Chapters Chapter 1: Deals Set In Stone (Updated)
Author's Note
I combined 2 chapters cause it didn’t really make sense having them be split and made the thinking parts more clear along with a few minor changes hence the update.
Chapter 1: Deals Set In Stone (Updated)
I’m not entirely sure how I got myself into this mess in the first place.
I was crazy and desperate enough to try summoning a demon to get myself out of my crappy life of torment. What really surprised me was when the demon actually answered my call.
“ahh,”-the creature stretched with a loud pop-“you really should be more mindful of those sleeping. I was just at the tail end of my 1000 year nap,” said the demon.
I looked at the being that was supposedly a demon tho It looked very un-demon like, I didn’t mention it not wanting to upset the demon further. It’s form looked more like an entire circus stitched together than any demon I had imagined it had 2 large red and yellow eyes that stared down upon me expecting an answer for this injustice I apparently committed.
“S-s-sorry, oh great lord of chaos-” was all I managed as thoughts rattled around in my head for a few moments until one managed to snap me out of my nervous trance. “-wait how did you pop a joint the tome said you didn’t have any bones?”
Ignoring the question the demon said “oh my no need to flatter me just call me Discord. So what do you want? Money, riches, fame, or perhaps a lifetime supply of rubber ducks?” Discord said right before he snapped causing a pile of rubber ducks fell on top of me.
Shaking the ducks off while barely holding back a laugh, “no no I don’t need ducks.”
“Oh you’re no fun-“ Discord rolled his eyes as he continued “-well what do you want I don’t exactly have time to spare, I’ve got a very busy schedule I need to get back to.”
Suddenly a calendar appeared before me with every box filled with nothing but Z’s for the next few months. Pushing the calendar away I said something I never thought I’d say to anybird, “I want a new body,” discords eyes suddenly swiveled back onto me with wicked interest. His stare causing me to freeze up, as much as I wanted to stop I forced myself to continue, “I want a new body and a new life somewhere outside of this crummy kingdom.”
“Well well, wanting to switch one’s body? Now that’s an interesting idea,” Discord said now using a replica of my own claw to scratch his chin. “can’t say I’ve done that before, well not with a pony’s consent that is, hmm well I can’t just say no to such a wonderful opportunity!”
“YOU’LL REALLY DO IT! THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!,” I yelled to Discord now bubbling with excitement I started bouncing around, then suddenly I tackled him into a hug while continuing my thanks.
“Ack, just get off me and be quiet before I change my mind!” Discord said while trying to pry me off seeming to have forgotten he could have just used his magic to remove the feathery mound that was now clinging to him.
After pulling myself off Discord had gotten right to work summoning a canvas and a wig. Tho I was wondering what my new form would look like but when I asked he just said “I can’t tell you, that would spoil the surprise,” in a sing song voice. I felt oddly content with that answer. After I got my answer I laid down in a patch of randomly assorted flowers and began to just think to myself.
The flowers feel nice they have an oddly pleasant texture like that of velvet. I only know what that feels like because I once went to a fabric store or whatever you call them, but that’s besides the point. A breeze came by it was quite cold for the middle of spring but it was quite pleasant. Overall the scene was nice it seemed as tho an artist had designed it for a scenic painting. Speaking of design or well thinking in this case, I feel like I should have specified some things for my new form .
“Hey Discord can I make a few suggestions?” I said quietly not wanting to interrupt, whatever it was he was doing.
Sounding rather annoyed he said “oh what is it now?”
“I would prefer if my new body was still a griffon-“ I scratched the back of my neck “-and I’d rather have it be cute.”
“Well there goes my idea,” Discord said tossing aside the canvas he was working on. I could see that it was just a crudely drawn outline of a 7 headed dragon that was honestly rather painful to look at. “I can still work with that just give me a minute.”
After that I went back to thinking in my own head until I saw that unlike everything else Discord had summoned the calendar from earlier hadn’t disappeared. Odd I thought to myself as picked it up and began to flip through it. What confused me was that after a few months of sleep the last three days that had something written in them were, “Saturday: watch gala, Sunday: wake up, Monday: ETERNAL CHAOS!” I don’t even want to think what this eternity of chaos would entail.
“Boo.”
Suddenly jumping from the sudden intrusion to my personal space “GAH what was that for!?”
“To let you know I’m done with your new body obviously,” said Discord rolling is eyes as if was the most obvious thing ever. “Tho there are a few tiny things that you might wanna know.”
nervously I asked “oh and what would they be?”
“Oh don’t worry you’re silly little head off it’s nothing serious,”- with a wave of his claw he continued -“due to the magic involved with a body swap your diet will consist solely upon metal and gemstone, also parts of your mind may be a little distorted. Oh and before I forget,-“ A new Discord appeared wearing a business suit and holding a piece of paper, began to speak “Discord INC. is not liable for memory loss, nausea, anomalous changes to one’s body, fatigue, pain of the emotional variety, or a sudden change in one’s location. And with that out of the way,” they said with a snap that caused me to start floating and glowing white.
“WAIT WHAT!?” was all I managed to get out before I disappeared.
I’m not sure how long I was out for, but I was surely in for a surprise.
“Ugh feathers what happened-“ pausing suddenly as a unfamiliar voice came from my mouth I yelled “-What! What happened to my voice?”
Just before I started hyperventilating the memories of what had happened came flooding back oh right, uhh whatever his name was did this to me. “Alright now where am I?” I said to nobird in particular. Let’s see I’m in a cave, I can see which means there’s light and light means I’m probably near the exit so that’s taken care of. It’s kinda cold and , “oh my feathers!” I said finding myself too awe struck to continue my thoughts as I looked upon a wall of crystals that I somehow failed to notice was behind me when I woke up.
Gazing at the various crystals stuck in the walls I realized that they seemed to shift colors depending on where you were. Some turning from pink to orange others from blue to yellow and even some turned from white to black, safe to say it was certainly a gorgeous sight.
As I stood before a large pink crystal I decided to take a gander at my new form. “he did a good job,” I said to myself. The thing that stuck out to me first was my beak, it’s bone white in color and has a very sleek and pointed design while my eyes are nearly pitch black, and were those teeth? I open my beak to reveal two rows of sharp points. “Cute but kinda strange, I like it!” I next looked to the newest addition atop my head, hair or rather a ponies mane. Let’s see it’s a light purple color looks soft, I take a claw and rub it as I confirm “fluffy.”
I’ll admit I don’t actually know how long I’ve spent playing with my new mane but with hair as soft as mine I can’t blame myself . I noticed while playing with my mane is that she really like to stay in place you move part of it to the side it just bounces right back, “so that’s how ponies do it,” I muttered to myself as I continue bouncing it.
Soon I made the executive decision to check out the rest of my body before I spent all day playing with my new extremely soft mane. Ok my claws seem to be a little sharper, “scratch” my claws could easily scrape the large crystal I’m looking into. The sharpness is most likely because they’re new and not dulled down. I always forget to sharpen them I should really take care of these ones better, they are quite pretty.
Anyways most of my feathers and fur are dark grey, but when I laid down I noticed something much more important. Chest fluff! “S-SO SOFT!” I said as I started to rubbed the light grey area that seemed to be in the shape of a heart. To say I’m ecstatic is an understatement.
As I stood up I cracked the biggest grin I’ve ever seen on a creature and I started singing, “Fluff fluff fluffy floof!” Over and over again. I have a rather poor singing voice but I don’t care I’m probably the happiest bird no happiest creature in the whole world right now!
“Look at those tail feathers, I thought only peacocks could have these!” I said while shaking my flank around. Safe to say I love my new body.
after a few minutes of making poses and gazing at myself in the crystals a snarl from my belly quickly made itself known. “no snarls,” I said glaring at my own belly. It gave no response.
Ok well I’d better get out of here, wait didn’t that demon guy say something about eating crystals. “Well… it wouldn’t hurt to try,” I said as I walked over to a nearby blue crystal sticking out of the wall. “Lick,” it tastes odd the flavor is like some kind of berry but it left a weird electric tingle on my mouth in response. I heard of something called a lightning berry that can only be found on top of the highest mountains so maybe that’s what this weird taste is, tho I’m not sure if they even exist. With more persuasive growls from my stomach I finally took a small bite out of it, and then I promptly ate the rest of the crystal in a single bite.
Pulling out a few more crystals and storing them safely in my stomach, I decided to head out of this cave and see what I’d find on the outside.
Chapter 2: Trip To Ponyville
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. For the past few days I’ve been stuck with eating dead rats and anything else I can find. I thought that with the whole crystal eating thing itches food problem would sort itself out but I quickly realized that gemstones aren’t easy to get. I could go search for some but I am certainly not going back into that forest now that I know a whole bunch of monsters live there.
As I was wandering around the edge of town I stumbled across a fully stocked bird feeder near a cottage and quickly emptied it into a nearby sack and ran before anybird noticed me. Spooks gonna love this.
Finally getting back to my base of operations I poured some seeds out and called Spook over, “Spooky I got something for you!”
“Caw!” Flying over to the pile Spook started pecking the seeds. Oh what the hay, I haven’t eaten in a while, bird seeds are far from the best things I’ve eaten but they’re still pretty tasty.
Looking around you could tell that the base of operations was just a large box that I had made several drawings on. There was also a small dining table made of cardboard that I had carved with my own talons, unfortunately it didn’t get much use. Spook had brought in a few trinkets and other shiny items most of which were stored in a small wooden chest I found in the garbage along with a small sketchbook. Not sure why anybird would throw those away but I’m not complaining.
Finishing our meal Spook hopped on my back and I grabbed my notebook before heading out looking for something to do. I passed by building shaped like one of those merry-go-rounds fittingly named The Carousel Boutique. I found myself pressing my face against the window looking at all the beautiful dresses and various other clothes. That dress is so cute! and that big black bow really ties it together. I was never one for fashion but that bow looked so adorable I would’ve gone in right here and now to buy it if I had any bits.
I shake my head and move on, can’t spend all day looking at bows despite how cute they are. Walking through town it was obvious that while the ponies are no longer running in fear they were still avoiding me, clearing a path and avoiding eye contact whenever I came through. Why does everybird hate me?
My destination was a large tree in the middle of town that I usually spend most of the day at. I found out it was a library but I doubt they would let me in much less borrow any books. Apparently a baby dragon lives here, wonder why I’ve never seen them? they’re probably avoiding me like everybird else. laying down I pull out my sketchbook and begin drawing.
I always liked drawing it helped keep my mind occupied and let me jot down even my strangest ideas. This time I was drawing that strange looking demon I met. something about him just intrigued me in a way no other creature could, the way he looked, the way he acted like he didn’t have a care in the world. It was scary and inspiring at the same time. Why can’t I remember his name, was that part of the deal or did I really just forget? Drawing a few more strange creatures that I could remember like a hive of electric bees I close my eyes and take in a deep breath.
Catching a strong scent of something sweet I shoot my eyes open and begin scanning the area. I saw that it was the pink pony from the party bouncing down the road with almost a dozen boxes balancing on her back, I thought I recognized that scent. with a strong hunger overwhelming me began following Pinkie.
Hmm to many ponies on the road, looking around I found a dumpster I could climb on to reach a nearby rooftop, that works.
Waking up from his nap Spook looked around confused, “coo?”
“I found our next meal,” I say with a grin.
Clambering onto the roof I spot the large stack of boxes carried by Pinkie and quickly scurry after them along the rooftop. Up ahead I spot a large cupcake house and see Pinkie hop right on in. “So that is her home! More sweets for me, then!” I said giggling to myself at the thought of so many baked goods. Hopping down into the alleyway I peek through a window and much to my delight I see an entire kitchen filled with sweets, what a delightful day to be me. Shaking my rump excitedly at my new find I turn to Spook “we wait for the ponies. To leave.”
“Caw!”
Tapping my claws against the ground I let out a sigh, Ughh, what’s taking so long it’s been 3 hours. I had drawn a two headed dragon with three large tails in my sketchbook but afterwards I quickly ran out of ideas and motivation in less than an hour. Spook had taken up napping on my haunches, it looked comfy and I was rather tempted to join him.
Hearing the sound of a door opening I look around the corner and see the owners Ms, and Mr. Cake leaving with a rather large cake in tow. “Wake up Spook,” I say shaking him out of his rest.
“Coo?”
“Watch this. -” taking my talons out I carve a circle into the window with one flick of my wrist. Pushing the glass out I reach in open the window, “- magic!”
Crawling through I was greeted by the sweet scent of chocolate and cotton candy. Grabbing a handful of candy and cupcakes I thought, well it wouldn’t hurt, I could eat a few. licking the frosting off the cupcake it was the sweetest thing I’ve ever eaten. “Hehehe, blueberry,” I say to myself. Giddy with excitement I wiggle my flank and pounce on the table followed shortly by more laughter as I ate every last blueberry cupcake. Not wanting to be left out Spook flew up on the counter and started consuming treats as well.
After eating 2 dozen blueberry cupcakes I couldn’t move nor did I want to. Was it worth it? Absolutely! Did my stomach hurt like Tartarus? Also yes. Having eaten several small candies Spook wasn’t faring much better. My previously black tongue is now a light shade of blue and my belly is about three times larger. I feel like a queen! or would it be a king? I think I like the sound of queen better.
A piercing scream from nearby alerted me to the presence of a very distressed pony. Oh feathers I forgot about her! “hiya Pinkie.” I say nervously.
Being tied up in a chair wasn’t the most comforting feeling and being interrogated by an angry pony certainly didn’t help. Looking around I was sitting in a chair while being bound by rope. A single light was shining from above and Pinkie began circling around me with an angry scowl. Oh feathers.
“You mean mean bird why would ever do such a terrible thing? The cakes worked super duper extra hard on all those blueberry cupcakes you meanie!” Pinkie scolded.
Being scolded by is a terrible feeling especially when they actually have a good reason to do so. “I was hungry,” I said trembling slightly. I feel like crap.
Cocking an eyebrow she leaned forward her forehead bumping against mine and said, “oh really? Likely story, if that’s the case then why didn’t you ask your parents to get you one, hmmm?!” Slowly pulling away she awaited an answer.
I looked away not giving a response. Oh no oh no oh no! if she finds out she’ll send me back to Griffonstone! Get a grip Clutter you just gotta come up with a believable lie.
Pinkie narrowed her eyes, “well?” she said.
Part of me didn’t want to lie to her, a part of me was screaming that, ponies are supposed to be nice, Pinkie is nice! she wouldn’t do such a thing, she even threw you a party just for showing up to town! I don’t know why but I decided to tell her the truth.
Looking away slowly I say, “I’ve never, knew my parents.”
Pinkies hair deflated upon hearing this information, “what?! That is absolutely the most terriblest thing in forever, I mean who would leave a small filly all by herself. Wait! is that why you’ve been sleeping outside, I thought you were just really into camping?”
Still looking away I nod my head in response, so far so good, hopefully she doesn’t do anything drastic.
Pinkies hair suddenly popped back to normal and a large lightbulb appeared above Pinkies head illuminating the area, “I know! I'll just have to take care of you myself! At least until we find your parents,” She says bouncing in place with boundless energy.
“What?” Did she just say-, no she can’t possibly mean it like that right? Right?!
“I said I’ll be taking care of you silly, -“ squeezing me in a hug she giggled “- oh we’re going to have a whole load of fun together, it’ll be like having a sleepover every day and night!”
What did I just get myself into?
“Pinkie, can you, untie me?” I said gasping for air.
“Okie dokie! Oh and also don’t think I forgot that whole cupcake fiasco, that was still pretty mean so you’re gonna help me bake more cupcakes tomorrow! Doesn’t that sound fun?!”
“…Feathers.”
Finally noticing we weren’t in the kitchen anymore thanks to that large floating lightbulb I could see we were in some sort of cave filled with party supplies. It was chaotic and messy but everything seemed to have a place, kinda reminds me of that demon I met.
We exited the cave by going up a slide I reunited with Spook who was still in the kitchen, spotting me he promptly landed on my hair and began snuggling into it, I missed you to buddy. Bringing me to a bathroom Pinkie helped me get ready for bed which was something I didn’t know I needed to do. this involved using a small brush on my teeth and combing my mane, which actually felt really nice.
Closing my eyes I pushed my head further against the comb, “coo.”
“Annnd done,” Pinkie said proudly turning me around to view her work. My mane looked even fluffier than when I first received it. Looking into a mirror and not seeing my face in it still feels weird but it felt almost good in a way. Turning my head to get a better view of my face, I look kinda cute.
Afterwards Pinkie had pulled out 3 differently colored nightcaps from her mane one pink, one purple and one black. Placing one of each color on its corresponding head she said “nighty night!” It’s almost like she almost expected this sleepover thing to happen. Nah you’re just imagining things.
It felt wrong not to sleep under the sky not being able to see the night and its countless stars. I memorized nearly all of the constellations and had even made a few of my own out of boredom. But then again it’s was nice to have a non torn blanket again. I was the last one to fall asleep so after looking out the window one last time I lay down and cocoon myself in the soft blanket I could find and began to snooze.
“Good night, Pinkie.”
Chapter 4: Baking Lessons
“Bacaw!” I screech seeing two large eyes almost touching mine. pulling my head back to see who had awoken me, what the- oh it’s just Pinkie.
“You ready for the most awesomest baking session ever!?” Pinkie said still not moving away.
Spook woke up annoyed from all the ruckus and said “caw, cacaw!” Why do I feel like those were bird swears.
“Yeah just give us a minute,” I say to Pinkie. Finally relaxing Spook and I begin checking our feathers, looking under my wing I spot a bent feather I pluck it out, ow apparently it wasn’t as loose as it looked. Pinkie has a look of confusion on her face, “what?” I ask tilting my head.
“What are you two doing?” Pinkie said rubbing her head.
I straighten my tail feathers while talking, “Preening.”
“Okie -“ dashing out of the room at blazing speeds she calls out “- meet me in the kitchen.”
How in tartarus does she do that? I spend extra time puffing out my plumage and then fixing my wing feathers. Ugh why am I spending so long on this?
You gotta look your best.
For who? And why? I couldn’t come up with an answer to this until I looked in the mirror and saw who I was doing it for, oh. But why am I doing this?
Before I could think further Spook pecked me on the head and held a wing to the door, “caw.”
“Right, sorry,” I say finally heading downstairs for my first and probably last baking lesson.
“”Hiya Clutter,” Pinkie called from the kitchen
“Hi Pink-“ Walking into the kitchen I was hit with the sight of the mess I had made yesterday, “- ie, oh boy.”
After putting an apron on me and a small chefs hat on Spook she get right to work, “Clutter, you can get the flour, and Spook can get the sugar.”
“Caw,” Spook said with a wing salute.
“Flour, got it,” I spot a labeled flour cabinet so I open it only to see several shelves of different kinds of flour, why are there so many?! So I ask, “umm, which one?”
Pinkie face-hooves and says, “oh right silly me, it’s cake flour.”
That actually makes more sense then I expected. Looking around the cabinet I spot the cake flour on the very top shelf. Getting up on my hind legs to reach the flour wobbling I try to grab onto the shelf, only for my claws to grab a bag of flour instead; landing on my rump I look up to see a flour bag slowly tip over and fall directly on my face.
Spook fell over and started laughing while Pinkie walked over helping me up, “bwahaha that was amazing! but you’re okay right?”
“Besides ruining the flour I’m fine, -” I pull the bag off my head and try to avoiding her gaze, “- sorry.”
Waving a hoof Pinkie says, “oh it’s no biggie, let’s get you cleaned up first!”
“I got it,” I say, lifting my wings I shake myself off like a wet dog; all this accomplished was turning Pinkies face entirely white. oh feathers, “bawk! I’m so sorry!” I backpedal myself into the cabinet dislodging another bag of flour onto my head.
Pinkie and Spook start rolling on the floor laughing. I cover my face attempting to hide a painfully obvious blush, why me?
While I cleaned my face Pinkie decided to get the ingredients out herself, that was probably for the best. “Okie dokie we’re out of blueberry, so let’s do cherry instead! first, you’re gonna get a bowl then mix half a cup of butter, two cups of flour, and one and a half cups of sugar together,” she says turning around to work on her own batch.
“Butter, flour, sugar, mix,” I could see that Pinkie had put labels on almost everything in the room. That was probably for the best as I didn’t know half of this stuff existed, “wheres the sugar?”
Spook held up a small bag, “caw.”
“Oh, thanks,” grabbing the rest of the ingredients I measure them out the best I could before mixing them in the bowl. Looking behind me it seemed like Pinkies almost done, “what's next, Pinkie?”
Without turning around she said, “eggs, vanilla extract and cherry juice, oh and don’t forget to mix it up real good! Then pour it in the cupcake cups.”
Cracking open an egg some of it got on the counter so I looked around and licked it up. Opening up the bottle of vanilla it smelled divine; it does not taste as good as it smells. Tasting it made my face scrunch up.
Suddenly Pinkie appeared behind me, “they got you too didn’t they? Don’t worry they got me too, I thought: hey vanilla tastes super duper yummy, this smells yummy so it must be tasty as well. Don’t feel bad about it we all fall for it at least once,” she said ruffling my mane.
That didn’t make a lick of sense but it felt oddly comforting, “thanks,” I said nuzzling my head into her hoof to try and savor the moment; sadly she had to go back to her batch of cupcakes. Ok cherry juice cherry juice cherry, where is it? Seeing a bowl of cherries I turn to Spook and say, “close enough?”
“Caw.”
“Good,” I say crushing a handful of the cherries and dumping into the bowl. Giving a cherry to Spook I pour the batter into the cups then hand them over to Pinkie who puts them into the oven.
“Okie now we wait about an hour or two! wanna do anything while we wait?” Pinkie asks.
“I do have something, in mind.”
Pinkie had gotten out a few coloring sheets for us to color in but I just drew on the backside instead. Pinkie was coloring in a crudely drawn pony while I was drawing another monster and Spook was taking a nap in my mane. looking at my paper she asks, “So, whatcha drawing?”
“A kelpie,” I answer.
“Ooo never heard of a kelpie sounds scary, tell me about it!”
I drop my pencil and blankly stare at her, she actually wants to hear about this!? Befuddled I simply ask, “you want, to know?”
With Pinkies affirmative nods my eyes widen and I crack a large grin, “well a kelpie is sorta like a seapony but they have the bottom half of a sea serpent instead of a fish, they’re also shapeshifters so they can turn into normal ponies to lure them into the water! I think they can do other creatures as well but I’m not sure, oh and also -“ I make a swirling gesture with a claw and my eyes form black and white spirals, “- they can hypnotize anybird they come across!“ looking up I see that Pinkies eyes were swirling in sync mine, wait how did I do that?
Shaking the swirls out of her eyes Pinkie acted like nothing happened and said, “wowie! You must really really love these kelpies cause I’ve never heard you talk so much before!”
I scratch the back of my neck, “sorry, I like monsters.”
“Oh it’s fine I love hearing ponies talk about stuff they love! Like my sister is really into,“ a bell rang out interrupting Pinkies rambling, “oh I think I know who that is, be right back,” giving us a wink before dashing off.
“Coo?” Spook says tilting his head at Pinkies departure.
I shake my head, “no idea.”
Getting up I hear Pinkie tell somebird to come into the kitchen, I wonder who it is? . I see two strange ponies I didn’t know come into the room; one is quite tall for a pony and has a little bit of fuzz on their chin and the other is well, I don’t want to be rude but wow she’s chubby! It was strange usually I’d be scared by these kinds of situations but the weight of Spook on my head helped me relax so I simply starred at the ponies with curiosity.
I freeze up as the taller one says, “gah! Uh Pinkie why is that thing in our kitchen?” Being called a “thing” kinda stung.
“Well first of all her name is Crystal Clutter and she’s goin to be staying with us! how exciting is that!” Pinkie says. Her? So they do think I’m a girl. I’ll have to tell them eventually… maybe later.
The two ponies just seemed even more confused so Pinkie continued, “well I found her eating a whole bunch of your cupcakes so I took her to my room to try and sort things out. I asked her where her parents were but it turns out she doesn’t have any; Isn’t that just awful!? Anyway I came up with an idea: why don’t I just take her in? Anyways, Clutter this is Mr and Mrs Cake Say hi!”
Still starring uncomfortably at the two I raise a claw and slowly wave it; sensing the discomfort I was in Spook sat up and started glaring daggers at the Cakes, not gonna do anything, but thanks.
Mrs Cake decided to step in, “Pinkie are you sure about this? While that’s a very noble goal; it’s gonna be a difficult task that might take a lot out of you. I’m not saying that you can’t I’m just a little… worried is all. Don’t you want uhm, Crystal to be raised correctly right?”
Pinkie gasped a little, “of course I do, why wouldn’t I?!”
“Well you’ll need to take on a lot of responsibility and not to mention there’s a lot of paperwork involved with adopting a filly; much less a non-pony from who knows where. With our foals coming soon we won’t be able to help you much, understand.”
“Psshh don’t worry I got it, -“ Pinkie put a hoof to her chin “- hmmmm, paperwork you say? Oh! Twilight’s good with paperwork maybe she’ll help! Come on Clutter!” Pinkie scooped me up onto her back and dashed off making Spook fall off my head.
“Caw!” Spook cries out flapping after us.
“You two Spook,” Pinkie says grabbing the bird and handing him to me.
Riding on Pinkies back is a very bouncy experience so I cling onto her neck as Spook does the same to mine, “aren’t the cupcakes going to burn?”
“Oh no worry about that I left a note in case we had to leave,” she says hoping down the road.
Everybird we passed stopped and looked at me they all seemed mildly confused and disturbed by me; I hugged Pinkies neck tighter.
we soon arrive at twilight’s place that I recognized was the tree I had met Pinkie under. Apparently the tree also doubled as a library and a home for Twilight and Spike, spike? Odd name for a pony. Trotting through the door Pinkie put me down and went up to Twilight who was drinking from a mug saying, “hi Twi!”
Twilight spit out a brown liquid saying, “gah Pinkie I thought I told you to knock!”
“Oh I’m so sorry Twi I guess I was in such a rush that I completely forgot, but I have a favor to ask of you.”
“It’s alright Pinkie, now what did you nee-“ Twilight turns around and pauses, “- oh hi… uh what was it?” She says sheepishly.
“Clutter and this is Spook,” I say holding him out.
“Oh of course haha, how could I forget… umm anyway how’s it going Pinkie?”
I started zoning out a bit; tapping my claws on the wooden floor and barely listening to the conversation going on. I tried to listen but none of the catching up interested me so I stared reading the titles of books I could see. Guide to common equestrian diseases, everything you need to know about modern medicine, wow this stuff is boring. hearing Twilight ask about why Pinkie was here was what got me back into the conversation.
“So why did you come here anyway?” Twilight asked.
“Oh right I was wondering if you got any adoption papers?” Says Pinkie
Twilight tilts her head, “adoption papers? No, but I could probably get some soon. Hey Spike can you bring me my to-do list!”
“Sure thing, just give me a second!” calls out what I presume is Spike.
“So why do you need adoption papers anyway?” Twilight asks.
“To adopt Clutter, obviously,” Pinkie says.
I did a double take, wait what? she’s actually going to do that! I didn’t know what to do so I just sat there frozen waiting to hear if she was actually serious about this. She can’t be serious why would anybird wanna do that?
“Oh ok -“ Twilight takes a sip from her mug and spits it out, “- wait what!”
“I’m gonna adopt her, isn’t that exciting!” Pinkie responds hopping up and down
“Are you sure about adopting, them? You have thought this through, right Pinkie?” Twilight says sounding a bit concerned.
Holding a hoof to her chest she says, “Yup I’ve been thinking about it nonstop and I say it’s the right thing to do!”
Twilight put a hoof on her forehead, “I suppose I should help this go as smoothly as it possibly can. Spike you got my list yet?”
“Yeah I’m coming!”
I hear somebird coming down a set of stairs looking around I see the stairs but what was coming down them made my eyes widen, wait Spikes a dragon!? I rub my eyes making sure I’m not hallucinating, yup definitely a dragon! I get up immediately but before I try to tackle him I stop myself; hold it Clutter, dragons are dangerous even if he is the same size as you. Better the careful. with that I lay my head low and begin to slowly approach one claw at a time eyes fixated on his movements. He didn’t seem to notice me so I kept getting closer until I was only half a meter behind him; that was when I decided that was close enough. They seem to be talking to the ponies, I’ll just wait until they’re done. so I plopped myself down and starred at the dragon in awe.
Twilight handed the list back to the dragon, “thanks Spike.”
“No problem Twi,” Spike says walking with his head turned towards the ponies. He got a face full of my chest fluff when he turned around. Neither of us did anything for an awkward moment until he pushes himself away. Pulling a feather off his tongue he says, “sorry didn’t see you… there -“ Spike backed away shaking slightly “- oh my Celestia.”
I couldn’t contain myself I stood up my smile growing larger as I shake my rear and place my forehead on his saying, “dragon!”
Unbeknownst to both of us Pinkie saw us and said, “awwww” Then turned back to Twilight to continue talking.
“Gah, back up!” Spike yells at me.
“Hehehe, sorry,” I pull myself back my cheeks turning a light shade of red.
“what was that for anyway?” Spike says
“Sorry I’ve always wanted to meet a real dragon and here you are! I heard dragons are strong, oh I bet you could lift me!” I start Trotting in place out of excitement.
“Heh well I guess I am pretty strong,” Spike flexed his stubby arm and let me inspect it. He seemed a little nervous with me being so close to him but I didn’t realize.
“Cool,” I say poking the muscle; it jiggled slightly but didn’t move much from its place. I plopped myself back down and patted the spot next to me.
Spike raised an eyebrow shrugged at sat next to me with Spook sitting in between us and occasionally glaring at Spike. Now that my excitement died down I finally realized that Spike seemed to be acting weird whenever I got close to him, feathers did I do something wrong?! scooting away to give him some space I say, “Spike?”
Spike raised an eyebrow, “yeah?”
I hesitated for a moment, “s-sorry,” I say quickly turning my head away from him.
Spike looks at me confused, “for what?”
“For creeping you out, obviously,” I say still not looking at him.
“Oh that’s alright, I don’t mind the attention but maybe tone it down a little next time,” Spike says
“Ok,” I lay my head down and begin to think, What’s taking so long I’ve been sitting here for a few minutes now. And why is the dragon still here? I make a small groan and say, “why are you still here?”
“Well when you’re not acting all fanatical you’re very quiet, and I like things to be quiet sometimes,” he said with a shrug.
That was not the answer I expected. I turn my head away and mutter a quick, “thanks.”
I laid there for another minute or two scooting closer to Spike every now and then. when Pinkie and the other one came back they explained it would be about a day or two before the actual adoption would happen but I could still stay at Pinkies place until then and I even managed to convince Pinkie that she didn’t need to carry me back. I still didn’t really understand the concept of adoption, why would anybird want a chick that wasn’t theirs? but I was grateful that I didn’t have to eat dead rodents anymore.
Author's Note
Sorry this one took so long, lotta school stuff going on.
Chapter 5: Shroom & Doom
It was late and I was out on the balcony resting my head on the railing watching the night sky; looking at the moon I wonder whatever happened to it that fateful night a month ago. Suddenly Pinkie came trotting over asking, “whatcha doing, stargazing? I love stargazing!”
A little startled I say, “Yeah, hey can I ask you a question?”
“Okay hit me, well don’t actually hit but you know that,” Pinkie says seating herself atop the railing.
Scratching my neck I say, “it’s a little stupid but what happened to the moon?”
Pinkie tilted her head, “the moon? What about it?”
“Why did the pony on it disappear?” She probably doesn’t know but it’s worth a shot I guess. I mean she is a pony.
“Ooooohh, you mean Nightmare Moon -“ Pinkie pulls out several cutouts of ponies and puts on a play of what happened, “- so basically Nightmare Moon escaped after a thousand years of imprisonment and me and my friends had to do this whole quest getting through the Everfree Forest to defeat her; when we finally got to her castle we defeated and reformed her with the elements of harmony!”
I started bobbing my head and cooing, “wow she sounds scary!” If a couple weak ponies could take down somebird like that then I could to! “Can we go there?”
Pinkies eyes went wide, “oh nonono nope not gonna happen! The Everfree is no place for a little filly to be!”
Putting on the best puppy eyes I can muster without pupils I say, “pwease?” I hate doing this but I it’s certainly effective.
“Awww that’s adorable but I’m still not letting you go. now let’s go to bed we got a big day tomorrow!” Pinkie says picking me up nuzzling me on the head and taking me her room.
“Dammit.”
Feeling a sharp pain on my forehead I shoot up saying, “I’m up I’m up! Oh hi Spook.”
“Caw!”
“Stop waking me like that,” getting up I look around the room I check on Pinkie, “still asleep, you know what that means Spook?”
“Caw?”
“We’re going to the Everfree!” I say making my way to the window I unlatch the lock and fall onto the roof. Ok wings don’t fail me! Wiggling my flank I leap off the roof and glide my way down to the ground, that actually worked. it was early in the morning as the sun began to rise so I figured I had a few minutes before Pinkie woke up and realized I was gone. The only ponies out at this time were some pegasi moving clouds, a couple shop ponies setting up stands and that mailpony from before was flying by, what was her name? Oh right, “hey Derpy.”
She began looking around failing to find the source of the noise saying, “wha? Where are you?”
Rolling my eyes, “Over here!” I say waving my claw.
“Oh hiya Crystal! What you up to?”
“I’m looking for the forest you seen it?”
Derpy put a hoof to her chin, “hmmm, I’ve never been there before but there should be one that way, oh and one over there!” She says pointing her hoofs in opposite directions before flopping over, “well if you see a bunch of trees you’re probably going the right direction.”
“Ok,” I say watching her fly off, these ponies are weird.
“Ready Spook?”
Spook nodded his head, “caw.”
“Alright,” I say. We head off in one of the directions Derpy suggested running into a few ponies on the way. Arriving at the edge of the forest I pause for a second before pushing forward.
“Dark, isn’t it.”
“Coo?”
Shaking my head I say, “don’t worry about me, I’m fine,” even with the sun shining I could barely see anything except the outlines of trees and a couple of strange mushrooms. Picking one out of the ground its head has a white top that gradually fades to black with an inky goop oozing out from it; visually pleasing but very creepy. The mushrooms seemed to forming some kind of trail and I was subconsciously following it. Making my way deeper along the trail the density of mushrooms began to increase, looking around I realize that I had gone off the trail was surrounded by these weird mushrooms, oh feathers where are we!?
Feeling Spook shaking I say, “we can head back if you want.”
Spook tilts his head “Coo?”
“Uh I’m just getting tired that’s all,” turning around I start walking back and suddenly trip over a large mushroom ramming my beak into the ground. Pulling my beak out of the ground I shake my head, “caw! Ugh that hurt,” I say through gritted teeth. I’m pretty sure that mushroom wasn’t there before.
Spook lightly pecked my head, “coo?”
Sighing I say, “yeah im fine, nothing that hasn’t happened before.”
Several inky tendrils erupted from the mushrooms ensnaring me as a laugh came from behind the trees, “hohohoho well well well what do we have here? two little fledglings have been caught in my trap, and just in time for tea!” They say in a childlike voice.
Well this is certainly getting interesting!
Pinkie jumped out of bed, “good morning Clutter! Ready for our big day? -“ she began rocking the sleeping bags, “- come on get up, we’re gonna have so much fun today! I got a bunch of stuff planned for us and the day only lasts so long so come on!” Receiving no answer Pinkie began pacing, “oooh I get it, you wanna play hide and seek! Well then I’ll just have to find you before we head off,” grabbing a magnifying glass with her mane she began the search.
After a few minutes Pinkie started to get a little nervous, “ok this was fun but we really should be going soon -“ looking around she gasped, “- the window! I didn’t leave it open so she must have gone out there! I got you now clever girl!”
I’m currently sat at large mushroom being used as a table while Spook was being held in a golden bird cage in another seat. The seats would be very comfy if I wasn’t currently being bound to them by the inky tendril.
The creature put two tendrils together and says, “So the names Shroomette, how’s it goin’ enjoying your stay?”
“Could be better,” looking them over she has a large globule body that was composed of that inky stuff from the mushrooms but it also has several eyes scattered across it. She has this large cutesy cap that looked like the mushrooms surrounding us, she’s crazy but she does have style. “ooo that hat is so cute where’d you get it?” I say forgetting I’ve been hatchnapped.
Shroomette started blushing and giggling at me, “this ol’ thing? I grew it myself along with every other inkcap in this forest. But enough about me what about you little bird what’s your name?”
“Why do you care?”
Shroomette waved a tentacle at me, “ohohoho I just love getting to know my food I mean guests before dinner -“ a loud whistle rang out, “- oh that must be the tea! stay right there!” She said winking at me before sliding off.
“She’s gonna what?!” I say turning to Spook who is aggressively pecking at the lock on his cage. I have two options to escape either hope she was joking which isn’t likely or chew through the tendrils, well time to see what these girls can do.
Chomping down on the tentacle I manage to easily take a good chunk out as the rest squirms backwards. I spit the chunk out immediately and begin coughing, ack that better not be poison! the actual tentacle tasted like a regular mushroom and was rather soft but the inky covering was the most bitter and briny thing I’ve ever had. Grabbing Spooks cage in my beak dashed away running directly into a wall of tendrils, feathers!
A laughter came from behind me, “ohohoho and where do you think you’re going little birdie?”
“Away from you,” I say. Taking a step back and wiggling my flank I leap over the wall managing to land not so gracefully cracking a twig with my face. A tentacle snatches up Spooks cage and drags him off; running off I quickly skid to a halt and let out a sigh, ugh I’m gonna regret this. Getting myself into a tug o war with a mushroom I was pulling as hard as I could on the cage but I was slowly getting pulled back, “give, him, back! ”
Shroomette inspected her tentacle like it was a freshly honed talons, “tut tut, you know I can’t give up such a tasty morsel.”
I had to think of something quick or else I would be dragged back to that horrid mushroom. Ok Crystal you’re losing, think of something! You could try breaking it?
That probably won’t work.
Come on Crystal you need to try! Bitting the bars as hard as possible my jaw starts to hurt more than I thought possible. I grit my teeth through the pain and quickly twist my beak bending and snapping the bars under the pressure. Letting go of the cage Spook flies into my chest, “caw!”
“Spook, it’s only been two minutes.”
“Aw how adorable, keep it up I love sweets!” Sprouting a tendril Shroomette smacks us both towards a tree. I try to pull out my wings to protect Spook but when I hit the tree with enough force to crack it, one of my wings ends up twisted behind my back. Falling to the ground I curse out, “ow, f- ”
“Clutter! Oh Clutter! Where is that little birdie?” Pinkie started looking under everything and anything that could be picked up, looking under a bench, “nope not here,” she picked up a trash can lid, “hello anypony in there?” She even managed to lift a large red stallion before running off again.
High up in a cloud Rainbow Dash was watching Pinkie frantically run around looking under random objects and decided to see just what in Equestria she was doing this time, “hey Pinkie whatcha up to?!”
“Hiya Dashie!” Pinkie says without stopping her search.
Rolling her eyes Dash jumped off her cozy napping cloud and flew in front of Pinkie causing her to skid to a halt, “so whatcha going crazy over this time Pinkie?”
“Well you know that little filly I found? Well I thought she was playing hide and seek but I still haven’t found her and I’m starting to get a teensy bit worried. Hey weren’t you working on the clouds this morning, did you see her?”
Rainbow looked around nervous, “heh yep I was working on the clouds and definitely not sleeping in because my alarm broke, anyway I haven’t seen her but I can ask the weather team.”
Pinkie gave Rainbow a quick hug, “oh thank you so so much Rainbow!”
“Eh it’s nothing, you keep searching down here and I’ll ask around,” with that Rainbow flew off to find the weather team.
Rainbow was quickly getting bored of flying around asking ponies if they’ve seen some filly. The only useful information she got was from that clumsy pegasi, “ugh this is taking forever! let’s see Derpy said something about her heading to a forest, wait the Everfree Forest! -“ Rainbow raised both hoofs up high, “- wooo! I get to test out my skills and save a lost filly at the same time!” She sped off towards the Everfree leaving a dust cloud and a rainbow trail in her wake.
Flying above the trees Rainbow was dodging and doing stunts around the few branches that poked above the canopy. It seemed to be getting foggier and foggier the further she flew but that didn’t scare her, either out of bravery or a lack of awareness, “hah this is almost as fun as my flying track -“ the sound of cracking wood and a swearing child rang out in the distance, “- what the? Oh no, hang on filly I’m coming!”
As another tentacle sprouts from her body ready to swing at me a rainbow blur slams into it causing it to explode. Wiping the ink off of my face I gaze up to see a rainbow haired pegasus standing between us and Shroomette.
Rainbow punches her hoofs together, “alright you freaky shroom, where’s the filly?”
“Right here,” I say nervously.
Swinging her head around Rainbow exclaims, “wait wait wait, you’re Clutter?! ”
Shroomette licks her lips and gives an insane smile before interrupting our introduction, “well looks like the main course has arrived, and I haven’t even finished the appetizers.” Growing several tendrils she launches them towards Dash. jumping away from the first two Rainbow uppercuts the third into an inky explosion. Watching her and Shroomette clash tentacle against hoof left me completely frozen, I could barely do anything. Shaking my body I try to get my brain working again, keep it together Crystal, no time to panic.
Sliding backwards Rainbow Dash smirks and says, “hah, had enough yet?”
A tentacle erupts from the ground ensnaring Rainbow in Shroomette’s clutches, “not quite!”
Oh feathers! Spook starts pushing on my barrel but no matter how much I try I can’t make myself move, do something! Anything! growing increasingly desperate Spook plucks one of my feather causing me let out a light squawk. Slowly standing up I take a few cautious steps forward then begin running towards the tentacle ensnaring Dash I close my eyes and taking a swipe at it with my talons.
Rainbow falls down with a thump, getting up she dashes over to me and Spook saying, “we should get out of here before this gets too messy, ok? Ok,” she picks me up and flies off as fast as she while I hang limply under her foreleg and Spook hides in my mane. Faintly in the background I could hear Shroomette laughing and saying something incomprehensible.
We flew a considerable distance before Rainbow decided to fly above the treetops and speak up, “I don’t know whether you’re brave or stupid for just trotting into the Everfree forest all by yourself, you did pretty well back there for somepony your size, im impressed.”
“Thanks.”
The rest of the journey was quiet until we arrived to the edge of town when Rainbow says, “oh heads up I know you griffons hate cutesy pony things, sooo you might not like this next part.”
Tilting my head I say, “huh?” Before she dives towards the ground.
When Rainbow landed she dropped me on the ground causing Spook to fly out of my mane and off to a nearby windowsill. Rainbow took a couple steps away saying, “I think somepony wants to see you.”
“What who could possibly -“ I open my eyes just in time to see a pink blur barreling towards me, “- caw, I’m sorry!” I say before being tackled into a hug. This confused me, what is she doing? Is this a sad attempt at choking me?
Pinkie hugged me tighter making me squeak like a chew toy and, “oh I missed you so so so much, I’m glad you’re back! Where were you anyway?”
“This little scamp got themselves lost in the Everfree forest.”
“What?! Are you ok Crystal?” Pinkie says inspecting me for any damages.
Now I’m even more confused , “what!? I’m fine, ”- pushing myself out of her grasp I continue -“wait why do you care?”
“I don’t want a little filly getting hurt,” she says sounding a little confused at my statement.
My eye twitched a tad, “I’m not a filly, I’m a griffon! Griffons are rude and selfish and only care about themselves, so why should you care about any of us?!” I say louder than I intended
Pinkie was taken aback by my sudden shouting, “well I’m sure they aren’t all bad. why I’m sure there’s quite a few lovely griffons out there!”
Scoffing I say, “and have you met any nice griffons?”
“I’ve met you!” Pinkie says grinning with her eyes closed.
That may have short circuited my brain, “I- uh, no I’m not! Griffons are mean! so I’m m-mean as well… got it.” Sitting down I began to think, I am mean I’m no better than any other griffon. She was just worried about you and now you’re yelling at her. You’re just like every other griffon. I dig my talons into the ground and fail miserably at not letting tears form in my eyes, dammit Crystal! Why in Tartarus are you crying? The only thing that’s happened is that you don’t know who you are, where home is, you probably broke your wing… and you’re yelling at the only one that care about you that isn’t a nonverbal bird… oh. The rest of my body falls to the ground while I grumble to myself.
Seeing that I was majorly upset Pinkie came over to try and cheer me up. Stroking my back she says, “looks like you’ve had a big day today let’s head home and I’ll let you have some cupcakes ok?”
I growl a little, more at myself than at Pinkie, “fine.”
“Okie dokie, I’ll make an extra yummy cupcake just for you!” Scooping me up Pinkie started bouncing off back to Sugar Cube Corner yelling, “you coming Spook?”
“Caw!”
The rest of the day was quiet, Pinkie tried talking with me but I didn’t have anything to say. her hair deflated little by little with every failed conversation until the entire building had a depressive mood and I knew it was all my fault. It tore me up inside seeing her sad but I could never muster up a response of any kind.
Finishing with her work Pinkie came over to my resting spot in the corner of the living room, “heya I was going to head out to get some stuff and I was hoping you could join me!” I shake my head in response, “oh okie, well have fun while I’m gone.”
When she leaves the room I curl myself into a ball and burry my face under my wing letting out a groan, why even bother going? You’re just gonna make her feel worse.
“Coo?”
“I’m fine leave me alone,” I say shooing him off. All the emotions I had were left to fester inside me while I did nothing in that room. The Cakes had passed by a few times and said hi but it felt like they were still avoiding me, they have every reason to avoid you.
Pinkie came back around when the sun went down so she took me upstairs to get ready for bed but before she hopped in bed she asks me a question, “did I do something wrong was it the hug? Dashie told me afterwards that griffons don’t like them so I’m really really sorry about that!”
That broke me hearing that she thought it was her fault instead of my own, “no Pinkie, it’s not your fault.” It’s all my fault.
“Well what is it? I just wanna make you super duper happy, but I don’t know how to do that if I don’t know what the problem is!”
“That’s the problem! You’re being so nice and all I’ve done is lie, steal, and make you sad. My name isn’t even Crystal!” I cover my face muttering, “I’m sorry,” over and over.
Pinkie panicked at my sudden outburst of emotions. She didn’t know what to do; hugs seemed to be ineffective and jokes weren’t really appropriate for the situation so she decided on a more lax approach. Sitting down next to me Pinkie says, “I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think, and plus who cares about something silly like a name.”
Sniffing I look up at her soft smile I feel a sense of calmness I hadn’t felt before like I could tell the truth while not being judged and that somebird would be looking out for me or in this case somepony. I lean myself against Pinkie purring while feeling each of her soft pink hairs rub against my face. She smelled exactly like cotton candy and frosting, it was heavenly.
“Let’s talk tomorrow, for now get some rest. Hey you can sleep with me in my bed, if you want more cuddles!”
“Coo?”
“You too Spook, come here!” We all soon fell asleep forgetting to actually get in the bed.
Chapter 6: Unraveling Lies
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