tacobob

No, it could not be Flux as she was an very gentle soul and would never be part of anything this cruel! Still, Fire caught something familiar in the mare's eyes and it made her feel like her heart and turned to stone. "Oh, I'm sorry Dunders." Sweet Celestia! You think you knew everything about this guy! Was this a recent thing, or was he always a 'mare trapped in a stallion's body'? Her mother's brother, Red Wood liked to wear his wife's Angora sweater...But had no desire to became a mare. He just liked the way the poofy sweater looked on him, and it smelled like his beloved. Was this an leftover effect from the whole 'Ice Storm' marriage fiasco? "I just planned this whole thing out in detail and your little surprise completely threw me off guard...", with the help of her right wing, the mare crumbled up her bag and tossed it an nearby 'Royal Rubbish Bin'. "After this little tour, we should have a drink together. They opened up this cute little microbrew nearby and it has the best view of the castle. We could talk. Catch up on things if you wish." Fire Walker was back to her usual, calm self. Maybe having Dunder as a gal wasn't such a bad thing. At least 'hanging out with a gal-pal' was less suspicious than spending time with your ex. The officer could not help but smile as her friends enjoyed the little snacks. One particular item caught her eye. It was an festive little red cupcake with an Snickerdoodle sticking out of the frosting! She gobbled it up with one might bite! Oh, how she loved the Cakes! Not only did this wondrous cupcake include her favorite cookie, it was cinnamon flavored! This meal came with a show, as both ponies used their new magic devices to transform into males. "Do these bracelets simply project hard light illusions, or are they true polymorph spells?" The higher illusion spell could not only make it appear that Dunder had been changed, but also would be strong enough that she could touch Dunder and actually feel something and even smell her as well. An Polymorph spell actually transformed its subject into something else. Being an officer, the mare had to take more than a few classes on magic. And while she could not cast spells herself, she would be required to be able to defend herself from magic...along with understand how certain spells work. Once the treats were enjoyed and magic was explained, Fire Walker was ready to start the tour!

Ho-Boy! This REALLY knocked Fire Walker off her script. She was going to start with her little song, which she did for the part. If the song had properly ended, colorful, festive confetti would have shot out of the ‘pad’ along with a festive squeak. It would have been cute and they would have fully moved into the castle for the tour. She had considered talking Spike into helping her. Considering how adorable he looked in his little heart-bestowed apron, but their schedules did not work out. However she did not plan having her former colt-friend as the ‘guest’ Bevel would invite. And she also most certainly did not plan on him being an her! Was Bevel aware of their previous relationship? Had she ever mentioned it to the mare? Being not in the mood to avoid the issue, Fire walker spoke up. “We used to date.” The mare continued to study her old friend for a little longer. And while she had the desire to drop down onto her stomach and check the brown pony’s undercarriage, it would be incredibly rude. Silly magic had to be the blame. Was Dunder another victim of Princess Twilight, or were they pranking the officer? Maybe this was Flux...maybe... Fire let out a gasp as the mare gave her a hug. This had to be Dunder. She could feel it. “Oh Dunders...”, the mare cooed, “We’ll get you fixed up once I finish this tour of ours and Princess Twilight returns. She can undo the magic and restore you to your proper self.” There were a few fold out tables in the entrance topped with food and drink. They were obvious rentals. “We are getting more suitable tables, but for now, this is what I would say represents some of the best from Ponyville.”, she stood near the displays. “Cider from Sweet Apple Acres. Non-Alcoholic obviously, but very tasty.” There was another table topped with sweets. “And an variety of flavored cupcakes, compliments from Sugar Cube Corner and Mr. and Mrs. Cake....Now normally, there would be more depending on how many would be going on the tour. I'm hoping we could get some of the school-ponies to draw some pictures of what Ponyville and the Castle Of Friendship means to them. Maybe even arrange Lady Fluttershy is have a few of her little bird friends to chirp a nice little song instead of the per-recorded stuff. Again, this is all a work in progress. If you would like to spend a moment to enjoy a snack and marvel at the high, vaulted ceiling." The normally very calm mare pulled out a small Sugar Cube Corner paper bag and started to inhale into it directly. "Oh.", Fire removed the bag from her mouth. "The music device I used was created by head enchanter Ilinalta in the R.E.A. I believe she is considering calling it, 'Ilinalta's Tiny Orchestra'." And then it was back to the bag.

Oooh! They’re here! They’re here! Fire Walker could hear someponies behind the door! After she took a look through one of the purple stained glass windows located near the door, she could see the vague appearance of two ponies. Probably female. Both a brownish sort of color. The window was made to look good, not to be seen through! One of these mares had to be Bevel! And not Pinkie. Thank goodness! The officer’s very good friend and Royal Equestrian Army enchanter, Ilinalta came up with a fun little device. It was a small, flat pad. Throw it on the ground and give it a good stomp, and it would play music! This one was made just for the test and would probably never be used for the actual tour unless fully approved by Princess Twilight. It was just a bit of fun for now. After a light push, the door slowly opened. “Six, Seven, Eight, Nine....”, the pad came down and gentle stomp started the music.... While the song was loud, it managed to only enhance the Pegasus pony as she announced in the Royal Canterlot Voice.... “Welcome, Welcome, One And All! “To Ponies Short And Ponies Small! “Welcome To All Creatures Whoever You May Be.. “From The Land Of The Pony... “I Welcome You To The Castle Of Friendship... “For...erm.....” It took a moment for it to fully register. There was Bevel with a pair of glasses resting on her snout. But the other pony. That was..... DUNDER?! But that pony was a mare. But it HAD to be Dunder. Very few ponies knew the stallion as well as she. Fire Walker knew where ever fuzz and even every freckle was on his body. But there were curves where curves should not be. And the snout. And the EVERYTHING. She was aware of his sister, but she was still a child! Oh dear, was Twilight up to more of her magical mischief? She zapped the officer and her friends into kids not that long ago. She managed some murky magic on Prince Blueblood and made him into an she. And there was even that bit with turning regular old ponies into crystal ones at last Hearth’s Warming. She might have been responsible for the strange pumpkin that nearly ate her sister Wind, and her friend Bebop. Her jaw came very close to hitting the ground. “Gra...Hello Miss Gear. Dunder. Please come in.” Hopefully Dunder was having a little bit of fun with old friend.

Fire Walker paced back and forth in the elaborate entrance of the 'Castle Of Friendship'. It had not been that long since the member of the royal guard had been given a new title, job, and new suit of armor. This also came with an rather impressive scroll that listed her new responsibilities. One of them was back-up tour guide for the 'Castle Of Friendship'. Today she would be testing herself on how much of her script she was able to put into memory. The mare still could not get over how such an impressive castle could have been created so quickly via magic. Once there was small tree that had been transformed into an home and library , but after an rather angry minotaur came along, it was now an Crystal Empire inspired fortress in its place. To help her with her lines, the red mare managed to convince the 'power that be' to let her give a tour to somepony she knew. And sure enough, one name came up. Bevel "Widget" Gear. She had requested a tour of the castle. Fire would give the unicorn her script to make sure she was hitting all the right notes. The officer also requested that Bevel take a friend along since it would be rare to give a tour only to one guest. "Royal entrance with crystal pillars..Blah blah.", she muttered, "Rare gem-lined chandelier....original roots from Golden Oak Library.....fun swirly slide...golden balcony." Wow, this would make a really good play-set for pony toys! After putting away the script, she slowly made her way toward the large golden doors. Surely Bevel would be here by now...

I am rather fond of tacos.

Xiêyè did not know who Discord was? Maybe Equestria news only stayed in the kingdom? The officer could not help but grin when Discord apparently gave himself an upgrade. God of chaos? That sounded rather scary. Almost like the 'great old ones' mentioned in her brother Moon Walker's creepy old books. Just seeing one of these creatures would drive any civilized pony mad. And one of the 'old ones' did remind her of Discord, but they threw an octopus in that mix as well. Maybe the writers simply knew about Discord and did their own variation of him. Would he be able to sue these writers? He mentioned a 'sleepover' again? What was with that? Fire Walker took a moment to ponder this. She awoke not that long ago and she had a job. But did she do the job? She had memories of working underground with the brothers. But was that job tonight? Small memories started to form. Darkness. Spells. The hedge mage tried to control her mind, but the brothers were fast and countered his spell. But something happened to her memories of the mission. The enemy spell-caster was defeated, but the officer needed help back to the barracks. They had to check her out to make sure she did not end up with anything nasty after hanging around a nasty sewer for an a few hours. There was always typhoid, paratyphoid, bacillary dysentery, gastroenteritis, and cholera to be found there. And sweet Ilinalta made sure she did not suffer any magical side effects from the hedge mage. Her Swiss-cheesed brains were slowly returning memories. She had memories of being brought to the manor by Ilinalta and a few others. They met with Swift's butler, Oak Branch, who helped her to bed. Backing up to just a few moments ago, she recalled Discord using the word 'Sleepover'. Did he believe that was what she was doing with Swift? For such an old and powerful creature, he was rather innocent. Were there any female draconequus? As she pondered this bit of insanity, her dear Swift had a few words with his 'guest'. And while she approved of his bravery, there were some things you should never do. You would never tug on Princess Celestia's tail. It would be for the best that you would never spit in the wind. You would never, pull the hat off of Daring Do, and you should never insult a creature as powerful as Discord. "Don't mind him.", she smiled at the kooky king of chaos, "He's just that way before his morning coffee. Oooh.", an idea popped up, "Dear Swift.", she cooed, "Once you're done with your brew, could you please make me a pot of my ''Dreaded Motaba Blend'?", she had fully put on her 'friendly host' face as she addressed the pair. "You two could have a cup just as long as you don't have any heart issues. Or ulcers...Or weak kidneys. Stuff is strong. Soo.." she turned her full attention back to Discord, "What brings you to Stately Squallcoast Manor?"