Life in Unicornia used to be quiet. Sure, there were times when Princess Rarity, the youngest of the four princesses was getting into mischief, but for the most part, it was always peaceful.
But that was then, and things have been much more exciting lately. Formerly an insular mountain stronghold, Unicornia has welcomed the earth ponies of Ponyville and pegasi of Butterfly Island to town with open forelegs. That had taken some getting used to, but it had all worked out in the end, and everypony has been enjoying their new friends for months now.
Of course, not all of the new arrivals are responsible, rational ponies. For example, there’s the klutzy pegasus, Minty. Like Rarity, she never means harm, but that doesn’t stop disaster from following in her hoofsteps.
As you think of Minty, something nags at the back of your brain, but you can’t quite put your hoof on it. You have a vague recollection that Minty used to be an earth pony when she first came to town, but that’s silly. Ponies don’t just grow wings for no reason. You’re pretty sure it normally it takes at least sixty-five episodes and some executive meddling.
You wonder what kind of shenanigans Rarity and Minty might be up to today. Which reminds you to check in on your friend, Shenanigans. You find her, as usual, by the hot air balloons. She’s the best pilot anypony knows, and she greets you with a wave and a smile.
“Where to today?”
You shrug. Any conversation with Shenanigans involves a flight. It’s fun, and it’s one of the reasons you enjoy hanging out with her. “Your choice.”
She ponders that for a moment. “How about Breezie Blossom?”
You nod. It’s been a while since you’ve seen any of the tiny breezies. “So how have you been?”
She grins. “I’m always as good as I want to be. Life’s as exciting or as dull as I choose.”
“That’s a good outlook. We all control our own happiness.”
She laughs. “I control everypony’s happiness. I can make anything happen.”
“Huh?”
“I see you don’t believe me. How’d you like a demonstration?”
“I guess.”
She pulls a piece of paper out. “How about… I know! We’ll catch a wind gust and arrive in Breezie Blossom in exactly one minute.” She scribbles on the paper, and all of a sudden the balloon picks up speed. You hold onto the basket for dear life as the ground blurs below you.
“What’s happening?” you scream out in terror.
“Exactly what I said would happen.” Shenanigans is amazingly calm despite the balloon’s breakneck speed.
The balloon lands seconds later, after an incredibly quick descent that shouldn’t be physically possible. As your friend predicted, you’re in Breezie Blossom. Zipzee, Tiddley Wink, and Tra La La are already flying excitedly towards you.
“If I want something to happen, all I have to do is write it on this piece of paper I found last week.”
“Did you turn Minty into a pegasus?”
She nods. “I was tired of her crashing my balloons all the time. Now she can fly, and crash, all by herself.” She slides the paper over to you. “Why don’t you give it a try?”
You tap a hoof to your chin in thought. “Sure, give it to me. I know just what I want to write on it.”
[CHOICE]Do you give in to temptation?
No. This is too crazy. (hero)
Yes. Time for some delicious chaos! (chaos)
>Absolutely! These little ponies have no idea what they’re in for. (villain)
There’s something about the tone of your voice that makes Shenanigans hesitate to give you the page, but you snatch it from her. Shenanigans has made a horrible mistake – these ponies have no idea what they’re in for. There should be an ominous flash of lightning followed by a crash of thunder to punctuate that malicious thought. And thanks to the page in your hand…
You scrawl that request on the page and Mother Nature accommodates you, even though there’s not a cloud to be seen in the sky. ‘So let it be written, so let it be done’ indeed.
Unicornia and Ponyville alike have castles – Pinkie Pie painted the latter pink on her birthday. Neither is particularly suited to your tastes. No, your new castle needs to be bigger, darker, bolder. A castle so imposing, that to see it is to cause one to involuntarily shudder in fear.
“What are you doing?” Shenanigans asks in terror.
“Taking over and reshaping everything in my image. I can’t thank you enough for giving me the ultimate power. I shall spare you… most of my wrath. All you have to do is swear loyalty to me, my first and most loyal subject.”
“Never!” She tries to take the page away from you, but it’s much too late for that.
“Oh, I think you will, old pal.” Shenanigans kneels in deference and kisses my flank.
Shenanigans struggles to resist, but it’s futile. The blue mare plants a wet one right on your cutie mark.
There are tears streaming down her cheeks as she rises to her hooves. “Why?”
“Oh Shenanigans, you silly mare. Turnabout is fair play. You admitted to manipulating Minty. How long have you been tormenting her? What kinds of things have you been doing to the rest of us? You’re my plaything now. You and everypony else.” You cackle with glee as she turns tail and run. Not that it’ll do her, or anypony else any good. You know where to find her – you can summon her any time you want.
Author's Note
Story notes: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1034038/story-notes-quick-trip
