Manehattan, the big apple. Where celebrities make their home and ponies go about their busy, snobby lives. Hundreds of stores line the streets, from horseshoes and perfumes, to magic spells and glittering jewellery. You could find just about anything if one only looked hard enough. Hidden in the many alleyways between the more ordinary shops was one such place. Ponies from far and wide have heard of its practices but nopony really believes these rumors. In fact famous stars have been known to visit it more then once. Sometimes even three days a week.
Two posh unicorns stood before a rather dodgy looking store. With darkened windows and odd scents drifting from within, it certainly did not seem like a place for those of importance. A single sign swung in the soft breeze with the words: Dr Bakori's Modification Emporium: Where your inner perfection becomes you! Just below the name was a picture of a unicorn with draconic wings shaking hooves with a zebra.
"Are you sure this is the right place? It certainly doesn't look like somewhere you would go to look beautiful. I am already perfect if you haven't noticed..."
The taller unicorn had a coat of pure white that seemed perfect and unblemished. She had the body of a supermodel with the vanity to match, as proven by her constant posing and flicking of her gorgeous pink hair.
"Typical Fleur, always so caught up in your looks... I'm sure you will get along with the doctor just fine. He just adores perfection and beauty," replied a short pudgy unicorn who was the polar opposite of Fleur.
While not ugly by any means, she was more of your average pony, like one you would find in the more homely town of Ponyville. A dull gray coat and white mane completed the picture of an ordinary mare.
"My name is Fleur De Lis thank you very much. You are to use my full name when addressing me, for I am above such common talk. You should know your place Silverbolt. Now that we have that sorted, let us see what this doctor can really do. "
Fleur simply stood and waited for her servant to open the door, the dusty and partially moldy door would not go well with her perfectly clean hooves. She let out a heavy sigh as the door remained shut. "Ahem!" Silverbolt turned in Fleur's direction and caught the impatient expression on her mistress's face. A nod towards the door finally made her catch on.
"Oh yes, at once milady!" Just before she could place a hoof on the door however, it began to open of its on accord. The dry creak of the rusty hinges was somewhat loud in the empty backstreet. "Well that was easy!"
Slowly Silverbolt trotted into the dank shop, the smell of ginger and cumin was overpowering as she felt the spices tickle the inside of her nostrils. Hanging from the door was a simple dream catcher, with small golden feathers that were blown back by the breeze. With a grin she turned to Fleur and offered her hoof, with a look of unease the model unicorn took the outstretched hoof and stepped into the darkened room.
On the far wall were several tiki masks that glared down at the ponies with hideous scowls etched in the thin wood.
"Well this place is certainly... quaint. Typical zebra decorations just add to its charm. Even has that smell associated with low classes." Fleur sniffed at the air and gave the store a once over, before deciding this was not a place for the upper class.
"I see I 'ave some customers, by 'da looks of ya I'll be paid quite a bit o' gold. A witch doctor be needing his pay don'tcha know?" A deep Zebrican accent reverberated from behind the counter that moments ago seemed empty. A hooded figure appeared from the shadows with a single golden eye peering out beneath his cloak.
"You must be Dr Bakori! A pleasure to meet a zebra of your skills. I've heard so much about this place."
The doctor gripped Silverbolt's outstretched hoof and shook it firmly. A small sack of gold was placed within his hoof before they broke the hoof shake. Dr Bakori stepped back, pouring the sacks content upon the counter. His eye lit up as he picked up a rather large ruby and held it up to the dim bulb above.
"Excellent, 'dis is quite a large sum 'o money. Not to mention 'dese gemstones will be quite useful in my concoctions. What kinda 'ting you be lookin' for? Some body modification or one 'o my many brews?"
With a slight blush Silverbolt pointed toward her mistress, "Umm no, it's for Miss Fleur De Lis. I thought she might like one of your famous makeovers."
Dr Bakori laid his eyes upon the tall white unicorn and gasped rather loudly, for several moments he simply stared at her, his mouth hanging open like his jaw was completely loose. He shook his head and pulled back his hood to reveal a rather impressive mohawk that ended in three dreadlocks. Tiny gold bands held each dread together, matching perfectly with the three gold earrings pierced through his earlobe. His right eye was nothing but an empty black socket, a rather jarring feature beside the deep golden eye that remained.
"Amazing, you are certainly beauty divine, I 'av quite a few 'tings I can add to make ya perfect. Such a well sculpted form for my art to really shine. I 'av been waiting for a specimen just like you for quite a long time."
Fleur turned toward the doctor who continued to stare at her body, a rather uncomfortable silence passing between them. With an uneasy gulp she trotted up to the counter with her hair twirled around her hoof, "Well that is quite sweet of you to say but I don't think you can make me any more perfect then-"
"Oh don' be so modest, I can make you positively amazing. Come wit' me to the operating room, we gonna make perfection outta you." Dr Bakori gestured towards the beaded door at the back of the front room, before heading into his office.
Silverbolt nudged her unwilling mistress towards the door with subdued excitement. With a regretful sigh Fleur pulled back the ivory beads and headed towards the operating chair that stood in the center. She lay herself down on the chair, which surprisingly was one of the most comfortable seats her high class flank had ever sat upon. The well worn velvet gave off an old sofa smell that one finds after keeping a couch past its heyday. Fleur couldn't help but wonder what magical body modification was like. A small part of her mind wondered if this was simply an elaborate prank by Silverbolt after last weeks... debate.
"Excuse me for a moment Miss Fleur, I want to make sure everything's perfectly in order... Don't want any slip-ups or whatnot." Silverbolt stepped into the office and gently shut the door behind her.
Fleur continued to stay seated in case the doctor wanted to start early, her mind focused on the upcoming Gala event. Calmly she sat there for what seemed like three hours (in reality about fifteen minutes) before the office door opened once again. The doctor was now dressed in an overcoat that looked more like a robe with a long stick clasped in his right hoof. His one eye rolled around in its socket before focusing on her unmoving form.
"I see you 'av made yourself quite comfortable, 'dat is very important during the incantations. I 'av 'ad many a fidgety customer and then they complain when I mess up. Strangely, most of my paying customers do not stay for the entire operation... not sure why."
Fleur simply blinked at the doctor's words and once again grew uneasy. What has Silverbolt got me into now.
"Let us proceed shall we? First of all I ask kindly that you remove any piercings, clothing, jewellery or any other 'tings that are not naturally part of you. We don' want any mistakes. I would hate to tarnish your form with such needless 'tings."
"You better not be a scam artist, I paid good money for these." A pair of earrings were placed on the nearby bench, along with many other personal effects. All the items that were on her person together total more then everything within Dr Bakori's store. Luckily for the posh unicorn most witch doctors weren't ones to steal.
"Don' worry 'bout 'dat, I'm sure your friend here would show me what's what. Now hold still... 'dis may sting a tiny bit." He placed a large bee against Fleur's neck and gently pushed it through the upper layer of her skin.
"Ow! Watch it!"
"Sorry, 'da sting will pass momentarily... Then the calming effect will enter your bloodstream and all will be well."
As he spoke her mind suddenly became cloudy, almost like a very lucid dream. The room exploded with color like a rainbow had formed around them. She spoke softly to herself as the effects were replaced by utter calm.
"What happened?" Their voices reverberated through her mind, hollow and indistinct.
"Don' worry 'dis is just the first time experience. Also she may be allergic to bees, oh well!
'Dese forest bees are known to cause fever dreams to those who are allergic. Probably should have asked first," Doctor Bakori promptly removed the bee sting. A small flask suddenly appeared in his hoof as he poured the contents into the tiny wound.
The strange dreamlike quality began to fade as a tingling sensation trickled through Fleur's veins. Silverbolt grabbed her hoof and gave it a gentle squeeze. She turned to her mistress with a thin smile on her face. She was kicking herself that she had forgotten that Fleur had several allergies... especially bees.
"Now 'dat we have 'dat sorted out, I will start the procedure immediately. Would you like a lollipop? I swear I had some in this drawer." The zebra pulled open a very dusty looking cabinet and pulled out three ancient looking lollipops.
"No, thank you. I don't eat food from before Celestia's reign."
"Oh well more for me 'den!" He said as he placed all three in his mouth. The middle one was a very moldy looking green. It's furry surface seemed to quiver within his lips. Uggh! I'm going to be sick... this zebra obviously has a few screws loose.
Dr Bakori began to wave the long stick around the room, two tiny bird skulls clattered together on the end. Strange words began to pour from his mouth that sounded like complete gibberish. He began shaking the stick faster and faster before letting it go on its own accord. It floated above the floor in a cocoon of magical energy. A large arc of what appeared to be purple lightning struck Fleur square in the chest. She felt her body momentarily go numb as long delicate wings erupted from her back.
The arc of magic continued to course through her as her new wings slowly unfurled. The room was lit up with red, blue and silver as the light shone through the gossamer membrane. Both unicorns couldn't help but be in awe of the majestic beauty of the wings, it reminded them of the wings another unicorn had flaunted around; Cloudsdale during the Young Flier Competition.
"Ah yes, what a gorgeous Fae spirit you would make. But it still isn't perfect... perhaps I could add some'ting else to it. Give me a moment while I find anudda spell. Don't ya be moving just yet." And with that he returned to his office, followed by the sounds of paper shuffling and a few muttered words.
Fleur simply stared in wonder at her new additions that shimmered in the light. Even she had to admit it was quite amazing to make them grow from nothing. No unicorn magic could do such things with little effort. "I'm quite impressed Silverbolt, it certainly looks like those reviews were right. I don't even know how he can top these wings!"
"It is my pleasure milady, it's nice to see you so enthusiastic about something. After last week I wanted to make it up to you."
"Well you pulled out all the stops on this one that's for sure."
Dr Bakori shoved open the door with his foreleg as he juggled a large pile of scrolls in his right hoof. Each one was made of a thin sheet of papyrus wrapped in a leather seal. A slight blue glow emanated from them, the words of power primed for use. Gently he placed them on Fleur's lap and held up a rather long scroll that dragged across the floor.
"Dis is my own personal recipe, but first I must know if you have problems with bright lights... or spiders."
The question took Fleur by surprise, "Sp-spiders? Why would you need them?"
"Oh you know 'dis and 'dat, trust me I'm a doctor!" The witchdoctor gave her an odd smile followed by a rather creepy wink with his empty socket. Without warning he grabbed her leg and placed a very large, very aggressive spider on her exposed skin. The tiny scratches drew her crazy as it ran up her body. Fleur took a deep breath and let out an earsplitting scream, flailing her entire body while doing so.
"Relax, Spinner 'ere will be adding a few extras to ya 'air. Mare's for miles around would simply die for a mane of pure silk. Once I begin the spell each strand will fuse to your skull permanently. Silk will then grow just like natural 'air."
"Did it have to be spiders? Why not silk worms?" she asked through clenched teeth.
"Simple, magic prefers the silk 'o spiders. I don' make 'da rules lady! Now sit back before you break some'ting!" Dr Bakori pulled his stick out of the floor and pressed it against her head. The cold skulls made her flinch as they touched against her skin. Once again he began to chant, this time it was slower and more flowing. Several words sounded quite similar as if he was rhyming every sentence.
The spider had reached her flank, where it began to thread webbing across her rear. She tried with some effort not to flick her tail in fright as it crawled across her. Fleur kept repeating the same thing over and over in her mind, a sort of mantra, Just a few more minutes, just a few more minutes, Just a few more- Oh my God it's on my head!
A second spider was placed on her head with careful hooves. Silverbolt had willingly offered the doctor some assistance earlier but had been turned down. She giggled to herself as the black tarantula ran circles around Fleur's scalp.
"How... much... longer?" Fleur tried to keep calm through her repressed screams, but stuttered constantly when she spoke.
"Not long my pretty. One passage left to recite. Only about four t'ousand more words give or take..."
"What?!"
She felt her horn begin to hum with magic, gradually building energy as each new syllable was uttered. A soft blue light quickly engulfed her horn and the top of her head. The spider chattered beneath the magic, his spinnerets going into overdrive. In five minutes her entire head was wrapped in spider silk. Fleur sighed loudly when both spiders were pulled away, their jobs complete. Dr Bakori gently unwrapped her head with a pair of tongs and cried out in a girlish fashion.
"Your mane, it is absolutely gorgeous. The pink shines with silken brilliance. You are nearly perfect... one more alteration I think. Yes, Yes! So close I can practically taste it. Perfection is absolute!"
"Does it involve more spiders? I cannot handle anymore spiders!" Fleur shivered at the thought of the spiders legs on her skin.
"No, no. Not at all. 'ere, take a look at ya yourself in 'da mirror." The zebra held up a small hoof-held mirror that was cracked around the edges. Seven years bad luck, luckily I'm not in that equation. Fleur gazed at her reflection and marveled at the luscious pink hair that ran down her back. It could easily rival the mane of the princesses in its majesty. For someone so caught up in looks, these modifications were a dream come true. What more surprises could this witchdoctor have in store?
"Milady! Soon you will look like a princess! All the stallions will be cantering after you in no time, I mean they do now but wait till after! They'll be lining up down the street just to ask you out. Maybe even a few ladies! Um if you're into that sort of thing..." Silverbolt was bouncing up and down like a child who just got tickets to Disneighland. Her cheeks had gone a deep maroon as she ended her little tirade. Her mistress was simply not into mares, much to Silverbolts disliking.
"Calm down before you blow a gasket! I know I'm amazing now but keep the enthusiasm down just a tiny bit."
Dr Bakori simply watched this amusing exchange before rudely interrupting their 'girl talk', "Are you ready for the final transformation? I'm sure ya gonna love it!"
"After what I've seen so far I can't wait to see it!"
"See it you will..."
He pried open two scrolls and placed them side by side on his workbench. The letters were replaced by odd symbols of eyes, bugs and other strange things. It almost seemed like something for black magic. But why would he need that type of ritual?
"Umm, is that black voodoo?"
"Excuse me? I am not some bokor! Just because you see an odd language do not assume it be bad juju."
"Sorry!"
Dr Bakori simply shook his head and turned back to the spell. He pried open a nearby jar, a foul stench quickly filling the room. Two eyeballs plopped onto the bench with a disgusting squelch. The zebra turned back to Fleur with eyeballs in hand, placing them face down against her stomach. Before she could protest however he promptly removed them and placed one of them in his empty socket. Without stopping to take a breath he began another chant.
The new chant was a completely different language, Dr Bakori sounded like he had phlegm caught in his throat. Whatever dialect he was speaking sounded sinister with that low guttural tone. If anypony heard him right now they would probably think he was being strangled. The long stick from before was now split in two halves and placed beside Fleur's head. A single splinter of wood held them together as both skulls spun in place.
Her face rapidly grew itchy, her hoof instinctively rose up to scratch it. The doctor pushed her hoof down away from her face, shaking his head as he did so, "Try not to scratch, I 'd rather not be mopping up blood today."
The skulls fell back into place as a bright beam of light shot out of Dr Bakori's fake eye and blinded her momentarily. Fleur flinched away from the light that burned the backs of her eyeballs. The light dissipated as quickly as it had come, followed by a creepy whisper from the doctor.
"You may open your eyes now."
Fleur opened her eyes and tried to catch a glimpse of the new addition. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Puzzled, she turned to Silverbolt who was no longer standing beside her. At the front of the store she heard the bell ring. "Where is she going?"
"Your friend abandoned you during the procedure... something about ya being hideous and no longer normal. 'onestly I don't know what 'er problem is."
"Well that's unusual... Wait! Did you do something?"
"Of course my dear, you are now perfect. If 'dis wasn't a doctor/patient deal I would be 'da one asking you out! 'Dere is a full body mirror in my shop. I hope you like it!" The doctor wandered over to the front desk and began counting his profit for today.
With increasing excitement, Fleur stepped down off the operating chair and went to look for the nearby mirror. She closed her eyes to make it more of a surprise. Blindly she stumbled up to it and reopened her eyes. At first she could only make out a blurry outline before all her eyes adjusted. Her reflection no longer had a pure white coat but instead a dark almost black green. The skin was now smooth and hard like the body of an insect, the light shining off it in mottled patterns. Her eyes were now large and black and numbered all the way to eight.
"AAARRRGGGHHH!" Fleur turned away from the mirror, galloping as fast as she could through the door and down main street. Many of the ponies that lined the streets ran in fear of the hybrid pony/spider creature, the crowd quickly becoming chaotic as they fled in horror of the disgusting beast.
Dr Bakori stood at the door and shrugged, "Well I t'ought she was perfect... My mother was a spider-pony and she was the most gorgeous spider in Zebrica. I guess 'dese ponies are just racist. Hopefully I'll see that Fleur again, such a wonderful specimen."
He shut the door behind him and headed to the backroom, awaiting his next eager customer. Today was Friday after all and he had an appointment scheduled this afternoon for some posh stallion called Blueblood.
To Be Continued...
