All the world is a Stage... Manager!
By Misterebony
 
 
Ebony checked over his packages once more. He was not sure but something just told him that there had been an error with the shipping. He had to be sure that the potions he was sending off were correctly marked. SHODAN, the reformed AI, was helping in that reguard, the digital face scanning each box it saw carefully.
 
"This one is marked for Carrot Top. Contents.... one mane conditioner and one vial of Summer Essense scented oils."
 
Ebony nodded.
 
"Marked for the school of friendship... one miniaturize and two glow vials."
 
Ebony nodded. Again.
 
"Marked for the royal palace... one box of Stage supplies."
 
Ebony nooooooooooowhat?!
 
"Say that again?!"
 
"Inside the package are various supplies for Stage performances. Lights, costumes, decorations..."
 
"That was NOT what was to go to her!" Hurriedly he grabbed his clipboard and went wide eyed. "Oooohhhhhh noooo.... she ordered a case of cakemaker 3000! Which means... oh HORSEAPPLES!!!"
 
Ebony dashed out of the store, almost knocking a few ponies over. SHODAN blinked her digital eyes.
 
"And people thought I was crazy. All I did was try to be a diety." SHODAN returned to her duties and chuckled some. What scehanigans would her owner get into now.
 
**********
Ebony ran through the streets and moved like never before. Of COURSE the order got messed up! And knowing Derpy it would not have been double checked. He ran toward one of the newer buildings in Equestria, a massive theater in one of the nicer districts. He had heard a lot of good things about it but had never been here himself.
 
Shame today he was here to prevent a disaster. He had to get to that package before somepony used it and then ohhhhh man the trouble would start! He just hoped the owner would be reasonable about the mixup!
 
**WHAM!**
 
As he opened the door to the theater it was like he slammed into a furry brick wall. He fell back in shock as he slammed into the form that was coming out, but when he saw the form he was wide eyed in shock.
 
The pony... no, this was no pony. It was more like a Clydesdale work horse, with red taints to his eyes yet a gentle smile. Shame that smile bore such sharp, predatory teeth!
 
"I'm sorry... but I have to get in and speak to the theater owner before something bad happens!"
 
The figure smiled and chuckled, his voice deep but not mean or evil, with a rather nice hint to it.
 
"Well, you found him. I am Stage. Stage Manager, at your service. "
 
Oh horseapples. It figured the one he might be upsetting was big enough to bench press his home. Ebony swallowed nervously.
 
"I'm Ebony. Ebony Alchemist." He said, chuckling nervously at his new name. "I run a potion shop in town and I think some of my delivery order wound up in your shipment from Derpy."
 
Stage chuckled. "Well your lucky then. We got it a bit ago and we haven't opened it yet. Come on in."
 
Ebony sighed with relief. Then Stage continued.
 
"Anyway you said your name was Ebony Alchemist? I heard of you. I meant to stop by that shop of yours and see if you had any potions I could use in my productions. But it is the busy season so I haven't had the chance."
 
Ebony chuckled. "Well I do boast I have a potion for everything so I might have something you can use."
 
Stage gave a nod in agreement. By now the duo were past the main entrance lobby and in the main part of the theater. It was clearly well built to house big productions, and the rumors about what it was like size wise were right on the nose. The building was an architectural marvel to be putting it simply, with high ceilings and a main stage perfect for any kind of performance, with seating for all of Ponyville and then some.
 
"Amazing!" Was all Ebony could say. Stage beamed and nodded to one of his workers.
 
"Come on. My office is back here, and we can get that package for you."
 
Ebony followed Stage into a rather posh office for a pony though for Stage it did seem a bit small. He moved over to several boxes, and Ebony sighed with relief when one of them was the package he was looking for. He opened it to check, and sure enough there was the Cakemaker.
 
"Whew! It's all here." Ebony said with a smile. "Glad for that to. This potion turns things into cake. I... um... experienced it firsthand."
 
Stage chuckled. "So I take it then your on the menu around here?"
 
Ebony blinked and shook his head. "Not typically... wait how do you-"
 
"Never mind that for now." Stage said waving a fore hoof. "Let's just say your not the only pony cannibal around here. Not by a long shot."
 
Ebony was wide eyed. It had not occured to him that there would be other pony preds! He had figured out Spike was a pred in private, and Rainbow Dashs special somepony FT the dragon was a well known pony flesh eater. But those were dragons! That just seemed... natural! Now Stage was all but saying he was a pred as well.
 
Not that Ebony was THAT suprised. He had a hunch about Stage after seeing those choppers. And truthfully he should have expected it somewhere along the line. Who knows who else was a pred? Big Mac maybe? Perhaps Celestia or Luna from what he has heard? He shrugged and figured likely Pinkie Pie given... recent events. But he focused on the here and now.
 
"Well that being the case I am glad I am not the only one. Good thing I have my potions."
 
Stage nodded. "Speaking of which, do you have others with you? I am kind of curious."
 
Ebony nodded. "I always keep a few one dose samples. Let's see here..." he opened his saddlebag and lifted a hoof, the hoofband on it glowing a deep blue. From out of it came a few tiny vials.
 
"Ok... we have some size alteration, species variance, taste enhancer, cake maker, gender bender..."
 
Stage held up a hoof to examine them more closely, but as he did he knocked one away. Ebony eeped and tried to grab it with his power but it splashed all over him. Ebony coughed a little and sputtered as he wiped away the potion. Then he saw what it was turning about to look at it.
 
Taste enhancer.
 
"Oh wow...." he heard behind him. "You smell.... ***delicious**..."
 
Ebony swallowed as he realized what was happening. "Aw crud..." he whimpered as he turned. Stage was now twitching his now fully blood red eyes, showing sets of sharp cream colored teeth. The dark pony began to back away from the big new face.
 
"Now... wait a moment.... dont do anything rash...."
 
"***COME HERE SNACKFOOD!**" Stage lunged forward, Ebony just missing as Stage bit. He bolted for the door, Stage right behind him. However as he ran various other ponies, including a wall eyed pegasus, caught the scent.
 
"Oh BUCK me!" Ebony shouted as the crowd joined Stage.
 
"Dibs on his cutie mark!"
 
"Save me some of the flank!"
 
"I want the forehooves!"
 
"***Back away all of you! He is MINE!!!**"
 
Stage was the loudest one and the closest, and Ebony had to bolt. He needed either to wash the potion off or drink an antidote. Ahead he saw the lake that RD and AJ frequented with their friends. He had to get there!
 
"Gotta hurry!!!" He shouted as he dove for it...
 
... only to land in a massive bun.
 
"***LUNCHTIME!!!**" Stage said, opening wide... when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned his head... just to see another pony tapping her hoof. A big pony. A big... winged... horned pony. One with a Rainbow mane.
 
Former Princess Celestia.
 
"***uhhh...**"
 
"Honestly. I have been waiting all day for my order and here I find him fooling with the owner of the theater." She said as she helped Ebony out of the bun. "As for you your lucky that little dose has no effect on me or you would be in one of my cakes."
 
Ebony sighed in relief. "So you knew?"
 
Celestia nodded and pushed Ebony into the pond. "I had to deal with Twilight using the Want It Need It spell. I think I can recognize magical enhancement on hunger."
 
Stage, now calming down, sighed with relief. "Ahhh... that's better."
 
Celestia turned to the rest of the confused crowd. "As for the rest of you head on home. This is all wrapped up now."
 
The confused ponies did so, leaving Stage, Celestia, and one very wet Ebony. He climbed out of the pond and sighed.
 
"Well... at least you know they work."
 
Stage chuckled. "They do indeed. Though I must confess I probably could still eat you."
 
Ebony shrugged. "If I know it is coming I do not mind. The whole ravenous predator thing, the rip and tear.... I dont really get into that."
 
Stage chuckled. "Well if you ever decide on trying let me know, but until then I'll be sure to not cheer too much."
 
Ebony smiled and nodded.
 
"Anyways let me make it up to you. How about some time I take you to my place?"
 
Ebony nodded. "I'd like that. But I may bring a friend along."
 
Stage chuckled. "I have room." He pat his tummy and Ebony had to smile. He waved farewell to Stage and started for home. He had a lot to tell AJ when she got home!
 
*************
 
Of course that was not for a few days, and Applebuck season was in full swing. To help out, Ebony decided to volunteer at the farm to gather the crop. It was going pretty well to. Until...
 
"Sooooo... ya gonna ask ma sister ta get hitched?"
 
Ebony kicked the tree a little too hard at the question, sending every apple in the tree on top of him. As an apple rolled away to show Ebony and his annoyed expression, he stared right at the source of the question.
 
Apple Bloom.
 
"Hoh boy, here we go again..."
 
 
To be continued!