Lucky Leaves

Chapters

Day and Night, Night and Day...
One Lucky Break
Party Games
Hitting the Surfaces
Surf's Up!
Unpleasant Dreams
Down on the Farm
Copper Rank - Re-Edited
Mixing and Matches
The First Night
On Call
First Flight
Facing Fears
More Changes?
Flare Up
Homecoming
Breaking the Ice
Mares at Play
New Challenges

Day and Night, Night and Day...

Clover awoke again, yawning widely. Suddenly, there was a knocxk at the front door.

She was about to fall asleep again, but heard Sweetheart's voice, faintly.

"Oh! Good morning, Princess Luna. What brings you here?"

Clover immediately shot to full wakefulness, eyes wide. then she gave the world at large a deadpan expression. "Well, that escalated quickly. Well, I'm awake now."

With a flap of her wings, she moonsaulted, (thus back)flipped twice and made a three point landing, a small burst of energy running through those hoofprints on the floor. Slightly past, actually. "Nailed it. But that's to be expected, i guess." She then brushed her mane, dusted herself off (unnecessarily) and trotted out of her room, to see what was going on.

Luna was chatting with Sweetheart. They were also enjoying some tea. At a guess, Sweetheart was making some when Luna knocked.

Clover sniffed at the air. "Hmm. Chamomile." Then she called down, "Sweetheart? Is there enough for a third?"

Both Ponies looked up, waving. "Sure, Clover! I'll get another cup."

Mirroring her earlier action, Clover sommersaulted, front flipped twice and made a... one point landing. "Ta daaaa~!"

Sweetheart clapped. Luna laughed.

When she stood back up, she noticed Bright Eyes floating a sign that said, in all-caps, "APPLAUSE", shifting between purple and blue, for some reason.

To explain, Bright Eyes said, "Pinkie Pie said that I'd need this today. Then she left one of her confetti-filled afterimages behind when she disappeared just as soon."

Clover rolled her eyes. That Pinkie Pie. What a character.

Luna coughed. "Anyway, Clover, I wanted to teach you about what it means to be an Alicorn, as you will soon find out anyway."

Clover gave her a deadoan look. "You gals are really gung-ho for me doing this, aren'tcha?"

Luna tsked. "Clover, there are several reasons for that. Primary among them being that you need to learn to control that power, you need to be taught about what being an Alicorn entails and... it's rather lonely, being at the top. You know there are only five of us as of yet? Having a sixth wouldn't help a whole lot, but one more Alicorn is one more than zero."

Clover sighed, but nodded. "Okay, okay. Fair enough. Where do we begin?"

"Well, conveniently, it's time for the sun to rise. You shall join us. Worry not; you won't need to do anything major. I thought it would be a good experience for you."

Clover was still hesitant, but Luna added, "I'll also shield you, if you like. You likely have enough Alicorn energy for it to not affect you overmuch, with the typicasl protections we have, but being more careful is okay."

Clover sighed. "Sure. Let's do it."

Luna smiled, and without further ado, they vanished.

Only to reappear on the balcony that Celestia and Luna typically shared this task upon.

Celestia said, "Oh! You're the newest nascent Alicorn, are you not?"

"Yes'm."

After putting up the promised shield bubble, Luna said, "Are you ready for this, Clover?"

"Not really." Clover admitted. "But I suppose the sooner we get it over with, the sooner we can stop."

Luna smirked at that. Lighting up her horn, she began to extend her power. Clover, by proxy was able to feel as if she was helping Luna with her task. She could feel a slight chill as the energy she exuded extended into space, lifted the white orb and moved it slowly, setting to the West. She felt the moonlight shining down on her, slowly giving way.

While that was done, Celestia lit up her horn, extending her own power.

Whereas Luna's started off kind of cold, Celestia's was warm, comforting. She felt the sunlight seep into her very soul. She felt like dancing, honestly. Eventually the power gave way to a coolness.

Clover thought to herself, 'Their powers are indeed as different as... well, night and day.'

Soon enough, it was over. When she opened her eyes, she felt oddly calm. Celestia said, "Wow. That's the least I've been drained while doing this since... ever."

Luna was inclined to agree. "Yes, in fact, I feel energized!" She looked at Clover. "Clover, mayhaps your being here did help after all."

Clover looked between the two sisters. Then she bowed her head in embarassment, turning pink again(1gggggg). Then she noticed that all around them were flowers. Mostly Hyacinths.

She then said, "Thank you for- *ahem!* for your kind words."

She received a hug from both princesses. They then looked back to see that the whole balcony was covered in flowers, in a large patch of grass. Which was odd, because the platform was made largely of stone and metal.

Celestia nonchalantly sniffed at some of the flowers. "Hmm... Sunflowers, Marigolds and... (*gasp!*) Calendulas?! My favourite."(2) she proceeded to eat one to prove just that. "These only bloom during the daytime, you know."

Luna sniffed too. "Moonflowers, Gardenias and... Queen of the Night?" She tried one of the first, finding it to her liking. "These usually only bloom during the night."(3)

"And the rest are... Hyacinths, if I'm not mistaken."

Taking stock of herself, Clover noticed that she was a few centimeters taller. Her wings were also longer than she remembered, but that could be any number of things. Not nearly as tall as those she was standing between, but still a significant change. "I'm... glad I could be of service." She finally got her colour under control. More or less.

Luna asked, :So... how does that make you feel, Clover?"

"Well..." Clover paused to consider carefully. "It felt warm and chilly. Like I was in summer and winter at the same time. But on the inside? I felt... I dunno... joy? For a moment I felt like dancing; Like I was leaping about in tall flowers as a foal again."

Celestia nodded. "That explains the Hyacinths. They represent Energy and Playfulness."

Clover added, "If I had to put it shortly..."

"It felt like you where you belonged?" Both sisters guessed at once, a trifle smugly.

After a moment, Clover said, nodding, "Yeah."

Luna asked, with a smile, "Maybe you'd like to do this again, sometime?"

Clover smiled back. "I might like that. Though, by your leave, I'd like to go home for now."

Luna joked, "Surely. Future Princess Bloom."

Clover turned pink again, "For Your sake and the love of your sister, PLEASE don't call me that."

The two Alicorns chuckled. "My apologies, clove. Here you go."

In front of Clover appeared a portal back to her home. Clover sighed. After something like this, home was a good idea.

If she wasn't surrounded by them, she'd have noticed that she had flowers blooming in her path again.

Patch greeted her this time. "Hey, Clover! Good morning!"

Clover smiled. "And today I got to be part of that."

Bright Eyes pointed, "Are those Hyacinths?"

Clover looked behind herself. She hadf flowers following her again. She sighed. "Very funny, you lot. Now go back to bed."

At their liege's command, the flowers stopped following her, only a few of them staying for her to pick them to share with her friends. "I'll tell you all about it."

Author's Note

1: Yes, this is going to be kind of a personality/body quirk, now.
2: Those represent Loyalty, Divinity/The connection between Life and Death and Devotion/Optimism respectively. Sounds fitting to me.
3: Romance/Mystery, Purity/Refinement/Harmony/Gentleness, and Transience/Beauty respectively. Can I pick 'em or what? :ajsmug:

One Lucky Break

Clover Bloom was not having what one might call the best of days.

She was an orchid, (maybe lavender?) coloured Earth Pony with a bubblegum pink mane and tail. Her Cutie Mark was that of a four-leaf clover.

Ironically, she had never been a very lucky Pony. In fact, quite the opposite. When she danced, she'd inevitably trip over her own hooves. When she tried to do something new, she'd consistently make a fool of herself. She was able to skate to some extent, but only with her friends' support.

She was often told that she had three left hooves. Humiliating wasn't adequate to describe it. But for the most part, she took it in stride. "It's just my luck, I guess." became her catchphrase.

However, her marks in school were above average, so there was that. In fact, she loved school. Aside from Phys Ed, none of the things she had to do were athletic or involved luck. She could do that without worrying about making mistakes much. Mollifying, at least, but hardly an ideal situation.

After graduating, she and her friends decided to move to Ponyville. It was about the size of the town they were used to, and the six of them had moved to stay there together. As it happened, Bon Bon (one of their other friends) was living there already, so the decision was a no-brainer, really. With six young mares under one roof, bills were hardly an issue, their ""neighbors"" were pleasant, and often helpful. Starlight and Melody went to start a career together, so make that four young mares under one roof.

Anyway, at the time, after her most recent muck-up -slipping on a dropped cloth and sliding far enough that she got soaked with water. (she was attacked by the puddle. really!) she'd decided to take a walk and see what kind of flowers she could see. And smell, too. That was half of the fun and always helped to relax her.

As she walked along, she made note of the different plants and animals nearby.

"Hmm... wild snapdragons?" she stopped to sniff at some of the herb. After that, she decided that she was feeling peckish and ate one. She sighed in satisfaction. "Mmm. Persimmon, maybe?"

She poured some of her magic into the earth (a trick taught to her by a couple of the locals). That plant would regrow that soon enough.

On she went, noting, smelling -and occasionally eating- the flowers she passed by. She noticed a plant that nopony had mentioned before. The flowers were blue. Vibrantly so.

"I'll have to make a note of that." she said, doing just that. Coming closer, she sniffed at one of the flowers.

It had no smell at all. That startled her momentarily. "Huh. How odd." Selecting a different one, she sniffed again. This one smelled oddly like banana cream pie. "Hmm."

She sniffed all of the flowers, sure enough, each gave a different smell. One of rubber, one of fresh water. One of fizzy water. It was like the plant was toying with her or something.

Given that, she thought that it might not be wise to eat any.

Satisfied immensely, she went to move on. Only to be knocked out of her thoughts as an overpowering stench filled the air. "Bleugh! Smells like rotting wood and... decay?"

Then she heard a growl. Turning swiftly, she came face to face with a Timberwolf.

One eye twitched as she backed away with fear. What she'd read about "local endemic life" started to come to mind. 'Timberwolf; predator; territorial; extremely aggressive; VERY dangerous; Seem to particularly dislike Ponies; Avoid if at all possible!'

Having compiled her thoughts, she bolted, attempting to set a new land speed record while not crashing into any trees. "SOMEPONY HELP MEEEEEEE!!!" she exclaimed as the wooden wolf gave chase.

Unfortunately, she lost track of how far she'd gone off the beaten path. Now she had no idea where she was.

She also remembered that it was mating season for Timberwolves. "Just my luck that I'd pick today of all times!" Clover bemoaned.

At one point, her egress hit a snag. She came to a split pahtway. Her moment of indecision allowed the 'Wolf to catch up, lunging at her. Just as it lunged, she ducked in fear. The wolf overshot and crashed into -and collapsed- a tree, blocking off the left path.

"Welp! That makes the decision easier." With that, she continued to gallop because her life depended on it. The 'Wolf was hot on her heels shortly thereafter, trying time and again to kill her. Yet somehow, whenever the 'Wolf thought it had her, something funny would happen. The Timberwolf would slip or crash into another tree or something,

She would have thought that these things were probably what would happen to HER if anypony. But she chose not to look askance.

As she was close to exiting the forest, another of the ligneous lupines managed to get ahead and block her path.

As she realized this, however, time seemed to slow down for her. Something within told her that she'd need to feint and then go the other way, then kick off of a tree and continue running.

That brought her up short. 'WHAT!? I can't do that! With my level of dex-'

'Just. Do it.'

It would be difficult. It would require perfect timing. But it was possible.

Clover gulped.

As things returned to normal speed, she made a pass at going left, which the Wolf tried for, but then she immediately rolled through the attack, coming to the other side. The Wolf nipped at her hooves, but she avoided that, took three steps up the trunk of a tree, backflipped and came down with all four hooves on the Timberwolf's head, just as the first one undershot, landing on the other Wolf and launching Clover forward.

Again, being thankful for the opportunity, she made her escape, two dazed and confused piles of wood behind her. She didn't stop running until she was well into Ponyville's safe zone. Oddly, she didn't stumble at all.

As she came to a stop, panting for breath, her legs wobbled before she collapsed from the exertion.

One of her friends was nearby, who trotted up to Clover's side. This was Sweetheart;

She was a white Earth Pony with a fuchsia mane and tail; Cutie Mark of a large pink heart surrounded by smaller golden ones.

Sweetheart was, of course, concerned about her friend. "Clover! Are you alright?"

Clover smiled, tiredly. Finally, a face that she was glad to see. "I-I-I'm okay. Sweetheart. Th-thanks for asking." she tried to get up, but her legs started wobbling again. The combination of exhaustion and the adrenaline rush dying down, she was barely able to stand. Fortunately, Sweetheart was quick to support her.

"Easy there, Clover. What happened?"

"Well, I was walking through the forest, checking out the flowers. You know that always makes me feel at peace."

"Yeah. But there's more than that, I'm sure."

"Well, I think I lost track of where I was going and... wandered into the Everfree forest. I got chased out by a couple of the... locals."

"Locals?"

"Timberwolves, specifically. I barely escaped with my life! I just kept running until I got to here. I couldn't run any further."

"However do you end up in such situations, Clover?"

"It's just my luck, I guess." Clover said, looking downcast.

Sweetheart snorted lightly. "Don't say that. You managed to get out of that situation unscathed."

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Sweetheart. It just... hasn't been the best of days for me."

"You know, you should relax and let loose a bit. Fortunately," she said, adding emphasis to the last word, "We've been invited to a party that's happening soon. We were never told what for, though.

From nearby there was a gasp. In an instant, a certain pink mare was standing before them.

Clover was startled enough that she couldn't think of what to say.. "Uh..."

"Oh. We never met before, did we? *Ahem* Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! My right hock was tingly and my ears were floppy, so that could only meeeean: You're new in town and that meant that I needed to throw a party for you because i do that for EVERYPONY when they move in, which reminds meee..."

From out of seemingly nowhere, she pulled in a strange musical-looking device. As she was about to start it up, a voice rang out from behind (and slightly above) the two other Earth mares. "Pinkie? They look kind of tired out. Think you can forgo the Welcome Wagon this time?"

"What? Are you sure, Rainbow Dash?" Pinkie called upward.

Clover and Sweetheart looked up too, seeing a blue Pegasus lying on a cloud "Positive. It looks like that one especially has had a rough day." she said, pointing at Clover. "Maybe some cake would help? Like at the party?"

"Great idea, RD!" Pinkie said, before she was gone, leaving a puff of dust in her shape.

Sweetheart poked at it curiously, and the dust cloud exploded into confetti.

Rainbow Dash snickered. "Ponyville Rule 1: It's Pinkie Pie. Don't question it. Others have tried to figure her out; all have failed."

"We'll remember that." Sweetheart said, still staring in the direction that Pinkie went.

The newcomer backflipped off of the cloud she was on, kicked it to disperse it and did a three-point landing, also producing a small amount of electricity that spread across the cobblestones (about half a meter in all directions). "Name's Rainbow Dash. Nice ta meetcha."

Clover winced. "I hear that's really hard on the carpus."

Rainbow Dash waved that off. "Naaaah. Pegasi are tough as rocks."

A new voice said, "Jus' 'bout as smart, too."

Clover and Sweetheart had to stifle a snicker at that, as Rainbow Dash glared at the new newcomer.

"Ap-ple-jack! You know that isn't fair to say. We all have our strong suits, after all."

"Sorry, Rarity. And Ah was just pullin' yer leg, Dash. No hard feelins'?" Applejack said, offering one hoof.

Rainbow Dash smiled and bumped hooves with the orange mare. "I was just playing at being offended. Besides, I know a few Pegasi who are practically all muscle and no brain, so..."

Just then, three more mares stepped onto the scene. Bright Eyes (who was a cyan coated unicorn, wearing red framed glasses; she had an orange mane/tail, Cutie Mark of a checklist(1)) and Patch (who was a beige Earth Pony with a red mane/tail, with a Cutie Mark of a clothing patch). With them was a yellow Pegasus with a pink mane.

"Bright Eyes! Patch!" Sweetheart greeted, "Who's this, with you?"

Patch was the one to answer. "Oh, this is Fluttershy. We were on the way to this party that we'd heard about and met up with her along the way. She REALLY knows a lot about animals!"

Applejack chuckled. "Heh. Looks like the gang's all here."

"Except for Twilight." Rainbow Dash put in. "Where the hay is that mare?"

"Knowin' her, with her nose in a book. Mebbe sleepin'. Or both."

Everypony chuckled at that.

"Anyway," Sweetheart began, "We have a party to get to, don't we?"

All were in agreement and they went for Sugarcube Corner.

Upon entering the building, they could see that it was dark. Suddenly a light went on. "SURPRIIIISE!" a chorus of Ponies said in unison.

Pinkie was the first to greet them. "Were you surprised?"

Bright Eyes rolled her eyes. "Pinkie, it kind of isn't much of a surprise party if everypony already knows about it. Startled, sure, but not surprised."

Clover mumbled, tiredly, "I was kind of surprised."

The mares looked around the room. It was festooned with party decorations, a long table held all sorts of confections, piled high on large plates. Also set up were a few games, like Pin the Tail on the Pony, Bingo and darts, among others.

An exclamation mark appeared over Pinkie's head. "Oh! Free drinks too. What'll it be?"

Patch was the first to answer. "Maybe... a strawberry shake?"

Bright Eyes nodded. "Plum for me."

"Hmm... Apple?" Sweetheart put in.

"Is there anything minty?" Clover asked.

"Strawberry, plum, apple and mint chocolate shakes, ooooon the way!" And with that, the pink mare was gone, leaving another dust cloud. When Patch poked it, it too exploded into confetti.

Clover said, "I'm sensing a running gag." rolling her eyes.

Shortly thereafter, Clover was relating her tale to her friends. As she mentioned the plants that she saw, Bright Eyes took a book on the local wildlife out of her saddlebag.."I knew this would be useful." she said, proudly. As Clover mentioned each plant she encountered, Bright Eyes helpfully flipped to the entry on that plant. When she came to a certain entry, however...

"Poison... Joke?" Clover queried. "I saw those too. Each of the flowers smelled different. Like it was toying with me, or something."

"Did you eat any of them?" Sweetheart asked.

"Nah, I got the feeling that they wouldn't taste very good anyway. But after that, I was attacked by a Timberwolf. I ran as fast as I could... and it kept overshooting me."

"However did you get out of that mess?"

"I was getting to that. That's the strange part. When I was about to leave the forest, another Wolf blocked my path! But something told me that if I feinted, rolled, ran up a tree and backflipped, I could survive. I think I gave the Wolf a serious headache too."

All four snickered at this, as Pinkie refilled their glasses (which they made sure to thank her for).

"How did you manage THAT?" Patch asked.

Clover looked downcast. "I don't know."

"I think it's your Joke." Bright Eyes opined, taking another sip.

"Huh?" the three other mares queried in unison.

"Look at this;" Bright Eyes flipped back to the entry on Poison Joke. ""Poison Joke isn't considered dangerous, but is still worth avoiding due to the multitude of effects it can have upon the victim. Mainly, the overall effect is that an ironic effect will happen to someone, depending on the person. Something with blue spots appearing on the victim's body, if the affected trait is physical." I think your Joke is beneficial to you instead of detrimental. Your luck and grace have improved immensely."

"Really?" Clover asked, warily.

Just then, somepony who was juggling lost control of all of the balls. Suddenly, they were flying toward Clover! 'Just my luck; Is there a target on me?!!' she thought. Oddly, though, she managed to catch all of the balls, one by one. She was able to juggle six balls at once for ten seconds, before tossing them back to the juggler who had dropped them. He caught all except for one, which landed squarely on his head.

"See? It also seems to bring misfortune to those who wrong you. Maybe tomorrow we'll run some tests."

For the nonce, they decided to enjoy the party. Relaxing first; Science could wait.

Unnoticed by anyone was that her Cutie Mark had shifted from a four-leaf clover to a six-leaf clover, with a blue stem and outline.

Author's Note

1: A little different from the original.

Party Games

Still at the party, Clover, having recovered from her earlier altercation, was naturally encouraged to play some party games. First being the Pin the Tail on the Pony game.

When it was her turn, she was sent spinning, but stopped on a dime. She took a few steps forward and was about to place the tail... But something told her to adjust her aim juuuuust slightly to her left. When she placed it, there was a dramatic gasp, as for everypony else. By this point the watchers were just having fun doing so.

She backed away a couple of steps and there was a round of applause. Taking off her blindfold, she saw that she had placed the tail exactly in the proper spot.

Pinkie Pie was hopping up and down, as was her wont. "Wow-ee!" She exclaimed. "I don't know if I ever saw anypony get it that close before! That earns you a take-out pie, you know. But not right now. Next up is the pinâta. Some Ponies have already taken a whack at it."

She was led/pushed over to the right spot. Bright Eyes mumbled, "It definitely enhanced her grace."

Clover looked at the pinâta and tilted her head one way, then the other. Then came the blindfold. Again, she got spun around, but was able to stop quickly enough that she was pretty sure she left a mark in the floor.

Taking a few steps, she took aim... Then felt slightly less pressure in the area all of a sudden. Between her teeth, she said, "Okay. Bring it back down." There were chuckles from the watchers at that.

Clover took aim once more. With one swing, she hit the sweet spot on her target, which exploded in a shower of candy, much to the delight of the foals (and some of the adult Ponies too). Clover's friends were sure to grab a few too, before there were none left. Feeling excited herself now, Clover asked, "Okay! What's next?"

"Twister!"

Clover paled slightly at that. She gulped. 'I sincerely hope my luck holds out.'

The Pony version of Twister, as you might imagine, is a touch different from the version played on Earth.

"Left hoof on red!"

Clover scanned for the correct spot and placed her front-left hoof on the red spot accordingly. Easy enough.

"Right hoof; Square!"

She saw an appropriate spot and placed her back-right hoof there. A bit more difficult. Nopony else was out yet either.

The next instruction...

"WILD~! Flip positions!"

That one surprised Clover, actually. Enough that she jumped. Literally. She turned over in midair and landed with the same two hooves, but the other way around.

Her friends clapped for her. "You got this, Clover!" Patch called out.

"Left hoof on white!"

Clover moved accordingly as two other players lost their balance.

"Lily Valley and Roseluck are out. Next. Right hoof on blue!"

Another move, another player lost.

"Right on green!"

This was a bit harder. By this point she was stretched pretty far. The only players left were herself and Blossomforth.

After two more moves, she collapsed too, leaving Blossomforth as the winner.

"Sorry, girls." Clover said, pausing to take a couple of breaths. "Apparently luck doesn't extend to... Stamina."

"There is nothing to be sorry about, Clover." Sweetheart said.

"And besides," Patch added, "Blossomforth teaches a Yoga class. She wins at that most of the time, anyway."

"You did really well." Bright Eyes agreed.

"I think I'm partied out for the night." Clover said. "Can we just go home for now?"

Pinkie Pie, of course, sent them home with some of the treats that hadn't been eaten yet. And the pie that Clover had won (the flavour was a surprise, she said). And one of the cakes.

Quite pleased with how things had turned out, the four friends returned home.

Hitting the Surfaces

Today, the mares decided, would be a nice day to go to the beach. As it was mid-summer, the timing was perfect. So the four of them gathered their things; a good lunch, and their towels, that sort of thing. Most of it was packed in a cooler, that was placed within Patch's Pocket. As that was part of her Talent, allowing her to carry almost double what the others could. Combined.

The beach was a touch far away, but little effort for a string of Ponies. After a couple of hours of walking, they made it.

Sweetheart sent Clover to find a nice spot, while the rest prepared to set down. When they saw Clover waving, they went over to that spot, setting their things down. Patch also (with some effort) pulled a couple of beach umbrellas from her Pocket.

When Sweetheart enfolded herself with one of the umbrellas briefly, before opening it again, she was revealed wearing a swimsuit. It was white and pink (or was it pink and white?) with heart patterns.

Bright eyes said, "You know, Sweetheart, we don't typically wear clothes anyway. Modesty isn't necessary."

Sweetheart blushed at that.

"But you have the right idea, I suppose." Bright Eyes brought out her own swimsuit, which was a solid cyan, matching her coat precisely. If you hadn't seen her put it on, you'd think she hadn't put a suit on at all.

Patch's was a red Tartan affair.

Clover's suit was a solid green, with daker green clover patterns. Back then, she'd added those herself, hoping it'd give her good luck. Naturally, it hadn't worked. Things were different now.

After putting her swimsuit on, Clover heard Bright Eyes gasp. "Clover! Your legs!"

Looking at her hooves, Clover found that, strangely, from her hooves to about a quarter of the way up her legs was blue, the same blue as Poison Joke. Around her hooves was a bunch of green hairs. Apparently pulling the swimsuit on had pulled off a layer of fuzz, revealing the blue tint underneath.

She shrugged that off. It was a small price to pay, in her opinion.

Anyway, Clover was eager to see how much her grace had improved in water. She looked around briefly before finding what she was looking for. A diving board! Nice.

A diving board at the beach is kind of unusual, but she went with it.

She was still a bit leery of this. Years of taking falls like that was, of course, going to affect you. However, she took a deep breath and held it for about three seconds before releasing it. 'You got this, Clover. You aren't the same klutzy Pony as before.'

She stepped onto the diving board. She jumped a couple of times experimentally. 'One for the money; two for the show; three to get ready...' With one more, much heavier jump, 'And four. To. GO!' she was launched with a surprising amount of force. She flipped twice midair, twisted thrice and entered the water smoothly.

There was a small chorus of cheers. Clover's three friends found that they were holding score cards. They read 9, 8.5 and 8 respectively. Beside them was Pinkie Pie, holding a 9.5 card. Once she found that she was seen, she grinned demurely. Pinkie then dug into the sand and disappeared. She left a sandy afterimage. This, of course, also was dispersed with a confetti explosion.

Clover, meanwhile, was fairly gliding through the water. Briefly, she dove under for about 20 seconds. She came back up wearing a pearl necklace and had a bunch of seashells in her mane.

"Very funny, guys." she said. "Back you go."

At that, several of the seashells dislodged and the creatures wearing them swam away.

Clover still had a pair of nautilus shells in her mane (1), and a clamshell was holding her mane in place in back.

Satisfied that the majority of the shell-based creatures had dislodged from her, she began to backstroke back to the shore, rather satisfied with what she'd found.

After having lunch (egg salad or tuna salad sandwiches, fruit cocktails, garden salad and even the pie she'd won just the other night (it turned out to be a mix of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry) , which was cut into four pieces, (naturally). They were invited to play a game of volleyball.

Clover had never been very good at that either. She kept tripping over her hooves trying to hit the ball. With her three friends accepting anyway, she was roped along by default.

The four of them took on a bipedal stance, wobbling slightly before catching their balances. Except, of course, for Clover, who got hers almost immediately, much to her continued pleasure.

Joining them were Bon-Bon and Lyra.

Playing against them were Octavia, Roseluck, Lily Valley, Minuette, Vinyl Scratch and Muffins, surprisingly enough.

Five minutes on the clock. The game began.

Roseluck took the first serve. Her hit easily sailed over the net, but Bright Eyes caught that and returned it. Octavia was quick to counter, sending it at Clover, who caught the ball on her head, bounced it a couple of times and spiked it. 1-0.

The next serve was Patch's, they decided. She aimed high and hit the ball. This allowed Bon-Bon to hit the flying ball midair and send it toward the other side. Lily Valley had this one. She sent it back, until it was intercepted by Sweetheart. it was sent back and was struck by Vinyl. The ball briefly took on a blue tint as it was sent to the other side at great speed, digging into the sand. 1-1.

Bright Eyes called out, "FOUL! I call FOUL!"

The game was interrupted thusly.

Vinyl argued, "I scored that fair and square."

Bright Eyes argued, "Nopony ever said that Power Shots were allowed!"

"It was never discussed one way or the other." Octavia put in.

Patch interrupted Bright Eyes' retort; "I think they have the right of it, Bright. Power Shot or not was never mentioned. They got the point, I'm afraid."

Patch looked to the other team. "BUUUUUT now we can presume that Power Shots are allowed, now that the precedent is set."

Roseluck sighed, but said, "In that case, we need more space."

Vinyl clapped twice and a pair of Ponies wearing black marked a larger area, erasing the old boundaries. They saluted before leaving as suddenly as they'd arrived.

"Roadies." Vinyl explained simply. "Nice to have around. Technically while I'm here they're on long-term break, but they seem to like taking orders for some reason." she shrugged. "Shall we continue?"

New rules and boundaries set, Octavia decided to take the next serve. She leapt and smacked the ball, sending it over. It was sent back by Clover, who had a huge smile on her face. She'd never been this good beforehoof. Win or lose, she was happy just playing and not tripping. That was enough for her.

Sweetheart concentrated her energy and smacked the ball that had been returned again. The ball took on a pink tint as it was sent over. Muffins was fast enough to send it back again. She stumbled before going to all fours. It took a moment, but she shook her head and stood up once more.

Clover had this one. She smacked the projectile and sent it back again, smacking the sand satisfyingly. 2-1.

Lyra gave Clover a pat on the back. "Nice one!" she said with a grin.

Clover smiled. A compliment! This was getting better and better. "Thanks."

Bon-Bon sent this one over. Vinyl bounced the ball to Octavia, who smacked the ball midair. Sweetheart bounced it to Patch, who had been prepared for this. She smacked the ball with her energy focused. It hit the sand right beside Lily Valley, making a small crater. 3-1.

Patch smiled smugly. "Turnabout is fair play."

Vinyl frowned slightly before grinning widely. "Finally, we have a challenge!"

'I'm not sure that I like the look of this.' Clover thought to herself. 'Luck, don't fail me now!'

The next two points were the other team's; Vinyl and Octavia made a surprisingly effective pair, at one point bouncing it between each other faster and faster before Octavia spiked that shot. 3-3. And time was running short.

Minuette saw that the game was almost over. "Match point?"

Bright Eyes agreed. "Match point."

This time Minuette served the ball, sending it toward Lyra. Lyra sent it to Bon-Bon, who smacked the round projectile back. Muffins sent it back again. She seemed a bit dizzy, but kept her balance this time.

Clover concentrated. Her hooves began to take on a greenish blue tint. She leapt and hit the ball with all four hooves, sending it to the turf, despite Octavia's dive. 4-3.

After the mares congratulated each other (especially Clover, having scored the winning point), Bright Eyes pointed at Clover. "Clover! Your coat!"

Before Clover's eyes, a strip of her lavender coat from her tail to her throat swiftly changed to blue. The same blue as the Poison Joke. If things kept going like this, she'd be entirely blue before long.

She shrugged resolutely. "It's helping me so far. I think it's a small price to pay for it." She then changed the topic. "Anypony wanna go surfing?"

Sweetheart and Vinyl grinned widely. "I am so down for that!" they said in unison.

"Jinx." Clover said. "Both of you owe me a soda." She then smiled smugly, much to the amusement of the others.

After such a tough game, surfing was just the thing, they thought. Bright Eyes, however, was inclined to disagree. "I think I'll stay here on the shore." she stated nervously.

Patch said, "Right. You've always had a thing with deep water, haven't you?"

Minuette decided to stay with Bright Eyes and watch the others. Leave the surfing for the sporty Ponies, she figured.

The others galloped for the Surf Shack to rent boards.

Author's Note

1: It created a princess Leia-ish effect.

Surf's Up!

Clover had tried surfing before. Honestly, at the time, she could barely stay on the board, much less balance all that well. Forget about doing any tricks.

Also, when she tried to go out and ride the waves, either she fell off or the waves would just die before she got there. 'Just my luck' she'd think at the time.

And then a bigger wave had come up and soaked her. Also knocking her from the board. After that, she'd given up.

That was about to change.

Patch got to the Surf Shack first. She rented a board that looked like it was tie-dyed, red and orange. She also passed Sweetheart a white board with red hearts all over it. "Thank you, Patch!" she said, hugging the board, which seemed to glow a bit, briefly.

Clover took her time finding one... but eventually got the perfect board. It was a deep green with flowery patterns dotted across it. "This one's mine."

The four of them exited the Shack, waiting for the others to come.

With that, they all went to the water and, well, boarded their surfboards. They paddled out consecutively.

Sweetheart and Patch found a decent sized wave and started toward it. As they reached it, they took a two-legged stance. Both of them were able to stay balanced and rode the wave all the way, together.

Clover stared down the next wave. It looked pretty big. It made her kind of nervous. But a voice within spoke to her.

'You're not that weak, clumsy Pony you were before. You've got this. You can handle nearly any challenge now.'

Thusly emboldened, she went straight for it.

Taking on a two-legged stance at just the right time, she said to the sea itself, "Give me your worst! I'm different from who I was before, Come on!"

The sea obliged her, the wave rising even more.

Clover was able to stay upright, even as she reached the crest of the wave. 'Hoof magic, what would we do without you?' she thought to herself. 'Probably slip and fall a lot. And drop things more. But enough about past me; let's focus, here!'

Clover could easily see her friends waving at her from the shore. She waved back. Then, just to show off, flipped over and balanced on her front hooves for a few seconds (also waving with one of her hind legs) before going back on her hind hooves. as the wave neared the shore, still somewhat higher than expected, Clover leapt and landed on the sand, making furrows in the sand as she skidded to a halt, panting for breath.

The board reached the shore a few seconds thereafter.

There was applause and hooting as several Ponies cheered for her.

Clover had a big, stupid grin on her face. That was really dangerous. She could've died out there, drowned by the wave she was on! Or she could've gotten eaten by some creature nearby! She'd dared the sea to do its worst!

It was the most fun she'd ever had at the beach! Which she just had to express. "Best. Beach. Day. EVER!!! Did you see? Did you see me doing that? It was so exciting! And I wanna do that again! Do you wanna do that again? LET'S DO IT AGAIN!"

With that, Bon-Bon trotted over and tapped Clover on the head. She fell to the sand, unconscious.

"Oh, dear. I think she over-exerted herself." Bon-Bon said. "Maybe she's had enough for now. I think riding the tide might have taken her out." she joked. "Why don't you take her home? I'll bring the boards back."

Clover's friends chuckled, deciding to do just that. Patch shouldered Clover and the four of them went back home. That was enough beach time for the day.

Unpleasant Dreams

Clover opened her eyes, only to see a white expanse with a floor that seem to be made of stars.

Obviously, she was dreaming.

Suddenly, another Pony appeared before her.

"You." The other mare said.

This Pony was rather unsettling. She had an azure mane and tail that looked somewhere between Applejack's and Rainbow Dash's. Her coat was cornflower blue, with a tinge of green.

What was the most unsettling was that her eyes were solid blue, with no pupils.

The same blue as Poison Joke.

Oh, and that confident smirk didn't help either.

"You're gonna become me, one day." She stated confidently.

Clover shivered slightly. That voice... It encouraged her when she was most afraid, when she was the least confident.

However, weak and clumsy she was in the waking world. Weak of will, she was not.

"I think not." She said.

"You would still be weak and helpless without me."

"Maybe. But this is MY body. This is MY life. And where we are is MY mindscape."

By this time, she had expanded in size. She was now about five times taller than the other.

Her guest started to grow in size too. "You're nothing without me!" She was very slightly taller than Clover. She could feel pressure being exerted upon her mind. It was clearly trying to intimidate her.

"And you would be even less without ME." Clover stated, growing another twenty sizes, to the being's surprise. To the point that she absolutely towered over the other. "So you can either work with me or you can BUCK OFF!"

The being smiled. "Exactly the answer I was looking for. Master. Call me... Nightshade." She vanished, leaving no trace of her ever having been.

"Expertly done, young mare."

Clover looked in both directions, only to see more nothing.

She felt her leg being tapped. She looked down to see... A miniature princess Luna?

"Why don't you stop being a... High horse and we will chat?" Luna joked.

Right. She was still economy sized.

With a tinge of embarrassment, Clover shrank herself down.

"Not every Pony can tame a Dream Demon." Luna praised. "Much less bind it to their will. Well done, indeed." She added.

"Thanks. But... Why have you come to this dream?" Clover asked, willing the scenery to shift. Now they were in a spa, relaxing in a hot tub.

"Much more pleasant. I sensed there was a demon in a dream, and I came. But it seems that you had things well in hoof. Tell me; have you always been a lucid dreamer?"

"Yes, actually."

"Perhaps one day you might consider joining the DreamGuard, to help others not as strong of will? It is not often that a lucid dreamer of such strength is found."

"I would be honoured, your Majesty."

"For now, rest. Flexing your will that much takes a toll on one unpracticed. And besides, this is relaxing."

Clover laughed at that. After another half hour or so, Luna had to go, but bid Clover a good day before she disappeared.

Clover awoke to the morning sun, feeling accomplished.

Down on the Farm

Clover had decided to trot over to Sweet Apple Acres that day. She felt that her friends deserved a treat. So she'd decided that some apple pie would be nice. Or maybe some apple muffins? And we all know that the Apples make the best-

"Hey!"

I'm tellin' it like it is, Cripps Pink. Now stop interrupting.

"Hmph. Fiiine."

With that annoyance out of the way, where was I? Oh, yes.

Clover had gotten there and saw Applejack kicking one of the trees, causing the apples to fall in well-placed baskets underneath the tree.

She smiled. "Wow, Applejack! You must be pretty strong. And magically so, too."

Applejack grinned proudly, then paused. "Y'ain't wrong, but how do ya figger?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, scientifically speaking, at the strength you were putting into that, considering the force imparted upon the tree's trunk, it might typically be enough to not only crack the tree, but knock it over. Let alone the fact that there probably wouldn't be any apples dropped at all."

Applejack deadpanned. "Have y'all been hangin' out with Twilight recently?"

Clover blushed sheepishly. "Plants are kind of my thing. One of my things. I have a few things."

Applejack smiled. "Well, it ain't hard at all. It jus' takes a bit of effort and some practice. Havin' Earth magic don't hurt neither. Wanna give it a whirl?" She said, moving to the next tree.

Clover stepped up to the tree. It was heavy with fruit. Clover narrowed her eyes. Almost immediately, a targeting reticle appeared in her vision. It stopped at a point on the tree, about halfway up. The sweet spot.

Clover nodded. She turned around, aiming for that spot. She kicked with about half of her strength. About two thirds of the apples fell into the baskets placed below.

Applejack was impressed, which she expressed with a whistle. "Whoo-ee! Purty good fer a first timer." She gave the tree a kick with one leg, dropping the rest.

Pleased with herself, Clover went to the next one. Narrowing her eyes again, she saw the reticle appear again. After a moment, the reticle disappeared, a question mark in its place

This tree had no sweet spot.

"What's wrong with this one?" Clover asked.

"That there's Ol' Grandpa. First tree planted here. Ain't been growing so many apples recently. Not sure why."

"Have you tried asking the Land?"

Applejack gestured to the rest of the orchard. "Too much inner'ference. Just use a bit more-"

Clover had lined up again. She kicked with one leg, hitting the tree with a resounding crack. The tree began to fall.

"Care." Applejack finished, wincing. She trotted over to the tree.

Clover was horrified. "Just my luck! I didn't mean to-"

"It ain't yer fault, sugar-cube. This happens now an' then."

The falling tree hit the one next to it, knocking the fruit from both.

"Well, well. Looks like ya hit the sweet spot after all." Applejack joked. "And lookee here! If that don't beat all."

As it turns out, the tree had been mostly rotted out on the inside. Only the renowned resilience of the Apple family's famous trees kept it growing anything at all. It would have had to be removed in a few months at any rate.

As thanks, Clover was sent home with dinner and dessert for four. She was, though, asked to stay for lunch first.

As it turns out, if you're eating with the Apples, it's okay to say no after a second slice.

Filled to the brim on both sides, Clover made her way home.

"How they managed to put all of that in each box, I doubt I will ever know."

Copper Rank - Re-Edited

Clover stretched and yawned. It was another beautiful day in Ponyville. Celestia's sun was shining, the flowers seemed happy, the area was warm (around 24° Celsius (1)).

She almost felt like singing. Alas, this would not be the day to do so. "Why?", you might ask.

Suddenly a Blue streak leaving a rainbow trail looped around a few times, landed nearby and skidded to a halt. She posed proudly.

Clover and a few other onlookers clapped politely.

"Thank you! Thank you!" The rainbow maned mare spoke, bowing for the audience.

Ah, Rainbow Dash. Element of Loyalty. Not modesty. Clover shook her head slightly. Typical.

Rainbow strode up to Clover, extending one leg for a hoofbump. Clover reciprocated.

"What's up, Clover?" Rainbow asked.

"Well, until a moment ago, you were." Clover joked. "So... What brings you my way?" She asked.

"Weeeell..." Rainbow Dash began, "I was chatting with Applejack a bit earlier, and she told me about how much of a help you were just the other day. I was wondering if you wanted to do a little contest with us. An Iron Pony contest, if you will."

"Strong and graceful doesn't mean I have the stamina to do something like that."

Rainbow waved that off. "Pfft. You'll be fine. If it's too tough, take a load off. Now come on!" And with that, she streaked off toward Sweet Apple Acres.

Clover sighed. "Just my luck. Even with the change there, she just disregards both." She muttered. Nothing for it, she decided. Turning toward where Dash had, well, dashed off to, she started walking.

But a small part of her said, 'Who knows? Maybe it'll be fun.'

When Clover arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, she almost immediately saw Rainbow Dash and Applejack chatting. She trotted over to the mares, who were relaxing a bit. Upon spotting Clover, Applejack waved. "Hey, thar, Clover! What brings ya back o'er thisaway?"

Clover inclined her head in Rainbow Dash's direction. "She did." She said curtly.

Applejack glared at her friend before she took another look at Clover. "Say, did ya put some highlights in yer mane?"

Clover blinked a couple of times and then checked herself. Sure enough, a 6 cm strip of her mane was blue. And an equal amount of her tail as well.

"Yeah, well, it's the price I pay for the abilities I have gained."

At their encouragement, she told them of her story. Applejack asked, "So... Poison Joke, huh? Did ya want the cure for it?"

Clover was taken aback. "And go back to being clumsy, unlucky and unrespectable?? Are you nuts!? These past few days have been some of the best in my life! I don't care what colour I turn. I'm riding this train as far as it's going to go!"

Applejack made a placating gesture. "Whoa! Whoa, there. Relax, sugar-cube. Ah thought Ah'd ask, is all."

Clover smiled wanly. "Sorry, AJ. It's just... This is almost the best thing that ever happened to me. Aside from meeting my friends, of course."

Rainbow Dash coughed, then brought them back to the topic at hoof. "So... Iron Pony competition. You in?

Clover rolled her eyes. "Well, since I'm here anyway..."

Rainbow Dash took to the air and did a backflip. "AWESOME!"

Applejack smiled smugly and said, "Whoa there. Simmer down, Sally. We ain't hardly started yet."

"Speaking of," Clover asked the next pertinent question. "What did you have in mind?"

Rainboiw Dash grinned widfely and said, "Come on! I have the course all prepared."

Then she sped off, leaving Applejack and Clover to follow.

Rainbow Dash directed them to what looked like a set of pylons, made of crystal. Clover tilted her head, quizzically.

Rainbow then said, "This used to be a training tool for the Dusk Guard. This is only setting three on this one."

Clover's mouth twitched. This seemed like it wasn't going to be quite as much fun as it first seemed. Just looking at the course, she saw that it had a test of strength, speed, endurance and then an ACTUAL obstacle course. They looked pretty difficult. Clover grinned, nervously. "Can I get a runthrough on seting one, first?"

Rainbow Dash shrugged. That seemed fair. She slapped the main pylon twice.

Some of the obstacles increased in size or height.

"Oops!" she said, slapping the pylon back to setting one. "Wrong way. Sorry about that."

Eek. Clover was pretty sure that some of the obstacles had briefly grown spikes.

Clover stepped over to the starting line. Immediately, she felt something pass over her. It made her shiver.

"Right. I forgot about that. There's a sort of anti magic barrier. No flying; no magic."

Clover took a deep breath, centering herself. She could still feel some of her magic. But she'd have to make do with her default strength. She nodded, finally.

"GO!"

Clover sped toward the first obstacle. This required her to lift a weight and pull it a certain distance to open the door. The farther it got pulled, the wider the gate opened. This being setting one, the weight was fairly light.

The second obstacle required her to run along what seemed like a grande sized hamster wheel. The faster she ran, the wider the gate would open.

The third obstacle wasn't timed. It required her to hold onto a weight that increased in heft the longer one held on to it. The weight started off at about three kilos. After a few seonds it increased to four. Then six. Then eight. By the time it was about 70 kilos, she was ready to put it down (2). That one yawned open for her.

Then the actual obstacle course began. This would require grace and reflexes. Past Clover wouldn't have had a prayer! But that was then.

She jumped over a few low walls, seemingly brick ones. then there were some spinning platforms that she had to walk across at the right time. After that was a tightrope(3), which she handled with only a little difficulty. She could feel the antimagic field trying to negate what the Poison Joke had done to her, but it wasn't able to, for some reason. She continued. Over, under, inside, outside, upside down, She then came to the finish line, panting. She was teleported back to the start. 5:37.

Rainbow Dash said, "Great job, Clover! Ready for level two?"

Clover nodded. She could handle this.

"GO!"

This time the obstacles were similar, but somewhat more difficult. She had to pull a largerer weight further. She had to run a bit faster to get the second gate to open. The weight increased at the same rate but she only let it go when it was about 90 kilos(4). That gate opened wide for her too. This time she had to hurdle some raised structures, which she accomplished with a couple of flips as well, landing on the next part of that course. The tightrope was a bit thinner this time, but she still managed with only slight difficulty. Slide, leap, run, roll, she managed it all. When she came to a stop at the finish line (being telepoted back to the start) she was gasping for breath. 7:56.

"Nice one, Clover!" the prismatic mare cheered. "How was that?"

In response, Clover let out her breath, slumping to the ground. even her ears were drooping with her exhaustion. She'd overexerted herself again.

Applejack said, "Ah think ya mighta set the bar a bit too high fer the poor mare, Dashie. That or maybe ya made the course run a bit too long."

Rainbow Dash picked Clover up. "AJ, why don't you get in some practice? I'll be right back."

Applejack said playfully, "Ya sure ya trust me with this here doohickey?"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Applejack, you're the element of Honesty and are nearly as Loyal as I am. Of course I do."

She took to the air and sped off, Clover in tow.

She brought Clover back home and put her into her bed, leaving quietly thereafter. Clover was just conscious enough to say to herself, 'Maybe I'll try that again tomorrow? It was kind of fun after all.' before falling asleep completely.

Author's Note

1: About 75.2° f for all you imperial users.
2: That's 6.61, 8.818, 13.223, 17.637 and 154.324 pounds for you Imperial users. Nothin to sneeze at.
3: Not easy to do with four legs, may I just say!
4: And 198.416 pounds!

Mixing and Matches

It was a week or so later. Clover had managed to get to level three of the training course, and she could do so without falling unconscious just afterward.

She was just finishing one such session. Applejack patted her on the back, a touch too firmly. "Great job thar, sugar-cube!"

Clover smiled tiredly. "Thanks Applejack. But you two are already to level five."

Rainbow Dash said, waving that off, "Yeah... but that's us. We're just awesome like that." she put out her hoof for a bump, which Applejack obliged to, both of them chuckling just after.

Suddenly, they felt a rumbling going on nearby. Looking in that direction, they saw...

"Sweetheart and Bon-Bon?"

The two were pounding the dirt as they galloped toward their friends. When they got there, they screeched to a quite sudden halt. Sweetheart had a huge grin on her face.

Applejack asked the obvious question. "What's cookin', you two?"

Sweetheart exclaimed, "WE are!" she showed the three a flyer for a contest later on that day.

Ponyville Area Baking Contest!

Several teams will participate and compete for prizes!

Bring your friends!

Points will be awarded for style, creativity and (of course) taste.

The flyer went on like that, but Clover had stopped paying attention about halfway down.

Sweetheart saw the reactions, nodding vigorously. "And Bon-Bon and I signed us up as a team! The five of us, like old times. Lyra's coming too." Sweetheart was so excited that she was trotting in place. Or maybe that was just her cooling down from the run?

Applejack quirked an eyebrow. "Aren't the Ca-"

"No, no. Of course they're the best. That's a given, especially with Pinkie on their side. But also no fun! They won't be participating."

Clover smiled brightly. "Well, what are we waiting- OOF!"

Clover tried to step forth, but by that time the lactic acid had built up in her legs and she was unable to move. Beyond falling flat.

"Just my luck." she muttered.

Chuckling, Applejack picked her up this time. "Lemme give ya a leg up, thar."

As the two newcomers made to head back to town, Applejack said, "Well, shall we?"

Clover pointed toward the town half-heartedly. "High-ho Cider; AwAaAay!"

Applejack rolled her eyes, but obliged. She whinnied with determination and then galloped to catch up with Sweetheart and Bon-Bon, Clover in tow.

Over in the town square, Clover's friends were setting up their display; their section. After a quick leg massage (Lyra was surprisingly good at that), Clover was able to move again.

Looking around, she saw some of the other setups. There was one which had Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, (somehow Filthy Rich got invited along) as well as the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Another setup had Big Macintosh, Granny Smith and several of the extended Apple Family members.

Then there was a team of Trixie, Starlight Glimmer, Sunburst and... surprisingly, Maud Pie. Pinkie Pie was encouraging her sister, who had a very slight smile on her face as Pinkie chatted excitedly.

Noticing where Clover had been looking, Sweetheart commented, "I know they're supposed to be sisters, but I just don't see the resemblance."

There were a few others, but they decided to concentrate on the matter at hoof.

Clover started cutting up ingredients, as she was tasked with doing so. As she did, a song started to raise in her chest.

"It's the same old, same old.
Same old story, this situation.
Same old, same old. must be outta my mind.
I know, I know.
It's my life, gotta stand for something.
I know, I know,
Let me use my body and mind."

She began to dance as the song went on, tossing ingredients into the air, then catching them with her off hoof as she tossed something new into the air.

"Chop those beets down
Kick things up now
Spice it up,
Swirl and stuff,
Everypony mix it up!"

As she performed, Ponies started gathering to watch. Clover, for her part, was barely conscious of her dance. In fact, her eyes were closed the entire time.

The watchers began to join in.

Snip; Chop; Flip; Flop;
Dance; Move; Mix; Pop
Snip; Chop; Flip; Flop;
Dance; Move; Mix; Pop(X5)
D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d"

"Droooooop!
Chop those beets down
Kick things up now
Spice it up,
Swirl and stuff,
Everypony mix it up!"

By this time, a couple of Vinyl Scratch's roadies had brought in some spotlights, which changed colours every couple of seconds..

As the song came to a close, Sweetheart tapped Clover on the withers. "I think that'll do, Clover. We're having a tough time keeping up."

Clover was startled and the last few items went flying upwards. As they came down, the items (A bowl of apple slices, one of the apple corers, the bag of sugar and, oddly, a microphone) landed on her nose, balancing precariously.

Bright Eyes chuckled, but moved those from Clover's nose.

When Clover looked, she saw that her friends had used the ingredients that she was passing over with expediency. By this time, in the deluxe oven that had been set up for them had three pies, five cakes, two servings of fritters...

And beside them was a pile about double that amount. The rest of the team was sweating bullets. Clearly she'd worked far too quickly for her friends.

"Sorry, girls. I guess I kinda got... carried away." Clover said, sheepishly.

Bright Eyes wiped sweat from her brow. "Don't worry too much, Clover. Look!"

Bright Eyes had pointed behind Clover, who saw Mayor Mare bringing over the "style" trophy (it looked like a big wine glass, with a star on top and shades, Clover thought). On the inside was what looked to be ten 50 bit notes(1).

Several Ponies were clapping or stomping their hooves with appreciation. Clover, for her part, blushed brightly.

They didn't win any other prizes, but what they made was far from bad, and Everypony had a good time.

Granny Smith walked over slowly. "Ah saw ya there, young'un." she said to Clover. "That was purty good fer a filly yer age."

Bright Eyes snorted. "Are you kidding? That was pretty good for Iron Chef!"

Granny Smith just poked Clover a couple of times. "Jes' messin' with ya, Clover. No hard feelins'?"

Clover smiled. "Hakuna matata, Granny."

"How's that, now?"

Clover rolled her eyes. "No Worries."

"Ooooooh."

Anyway, shortly thereafter they left with their prize, split six ways, though Clover was given the lion's share of the prize money. They were heading home with smiling faces and tired bodies. And food for the next three days!

It was a successful day, they'd decided.

Author's Note

1: Far easier than putting that many bits in something like that. Let alone carrying it home.

The First Night

Clover... awoke?

She was wearing what looked like dark blue armour, complete with a helmet. Around her neck was a pendant with a dark symbol; Luna's Cutie Mark. She also had a pair of shadowy-looking wings, for some reason.

"Huh?" she queried aloud, "Where am I?"

"Did you forget?" Princess Luna said, suddenly appearing. "You agreed to be part of the DreamGuard."

Clover bowed deeply. "Good evening, Princess Luna."

"Merrily met, Clover."

"Huh?"

Luna explained, "When we come together, we say 'merrily met.' When the night ends, we say, 'Merry part; until we merry meet again'."

"It took me a while to get used to as well." a new voice said. "We were all newbies once." This Pony was a Unicorn wearing a blue cloak with what appeared to be velvet moons. She had a pendant similar to the one that Clover was wearing. Under her cloak was an outline of wings.

Luna pointed the figure out. "This is Moon Shadow. My third right hoof, you might say. She's also in charge of painful memories. In the waking world, she's also my protege." Luna smiled. "She'll be observing only, this night."

"Tough being the new kid. Lots to get used to." This figure was a Lunar Pegasus. He had similar -if lighter-looking- armour to Clover's. He had wingblades, with sharp edges. He also had the same sort of pendant.

"And this is Southern Cross." Luna introduced. "He's our foremost combat tactician. He fights nightmares, often by my side, Don't let his shortness of words fool you; he's a stern yet caring individual. He is staying behind tonight, however."

"And I'm cute!"

Luna rolled her eyes. "This is Heart Song. She's the... well, heart of our little group. She's also our Wild Card; our Pinkie Pie, you might say."

This one was an Earth Pony. She was pink with a red mane and tail, done up in dreadlocks. She also had the armour -if a bit heavier-looking- like Clover had. Same pendant. Same shadowy wings.

"She's also in charge of the..." Luna coughed, blushing lightly. "Pink dreams."

Heart Song grinned widely at that. "Pleased ta meetcha. Uh, I mean, merrily met. Call me Hearts!"

The night princess turned to face those assembled. "Everypony, this is Clover Bloom. I told you of her just the other night."

Heart Song sped up to Clover, shaking one of her hooves vigorously. "Oh! The Demon Tamer! Show us! Show us!"

Luna smiled, rolling her eyes again. "Let the mare have her hoof back, Heart Song."

Heart Song did as ordered, leaving Clover's hoof waving in the nonexistent air. After a moment, she helped to stop that, chuckling.

Clover concentrated. "{Nightshade?}"

{I am at your beck and call, mistress.}

"{Would you kindly come out and meet the rest of the group?}"

Nightshade manifested, a miniature Alicorn, looking somewhat like Nightmare Moon. She floated next to Clover's head.

"Why do you look like Nightmare Moon?" Clover asked.

{Because you didn't like me looking like you. Would you prefer to choose my form?}

"Hmm..." Clover said, thinking. After a moment, Nightshade re-formed. This time she had a dark grey coat and a mane of what looked like bluish fire.

Nightshade looked herself over. "Ooooh! I like this." she said aloud. "Still missing something."

Clover concentrated again, a pendant and shadow wings adding themselves.

"About that." Clover asked. "Why the pndants? And why do we all have wings? Not that I disapprove."

Luna nodded. "A valid question. Moon Shadow?"

Moon Shadow explained, "Both for similar reasons. They mark you as a member of the DreamGuard. If you hadn't noticed, they also display your rank."

Clover hadn't noticed. She looked at her pendant again. Above the moon symbol was a blue "3". She immediately looked at the others. Heart Song had a "5". Southern Cross' was "7". Moon Shadow's displayed a "10".

Heart Song pointed to Clover's. "Rank three! Not bad for a newbie."

Clover looked at the assembled group. "Is this all there is?"

Luna tsked. "Clover, I said that Ponies with these abilities are rare. Nevertheless, there are a few more among us. Perhaps you shall met them somenight. Furthermore, having one group of Ponies patrolling the Dreamscape every night would tire them out."

Clover nodded at the others. "Either way, it's a pleasure to meet you all. Merrily met."

"Tonight is your first mission." Luna said. "This night, you shall Walk with me. I shall teach you of the different kinds of dreams. Follow me." So saying, the night Princess spread her wings and flew off. Clover looked at her wings. And, with a little concentration, she launched herself into the air, Nightshade following.

Moon Shadow rubbed at her horn. "Newbies. Always with the hot takeoffs! Sheesh!" She made to follow along.

Clover followed along, her wings flapping lazily in the still-ish air. Luna pointed downward. Below them was the Apple family home, on Sweet Apple Acres. Above four rooms there were two white clouds and two golden ones.

"Gold and white dreams are pleasant. I shoud note, Apple Bloom sleeps under a dreamcatcher. Watch out for those."

They proceeded onward. Now they were over the Carousel Boutique. This one had a white cloud over one and a wavering pink cloud over another.

"Pink dreams are the more... intimate variety. That wavering motion indicates that it's about to be attacked, though! Look; It's already starting!"

The pink cloud was starting to be replaced by a dark blue one. Heart Song launched herself forward. "I got this one! For Glory and Romaaaaaaance!" With that, she dove into the half blue cloud.

Luna facehoofed. "Again, our Wild Card. You can never quite be sure of what she'll do next."

Next, after white dreams all across Ponyville, they were over Rainbow Dash's cloud house. This one had a cloud that was half gold, half green. Luna pointed. "This indicates that Rainbow Dash is having a pleasant dream... but could use some aid. Shall we?"

Together, they dove into that cloud.

Luna and Clover manifested near Rainbow Dash, who was fighting off a group of Changelings. She was quickly being overwhelmed, though.

Luna sped over, knocking one aside, having come as a surprise, along with four others in rapid succession. "Dost thou needeth some aid, friend Rainbow Dash?"

"Princess Luna!" Rainbow Dash greeted, smacking another Changeling aside. "I'm glad to see you! Forgive me for not bowing-" she stopped to give another charger a three hoofed strike. "But I'm a touch busy. But yes, some help would be nice."

Five more changelings charged in, Clover intercepting three of them. She easily smacked two away, briefly being held down by the last. "Nightshade!" Clover called.

Nightshade manifested. "Get away from my master!" she snarled, slamming her hooves into the Changeling's back, then throwing it aside.

By this time, Rainbow Dash and Luna had sent a couple more of them each for a loop, down for the count.

Clover started glowing red, as did Luna.

Rainbow Dash pointed. "Limit Break! You can perform a special move."

Luna looked toward a larger Changeling. She felt words come to her lips. "Finishing Strike: Extreme Void!"

A spike of force impaled the Changeling, taking it down in one shot.

Rainbow Dash squeed. "So. AWESOME!" she exclaimed, grinning widely.

Clover had an idea. She Commanded Nightshade to toss her into the air. When she was up there, she began to spin rapidly. "Meteor Strike!" she called out, streaking toward another group, slaming into the ground and scattering 15 Changelings.

Rainbow Dash called out, "Great AoE on that attack, Clover!"

"AoE?" Clover queried.

Rainbow Dash snorted. "Area of Effect. Haven't you ever played any video games? Maybe some Ogres and Oubliettes?"

"Nope."

A facehoof. "I've gotta introduce you to those. Remind me; You're missing out!"

In short order they'd defeated the majority of the Changelings. One last large one stepped up. Presumably this one was the Big Bad for this one. By this time, Rainbow Dash had her Limit Break charged.

She sped forward. "Righteous Rush!" she called out, a contrail of rainbow stars appearing behind her, what looked like a red shield just ahead. She slammed into the last one, taking it down with ease.

After a moment, the Changelings disappeared into puffs of dreamstuff. Rainbow Dash said, "Thanks for the help, gals. You really saved my hide, there!"

"Not a problem at all, friend Rainbow Dash." Luna said. "'Twas the most fun I've had in AGES!"

Together, the two left the dream, Rainbow Dash waving.

They appeared outside of the dream. Things seemed to have not changed at all.

Luna explained, "Time is subjective here. It's as if we'd only just left. It's a touch difficult to patrol the WHOLE country otherwise."

After that, they went back toward Ponyville proper. Luna said, "You acquitted yourself rather well, Clover. You've passed your initiation test. There's just one last thing."

"What's that?" Clover asked.

Luna pointed to where Clover's place of residence was. "Violet dreams indicate that they're to be shared." Over the house was one large purple cloud. Together, they dove in.

When they appeared, they were sitting in a large hot tub. In it as well were Sweetheart, Bright Eyes, Patch... and also Starlight and Melody! Aloe and Lotus were there too.

Bright Eyes said, a trifle smugly, "Glad you could join us, Clover. Oh, and you too, Princess Luna!"

Together, they bathed for a while, engaging in some light conversation. The Dreamscape was relatively safe... for the moment.

On Call

Clover awoke in the morning. But something felt... Off. Like there was something fundamentally wrong. It sent a chill down her spine.

Clover Bloom? Clover? Do you hear me?

"Princess Luna? Where are you?" Clover looked around frantically.

Calm yourself, Clover. I am speaking directly to your mind, now. Listen well; a Nightmare has escaped the dream world, and even now stalks the waking world.

Clover's eyes widened. "WHAT?!"

Yes, this situation is quite dire. Thusly, a Requiem order has been placed.

"Requiem order?"

Yes, well, one of our commanders calls those under her her "little songs". So she decided to name the different orders by a type of music. Dubstep is distraction; Waltz is peacemaking. So on. A Requiem order is just as the name implies: The target must die as soon as possible. No matter what or who kills it.

(1)

"And this is one such case."

Indeed. The ENTIRE DreamGuard has been set upon this.

"But... This is the Waking World, isn't it? What can we do?"

You underestimate yourself, Clover. Try concentrating on your pendant.

Clover did so, and sure enough, the pendant that she'd worn in her dream had appeared and affixed itself to her(2).

The keyword: By the Grace of the Night.

Clover was a bit excited. "Okay! By the Grace of the Night!"

Suddenly, the pendant flashed a bluish green(3). She was suddenly endowed with powerful armour-

You may wish to change that, unless you want us to be sued. We have to be careful with this franchise, after all.

Clover dispelled that, with a modicum of embarassment. Then she paused. "Franchise?"

Just a bit of meta humour.

"Oh. Okay, then." She tried again(4).

I approve of the general design. But I don't think that quite fits

Clover mumbled for a moment, before taking the helmet off. "GAH! You can't talk in these things."

Once more.

This time, Clover concentrated again (5).

Upon her appeared a chainmail suit, padded on the inside to keep it from chafing or being too uncomfortable. She was then given blue armour, half-plate. Hard boots covered from her hooves to her tarsals, Then a helmet was added, much like the Dawn Guard wore, but with a moonstone tint. Also an image of Luna's Cutie Mark appeared on the flank portion of her armour. To complete the look, her dream wings also appeared, still not quite tangible-seeming.

Huzzah! Now that, as they say, is the hot ticket!

Clover smiled widely at the praise she received. After that, she dispelled the outfit, leaving her as she was.

Now, follow your Pendant's glow. It will lead to your objective. Good luck.

"I won't let you down, Princess; Merry part."

Until we merry meet again, Clover.

Clover felt the presence of the lunar Princess leave her mind. As she was about to leave, Clover saw her friends come into the room. Sweetheart was the first to speak up. "Clover? What's going on? And what's with that pendant?"

Clover said, "A nightmare has entered the Waking World. There's been a Requiem order placed-"

"A Requiem order?" Patch queried.

Clover rolled her eyes. "Long story short, it means that the target needs to be taken care of ASAP. With excessive prejudice."

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Bright Eyes asked.

Clover shook her head. "No, I don't think so. Maybe... pray for me?"

Sweetheart smiled and said, "I think we can do that much. What will you be doing?"

Clover turned for the door. "I'll figure it out when i get there. By the Grace of the Night!"

Immediately, Clover was endowed with the armoured form that she'd decided on. She reared up, whinnied and dashed with surprising speed out the door, to the point that she left a dust cloud in her wake. When Bright Eyes touched it, it exploded, leaving a puff of blue smoke. She grumbled. "Yep. This is going to be a thing, I think."

Author's Note

1; Cookie for those who get this reference.
2: is that the word I'm looking for? :unsuresweetie:
3: Spruce, specifically.
4: with a result sort of like
https://aminoapps.com/c/fallout-equestria-amino-2/page/item/o-m-n-i-power-armor/238n_78HwIMqo37xQvD7bKjNkxYY6llenv
5: More like this, but night themed.

First Flight

Clover dashed forward, always in the direction that her pendant pointed her in.

For a moment, she halted. She looked back at her shadowy wings. "Oh. Right." She had completely forgotten that she had those.

She gave them a couple of test flaps. She almost felt like she had had them for years. Flapping a bit harder, she took to the air with what felt like practiced ease. Her Joke was still helping.

"Hey!" A small voice rang out, startling Clover into landing suddenly.

"Sorry." said the filly. "I thought you were an Earth Pony before. Why can YOU fly!? And what's with the armour?"

Clover sighed and (surreptitiously) rolled her eyes. "It's just you, Scootaloo. That's a relief." She put a hoof on Scootaloo's withers. "Scoots, look. This is just magic. I can only do this because I have something important to do. Let me put it this way: Pound Cake can fly; Zipporwhill can fly; Bulk Biceps can fly. We're going to get you there."

"You think so?" The orange filly said, with the puppy-dog look.

"I KNOW so." Clover said, with confidence. "Never give up on that. If you want, maybe I can give you a boost? Or maybe just a ride? But I am on a mission, so I can't bring you all the way."

Scootaloo smiled. "I would like that."

"Hop on."

The little Pony did so. Clover again took to the air. "I would tell you to hang on, but somehow I don't think that will be a problem."

She started to speed up. Soon enough she was going at a fair clip. it was enough that Scootaloo was getting excited.

"WHEEEEE!"

Clover smiled. She wasn't as fast as Rainbow Dash, by any stretch of the imagination, but both seemed to be okay with that.

Scootaloo started to buzz her own wings. "You're flapping too hard; too fast. That might be part of your problem."

The orange filly slowed down significantly. She could feel the wind calling to her. Closing her eyes, she felt for the energy that was inherently part of all Pegasi. She could almost feel herself flying already....

"That's it! Keep it up!" Clover encouraged.

Scootaloo did so with pleasure. The wind in her feathers, flowing past her body...

"Open your eyes! But keep going, whatever you do."

She did. She had floated off of Clover's back. She was FLYING! A HUGE grin nearly split her face, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Clover saw her destination. It was greatly dark there. "See that? I'm going there. You should return to Ponyville. Keep practicing! Soon you might be able to surpass your idol."

Concentrating a bit harder, she increased her speed, as Scootaloo turned for home.

Clover smiled smugly. She was able to teach Scootaloo what the fastest Pegasus was not.

'I can hardly wait to rub that in Rainbow Dash's face.'

She sped for the dark patch that defied the noon sunlight.

Facing Fears

As Clover arrived at her destination, she landed smoothly. Okay, she skidded for a few meters, but that's about it.

The area was dark, like a piece of the morning sky was removed and replaced with a chunk of the night. Her pendant glowed brightly as she approached.

{Nightshade?}

{I am yours to command.}

{Good. I get the feeling that I might need your help.}

At that, Nightshade manifested. The two made their way forward, in relatively silent company.

There was thunder nearby. A bolt of dark blue lightning struck. That wasn't right.

Looking around, she queried, "Huh? Where's the Nightmare?"

Nightshade was quick to reply. {Don't you see it? That cloud IS the Nightmare!}

Looking upward, Clover gulped. "Any ideas? I think I'm fresh out."

{Well, if there's something that could stop a giant storm front...}

NOW Clover had an idea. Concentrating her energy, she more or less remolded herself into a Pegasus. Her wings were no longer shadowy, but strong and purposeful looking. They were fully manifested like those of any Pegasus. On her wings there was a set of violet wingblades. Very sharp.

Giving a couple of test flaps, she then shot into the air, as fast as possible.

When she got within, she saw her allies fighting against the monster. Moon Shadow was blasting it nearly constantly with her magic. The others were trying their level best. Heart Song was singing brightly. Her music seemed to heal and boost the others. Just as a dark cloud was heading for Southern Cross, Clover moved in, slashing it with one wing and then punching it to dissipate it.

Southern Cross wiped his brow. "Thanks. What took you?"

"Some minor distractions. But I can help now." Clover said, kind of evading the question.

Keep doing what you were doing." He instructed. "You're a Pegasus; use those wings!" He then paused. "Uh... How did you do that?"

Clover rolled her eyes, but explained, "Well, you can do anything in a dream. The same should apply here."

As Clover dashed off to deal with another cloud, she could see flashes of what might happen should they fail. Her friends, mindless slaves; the princesses: dead; her home: destroyed.

She shoved that aside. "No! I can't let that happen! I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN!"

The Nightmare just did the worst possible thing. It had given her motivation.

She commanded, "Nightshade: MERGE!"

With that, there was a flash of violet light, and there was Clover, changed into a Thestral. Razor sharp teeth, membranous wings (with lesser blades) and all. Wisps of red energy wafted off of her,

She roared with an unearthly ferocity, zooming forward to deal with several clouds in quick succession. Her eyes were completely a solid blue, the same colour as Princess Luna's coat. She kicked, slashed, dodged and ducked, at a ferocious pace. But no matter what, the clouds kept increasing in number. Many of those who were in the fight were knocked out of commission. Either victims of their darkest fears or shocked by one of the bolts of lightning.

Clover!
Wake up, Clover!
We are here for you!
Don't let the Nightmare win!
You can win together!

Suddenly, something in Clover snapped her out of it. The voices of her friends, back home. They were indeed praying for her.

Win together? She had an idea.

She flew over to Heart Song, who was still living up to her name. "Hearts! I've got an idea! Or rather, I think that YOU have the RIGHT idea! Sing with me? I feel one of your namesake coming up!"

They set up beside each other and began to sing. A very different song.

There is a light inside us
That we can all ignite
And all that's dark about us
Will fade into the night!

The Nightmare sort of recoiled from the renewed strength of the song.

There is strength in every heart
There's a power in every song
A power that starts within us
A power that will bring once more the Dawn!

By this time, Moon Shadow caught on and joined them, a field of coruscating light surrounded them. Soon enough, Southern Cross and multiple other DreamGuards had joined in. The Nightmare was writhing in agony.

As much as a giant cloud can do that, anyway.

And as we sail into the air
More beautiful than any prayer
This power will right every wrong
And it will always show how much we care!
For those who have the power to hear
The magic of our song will ring out clear!

There's a strength inside us
That tells us wrong and right
A song into the darkness
To bring us to the light!!!!

The enormous cloud dissipated with a scream of pure agony that could be heard for a hundred kilometers. At least.

Clover began feeling weak. Even with everypony else joining in, that had taken a lot out of her. She made sure to land before she reverted to her base form. Even some of those who had been affected by the Nightmare's power were beginning to awaken, released from the endless nightmare they were trapped in.

Southern Cross landed too, as did the rest of the team. He wiped his brow. "Great job. Get the wounded home. They'll recover soon. Until then, Merry Part."

In unison, they all said, "Until we Merry Meet Again."

Clover and Heart Song had the same idea. "JINX! You all owe me a soda!" Then they pointed at each other. "JINX again! JINX again again!"

The others all laughed at their antics. The drink would be worth it.

After this, Southern Cross came up to Clover, putting a hoof on her withers. "You and Heart Song were certainly the MVPs this time. You're getting a bonus. So. How does it feel to have saved Equestria?"

Clover let out a long breath and collapsed, unconscious. She had overexerted herself once more.

Heart Song decided to take her home this time. Their duty there was done.

More Changes?

When Clover awoke again (for SURE this time), she smacked her lips a few times. Then she yawned widely, feeling something foreign.

She looked behind her. Folded at her sides... a pair of Poison Joke blue wings, feathers strewn about.

At first she thought aloud, "Oh. I must still be asleep. Silly me." She concentrated on dismissal of her wings.

Nothing.

Clover blinked twice. That was odd. She concentrated harder.

Nothing.

She took stock of herself; was she wearing the Pendant? No, it wasn't there at all. Still dreaming? She hit herself in the face (with medium force) to verify. Not dreaming. Ouch.

Her mind went through the possibilities. {"Nightshade?"}

{You have interrupted my nap, mistress.}

{"I wasn't aware that you napped at all."}

{Just a bit of a joke. What is the matter?}

{"By any chance, are you still merged with me?"}

{No. Why do you- oh my!}

Clover felt a scanning spell wash over her. {Congratulations, mistress. You are now a PegasEarth.}

{"Okay... And why is that?"}

{At a guess, you spent so much time as a Pegasus that your body decided to just roll with it.}

{"Huh?"}

{Did you forget? You spent most of the battle with wings. As well as your Earth Pony magic.}

{"I kind of figured that after the"dream" was over, things would return to normal. As normal as it ever gets around here, anyway."}

Only then did she notice that she had instinctively started straightening her feathers.

{You even have the instincts of a Pegasus.}

{"Well, how do I change back?"}

{ I'm not entirely sure that you can. Maybe you should send a message to Princess Luna? Or better yet; you could just fly there!}

{"Well I should probably prepare for that trip, then. I suppose I needed to get up anyway. Merry part."}

{ Until we merry meet again.}

With that, Nightshade left her presence.

Clover sighed. She stood up, her wings re-folding. She trotted over to her closet. Clover didn't have a lot in the way of clothing. But, being new to Ponyville, Rarity had insisted upon making a few things, at least.

Gala dress? No. Too fancy. The sundress? Nah, that wouldn't fit. And besides, both would impede her wings.

She looked a little further in. There she found a light purple cloak. A bit like what she heard that Trixie wore. She thought to herself, 'I suppose this will do.'

Putting that on, she nervously exited her room, only to find Patch there.

"Heya, Clover! What is the news? And what's with the cloak?"

Clover hadn't expected to be revealed so soon. But Patch was one of her friends. So she decided to make an exception.

"I'm not entirely sure. There is good news and there is confusing news."

"Well, don't leave me in the dark." Patch half joked.

"The good news is that the nightmare was defeated. The waking world is safe. For now, anyway."

"And the confusing news?"

"I was getting to that. Really, it would be easier if I just show you."

With that, Clover unfurled her new wings.

Patch put a hoof over her chest, quite startled. "Clover! You're a Pegasus?!"

"I... Think I still have my Earth Pony magic?"

Experimentally, Clover trotted over to a conveniently nearby potted plant. Concentrating on her Earth Pony magic, she focused some energy into it. Sure enough, she felt the energy flow into the plant. Actually, even more quickly than usual.

However, her magic was a sort of dark blue green. Earth Magic mixing with the Poison Joke's Magic.

She shrugged that off. Like she said, a small price to pay for what she'd gained. For all she cared, she could turn plaid.

Uh, not that she actually wanted to turn plaid.

"Hopefully, Princess Luna will know more." She finished.

"Princess Luna?" Patch asked.

"For the last couple of nights, I've been working with her DreamGuard. Well, I'm not exactly sure that last time counted as "night" as such. In any case, I'm more likely to get the answers from her than from Princess Celestia."

"Maybe you should go to Princess Twilight and get her to send a letter?"

"Nah." Clover said, flapping her wings experimentally. "I think I might just catch a flight there." She joked. "Besides, Princess Twilight is more likely to experiment on me."

Patch giggled at that. "In that case, you might want to hurry. Are you sure that you'll be okay?"

"Well, it worked last time. How hard-" she decided not to finish that sentence, lest she jinx herself. "Uh... See you later on?"

"I'll tell the other girls that you are going in that direction." Patch said with a smile.

"Thanks Patch. You're the best. Merry part."

"That's what I keep telling- wait, what was that last part?"

"Sorry." Clover bowed her head in embarrassment. "I suppose that's becoming a habit. Either way, I will be back at some point. If I take that long, keep dinner piping hot. Or, warmed up, anyway."

With that, Clover re-covered her wings and dashed out the door. Once she was out of Ponyville proper, she spread her wings once more and flapped hard. Her Joke was still helping, she supposed.

Angling herself toward Canterlot, she sped towards the castle.

Just then, Sweetheart went over to Patch. "Why did Clover leave in such a hurry?"

Patch decided to play dumb slightly. "Oh, apparently she's headed toward Canterlot."

"Isn't the train station that way?" Sweetheart asked, pointing.

"She said that she... Needed some fresh air." Patch said with a smirk.

Meanwhile, Clover was making her way toward the mountain top castle. She thought to herself, 'Wow! Typically I would get a nosebleed being up this high! To say the least!'

She was actually kind of enjoying the experience. It was somewhat exhilarating! But, alas, all good things must come to an end.

She alighted near the entrance, ensuring that nopony else saw her. It was getting toward the scheduled time for the Evening Court. Hopefully the Princess that she was looking for would still be available.

She went in quickly but calmly. Didn't want to look like she was in too much of a hurry. Sure enough, Court was in session. Sitting on her throne was Princess Luna.

'That is a relief.' Clover thought to herself.

Fortunately, there were only a few ponies that were before her. The lunar Princess saw her and smiled brightly, going so far as to come over and give her a hug.

"Clover! Merrily Met. It is good to see that you are alive and well."

"Merrily met, Princess Luna. I am indeed alive and well. But I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a slight... Issue."

So saying, she unfurled her wings again.

At first, Princess Luna was somewhat startled. She cast a quick scanning spell, still far more powerful than the one Nightshade had cast. Then she smiled widely. "Well, well! It appears that you have even more potential than I had originally thought."

Clover tilted her head to the side slightly. "Whatever do you mean?"

"By all the appearances, you are on the fast track to Ascending." She said simply.

Clover's eyes widened at this. "WHAT!?"

Luna clarified; "Congratulations in advance upon your joining the Alicorn club. On the weekend we have cake." She joked at the end.

With that, Clover fainted.

Flare Up

She was walking up the way toward the throne of the three presiding Princesses.

She could hear voices singing her praises. As she reached the bottom of the steps, she bowed low.

"Clover Bloom, you are... Almost ready. Your time will come soon. But today is not that day." Princess Celestia said.

Clover smile. "Thank you. Thank you all. I'm in no hurry to overstep my boundaries, of course."

"Then awaken. Your destiny won't wait for you. Either you find it or it will find you."

When Clover awoke (once again) she found that she was stuck in a wooden chair. Her hooves seem to be bound with metal bands and what seems like a modified colander was on her head.

She thought, 'Either I'm about to be given literal shock therapy or tortured (maybe both!) or this is the setting for a B movie. At thrice the price. Let's have it.'

As if on cue, Princess Twilight trotted in wearing a lab coat. She had a potion vial held in her magic. When she saw that Clover was roused, she smiled and said, with a very obviously fake accent, "Ah! Finally, ze subject is avake! Velcome... To my laboratory! Now zat you are avake, ze experiments can commence! Mwahahahaha!!!"

Lightning flashed and thunder boomed in the distance, despite it not having been cloudy earlier.

Clover rolled her eyes. 'Perché non entrambi?'(1) she was relatively sure that Princess Twilight was joking. But not 100%.

The Junior Princess smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I just always wanted to have an excuse to say that. Don't worry; I've already completed all of the experiments that I needed to. Nothing invasive beyond some blood work, I assure you."

Deciding to play along a bit, Clover said, "So tell me doc... Am I going to live?"

Twilight laughed, but waved that off. "Absolutely. Your magic has definitely changed in several ways, but nothing hazardous." She then giggled. "The gaming session that Rainbow Dash has planned for later, on the other hoof..."

Clover tilted her head. "Gaming session?" She queried.

"Yeah. She said that she was planning on having a game of Ogres and Oubliettes. Discord apparently gave her a more down to earth version. Which implies that he will not be playing."

Clover asked, "Out of curiosity, what's in the vial?"

Twilight looked confused for about half a second before she remembered the Vial that was still being carried in her magic. "Oh! This? This is the sample of your blood. Well, one of them."

Clover tilted her head slightly. "How many did you manage to get?"

"I only took three. Just don't do any strenuous activity for a while and you should be fine."

Clover said, in reply, "Considering what's been happening recently, I don't think I can promise that." After that she said, "So... what did you find?"

Twilight was quick to answer. "I was told that you had been exposed to Poison Joke. When I took a sample of your blood, it appears that not only did you have the effect of it, but it has partially been Incorporated into your bloodstream. How long were you around those?"

Clover said in reply, "Well, while I was checking up the flowers in the area, I found a clump of those and took the time to sniff them."

Twilight looked slightly concerned. "How many of those did you sniff at?"

"All of them."

Twilight paused for a moment. "When my friends and I were exposed to Poison Joke, we were only standing in it for about a minute. I can't imagine how much more affected you are. I can see those blue patches. And though the patterns contrast nicely with your coat and mane..."

Clover shrugged. "Like I keep telling everypony, it's a small price to pay for how much it has improved my life."

Twilight shrugged in response. "Even if you were immersed in the cure 24/7, I don't think It would remove the effect anyway."

"Is that all? These restraints are getting uncomfortable."

"One more thing." Twilight said, releasing her anyway. "Your magic is swiftly becoming that of an Alicorn. I'm not sure how quickly that will affect you in any major way, but it's something to keep an eye out for. Both eyes if you can help it." She joked at the end.

"What should I be looking for?" Clover asked.

Twilight explained, "Well, there are some obvious symptoms and some not so obvious ones. For example, if you grow a horn you'll know easily enough. Before that you might experience some serious headaches. Also you might experience further increased strength, a desire to fly quite often, if others look up to you, then you'll begin to feel more powerful. You also might experience a Mana Flare."

"Huh? What's a Mana Flare?"

Twilight stepped over to her blackboard, illustrating quickly. "Basically, a Mana Flare is your itineris system (that which controls your magical output, generation, et cetera et cetera) shifting into a much more efficient version of itself. I experienced one of those when I was a filly. It's part of why I can control such magical strength. Starlight told me that she also went through something similar on a smaller scale."(2) She turned around, adding, "despite being an Earth Pony, your itineris system is beyond overdeveloped."

"Lucky me. Is there any way to avoid that?" Clover asked.

Twilight shook her head. "I'm afraid not. It will happen sooner or later." Twilight thought for a moment. "Oooor...."

"Or what?" Clover asked with a tilt of her head.

"I could force it. Instead of delaying the inevitable, we could get it to happen sooner instead."

Clover was a bit nervous at this. "And what would that entail?"

Twilight nodded. "Your concern is understandable. Don't worry, I will do my best to ensure that you're as safe as possible."

"That doesn't answer my question." Clover deadpanned.

"I was getting to that. It would require you to enter my blast-proof chamber here and then I would force that to occur. At length, you will be able to come out of that without any risk to those around you. The only one around you will be me."

"So what will happen then?"

"I don't know yet."

Clover blinked thrice. "What? What do you mean?"

"Until it occurs, we have no idea what will happen. It could cause any number of things to occur. When I had mine, I transformed my parents into plants and made Spike into a kaiju until Princess Celestia came along and set things to rights. This happens to very few Ponies."

Clover took a deep breath. Then she exhaled sharply. "Okay. Let's do it. The sooner the better, right?".

Twilight looked pleased. "All right! Let's do this then!"

The two of them went to the aforementioned blast chamber. Twilight, of course, made sure that Spike knew to keep anypony else from coming in. She brought along several violet coloured crystals.

"Do you know what these are?" Twilight asked.

Clover tilted her head slightly. "I can't be entirely sure, but those look like solidified Mana crystals."

"Precisely!" Twilight said, looking quite pleased. "This will be used to erect a barrier and defend from any side effects. Like I said, after all, this happens to very few Ponies. Just stand in the center of the room, over there." She finished, arranging the crystals in a relatively circular pattern.

Clover trotted over and stopped in the exact center, of course. "Potrai sparare quando sarai pronto, comandante.(3)" She said, nodding.

"You aren't ready for this." Twilight warned.

"Don't you mean are you ready for this?" Clover queried.

"Nope." Twilight said, firing off a beam of energy.

The beam hit Clover in the chest, holding for a few seconds. The effect was visible shortly. Clover began to rise in the air, a field of cyan Wind and viridian green Earth energy swirling about her. There was also a third colour, but I think you can guess what that was.

Clover, for her part, was feeling like she was partially detached from the situation. She could see all of what was happening in real time, from any angles she wanted, oddly enough. But she could still feel the fire flowing through her veins in a muted way. She figured that that must be a way for her mind to mitigate the pain this surely was causing.

She tried to kind of relax and let whatever was happening happen, but that was pretty hard. This was, of course, more energy than she'd ever felt going through her. Suddenly, her perception shifted. She felt like she was connected to all of nature for a moment. Like the very land itself was trying to speak with her.

Despite being in a sealed room, flowers began to sprout out of the very floor that was beneath her. Granite usually didn't break that easily. Right?

Within seconds, they'd grown to full size, wafting back and forth in a breeze.

Suddenly, it was over, and Clover landed in a patch of soft grass that was suddenly beneath her.

Twilight, for her part, was staring at Clover wide-eyed. Looking around the lavender Princess, Clover noticed that each and every one of the crystals that Twilight had brought out was shattered.

Clover began to walk toward her, a smile on her face. "Well, that felt interesting." she said. Also, a trail of flowers was spreading up behind her.

"Are you feeling okay, Clover?" Twilight asked.

Clover tilted her head. "Never better, oddly enough. Why do you ask?"

"Well, you're speaking with the Voice of the Land and also you're having a Path of Life effect on the granite floor. Also, your eyes are entirely green."

Clover's eyes widened. She shook her head briefly. Her eyes returned to normal. She turned her head and looked behind her. "Okay, that's enough. You can cut that out now." After that, she was able to walk over to Twilight, stopping a couple of meters in front of her.

"So how do you feel?" Twilight asked.

"Well, kind of okay? I'll say this much: that was exciting! Frightening! It was absolutely amazing! But I hope never have to go through that again."

Twilight chuckled. "Well, you should be okay. Until the time comes, you'll live a healthy, if slightly odd, life. Just as before."

"And the.. other kind of magic? What about that?"

Twilight cast a scanning spell. "As far as I can tell, all three types have completely incorporated into your body. Even if you ate something that nullified magical effects, it wouldn't dispel it. Looks like you'll be graceful from now on."

"Well, that sounds pleasant enough." Clover said, with a smile. "So why am I not Poison Joke blue?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Twilight shrugged. "It's still settling in, I suppose. It was taking a while before; It'll finish at its own pace."

"Can I go home now?"

Twilight laughed aloud at that. "I think we are done here. Can you make it? I'll carry you, if not."

Clover experimentally jumped a couple of times. She trotted in a circle. She did some stretching. "I think I'm good." She said. "Maybe I'll see you sometime later?" She added.

"I'll be glad to. Until then." Twilight smiled mischievously. "Future Princess Bloom."

Clover turned a bright shade of pink. With a different mane style she would have almost looked like Pinkie Pie.

"Oh, stop!" She said, with some embarrassment evident.

At least she was able to get back home by herself, that time.

Author's Note

1: why not both in Italian.
2: I'm relatively sure that isn't actually canon, but until I'm corrected...
3: That means you may fire when ready, Commander, in Italian.

Homecoming

Clover made her way homeward, her cloak back on. She decided that if anypony were deserving of knowing the... somewhat cofusing news, it was her best friends.

However, that had to be delayed, as a blue streak with a rainbow contrail came her way. "Incomig!!!"

Clover went to a two legged stance and leapt, catching the blue blur instead of simply being smacked into. When she landed, she put the semi startled Rainbow Dash down gently. "I see you were going my way." she joked.

Rainbow Dash got up, chickling a bit. "Sorry about that. Anyway, I saw that Scootaloo was flying. I asked and she told me that you helped her."

"Well, I-" Clover said, but was interrupted by a hug.

"Thank you. Thank you." the rainbow maned mare said, slightly tearfully.

"You... aren't mad?" Clover queried.

Rainbow Dash looked confused. "You helped her get into the air, got her flying on her own when I've been trying again and again, but had still been unsuccessful. Why in Equestria would I be... mad?"

Clover looked to her sides. The hug had startled Clover enough that her wings had instinctively spread. "Well, sassafras." she cursed, getting them back under control.

Rainbow Dash looked even more confused. "Since when were you a Pegasus?"

"Funny story, that."

Clover took the prismatic Pegasus for lunch, explaining her last few nights. "And now, apparently, I'm going to be a Princess sometime soon. Not sure if I should look forward to that." she finished.

Rainbow Dash had been listening with unexpected patience, waiting for the whole story before she commented. "Wow. That sounds pretty awesome." she said, smiling.

"I was going to tell my friends first. But you showed up."

"A bit late for that." Rainbow Dash said, pointing around them.

Clover looked around. Apparently her tale had garnered a small crowd. Everypony in the restaurant had stopped to listen, including the staff.

As Clover stared, awestruck and embarassed. Rainbow Dash posited, "I think it's your natural aura. Your presence commands attention."

Suddenly, the crowd applauded for her.

Clover -pink again at this point- grumbled, "Just my luck."

Rainbow Dash, for her part, just took another sip of her drink.

Clover made her was back home, her plan kind of altered. She knocked on the door politely before opening the door.

"SURPRISE!"

Clover leapt back slightly in fright.

Pinkie Pie got to her first. "You must have been surprised that time!" she said, unexpectedly shortly.

Clover's cloak floated over her face. "Pinkie Pie!" she exclaimed in annoyance, removing her cloak from its location.

She looked behind the pink Pony. There was a party setup with a banner that said, "~~Happy Birthday~~ Victory/Ascension Party!" Apparently the banner was used before. Clover stared, wide eyed. "How did you- but when- I only mentioned that a few minutes ago!"

Pinkie shrugged. "I work fast."

Clover rolled her eyes. "Of course." She made to walk in, but bumped into something. The doorframe?

She backed up, noticing the assembled party-goers staring at her. Particularly her wings.

"You have GOT to be KIDDING me." Clover said, with a facehoof.

After a pause, Sweetheart said, "Well. This explains a lot."

Clover just sighed, declining not to comment this time. Getting her wings back under control, she made to enter the house.

Sweetie Belle (who had come with her friends) announced, "Make way for the future Princess!"

Clover glared at her. "For the love of Celestia, Please don't call me that! It's not like I'd choose this if I could help it."

Apple Bloom put in, unbothered by her annoyance, "'S far as Ah kin tell, that's a good sign yer the right Pony fer the role. Y'ain't got no ambition ta git in tha way!"

Clover sighed again. Instead of commenting further -again-, she decided to make the best of the situation.

Suddenly, she got hugged by her friends.

Clover smiled at that. If nothing else, this she could tolerate the situation for.

Breaking the Ice

The next day, Clover thought that she'd go and find a place to let loose a bit, away from most Ponies. As she walked down the street, she was suddenly reminded of the presence of her wings. She wore those in the open, now; no point hiding it when nearly everypony knows, after all.

Thinking about it briefly, she crouched low and took to the air at speed. This gave her a MUCH better view of the surrounding area.

On a different note, she looked at what she had on her hoof; she was wearing one of the presents that her friends got for her. A hoofband that was studded with tiny amethyst and sapphire chips. They each had a matching one, too symbolize their lasting friendship. It made her smile just looking at it.

Eventually, she found a small pond that had, for whatever reason, been iced over. Landing nearby, Clover tapped at the ice experimentally. While she was relatively sure that her Joke would allow her to stay safe, to some extent, she decided to be on the cautious side.

{Tap tap tap}

Thick enough. Enough to hold several Ponies at once. Which was odd, in the middle of Summer, but whatever.

She took on her two-legged stance. Deeeeeep breath...

Before Clover could have second thoughts, she went out onto the ice. She stumbled slightly, but regained her balance quickly, of course.

She could have sworn that music was beginning to swell in the background. A sort of classical instrumental piece.

She bounced back and forth briefly, then spun thrice before leaping, coming down with one hind leg extended. the next moment, she crouched low, doing a 1280 spin, coming back up and leaping again. She backflipped in the air, coming down on all four hooves. Then she did a stand on her forelegs for about three seconds, sweeping across the miniature rink.

This was exciting. And oddly relaxing, too. Naturally, as stated before, she could never skate by herself in the past. But this was different, now.

She spun again, leaping and twisting in the air, about 700 degrees. Then she came down, next doing a cartwheel, about seven times. Then she crouched again, using the momentum she gained from the spin she did there to help her rocket into the air, high enough for her to do a 3040 degree twist, coming down on all fours, spinning four more times before coming to a stop and jumping from the ice, which promptly cracked into a thousand pieces (if not more).

She raised her hands in the air, in a victory-type pose, eyes closed, smiling happily. Then she came back down on all fours.

Then she heard applause nearby. When she looked, there were semi-ghostly images of her friends.

"{That was awesome, Clover!}" Sweetheart said, still clapping.

Clover tilted her head in confusion. "Huh? How are you all here?"

"{It's one of the effects of that hoofband.}" Bright Eyes explained. "{It allows us to know where you are, should we desire it. And even project ourselvs nearby.}"

Clover looked at her own band in curiosity. "Huh." she commented simply. "Wait, who was providing the music?" she queried. Instinctively, she looked to where Pinkie Pie was standing, holding some instruments. She smiled demurely and disappeared. This, of course, left one of those afterimages. This one popped by itself, however.

"{You can come back whenever you feel you're ready, Clover.}" Patch put in. "{Lunch is almost ready.}"

Clover nodded, smiling. "Looking forward to it." With that, she soared into the sky, flying back home. That was pretty fun, in her honest opinion.

Mares at Play

Later on that day, Clover returned home. Sure enough all of her friends were waiting fopr nher.

She apologized, "I'm sorry, girls. This is just kind of a bombshell for me, still."

Patch shook her head. "There's nothing to be sorry about, Clover. Nopony could possibly blame you for being overwhelmed."

Sweetheart said, "You know, it would probably be worthwhile to have a day of relaxation. Just the four of us. And fortunately, I came prepared."

So saying, she reached into her Pocket and brought out four tickets. Clover's eyes widened. "Are those what I think?"

Sweethear nodded with a grin. "Uh huh! I headed to the local Spa a couple of days ago. I figured that you could use a little something to kick back with. These are enough for four deluxe treatments. I got a few of those!"

"I don't suppose there's a discount for buying multiple coupons at once?" Clover ventured.

"Mmmmaybe?" Sweetheard said, innocently.

Patch waved that off. "Whatever. Either way, all the more fun for us!"

Clover smiled. "You know, you're right. Let's do it!"

So saying, the quartet trotted over to the spa proper. Inside, of course, were Aloe Vera and Lotus Blossom. To decrypt what they said:

"Welcome to the Ponyville Day Spa!" Aloe greeted. "How can we help you today?"

Sweetheasrt flashed the four tickets that she'd had earlier.

"Oh! Miss Sweetheart! I knew you looked familiar." Aloe said, joyfully.

"Thanks for remembering." Sweetheart deadpanned facetiously. "Unfortunately, things have... become slightly more complicated." she added, choosing her words carefully.

Lotus tilted her head slightly. "How so?"

Bright Eyes poked Clover's side. As if she'd pressed a button, Clover's wings instinctively spread.

Aloe lowered her eyelids. Lotus's eyes widened. "I think I see the issue. Well, we can adjust." Going back behind the front desk, she wrote something down. "So let's see... That will be a spell in the hot tub, a hooficure and a massage for all, and a wing preening for one. Then we have the facials and a scented bath and/or sauna. (1)" She also ventured, "Should I make notes to tentatively add a horn filing in the future?"

Bright Eyes smiled widely. "Got it in one." she said. "Clover here's going to be a princess sometime soon."

Lotus nodded. "Okay and do you have a preference of scents for the bath?"

All three looked at Clover Clearly this was her decision. She thought for a moment. "What kinds do you have available?"

"Of course, of course. We have.... Blackberry, Cherry Blossom Pound Cake, Eucalyptus Mint, Mahogany Ccoconut, Teakwood (regular and intense), Vanilla and Fireside), and.... Spiced Apple."

Thinking again, Clover decided, at length. "Let's go with the Eucalyptus Mint."

The sisters nodded in unison. After that, the four mares were led for the hot tub. Sweetheart queried, "What's the difference between the hot tub bit and the scented bath?"

"That has fewer bubbles, for one." Lotus joked. "Basically, that allows the scent to soak in, whereas doing this in thee hot tub... shakes up the scent, if you will. Scatters it. Also, the facial mask might be washed avay. Or either might alzo get in your eyes or something. So the hot tub is done first, along with your mane and tail. It loosens up your muscles as well."

Sweetheart nodded. That made sense.

They were allowed to soak in the water, the girls each selecting a different shampoo. Shower caps were placed on their heads with that in them.

"I had no idea these existed." Clover said. "They make this a lot easier. I'm sure you know how much effort it takes to fully wash this much hair."

After rinsing from that, they were led for the hooficure. They decided to paint their hooves different colours, too. Sweetheart chose a rose red, Patch selected gold, Bright Eyes went with cerulean blue. Clover had selected violet, but it diddn't take to her hooves for more than a few seconds before the blue colour reasserted itself. After that, she'd waved it off.

The massage was incredibly relaxing. Lotus did Clover's herself. She'd added shea butter as well, which soaked through her coat into her hide.

Afterward, she was taken for the preening bit, which Aloe did. She had some broken feathers, which were removed with care. Each one was removed with a resulting jolt of pleasure. Shortly thereafter, new quills had grown in place of those, much to the surprise of both.

After that was the mane/tail-do, (which was forgotten in the description). Clover had decided on a dreadlocked ponytail. The others had decided against it. Clover also decided that she wanted her mane to be red. That actually did work. At least for the moment.

After that, they got led to the scented bath, the facials also being added. Clover was tempted to eat the cucumber slices, but held herself back. In the meantime, Clover regaled her friends (and inadvertently the two spa Ponies as well) with what she had done over the past few days.

After that, they were le d to the sauna. When they came out of that and dried off, they'd found that Clover's previously lavender coat had been fully changed (on her legs) with a sort of alternating spiral-y pattern. The effect was striking, but not unsightly.

In either case, the quartet came out feeling like a million bits. Clover asked Sweetheart, "What should we do next?"

Sweetheart shrugged. "I honestly hadn't thought that far ahead. What do you want to do?"

Clover thought for a moment. Then, looking nearby, she saw the Ponyville Arcade. Clover pointed there. "Let's go with that."

The other three agreed excitedly.

Inside there was a plethora of different games. Many were to be played in the bipedal form, others not. Most of them also gave out prize tickets.

After the four checked in (getting the lump sum deal), they each went to a different area of the place. Bright Eyes and Patch went for a section of the place together. Sweetheart started playing ping-pong with somepony nearby. Clover on the other hoof, found a different machine.

Just Prance

(2)

Clover tentatively stepped onto the platform, going to her bipedal stance. Her hooves tingled when she'd selected a particular song.

Dark Horse

'Okay. We'll start slow.' she thought. The music began to swell...

As the song ended, she looked at her five star rating with pride. This was certainly better than she'd have done before. 'Okay. Now for something a little more... bouncy.'
Selecting the figure on the right, she waitted for the music to start...

Five stars again, naturally. She looked for the next song. "Now it's time to REALLY test myself." she said aloud.

That one actually had her sweating at the end. She heard applause behind her. She'd gathered a bit of a crowd. She looked back at the game. Five stars, with the high score by a long shot.

"I think it's time to cool down." She selected the next number, a little slower.

As she stepped down from the platform, one watcher said, "Nicely done, Princess!"

Clover returned, hotly, "For Luna's sake! DON'T CALL ME THAT! Thanks, but eish!"

She looked back at the machine itself. There was also a long string of tickets left behind. She tookthose abd moved along.

At length, pooling their resources, the four had enough to earn a home version soda fountain (some syrups included), and a fair bit of candy to boot.

With Patch shoving all of that in her Pocket, the four friends left for home, feeling rather good.

Author's Note

1: Is this how it works? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Side note: I'm going to go without accenting their speech. It would get annoying to parse after a while.
2: Sorry; I'm not describing these! :pinkiesick:

New Challenges

The next day, after the party, Bright Eyes and Patch were busy making breakfast for the lot of them. In particular, today's serving was of pancakes and a nice, cheesy omelette. On the side was a platter of fruit of different kinds.

Sniffing at the air, Clover came down the stairs eagerly. "Do I smell pancakes?"

Sweetheart came down not too long thereafter.

Bright Eyes was still smiling when she turned around. "Sure is! Pancakes with a-" she paused, blinking a couple of times. Living up to her name, she noted, "Clover, is it just me or are you a bit taller today?"

Clover took stock of herself briefly. Sure enough, she was. About eight centimeters taller, in fact.

Clover sighed. Well, there was nothing for it but to suck it up. And maybe ask Twilight about it later.

"Whatever. Is there also coffee?" While Clover didn't have coffee often, this time it was feeling like a good idea. And as robust as the system of a Pony is, it was a bit early for anything... stronger.

"Coming up!" Patch said, cheerily.

After that was done, Clover decided to apply action to her thoughts and marched toward the residence of the local Princess. Stepping up to the door, she knocked firmly. "Princess Twilight? I have some questions!" she called, hoping that she could be heard.

From inside, she could hear a muffled voice say, "I got it!"

Surprisingly, it was Starlight that opened the door, Rainbow Dash and Twilight not far behind.

Twilight also noticed the change. "Clover, you're-"

"Approximately eight centimeters taller than just the other day. Yes. We noticed." Clover interrupted. "I came to ask if there was anything else I should expect."

Twilight let out a silent "Ah", before saying, "Right, the growth spurts. I kind of forgot about that. You'll shortly end up a hoof or so taller than your friends, which will only increase over time. You might have to be careful about some doorways, and might need to check your balance more often than usual, but should otherwise be alright. Any headaches yet? Extra attention? Growing pains?"

Clover tilted her head side to side. "The first as a result of the second. None of the third."

Clover looked at the purpl princess. She was indeeda fair bit taller than either of her friends. She was pretty leggy, indeed.

Starlight put in, "As it happens, Twilight was just filling me in on your situation. An Earth Pony becoming an Alicorn. Fascinating!"

Twilight nodded. "Yep. Starlight is very possibly the... fourth most magical Pony in the country."

At the confused looks of the other three, Twilight elaborated, "Behind Princess Celestia, myself and Princess Luna, in that order." She then addressed Clover directly, "And sometime in the near future: You."

Starlight said, "I'll still take it." then she addressed Clover. "Now, let me give you a scan of my own. This might tingle a bit, but shouldn't hurt."

With that, Starlight used a scanning spell upon her. This one, Clover felt, was vastly different from the others. It was deeper; more... invasive isn't quite the right word, but something to that effect. It started from her hooves and slowly rose towar her head. It did indeed tingle, but she was otherwise fine.

Starlight finished at length. "Wow. You have three magical cores inside of you. And a fourth is developing."

Clover was confused. "Cores?"

Starlight explained, "All Ponies have a Core of magic. Each is related to a type and affinity of magic. Earth Ponies tend toward, well... Earth. Unicorns tend toward Water, Pegasi to Air. Of course, there are exceptions. Such as Twilight's own mother, who has WAY more affinity with Fire. Some might even relate to Electricity or something completely different. But you don't need to know about all of that. The point is that you have Earth, Air, one i can't identify and one of Water forming. I posit that once it has, the three will polymerize, triggering your Ascension."

Clover was slightly confused still. She understood... most of that?

Twilight pointed, "Looks like something else is still happening."

Clover began to feel herself itching in several spots. To the eyes of the other three, a streak of blue began to travel along either side of her, reaching to her neck. At this point she had blue streaks in several places. Two of her legs were completely blue already!

At their looks, Clover asked, "What? What's happening?"

Rainbow Dash replied to that. "You're gaining a couple more blue streaks."

Clover sighed. "By the time all of this is done, i'll probably be Poison Joke blue all over. That's just the way it is, I think. But, like I said before, for what I've gained, I don't mind."

Starlight smiled lightly at that. "Nothing to do but grimace and bear it, huh?"

Clover raised one eyebrow. "Don't you mean "Grin and bear it"?"

Starlight replied, "Not necessarily."

Rainbow Dash spoke up next. "Well, anyway, I knew that you'd probably want to come here in the morning, so I came by. I was wondering if you wanted to do a different challenge."

Clover resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "What do you have in mind?"

"Prance Prance Revolution! I heard that you were at the Arcade yesterday. Got some pretty great scores. I was wondering if... you know... you wanted a REAL challenge."

Clover considered that. "You know what? Why not?"

So it was back to trhe arcade for the purpose. Clover's overly competitive companion's enthusiasmm was quite evident. And oddly enough, Clover felt that it was kind of infectious.

"Are you ready for this, Clover?"

"Oddly, yes!"

When they gotup to the door, Rainbow Dash actually allowed Clover to go in first. Apparently she was in a good mood.

Immediately after tthey went in, they started gathering attention. Ponies there knew that with those two around, whatever was about to happen? It was gonna be GOOD.

Further along, they found the machine they were looking for.

Prance Prance Revolution: ReMax!

Clover had previously only tried this machine once. She'd failed the tutorial at the time!

As you might expec t, the Pony version of this game was a bit different than that which you might typically see. This had more arrows since Ponies had four hooves, naturally. With this, the margin for error is substantially narrowed. It's pretty understandable that this wouldn't be a game for everypony.

The two inserted their bits and Rainbbow Dash selected the first song.

"First, a warmup!" the multihued mare said.

Both of them had scored near perfectly, but Rainbow Dash had come out slightly ahead. So she got to choose the next song as well. As they were going to go forward with it, Clover's mane started frizzing up, also coiling together somewhat.

Rainbow Dash said, "Now that we're warmed up, let's stop holding back." Selecting the next song. The two got into a ready position...

Partt of the way through, Clover's typically long, wavy mane and tail had somehow transformed into a dreadlocked style.

For those who were capable of paying attention, this was Clover's Wild Side, her little seen competitive streak. She'd only been able to tap into it a few times, but could never remember what had happened afterward. Including the transformation. Though she'd bneen having fun before, now this was a true test of what she could do, against somepony who could maatch her, or easily beat her..

This time, she'd won. Feeling pumped now, she cranked the difficulty up again. This next song was a fair bit shorter, but a touch more complex in its movements.

The two of them started doing tricks after about 20 seconds in. At one point, Clover had flipped omto her front hooves for about thirty notes, still not missing a beat.

On the last note, they came down together. Their scores this time were even. Ponies behind them were cheering, but neither of them were really paying attention. To the two of them, they were alone in the room, the cheers behind them mihgt as well be from the game itelf.

"Are you feeling excited too, Clover?!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"YEAH!" was the reply.

They decided to move to a different machine, that was installed just the other day.

KickBeat SR

Clover queried, "What's this one?"

One of the staff answered, "Oh, that's the newest game here. A Simulated Reality game, apparently. Revolutionary tech. It makes you feel like you're actually IN the game world when you enter. I haven't had the chance to try it myself."

Rainbow Dash asked, "Is it difficult?"

"Well, it can be, so i hear."

Clover then asked, "Does it keep track of your score?"

"Well yeah, but-"

Both of them exclaimed in unison, "Does it take two players!?"

"You won't see each other, but... Yes?"

That was enough for them

"Come on, Clover!"

"Right beside you!"

"Don't you mean "Right behind you"?"

"Nnnnope!"

Stopping at the entrance to the attraction, they saw a slot for a ten bit coin each. A little steep, but they didn't care. And besides, this was apparently something New.

Clover found herself in what seemed like a dark room. Sudden;y, a barrier appeared before her. She knew that she was meant to jump over it. She went a step beyond; she backed up a distannce, then galloped forward, vaulting the obstacle and landing perfectly in her two-legged stance.

Suddenly, she felt a bunch of presences surround her. She could feel that they meant her harm. "You boys have picked the wrong day" she warned them. So she got into a battle ready stance. "[Capoeira!]"

Music began to swell in the background... (1)

After a time,she could even hear singing, not realizing that she was singing along, vibing deeply with the spirit of the song. It resonated with her, on a metaphysical level.

After the last opponent was down, she saw that she'd gotten every strike with perfect timing. A display came up wwith Rainbow Dash's score, showing similar results.

"Okay! Bring it on, game! I'm ready for it!"

She saw another barrier come up, which she also vaulted, flipping in the air three times before coming back down in a ready position.

Looking at her score, Clover saw that she'd beatwn her opponent by a fair margin. Both took all of their enemies down hitless, but Clover had perfect timing throughout.

After that, she decided to call it a day. Even in her excited state, she felt that that wa enough for the nonce.

She exited the attraction, Rainbow Dash doing the same. "Whew! Nice one, Clover! You REALLY beat me that time!"

"Yeah. I'm surprised too."

"Wjhat say we call it a day? Maybe get some ice cream? My treat; you did win, after all."

"Sounds good to me."

As they both went off, (hearing the cheers of those who watched the replays of what they'd just done, dimly) Clover looked to her right and noticed her mane's altered style. With bands of Poison Joke blue intertwined with her typically coloured locks.

"You know... I think I might keep this style." she thought aloud before leaving.

Author's Note

1: Skip to about 3:00.