//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: A Little Smarty Problem // by Sparknanator //------------------------------// A Little Smarty Problem By Sparknanator **** “Daddy wake up!” A high pitched voice shouted, a small hoof shaking him. Big Mac’s eyes snapped open as he looked around the room for the source of the voice yet he could find nothing. Big Mac laid his head down to try and get a little more sleep, he felt the same hoof poking him. “Come on, wake up daddy I’m hungry!” the voice said. This time Big Mac knew something was off and he opened his eyes again, “Now who ever ya’ are I ain’t yer’ bucking daddy!” Big Mac snapped, looking around the room seeing only a grey filly, her bottom half was blue with white polka dots on it, “Oh haha Applebloom, very funny, now go on, out with ya’, and wash tha’ makeup off!” “I’m not Applebloom, and you said a swear!” Big Mac sat up and shook his head, “Applebloom just go on and get tha’ makeup off. Ya’ look like Smarty Pants if she was a real pony.’” Big Mac said, yawning a little, “Go! Scoot yer caboose!” The filly sat there, not moving, just staring at Big Mac, “But I’m not Applebloom! I’m Smarty Pants! Don’t you recognize me daddy?” Smarty Pants asked and Big Mac just shook his head again, not believing the filly, “But I am Smarty Pants! Applebloom is asleep in the other room!” Big Mac just took a deep breath “Applebloom you stop lying right this minute! Am ah understood?!” Big Mac said, glaring at Smarty Pants “Now go in tha’ shower! And wash tha’ makeup off! Right this second! Ah mean it!” Smarty Pants just stared up at Big Mac, her eyes watering as tears started to form in her eyes, “I am not Applebloom though... she is sleeping in the other room!” Smarty Pants stomped her hoof. “If ya’ are tellin’ tha’ truth! I won’t be mad! I’m goin’ ta check Applebloom’s room right now so this is yer last chance!” Big Mac warned as he got up. Smarty didn’t move, she just continued to look at him with teary eyes yet she would not move an inch, “Ah mean it!” “I’m not lying!” she sniffled. “What has Granny an’ Applejack told ya about lyin’?!” he asked her. She flinched,and Big Mac turned to walk out the door as it opens, revealing the red maned filly. She rubbed her eyes sleepily. “Ah’m right here Big Mac.” She yawned, “Why’re ya hollerin’ for me?” Applebloom asked. Big Mac looked at his door, seeing Applebloom and looked back at the filly in front of him; blinking a few times, unsure of the situation. “Alright I get’cha, this little prank is goin’ too far. Now who is that? Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle?” Big Mac asked, “Whoever ya are just go inta’ the bathroom an’ wash up.” “But ah don’t have ta go ta school yet!” Applebloom whined. “Ah don’t care, both of ya go wash up!” he told them. Smarty opened her mouth to protest but was cut off, “NOW!” He shouted, Smarty stared at him with wide eyes before her eyes started tearing up more, her lower lip quivering before she began crying. Applebloom looked at Smarty then glared at Big Mac. “That wasn’t nice. Ya’ can’t be yellin’ at fillies Big Mac! It just ain’t right.” She scolded him and walked to Smarty, giving her a hug while keeping her gaze on Big Mac, “Ah can’t believe ya’! Granny raised ya’ better than that. Ah’m tellin’!” With that, Applebloom took off running downstairs to find Applejack. She knew Granny Smith would still be asleep until around lunch time. Applebloom kept running around the house looking for her older sister until she slammed into a solid object and fell back onto her flank. When she looked up she saw Applejack. “Woah now where’s tha’ fire Applebloom?” Applejack asked, helping Applebloom back to her hooves. Applejack’s mane and tail had not been brushed yet, having just woke up herself. She had just started making a pot of coffee, “Well come on now, spit it out,ah’m waitin’.’” Applebloom took a deep breath, she was always told she should not tattle but when something like this happens she felt like she needed to tell somepony, “Big Mac made a filly cry!” Applebloom said. Applejack cocked her head looked down at her younger sister, “Come again?” “Ah said Big Mac made a filly cry! She is in his room right now, ah swear!” Applebloom said, “First he was sayin’ that ah was the filly in his room but when he yelled ah woke up an’ came into his room seein’ what he needed and then ah saw the filly and she looks like that doll he keeps in his room.” “Ah see an’ is there anythin’ else you need ta’ tell me?” Applejack asked and Applebloom shook her head, “Are ya’ tryin’ ta’ pull a prank or somethin’?” Applebloom shook her head again, “An’ ya said that tha’ filly looks like Smarty Pants?” she nodded, “Applebloom, if yer tryin’ ta’ pull a prank an’ I wake Big Mac up ah’m going ta’ paint yer back porch red.” Applejack said. As she began to trot upstairs she could hear the distinct sound of sniffling, “Maybe she ain’t lyin’ after all.” Applejack could hear Big Mac talking so she decided to eavesdrop. “Now calm down” Big Mac said “Ah didn’t mean ta’ make ya cry.” Applejack heard another voice by the pitch of it the voice sounded like it was in Applebloom’s age group and it was clear she had been crying. Applejack kept listening in, trying to hear Big Mac’s attempts to calm the filly down, “Smarty just calm down.” Applejack blinked in surprise. Did he really say that or was he in on a prank with Applebloom? But thats impossible Applejack can detect a lie, being the Element of Honest, or maybe Big Mac was pranking Applebloom so that way Applejack would not know if she was lying or not. It was at this point Applejack stepped in the room and cleared her throat. Big Mac snapped his head to face his sister, “A-Applejack what are ya’ doin’ awake at this time in tha’ mornin’?” Big Mac asked and immediately started cursing internally because Applejack was always the first one awake. Big Mac knew this could turn into a bad situation and fast if he was not careful. How was he going to explain a filly in his room and why her eyes were red and puffy. “...” “Applejack are ya’ alright?” Big Mac asked yet Applejack continued to stay silent, she could not believe what she was seeing but the biggest question going through her mind was who was this filly and why did Big Mac have her in his room? “Ah swear its not what it looks like.” Big Mac said yet Applejack just stared blankly at him, “Sis are ya’ feelin’ alright?” Applejack blinked again, “What in tha’ name of Celestia are ya’ doin’ with a filly in yer’ room?!” Applejack practically screeched, glaring at her older brother “And why was she cryin’?!” Applejack motioned for Smarty Pants to come over to her. The filly sniffled and walked over to her, “Now sugar cube why don’t ya’ go in tha’ bathroom an’ wash yer self up” Applejack spoke softly to the filly, “Care ta’ tell me yer name?” Applejack asked, getting down to her eye level “Well I’ll be she does look like Smarty Pants” Smarty sniffled again, “I-Its me Smarty Pants” she hiccuped a little, “Don’t YOU recognize me? I fell asleep next to daddy.” “Daddy?! this filly must be crazy!” Applejack thought “Ah guess ah should humor her” Applejack kept her smile on, “Well ‘Smarty Pants’ why don’t ya’ go in tha’ bathroom an’ get washed up.” Applejack said, ruffling Smarty’s mane a little, “Can ya’ do that fer’ me?” Smarty nodded before trotting out of the room like she knew where everything was, “Do ya’ mind tellin’ me who in tha’ hell that was?!” Applejack asked in a hushed voice but loud enough so her brother could hear her. “Ah don’t know Applejack, she jus’ woke me up sayin’ that ah was her daddy.” he told her, she knew he was telling the truth but had to ask. “She said her name was Smarty right?” the red stallion nodded, “Have ya looked for the doll?” He looked at her and she knew he hadn’t even thought about looking for it. She shakes her head slowly, “Come on, ah’ll help ya.” They begin the search for the doll Big Mac had fallen asleep with, coming up with nothing no matter where they looked. They had practically turned his room upside down and inside out, looking for the doll to no avail. “You don’t think?” Big Mac started. Applejack shook her head. “Nah, she couldn’t be... could she?” “We can’t find tha’ doll” Big mac said. As they both thought it over Smarty shouted from down the hall where the bathroom was. “Help! The water won’t stop! Daddy! Auntie!” They both looked out the open door nervously. That was when Big Mac remembered Twilight’s warning. “Twilight did this.” he said, Applejack raised her eyebrow. “Think about it, she said that she would get her revenge an’ suddenly a filly pops up in my room an’ claims she is Smarty Pants.” Big Mac explained. “Go help the filly, ah’ll talk ta Twi.” She says, he nodded agreement and they walked out,with a small river coming from the bathroom, “Ya might want ta hurry.” *** Applejack reaches Twilight’s home, the Ponyville library, and knocks on the door, “Twilight! Ah need ta know somethin’!” Applejack shouted, banging her hoof on the front door. “Ah said open tha’ door!” Applejack shouted again Applejack heard a clicking sound and the front door open, “Applejack what are you doing here this early?” Twilight asked, inviting her friend in, “Is something wrong?” Twilight let out a small yawn ,“Sorry I was on a bit of a study binge.” “Do ya’ mind tellin’ me what damn spell ya’ put on Smarty Pants?!” Applejack asked clearly angry with her friend, “Well? Spit it out!” “I-I just used a spell that would make him think she is alive.” Twilight said, getting a little nervous from all the tension her friend brought. “Well yer fancy magic sure as hell worked fer everypony in tha’ house because Applebloom came ta’ me sayin’ Big Mac made a filly cry!” Applejack half shouted, “Ah went inta’ his room an’ I saw a filly that looked like Smarty Pants!” “You saw a filly that looked like Smarty?” “Eeyup.” Was all Applejack said. “The spell was only supposed to work on Big Mac. I guess it affected you too.” she said, tapping her chin. “Nope ah could feel her when ah put my hoof on her!” Applejack stated “She is alive Twilight.” “That’s ridiculous Applejack, it’s just an illusion spell, I didn’t mean for it to affect you as well.” Twilight said backing up a little “I-I swear Applejack it is just an illusion spell, I read it a few times so I could perfect it! I don’t think anything could have went wr-” “Twilight now don’t ya’ go spittin’ lies like that!” Applejack started, “How many spells have ya’ done that have went wrong?” Applejack asked. “Just... just a few.” “If not fer you bein’ scared of bein’ tardy then this whole mess wouldn’t have started.” Applejack said, “Now get yer’ plot to my house and see fer yourself that you brought tha’ doll ta life.” She commanded, not going to give Twilight any excuses to stay as she headed to the door. “Well come on now.” “Applejack, do we really need to go prove that it’s still a doll?” she asked. “Twilight, ah’m not lyin’ and y’all know it. Now come along sugarcube.” Applejack tried reasoning with her friend. Twilight kept up with that one excuse, trying to convince Applejack she’s just seeing an illusion. “Twilight, this is the last time ah’ll ask ya. Come back to the farm.” “I’m not going to Applejack, you were just affected by the spell there is no real Smarty Pants.” She stubbornly replied. Twilight yelped as she tried walking, feeling a tug on her tail. When she looked back she saw Applejack had her tail in her mouth, “Ah said yer’ comin’ with me.” Applejack said through Twilight’s tail, ignoring the lavender mare’s protests, “Twilight ah came here ta’ get you ta’ see fer yer’self what ya’ did.” Applejack started dragging Twilight out the front door. “Applejack! Let me go!” Twilight shouted, Applejack ignored her and continued pulling on her tail. ”Come on Applejack it is just an illusion spell! I am sure there is a spell to fix everypony who got affected by it.” Twilight said. “Everypony but Big Mac, he will suffer.” Applejack shook her head, “Eenope, she is alive an’ I know it ain’t nothin’ yer fancy magic can do ta’ fix it. Yer comin’ ta’ see that she is alive.” Applejack stated as they came to the gate of Sweet Apple Acres. She spat Twilight’s tail out, “Come inside an’ see for yerself Twi.” she said, helping the unicorn up. “I won’t drag ya’ tha’ rest of tha’ way if ya’ agree ta’ come with me” Twilight sighed she know there was no way out of this, she could always teleport to the library but Applejack would just come back and possibly break her door down and drag her back just to prove a point. Only for Twilight see that Smarty Pants was still a doll and it would take even longer for Twilight to find a counter spell She nodded reluctantly “Fine I will go and see Smarty Pants.” Twilight rolled her eyes, “And after I see that she is still a doll I am going to have to go back home to find the counter spell to fix you and anypony else that was affected by this.” Twilight said trotting next to Applejack. “Twilight ah know what ah saw and she ain’t no doll.” Applejack said as the house came into view. The pair stayed silent, Twilight because it was inconclusive that she would be able to get away from Applejack and Applejack because she did not feel like arguing about it anymore. She had proof of Smarty Pants being alive and thats all she needed. As they kept walking Twilight noticed how beautiful the trees looked at around this time of year, fall was always her favorite time of the year since her first time at the running of the leaves. She had another reason for taking her time and pacing while competing, it was so she could enjoy the scenery. In Canterlot when fall came the unicorn ponies would use their magic to get rid of the leaves, that is one of many reasons Twilight enjoyed Ponyville as much as she did. Another reason was Spike got to be a kid and play with other ponies his age most of the time. When his friends were in school he would be ‘helping’ Rarity when the truth was that he was looking for a reason to be around her for hours at a time. Twilight let out another sigh, “Applejack?” “Yeah Twilight?” “If I am right and this IS and spell and I am right, I won’t use the counter spell on Big Mac until he agrees to give Smarty Pants back to me.” Twilight said, “The reason she means so much to me is because Cadence made her for me when she first started foalsitting me and I had just moved into the castle as Princess Celestia’s student.” Twilight said and Applejack nodded, “It was around the second month I had been living in the castle. That is when Cadence made her for me.” “Ah see.” Applejack said as they walked onto the front porch, “Well here we are, let’s go on in so ah can show ya’ that ah am not under some crazy spell of yours gone south.” Applejack made her eyes spin for emphasis as she opened the screen door, “Come on and see fer’ yer’ self.” Applejack opened the main door. Twilight groaned and mumbled something incoherently before entering the house. “Applejack I don-” Twilight was silenced by something latching itself to her neck. “MOMMY!” Twilight heard the voice, it didn’t sound like Applebloom or any filly she had heard before. Looking down shakily she saw her, the grey filly whose lower half was blue with white polka dots. Twilight took a shaky breath, “T-the spell must have affected everypony.” she let out a nervous laugh, “Y-yes thats it the spell affected everypony!” “What are you talking about mommy?” Smarty asked, letting go of Twilight and standing in front of her, backing up a little so Twilight could fully see her, “Its me Smarty Pants and what spell?” THUD! Everypony looked at the now unconscious unicorn laying on the floor. Applejack sighed, picking Twilight up and grumbling something while placing the unconscious unicorn on the couch, “Well ain’t this great.”