from the pressure at least once, but she hasn’t.”

“I’m just saying, I think it’s a little suspicious that she felt the need to say she wasn’t the changeling before she was even asked,” Fluttershy said.

“If that’s what you think,” Rarity said, “then why don’t you suspect me? I said the same thing.”

“Because I don’t think Thorax would pick the same pony twice in a row.”

“I suppose that’s fair,” Rarity said, “but I still don’t believe Applejack is the changeling.”

“Well, then,” said Fluttershy, “who do you believe is the changeling?”

“I am a little suspicious of Rainbow and Pinkie each,” Rarity said. “We haven’t heard a word out of either of them as of yet.”

“I’m not sure who I suspect right now,” Pinkie said. “It’s still a little too early in the round to make any reasonably informed judgements.”

“I’m suspicious of Fluttershy,” Rainbow said. “I didn’t believe for one second that Applejack was the changeling, and Fluttershy’s reasoning sounded pretty phony to me.”

“Now that I think about it,” Applejack said, “Fluttershy has been contributing more to the conversation than she normally does.”

“I thought I was supposed to be contributing to the conversation?” Fluttershy said.

“You are, Fluttershy,” said Twilight. “But Applejack has a point. It is uncharacteristic of you to speak up this early in the round.”

“I realize that,” said Fluttershy. “But in previous rounds, my instincts weren’t as good. I cast the deciding vote in the first two rounds we lost, so I wasn’t as willing to share my suspicions. But I was right about Pinkie Pie in round five, and I did suspect Rarity in round six, so I feel more confident now than I did then. That’s why I’m contributing the conversation more now, not because I’m a changeling.”

“You know what, that actually makes a lot of sense,” said Applejack. “I believe you, Fluttershy.”

“Well, I don’t,” Pinkie Pie said. “I mean, I’d be really proud of Fluttershy becoming more confident if I believed she really was Fluttershy. Buuuut, that story sounds a little too much like a convenient excuse for the sudden shift in her behavior.”

Fluttershy turned to look Pinkie Pie in the eye. “Pinkie, I am not the changeling.”

“I agree with Pinkie Pie,” said Rainbow Dash, as she pointed her hoof. “My vote is for Fluttershy.” Pinkie added her hoof as well.

“I still don’t believe you are the changeling, Fluttershy,” said Applejack, “but Pinkie does make a good point. Why don’t you tell us who you think the changeling is?”

“To be honest,” said Fluttershy, “I’m still suspicious of you.” She scrunched up her muzzle in thought. “Although, now that I think about it, we haven’t heard anything but platitudes from Twilight so far.”

“That’s right,” Rarity said. “Twilight, darling, are you the changeling?”

“No, I am not,” Twilight said. “And I don’t believe Applejack is the changeling. But I don’t think Fluttershy is the changeling either. Her suspicion of Applejack sounds sincere. It’s wrong, but it’s sincere. Right now, my suspicion lies with Rainbow Dash.”

“Why me?” Rainbow said. “Is it because I’m voting for Fluttershy? Pinkie’s voting Fluttershy too, why don’t you suspect her?”

“Because she gave us a reason for her vote,” Twilight said.

“I gave you a reason for my vote,” Rainbow countered. “The real Fluttershy would not be this assertive! She’s the changeling!”

“I disagree,” Rarity said. “Fluttershy is usually timid, but her explanation for her sudden boldness sounds reasonable to me.”

“Rarity, you can’t let your concern for Fluttershy cloud your judgement,” Rainbow argued. “Thorax is just tugging at your heartstrings, making you feel pride for Fluttershy, so you won’t suspect her!”

“May I ask a question?” Fluttershy said. “Applejack, are you the changeling?”

“Nope,” said Applejack.

“Okay, thank you.” Fluttershy pointed her hoof at Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow is the changeling.”

Rainbow chuckled. “Nice try, Thorax, but everypony here knows you’re just trying to make me look bad for accusing you!”

“Fluttershy’s not doing anything, Rainbow,” said Twilight. “The only pony making you look bad is you. That is, if you are who you say you are.” Twilight pointed her hoof at Rainbow Dash.

“Oh my,” said Rarity. “It seems we have another battle on our hooves. Fluttershy and Rainbow have two votes each.” She turned to Applejack. “And you and I are the only ones yet to vote.”

“I can’t rightly make up my mind,” said Applejack. “I trust that Fluttershy is not the changeling, to be certain. But Rainbow Dash is acting like, well, Rainbow Dash. I just don’t think either one is the changeling.”

“I’m still more inclined to suspect Rainbow over Fluttershy,” said Rarity, “but I do see your point, Applejack.”

“Let me ask you something, Pinkie,” said Applejack. “Two things actually. First, why did you suspect Fluttershy in the first place?”

“Well, I kind of thought Thorax would be playing it safe this round, so I had a hunch it would be Fluttershy,” Pinkie explained. “Then, when she talked about being more assertive, I guess I thought Thorax was using that as an excuse for being out of character. So, I jumped on it.”

“Sounds reasonable,” said Applejack. “Second question, do you still believe Fluttershy’s the changeling?”

“Um-hmm,” Pinkie confirmed. “She did try to convince us you were the changeling, and then she suddenly pointed a hoof at Rainbow. I thought that was suspicious.”

“Thank you,” said Applejack. “Now, I still don’t believe it’s Fluttershy, so that made me suspicious of both Rainbow and Pinkie. But after talking it over with Pinkie, I believe her reasons for suspecting Fluttershy are genuine. Therefore,” and she pointed her hoof when she said this, “I’m voting for Rainbow Dash.”

“What?” Rainbow said. “But you didn’t let me explain myself! How is that fair?”

“You still have time to explain yourself, Rainbow,” said Rarity. “You only have three votes on you. I do suspect you, and I would simply love to cast the deciding vote. So, if you have anything to say in your defense, you had better say it now.”

“Um…er…well,” Rainbow stammered, “It’s like what Pinkie said. Fluttershy thought it was AJ, and now she thinks it’s me. She’s flip-flopping, while trying to pretend to be more assertive!”

“I didn’t flip-flop,” Fluttershy said. “Applejack convinced me she wasn’t the changeling.”

“So then why did you point your hoof at me all of a sudden?”

“Because you were trying to make my assertiveness out to be some kind of act!”

“Exactly! You’re just mad because I found you out, Thorax!”

“Okay, I’ve heard enough,” Rarity said, and she pointed her hoof at Rainbow Dash. “Sorry, but I am not convinced you are still Rainbow, and I don’t want to waste any more time discussing it.”

“Well, that’s four votes on Rainbow,” Spike announced. “Let us see who you all should have voted for.” Spike opened the double doors, and revealed Rainbow Dash. Everypony cheered in victory. Everypony that is, except Thorax, who was still in his Rainbow Dash glamour. He pounded a hoof on the table.

“Rainbow Dash is cocky and aggressive,” he said. “I was cocky and aggressive, it should have fooled you ponies!”

“You were cocky and aggressive to the wrong pony,” said the real Rainbow Dash. “Flutters and I go way back, I would never pick on her the way you did.”

“Except, you did,” Fluttershy said. “Out in the woods, after dark, just last month, remember?”

“Not helping,” Rainbow said through her teeth.

Thorax dropped his glamour. “I just can’t win,” he huffed. “You ponies have so much history together, so much camaraderie, and I can’t duplicate that.”

“Yeah, we are pretty tight,” said Rainbow. “But you’re getting better at mimicking us, so that’s something.”

“A flawless glamour is worthless when the ponies you’re trying to fool can see right through it,” Thorax mused.

“Don’t worry about it,” said Rainbow. “You only have to play one more round with us. After we beat you, you don’t have to try impersonating us ever again.”

“Rainbow!” Twilight chided.

“What?”

“The ponies take the lead again,” announced Spike, “The score is now four-three, match point for the ponies. Now, the sooner you start tapping those hooves, the sooner we can start round eight.”

Round 8

Despite feeling sympathy for Thorax, Twilight was pretty giddy that her team was one point away from winning. While she had a lot of fun analyzing her friends’ words and actions, looking for any discrepancies, it was mentally exhausting. She wanted to finish this as quickly as possible, so she could go back to just trusting her friends again. At that meant winning the match in this round. Since her friends had been able to track Thorax down two rounds in a row, Twilight figured he was just desperate enough to try something remarkably stupid.

Maybe he’d pick Rainbow Dash again, choosing the same pony in back-to-back rounds. Maybe he’d pick Rarity, after that maudlin display of being unable to do her justice, nopony would suspect it. Maybe he’d actually pick Applejack, the last pony he had yet to impersonate, and he’d expect the rest of them to not suspect her. Whatever he decided, Twilight was determined to find out.

“Ready, set, Spot That Changeling!”

“All right, everypony,” Rainbow Dash quickly said. “No more messing around. We’re going to win this round, and we’re going to win this game. I need everypony to look me in the eyes and tell me that she is not the changeling.” She turned her attention to Twilight. “Starting with you.”

“I am not the changeling,” Twilight told Rainbow Dash.

“Once again, I’m not the changeling,” said Applejack.

“I am not the changeling,” said Rarity.

“Nuh-uh, not the changeling,” said Pinkie Pie.

“Rainbow Dash, I am not the changeling,” Fluttershy said, with a hint of force in her voice.

“And I just want everypony to know that I am not the changeling either,” said Rainbow Dash.

“Uh-huh,” Twilight deadpanned.

Rainbow Dash shot Twilight a look. “Are you insinuating that you don’t believe me?”

Twilight started to protest, but then remembered they were playing a game where mistrust was expected. “Yes, I was. And now, I’m stating it outright. I suspected Thorax might just choose the same pony in back-to-back rounds, and now, your win-at-all-costs attitude is coming across as a little over-the-top.”

“Oh yeah?” Rainbow said, her wings flaring wide. “Well…you actually have a very good point. But I just want to win this game really badly. That’s no different from how I usually act, right?”

“I know you really want to win, Rainbow,” said Twilight. “I really want to win as well. But you can’t bite off somepony’s head just because the suspect you. You’re never going to convince them that you’re really who you claim to be when you’re yelling at them.”

“Wait a minute,” Rainbow said. “Why are you giving me friendship advice, after you just said you suspected me?”

“I’m trying to get you to calm down, you seemed agitated,” Twilight explained.

“Yes, but you’re giving strategy advice to somepony you just said you thought was the changeling. Why would you do that? You literally just said you wanted to win for your side!”

“What are you suggesting?” Twilight asked. “You think my kindness is just an act?”

“I’m just saying, Thorax was kind to Pinkie Pie in the round where he impersonated you, and he ended up fooling us. It’s only reasonable that he might try that again.”

Twilight inhaled and exhaled sharply. “You also make a very valid point, Rainbow. But I am not the changeling.”

Applejack cleared her throat. “I hate to intrude on your private conversation, Twilight, but there are four other ponies at this table who might like to weigh in?”

“Well,” Fluttershy said, “I believe Rainbow Dash is not the changeling. I’m not quite sure about Twilight, though.”

“I don’t think either Twilight or Rainbow are the changeling,” said Pinkie Pie. “I think they just overreacted to slight character missteps, which is not unusual for either of them.” Suddenly, Pinkie Pie started giggling to herself. “Can you imagine if Thorax didn’t replace anypony, and we all just took each other to task over nothing! That would be so funny!”

“That would be cheating,” Applejack countered. “Why would you even suggest such a thing? Are you trying to throw off our game?”

“Applejack, relax,” Rarity said. “Pinkie Pie didn’t mean anything by it. She’s just being Pinkie Pie. And for that reason, I do not believe she is the changeling. I am, however, suspicious of Rainbow Dash.”

“You’re right, Rarity,” Applejack said. “And I don’t think Twilight or Rainbow Dash is the changeling.” She paused briefly. “Fluttershy, are you the changeling?”

“Applejack!” Fluttershy said, scandalized. Then, she regained her composure and answered, “No, I’m not the changeling.”

“Do you think that I’m the changeling?”

“Right now, you are my strongest suspicion,” Fluttershy admitted. “Now, let me ask you, do you really think I’m the changeling, or are you just asking to gather evidence?”

“Well, I had dismissed Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow, and Twilight, which left only you,” Applejack explained. “But hearing your answer right now, I’m back to square one. I don’t know who to suspect anymore.”

Fluttershy grimaced, and raised an eyebrow at Applejack. “Applejack, are you the changeling?”

“I am not,” Applejack said.

“Okay, don’t take this the wrong way,” said Fluttershy, “but I still suspect you more than anypony else.”

“I can respect that,” said Applejack. “But I would like the opportunity to dissuade you. Rarity, are you the changeling?”

“I most certainly am not,” Rarity answered.

“Do you think that I’m the changeling?”

“I’m not certain, but I believe you could be.”

“Do you believe Fluttershy is the changeling?”

“She was somepony Thorax planned on impersonating when he wanted an easy win,” Rarity said. “But if I am to be honest, I think she’s just as likely to be the changeling as are you.”

“Okay,” said Applejack. “Now then, Pinkie Pie, are you the changeling?”

“I am not the changeling,” Pinkie answered.

“Do you suspect either myself or Fluttershy to be the changeling?”

“No, I don’t,” Pinkie admitted. “You two sounded very much like your real selves. And so did Rainbow and Twilight.” Pinkie gasped. “That only leaves one pony! Rarity, are you the changeling?”

“For the last time, no!” Rarity said, raising her voice slightly. “Rainbow Dash is the changeling, not me!” She pointed her hoof at Rainbow for good measure.

“No, Applejack is the changeling!” said Fluttershy, pointing her hoof.

“I’m not the changeling, Pinkie Pie is!” said Applejack, pointing her hoof.

“And I say it’s Rarity!” Rainbow Dash said, pointing her hoof.

“So much yelling, so much mistrust,” Pinkie Pie moaned. “Everypony suspects somepony else, but nopony sticks out as being extra suspicious!” She brought her forehooves to her head. “Oh, sweet Celestia, my headache is ba-ha-ack!”

Hearing this, Applejack’s hard expression softened a little bit. “Maybe I was a little too quick to jump to conclusions.” She put her hoof down.

“Maybe you were,” said Fluttershy. “Or, maybe you realized you weren’t going to get four votes on Pinkie Pie, so you’re switching to a different pony.”

At this point, Twilight was practically spent. She let her head drop unceremoniously onto the table. Everypony who had suspicions had very valid reasons for them, even though Twilight didn’t agree. Everypony also seemed to be acting just like themselves. She had no idea who the changeling could be.

“Twilight, dear, are you quite all right?” asked Rarity.

“I don’t know who to vote for!” Twilight moaned, her voice slightly muffled by the table.

“Didn’t you say you suspected Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asked. “Why not vote her?”

Twilight lifted her head up to face Rarity. “Because I don’t suspect her now. She just wants to win, like she always does. It’s not unusual.”

“That may be,” Rarity said, “but I still think it’s an act. And it makes sense for Thorax to break his pattern and choose the same pony in back-to-back rounds.”

Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash, who kept her hoof pointed at Rarity. Rainbow merely shook her head no without breaking eye contact with Rarity. Seeing that gave Twilight an unusual feeling. It felt like an itch in the back of her mind. Even though Rarity’s explanation made perfect sense, Twilight couldn’t help but doubt it. Even though Rarity was acting like herself, the itch made her suspect that Rarity was hiding something. Every fiber of Twilight’s logical mind cried in protest at what she was thinking. But the itch, the itch bugged her, and the only way to scratch it was to doubt Rarity. Was this what it felt like to have a hunch? It must be. If this was a hunch, Twilight knew there was only one thing to do. She had to follow it.

“Rainbow Dash is not the changeling,” Twilight said, raising her hoof at Rarity. “You are!”

“I beg your pardon?” Rarity said. “Why do you think I’m the changeling?”

“I guess it’s just a hunch,” Twilight admitted.

“That’s good enough for me,” said Pinkie Pie. She pointed her hoof at Rarity.

“This is ridiculous!” Rarity protested. “You ponies don’t have any evidence. You have nothing to base your accusations upon!”

“How’s this for evidence?” said Applejack. “You remained adamant about Rainbow being the changeling, even after all of us decided she wasn’t. Plus, Thorax did make a big deal about not being able to do you justice. That could be a perfect excuse for choosing you again.” Applejack lifted her hoof, and pointed it at Rarity. “If I’m wrong, we can always make it up in the next round.”

Rarity dropped her hoof and groused.

“That’s four votes on Rarity,” Spike announced. “Time so see how you ponies did.” Spike opened the double doors to the throne room, and Rarity trotted in.

“The ponies chose correctly, and win the game five points to three!”

The throne room erupted with cheers and applause.

Thorax dropped his Rarity glamour, and sighed. “This was a fix!” he protested. “This one only voted for me because I accused her, this one admitted she had nothing but a hunch to go on, and this one blindly followed her princess again!” He turned to Applejack. “The only pony who had a good reason to suspect me was you, and you didn’t even have to convince anypony else that you were right!”

“Sorry about that, Thorax,” Applejack said. “But sometimes, that’s just the way the apple brown betty crumbles.”

Thorax grumbled lowly and looked away.

“For what it’s worth, darling,” Rarity said, “it sounded like you had them on the ropes. When you came under suspicion, you deflected it with my kind of style and flair. Not only that, but you managed to do what you thought you couldn’t. You convinced my friends that you were me, even if it was only for a little while.”

“I know you didn’t want to lose like this, Thorax,” Twilight said. “But it’s not like you didn’t have your own moments of victory along the way. In the end, it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game that matters. And the way you played this game made this a real challenge for all of us. I think I speak for all of us when I say I appreciate the effort you put in today.”

A chorus of “um-hmms” followed.

Thorax huffed. “You’re right, princess. I knew this was going to be tough going into it. Like I said, the six of you know each other so well, it’s practically impossible to fool you. Honestly, I’m surprised I managed to do as well as I did this time. Maybe next time, I’ll do better.”

“We’ll see, Thorax,” said Twilight. “We’ll see.”

“You know,” Spike piped in, “we still have a little bit of time scheduled. We could play one more round if you guys want to.”

Twilight seethed. “Oh, I don’t know, Spike. I think the girls and I are all pretty tired of second-guessing each other.”

“What if you didn’t have to?” Thorax said. “What if, for the last round, we turn the tables on our dear moderator?”

“What do you mean?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“I mean, all seven of us go in the hallway, but six of us come back, including me, and we make Spike guess who the changeling is.”

“You mean, this time, we’d be in on the secret?” Rarity asked. “Ooh, that sounds exciting!”

“That does sound like fun!” Fluttershy said.

“I don’t know,” Spike said.

“What’s the matter, Spike?” said Thorax. “You’ve seen all my tricks and tactics. Do you still think you can’t find me out?”

“Oh, all right,” Spike relented. “I’ll play your game.”

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Hold on, girls,” Twilight said. “First, we have to make sure Spike doesn’t peek.” She wrapped the baby dragon in her magical aura, and planted him in the tiny throne on her right.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Spike cried in alarm. Twilight’s horn glowed again, and she shot a beam of magenta light right between the dragon’s eyes. “Twilight, I think a blindfold would have been enough. You didn’t need to take my sight away with your magic.”

“Calm down, Spike,” Twilight said. “It’s a temporary blindness spell. It will wear off in twenty minutes, or when I say the secret password, whichever comes first. This way, we all know you’re not peeking.”

“Suit yourself,” Spike grumbled. “I wasn’t going to peek anyway.”

“I know you wouldn’t,” said Twilight. “But you know me, I don’t like to take any chances.”

With that, Thorax and the girls left the throne room, and shut the double doors behind them to talk about their strategy for fooling Spike.

Author's Note

Hello. I probably should have said this earlier, but thank you! Thank you to everyone who has been reading, rating, and sharing this story. Because of you guys, this story is now ranked 200th on the site, which is freaking amazing! I know it's a cliche to say I never expected to be this successful, but come on! It's a story about ponies playing a party game, who saw this coming? I never could have imagined my story would resonate with so many people. And I owe everything to each and every one of you wonderful people who read and rated my story. Even the people who hate it, I thank you for taking the time to read it anyway. It's going to be a little while before I upload the final chapter of this story, but trust me, it's going to be worth the wait. I'm actually going to edit it this time. :rainbowlaugh: Gotcha! Until then, I want to take all the love and support you've given me, and give it right back to you, with 10% interest. See you when I see you!

Final Round

It wasn’t until the ponies left him blinded and alone that Spike finally realized something. This was a bad idea. In the main game, each of the players only had to find one pony out of five who was actively trying to fool them, and each one had four allies to help her out. In this game, Spike would have to find one impostor out of six, without any help at all. It would be even worse if they all tried to confuse him. He only agreed to this round because Thorax goaded him into it. That, and he had scheduled out the time for nine full rounds of Spot That Changeling when they only needed eight.

Twilight’s blindness curse was still active when Spike heard the double doors open. He listened as six sets of hoof steps echoed around the room, coming to a stop when they reached the six thrones. Although they all tried to be as quiet as possible, he could hear Pinkie Pie suppressing a giggle. Assuming that was Pinkie Pie, of course. If it was, it was probably in response to the girls’ grand plan for duping him. Wouldn’t it just be typical if Thorax stayed behind, and Spike’s pony friends decided to toy with his paranoia?

No, Spike told himself. They wouldn’t prank him like that. Maybe Rainbow Dash would, if she were acting alone. But Fluttershy would set her straight. Or maybe Twilight. Then again, the two of them were part of that massive zombie prank on Rainbow Dash, so, really, who could say? Spike shook his head. Even if they were pulling a joke on him, he kind of owed it to them to fall for it. He did take a little too much pleasure in watching the six of them go at each other like catty school-fillies.

“SWORDFISH!” Twilight Sparkle’s voice reverberated with magical power, and the scales fell from Spike’s eyes. He had to blink a few times to shield his eyes from the sudden brightness. When his vision cleared, he saw six familiar ponies, each one sitting in her respective chair, just like the previous eight rounds. Only this time, he had no idea which one of them was Thorax. The six of them all turned to Spike and smiled.

“Ready, set, Spot That Changeling!” they said in unison.

Spike climbed up out of his chair, and walked to the center of the table, so he could look everypony in the eye. Without saying a word, he looked with narrowed eyes at each pony in turn. He sneered at each of his friends when he looked their way, hoping he’d see somepony flinch when his eyes fell on them. It was the only thing he could think of to do, since he had no idea what to look for.

“Uh, Spike?” Rainbow Dash said. “Aren’t you going to ask us some questions?”

“I don’t know,” Spike said. “It really doesn’t make sense to ask you who you think the changeling is, because all of you already know. And I can’t ask if you think I’m the changeling, because you all know I’m not.” Spike huffed. “Oh, well. I guess there’s only one question I can ask.” He looked Rainbow Dash in the eyes. “Are you the changeling?”

“No, Spike, it’s not me,” said Rainbow Dash.

“Not me,” said Fluttershy.

“Nope!” said Pinkie Pie.

“No, Spikey, I am not the changeling,” said Rarity.

“Not this time,” said Applejack.

“Sorry, not the changeling,” said Twilight.

Spike stepped back from her, and took a good long look at all his suspects.

“Aaaaaaaand…I got nothing. You guys have barely said anything to me. How I’m I supposed to tell who’s acting strangely, when none of you are doing anything at all?”

“Aw, boo hoo hoo!” Fluttershy said out of nowhere. Her voice had a distinct edge to it. “What’s the matter, shrimp? Is finding a changeling too complicated for your simple baby dragon brain?”

“Hey, that’s…” Spike voice trailed off when he realized who said that. “…not very nice?”

“I concur,” said Pinkie, her voice a dull monotone. “The vitriol expressed by our compatriot is distressingly inconsistent with her otherwise amicable disposition. Mayhaps this anomaly warrants a thorough investigation?”

“Um, what did you say?”

“Pinkamena!” Rainbow Dash said, her voice just a twinge higher than normal. “Can’t you see you’re hurting the poor guy’s feelings?” Rainbow flew out of her chair, and lovingly rubbed a hoof up and down Spike’s back. “Don’t you worry about those big old meanies, Spikey-Wikey! You’re my smarty-warty little ball of adorable, and you don’t have to find any smelly old changeling to prove it!”

Spike pulled away from Rainbow Dash, so fast that he stumbled and crashed in front of Rarity. “What is going on here?”

“Rainbow, you’re not helping!” Rarity said without her fancy accent. “Spike is a dragon! He’s not adorable, he’s tough and ferocious! And he’s going to whip your flanks!” With that, Rarity socked Spike hard with her left foreleg. He somersaulted across the table, landing in front of Applejack. “Come on, slugger! Show these namby-pamby ponies who’s boss!”

“Oh, must you be so histrionic?” said Applejack, with an air of sophistication, and no trace of her country accent. “There’s no call for that kind of violence at a time like this. We are all friends here, are we not? Let us have a calm and relaxing game as such.”

“Well, that’s just perfect.” Spike muttered. “Now, everypony is acting weird. How am I supposed to find Thorax now?”

“You could do what I do, and just not think about it,” said Twilight, her voice as low as it could possibly get. “Seriously, I don’t think about anything. Ever.”

At this, Pinkie Pie stifled a snicker. Rainbow Dash snickered too, before spilling over into a full belly laugh. In short order, the rest of the ponies joined in. And that’s when Spike realized what they were all up to.

“Okay, okay, I deserve that,” he said. “Hey, Thorax!” he shouted to the double doors, “You can come out now! The prank has been pulled!”

“Thorax isn’t out there, Spike,” Twilight said, in her normal voice this time. “He’s in here, with us. He has been this whole time. So, have you figured it out yet?”

“No,” Spike said dejectedly. He scrunched up his eyebrows. “Buuut, I think I just figured out a new question to ask everypony. All right, who was the mastermind behind this ‘opposite day’ prank?”

“It was me,” Rainbow Dash said, still chuckling.

“Yeah, I figured as much. Now, tell me how you planned it, and don’t leave out any detail.”

“Okay,” Rainbow said, catching her breath at last. “Once Thorax picked who he was going to impersonate, I said it might be funny if we all started acting like the opposite of our normal selves at the same time. I figured the best time to start would be right after you got frustrated with us all acting normal. And boy, was I ever right!” At this Rainbow doubled over laughing again.

“Fluttershy,” Spike said, turning his attention, “did you all rehearse what you were going to say, or was it completely improvised?”

“A little of both,” said Fluttershy. “We nailed down what attitude each of us would display, and a few of us were coached on what to say. But most of us just made it up off the tops of our heads.”

“Did you improvise your lines in particular?”

“Um-hmm. I drew on my experiences with Discord and Iron Will for nastiness inspiration.”

“One last question,” Spike said. “Were you eager to participate in this prank?”

Fluttershy said nothing for a while. “Not really, but it’s not like I was uncomfortable with it either. Rainbow Dash was quick to assure me that you wouldn’t get hurt, so I didn’t really have time to object to her idea.”

“Thank you,” Spike said. “Now, Pinkie Pie, did you rehearse your part?”

“A little bit,” said Pinkie. “Twilight told me what to say, and to make sure I said it right after Fluttershy did her bit. I had to ask what ‘vitriol’ and ‘amicable’ meant.”

“But you understood the rest of what you said?”

“More or less. I’m pretty sure the gist of my line was ‘Isn’t Fluttershy asking weird?’”

“Okay. Rarity, was your part rehearsed or improvised?”

“Improvised,” she said. “I tried to sound like that wretched dragon Garble. Oh, and I do apologize for hitting you like I did. I guess I got caught up in the moment.”

“No biggie, thick scales,” Spike said. “How about you, Twilight?”

“I wanted to improvise my part,” said Twilight, “but Rainbow Dash insisted I deliver that particular line in that particular manner. I don’t know where she heard it, but it fit what I was planning to do anyway, so I just went with it.”

“Applejack, same question,” Spike said without missing a beat.

“Improvised,” said Applejack. “I was trying to recapture what I did when I mocked Rarity for her crush on Trenderhoof.”

“All right,” Spike said, walking back to the center of the table. “We don’t have a lot of time before Thorax has to catch his train back to the Crystal Empire. So, although I don’t have very much evidence to go on, I’m ready to make my decision. I’m basing this decision mostly on which pony I thought Thorax would most want to imitate, although my rounds of questioning helped to solidify my suspicions somewhat.

“Having said all that, I think Applejack is the changeling. She’s the only one who hasn’t been replaced yet, and I didn’t feel her answer to my last question was fully genuine.”

“Okay, sugar cube,” said Applejack. “There’s only one way to find out if you’re right or not. Why don’t you go open them doors and see for yourself?”

Spike hopped down from the table and walked over to the double doors. “Thorax, if you’re the one who’s in the hallway, I’m going to have to sock you!”

Spike opened the doors, and found Applejack waiting for him in the hallway. “Whoa, now!” she said as he approached. “Take it easy, there, Spike. You have to know that we wouldn’t double prank you like that.”

“Wait, I was actually right?” Spike said, genuinely surprised.

“You were,” said Thorax, who was suddenly beside Spike without his glamour. “And you figured it out based on gut instinct. I guess you know these ponies better than you thought you did.”

“Well, of course he knows us,” Applejack was quick to say. “We’re his friends. He’s one of us.”

“I am?” said Spike. Then, he smiled to himself. “Yeah, I suppose I am.”

“Well,” Thorax said. “I would love to stay and chat, but like Spike said, I’ve got a train to catch.” Thorax flew over to Twilight, who was already walking to meet him. “Thank you for inviting me over, Princess. I had a great time playing with you and your friends.”

“And we enjoyed having you here as well,” said Twilight. “You’re welcome to come back and visit whenever you happen to be in Ponyville. Don’t be a stranger.”

Thorax nodded his head in understanding. “Good night, everypony!” With that, he flew out the front door of Castle Friendship.

Twilight sighed to herself. “As much fun as this game was, I am so relieved it’s finally over, and I can once again trust that my friends are who they say they are.”

“Yeah, I’ve had enough lying and manipulation for one night,” said Pinkie Pie. “Say, anypony up for a round of poker?”

“No!”