Balance within Harmony

Three young fillies were sat around a table at Diamond Tiaras cute-ceañera

“How about... The Cutie Mark Crusaders?” Apple Bloom said with a smile

“It's perfect!” Scootaloo added, the little flightless filly flapping her wings, delighted at her new friend’s idea.

“This is gonna be soooo great!” Sweetie Belle squeaked, excited to find some people to speak to who don’t drone on about dresses all the time “I can wait to tell my sister!”

“You have a sister? That’s great, I have a sister…well, erm ah, I mean brother, two brothers” Applebloom responded with a smile, hoping her friends didn't pick up on her confusion. The last thing I need is to explain all that to them!

“Wait, you have a sister and two brothers” Scootaloo asked “That’s unfair, I don’t even have one!”

“No, only two brothers” Applebloom gulped nervously as the two filly friends looked at her confused. She let out a big sigh and decided if she was going to Crusade with them, they needed to know the truth. “I had a sister, but she’s now my brother” Applebloom muttered looked at the floor

Sweetie belle looked a little confused, but a virtual lamp ignited above Scootaloo’s head “Oh, you mean like Rainbow Dash, the best pony ever? I've been looking up to Rainbow for years and know the whole story behind that adventure! So your brother is one of the elements too?”

“Oh, that whole element thing” Sweetie said with a roll in her eyes “My sister goes on about that all the time. Why what happened?”

Applebloom and Scootaloo filled in Sweetie with the whole story, obviously making Applejacks and Rainbows parts a lot longer and more courageous than the others, and then filled the little white filly in regarding the effect of the magic on Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight. At the end Sweetie’s face was a picture to behold.

“I’m so glad my sisters still, well my sister” Sweetie gasped “No offence intended to the Apple family of course” she quickly added.

“None taken” Applebloom said with a smile “I mean, it was weird and all when ma sister turned, but she, he, is still the same pony at heart, and there is a chance they would change back in time according to Twilight. Why Scootaloo, you look a sad?”

“Yeah, I mean it’s great and all that you both have family, but I feel that you guys have a special bond already”.

Having picked up on the tone in Scootaloo’s voice when she talked about Rainbow, one of the fillies thought quickly on her hooves. “Well, Rarity is an element, and I’m her number one fan” Sweetie proudly stated winking at Applebloom.

Applebloom saw where Sweetie was heading “And Applejack is another element and I’m his greatest fan”

Sweetie and Applebloom turned to Scootaloo and together slowly said “And rainbow dash is an element and…”

“…I’m his number one fan” Scoots finished with a massive smile. She had only just met them and her new friends were already making her feel better at every opportunity, more than any non-pink pony ever had. “Awww, you guys…I mean, I don’t mean to get all mushy but you’re like the sisters I never had”

The three little fillies had a group hug, much to Scootaloo’s annoyance, and bounced off searching for Rarity.

***

Rarity was in the corner of the party having a chat with Twilight and Fluttershy. Whilst they all enjoyed a good party, being friends with Pinkie Pie gave them no choice for that, they had all been busy of late and just wanted to hang out with a cup of special herbal tea designed to reduce stress Zecora gave them. Fluttershy had made the mistake of complementing Rarity on the design of the dresses she made for Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, and the element of generosity had been generously boring her friends for twenty minutes with the latest trends in fashion.

As the CMC’s approached the group, Sweetie could hear a few snippets of conversation and could tell Rarity was in full swing. I’m glad we came to find my sister, because if I can read body language I can tell that colt is not interested in the topic of conversation, although he must be hanging around her for some reason.

“Hiya Sis” Sweetie Belle interrupted her sister “I would like to introduce my new friends, wait, my new CMCFF’s, to you”

“Why, hello there My Little Ponies” Twilight said with a look of absolute relief on his face. “I’m so glad you have found the magic of new friendship. But what on Equestria are C.M.C.F.F’s?”

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Friends Forever” the three of them responded in unison.

Rarity looked a little disappointed that the long chat she was giving in the latest Canterlot trends (which had developed as she predicted) was interrupted by her younger sister. However, as soon as she saw the happiness spread across the three young filly faces she realized that there would be plenty of opportunity to explain it all to her friends again. “Why Sweetie Belle, you’re practically glowing”

“Sis, you never told me about the elements of harmony making any changes to you and your friends. How were you changed?”

“No Darling, as I’ve explained before, only three of us were physically changed by the elements. Myself, Fluttershy here and Pinkie Pie were unchanged, whilst Rainbow, Applejack –“

“My brother” Applebloom interrupted

“- and Twilight Sparkle here were mysteriously changed into colts” Rarity continued, having got used to her sister interrupting her at every opportunity.

The CMC’s turned to look at Twilight, studying him very carefully. Twilight didn’t like the fact that the three young ponies seemed to be almost searching his whole body looking for any clues on his previous life. Sweetie Belle had the look on her face of someone determined to do something, althought Twilight couldn’t guess what.

At that moment Applejack came over to see what he’s little sister was up to, with Rainbow in tow.

“Hiya Fillies, and Gentlecolt” Rainbow said in a mock posh tone and a little airborne bow.

Almost immediately Fluttershy made her excuses and went over to get some punch. That’s not the first time Fluttershy has left as soon as I’ve come over to her. I really must ask her if I’ve upset her someway as she has been avoiding me for weeks Rainbow thought to herself.

“Well Howdy sis, how are you and yaw new friends liking the party?”

“Hiya Bro, we’re having the best party ever!”

With that suddenly a bright pink blur seemed to appear from nowhere and squeezed herself into in an impossibly small and inappropriate space between Applejack and Rainbow

“Did someponies say party?” Pinkie Pie declared excited “I love to throw a party. Wait, we’re at a party, why do we need another one?”

“No Sugarcube, I was talking about this here party” Applejack replied with a slight exasperation.

He/She had always liked Pinkie, as even thought Pinkie was often silly and considered by some as a frivolous, Applejack saw that no-pony exempt himself worked harder. And who was to say that making people happy was any less important than apple bucking, as afterall they could simply eat grass but ponies sometimes needed a smile. I do wish she give everypony a bit more personal space tho, especially around us colts. I mean, I know she just being Pinkie and wants to make everypony happy, but it’s like she doesn’t know how inappropriate she can act sometimes!

“Okie Dokie Loki” Pinkie smiled, and rushed off across the room to help Pip bob for apples, somehow also managing to eat a whole cake at the same time.

The adult ponies listened to the CMC go on about how much the blank flanks had in common and how they were going to find their cutie marks together. Scootaloo was delighted that Rainbow Dash was a part of the conversation, Applebloom was delighted that her two new friends were blank flanks and Sweetie Belle was delighted to be part of a conversation that didn’t involve dumb fabric. Each of the elements thought back to how they got their own cutie marks and thought My story would make a great tale to tell at some point.

***

The party was winding down and all the young ponies were all leaving. Scootaloo had been taken home earlier by Fluttershy, and Applejack had just left with Applebloom lying asleep on her back. Sweetie belle was also yawning deeply – planning a crusade to get three fillies there cutie marks was sure tiring. The remaining ponies were saying goodbye, most with a youngling in various forms of sleep.

“Can you carry me home Sis?” Sweetie asked as she slowly swayed on her hooves

“Oh Sweetie, you know I would but that would muck up my dress” Rarity replied.

“But sis…” Sweetie started a moan but was interrupted as purple glow suddenly enveloped her and she was levitated onto Twilights back.

“I’m heading that way home so I can carry you back to the Boutique”

“Why, that’s very kind of you Twilight but sweeties my sister and I…” Rarity stopped midsentence noticing that sweetie was already settled in “…but I suppose now she’s comfortable? Thank you”

Twilight and Rarity trotted out of Sugarcube Corner and towards Carousel Boutique on the other side of town. It was a lovely late summer evening and Luna’s stars were just starting to make an appearance. For a while they walked in awkward silence, with just a faint snore from Sweetie.

“Rarity, I do have a favour to ask for you”

“Oh Twilight, anything for you” was the very prompt response, shocking the listener as much as the speaker. Why are you so eager to please Twilight?

“Um, Rarity, we have the Grand Galloping Gala later in the year, and I don’t really have any clothes at the moment. Of course I brought some down from Canterlot, but obviously I don’t currently have much need for those clothes right now…”

“Oh my, that is a problem indeed for a handsome colt such as yourself”

“Ha…Handsome?”

Rarity gulped as she realised how that might of sounded “Sorry darling, I went straight into salespony mode then. Afterall, there’s no point designing great dresses if you can seal the deal with a little compliment. I haven’t done much in the way of colt clothing before, but I have some books with designs I can put together for you”

Twilight thanked Rarity and the two ponies carried on walking in a silence even more silent and awkward than before. Oh my, did I just come onto one of my best friends? Rarity thought to herself. She causally gave twilight a quick look over from the corner of her eye. I mean, he is quiet handsome colt isn’t he, and despite being a bit of a bookworm has somehow kept himself in good shape. But could it really work? I mean, he was a filly up to a few weeks ago, and I don’t go that way. But Celestia did think the change was permanent…

Twilight was having some similar thoughts Why did you offer to carry Sweetie Belle home? As a filly it would be considered neighbourly, but a colt offering to walk a beautiful single filly home might be considered coming onto her. Wait, did I call Rarity beautiful? Well, I suppose she is one of the most beautiful and graceful ponies I’ve seen. And I might have to accept that I am a colt now…

The trio of ponies reached Raritys home It’s not like we knew each other long as fillies they both thought. Rarity unlocked the door and pranced into her kingdom of fashion, followed nervously by Twilight. Rarity showed Twilight up to Sweeties weekend bedroom and carefully levitated her little sister off of the colts back, tucked her in very carefully and crept out of the room.

Twilight had already gone downstairs to the store and was looking around at some of the dresses.

“Now, if you want me to make you some clothes, I need to take your measurements” Rarity suddenly appeared with a tape-measure Play it cool Rares, you don’t want to give the wrong impression. Without waiting for a response she started measuring the foreleg, neck and head measurements writing the dimensions down with her magic.

“Oh, how about a nice hat with the motif from the Element of Magic” she muttered in a way that wasn’t expecting a response. Twilight smiled as she thought of the creative fun her friend was going to have, although was concerned how much it could end up costing given how she could easily get obsessed with jewels and gold.

Rarity suddenly stopped and gave a little cough “Ahem, I now need to measure the *cough* inseam” she spluttered with a bit of a blush.

Twilight was taken back a bit “Sure, go ahead. But you’ve done this before Rarity, I’ve seen you measure tons of ponies, why are you suddenly shy?”

Rarity and Twilight stood there looking at each other, the air full of tension. The two ponies, who were new but good friends, weren’t sure what was going on. Rarity had always been courted growing up, but had always put her career first. She hadn’t even gone on a single date in her life despite countless offers each Hearts and Hooves day, and yet she felt a connection to Twilight like no other.

Twilights mind was equally racing. Being the Royal Protégé, as well as being raised by an Alicorn, filly Twilight had always felt she owed the Princesses full commitment to her studies, and committed she was. She didn’t make time for friends, let alone dating or any of that yucky stuff that comes after dating! Her father, Spike and shining armour were the only males she actually knew before coming to Ponyville, but growing up she always felt attraction to some of the Royal Guards. But ultimately there was a choice to be made – wait to see if she ever turned back into a filly, or more on in life as a colt.

Rarity finished doing the measuring without replying “Okay then, I think that’s all I need for now. I can get some designs together” She was starting to get a little flushed having to exam the colts body and posture. “Now, you still have the same body size as the average filly. Obviously have a slighter bigger muzzle but are no more muscular than Applejack was as a filly. No offence intended of course!

“None taken. Being in the library all day would be tiring work without my horn, but no doubt good exercise! I wonder if Applejack will turn out to be as powerful as Big Mac as he grows?”

“No idea, but I’m sure you’ll be strong enough to impress all the fillies” came Rarity automatic salesperson flirty reply, fluttering her eyes and looking a bit sultry “I mean those strong powerful legs you must do a lot of galloping. And such broad shoulders, I mean no wonder you had no problem giving my sister a pony-back ride home”

Rarity suddenly realised how she was acting and visibly blushed. Oh sweet Celestia, I can’t believe I acted that way towards Twilight. I mean she will be no doubt horrified, she’ll tell everypony else, I’ll get a reputation for being a flirt…this is the worst possible thing!

“Sorry Twilight” Rarity started to mumble “It’s just an automatic sales-pony response. Not that what I said is untrue in any way of course. I mean, you’re a fine specimen of a colt and any filly would be glad to have you for a date on hearts and hooves day..."

Twilight watched as Rarity dug herself into a hole bigger than anything Spike could dig, and grew redder than any apple ever grown. He would have tried to help Rarity out but she didn’t even seem to stop talk to breath!

“Not that I think about you that way, but of course there’s no reason I shouldn't. I’m sure that you’re confused enough at the moment and probably the last thing you want is to deal with all of that. Not that I’m asking you to. Dear me, I am just yammering now aren’t I? Please Twilight, don’t be upset!”

Twilight finally had a chance to get a word in and thought it was best “No problem Rarity, nopony minds getting a compliment not matter how, erm, confusing it may be expressed. How much will I owe you?”

Rarity breathed as the unicorn colt let the blushing filly off the hook “You’ll get the friends, family and element of harmony discount” She beamed “I’ll just charge you for the materials so once I get the designs I can let you know”

“Great, well, I’ll see you in a few days so we can see what that creative brain of yours comes up with”

“It’s a date, well, not a date, I mean…”

Twilight laughed, and trotted out Carousel Boutique, leaving it’s owner to shrink with shame and think Oh Rares, you are silly sometimes. Still, hopefully Twilights nature means he’ll no doubt let it pass. Rarity pranced to the other side of the floor and started organising some samples. Anypony who was watching would no doubt notice the extra spring in her step, and in her mane.

Upstairs, Sweetie had crept out of her room and was watching the end of the conversation. I’m going to get a brother in law she thought to herself and skipped back to her room and slept with a big smile on her face…