It was an autumn afternoon. The weather was getting colder which had bothered several creatures, especially changelings like Ocellus. She had already put her winter wear on to help keep her warm whenever she went outside. When she got back to the school day, a red dragoness had to ask her something. “Is all of that really necessary?” she asked.
“I don’t like the cold,” the changeling stated. “Dragons like you don’t mind because you live so close to lava.”
“That’s true,” Emerald agreed. “I’ve haven’t gotten used to the cold yet either.
“We’ve got fires inside of us. I think I’ll be fine.” She walked away smugly as the green dragoness looked at the cold creature.
“Ignore Pyther. I’ve seen her act like that back home.”
“Some dragons are still acting like themselves.”
“It’s our nature. Even with fire breath, we can only stay warm for so long. I don’t know how you could last out there.”
“I couldn’t. I don’t even wanna practice in this weather, even if we’re doing it indoors.” The cold changeling walked down the hall until she came across Gallus and Smolder. They were both wearing jackets in the school’s colors, even having the emblem on their shoulders.
“Feeling cold?” the griffon asked.
“Freezing.”
“Professor Rarity made more of these jackets,” Smolder said. “I could go get you one.”
“I’d like that. Have you seen Yona? I wanted to try and experiment.”
“She’s with Sandbar,” Gallus explained, “In the library.” The changeling walked off to try and find some way to get warmer.
“And I think that we could visit each other much easier if we use the tunnels more often,” Sandbar said to his girlfriend. Just then, Ocellus walked in.
“Yona, do you have a minute?” the changeling asked.
“What Ocellus need?” the yak asked.
“I’m having trouble getting warm.”
“Yona know what to do.” The yak walked up to her friend to give her a hug.
“Hey, it’s working. I’m feeling warmer already. Anyways, what are you guys talking about?”
“Just about some of the school’s clubs. I’m joining the nature club. Professor Fluttershy’s helping to start that.”
“Yona part of farm pony’s building club,” Yona announced. “What friend going to do?”
“I’m not sure,” Ocellus answered. “Where did you sign up?”
“They’re on the bulletin board,” Sandbar replied.
The changeling was about to move but the warmth of the yak’s wool was too comfortable. “I think I’ll stay here for a bit. What other clubs are there?”
“There’s also chess clubs and the school newspaper. I heard Emerald’s in that one.”
“How is she doing?”
Emerald was putting on some winter clothes that Rarity had provided her. She picked up her camera just as her twin walked towards her. “What are you doing?” Peridot asked.
“I’ve joined the newspaper club,” Emma replied.
“What do you do in that?”
“We report anything that happens in Ponyville that should get attention. Like, say a manticore wanders into town.”
“I kind of feel like that’s hard to miss.”
“Still, those are the things we report. I’m going to head out and see if I can find anything.”
“I’ll go with you. I’ve got nothing better to do.”
“Okay. You’ll help me find something interesting.” Peridot put on a scarf and followed her sister outside. They looked around town, but everything just seemed to be normal. The twins seemed to be fairly disappointed.
“I mean... You couldn’t just find something interesting on your first day, right?”
“I guess not. Let’s just back to school, I can’t stand the cold.” The two flew away until the dragoness with fin ears saw something glowing in the Everfree Forest. Out of curiosity, they flew to see where it was coming from. Eventually, they found a glob of glowing red slime.
“What is this stuff?”
“I don’t know. What I do know is that we shouldn’t touch it.” Emma grabbed her camera and took a picture of what they found. After the flash, the slime suddenly shook.
“Eep! Let’s get out of here.” The two flew away hoping they didn’t do anything they’d regret.
“Hmm,” Ocellus thought. She was looking at the various clubs that she could sign up for. “I’ll already part of the cheer club.
Maybe I could join the student council.” Suddenly the twins flew past her, which was quite startling. “What’s their hurry.”
“Principal Starlight!” the twins cried.
“Slowly down,” the headmare cried. She used her magic to stop the two in their tracks and levitate them to the ground. “Now, what’s wrong?”
“We found some red slime in the Everfree forest,” Emerald explained. “I even took a photo of it.”
“Red slime?” Ocellus questioned.
“Oh, Ocellus,” Peridot gasped.
“What are you talking about?”
“Something that I’ll send to Princess Twilight,” Starlight answered. “Until then, stay out of the forest.” She walked away as the girls were a bit confused.
“You think we should warn the other students about this?” Peridot asked.
“Probably a good idea,” Emerald answered. “I’m going to show my club.” She flew away to get the photo developed.
Ocellus told her friend about what the dragons found. “That’s definitely an interesting first,” Gallus commented.
“Where did this stuff come from?” Sandbar questioned.
“I’m sure Princess Twilight is trying to figure that out right now,” Ocellus commented.
“I see what it looks like,” Silverstream said.
“You’ll have to wait for the school paper tomorrow.”
“Couldn’t we just go see what it is right now?” Smolder asked.
“Yeah,” Gallus agreed. “We’ve been through that forest a hundred times.”
“Not all flawlessly,” Sandbar mumbled.
“I’m going to take a peek,” Smolder announced.
“If we check it out we could get in trouble,” Ocellus stated.
“Gallus already left,” Yona informed. The group looked towards where Gallus was sitting but he was already gone. They looked back to Smolder, who had left the group too.
“Seriously?” Ocellus questioned angrily.
The friends raced towards the forest to see if they could catch their friends. “Gallus wouldn’t do anything dumb, would he?” Sandbar asked.
“Ignoring common sense seems dumb.”
“Where even is this slime?” Silverstream asked.
“I don’t know. Just split up.” The group did so, Ocellus went with Sandbar, and Yona went with Silverstream. After a little while of running, the changeling and colt found the dragoness and griffon. They were both looking at the slime which seemed to be stuck on the side of a hill.
“How could this just show up?” Gallus asked.
“Magic just does what it wants,” Smolder scoffed.
“There you are,” Ocellus cried. She and Sandbar stepped in front of their friends. “Stay away from that slime.”
“We weren’t going to touch it,” Gallus stated. “What did you think we were going to do? Drink it?”
Sandbar was about to add something but then was distracted by the slime glowing. “Um, is that suppose to happen?” he asked.
His friends now had their attention grabbed. “Yeah, that’s not normal,” the griffon commented.
“Let’s just get out of here,” the changeling suggested.
“Yona found friends,” Yona cried. She and Silverstream ran towards their friends but she suddenly tripped. This caused her to bump into Ocellus. The changeling’s hind legs slid into the slime. She shivered as she felt the coldness of its touch. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” She tried to fly off, but the slime had her tight. “Uh oh.”
“Are you stuck?” Gallus questioned. Ocellus nodded as Sandbar walked over to help pull her free. He gave a tug but the changeling was still stuck.
“Gallus, girls,” he said, “A little help please.” The creatures helped to try and pull her friend loose.
“How can she be this stuck?” Smolder questioned. Yona was pulling on Silverstream’s tail, she started losing her grip which caused the hippogriff, colt, and changeling to launch forwards into the slime. The yak, griffon, and dragon gasped at what just happened.
“Where did they go?” Smolder asked.
“You think I know?” Gallus asked.
“Yona should’ve had better grip,” Yona sighed.
“Okay, let’s not panic. We’ll just...” Suddenly the three creatures that feel into the slime shot back out. “Or that.”
“You guys feel okay?” Smolder asked.
Sandbar groaned. He rubbed his head as he blinked a couple of times. “I think so. Silver, I knew we should’ve... Should’ve...” He paused when he looked at the one who asked the question. “GAH! A dragon!” He stumbled backward before he looked towards Gallus. “Is that... A griffon?”
“You feeling okay buddy?” the griffon asked.
“A talking griffon!?”
“I don’t think he is,” Smolder whispered.
“Where am I?” the colt asked. His eyes darted around, the forest looked unfamiliar to him. He looked over to Silverstream and Ocellus who still waking up.
“Friends feeling better?” Yona asked. She walked over to help up the changeling who promptly licked her nose.
“Meow,” she said.
“...What?” Gallus question dumfounded.
“What’s going on?” Silverstream asked. She looked around, scratching her head in confusion. “Weren’t we just at the park?”
“We were,” Sandbar confirmed. “Now we’re in a forest which talking animals. You’re a bird, I’m a horse, and the cat’s... Some sort of bug creature.”
“Changeling,” Yona informed. She was feeling a little confused and awkward as Ocellus nuzzled against her while purring.
“You know, you guys might not be who we’re looking for,” Gallus said. The colt and hippogriff had some things their friends weren’t wearing a minute ago. Sandbar had some saddlebags on while Silver didn’t have her pearl piece necklace but she did have pearl bracelets on each of her talons.
“This is weird,” Silverstream commented. Then she noticed her wings. “Oh my goodness, can I fly with these?” Before any creature could say anything, she tried taking off, though she only crashed into Gallus. “Oop, sorry.”
“It’s okay,” the griffon replied. “Please get off me.” The hippogriff did so and then started petting him. “Now what are you doing?”
“You look cute. It’s not every day you can see a mystical creature.” Gallus just grabbed her talon and pushed her away.
“Yeah, these are definitely not our friends,” Smolder commented.
“Then who are they?” Yona asked.
“There’s one thing I know,” Gallus said, “The friends we know are probably freaking out by now.”
Meanwhile
Sandbar and Silverstream were completely freaked about their new human bodies. Sandbar still had on his school jersey on over a green t-shirt that had three sea turtles on, tan shorts, and sea green flipflops. Silverstream had a pink sundress and hit pink high heels on. She also still had her pearl piece around her neck.
“What are we?” the former colt questioned.
“I don’t know,” answered the former hippogriff.
“Hold on, where’s Ocellus?”
“Down here,” their friend called. The two looked down to see a blue cat by their feet.
“Ocellus?”
“Yes.”
“Oh... My... Gosh,” Silverstream gasped. She almost immediately smiled as she picked up the former changeling. “You’re so cute!” She started scratching the cat’s ear. “Oh, why didn’t I have you turn into a kitten before.”
“Silver, please put me down.”
“I can’t help it. Don’t you like being petted?”
“Well... It actually feels nice.” She then found herself purring as she was petted.
“Silver, we have no idea where we are,” Sandbar said.
“He’s right.”
“How do we get back then?”
“You think we could just go through the slime again?” Silverstream questioned.
“Maybe. Let’s just...”
“Guys, where are you?” called a familiar voice.
“...Was that Gallus?” Sandbar asked.
“I don’t think he fell through the portal,” Silverstream said.
A boy around their age poked his head through some bushes. “There you are,” he said. He walked up to the former creatures. He wore a light yellow t-shirt under a blue hoodie that matched his jeans and also some yellow sneakers. His hair was blue light his hoodie with yellow highlights. “I’m telling you, that cat’s noth... What the heck is that?”
The boy and girl looked towards the slime. “We have no idea,” Sandbar admitted.
“Right. Anyway, AJ is waiting for us.”
“AJ?” Silverstream asked.
“Just follow me.” The boy walked off. Sandbar and Silverstream did the same, though they started walking on all fours.
“Guys, I think you should do what he’s doing,” Ocellus whispered.
“Walk on two legs?” Silverstream questioned. The cat nodded. The two did as she requested and got off to a wobbly start.
They walked towards a truck, though the three that came from the slime had never it before. “What’s that?”
“Not a clue,” Sandbar admitted.
“There you are,” a young woman said in a southern accent. “Let’s get that little lady to the shelter.”
“Shelter?” Ocellus questioned under her breath. Sandbar and Silverstream climbed into the back of the truck as Ocellus lied down in the girl’s lap. The woman sat into the driver’s seat while the blue boy sat in the passenger seat beside her. The truck started moving and the creatures from the slime couldn’t believe what was going on.
“It’s like a small train,” Silverstream whispered to Sandbar.
“Where are we going?” Sandbar asked.
“We’re dropping off the little lady,” the woman replied. “Hopefully Fluttershy can help find her a good home?”
“Fluttershy?” the three friends questioned under their breath. They were more confused than ever as they road with the woman and boy.
Author's Note
So, you’re probably wondering why I have Ocellus as a cat. Well, I tried to see if changelings were humans in the world of Equestria Girls, but I couldn’t find any cannon material to support it.
With that, I decided to go with the idea of having changelings in the world of Equestria Girls as cats. Because if dragons can become dogs, why can’t this be one?
Author's Note
Okay to help tell the difference of the student six from the show and Equestria Girls, I’m going to label the ones from Equestria Girls (EqG). Just like Spike. If you can think of a better way, let me know, please.
Make a Switch
Back in Ponyville, Smolder, Yona, and Gallus led the doublegangers of their friends back to the school of friendship. “Ponies really built this?” Sandbar (EqG) asked.
“That’s what they can do with magic,” Gallus replied.
“Magic?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty common around here,” Smolder said.
“What kind of magic can you do?” Silverstream (EqG) asked.
“That’s probably not important right now,” Sandbar said. “We need to find out how to get home.”
“And get the friends we know back,” Gallus added.
Ocellus (EqG) was resting on Yona’s back while she napped and purred. “Why Ocellus act like cat?” Yona asked.
“That’s because she is one,” Silverstream (EqG) replied. “Ocellus is a weird name for a cat anyway.”
“She’s actually a changeling,” Smolder noted.
“What do they do?”
“They can change their shape into whatever they want. Why would she just be a cat?”
“I don’t know,” Sandbar (EqG) admitted. “I could show you what I used to look like on my phone.”
The griffon, dragon, and yak looked at each other in confusion. “A what?” they asked.
“It’s in my bag... s.” The colt tried to reach into one of his bags and search around until he pulled out what he was looking for.
“A rectangle?” Gallus questioned.
“It does a lot more than...” He nearly dropped the smartphone which thankfully Silverstream (EqG) caught. “Thanks. Could you open it for me?”
“I can do that,” Smolder said. “How does it work?”
“Just push the button and swipe right on the screen.” The dragoness did so and could see a couple of different square images on it.
“What kind of magic is phone?” Yona asked.
“It’s powered by electricity. Tap on the one the app that says photos.” Smolder did so and could see a set of photos containing mostly humans.
“Is that what you look like?” Gallus questioned.
“A couple of us.”
“There you are,” Sunburst said. Smolder hid the phone in Sandbar’s (EqG) saddlebags before the vice principal saw it.
“Sunburst,” Gallus said. “How are you today?”
“Just fine,” the unicorn replied. “You?”
“Great,” Smolder said. “Right Silverstream.”
“R... Right,” the hippogriff replied.
“Well, I’m sure you heard about the slime in the forest and...” He paused as he saw Ocellus (EqG) messing with some window curtains. “What is she doing?”
“...Good question,” Gallus replied. He flew over to the changeling and dragged her away from the curtains.
“Yona and friends going to find pom-poms to practice,” Yona announced.
“You can do that,” Sunburst said.
“Right, girls follow Yona.” She grabbed Silverstream’s (EqG) talon and pulled her away. Smolder picked Ocellus up and followed the yak.
That just left Gallus and Sandbar (EqG). “You know, I remember this book that I had to show Sandbar,” the griffon said. “Let’s go, buddy.” He dragged the colt away before the unicorn could ask more questions.
“Okay, have fun,” Sunburst said. He walked away, a little confused from the talk.
“That was close,” Sandbar (EqG) sighed.
“No kidding,” Gallus said. “How are we suppose to get you guys back home, or even get our friends back?”
“I think I know a solution,” Smolder said. “Follow me.” She guided the group out of the school and towards the castle. “I hope they didn’t take it.”
“Take what?” Yona asked. The dragoness didn’t answer and just looked through a couple of the rooms until she looked in one and gasped.
“Yes.” She walked into the room. Her friends looked through the doorway to see her walking to a mirror with a lot of tech around it.
“A mirror?” Gallus questioned.
“It’s a special mirror.” She picked up the book that was hanging above the mirror and looked around for something to write with.
“Is this mirror also magical?” Silverstream (EqG) asked.
“Sure is,” Smolder replied. “I had a little adventure with Ember, Spike, and my brother Garble. This mirror should lead back to your world. You have a pen?”
“In my bag,” Sandbar (EqG) answered. The dragoness went through the bag, took out a pen, and started writing.
“What are you doing?” Gallus questioned.
“Sending a message to someone,” she replied. After she was done writing, she closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. Smolder then pulled a lever which turned the mirror on. It glowed pink with a spiral in it.
“Is this normal?” Yona asked, a little scared.
“Trust me, this is safe. Now, when we go through, I’m not sure what creatures you’re going to turn into.”
“But it is safe, right?” Sandbar (EqG) asked.
“Trust me, it is.” She looked on the ground and could see a collar. She took a deep breath, Smolder put the collar on and raced towards the mirror. When it looked like she would just collide with it the glass, the dragoness phased right through it.
“Smolder just vanished,” Yona commented.
“We better keep up,” Gallus said. He raced towards the portal with the other shortly following behind. One by one, they each raced through the portal.
The group tumbled out of the portal now with new bodies. They also had some new clothing too. Sandbar (EqG) and Silverstream (EqG) had the same clothes as their counterparts thought the boy didn’t have the jacket. Gallus also had a similar wardrobe to his counterpart with an additional jacket, but Yona had on a green apron dress that had a black belt around her waist and gray ugg boots.
“What creatures are friends now?” the former yak asked.
“We’re humans now,” Sandbar (EqG) informed. “Except for these two.” He and Silverstream (EqG) picked up a blue cat that looked to be Ocellus (EqG) and an orange husky.
“Smolder?” Gallus questioned.
“Yep,” the husky groaned. The boy that had been a griffon couldn’t help let out of a laugh this. “Yeah, yeah. The mighty dragon is now just a dog.”
“Smolder kind of cute now,” Yona commented.
“Look, I sent a message so someone would meet us right here. We just have to wait for her to show up.” The six wait around for a while. As they waited, Sandbar (EqG) and Silverstream (EqG) decided to help the former griffon and yak walk on two legs.
“How do you walk like this?” Gallus questioned Smolder.
“I should’ve asked you the same question the first time I came here.” After a few more minutes of waiting, the group started getting impatient.
“Yeah, I don’t think she’s coming,” Sandbar (EqG) said.
“Come on,” Smolder groaned. “That was my only plan.”
“Since were you the one with plans?” Gallus asked.
“Since I’m the one who knows most about this world.”
“Aren’t we from this world,” Silverstream (EqG) asked. The husky didn’t say anything.
“Maybe I could just text Gallus where he is,” Sandbar (EqG) said.
“I’m standing right here,” Gallus stated.
“No, I mean the one in this world.” He pulled out his phone and started texting.
“Okay, question, if he gets your message then what’s he going to if you’re standing right next to him?” The boy stopped texting and sighed.
“He’s right. I think we’re going to have to walk it.”
“How far?” Yona asked.
“A few blocks. Follow me.” Sandbar (EqG) led the way with the others followed behind.
“This was supposed to be so simple,” Smolder grumbled. “Just in an out and don’t stay longer than we need to.” The husky couldn’t do anything else but just walked to get her friends back.
Back with the Sandbar from Equestria, he, Ocellus, and Silverstream arrived at a pet store. The woman and the boy stepped out of the truck and walked inside. “You really think that this is Professor Applejack?” Silverstream asked.
“I don’t see how she could catch up with us in this world,” Ocellus responded.
“Kind of like how that boy looks a little like Gallus?” Sandbar asked.
“Exactly.”
“Are you coming or not?” the boy called. “I’m not doing this by myself.” The former colt and hippogriff stepped out of the truck while carrying their cat and followed the boy and woman inside.
“Applejack,” said a voice. They could see it came from another woman that had pink hair. She looked pretty familiar.
“Sorry, Flutters,” the woman with a cowgirl hat. “We found a kitten trying to get away.” She pointed to Ocellus, who was in Silverstream’s arms.
“Aw, hi, there little one. What’s your name.” The cat didn’t say anything.
“She’s a little shy,” Silverstream stated.
“You can take her to the pet area.” The pet area was another room of the store, where some stray pets could be taken care of. Some owners also dropped off their pets when they were a bit busy elsewhere.
“Um... What do we do?” Sandbar asked.
“You can start by feeding some of the animals,” Fluttershy explained. “You and Gallus take care of the dog. Silver, can you take care of the cats?”
“Sure,” the girl who was a hippogriff replied.
Fluttershy showed them where they kept the food. The bags were pretty heavy, Gallus (EqG) and Sandbar had to work together to move one of the dog food bags.
“Who needs this much dog food?” Gallus (EqG) questioned.
“We’re almost there,” Sandbar said. He was looking behind him until he looked at something the corner. On one of the dog beds, was a husky that had orange fur, cream-colored ears, and a purple tip on its tail that matched a patch of the fur on its head. It reminded him of a friendly dragon.
“Set it down.”
“Huh?”
“Set the bag down.” Sandbar panicked and just let go of the bag, making it crash to the floor and spill open. Several pets ran up to try and grab a bite.
“Oh no,” Fluttershy gasped. She ran over to pick up some of the animals, namely the ones that shouldn't be eating dog food. “Please stop.”
Gallus (EqG) looked at Sandbar unamused. “Smooth move,” he commented.
“Sorry,” the human that was a colt apologized. “I thought I saw something.” The griffon’s counterpart just rolled his eyes and walked off to get a broom.
Silverstream set Ocellus down so she could help clean up. The cat decided to just stay out of the way but to her surprise, she could hear. “Why aren’t they not letting us eat?” questioned a girl’s voice.
“I know,” another girl agreed, “Food is food.”
The former changeling looked around to see who was talking. She looked towards a chihuahua and a pug talking with each other. How could she understand them? The two dogs weren’t the only ones talking, Ocellus hear every animal talk. After the loud slam of the falling food bag, they were freaking out. The constant loud talking was too much for her to take.
“Are you okay?” a familiar voice asked. Ocellus looked to her left to see a purple pup with green ears and belly standing beside her.
“You... Look familiar,” the former changeling uttered.
“My name is Spike. I’m a special kind of dog. I really need to keep it down in case the humans hear me.”
“Is that what those things are called?”
“You’ve never seen them before?”
“No, I’m not from around here. My friends and I fell through some slime and...” Spike covered her mouth.
“Shh.” There was a ringing bell, signaling that someone was walking to the store.
“Oh, good, more volunteers,” Fluttershy sighed. She walked back into the other room with something small and orange running past her.
The orange husky ran as fast as she could but the store door closed before she could get out. She tried scraping at it, desperately trying to get out. “Easy there,” said a young woman as she picked the husky up.
“What is... Is... Is... That d-dog doing?” asked a teenage girl with her hair in braids. She also wore a green dress and gray ugg boots.
“Not again,” Fluttershy sighed. She was given the husky from the woman with yellow and red hair. “Thanks, Sunset.”
“It’s not a problem,” Sunset Shimmer replied. “How many times has she tried to get out.”
“I lost count.” Silverstream and Sandbar were eavesdropping from the pet area and looked at the two girls that walked in with Sunset.
“That girl looks like Yona,” the former hippogriff remarked.
“I know,” Sandbar agreed. Then he noticed the other girl sitting next to the human Yona. She was a bit shorter and she had her blue hair in curls, she wore a purple ruffled blouse, a jean skirt, and cream-colored mary janes. What waved a red flag was the red chess piece image on her skirt.
“Cozy Glow?” they both questioned. This grabbed the girl’s attention, she looked to where the creatures from Equestria were, but they quickly hid before they could get spotted.
“What are you hiding from?” Gallus (EqG) asked.
“I... Thought I saw a bee,” Silverstream replied. She gave a smile, trying to stay calm.
“What happened in here?” Cozy Glow asked. She and Yona (EqG) walked in and saw the mess.
“Yeah, someone has butterfingers,” Gallus (EqG) said. He looked at Sandbar, who held his arm.
Outside, Smolder, Gallus, and Yona followed Sandbar (EqG), Silverstream (EqG), and Ocellus (EqG) towards the pet store. “Why did I have to lose my wings?” Gallus complained.
“Griffon need to stop complain,” Yona declared. She had enough of this.
“Are we almost there?” Smolder asked.
“Nearly,” Sandbar (EqG) answered.
“There it is,” Silverstream (EqG) cried. She pointed to the pet store that was just across the street. They raced to look in the window to see almost all of their counterparts there. They quickly hid before they were spotted.
“Okay, problem,” Gallus spoke.
“How friends swap without getting caught?” Yona questioned.
“I don’t know,” Smolder said. “I didn’t see my version in there.”
“I don’t think your version can talk,” Sandbar (EqG) stated.
“So maybe she could call them out of there,” Gallus gasped snapping his fingers.
“Keep talking,” Smolder requested.
Inside, the boy and girl from Equestria still didn’t know what to do. That was until they heard the door open. “Must be a customer,” Fluttershy guessed.
“I’ll get them,” Sunset said. She walked into the other room, but no one was there. “Hello?”
“Over here,” called a voice. The woman was confused until she walked over to where she heard the voice. She could see Smolder hiding behind a counter. “Weren’t you just...”
“I need your help,” the husky interrupted.
“Wait... You’re the one from Equestria.”
“Correct. Listen, the Sandbar, Silverstream, and Ocellus in there are the ones from my world.”
“...How?”
“Red slime. Anyways, I need your help make a distraction.”
“Okay. Fluttershy, I need your help with something.”
As the woman walked towards the exit of the store, Sandbar and Silverstream whispered between each other. “You think she’s like the one from our world?” the hippogriff turned human asked.
“I don’t think so,” Sandbar whispered. “She doesn’t have contact with someone from Tartarus, and magic is common in this world.”
“Sandbar, Silverstream,” Fluttershy called, “Could you bring the kitten here?”
“I think she means Ocellus.” The boy picked up his kitten friend and walked with the girl into the other area. There he could see his counter, as well as the ones of his friends sneaking out.
“Get out before someone sees you,” Sunset whispered. The trio from Equestria did as they were told. They ran outside with Smolder and their counterparts walked back into the pet area.
“What did you do there?” Gallus (EqG) asked.
“It was a false alarm,” Sunset responded. Gallus just groaned as he just continued to feed the pets. Sandbar (EqG) and Silverstream (EqG) set Ocellus (EqG) down and tried to pretend what they saw didn’t happen.
The student six soon started making their way back home. “This was weird,” Sandbar commented.
“No kidding,” Ocellus agreed. “At least you became humans. I don’t know why I got stuck as a cat.”
“Same with dragons,” Smolder added.
“Let’s just get back to the portal,” Gallus grumbled. “This world is...”
There was a loud “CAW!” followed by an animal shrieking. “What was screech?” Yona asked. She reached for her boyfriend’s hand for comfort.
“That sounded like a cockatrice,” Silverstream declared.
“You... You don’t think that one would sneak through the slime,” Gallus said.
“It’s possible,” Ocellus commented.
“So one of them can turn us to stone?” Sandbar questioned. He and Yona hugged each as their fear started building. Silverstream decided to take a look to see if the cockatrice was nearby. Around the corner, she only saw a statue of a raccoon.
“We’re safe,” she called. She picked up the statue as her friends walked over to her to looked at the unlucky raccoon.
“How long do you think that chicken-lizard’s been around?” Smolder asked.
“I don’t know,” Ocellus answered. “But we can’t just let that thing run wild.”
“We’ve already overstayed our welcome,” Gallus reminded.
“If we don’t catch that cockatrice, who knows how many creatures could turn to stone.”
“I think we’ll need Sunset’s help,” Smolder said.
“You mean that girl at the shop?” Sandbar asked.
“That’s her.”
“But we can’t just let out copies just see us,” Gallus said.
“Wait,” Sandbar said. “Ocellus, can you still use your magic?”
“I think so.” The cat took a moment to focus after a flash of light, she now had a more human appearance. She had pink hair that covered one of her eyes and she wore a red dress that pink spots on it and was just above her knees and she wore matching slip-on shoes. “It worked.”
“You may wanna work on the eyes,” Smolder commented. “They look buggy.” The disguised being found a piece of glass to look at her reflection, and she changed her eyes to a more human-like design.
“Okay, now I’m good to go. I’ll head back and see if I can get Sunset to help, you see if there are anything creatures while you try and find that cockatrice.”
“Roger,” Silverstream replied. The transformed human ran back to the store as the other set out to find the cockatrice.
“I kinda wish we had some sunglasses,” Gallus admitted. “Those would be really helpful.”
Sandbar (EqG) and Silverstream (EqG) were still shocked by their misadventure. “An entire world with mystical creatures,” the boy muttered, “It’s so hard to believe.”
“I just wish we could’ve seen more of it,” Silverstream (EqG) admitted. “I had wings. I could’ve been flying.”
“I don’t know what I’d do. I was only a horse.”
“What about that unicorn? You think he could do some magic?”
“What are you talking about?” Gallus (EqG) questioned.
“Um, nothing,” Sandbar (EqG) responded promptly.
“Can you actually help with the animals?” Before there was an answer, there was some squawking and screaming. They looked over to Yona (EqG) freezing out as a parrot frantically flapped its wings.
“Wilbert!” Fluttershy cried. She and Sandbar (EqG) ran over to help the frightened girl out. The woman took the bird towards a cage for time out as the boy helped the girl up after she fell down.
“Are you okay?” Sandbar (EqG) asked.
“I’m... I’m... F-f-fine,” Yona (EqG) replied. As she soon as she was back on her feet, she was given another question.
“I didn’t think it was that scary.”
“No, I... I have a... a... A speech pr-pr-problem. I can help but... But... But stutter.”
“How long have you had this?”
“Since I... Since I was b-b-born.”
“I’m sorry about that. My name’s Sandbar.
“My name is... Is Yona.” Look at the girl, Sandbar (EqG) could see a bit of yak in the girl. Not to be rude, Yona did look a bit bigger than the average teenage girl. “What are you... You looking at?”
“Nothing. You looked a little familiar. How long have you been around Canterlot?”
“My family move... Moved in l-l-la-last week.”
“I’ve been here for about a year.”
“I moved here last month,” Silverstream (EqG) said. “Are you going to Canterlot High?”
“Y-yes.”
“So am I.”
“You know what?” Gallus (EqG) asked, “So am I. And I don’t really care.”
“Why not? We could get to spend more time together.”
“I don’t even know you.”
“I’m Silverstream, that’s Yona, and that’s Sandbar.”
“And I’m Gallus. Tell me, why should I care?”
“Okay, let’s calm down a bit,” Fluttershy suggested.
Sunset looked over to Spike, who was looking upset. “Hey, Flutters, when is Twilight suppose to take Spike home?”
“She was supposed to be here an hour ago.”
“That’s weird. I could take him home.” The purple pup walked up to, jumping up, yipping, and wagging his tail in excitement. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Sunset and Spike left the store and the dog was happy to finally speak again.
“Finally,” he sighed. “You have no idea how frustrating it was to just bark.”
“I think Pinkie would just burst,” Sunset chuckled. Just before they could get into the car when Ocellus tripped over the purple pup.
“Ow,” she groaned after scaping her knee.
“Oh, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Sorry about tripping over your dog.”
“Spike? I’m picking him for a friend.”
“Right. Spike, did you see anything weird lately.” The pup and woman looked a little confused. “Sorry, I should probably introduce myself. I’m Ocellus. Spike and I actually talked a few minutes ago. I was a cat.”
“...What?”
“Ugh, why didn’t I think this through.”
“Spike, I thought you said you kept your mouth shut.”
“I only talk to...” Spike covered his mouth though it was already too late.
“Wait, how are you talking? I thought there wasn’t any magic here.”
“Magic?” Sunset questioned. “How do you know about that?”
“I’m from Equestria. I’m just sounding crazy now.”
“No, I’m from there too. My name is Sunset Shimmer. What are you doing here?”
“My friends accidentally came here, and there’s a cockatrice wandering around here.”
“A cockatrice?” Sunset and Spike question in fear and confusion respectively.
“It must’ve gotten through the same slime that my friends got sucked through.”
“That... Might explain a few questions. Three days ago, statues of animals just start showing up around town. I thought it could be one of those creatures, but I didn’t know any good way they could get here.”
As they talked, Cozy Glow decided to check her phone. She opened one of her apps and there was a quiet beep. “What is that sound?” Gallus (EqG) questioned.
“It’s an alarm,” Cozy replied. She walked out of the room as the beeping got louder. She left Ocellus (EqG) by herself, completely unguard from a cranky husky. Cozy walked outside until she stood next to Ocellus.
“Can I... Help you?” the disguised creature asked.
“Maybe you can help with my phone. I programmed this app myself, why is it just taking me to you?” She turned the app off as she got a notification from others. “Oh, crud.”
“What’s the matter?” Sunset asked.
“I have to go.” She put her phone back in her pocket and ran off. Spike heard a silent clink and saw some sort of pod rolling on the ground.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” Sunset replied. She picked it up to get a better look. There look to be some white and blue mist inside of it.
“Where is she going?” Gallus (EqG) questioned, poking his head out of the door. This accidentally let the cat and husky around. The cat was trying to get away as the husky barked her muzzle off.
“Oh boy,” Sandbar (EqG) gasped. “Smolder, Ocellus.” The boy ran out to catch them, however, they kept slipping past him. Eventually, he bumped into Sunset, causing her to drop the pod to burst open. The mist surrounded the cat and dog, causing them a literal shock.
“Oh jeez,” Silverstream (EqG) gasped. She, Yona (EqG), and Gallus (EqG) ran out to check over the two animals.
“Are... Are... Are they hurt?” Yona (EqG) questioned.
“They look okay,” Sandbar (EqG) inspected.
The husky slowly opened her eyes to see she was being held by Gallus (EqG). “There, you’re just fine,” he concluded.
“I’d be better if you let me down,” the husky responded. The teens’ eyes widened after hearing what she said, Gallus (EqG) even screamed in shock before dropping the dog.
“What’s going on?” Ocellus (EqG) asked after waking up.
Yona screamed in shock. “You... You... You just... Just... Just...” Her speech was bad enough and her shock wasn’t helping.
“Can some please tell me what’s going on?” Gallus (EqG) begged.
“Should we tell them?” Ocellus whispered to Sunset.
“I feel like they’re already taking in too much,” Sunset replied.
Back with the five creatures from Equestria, they had already gotten themselves lost. “I knew this was a bad idea,” Sandbar sighed.
“Smolder not know where friends are?” Yona asked.
“I’m just as clueless as you,” the dragon turned dog replied.
“This world is just so confusing,” Silverstream said. “No wings, no mystical creatures, and there are these weird carriages that move by themselves.” One of the “carriages” drove past them.
“They’re called cars,” Smolder stated.
“Whatever,” Gallus said. “We have no plan, and we do find that cockatrice we’ll just become a statue like that raccoon.”
“Yona don’t wanna see monster either,” Yona stated. She looked around and thought she saw something white slip into some bushes. Scared, she ran across the road.
“Yona, wait!” Sandbar cried. Too late, the yak turned human had run out as a car drove towards her. Thinking fast, Sandbar rushed towards her and pushed her out of the way before she got hit.
“Stay out of the road you morons!” cried to the driver as he passed.
“Are you okay?”
“Yona fine,” Yona replied. “Yak thought she saw cockatrice.” She pointed to where she thought she saw it.
Silverstream looked behind the bush and could see what Yona saw was a rabbit. “It’s just a bunny,” the former hippogriff replied.
Sandbar and Yona were about to walk back to their friends, the boy saw Cozy Glow moving at a fast pace. “Where is she going?” he asked.
Yona looked where her boyfriend was looking. “Cozy Glow?” she questioned.
“She’s here?” Smolder asked.
“I thought I saw her in the store,” Gallus said.
“Should we follow her?” Silverstream asked.
“I don’t see why she would need to leave the store already,” Smolder said. She soon gave chase with her friends following behind. They made sure they didn’t get caught by her.
“She keeps looking at her,” Gallus observed.
“Is that what she’s holding?” Silverstream asked. Just then, they could hear some screeching. “Hold on, that doesn’t sound like a cockatrice.”
“It kind of sounds like...” Sandbar could finish his sentence as a flying fish flew right by his face.
“Biteacudas!” the five scream. A whole flock of the biteacudas saw the group and dived towards them.
“RUN!” Yona screamed. She and her friends booked it as Cozy Glow, who hid behind one of the houses, saw them runoff.
“More creatures?” she questioned.
“And that’s the story,” Sunset said, finishing her explanation.
“So, you’re telling me... There’s an entire world filled with mystical creatures?” Gallus (EqG) questioned. “And you’re one of them?”
“It’s hard to believe,” Sandbar (EqG) admitted, “But it’s true.”
“And that’s why we can talk?” Ocellus (EqG) questioned.
“Also true,” Sunset replied.
“This is... Is just... Just weird,” Yona stuttered.
“What’s weird is why I don’t know how or why Cozy would have magic,” Spike said.
“This is just... Insane,” Gallus (EqG) groaned holding hand up to his face.
“I think we should focus on the possibility that there could be a cockatrice around here,” Ocellus said.
“Why’s that bad?” Silverstream (EqG) asked.
“Because if they look you in the eye, you turn to stone,” Sunset explained.
“So, we just wear sunglasses,” Gallus (EqG) said.
“Not everybody has a set,” Sandbar (EqG) stated.
“Even if we catch it,” Ocellus said, “It’s likely to fight back.”
“Well, maybe we could...” Silverstream (EqG) paused when she saw something running towards them. “Is that us?” The five creatures from Equestria raced towards them with the biteacudas on their tails.
“What the heck are those?” Sandbar (EqG) questioned.
“Biteacudes,” Ocellus replied. After her friends ran past, she turned herself into a biteacuda. She flew up to the flock and screeched at them. This caused the flock to stop. Sunset thought of something and ran back inside. She found an empty fish tank and took outside. She turned it upside down to trap the flock inside. She and Ocellus sat down on the tank to help keep them down.
“Smart move,” Smolder commented.
“Another one?” Gallus (EqG) questioned.
The five from Equestria didn’t know what to say to their doublegangers. “It’s okay guys,” Ocellus said, “We already explained everything.” She then turned back into her human form.
“So, you’re a changeling?” Sunset asked. Ocellus nodded.
“Are those flying piranhas?” Silverstream (EqG) asked.
“Biteacudas actually,” Gallus stated.
“You know what I think about this?” Smolder (EqG) asked. She responded by making a run for it. Silverstream pounced on her, stopping the husky in her tracks.
“You can’t go out there,” the former hippogriff stated. “You could get turned to stone.”
“I just won’t look at the... Whatever your monster is called.”
“Cockatrice,” Ocellus reminded.
“Whatever it is,” Sandbar (EqG) said, “How do we stop it?”
“We’re going to need to get some supplies first,” Sunset asserted. “But first, we need to figure out what to do with these things.” Yona’s solution was to put something heavy on it, specifically a boulder she found. “That’ll work.” After placing the boulder on the tank. The group of beings from Canterlot and Equestria set off to get what they needed.
Sunset was in a store and placed some sunglasses on the counter. “Why do you need this many sunglasses?” the cashier asked.
“Just scan them,” Sunset replied, “I’m in a hurry.”
The student six waited in Sunset’s car, while their double gangers sat outside on a bench. Though, Gallus (EqG) wasn’t there. “Where’s he go?” Silverstream (EqG) asked.
“That’s what I was going to say,” Silverstream said.
“Keep your head down,” Ocellus said, who now a cat for the moment.
“That’s a good question,” Sandbar (EqG) commented. “Where did he go?”
“Right here,” the lost boy replied. He appeared to have a fast-food bag in his hand.
“Where did you go?”
“There’s was burger place just down the street. I haven’t eaten since lunch.”
“Friend got hay burger?” Yona asked.
“Hay burger? No, this is a hamburger.”
“You mean one that’s made meat?” Gallus asked.
“Of course.”
“Can I have some?”
“Maybe if I can’t finish this.”
“Come on, man, I haven’t had meat since I started our third year of school.”
“Don’t they have any meat in your home?”
“Not really,” Sandbar said. “Ponies don’t normally eat meat.”
“What did I say about keeping your heads down?” Sunset questioned. The six from Equestria put their heads back down. “Okay, I’ve got you all a set of sunglasses.” She gave each one of them a set of sunglasses, even a smaller pair for each of the pets.
“Now w-w-what?” Yona (EqG) asked.
“If we’re going to catch that cockatrice and possibly other creatures, we’re going to have to split into teams to cover more ground. I’ll take the Silverstream, Gallus, and Smolder from Equestria. Sandbar, Yona, Ocellus, you go with the Silverstream, Gallus, and Smolder from Canterlot. Understand.”
“Got it,” they all said. They split into their individual teams, with the former going with Sunset and Spike. They drove away, leaving the other team to walk.
“They couldn’t have called us a ride,” Gallus questioned.
“I’m used to... To walking,” Yona (EqG) said. “My p-p-parents are very ath-athletic.”
“You look a little... Big to me,” Silverstream said trying not to sound rude.
“This isn’t... Isn’t fat. M-m-muscle.”
“That’s interesting,” Sandbar (EqG) said.
“Let’s get going,” Smolder said.
“Yeah, we need to catch that creature,” Gallus said. “And possible Cozy Glow.”
“W-why h-h-her?” Yona (EqG) asked.
“I think it might be that pod,” Sandbar (EqG) said. “I’ll lead the way.” The group walked off to find any more creatures.
“Can we stop at Twilight’s?” Spike asked. “I’m getting worried about her.”
“Almost there,” Sunset replied. She parked outside the house of her friend. “You guy see if you can find in anything around here.” The team got out and looked around as Sunset took the purple pup inside. “Twilight! Twilight?”
“Where were you?” Spike jumped down from the woman’s arms and walked around. “Do you lose track of time again?” They walked towards Twilight’s bedroom where only a lamp on her desk was one. “You really have to get another hobby. You can’t just...” Spike froze when he got a closer look at his owner. There was a shocked statue that looked just like her with her clothes on it.
“Oh no.”
“Is... This was a cockatrice does?”
“Unforinetly.” They looked over to an opened window. “It must’ve gotten through there.”
“Is there a way we turn her back?”
“I’m not sure, but we’ll try.” They looked over to their frozen friend. “Twilight, if you’re still in there, we’ll try and figure out how to help you.” They walked outside to see how the others were doing. “Anything?”
“Not yet,” Ocellus replied.
“Silver has managed to tame one before,” Sandbar said. “She actually tried to take it home as a pet.”
“How’d that go?” Spike asked.
“From what I heard, not very well.”
“You know we’re looking for a needle in a haystack,” Gallus (EqG) commented. He looked over towards Smolder (EqG), who was just napping on the doorstep. “Hey! Wake up!” He yanked on the husky’s tail, jolting her awake.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“We have a serious problem,” Sunset spoke.
“Yeah,” Spike agreed, “My owner is a statue.”
“So, it was here,” Ocellus said. “It must be far gone by now. Spike, do you think you could try and get its scent?”
“I can try.” After walking back inside and sniffing around, Spike managed to get a scent of feathers and scales. He walked outside and started sniffing around.
“It’s working.” Ocellus followed shortly behind.
“You sure she knows what she doing?” Smolder (EqG) asked.
“Ocellus smart cookie,” Yona said. “She knows what she does.” The former yak and her boyfriend followed the sniffing down, with the others following behind.
“So, if we’re spending this much time together,” Sandbar said, “Care to tell us about yourselves?”
“Not right now,” Gallus (EqG) grumbled.
“I’d to break the ice,” Sunset said. “I wasn't the nicest girl at Canterlot High. I actually tried to... Take over the world.”
“Sunset was evil?” Yona questioned.
“It’s not something I like to remember. I managed to redeem myself and make a couple of friends.”
“Good for you,” Sandbar commented.
“Anything about you?”
“Well, Yona and I are...”
“Hang on,” Spike interrupted, “I thought I heard something.” They looked around the corner of the fence to see a bag of groceries, as well as something with a scaly tail sticking out of it. Sandbar, Yona, and Sunset helped pull everyone behind the fence.
“Is that a cockatrice?” Smolder (EqG) asked.
“Yep,” Sunset answered, “Very dangerous.”
“We have sunglasses,” Gallus (EqG) reminded, “Let’s just grab it.” And that what he did. He pulled the creature out of the back and held it tight as the cockatrice tried to break free. “Stay still.” It didn’t listen, instead, it bit one of his fingers, causing the boy the drop it. Once freed, the cockatrice stared into Gallus’s (EqG) eyes, though nothing happened thanks to the sunglasses.
“Catch it!” Yona cried. She ran over to tackle it, but the cockatrice jumped out of the way and ran for it. “Darn.”
“Don’t let it get away,” Sunset cried giving chase. They chased the creature down with Ocellus and the dogs managing to be just an inch away from it. Smolder (EqG) pounced and tackled it, but it caused her sunglasses to fall off. Ocellus saw this and turned into a small roc and snatched her friend out of the way.
“What are you doing?” the husky questioned.
“Keeping you from turning into a statue,” the disguised creature replied. Looking down, she saw the cockatrice was chasing them. As Ocellus did this, her glasses slipped off her face, falling to the ground and shattered. “Oh, dear. Now we’re both in danger. We have to lose that thing.”
“What’s the cat doing?” Gallus (EqG) questioned.
“Whatever they're doing,” Sunset said, “We have to stop that...” Suddenly there was another “CAW!” They look back and saw another cockatrice.
“Oh, crud, there’s two,” Sandbar gasped. They stopped in shock, but Gallus (EqG) kept going. He tackled the first cockatrice and struggled to keep it under control. The other cockatrice ran up and started pecking at him. This caused him to let the first one go and they ran off.
Ocellus let Smolder (EqG) down before she went after the two creatures. “Smooth,” the husky said.
“How was I supposed to know to there were two?” the boy replied.
“Where Ocellus going?” Yona questioned.
“I don’t know,” Sandbar said. “She’s still smart, I don’t think she would get too close with protection.”
They then heard a phone ring, which came from Gallus (EqG). He pulled a flip phone out of his pocket and he answered it. “Hello?” he asked.
“Gallus, where are you?” asked a cranky and raspy voice.
“I’m trying to help a few friends out.”
”Well, I need you here to help me with...”
“Please don’t tell me it’s your computer again.”
”Don’t interrupt me again. Just get over here and give me some help.”
“Okay, fine.” He hung up and sighed.
“You need a ride?” Sunset asked. “We’ll try and figure out a better way to catch those cockatrices.” They all got back in the car and Gallus (EqG) gave directions to his home. Smolder (EqG) kept moving around as she didn’t want to sit in the boy's lap.
“Couldn’t you just let me roam free?” the husky asked.
“You can’t last by yourself out here forever,” Sunset said.
“Dog Smolder need good owner,” Yona suggested.
“Exactly.”
“Why would I be stuck on a leash under someone's ownership?”
“Because you get a nice warm home,” Sandbar said, “Not to mention a good amount of food.“
“That does sound nice.”
“You just need to fix your behavior,” Gallus chuckled. The husky leaped into his lap to try and bite him but Yona made her sit in her lap instead. “Take a right here.” The driver did so as Gallus (EqG) wasn’t so keen on going home.
Elsewhere, the other group was making little progress. “So, you’ve been here before?” Sandbar (EqG) asked.
“Yeah,” Smolder answered. “I met a couple of strays and helped them find a good home. Really wish I could meet them.”
“Do you remember their names,” Ocellus (EqG) asked.
“There was Smudge, Ziggy, Roxy, and Scotty. I wonder where they are now.”
“Wh-wh-what over c-creatures are... Are here?” Yona (EqG) asked.
“It’s hard to say,” Gallus replied. “There could be a manticore around here.”
“M-m-mantic-c-core?”
“What are those?” Ocellus (EqG) asked.
“It basically a lion, with bat wings and scorpion’s tail,” Gallus answered. Yona (EqG) was starting to get worried she grabbed Ocellus (EqG) to try and calm down.
“You’re squishing me,” the cat wheezed. The girl loosened her grip which made the cat more comfortable.
“Look, there’s Cozy Glow,” Silverstream cried. The girl with blue curls was too busy looking at her phone to notice the group. She walked across the street as the six decided to follow behind.
“Where is she going?” Smolder asked.
“I think we’re going to find out,” Sandbar (EqG) said quietly. Cozy Glow walked to a storage center that looked abandoned.
“How long was this place here?” Silverstream asked.
“My dad s-s-said this place c-c-closed down be-be-before I move h-here,” Yona explained. The carefully followed behind as Cozy opened one of the doors. Peeking inside, they could see some flash bees, fly-ders, and twittermites trapped in jars, as well as a phoenix and a jackalope locked in some cages.
“Okay, stop struggling,” Cozy Glow said. She took some bowls out of her backpack and placed some food into the cages. “I still want to figure you guys out.”
“She has been capturing them,” Silverstream gasped. Gallus covered her mouth before they could get spotted. The girl with curls looked back, but no one was there.
“Is there some other creature that’s here?” she questioned. She just went back to her work and took an empty pod from her backpack. She placed it down on a tray that was connected to a small machine that was hooked up a jar of that held the twittermites in them. “Let’s see if you could power this up.”
She flicked a switch, turning the machine on. The twittermites were sucked up into a pod that was at the top of Cozy’s machine. When that happened, she unplugged it from the battery and it was still active. “It works.” She then hooked the machine up to the cage containing a phoenix, when she got a notification. “What now?” She looked at her phone as she left the storage room. Cozy closed the door and walked off.
After she was out of sight, the six came out of hiding. They opened the door and looked at the various creatures. “Grab what you can and follow us,” Gallus ordered. He picked up the jars and started placing them in Sandbar’s (EqG) backpack.
Yona picked up the cage containing the phoenix. “What is... Is this creature?” she asked.
“That’s a phoenix,” Smolder explained. “We can tell you more on the way to the portal.” Silverstream picked up the cage with the jackalope and Gallus zipped Sandbar’s (EqG) backpack shut.
“We’re good to go,” the former griffon replied. The started making their way out, though they didn’t get far.
“Where are you going?” asked a voice. Cozy saw them escaping with her animals.
“Crud, we’re spotted,” Sandbar (EqG) cried. “Run.” They started picking up the pace as Smolder ran towards the girl with curls. She tried biting the girl’s leg but was only kicked to the side.
“If I had my wings and fire breath, you won’t be standing right now,” the husky grumbled. She ran after Cozy to help slow her down.
Back with the other team, they stopped outside a house that had chipped white paint and broken-down truck parked in the driveway. “Gallus, are you sure this is the right place?” Sunset asked.
“This is the place,” Gallus (EqG) said deadpanned. He stepped out of the car with the other following behind.
“There you are,” said a wrinkly old man. He a cane to help him stand as well as a glass eye.
“That’s gotta be Grampa Gruff,” Sandbar whispered to Yona.
“I can’t this blasted thing to work,” Gruff complained. “Come inside.” The boy with a hoodie followed the old man inside, with the others slowly following behind, feeling a little nervous.
“Okay, what’s the problem?” Gallus (EqG) asked. Gruff pointed to computer in his office that was off.
“I tried everything. It’s plugged in, I pushed the power button, it’s not turning on.”
“Hold on, let me check something.” The boy looked under the desk to look at the surge protector. He pressed on the switch with turned red. “Try it now.”
“Don’t tell me...” Gruff pushed the button and the computer started. “You’re kidding me.”
“I’m not.” Gallus (EqG) stood up and pulled out the chair.
“Why would there be an off switch on the plug? Whatever, I need to check my mail.” He sat down and logged in. “I don’t see why we could just use letters. It’d keep Gabby busy.” The boy just sighed and pulled his hoodie up and walked out of the office.
“Is he always like this?” Silverstream (EqG) asked.
“Yeah,” Gallus (EqG) sighed.
“Yona seen Grampa Gruff from Equestria,” Yona said. “Somethings don’t change.”
“I wish they would. He’s my legal guardian, and he’s just an old grump. There’s also Gabby, but she’s too busy to be with me.”
“I’m sure she only does that so you have a roof over your head,” Sandbar said.
“Yeah, she’s a mailwoman. How did you know?”
“There’s another from our world.” The boy hung his head and made his way to the living room where he lied on the couch.
“This doesn’t look very good,” Smolder (EqG) commented, looking at the several tears in the furniture. “Honestly, I’ve seen some dumpsters that are better than this.” Gallus (EqG) just grumbled. “Is this why you’re so upset?”
“What do you think?” the boy asked. He tried to push the husky back with his foot.
“Gallus, we’re so sorry for you,” Sunset said.
“We honestly know how you feel,” Ocellus said. She jumped onto the sofa. “Our Gallus lives in a place called Griffonstone. It’s an entire kingdom that’s in ruins. You didn’t even have a home.”
“Oh, keep pouring the salt,” Gallus (EqG) grumbled.
“We’re not trying to insult you,” Sandbar said. “You don’t have to act like this.”
“Yeah,” Silverstream (EqG) said, “You just need friends, like this.”
Smolder’s (EqG) ears drooped as she sighed. She jumped onto Gallus’s (EqG) lap. “I know how you feel,” she said.
“Oh, really?” he replied.
“I’m a stray. I don’t have a home. I just run around, find some food from a trash can or just beg on the streets. Not to mention, now that I can talk, having an owner that doesn’t freak out is probably going to be impossible.”
“I think it’s actually cool. I mean, if there’s someone home alone most of the day and are pretty lonely...”
“You’re talking about you, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” He slowly sat up. “You really think that Gruff’s going let me have a pet?”
“How much does he watch you?”
“Not very often.”
“I think Fluttershy can pull a few strings,” Sunset said. “I think you two have a lot in common.” The boy and husky looked at each other before she started licking his face.
“Hey, easy,” Gallus (EqG) said, “I don’t have any ketchup stuck on my face do I?” They both chuckled as Silverstream (EqG) got a call.
“Hello?” she answered.
”Silver, we need help,” Sandbar (EqG) replied. ”Cozy Glow’s been capturing some other creatures and she’s chasing us.”
“Oh boy. Where are you?”
”We’re heading to Canterlot High.”
“We’re on our way,” Sunset said. “Let’s go.” They ran back to the car and drove away as fast as they could.
“How is she so fast?” Sandbar (EqG) questioned.
“Just keep running,” Gallus replied.
“Give me back my animals!” Cozy Glow cried.
“They’re n-n-not yours,” Yona stuttered. The curly-haired girl didn’t care, she tackled Yona to the ground, causing her to drop the phoenix cage and her sunglasses.
“Leave her alone,” Ocellus (EqG) ordered.
The curly-haired girl’s eyes widened. “Wait, you can talk?”
“So can I,” Smolder said. “I can also do this.” The husky bit down on Cozy’s leg as hard as she could. This caused her a load of pain, leaving Gallus enough time to help Yona up. She picked the phoenix cage up, but the fall caused the firebird to freak out.
“Calm down!” Sandbar (EqG) cried. The phoenix kept flapping its wings in panic.
“Forget this,” Cozy groaned. She ran off in the opposite direction before turning a corner.
“Where is she going?” Gallus asked.
“Isn’t she l-l-leaving us alone?” Yona (EqG) asked.
“Why would she leave without a good reason?” Sandbar (EqG) asked. “She got a notification on her phone. It had to be important.”
“Ocellus and I will follow her,” Smolder said.
“If you say so. We’ll try and find you after we return these creatures.” The cat and dog ran after the girl as the others tried to get back to the portal. “What is she looking for.”
Looking around the corner they saw a small roc trying to fly away. It was being held down by a net that was tied around its leg, which Cozy Glow as holding onto. “Stay still,” the girl growled.
“What is that thing?” Ocellus (EqG) asked.
“A roc,” Smolder replied. “They aren’t normally that small.” Suddenly, with a flash of blue, it changed into a familiar girl with pink hair and a red dress. “Ocellus?!”
“How did you do that?” Cozy questioned.
“Let me go!” Ocellus begged, trying to untie herself.
“Let my friend go!” Smolder cried. She tackled Cozy and tried to bite her. The former changeling finally managed to get herself free and she grabbed her friend.
“We’re leaving now.” As she ran, she picked her doubleganger on the way as she ran.
“Get back here,” Cozy demanded. “I NEED ANSWERS!” She gave chase as Sunset drove closer to them.
“Are we missing something?” Sandbar asked. Yona looked to the right and saw a cockatrice just before they passed the turn.
“Sunset turn right!” she cried.
“Why?” Sunset questioned.
“Yona saw cockatrice.”
“But the girls,” Sandbar stated.
“I’ll help them,” Gallus (EqG) replied.
“Me too,” Smolder (EqG) added. Sunset stopped the car stopped to let the boy and husky out before she made a U-turn and drove where Yona saw the cockatrice. Little did they know, it was chasing the boy and dog.
“This is the way to the school, right?” Ocellus asked.
“I think so,” Smolder replied.
“Hey, guys,” Gallus (EqG) called. The girls looked back behind Cozy Glow to see the boy and Smolder (EqG) catching up.
“Weren’t you just heading to the school?” Cozy questioned. Then she saw two of the same husky. “What?” this caused her to stop, leaving Gallus (EqG) and Smolder (EqG) to pass her. When she looked back, she saw one of the cockatrices. Doing this, caused her to turn to stone.
“It’s behind us?” Ocellus gasped.
“Of course she is,” Smolder (EqG) said.
“No, the cockatrice,” Ocellus replied. She tripped and fell, dropping the two animals in her hands. “Keep running.” Her friend did so. Before she could get up, the cockatrice looked at her, causing the same thing that happened to Cozy Glow to happen to her.
“We should go back for her,” Smolder said.
“She’s already a statue,” Gallus (EqG) stated.
They weren’t the only ones to see this. Sunset stopped her car and didn’t know what to do. “How do we catch that thing?” Silverstream (EqG) said.
“Our Silverstream would know how to tame one,” Sandbar said.
“Our Silver not here,” Yona stated.
“Then where is she?” Spike asked.
“I don’t know,” Sandbar asked. They look and saw the cockatrice was running away, but another landed on the hood of Sunset’s car. She, Spike, and the teens screamed in shock.
“Out of the car!” Sunset cried. They did this and made a run for it.
Back with the others, Gallus checked to see if the portal was opened by placing his hand into it. “Alright, we’re in the clear,” he said. He walked through with the others following behind.
“I d-d-don’t wanna go in,” Yona (EqG) stuttered.
“Don’t worry,” Sandbar (EqG) said. “It’s safe.”
“Guys, guys, guys!” Gallus (EqG) cried. He ran up with the Smolders and Ocellus (EqG). “We saw Cozy and the cockatrice. That monster’s on its way.”
“Right now?” They look and saw the chicken lizard hybrid running towards them. Quickly thinking, Sandbar (EqG) dragged Gallus (EqG) into the portal. Yona (EqG), Ocellus, and the two Smolder’s jumped through the portal.
Tumbling through, they popped out on the other side now as the same species as their counterparts. “W-w-why am I a y-y-yak?” Yona (EqG) asked.
“Welcome to Ponyville,” Smolder said. She stood up and helped her double onto her feet.
“Cool,” Smolder (EqG) gasped. “I’m a dragon now.”
“And I’m a griffon,” Gallus (EqG) commented.
“Isn’t that cockatrice still out there?” Sandbar (EqG) asked.
“Maybe,” Silverstream said. “I’ll go and find out if the others are alright.”
“We’ll take care of the creatures,” Gallus said. “Hopefully Professor Fluttershy can help.” The hippogriff nodded before leaping through the portal. After landing on the other side. She saw Spike was barking at the two cockatrices.
“Help,” he said. He nearly lost his sunglasses as one of the creatures pounced at him.
“H-hey, little guys,” Silverstream said. She got one of cockatrice's attention.
The creature shriek as she glared into her eyes. Thankfully, Silver’s sunglasses protected here. “I know you’re freaking out, and trust me, I know how you feel,” the former hippogriff said. Silverstream got on her knees and held out her arm. “You wanna step?” The cockatrice looked a bit confused. “I can help take you home.” After hearing this, it stepped onto the girl’s arm. After it did this, Silverstream scratched its chin, making it cluck happily.
From behind the school corner, Sunset, Sandbar, Silverstream (EqG), and Yona looked to see Silver taming the cockatrices. “She’s taming them?” Sunset questioned.
“She is an expert on them,” Sandbar affirmed.
“There you go,” Silverstream said. She managed to get both of them to calm down. She looked over to where the three were hiding. “You can come out now, it’s safe.”
They did so and Yona shivered when she got close. “Silver take creatures back to Equestria?” she asked.
“I think we have a few things we have to fix first,” Spike stated.
“It’s true,” Sandbar agreed. “Come on, Silver, let’s show you where Ocellus is.” They walked off to clean up the mess that the cockatrices made.
Back in Equestria, Fluttershy took a train to Hayseed Swamp to safely release the bugs as the students went to let the jackalope and phoenix go. “Okay, boys,” Smolder said. “You’re free now.” The phoenix flew away and the jackalope scattered.
“I wish we could stay longer,” Sandbar (EqG) sighed.
“We were.... Were just starting to... To know you,” Yona (EqG) sighed.
“Yeah, it’s great you helped cover more ground,” Smolder said. “Though I don’t think everyone going to miss two of each of us.”
“But wait, what about the slime?” Ocellus asked.
“I don’t think it’s far from here,” Gallus said. She walked into the forest for a minute, until she princess Twilight, Spike, and several other unicorns. The princess and the unicorns were using their magic to shrink the slime until there was nothing left.
“Finally,” the alicorn panted. “I never thought this stuff would go away.”
“Did Spike follow us through here?” Sandbar (EqG) asked. The said dragon and ponies looked to see the students.
“Hello, princess,” Gallus said trying to keep cool.
“What are you doing here?”
“Check out the slime,” Smolder replied.
“Is it... Is it... G-g-gone?” Yona asked.
“Far gone,” Twilight answered.
“Good,” Sandbar (EqG) sighed. “I don’t want to see that again.”
“What was so bad about it?” asked one of the unicorns.
“Nothing,” Gallus replied quickly. “...Gotta go.” He grabbed Yona (EqG) by her horns and dragged her off. Smolder did the same with Sandbar (EqG) and Ocellus (EqG).
They took them back to the castle and into the room with the mirror. In there, Gallus (EqG) was giving Smolder (EqG) a belly rub. “Oh, you’re back,” the human turned griffon said. He stepped over to them.
“So, how’s building bridges?” Gallus chuckled.
“Just because I’m not a dog right now doesn’t mean I can’t like dog things,” Smolder (EqG) said.
“I’m guessing you found a pet,” Sandbar (EqG) chuckled.
“Yeah,” Gallus (EqG) replied. “When can we go home?”
“Not until we know it’s safe,” Smolder said.
On cue, Sandbar, Yona, Ocellus, and Silverstream walked out of the mirror, with the hippogriff carrying the cockatrices. The students didn’t have their sunglasses, so they covered their eyes in fear. “It’s okay,” Silverstream said. “It’s safe now. You can go home now.”
They slowly looked at the cockatrices, who looked pretty comfy right now. “Okay,” Sandbar (EqG) said. “Thanks. I really wish we could meet up again.”
“Friends never know,” Yona said.
“Well, see you sometime again,” Gallus (EqG) said. He started making his way to the mirror, but Smolder stopped him.
“You’re going to need this,” she said. She handed him her collar.
“What’s this... Oh. Thanks.”
“Don’t forget to keep an eye on Cozy Glow too,” Ocellus said.
Gallus (EqG) gave a thumbs-up as he and Smolder (EqG) walked through the mirror. Sandbar (EqG), Yona (EqG), and Ocellus (EqG) wave goodbye as they followed through and once they were gone, Smolder flew up and removed the book from the top of the mirror, closing the portal.
“Now we don’t have to worry about anything coming back.”
“Like Cozy Glow,” Gallus chuckled. They left the book the room and walked to the castle exit.
Back in the Canterlot, Sunset and Silverstream (EqG) were sitting on the steps of the school as their friends came out of the portal. “You’re back,” Silverstream (EqG) cheered. She ran over to help them up.
“This has been a weird day,” Sandbar (EqG) said.
“Agreed,” Gallus (EqG) groaned.
“Those cre... creatures were n-nice,” Yona (EqG) reminded.
“Yeah. And I don’t think this was a complete wild goose chase.” He picked up the husky, who licked his face. Gallus (EqG) chuckled as he put her collar on around her neck.
“There they are!” Cozy cried. She was dragging a couple of people with her. “What did you do with the animals?”
“What animals?” Gallus (EqG) asked.
“The animals I caught. The rabbit with horns and the firebird.”
“You don’t think that was a dream?”
“Yeah, I’ve had a few dreams like that,” Silverstream (EqG) commented.
“It wasn’t a dream. I heard those animals talk.” She pointed to Smolder and Ocellus, who just barked and meowed respectively. “I know you can.”
“I think you’re just a little crazy,” Gallus (EqG) responded. The people Cozy dragged with her were starting to walk away.
“No, the portal in the park.”
“Isn’t there anymore,” Ocellus (EqG) said quietly so only Cozy would hear.
“You heard her!” The people had already walked away. “Come back.” Cozy gave chase as the group burst into laughter.
“Ah, that might’ve been worth it,” Sandbar (EqG) said.
“Let’s get you to the pet store,” Sunset said. “We better get you set up.”
“Um, Sun... Sunset,” Yona (EqG) stuttered.
“What?”
“Could I... I adopt O-O-Ocellus?”
“Maybe. Let’s walk and talk.”
“I... I... I wanted a pet f-f-for a while.”
“I feel like we should also talk about other things,” Silverstream (EqG) said. “Like, what classes we’re going to have.” Sunset smiled as she was happy a new friendship was starting.
Author's Note
This was a tiring one, but I’m glad it’s finished. I hope you enjoyed it and by the way;
Merry Christmas
