Hoofstuck

[It Was A ...]

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Changelings don't appear to live anywhere near Equestria, normally;

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How can you tell?

[Zarhon]

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How can you tell?

They got bucked a pretty long distance. Doesn't mean they aren't there though... Also, since 1080p episodes are out, I assume we can stop the spoiler tags now...

> Rarity: Wait a minute. Sister missing? Dreams from each of the Elements of Harmony? That is very suspicious... changeling suspicious even! Ask Sparkler something a potential impostor wouldn't know, or see if she confirms a made-up story/event.

> Rarity: Contemplate your dream visions, with the added knowledge of the possibility of changeling influences.

> Everypony: Be suddenly gripped by changeling paranoia. Especially Lyra. You knew this all along, didn't you.

> Pinkie Pie: Discreetly feed your changeling pet/friend.


Speaking of Pinkie Pie, I think we can confirm her use of a break canon/party cannon strife specibus.

As for her capthalogue deck... may I present/suggest to you: The Ludo modus. (A.K.A. "Mensch ärgere dich nicht" modus)

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- Let's her store *anything*
- Unlimited capacity
- Allows retrieval of up to four items at once
- When trying to retrieve something, the items in question and up to three others (Pinkie's choice) are placed on the board under the "hot pink" color player, each item representing a "playing piece" of that color.
- Other items in the modus are randomly (or by Pinkie's choice) assigned to the opposing "Dark Pink" color player, until the board has an equalized number pieces for both players.
- The game then starts. Pinkie's mood determines which player gets luckier dice rolls. Other than that factor, the outcome of the game is completely random.
- If "hot pink" wins, she gets to "unlock" the four items she chose (allowing her free use/swapping of those items), until she decides to start another game, in which case the items are relocked and another game starts.
- If "dark pink" wins, she is locked to using/swapping the items chosen for that color, while the item playing piece that won is violently ejected from the modus.
- If the modus only has one item, it's free to use anytime.

Examples
1)Pinkie wants to get a slice of cake from her modus. She assigns it to the "hot pink" player color. The modus then randomly auto-assigns a balloon to the opposing player color. The game starts.
-If pink wins (She's in a happy mood, so the dice are in favor of "hot pink"), she gets to freely use/sample the slice of cake.
-If pink loses (Pinkie was feeling down, so the dice are in favor of the "dark pink" player), the baloon is ejected from the modus.

2) Pinkie wants to retrieve 4 different balls. She assigns each of them to the pink player color. The modus randomly assigns 3 balloons to the opposing player, as well as an anvil. The game starts.
- If "hot pink" wins, she gets all four balls unlocked and can swap them as much as she wants to.
- If "dark pink" wins, and the piece that won the game is the anvil, the anvil is (violently) ejected, while the baloons become available for use/swapping.

Or if this is all too confusing/complex to use, here's an alternate, sillier version: The Bait-and-switch modus!

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- Let's her store any item and as many as she wants to
- When trying to uncaptchalogue something, the itme is assigned the number "1" (unless it's her only item, then she just pulls it out).
- 5 other items are assigned the numbers "5-6" (or less, depending on how many items she has).
- A dice is rolled. Whichever number comes up, the item with that number exits the modus.
- Regardless of which item exits the modus, it can and will be used and/or behave in the same way as the "1" item would, regardless of logic/science/magic/laws of reality.

Example
Pinkie wants to pull out a key. It's assigned the number "1".
A party cannon is assigned to the number 2. Dice rolls.
- 1 rolled, she pulls out the key.
- 2 rolled, she pulls out the party cannon, which despite all logic, now functions as a key (literally and/or metaphorically, it might open a locked door by destroying it, threaten the author to unlock the door, etc...).

Note: Both use pop-o-matic bubbles, beacause of obvious reasons.

[Atarlost]

You only indicate two sides (light and dark pink) in your Ludo modus and Ludo uses four.

[KingTwelveSixteen]

>Rarity: "My dreams are actually full of visions of the future, including various apocalyptic events that me and my friends end up stopping."

Honesty is the best policy.

[OnBackorder]

Well,say Pinkie chose to take two positions on Ludo she could then risk having access to up to eight cards at the risk of two items being violently ejected.
I do like the Dice rolling idea because of the old joke of pulling out tons of useless crap to get a single key, but her chances are much worse for getting anything she actually wants. However, that gag gets old quick.

How about a hammer-space modus that only works if she can reach into a place that the reader doesn't have direct line of sight with, like her emergency supply of eye-patches.

Better, a bartering modus. To get things out you must put stuff in of equal or greater value. Haggling is the game, and Pinkie is very good at it. Also, the merchant will trade most items in exchange for cake, small children, and inferior modus operandi regardless of the item's true worth.

[Zarhon]

You only indicate two sides (light and dark pink) in your Ludo modus and Ludo uses four.

Yeah, I kinda considered that, but it seemed way too complicated and made it hard to make the game "balanced" if there aren't enough items for each player. Besides, Ludo is a 2-4 player game.

Also, I couldn't think of which the other "opposing colors" would be, or how her mood could manipulate them. The modus as it is certainly allows for up to four players, but that only makes the odds less likely in her favor (1/2 chance for two players vs a 1/4 chance of winning with four player), so she rarely does it unless she wants to manipulate the system.

@Onbackorder: She can only "win" with one player (since only one player can win, no teaming up with two others), but she could do something like assign a balloon to every color, so that even if she loses she at least has a balloon to use, at the risk of it being ejected if it's the "winning piece". She probably wont be able to assign the item she wants multiple times unless it's something like confetti.

Whatever Pinkie's modus is, it should be maximum silly / random / impractical to anyone that isn't Pinkie Pie.

Ooh I just though of another silly modus: The "Tomba!" modus

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Items are stored in the modus either by
- Eating/swallowing them like a Yoshi
or
- They just have to be edible/swallow-able in some fashion (and small enough to fit in Pinkie's stomach), and are stored in the modus (Which don't know where she keeps. Maybe she ate it?).

Capacity could either be
- Unlimited, with the penalty that taking too many items makes Pinkie fat/bloated like a balloon/queasy.
or
- Limited depending on modus volume/space and item sizes.

- Items can only be retrieved when they would be in a position to be used immediately (e.g. a key in front of the door it opens). Afterwards they are either discarded (changing their form slightly) or returned to the modus.

- In addition, retrieving/storing items requires nopony be looking at Pinkie Pie at that moment (Readers lose sight of her as the webpages load).

[youdont12know]

Another variation of MEJN (Ludo) modus: It's shared between users, only one player wins at a time.

[orderboundChaotic]

How about a Gag Modus? Pinkie has to come up with something funny about the item she wishes to retrieve in order to do so.

[Super_actor]

I think Pinkie Pie would like a Pin the Tail on the Pony modus. I imagine it would work by Pinkie Pie selecting the item she wants, then the modus would give her a picture of a piece of it. It would then blindfold her and bring up an image of the item with the piece missing. The rest is obvious, and there should be lots of streamers, confetti, balloons and a ton of noise. It sounds like something Pinkie Pie would enjoy, seeing how much she mentions that it's her favorite game. Plus, I see her finding it in the modus store(or however you get modi(moduses?)), and flipping out.

Also:

>Rarity: Use this chance to find out who's awake.

She probably knows who is awake on Prospit, but she might not know who is awake on Derse.

Oh, and +1 Reader, I suppose.

[Violet CLM]

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Plus, I see her finding it in the modus store(or however you get modi(moduses?)), and flipping out.

So far, pegasi get given their modi by other pegasi, unicorns make their own, and earth ponies haven't had anything specified yet. Oh goodness is that a pattern??

Oh, and +1 Reader, I suppose.

Hi!


In other news, Rods and Sterling has been accepted as Twilight's planet; Pinkie's modus is still being considered; and this update is all y'all's fault.

>R: Be outraged.

You are outraged. "Sparkler," you say, "how could you? Are you seriously trying to take advantage of my distress and generosity?"

She looks startled. "Oh, no!" she says. "No, of course not! I swear, I'm really very interested in dreams and I'm truly sorry if I was pushing too hard with the studying you thing..."

"You were pushing a trifle too hard," you answer, "but I can handle that. Celestia knows I've experienced worse. However, you were being very disrespectful of my friends, and that is something I cannot allow. Rainbow Dash trusted you with what might be among her most deeply held secrets, and that does not give you the right to tell it to me without her consent! And if Fluttershy doesn't want you to visit her dreams, then surely it is your duty as a lady and a scholar to respect her privacy!"

"You're right," she says. Her eyes are starting to water a little, and you feel a touch of remorse for speaking to her so harshly. "Oh, gosh, Rarity, you're right. It's just, all the stress from losing the kids and I guess I just let my mouth run away from me a bit. I'm sorry I was so pushy, and please don't tell Rainbow Dash I mentioned that to you, if you think she wouldn't like it."

That last clause strikes you as a little iffy, but you are beginning to feel more sympathetic to her again. Clearly the poor dear didn't mean anything hurtful by it. "My lips are sealed, dear. Now, how about we put this whole awful argument behind us, go find Sweetie Belle and her friends, and maybe we can talk about dreams some other time?" This is kind of a vacuous promise, to the extent that it's a promise at all, since you have a feeling that you and your friends are going to be helping in the war between Prospit and Derse very soon indeed -- probably today, even. By the time that whole adventure gets finished, your dreams are probably going to be a lot less interesting. One way or another, given how interested she clearly is in the subject, it should be fine for Sparkler to hear about them by then.

She wipes her eyes and smiles. "Thanks, Rarity. That sounds good. Do you mind if I cast a quick perfume-freshening spell before we get going?" A few green sparks begin to gather around the base of her horn.

"Of course not! A lady must always look her best, after all."

===>

Sparkler says you look very pretty and asks if she can hear about your dreams.

You tell her you'd be more than happy to sing about them for her.

[KingTwelveSixteen]

>Sing loudly and very off-key.

[Leafsword]

Well... anyone call that?

[forkinyoureye]

>Sing loudly and very off-key.

Doesn't seem likely, but hey, seconded.

[kd7sov]

Her horn is fluorescing, isn't it?

[Naglfar]

> Readers: Quick! Horse puns!

[Super_actor]

>Rarity: Sing very "elegantly". You are a lady after all.

[gingerale]

> R: Sing about your life dreams, perform like a lady

[Zarhon]

Violet, you magnificent bastard.

Commands spam time!

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> Lyra: Have sudden urge to yell "I KNEW IT!"

> Rarity: Sing a lullaby dream song, in an attempt to put yourself and/or FakeSparkler to sleep.

> Rarity: Retrieve your mother's music record and prepare to sing and dance to it's tune. Now is the time.

> Lyra: Apply pillow to face.

> Rarity: Sing and dance like your mother would.

> Rarity: Sing, but add in some unorthodox (yet elegant) choreography as part of the song: Try to "accidentally" knock out RapefaceSparkler FakeSparkler with it.

> Rarity: Sing about every single dream you've ever had since foalhood, in meticulous detail.

> Rarity: Perform the most whiny, dramatic song ever recorded. Flail dangerously, and levitate sharp and dangerous items around during the performance.

> Rarity: Manipulate the song into a duet. Force FakeSparkler to participate, singing and dancing about her own dreams as well. Quickly leave the song as it shifts into a villainous aria. Nobody beats you at manipulate-off. You are simply the best there is.

> Rarity: Sing and dance your way into the streets of Ponyville for a larger audience. Attempt to gather additional performers to the song for safety, so that your own secrets can't be overheard from the crowd.

> Rarity: Sing, but elegantly dance somewhere where your song is likely to be ruined or interrupted before you spill all the beans.

> Lyra: Interrupt song at the most crucial moment.

> Applejack/Cloud Chaser/Taffy Machine: Inadvertently interrupt Rarity's song at the most crucial moment.

[kd7sov]

Aha!

> Make sure to sing the Sleep Song first. You don't dream without being asleep, and you have to sing the Sleep Song before you go to sleep.

[Zarhon]

Aha!

> Make sure to sing the Sleep Song first. You don't dream without being asleep, and you have to sing the Sleep Song before you go to sleep.

^ Seconded for Art of the matress! Make sure the sheets are perfect beforehand as well.

[gingerale]

> Singing requires music, play The Record

[Iyestorm]

>Violet CLM: Change adventure subtitle to "Or Making a Pony Cry: The Adventure"

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>Sparkler: Negotiate Rarity into giving you all her worldly possessions.

>Rarity: Sing as impeccably as always, providing merriment and exposition about your dreams on Prospit.

OR

>Rarity: Sing about something *really* embarrassing.

EITHER WAY

>Sparkler: Be impressed with Rarity's singing voice. This has nothing to do with anything, but whatever.

[Zarhon]

Speculation time!

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Changelings seem like EXCELLENT candidates as either the Hoofstuck canon Derse natives, or the Trolls.

- The Derse natives are black, like the changelings are.
- They are a mix of malicious and goofy characters, and Queen Chrysalis is pretty much a PERFECT Derse Black Queen.
- The Derse inhabitants would have a valid reason to scour the dreams of the Main Six / Prospit Heroes.

- The Trolls are generally malicious and alien looking, much like the changelings are.
- Both are tricksters and troublemakers with weird powers, as well as hive/bug based.
- The changelings "feeding off love" draws some similarity to the troll's weird way of romance. Perhaps they employ "green" and "black" quadrants?
- Do the regular changelings have genders, apart from the queen?
- Queen Chrysalis is pretty much a Crockerwitch.

> Sparkler: No homo.

> Sparkler: Contemplate your feelings of / / towards Rarity after tricking her like this. Expose on changeling relationships as you consider your "friendship" with Rarity.

[It Was A ...]

Speculation time!

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Changelings seem like EXCELLENT candidates as either the Hoofstuck canon Derse natives, or the Trolls.

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Interesting thoughts. Changelings may be more different deep down than they are on the surface.

I'm thinking out a fanfic with a different take on Changelings. They are a sixth (or seventh) kind of pony. {Earth, Pegasus, unicorn, alicorn, sea, butterfly(?)} My version, they are a comparatively recent branch, taught shape-shifting by Luna, and mostly stayed with her as she felt increasingly rejected by the rest of Equestria. Some of their attitude, that they need love to live and feel that they can only get it by deceit, speaks to what Luna was wrestling with before her exile.

As for the name, Changeling implies stolen babies. Pony genetics occasionally throws up babies of different pony varieties. If a normal looking foal suddenly starts changing what they look like, especially is some ugly old mares tales about Nightmare Moon and her child snatchers are still around, reasonable ponies could decide that their children really weren't their children. And, that sort of rejection would be used by the Changeling community to justify their anger.

>Apple Bloom: have a Changeling twin brother, Apple Bud, who all your family believes is dead.
>Apple Bud: don't appear in the story

Sparkler -- your Sour side is a monster. Has she been rewritten after the wedding, or is this just a nod to it? I suppose we'll see in time.

Rarity -- Start your song upbeat and positive. As it goes on, increasingly find it burdensome and depressing. (Seriously, I count two solo songs. "Making the Dress" and "Pony Everypony Wants to Know" both follow that pattern.) I suppose she could fight the suggestion spell by inverting the order. I also suspect Violet CLM has already written the bulk of the lyrics and we're just at a pause for anticipation.

Art of the Bed -- neat thought.
Rarity: ask Sparkler to tuck you in.

The Prequel story looks interesting. Thanks Iyestorm.

[Violet CLM]

I also suspect Violet CLM has already written the bulk of the lyrics and we're just at a pause for anticipation.

Anticipation, hell; these things take time to make visuals for.



P.S. She switches between sweet and tart, not sweet and sour. There are two or three pictures out there on the web that name her "Sweet Tart" instead of (more common fanon) "Sparkler" or (toy canon) "Amethyst Star," as if she doesn't have enough to be confused about already, so it's in reference to that. Honestly Sweet Tart would be a much more practical name for her, since it wouldn't invite confusion with this lady, but there's nothing to be done about that.

(It gets worse when you consider that part of Twilight's name is Sparkle. There's a story -- Substitute Harmony, I think -- where you briefly have to keep track of G4 Sparkler, G1 Sparkler, G4 Twilight Sparkle, and G1 Twilight all at once. It gets messy.)

(But yeah, that's why Sparkler's name appeals to Rarity for some undefinable reason.)