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The Hunter | Chapter 14 - Arrival at the Griffon Empire part 1 | When the sun rises over the mountains of the Griffin Empire, off in the distance was a Royal ship containing one royal sister on it along with the Elements of Harmony. The crew aboard that ship quickly scattered around the deck, preparing to dock at Auria's Gale. On the deck was the Princess of the night herself, she watched as they approached one of the town's airship docks. Next to the Princess was the Elements of Harmony, all but one out of the six were awake.
Twilight wishes she could just ask Princess Luna if she could go to the local library, but she decided against that as they were here because of important matter that she has to do with her friends. She didn't get much sleep last night because of another nightmare, involving the same dream with the Hunter. Before element of magic had fallen asleep last night Princess Luna used a spell on the mare, but that didn't do much good to prevent the horrid nightmare of the young mare from being eaten again and feeling the Hunter's teeth puncturing her skin. Why the dream felt so real was a question that Twilight had actually asked Luna, she had hoped that the Princess of the night and guardian of dreams would know something about this.
Sadly the Princess doesn't know how to stop a nightmare that can break through her spells. A nightmare that can break through a dream should only be dealt with by the one who dreams it, meaning Twilight has to confront the Hunter just so she can stop having these nightmares. Though it may sound easy to do, however, it's not as the one who dreams of this nightmares must do something that they fear; they have to face whatever they fear. Twilight was sure that what she fears was the Hunter himself as he was a creature that can shapeshift and use magic, but was that really what she fears of the Hunter.
"Princess, ah know this is out awf thuh blue, but what do ya know awf thuh Hunter other than what 'e done?" Applejack asked she wanted to know a little bit more about the Hunter as she just only heard a few of Rainbow Dash's loud reading whenever the blue pegasus settles down on one of Applejack's trees and reads. She was only curious thanks to Rainbow Dash reading out loud.
"We don't know much about the Hunter, Applejack. We barely know anything about him other than what you all know." Applejack sighed she thought the princess would know more than she does, but she should have guessed that not even their ruler would know anything about the Hunter.
Luna wishes that she knows more of the Hunter than what she and her sister had heard from their subjects. Knowing more about the Hunter would help her a lot, even if the information is just a little it would still be a lot. Sadly Luna doesn't know that there was a certain batpony mare with two foals that knows more about the Hunter than just his name, she knows him as if she just written a book about him...which she actually did. That mare may be right on the ship with them all, but she and her foals were asleep due to being taken in the early evening before they left Equestria. All that information about the Hunter was right there below deck in the ship sleeping.
After the ship docked, the crew went to work preparing to tie the ship down on the metal beam. Every creature around the airship harbor all looked up at the Equestrian ship, seeing a royal ship means one of the princesses were here. Not everyone likes seeing one of the Equestrian royal sister's, they may have a good reputation in their kingdom but in this kingdom, many do not like them.
Luna and everypony else, except the batpony family sleeping in the lower deck, got off the ship onto the port. Everypony that got off the ship looked around, the height of the tower they were on gave them a view of the entire town. The crew stayed on and near the ship in case anyone was stupid enough to try and steal the royal ship.
After the group left the airship dock tower to explore the town, a group of five griffons arrived at the ship. They didn't look similar to the other griffons in the town due to their armor being different than the guards around the town. All of them were armed with different ranged weapons; a flintlock pistol, musket, blunderbuss, and long neck huntsgriffon musket.
These lion/feline birds walked up the ship as if they had owned it. The crew aboard had stopped them telling the group that this was the Equestrian royal ship, but the griffons didn't care of what the ponies had said about the ship belonging to royalty, they just stayed there on the deck. One of the ponies on the ship picked up a baton with his magic, he was about to charge at them until a certain batpony mother walks up the stairs to the ship's deck. She stopped the stallion from causing them any trouble with those griffons, it was a good thing too that she stopped them or else the unicorn would have been the cause of everyone's death on the ship.
The crew was bewildered to know that the one they brought with them has just stopped the unicorn from attacking. They watched the mother walk to the group and had a few words with them. What wasn't sketchy before when the mare stopped the unicorn then it would be sketchy now to see her talking to the group in a low whisper.
A few silent agreements later the mother turned back and told everypony on deck that they were sent here to escort her and her daughters to the mayor of this town. The crew was a bit unsure about that since the guards around didn't do anything to show them any kind of respect for those who are higher up than them, but they couldn't do anything other than question if the group were indeed here to escort Shade and her daughters to the mayor. Well, one of them did do something and jumped off the ship not afraid of falling because how she was a pegasus. That mare fly over the town to find the Princess before the griffons could leave without them, she had to tell Luna about this or else they may find out later than sooner.
Sadly her search would be pointless as the group wasn't in the open, they were inside a building talking with the mayor himself about an escort to Griff Glade. However, she didn't give up on. The mare was determined to find her Princess and tell her the news what had happened on the airship.
Back at the ship, the crew watched as the group of griffons and a mother batpony carrying her two daughters on her back. The two foals were covered in Orkris' pelt -a creature that has the body structure of a rockgator and fur similar to a bear, however, it wears a bone skull on its head with no eye sockets or patterns- to keep them covered from the sun's rays and cool. The ponies didn't know what to do since the griffons didn't demand the mother to come with them or threaten everyone on board to bring her to them. Shade just went with them as if this was all planned out. As the crew watched the griffons and the mother with her foals walked away from the ship, they all went back to work surely that the Princess has planned this out before they arrived here.
After the mother and group of griffons walked out of earshot, one of the griffons gave the mother a scroll. Without much of questioning of what the scroll was, she took it with her hoof and tucked it away under her left wing. This was all planned from the very beginning of this trip to Griff Glade when Luna had shown her the message from Cazador, he had planned this after making a deal with Celestia. The cursed Hunter wanted to make sure that it's his own friend that made it there before Celestia's sister. Shade was the only one that he trusts to be there first with Cynder, both of them are females and maybe the mare knows what's wrong with the dragoness than trusting somepony to have a look at her and do something stupid that'll cost the house and the lives of the pony.
"Miss Shade, under the direct orders from Crow, we are going to escort you to Cazador's mansion. We will make sure that you and your foals are safe during this voyage, it will not take long until the Dark Mare noticed that you are gone." The head leader of this group of griffons leads the mare to the other side of the tower where a carriage was stationed at. Two other griffons armed with blunderbuss guarding it.
One of the guards opened the door allowing the mother to climb aboard, with some help of course. Setting her foals on the cushion seats, Shade's back felt a bit better no longer carrying her foal on her back. She took a seat across from them, close to the window. The griffons outside were all talking, wanting to know if everyone was ready before they depart to Cazador's house. Every one of them was ready, four of the griffons were already hooked up to the carriage ready to fly, the other three that weren't strapped to the wooden carriage took positions on the sides.
"We'll arrive at Griff Glade around noon and after than an hour past noon when we reach Cazador's home," The group's leader said. Shade remembered that everypony left Equestria in the morning around six and arrived here at ten, Griff Glade was two hours away when flying light and not taking the usual safe path to the town.
How the batpony knew about the time it would take to arrive at Griff Glade was thanks to her cursed friend, his experience of taking an airship from her town to Auria's Gale and then traveling on foot or in the air. She already knew why she had all of this planned up for her and her daughters, he trusts her more than the Celestia's picked helper. He wasn't sure if she would keep her word, so he wrote two scrolls before he departed to the Crystal Empire. One was given to Celestia having details of the agreement, how she and her daughters were going to the Griffon Empire to live with Cynder, and to be going with Luna. However, the second she received from the griffons explains more of what he has planned than what was written in the first letter.
Soon the carriage was pulled by the four griffons and was flying in the sky, the other three followed behind. Shade didn't mind having a free time to herself without being asked questions by the Princess and the element of Loyalty. She could enjoy her time there in the carriage watching the land below her slowly move beneath her, but the bat mare had something else to do before she starts looking out her window. Pulling out the scroll from her wing, Shade broke the seal on it and used her wings to unscroll it.
Dear Shade,
After you meet Crow's loyal hunters, they should lead you to my home in Griff's Glade's forest. I know that the Princess of the night would start panicking if she isn't then she might be threatening the locals to know where you are at buying you some more time to make it to Griff's Glade. She may not know where you will be at first, but I would believe that someone will tell her where you went, probably one of her loyal ponies. Meaning you will only have maybe an hour or two before she finds you, but if she finds you sooner than expected then I have underestimated the Princess's slow mind of thinking and actions.
When almost thirty minutes have passed, the hunters will fly high in the sky and use the clouds as cover to avoid being spotted. I have no doubt that they will be able to avoid the Princess herself, however, I am not sure if any clouds are out this morning. If there are any then this would be easy on you and your family to make it to Cynder.
Before you go to my home, Crow would like to have a word with you and has something for you to use too. The item he has should be my revolver along with a foot tall and six inches wide metal box, I decided to hand it over to Cynder so that she can continue knowing how to shoot and will be able to defend the girls. I know that Cynder wouldn't be able to practice it and protecting you so soon, but I have my doubts on Celestia's words. However, I can't turn down the offer in case the Princess of the day did something to her, she was probably the reason why Cynder suddenly fell ill. There's no proof I can show the world that Celestia had done this to her, magic is difficult to know who's the one that cast it and with her being royalty would be like fighting against a horde of infected villagers in a middle of the night alone to prove that she was the cause of my apprentice's illness.
However, you might be able to tell if it is a spell that caused her to suddenly collapse or something else. Then is rude to say that your both females and have animal instincts, but you may know what type of instinct is causing her to have a fever. This is just a guess I'm taking, I am not sure if you truly do know what is happening to her.
Sadly I do not have much time to write down more on this scroll, but hopefully, you know what to do. Remember you will have exactly one hour as Crow agreed to keep the Princess of the night occupied. It may or may not give you enough time to know what is wrong with her.
After reading the message Cazador had for her, she wondered if the Princess of the Sun could have placed a curse on Cynder, however, the chances of that would be impossible to prove that. Shade had to think for a moment about the fever part the man had mentioned in his message, she has many guesses what could have caused that fever or what could be similar to having the same warmth as a fever. Though the mare doesn't fully know of the dragoness' condition in person, she had to make guesses and believe what the dragoness has.
Shade rolled up the scroll back up and tucked it under her wing, she no longer needs the letter but she couldn't let her Princess find them out of luck and see what Cazador had written her. Having one of her rulers read this would mean that the other would find out. A mother that worries too much would see this situation a dangerous one and would never agree to come along, but not her. Shade knows and trusts Cazador with her life and her children, he was the godfather of them when they found them weak and close to death's doorstep. If it weren't for her daughters then the man and dog she got to know and trust with her family's life would be dead.
The mare couldn't help but smile at the memories of meeting Cazador and Wyndbain covered up in bandages and barely able to move at all. She was clueless as to how two creatures from different worlds were sent to Equestria after death, but she doesn't care about how he arrived here and what purpose do the gods have for him here. Both of them were like family to her daughters, they never did anything to hurt them even when his mind was clouded in confusion. A creature that hunts others should have done something dangerous when they are backed up to the corner by beings they never saw, but Cazador had done nothing to show any hostility towards her family.
The story he told her about his world and what his world was like made her wonder if there was a place in this world that was as dark as his world if there was then what would the princesses do? Black blood that has no cure and is considered to be a curse from the gods of darkness and death. Would there even be a cure if someone has black blood? Cazador said that if someone has black blood they must put down. Shade hopes that he doesn't try killing himself for having the blood run in his veins, a cursed hunter and wolf that could turn at any time if the blessed medallion in Cazador's chest were removed then he wouldn't hesitate on killing himself.
"I pray those that are listening you will never decide to kill yourself Cazador." |
The Hunter | Chapter 15: Arrival at the Griffon Empire part 2 | Luna felt every eye of every griffon in the Townhall staring at her and the ponies with her. She may not like other beings ignoring her and be afraid of her, but this was different most of the stares she got on the way here, and currently now in the town hall, being stared by a dozen pair of eyes that sees her as a monster and hates her. The other ponies that were with Luna didn't get the same treatment of hate from the griffons, only her because of who she was and still is. Being hated hurts Luna more than having her subject be afraid of her, however, she has to deal with it.
The mare of the moon and the Mayor of the town were faces to face, his appearance old and hard-minded deceived those that look at him. This griffon was smart and he already had things set up to speak with the Princess if she ever did visit him. He was thankful that the princess did come here to speak with him, he would have to put his time and effort into making everything presentable and well organized to waste if she didn't.
When both Mayor and Princess began to have a talk about a transportation to Griff Glade, the other ponies that were with the princess, the Elements of Harmony and the artist, looked around the room. Multiples griffons may be watching now, mostly the employees, and listening to the conversation in case something was up and if it concerns their town. However, their worries were soon put out after the Princess told the Mayor their reasons for being here was because her sister had asked for her to bring Twilight and her friends to the Hunter's home in Griff Glade. The old griffon was unsure if that would be a good idea for them to go and see a creature that wants nothing more than peace and quiet, but if that's what the Princess wanted to do then it wouldn't be his problem.
While the Princess arranged their way of travel unknown to her Shade was on her way to Griff Glade. Twilight had problems trying to stand up and stay awake, her legs shaking as if her body weights a ton. It would have been wise for the mare to go back to the ship and rest, but her stubbornness of finding the Hunter to end her nightmare before more comes to her and makes her start losing her sanity. Twilight's friends were concerned for her because how she's barely able to stand up. When one of them did talk to her about this all what Twilight says was, "I'm fine girls, I'm just a bit tired is all", though she wasn't fine. She doesn't know that she's just slowly making herself weaker as she is now because of her single-minded conscious of focusing on one thing that does not involve her own health.
Sketch Note was worried about the mare, he stayed by her side in case the mare suddenly falls asleep and falls on her side. The stallion may not seem much other than looking like an actual pony, but the griffons around can tell he has a scent of both ponies and griffons. Many that he walked past just believed he was engaged with a griffon and she, or he, rubbed their scent on him, however, a few believe he was a hybrid that has the blood of a griffon and the looks of a pony. It's hard to tell if it's the second one as it was impossible for the feline birds to figure out since they don't know Sketch.
"First I drew what the Hunter looks like suddenly I get dragged in to find him, next I'm in the Griffon Empire after flying over the sea, and now I'm here in this room looking after Twilight to make sure she's not gonna fall over and pass out from the lack of sleep. My sister and mother would wonder where I have been at, both females will make my ears bleed from their questions." The sudden thought of two adults griffons yapping their beaks gave Sketch a sudden shiver. He may not mind talking to his mother and sister, but he doesn't like how they want to know almost everything personal that happened to him.
The stallion looks over at the lavender mare beside him to see that she was starting to fall asleep again. He let out a sigh and sat on his hunches. Tapping into his inner stallion, Sketch poke Twilight's side with his hoof.
The tired and paranoid mare jumped a bit and looked at Sketch, seeing the stallion there reminded her that she was still surrounded by those she can trust, well she doesn't exactly fully trust Sketch but a small trust was put on him. Clueless Twilight looked at the stallion, she doesn't know what reason he had for wanting her attention. He patted his side with his lift hoof. Still clueless the mare looked at the stallion with a raised brow. The stallion silently sighed he looked at Twilight speak to her in a low whisper.
"Twilight, you need to rest a bit. Lean on me and sleep until Princess Luna is done talking with the mayor." Twilight's brain suddenly popped a fuse, her mind couldn't haven't the fact that a stallion was giving her permission to sleep on top of him. For a few seconds, the lavender mare was frozen, her eyes wide. Sketch Note was beginning to think that telling her that just broke the mare's brain, however, Twilight leans on him. It surprised him that she suddenly did that without asking any questions, but he shouldn't question the mare's action as of now her sleeping will help her.
Twilight's friend saw her resting on the stallion, who seemed like it doesn't bother him but inside he was glad that the mare was getting some rest. Though now he would have to keep it to himself that a mare was sleeping on him or else his mother and sister would tease him about it. And the other mares that were watching were happy to know that the lavender mare was finally sleeping, it seems like she wasn't having any nightmares at the moment from the few seconds of their staring.
Luna hasn't thought that she would have to spend an hour to talk with a mayor in an event like this needing to travel to the Hunter's home in Griff Glade's forest, but she had to tell the mayor of this town the reason why she's traveling by. If she didn't tell the mayor of this town then the griffons around here would start rumors, rumors that will be false and be spread by those that have a grudge on the Princesses of Equestria. She doesn't want her subjects to be thrown into the rumors too, so that's one of the reasons why she had a talk with the mayor of this town.
With everything done for travel to Griff Glade, the group head back to the ship. Twilight was woken up from her nap and was told by her friends that Luna had finished talking with the mayor and now needed to return to the ship. From there they would grab a carriage and fly over to the town where the Hunter resides. Though none of them, except Luna and the family of batponies, knows that the Hunter no longer lives in the outskirt of Griff Glade.
As the group began to leave the mayor's building, a pegasus flew down from the sky nearly crashing into Rainbow Dash and landed in front of the group. Luna recognized the pegasus mare in front of them. Shimmering Glimmer, one of the few in Luna's guards that stayed as a pony and refused to be a batpony, there were many reasons why but the most common the Princess knows was that they want to be able to serve their Princess of the Night in the day and protect while she slumbers. The mare was breathing heavily, having to spend nearly two hours in the sky flapping her wings and flying around with speed. Though after finding her Princess here at the Mayor's building Glimmer was glad that she found her, she could tell her the news of what had happened on the ship.
"Princess Luna, I have news for you," Glimmer said before gasping as she takes another breath of air, "a group of griffon came to the ship, Mrs.Shade went with them and carried her daughters too. There was no violence or an aggression, the mother and her foals just went with them. I don't know where they went but I thi--"
Before the mare could have the chance to finish her last sentence, a sudden flash of cobalt blue blinded everyone around. When everypony regained their sights, Princess Luna ran over to the captain's quarters. She used her magic to slam the door open, causing the stallion behind a desk filled with paperwork to look up at the enraged Princess of the night. Seeing his princess in a foul mood, the stallion didn't ask why she was here. Just asking dumb questions he knows the answer would make the princess even madder, hell it would give her the same rage as an Ursa Major when some creature messes with her cub.
"Captain Fleet Feathers, what was the reason to let the mother and her children be taken by a group of griffons that had no rights of setting hoof on this ship!?" Luna demanded, she wanted to know what reason and purpose were there to let Shade and her daughters leave this ship with a group of griffons that she does not know of.
The stallion sighed and looked up his princess before speaking in a stern sturdy voice. "My princess, you did not give us the order to keep the family on board. And when the griffons came aboard my ship, my crew were already telling them to leave before Shade herself stop everypony from getting into a fight against the group, she and the griffons were talking and they agreed on something. When we saw the mother leave with her daughters, Miss Shade told us that they were here to escort them. To where? I don't know."
It took nearly all the years of patience in her life to stay patient, Luna wanted to slam the chair that the captain was sitting on against his head, but she knew to do that wouldn't make things better. With a sigh of defeat on the thought of arguing and knowing that she didn't really do give the captain orders to keep the family on the ship, so the fault was hers on that. Though now that she knows that Shade went with the griffon which made her think deeply. Griffons had shown up, they didn't threaten anypony on the ship, Shade stopped the ponies from getting into a fight with the griffons, then she talked with them agreeing on something before leaving.
Luna suddenly realized that this was all planned out. The letter that Cazador wanted her to have must have told Shade what to do and what to expect. He planned this ever since Celestia had him agreed to help in the war, he doesn't want Luna and the others to know where he was at or any other ponies too, the batpony family was the only ones he wanted to know where he lives and she played her part of what he expected her to do. Bring Shade and her daughters with her to Auria's Gale, she was playing her part that she never knew.
'Why that no good pony murderer of a monster he is, I swear I hope he dies in battle against the wolves in the borders of the Crystal Empire.' Luna wished deeply that would happen to the Hunter, dying in battle. Though now she regretted wishing that. Her anger soon turned into sadness, she had let her anger take over he once from being jealous of her sister, she will not let it take over again.
'I shouldn't say that he has his reasons for not trusting me and my sister. He decided to join and help our subject. I should be happy for that, but I cannot forgive him for murdering countless ponies that were considered criminals. Murder wasn't right, but why should I say that since we're bringing him into a war that's not his. Sister, I hope in our mother's name that we do not regret this.' The Princess of the Night calmed herself down and walked out of the captain's quarters, not saying a word to the captain, fearing that she may yell at him by accident.
When Luna was back outside, she saw that everypony on deck were talking to each other. The Elements of Harmony were talking to each other in a low whisper, wondering why Shade and her daughters went with the griffons. Of course, Rainbow Dash had come up with the thought that those griffons blackmailed Shade and forced her to bring her family, but the pegasus' belief was thrown overboard by a certain orange cowpony mare who argued that they couldn't have blackmailed the family because this could have been their first time here. The two could have argued more about what could have caused Shade to leave without a fight if it weren't for a certain white unicorn, who was drinking wine out of a fancy glass.
"Rainbow Dash, Applejack, darlings you both need to calm down. Miss Shade could have known those griffons, from what one of the gentlecolts have told me that they were talking to each other in a low whisper. They could have known each other through mail, so we shouldn't think those griffons have done illegal way to take Miss Shade and her daughters." Rainbow Dash and Applejack pondered a bit on what Rarity said. The white unicorn mare was right, if they were in any illegal way then one of the crew would have done something.
Luna walked past the three mares, she looked to her left to see Fluttershy, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie, whose mane and tail still poofy. All three of them were staring at the town and beyond its walls. These mares were talking to each other about the Hunter, how he was a mysterious creature that each would want to know, well mainly Pinkie and Fluttershy. Both mares would want to see the cursed man for their own reasons. Pinkie's was obvious as she wants to make the dangerous creature a friend, so she should have a chance to play fetch with the shapeshifting human. Fluttershy's was a bit complicated, her reasons for wanting to see the curse man is surprising. She wanted to hug him tightly, why she wanted to do that, because how much pain he had to go through. Hunting down criminals only to be hated by everypony, he saved an entire town from bandits, but everypony hates him for killing. She wanted to cry for him and tell him to keep on going, even if it was wrong he was still protecting innocent lives. She wanted to do so much that she wants the curse man to know that he's not hated by everypony in Equestria.
"Do you think the Hunter ever had a party before? Wait no, he must have because how he could have been in a hunting party! Do you think he ever had a party with cake? Wait, do you think he ever had a party with that dragon and ghost he has at his place? Oooh, I hope I would be the first to throw him a "Hello Hunter and his friends welcome to your first party with ponies and the Princess of the Moon"! Oh, I would like to see his reaction!" Pinkie rambled to herself, asking questions then changing those questions with another set of questions. Twilight and Fluttershy didn't pay any attention to the pink party mare, who can break logic and everyone's mind that thinks too hard on how she does.
With Pinkie Pie talking to herself Fluttershy asked Twilight a question. "Twilight, what happened in your dream that made us have to find him?"
The question made the lavender mare's blood freeze from the memory of being eaten by the Hunter. Could she tell Fluttershy the reason why she wanted to find the Hunter so badly? Would tell her about the horrid nightmare caused the shy pegasus to have one too? Twilight thought carefully on how to answer the question before she telling her friend.
"The dream I had was a warning and a sign of the Hunter needing help, he wasn't what we all know and believe him to be as in the dream. He has changed, turning into a monster. It feels like I could stop him from turning into one, keeping him as he is right now than what I've seen in my dream." Twilight could have gone off and told more to her friend, but she kept herself from rambling off in fear of what she had witnessed in that dream.
Fluttershy's ears flatten on the side of her head and looked down over the deck. She couldn't imagine witnessing the Hunter actually killing innocent ponies, being a monster that she believed would be the opposite of what she knows and heard from her little friends. A creature that protected those who cannot defend themselves against the guilty and hunts down those who dares to harm the innocent.
The Princess was saddened knowing the truth that she still couldn't do anything against those dreams, she had visited Twilight's dream before to stop the nightmares, but she didn't find any nightmares that haunt Twilight. All she found was a void of darkness and no mare. Luna knows what the void meant; a nightmare that can never be ridden off unless the creature having them brings themselves in peace in both mind and soul.
She walked to the bow of the ship and looked over it, seeing the town of Auria's Gale beneath her. The looks of this town reminded her of one of the port towns in Equestria filled with batponies and unicorns that enjoys the beauty of her night. She remembered visiting this town once, seeing all the ponies there loving her night and art in the sky made her heart feel warm with joy, knowing that her subjects enjoy her night sky. Just seeing Auria's Gale reminds her of that small port town.
Luna found herself smiling softly, thinking of that town she calls as her favorite. Despite hearing about the bad news she was told by Shimmering Glimmer, Luna was somehow felt happy just by looking at the town below. Just by small memories the Princess somehow a way for herself to be happy.
'Sister, was this how you stay happy in bad events? Remembering the happy memories whenever things go bad, I can't really imagine that actually helping, but I am wrong on that. The memories of the town's ponies made me happy despite how terrible today is, the family taken by the griffons, and the Hunter using me to provide the family a way to cross the sea.' The Princess sighed and turned around, facing the direction what she believes was Griff Glade. Luna had a determined look on her face. 'I won't be outplayed by him!' |
The Hunter | Chapter 16: The way to the Frozen North Part 1 | War is nothing more than anger and hate, a great battle between two or more kingdoms or countries, wanting to claim land or defend their own. I can say that my world had these wars, but after the black blood had spread those wars has stopped and the whole world had set aside their differences and grudge on each other. An interesting way of having world peace, all of that was just caused by a curse. If this world had that same situation then possibly this world would no longer have wars, but they would have monsters killing their kin and being forced to kill theirs after being cursed with the blood. Many would die, but the death rate would be less than what it was in wars.
"Werewovles could easily be mistaken for these Frost Wolves, they both may share the similar appearance and size differences, but they are more like lycans than werewolves. They are not men cursed with the mark of the hunt, being forced to kill everything in sight for some god that wants those that they mark to hunt for him. If I am correct from what I remember you studying on the Lycan and Werewolves, Lycans are naturally born and do not have a human form to turn into, but Werewolves are humans that are cursed and being forced to change every night whenever the moon appears. However, we can only call these Lycans." Wyndbain said, he was thinking a bit too much on these Frost Wolves that the Equestrian army is facing, but I couldn't help but also join in the deep thinking too. Normally in our world Lycans only hunt and return with their kills to their pack. Having to learn a lot of monster and cursed ones from my hunts and books I've read, Gehrman made me read and study the monsters that I have hunted.
"If I remember correctly from what Lenora has told us about the Canine race across this land, in the north there would be about six clans that could handle the freezing wind. However, she said that they rarely go to war with each other meaning that this could be an accident of some pony or a patrol of guards getting mixed up in the clan wars. I can say that this all may be a mix up by getting involved in a battle." I silently groan to myself and tilt my hat down, covering my eyes enough for me to see the floor and block out the sun from the window.
The trip to the Crystal Empire would take three days, without stopping at any stations it would shorten to a day and a half, but we had to stop by checkpoints stationed by the train rails. Celestia wanted us to take an airship to the north, but that would take too long. A train was faster than an airship, an airship is faster than walking on foot or climbing a mountain. I don't know what's going on through the white mare's head, she may not have been thinking straight.
Hunting something that is more challenging would give me the same old thrill that I had before we arrived in Equestria, but didn't. Going into war could never bring that feeling, I didn't want to join in a war that does not involve me in it. However, I am forced to help the princess, she may be holding Cynder hostage just so she could have me fight for her. Magic, I despise it. I could not do against to go against magic other than make myself immune to it for a few minutes with arcane runes and potions.
If the letter made it to Shade then she would know some way of helping Cynder. It may seem pointless to put my faith on a mother batpony who barely knows much of magic and has no way of using it, however, she might figure it out what's happening to Cynder. I never thought that I would have a dragoness as my pupil, be a godfather to two daughters, and have my faith in someone else than my partners is rare.
The sound of hooves clopping against the wooden floor caught my attention to the door. A light knock came from the over side along with a women's, or mare's, voice.
"Mister Hunter, we're reaching the first checkpoint. Would you want any refreshments, like a glass of water and a bowl?"
"Yes, a glass of water and a bowl half full. Thank you miss." I couldn't tell if the mare had nodded her head, but I couldn't care. My throat was starting to feel dry like sand, and I could say that Wyndbain was having that same in his throat.
When the mare closed the door and left, I was back on thinking. Thinking about Cynder and what could Shade do to figure out what is wrong with her, just having a sudden fever still makes me wonder that Princess Celestia has cast a spell on her. It's weird to think about someone else that is not human, I hadn't thought about Shade and her daughters because I knew that nothing bad would happen, they had nothing to worry about other than their father's safety. I should not worry about Cynder as she would be in safe hooves with Shade, yet why do I worry about her and think of her so much?
Before I had left my home, I had actually looked back at the house. I was, and still am, worried about Cynder, she didn't deserve to have this fever Celestia had talked about. The dragoness was just another innocent, a curious and dumb one, wanting to just become a hunter like me and learn how to fire my weapons if this "fever" had never shown up then Cynder's training would have continued. She would be the first in my history to become a hunter, not being human.
'A dragoness huntress, Gehrman would question why I would teach someone to become a hunter that's not even human. He would be unsure of what my actions would be and keep me in his line of sight, watching me and Cynder. I am thankful he is not here.' With a relieved sigh, I close my eyes and wait for the mare to return with our water.
The point of being a hunter is to track down and destroy any living creature that has been cursed with the black blood. People see as a bringer of hope or a bringer of death upon them, I can not be certain which one the people feel about us, I've only seen them be happy or afraid of us. Being feared by them was not much of a problem I had worried about, I did not care what they think of us. The Hunters were created for a reason and that reason being was to hunt down any cursed entity that happens to touch the black blood, whether they be an elder or a child, old hound or a pup. All that has the blood will die, Hunters have a chance to have the blood be purged from their body by a ritual that involves being dunked in blessed water and have one of the veins having black blood running through would be carefully cut. This ritual of cleansing the blood is a dangerous thing to do, but it saved many hunters, however, a few had died from this.
Every hunters' training starts out with them being alone in an unnatural environment surrounded by low-class cursed monsters. This basic training is to tell the hunters/huntresses that being a Hunter was not all fun and games as your own life would be put on the line. A full week was how long you would have to survive alone in the wilderness, you have to prove you could hunt, create traps, plan, and know what you would be hunting. Those who dare to flee or going to a town will fail the training.
My training wasn't simple and easy to do since I had to take care of Wyndbain when I was young, he was only a pup that could easily be prey for everything due to his size, being a small pup that could fit in my hands whenever I'm holding him. Surviving and taking care of a pup was difficult, I had to use traps and focus on taking care of him, sometimes I would go hunting at the night whenever he was asleep so I could feed myself and have food for him in the morning. A rough cycle to go through being forced to be an adult and a father, Wyndbain knew that I wasn't his real father, pretty obvious to know that because of I'm completely different than him, but that never stopped him from being my close friend.
"When we hunt..." I began to say to myself, letting Wyndbain know that I'm talking.
"Those that are our prey must fear us..."
"Because we're not weak and normal, we're..."
"Monsters that defends the weak and free those from the curse," He said and stood up as the train suddenly came to a full stop on our second checkpoint.
Celestia had given us a set of rules. These rules go against what we had done in the past months of protecting the innocents, so we couldn't save a victim from murder and help keep the peace. However, the Princess cannot stop us from saving a life, she does not control us and we control our own action. If we wanted to hunt down a criminal then we would not hesitate, for the lives of others to be safe we must kill those that are guilty.
I got up from my seat and stood up, stretching my legs out. Being seated for nearly a few hours made my legs stiff as if the bones in my legs were replaced with thick branches. After I stretched my legs, I pulled the door to the side. Wyndbain was the first to exit out of the cabin, for a wolf who sometimes enjoys relaxing I could tell he hated being trapped in there on a moving train.
Closing the door behind us, I walked down the narrow hallway with Wyndbain following behind me. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see many colorful creatures all of the different species from different towns, cities, or countries. All of them were living their peaceful lives as they walk around or talk with each other. None of them seem to notice me inside this train, the window was clear and easy to see through, though I don't think they really know what I look like as I have kept myself in the dark and hunt during the witching hours when everyone is asleep.
Soon we reached one of the doors on this car to the outside, but before we had the chance to open it, one of the guards stopped me and told me that I was not allowed to go outside. Normally if it was a town's guard from my world I would ask them why. However, this was not my world and I do not follow the rules that the Princess set up for me to follow. Hell, rules are meant to be broken, even the ones that would make everyone see you as something evil.
I opened the door causing the guard to charge up his spell, but before he even had the chance Wyndbain pounced at him, biting the horn with his sharp teeth. The guard scream in pain. I may not know how unicorn's horns work in anatomy, though I do know if you hit them where they would be screaming in pain.
My gaze on the guard shifted to the doorway, on the other side were the citizens of this town staring at me. The silence was the response I was expecting from the crowd outside. With a single step, I exited out of the car onto the train station platform. Almost every pony on the platform stumbled back, some of the other species that feared me did the same. Those that didn't back away just nod their heads, knowing that I am the bad hero they heard of, the killer of the Elk Kingdom former King, savior of the Diamond Dog's Princess, and one of the two cursed beings on in this world cursed with the black blood. A title to have if I ever wanted to kill the innocents. I didn't want to have these titles...like how I never asked to be cursed. For those who had never backed away and acknowledged my presence knew that I only protect the innocents.
As I took another step on the platform someone among the crowd of animals jumped in front of me, landing face first on the wooden pallet. To be honest, this was the first time that someone did that, never have I seen someone just jump in front of me and mess up the landing to hit face first on a wooden platform. The sight would be funny for those sees someone hurting themselves in a weird and child humor way.
Ignoring the animal that failed their landing, I walked down the train platforms to one of the shopping carts parked nearby. I learned a while ago as a child there some merchants would set up a small shop near the train to have travelers and strangers buy their wears. The ones that were afraid of me stepped away and avoided my gaze, but as for the others that were not afraid continued with the daily routine they had, let me walk among them in the moving crowd, like normal citizens.
"I can't believe I'm seeing the Hunter in real life," I heard one of the many around us whispered.
"Yeah, I actually expected him to be, you know taller?"
"Same here, and is that a feral wolf? I thought they live far in the west?"
I could see out of the corner of my eye how uncomfortable Wyndbain is in his movement, the whispering and the staring from our "fans". Though I am too feeling uncomfortable from this attention, even if it's around a dozen creatures that see us as heroes in their own way. A man wearing black clothes and armed with weapons, not from this world and a wolf with his fur so dark that the shadows can hide him and the white on him making it look like someone painted what his bones looked like. We were obviously the odd ones out in the crowd from our appearance and how some give us some space to walk through.
"Their gaze and whispers of us make me weary, and I do not enjoy the looks of lust in some that stare at us. Traveling in the night was better than this." I heard Wyndbain said as he stayed close to me. He was right about some that were around us, some actually have the looks of lust on their facial expressions, but I did not let that bother me. If they tried anything then they would know the consequences of attacking me.
"I know my friend, but always know that they would have to deal with us when they try anything stupid. We may not be able to resist magic, but that does not stop me from pulling the trigger or using arcane spells." I reassure him before we made it off the train platform. A sudden smell of freshly cooked meat brought my attention to a small stand next to the platform. The one who owns the stand looked like an elk but with wings and two talons from a griffon. I know every breed of every creature in this world is possible, well from what I know of.
Finding an elk here was a rare sight to see as well being born as an Elfon, I know that they prefer to stay in the woods or forest of any kind, even if that forest has dangerous and deadly animals living in it. However, I can't always believe that every elk, even the hybrid, loves to live in forests like these. My memories with the old King Elk weren't pleasant, killing him was against the Hunter's code, but it was his order and mission I had no choice. His son hates me and wishes nothing more than seeing mine and Wyndbain's corpses hanging from a rope on a tree.
I stopped in front of the meat stand and looked at what was being cooked. Some of the meats I could recognize from their looks, even when cooked, I could tell which creatures each piece of raw flesh was cut from. The smell from each cooked meat of various spices made my stomach slightly grumbled from the lack of food, telling me that I was hungry. The elfon heard my stomach and chuckled to himself as he pulled out two sticks with meat on them from a small bowl filled with glowing embers.
Pulling out a few gold Equestrian coins from my pocket, the elfon shook his head and held the two sticks to me. Confused I pocketed the coins and took the two sticks. Whoever this elfon was known me, but I do not remember if I know him. I held Wyndbain's meal in my left hand and kept it down for the wolf to eat a bit of the cooked meat on it.
"It's for free, you don't have to pay for it as you already done my father a favor." His soft-sounding voice made me realized who this elfon was. I looked back at him and noticed a similar look to King Sethian, a silver coat and wings, ebony horns, white fur going down from his chin to his chest and possibly the rest of the way to his tail meaning his entire underside is white and the tip of his wings were white too, black talons and hooves, and golden eyes that seemed to shine whenever I glance at them. A mere reflection of the Elk King stood side by side of the eflon. Surprised I open my mouth to speak, but the second son of the king stopped me with a raised claw.
"Please, not here Cazador. You cannot say my royal name," he said in a whisper, lowering his talon, "How is the mighty Hunter and his Wolven Guard doing?"
"We are doing well," I responded not mentioning the name of Wytherhold King's son. He smiled and nodded his head at the Equestrian Army train.
"Assisting the ponies?"
I shook my head and told him the purpose, my answer seemed to trouble him and made him think a bit to himself. The second prince of the King I killed here in this town set up a carnivore food stand next to the train station, a little brother that is not normal like his brother and shunned. Never thought I would see the young prince again, including here at this place. He was the smartest out of the two, his older brother is not that smart and didn't have a strong bond with their father as the young prince does.
"This is troubling, Celestia must have put a spell on your dragoness apprentice and is forcing you to fight a war that does not involve you. This war with the north concerns me though, the Frost Wolves only attack when a stranger invades their lands and does not have the chieftain 's permission, meaning the attack on her subjects or on the soldiers passing through. Father told me that many other canines have expanded throughout the world having different shapes, personalities, rules, and many others that you could name. The Frost Wolves are probably the innocent ones in this war, but there are outcasts meaning we can't be sure that..." The young prince began to start mumble to himself quietly, made it difficult for me to hear him anymore from that point.
My history with the prince was something that not many would have expected, I was hired to kill their father in front of thousands of elks and creatures that were watching. The old elk was a fool to do that, however, it was his wish to die by a creature who was tainted in comforting darkness. How he found my curse to be comfortable and killed by me is questioning, but I cannot ask him that question now as he was buried in the catacombs with those before he ruled the kingdom. Though I know that his second son was supposed to do something than lead the kingdom, the will he wrote gave me full guardianship over the elfon. Why I never had him with me after leaving the kingdom was because I couldn't meet him in the kingdom without getting caught, though I shouldn't have him with me. News of the prince traveling with "Equestrian's Hero" hunting down every criminal, the princesses would question the older brother about this.
From memory We've spent two months in the Elk's Kingdom waiting for their celebration of the founding of Wytherhold, Prince Elthis was a shy, anti-social, passive type of creature, small, and in training of being the next king after his brother dies. How we met was when I was bathing, he managed to sneak in the bathing room without me even noticing his scent and without Wyndbain growling at him or warning me. He managed to see me without my clothes on and the mask, seeing what my face actually looks like. Normally I would knock someone out who saw me without my mask, but I didn't do it to Elthis. Instead, I let him bathe with me in the pool, for two whole months I didn't care about the young prince knowing what I looked like. However, he was a bit persistent on wanting to be like me, a hunter that uses guns and rarely uses any arcane spells. The king told me that his son may have fit on being the prince in the bloodline, but the elfon's wish to become a hunter made the king decide to let his son do it. Though I didn't get around the time on training him, after I left the kingdom he probably went searching for me.
"I'm surprised the Elthis is not excited to see us again, normally whenever we were around him he would want you to tell him stories of the hunts you have been on from this world or ours." Wyndbain chuckled and looked up at me. The memories of telling the elfon of the hunts I have been in and what the creatures I have seen, one of them must have sparked his interest in becoming a hunter. Imagining him in black leather armor or white pelt feather covered one is something I wonder if he would have a chance to become a hunter same as Cynder. ...
Cynder. |
The Hunter | Chapter 17: Women talk | There was once a dragoness who believe that they could be the next dragon Emporer leading the dragons and changing the rules of how they live, but since she wasn't that strong or even be able to breathe fire. She could not take the role as a dragon Emporer, so she continued her life as normal and lived her life being unable to breathe fire and to catch any dragon's attention of a strong dragoness. This lonesome dragoness has spent thirty years alone, she spent her thirty years watching other species that traveled by. If dragons would have seen her doing this then they would think that she was just being a stalker, but during the time of her years she developed certain skills that most dragons would mock her for.
Life wasn't so kind to this dragoness because of the other dragons around that bullied her. However, the dragoness did not care if they mock her for developing skills and learning. What she lacked in being a dragon she had gain with different skills that could rival a dragon itself. Barely any dragon could draw like her, she knows how to use a longbow and make arrows for it, navigate by using the stars, bargain with traders, and fight like a noble warrior cat morph. She could have been a dragon Emporer now with these skills, but she knows that if she did become the Emporer it would just pull her down and keep her away from freedom.
Dragons would normally just stay in their territories and kill anyone that dares to disturb their slumber, but this dragoness wasn't like the rest. Although she may have been alone for thirty years and other dragons who know her have only seen her as a breathless dragon, one teenage dragon actually seen this dragoness as someone special.
Shy as this dragon was he didn't know how to approach her as he only seen her from afar, a love stalker if someone had seen him. He was like the rest, having a common color of blue, having fire breath, being able to become Emperor of the dragons if he ever wished to be, and was apart of the dragons able to get a mate with one of the other dragonesses, but the young dragon's heart was captured by the breathless dragon. How she managed to capture this young dragon's heart was a time at a nearby waterfall called Aldurian's Tears, a carved dragon stone head that has water pouring out of the eyes. Their time was short as they were bathing they only had a couple of minutes getting to know each other, though to the young dragon it felt like hours. Their talk about each other and who they helped both dragons become friends. However, the small talk they had didn't make the dragoness not want anymore, she loves the young dragon's shyness and has seen him watching her every time she does something that an ordinary dragon wouldn't do.
Whenever she bathes in the river, near Aldurian's Tears, and senses the young dragon's scent or feels his presence, she would purposely expose herself to him, letting the young dragon see what he likes. All of this may seem like a show for others when observing, but it was a weird way for the dragoness to show that she liked the young dragon despite being twenty-two years older than him. With big hints from the dragoness, many would know what they mean, though not the young dragon as he does not know of flirting.
This gone off for a year before one day at the same waterfall both dragons met, the male had a noticeable blush under his scales and holding a handful of flowers in his claws, the female was in shock. On that same day, the dragon had confessed his feelings for the dragoness, his heart was pounding, redness on the cheeks, and tail wagging side to side. If a common dragoness have seen how shy a dragon was and holding flowers in his claws than a handful of gold and gems then he would have been turned down, however, this dragoness wasn't like the rest. When she first saw the shy dragon hold the flower in front of him, blushing mad and fidgeting, and confessing his love for her in words that made her feel warm inside.
After that confession, they shared a kiss and then became a couple, a weird relationship it had started out from. Although this would be a pony or a passive herbivore method of becoming a couple, the dragons didn't care about how their relationship has started. Throughout the years of being together, the dragoness had an egg. The color of this egg was a dark blue spotted with black dots.
Sadly the mother couldn't stay as the Dragon Emperor had found out of this relationship between a common blue dragon and a breathless black dragon, he had demanded that the mother would stay out of the dragon territory and never see her egg and mate again. With the Dragon Emperor's order, she left the land and her family. The father had shut himself out of the world and kept himself and his mate's egg safe from any dragon that dares to torment him or threaten the egg. If one did try to harm the egg then they would feel the wrath of a dragon father.
A few months later the egg hatched, a baby dragoness having dark blue scales, yellow eyes, and black horns. Everyone thought that this dragon would not have a fire breath like her mother, but they were proven wrong when the dragoness had her first burp. White flames came out of her mouth, an uncommon fire breath that is extremely rare to see and to have. Every dragon that was around when the father was helping her burp saw it, they were all suprised at this. Never have they thought would the baby dragoness have that fire breath, whispers had gone around about this dragoness on how unfair it was that a youngling like her could have a rare flame, how it's interesting to see what she could do and talks on how much a freak she was.
"Death is always waiting for you no matter how much you try to prevail if there is no way to avoid death. So if you wish for death to take you, a young boy, then let its cold grasp take you to the afterlife, but if you wish to live then you must take cautious of your action. A hunter does not cast away his life to be bold, they never do it for fame, neither for money, they risk their lives to protect what they can and slay any cursed beast that dares to be tainted by the black blood. Remember this boy if you ever forget this then know that your life is always at risk, even at a safe place." The words that I read aloud from the books made me shiver from the thought of a "death" that Cazador's mentor had told him. I may be in heat and burning like the depths of hell; the last word I started to use since I heard it from Cazador.
Placing a bookmarker, it's just a thin cloth I found in a random book and closing the book, I set it on a nearby table and looked at the fire in the fireplace. The fire has been burning for a long time Lenny had told me it had continued burning for while before he even found this place. The previous owner of this house was an alchemist and a griffon too, but he had sanity problems thanks to some ghosts that intruded his house and started to mess with his mind and physical logic. He didn't explain anymore of the previous owner of this house and what happened to him, the ferret just went silent and stared at the fire with me.
My thoughts slowly began to drift off to Cazador. I never had the chance to know him personally he was still a stranger to me than I was to him, his actions is misleading because how his voice tone and his appearance would mistake him as for someone who doesn't care much about others, but the small stories those fillies had told her of the man's personality and what he's like. If I was going to train under him then I would have to know some things about him from the man himself than just hear things about him and read a book about his past. And he has known about me and what I like and hate so when things come to around of something I am afraid of or disgusted then he would know. Just knowing so little about each other, I'm starting to think I should have asked some questions about him and tell him a bit of myself, but I didn't as I was still a bit unsure about him as he has that weird feeling that I can't really explain well.
When I first saw him, I wasn't sure if he would help or dared to stop the dragons from forcing me to mate with them. Though I was wrong since he helped me and scared off the other dragons. Although he had threaten my life with that revolver, I still followed him without thinking if he would just cast some spell to knock me out and do something to me or kill me in the woods, however, I didn't really think of that back then as I was wanting to repay him for what he did. Though I didn't get the chance to repay him or actually thank him for helping me.
I guess I would have lined myself for the worse if Cazador wasn't the type of man that he is today, or things would have become different than now. He may still be a stranger to me and we barely know anything about each other, I just have that strange feeling of comfort and want of proving him that I could become a Hunter and show him that I can survive. I can tell that my stupid dragon pride is dragging me down in this, but I don't regret being dragged down to something new; even though I can't train in my need of mating with a male.
"What was he like as a youngling?" I asked myself, my mind was now filled with the thought of Cazador. I can just imagine a young version of Cazador wearing different clothes, but I couldn't really imagine what he actually looks like without his current clothes. My thoughts of what Cazador was like as a kid changed to what he looked like without his clothes. Soon my cheeks began to burn as I imagine Cazador's silver eyes staring down at me like a...predator.
Soon after I shook my head of the image before more of it could develop into something that would worsen my need of being breed. Imaging what Cazador looks like without his armor was a bad idea, just his eyes were all it took to make my cheek burn. I could feel the spot between my thighs begin to burn and the waistcloth I began to wear had a small wet stain in it. What is wrong with me?
"Hey dragon girl," My eyes snapped up above the fireplace, there Lenny was sitting on the edge staring down at me. "There seemed to a small family of ponies with bat wings and two feather heads at the front door, all of them have been knocking on the door for the past ten minutes. Gonna let them in or have them get the message that you don't want them here?"
I immediately got up from my chair and stumbled my way to the front door. The knocking that Lenny had mention grew louder with every step I took to the doors, whoever was behind the door seemed to have grown a bit impatient of waking for me to open the door, though I can understand that as I did make them wait for ten minutes. When I made it to the front door, the being that was knocking on the door decided to stop.
"Are we sure that the dragoness is even awake, she could be asleep?" I heard a male voice asked on the other side of the door. Curious on who was the creature that knows about me being here I slowly stumbled my way over to the window, but while I was making my way there I heard another voice answer his question.
"Cazador told me that Cynder is here, but there is a chance that she is in bed asleep or too weak to walk here." That voice I knew who it belongs to. When I made it to the window and looked out of it I couldn't believe who I saw, Shade and her daughters were here along with a small group of griffons! Stumbling quick as possible to the door, nearly tripping out a few times, I unlocked it and opened for them.
"Seems like she's awake," Another male voice I don't of said.
As soon the doors were wide opened, two certain bat fillies ran through the wide opening and latched onto my legs, nearly knocking me over. Both fillies were giggling and smiling as they looked up at me, their light blue eyes made my heart feel heavy with so much adorableness that it makes me question why do the ponies have this cuteness. Before the two little fillies had the chance to say something, Shade flew up to my face and rest the side of her foreleg on my head, mumbling to herself.
"Head is warm, the smell of a female's pheromone is clear as day, cloth has a small noticeable stain around that "area", and her chest is a bit perky," Hearing most of what she said, my cheeks began to burn like fire and my sudden pride of a dragon not blushing in front of others was suddenly smashed into a million pieces as the girls and griffons -outside the house- could see my cheeks turning red. "But all in all, you aren't sick or have a deadly fever flu, so you are healthy as a newborn baby foal!"
Shade chirped happily and landed on her hooves. She had the guts to say those in front of my face, but the mother knows I can't do anything to her or deny the fact that I am in heat. This mare is a brave one I have to give her that.
"So Cazador would soon be in this Crystal Empire to help defend it against a pack of wolves that have similar body shapes, but different features, just so he could have some random pony that the Sun Horse to watch over me until the season of needing a mate is over?!" I'm at the point of blowing up from rage of knowing that I have been used, sure Lenny had told me about it in small details that the princess had lied to Cazador that I had some sort of deadly fever and made a false deal him, but knowing that I was used to creating this deal of my trainer going out into a war that has no involvement on us! If that horse of the sun was here I would strangle her in front of her "subjects", hell I might even see if she could handle a ten-foot spear up her ass!
I will not have some random pony watch other me just because their princess had commanded them. I rather have Shade take care of me --an embarrassing thing to say-- than some pony I do not know. Although that was the reason why she was here, Shade had told me that Cazador wrote a scroll to her about moving here to take care of me while also being outside of the Equestrian borders, so the sun horse doesn't have another way of manipulating him. Actually, I wonder if she even knows about Shade and her daughters since the bat-pony had met Cazador before and talked to him like they both knew each other for a while. If I were to pick who would take care of me, I would pick Shade and her daughters because how I can trust them than some random pony.
"Lucky Cazador had his suspicions on this has he couldn't trust the Princesses and their word. He knew something wasn't right and how you suddenly collapsing after the Princess arrive was not coincident. However, being a female and having a breeding season, I can say that it was just bad luck on your part. Although since you are on your feet and able to walk a few steps, I can say that it hasn't hit you fully yet." My body froze up as soon as those words left her mouth. I have experience being in heat once a year ago and it wasn't bad other than me slightly burning up and difficult to walk, but if I was in some sort of the first stage of being in heat then I am nervous of what would the other stages be of being in heat.
"Do mares, or bat mare, get these kinds of seasons like dragons to do?" I asked a simple and dumb question, wanting to ease my worries. When Shade shook her head and pointed at her stomach she said.
"You do know that every female in this word have different signs of being in season, and there may be some that have similar stages of being in heat. I know that us mares all have the same seasons, some may start sooner or later than most mares, but I know that mares have their own attitude when being in season." I averted my eyes away from Shade when she pointed between her legs, giving me the "message" of what she meant in her explanation. Of course, all females of different species have different ways of going or being into season, I should have known that but my brain couldn't reason with itself on what question to ask Shade.
"R-right," I cleared my throat and asked another question, "Has Cazador said anything else about me or-" My eyes landed on Lenny, who was behind Shade, wearing clothes and pointing at what he was wearing. Soon my eyes widen as I remember the order that Cazador made at the tailor.
I know thinking about clothes right now was not the topic that, and clothes aren't important to this subject of talking about Cazador and they aren't really neccassory for me to wear as they are just clothes and nothing else. Why am I thinking too much on this? By the current dragon lord's name, I am making too much of a fuss about this.
"Cynder is there something wrong?" Shade's voice brought me back from my small fuss about clothes to the reality of her staring at me with concern. I shook my head and cleared my throat before saying something.
"No, I just remember that Cazador ordered clothes that he wanted custom designs on it for me, but since he's not here and I'm not able to walk well without stumbling I won't be able to get those clothes. It's not a big deal to be talking about this. This is just some dumb thing that I just remembered." I smiled and nervously laugh, talking about this now just doesn't feel like it's necessary to talk about. Clothes are just clothes and they don't belong in this type of conversation about Cazador or my season of being in heat.
"You mean those black clothes made from wolf pelts and ursa hides?" Shade's question made me look at her with a raised scaly brow. How did she know that my clothes at the tailor's place was made out of wolf pelts and ursa hides? I nodded my head, telling her that that's what the material they are made out of.
"How did you-"
"When I arrived at Crow's manor, a griffon wearing clothes gave me a paper bag and told me that hope your dragoness friend is alright. I was confused on why she gave me the paper bag full of clothes that don't look like it would fit me, but I remembered what she said and assumed that the clothes are meant for you. Never thought you would want to wear clothes." Shade crossed one of her back hoofs over the other and give me a smug look that I didn't like to see.
"It was Cazador's idea," I mumbled to her. It was his idea since we made an agreement about being friends. The bat mare's smug look soon dropped as she sighs and chuckles to herself.
"Of course, he always the one who would want someone to wear clothes. Though I think he had the right idea to say that because how you are basically naked and being in heat makes it worse." Her giggles made my cheeks burn as well made me tail stiff. "I rarely saw him take his clothes off ever. And whenever he does, he always washes them to keep them clean, even his mask and hat too. The last time I saw him clothless was when he was in the bath, bathing himself."
My cheeks felt like they were on fire now, thanks to Shade's help of making me imagine what Cazador looks like without clothes. I slowly got up from my chair and slowly stumbled my way out of the library, but before I left I asked Shade something.
"Has he ever mentioned of having a mate before?" |
The Hunter | Side Chapter: Tales of old legends Part 1 | Luna's cold gaze could have broken a dragon's will just by looking straight at the mare's eyes, but the cold gaze did not work on a certain griffon who was the mayor of a town, and friend of the Hunter. She knew that the mayor of this town was in on this plan that Cazador had. However, she cannot prove it other than believe he was part of the plan.
Crow stared back at the princess, not afraid of her gaze and her presence as she was not much of a threat to him on these lands. Cazador had told him that the princess would not be happy or pleased knowing that she was just a ride for the batpony family, she would be enraged from discovering that. Although being in the presence of the being who could move the moon, Crow carelessly and spoke without fear or shudder in his voice.
"Princess Luna, what reason would you have to be here? I was not told of your arrival or else I would have this place more "royalty" for you." He gestured the room around them is a bit of a mess thanks to his nieces playing in his office, but it didn't matter to him if his office had some toys in a corner or around the room. "You wouldn't have to worry about stepping on a toy that could cause you some harm."
"The condition of this room does not matter to me nor does it bother me, you do not have to worry about cleaning this room for me or have it readied to be special. I did not come here for a meeting and long talk with you, Mayor. I came here to guide my subjects to see the Hunter." Luna could tell that the old griffon did not care for her reasons as he knew the true reason why she was here. She knew that the Hunter was not here, but she did not tell Twilight and the others that. If the group learned about Cazador participating in a war between ponies and canines then Twilight would want to go there, she cannot let that happen.
"Hmm, so you are just a caretaker for the seven ponies outside this office. To place yourself in that role must show how much your subjects have started to be less dependant on themselves and more dependant on others. I guess the old days of when ponies were worried about attacks and had trained soldiers ready for a fight are gone since you and your sister are now baby sisters for millions of ponies in Equestria." Saying this to royalty would have offended the people of that ruler and enraged them, but Crow knows that he can say that as he was not in Equestria, and he was trying to get under the princess' skin like a tick.
Luna looked unpleased and sighed, he was right about them placing themselves in that role of being a babysitter for her subject who did not have to rely much on the sisters. The old days was something that she missed and wished that some of the traditions were still present on these days. Her subjects were barely much of what they were and now rely on something that would embarrass their great ancestors. If only she could bring a few of the old traditions back to the presents, but the nobles would shoot it down.
"I would like to request an escort through the forest to the Hunter's home. My sister's and mine subjects are here to help take care of the dragoness at his home, she has a terrible fever if I remember what my sister had written down on the scroll correctly." She wanted to get this conversation done and over with so she would not have to deal with more of the griffon's talk.
"Sadly I cannot give you a group of hunters to escort you and your subjects through the forest right now. My hunters are all busy with a contest of the biggest catch by a river nearby this town, and those who are not participating are either hunting, on patrol, or spending time with their family. I would prefer not to force anygriff away from their loved ones or their duty. You and the other would have to wait until tomorrow when some of my hunters get back from the contest, I hope you would understand about why I do not want to pull anyone from their own personal activities." Crow rest his head on talon and gave Luna a "serious" look, but Luna knew that he was doing this on purpose and that he can have her, the main six, and Sketch Note escorted to Cazador's home. She could not force the griffon to give them an escort or have a talk with the king as it would take more hours to do so. All she can really do was wait for a whole day then ask again.
In one of the mansion's guest bedrooms, Pinkie Pie bounced happily around the room and onto beds (that were not occupied by somepony) as everypony in the room were minding their own business and talking among themselves. Luna had told them that they would have to wait for a day until a group of griffons is available to escort them, so they had a whole day to explore the town or rest. The mayor was kind enough to give them shelter and an unoccupied room for them all to stay in, so they did not have to worry about finding a motel to stay at.
While everypony was talking among themselves, Sketch Note walked out of the room to the mansion's entrance room. He didn't want to be in the room full of mares as it felt kind of awkward for the only male in there, so he thought having a walk around the town would help make the time go faster. A silly thought to have but exploring the town is better than being in that room, and he also wants to explore this town to see what kind of things he could see.
The young stallion walked through the streets of Griff Glade, seeing it a bit busy with griffons and rare few other species from other lands he felt like he could lose somebody in these crowds. Luckily he was alone so he did not have to worry about losing someone among these crowds. Walking among the crowd he spotted a store that sold various paintings, they caught the stallion's attention and drawn him closer to them. Some of the paintings showed many types of prey being in battles with their predators, the others were various landscapes or unique environments that would look like they were real.
Before the Sketch Note could go in the shop, a tall figure wearing black stepped out of a building near the painting shop. He couldn't believe what he has seen, his eyes must have been deceiving him but when he shook his head the tall clothed figure was there. The Hunter was next to him, standing at the doorway of a boutique wearing new clothes that were different from Sketch's drawing. The young stallion's heart was racing as this was the first ever chance he had to see a creature hated by many, but was a hero to some. Sketch took in every detail the Hunter was wearing before he noticed something different about him. He had wings and a tail, not feather wings but leather and scaly wings as well his tail! Shaking his head and blinking a few times too, Sketch's eyes were not deceiving him again. How could the Hunter have wings and tail?
For a few seconds, Sketch walked to the "Hunter" and tapped the side of his leg, gaining his attention. However, when he turned around to face Sketch, the young stallion was surprised to see that who he had guessed was the Hunter was not actually him. In front of him was a dragoness staring down at him with a raised scaley eyebrow, confused as to why Sketch tapped her leg. Embarrassed and surprised, Sketch shyly smiles and rub the back of his head with a hoof.
"S-sorry, I thought you were someone that I know of. I didn't mean to disturb you from what you were doing." Walking away and entering the building, to avoid an awkward conversation from confusing her as the Hunter.
Sketch should have known that the Hunter didn't have wings because he drew a drawing of what he looks like, meaning he has seen what Equestria's hero completely looks like, yet he believed that the dragoness outside was him. A dumb mistake on appearance, and it was obvious too, he made. Luckily no one around him knew what he was thinking and believed what he thought was the Hunter wasn't him. He didn't have to worry about that embarrassing moment since no one can bring it up.
Sighing to himself in relief, Sketch went looking around the room. The paintings in this room were amazing as they had very fine details of the environment or creature drawn on the canvases. Whoever was the artist of these paintings did well in making sure that each painting was unique in their own ways that would draw in the attention of those who look at them. When Sketch's eyes landed on a particular painting colored in black and white of two different creatures, his first guess at seeing a dragon and wolf chasing each other tails was that they were in a constant cycle of attacking each other. However, when he looked closely next to the tails there, he saw that by the wolf's tail was the sun and by the dragon's tail was the moon. The second guessed I had was that they were chasing the moon and sun working together because of their advantages on this chase. Seeing the dragon go after the sun made Sketch guess some more on useless information about what the painting means: its scales were resistant to the extreme heat, its body was able to handle the harsh environment like a desert and still live through it, its own breath could be any type of element, the wings it has could help with its chase after the sun.
Sketch looked at the moon and the wolf, the list of the wolf's advantage and how it could get the moon. Its gift of being a carnivore and predator gave it the advantage of being a pack hunter, but this wolf seemed to be a pack with the dragon. The experience of past hunts gives it the chance to catch the moon, hunting in a pack or hunting alone for survival. Its eyes could have the chance of finding it in complete darkness or its nose could sniff it out. The fangs it has are sharp and dangerous, but the agile body it has could help it get the chance for biting the throat.
As the young stallion continued to stare at the painting with interest, he did not notice that the owner of the art shop was next to him staring as well. When the old griffon cleared his throat, Sketch jumped in surprised and looked at the griffon.
"O-oh, sorry sir if I was loitering here," He said worrying that the griffon may have enough of him being in his shop. That was not the case though, the griffon shook his head and looked at the drawing.
"Kid, do you have any guesses what this painting represents, and why it was painted?" The griffon asked, not even sparing a glance at Sketch. He knew that the young stallion did not know what the painting meant, but he wanted to hear what guesses he had.
"Hmm, from the two guesses I had earlier before you arrived, one of them was about the wolf and dragon chasing after each other like they were on a constant hunt to take one another life as a cruel rivalry between siblings." Sketch took in a breath and breathed out before continuing. "But when I saw the sun and moon I rethought about my first guess, they are both after the sun and moon behind each other. The wolf is hunting the moon that follows the dragon's tail as the dragon is doing the same thing for the wolf, but it's the sun than the moon. Both seemed to be after what they have an advantage against. As for example, the dragon's scales and cold blood can help them survive harsh heat, better than the wolf's fur, giving them the perfect chance to withstand the sun's heat. Its body size is intimidating when you have seen an actual dragon and know what they look like, the size of their teeth, claws, and even their fire breath. All of these are what makes them intimidating. The wolf on the other claw is completely different with its own advantage against the moon. Its eyes can adjust to the dark, sense of smell is stronger than most of their descendants of canines, they are excellent hunters whether they are in a pack or alone, and they were once the main breed in the Diamond Dogs Ancestors. I don't know much about wolves other than what I have guessed."
The old griffon slightly smirked and pointed at the wolf. He told Sketch that he was correct on how they were chasing the sun and moon, but he also told him how their appearance and advantages they had over the two things they are chasing. However, it was interesting to hear that the dragon was chasing down a star and the wolf chasing the moon. He began to tell the young stallion a story, a story that was forgotten and replaced by the two princesses of Equestria.
The story involved two separate species that lived far apart from each other. In the far south on a frozen wasteland was a female wolf name Shatil, and in the scorching heat and land of fire far north and in the far east of Equestria was the land of dragons where Haith a male dragon who was in line to become the next Dragon Emperor. Both did not know one another existence, but it was a chance that brought both of them together.
Haith was an ordinary golden scaled dragon with a red crest and under scales, being a size of a two-story house when standing up on his hind paws. He was considered the fourth strongest dragon in their history that could face a dragon Emperor by himself. However, he was the son of the Dragon Emperor at the time and he held no interest in calling his father Emperor nor dad. Instead, he called his father by his name.
Around the time their neighbors of minotaurs, Lizardmen, and Cat people were growing restless of the dragon's presence and wanted them gone. Of course, the dragons knew that they were not welcome to their neighboring lands of many different types of tribes who said that the dragon kind was nothing but savages and war hungry scaled fire breathing beasts. Many dragons wanted to show their strength and frighten their neighbors if they decided to attack them then they should know what they were dealing with.
For a few years, some dragons would fly off and raid towns and castles, but a rare number of those few were slain. Everyone in the old days knew that if you slay a dragon you are declaring yourself to be challenged by any type of dragon around your area. Only the mightest and bravest creatures dared to slay a dragon and call themselves a challenger to the huge beasts.
Haith did not like how some of those creatures mocked his kind of how easy they were to kill or how they were not smart. When he had heard that his friend was slain by another dragonslayer, he could not handle the death of another dragon anymore. He sought out this dragonslayer, who was responsible for killing his friend, to challenge them, but he did not expect to himself to be facing someone unknown from his land.
Haith had announced his challenge to avenge his friend's death and face the slayer who stained their weapons with the blood of his friend, his announcement was in the swamps where the Lizardmen lives and where the slayer resided at. Everyone in that region had heard the dragon's announcement, some had come to his call and called him out that they were the ones who killed his friend, but they could not fool him as he smelled no blood on their weapons or on their clothes. He refused their words of challenging him and waited for the one who stained their weapon in the blood of his friend. With confused and angered dragonslayers, Haith began to think that the one who killed his friend would not show up, but a slender and hooded figure walked towards Haith.
Everyone's eyes were on this approaching, some of the slayers were whispering on who was the creature that approaches the dragon and was they the one who had slain his friend, but others did not care of this slayer as they believed that they were not the ones who killed this dragon's friend. However, when the dragon took a sniff in the air, he could smell his friend's blood on the creature approaching. The snarl he made caused every slayer around to jump and look at him before looking at the hooded creature. Who was this creature that accepted the dragon's challenge, do they honor his challenge or do they plan on letting the other slayers help them take down this best? Soon the hooded creature stood in front of Haith.
"You arrived here and dared to accept my challenge slayer!?" He roared at the figure and glared down at them, the size difference could easily be seen as Haith was obviously taller than the creature who only reached up to his stomach. Without saying anything the creature reached in their cloaked and pulled out a sheathed blade, its bone-white colors made a rare few slayers around to be disturb from what the hooded being was holding.
"Yes, but I always arrived here to honor your friend's wish, Haith." She said her voice was soft and smooth as she pulled off her hood with one hand to reveal her face. She was a wolf bigger than an average male wolf height, her white fur showed no other color and her eyes were a soft blue. Everyone around was no surprise that a female had defeated a dragon, but some of them were sweating from an eerie aura radiating off of her that others could not see.
"Honor," Haith said in a confused tone as he looked down at the weapon in the wolf's hand to see a named carved into, the name of his friend. Haith clenched his fists and struck the ground between them, creating a small crater and cracks around it. "If you showed honor then you would fight me and not present me a gift of my friend's remains!"
"I cannot fight you as you have done nothing wrong to give me a reason to fight against you. Your friend gave me a reason to find him and defeat him as he threatens a village that he would burn it down if they do not move to another part of the land. What gave him the reason to threaten a village whose generations of the family originated in that village? Do all dragons wish to be greedy and commit a sin that would consume their souls?" The wolf asked, there was a hint of anger and sadness in her voice as she stared down at Haith's paws. The other slayers slightly mocked her and laughed, but a rare few stayed silent.
Haith stared down at the wolf with hate in his eyes, but he was not deaf to hear her voice. He began to think about what to do at this moment. Should he take this moment to avenge his fallen friend from this slayer and refuse her apology or should he accept her apology and take the weapon that was crafted out of his friend's bones and scales? Before he had the chance to say anything of his decision, one of the slayers broke out from the small crowd and yelled at the wolf.
"Lady you are pretty dumb and pathetic to just arrive here and ask for forgiveness to a dragon who's a friend you killed. If you think that thing would just accept your forgiveness then you are wrong. You won't leave without having a scar to remind you of it." Haith looked at the dragonslayer who dared speak out without any reason before looking back at the wolf. He could see it in her eyes that she was not pleased to hear the slayer say that, but he could also see something more than that.
With a sigh, Haith knelt down in front of the wolf and held out his claws. Avenging his fallen friend may be something that other dragons would want him to do, but if it was some other dragon in his place they would be consumed by rage. The wolf looked up at him and handed him the weaponed, however, before the sheath even touches his claws she spoke to him.
"I would like to be your servant, so I could forgive myself of slaying your friend." Everyone around, including Haith, were all stumped to hear such a sudden request. The dragon himself could not find a way to answer that as his mind was suddenly all foggy with confusion and...fantasies?
"No, I must not think like that!" Shaking his head and looking down at the wolf, he took in her appearance to see that she was only equipped with a bow, quiver, few arrows, and a dagger. She was equipped with a weapon that could kill a dragon, but the dagger would not do much unless she aims for the eyes or softer parts of a dragon's body. Her slim figure could be seen under a hooded cloak, hidden under her leather armor was a body that could make a male go crazy over as she was a perfect figure of a female, her armor showed how big her breasts were and wide her hips are, but her claws would scare away those if they saw her as their predator.
It was easy for the dragon to be distracted by the wolf's body, but he managed to keep his mind focus on the matter. Why would a wolf like her ask for such a humiliating thing that only a maid would to someone who's rich and able to take care of them? Yet this wolf just asked him to be his servant, so she could forgive herself of killing his friend. How would this wolf forgive herself if she knows that the dragon she killed could never come back alive, she could have just said nothing and let Haith take his friend's remain and left but she asked to be his servant nonetheless?
"Very well," Those words that left Haith's mouth caused him to panic inside and question himself on why he did that! The wolf smiled at him and started to walk closer to him, but before she could be by his side one of the dragonslayers stepped out of the crowd. This creature that stepped out from the crowd was a cat-morpth equipped well equip with his kin's weaponry and armor.
"A servant!? You wanted to be a servant for a race that is nothing but monsters that burned down towns and cities, slaughtered hundreds of innocents!? What kind of Dragonslayer are you!?" Every slayer around roared in agreement and demanded questions of what kind of slayer was the wolf. Haith did not like the sight of everyone demanding a single being of their reasons, even though she said already said her reason of why she wanted to be his servant. Before Haith could roar at the crowd, an arrow pierced the skull of the cat-morph and caused his lifeless corpse to fall on its back.
"I said my reasons loud and clear, for those who did not hear or bothered to ignore what I said I will repeat it again. I would like to be the dragon's servant, so I could forgive myself for killing his friend! Get those words through all your thick skulls and let it sink in your memories!" The wolf roared at the crowd as she turned around. Haith was both amazed and surprised at the wolf's voice and her courage to just kill the cat without any warnings.
When the wolf stood by Haith's side, the dragon hesitated at first to try something, but he managed to build up his courage and pick up the wolf in his arm. He made sure that he was careful not to crush her ribs in his arm before taking flight.
"And then uhh...I forgot the rest." The old griffon said as he looked at Sketch to see him staring at the painting.
"The story sounds like it was back before Equestria even was formed, when all three tribes of ponies still dislike each other. Before the alicorns helped unite all of them." Sighing Sketch looked at the griffon and reached in his pouch, pulling out three bits. "Thank you for your time and your story sir." |
Change | pre | The six mares jumped round to see the form of Queen Chrysalis standing there, panting slightly. But instead of the intimidating individual they had seen by the alter; she was now smiling warmly, almost affectionately. More specifically she was smiling at Twilight.
Celestia appeared behind Chrysalis. "Stop fiend! You will not harm them!"
"I never had any intention to, and I would never harm my own daughter."
"What?"
"Twilight..." Chrysalis slowly approached, hole ridden hoof outstretched.
Twilight flinched and quickly backed away from Chrysalis, much to her pain.
"Please, leave the elements be, without the love we collect today you will die!"
"What are you talking about!?" Twilight shouted.
Chrysalis sank to her knees, gave a sad sigh. "You are a changeling, Twilight, and you are my daughter, Princess to the Badlands hive! You are in the final stages of maturation, and you need this energy!"
Twilight's face was scrunched, she opened her mouth to say something, but then her eyes seemed to roll into the back of her head; and out of nowhere she collapsed to the floor.
"Twilight!" All those present shouted out in panic.
Much to everypony's shock Chrysalis rushed forwards first and cradled Twilight in her forelegs. Green flames whipped around Twilight as once again her disguise was destroyed.
While both the element bearers and Celestia had started forwards to protect Twilight from Chrysalis, now they had stopped in their tracks and just stood in sheer shock at the sight before them.
Twilight Sparkle was indeed a changeling.
As Chrysalis stared at her daughter's unconscious form; an antennae like appendage that had started to grow out just behind her horn the night before stood proud. She was at the most critical stage; she needed that love energy, and she needed it now!
"The caves beneath Canterlot," Chrysalis squeaked out.
Celestia looked at the queen, bewildered.
"What?"
"Cadance is in the caves beneath Canterlot; my daughter would never forgive me if I left her to rot."
Chrysalis's horn glowed a bright green; and before anypony could stop her, she teleported both herself and Twilight away. The changelings that had been bowing stretched their wings and scattered themselves to the wind.
Six mares stood in silence for what seemed liked hours, but in fact was just several seconds. You could hear the pin drop, from a sound proof room, on another planet in another galaxy.
Twilight Sparkle - Celestia's faithful student - Element of Magic - Hero of Equestria - Purger of Nightmare and sealer of Discord - and friend to all of Ponyville - was a changeling, daughter of Queen Chrysalis and Princess to her hive.
The six mares didn't know what to think anymore.
The 'fighting', if it could be called that, continued for another hour. Luna and the guard formed a retaliation strike on the invading changelings. But as each group was approached, the changelings would use purely non-harmful methods to protect their gathered ponies. Only once they were outnumbered would each group relent, taking to the skies and leaving; they had got what they came for.
On the edge of their badlands territory, a large group of Changelings gathered around Queen Chrysalis. The invasion had been a success; they had collected enough energy to both save Twilight, and even feed the hive for the next few months.
Chrysalis looked at the still sleeping form slumped on her back, and smiled. There was work to be done, a lot of it, but she couldn't feel anything other than joy.
Her daughter was finally home. |
Change | 6 - Homecoming | Distorted images met Twilights dazed eyes, black figures scurrying to and fro, shades moving around through the surrounding terrain. But that's all they were to her eyes, shades...
As quickly as her consciousness returned, it left her. ...
The next time Twilight managed to gain some semblance of consciousness, the light of Celestia's sun was gone. Twilight spied that she was now in a well-lit, mossy brick hallway that arched towards the ceiling. Chitin like material was sewn into the structure giving it an almost organic feel.
There were even more shades now, all scrambling towards Twilight in excitement, before slowly retreating as some protective force kept them at bay. But what kept them back, or rather... was it 'who'?
Twilight tried to make sense of her situation, to remember how she came to be here, but a pounding head kept Twilight from making any sense of her thoughts. As if something sensed her discomfort, her mind became filled with soothing voices comforting her, and it helped her drift back into a blissful sleep.
Twilight awoke with a start. She laid still for several minutes as memories of previous events caught up with her.
The Wedding.
Cadance.
Those all too familiar creatures.
And what happened just before she lost consciousness.
"You are a Changeling Twilight, you are my daughter, Princess to the Badlands hive! You are in the final stages of maturation, and you need this energy!" the frenzied Queen proclaimed.
Twilight scrunched her face, she thought back to a certain mirror, and the creature she would often see within.
Daughter...
It couldn't be true, could it?
Twilight opened her mouth to deny the Queen's claims, but before she could all of Twilight's bodily functions seemed to rapidly shut down one by one. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as Twilight felt her disguise begin to peel away.
'No... they can't find out like this...'
"Twilight!" several voices shouted out as Twilight Sparkle impacted the ground, eyes closed.
The last thing Twilight felt before slipping into darkness was the feeling of somepony scooping her up into a warm, motherly embrace, stroking her mane softly as she drifted to sleep.
All memories after that were a blur, but it was the implication of her final clear memory that caused panic to fill Twilight.
"Did they see me? What I really am?" Twilight said to herself in a panicked tone.
But before her panic could go any further, Twilight sat up and took several deep breaths, just like Cadance had taught her all those years ago.
"OK Twilight, let's focus on the immediate problems first, where the hay am I?"
Twilight examined the object on which she sat, it was a large comfortable queen-sized bed adorned with silk, most likely exported from Saddle Arabia. The bed was located at the end of a large room, centred in the middle facing the door. Just to the right of the bed was a desk with an inkwell and candle sitting on top, to the left sat a tall mirror. At the centre of the room sat a round table with comfortable looking cushions spread around. The floor was a polished wood while the walls were stone brick with chitin like materials sewn into them. But what really caught Twilight's attention was what sat along the lengths of both the left and right-hoof sides of the room...
"Books!" Twilight squealed in excitement.
Two large bookcases sat on either side of the room stretching from end to end. Twilight jumped out of her bed to examine the collection herself. Tracing a hoof along the shelf Twilight noted all the books were (thankfully) already set up in alphabetical order, but while many of the books were Equestrian in origin, Twilight saw some books she was unfamiliar with, books written in a dialect she was unfamiliar with.
As she continued to trace her hoof along the shelf she noticed something about said hoof.
It had holes in it.
Twilight groaned as her fears were confirmed, her disguise had been ripped away in front of those she held dear.
Before Twilight could think any more on the matter, the bedroom door opened with a creak and a feminine looking changeling strolled in, saddlebags hanging from her side with a red medical cross emblazed on them.
Both mares froze as their eyes met, the changeling drone's eyes widened in fear.
"Y... your highness I'm sorry for barging in bu..."
The drone saw Twilight continue to stare, unmoving. She had been made aware beforehoof of the princess's issues when it came to panic attacks, and thus prepared herself for her inevitable reaction to waking up in a strange room and seeing one of the beings who had just attacked the city where she was raised.
Instead the drone suddenly found Twilight right up to her, almost muzzle to muzzle, with the biggest childlike grin she had ever seen etched into her face.
"You're like me! What are we called? Where am I? Did you give me these books? Who are you? Why do we have holes in our hooves? What's our history? Can you teach me to read your language? Do you have any more books? Do you..."
Twilight stopped herself as she saw the drone shrink down, eye twitching at the sudden bombardment.
"Oh... sorry..."
"Honestly, that's not the reaction I expected..." the drone sighed.
"Yeah... well... anyway, my name is Twilight Sparkle."
"I am well aware, your highness. My name is Panacea, I am at your service!" Panacea bowed down in front of Twilight.
"Wait, did you just call me 'your highness'?"
A slight bit of panic returned to Twilight.
Panacea looked up. "Perhaps your mother should do the explanations, it really isn't my place to do so."
"Mother?" Twilights thoughts went back to the wedding.
"You are a Changeling Twilight, you are my daughter, Princess to the Badlands hive!"
"Are we... in the Badlands?"
"We are, your highness."
Dread fell over Twilight. "Then that means..."
Another figure emerged through the already open door. "I'm afraid it does, Twilight".
Queen Chrysalis looked down upon Twilight, a warm motherly smile worn on her face.
"You!" Twilight shouted in anger, quickly taking up a defensive stance.
Chrysalis flinched at Twilight's reaction to her, despite expecting it.
"Panacea, leave us."
Panacea gave another quick bow before hastily retreating from the room.
"You've been here two days and you've already traumatised one of our subjects," Chrysalis joked, trying to lighten the mood.
It failed.
"Two days?! Why am I here Chrysalis? What happened to my friends?!"
"Oh, I assure you that your friends, and that little city of theirs, are quite safe; I got what I needed and left, as was always my intention. Changelings are a race that stick to the shadows, if fate hadn't forced my hoof the attack would never have happened."
"Changeling, that's what we're called?"
"Yes, you seem to be taking the revelation of you not being a pony remarkably well."
"Oh don't worry, I've known for years!"
"You've... how?"
"My disguise failed in private, now, why did you attack us? How did fate force your hoof exactly?" Twilight demanded to know, her defensive posture not wavering.
"Love, Twilight. Both for love energy, and the love of the changeling I care for the most in this world, you."
"Me?" Twilight deadpanned disbelievingly.
"Twilight, you're my daughter, you're my baby girl," Chrysalis's voice cracked slightly, her emotional tone making Twilight slowly drop her defensive stance.
"Impossible!"
"Is it? You already know you're a changeling; Twilight Velvet couldn't possibly be your birth mother! I am!"
"I..." Twilight wanted to dispute her, to deny it, but she sensed no deception within the Queen's voice.
Panic and fear gave way to anger.
"Then why did you abandon me?! Leave me on somepony's doorstep? And then why come back for me now?"
Chrysalis recoiled slightly, before giving a sad sigh.
"Walk with me..."
"Pardon?"
"Take a walk with me, I will explain everything."
"With you? You're joking right?"
"Please I... I would never harm you."
Twilight looked up into the Queen's pleading eyes, and then she relented.
"Fine..."
Both changelings left the bedroom behind and began to walk down long winding hallways, several drones bowed as they passed, and a few voices entered Twilight's mind.
There was silence between the two few a little while, before Chrysalis broke that silence.
"I didn't abandon you..."
"What?"
"I didn't abandon you! I had no choice!"
"Oh really? Queen Chrysalis, you always have a choice!"
"OK, so I did have a choice then, but it was a shitty one!"
Twilight flinched, ponies had a bit of a taboo against swearing in any form.
"I..." Chrysalis' voice sounded pained. "I had to either give you up, or let you die."
"Die?"
"Yes, die. Before coming here you collapsed, that was because you are a 'Queen Class' of Changeling. During your maturation process, your final stages of growth need a substantial amount of love energy to live - more so then you had ever absorbed before that point. While adult queens and drones can survive without love, just with standard food, we are weak without it. Eighteen years ago, soon after your birth our hive went into the worst love shortage in over two hundred years! I simply didn't have enough love energy to feed you. During that time many of my subjects became too weak to even move out of bed. So you see, if I had kept you with me I would just have witnessed you die of starvation. I could not allow that to happen, so I sent you away."
"To Equestria..."
"Yes, Equestria has more love than any other society I have ever encountered. The love of your adopted family, of your friends, kept you alive all this time. Hay, you even became the element of magic and defeated two beings that would have destroyed us all! I was so proud of you..."
"So I got my love energy off of my family and friends? So why an invasion?"
Chrysalis sighed, stopping just in front of a large set of guarded double doors.
"I miscalculated the love you would need, so when your final stage of maturation came about, the most crucial stage, as you were you wouldn't have had enough love energy to survive. I had to act fast. I promise I didn't harm a single pony that day, I even told them where to find Princess Cadance. She's alive and well, back with her fiance."
"What's so crucial about this 'final stage' of maturation?"
"That." Chrysalis materialised a hoofmirror and hung it in front of Twilight, a crown-like antennae had grown out just behind her crooked horn, an appendage just like Queen Chrysalis'.
"That allows you to be connected to every Changeling within our hive, not just your class of ling, which when you were younger would have just been me."
"Con... connected? Is that the voices I have been hearing? That buzzing from earlier?"
"Yes... though they really should be leaving you be right now."
Twilight heard a broadcast through her mind. "Attention, while my daughter is now capable of understanding you, until I acclimatise her to the hive you will not make contact outside of emergencies."
Sure enough, the voices in Twilight's head died away, albeit begrudgingly.
"Huh, how does this hive mind work?" Twilight's inquisitive nature kicked in.
"The Changeling Egregore, or hive mind, is a startling evolutionary advantage. It allows communication between changelings at close ranges, but not much else. Each changeling is on their own unique wavelength; but can also be taught to pick up others. The exception to this being queens like us. While I cannot tell where each changeling is, I can pick up and broadcast on any and all wavelengths, and gain a vague directional pull to my conversation partner. For example, each infiltrator in Canterlot had their own frequency that only they could hear, but they have also been conditioned to all hear one specifically for their class of changeling."
"Fascinating, it must have been such a complex evolutionary journey to reach this point..."
Chrysalis chuckled. "I know how much you love to research, and books. Later on, I will teach you our written language, so you can read all of our books and research to your heart's content."
"You know of my love for books?"
"Oh Twilight, while you may have been raised by the ponies, I was never far away."
"Wait, every November fourteenth we would receive mysterious gifts, books usually. One of the earliest, however, was my Smarty Pants doll, was that... you?"
Chrysalis nodded. "I made that doll myself, I was so happy to see how much you loved that doll."
"Yeah well, Big Macintosh seems to love it just as much nowadays..."
"Yes, well I never wanted to miss out on your birthdays just because of our situation."
"Birthday? My birthday is on January eighteenth. Oh wait, that was the day you left me wasn't it?"
"Yes, you were really born on November fourteenth; you spent most of those two months in a cocoon, as all Nymphs do just after birth."
"So wait, do you give birth to all changelings like insects do or..."
"What? No! We have male and females just like the ponies do."
"Interesting, do you..."
Chrysalis anticipated Twilight's question. "And no, we can't turn ponies into changelings, that's a myth; reproduction works just like with ponies, male and female. Changelings can form their own relationships and produce offspring. A queen chooses her mate after very careful consideration and she is the only one who can give birth to female queens. There are no 'male queens'. Since queens can only birth queens, it is essential we have an heir before we pass lest our hive decay without a queen to run the hive mind. Should that happen, changelings would either have to find another hive or simply die."
"They need to be connected to the hive mind?"
"Yes, it's written into our biology, losing it is like losing a vital organ. Your life expectancy is cut short."
"So how long can queens live?"
"Oh thousands of years, I myself am one thousand and thirty-five years of age. I took over when my mother was killed by a rogue dragon around six hundred years ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry..."
"It's fine, I moved on a long time ago..." Chrysalis sighed. "Anyway, enough of history and science lessons, there's something I want you to see."
Chrysalis finally placed a hoof on one of the doors and pushed it open, revealing an extremely large throne room reminiscent of Canterlot castle's. Like the rest of the structure, the walls were stone brick mixed in with chitin-like materials; the floor, however, was a dark marble. A dark purple carpet led from the door up to two obsidian thrones, the larger stood in the centre bearing down menacingly. The smaller throne sat just to its left, a lavender starburst cutie mark adorned on the backrest.
"My cutie mark?"
"Yes, I had the throne installed soon after I gave you up, the mark was added only yesterday, when I saw you still had yours. Something to do with you bearing the Element of Magic if I was to hazard a guess."
"Never mind that, why is that throne even there?"
"Well..." Chrysalis took on an almost timid posture, where did the intimidating queen that attacked Canterlot go? "Twilight I... you're my daughter, I love you. I want us to finally be together... as a family."
"I already have a family! You know what? This trip has been very interesting but I can't stay here. I would like to go home now." Twilight stamped her hoof, resolute.
"But, Twilight you are home!"
"You think I could ever make a home with the changeling that attacked Canterlot? That harmed my brother? I know the reasons, and in time I might forgive, but I can't forget what you did!" Twilight shouted, her anger getting the better of her.
Chrysalis looked away, defeated. "You may leave should you wish."
Twilight recoiled, surprised by the Queen's reaction. "Just like that?"
"I'm a mother, not a jailor. At the end of the day, I just want you to be happy."
Chrysalis rushed out of the room without another word, leaving behind a stunned Twilight.
Despite her remaining anger, Twilight couldn't help but feel bad for her outburst, but her mind was made up. Twilight left the throne room, closing the doors behind her.
Elsewhere, in the dead of night in Canterlot, a single lone changeling love collector, one from different hive to Chrysalis', fearfully scrambled away from his pursuers, diving into an empty alleyway and taking on the form of a brown stallion with an arcade joystick cutie mark. He really wished he could turn into a crow or something, but changeling biology only allowed for transformation into equine shaped life forms unless the changeling in question was particularly skilled with the ability.
"I thought the guards were ordered to capture, not kill..." the changeling muttered, fear in his voice.
He remained in his hiding spot for a good twenty minutes before deciding he was safe. Still disguised, he slowly trotted into the empty street. He continued to walk down the street, planning on heading to the train station and getting the hay out of the city, it was far too dangerous after that idiot queen attacked the place.
An arrow whizzed through the air and dug into the changeling's right foreleg. Shouting in pain, he fell to the ground.
Looking up he saw several Solar Guards approach him, hate written on their faces. These guards obviously were acting independently, Solar Guards were never on duty that late. The lead Solar Guard, a Pegasus with a white coat and a blonde mane, approached with his sword drawn.
"You couldn't run from us monster!"
"I had nothing to do with the attack, I've lived in Canterlot for four years, and I'm a pizza delivery pony, not a soldier!"
"You're no pony! And I don't care if you're are innocent or not, your race is an affront to our harmony-driven land!"
"How is what you're doing harmonious?"
The guard didn't answer, instead, he kicked the changeling in the stomach, hard.
"You... are... the monster," the changeling wheezed.
The guard lifted up his sword and drove it into the changeling's heart, killing him instantly.
One of the other guards ran up to his superior and saluted. "Nice kill sir! What should we do with the creature?"
Commander Broad Sword turned to the other guard. "Whatever you like, just as long as the others don't find out. They are too loyal to those fools of princesses, 'capture only, no killing' Celestia said, what a load of rubbish. We will protect Equestria from these creatures, even if they won't."
Twilight began to walk down corridor after corridor, looking for the exit to the hive. Her thoughts were with her family and friends, what would they think of her now? Despite her remaining fear of rejection, she wanted nothing more right now than to be reunited with them. After about ten minutes of walking, Twilight realised she was hopelessly lost and she appeared to have stumbled into a residential part of the hive. This area was a much wider corridor with potted plants running down the middle, doors ran down either side leading into the apartments the changelings called home.
"Maybe I should just ask for directions, I mean I am the Princess right? They have to tell me."
Looking around her, Twilight could see several changeling families watching her, both nervous and confused as to why their princess seemed to be in such a hurry. It would seem Chrysalis hadn't informed them of her imminent departure.
Twilight was about to ask a nearby couple for the directions she wanted, but she saw a small changeling female break away from the crowd and approach her. The child sat down in front of her and looked up with adoring eyes.
"You're the Princess!"
"Well, not really but..."
"You're really pretty!"
Twilight couldn't help but smile at the adorable nymph. "Well thank you, nice of you to say."
The child smiled happily. "The Queen has been so happy to have you with us again!"
"Uh, was she now..."
"Uh-huh! My parents say that the Queen loves you very much and that you're all she talked about for the last eighteen years, waiting for the day she got you back! You're lucky to be here, I don't know what I would do without my mama!"
"She was... really excited to see me again huh?"
The child nodded furiously. "One time after I snuck out of the hive, Mama said that she loves me so much that if she lost me, she would've just stop working. It must be like that for your mama too!"
The child looked into Twilight's eyes, with adorable puppy eyes that would give Spike's a run for his bits.
'Guilt tripped by a child... typical.'
Twilight noticed a passing guard and called out. "Hey, do you know where the Queen might be?"
Chrysalis' sobs were filtered out by the enchantment surrounding her room and she had ordered her drones to leave her be, no point in her subjects seeing or hearing her state. Her room was very similar to Twilight's, but instead of the bookshelves, she had collections of items she had gathered over the years, whether that be art or random trinkets.
In her hooves, Chrysalis held tightly onto a fragment of a cocoon, the very one in which Twilight had once been held. She had known there was a possibility her daughter would reject her, but she had hoped against hope that it wouldn't turn out like that.
She was wrong.
Her daughter would be leaving her, at least she would be alive and happy, her friends and family's love would be enough from here on out. But nothing could fill the hole that was quickly consuming Chrysalis' heart. She slowly traced a trembling hoof over the fragment, tears staining the bedsheets.
A creak caught her attention as she heard the door open and close again, turning her head she saw the last changeling she expected standing there.
"Twilight?"
Twilight couldn't believe her eyes, she had seen a more vulnerable side to the Queen during their talk, but nothing had prepared her for this.
"You... you really do love me, don't you?"
Chrysalis managed a smile. "Yes... forever and always. Why are you still here?"
Twilight gingerly approached Chrysalis.
"Because... I'm going to give you a chance... Besides, I still have a bunch of questions!"
Chrysalis' eyes widened as hope re-filled the hole in her heart. Her tears of sadness turning to joy, she jumped to pull Twilight into an embrace.
"Thank you..." she croaked out.
'Maybe everything will work out after all' Chrysalis mused. |
Change | 7 - Flashback: Birth | Badlands Hive, Eighteen Years Ago
The entirety of the Badlands hive was in a state of celebration. Families had gathered in the hallways and plazas of the hive around the palace, eagerly awaiting the birth of the new princess. And only moments ago, it had just been announced over the hivemind; the Princess had arrived.
While the celebrations and street parties got underway, one individual lay quietly, on a bed in the royal infirmary. And in that bed, Queen Chrysalis lovingly stared at the small form in her forelegs, the medical drones' having silently excused themselves to give the Queen personal time with her new daughter.
A small squeak came from the tiny nymph as she looked upon her mother for the first time, their eyes meeting. Chrysalis saw sparkling lavender meet her green, and a small tear slowly slid down her cheek, as a smile stretched widely across her face.
"Hello little one," Chrysalis addressed the nymph with a small chuckle. "I have been very much looking forward to meeting you... Twilight... And I'm not the only one."
As if on cue, the infirmary door opened, and a rather muscular changeling walked in - Virum. Virum's parents had fled from a dying hive shortly before his birth; its queen had been killed during a skirmish with a rival hive. As such, as adoptive members of the hive, his family was of next to no social standing. He himself was a changeling who used to work in agriculture, growing crops to sate the changelings need for more physical foods. Nowadays, he was more known for being the husband of Queen Chrysalis - Duke Virum - and the father of the hive's newest princess. Chrysalis had always thought she would end up following the cliche of falling for a captain in her personal guard, but in the end it was a simple crop growing drone that had captured her heart.
"Virum, over here," Chrysalis softly summoned her husband.
Slowly Virum approached his wife, his eyes fixed on the nymph in her hooves. "She's beautiful honey, just like her mother."
Chrysalis chuckled. "Well, she's got your eyes."
Virum indeed had glowing lavender eyes instead of the standard blue, a trait unusual among changelings.
"The best of both worlds!" Virum laughed. "I just hope we get to see her grow into the wonderful changeling I know she will be."
Chrysalis' mood soured slightly. "Virum... I know you're worried about the love shortage, but it will get better... I promise."
"And if it doesn't? Some of the others are already starting to feel its effects, the reservoir is drying up and there are a minority that speak dissent. If we don't get some more love energy soon... Promise me we aren't going to lose her!" Virum couldn't stop a few tears coming to his eyes as he looked pleadingly at his wife. "Promise me that no matter what happens she will grow up safe."
Smiling Chrysalis used a free hoof to wipe a tear from Virums face. "I promise I will never let anything happen to Twilight."
Virum nodded. "Okay, I'm sorry I shouldn't have..."
He didn't get to finish as Chrysalis pulled him into a loving kiss. Twilight watched the display in curiosity, before drifting to sleep in the comfort of her parent's presence.
Present Day
Chrysalis awoke from her slumber with a start, looking from side to side frantically trying to find out where she was. She had been dreaming. Dreaming of better times, before the love shortage... before his death.
Looking to her side, Chrysalis saw the piece of Twilight's cocoon still sat on the bed. Sighing, she grabbed it with her green aura and gently placed it back into a small chest before she slid it under the bed. Sooner or later Chrysalis would have to tell Twilight about her father, about Virum.
Her body tensed with overwhelming emotion as her thoughts drifted to her deceased husband, yet she found comfort in the fact her daughter was back with her, and while she had yet to come to think of her as a mother, the fact she was giving her a chance... Now was not the time to dwell in the past.
Not when the future began to look so bright, and she still had a promise to keep. |
Change | 8 - Post Wedding Blues | Canterlot, one day before Twilight's awakening.
A somber mood blanketed the pony capital of Canterlot. An increased guard presence patrolled the streets and a tense atmosphere had built up among the civilian population. A sense of paranoia and confusion remained prominent among the population in wake of the recent attack.
Deep within the halls of Canterlot castle, a group sat in the royal dining room, contemplating the revelation that has shaken them all to their very cores.
Twilight Sparkle was a changeling.
"I just find it hard to believe that the egghead was a bug this entire time!" Rainbow groaned.
"Rainbow Dash, we will not devolve into using such derogatory terms about our friend, or her kind!" Rarity glared at the cyan Pegasus in disapproval.
"Well... it's true!"
As the wonderbolt hopeful and the fashionista bickered, the others sat in an uncomfortable silence. Princess Celestia stared out of the window, a war going on within her own mind.
Princess Luna grew irritated with the nearby bickering and moved in to stop them. "Rarity and Rainbow Dash, your friend has been taken against her will and your bickering isn't helping."
"But what if Twilight was in on the plan!?" Rainbow lashed out. "What if she's been playing us the entire time and-"
"Rainbow Dash that is quite enough," Luna calmly, but angrily, silenced the Pegasus.
"Just because Twilight is a changeling doesn't mean we should judge her, she's been nothing but a friend to us and we shouldn't abandon her now!" Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. "I mean, would it matter if I was?"
Rainbow bowed her head and slunk back into her chair guiltily. "No, Fluttershy's right, it doesn't."
"Do you think Twilight has a different name?" Pinkie pondered out loud.
The others looked at her with raised eyebrows.
"Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name."
"Ama-what now?" Applejack questioned.
"I don't know." Pinkie shrugged. "I just think it would be a good name for a changeling Twilight."
"Right..." Applejack turned to Shining Armor. "How are ya parents doing?"
Shining sighed. "I don't know what's going on with my parents, they just about threw me out of the house when I told them... They told me that they wanted to process everything on their own for a little while."
Cadance draped a comforting wing over her fiance, giving him a light nuzzle.
"Well I don't know about ya'll, but ah don't think Twilight had a thing to do with the attack, for her to do so wouldn't make a lick of sense. For one thing, the Element of Magic chose her; and secondly, ah could've told ya if she had been lying about who she was, being the Element of Honesty an' all, but ah couldn't sense a scrap of deception on her part."
"I concur with Applejack," Cadance spoke up. "I've known Twilight for a very long time, since she was just a sweet little filly... or nymph -is it? She would never have taken part in such an attack, or withheld information willingly."
"Despite the monster her mother is," Rainbow muttered.
"I'm not sure 'monster' would be the word to describe the Queen," Cadance defended quickly, and rather unexpectedly.
Celestia finally turned away from the window, finally registering the ponies before her. "Cadance? What do you mean?"
"Well, while I was down in those caves she had every opportunity to kill me, or at the very least simply leave me to rot down there. But she didn't. Instead she made sure I was well fed, and that I remained in overall good health. If it wasn't for the magic suppressing ring around my horn, and the straps on my wings, I might have been able to escape the caves myself."
Celestia hummed in contemplation. "During the attack, what was the last thing Chrysalis said to us."
The others looked at her questioningly, but none of them offered up the answer.
"She said to us, 'Cadance is in the caves beneath Canterlot; my daughter would never forgive me if I left her to rot'; now what do you all make of that?"
A few awkward looks passed between the group. "It would appear the Queen is genuinely affectionate towards Twilight, and is desperate to get on her good side," Luna answered.
Shining smacked the table to get everypony's attention. "Whatever her reasons, she imprisoned my fiance, invaded our capital and foalnapped my sister!"
Shining's outburst was met with scowls from all three princesses, cowing him back into his seat.
"Before we make any definitive actions, we must have answers. Those answers however, likely lay with the Queen, and perhaps Twilight herself."
"So we get the egghead back?"
"Oh oh oh!" Pinkie pulled out a black and white striped shirt, a black mask and a black beanie, all of which she promptly wore. "Jailbreak!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.
Shining looked at the pink mare in confusion. "Where did you get those?"
"Oh I keep different sets hidden around Equestria in case of jailbreak emergencies. Now I might also need a torch, some chewing gum to climb up walls with... huh, I wonder if I could make a chewing gum flavoured cake? Or perhaps a cake flavoured chewing gum?" Pinkie took a sudden intake of breath. "A chewing gum flavored cake with cake flavoured chewing gum!"
"I... well... we... what?"
It took all of Luna's mental power to stop just short of facehoofing. "While I know you we all want Twilight back, we have to face the possibility that Twilight won't actually want to come back."
The elements all took a huge breath in, and wore shocked expressions, but Celestia just sighed. "While it might be hard to accept, my sister may be right. Say, hypothetically, that Twilight already knew she was... different, all of her life. She would likely have felt an outcast, afraid to reveal what she truly was - a scenario that would actually go a long way to explain some of her old social anxiety. And now she is among her own kind, she may not want to leave."
"And if she didn't know?" Rarity questioned. "All due respect your highness, but we simply can't know for sure unless we get Twilight back and ask the poor darling ourselves."
"My sister and I can further discuss our response to these events later, but for now I'm more curious on how you all feel about Twilight; if she returns would you be able to accept her as a changeling, rather than a unicorn?" Luna's stared steely at the Element Bearers, sweeping across them, and lingering on Shining Armor.
It was Rainbow that spoke up first. "OK, I know what I said five minutes ago, but like you said I was out of line. What kind of Bearer of Loyalty, or friend, would I be if I left the egghead to rot in some bee hive? Twilight's our friend, ling or not."
All the other Element Bearers voiced their agreements, nodding heads vigorously.
Shining also agreed with the sentiment. "She is my sister, it's her... mother that I've got issues with, not her. The sins of the parent should never reflect on the child. She is, and always will be, my LSBFF."
Luna nodded in approval. 'I know what it is like to be judged for what you are rather than who you are, I pray Twilight doesn't have to go through the same pain I once did.'
"I would have expected nothing less," Celestia smiled, moving to give her sister a wing hug. "You five are welcome to stay at the castle for as long as you wish, but for now Luna, Cadance, Captain Armor and I will decide our next course of action."
The five ponies in question all got up from their seats, and after bidding farewell to the Element Bearers began to leave the dining hall.
"Bring her back safe, won't you princesses?" Applejack called after them.
Celestia turned to look back at the five still sitting at the table. "I promise, I will bring my student home... if that is her wish." With that Celestia left the dining room, walking down the castle's long winding hallways beside her sister. Celestia's thoughts never strayed from her protege the whole time, and she worried for her well-being.
'Please come home to me, Twilight...'
"Captain, gather your Lunar counterpart and both of your executive officers, we will continue this in the throne room." Shining threw a quick salute, before trotting off as asked.
Luna adopted a sly smirk. "The throne room, Tia? Then I will personally inform the servants that we aren't eating in the dining hall, and all of that cake you require before you can effectively rule Equestria will be brought to the throne room. Is that okay with you, sister?"
"Luna!" |
Change | 9 - Broad Sword | Seven ponies stood before the currently empty throne in Canterlot castle; Princesses Celestia, Luna and Cadance, along with Solar Guard Captain Shining Armor and Lunar Guard Captain Vladimir Vespertilio. Beside the two captains stood their executive officers.
Celestia addressed the group. "You all know why we're here, recently our city came under attack by a previously unknown species called changelings, and the queen replaced my niece, Princess Cadance and brought down the shield meant to protect us. Now we must decide on our response."
"Your highness," Vladimir addressed with a bow. "There are stories stemming all the way back to the ancient thestral colony, well before the formation of Equestria, that detail such creatures. Perhaps research into the ancient literature could provide some information on the species?"
Celestia nodded in agreement, but it was Luna who answered. "Very well, Captain. I will have some of our scholars look into it."
Vladimir nodded, but he shuffled on his hooves, looking as if there was something else he wanted to say, but was unsure how to say it.
"Is there something more, Captain?" Celestia asked.
"Yes, there is. You see there are some... disturbing rumors going around the city, and even has started to leak into the rest of Equestria. Some of the guards who fought against the changelings in the castle claim that they witnessed your student, Twilight Sparkle, turn into one of... them. What I want to know is... is it true?"
Celestia inwardly cursed, she had hoped that information would stay between them a little while longer; now she would need to make a public statement before the rumors got out of control.
"Yes Captain, it's true," Celestia sighed. "However, I must iterate that I do not believe she had anything to do with the attack, and was taken very much against her will. Her rescue is one of the things we must discuss."
"Discuss? There's nothing to discuss!" Shining Armor's XO, Commander Broad Sword, suddenly blurted out. "These creatures have made a declaration of war on Equestria, we should assault their hideout, and burn their chitin clad flanks off the face of Equus."
"Commander, that is enough!" Shining Armor barked.
Princess Celestia gave Broad Sword a hard disapproving glare. "We are not monsters, Commander. And may I remind you that in reality the changelings didn't kill a single pony throughout their entire 'invasion'. While they may have acted hostile against us, under the circumstances I will not commit to any hard military action until we have more information to go on."
Broad Sword went to say something else, but the glares of everypony around him stopped the words ever forming. "My apologies, I spoke out of line."
Luna continued the discussion. "Now, we know that the hive is located in the Badlands, though knowing exactly where in the region is another matter. A diplomatic team is currently off the table, so I recommend sending in a small three pony recon team into the Badlands to scout out for the hive.
Shining Armor stepped forward, "I volunteer for this mission your highness. Changeling or no changeling, that's my sister out there and I will find her."
Vlad nodded in agreement, "I also volunteer. You will need the best for such a mission. No rookie could survive the hardships of the Badlands, and I have the added bonus of being able to see in the dark. Our XOs can lead the Royal Guard in our absence, we trained them well enough."
"I agree with Captain Vespertilio," Shining added. "The commanders have proven themselves capable over the years, and should be able to lead effectively enough without us."
Luna nodded. "Which leaves only the third member in question."
The group mused for a few moments before Celestia spoke. "I suggest we assign an experienced soldier, somepony from the EUP military with experience in recon and tracking. If I recall correctly, Sergeant Longshot of the 4th Cavalry, would make a good choice." The closest thing to a smile graced Celestia's face for the first time of the day, as she remembered how she met the Sergeant. "And as an earth pony, he will complement the group nicely."
"Good idea," Cadance said. "With the unrest down in Canterlot, we can hardly spare any more guards than we have to. On the other hoof, the military is seldom used these days. Aside from the occasional monster attack, or rogue griffon raiding party it spends all its time training, so its soldiers should be readily available."
Vladimir chuckled, "Yes, well that's the thing; we haven't had a major fight since the Griffon Expansion Wars, shortly before the fall of Nightmare Moon - no offense intended your highness," Vladimir quickly added.
"None taken, Captain," Luna reassured. "I will have this Sergeant Longshot re-assigned at once, anything else?"
"Only what the guard should do in the meantime," Shining added. "There could be more of these infiltrations all around Equestria."
Broad Sword spoke up. "I recommend we have the Canterlot Royal Guard, and the City Guard forces of other towns begin investigations into any and all possible changeling infiltrations, or weird cases. We can't have threats such as these walking around Equestria freely. As for the towns without any major policing force, we can assign some EUP regiments to take control of these towns and perform their own investigations."
Celestia pondered this for a few moments, before answering. "I agree, the Royal Guard and City forces will begin investigations, however I will not install martial law onto the smaller towns like Ponyville."
"Then, your highness, how shall we investigate these towns? We can hardly spare any guards from Canterlot."
"We can't, at least not until things have calmed down a little. When that has happened, we will be able to spare a few platoons to perform investigations. The smaller settlements are not likely to have been targeted, unless they have strategic value. I also want to reiterate that all discovered changelings shall be captured, not killed, or unnecessarily harmed. Is that understood?"
"Yes, your highness!" Both commanders saluted the Solar Princess.
'The fool is too soft, how are the guard supposed to get anything done if she coddles the population to such a degree?' Broad Sword mused to himself. 'No matter, it won't interfere with my plans.'
"That is all, you are dismissed."
The next day, Fort Harmony, just south of Manehatten
Fort Harmony was currently home to the 4th Earth-Pony Cavalry, the 5th Pegasi Rangers, and 1st Royal Engineers, along with a few Wonderbolts that were giving the Rangers a special training session in advanced aerial combat. The EUP personnel wore silver combat armour. It looked the same as the gold and blue of the Solar and Lunar Guard, but was far more durable.
The base was alive today. With the recent event is Canterlot, every base was on high alert, and the reservists had been called in. This meant that the base was slightly over stocked with troops. The sound of drills being run, the stomping of hooves on tarmac, and the Drill Sergeant's shouting filled the air. Or as Sergeant Longshot called it, music to his ears.
Longshot, a light brown earth pony with a short black mane, was currently enjoying a free slot in his timetable, and he walked across the base with a scoped crossbow was slung over his back. He had chosen to pay a visit to his pal in the Engineer Core, Solid Sapper. While he claimed that he had gone to the motor pool to see his friend, that wasn't the whole truth.
The real reason was he wanted to gawk at the new toys the base had received. Meeting up with Solid, he was taken to look at one of the new helicopters that had recently been assigned to a select few bases around Equestria. Currently, only two were requisitioned to Fort Harmony. It was a long slender craft with two large open bay doors just behind the cockpit, out of which could be fitted two large repeater crossbow turrets. Longshot was a stallion who prided himself on accuracy, especially at range, but the idea of using a weapon that big still made him feel like a foal in a candy store.
His tour of the 'bird' was cut short as an armoured pony clanked up behind him. "Sergeant Longshot; of the 4th Earth Pony Cavalry?" a voice called out.
Longshot turned to see a Solar Guard Pegasus mare.
He was surprised to see a royal this far from Canterlot, but when he caught sight of the single bar on her shoulder it stalled any questions. "That's me ma'am," he reported as he threw a salute. "What can I do for you?"
"You're being reassigned, orders from Princess Luna herself," the guard produced Longshot's reassignment orders with the royal seal embellished on it.
"Re-assigned? Bloody hell, we haven't pissed somepony off and started a war have we?" Longshot joked.
The guard raised an eyebrow at Longshot's language, but chose to ignore it.
"Negative. All I know is you will be under the joint command of Captains Shining Armor and Vladimir Vespertilio, for a special mission into the Badlands. The details of this mission are on a need to know basis, and you will be briefed further on your arrival in Canterlot, and introduction to the princesses."
Longshot's lower jaw hit the ground. "The princesses are organizing this mission directly? I suppose I should feel honoured, when do I leave?"
"Immediately, I am to accompany you on the friendship express back to Canterlot."
Longshot chuckled. "I know a quicker way." *TINK TINK TINK* - He lightly tapped on the helicopter behind him.
"That... would work; we'll speak to the base commander and have it cleared with air traffic control."
"Awesome, I've always wanted to fly in one of these beauties; they need to see some use anyway."
Solid just shook his head and wore a bemused expression. "Just don't let him near the controls, and please, try and bring it back in one piece."
The two left the helicopter behind as they trotted in the direction of air traffic control.
"So, do you know anything at all about what this mission entails?" Longshot questioned.
"It is, as I said, a very need to know mission. And I, for some reason, am not considered important enough to need to know!" the Lieutenant growled out.
"Ah."
She chuckled slightly at his response. "Ah indeed, however, I do have a theory."
"Go on."
"Well, if I had to take a wild guess? The Inclusion of Captain Armor would likely suggest it has something to do with the fact that, well, his sister, and Princess Celestia's personal protege, turned out to be a changeling."
"Wait... what?!"
"I know! I'm probably not supposed to say anything until the Princess' formal announcement tomorrow, but yeah, there it is."
"Damn, what the hell went down up there? Something tells me that the situation is hardly black and white though."
"What do you mean, Sergeant?"
"Um, nevermind. I will find out the truth of the matter soon enough anyway," Longshot said, pondering on this new information. He probably would've given the mare the inside scoop later, but she never told him her name.
Canterlot
Commander Broad Sword sat just outside the barracks speaking to one of his subordinates. He had assigned the only guards he knew he could trust to his unit. Currently, the Commander was conversing with another guard, a grey unicorn.
"How many now?" Broad Sword asked.
"Including us, thirty two overall have pledged to our cause. Around sixteen are actual guards while the rest are volunteers we are going to kit-up and give basic training."
"Good, I know of a large cave near the Everfree Forest where we can set up shop; it's both out the way and hidden enough that nopony should stumble across us by accident. Have the others outside of our unit, including the volunteers, meet there."
"OK that leaves... eleven of us here, that's including us, while the other twenty one will go to the cave until they have further orders."
A great rumbling sound suddenly graced their ears. It started far away, and then went right over them. Catching their attention, they looked up for the source and spotted an object flying through the sky over Canterlot.
"What they hay is that?"
"That, is a 'helicopter'. A flying carriage for earth ponies and unicorns. On board would likely be the princesses' latest pawn, Sergeant Longshot, arriving for his ever so 'important' mission." Broad Sword sighed. "They would have us drinking tea with those monsters rather than dealing with the actual threat they pose!"
"Speaking of monsters, Private Monroe reported that a local pizza delivery pony has been acting weird, and may not be who he says he is." The guard smirked while levitating a report towards Broad Sword.
"Huh, nice work."
"What are your orders sir?"
"We know where he lives, discreetly gather the others. Tonight we will make sure his filth is cleansed from our streets, one insect at a time."
The guard saluted before marching off to carry out his misguided orders.
Broad Sword went over the report one last time, before looking up to see the helicopter come in for a landing on the other side of the castle. "While the cat's away, the mice shall play." |
Change | 10 - The Changeling Princess | The Day After Twilight's Awakening, Badlands Hive
A drone squirmed uneasily as Twilight, carrying all sorts of medical examination equipment, poked and prodded the unfortunate changeling with an ever so slight mad look on her face.
"A-all due respect your highness, couldn't you research our physiology by, you know, reading our own books on the matter?" the very uncomfortable drone asked in barely concealed desperation.
Continuing her examination, Twilight answered. "All in good time! I want to get a look at our physiology myself before comparing my findings to that of others!"
The drone could only groan in exasperation as Twilight continued on.
"I mean, wow this is fascinating! When we disguise do we take on other forms physically or is it some sort of advanced projection or perception filter?"
Before the drone could begrudgingly answer the question, the door to Twilight's room swung open and the tall form of Queen Chrysalis strutted in. "It would be, to an extent, the former my darling Twilight. Though not completely; for example, our magic colour carries over to a changeling's disguised form. Did you sleep well?"
"Oh" Twilight started. "Morning... Chrysalis. I couldn't really sleep last night so... I just thought I'd get some research in!"
"And I'm the Guinea Pig," the drone muttered under his breath.
"I see," Chrysalis remarked. She tried to hide how much Twilight using her name bothered her, but a grimace still crossed her face. "Well, if you're quite done torturing our own subjects perhaps you would like a tour around the hive? There is still much of our little society for you to see my daughter."
"I would like that," Twilight quickly put her equipment to one side before smiling, slightly apologetically, at the unfortunate drone. "Thanks for helping out!"
The drone stopped just short of saying 'Any time your highness', and instead chose to simply bow to the two royal changelings before rushing out of the room as fast as he politely could.
With a light chuckle Chrysalis motioned a hoof towards the door, before following Twilight out into the hallway beyond.
Back in the same residential area where Twilight had made a scene the previous day, a certain nymph scurried her way across the large hallway while bidding her friends goodbye. She burst excitably into the apartment she and her family called home, just in time to see her mother place onto the dining table the nymph's favorite equestrian food item... waffles.
"Iuvenes, there you are my darling!" Panacea smiled warmly, becoming ever-so-slightly amused at seeing her daughter staring down the waffles; drool was even beginning to pool on the floor.
Panacea finished serving the syrup smothered waffles before motioning her daughter to take a seat at the table, instructions Iuvenes followed all too gladly.
As Iuvenes plunged her chitin clad face into the delicious treat a bedroom door opened up revealing a burly Changeling wearing dark blue armor, along with an iron, obsidian hilted sword strapped to his side. His blue orb-like eyes fell on his family, his daughter annihilating a plate of waffles and his wife staring lovingly back.
"Are you sure you can't stay for breakfast? It's waffles!" Panacea exclaimed.
Captain Carduus chuckled, before letting off a small sigh. "I wish I could, but now we've been assigned to the princess as her protection detail, I can hardly ignore my orders."
"Honestly what's going to harm her here, in the hive? The Queen rarely ever walks around with her personal guard detail while here so why would the princess?"
"It's more to do with the princess being new to the hive, I believe her highness wants to familiarise Princess Twilight with all aspects of her new life, including her own protection detail."
"So it's just meeting and greeting then?"
"Pretty much."
A voice pinged over the hive. "Captain, we're all geared up and waiting on you by the atrium."
"Understood, be there in five."
"I've got to go, look after yourselves now."
"We will," Panacea nodded.
Carduus gave his wife a light nuzzle before giving his daughter a kiss on the forehead, she briefly looked up to give her father a gleeful smile before returning to demolishing a second plate of waffles.
With that Carduus exited his quaint apartment and marched off to perform his duties.
'Time to meet the princess'
Exiting yet another winding corridor Twilight turned her head to look up at Chrysalis. So far they had been to several residential districts, an underground play-park for the nymph's, a nursery of several green pods containing new-borns, a library (It took a while for Chrysalis to coax Twilight out of there) and an underground farm among other areas. And still the hive stretched on with no sign of stopping.
"How big is this place exactly? It's like a city down here!"
"It is a city. We have a population of just over ten thousand Changelings living here. Around three thousands of those drones act as soldiers and guards while the rest live more ordinary lives with ordinary jobs. Beneath the surface we're not that much different from the ponies."
"I see; how big a population do changeling hives usually hold?"
"We... are actually one of the smaller hives, though we are by no means the smallest. Others can go well into the tens of thousands of drones," Chrysalis explained.
"The largest hive however belongs to Queen Crudelis, who has around two hundred thousand drones to her name," Chrysalis spat Crudelis's name out like it was coated in the vilest poison known to changeling kind.
Twilight went to inquire further but was stopped from doing so, as they reached a set of double doors that were only slightly larger than the others doorways before it.
"We're here."
"And... where is here?"
With a smug and slightly prideful grin, Chrysalis placed a hoof on the door and pushed it open. On the other side Twilight stepped onto a balcony that viewed down upon an incredibly large area, with drones, both young and old, filling the space as they walked to and fro. The area reminded Twilight of the Canterlot mall, only this place was far bigger and delved deeper into the depths of the planet's crust. The balcony sat at the very top, and from it Twilight could see several different floors filled with shops, restaurants and a great many other establishments. Each floor was connected with a large double backed stairway at the far end, though most drones seemed to prefer flying from one floor to the next. At the very bottom floor Twilight could see a large statue of a changeling queen with one hoof outstretched, in that hoof the queen held a large dazzling cyan crystal that shot a beam of light up into the air. The beam of light coalesced at the very top where there was a large fissure revealing the bright blue day's sky and the wonderful sight of Celestia's sun. The beam of light ended at the entrance of the fissure and was creating a soft blue shield that filled the entire thing.
Twilight stood staring at the sight for a few moments before simply stating: "Wow."
Chrysalis chuckled. "Welcome to the atrium. Do you approve?"
Twilight slowly nodded, before looking up at the large skylight, "That crystal is producing one powerful spell. I'm guessing it makes it so that on the surface there appears to be no fissure in the ground, and that anything that walks there is met with the very ground that they perceive to exist. In other words, camouflage."
Chrysalis seemed to be surprised at Twilight's knowledge, before remembering she was the personal protege of Princess Celestia herself. "You are correct."
Twilight's gaze fell away from the fissure and down to the crystal, or rather the queen holding the crystal, "And who is that? Holding the crystal?"
Chrysalis looked down on the statue below, her smile fading away into a look of long worn sorrow. "That... is my mother, Queen Avia, your grandmother. She built this hive you know, left the hive of her mother with a hooffull of loyal drones and came here."
"Why did she leave her hive?"
"Her mother was named Queen Imperatrix, and she was rather... iron hooved. She didn't agree with her mother's ideas of how to rule a hive so she left, when Imperatrix died the throne went to mother's younger sister Crudelis instead."
Chrysalis sighed before continuing, "Do you remember what I said about your grandmother's ultimate fate?"
"The dragon attack?"
"Yes... the 'random' dragon attack. The thing is I don't believe the attack was all that random."
Understanding dawned on Twilight. "You believe her sister caused the attack?"
"I don't believe, I know it. Crudelis always hated mother, despite her civil persona whenever the queens would ever meet. I don't need proof to know what I know in my heart," Chrysalis near shouted, long held hurt and rage seeping out.
"I'm... I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought it up."
Chrysalis looked at her daughter with both prideful, and yet sad eyes. "She would have loved to meet you" she sighed.
A welcome distraction came when Chrysalis spotted a group of guards converging one floor down, standing at attention awaiting their arrival.
"Come Twilight, I have to introduce you to some changelings."
Chrysalis opened her wings and buzzed off the balcony into the open air, she started to fly forwards, before turning back to see Twilight still on the balcony observing her own wings sheepishly, scuffing the ground with one hoof.
There was a load smack of chitin impacting chitin as Chrysalis facehoofed with some force. 'I really need to teach her how to fly'.
Flying back to the balcony Chrysalis landed next to her embarrassed daughter, whose chitin seemed to somehow turn an even darker shade of black, "It's fine, we'll walk."
Several guard stood to attention as Captain Carduus looked them over, making sure they had presented themselves as any self-respecting guard should.
"All right, the Queen pinged me over the hive and in a few moments we shall be introduced to her daughter, Princess Twilight. Now I want you all to keep a professional manner while meeting the Princess, she is new to our way of life and the last thing she needs is you miserable lot making life difficult; and if we are to be her personal protection detail the last thing we need is her being afraid of us, or worse, thinking that we're not capable of doing our jobs, understood?"
"Understood, sir!" all the guard affirmed with a salute.
Right on cue, a nearby door opened up and two royal changelings emerged from the staircase it contained. With a deep exhale Carduus marched up to the two.
"The squad is at your disposal your majesties!" Carduus reported while bowing to the two royals.
"At ease, Captain," Chrysalis said. "Twilight, this is Captain Carduus of the Changeling Royal Guard, he will be in charge of your personal guard detail."
"Personal guard detail? Is this necessary?"
"I know you will hardly need them in the hive itself; it's more for if you ever leave it they are to accompany you. They will also help you get around until you can orientate yourself properly."
Captain Carduus turned to face the Princess. "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am!" Carduus exclaimed with a salute.
"And you too. Please, relax; there really isn't any need for all that nonsense around me. And call me Twilight," Twilight said with a slight roll of her reptilian-like eyes.
Relaxing his posture, Carduus continued. "Right, sure thing your hi... Twilight."
"I'll leave you two to it then," Chrysalis said. "Come find me when you're finished."
Chrysalis gave a nod to the guards before walking off towards a stretch of cafes on the other side of the floor.
Twilight turned to Carduus and for the first time examined him in detail. A shiver went down Twilight's spine as she remembered a great many like him bearing down on Canterlot.
"So, Carduus, nice weather we're having."
Carduus couldn't help but snicker at that. "Wow, that's where this conversation is headed."
"Well..."
"It's fine, I know you're new to all this so I don't want to make you uncomfortable. And besides, you've already made quite the impression on my daughter."
"Your... wait, was she the..."
"The little nymph you met yesterday in the residential district? Yeah. Little Iuvenes was ecstatic to have met you. You've already met my wife as well, Panacea."
"Huh, small world. So... are those stallions with you?"
Carduus smirked. "Yep, those morons are indeed with me."
"We heard that!" a voice called out from behind Carduus.
"Yeah... they may be morons, but they're morons who've got me in charge, so they'll do their jobs just fine, so no need to be worried Twilight."
"Wow Carduus, you should move to Canterlot and become a salespony with that little description," another voice jeered.
"Can it!" Carduus tried to sound serious, but couldn't help laugh. "Wasn't it you who couldn't figure out how to change a light bulb the other day?"
"Hey! I was drunk at the time..."
Twilight raised an eyebrow at the ongoing dialogue. "Well, it seems you lot are good friends."
"Yeah..." Carduus admitted. "I've known them all pretty much all my life, and I'd die for any of them."
"Well let's hope it doesn't come to that."
"Let's hope. Anyway I've taken up enough of your time; your mother is waiting for you."
"Right..." Twilight said, a look of uneasiness dawning as Carduus said the word 'mother'.
"Are... you okay?"
"It's just... my whole life Twilight Velvet was my mother and now... how am I meant to process this?"
"You want to know what I think, Princess Twilight?"
Twilight looked questioningly at Carduus, who took it as a signal to continue.
"I know the importance of family first hoof, and I think this shouldn't change a damn thing between you and your pony family. If anything, this is just an extension of your family rather than a replacement. Your mother loves you, as does Velvet I'm sure."
"I... thank you for the advice. I'll see you around Carduus," Twilight said mulling over his words.
"Anytime, Twilight."
Twilight found Chrysalis in a quaint little establishment called 'Le Cafe Blanc', owned by a changeling with an odd accent Twilight had only before heard when Apple Bloom had the Cutie Pox. Chrysalis sat at a table by the window looking out onto the rest of the atrium, staring into space. She only turned away when she heard the sound of hooves approaching her.
"Twilight, all went well with the guards?"
"Yep, Carduus is a nice enough stallion, and he made some good points."
"Oh?"
Twilight took a seat opposite Chrysalis at the table. "It... it doesn't matter. Say, does this place have any donut shops about?"
"You mean like 'Donut Joe's', I know you are rather fond of that establishment."
"Yeah..." Twilight looked down sheepishly, a light blush on her cheeks. Until her face suddenly fell. "...if it even still stands after the invasion."
Chrysalis seemed visibly irritated by that remark. "This again? I did what I had to, and I would again."
"It doesn't mean I approve. You could have simply TALKED to Princess Celestia and explained the situation!" Twilight stood, all four legs planted firmly as she scowled at the Queen.
"By the time I would have done that it would have been too late. How long do you think collecting that much love by any other means would take? You would have died long before we even got close to saving you, and while I breath nothing will bring you harm!"
"I... this argument isn't going to go anywhere..." Twilight slumped into a chair.
"Probably not," Chrysalis agreed.
"Hey listen, while I may not agree with what you did, I still want to say thank you."
Chrysalis looked up, confused. "For what?"
"For caring."
A smile split her face. "Anytime, my daughter. And thank you for giving me a chance."
"Yeah well... I would like to go back to Canterlot by the end of the week. I need to see my friends and... family. I need to make sure things are OK between us."
"Well I can't say how they'll react to me, but after what I've seen over the past year alone, they will accept you no matter what. Though I would still ask you take Carduus and the others, your friends will accept you but I can't speak for the rest of Equestria."
Twilight slowly nodded in a reluctant agreement, the two sat in silence for a few minutes following before Twilight finally spoke up again.
"So... flying lessons?"
"You're asking for them? Honestly, I was expecting to have to convince you."
"Why? For one thing, Rainbow Dash would never stop yammering on about it if I didn't know how to fly by the time I got back."
Chrysalis tittered gently into her hoof. "Flying lessons it is then. Foremost however, I think we should get back to the tour, there's still a fair bit for you to see."
"Alright, you know this might be easier if you had a checklist of all the places we need to go."
"Honestly, what is it with you and checklists?"
"Well you see a checklist can..."
Chrysalis's eye twitched as Twilight entered lecture mode. 'Well done Chrysalis, now you've done it.' With a sigh Chrysalis tried to keep up as Twilight droned on about checklists, for about an hour. |
Change | 11 - In The Shadows | Canterlot
Celestia sat along in her study, piles of paperwork stacked before her. However, before long a knock on the door stole her attention.
"Come in!"
Luna poked her head through the door. "Are you busy, sister?"
Celestia smiled warmly. "Actually, I would prefer company. In the last thousand years paperwork has never ceased to be dull."
Luna nodded, and entered the room. Moving towards the piles of cushions in front of a marble fireplace as ancient as the castle itself, she took the time to examine some of the artifacts dotted around the room. They ranged from priceless works of art, to a painstakingly preserved child's drawing of a flower, with two smiling young alicorns sat either side, a drawing Luna herself had made when she was but a filly all those many winters ago.
Celestia also moved from her desk towards the cushions, plonking herself down with a thud.
"Tia, art thou well?"
"Dialect Lulu," Celestia teased as Luna accidentally slipped back into the ancient equestrian dialect.
"My question still stands," Luna sighed, with a role of her eyes in a very un-regal manner.
Celestia's face fell into a frown. "No Luna, I'm not."
"Twilight Sparkle?"
"It's just... I consider her a daughter, I always have. I had intended for her to take her place alongside us, an equal... a princess."
"Technically, she is a princess..."
"But not of Equestria..."
"Tia, what Twilight is hasn't truly changed your perception of her has it?"
"What! Never! I will always care for her; I still remember a young lavender filly scurrying around the halls, trying to steal the odd cookie while she believed I wasn't looking." Celestia smiled at the fond memories, and Luna draped a loving wing over Celestia.
"And I truly believe, Tia, that Twilight feels the same way. She'll come back to us, and even if she ultimately decides to stay at the hive I know she will always be there for Equestria, and for you.
Celestia internally sighed before giving Luna a sisterly nuzzle. "Thank you Luna, I don't know how I survived without you for so long."
"Neither do I," Luna chuckled. "Neither do I..."
Everfree Forest
Several Solar Guards, alongside civilian volunteers, roamed about their hidden cave hideout performing various tasks. Some were performing logistical analysis, some were simply moving around crates filled with both supplies and weapons, while the rest were spending their free time training.
As far as Broad Sword was concerned, everything was going perfectly to plan.
As Broad Sword approached the raised command platform at the center of the large cavern he was approached by a unicorn guard bearing the rank of lieutenant. "Sir!" The guard saluted. "What brings you to out to our cosy little home?"
"At ease Lieutenant, I'm just inspecting the troops as it were."
"Well as you can see everything is in order, training the civilians is coming along smoothly and they should be combat ready in no time, once that's finished our entire force will be ready to mobilise on your command."
"Very good."
The guard had a flash of nervousness as he spoke up again. "All due respect sir... but we are only thirty two versus Celestia knows how many changelings. My question is, how can we possibly win against those odds?"
"It's simple really, all we need is a situation where the princesses have no choice but to resort to military action against those chitin clad freaks."
"And... how exactly will we create such a 'situation' sir? "
"Leave that to me, Lieutenant. You are dismissed."
The guard gave once final salute, and left to continue the dull and unenviable task of sifting through logistics.
Broad Sword looked down at the gathered ponies, giving a small smirk at the fruits of his labor.
"Now for what I really came here for," Broad Sword muttered under his breath.
Leaving the command platform, Broad Sword made sure he wasn't spotted by anypony, and slowly slunk his way to a small corner at the very back of the cave. The corner was a dead end, or at least it would seem that way to anypony else, as was the intention of the perception filter surrounding a small crack in the wall. It was just big enough to allow Broad Sword passage. The crack led through into another cavern that the Commander had placed countless charms around, from sound proofing spells to proximity charms, all there to make sure the cavern's sole contents remained undiscovered, and unable to escape.
Should the sole contents escape it would spell doom for his plans, ruin all his hard work and preparations.
For within this cavern, chained to a rocky alcove with his wings strapped down to his side, was the real Commander Broad Sword.
The exhausted Pegasus weakly looked up at the individual wearing his face. "What do you want now you changeling fuck?"
With a sinister laugh green flames enveloped Broad Sword's doppelganger as the Pegasus' form was stripped ways to reveal an incredibly smug looking changeling that still wore Broad Sword's armour.
"I have questions pony, questions I will have answers to."
"Not that I have much of a choice I suppose?"
"No."
"Right. Before you get to the extracting part, perhaps you could quell some... confusion I have on your ever so glorious master plan."
The changeling's wings buzzed with slight irritation. "It depends on what is confusing you."
"OK, how about... why? In your last few visits you gloated about how you have been slandering my name, making me seem to be a massive bigot and killing innocent changelings that had nothing to do with the attack, but why kill your own kind? What could you possibly have to gain?"
"It's not about what I have to gain, it's what Chrysalis stands to lose. My Queen is rather hoping that you ponies can do the dirty work for her and rid us, and our benefactor, of yet another rival."
"So your hive seeks dominance over the rest, correct?"
"Not dominance, complete annihilation. It's a cruel world out there where only the strongest survive, and we will be the strongest."
"Stronger even than these apparent benefactors?"
"If I have anything to do with it, yes."
"You're insane, I may not be able to do much, but others will stop you. Whether it's the guard, the princesses, the elements or even your fellow changelings. Villainous scum like you never succeed."
"Well isn't that nice, I think I will be taking those memories now."
The changeling surged forward, aiming his horn for the unfortunate commander's forehead. On making contact, Broad Sword's muscles tensed and he shouted out in agony as the changeling's horn glowed a sickly green as he forcibly entered his mind, extracting everything the commander knew about Celestia's protege.
When all was finished, the changeling pulled away and Broad Sword's body went limp as he tried desperately to catch sweet breaths of fresh air.
The changeling lightly hummed to himself as he processed the gathered memories and collective information from Broad Sword's brain. "My my, hasn't she been a busy changeling."
"Twilight Sparkle?" Broad Sword croaked out questioningly.
"Yes, while my Queen and I had of course heard of Twilight and her exploits, our factual information on Chrysalis' daughter had been severely lacking. Good thing I put an end to that, for if I interpret these memories correctly she will be a big threat to us, should she continue to draw breath that is..."
"Don't you harm a hair on that mare's head you piece of-"
"Now now," the changeling interrupted. "You don't want to exert yourself now do you, I mean look at you. You're not going to last much longer now are you at this rate."
"I would rather die than continue being your personal database!"
The changeling smiled sadistically. "Well, we better make sure you live then!"
With a flash of his horn the changeling cast a sleep spell on Broad Sword, who was much too exhausted to even try and resist it. With a heavy heart at being unable to help the innocents suffering because of the Changeling before him, Broad Sword drifted off into an restless sleep.
Satisfied with his handiwork, the changeling cast a few more charms around Broad Sword himself to make sure to prolong his currently miserable life as long as feasibly possible, before re-donning his disguise and leaving the secret cavern.
"My Queen, I assume you saw what I saw?" Broad Sword pinged over the hive mind.
"I did, good work infiltrator, you are quickly proving to be my best agent."
Puffing up with pride, Broad Sword stopped just short of the command platform. "Thank you my Queen, how do you wish me to proceed?"
"Chrysalis is rather fond of her daughter, what better opportunity is there to stir up trouble between her hive and Equestria? Kill Twilight Sparkle, and make sure it's one of those in that little 'rebellion' of yours that is the one to do it."
"And once, my queen, that Chrysalis sees a pony killed her daughter..."
"War will almost certainly follow, a war Chrysalis will almost certainly lose."
"She may even soften Equestria up for us." Broad Sword grinned. "It will be done my Queen."
Focusing back on the here and now, Broad Sword did final checks on the pony bigots that were foolish enough to have followed him, and then left the cave without another word.
'If what I saw in the Commander's memories about Twilight are true, she will return to Equestria soon enough. Right into my waiting hooves.' |
Change | 12 - The Badlands | The Badlands, three days after Twilight's awakening.
"Sergeant, report!" barked Shining Armor with authority.
"Oh let's see, rocks... rocks and, oh! More rocks! Just like the last Celestia knows how many times you asked," Longshot responded snidely, peering down the scope on his crossbow.
"Watch your tone soldier!"
"Oh come on cap, it's the three of us in the middle of nowhere, can we cut the command structure crap?"
"He has a point..." Vladimir added.
"Not you too!" Shining stomped both forelegs.
"Well Shining, this mission is tedious enough as it is, no need to make it more so."
"What we need is discipline, I would of thought the Captain of the Lunar Guard would understand that!"
"We have Princess Luna as a role model, have you seen half of what she gets up to at the castle? She puts most pranksters to shame with her collection of whoopee cushions."
"Oh, I heard about that! I can only imagine the nobles' faces when Celestia sat down for court!" Longshot laughed.
"Yeah, actually Celestia can be just as bad sometimes," Shining admitted. "Sibling rivalry is a hell of a thing."
"We all heard what happened at the gala..." Vladimir added.
Longshot holstered his crossbow and turned to face Shining. "If the princesses can push all that 'discipline' to one side every now and then, I'm sure you can too."
Shining looked between the adamant faces of his peers, before groaning in frustration. "Fine, have it your way."
The three armoured stallions continued to make their way through the Badlands, a highly inhospitable place that was seemingly just sand and rock for miles and miles on end. Each of them had saddle bags filled to the brim with supplies, namely water to keep the most dangerous predator of the Badlands at bay, dehydration. They hadn't spotted any signs of life at all within the last couple of days, not a single vulture, insect or any other animal, never mind changelings. The three trudged on for a few more hours in silence before anypony spoke again.
"So what's with Commander Broad Sword anyway?" Vladimir asked Shining. "He hardly seemed the character to be put in charge of apprehending any infiltrators."
"He acted out of line, but believe me when I say he's a good pony. I've known him ever since I attended the academy, and he is dedicated to protecting the innocent, no matter the species. He may have been angry after the wedding, but I trust him to do his job in a professional manner, doing otherwise would be completely out of character for him."
"I hope you're right, Shining Armor..."
Longshot let out a groan. "How could anypony survive out here?" he asked to nopony in particular.
The sun had begun to lower readying for the coming of the night. The twilight sky glistened above them.
"Changelings must have a way, though just what that way is stumps me," Shining replied.
"Are you sure they are even out here, Captain? What if the Queen deliberately misled us?"
"That's kind of the whole point of this expedition, to confirm whether the hive is out here or not."
Vladimir held up a hoof to signal the others to stop. "We should rest here for the night."
Shining nodded. "Agreed. Longshot, you've got first watch."
"Sure," Longshot half-heatedly saluted. "Heading to rock watching duty on the double." Shining gave him a pointed look. Longshot rolled his eyes and stood to full attention. "I mean, reporting for first watch, sir."
With Longshot on lookout Vladimir and Shining got to work, a small cooking fire was set up, sleeping bags rolled out and rations arranged for the night. As night finally rolled in they sat by the fire, enjoying the warmth as the heat of the day gave way to the unforgiving cold of the night.
"Huh, look what I found in the bag," Vladimir chuckled as he pulled out a small plastic bag.
"Marshmallows? Longshot..." Shining sighed. "So much for essential items only."
"He is quite a character that one, are all military ponies like this?"
"You always get the smart mouth or the 'oddity' of the group. Look at Pinkie Pie."
"The Bearer of Laughter? Yes I have heard of her... quirks."
"Considering she comes from a family of rock farmers."
"Rock farmers? Now there's a profession you don't see much anymore. The Pie's must be quite old fashioned."
"They are."
Vladimir looked down at the marshmallows with a slight smirk. "Well, since these are here it would be a shame to waste them. It's also a shame that there seem to only be enough for two ponies."
Tearing the packet the two carefully distributed the treats evenly, all while making sure the occupied Longshot didn't take any notice. They cooked them on the open flame, Shining held his in his magical aura while Vladimir used one of Longshot's spare crossbow bolts.
"Twilight and I used to do this..."
Vladimir looked up at Shining, who had a sad, faraway look in his eyes.
"When she was a filly we would go into the back garden of our family's estate, pitch a tent and cook marshmallows on an open flame. Then, before we hit the hay, I would read her a story of her choosing; she would sit silently as sleep slowly took her. Even when I joined the guard and she became Celestia's pupil we would still find the time to continue that age old tradition of ours, even if it became a rarity. Then she moved to Ponyville..."
"Well, maybe when we get her back, you should make reviving that tradition of yours a priority."
"Yeah... perhaps we should." ...
"They might be underground," Vladimir said suddenly.
"Huh?" Shining threw him a confused look.
"The changelings, it might be possible for them to survive the harshness of this place by being underground. A cavern with an underground water supply, protection from the sun... it's how I would do it. Hay, it's how my kind used to live, except that was within a mountain, not a forsaken wasteland."
Shining mused for a moment, before nodding his head. "It's certainty plausible, though that makes finding them all the harder."
"They must have an entrance somewhere, several even."
"Vlad, don't you think that a species relying on stealth, and remaining unseen, would hide their entrances? A perception filter for instance."
"Yes... keep your eyes peeled as we travel."
"For what?"
"If you see anything odd, notable, ignore it. But if you see something so ordinary, something that makes your senses scream to move on to something else, we may have just found a perception filter."
"You realise we're in a wasteland right?"
"Yes, but you see all these rock formations popping out all around us. I'm talking about a patch of complete nothingness, just... empty, completely empty."
"Huh, you certainly seem to be in the know about these things."
Vladimir smirked. "Luna taught me a few things."
"Captains!" Longshot called in an urgent whisper, causing both stallions to swivel round to the tense looking sergeant.
"Get over here!" he beckoned.
Both Shining and Vlad moved over to Longshot's position, the pony in question was pointing at something while looking down his weapons scope.
"Changelings. Three of them."
Shining peered over at the distant group, there appeared to be three individuals in what seemed to be explorer attire. Two of them appeared to be unicorns while the third had the unmistakable profile of a changeling, and one of the 'unicorns' seemed to be heavily berating the unfortunate drone.
"I spotted three unicorns in the distance," Longshot started. "But after a moment one of their disguises failed, and it would seem his superior didn't take too kindly to the blunder."
"This is perfect!" Shining exclaimed, quietly. "They could lead us right back to their hive!"
"Agreed," Vladimir said with a nod. "But we should proceed with caution."
The three quietly moved back to their camp and quickly packed their things, making sure the changeling group didn't move too far off into the distance.
As Longshot packed his bags he noticed something... off.
"Guys - Where are my marshmallows?"
A little bit away from the Equestrians another group of changelings in blue armour hid within a small ditch, watching the group as they finished packing and began to follow their targets.
"They've taken the bait," one of them reported.
"Very good," the Commander of the group acknowledged. "Beta Squad, you have the Equestrians right of your tail."
"Understood Commander, we will act none the wiser."
"Delta Squad, are you in position?"
"Affirmative, we are ready and waiting."
"Excellent, they should reach you by morning."
The Commander looked up from the ditch again to see the Equestrians moving off into the distance, he quickly motioned to the others to return to the hive and he quietly followed them. All the while Shining, Vladimir and Longshot all followed the other group as discreetly as possible, completely unaware of the trap awaiting them. |
Change | 13 - Flying Lessons | The Badlands hive
"Watch out for that-"
The warning came too late as Twilight slammed face first into a rather large rock, to which Chrysalis simply sighed with a facehoof.
Chrysalis, Twilight and a few snickering guards stood just outside one of the entrances to the Badlands Changeling Hive. After three days of milling about studying every single book in the library she could Chrysalis had finally managed to drag Twilight into the flying lessons she herself had actually asked for. So far the results were less than spectacular.
"Flailing your wings isn't going to get you anywhere, you need to be in sync, unless of course you like the taste of sediment," Chrysalis said in frustration.
"Ugh, flying is much harder than Rainbow Dash makes it out to be. At the end of the day I'm a mage, not a wonderbolt. Changeling magic I can handle just fine."
Demonstrating her point Twilight summoned green flames around her and sank into the floor, before a second portal appeared right next to Chrysalis with Twilight stepping out.
"Wait... how did you learn that so quickly?"
Twilight glanced towards the starburst on her flank. "Well magic is kind of my thing."
"Yes... well it still needs some work, you burnt a few hairs," Chrysalis pointed at a few charred split ends in Twilight's mane.
"Maybe so... but it's still more successful than this flying business."
"You don't exactly have to be a wonderbolt, but having a queen kill herself because of her shoddy flying skills would be a rather pathetic way for a hive to go out," Chrysalis groused.
"So I'm pathetic now?" Twilight frowned at her.
"That's not what I said!" A mixture of annoyance and fear crossed her face. Insulting her daughter was the last thing she wanted to do.
Twilight sighed, relenting. "Yeah I know; it's just so frustrating doing the same thing over and over again for five hours with no real progress. Some would say that's the definition of insanity."
"I wouldn't say 'no' progress, when we started you couldn't even get off the ground," Chrysalis said trying to comfort her despondent daughter. "Let's keep trying, I'm sure that you will get it in no time my daughter."
"Yeah I suppose."
Chrysalis looked at her guards, before moving closer to Twilight's ear and speaking in a hushed tone. "Hey, can I reveal something?"
"What?" Twilight said in peeked curiosity.
Chrysalis pulled away from Twilight's ear, instead opting to use the hive to communicate what she had to say.
Chrysalis continued. "Well, the first time I tried to fly do you know what happened?"
"What?" Twilight asked again, also over the hive.
"I crashed into the crystal in the atrium, or at least the old one as it smashed."
"You what?" The shock registered on Twilight's face for a few moments, before she forced it back to neutral.
"Yeah, I managed to break the whole thing... and myself. We were lucky we had a single reserve crystal for emergencies, the very one you see there today. It was actually years before mother even let me attempt flight again."
Twilight couldn't suppress a giggle. "Wow that's pretty bad."
"Uh-huh, if anypony today found out my reputation would be ruined!" The internal voice sounded like Rarity, but the smile on her mother face let her know her true intent.
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Yeah I doubt that, but don't worry, your secrets safe with me."
Chrysalis moved away, and cast an eye over the vast wasteland. "It's not so much my reputation with my own subjects, but more the risk of the other queens finding out."
"The other queens?" Twilight asked questioningly, moving to verbal communication rather than over the hive.
"I would be a laughing stock to them, and there are many who look for any sign of weakness for an excuse to attack. Should they be able find the hive anyway."
"I don't see how a botched flight would be seen as a sign of weakness, it's hardly logical to think that something like that from centuries ago would be relevant now."
"Who said those queens were logical? Power is all they care for, and they don't care how they achieve it."
Twilight thought on that for a few seconds. "Well, surely not all queens are like that. I mean after spending time with you, I can see that you aren't."
"I'm not sure the Equestrians would agree, but thank you. And no, not all queens are like that, just a few like Crudelis and the late Imperatrix. Most queens just like to keep to themselves, only having contact with the others at the council. We think it's best to distance ourselves from other queens just in case they do something stupid."
"Like invade Canterlot?" Twilight quipped with a smirk, receiving a playful smack around the ear in return.
"I was thinking more on the lines of the war with the thestrals."
Twilight's eyes widened. "Wait what?"
"It was a very long time ago, before your princesses defeated Discord and were raised to the throne in the process. I doubt the thestrals remember it beyond stories, even our knowledge of the event is... sketchy at best. What we do know is that a hive decided to make conquest against the then reclusive thestrals, only to fail and have the entire hive slaughtered."
"There must be more! This is an entire missing page in pony history, this requires research! There must be more books about it somewhere in the library! I mu-"
"Oh no you don't! I didn't drag you out here just so you could wander right back into that library again!" Twilight had started to move towards the gateway, but her rear hooves were held back by Chrysalis's magic.
Twilight huffed in annoyance, but ultimately relented, after all, the library wasn't going anywhere.
"Oh fine. But mother, I will one day make you see the great value books have on this world! And I suppose there also might be information deep in the Canterlot Royal Archives, so I'll just have a peek when I visit my friends." Twilight finished, before noticing that Queen Chrysalis was staring at her wide eyed.
"Are... you OK?" Twilight asked, concern flooding her voice.
"You... you called me mother," Chrysalis near-whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Twilight shifted awkwardly. "I did? I... didn't even notice. Not that it's a bad thing I did but- well I..."
Chrysalis dropped to her knees, quickly wiped a single escaping tear from her eye, and grabbed Twilight into a carapace cracking hug. "You have no idea how long I have longed to hear you call me that..."
Twilight thoughts quickly shifted to Twilight Velvet, and how she suddenly felt she was betraying the mother who had painstakingly raised her. But then something said by Carduus rang in her ears.
--"You want to know what I think, Princess Twilight? I know the importance of family first hoof, and I think this shouldn't change a damn thing between you and your pony family. If anything, this is just an extension of your family rather than a replacement. Your mother loves you, as does Velvet I'm sure."--
A smile grew on Twilight's muzzle, and she hugged Chrysalis back, receiving a loving nuzzle from her mother.
'Carduus is right, this doesn't change a thing. Velvet is my mother, and so is Chrysalis. I... love them both.'
It was then a then a thought occurred to Twilight.
"What... what happened to my father? My biological father I mean..."
Chrysalis broke away from Twilight. The light and joy from moments ago had vanished, leaving a dead look in her eyes.
In a flat, almost hollow voice. "Do you remember the reason why I had to give you up?"
"The love shortage right?"
"Yes... the thing is I'm not sure if I could have given you up. I was fifty-fifty, and more than likely would have stubbornly kept you with me despite the danger, if..."
Chrysalis took a deep breath, before releasing it in a long, sad sigh.
"If your father hadn't passed on. The love shortage took its toll on all of us, some more than others. Your father... he became too weak from the lack of love energy and just... stopped. One minute he was here the next... I found out later why he ran out of energy so fast. He had been secretly giving it all to you."
Twilight sat in silence, absorbing the new information. Her gut twisted and she couldn't help but shed a tear for a stallion she would never get the chance to know, and who had probably saved her life.
"His name was Virum."
"You... were alone for so long. I'm beginning to see things your way, in terms of Canterlot I believe. That still doesn't mean I approve though!" Twilight added quickly.
"Neither would I expect you to. But the thought of losing you again..."
Twilight looked away from her mother for a moment, going into deep thought over a question she had been asking herself since this started.
"I have pictures of him, if you'd like to see them."
"I would like that."
Before either their conversation or the flying lesson could continue a Changeling guard ran up to the two royals and threw a salute.
"Your Highnesses! We've captured a small team of ponies tailing some of our drones!"
"What!" both royals shouted at once, making the drone realize that they probably should have informed them of the situation when it first emerged.
"Why didn't you inform us of this before!?" Chrysalis barked at the now fearful changeling.
"I- we..."
"Ugh, never mind for now" Chrysalis growled, "Have them taken to the holding cells, but don't place them in any. And have Carduus and his squad meet us there."
"Yes your highness!" The changeling saluted again before running off.
Twilight gave her mother a worried look. "By holding cells I assume you mean those green pod things?"
"Yes, we adapted the pods in which we keep our young to hold prisoners, it's much more effective than traditional means of detainment. Anyway we should go, there might be somepony there whom you know perhaps?" Chrysalis began to move towards the hive's entrance.
Twilight herself instantly had her suspicions as to who it was.
'Well there is only one guard I can think of who would brave a desolate wasteland right after, say... his sister was taken.'
Twilight began following her mother towards the hives entrance, both moving at a brisk pace.
'Oh Shining what trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?' |
Change | 14 - Flashback: Hearth's Warming | Canterlot, Thirteen Years Ago
A lone unicorn mare made her way through a snow covered forest as the bright moonlight lit it up in wondrous fashion, the mare of the moon watching over all.
A single cottage lay up ahead, few decorations littered the walls but the festive spirit was there none-the-less. A single mare could be seen through the windows seemingly sitting at a desk, writing. Knocking on the door the unicorn mare didn't have to wait long before a Pegasus mare opened the door. The mare's coat colour was somewhere between dark khaki and arylide yellow, her eyes were magenta and her mane was like a greyscale rainbow.
"Hello? What do you want?"
"A.K. Yearling?"
"Yes?"
The unicorn mare adopted a sly smile. "Or perhaps I should call you Daring Do."
Daring Do adopted a slightly alarmed look, and scrutinised the mare before her.
"What do you want?" Daring hissed threateningly.
"Oh I assure you I hold no ill will and have perfectly reasonable intentions, I simply have a request."
"Go on..."
It was roughly six in the morning, Hearth's Warming Day. The silence in the household of Night Light and Twilight Velvet was broken when a small ball of lavender adorableness excitedly jumped up and down on the couple's bed.
"Mum, dad! It's Hearths Warming! It's Hearth's Warming!" Twilight shouted excitedly.
Twilight Velvet groggily opened her eyes to examine the ecstatic filly.
"Oh Twilight, it's six in the morning."
"But it's Hearth's Warming!"
"Now come on Twilight, you don't see Shining being silly like this do you?"
"But... it's Hearth's Warming," Twilight said, tears forming in her eyes.
Now it was Night Light who spoke up, "Come on Twilight please don't get upset, two more hours OK? Then we can open up presents."
"O- OK..." The little filly finally relented, despondently jumping off the bed and walking out of the bedroom door.
Velvet sighed. "OK, now I feel bad."
"She'll be fine, in two hours she will be running on the ceiling in excitement."
Velvet chuckled. "Yeah she will, come on, let's get some sleep while we can."
Snuggling up they closed their eyes and began to let sleep reclaim them.
It was moments later that the door opened again and the jumping started once more.
Both ponies opened their eyes to see Twilight was back jumping above Twilight Velvet with the same excited expression as before, however this time she was joined by a teenage colt with the exact same expression jumping over Night Light.
"It's Hearth's Warming!" both of them chanted over and over.
And thus, with the realms of sleep taken cruelly from them, Night Light and Twilight Velvet had little choice but to waken and follow the excited pair downstairs.
The Hearth's Warming tree sparkled magnificently and all the colourful wrapped presents sat in anticipation. Four ponies came into the room, the elder two walking calmly, if a bit tiredly while the others sprinted in as fast as they could.
Joy spread throughout the four as they began trading and opening their presents, soon enough all the presents were opened and wrapping paper filled the living room. As the kids enthusiastically lauded through their gifts Night Light noticed something odd, one last package adorned in red and gold wraping paper, yet unopened.
"Honey, do you remember who gave that one?" he whispered quietly to his wife.
Twilight Velvet looked to what he was pointing at, adopting a confused expression. "I don't remember that one being there yesterday."
Shining too finally noticed the lone present and bounded over to it, looking at the label.
"Hey Twily, it's for you!"
Twilight Sparkle instantly perked up and scrambled over to her BBBFF, who hastily handed her the gift. With the gift in her hooves Twilight too inspected the label to see who it was from.
To Twilight
Have a wonderful Hearth's Warming my dear, and enjoy.
"Huh, there's no name..." Twilight pointed out.
"Well what are you waiting for, open it!" Shining Armor encouraged.
Smiling, Twilight gripped the paper in her magical aura and ripped it off in one fell swoop. Her eyes widened as she saw it's contents.
"Daring Do and The Eternal Flower!" Twilight shrieked excitedly, hugging the book tightly, "And it's signed!"
Night light and Twilight Velvet gawked. Daring Do and The Eternal Flower was the newly released book in the Daring Do series, they had tried to get one for Twilight but it had been sold out everywhere, who could have got her a copy? Let alone a signed edition? But another shock was to come.
Twilight opened the cover, to find a note on the inside.
To Twilight, enjoy this super special edition for a super special filly. Keep on being awesome.
- A.K. Yearling
Now Night Light and Twilight Velvet were really confused, in contrast however Shining Armor scooped Twilight up into his lap and they started to read the book together.
None of them noticed a unicorn mare watching them from the living room window, small snowflakes falling into her mane under the beautiful early morning sky, with carol singers already starting to sing in the streets intent on brightening that morning of goodwill and friendship among all ponies and beyond.
"Happy Hearth's Warming my daughter, I love you," Queen Chrysalis smiled, a single tear falling down her cheek. |
Change | 15 - Captured | Earlier That Day
Celestia's sun began to rise, signaling the beginning of a brand new day. But for three ponies, it was just a direct continuation of the previous; for they did not wake in comfortable beds, or greeted by loved ones - for those three ponies were continuing their trek across a barren wasteland, endlessly tailing a group of Changelings.
"Where the hay are they going?" Longshot growled. "We've been going all night and they have done nothing of interest but WALK, lots and lots of walking..."
"Longshot?"
"Yeah boss?"
"Shut up," Shining Armor deadpanned.
But Shining knew Longshot was right, the group ahead had just been walking continuously, with seemingly no purpose. He could feel that something wasn't right.
"Hold up, they've stopped," Vladimir informed the others, holding up his hoof to signal them.
Looking around quickly, Shining spotted a nearby cluster of rocks to both hide and keep a vantage over the changelings. "That outcropping over there, move it!" Quickly the three stallions scampered over to the nearby rocks and ducked behind them.
"It's about time," Longshot gasped as he took a swig of water. "Needed the rest."
Shining turned to his Lunar counterpart. "Vlad, how's our supplies?"
"Holding steady, we should be good for a while yet. Though I would really like those changelings to hurry up, I'm a nocturnal creature - I'm not meant to be wandering through a sun heated desert during the day."
Shining looked at the two in front of him, between the heat and lack of sleep both of them were exhausted, and Shining couldn't say he was doing any better.
"When we get back, perhaps we should include wasteland survival into the standard guard training program," Vladimir suggested.
"Great, you can call it the wasteland survival guide; it'll be a hit I'm sure. You can just shove the new recruits into the badlands and hope for the best!" Longshot remarked.
Shining just rolled his eyes, he didn't have the energy to reprimand the wisecracking sergeant. Still Vladimir's suggestion might not have been such a terrible idea, it was not hard to imagine that the hostilities between Equestria and the hive would kick off into all-out war...
'No, don't think like that right now, for right now Twilight is all that matters.' Shining looked up into the morning's sky, silently praying that his sister was OK.
Longshot unholstered his crossbow and peered over the top of the jagged rocks, looking at the other group through his weapons scope.
"What are they doing?
"Huh?"
"I asked, what are they doing now?"
"They're just standing there, and talking. That's all they ever do, just stand there and talk. And when you ask me again in five minu-"
Both Shining and Vlad were caught off guard as Longshot suddenly stopped talking. Sharing a quick worried glace, they turned back to him, "...Longshot?"
"Um, guys, you may want to look at this."
Both captains scrambled to Longshot's side and looked over in the direction of the Changeling group. Said group was now undisguised, staring right at them, and had set themselves up in a defensive formation. The sound of wings buzzing could now be heard.
Shining nudged Longshot in the side. "They spotted you didn't they?"
"Hey, they all turned and looked directly at me, it is like they knew we were here the whole time!" Longshot protested.
And then Longshot's words finally registered in all three.
"The whole time..." Longshot muttered.
Vladimir sighed in exasperation. "This... is a trap, isn't it?"
Shining sighed. "I think so yes."
"They're right behind us aren't they?"
"Probably."
Slowly all three turned their heads back around, to the small hiding spot created by the rocks. Sure enough, standing there lining the top of the out cropping was another group of heavily armed, and very smug looking changelings.
"Well, horseapples."
The changelings sprung forwards at the group, fangs bearing down onto them. Shining did a quick one-eighty and bucked the first changeling in the face, sending both him and several teeth flying. But a moment later a flash of green bolted straight towards him - magenta aura burst to life around his horn as Shining brought up a shield to intercept the spell. Shining saw Longshot and Vladimir jump to the side as more putrid green bolts were launched through the air at the Equestrians, coming from both the changeling squad and the three they were previously following.
Dodging the spellfire, Longshot found himself just outside the cover. He quickly brought up his crossbow, aimed, and pulled the trigger. Just as the bolt was let fly, a changeling got in close and knocked his hoof to one side, causing the shot to go wide. The two struggled for a few moments before Longshot whacked him around the face with the stock of his favorite weapon. With that changeling dazed, two others piled forwards to take his place, not giving Longshot enough time to reload. One of his would-be assailants was suddenly knocked to the ground as a Captain Vladimir smacked into him head first. This caused the second to hesitate, seeing his friend go down so quickly. Longshot took the opening as a chance to give him a strong blow to the top of his head. He went down like a sack of spuds.
"Huh, thanks Vlad," Longshot thanked, breathing heavily.
The thestral looked up to respond, only to be hit straight in the face by a bolt of sickly green magic.
Longshot swung around to see the Changeling he dazed earlier now up and hissing threateningly, his horn smoking from a recently fired spell. Behind him the original Changeling group moved up to surround the EUP sergeant.
"Oh crap."
Shining Armor blasted another group of the Changelings away with a powerful blast, sweat dripping down his fur. Twilight may be the magical powerhouse of the family but he was no slouch either. Without warning, another black figure jumped at him only to receive a hoof to the face.
'How did we not notice a group this large?'
Shining finally managed to pick up his sword from their discarded equipment and supplies, and swung it at the same changeling as before as he made another attempt, slashing across his carapace. The changeling hissed in pain and made a hasty retreat away from the Solar Captain.
Panting, Shining scrambled out of the rocks and prepared for more combat. To his horror, he was met by at least half a dozen changelings holding spears to the throats of both of his friends.
Vladimir lay unconscious on the floor, while a now disarmed Longshot simply shrugged against the three holding him down. Shining Armor gazed at them disbelievingly.
"Surrender now, Captain Armor," one of the guards, the leader by the looks of him, hissed while pressing his weapon closer to Longshot's throat, drawing a little blood.
Shining stared at the sight a little longer. He took in the state of his friends, and the changeling force now surrounding him. He was still somewhat surprised they knew his name, before considering his own role in the attack on Canterlot. He begrudgingly thrust his blade down into the sand and sat on his haunches in defeat. A changeling quickly raced up to the defeated unicorn and placed a magic suppression ring onto his horn.
Straps were tied around Vladimir's wings and the unconscious thestral was swung onto the back of one of the stronger changelings. Longshot and Shining Armor were herded together in the middle of a circle of their foes with Vladimir quickly being chucked unceremoniously beside them, they then began to sift through the Equestrians' belongings.
"Well, we're not dead," Longshot pointed out. Shining glanced at his friend, but didn't make any response.
As they continued to examine the ponies' effects, Vladimir groggily came back to consciousness, the low-yield stun spell cast upon him wearing off. He looked up at the black chitin covered figures around him, and immediately wished he was still asleep.
After a while the leader of the changeling's walked up to them in a confident, authoritative manner. He stood staring at them with no visible emotion in his glowing blue eyes, before finally speaking.
"You have trespassed upon the territory of her Royal Highness Queen Chrysalis, you shall be taken back to the hive for judgement by the Queen and Princess as was ordered by her highness herself should this situation arise."
"Princess..." Shining muttered, his attention caught.
"You shall accompany us without resistance, any of said resistance would be... unwise."
"Well then..." Longshot started, a smirk on his face.
"Take me to your leader."
Twilight and Chrysalis briskly walked in silence through the halls of the Badlands Hive, nearing the prisons where the pony captives were under guard. On reaching the reinforced doorway they were greeted by Carduus and his squad, who all saluted when the royals approached.
"Your highnesses," Carduus started. "We have identified two of the Equestrians, while the third we have no previous records of."
"Well? Who are the two we know?" Chrysalis inquired.
'Could it be?' Twilight thought to herself.
"One of them is the Lunar Guard Captain Vladimir Vespertilio. The other one you may not be so happy to see; Prince Consort, and Solar Guard Captain, Shining Armor."
Twilight froze as her suspicions were confirmed.
"It would seem that the prince-to-be has come for his sister," Chrysalis smirked in amusement. "Either that, or my brief time in his life made him change who he is in love with."
"Let them go."
All eyes turned to the changeling princess. "Your highness?"
"I said... Let. Them. Go!" Twilight demanded, obviously not willing to take no for an answer.
Carduus nervously looked at Chrysalis, but when she didn't give any objection, or a reaction of any kind he relayed their Princess' orders to the guards.
With the guards busy, Chrysalis turned to her daughter. "Your adoptive brother lies through that door, and I doubt he'll be happy to see me."
"If it's OK, I want to meet with him alone... to explain things."
"Of course my daughter, take all the time you need." Chrysalis smiled warmly, hiding a small amount of worry.
"Thank you," Twilight said, receiving and returning an affectionate nuzzle.
As the guards piled back out, Twilight took a deep breath to calm herself, and then took a step forwards.
"If you think this gets you out of today's flying lessons..." Chrysalis grinned.
Twilight rolled her eyes, before being consumed in green flames. Chitin was replaced with lavender fur as Princess Twilight the changeling was replaced with Twilight Sparkle the unicorn once more.
Everypony was reduced to a surprised silence as their restraints were removed, including the straps on Vladimir's wings and the magical ring on Shining's horn. One by one all the changeling guards simply left the room, leaving the three alone.
"OK... what the hay was that?" Longshot blinked.
"It would appear that the Queen's claims may have been true Shining," Vladimir noted.
Shining looked at the thestral. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, who high up in their hierarchy would have any rhyme or reason to release us?"
On cue, the door opened and Shining's heart soared as a familiar lavender unicorn nervously poked her head in.
"Twily!"
Twilight gently closed the door behind her, but before she could do anything else she was grappled into a planet shattering hug to end all hugs.
"Don't ever scare me like that, ever!" Shinng held on tight to his LSBFF, as if worried she may fade away.
"Shiny... can't... breathe."
"Oh," Shining said sheepishly, quickly placing a gasping Twilight back onto the ground.
"Miss Sparkle," Vladimir greeted.
"Vlad, it's good to see you again," Twilight greeted, catching her breath.
"Likewise ma'am. This is EUP Sergeant Longshot." Vladimir motioned at the relaxed Earth Pony beside him."
"EUP?" Twilight turned back to her brother. "You were so desperate to get me back you got the military involved?"
"That's... part of the reason. Princess Celestia and the others are worried sick, we all want you home Twily."
"They're... not mad at me?" Her voice was sheepish, and one of her front hooves was digging little groves in the floor.
"Mad at you? Why would we ever be mad at you?" Shining remarked, surprise clear in his voice.
"Oh you know, because of the whole-"
"Twilight, I don't care if you're a changeling, you're my sister. You didn't attack Canterlot, you aren't like them, you - are my little sister." Shining ruffled her mane.
Twilight jumped at Shining, pulling him into another, softer hug.
"It's good to see you kiddo."
Twilight broke off the hug. "Hey Shiny, you said I'm not like the others, and you mentioned Canterlot. Well the truth is..."
"I think catching up can wait until it's just us, don't you," Shining said with a glance at the other two.
"Oh, right. Well we could talk in my room."
"Your room?"
A light blush came to her cheeks, and the forehoof was at it again. "Yeah... Shiny we have a lot to talk about."
"Whatever it is Twilight, you can tell me."
"Thanks BBBFF," she said as she nuzzled him.
"Mother, could you clear the halls from here to my room, I'd rather avoid any awkward encounters on the way there. Oh, and can the others have their stuff back?"
"Consider it done my darling daughter."
Shining suddenly chuckled to himself. "All in all I think this plan went off without a hitch!"
"Getting our plots handed to us and captured was not part of the plan," Longshot deadpanned.
Twilight couldn't help but once again but roll her eyes, before moving towards the door. "Come on you, follow me. Just... don't touch any of my books? They're sorted just how I like them and I don't want you knocking over a shelf!"
"That was one time!" Shining protested as they exited the room, leaving Longshot and Vladimir behind.
"Well... that was interesting," Longhsot said.
"Kid, if you knew the details of half of what Twilight Sparkle gets up to in Ponyville, you would realise this is pretty tame in comparison."
"Try me."
"Well there was this one report titled, Lesson Zero..." |
Change | 16 - Siblings | A lone changeling drone allowed himself a small smile as he looked on his work in satisfaction, duster held within his magical green aura. Not a single speck of dust inhabited the princess' room, every corner, and every hole had been cleaned to perfection. He had taken particular care to place everything back just the way Princess Twilight had left them, his superior having wisely informed the drone about the princess' unique... difficulties with OCD. The last thing the drone wanted to do was earn the ire of the future Changeling Queen.
Unfortunately for the drone however, Queen Chrysalis had forgot that he was even there, and thus he didn't get her message to vacate all area's leading from the prisons to that very room, and as the drone packed up his equipment to leave the bedroom's door opened. A lavender unicorn mare strutted in, followed by an armor adorned alabaster unicorn stallion. When both parties saw each other they froze for a few moments, the stallion in particular stared at the drone looking very displeased, or would the word be murderous?
Suddenly the drone dropped into a low bow in front of the mare. "Princess Twilight, my apologies I didn't realize you would return so soon, the room has been cleaned and I... I-"
Twilight mentally sighed as the drone began to hyperventilate, what did the drone honestly think she would do to him? Quickly she put on her friendliest smile as she addressed the drone. "It's fine, thank you for cleaning my room for me, I can see right away you did an excellent job."
The drone seemed to calm slightly at the compliment.
"However right now I would like to talk to my brother in private," Twilight finished.
The drone rose from his bow and quickly vacated the room, Shining Armor watching him go, before turning to Twilight with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, anypony would think you were the boogymare with that reaction."
Twilight pouted while flicking a chuckling Shining Armor with her tail in mild annoyance. "Yeah yeah, laugh it up tough guy. It's no different to how some ponies react to the princesses."
"Heh, point taken. Not sure if I can really wrap my head around the whole you being a changeling equivalent to an alicorn, and not forgetting royalty as well."
"Speaking of which..." Shining started, with slight hesitation. "Could I see? The 'other' you I mean." He looked at the floor, waiting to be scolded.
Twilight too hesitated, before slowly nodding. "OK." A moment later, Shining took a step backwards, as green flames whipped around the lavender form of his sister. Quicker than he could see, it began tearing the image away and warping it into a chitin clad being, far too reminiscent of the cackling figure that stole his mind and crashed his wedding.
Twilight stood before Shining, noticing his disapproval by the fact he had flinched, and now leaned slightly away from her. She began to scuff the floor once more, a despondent look on her face.
"Honestly, I prefer the real you," Shining deadpanned.
Twilight's head whipped up and she looked at her brother. "This IS the real me," she truthfully insisted.
Shining didn't answer, opting instead to observe the room in detail for the first time. "Well you've certainly done well for yourself Twily. Got enough books?" The change of subject was painfully obvious.
"One can never have enough books," Twilight chuckled, trying to hide her still despondent tone.
"Erm, do you want to sit or..." Twilight motioned towards the seating cushions surrounding the circular table in the very center of the room.
Shining nodded, and took his place at one end of the table while Twilight plonked herself down at the other.
An uncomfortable silence echoed throughout the room, Twilight noticing that her brother couldn't quite meet her reptilian-like eyes.
"Shiny, look you have every reason to be angry, I understand. What they did, to you and Cadance, it was wrong. And I could never approve of such a thing, and will never."
"I know LSBFF, you aren't like these monsters."
"Monsters? BBBFF I've forgiven them." Her face was stern.
"What?" His was full of surprise.
"I said; I've forgiven them. And they... we most certainly aren't monsters!" Twilight said with conviction.
Anger flashed across his muzzle now. "Twilight how could you say that? You saw what they did, you know what they're capable of."
"They did it to save me Shining!" Twilight's voice started to rise.
"That was then. Now they know how to fight us, what's to stop them from finishing the job and taking Equestria?" he said calmly, the military captain in him showing through.
"They wouldn't do something like that! If you would just walk around the halls of the hive, see the atrium and all the changelings going about their lives, we're not so different from ponies. They laugh with their friends with a drink in hoof; they marry their special somepony, like Carduus and Panacea, fillies and colts play and laugh, like little Iuvenes. They may have done something wrong I admit, but it doesn't define who they are, it's not who they are. Not this hive... not MY hive."
"Your..." Shining started, exasperation now evident in his voice. "And what of the queen? She displayed who she is crystal clear to the whole of Canterlot."
Twilight allowed herself a chuckle as she reflected on Chrysalis's softer side she had heavily born witness to the last few days. "Believe me, mother is not that intimidating when you truly get to know her."
"Mother!?" Shining suddenly snapped, causing Twilight to jump in fright. "You would call that monster mother!? What is with you?"
Twilight set her legs, and stood to full height. "Don't... you... dare ever, ever call her a monster Shining Armor! You ask what's wrong with me, but what's with you. The agitation, the sudden shouting. What happened to the stallion I reunited with just five minutes ago?"
"Chrysalis is twisting your mind! You can't see her for who she truly is!"
"You're not listening to me! Why can't you just give them a chance, for me?"
"You're kidding? Changelings are monsters, after what they did... I've seen enough."
"Odd, I never took you for a xenophobic bigot," Twilight muttered, tears beginning to form.
"What did you call me?"
"A bigot, a massive bigot! I would have expected this from some of the Canterlot nobles but... but not from you. You know what? Chrysalis is my mother, that doesn't make Twilight Velvet any less so. I have friends here and... and if you could just see past your own one dimensional perceptions for one, just one minute! You could see the good in changelings." Tears had started to flow now.
Shining just looked at Twilight in a way that broke her heart... disgust. "I honestly don't know who you are anymore."
Twilight sniffed. "I could say the same BBBFF..."
Shining slammed a hoof down. "Don't call me that, changeling, only my sister calls me that."
Twilight's ears wilted and the tears became a full on breakdown, sobbing echoing the room before Twilight suddenly got up and bolted for the door.
Shining's brain suddenly seemed to catch up with what he said, and a guilty expression descended onto his face. "Twily..." he called out, his call being lost amidst the sound of a mare's sorrow.
The doors reacted with a lavender hue, swinging open as the distraught princess barreled through, completely missing the earth pony eavesdropper falling flat onto his face as the door he was leaning on jolted forwards.
Longshot looked up down the corridor as the sobs became a faint echo. Once they were gone he turned to look at his superior with a strong disgust.
"What the hay hero?"
Shining only responded by burying his head in his hooves in ultimate shame.
Queen Chrysalis sat regally on her obsidian throne, or as regally as her bored mind would allow as she went over a particularly dull report on the state and productivity of the hive's agriculture. After she finished another report, yet another would take its place.
"Ugh, paperwork. Organisation is more my daughters forte," Chrysalis mused to herself, taking a glance at the empty throne beside her.
"Your highness?" A voice pinged over the hive.
'At last, a distraction from these accursed reports!'
"What is it?"
"It's- it's Princess Twilight your highness."
That got her attention.
"She was crying profusely, and-"
"She was what!? Where is she now?"
"In her agitated state she may have... accidentally lashed out and demolished a wall with her magic. A-after that she, w-well, spent about five minutes apologizing during which she only became more agitated, after which she ran into your bedchambers and slammed the door!"
"No drone goes near my chambers, I'm on my way!"
Chrysalis scattered all the reports she had in her grasp to one side and sprinted immediately. Jumping off her throne, she created a portal opening beneath her leading to the one place she currently wanted to be.
Twilight lay on her mother's bed, curled into the sheets as sorrowful sobs echoed throughout the chambers.
--"I could say the same BBBFF..."
"Don't call me that, changeling, only my sister calls me that."--
He had rejected her. All of her worst fears had played out right before her eyes, was this the reaction she could expect from everypony else?
She laid there for what seemed like an eternity in the depths of Tartarus, before a fiery green glow introduced a new presence in the tear filled room.
Chrysalis gingerly approached the bed, where her daughter lay. "Twilight?"
Out of nowhere Twilight lunged and held onto to Chrysalis, nuzzling her chest. "He... he..."
"Shhh, it's okay," Chrysalis cooed, nuzzling the top of her daughters head, taking her place on the bed next to Twilight. Right now she had to be there for her daughter; she could, and would have words with Captain Armor later.
"I just... never thought he'd..."
"I know Twilight, I'm so sorry. If I had known, I would never had left you alone with him."
"He just wouldn't listen, I tried to explain but..."
Twilight didn't continue, instead the sobbing returned, and it was several long minutes before she spoke again.
"I... I need to go back to Canterlot," Twilight sniffled. "I need to know."
"Are you sure? Twilight I..."
"Yes, I'm sure."
"OK... if that's what you want I will arrange passage in the morning for you and the ponies. My only condition is that you take Carduus and his squad with you."
After a moment Twilight nodded, before burying her head in Chrysalis' chest, letting all the built up tears fall. Chrysalis lay there as her daughter continued to sob, gently stroking her mane while draping a protective wing over her daughters trembling body. They continued to lay there like this, until all of Twilight's tears were spent and she drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Chrysalis looked over her daughters form, this was real. She was here, after so many years.
Chrysalis gently nuzzled her daughter one last time before laying her head down, and too drifting to a peaceful slumber. |
Change | 17 - Broken Armor | "What the hay, hero?"
Longshot couldn't hide the contempt on his face. Not that it mattered, Shining Armor wasn't even looking at him. Instead he stared eyes wide at the floor, mumbling to himself. "What have I... I done?"
Vladimir shoved Longshot into the room, and closed the doors behind him. He had overheard the conversation too, but he wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth. It certainly hadn't sounded like the captain he had been serving alongside.
"How could you be so cold, to your..." Longshot was cut off by Vladimir putting a hoof to his mouth.
"I'll handle this," he turned and looked at Shining head on. "CAPTAIN ARMOR!" That startled him out of his trance, and he looked back at Vlad. "We were ordered to track this hive down, and in the event that we did, we were to act as diplomats on behalf of their highnesses. So far, your conduct has been unbecoming of not only an officer of the Solar Guard, but as a gentlecolt of Equestria, and most importantly, a brother." Shining's face fell ashen, Vlad knowing that his speech had the desired effect. "You have one chance to explain yourself before I have you detained, and carted back to Canterlot in chains."
Longshot raised an eyebrow to Vladimir's reaction. "Wow Vlad, didn't expect that from you of all ponies, I can see the papers now, 'Lunar VS Solar, Captain Vladimir locks up Solar counterpart'."
Shining Armor that looked back at him now was a ghost of his usual self. "I'm... I'm sorry, I just can't get the image out of my head. She just... she just looks so much like her..."
Longshot and Vladimir both looked at each other. They could both see the signs; the thousand yard stare, the uncontrollable shaking - Shining was in the middle of a P.T.S.D episode. Longshot grabbed a bed cover, and draped it around Shiny's shoulders, before sitting next to him. Vladimir sat down with them.
"Care to explain?"
Shining gulped, but nodded; he knew he wasn't getting anywhere till he told them. "I haven't told anyone this, not even Cadance, but... I remember everything," the pair looked at him, momentarily confused. "I mean, the lead up to the wedding. The Queen swapped out for the real Cadance about a week beforehand. I noticed straight away that something was wrong. It was a good impression, but it wasn't good enough. So I confronted her. After she realised I wasn't going to be fooled, she attacked. She knocked me to the ground, and touched her horn to mine. Before I knew what was happening, my mind was flooded with her presence. It felt horrible, alien. I had lost, without even knowing it. She got up, and looked at me. She told me to get up, and I did. She told me to walk in a circle, and I did. I would do everything she told me, and I had to watch myself do it, unable to get my own body to respond."
Both Vlad and Longshot stared at Shining in horror.
"The whole time, all I could think about was Cadance - what had she done with Cadance? My next memory is waking up half an hour later, and 'Cadance' told me I had bumped my head. I believed her. I lived the next week out, half myself, half not. It wasn't until we started on this trip that my memories have come back. She must have put a memory suppression spell on me, but now that I'm free, I can recall at least nine occasions where my mind woke up, and she had to recast her spell. Each time I felt like I had been hit by a freight train, and each time I relived the horrible realization I had no idea where my Cadance was."
Shining released a sigh.
"Each night on this trip, I recall a little more. But just then, when I saw Twily in her natural form, all I could see was a younger version of her mother. The wall inside, it broke, and in that instant, I felt everything."
His two companions were speechless. His story more than covered his sudden change.
"And the worst part is that I just hurt Twilight. I know in my heart that she isn't a monster, and her species probably aren't either, but the two sides in my head can't meet up at the moment, and I took it out on her."
Vlad placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Shining, look, if there is anything I can do for you, just let me know."
Shining looked up from the floor, a new look of determination on his face. "There is. Get me a meeting with the Queen."
"My Queen!"
Chrysalis rolled over in her bed. "Which ever ling saw fit to wake me from my slumber best have a good reason!" Careful not to disturb Twilight, she climbed out of bed.
"I'm sorry your highness, but Captain Armor demands an audience."
"No one demands an audience with me, but, I really want to talk with him. Send him to the throne room, I will be there shortly."
Shining Armor sat in the middle of the throne room, whilst Vlad and Longshot stayed by the main doors. Several of the changeling guards around the room were giving him death glares; obviously his outburst had spread around the hive.
A door to an antechamber opened, and the Queen strode in. She walked past Shining, turning around in front of him. "I have just spent the last half hour holding my crying daughter until she went to sleep. Answer for yourself, Captain Armor, before I throw you out into the ravenous desert of the Badlands."
Shining Armor's eyes fell at the mention of Twilight's tears, but became resolute again once she continued.
"Answer for myself? Answer for myself? How in bloody Tartarus dare you. It is YOU who need to answer for their actions!"
Taken aback by this, Chrysalis scoffed. "Me?"
"Yes, YOU! Rather than just meet with Princess Celestia, and explain the situation, you turn me into a puppet, and ruin my wedding. And to top it all off; I REMEMBER EVERYTHING!"
Shining Armor's voice reverberated around the throne room, but it still made less noise then the look on Chrysalis's muzzle.
The word devastated doesn't come close enough. A few seconds later, she sank to the floor. She mouthed like a fish for a few moments, before she could finally speak.
"You were never supposed to remember anything - that's the point of the spell." Then the true weight of her actions, the true horror she put him through, came to the forefront of her mind. "I would never have done this is I had known the spell could fail, I... I would never wish that kind of pain on my enemies."
'I'm not Crudelis,' Chrysalis thought to herself.
Shining looked down at her, anger in his eyes. "Yet it is done."
"And I regret what happened, but it is in the past now; it time to start anew, Captain."
"Regret? Do you know what it feels like? Huh? To come so close to losing sompony who you hold so dear!"
"I would think you would find that I do! My husband died protecting Twilight, whom if you will recall I in fact also very nearly lost, so don't you have the gall to lecture me on loss, Shining Armor!"
Shining's eyes widened at the queen's words, a slight bit of guilt coming up to meet the anger, but not quite enough to sate it completely, just enough to cool it. Chrysalis and Shining stared each other down, with Shining losing some of his nerve at the changeling queen's retort, and Chrysalis with regret in her eyes. It was Chrysalis who spoke again.
"Twilight will be heading back to Canterlot tomorrow, you know."
That took Shining by surprise. "She is?"
"She wants to know whether everypony else will react the way you did."
"They won't."
"But she doesn't know that, not for certain. I'm arranging for you three to return with her, I just hope you use that time to make amends, for your sake."
"Was that a threat?"
"No," she responded. "It's advice, for you will never forgive yourself otherwise."
Shining looked away. "Perhaps I... I just don't know if now is the right time."
"And when will be?"
"I don't know!"
Silence reigned in the large throne room, before Shining eventual managed to speak up again.
"I'll never forget. What you did."
Chrysalis sighed. "Neither should you, but let's at least try to keep it civil, for my daughter's... for Twilight's sake."
After a few moments of consideration he reluctantly replied, "Agreed." |
Change | 18 - Forward onto Canterlot | "I really don't like the idea of you going to that city so soon after... you know..." Panacea said to her husband, worry written on her face.
Carduus gave his wife a sympathetic look, before moving to reassure her. "Honey, I promise I'll be fine, Princess Twilight knows Celestia and Luna; if any of us can sort this mess out, it's her."
"Perhaps, but what of when you first arrive? I doubt changelings are going to be thrown a party on arrival."
'From what the Princess tells me, one might,' Carduus mused, slightly grinning as he remembered some of the stories Princess Twilight had told him over the last few days.
"That's why we're called changelings, honey. They won't see any changelings entering, only a dashingly handsome stallion, and his less attractive friends." He stood straight, and pulled a pose; unable to completely remove his grin.
Panacea rolled her eyes before letting a grin slip. "Well that dashingly handsome stallion better come home safe with all his limbs intact, or he's sleeping on the sofa."
"I better come home safe th-"
He was cut off as a black blur barreled into him, knocking him to the floor with the cutest bear hug possible.
"Daddy!" the voice came out slightly muffled, his daughter's muzzle was crushed up against him.
"Hey sweetie!" Carduus swept Iuvenes into his fore-hooves to give her an embrace of his own.
She shifted so she could look at his face. "Do you have to go?"
"Well one of us needs to make sure the princess doesn't do another all-nighter in a library somewhere," Carduus chuckled.
Iuvenes responded by giving him the biggest puppy eyes she could - Carduus cringed at the big glowing blue orbs looking up at him in a begging manner.
Luckily for Carduus, Panacea came to his rescue. "Hey sweetie, I'm sure your father will bring you back some of those equestrian donuts from Canterlot if you ask nicely!"
Iuvenes face lit up instantaneously. "Oh oh, please dad, pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease!"
"Oh I'm sure I could manage," Carduus laughed, picking his daughter up in his green magical aura and depositing her on her mother's back, where she promptly curled up in between her wings.
"Now, I really have to go; the others are likely already at the carriage."
"Be safe," Panacea said one last time, giving her husband a loving nuzzle that he returned gladly.
Carduus kissed his daughter on the forehead, picked up his sword and placed it into its scabbard, placed his helmet upon his head and after some final farewells left through the front door of his home.
"Forward onto Canterlot," he muttered to himself.
Chrysalis' personal carriage, a black carriage decorated with exuberant green emeralds rolled along the rocky Badlands landscape. It wasn't the most comfortable ride in the world, but the two Changeling guards pulling it knew both the safest and most direct route to Equestria, so they were in safe hooves.
Either side of the carriage the other two of Carduus' squad flew alongside them, wings buzzing as they looked out vigilantly for any possible threats to their princess. Within the carriage itself the rest of the entourage sat in silence. On one side sat Longshot, Vladimir and Shining Armor, who had been staring out the window so far for the entire trip. On the other side sat Carduus and Twilight, both undisguised. Twilight herself was staring at the floor, shuffling as she took in the uncomfortable sound of silence dominating the carriage interior. A silence eventually and predictably broken by Sergeant Longshot.
"So... what's the plan exactly? You realise Canterlot won't throw you a welcome party right?"
Carduus chuckled. "You sound like my wife."
"Um, what?"
"Never mind, and to answer your question, I do realise this. That is why when we get to Equestria we will change into ponies."
"Won't the armor give you away?" Longshot pointed at the dark blue armor adorned by the changeling guard captain.
"Meh, I wouldn't worry. Our armor is enchanted to change with us, otherwise it wouldn't be much use to a race of creatures preferring stealth over brute force most of the time."
"I guess Canterlot was one of those few other times?"
"Hay if you remember, the Queen did infiltrate AS Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and bring down the shield," Carduus pointed out, before remembering Shining Armor was sharing the carriage with them.
All eyes turned towards the Solar Guard, who luckily didn't seem to have heard a single world, and instead remained staring blankly out the window.
Longshot coughed. "Anyway, I bet if I was there things would have been different!"
Carduus cocked a non-existent eyebrow. "Oh really?"
"Yup, you only faced off against the guard. I mean, they're good and all!" Longshot added, catching Vladimir's glare. "But you haven't faced off against the EUP!"
"Huh, the Changelings who captured you didn't seem too impressed. Captain Vlad had to save your flank, before going down because you didn't properly incapacitate one of your combatants. And then Shining Armor had to surrender because you became a hostage."
Longshot's eye twitched ever so slightly. "Not... one of my best moments."
Carduus grinned in victory.
"But you haven't seen our helicopters!"
"Your... what?"
"Big metal armoured flying machines with crossbow turrets that would tear any soldier to pieces. Not to mention they're fast enough to outrun all but the most experienced Wonderbolts!"
"Really? How do I know you're not exaggerating?"
"You'll just have to take my word for it."
"Uh-huh."
Vlad rolled his eyes. "You two quite finished?"
"What?" Longshot responded. "There's nothing wrong with a bit of competition."
"Until you get so competitive you end up in joint last," Twilight remarked, smiling at that particular memory.
"Sound like there's a story in that, Twilight," Carduus noted.
"Oh the things I could tell you about my time in Ponyville, what I have already told you isn't even the half of it.
Longshot shuddered, remembering the story Vladimir told him of the 'want-it-need-it'. "Oh please don't, not right now."
"What's the matter Sergeant?" Vladimir grinned. "Want me to retell the story of Lesson Zero?"
Twilight blushed at that, while Longshot had a look of pure horror. "I need an adult."
"I am an adult," Vladimir responded.
"Moving on!" Twilight near shouted to change the subject. "In all seriousness what do we do when we get to Canterlot? I mean, meeting with the princess after all this..." Twilight trailed off.
Vlad sighed, and gave Twilight a sympathetic look. "Don't worry Miss Sparkle, our authority can get you all into the castle as long as nopony sees you as changelings, also I would recommend you take on a different form than the usual, until we see the princess at least."
"Why?"
"Uh, well. You see it's not just a select few who know about you being a changeling. In fact everypony pretty much has heard by now..."
Twilight's eye twitched. "What? Everypony... knows..."
"Hey! Vlad said it would be fine so it will be! Come on, let's not freak out over this," Longshot interjected.
"But..."
"Twilight I know it will be hard, but things will work out, you'll see. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Anyway - as I was saying, once we get you into the castle we will report to Princess Celestia, and you will come with us, what happens then is really up to you," Vladimir finished.
Much to the worry of all those present their words did little to calm the Changeling Princess, who seemed to be on the verge of an all-out panic as she began to hyperventilate. Luckily for them Twilight put a hoof to her chest and took some deep breaths, just like Cadance had taught her as a filly.
During this only Carduus noticed Shining finally look up at Twilight, brotherly concern on his face. Only when Twilight did finally calm down did he return to his personal musings looking out the window.
Life was returning to normal in the city of Canterlot, ponies of all races and pastel colours went about their lives.
Princess Celestia overlooked it all from one of the castle's many balconies. A sense of unease surrounding her regal aura.
"Aunty?" A kind voice called from behind. Celestia looked behind her to see her niece and sister joining her at the balcony, standing either side.
"Sister what bothers thou?"
"Dialect."
Luna gave Celestia a death glare at that little remark, only to receive an amused smirk in response, a smirk that quickly fell away as Celestia's eyes turned back towards Canterlot.
"They should have been back by now."
"Sister the fate of Equestria no longer rests squarely on your shoulders, you need to stop worrying constantly."
"How can I not?" Celestia countered. "My little ponies are in danger, Twilight is in danger. And now we have heard nothing from Shining Armor's team."
"He will be fine aunty," Cadance reassured, yet Celestia didn't miss the worry she herself was trying to hide. "Shiny can watch out for himself."
"Don't discount my own Captain, or the EUP Sergeant with them," Luna added. "Give them a few more days, if we hear nothing, well, we will cross that bridge when we come to it."
From their vantage point, had the three alicorns been paying attention they might have just spotted a black and green carriage entering the city limits.
Canterlot's ponies gawped as they witnessed a black carriage outfitted with expensive emerald decorations sped through the streets of the Equestrian capital.
Particularly noticeable was the two Pegasus stallions flying alongside it, and the two Earth-Pony stallions leading the carriage, all of them carrying swords that hung at their sides.
Private security was the first thought that entered most ponies heads. It wasn't particularly uncommon with the many nobles living within the city. But they normally had carriages made of all sorts of gems and gold. And the security they hired were also normally outfitted to also show off that particular noble's power. The darker decor of this carriage was new, and the swords carried by these stallions were iron with obsidian hilts. They couldn't even see the occupants of the carriage as the curtains were drawn shut. All this certainly did little to keep the populace at ease.
Anypony watching the carriage for long enough would have seen it go all the way up to Canterlot castle, where they were met by two Solar Guards when they arrived at the front gates.
A thestral in night guard armor stepped out of the carriage, on which both Solar Guards stood to attention and saluted, after talking to them briefly the guards opened the gates and the carriage rolled on through unobstructed.
Inside a blue mare with a black mane sighed in relief, before shedding the precautionary disguise in favor of a familiar lavender one.
She peeked though the curtains, a small amount of panic returning as the castle in which she had spent a good portion of her life loomed over her.
There was no going back now.
Twilight Sparkle was back in Canterlot. |
Change | 19 - Canterlot | The occupants of Canterlot Castle couldn't help but cast wary looks towards the group moving their way through the castle.
The ponies leading them through the halls were familiar enough, both were captains of their respective royal guard regiments, and the pony just behind them was decked out in EUP armor. However behind these three walked five stallions armed with unsettling obsidian hilted swords, these stallions were arranged in a protective circular formation around a very self-conscious lavender mare they all recognised.
Twilight Sparkle had returned.
But of course by this point most of them had heard the rumours, and that certainly didn't help the mutual feeling of unease among the spectators. And Twilight could hear all too well the murmurs among them.
"Is that Twilight Sparkle?"
"What is a changeling doing here?"
"You don't actually believe those rumors do you?"
"What if she controls our minds?!"
"There you are!" a new, much happier voice emerged just ahead of them.
Twilight poked her head around the individuals in front of her to try and glimpse the pony who had said that, what she saw was a unicorn mare with a white coat, a dark brown mane, lighter brown eyes, and a cutie mark of an ink pen and inkwell.
"Twilight? Is that you?"
"Hey, Raven," Twilight said rather meekly.
"Oh my gosh, we have to tell her highness right away!" Raven exclaimed, turning to make a mad dash to where she knew Celestia would be.
"Whoa hold up there, Raven," Shining Armor moved to intercept her. "We're on our way there right now so there's no need for a mad rush, I assume she will be in her study at this time?"
Raven paused in her attempts to scamper away, stood up straight and adjusted her glasses as she calmed herself. "Erm, yes. Her highness entered her study just a few minutes ago."
"Thanks Raven."
"Oh, but you are alright aren't you Twilight dear? I can't imagine what a horrible experience you must have been put through," a look of care and concern crossed her face.
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine. It wasn't actually as bad as you think it was."
Raven quirked an eyebrow. "Really? How so?"
"I... don't want to talk about it here and now, maybe later?"
"Oh that's fine, I understand. Anyway, as I said her highness is in her personal study; your return will be a tremendous weight off her shoulders. I don't think I've seen her that upset in, well, ever."
"Thanks for the directions, Raven," Shining spoke again. "Have a good day now."
"Thank you captain, it was so good to see you again Twilight!" Raven waved as she departed down the halls, and the group continued towards where Princess Celestia awaited.
The journey didn't take long
A walk down the castle's many hallways later and the group of ponies and changelings stopped just outside of the door leading into Celestia's private study. To Twilight the door seemed to grow larger and more intimidating as she considered who lay within, the fear she displayed didn't go unnoticed by the others present, and neither did it go unnoticed those actively monitoring from slightly further away.
"Twilight, I'm here if you need me," Chrysalis spoke over the hive.
"Thank you..."
"Alright Miss Sparkle," Vladimir addressed. "We'll report in first, and then you can talk with the princess."
"Yeah, sure. Um, could you all stay outside when I speak to her because, well..."
Carduus gave Twilight a sympathetic smile. "If that is your wish, just call if you need us, we'll be right outside the door."
The other guards seemed uneasy at the prospect of letting their princess face the princess of the sun alone, but followed their instructions, however reluctantly.
Taking on an air of professionalism, Shining Armor, Vladimir and Longshot gently opened the door and entered the room beyond.
Princess Celestia was sitting behind her desk, a mountain of paperwork sat beside her with one scroll caught within her golden magical aura. With a sigh of disapproval she placed down the piece of paper she was examining, and after signing it with a quill in all of the relevant places she stamped a big red 'DENIED' over the form. She then moved to place it on another pile of paperwork along with the rest of the papers marked with denied, only to jerk up slightly as she spotted she had visitors, and saw who those visitors were.
"Your highness," Vlad moved ahead of the others, saluting to the solar princess. "Mission objective has been completed, ready to report."
Celestia shook her head to shake off the surprise of their appearance before taking on her normal regal posture. "Go ahead captain, you located the changeling hive?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Very good, I am glad you are safe my little ponies."
"However, before we go into details, you should know that there were... complications." Internally, Vladimir was shaking, but his training allowed him to remain stoic.
Celestia raised an eyebrow at the statement. "Complications? How so?"
Before the lunar captain could answer, Longshot cut in. "I think you should see yourself!" he said, ignoring Vladimir's annoyed glare. "You can come in now!" he called out to the door.
The door opened a crack, and a trembling lavender mare slowly meandered her way into the room. The sight of this mare caused Celestia's eyes to widen to the size of dinner plates. As Twilight endured the Solar Princess' gaze, the three stallions decided it prudent to leave them be, and quickly vacated the room, Vlad berating an unrepentant Longshot due to the latter's interruption seconds earlier.
Now it was just Celestia and Twilight Sparkle left in the study.
"P-Prin-Princess?"
Suddenly Twilight was lifted up into a bone crushing hug backed by the power if the sun itself, Celestia having moved from behind the desk to Twilight in a speed only thought possible by a certain manic pink mare.
"Twilight? It's really you?"
Twilight's response was muffled within the alabaster alicorn's fur.
Celestia quickly released Twilight to allow her a chance to breath, giving her an apologetic, and yet joyful smile.
Celestia sucked in a wet sounding breath, her eyes beginning to glisten. "Forgive me my faithful student, but when you were taken from us, I was afraid I lost you."
"You... you were?"
Celestia nodded in confirmation to her previous statement.
"T-thank you princess, but I'm fine, really!"
"Twilight, it's just Celestia, please. Besides, from what I have gathered you and I perhaps hold the same title?" Celestia said, if just a bit teasingly.
"Well Princess-" Celestia resisted the urge to roll her eyes at still being called princess instead of Celestia. "-i-it's... true."
"Can I see?"
"See what?"
Celestia poked her chest with a hoof. "You."
Twilight cringed in hesitation, still unsure of how the solar princess would react.
"Twilight..." Celestia said gently, using a hoof to softly turn Twilight to look her in the eyes. "I promise I won't be mad... but if you don't want to show me, that's fine too."
Finally Twilight relented, and after backing up slightly allowed green flames to whip around her body, returning Princess Twilight into view.
Celestia examined Twilight's alien form, and yet her warm smile and loving, caring eyes never faded, or even wavered for a second.
"Thank you Twilight, for trusting me; you should never be ashamed or afraid to show your true self to the world."
"I don't think I can show myself even if I wanted to..." Twilight mumbled to the floor.
Celestia jerked upright. "And why ever not?"
Twilight looked up at Celestia in confusion.
"Does your mother want war with Equestria?"
Twilights eye widened. "N-no!"
"Does she intend to continue with hostilities?"
"No!"
A smile settled across her muzzle. "Then I think you can be considered the first dignitary sent by the hive to negotiate a peace between our peoples. Thus, you and any changeling that may have come with you are now under the protection of the Equestrian throne."
"Wait... what? Accepting you I expected, but this..." Chrysalis communed over the hive.
"I- I don't know what to say. How am I meant to be an ambassador between us? What if I mess up? What if-"
"Twilight..."
"Oh, sorry," Twilight blushed, burying the panic as deep as she could.
"Of course I would help you and make sure your position and protection is known to Equestria. As for any potential negotiations, I am confident in your abilities Twilight, I have taught you about politics to the best of my ability having known you yourself would have to deal with it someday, if not quite like this..."
"What... do you mean by that?"
Celestia sighed, "That is a conversation for later. If you still feel uncomfortable doing this alone, I'm sure Queen Chrysalis has diplomats to help out, surely?"
"What do you think mother?"
"This is sudden but... what do we have to lose by this point? I have some Changelings that I usually send to deal with other hives when my presence isn't required, so I will send them to you. Trot carefully my daughter, some ponies may oppose this."
"Twilight?"
Twilight snapped out of the hive communication to see Celestia wondering why she had paused in such a way.
"Sorry, mother said she agrees."
Celestia's eyebrow attempted to say 'hi' to her horn. "Wait, how..."
"Egregore, or hive mind if you prefer." Research mode Twilight was almost showing through.
"Interesting, there is quite a bit we have to learn about changelings."
"Changelings have an Egregore, some empathic senses... and if you're interested I have made detailed notes on changeling biology, physiology, some of their history among other things! By the way can I use the royal library later? There is something I need to look up."
Celestia chuckled. "Your inquisitive mind is always welcome in the royal library Twilight, as you well know. By the way, your friends are still in the castle."
"They're here!?"
Celestia nodded. "I will gather them in the dining hall, they will be eager to meet you."
Celestia moved away from the changeling princess and opened the door, to find Longshot and all of the changeling guards with the exception of Carduus listening in at the door. Shining, Vlad and Carduus simply facehooved, they had tried to warn them that they would be caught.
Of the five eavesdroppers, Longshot was one that Celestia recognised, but the other four she did not.
"Friends of yours, Twilight?"
"They're, well... my guards."
"My my, you have guards now?" Celestia teased.
"Twilight, why aren't you disguised?" Carduus asked.
"Well, if you were listening in..." Longshot started with a smirk.
Spike sat at the dining room table, surrounded by a rather large group of ponies. The five element bearers were there, as was Princesses Cadance and Luna.
"Why are we here exactly?" Spike asked, munching on a small plate of gems.
"My sister has something she wants to talk to you all about." Luna said knowingly, having already been informed.
"Yeah but what is that!" Rainbow Dash blurted out, "I don't like being kept in the dark like this." She hovered above the group, forelegs crossed and a scowl on her face.
"I'm sure Princess Celestia has a very good reason," Fluttershy muttered lightly.
Rainbow looked at the timid yellow Pegasus. "And what might... where's Pinkie gone?"
The group looked around to see that the excitable pink pony had indeed vanished, and yet the door hadn't been opened, and all the windows couldn't be opened, neither were they smashed.
"The pink one is going to give me a migraine," Luna sighed.
"That's Pinkie Pie for ya. Best you jus' accept it and let that be that," Applejack suggested.
Luna's eye twitched. "Thou may be correct, tis perhaps for the best."
"Dialect," Celestia's voice sounded as she entered the room.
"Tia I will end you!" Luna shouted out in annoyance, turning to glare at her amused sister. "Well since you are here perhaps we can get started."
"Started with what you highness?" Rarity asked. "Your summons were awfully sudden."
"Captain Shining Armor, Captain Vladimir Vespertilio and Sergeant Longshot have returned."
"Shiny's back?" Cadance brightened up. "Is he alright?"
"He is fine, Cadance," Celestia answered. "He and the others are just writing up their report."
"And Twilight?"
Celestia smiled. "See for yourself."
Celestia stood to the side to show the chitin clad form of Twilight approach sheepishly, five other now undisguised changelings standing back to give their princess some space.
"Welcome back Twilight!" a hyperactive voice exclaimed alongside masses of confetti being fired out of a cannon, the pink mare having emerged from a now broken wall. Somehow in that split second a giant banner reading 'Welcome back from the hive Twilight' had been set up and all of Twilight's guards had been given party hats.
"Laughter! Did you have to break the wall?" Luna seethed as she tried to comprehend what just happened.
Pinkie shrugged. "Hey at least I didn't break the fourth wall this time! Oh wait..."
Twilight was knocked out of her own attempts at comprehension when she was promptly glomped by a small purple dragon, and then buried under a pile of blue, yellow, orange, white and pink as her friends all tackled her into a relieved hug, none of them seeming to care about the whole changeling thing. Captain Carduus almost had a conniption.
"Hey girls, hey Spike!" Twilight hugged them back.
Reluctantly the seven untangled themselves from the cuddle pile.
"I must say darling, you really make chitin work. Now I simply must make a dress to compliment it! Your old dresses won't really fit the new look, or your wings, but I'm sure I can make one that is simply looks fabulous on you! Free of charge of course."
Rainbow snorted. "Of course that's the first thing on your mind, Rares."
"So... none of you care that I'm a changeling?" Twilight asked in slight surprise.
"Sugarcube, we wouldn't care if you were a mish-mashed draconequus, you are our friend, end of." Twilight could feel the emotions coming from her friends, and it was almost too much for her. Luckily, Rainbow was ready to bring her back in a way only Rainbow could...
"The real question is, do you know how to use those wings?"
"Well, I am learning, but I can't really fly yet so..."
"WHAT! No friend of mine is being stuck on the ground if I can help it. Egghead don't you worry, once I'm done you may 'almost' be as good as me."
"Dash that's not really necessary..."
"Oh no... I insist!" Rainbow said while pressing her face against Twilight's, making the latter very uncomfortable.
"Simmer down Rainbow," Applejack bit down on Rainbow's tail and dragged her back. "Ah think you can let things calm down first at least."
The multi-colored mare simply huffed in response, but did as she was told.
Now Cadance approached, seeming very unsure of herself as she looked at Twilight's true form. Images of her time captive in the caves flashed in her mind.
Twilight saw Cadance react in this way, and her good mood was replaced with a despondent one, her face following suit.
Now that Cadance couldn't abide.
"Twilight..." Cadance signaled, her nervousness gone. Twilight understood what Cadance was signalling immediately, much to her joy.
"Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!" both mares sang while doing the dance to go with it, at the end both broke down into a fit of giggles.
Celestia smiled as she let the group continue to catch up, Luna moved in beside her.
"I told you so," Luna said in satisfaction.
"I know Lulu, I worried too much. However, I get the feeling our work is just beginning."
"Indeed, any trouble on your way here?"
"A few odd looks in the corridor, but my presence kept anything more from potentially happening, I will make another announcement by days end."
The two alicorns looked to the group again, seeing Rarity now fussing over the five hapless changeling guards, deciding how best to make them smart suits for 'special occasions'. After she had been dragged away by a reluctant looking Spike, Twilight had managed to introduce Carduus and his squad to her friends.
"They are a curious group, aren't they? Things were much simpler a thousand years ago." Luna observed.
"It keeps things interesting."
"Yes, I heard you used that to your advantage at the gala," Luna gave her sister a frown.
"If you would attend, perhaps I wouldn't need to go to such extremes."
Luna dropped her glare and stuck out her tongue instead. "Not a chance."
In the background, Cadance broke off from the group and left the dining hall entirely, as the others began to talk, undoubtedly looking for that husband-to-be of hers.
Shining Armor had finished writing his part of the report, Vlad and Longshot had since departed to get some rest and relaxation as reward for a job well done. They needed it after their time in the Badlands. Shining however had gone to his fiance's current residence in the castle, she of course wasn't there. So now he stood on the balcony staring off into the distance.
"Shiny?"
Shining Armor turned around to see a familiar pink alicorn standing there.
"Cadance!" He exclaimed as he ran up to and kissed the alicorn, who kissed passionately back.
"Don't scare me like that ever again mister!"
Shining chuckled. "You're way too scary to risk disappointing."
"Me? Scary?"
"The others don't know you like I do," he laughed, but a moment later his face fell again.
"Shiny? What's wrong?"
"Cadance... I said some things I didn't mean, and lashed out and... I messed up, bad."
"What do you mean? Said things to whom?" She was instantly in her mothering mode.
"Twily, and I'm scared. Scared I may have driven my sister away for good."
Cadance simply sighed. "Tell me everything."
The barracks, Canterlot Castle
Longshot opened his provided locker and began to unload his armor and precious crossbow into it for storage.
"Sergeant Longshot?"
Longshot turned around to see a Pegasus with white fur and a blonde mane, his armor signified him as a commander of the Solar Guard.
"Can I help you sir?" he asked as he slammed the locker door shut.
"I'm Commander Broad Sword, second to Captain Shining Armor, you were a part of the mission to the Badlands, correct?"
Longshot nodded, but couldn't help but feel something was off about this stallion.
"All mission parameters achieved I presume?"
Longshot didn't respond, instead he stared at the commander suspiciously.
"I'll take your silence as a yes."
"I'm pretty sure the details are classified, sorry sir."
"Oh don't worry, I don't need to know the details, all that matters is Twilight Sparkle is in Canterlot safe and sound," Broad Sword smirked
They stood there for a few more moments. "As you were," Broad Sword finally concluded.
With that Broad Sword departed.
A great many red flags sounded in Longshots head, and yet he had nothing more to go on than pure gut instinct, no way to prove the Commander was up to anything. It was gut instinct, nothing more, nothing less.
But that gut instinct was rarely wrong. |
Change | 20 - A Long Awaited Talk | Later that day...
"So what do you say egghead, want to take those wings for a spin?" Rainbow asked as if there was no other answer but yes.
Thus she would be sorely disappointed.
"Not yet Rainbow Dash, I have other things to take care of first."
Twilight and her friends still sat in Canterlot Castle's extravagant dining room. Celestia and Luna had left to attend to royal duties not long after Cadance had gone. Celestia's announcement to Canterlot had undoubtedly already taken place, only time would tell how that went.
Rainbow launched herself into the air, throwing her forelegs wide. "Oh come on! What in all of Equestria could possibly be more important than learning to fly, and being taught to fly by the best flyer in all Equestria!"
"And the most modest," Applejack sarcastically deadpanned, to Rainbow's irritation.
"Well, what?" Rainbow said striking through the air, closing the distance between her and Twilight immediately.
"Seeing my parents," Twilight responded, her voice unsure.
Rainbow backed off immediately. "Oh, right. That's pretty important after... ya know... everything."
"Yes Rainbow... it is. Don't mind her sugarcube, ah'm still trying to teach her a thing called tact," said Applejack.
Rainbow snorted. "Tact? What do you know about tact?"
"A darn sight more than you ah'd wager."
"Yeah right, prove it!"
"Um, girls. Maybe we should get back on topic... you know... if you want to..." Fluttershy suggested meekly.
Rarity spoke next. "The darling is right, this is our friend's well-being we need to consider!"
"Girls," Twilight started. "I appreciate the sentiment, but you really don't need to fuss over me. It's not like I'm dying or anything."
"Twilight's dying?!" Pinkie shouted out, quickly retracting her head from a box of party supplies where she was storing the banner and party hats for possible future use. Obviously she hadn't heard most of the conversation.
A panicky Pinkie pushed her fluffy pink face into Twilight's black chitin covered one, "Oh my gosh Twilight you can't die yet! What about all those parties I had planned for you over the next several thousand years! I know I won't live that long but I'm sure my kids or something could continue my good work. Besides a funeral after-party is one party I really don't want to plan! I mean, does a funeral after-party really count as a party? It's more like a gathering of sad ponies and I don't like sad ponies because it makes me really really sad that everypony else is sad and my mane goes droopy and everything! I mean there was this one time when I thought Gummy had died because he was just sitting there lifelessly, but then I realised he was alive and he always sits there like that! Who knew? I just petted him on the head and said, 'Hey Gummy, want to make cupcakes?' and then we made cupcakes! Girls I'm hungry now after all that cupcake talk who wants cupcakes?" ...
"What were we talking about again?" Pinkie finished with a question.
Several more seconds of overly awkward silence then occurred.
"...What?" Twilight broke the silence.
Pinkie simply shrugged and stuck her head back into the box of party supplies.
"Anyway darling," Rarity continued as if nothing had happened, probably for the best. "It's our job as your friends to give you all the support you need in these trying times."
"And I appreciate that Rarity, I really do. It's just... I feel like there are some things I need to deal with myself. My parents being one of them."
"This family business sounds like it's gonna get pretty complicated," Rainbow remarked.
"Not really," Applejack said. "Ah got family all over the place, and ah never found it ta be tha' complicated."
Applejack turned away from Rainbow Dash and looked at Twilight. "Everything is gonna be fine Twi, and as the Element of Honest ya'll know ah'm not lyin'."
"Thanks Applejack," Twilight said before sighing, "I hope you're right, I really do."
Household of Night Light and Twilight Velvet, Canterlot
"Bills," Night Light said in a monotone voice as he went through the day's mail.
"Bills," he repeated.
Both he and Twilight Velvet sat in their household's living room. They sat on the larger sofa as Night Light went through all the letters piled on the small table in front of them. Velvet sat beside him, lounging while reading a romance novel.
"Bills, bills, more bills."
Velvet rolled her eyes, barely holding in a sigh.
"Oh for Celestia's sake!" Night Light broke the pattern."
"Honey?"
"Another letter from one of our neighbors saying how we must disown our own daughter because it's 'undignified' to have a creature 'like her' as a part of our 'noble' family!"
Velvet didn't even bother to hold the sigh this time as she placed a bookmark in her novel and placed it on the table.
"If I get one more letter like this from anypony else, 'fellow nobles' or not I'm going to find them and show them what I think of their freaking opinions of our daughter!" Night Light shouted, lighting his horn and burning the letter to cinders.
Velvet shimmied up to Night Light and gave him a very welcome, comforting hug. "Just ignore them, Nighty. Don't give those idiots the satisfaction of any response."
"I'm just worried dear, I just... want our daughter back."
"I know. Celestia made that announcement earlier, maybe if we went we would have heard some news?"
"If there was any news don't you think we would have been told first? That if she was back she would visit us right away?"
"This is Twilight we're talking about honey," Velvet chuckled.
Night Light couldn't help but chuckle himself. "Good point. Still though... wouldn't she-"
A knock on the door interrupted whatever Night Light was going to say.
"Who could that be?" Velvet asked to nopony in particular.
Night Light got up from the sofa and made his way to the household's entrance hall, approaching the front door. When he opened the door a couple of stoic Solar Guards could be seen standing alongside five armoured individuals with the unmistakable profiles of changeling drones.
None of this however fazed Night Light, his attention was grabbed by the form in front of him.
She was almost unrecognizable, chitin as black as night, an almost translucent looking blue mane with a green highlight and sharp fangs hanging from her muzzle. And yet she was recognized instantly. The obvious cutie mark, the timid posture... and the ever-so-familiar sparkling, lavender eyes looking up at him in absolute terror.
"D-daddy?"
"Twilight? It is you, isn't it?"
"Yes, it's me... look if this is a bad time-"
"Don't you even think about it young lady!" Night Light blurted while pulling Twilight into a warm hug, a tear rolling down his cheek.
"You're not mad? I guess after my friends and the princesses I really shouldn't be surprised."
Night Light released Twilight. "Twily, if you didn't overreact and needlessly panic about things you wouldn't be, well... you, now would you?"
Twilight giggled. "Very true."
Night Light gestured Twilight to enter, the others stayed outside to give the young princess some space.
"Who was it Nighty?" Velvet called through.
"Hi," Twilight called in as she walked towards the living room entrance.
"Twilight?" Her adoptive mother stuck her head into the hall way.
"Hey m-"
"And what time do you call this?"
"Huh?" Twilight tilted her head, confused already.
"I mean, really? Not even a single letter to say 'hey I'm OK by the way'? Do you have any idea how worried we've been? Tell her Nighty!"
Night Light simply shuffled into the living room and over to the sofa nervously.
"Honestly young lady, I have half a mind to ground you!"
"But, I'm an adult."
"And I'm your mother!" Velvet finally shouted, running up to Twilight and crushing her into yet another embrace. This was becoming a theme.
Her voice came out at a near whisper. "Please don't scare me like that again..."
"I promise," Twilight hugged back, how had she ever doubted them?
"Good," Velvet said as she finally calmed down, both her and Twilight taking seats around the table. "Now, I have a feeling we have some catching up to do?"
"Yeah... how much were you told?" Her face betrayed her fears.
"Enough. What's she like?"
"Who do you mean?"
"Your... real mother."
"You are my real mother, just as much as she is," Twilight assured.
Velvet smiled. "I know Twily, I didn't mean it like that. It's just, I always knew you had other parents out there somewhere, I just never imagined she would be a queen."
Velvet's eyes suddenly lit up. "Which means my daughter is a princess! Take that Snooty Blue! Your son is a Prince in name only while mine will one day rule a kingdom! 'Prince' Blueblood my ass! You have no idea how long that old mare has been bragging about that! It's been ever since you became Celestia's student, Faust that whole family has a terrible ego complex."
"Come on honey, Twilight doesn't need to hear about your rivalry with Snooty Blue."
Velvet huffed. "Fine, but I'm still going to shove it in her face and you can't stop me!"
"Of course dear."
Twilight chuckled lightly, it was good to see things haven't changed. Everypony was right, everything was going to be just fine.
"So..." Night Light started in a way that immediately told you that your dad was about to tease you ruthlessly.
"Any of those changelings out there with you? I mean you never managed to find a coltfriend with a pony, so maybe with another changeling?"
"Dad!" Twilight groaned pleadingly.
"OK, OK sorry... so how about a marefriend?"
"DAD!" |
Change | 21 - Arrival | Three days later
It had been three days since Princess Twilight Sparkle made a visit to her adoptive parents, Night Light and Twilight Velvet. With that visit all of Twilight's remaining fears and doubts about returning to Equestria were swept cleanly away.
All except for one thing.
Twilight had yet to encounter Shining Armor for any significant amount of time; she would occasionally spot him performing his duty as captain of the Solar Guard, but that was it. However on this occasion she would have little time to dwell on her and her brother's damaged relationship, for Canterlot was abuzz with both anticipation, and some lingering fears, as dignitaries from the Badlands hive were finally due to arrive.
Equestria's media had gone haywire after Celestia's initial announcement on Twilight's return. Headlines surrounding the event dominated above all else, even a celebrity breakup was pushed aside in favor of this bombshell. Headlines included:
'TWILIGHT SPARKLE: CHANGELING PRINCESS'
'INVADER OR NEGOTIATOR: THE PRINCESS TWILIGHT DEBATE'
'CHANGELING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS: YEA OR NAY?'
Of course there were also the fear mongers, mainly from the daily Canterlot newspaper 'CNN', Canterlot News Network.
'END IS NIGH, CHANGELINGS INFILTRATE AND MANIPULATE ROYALTY'
Twilight herself had barely left the castle since arriving, barring the one visit to her parents' house and a trip to Donut Joe's a day later, who was all too happy to host Twilight and her... interesting entourage.
Twilight now stood in front of the main gates of Canterlot castle, with Princess Celestia standing just to the left of her. To Twilight's right, her five guards stood lined up in a uniform formation, which was mirrored by Celestia's five Solar Guards on her left hoof side. The road leading from the castle was lined with barriers and guard's keeping at bay the mass of intrigued onlookers and nosy media journalists all wanting that career defining interview.
Just across from them a carriage was just pulling up, said carriage being surrounded by an escort of guards. Out of the carriage into the gleaming sunlight of the beautiful Canterlot morning stepped three rather standard looking changelings, but according to Chrysalis they were the three most accomplished diplomats within the hive, having spent a great amount of time at other hives negotiating all sorts of deals when the queen herself was otherwise engaged.
As the three approached, their escort kept a respectful distance, and the three changelings did an excellent job of blocking out the sudden hammering of questions from the reporters and the flashing of cameras. They could honestly say in all their years working as ambassadors to other hives they had never arrived to such a wide amount of interest and fanfare. Ponies were indeed curious creatures.
As the three approached Celestia and Twilight were ready to greet them, Twilight doing her best not to look overly nervous, and Celestia with her usual motherly and welcoming smile perfected by over a thousand years of ruling Equestria.
"Princess Celestia." The lead changeling bowed. "An honour to make your acquaintance," he spoke with practiced professionalism.
"The honour is mine, may this be the beginning of a long lasting peace between our two peoples."
"As is also our wish Princess Celestia." The diplomat turned to his princess next, bowing again. "Your highness, permission to begin diplomatic negotiations with the nation of Equestria, at your leisure."
Twilight was surprised at the question, but she quickly recovered and cleared her throat. "Of course. You may begin."
"All that fanfare just makes me glad I'm not in attendance," Chrysalis remarked.
"Speaking of, why aren't you here? Shouldn't the Queen be here for this, not just the Princess?"
"Having saved Equestria twice already ponies are more likely to trust you, myself on the other hoof..."
"Yeah, I hear you. I promise I won't let you down!"
"I know you won't. You will do just fine, my daughter."
Focusing back on the here and now Twilight saw the diplomat and Celestia finish up a few more words to each other, before the latter motioned the others to follow her into the looming castle itself.
"How are you doing, Twilight?" Celestia asked as they walked through the castle's gates, their respective guards and the newly arrived diplomats following closely behind the two royals.
"Huh? Oh! Uh, good. If you would have asked me a week and a half ago, and said this is what I would be doing, I would have thought you were crazier than Pinkie Pie."
"Life does throw us strange hurdles," Celestia remarked almost sadly.
Twilight looked up at her mentor, concern coloring her words. "Are... you okay Princess?"
Celestia smiled at Twilight. "I'm fine, my student. I'm just... reminiscing."
The massive front doors of the castle closed behind them with a loud thump. Many of the guards moved on to their normal posts, only leaving the location's usual detail and the royals personal guards remaining. Raven had shown up to show the recently arrived changelings to their rooms and show them the areas of the castle they were authorized to wander.
"So... what now? Are we still on for tonight?" Twilight asked Celestia.
She nodded. "Of course."
"OK then, until then I've been wanting to-" Twilight started to walk away, but was quickly stopped.
"Twilight," Celestia spoke up again. "The meeting isn't until this afternoon, and I believe you have someplace to be right now, correct?"
Twilight took on a look of confusion. "What... are you talking about?"
"I believe you made a promise to Rainbow Dash, something about flying lessons if I recall," Celestia pointed out, a smirk making its way across her muzzle.
"Oh my gosh! I completely forgot! Oh she's going to be mad, sorry Princess I've got to run!" Twilight said as she dashed off down a hallway away from a highly amused Celestia.
"She's in the gardens Twilight, in the other direction," she called after her protege.
Twilight locked all four legs and started sliding across the marble, until she opened her wings like an air-brake. "Oh... right," she said sheepishly, turning around and bolting in the opposite direction as her guards tried to keep up.
Before the end of the negotiations Carduus was definitely going to have a conniption.
Princess Mi Amore Cadenza strolled through the halls of Canterlot Castle towards the guard barracks, where she knew her fiance would be. The wedding, they had decided, would now take place after the diplomatic meetings were over.
Suffice to say Chrysalis was not invited.
Sure enough, she soon reached the barracks and she quickly found Shining in his own office. He was reviewing a bunch of reports from his underlings, as well as some request or another from his Lunar counterpart Vladimir as well as a complaint from a castle staff member about a 'loudmouth EUP sergeant' Cadance could only imagine was Longshot.
What she didn't expect however was to arrive to find Captain Carduus already there, and beginning some sort of dialogue with the solar Captain, Cadance stood by the door to listen in.
"-besides, shouldn't you be protecting my sister?" Shining glared.
"My squad can handle that, besides she's why I'm here."
"Really?" Shining Armor deadpanned.
"Really," Carduus replied. "You know how terrified she was of rejection."
Shining sighed. "I can hazard a guess."
"Can you now?"
"Look, Carduus was it? I know I messed up, and I don't need you telling me that. Besides, my family is my business," Shining said, trying to close the conversation.
"And the emotional well-being of my friend is mine," Carduus growled.
With Shining's attention recaptured, Carduus continued. "Do you know what I said to her about her fears? I said, 'I know the importance of family first hoof, and I think this shouldn't change a damn thing between you and your pony family', and I meant it. It shouldn't change a damn thing, she's still your, what did Twilight say you call her? SBFF?
"LSBFF," Shining corrected. "Little sister best friend forever."
After a few moments of contemplation Shining said next. "Tell me Carduus, how do I dig my way out of this one? After what I said..."
"Just talk to her, is it really that difficult?"
"Do you have a little sister?"
"No, but I have a wife. Like any couple we've fought, said things we came to regret. But we talked, and sorted things out, it's not really that different."
Shining sighed. "Cadance made the same suggestion."
"That's because it's a good one," Cadance finally made her presence known. "You should listen to us Shiny, just talk to her. It's not too late."
Shining stared down at his desk a few moments, before gaining a look of steely determination. "I'll do it."
Both Cadance and Carduus breathed a sigh of relief, it was time to put this drama to rest.
"I'm stuck today with my duties, and she with hers if I recall," Shining continued. "But I can pull a few strings with Princess Celestia and get leave for tomorrow; I'll catch her after the day's meeting."
"Sounds like a plan," Cadance agreed.
"Now if we're done here, I best return to my squad," Carduus said as he turned to leave.
"Hold on Carduus," Shining called. "Me, Vlad and Longshot are getting drinks later, care to join us?"
Carduus smiled. "It'd be my pleasure." |
Change | 22 - Serpens | A rose coloured mare walked blissfully through the Canterlot castle gardens. In all her years working as a maid, her one favorite thing to do in all Equestria was to take a nice, completely peaceful walk through the beautiful gardens.
The mare stopped at her usual spot, a bench just by a bush filled with the most wonderful flowers she had ever seen. She had no idea of the plant's name, but the aura they gave off was sublime to the mare's senses. She just sat there, basking in Celestia's warm, welcoming sun that was like a loving mother giving a hug to her infant child.
The mare's bliss was interrupted however when a shadow fell upon her. Looking up to locate the source of the shadow the mare was met with a black form speeding towards her, its chitin black as night, its fangs glistening fiercely, its slit pupils staring into her soul...
It was also screaming in terror.
The bush of flowers exploded into various debris as the changeling slammed full force into the unfortunate flora.
"Twilight!" a raspy voice called out, the mare just spotted a blue Pegasus flying towards the changeling as she vacated the area in a hurry.
Twilight spat out a crushed petal. "Ugh, I'm fine."
Rainbow Dash breathed a sigh of relief as five drones finally caught up with the pair. "You really gotta start flapping those wings in sync, or do you just really hate flowers?"
Twilight looked at her friend in bemusement. "Very funny Dash, how about we just call it a day."
"Nope! We are not quitting until I get you flying!"
"But we've been at it for hours already! I've got things to do, books to read and-"
"Nope" Rainbow repeated. "Come on Twilight, flap those wings and try again!"
Carduus facehooved, at this rate the five guards would drop dead long before those two troublesome mares. "If Princess Twilight wants to call it a day, then we call it a day."
"She is not getting out of this that easily! No friend of mine is being stuck on the ground if I can help it! And I can help it!"
"Dash, really I'm perfectly contented with walking."
Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight as if she had grown another head. "Wow, you must have hit your head harder than I thought."
Twilight sighed. "Rainbow..."
Suddenly Rainbow had an idea, an awful idea. Rainbow Dash got a wonderful awful idea.
"Say Twilight... let's make a deal..."
Twilight looked up at the evilly smirking Rainbow Dash. "A deal?"
"Yeah, you learn how to fly... and I don't burn your books!"
Twilight gasped deeply. "You wouldn't!"
"We all need motivation, now there's those Starswirl books you fangirl over, famed griffon poetry, and also-"
Suddenly, following a green flash, Rainbow Dash's vision was filled with two bright white eyes coming from a mare with a mane and wings of pure fire whose chitin had turned white with a pure righteous fury emanating from her.
"Rainbow Dash! Your persistent, strict coaching I can handle. But nopony, and I mean nopony! Threatens. My. Books!"
If Twilight was looking for any reaction from Rainbow, a victorious smirk was not it.
"Oh," the Princess muttered, reverting back to normal as she realised something.
She was flying.
Twilight hovered perfectly in front of Rainbow Dash, her guards all peeked out of the cover they had dove behind when her outburst started.
Twilight glared at her friend. "That was a dirty trick, Rainbow Dash."
"Hey, like I said. Everypony needs motivation."
Both Twilight and Rainbow gently touched back down onto the ground.
"Damn, your highness," one of her guards spoke. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
A blush made its way to Twilight's face, only then realizing they had all seen her lose her temper.
"Definitely her mother's daughter," Carduus teased.
"Well at least we know how the egghead does the whole 'on fire when angry' thing. Hey Twilight, how much can you do with the whole 'turning into stuff' changeling thing?"
Twilight pondered for a moment. "I don't actually know. It's definitely something for me to research."
"Twilight?" a new voice called.
The group turned to see Raven approaching them.
"Oh, hey Raven. What's going on?"
"Princess Celestia sent me to collect you, the proceedings are due to start soon."
"Thank you Raven, I'll be right there."
Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash. "Sorry we have to cut this short Dash."
Rainbow snorted. "No you're not, but I did what I came to do. And now that you're flying, we'll work on your acrobatic skills next!"
Twilight began to feel faint. "Acro-ac-acrobatics?"
A changeling stood in the shadows, a rose coloured mare stood next to him, her eyes glowing a soft green. The changeling watched as Princess Twilight concluded her business with the blue Pegasus, Rainbow Dash, the bearer of loyalty if he was correct.
Rainbow Dash took off into the skies as the Princess, along with her five guards, turned to follow the Sun Princess' assistant.
The changeling turned to the slightly swaying mare, his horn glowing the same green that inhabited her eyes. "Follow them, and make sure none catch word of what's to come."
The changeling's horn sputtered out, and the mare's eyes returned to normal. She shook her head from side to side as she shook of any remaining dizziness.
"Oh my, how strange."
The mare took note of the individual next to her, a Pegasus.
"Oh! Commander Broad Sword- I didn't hear you coming. But I guess that's a good thing for a guard. Do you need any help with something dearie?"
"Oh no thank you," the Commander smiled. "Have a good day now."
The Commander nodded his head respectfully, before departing. The mare soon followed to do her tasks for the day; some tasks she was aware of, others she would do without ever realizing.
And nopony would notice the green tinge in the very corner of her eye.
That night
The day's proceeding had gone off without a hitch, dignitaries from both sides had been introduced and diplomatic relations officially started. Now with the last rays of sunshine fading and the moon rising, almost everypony was turning in for the night, getting a good night's rest before the undoubtedly more strenuous meetings to come in the following days.
Twilight slumped into her chair as she sat down in Celestia's private tearoom. The Solar Princess herself sat just opposite in her usual regal manner.
"You did fine my student, do not worry yourself so."
"Fine? I barely said a word! I just let the others do all the talking, I mean, I didn't even know where to start! I have no experience as a diplomat, a princess or anything. Mother should be doing this, not me..."
Celestia shook her head. "Have some faith in yourself, Twilight. You say you have no experience; then this is an excellent opportunity to gain some. Above all, while ponies may be wary of you, after all you've done they trust you. The same cannot be said for Queen Chrysalis. Besides, there wasn't much to be said today; it was an introduction more than anything, laying the ground rules. And if I know you my faithful student, and I do, you've already made a checklist of things to discuss tomorrow," Celestia noted as she smiled knowingly.
Twilight smiled sheepishly, her lavender aura sure enough bringing a clipboard out of her saddlebags that lay on the floor next to her. "Well now that you mention it..."
The door opened and a few servants filed in delivering tea and, of course, cake to the royal pair. Before they left the servant with the rose coloured coat glanced at Twilight, not that she noticed as she was too busy explaining her extensive checklist.
"-and after all that we can finally move on to trade relations!" Twilight finished enthusiastically.
"You've given this a lot of thought Twilight, but I doubt we can accomplish all of those things in a single session."
"Oh I know, but it's good to be prepared."
Celestia nodded, before taking a sip of her tea, and a bite out of her chocolate cake. Twilight couldn't help but grin as she remembered an article about a certain princess from a certain Gabby Gums.
Celestia grinned mischievously. "So how are you holding up, Princess?"
"It's... just Twilight," Twilight said, uncomfortable at Princess Celestia calling her that.
"As you say, Princess."
Twilight pouted as Celestia continued to grin mischievously.
"That's payback for me always calling you Princess, isn't it?"
"Perhaps."
"So..." Twilight said as she changed the subject. "How did you meet Longshot? I spoke to him yesterday and he mentioned he had met you before."
"Ah," Celestia briefly reminisced. "It was... interesting."
"Interesting?"
"About a year ago, one of our outer EUP outposts was attacked by a rogue griffon raiding party, an attack I was told was thwarted by a lone sharpshooter."
"Longshot," Twilight realised.
Celestia nodded in confirmation. "I visited the outpost shortly thereafter, to commend him for his bravery and congratulate him on his subsequent promotion to sergeant."
"OK then, so... how is any of that as you say... 'interesting'."
Celestia chuckled lightly as she thought back to the meeting. "When I finally met him, he attempted to flirt with me, right in front of everypony else."
"He did what?" Twilight's tea flew across the room, before Celestia caught it in her magic, and dropped it in a plant pot.
That done, she returned to her story. "I was flattered to be sure, but I had to politely turn him down. Still... it's been centuries since anypony had the courage to try."
"But... he... why would he try and flirt with you!?"
"Twilight!" Celestia said with fake hurt. "Are you saying I'm not good enough to flirt with?"
Twilight's eyes widened. "What! No, I didn't mean-"
Twilight became less panicked and more irritated as Celestia began to laugh.
"Very funny," Twilight tried to deadpan, however she couldn't hold on to her irritation and too started to laugh.
After a minute or so things finally calmed and the laughing slowly ceased, when it finally stopped Celestia spoke next. "Oh Twilight. I'm going to miss you."
The grin Twilight had been wearing quickly left her as she looked up at her mentor in confusion. "Miss me?"
Celestia sighed sadly. "You are a princess now, and I would assume you will eventually return to the hive, with your mother."
Twilight's ears fell. "Oh..."
"Twilight..." Celestia moved from her seat and sat down next to the smaller princess. "Know that you will always have a place here, and that as your teacher and as-" Celestia paused for a moment, her normal regal mask breaking momentarily, a few tears breaking through the millennia old dam as she thought back to the small filly running around the castle halls, who she would sing lullabies to whenever she had a bad dream, watching her grow into a wonderful young mare with the pride only a mother could hold.
"Twilight, you couldn't have made me prouder," Celestia half-whispered.
Twilight, with fresh tears of her own, buried her head into Celestia's alabaster fur as a wing was draped comfortingly around her.
Luna's moon hung high in the sky, and the same rose colored mare from earlier stood next to a store cupboard at the very back of the castle. She had no idea why she was there, she just felt compelled to be there.
"Ah, right on time," the voice of Broad Sword caught her attention.
The mare jumped. "Oh! It's you again Commander! I didn't see you there."
"Good."
With a green flash the image of Broad Sword was burnt away, and the creature advanced with its horn aglow. The mare tried to scream, but the green glow in her eyes came back as her mind was overtaken by changeling magic.
In a zombified voice the mare spoke. "I spied upon Twilight Sparkle and her friends as instructed, they suspect nothing, and your plans may go ahead."
"Good, then I have no more need of you."
"Hey, you there!" a new voice called out.
Spinning around the changeling saw a thestral Lunar Guard draw his sword. "Step away from the mare, and release her from your foul manipulation at once!"
The changeling snarled at this unwelcome interruption. However, despite being without his usual weapon at that moment, he was still far from defenseless.
"Attack," the changeling ordered.
With a violent screech the controlled mare shot forward and launched herself at the startled thestral, who dropped his sword and began to try and pry the mare off of him, unwilling to harm an innocent maid.
Just what the changeling wanted.
As the Thestral struggled with the ravenous mare suddenly he felt two hooves grab his head from behind, he barely let out a shout as the changeling snapped his neck.
The guard slumped over, his head bent at an unnatural angle.
Briefly admiring his work, the changeling turned to the mare. "Now, as I was saying, I don't need you anymore. Go find a nice tower, and would you kindly jump out of it."
The zombified mare turned to leave, loyally walking to her own doom.
"Infiltrator, the Moon Princess will almost certainly notice one of her guards is missing."
"My Queen, I will dispose of the body and I promise you my mission will be long completed before suspicion could ever point in any direction, let alone mine."
"Be sure of it, do not fail me, Serpens. You know what that would mean."
"Yes, we wouldn't want to disappoint Crudelis now, would we?" Despite the sarcasm, which was out of spite more than anything, his statement was still true. His hive's future depended on him, and he wouldn't let them down. |
Change | 23 - Lightning Strikes | The body was disposed of, that rose mare was but a stain at the bottom of one of Canterlot's gleaming spires.
And now his plans were coming to a head.
All in all, Serpens, or Broad Sword as most knew him as of late, was extremely pleased. In fact his co-conspirators had never witnessed him in such a good mood.
All eleven conspirators stationed in Canterlot, including Broad Sword, were gathered together in a circle at their designated meeting spot, an abandoned warehouse in the lowest recesses of Canterlot. They were completely alone aside from the occasional scampering rodent living out their meager existence.
"Gentlecolts," Broad Sword began. "We are all here under a common cause, following the same ideal. To protect Equestria from the insects that would so quickly see our great nation of harmony reduced to livestock, food."
"Not while we still live!" one of them shouted.
Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the group, all voicing their disdain for changelings as a race.
'Idiots,' the disguised changeling thought to himself with great amusement. 'If only they knew... Though I have to wonder, which of us here is the true monster? The infiltrator, or these ponies before me. It will be up to history to decide in the end, as with all things.'
Broad Sword stamped his hoof into the ground to bring the group back into order.
It worked, and all of the ponies present stopped their chatter and looked at what appeared to be their superior officer with respect and admiration. Many of them had served under the real Broad Sword for years; the Commander had served in his position far longer than Shining Armor had been in the guard at all, and it was only his raw ability that saw him rise through the ranks above Broad Sword so quickly. But of course the true Broad Sword never complained, he only ever did his duty.
'Ever the noble heart the Commander is...' the changeling mused as he thought of the imprisoned Pegasus. 'Though a bit cold and gruff on the outside, always keeping to himself, too bad that little quirk made him so easy to impersonate.'
"Fear no longer my brothers and sisters in arms, for tomorrow we will strike a devastating blow to the enemy, to show them that we are not prey to be hunted." Broad Sword nodded at a unicorn stallion, who lit his horn with a bright white glow bringing forth a holographic projection of none other than Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Once the projection was complete Broad Sword continued, "This is the current face of the enemy. 'Princess' Twilight Sparkle. This... thing has been infiltrating Equestria for many years now. Moseying her way into Captain Armor's family and no doubt inflicting all sorts of mental manipulation like we saw at the wedding, which is why the Captain can't be trusted, not until he is truly freed from all outside control. But of course the monster didn't stop there, oh no she wriggled her way into the highest echelons of our society, Princess Celestia herself! Becoming her student, being in such close proximity to her... do you really believe our beloved princess would have allowed that travesty of a wedding to ever happen if her mind was her own? No, I say. It's a horrifying truth to be sure, but our princess is also compromised. Now she has even taken possession of the Element of Magic, defiling it with her hole-ridden hooves! The rest of the elements too haven fallen into her trap."
The conspirators, of course not knowing how the Elements of Harmony actually worked, drank up his speech with the glee of school children. As Broad Sword spoke, their enthusiasm for their misguided 'cause' continued to rise further and further still.
"So you see fillies and gentlecolts, all of our leaders, all of our heroes have fallen victim to the greatest threat in our history since Discord himself! As such it falls to us to protect the nation we have sworn our lives to, now... are you all with me?"
Cheers spread throughout the crowd, stamping of hooves going along in collaboration. Broad Sword allowed himself a smirk as all fell into place, just as he had planned it.
"You certainly inspire your troops, Serpens," his Queen spoke to him.
"I do my best, as I said, you have nothing to worry about. You will have Twilight Sparkle's head, which should please Crudelis hmm?"
"Indeed."
"What's the plan sir?" one of the guards asked.
With another nod to the unicorn stallion the projection of Twilight changed to that of a segment of the castle.
"This hallway is open to a courtyard, as you can all see. As a commander of the Solar Guard I have all in depth knowledge of tomorrow's proceedings, or rather the security surrounding it. Five of you shall be stationed along the hallways itself, going about your usual guard routine, the other five will hide in the courtyards bushes, waiting to pounce. Princess Twilight Sparkle and her entourage will pass through this corridor going to the meeting hall, as they pass you ambush them, and kill all changelings present. I sadly will not take part in this assault, I will be standing at the Princess' side as Captain Armor seems to have taken leave for tomorrow. Once the Princess and her drones are dead, retreat from Canterlot and to our Everfree hideout, but do not be followed. We cannot reveal our base of operations. Any questions?"
"What of any fellow guards escorting Princess Twilight, they will try to stop us most certainly."
Broad Sword gave a fake sigh of regret. "Sadly we cannot allow them to interfere, lethal force is authorised."
All those gathered shared uneasy looks among each other, none liking the idea of fighting other guards.
"I know this won't be easy," Broad Sword continued. "But sacrifices must be made, we all swore to give our lives for Equestria, and they will be fulfilling that oath. They will be honoured for that sacrifice when victory is ours. May Faust forgive us for what we must do."
The ponies still seemed uneasy, but they were already set on course, and wouldn't be dissuaded now.
"I believe that is everything, you are all dismissed."
In a uniform manner all the ponies saluted, before briskly departing the rusting old building.
For Infiltrator Serpens victory was so close.
The time to strike was now.
The sound of an alarm clock began blaring out, the disruptive and incredibly annoying sound reaching Twilight Sparkle's ears. With a groan she reached out with her magic and silenced the infernal device, opening her eyes slowly.
Twilight was in the room she used before Celestia gave her the old observatory, the very same room where she had discovered the truth about herself. That very mirror still stood against the far wall, and Twilight couldn't help but glance at her reflection momentarily.
Twilight sighed as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes with a black hoof. "Spike?" she called out.
Snoring could be heard from a blanket filled basket next to the bed, the sound drawing Twilight's eyes to the lump.
"Rarity... is that for me?" Spike mumbled in his sleep, causing Twilight to roll her eyes.
"Rarity, I had always hoped you felt that wa-"
"SPIKE!" Twilight shouted while tearing away the blankets surrounding the wishful thinking/dreaming dragon.
"WHA!" Spike shouted as he flew into the air with his covers, only to fall out and onto the hard floor with a thud.
"Time to wake up Casanova, we've got a big day ahead!"
"Aww Twilight, I was having the most wonderful dream..."
"So I heard, come on and get ready."
Reluctantly the young drake did as he was told, neatly placing his blankets back into his basket as his senses slowly woke up one by one. Twilight rid herself of her bedhead and went about gathering up her notes and checklists for the day, humming all the while.
"Well you seem in a particularly fine mood," Spike noted.
"Yeah! What is there to not to be in a good mood about? Hold on, Spike have you seen the checklist on Pony-Changeling Cultural Integration and Distribution of Resources?"
"Um... want to run that by me again?"
Twilight just gave her assistant an impatient look.
"Right, big checklist let me see..."
Scanning the room he quickly saw the edge of a piece of paper sticking out from under the bed, which he promptly grabbed and examined.
"How about this, is this it?" Spike offered Twilight the scroll.
Twilight gently grabbed the scroll over with her magic and quickly examined it herself. "This is it! Thanks Spike."
"No problem Twilight, just doing my duty as your number one assistant!"
Twilight gave Spike a quick pat on the head. "Well consider it a duty well done!" she said cheerfully. "Now come on, I bet you're at least as hungry as I am."
A rumble from Spike's stomach confirmed this.
"Fair enough, some of the others may already be in the dining hall anyway, let's go Twilight."
Spike walked towards the bedroom door, shortly followed by Twilight. Opening the door they saw two of Twilight's guards standing either side.
"Princess." They both saluted as Twilight exited the room.
'I'm never going to get used to this...' Twilight thought to herself.
"Morning gentlecolts," Twilight greeted, pushing past her inner thoughts about the guard's formality. "And just call me Twilight please, there is no need to be so formal around me. Carduus doesn't act so formal."
"Apologies, we will keep that in mind," one of the guards responded.
"Heading off to breakfast?" the other asked.
Twilight nodded. "Where are the others?"
"The Captain will meet us at the dining hall with the others."
"OK then, come on lets go get some food."
Spike quickly jumped onto Twilight's back, sitting just between her two wings. The four of them quietly made their way through the castle heading straight for the dining room.
However, Twilight could tell something was wrong; as they passed through one hallway the young Changeling Princess spotted a few mares, maids by the looks of them, talking with a guard. Tears streamed down the fur on their faces.
"What's with them?" Spike asked.
One of the guards looked towards the crying mares, before simply shrugging. "I'm afraid I do not know. Nothing good however if I were to hazard a guess."
"Hold up," Twilight quickly signaled, having spotted something out a window.
Quickly rushing out onto a nearby balcony Twilight's gaze wandered to a nearby tower, or rather the base of it. Guards were surrounding the entire area, which had been bordered off. A coroners chariot sat nearby.
Looking quickly back into the hallway as her companions gawked at the sight, Twilight called to a passing Solar Guard. "Hey, what's happened down there?"
The guard approached Twilight and looked to where she was pointing, before shaking his head solemnly. "I'm afraid tragedy has struck, your highness. One of the maids, I don't know her name, jumped out of the tower."
Twilight's eyes widened in shock. "Suicide?"
"So it would appear, anyways I'm afraid I must get back to it. Have a pleasant day, your highness." The guard bowed his head respectfully before making his leave.
"W-why would anypony do that?" Spike asked disbelievingly.
"Perhaps your friends have more details?" one of the changeling guards suggested.
"Right," Twilight agreed. "Come on, let's get moving."
The rest of the journey was spent in silence, finally they reached the two doors leading back into the dining room, which opened with a massive creak.
Already inside sitting around the table was Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash who were all deep in discussion.
"-can you believe such a state of affairs?" Rarity asked in a shocked manner. "To simply jump off a tower to your own doom, why would you do that?"
"Girls?" Twilight called out.
"Ah, Twilight darling. How are you this morning?"
"I'm fine, but what's going on with this mare? Why did she do it?"
"Well that's the mystery, this mare had no reason to do what she did, she just jumped and that was it. Apparently it was quite a gory sight, I do not envy the poor souls who discovered the body."
"The mystery?" Rainbow Dash remarked. "You make it sound like a murder rather than a suicide."
"Indeed darling, that is what I'm implying."
Rainbow snorted. "From what we can tell the mare jumped herself, what makes you think this is a murder? This isn't one of your detective novels you know."
"Just call it a hunch, combine that with no apparent motive and well..."
"Ah agree with Rainbow, for once," Applejack voiced her opinion. "There's no proof of foul play, from what ah can see the mare made a stupid, and tragic decision."
"Then we must agree to disagree darling; I still bet my bits there is more to this than we realise," Rarity maintained.
"Well simmer down about that, 'specially around less pro-changeling folk, don't want to give them ammunition to fire."
"What do you mean?" Twilight, who had sat down while her friends debated, asked Applejack.
"What ah mean sugarcube, is that those who oppose you might try to pin this on a changeling, ya know with the whole mind control ability ya'll have."
"You don't really think they would do that, do you?" Twilight asked worriedly.
"I wouldn't put it past some of the so-called 'nobility' here in Canterlot. Ponies like Jet Set and Upper Crust come to mind," Rarity remarked.
"Or that meanie Blueblood!" Pinkie suggested.
"Yes darling, like Blueblood."
The two changeling guards stared at Pinkie Pie in utter confusion. "Are none of you concerned about that?"
"About what?" Spike asked.
"She appeared out of nowhere!"
Spike shrugged. "Its Pinkie Pie."
"So how are we all this morning?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"We're fine Pinkie," Twilight answered her friend.
"Good," she responded simply, before grabbing some food from the table.
But a moment later the double doors opened up again; this time Fluttershy walked in with Carduus, the other changelings, both guards and diplomats, following just behind the two. Fluttershy and Carduus were in conversation.
"Hey Flutters!" Rainbow Dash called out. "Since when were you two such good friends."
"Oh hello Rainbow, Carduus here was just telling me about little Iuvenes, she sounds like such a little sweetie."
"She is," Carduus confirmed. "If a little trouble maker at times, but nymphs will be nymphs, or as you would say foals will be foals."
"I know, in a way small children aren't much different from the small animals I look after; take Angel for instance."
"I doubt this Iuvenes is that evil," Rainbow remarked.
"Oh, Angel isn't bad, you all just misunderstand him. He is a real sweetheart at his core. You should just get to know him better... you know, if you want to."
"You are way too understanding Flutters."
"Now now darling, enough of that," Rarity spoke up. "Come on in Fluttershy dear, what do you want to eat?"
Fluttershy took a seat at the table, as did Carduus and the diplomats who sat near to Twilight, the guards placed themselves near the room's entrance.
As they all dug into their food, Carduus reached into a saddlebag and brought at several small containers filled with a soft green glowing substance within.
"Hey Twilight, try this." Carduus slid on of the containers towards the Princess.
"What is it?"
"Just try it!"
Cautiously Twilight examined the substance within, apprehensive about the stuff. Slowly she opened the lid and took a sip, her eyes widening immediately.
"This is delicious! What is it?"
"Hang on egghead, let me try!" Rainbow quickly snatched the container, and as Carduus tried to warn her not to do so Rainbow Dash took a large swig of the green substance.
The container fell from Rainbow's grasp as she began to splutter, luckily Twilight caught it before it spilled. Rainbow wretched as she fell onto the table, trying to rid the taste from her mouth as the drones all burst into hysterics.
"What was that!? Are you trying to poison me?" Rainbow raged as she continued to splutter.
Calming from his laughter, Carduus explained. "I tried to warn you! It's not for consumption by anything other than changelings, lest you want to be sick."
"What is that stuff?" Twilight asked again.
"That is the jelly-like substance usually placed into maturation pods, naturally full of nutrients for young nymphs, but it can also be infused with love fresh from the reservoir and turned into a sort of love-jelly smoothie! These fine fellows brought some over from the hive." Carduus gestured towards the three diplomats.
"Wait! You dip your kids in that disgusting stuff?!" Rainbow shouted.
"Not this jelly specifically, this jelly was made for love infusion and drinking."
"That's what ya get for snatching, Rainbow!" Applejack jabbed.
"Ah shut it you! Just... keep that stuff away from me." Rainbow quickly made her way back to her seat, trying to keep her dignity intact.
Rainbow was saved from any further jabs however when the doors opened again, Princess Luna entered the room flanked by two thestral guards, she did not look happy.
"Princess Luna!" Twilight shot up from her chair and cantered over to greet her. "Is everything alright?"
"Nay, Twilight Sparkle. Not only has one of our maids been tragically taken from this world, Vladimir has reported that a member of my guard has seemingly vanished without a trace."
"V-vanished?" Twilight couldn't believe her ears.
'What's going on today?'
"Indeed, an investigation is ongoing, and I was wondering if any of you might know anything?"
"Hold on," Carduus spoke up. "Are we suspects in this investigation of yours?"
Luna gazed towards Carduus, before shaking her head. "No, we trust Twilight Sparkle and her friends completely, I was just hoping you had heard or seen something out of the ordinary."
"I'm sorry Luna, but I don't believe any of us have seen anything, have any of you?" Twilight turned to the others, who all shook their heads.
Luna sighed. "I suspected as much, as I said there is absolutely no sign of him. However, there is another matter. My sister and I are in agreement that one of our maids dying, and one of our guards disappearing at the same time as these diplomatic meetings is more than a little suspicious."
"I knew it," Rarity muttered to herself victoriously.
Luna continued. "As such we both would like you to be on constant alert, Twilight Sparkle, and have a few Equestrian guards accompany you today." Luna gestured as three Solar Guards walked into the room, saluting both princesses.
"Is this really necessary?" Twilight asked.
"We are not willing to take chances on your safety Twilight, so yes, this is necessary."
Sighing, Twilight nodded in understanding.
"Good, then we shall see you when the proceedings begin, farewell Twilight Sparkle."
Luna quickly bid her farewells to the others and left the room, followed by her two guards, leaving the three Solar Guards behind.
"OK then Rarity, maybe you weren't so off the mark after all..." Rainbow admitted.
Twilight sat back down at the table, and the rest of breakfast went by without incident, and once nerves had calmed conversation erupted once more. Carduus told the rest of the Element Bearers of his family, and a few more jabs were shared about various subjects. Before long however breakfast was eaten, and royal duty called.
"Mind how you go darling," Rarity said to Twilight as they all left the dining hall, the Element Bearers would be heading off down to the city for the day while Twilight was dealing with diplomacy.
"Don't worry about me Rarity, I will see you girls tonight?"
"Of course!"
After saying their farewells one another the two groups departed, heading in opposite directions. Twilight walked in the middle of the group with the three changeling diplomats, Carduus walked at the head of the group with two of his guards either side, a Solar Guard flanked each side while the rest followed closely behind them. Twilight felt extremely uncomfortable being surrounded by so many guards walking in formation, she didn't believe there was any need for such extensive protection, she hadn't needed it the previous day so why would she need it that day?
The group made their way to the castle, passing a few patrolling guards, servants and the odd noble as they went. Eventually they walked towards a corridor that opened out into a sun-filled courtyard, five solar guards were spread out lining the wall standing stoically as usual.
Those five gave Carduus a bad feeling, a feeling he couldn't quite explain.
Soon enough the group began to move past them, everything seemed normal.
Until the group reached the middle of the line, where with a tremendous shout the five guards suddenly drew their weapons and began to surround the group, with five more bounding out of the bushes, also having their weapons drawn.
"Ambush!" Carduus called, drawing his sword.
The ten attackers surrounded the group, the eight guards protecting Twilight formed a circle around the startled diplomats and princess.
"Twilight stay back!" Carduus called out, just as the traitorous Solar Guards sprang forward with murderous intent.
The clash of steel rang down the hallways, Carduus' blade meeting the first attacker's head on.
Down the hall a servant saw the confrontation take place, and quickly ran to get help.
Twilight watched in shock as Carduus struggled with the first attacker, steel clashing against steel. Carduus narrowly dodged a swing of the guard's sword before parrying yet another blow, however another made its mark and left a fierce gash down one side of the captain's torso. Undeterred, a moment later Carduus administered a well-timed kicked to the face causing the guard to shout in pain as blood poured from his muzzle, before the shout was silenced as Carduus drove his blade into the guard's eye socket. Once the guard slumped Carduus swung his blade at the next guard within reach.
However something else caught Twilight's eye, turning around Twilight saw two of her own guards fighting three of the traitors, and losing. Before she could process what was happening, one of the traitors made one clean sweep with his sword, and took off the heads off both changeling guards, the very same two that Twilight had met outside of her room that very morning.
"NO!" Twilight screamed as she let a beam of lavender magic loose violently towards the killer, blasting him back into the wall, where he impacted with a horrifying crack before slumping over, completely still.
The other two traitors looked towards Twilight and made a run straight for her, only to be pounced upon by Carduus and one of the non-traitorous Solar Guards. Carduus was able to swiftly dispatch his target, but his ally sadly did not, instead the outmatched pony took his attackers blade straight to the abdomen. As his bloodthirsty killer turned to face Carduus, Twilight grabbed onto her weapon with her magic and quickly pulled it from her grasp, before smashing its hilt into her face.
The mare crumpled, and Carduus was quick to finish her.
Twilight saw another loyal Solar Guard fall to one of the assailant's blades, shortly followed by a changeling guard. Maintaining their superior numbers the assailants pressed their attack on the defending group. A changeling guard and the remaining Solar Guard not with the traitors teamed on one of the attackers, jamming both of their blades into his chest as he made a swing at one of the diplomats.
Carduus swung around as another attacker veered down onto him, a Pegasus. However his flight was cut short when Carduus charged his horn and fired a lethal bolt straight into his face, bringing the Pegasus' flight to a halt with his momentum carrying him down onto the hard stone floor of the castle.
The remaining four attackers grouped together for a joint attack, clearly intent on finishing the fight in one final push.
"ENOUGH!" Twilight bellowed, releasing a pulse that sent the attacking guards flying uncontrollably into the open courtyard.
The four landed in a heap, and as they slowly got up they saw Princess Twilight Sparkle approaching them, magical energies pouring off of her and her eyes glowing pure white, fury written on her face.
The sight and sheer power radiating from the changeling princess caused fear to course through the remaining guards, thinking quickly a unicorn in the group charged his horn and caused a blinding flash of white to consume all those present.
Twilight snarled as her vision was momentarily blocked out, but when it returned the four surviving traitors had already fled.
Silence.
Twilight slowly let go of the rage burning through her, turning around to see the three diplomats huddled together in fear, but alive.
The same couldn't be said for all of them however.
Carduus stared down in sorrow at his three fallen friends, and regretfully at the two fallen Solar Guards who had given their lives to protect Princess Twilight.
"Twilight!?" a familiar voice echoed though the castle, followed shortly by the princess of the sun herself, accompanied by six other armed ponies, Longshot included.
Princess Celestia stopped dead at the sight that awaited her, horror visible on her face. Though heartbroken for the ponies and changelings that lay dead, she scanned the corpses for the one she feared for the most.
"I'm here," a voice croaked from the courtyard.
The moment that voice reached her ears, she bolted into the courtyard itself and snatched Twilight into a strong, fearful embrace.
"Oh thank goodness you're alright! What happened here?"
"It would seem there are traitors in your ranks," Carduus answered, motioning to one of the mentioned traitors in the spot where he had fallen, "These guards attacked us, and didn't even spare their so called 'brothers in arms' that helped us against them."
"Celestia? Why would they do this?" Twilight asked with tears in her eyes, calling Celestia by her name for once. Normally that fact would cause glee in the Solar Princess, but on this occasion it brought only dread.
Reluctantly, Celestia slowly let go of Twilight. "I do not know Twilight, but I will find out."
Celestia turned away from Twilight to talk to Carduus, who was already conversing with Longshot as the new arrivals moved to secure the area.
Twilight stood staring at the remains of the fallen bodies, so absorbed was she in the grisly sight that she barely even noticed a Solar Guard approaching her, not until he whispered into her ear.
"Queen Crudelis sends her regards," Broad Sword informed her.
Blood sputtered from Twilight's mouth as she felt something, an object, breach her chitin and embed itself within her. Everything seemed to lose focus as something from the object began to rapidly burn its way through her body, poisoning everything it touched.
Looking down, Twilight could see the hilt of a dagger poking out of a gushing wound, darkness began to close in around her.
"Hey!" Longshot shouted in alarm as he witnessed the deed, grabbing his crossbow and firing a bolt at Broad Sword. But he quickly took to the skies and fled, the shot unfortunately only skimming one of his hind legs.
Two Pegasi guards immediately flew off to chase after the retreating commander, Princess Celestia shot around and jumped forward, grabbing Twilight as she fell, cradling her fragile form within her hooves.
Twilight felt Celestia's comforting embrace, she was saying something to her, something desperate and begging, but Twilight couldn't quite make them out. Twilight tried to say something, and yet she couldn't form the words, her body simply no longer having the strength to do so. The pain stopped, as did all other feeling as her senses began to shut down with her body.
Darkness finally engulfed her completely.
And she knew no more.
Queen Chrysalis screamed in terror as she fell from her throne in agony.
She had felt what had happened through the hive mind, felt that pony commander plunge the poisoned blade into her daughters body.
And so had every single other drone. |
Change | 24 - Aftermath | "I don't know Twilight, but I will find out," Celestia said to the trembling mare. A mix of sorrow and fury coursed within the ancient alicorn, sorrow for those who fell defending Twilight, and unrivaled fury for those who had attempted to harm her.
To harm her daughter, or at least the closest thing to a daughter she had ever had.
Celestia fought back all her emotions and placed her regal mask back on as she approached Captain Carduus, who was already talking with a fuming Longshot. Gone was the usual witty smirk he would wear on his face; Celestia had never seen the sergeant like this.
"Carduus, where did they go?" Longshot asked Carduus.
"Longshot, I don't know, they blinded us momentarily."
"Captain," Celestia addressed. "Can you explain to me what happened?"
"Princess Celestia, of course. We were on our way to the meeting hall when we came to this corridor, everything was normal, five guards were stationed here going about their duty, or so it seemed. When we passed... they jumped us, along with five more who were hiding in the courtyard. Honestly, if it wasn't for those extra guards you placed with us, and for Princess Twilight ignoring my request for her to stay out of the fight... we wouldn't be talking right now."
"I see," Said Princess Celestia. "Now was there-"
"Hey!" Longshot suddenly shouted in alarm as he reached for his weapon.
Celestia shot around, horn charged.
And then her world shattered.
Something whooshed past her towards a Pegasus fleeing the scene. However, she barely noticed any of this; time slowed down as Twilight swayed on the spot, and began to fall.
Time sped up again as Celestia leapt forward and grabbed her student before she hit the ground. Celestia examined Twilight, and her eyes were first drawn to the dagger in Twilight chest. Celestia quickly removed the blade before casting a powerful healing spell on the wound, which caused it to close immediately, albeit with a nasty scar. Celestia looked up into Twilight's eyes hopefully, and yet her condition didn't improve.
The blade was poisoned.
And Celestia's spell didn't affect it in the slightest.
"Twilight... please..." Celestia resorted to begging, unbelieving at what was happening. "Not now, not like this."
Twilight tried to say something, but nothing came out, the fear in her eyes began to shift into something more... peaceful. Her body began to slowly go limp.
And then her eyes closed.
Celestia's eyes widened, tears threatening to explode from the dam, before a blue hoof brought her head upwards.
"You shouldn't have to live this again, sister," Luna said gently. "Wake." ...
Celestia awoke with a start, the morning sunshine creeping through the curtains. Celestia didn't remember much from the previous night, aside from locking herself away and crying herself to sleep, away from the public eye. She was certain however that she didn't raise, or even lower the sun.
'Luna must have done it for me,' Celestia concluded.
Sighing, Celestia made her way out of bed, and with a wave of her horn the sheets straightened out and set themselves neatly back down onto the mattress. When she did so however she noticed a book shaped lump sticking up in the middle. Carefully extracting the object, she could confirm it was a book, a photo album to be exact.
'I must have fallen asleep with it.'
Celestia opened the album to a creased set of pages, there was a single picture on each page. One was when Twilight had just passed her first major exam at Celestia's school, having received top marks of course. The other, was one that Raven had snapped. It was of Celestia; she was sleeping peacefully in front of a fireplace, with a lavender filly tucked up safely beneath one of her giant wings, she had been comforting Twilight after a particularly bad nightmare the filly had endured. Tears stained that page in particular, recent tears.
"Reminiscing, are we?" another voice asked.
Celestia dropped the book onto the bed and swung around, tearing open the curtains as she did so, the sunlight eliminating a previously shadowy corner at the far end of the room.
"Tell me, Celestia," Chrysalis started spitefully. "Why shouldn't I burn this pathetic city to the ground?"
Celestia examined Chrysalis, and found not malice on her face. Instead all she could see was the visage of a broken mare.
"How did you get in here?"
"Oh it wasn't hard; your methods of detecting changelings are child's play for any infiltrator worth their salt. And believe me, my changelings have notable skill; remember the army surrounding the city, hidden in plain sight? They can attest to that. You know, if diplomatic relations between us had succeeded we could have shown you far more effective means of detection, but I suppose it's far too late for that, isn't it."
"No Chrysalis, it isn't." Celestia maintained.
"MY DAUGHTER IS DEAD!" Chrysalis exploded. "I felt her mind go silent. And she was killed by a pony! One of your most trusted guards no less. Your kind took the singular most precious thing I had, I-"
Chrysalis looked away momentarily, trying to compose herself. "So tell me again Princess Celestia," she choked. "Why shouldn't I burn this pathetic city to the ground?"
Celestia realised that Chrysalis was hysterical, not thinking was a rational mind but rather that of a grieving, vengeful mother.
Celestia gave Chrysalis a meaningful look, and what she said next shocked Chrysalis into submission, and wiped away any hostile plans from her mind.
"She's alive."
Vladimir, Longshot and Carduus sat in a bar, not far from the Canterlot central hospital from where they had just come. They sat around a small table, pints sitting before them. The two other guards to survive defending Princess Twilight sat at the bar itself, deep in discussion. This wasn't the usual bar where the royal guard would meet, but when they had been attacked by their own, that was the last place they wanted to be. Carduus wasn't at the hospital himself, but he had a large bandage around his torso with small holes cut in to it to make room for his wings. Once he had been discharged by the doctors he had intended to get some sleep, but the others had convinced him he needed a drink.
Longshot took a swig from his glass before slamming it down onto the table. "I should have done something. I knew there was something wrong with the 'Commander', and I did nothing. That bucking traitor."
"Longshot," Vlad started. "You can't blame yourself for this, there is no way you could have truly known this was going to happen. And there is no way you could have incriminated Broad Sword on a hunch."
"Was there any sign of him?" Carduus asked.
Vladimir sighed. "I'm afraid not, according to the two who perused him, it's like he just vanished. Though, they think he may have had something to do with the missing guard, and the maid."
"They think he killed them."
"They likely came across his plans, so he disposed of them."
"Sweet Celestia," Longshot muttered. "How about Luna, did she find any others working with him?"
"Those we know we can trust are doing a full sweep of the guard; so far we have found no others among us working with them. However, several guards apparently have been doing some suspicious activity, but the Commander had been using his position to cover for them. Those guards included the ones that attacked you, Carduus. Not only that, but the others included have not been reporting for their shifts as of late, once again any incidents were covered by Broad Sword."
"He could do that?"
"He is... was Shining's second in command, he had access to all the reports, rosters etcetera."
"Damn," Carduus said, picking up his own glass and drinking from it.
"I'm sorry about your friends by the way," Vladimir said apologetically to Carduus. "Soldiers are soldiers, and they gave their lives in the name of duty. I respect that."
"Sorry? Yeah, so am I. Served with all of them for years, I would have died for any of them. Instead, it's they who perished, and I have to live with that."
"It's never easy losing those under your command, let alone friends. I've already made a request to have their names recorded and honoured."
"Thank you, my friend, thank you."
Throughout the entire back and forth, Longshot had been thinking to himself, oblivious of the other two, until he was struck by a revelation: "Guys," he caught their attention. "Did any of you hear what Broad Sword whispered to Twi before he... you know."
"He whispered something?" Carduus asked in surprise.
"What, you didn't hear anything over that hive voodoo crap you do?"
"Hive mind. And no, none of us did. The Queen only found out who did it when I told her after, and in fact she only knew the attack was going on when 'it' happened, she can't listen in all the time."
"What, you didn't think to tell her right away?"
"Don't you dare criticize me sergeant, I was rather busy trying to keep Twilight and the diplomats alive."
"Shit I didn't mean to... I'm sorry Carduus, alright."
After a few moments of silence, Longshot spoke again. "I can only imagine how Chrysalis feels, and you all saw Celestia. I never believed I'd see the day our Princess broke down. Has anypony told her pony parents yet?"
"Luna did," Vladimir confirmed. "Shining Armor has also been informed, he did not react... well."
"You blame him? What must be going through that stallions mind... especially after what happened between them."
"I can't even imagine, but I can tell you this. If Broad Sword believes he and his followers can hide for long, then he is a fool."
Nurse Red Heart sat behind the reception desk of Canterlot Central, she had been visiting some old friends when news of Twilight Sparkle's horrific injury flooded in, and since she had dealt with Twilight's medical needs back in Ponyville she had immediately offered her services. Now she sat behind the desk sorting through files relating to Twilight's medical history, when shouting reached her ears.
"Where is she?!" Shining Armor shouted as he burst into the room, bolting straight to the reception desk where a startled Red Heart sat. A flustered Princess Mi Amore Cadenza followed shortly behind him.
"You m-must be Shining Armor, right?" Red Heart asked.
"Where. Is. My. Sister?!"
"Sir, I'm afraid she's not taking visitors right now and-"
"It's OK, you can tell him," Princess Cadance assured.
With the Princess' approval Red Heart told him. "She's in the royal wing, in the room normally reserved for Princess Celestia should she ever need medical attention."
Shining Armor bolted off immediately, leaving Cadance to be the one to say "Thank you" to the mare, before she quickly followed him.
Red Heart looked after the two ponies in shock, before regaining her faculties and continuing her work.
"Not dead... how is that possible? Her mind is silent in the hive, I felt her succumb..." Chrysalis' voice slowly descended into a whisper.
"She was left on the precipice of death. Broad Sword's blade was coated in a poison engineered specifically to resist any magical means of healing, but I was able to keep her heart beating long enough to get her to the hospital where the doctors were able to rid Twilight of the foul poison within her."
"Then, why is she still silent?"
Celestia looked downcast, and continued with a sad sigh. "The poison had already done considerable damage despite our best efforts, there was only so much we could do. She has been left in a deep coma, one which..."
Now it was Celestia's turn to look away. "One which she may never wake from."
Chrysalis slumped to the floor. "But there is a chance, right?"
Celestia looked back to Chrysalis' pleading form, and slowly nodded in confirmation.
"Then it is a chance you gave her... I feel I must apologise. My previous threats were unnecessary, and wholly unwelcome."
"You have nothing to apologise for Chrysalis, I know what you are going through, more than you realise."
"No, I think I have a pretty good idea why," she stated. "I had changelings in place in case hostilities began, and have now told my forces to stand down; but I would request I keep a smaller force around the hospital in disguise, watching for any more traitors who would wish to do my daughter harm."
"I agree, having them there will take a weight off of my shoulders, considering how devoted they are to her protection."
"Indeed, now please... can you take me to her?"
"I was planning to visit her myself, and I would be honoured to have you accompany me."
"Thank you Celestia, but... one last thing."
"Oh?"
"When we find this Broad Sword... he dies. No arrests, no court cases. Equestria doesn't hold the death penalty, and imprisonment simply won't do. He dies, and you will not stop me.
The first real smile graced Celestia's face that day, but it wasn't a smile anypony would ever want to see. "Oh Chrysalis, who ever said I was going to allow him to live?"
Chrysalis seemed genuinely surprised. "Hold on, just like that? No concern about how ponies would view you because of it?"
"I will cross that bridge when I come to it, but Broad Sword nearly killed somepony who I greatly care for, and love. Not to mention royalty."
"Then it would appear he will have the full wrath of the sun to contend with, thank you... my friend."
The hospital was getting closer, larger, and more oppressive as five mares walked towards the looming building.
"It's not fair!" Fluttershy squeaked, of all of them the timid mare looked the most ragged, none of them had gotten much sleep the previous night, "Why did this have to happen."
Pinkie, whose mane was vastly more deflated than usual spoke next, "It was that meanie, if I ever get my hooves on him... I have a special dungeon with his name on it."
Of course she didn't really, yet - her party planning basement had room for expansion.
"Ah would certainly rough him up somethin' fierce, that no good backstabbin'..."
"How do you think he'd taste as a cupcake?" Pinkamena asked.
Rainbow shouted in frustration. "Does it really matter, any of us making all these plans? The deed's done, Twilight's hurt and where were we? Enjoying ourselves out and about! We should have been there, we should of..." Rainbow trailed off.
"There's nothing we could have done sugarcube, none of y'all could have seen this coming."
"She is right, none of us expected the fiend to do what he did. All we can do now is be there for the poor dear, and let the princesses and the guard deal with this," Rarity added.
"Aww, but I really wanted to use the dungeon!" Pinkamena complained.
"Can we... um... please stop talking about it now?" Fluttershy meekly asked.
"She's right, Twilight needs us now so we can't simply stand around thinking about what ifs, come on girls, let's get moving," Rarity agreed.
The two guards outside the royal wing in the hospital momentarily reached for their weapons as they saw two figures steaming towards them, until they saw who they were.
Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, with Shining Armor heading straight into the only occupied room, and with Cadance stopping just short, catching her breath.
As Shining entered the room he came to a dead stop at the sight that awaited him. Twilight lay in the hospital bed, mask over her muzzle and with various medical machines all connected to her, each one undoubtedly keeping her alive.
"T-Twilight?" Shining called out softly, receiving no answer.
Slowly her approached the bed, and pulled up a chair to sit on.
"Hey LSBFF, I came as soon as I could. Our parents will be visiting shortly, as will the others I'm sure."
Shining Armor looked down on his sister's peaceful face, his own showing much regret.
"I'm sorry Twily. I wasn't there for you, and I don't just mean with what happened yesterday. All those things I said... I was so, so wrong. And I didn't mean any of it, Faust knows I didn't really mean any of it. I lashed out and now you're here on this bed and-"
Shining took a deep breath.
"I love you Twily... you will always be my LSBFF, whether you're a pony or a changeling it really doesn't matter in the slightest, I will always be here for you."
Shining gently nuzzled his sister affectionately, before his attention was caught by his fiance standing by the door watching the display, five mares standing closely behind her.
"Come on in," Shining called out.
Nodding her head towards the element bearers Cadance entered the room with the others following shortly behind, all taking up positions around the bed to keep Twilight company, all of them wishing for one thing.
Wishing Twilight would just wake up. |
Change | 25 - A Misguided Evil | Everfree Hideout, A Few Hours After The Attempted Assassination
Serpens was still in good mood, and that mood had remained ever since his successful mission.
Sure it was unfortunate that he had to take things into his own hooves, and that now he could no longer walk around Canterlot with the face of the commander, but that was the beauty of being a changeling, he could just pick a new one. Not that it mattered anyway, Princess Twilight Sparkle was dead, any self-respecting changeling queen would seek revenge for the death of their daughter, revenge on the hive, or in this case kingdom that had spawned the killer.
The fact that he had also been able to lose the Royal Guard so easily added to his contentment. Serpens was in a very good mood.
Now all he had to do was sit back and watch the fireworks as Chrysalis and Equestria tore each other apart. Whoever survived would be easy pickings for Crudelis and her horde, and Serpens' own hive would get to survive another day.
'Crudelis may even let us in on some of the spoils,' Serpens thought to himself.
All that was left to do was to heal the true Broad Sword's wounds, and make him presentable so that he does not look like he'd been imprisoned for any amount of time. And then kill him. Once that was done, he could just be dumped somewhere for some random pony to find, it would matter little who.
Serpens, in his arrogance, just had to tell his 'guest' the good news.
"Greetings Broad Sword," Serpens said cheerfully as he shifted back to his true self.
The imprisoned Pegasus opened his eyes a little, and managed to look up at his captor. "What do you want? You've already taken just about every ounce of information and memories I possess, what more could you possibly need me for?"
Serpens began circling the restrained pony. "Oh yes I have indeed taken all I can from your small pony mind, it is always interesting getting such a unique perspective on an individual's life, and I've got to say you really should have asked her out to prom, missed opportunity there."
Bending his neck to follow his movement around the room, Broad Sword stopped and snarled. "What has got you in such a cheerful mood?"
Serpens grin grew. "Oh come now Broad Sword, you of all ponies should know the satisfaction that comes with a job well done!"
Broad Sword narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I won, Twilight Sparkle is dead!" He practically started pronking.
Broad Sword's eyes shot open momentarily, before he shook his head and snorted. "And why should I believe your word? For all I know you are saying that just to torment me."
Serpens finished his current lap of his captive, and settled down right in front of him, looking him square in the face. "Oh, I am saying it just to torment you; but that doesn't mean it's any less true!"
The full weight of his words hit, and Broad deflated back down to the ground. "You are a sick bastard, you know that?"
Serpens chuckled. "Oh I know, believe me I do. Anyway, I've got a few things to finish up. You'll be seeing me again real soon, one final time."
Serpens lit up with green flames as he transformed back into his disguise, and began to make his way towards then exit. Before he reached it however, he turned back around and looked at the captive pony.
"Oh, and one more thing, you know that mare you should have asked out to prom? That one who you always lacked the courage to ask out after?"
Broad Sword stared daggers at the changeling infiltrator, he was not exactly pleased at having his mind and the privacy of his own memories violated.
Serpens simply smiled at Broad Sword's silence. "Well... I didn't have to make her jump out of that tower... but how could I resist?"
With that Serpens turned and left the hidden cavern holding the pony commander, the smirk he wore not leaving as he went. It only grew larger at the strangled cry he heard coming from behind him.
Serpens passed the perception filter that was hiding the smaller cavern, and proceeded back into the larger cave that held their hidden sanctuary.
"Commander!" one of the ponies he was deceiving approached him and saluted.
Quickly hiding his grin, he replied to his call. "Yes lieutenant, what is it?" the disguised changeling asked.
"Reporting a lot of activity in Canterlot, our attack has definitely riled things up, we will have a more detailed analysis of the situation soon. Also, the survivors are recovering from their injuries and should be back to duty shortly."
"Very good, now if you will excuse me the hour is late and I grow weary. You are dismissed."
"Yes sir," the lieutenant saluted again before marching off to do whatever it was he did, Serpens didn't really care at that moment, he just wanted to get some sleep.
Past the central platform at the far end of the cave an array of tents had been set up, in true fashion the commanding officer got the biggest. Serpens stepped inside a large white tent decorated with the flag of Equestria in various places. The inside had a rug floor, a table, a workstation with various utensils scattered around it and a double bed in the far corner.
Serpens trudged over to the bed while removing the gold armor he had been wearing, and flopped down onto it, falling asleep almost immediately. ...
Serpens attacked the training dummy with brutal efficiency, imagining it to be his greatest potential foe. He swung the broadsword down onto the dummy's head and split it open like a melon, he retracted the sword and examined it. It wasn't his usual style of weapon, but it would do, and he would need to become proficient with it for the mission ahead of him.
"Are you sure about this, your highness?" a voice asked. Serpens recognized it as the changeling sent to represent the interests of Queen Crudelis while arranging the mission's details. As Serpens continued to train he decided to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Yes, tell Crudelis she has nothing to fear," another voice, the voice of his queen, Queen Vespula spoke. "He will get the job done; he has an advantage that my other infiltrators lack."
"And what might that be?"
The voices sounded as if they were moving towards him down the entry tunnel.
Vespula smirked. "A conscience."
"Be that as it may, his methods seem a little... robust. He may not be able to stay incognito as well as some of the others."
"Perhaps not, but he is manipulative and completely loyal to me, not to mention our best fighter. He could down a queen given the chance."
By this point, the two changelings had entered the training cavern. But Serpens kept his eyes on the dummies, going through training movements.
"I imagine that will help," the representative pointed towards the bright red rune embedded within Serpens' blade.
"Yes, give Crudelis my thanks for that little contribution."
The representative examined Serpens for a moment, before turning back to Queen Vespula.
"I assume you have come up with a plan to replace this 'Broad Sword'."
"Of course, your informants have already detailed Chrysalis' plan to retrieve her daughter. He will use the chaos of the conflict as a shield for his activities, and he will take part in the city's defense when the deed is done. We ourselves have also identified several individuals within the guard who may be easily manipulated by Serpens with enough honeyed words from their 'commanding officer'."
"Well it fills me with confidence that you have done your homework, but I still wish I could say the same about your choice in infiltrator."
Vespula slammed her hoof into the floor. The noise was loud enough to make Serpens lose decorum and look upon the pair. Vespula was glaring at the smaller changeling. "My decision is final, do not question me again."
The changeling was not daunted by the threat. "Threats, Vespula? In your position, do you think that is wise? I will forget about it this time and will deliver my report to Queen Crudelis, as I have been instructed. I wish your infiltrator luck, and I truly hope he isn't going to be your undoing, Queen Vespula. You know the price of failure, my Queen isn't as forgiving as I am." ...
Serpens slowly opened his eyes, his dream, or rather memory, was still fresh on his mind.
"Commander!" a panicked voice called out.
Groaning, Serpens got out of the large bed and quickly placed his armor back on. Marching out of the tent he was met with the same lieutenant from earlier, but this time he was looking rather frazzled. He motioned the pony to follow him as he made his way up onto the central platform.
"What is it? What in these early hours could have gotten you so panicked?"
"I-it's Princess Twilight sir, I have news!"
The disguised changeling raised an eyebrow. "News? She is dead, what news could you possibly have of that creature?"
"That's precisely it though sir, our reports have just come back and apparently she isn't! She's alive and being treated at the hospital in Canterlot!"
"What!?" His impression of the Canterlot Royal Voice was commendable.
Panicked, the guard stumbled backwards. "I don't know how but she has survived our attack sir, our reports confirm it. Sir wh-"
The pony stopped as his commander glared at him murderously.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Serpens spoke again. "Everypony off the platform, I need to think. And prepare the golems. Just in case we have company in the near future."
The pony gulped, before quickly vacating the area before he had to face more of the commander's ire. All the others who had been standing on the platform shortly followed him off.
Serpens propped himself up against the war map as he tried to stop his incoming rage. Twilight Sparkle had somehow survived, and what was the last thing he had said to her?
--"Queen Crudelis sends her regards."--
Serpens gritted his teeth, plans would need to be made. Even if she was alive there was no way she could possibly be conscious after having the poison befoul her body. Twilight Sparkle needed to die before she woke.
'Why couldn't that mare just die?!' Serpens thought bitterly.
He was not in a good mood. |
Change | 26 - Visiting Hours | Carduus, Vladimir and Longshot exited the bar they had been sitting in for the last few hours. The streets of Canterlot ahead were mostly empty, and the three headed down the lonely street in the direction of the castle.
"Are you sure you want to go back on duty with your injury?" Longshot asked his changeling friend.
"It's just a scratch, I will be fine. I just need my gear, and then I'm making sure Twilight is safe; as I should already be doing."
"The Princess is hardly going to leave her undefended after what happened, you worry too much."
"I thought I was worrying too much about five guards lining a hallway, and then look what happened!"
Vladimir, who was leading the group, stopped; he put a hoof on Carduus' shoulder and gave the changeling a sympathetic look. "Carduus, you need to stop beating yourself up. You couldn't have prevented what happened."
"Let's... let's just get back to the castle, all right?"
They walked the rest of the way in silence until they finally reached the gleaming spires of Canterlot Castle. The castle was under somewhat of a lockdown after what happened, Solar and Lunar guards filled the courtyards and roamed the corridors in a coordinate effort to prevent any further mishaps and catch any possible remaining traitors potentially trying to flee the castle before they were discovered.
The gates of the castle had countless reporters, and a few onlookers, crowding around the entrance. Despite the Princess's best efforts, word had gotten around the city that a 'changeling dignitary' had nearly been assassinated and was receiving urgent medical attention. It had yet to be confirmed to them however if anypony was killed during the attack, and who the dignitary was; though given the activity many outlets had correctly assumed Princess Twilight was the victim.
It was safe to say the media was having a field day.
The two ponies and one changeling wisely decided to shy away from the main entrance and instead opted to use one of the side entrances not open to the general public, which took them into one of the castle's many courtyards. From there they entered the castle proper and quickly made their way towards the armory.
However, they never made it. As they were walking down one of the corridors, it came out of nowhere. Even before Vladimir or Longshot had a chance to react, Carduus was knocked cleanly off of his hooves and he slammed head first into the wall opposite. The two ponies were about to sound the alarm, until the black missile spoke:
"DADDY!!!!" Iuvenes shouted as she tried to bury herself in her father's chest.
"H-hey s-s-sweety," Carduus slurred as he realised 'concussion' might need to be added to his list of injuries.
"Iuvenes!" Panacea shouted out as she emerged from the same adjacent corridor Iuvenes had. "Let your father up!"
"Yes mother..." Iuvenes reluctantly did as she was told, and Carduus managed to get to his hooves as his wife approached him.
Only to receive a slap in the face.
"Ow!" Carduus complained. "What was that for?!"
"I told you not to get hurt!" Panacea shouted, grabbing onto him and pulling the changeling captain into a passionate kiss.
"And... what was that for?" a slightly bewildered Carduus asked.
"For not getting killed," Panacea smiled.
A cough caught both of their attention, and they turned to see Vladimir and Longshot standing awkwardly to one side, having witnessed the entire affair.
"Oh, sorry about that," Panacea blushed visibly - quite the feat for a black chitin creature. "Are you friends of my husband?" she asked.
It was Carduus who spoke, "Erm, honey; this is Captain Vladimir Vespertilio and Sergeant Longshot, they work for the Equestrian royal guard and military respectively."
"Oh? Well it's lovely to meet you both!" Panacea shook both of their hooves. "I'm Panacea, Carduus' wife."
"A pleasure," Vladimir greeted.
Carduus looked at his other half. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought you would be back at the hive."
"We all felt what happened to Princess Twilight, I was scared for you. The Queen told me you were fine but I had to see for myself."
Iuvenes peaked out from between her mother's hooves, and looked at Longshot quizzically. "Why does he have a crossbow butt tattoo?"
"Iuvenes..." Panacea sighed with a face hoof, while Longshot merely gave the nymph a friendly smile.
"That, oh that was something I got to show how cool I am! And that I'm good with a crossbow."
Iuvenes looked doubtful. "But then why does that one have a bat tattoo?" she pointed at Vladimir.
"Oh, he got jealous and got his own!"
Vladimir raised an eyebrow at the ongoing conversation. Iuvenes sat down, and her face wore a quizzical expression.
Tilting her head to the side, she enquired: "But... then why do all the other ponies have them too?"
"Well they all saw mine and decided they wanted their own, I'm very popular you see."
Longshot and Panacea wore grins. Vladimir and Carduus just decided to facehoof.
Iuvenes put her hoof to her chin as she thought over what Longshot said. "Hmm, I don't know. You are not trying to trick me are you?"
Longshot feigned offence. "Moi? Trick you? Why I never!" he stuck his nose in the air as if he was one of the over-dramatic Canterlot nobles.
"Oh for Celestia's sake, Sergeant stop teasing the poor kid!" Vladimir insisted. "It's called a cutie mark, and all ponies get them when they discover their special talents."
"Oh," Iuvenes said. "So if he is good at using a crossbow, does that mean you're good at being a... bat?"
Vladimir's eye twitched.
Queen Chrysalis walked through the halls of Canterlot hospital, having taken the form of a black mare with a green mane. Not the most inconspicuous disguise but it was enough to get her through without much hassle.
Celestia and Chrysalis had parted ways when the former got called away by Princess Mi Amore Cadenza for one reason or another after the pink princess had returned to the castle in a hurry; so Chrysalis had headed off to the hospital by herself.
Of course she was never really alone, not with so many agents hiding in the crowds just waiting for some foolish pony to try and cause trouble.
A scenario that had luckily not yet played out.
As Chrysalis approached the royal wing she briefly passed the element bearers as they headed in the opposite direction, likely having just come from visiting Twilight themselves.
When she approached the guards standing idly by the entrance they moved to block her, before she was consumed by green fire, and she morphed from her pony disguise into her usual self. The two ponies were momentarily caught off guard and reached for their weapons, before realising who it was before them, and standing aside to let her past. However, they couldn't stop themselves from eyeing the Changeling Queen with suspicion as she walked on past.
Shining Armor and a pony whom she recognised as Night Light stood just outside the door to Twilight's current residence, and they stopped their conversation when they spotted the Queen. She hesitated momentarily as they stared in her direction and an awkward silence ensued, before moving forward towards the door.
As she passed, Shining Armor merely looked away, while Night Light gave her a respectful nod, before the two returned to their conversation.
As she pushed the door open, her heart tightened in her chest as she spotted her beloved daughter lying in a bed, various machines surrounding her with one in particular beeping away as the mare slept.
Chrysalis barely heard the door swing closed behind her as she fell on her rump and found herself unable to turn away from the sight that was any parent's worst nightmare. Eventually, after what seemed like hours, the changeling queen's gaze slowly left that of her injured daughter and towards the mare sitting at her bedside.
Twilight Velvet had made no acknowledgments of Chrysalis' presence, instead she remained seated at Twilight's side, holding one of her hooves in her own and holding a book with telekinesis, reading from it.
Chrysalis realised it was the same Daring Do book she herself had given Twilight as a Hearthswarming gift so many years ago.
"Twilight Velvet?" Chrysalis called out softly, the mare in question finally lowering the book and slowly turning to face Chrysalis.
"So, we finally meet," she said.
Chrysalis shuffled awkwardly. "So, how you are feeling?"
"I'm fine. Or as well as I can be given the circumstances."
"Yes well, I just wanted to thank you. For taking care my daughter for so many years."
"No."
Chrysalis blinked in confusion. "No? 'No' what?"
Velvet sat up straight in the chair. "No, I didn't take care of your daughter all these years - I took care of mine. Until recently I never knew about you, I took care of her because I love her, and always will."
Chrysalis looked away. "I'm... glad that Twilight had somepony who cared so much in her life, and was there when I couldn't be..."
Twilight Velvet got up from her seat and walked slowly over to the Changeling Queen, and much to her surprise she quickly enveloped Chrysalis in hug. She was even more surprised to find herself hugging back.
"And I'm glad that her real mother also cares for her so much..."
--"You are my real mother."-- Twilight's words played back in Velvet's ears.
Velvet sighed. "And I'm glad we can both be here for her," she said as she broke away.
"Thank you," Chrysalis said sincerely. "But, there is something I must do."
Velvet looked up at the tall queen. "Do what?"
"I can no longer feel her within the hive mind, and according to Princess Celestia, the Moon Princess has had trouble piercing the veil surrounding her dreams. Now that I am here I may be able to access the parts of her brain that connect to the hive mind manually, I need to know what she sees in her dreams, and if she is in pain."
Velvet looked down on Twilight's seemingly peaceful face, before looking back at Chrysalis and nodding.
Chrysalis took up her place next to Twilight, her jagged horn lit up a brilliant emerald green as she lowered it to meet Twilight's, she closed her eyes in concentration as she let the images come to her. ...
Carduus drove his blade into the guard's eye socket. Once the guard slumped Carduus swung his blade at the next guard. However something else caught my eye, turning around I saw two of my own guards fighting three of those... traitors, and they were losing. Before I could process what was happening one of the traitors did one clean sweep with his sword, and took off the heads off both changeling guards, the very same two that I had met outside of my room that very morning. They didn't deserve that, they didn't deserve to die! Why was this happening?
"NO!" I screamed, I sent a beam of lavender magic violently towards the killer, blasting him back into the wall, where he impacted with a horrifying crack before slumping over, completely still. I had killed him. I had actually killed somepony.
I had barely gotten over the immediate shock of what I had to do when the other two traitors looked in my direction and made a run straight for me, only to be pounced upon by Carduus and one of the non-traitorous Solar Guards. Carduus swiftly dispatched his target but much to my ongoing horror his friend sadly did not, instead he took a blade to the abdomen. As his killer turned to face Carduus, I instinctively grabbed onto her weapon with my magic and pulled it from her grasp-
Chrysalis cringed as she looked on Twilight's dream, and could only watch in silent horror as the image shifted.
-sends her regards," the guard, Broad Sword I believe, whispered to me.
I barely had time to consider what he had said before blood sputtered from my mouth as I felt something breach my chitin and embed itself within my body. Looking down I could see the hilt of a dagger poking out of a gushing wound, darkness began to close in around me. In that moment my blood became fire, it was the worst physical pain I had ever felt, I had read enough books in my time to recognise the effects of an extremely potent poison. I collapsed to the floor as somepony caught me, the pain seemed to leave my body as I failed to say something.
I had wanted to say "I'm okay, I think I'm okay" to reassure the pony, Celestia I think? Who was holding onto me.
Why was this happening?
The scene shifted again, reverting back to the initial fight again, Chrysalis has seen enough. ...
Chrysalis took in a sharp intake of air as she exited Twilight's mind, she nearly collapsed as she struggled to resist breaking into uncontrollable sobbing.
'But who sent their regards?' Chrysalis mulled over the incomplete sentence she had heard.
"W-what? What did you see?"
Chrysalis briefly entertained lying to Velvet, to give her a comforting lie to conceal the horrific truth of what had just been witnessed, but she knew the mare was far too intelligent to be taken in by such a lie.
"She's in pain, so much pain. She is reliving what happened over and over. I could feel what she felt and..."
Velvet too now had tears in her eyes. "Oh Celestia, my poor sweet, innocent baby..." Velvet reached out and grabbed onto Twilight, sobbing into her chitin.
Chrysalis fought back her tears as steely determination took the forefront, she would find the ones who did this to her precious child, and she would end them. And nothing would stop her.
Celestia and Cadance were walking down one of the many corridors in Canterlot castle, en route to somewhere only Cadance knew.
"Twilight's condition hasn't changed, the doctors are keeping an eye on her," Cadance informed Celestia.
The solar alicorn sighed. "All we can do now is hope for the best, until then I intend to help Queen Chrysalis find those responsible."
Cadance gave a small smile. "Well aunty, I have something that might be able to help with that."
Cadance pointed towards a small door at the end of the corridor they walked down, before stopping in front of it.
"Why are we stopping here? Cadance, what have you done?"
"I haven't done anything, but something happened while I was leaving the hospital..."
Celestia looked at her adopted niece quizzically as Cadance opened the door to reveal a sparse room with a single table in the centre. Sitting at the table, a Solar Guard was restrained, with two others standing beside him watching the pony like hawks.
Celestia couldn't hide her confusion. "Cadance? What is this? Why is he restrained?"
"This pony approached me as I left the hospital, he claims to have been part of a group of guards who followed Broad Sword in his schemes."
"What?" Celestia glared at the pony, who wilted under the wrathful gaze of the sun.
"He claimed to me that he no longer believes what they are doing is right, and that he has information for us."
Celestia nodded, but maintained her glare. "Get me Luna, she and I will talk with this guard."
"I will, but there was one piece of information he mentioned specifically he could provide us..."
"And that was?"
"He knows where Broad Sword is hiding; he knows where their hideout is." |
Change | 27 - Flashback: Young Love | Broad Sword thought quietly to himself. He was still chained up in that Celestia-forsaken cave, and he was starting to think he would never see the sun again. He thought over his life, as ponies do when they think they are about to die. He thought of happy and sad times, of victories and mistakes he had made.
Canterlot, Many Years Prior To Broad Sword's Imprisonment
It was a bright day outside Canterlot High School, several teenage colts and fillies moved to and fro, a general excitement about as thoughts turned to the nearing prom.
A far younger Broad Sword sat just outside the school, a rose coloured mare standing next to him.
"So... what do you intend to do after prom, when we graduate?" Sunny Aura asked Broad Sword.
"Well, I actually sent in an application for the academy."
"A Solar Guard huh? You hoping to get close to the Princess?" Sunny teased.
Broad Sword puffed his cheeks in annoyance. "No! I just want to be able to protect ponies, that's all."
"Well, I think that is very noble of you!"
Broad Sword blushed. "It's... erm- well I've seen you helping plenty of ponies around school! You're practically considered a heroine around here! You do all that volunteer work, you help your classmates, you're pretty..."
"Oh, I wouldn't describe myself as a heroine, I'm not anything really."
"You know your problem, you're too humble!"
Sunny giggled. "If you say so!"
"So, what do you plan on doing Sunny?"
"Me? Oh I've got an aunt working in the castle and she apparently knows the Princess, she promised to talk to her and get me an apprenticeship there."
"Well look at you, knowing ponies in high places!" Broad Sword laughed. "Though this does mean, should I become a guard, we may see each other quite often around the castle!"
"Yeah! I would like that! Oh, that reminds me! Have you got a date to the prom yet?"
"Um... no, I haven't."
"Well? I haven't either..."
"Um..." Broad Sword wanted to ask her out so badly, to take her to the prom. But at that moment his brain broke down and he panicked. "SorryI'vegottogoseeyoulater!"
Without any other explanation Broad Sword took off into the air and rushed away.
Sunny Aura took that as a rejection, and was left with tears in her eyes.
Broad Sword sighed, he had never asked to the prom, in fact he never even showed up. Neither did Sunny herself as far as he knew. Ever since then they had grown apart, he barely saw her anymore.
New resolve entered his heart, Sunny was still single as far as he knew, he knew that if he ever got out of this he would ask her out, fix the mistakes of the past.
That was when Serpens entered the cavern.
"Greetings Broad Sword," Serpens said cheerfully as he shifted back to his true self.
The imprisoned Pegasus opened his eyes a little, and managed to look up at his captor. "What do you want? You've already taken just about every ounce of information and memories I possess, what more could you possibly need me for?"
Serpens began circling the restrained pony, ready to shatter his world. |
Change | 28 - The Wrath Of A Mother | A light flickered above the heads of the three ponies that inhabited one of Canterlot Castle's two interrogation rooms. The room was located deep beneath the castle itself, just off from where the grimy and vastly disused castle dungeons were located. Two of the ponies in the room were Princesses Celestia and Luna, the third was a very uncomfortable looking pegasus stallion who sat in a metal chair behind the only other furnishing in the room, a table with various items scattered about. To the stallion's right there was a blacked out window where a few guards stood on the other side just watching and waiting for him to cause trouble.
Celestia gave the disgraced Solar Guard an extremely stern look. "You know why you are here," she simply stated.
"Yes, I surrendered myself to you in hopes of fair judgment, and in the hopes of stopping the commander before anypony else gets hurt."
"Then," Luna spoke. "Let us begin."
Luna brought up a folder in her magic with the guard's picture on the front, Luna opened and began to read some information from it. "Private Harvest Leaf, twenty one years of age, a Pegasus born in the city of Cloudsdale. Your file states you have garnered a reputation for your physical prowess and hoof-to-hoof fighting skills. It also states you had a... childhood imaginary dragon friend called doodles?"
Harvest chuckled sheepishly. "Yeah, not sure why that was included in my file."
Luna raised an eyebrow at that, but chose to stay on subject. "Witness testimony places you as one of the ponies who attacked Princess Twilight Sparkle and caused the deaths of five individuals protecting her. Captain Carduus was injured and Princess Twilight herself is in a deep coma, your crimes warrant you be charged with treason. Do you understand the charges levied against you?"
"Yes, your highness."
Luna remained calm as she continued, but nopony could mistake the underlying fury in her tone. "Considering the intended target, nopony would bat an eye if we were to simply hand you to Queen Chrysalis for judgement, and believe me when I say she will be far less forgiving. SO, Harvest Leaf, tell us the truth, the whole truth. At this point lying will only make things worse for yourself."
"Yes, I imagine you have all sorts of lie detector spells in place," Harvest noted. "I will do as you ask and answer all questions provided."
"Very good," Luna nodded to Celestia to begin.
"Harvest Leaf, could you please detail the events leading up to and during the events of the attack on Twilight Sparkle."
"Yes, your highness. It started soon after the wedding..."
Harvest Leaf described to the princesses how Broad Sword had approached him and several others soon after the wedding, how he had demonised the changelings, painted them as monstrous tricksters and used just the right honeyed words to convince them of his sincerity. He told them of their secret meetings and the princesses only grew angrier when he told them of the innocent changelings they had hunted down and killed within the city. He told them of their hidden base within the Everfree Forest, and ended with his part in the attempted assassination, and the hours following.
"-and since I wasn't as banged up as the others, I was authorised to go on patrol. I used the opportunity to run straight here and well... the rest you know."
Celestia thought over what had just been said. "The Everfree Forest, a place barely anypony goes. No wonder the Commander chose to make a base there, but at least we now know where he is."
"There is one more thing," Harvest interrupted. "When Broad Sword finds out Twilight is alive, and he likely already has, he will likely activate the golems as a precaution."
"Golems?" Luna said questioningly. "How did he get his hooves on golems?"
"Apparently a top mage in Celestia's School owed him a favour... or two. Either way, they will bolster the force already on site."
"Well in any case you have been most helpful, Harvest Leaf. But there is one last thing I want to know..." Luna leaned forwards. "You have told us how you came to be here, but you haven't told us why. Why have you abandoned your fellow conspirators and sold them out? What changed your mind?"
"Several things," he responded. "The fear and fury Princess Twilight showed during the attack, the behaviour of some of the other changelings we have hunted..." Harvest's eye became downcast. "And her..."
"Her?" Luna interrupted.
Bringing his head back up to face Luna, he replied; "You know, the maid that died. Well, the thing is, there are many whispers that the commander was responsible."
Luna looked him in the eyes. "That maid's name was Sunny Aura."
"Yes, I know. I knew her. Rumour has it she was Broad Sword's old flame. Now I didn't know much about the situation between those two, but in my experience she was the humblest pony this side of Equestria; she also had a pet chameleon named Dandy."
"You're going on a tangent Private Leaf, please stay on subject."
"Right, sorry. Anyway a few of us started to believe he had a hoof in her death. Just before I left I even worked up the courage to ask him and... he was indifferent. He didn't answer yes or no but..."
Harvest Leaf sighed. "When I talked to the others afterwards they just didn't seem to care as much as they really should have. It was then I realised who it was I was fighting with, and I wanted no part in it. So I requested to go on patrol, and flew here as fast as my wings could take me."
"I see... is that all?"
"Yes, your highness. That is everything I can tell you." Harvest slumped in his seat.
"Very well," Luna nodded towards the blacked out window, and two Solar Guards walked in and stood either side of Harvest Leaf.
Luna stood to the side as Celestia stood regally directly opposite Harvest Leaf, she spread her wings as she delivered her verdict. "Private Harvest Leaf of the Equestrian Solar Guard, you shall be imprisoned within the dungeons until your court martial at a later date. We can't ignore the crimes you have committed against the harmony of Equestria and the surrounding lands, but the assistance you have provided today will also be taken into account when judgement is rendered. Do you have anything else to say in your defence?"
Harvest Leaf hung his head dejectedly as he rose to his hooves. "No, your highness."
"Very well, take him away."
The two Solar Guards led Harvest Leaf out of the interrogation room, leaving the two royal sisters alone.
"Sister," Luna addressed. "What do you intend to do?"
"I will talk with Chrysalis, but this group must be wiped out soon to prevent another catastrophe. I do not intend to let Broad Sword escape, and we must pray that the others surrender to us if they do not wish to share his inevitable fate. I will be there, as I know Chrysalis will almost certainly will. I imagine your captain and Sergeant Longshot will also volunteer readily."
"Be careful not to let your personal feelings get in the way Tia, they are a very dangerous thing in the middle of battle."
Celestia gave her little sister a smile. "Do not worry Lulu, I promise I will be fine. The fate of Broad Sword's co-conspirators is still up to them when the time comes, but Broad Sword's sentence has been relegated to Queen Chrysalis to decide considering the circumstances, and we both know what the verdict will be."
"Funny how that leaves your pristine image intact."
"Luna?" Surprise and hurt tinged Celestia's voice.
"You cannot fool me Tia, I know you want him dead just as much as Chrysalis, just... please be careful. Such dark thoughts can lead to much more trouble down the road."
Celestia lifted one large alabaster wing over Luna. "Then it is a good thing I have my little sister to keep me in check," she smiled as she gave her sister a little nuzzle.
Luna nuzzled back. "I said it once, and I will say it again. How did you last without me for a thousand years?"
Celestia chuckled. "It is a mystery to us all."
A peaceful scene painted the late afternoon countryside just outside Canterlot, a small rabbit emerged from his hole, it could see that night was falling fast but there was still vestiges of sunlight remaining. Its ear twitched as it happily observed its surroundings and took several breaths of wonderful fresh air. However, its head darted to the side as the sounds of blades whipping through the air made itself know. Spooked, the rabbit immediately jumped back into its hole as four shadows formed and moved onwards extremely fast.
"Yeeehaaaaaw!" Longshot shouted shouted with his best impression of a country accent. He was hanging out the door of one of the four helicopters speeding through the air towards Everfree.
Vladimir was not quite enjoying the ride as much as his friend was, and he was near cowering at the very back of the vehicle's crew compartment. He was joined by Queen Chrysalis, who also did not look like she was having a very good time.
"These machines are death-traps!" she shouted at Celestia, who was crouched towards the front of the compartment. "I would feel much more comfortable flying with my own wings!"
"Unless you're Rainbow Dash, these are much quicker!" Celestia shouted back over the sound of the rotors. "You're not scared are you?" she asked with a mischievous smirk.
Chrysalis growled. "A Changeling Queen does not get scared over such trivial things! I simply don't want to crash into the ground and go up in a fiery explosion!"
"H-honestly your highness," Vladimir spoke. "I'm with Queen Chrysalis on this one!"
"Oh come on Vlad!" Longshot laughed. "How is this not exciting?"
The four helicopters flew through the air; they had never been deployed in an actual operation before, so the ponies who created and maintained them were all too eager to test them out in the field. However, they were likely disappointed when they were told they wouldn't be used in combat, just to get them close to the target in a timely manner. They planned to set down far enough away so that they wouldn't be fired upon, but close enough so that those deployed could quickly hoof it out from there. Each chopper contained five armoured individuals, two containing five changeling soldiers each, another containing entirely EUP troopers, and the final one containing Vladimir, Longshot and three more EUP ponies, the silver EUP armour contrasting greatly with Vladimir's dark blue. That particular helicopter was also hosting Queen Chrysalis and Princess Celestia, the latter in full royal body armor and she was carrying a large golden halberd. The former however didn't have any armour, nor a weapon.
"Queen Chrysalis," Celestia called out. "May I inquire on the lack of armaments?"
"I am a fully grown Changeling Queen! My chitin is as strong as any armour, and magic is my preferred weapon!"
"As it is mine, but what happens in close quarters engagements?"
Chrysalis simply smiled and displayed her carnivorous fangs.
Celestia shook her head in disapproval. "Do not get overconfident, Chrysalis. Having a weapon to fall back on would not go amiss."
"Do not worry about me, Princess. I am more curious about the armour you are wearing, it looks old, and I don't believe any of my changelings have ever witnessed you wear it."
"It is old, I last wore it when we warred with the griffons during the Expansion Wars, and before that during the war against the tyrant King Sombra. However, ever since that night a thousand years ago it has remained in the armoury, simply gaining dust like an old museum piece."
"Not glad to be wearing it again then?"
"The nostalgia isn't worth what is to come," Celestia replied solemnly. "And it reminds me of times I would like to forget."
"Hey Vlad," Longshot called back to the Lunar Captain. "Where is Carduus and Shining? I didn't think they would want to miss this?"
"With their families, at the hospital," Vladimir responded. "Now we've got a job to do, so focus and let's do it well!"
After a short trip the four helicopters performed a rapid descent, coming to a hover just meters above the ground a short distance away from a large treeline. The changeling and pony soldiers quickly flew or rappelled down from the helicopters and landed on the ground below, quickly moving into formation. As Celestia touched down just behind Queen Chrysalis she lit her horn a soft gold as the last vestiges of sunlight slipped beneath the horizon, and somewhere in Canterlot Princess Luna raised the moon high into the sky. With the power of the sun behind her, Celestia's horn made the immediate area as clear as day.
The four aviation vehicles took off again as soon as their passengers were gone, the choppers' pilots intent on setting down in the nearby town of Ponyville until extraction was needed.
"Okay then!" Vladimir called out. "They will likely be ready to meet us so I want tight formations and for everypony to be on constant alert, move out!"
Serpens sat by the war map on the command platform within the Everfree hideout. Plans were laid out on the table, and notes were made on the map itself as the changeling figured out exactly how to kill Twilight during her stay at the hospital, and still make a clean getaway. He believed he was making progress, until the lieutenant that kept bothering him bothered him yet again.
"Sir, four helicopters just touched down outside the forest and those it deployed are heading straight for us! We have minutes at best!"
Serpens gave a shout of frustration, throwing some of his notes off the table in anger. "Damn them all! At least now we know why Harvest Leaf vanished! What are we facing?"
"About twenty changelings and ponies, the Queen and even Princess Celestia are among them! Sir, some of us aren't comfortable facing off against the Prin-"
"That's not Celestia!"
"Sir?"
"Do you really think the Princess would enter battle herself, she wouldn't risk herself like that for the parasites, manipulation or not. She's a changeling in disguise, deal with them without mercy!"
Foolishly, the Lieutenant bought it as always. "Yes sir!"
"Good! Now have everypony and all the golems converge at the entrance chokepoint, be ready to fight!"
The Lieutenant saluted before running off to carry out his orders, a scramble of hooves following as they all got ready for the coming fight.
Serpens growled to himself, bringing up his broadsword and examining the softly glowing red rune within it.
"If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me, Chrysalis."
Vladimir saw the entrance to the target cave ahead, and a flurry of movement was coming from within.
"We have contacts! Princess your orders?"
"Form up behind me, the Commander's fate is sealed but I want to give these ponies a chance."
The group emerged from the dense tree's lining the edge of the forest and quickly formed up on the cave. Then they were met with what Vladimir counted as twenty five fully armed ponies, and around ten golems, all of which were waiting for them. The golems were near featureless impersonations of ponies with large retractable blades attached to their forelimbs, but Vladimir knew all too well that they didn't need the blades to effectively kill a pony.
At the head of the enemy group a single pony stepped forwards, his armour signifying him as a lieutenant of the Solar Guard.
"Hold there parasites! You will go no further!"
Celestia stepped forwards from the group and addressed the misguided ponies. "Hear me ponies of the Solar Guard, for I am your princess and I command you to stop this madness! If you surrender yourselves now you shall be treated mercifully, but should you continue down this path of disharmony you shall face the full wrath of the sun!"
"Quiet you parasite!" the Lieutenant shouted. "You can't fool us; the princess would never attack her own ponies, nor would she ever taint herself with battle."
Celestia furrowed her eyebrows at the ignorant pony. "You know very little, Lieutenant. I have faced conflict you can only see in your deepest nightmares! I have faced Discord, the Tyrant King, and my own sister. I am Princess Celestia, and even though you outnumber us you cannot hope to defeat us. I am asking again, stand down now. This is your last chance!"
"Lies and manipulations!" the Lieutenant shouted, and Celestia sighed as she knew what was about to happen. "True protectors of Equestria, kill the-"
He never finished his final order as Celestia struck first. Her anger, her pain, and the end of her patience merged together, and with one lethal golden lance of magic from Celestia's horn his head flew through the air, landing in front of one of the enemy golems.
And then all hell broke loose.
Immediately the clash of steel could be heard as blades clanged off one another. Two EUP soldiers flanked one of the traitorous Solar Guards and dug the blades into his chest, once they retracted their swords from the dead pony one of them turned around only to be knocked through the air by one of the golems with a vicious kick. As Vladimir fought with one of their enemies Longshot fired a bolt at one of the opposing side's own crossbow wielding troops, and was rewarded with a shout of pain and the pony falling to the ground with an arrow sticking out of his eye socket. Simultaneously, Celestia took to the air and fired a devastating beam through the battle field, causing the Solar Guards to run for cover. One unfortunate mare was caught in the blast, and she was reduced to ash in moments.
Several ponies moved to surround Chrysalis and strike at her, only for her to release a pulse of magic that sent them all flying backwards and be lost in the crowd. One of the golems jumped out at her and released its blade, making a lunging stab for the Queen's neck. Chrysalis simply sidestepped and a quick flash of her horn reduced the golem to mere rubble, the momentum making it rain small rocks on her forelegs for a second or two. Scanning the battlefield, Chrysalis realised Broad Sword himself wasn't in attendance. Realising that he must still be inside the cave, Chrysalis quickly released a beam of magic into a small group of enemy ponies to knock them to the side and create an opening directly to the cave, which Chrysalis quickly sprinted right for.
As the Queen entered the cave Longshot noticed what she was doing and moved to follow her in, not wanting the Changeling Queen to face what lay within alone.
Chrysalis didn't see Longshot also break away from the fight and move to follow her inside, if she did she might have waited for him, but with adrenalin pumping through her veins she continued onwards by herself.
As Chrysalis ran into the cave the sound of the fighting outside became more muffled, as she reached the centre of the cave she saw several tents littered around, there were also supply crates, cooking fires and a raised metal platform in the centre.
Broad Sword looked down at the changeling queen from up on the platform, smirked and then simply walking away.
Snarling, Chrysalis made her way up the ramp and onto the platform itself, a map of Equestria sat on a war table. Broad Sword himself sat down at the other end, a glass of what looked like whiskey in his hoof.
"Why you arrogant..." Chrysalis growled, her horn lighting up with a green aura, which grasped the table and sent it flying off the platform, leaving nothing between Chrysalis and her prey. Broad Sword simply rolled his eyes as he downed the last of his whiskey in one go, and threw the glass off of the platform, the sound of smashing glass echoing throughout the cave.
"I was going to offer you a drink, but I take it you would have refused," the Commander grinned.
"Your crimes have gone unpunished long enough! Celestia will make short work of your followers, and I will deal with you."
"Well 'followers' is a bit of a strong word, cannon fodder is far closer to what they are. And while my initial plans may have failed, I may still save them... if I kill you. If I do it quickly enough I myself may yet escape, and then I will be back for your precious daughter."
If Chrysalis was going to ask who exactly the 'they' were that he wanted to save, because they certainly were not the ponies outside, that chance was lost at Broad Sword's last comment.
"You will never touch her again!" she shouted in anger, her horn charging with deadly power.
"Now now, let's not be too hasty!" Broad Sword said as he unsheathed his sword, a broadsword of all things, a sword that glowed red with intense magical power.
"W-what?" Chrysalis stammered as she felt her magical energies simply drain away, studying the sword closely she could see a red rune embedded within the blade.
"Useful little thing, provided by my benefactor... just in case. This rune is incredibly rare, but then again I believe you recognise it?"
"That rune was an heirloom of Queen Imperatrix, where did you get that?! It was meant to have been buried with her!"
"It was, until I needed it. It's not like your grandmother needed it anymore, she is dead after all. Besides, I hear that your mother and Imperatrix weren't too chummy anyhow. And now, without your magic, what are you?"
With a shout Chrysalis rushed forward, her fangs glaring. With a shake of his head Broad Sword brought up his weapon and struck out, forcing Chrysalis to dive away. One strike was followed by another, and another. Chrysalis was defenceless, and she couldn't get close enough to use her fangs without being sliced in two, all she could do was dodge Broad Sword's blows, which were getting closer each time.
'Why did Celestia have to be right?' she mentally kicked herself.
The next swing grazed Chrysalis' cheek, Broad Sword smirked as he went for one final blow.
An arrow struck next to Broad Sword as Longshot burst onto the platform, he quickly reloaded and took a more aimed shot straight at Broad Sword's snarling face.
Broad Sword deflected the arrow with the flat edge of his blade before flying forwards towards the earth pony. Chrysalis tried to intercept him, but a kick to the face sent her over the platforms edge.
Longshot tried to hit Broad Sword with the stock of his weapon, but it was knocked from his grasp before he was able. Longshot dodged two swings in quick succession before an opening allowed him to tackle Broad Sword to the ground, the two struggling over the rune imbedded sword. As the two struggled, Longshot administered several punches to the face, drawing blood from Broad Sword's muzzle, the Commander however responded in kind. Broad Sword's first and only punch, which was surprisingly strong, dazed the sergeant, allowing Broad Sword to kick Longshot off. As Longshot struggled on the floor his opponent picked up his sword and used the opportunity to drive his blade into a gap in Longshot's silver EUP armour.
Longshot went still.
Chrysalis recovered from her fall just as the blow was delivered, the changeling queen watching in horror. However, she also realised she had been knocked outside the rune's area of effect, so Chrysalis lit up her horn and unleashed a devastating beam onto the foundations of the platform, bringing the whole thing crumbling down. The debris obscured the commander from sight as it came down, kicking up plenty of dirt and dust lining the cave floor. Chrysalis kept her distance, surveying the wreckage for signs of life as the dust cleared.
Chrysalis barely noticed the figure out of the corner of her eye strike out from behind. Jumping to the side Chrysalis narrowly dodged Broad Sword's attack, before trying to blast him with magic, only for the rune's effects to once again take place.
Chrysalis stood, the last attack having driven her up against the cave wall. "How did you get behind me?"
"You will never know," Broad Sword smirked again, bringing his sword up for what he planned to be the killing blow.
Only for another arrow to strike him in the foreleg, causing the Commander to shout in pain as he dropped his blade.
Longshot smiled at Chrysalis when she spotted him emerge from the wreckage. "Smug bastard," he called out to Broad Sword before collapsing, heavily wounded.
Broad Sword tried to reach for his blade, only for it to be picked up by a black, hole ridden hoof, with another rolling him over and keeping him pinned. Broad Sword looked up at Chrysalis' hate filled face as she drove his own blade into his chest.
A silence filled the cavern as Chrysalis stepped off of the dying commander, leaving the sword embedded in him. The fighting outside also seemed to come to a stop, the shouting and sounds of battle ceasing to be.
Coughing up blood, Broad Sword looked up at Chrysalis, their eyes meeting as he spoke one last time. "You have no idea what you have unleashed today, Chrysalis. And as darkness takes me I must lament on my failure... My family, my friends... my Queen."
Broad Sword's head dropped and his eyes closed as green flames racked over his body, revealing the changeling beneath.
"I have doomed them all."
And with those parting words, Infiltrator Serpens was dead.
Chrysalis stared, eyes wide at the sight. Chrysalis realised he must have used changeling magic to create a portal to escape the collapsing platform and get behind her, but who was this changeling? And where was the true Commander Broad Sword? However, she was drawn away from the issue as she remembered her injured ally and quickly rushed to his aid.
However, when she arrived Longshot was completely still, his crossbow still in his grasp, and his signature smirk still on his face. Chrysalis, now free from the rune's effects, scanned his body, hoping against hope for a sign of life.
None.
Longshot had made the ultimate sacrifice.
Chrysalis knelt down and sighed in regret at the sergeant's fate. Moments later Celestia and the EUP with her stormed the cave, changelings following closely behind. Some of the EUP and changelings were worse for wear, but Celestia herself was as pristine as always.
"Chrysalis!" Celestia called as she rushed to the changeling queen's side, spotting Longshot when she got there.
"Longshot?" Celestia called, sorrow filling her heart on realising the sergeants final fate. "What happened?"
"The fiend claimed his last victim."
"And where is Broad Sword now?"
Chrysalis pointed towards the dead changeling. "I don't think it ever was Broad Sword."
Celestia's eyes were drawn to the deceased infiltrator. "A changeling? Then where is the real Commander?"
Vladimir had also spotted what had become of his friend, but there would be time for mourning later, for now he had a job to do. As he and the EUP spread through the cave he spotted an unremarkable area of particularly no importance. So unimportant, he wanted to look away.
"Hold up!" Vladimir shouted. "There's a perception filter over here!"
All the guards converged onto the spot Vladimir had pointed out, one of the unicorns in the group lit up her horn and dispelled the filter, revealing a passageway previously hidden from sight.
"It would seem Luna's special training paid off," Celestia remarked.
"I don't see any other casualties among us," Chrysalis noted.
"That's because there weren't any, which I myself made certain of, though some of my ponies and your changelings did take some nasty injuries. Aside from a few scars, I am confident everypony will make a full recovery. However, our adversaries foolishly fought to the last pony, they're gone."
Broad Sword's head hung low as several sounds roused him from his sleep. After a little while however, the sounds ceased and sleep began to reclaim the exhausted Pegasus.
Only for the sound of approaching hooves to rouse him once again.
"Sweet Celestia, is that who I think it is?" a familiar voice could be heard.
"Captain Vespertilio?" Broad Sword weakly whispered, looking up at the approaching ponies.
"Commander? Medic! Somepony get a medic!" Vladimir called back to the ponies following him, all of whom scrambled out to get Broad Sword some help leaving only the Commander and Vladimir in the small cavern.
Despite everything, Broad Sword managed to chuckle, "You have no idea how good it is to see you!"
"I can imagine, are you aware of what has transpired?"
"Y-yes, I know everything. I may also have some information you don't know; that changeling was an arrogant bastard, he tended to like gloating, and relayed all of his 'glorious' achievements to me."
"Right, well, all the hostiles are neutralised, so let's get you out of here."
As Vladimir got to work on releasing Broad Sword's restraints he didn't notice an equine shaped figure approaching from behind, blade raised.
Broad Sword did however.
The moment he was free Broad Sword darted forwards, grabbed Vladimir's blade and sliced it straight through the golem's neck, its head slowly sliding off as a baffled Vladimir watched.
"You missed one," Broad Sword remarked, before he collapsed, too weak to stand.
As the four helicopters descended on Canterlot they were met with a flurry of activity. Several ambulance chariots were ready to receive the wounded, and guards moved to keep back yet more pesky reporters.
As the choppers landed and powered down medics rushed forwards to see to the less seriously wounded, while stretchers were brought out to receive those with more serious injuries and needed immediate medical attention. Broad Sword was loaded onto one such stretcher and rushed into an ambulance. Vladimir was tempted to go with him and make sure he was alright, but before anything else there was a letter he had to write.
Vladimir looked over to one stretcher being loaded into an ambulance, but unlike the others the pony on that stretcher wasn't going to any operating theatre. Longshot was wearing a black bag.
He was going to the morgue.
Vladimir sighed as Longshot was taken away and looked down at the crossbow he carried in his hooves. He would make sure the weapon was laid to rest with its rightful owner when the time came.
For now he had to write a letter to an unsuspecting family in Manehatten. |
Change | 29 - Recovery | Rain poured down onto Canterlot, the city's weather pegasi fulfilling their duties with the scheduled downpour. As was usual around this time, most of the city's inhabitants had retreated indoors to escape the rain, with the exception of a few.
The first exceptions were group of fillies and colts, splashing and playing in the mud as all children do some point in their young lives.
The second set out in the rain was a pair of captains; Vladimir Vespertilio and Carduus. Both stood in front of a completely dry casket, in one of Canterlot's many cemeteries. This particular one was just a short distance away from the castle, wherein the grave stones were more akin to large works of art, meticulously created by the most skilled of craftsponies.
This was because this cemetery was reserved for the most distinguished war heroes, honoured as such by the princesses themselves.
It was here that Commander Hurricane was interred; she had been moved from her original burial place after the Capital City of Everfree was abandoned and left to the nature's reclamation after Nightmare Moon.
It was also here that the famed Nights Watch was laid to rest; knights who fell defending a rather large wall up in the north, fighting against undead ponies brought about by remaining vestiges of King Sombra's dark magic.
And now it was here the posthumously promoted Sergeant-Major Longshot was to be put to rest.
The area around the casket had been kept clear of rain out of respect for the fallen soldier, and after the service, those attending had slowly drifted away indoors where they would discuss their memories of the smart mouthed sergeant over food and drink. Now only Vladimir and Carduus remained in front of the simple, but elegantly crafted casket, on which sat a picture of the pony in question, signature smirk on his face, and all the medals he had earned during his service to the Equestrian crown; and one of them was new.
Eventually though, even they had to move on, Carduus was the first to go. The changeling heading towards the castle where his wife and young daughter were still staying.
Vladimir stayed a little while longer out of respect for his friend, but he too eventually had to leave. With a final salute to Longshot, he turned and exited the cemetery entirely, intent on returning back to his duties as captain of the Lunar Guard.
The next day
The Sun shined brilliantly, almost blindingly to his still sensitive eyes, through the curtains as Commander Broad Sword of the Equestrian Solar Guard peered through; looking them down onto the street below. A few carts and carriages passed through the street, as ponies carried on with their daily lives as they normally did. Though he could spot a few 'ponies' loitering around intersections, and in other key spots, examining the crowd intently. Broad Sword knew enough to recognise them as sentries of Queen Chrysalis, guards who had been stationed around the hospital for the protection of their princess.
And Broad Sword couldn't help but feel a stab of regret at his role in her predicament, and in other atrocities committed in recent days.
His hospital room was fairly standard; flowers sat just by the bed, after having been placed there by his big sister when she and their parents had visited earlier. He had even received a 'get well soon' card from his colleagues in the guard.
But so far nopony had discussed with him what had happened, or rather what he had been made out to be by the mysterious infiltrator. However, he knew that was about to change when the door opened and, as regal as ever, in strode the Princess of the Sun.
"Your Highness!" He threw a quick salute. "I was expecting your visit," he said to Princess Celestia as he turned his wheelchair to face her properly.
"It is good to see you up and about Broad Sword," Celestia stated as she gave him her usual motherly smile. "How are you feeling?"
Broad Sword shifted in his seat. "Good, all things considered. My body took quite the beating being hung up like that for so long, that bast- changeling, that changeling only just kept me from dying; my comfort wasn't high on his priorities list. The doctors want me to stay in here a few more days for observation, and I'm to stay in this damned chair until I can walk without cracking my jaw into the pavement.
"I will make sure the doctors make you comfortable during your stay here," Celestia assured.
"No need, your highness. Compared to my last accommodations this is a life of luxury. Besides, I enjoy your company as always, but we both know you aren't here just to make a social call."
Celestia sighed. "I'm afraid not; I was rather hoping you could give us some insight into who our mysterious infiltrator was, as well as his motives."
"Well he wasn't exactly tight lipped, he loved to brag. He talked about how once Twilight Sparkle was dead, Equestria and Chrysalis' hive would wage war with one another. Then, whoever won that fight would then be taken out by whoever was sponsoring this little operation."
"Did he give any indication who his queen was?"
"I'm afraid he didn't give that much detail, but... I don't think his hive is truly even behind this."
Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
"Perhaps I should start from the beginning, it started at the wedding-"
Broad Sword explained how he had carried out his duties for the wedding's security, him being in charge of the Solar Guard with their captain himself being the groom. He then told Celestia how when the 'invasion' began, the unexpected attack completely overwhelmed their defences, which were not meant to deal with the type of attack that had occurred. During this time he was split off from the other guards, where the changeling was lying in wait. He told the princess of how he woke in the cavern, and how over time the changeling would brag about his achievements, and arrogantly gloat to the commander.
Celestia's attention was particularly caught when he told of how the infiltrator had let slip that that his actions would 'both save and strengthen his hive'. Broad Sword had inquired what his hive needed saving from, but the only answer he received was, 'there are far worse things out there than me'. He ended his story with how Vladimir had found him, and how he had saved the captain from the golem, all of which Celestia had read in Vladimir's report.
"-and that is pretty much everything," Broad Sword concluded. "Is there anything else?"
A smile graced Celestia's face. "No, you have been most helpful, please take it easy and get well soon Commander."
"I will Princess; I hope you find the lings who did this... and take them down."
"That is the intent," Celestia simply stated as she exited the hospital room, leaving Broad Sword alone.
"Did you get all of that?" Celestia asked the individual standing just outside the door.
"Everything," Chrysalis responded. "And it links in with the infiltrators final words. He may have been a monster, there is no denying that. But it apparently his hive was seemingly coerced into acting out the will of another, under threat of annihilation. They were just puppets."
"But who was the puppet master?" Celestia asked.
"Oh, there are plenty of queens who would literally kill to turn Equestria into their personal love farm. However, very few would ever be brave enough to do it. And to target my hive specifically in conjuncture with those plans..."
"Any particular suspects?" She enquired.
Chrysalis thought on this a moment. "Out of the twenty queens in existence, I can think of four. All of whom have hives far larger than mine."
Celestia sighed. "Then I entrust you with investigating this matter further, we have had no experience with the political structure of the hives and I fear direct involvement at this time will only complicate matters."
"I agree," Chrysalis nodded.
"However, that being said," Celestia looked Chrysalis dead in the eyes. "Should you require Equestria's aid in the near future, all you need do is ask."
Chrysalis smiled. "I thank you for your assistance Celestia, and with our negotiators continuing their talks I would say the shared future of our two peoples look bright on this day. Now if you will excuse me, I will be spending the foreseeable future at my daughter's side."
Celestia couldn't help but wish that was what she could do, but the day was still young, and her duties called. So with a simple nod the two parted ways, with Celestia heading back to Canterlot Castle where day court would soon commence.
But as Queen Chrysalis went, one though stayed on her mind.
'Four potential queens... but in the end I know it was you... Crudelis. If only there was proof...'
-sends her regards," the guard, Broad Sword I believe, whispered to me.
There was a stab of pain, and once more it repeated. Over and over Twilight witnessed the events that ended her last conscious moments in the outside world, and only the smallest fragments of her mind even realised what was happening.
And just like every other time, events repeated.
Carduus drove his blade into the guard's eye socket. Once the guard slumped Carduus swung his blade at the next guard. However, something else caught my eye. Turning around I saw two of my own guards fighting three of those... traitors, and they were losing. Before I could process what was happening one of the traitors did one clean sweep with his sword, and took off the heads off both changeling guards, the very same two that I had met outside of my room that very morning. They didn't deserve that, they didn't deserve to die! Why was this happening?
"NO!" I screamed, I sent a beam of lavender magic violently towards the killer-
Only this time her beam of magic met... nothing. Twilight Sparkle floated within a blank void, there was nothing as far as the eye could see.
"Hello?" Twilight called out, and voices responded to her call.
Suddenly hundreds, if not thousands of voices all called out in excitement as for the first time in days Twilight's connection to the hive was reestablished. Twilight hadn't realised they were gone, but now that they were back the once alien voices welcomed her like a soft blanket after a hard day's work. They were excited, as her reemergence in the hive mind could only mean one thing.
A bright white light enveloped Twilight, and she closed her eyes to protect them from the flash. When it was all over, her body ached as if it hadn't moved in days. Slowly she opened her eyes to find herself surrounded by her family, both pony and changeling, all watching her expectantly.
"H-hi?" Twilight said, slightly confused.
"Twilight!" they all shouted at once, glomping her already weakened body, which threatened to turn into dust at the contact.
"Ow! Hey!" Twilight croaked out underneath the mass of bodies, who all retracted and gave her sheepish, apologetic smiles.
"See, I knew you would make it back to us," Night Light said confidently.
"We were so worried for you dear," Velvet tearfully admitted.
"Worried for me? What happe-" Then it hit her like the friendship express.
The attack, the poisoned dagger, repeating events over and over...
She had been in a coma.
"Oh sweet Celestia, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you like that, I-"
"Shh, there-there my daughter," Chrysalis cooed. "You're safe now, and those ponies can't hurt you anymore."
"W-what do you mean?"
Chrysalis smiled warmly. "All will be explained later, for now just rest."
After a moment Twilight weakly nodded. "OK... I will."
"Twily?" a nervous voice said from behind Night Light.
Twilight turned to look at the voices owner, and Shining Armor stepped into view, before collapsing at her bedside into a grovelling position.
"Twily, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean any of those nasty things I said, and I-"
Twilight smiled at her brother as she put a hoof on his shoulder. "BBBFF, there is nothing to apologise for."
Shining looked down at his LSBFF in disbelief, before scooping her into another, gentler hug; one which she returned all too gladly.
After everything they had all been through, everything that had happened within recent times... For the first time since it all began a single certainty dominated all of their minds.
Everything was going to be fine.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the hospital Broad Sword had wheeled himself out of his room, and now sat in front of the large window looking over the hospitals back courtyard, which was far more pleasant to observe than a simple street. The gardeners had done an outstanding job of maintaining it.
"Hey, are you OK?" a voice asked.
Broad Sword turned to see a white coloured mare with a scarlet mane and eyes along with a snowflake cutie mark sit beside him by the window. He noticed her right foreleg was in a sling.
"Wait, you're Commander Broad Sword right? I hear even after spending weeks tied up, you saved Captain Vladimir's ass when he was meant to be saving yours!" she laughed quietly.
Initially caught off guard, Broad Sword soon couldn't help but laugh in return. "We saved each other I think, and I can't thank him enough for getting me out of that cave.
"It wasn't just him you know; we all had a hoof in it!" The mare gave him a playfully stern look.
"Wait, you were there, weren't you?"
"EUP Lieutenant Scarlet Snow, at you service," she responded with a smirk.
"Snow? Where have I hear that name before?"
"My family are descendants of the Nights Watch, but I prefer to make my own way rather than depend on some famous long dead lineage to make a living."
Broad Sword was still impressed, but he decided to drop the matter. "Fair enough, what are you doing up here anyway?"
"Same reason as you I reckon, wanted to get out of that hospital room. Had a broken foreleg and concussion, I'm getting unleashed unto the outside world tomorrow."
"Oh, I really wish I was going with you; it's better than the cave, but I really want to get out of here and just go back to my duties."
"I could break you out of here," she jokingly suggested. "I found a black and white stripped outfit in a bush with a note saying 'for jailbreak emergencies', so I could use that."
Broad Sword laughed. "Oh my savior!"
Both of them sat laughing for a few more moments, getting it out of their systems.
"So... want to get a drink later?" Broad Sword asked. "I could use the company."
Scarlet Snow smiled. "I would like that."
Three weeks later
Princess Twilight moved through the hallway of her hive, her ever so faithful assistant at her side.
"So Twilight, are we going to Pinkie's party tomorrow night?" He asked hopefully. He was almost bouncing.
Twilight chuckled, and looked down to him. "Wouldn't miss it Spike; I miss Ponyville at times, so it will be good to go for a visit."
"I miss it too," he agreed. "We should work out a schedule allowing regular visits."
Twilight smiled at the idea. "Add it to the to-do list."
Spike dropped back and rummaged through Twilight's saddlebags. "Will do, that's the one next to the checklist on organising checklists, right?"
"Yep, that's the one!" Twilight responded happily.
The two came to a stop just outside the throne room.
"Spike, I just wanted to thank you for coming with me to live at the hive, I wasn't sure you would leave Ponyville so quickly. I know I was reluctant to leave..."
Spike moved in and hugged the Changeling Princess. "Twilight, wherever you go, I go."
"Thanks Spike," Twilight returned the hug.
"Now come on Twilight, haven't you got some pony nobles to deal with?"
"It's mostly diplomats coming over to see the hive, only a couple of nobles are coming along to 'see what all the fuss is about'." Twilight rolled her eyes. "But yes, I better get going. Until now all negotiations have taken place in Equestria so this is fairly major."
"Got it, I'll make sure things are arranged back in the room for you when you finish."
"That's my number one assistant!" She patted his head affectionately, before using her magic to pass Spike her bags.
"Well it's what I'm here for!" Spike chuckled as he moved off down the corridor.
After watching the young dragon go, Twilight turned to the large double doors and pushed them open.
On her obsidian throne at the end of the room, Chrysalis smiled affectionately when she spotted her daughter. Chrysalis dismissed Captain Carduus, who nodded to Twilight as he passed.
"Good morning Twilight, sleep well?"
"I did mother, thank you. Is everything ready?"
"Thanks to your exceptional organisational skills we couldn't be more ready," she stated as she smiled. "Now come; let us ready ourselves for the ponies' arrival."
Chrysalis motioned Twilight to the second obsidian throne. Twilight stared at the seat hesitantly, never before had she sat in the seat intended for her.
Eventually though, she gathered up the courage to approach, staring at her own cutie mark displayed proudly in the back rest as she went. When she sat on her throne she found it to be a perfect fit for her, the padding on the seat making it particularly comfortable.
Chrysalis looked on at her daughter with proud eyes.
'Oh Virum, wherever you are I know that you are as proud as I am. Thank you, for everything.'
Twilight looked up at her mother and returned her smile, before looking towards the door expectantly, the ponies due to arrive any moment.
She sat up ramrod straight, channelling the regal posture her mother and Celestia always made look so easy, and found herself channelling that very same posture with little effort.
'I could get used to this,' Twilight thought to herself.
And when the ponies entered the throne room, they were in awe at the Queen and Princess waiting for them. |
Change | 30 - Act 1 Epilogue | Elsewhere, far from Equestria
Deep within a hive much like Chrysalis' own, an ancient queen sat on her menacing obsidian and bone throne, communicating with her various drones throughout the hive. The Queen had a blood red mane and eyes to match, contrasting with the standard colouration of changeling queens; and unlike Chrysalis she was well groomed and put great stock into appearances.
"My Queen!" a changeling guard captain burst in holding a scroll in his sickly green aura. "Our spies have reported in!"
Eagerly the ancient queen took the scroll, unravelled it and took in its contents.
"Well well, it would seem Chrysalis has been making friends," the Queen said in a mocking tone. "I knew I shouldn't have relied on that fool of an infiltrator to do our job for us, perhaps I should have opted for more direct oversight, sent agents of our own. They wouldn't have made such... amateur mistakes."
"It's ironic, Infiltrator Serpens was sent out by his queen with the mission to drive Equestria and the Badlands Hive apart, and all the infiltrator did was bring them together instead," the drone remarked snidely.
"It is indeed. In his failure he has forged an alliance between two of my enemies, this cannot stand."
"What should be done with Serpens' hive? They are an ally after all."
"They knew the price of failure. Burn them. Queen Vespula's hive is but a couple thousand strong, they are small and insignificant. This will teach our other 'cherished' allies not to make the same mistakes."
"It will be done my Queen, but-"
"But?"
"The Badlands Hive... if they seek help from the ponies, they must be weaker than we believed! We should strike at them now, eliminate another rival for good."
"Captain... could you have said anything more incompetent?" the Queen asked with a snarl.
The captain recoiled in fear. "My Queen?" he asked shakily.
"They are anything but weak, they have the princesses on their side and not only that, her daughter has returned, the Element of Magic no less... not to mention the fact that we don't actually know where their hive is other than 'in the Badlands somewhere'. Any future actions must be planned carefully."
"Forgive me, my Queen." The guard bowed his head. "I was out of line."
"You are forgiven, Captain. Now leave me, I have a council to call."
"The Royal Council? You are gathering the queens? All of them?"
"I am, including Chrysalis and her ilk. And double our efforts to discover her hive's exact location, if I need to destroy her personally it would be good to know where she lives."
"U-understood, Queen Crudelis."
Bowing one last time the guard slipped out of the room, cursing his own brashness. He had a lot of work ahead of him, locating all of the queens and arranging a council could take months, even years. Not once has there been a matter that had gathered the queens immediately, and he doubted this time would be any different.
Crudelis quickly turned her attention back to the scroll, reading it over and over. "So you have the princesses at your beck and call now, Chrysalis? All because of that daughter of yours, Element of Magic, hero of Equestria..." the Queen chuckled sadistically. "If you think 'Broad Sword' was the worst of your troubles, you are a bigger fool than I thought..."
"Oh I am looking forward to killing you, Twilight Sparkle."
End of Act 1 |
Change | 31 - Intermission: In The Mind Of The Sun | The Morning After Twilight's Attempted Assassination, Hours after Chrysalis confronted Celestia
The blinding sun cast its rays across Canterlot, its long lines spreading out all of the days wondrous light. The idyllic image it created through the balcony doors of Celestia's personal chambers was one of the princess's favourite parts of the day. But today it held a double edged sword to her mind.
Just looking upon it, she could not help but recall the name for this time of day; twilight. Just thinking it brought pain to her heart, her mind quickly dancing to the mare currently residing in a hospital bed. She wished to be there herself, but took solace in the fact Chrysalis was with her.
Princess Celestia sighed loudly, and let the magic drop from her quill. If that wasn't enough on her mind, then the task she had just finished would haunt her for years. Today marked the first day in over a decade that the Royal Guard had suffered a casualty, let alone eight. What made it even worse was that they had all been, with the exception of two, traitors.
Her anger flared, before her face caught sight of the papers on her desk; eight letters addressed to the families of the fallen, with details for the funerals attached. Her mind was at war within. She was fighting between grief for the fallen, a feeling of failure for Twilight, and anger for those who had committed this atrocity.
"I know I should feel more sorrow for those guards, but I just can't. My focus is mainly on Twilight. That doesn't make me a bad pony, does it?"
As always, Philomena sat silently on her perch, but she cocked her head to the side.
"It's just that she is almost the daughter I never had. I've grown so fond of her, and so close that I just can't stand the thought of losing her. And then I remember it. Like I am still there; I'm turning around at Longshot's shout, and I have to watch the colour drain from her eyes while I hold onto her."
Celestia stood from her desk, and began pacing about the room.
"And each time I relive it, the anger at those guards grows a little more. Each time it makes it harder to remember them for who they were. Each time I demonise them more. I fear that if I dwell too much on this, I might reach a point where I do something I regret. I fear that I will want to. After Chrysalis calmed down, I realised what I said to her - I said I was willing to kill somepony. Right know, I don't know where I stand."
Celestia sighed. "It's happening again. You weren't there, a thousand years ago. The night I lost Lulu was one of the worst of my life, and I was in a dark place after. The only thing that kept me from taking a similar path to my sister was the determination to make things right, to craft an Equestria that would accept her upon her return from the moon. But with Twilight..."
Philomena flew across the room, and settled on the frame of the largest painting in the room. It was of Luna, not long after her return from the nightmare.
Celestia smiled at her beloved pet phoenix, "You're right, as you so often are, Mena. Who better to ask about inner demons than my own sister?"
Philomena 'cawed' her approval, before she flew down, landing on Celestia's back. Celestia turned her head and nuzzled her, wearing her first smile of the day. "Thank you, Mena. It is soon time to lower the sun and make way for Luna's moon, so I shall ask her after the task is complete."
Philomena 'cawed' again, before taking flight, leaving through the open balcony doors. Celestia headed out of her chambers, intent of having a light snack before she lowered the sun. But she never made it far before a voice called out for her;
"Aunty!" She turned around to greet Cadance, but was blindsided by a hug; one she returned with gusto.
"I need to borrow you, there is something you need to see." Before Celestia could question it, Cadance had taken her wing in hers and was dragging her down the corridor. It was going to be a long day.
Canterlot Castle Interrogation Room Two, The Next Morning
'Cadance found one.'
'She found one of the traitors.'
'He is right here, in front of me.'
'One of the ones who tried to kill my Twilight is right in front of me.'
'I could just reach out with my magic; his neck would be like a twig beneath a hoof.'
Luna continued to conduct the interrogation. She was either oblivious to Celestia's inner turmoil, or she chose to ignore it. In truth, Celestia was barely listening, at least until she heard the word 'Everfree'.
"The Everfree Forest, a place barely anypony goes. No wonder the Commander chose to make a base there, but at least we now know where he is."
Her sister went back to her questions, but all she could focus on was running through her mental map of the Everfree, and all of the places she knew a group could hide. She ruminated on this until she heard Luna begin to wrap up.
"Well in any case you have been most helpful Harvest Leaf, but there is one last thing I want to know," Luna leaned forwards. "You have told us how you came to be here, but you haven't told us why. Why have you abandoned your fellow conspirators and sold them out? What changed your mind?"
"Several things," he responded. "The fear and fury Princess Twilight showed during the attack, the behaviour of some of the other changelings we have hunted..." Harvest's eye became downcast. "And her..."
"Her?" Luna interrupted.
Bringing his head back up to face Luna, he replied: "You know, the maid that died. Well, the thing is, there are many whispers that the commander was responsible."
Luna looked him in the eyes. "That maid's name was Sunny Aura."...
"...a few of us started to believe he had a hoof in her death. Just before I left I even worked up the courage to ask him and... he was indifferent. He didn't answer yes or no but..."
Sunny Aura. Celestia, wrapped up in the event of the past forty eight hours, had all but forgotten about her passing. She had been an excellent maid, and a good friend to many, stopping behind after work to chat, sometimes even over a cup of tea. Now it was confirmed, she was murdered.
Broad Sword's headcount had grown, adding another member of Celestia's circle of friends, and in her position that list wasn't always as high as she would like. The internal fire was given more fuel. If one was to look into her eyes right then, you would practically melt.
Before she knew it, it was time to deliver her verdict, and after carefully schooling her expression as well as her voice, she spread her wings as she delivered it, "Private Harvest Leaf of the Equestrian Solar Guard, you shall be imprisoned within the dungeons until your court martial at a later date. We can't ignore the crimes you have committed against the harmony of Equestria and the surrounding lands, but the assistance you have provided today will also be taken into account when judgement is rendered. Do you have anything else to say in your defence?"
Harvest Leaf hung his head dejectedly as he rose to his hooves. "No, your highness."
"Very well, take him away."
Two Solar Guards led Harvest Leaf out of the interrogation room, leaving the two royal sisters alone.
"Sister," Luna addressed. "What do you intend to do?"
"I will talk with Chrysalis, but this group must be wiped out soon to prevent another catastrophe. I do not intend to let Broad Sword escape, and we must pray that the others surrender to us if they do not wish to share his inevitable fate. I will be there, as I know Chrysalis will almost certainly will. I imagine your captain and Sergeant Longshot will also volunteer readily."
"Be careful not to let your personal feelings get in the way Tia, they are a very dangerous thing in the middle of battle."
Celestia gave her little sister a smile. "Do not worry Lulu, I promise I will be fine. The fate of Broad Sword's co-conspirators is still up to them when the time comes, but Broad Sword's sentence has been relegated to Queen Chrysalis to decide, considering the circumstances, and we both know what the verdict will be."
"Funny how that leaves your pristine image intact."
"Luna?" Surprise and hurt tinged Celestia's voice.
"You cannot fool me Tia, I know you want him dead just as much as Chrysalis, just... please be careful. Such dark thoughts can lead to much more trouble down the road."
Celestia lifted one large alabaster wing over Luna. "Then it is a good thing I have my little sister to keep me in check," she smiled as she gave her sister a little nuzzle.
Luna nuzzled back. "I said it once, and I will say it again. How did you last without me for a thousand years?"
Celestia chuckled. "It is a mystery to us all."
That was a lie.
It wasn't a mystery to Celestia.
She had swallowed her rage before with a divine sense of purpose, to make things ready for Luna's return. But now she had no such purpose, and she needed an outlet. For all the love and adoration she received, despite all those truly believing her to be some kind of goddess, she knew better than anypony that she in truth was just a pony. And just as flawed.
Luna bid her farewell, she had Night Court to attend to after all. However, Celestia stayed in that room for a few more minutes. When she finally left to make preparations, the smell of burnt wood lingered on her coat. Back in the room, where the chair had once stood, was nothing more than a pile of ash.
Everfree Forest, That Night.
Celestia wasn't sure she liked flying by helicopter, her wings were far gentler, but she couldn't deny that it left her fresh for the battle ahead. Once the machines reached the drop zone, the passengers disembarked. While Celestia could see in the low light conditions, she lit her horn, illuminating the area around her with pure sunlight.
She had never intended to make it so bright, but right now, her fury was barely held back, and her emotions fuelled her magic. The choppers retreated, heading for Ponyville, and the raiding party headed out.
It wasn't long before they found their target, a large cave mouth in the side of a small cliff. And the enemy had rolled out the welcome party.
"We have contacts! Princess your orders?"
"Form up behind me, the commander's fate is sealed but I want to give these ponies a chance."
The group emerged from the dense tree's lining the edge of the forest and quickly formed up on the cave. At the head of the enemy group a single pony stepped forwards, his armor signifying him as a lieutenant of the Solar Guard. Being face to face with the traitors, wearing her own colour armor no less, did nothing good for Celestia's mood.
'No, I can't be too hasty. They have been duped. It doesn't absolve them of their crimes, but I have to give them a chance.'
"Hold there parasites! You will go no further!"
'Or not. It's like he wants to die.'
Celestia stepped forwards from the group and addressed the misguided ponies. "Hear me ponies of the Solar Guard, for I am your princess, and I command you to stop this madness! If you surrender yourselves now you shall be treated mercifully, but should you continue down this path of disharmony you shall face the full wrath of the sun!"
"Quiet you parasite!" the Lieutenant shouted. "You can't fool us! The Princess would never attack her own ponies, nor would she ever taint herself with battle."
Celestia sucked in a heated breath; who was this pony to question her? "You know very little, Lieutenant. I have faced conflict you can only see in your deepest nightmares! I have faced Discord, the Tyrant King, and my own sister. I am Princess Celestia, and even though you outnumber us you cannot hope to defeat us. I am asking again, stand down now. This is your last chance!"
"Lies and manipulation!" the Lieutenant shouted, and Celestia sighed as she knew what was about to happen. "True protectors of Equestria, kill the-"
The red mist descended. She had promised Broad Sword to Chrysalis, but right now, any one of the traitors would do. She channeled all of her anger into her horn, and unleashed a beam of pure burning sun.
The Lieutenant never finished his sentence. The beam hit him clean in the throat; his neck ceased to be, and his head sailed through the air, landing down in front of a golem.
Celestia had prided herself on the lack of violence Equestria had witnessed over the past years, over the fact that she hadn't had to kill anypony since the early days.
But now all hell had broken loose.
Throughout the fight Celestia forced herself to channel her energy into protecting her ponies, to preserve their lives as the traitors fell.
But, at her hoof, some traitors still shared the Lieutenant's fate.
And when all was said and done, she couldn't help but fell a little hollow on the inside. The ride back to Canterlot giving her ample time to think things over.
The traitors were dead, but now the rage had subsided, she couldn't stop herself from mourning their loss. She quickly remembered why she garnered a distaste for such affairs, and for conflict in general.
Perhaps the death of yet another friend, Longshot, was a wake up call.
Celestia would move beyond this, it would have taken some time, but she would heal and find acceptance for what she had done.
But right then and there, Twilight Sparkle was safe, and that was all that truly mattered. |
Change | 32 - Act 2 Prologue | Everything is going well for Twilight Sparkle, she is princess of the Badlands hive, has reunited with her estranged mother, survived a plot against her life and ultimately organised a peace treaty between both of her homes, the Badlands Hive and the nation of Equestria.
But now it's time Chrysalis moved Twilight on from the tame practice of Equestrian politics, and introduced her to the dangerous battle that is changeling politics...
Among all the queens being gathered for the council one in particular stands out, one that is playing the long game, making plans...
Chrysalis' aunt is keen on meeting the latest addition to her family.
Queen Crudelis is waiting.
****
Princess Twilight Sparkle couldn't believe her luck. The book held in her hooves could shed so much insight to her hive's elusive past.
The apprehension was absolutely killing her. Her scholarly mind buzzing.
The changeling princess practically sprinted down the corridors towards her personal chambers, where upon reaching said chambers she burst through the doors and quickly closed them again with a almighty slam.
Without a moment to lose, she placed the book onto the desk near her bed and opened it. Her muzzle went right up to the page as she examined every word in utmost detail.
The opening paragraph seemed to be the author looking back on events before her time, and leading up to her own birth. Some other entries described life events before the author received the book and began writing in it, and the following entries eventually began to detail events as they transpired.
Twilight's attention was well and truly caught.
Almost one thousand and three hundred years before the return of Princess Luna, Equestria was a troubled land. Discord's reign of terror was an all too recent memory for the ponies; and the three tribe's government was no more - in their place the new alicorn princesses stood, the two sisters who defeated Discord now faced the task of fixing a broken nation.
And if that wasn't enough, during the reign of Discord, Equestria's ally, Queen Amore of the Crystal Empire, was ousted by the tyrant King Sombra. Sombra now sought to claim Equestria and truly turn his new kingdom into the empire its name suggested. Equestria was fast becoming a warzone.
However, far from the troubles of the ponies sat a changeling hive. Queen Imperatrix cradled two new-born nymphs, one sporting a blood red mane and eyes, and the other the usual teal most changeling queens possessed.
They were twins. The elder, Avia, was born minutes before the younger, Crudelis.
They were the queen's daughters, and she had high hopes for them both. ...
Ten Years Later
Two small changeling nymphs, Princesses Avia and Crudelis, played happily together. They were in their mother's throne room, chasing each other around in a game of tag, each trying to best the other and giggling all the way.
They had received a good life; their mother had given them an equal share of love. Both literally and metaphorically.
However, Avia had noticed a rather... severe side to her mother. She had never acted harsh towards them, but there had been times when a drone had made a mistake and her mother would get angry. Sometimes she would see the drone again, and sometimes she wouldn't...
And what worried her the most is how this seemed to be affecting Crudelis, Avia witnessed her snap and boss drones around. Threaten and deceive them as if it was a casual hobby. Avia loved her sister, they were nearly inseparable, but she worried for her.
She also didn't know where the love energy they consumed came from, neither of them did.
But they were about to find out.
The door opened with a loud creak, and Queen Imperatrix strolled in, a green chrysalis held in her magic.
"Momma!" both shouted happily, rushing to great their mother.
"My darlings! I trust you have behaved yourselves?"
Both of them hastily nodded, smiles on their faces.
Imperatrix chuckled. "Good, now I want both of you to pay attention, this is important for your future duties."
"Have you got a lesson for us?" Avia asked.
"I have, and one you must learn," Imperatrix smirked as her horn lit up, and with a slash of her magic the chrysalis opened up and an unconscious unicorn stallion tumbled out.
"Eep!" Avia screamed in surprise. "Why did you have a pony in there?"
"This, is dinner," Imperatrix casually responded. "Love energy must be gathered from live hosts, this pony shall be used as an example."
Crudelis gave her mother her upmost attention, but Avia was repulsed.
"But, couldn't it just be gathered passively by our drones?"
Imperatrix smiled. "You have always impressed me with your intelligence, my daughter. Of course we could passively collect it, which would give us more than enough to survive. But what we really want, is power. And not some abstract concept of control, taking all the love energy a pony has to offer increases our abilities tenfold. With enough, even their alicorn princesses would bow to our strength."
"How do you take it momma?" Crudelis asked with childlike glee. "Show us!"
Imperatrix smiled again, and lit up her horn. The pony awoke with a start, screaming in pain as a green aura surrounded him and began lift up into Imperatrix's horn.
"Momma, stop! Stop!" Avia shouted, tears in her eyes. However, neither her mother nor her sister heard her.
Soon, the pony went still, the body that was left behind being little more than a husk. Queen Imperatrix grinned viciously as she glowed with power.
"That is how you extract the love energy, it kills the livestock, but we have plenty more in that little farm they call Equestria."
"How could you?!" Avia screamed.
Imperatrix and Crudelis turned to her, wide eyed.
"Sis?" Crudelis reached out, only to have her hoof slapped away.
"You didn't need to kill him!" Avia cried. "We were fine with passive love, I don't want power if that is the cost!"
"Avia! You are being childish and immatu-"
"No!" Avia ran past her family and burst her way through the doors. She ran crying all the way back to her room. ...
100 Years Later
"Mother!" Avia shouted in a rage, blasting the throne room doors to pieces.
Imperatrix kept an almost bored expressions as she turned to her daughter. "Avia, what is it now?"
"An entire village?!"
"Our race values secrecy, Avia. If I left survivors that secrecy would have been compromised. Better we be relegated to myth and legend."
Avia's outrage only grew. "How many ponies? How many children did you kill to feed your own strength?!"
"Not just her own," Crudelis said, stepping over the charred remains of the door as she entered the throne room.
"You? You were a part of this?"
"Yes, sister. And if you weren't so weak you would know of the benefits mother and myself garner from our little excursions."
"It is not worth the price that must be paid!"
"Sister, they are just livestock," Crudelis dismissed.
"They are sentient, living beings! With families, hopes and dreams..."
"You really are pathetic, you know that?" Crudelis sneered.
Avia recoiled in shock at her sister's words. "Pathetic? What happened to you, Crudelis? We were inseparable once."
"I'll tell you what happened," Imperatrix bluntly said. "You refuse to grow up, my daughter. It's time you accepted that we are the predators, and they are the prey."
"There is a better way."
Imperatrix snorted. "For all your intelligence you are young and misguided."
"Actually, I'm fairly certain I'm the only one who see's sense! You kill other sapient creatures to fuel your power, you treat other changelings like slaves-"
"They are drones. They exist to serve us."
"They need us and we need them," Avia retorted. "Without them what are we? Exiles. Homeless. You can't treat them the way you do."
"Avia, enough! Leave my sight this instance!" Imperatrix shouted in anger.
"Mother, I plead with you! Turn away from this dark path!"
"Sister," Crudelis addressed threateningly. "Leave. Now."
Avia stared at her sister disbelievingly, and without another word she stormed out the throne room, blasting a hole through a wall instead of using the already shattered door.
Watching her sister leave, Crudelis sighed. "Why can't she just accept the reality? What will it take to get my sister back?"
"She is too emotional," Imperatrix stated. "But give her time, my daughter. She will come back to us soon enough, it is an inevitability."
Princess Crudelis glanced towards her mother, and then back to the shattered wall Avia had exited. "I hope you're right."
Unknown to them, a short way down the hall Princess Avia was met with a group of armoured drones, who all bowed when they spotted her.
"Your highness, is it time?"
"Yes, we leave tonight."
"Then we shall follow you, my Queen." ...
155 years later
Much had happened since the formation of the Badlands Changeling Hive. The most recent of which was the birth of Avia's daughter, Princess Chrysalis. But outside the hive, there was some kind of disturbance occurring in Equestria, and one of Avia's spies was investigating.
The spy was shocked to witness Celestia and Luna battling each other to the death. And she was even more surprised to find Queen Imperatrix and Princess Crudelis watching from afar. The spy settled down in a location she could easily watch both without being seen.
"It is fortuitous the sisters chose today to fight it out, it has made taking those ponies so much easier," Crudelis noted.
"Indeed daughter, though I must wonder what spawned their... disagreement."
"To be honest, I truly don't care."
Imperatrix turned away from the fight, and took on an almost sad expression. "Crudelis, I can't do this anymore."
Crudelis looked surprised. "Mother?"
"Avia was right, she was always right," Imperatrix fiddled with the red runestone hanging around her neck. "All my quest for power did was drive away one of those I care for the most. It has gotten me little else. After today, no more taking ponies, we will simply move over to passive love. It tastes better anyway."
"You can't be serious!"
"I am!" Imperatrix shouted, still not looking at her daughter. "It's time things changed."
Crudelis sighed, her expression sad, but with a steel to it. "Yes... it is."
Imperatrix gasped in surprise as she felt the blade slide across her neck. And then she didn't make another sound.
The nearby drone had witnessed the murder, and scrambled away in terror, wanting to immediately report to Queen Avia what had transpired.
All the while the moon sadly looked on, the new silhouette of the Mare In The Moon looking down on the planet below.
Twilight couldn't believe her eyes as she went through her grandmother's diary, having recently discovered it hidden within the deepest parts of the library.
"I don't think I like my great aunt very much..." Twilight muttered to herself.
Twilight decided to skim right to the end, and read the very last entry.
My changelings reported a dragon sighting near the hive, however there have been no sightings since. I am forced to conclude they were either imagining things, or that the creature moved onwards. In brighter news, I plan to take Chrysalis with me on a run out of the hive today; take her to visit Equestria. In all her years she has never visited the country. While she is no child and she has shown no signs of becoming like my sister, I still feel I need to show her first hoof that they are almost just like us, and not livestock to be harvested.
And then maybe one day she can help show the world that we are not monsters. The day the world discovers us is coming, and I hope we make the right impression.
'That must have been the day she died,' Twilight thought sadly.
Deciding she needed something happier to read, she closed the diary and instead grabbed the other book sitting on her desk.
Princess Twilight Sparkle sifted through her signed early edition of the latest Daring Doo novel, the only other to receive the book being Twilight's Wonderbolt friend, Rainbow Dash. A ping over the hive mind made Twilight aware of her visitor.
"Come in," she called out vocally.
Queen Chrysalis slipped into her daughter's room with a smile etched onto her face. "Good morning Twilight, sleep well?"
"Just fine thank you, you know how politics can tire me out," Twilight responded with a chuckle.
Twilight got up from her desk and embraced her mother. It had been two years since that fateful wedding of her adoptive brother, and Twilight had developed a lot since that time. She was currently around the size of Princess Luna, and with the current rate of her growth it would not be long until she stood eye level with even Celestia. Her chitin remained the same pitch black as it always was, but she now also had a dark lavender chitinous plate across her midsection much like her mother's green-blue one.
Within those years she had experienced things like the return of the Crystal Empire and the rampage of Lord Tirek, which she and her hive had helped put to an end after being given the power of three alicorns. They had even managed to redeem Discord himself! The icing on the cake for Twilight had been the recent birth of her niece, Flurry Heart.
'She was certainly a hoofful,' Twilight giggled to herself.
"The other queens can be a bothersome lot..." Chrysalis sighed, reluctantly breaking away from the embrace,
"And I haven't even met them yet," Twilight chuckled.
"Though that may soon change," Chrysalis pondered.
Twilight tilted her head to the side, and quirked an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?"
Chrysalis shook her head to remove those thoughts. "Never mind that, I'm sure I can handle diplomacy for a bit while your friends visit."
"Well, okay. I mean, as long as you don't go invading any capitals, we should be fine," Twilight remarked with a mischievous smirk.
"You are never going to let that one go are you?" Chrysalis rolled her eyes.
"Honestly, I don't know what you did without me for eighteen years, or the centuries preceding."
"Oh, they were just terrible, I don't know how I ever survived," Chrysalis said sarcastically with a swoon fit for Rarity.
Both royals sat giggling for a few moments, before Spike entered the room and made his presence known. Spike was still young, but had developed quite a bit in the months following Flurry Heart's birth, having undergone a growth spurt. His body and tail had elongated to the point where he now tended to walk on all fours, with him now standing as tall as an average adult pony. Also, two small wings were growing from his back. His muzzle was now also filled with several razor sharp teeth that would give many pause. He was turning into a proper little dragon, just without the rampant need for shiny things.
"Hey Twilight, they're here! They really should thank the princesses for sending a chopper to pick them up, those things really do chop the journey time."
Twilight could only roll her eyes at the horrible pun, while Spike grinned regardless.
"Hmph, I really don't trust the reliability of those mechanical creations," Chrysalis huffed.
"They're safer than you give them credit for, don't worry," Twilight assured her mother. "Are you sure me taking time off isn't too much trouble?"
"I'm sure," Chrysalis gave her daughter one final hug before Twilight put away her book, and Chrysalis walked with her daughter to where her friends waited, but not before giving a glance to the diary that once belonged to her mother. |
Change | 33 - Invitation | Queen Chrysalis was walking alongside her daughter, Princess Twilight Sparkle, towards one of the hive's main entrances. Twilight was going there to receive her special guests, the other elements, and walking with them was Twilight's assistant and close friend Spike the Dragon. The little guy had grown on Chrysalis over the last couple of years.
Chrysalis broke the silence that was threatening to build up on them. "How long are they going to be staying for, Twilight?"
Twilight looked up at her mother. "Just a couple days. Enough time for them to see the whole hive and get up to a few other things." The smile on her face was ear to ear.
The queen raised an eyebrow. "Other things?"
Twilight grinned sheepishly. "Yeah... don't be surprised if a giant party breaks out in the atrium; you know how Pinkie Pie is."
She suppressed a shudder. "I've heard the horror stories. What else do you intend to do that hopefully doesn't involve destroying society as we know it?"
"Well we don't have any plans in place, so we'll just end up making it up as we go along."
Chrysalis looked at her daughter with an amused expression. "Making it up as you go? My daughter, I would have thought such a disorganised state of affairs would have given you a conniption."
"Oh hardy har har," Twilight rolled her eyes. "While it's true I may have, say... two years ago. Now, I'm able to put that aside and just have fun; I mean that is what's important, right?"
"Yeah, you are a real Princess of Friendship," Carduus joked as he walked up to and fell into step with the two royals.
Twilight DID NOT jump, royals don't. "G-Good morning Carduus, you're in a good mood I see?" Twilight said, taking the jab in stride.
"Why shouldn't I be? But alas, I haven't dropped by for a social call unfortunately."
A frown briefly crossed her muzzle, before she wiped it away. "What do you need captain?" Chrysalis asked.
"My Queen, your guest is here."
Chrysalis' eyes slightly widened. "Already? He wasn't supposed to be here for another few hours!"
The four of them stopped dead in the middle of the corridor, and Twilight looked at Chrysalis in confusion.
"Mother? What guest? What are you talking about?" Twilight looked at Spike to see if he knew anything. Pulling out a clipboard of the court's daily events, Spike looked through the sheet before looking back at Twi and shrugging.
"He's waiting for you in the throne room," Carduus interjected.
Chrysalis sighed and turned to her daughter. "I'm sorry Twilight, but this cannot wait."
"Some explanation would be nice." She had turned her whole body to face her mother.
"Soon. But for now go on, find your friends and enjoy yourself."
Twilight looked like she was about to argue, before she visibly drooped. "Well... alright. But I'd prefer not to be kept in the dark."
"I know. But if this is what I think it is you will know soon enough."
Before her daughter could reply, Chrysalis quickly began to walk to an adjacent hallway, Carduus following closely behind.
"What was that about?" Twilight muttered.
"Beats me," Spike shrugged. "There is nothing on the itinerary for today. Come on Twilight, let's not keep the others waiting."
The blistering heat was bearing down onto five mares waiting outside one of the hives many entrances. They had been confused at first when their transport had set down on a seemingly empty patch of desert, until the perception filter was dispelled and a cave leading down to a large defensible doorway was revealed.
"Come on, can't we go in yet?" Rainbow Dash moaned.
One of the guards dressed in the usual dark blue armour in front of the cave held up a hoof to stop the approaching Pegasus. "Sorry ma'am, but no."
"But we're friends of Twilight! Come on, I'm burning alive out here!"
The changeling shook his head. "We were ordered to wait until young Spike came back with Princess Twilight. You will just have to wait."
Rainbow looked ready to punt the guard back down into the cave when a voice came from behind him.
"It's OK, they can come in," Twilight said as she walked past the changeling guard.
"Twilight darling," Rarity spoke. "It's good to see you again! It has been far too long since your last visit to Ponyville."
The pair moved in and hugged each other. "It's good to see you too Rarity, how are you all doing?"
"We are fine sugarcube," Applejack said as she walked up beside the alabaster unicorn. "Just eager to get out of the sun is all."
"Yes can we please do that?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Twilight giggled. "Yes, we better get inside before you roast."
Spike rolled his eyes. "Pfft, you ponies. The heat is fine."
"Spike? It's good to see you!" Rarity approached the dragon. "It's been months since you've visited. My you've grown since the last time we saw you, you are turning into a handsome little dragon."
Spike blushed. "T-thanks Rarity. That means a lot coming from you."
Twilight gave Spike a deadpan glare. "It's been five minutes and you've already started crushing again?"
"Twilight!" Spike protested in embarrassment.
"Oh it's perfectly fine Twilight, he is so cute when he blushes!" She patted Spike on the head.
"Um... can we just go inside now?" Spike sounded almost like Fluttershy for a moment."
"I agree, like Rainbow has been saying it is rather hot out here," Fluttershy said. "If that's alright with you I mean."
"Come on then!" Pinkie Pie shouted impatiently. "I need to see where the best place to have a party is!"
"I thought you might," Twilight chuckled as she turned back towards the hive, the others following shortly behind. "And don't worry, I know just the place."
The two large doors to the throne room opened up and Chrysalis strolled in, Carduus at her side. At the other end of the throne room was a changeling dressed in red changeling guard armour.
"Your majesty." He bowed his head respectfully.
"Captain, would you wait outside until I am finished?" Chrysalis said to Carduus.
"Of course, my Queen." He nodded, before he walked out the throne room and closed the doors behind him.
"Now," Chrysalis addressed the drone. "What does Queen Draco want of me?" She did her best to stay civil, slightly irritated at the drone's sudden, unannounced arrival.
"Nothing, your highness, except to pass on an invitation to the Queen's Council."
"Ah, I presumed this would be the case. How long until it begins?"
"Three days, your highness," the drone told her.
"Three days?" Chrysalis said in surprise.
"Yes. I do believe you were the last one to be tracked down."
"How long did it take to set up this time?"
"Two years. Our hive was invited just before yours, and since we are one of the few who knows where you are based at it was requested we give the invitation."
"There are two others who know where we are, what about them?"
"As far as I am aware they couldn't be located, and thus won't be attending."
"I see, I trust Queen Draco didn't divulge that information?
"No, my Queen would never betray her friends."
Chrysalis nodded. "Good. How many queens will be attending then?"
"Fifteen out of the nineteen."
Chrysalis' eyes widened. "Nineteen? There were twenty the last time I checked."
The drone winced, "I... shouldn't say anymore. My Queen will explain more when you meet face-to-face."
Chrysalis studied the drone for a few moments, making him nearly quiver in his chitin. However, she relented. "Very well. I accept the invitation and will be there with my daughter within the three days."
"Very good, I will inform my Queen at once."
The drone bowed one last time before moving towards the door, but he was stopped as a hole ridden hood blocked his path.
"Just, one last thing," Chrysalis said. "Who was it that called the council this time around?"
"Queen Crudelis, your highness."
Chrysalis scowled. "Crudelis. You can go, Carduus will escort you out."
"Yes, your highness."
With her magic Chrysalis opened the two large doors. Carduus stood to attention as his Queen came into view."
"Captain, would you please escort our guest out."
"Yes, my Queen!" Carduus motioned to the drone. "Come along you."
As the two drones left her sight, the scowl now present on Chrysalis' face darkened considerably.
Twilight laughed as one of the drones jumped when Pinkie Pie let off her party cannon. Just as predicted the atrium was abuzz with activity as loud music played and both the ponies and drones present enjoyed the party Pinkie had set up in under an hour. As word of Pinkie Pie's party spread throughout the hive drones had been pouring in to check what all the fuss was about, and Pinkie had been ready to greet every single one, determined to befriend them all. Sometimes the drones could swear she was in multiple places at once.
As Twilight watched the chaos unfold she sat with Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity on the third floor, just outside a restaurant at a table that overlooked the rest of the atrium. Twilight held one of the love-infused smoothies in her magical grasp, having grown rather 'attached' to the beverage since she first tried it two years prior.
As she took a sip of her drink, her attention was grabbed by sound of joyful laughter somehow making it to her ears over the noise of the party.
Much to Twilight's, and everypony else's amusement, Rainbow was playfully racing a group of nymphs around the atrium, a now eight year old Iuvenes being among them. They could only smile at their happy, giggling faces.
It wasn't long before Rainbow conned Spike into joining in, determined to teach him how to fly 'properly'.
"Well they seem to be enjoying themselves," Rarity had to nearly shout over the music.
"They've never experienced Pinkie Pie before," Applejack chuckled. "Most things are the best the first time, but ah think Pinkie's parties only get better each and every time she does one."
"Agreed," Rarity smiled.
They might have heard Fluttershy also agree, but her quiet voice was lost in the music.
"I must ask, Twilight, who is that regal figure down there?" Rarity pointed down at the statue below. "It doesn't seem to depict your mother."
"That's my grandmother, Avia."
"I see, she must have been quite a sight in her time, rivalling that of Celestia if the statue is anything to go by."
"Maybe..." Twilight's thoughts went back to the diary. "I recently found a-"
"Twilight, sorry to tear you away from the... festivities. But I need to talk to you, urgently." Chrysalis spoke over the hive.
"Is it about the guest you received?"
"Yes."
Twilight sighed. "I'll be right there."
"Sorry girls, duty calls."
"We understand sugarcube. We'll be here when you get back."
Twilight nodded gratefully, before opening her wings and flying off towards the atrium's exit, making sure to grab Spike as she went.
As Queen Draco's messenger left the hive the perception filter shimmered briefly as he passed through it, before returning to normal, hiding the hive away from all untrained eyes. He carried two large saddlebags on his back, filled with supplies for his trip.
All the while he was unaware of the two drones watching him from afar.
They crouched low behind a large outcropping of rocks, having been following the red armoured drone since he began his journey.
The two drones in question, one male and one female, were clad in armour coloured a mix of dark blue and an even darker red. Both had grins fixed on their faces as they watched the other drone spread his wings and fly away, heading in the direction of Equestria where up north and past the frozen lands of the Crystal Empire his hive was located.
The male drone turned to his counterpart. "We've found it, finally. There is no doubt that this is where Queen Chrysalis hides." |
Change | 34 - Duty Calls | Equestria, Crystal Express
The Crystal Express sped along the tracks towards its destination. Over time, the many passengers could see the lush green grass of Equestria give way to the ice and snow of the frozen north. Giant mountains could be seen in the distance, reaching high into the sky as if to touch Celestia's sun itself. And of course, somewhere within those mountains was an oasis of crystal, where the Crystal Heart kept out the cold and protected the ponies who called it home.
The Crystal Empire.
A former city state which was now home to Equestria's third ruling alicorn princess. A city displaced in time, its population previously terrorised by the tyrant king himself - Sombra. He was little more than a memory now; the Crystal Heart having turned him into atoms thanks to the efforts of the Element Bearers, Spike the Dragon and the Crystal Prince and Princess, Shining Armor and Cadance.
Twilight was fascinated to discover the Crystal Empire's past relations with the changeling race, finding that they had made deals with the less hostile queens, who would get a supply of love from the heart in trade for various items of value, as well as protection against other hostile queens. After the Crystal Empire's return, Cadance had been more than happy to create such a deal with Chrysalis, and with their protection and that of the EUP the other queens hadn't dared approach the city, aside from the occasional scout or love collector trying their luck.
However, none of that was of particular concern to the three ponies sitting in first class, courtesy of Prince Armor himself.
The first was Captain Vladimir Vespertilio, who sat comfortable in his seat as he watched the distant mountains out of the window, drink in hoof.
Across from him sat the two newlyweds.
Captain Broad Sword of Celestia's Solar Guard, and Lieutenant Scarlet Snow of the EUP, the latter with her head on Broad Sword's shoulder as she slept the journey away. Broad Sword himself gently stroked her mane as sleep threatened to claim him as well, dragging him to Luna's world of dreams.
At least until Vladimir spoke.
"So... how was the honeymoon?" Vladimir asked.
Broad Sword raised an eyebrow to go with his amused smirk. "An entire train journey and you only now ask?"
"Hey, I've been busy. You may have had two weeks in Saddle Arabia, on top of your extra week now, but I only started shore leave this morning," Vladimir pointed out.
"That still doesn't explain the train journey." His smirk grew.
"Oh just answer the damn question; just because you're now Captain of the Solar Guard in Shining's place doesn't give you free reign to be a prick!" Vladimir laughed.
"Funny you should say that, I believe Scarlet said those exact words after I pushed her into the pool."
Now Vladimir raised an eyebrow. "Trying to earn a divorce already, dear Broad Sword?"
"Oh she got her revenge, only it was in the sea. When we were on a boat. A mile offshore."
Vladimir's laugh echoed loudly throughout the cabin, stirring Scarlet from her sleep.
"Oh, what did I miss?" She groggily asked.
"Nothing dear," Broad Sword said, nuzzling the top of her head.
Vladimir shook his head. "Ah well. It's good to see you lighten up for a change, what gives with that?"
"It's called being happily married to a wonderful mare," he replied.
"Aww, you can be sweet sometimes," Scarlet pecked him on the cheek. "You should still learn how to swim though."
Vladimir spluttered as he inhaled some of his drink when he heard Scarlet's words. "Learn? You don't know how to swim?!"
Broad Sword groaned. "I know how to swim!"
"Splashing about like a foal doesn't count as swimming," Scarlet jabbed.
"I was just surprised, I wasn't expecting to be dumped in the freezing cold ocean quite so suddenly."
"Uh-huh," said a very sceptical Scarlet Snow.
Vladimir chuckled. "So, it was a good honeymoon then?"
"Yes," both of them responded, smiling at the memory of it.
"Well, I'm happy for you, both of you. And at least now Scarlet and Princess Cadance can share the embarrassing bits," Vladimir said with a sly smile.
"No, no they can't, nuh-uh," Broad Sword said, however futile it was.
"We'll see," Scarlet smirked. "What I want to see is Broad Sword with Flurry Heart. It would be interesting to see how he handles a foal," she teased.
"My cousin has a foal and I am great with children, so don't you worry."
Scarlet leaned back into her seat, a much softer smile on her face. "That's... good to know."
Broad Sword looked over at his wife. "Scarlet? Are you alright?"
"I'm perfectly fine; you don't having anything to worry about." She yawned and stretched, removing the last vestiges of her slumber. "How long until we arrive?"
"Only a couple of hours," Vladimir said. "It will be good to see Shining again, I haven't seen him since he went off to play prince in the empire.
Scarlet chuckled. "Well we all heard about his daughter's, erm, magical prowess so... what could-"
Vladimir gave Scarlet a deadpan glare. "If you say 'what could possibly go wrong', I'm going to end you."
Badlands Hive
Twilight's wings buzzed as she flew through the hive, Spike just keeping up a short ways behind her. After one near miss with a wall that Twilight maintained had appeared out of nowhere, they came upon the throne room at last.
Dropping down onto the floor, Twilight looked up at the two large doors before her.
"Are you sure there was nothing on the itinerary about mother's guest? She did say he was hours early so maybe you looked in the wrong place?"
Spike gave her a deadpan look. "Twilight, I've been over the list a dozen times. I even went through a couple of other scrolls I keep around for any note of it. I know every meeting, every visitor and everything else that has to be kept track of around here, it is my job after all. There was nothing, no sign of this visitor."
Twilight frowned. "It's strange. She so rarely keeps anything from me, and with her reluctance to talk about it earlier... Something serious must be happening.
"Well, then why are we standing out here? The answers are right through that door."
"Oh, right. Here goes..." Twilight said as she pushed the two large doors open with a massive creak.
At the other end of the room Queen Chrysalis sat on her throne. If they could tell one thing it was that she was furious about something. A snarl was on her face and her hooves almost cracked the ground with the pressure she was applying to the bottom of her throne.
However, as soon as she saw Twilight she tried to replace that look with a warm motherly smile. An endeavour that was only partially successful.
"Twilight, Spike. I'm glad you're both here."
"Mother? What's going on?" Twilight asked. "Where is your 'guest'?"
"Gone. Returned to his hive up past the frozen north."
"Past the frozen north? But how? Nopony has ever been past the frozen north!"
Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. "You answered your own question. No pony has ever been past the frozen north, at least that we know of. Changelings however..."
"So, there is a hive up there?"
"I have mentioned Queen Draco before, surely?"
"Oh! Of course. She's an old friend of yours, right? You write every now and then? Or at least you do when it is possible to do so."
Chrysalis nodded. "Indeed, sadly sending messengers back and forth isn't always feasible. However, we've been friends ever since we met at what was the first Queen's Council we had both ever experienced, back when we were barely older than nymphs. Well, it would appear we will get to experience some nostalgia."
"Nostalgia? Wait, you mentioned the Council... has-"
"Yes, Queen Draco's messenger invited us to the Council, which is due to start in three days."
"Us? I'm... going to the Council?" Twilight's eyes lit up. "Oh my gosh! The Council is practically the centre of changeling society! The books I could write from the information gathered there on changeling cultures and policies! I could-"
"Twilight!" Chrysalis broke her out of her 'moment'. "Priorities please?"
Twilight blushed with a sheepish chuckle. "Right... sorry."
Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "Be careful Twilight, you will find the court a dangerous place indeed. And other queens might not take kindly to your... 'research'."
"I will... keep that in mind," Twilight sighed in defeat.
"Good. Now, Spike..." The dragon in question perked up at being addressed. "I want you to prepare for our imminent departure, we leave tomorrow."
"But, what about our friends?" Twilight asked.
"I'm afraid their visit will have to be cancelled, I'm sure our drones will be kind enough to escort them back to Equestria."
"Alright, I'll break the news to them when we are finished here..."
Chrysalis nodded. "Now, Spike, make sure everything is organised and ready to go if you please."
"Aye aye!" Spike saluted, span on the spot and marched out of the door, closing it behind him.
As soon as he was gone, Chrysalis sighed and slouched in her chair. "Now he is gone, we must talk."
"Are you alright? You didn't exactly look happy when we came in."
"You spotted that huh? It is true I have a lot on my mind."
"Why?" Twilight walked up and sat next to her mother. "What's gotten you so worked up? Is it the Council?"
"Partially. It's more to do with who is arranging it, and why."
Twilight sat attentively, simply waiting for Chrysalis to continue.
"It's Crudelis. Crudelis is arranging the council this time."
"Ah," Twilight said in understanding. "So she's got you wound up? I'm not exactly a fan of her, but what has she done? Why has her arranging the Queens' Council got you so worried?"
"She has not done anything, yet. But she has the biggest hive in existence and not once in all her years has she arranged a council. Even when one is set up she was notorious for not attending them, preferring to make alliances behind closed doors away from the sight of other queens. She is a puppet master, it's how she operates, always has been."
Chrysalis sighed. "And yet, here we are."
Twilight looked at her mother with concern. "Something tells me there is more..."
Chrysalis glanced towards her daughter. "Attentive as always. Yes, there is more. Crudelis began to make arrangements for the council two years ago, soon after your return!" The end of the sentence turned into a growl as Chrysalis' hoof did finally begin to crack the ground.
"She was responsible for your near death! I know it! And now she has something planned, but I would die before I let her take you away from me!"
Chrysalis grabbed Twilight and pulled her into a fearful embrace, refusing to let go. "I will not let her take you as she took your grandmother," she whispered.
"Hey," Twilight said softly. "It will be alright, she would be stupid to try something at the council. From what I've studied unprovoked attacks on other queens at the council is a grievous offense. The other queens would tear her apart."
Chrysalis sighed, reluctantly releasing her daughter. "Yes. I suppose you are correct. Nevertheless, we must be cautious while we attend."
"You know, we could always not attend," Twilight suggested.
"No. The other queens may have important subjects to discuss. It is our duty as royal changelings to attend."
"Duty Calls," Twilight muttered. "Then we will just have to be careful. Plus maybe my 'research mode' could figure out her plans?" She smiled.
Chrysalis snorted. "The mighty Queen Crudelis, brought down by book smarts. That would be the day."
Twilight giggled. "It has worked before! Besides, Carduus will be there. You know how seriously all the drones take our safety."
"True," Chrysalis admitted. "But I'm your mother, it's my job to worry about you."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Between you, Velvet and Celestia it's a miracle I can get anything done."
"Oh hush you," Chrysalis playfully pushed Twilight away. "Come, we best help Spike prepare. And you need to talk to your friends."
"One last thing," Twilight held up a hoof. "Where exactly is the council?"
"Ah, one moment," Chrysalis' horn lit up a bright green.
In front of the two mares a giant green map of Equestria came to life, bathing the whole room in a green glow. The map scrolled to the east, moving across the ocean and into the Griffon Empire, further it moved until it came to a rest on the border of the Griffon Empire and the very outer edges of Zebrica. The map zoomed in to a large dome-like building in the middle of a dense forest, a small clearing separated the building from the treeline.
"That building, it looks ancient," Twilight noted, seeing the foliage seeking to reclaim the building for nature.
"The first known changeling hive, it's been there since before the pony hearthswarming event, and possibly even further back. It may even predate the lost alicorn you call Faust."
"Older than the princess' mother? The history that building must contain..." Twilight's inner scholar was screaming like a filly.
"Drones from various hives keep the forest from reclaiming it, and give the structure repairs when they are needed. They also make sure the perception filter masking it is maintained, we don't want a certain Daring Do raiding the place like some lost ark. Or some overexcited former protege of the sun princess," Chrysalis jabbed.
"I promise to behave when we get there," Twilight chuckled.
"Good, some of the other queens have likely already arrived."
The First Hive, On The Edge Of Zebrica
The large dome structure of the first hive lay before Queen Draco as she and her escorts approached. She could see sentries from various hives working in unison to protect the many queens that would be attending the council.
"Queen Draco..." a voice called out, one Draco was not particular thrilled to hear.
"Queen Crudelis." She turned to meet the queen with the blood red mane. "What do I owe the pleasure?"
"Do I need a reason to greet another Changeling Queen to such a coveted occasion," Crudelis stated as she approached, only to be stopped by two drones in red armour blocking her path.
"Control your drones, Draco," Crudelis snarled.
"You always have some agenda Crudelis. As for my drones, they are performing their duties as they should be performed, keeping me away from threats."
Crudelis glared at Draco spitefully, bearing her fangs slightly.
"If that is all, I will be on my way. Have a pleasant day," Draco nonchalantly said as she continued to walk past the other queen.
"Very well Draco, but tell me, you did invite my niece did you not?
Draco stopped in her tracks, before turning to glare at Crudelis.
"I will take that as a yes."
"What is it to you?" Draco asked.
"I am organising the council am I not, it is useful to know the attendees. Besides, I am keen to finally meet that little daughter of hers, she is family after all."
In but a second Draco was in Crudelis' face, fangs bared. "Don't you even think about touching Twilight Sparkle. Chrysalis is a friend, and I will be damned sure to protect her daughter from the likes of you."
Crudelis smiled innocently. "Harm Twilight? Oh Draco I would never dream of it, I would never lay a hoof on her!" Suddenly, her smile turned into a smirk, "Not here anyway."
"I'm warning you Crudelis, stay away from them both. Understood?"
"Perfectly."
Draco backed off, and briefly glared at Crudelis in disgust. She then turned away and continued to walk towards the building, her guards following shortly after.
Crudelis didn't lose her smirk.
"My Queen! Preparations are proceeding as planned."
"Very good, we don't want anything to ruin Chrysalis' homecoming gift now, do we?"
"No, my Queen."
Crudelis chuckled. "Now, what is it my niece so loves saying?"
She considered for a moment, before it came to her. "Ah that is it..." The ancient queen's smirk widened.
"This day is going to be perfect, the kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small..." |
Change | 35 - The Crystal Empire | The Crystal Empire
"Final stop, Crystal Empire!" the Crystal Express' Conductor called out to all the ponies in the carriage, before he moved on through to the next one.
"Finally," Broad Sword sighed in relief, stretching out a wing to loosen the overly stiff muscle within. "I've been sitting here for far too long."
"Yeah," Scarlet agreed, as she moved herself off of Board Sword's chest, and sat up. "Why didn't we just fly here?"
"A helicopter would never survive the weather up here, not even the princess' can control the intense blizzards for long," Broad Sword explained to his wife. "Thank Celestia for the Crystal Heart."
"I would've thought it was a case of thank Cadance." Vlad let out an amused snort at her comment. "What exactly does the heart do, anyway?" she asked.
"Wait, you don't know?" Vladimir asked, surprised.
"Only bits and pieces from other ponies, it never came up in basic; it kinda didn't exist until a couple years ago."
"Point. Right, well the heart is what powers the empire. It absorbs the ambient love of the empire's subjects, and emits it back out. Without its magic to protect it, the frozen north would sweep in and reclaim it within hours," Vladimir explained.
"Weathers that bad, huh?" Scarlet wore a skeptical look.
"Worse. A wendigo would be hard pressed to outdo the frozen north. But as long as there is enough love to power the heart the Crystal Empire will continue to thrive in the chaos."
"With that amount of love I'm surprised every changeling hive isn't chewing on the thing!"
"Let's not talk it up," Broad Sword said, just as the train finally came to a complete halt with a hiss. "Come on, let's get off of this thing."
The three began to unload their bags from overhead compartments, with Scarlet gently lowering them down in her red magical aura emanating from her horn. Outside of their compartment, the corridor was already rammed with ponies exiting their own compartments and making for the carriage doors, everypony seemingly eager to finally put to an end the hours long journey.
"Got everything?" Vladimir asked.
"I believe so," Broad Sword inspected the bags in the possession. "Yes, we have everything."
"Good, let's go."
Vlad moved towards the door and slid it open, he waited for a family of ponies to move on past before moving into the corridor himself. He then made sure nopony tried to push past as Broad Sword and Scarlet Snow too exited the compartment. It was a tight squeeze through the corridor, made worse by a young filly having a temper tantrum right in the middle, much to the mother's severe embarrassment. Eventually however, they made it to the exit and stepped down onto the platform.
The crystal architecture gleamed magnificently in Celestia's sun, and Scarlet couldn't help but gasp as she looked on the distant crystal palace for the first time. The massive crystalline structure reached out into the sky, gleaming like the most precious of diamonds. None of them would have been particularly surprised if some if it was in fact made out of diamonds.
"I... wow..." Scarlet was stunned. "How could anypony even construct something like this?"
"Who knows?" Vladimir shrugged. "The only pony who might have, Queen Amore, was murdered by Sombra over a thousand years ago."
"Well, the crystal ponies are all from that time, don't any of them know?"
"Maybe, I haven't asked, and it would be rude to dredge up memories best forgotten."
"Vladimir," Broad Sword addressed his Thestral counterpart. "Where is Shining meant to be meeting us?"
"I... don't actually know. He might be waiting out front?" Vladimir struck a leg out in the vague direction on the exit.
As it would turn out, that was indeed where Shining was waiting. As the trio approached customs they were ushered straight through without any of the hassle you would usually have to endure, earning them more than a few irritated glares from those who had to wait in line to enter the city proper. A crystal guard guided them through the busy station and out to the front, where a carriage was in wait and some of their other luggage that was not in the compartment with them already being loaded into the said carriage.
The carriage was, funnily enough, crystalline in design, with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza's cutie mark displayed on both doors. Four heavily armoured Crystal Honour Guards sat in front of the carriage, ready to take them back to the palace once given the word. Prince Shining Armor leaned on one of the carriage doors as he waited for the arrival of his friends, though he managed to straighten himself out once the three came into view.
"Ah, there you three are! I was beginning to think the train had derailed or something," Shining remarked.
"We weren't that late, I would have thought being Captain of the Guard would have taught you to have patience," Vladimir responded.
Shining snorted. "Perhaps my time as prince has dwindled it, it's the royal lifestyle and all that."
"Yeah, so I see. Sitting around on you royal highness all day has given you a bit more width I believe," the Lunar Captain snidely said.
Shining raised an eyebrow. "Careful Vladimir, I do technically outrank you now. So I would watch what you say."
The two glared spitefully at each other for a moment, neither breaking eye contact.
Several nearby crystal ponies stopped to gawk at the seemingly hostile confrontation between their Prince and the Thestral. They held their breaths as they waited to see what would happen next.
That was then the two couldn't keep up the act anymore and both burst out laughing.
"Oh! It is good to see you Vlad!" exclaimed Shining Armor, smacking the Thestral on the shoulder.
"You too, Shining. Seriously though, have you gained weight?"
"Oh shut it," Shining dismissed, he then turned to the duo of bemused ponies behind Vladimir. "Ah, there is the happy couple!"
"Shining, you are doing well I see."
"Of course. We finally got Flurry Heart to sleep full nights, so what is there to be sad about?"
"It took you this long?" Scarlet enquired, catching sight of a nearby mare holding a small foal lovingly in her hooves.
"Hey, raising a child is difficult, you know?" Shining defended. "I don't know if I could handle it without Cady. But while it is difficult, it's wonderful at the same time. I wouldn't trade her for anything."
Scarlet continued to watch the family with a small smile as they left the station until she lost sight of them. "Wonderful? I bet."
"Well? Are you going to get moving or stay here all week until we need to go back on duty?" Broad Sword gestured towards the carriage.
"Right, one moment," Shining turned towards the four guards at the front of the carriage where said four guards sat at the ready. After a few quick orders the four began to load up the luggage into the carriage's storage while Shining motioned for his three guests to board it.
As Vladimir and Shining got into the carriage, Scarlet quickly pulled her husband aside.
"Scarlet, what is it?" Broad Sword asked.
"I- it's just... you know what you said about going back on duty at weeks end?" Scarlet managed to stammer out.
"Yes? What of it?" Asked a confused Broad Sword.
"I don't know if I will be able to do that, go back to the EUP I mean. Now or... even ever." She scuffed the ground with a hoof as she tried to explain to her husband.
"What? Why? You've always loved being in the EUP, what's wrong?" Broad Sword was now incredibly perplexed, and concerned.
"Nothing. The complete opposite in fact..."
"What are you-" Broad Sword got interrupted by Shining Armor calling out to the two.
"Are you two coming or what? The luggage is loaded and we're just waiting on you!"
"One second!" Broad Sword called back, before turning back to his wife. "Now, what is it you were saying?"
Scarlet bit her lip. "Actually, this can wait until later. It was probably a bad idea coming to you here of all places," she chuckled sheepishly.
"Okay... but you know you can talk to me about anything, right?"
"Of course! I just think some privacy would suit this a bit better however, I will tell you later I promise."
"Alright, come on then. Best not keep the others waiting."
Broad Sword turned away from Scarlet and began to trot towards the carriage. He completely missed Scarlet gently lay a hoof on her belly, a small warm motherly smile on her face.
A nearby crystal pony watched from the shadows as the alabaster unicorn moved to follow the Pegasus into the royal carriage. The love between the two was obvious to her, and she would likely try to collect some of the energy. That is if they weren't personal guests of the crystal prince himself.
'If only I could access the heart...' she thought sadly. 'No more scrounging scraps from the odd pony, no more starvation...'
The mare sighed, watching as the carriage pulled away and moved down the street. She was so distracted she didn't notice a pony stallion walk up to her rather crossly.
"Hey!" the station worker called out.
The mare half-screamed in surprise, her inexperienced disguise almost giving up the ghost right then and there. And yet, somehow, she just managed to maintain it.
"Don't do that!" the mare protested. "You scared me half to death!"
The stallion gave her a deadpan look. "Ma'am, would you mind moving on? Your loitering is making other ponies nervous."
"Oh... right. Sorry I'll... just go..." The mare quickly did a U-turn and walked briskly in the other direction.
The stallion simply rolled his eyes, and got back to work.
The mare rounded a corner and into an alleyway. She kept weaving though buildings and alleys, trying not to be seen and doubly being sure nopony was following her. She made her way to the very outer edges of the city, far from the major hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. Here there were just a few warehouses, a few small homes for those who worked at the warehouses and a single tavern in the middle of the small street. The street was not even comparable to the grand highways that led directly to the famed crystal palace and the heart beneath, with all sorts of establishments lining its sides. And yet even here the shimmering crystal structures kept their charm and majesty, truly there was nowhere quite like the Crystal Empire.
Around the back of the lone tavern however, was a small abandoned wine cellar that seemed to greatly contrast with the surrounding crystal. Nopony ever walked around the back of the tavern. Even if somepony did wander back there, they would always ignore the cellar, knowing it to be empty.
The mare opened the wooden hatch and descended the stairs into the cellar, closing the hatch behind her as she went. A green glow briefly filled the staircase as she shifted into her true changeling form, allowing her wings to stretch out after being hidden for several hours.
The teenage changeling descended the stairs, and was met with the soft glow of candle light. She found herself in a room with a few shelves containing what little personal items she had, a table she had scavenged from the tavern and two sleeping bags. One of the sleeping bags had a single small occupant who was nose deep in a Daring Do novel.
But when the nymph caught sight of the older changeling, she dropped her book and scrambled towards her as fast as lightening.
"Soronis!" She held tightly onto her big sister.
"Puellula, are you alright?" Soronis asked her younger sister.
"Uh-huh! I stayed here and read my book, just as you said!"
"Good girl."
"Did you get any love energy?" Puellula gave her big sister the classic puppy eyes. Puellula was unusually thin for a changeling nymph, and Soronis could only sigh at the reminder of their dire situation.
Who would have thought in the city run by love, it was so hard to collect that very thing?
"Yes, I have some. Hold still," she told her sister, her horn glowing green.
Puellula sighed in relief as she felt the love energy course through her body, but all too soon the flow ceased to be.
"There was that little, huh?" she noted sadly.
"I'm sorry Puellula..." Soronis hugged her sister tight.
What Soronis didn't tell her sister was that she had given her all of the love she had collected that day, and that Soronis would have to go hungry that night.
The young nymph sadly nodded in understanding, before trudging back over to her sleeping bag and engrossing herself back into her book.
'Her escape from all this,' Soronis mused in her head.
Soronis placed herself down onto her own sleeping bag, and looked down onto her sister. Her last remaining family.
'She needs more love, I can't bear to see her like this,' She blinked back a few rebellious tears trying to escape her glowing blue eyes.
Soronis knew what she had to do, but it wouldn't be easy.
She needed to access the Crystal Heart. |
Change | 36 - Nightmare | The Badlands Hive
Carduus, Spike and Twilight Sparkle stood in a small side room connecting to the hive's main storage chambers. These rooms were adjacent to the central love reservoir and contained what seemed to be unlimited supplies of food, equipment, building materials, weapons and everything else they could possibly need. The room they currently inhabited was a plain square shape, with a central table that had various utensils spilled out all over it.
Spike the Dragon glanced over a list of names one last time, before putting down that particular scroll and picking up another in his claws.
"And that is the guard roster arranged," Spike scribbled a check next to the completed task. "Now that we know who's coming and who's not, we just need to pack."
Carduus snorted. "I swear, ever since you two came along this hive has been on a tighter schedule than ever in its entire thousand year history."
Spike chuckled at the Captain's comment. "Well what can I say? We pride ourselves on not being tardy, right Twilight?"
Twilight nodded in return, with a smile on her face. "Most definitely."
Carduus could do naught but shake his head.
Twilight looked down at a checklist of her own, scanning through a few pages intently. She nodded whenever she saw everything was in order, scribbled in a few notes here and there as reminders for later, and after everything was ordered in a way she was happy with she gave a satisfied sigh and placed the list down onto a nearby table.
"Alright then, everything is ordered into a few easy steps, consisting of most important to least important. And then each section of importance is listed in the most logical order with a nice little numerical guide to-"
"Whoa Princess, we get it," Carduus stopped Twilight in her ranting tracks. "It's organised, I'm sure we'll manage from here."
Twilight grinned sheepishly, lowering herself slightly. "Yes, of course! Sorry I almost got carried away there... again..." She chuckled to herself.
Carduus raised an amused eyebrow.
With a cough, Twilight stood up straight again. "Anyway... Will you be OK sorting this without me for a little while? It's been a few hours so Pinkie's party should have calmed a bit. I really need to talk to them, to explain things."
"You can count on us, your highness," Carduus said, throwing a salute. "We'll have everything arranged for when you get back."
"Thanks, if you need my help at any point I'm a single ping over the hive mind away," Twilight assured, before trotting over to the single wooden door acting as an entrance and exit to the room, and leaving the other two to it.
Rolling his eyes, Carduus walked up to the wooden table and picked up Twilight's checklist, a small creased frown appeared on his features as he read the top of page one.
"Step one, please take a moment to go over the list at least three times, and take in every detail, making sure you understand the importance of- seriously?" Carduus looked rather bemused by it all. A common thing when it came to Twilight and her checklists.
"She's just being thorough," Spike shrugged, taking the checklist from Carduus' grasp.
"I know but... can we just skip that first step? Just this once?"
Spike gave Carduus a fang filled smirk. "No pony, or changeling, defies the checklist." Spike picked up a quill, and promptly began step one.
Carduus deflated.
The Crystal Empire
The royal carriage made its way down the long highway leading directly to the very front of the palace ahead. The journey was smooth and comfortable, thanks to the material the road; a surface that, along with the rest of the empire, was made of cut crystal. Other carriages came and went down various side streets, all giving the royal carriage right of way. The crystal ponies went about their day-to-day lives as they walked down the pathways either side, entering and exiting the various houses and establishments lining them. Many stopped to gawk as the carriage passed them, foals and fillies waved with gleeful grins and the odd pony even bowed as they passed, all knowing that at least one of their royals would be riding within. Even though the windows, from the outside, were blacked out.
"Oh my gosh, I love this place!" Scarlet near squeed as she looked out the window. "It's so different from anywhere in Equestria I've ever been! And I've been to pretty much all of it in the EUP some time or another."
"Well I'm glad you like it," Shining Armor said. "We've put a lot of time and effort in bringing this place up to speed with the modern world. It's not been entirely easy for the crystal ponies, most of whom were born well over a thousand years ago. The economy was nothing. Their farming practices, education system, all obsolete. Among other things."
Shining sighed. "There were so many problems. I know there are some crystal ponies who, at first, would have preferred to remain a city state separate from Equestria. But they couldn't have denied that on their own this city would have simply wasted away in the snow."
"At least they've kept their cultural identity," Vladimir pointed out. "My kind lost much of ours after Princess Luna was banished, and Equestrian culture began to override our own. It's only thanks to Princess Luna's efforts now that some of the old thestral traditions are beginning to make a comeback."
"Annexation can cause problems like that," Shining admitted. "But this place means a lot to Cadance, it's part of her family's history, part of her. She takes her role as the Crystal Princess very seriously, and is adamant about keeping the empire intact as it is."
Scarlet tore herself away from the window and looked at Shining. "Oh yeah, Princess Cadance is descended from Queen Amore, right?"
Shining nodded. "Yes. As she found out in her early teens."
"In her teens? She didn't know before then?"
"She found out on her ascension from Pegasus to alicorn, defeating a dark magic wielder named Prisma with her own innate love magic. She never really knew her biological parents, they abandoned her in some forest as a child with nought but a name. Her real parents though, were earth ponies who found and raised her. They are a nice couple, we just visited them a few weeks back."
"When I was a recruit, I was on the team tasked with tracking down her biological parents," Broad Sword chimed in. "We never did find them though."
"It's for the best," Shining Armor grimaced. "Ponies like that don't deserve a wonderful mare like Cady as a daughter." Shining's attention was caught by something else out the window, a shadow creeping over the carriage as they passed under the palace. "Ah, we have arrived."
Sure enough, the carriage slowly crept to a halt, several servants were ready and waiting to receive the luggage on arrival.
Shining Armor opened the carriage door and stepped outside, his guests following shortly behind as the servants shot past to grab everything, and bring it to the guest rooms assigned to the three visitors in the palace itself.
In the middle of the organised chaos, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza herself slid her way through the other ponies to greet the arrivals, Princess Flurry Heart sat contently on her back between her two large pink wings.
"There you are!" Cadance walked up to her husband, and gave him a quick nuzzle, before she turned to the rest of the group. "I trust the trip was comfortable?"
"Your highness!" Both Vladimir and Broad Sword snapped to attention out of habit, causing the other three to roll their eyes.
"Come on dear," Scarlet jabbed her husband in the ribs. "You can stop embarrassing yourself now."
Cadance tittered behind a hoof. "She is right you know. You are our personal guests, so I won't have any of that this week, if you don't mind."
"Er... sorry," Vladimir rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Force of habit; when you are Captain of the Guard for seven years without any leave, stuff tends to stick."
Cadance's eyes locked onto Broad Sword and Scarlet. "And there are the newlyweds, I always love to see a true romance flourish like this."
Shining rolled his eyes behind his wife's back, but she noticed and he received a swat from her tail across his face.
"Cadance," Scarlet greeted cheerfully. "It's good to see you again, and I really must thank you again for officiating at our wedding!"
"A Captain of the Royal Guard and an officer of the EUP. After everything you two have done, I just had to perform the ceremony!" Cadance beamed. "Besides, as the Princess of Love, how could I resist?"
Flurry Heart poked her head up above her mother's, looking curiously down onto the new ponies.
"Hello there!" Scarlet said to the young princess. "You must be Flurry Heart. Oh you are adorable," she said, booping the baby alicorn on the nose.
Flurry Heart gurgled happily at the attention, burying herself in her mother's mane.
"I think she likes you," Cadance chuckled. "Come on, let's get you all inside. Once you get settled in, we can show you around the palace."
Cadance pointed a wing towards the palace's entrance, and Shining led Broad Sword and Vladimir forward while Cadance and Scarlet Snow took up the rear.
"And you can tell me all about the honeymoon," Cadance whispered into Scarlet's ear, mischievous grin on her face.
A somewhat evil smile crept onto Scarlet's muzzle. "Oh, I plan to."
With that, Celestia's sun began to set into the horizon.
Badlands
Twilight walked into the large atrium that sat in the very centre of the hive. And found it empty. Obvious signs of Pinkie's party were everywhere, from streamers to confetti from Pinkie's party cannon. A few tables and chairs were broken, probably from Rainbow Dash's flying brigade of mischief.
But now the atrium was quiet.
And it wasn't just that the party had ended.
There wasn't a soul in sight.
"Hello?" Twilight called out, receiving no reply to her call.
Twilight flew up to the exact spot where she and her friends had been sitting earlier. She saw what little was left of their drinks and meals still on the table, though there was no sign of the ponies themselves.
"Rarity? Applejack? Anypony?" Twilight tried again.
And still Twilight could see and hear nothing but the sound of her own hooves echoing through the vast cavern.
"Mother, do you know where my friends are?" Twilight decided to see if Chrysalis knew something she didn't, or had missed.
No reply.
"Mother?"
Still nothing.
Twilight was dumbfounded. She tried again, and again. Both times she received only dead silence. She then tried contacting Carduus, Panacea, several of her guards, random drones across the hive, and even little Iuvenes.
Not one responded.
"W-wha..." Twilight stammered as she tried to rid herself of the creeping sense of loneliness coming down upon her.
That was when a hoof touched her shoulder.
With a frightened gasp, Twilight whipped around to face whoever crept up on her, fangs bared out of instinct.
Instead of a pony or a changeling, she found a long corridor.
"Huh? Wasn't I just in the atrium?" Twilight said out loud, extremely confused.
With little choice, she began to walk down the corridor.
And so she walked, and she walked, and she walked some more.
And yet the corridor never seemed to end.
Twilight was more than a little nervous now. However, tired of making no progress, she decided to backtrack and see if she missed anything.
The walk back was far shorter than it should have been, and it led to a single wooden door. Slowly, she pushed the door open, cautiously making her way inside.
That was when she saw the bodies.
Twilight stood there, frozen, literally unable to move as she looked down onto the six corpses in the room.
And she recognised all of them.
Three were some of the changeling guards she had with them on the day she was injured, and two more were members of the Solar Guard she also had with her that day. All of them were killed by the assassins.
The final was the broken body of Sergeant Longshot, his battered crossbow laying just a few metres away, blood soaked into the frame.
"What is this?! Where am I?" Twilight screamed out, tears breaching her eyes.
"They died for you Twilight..." A figure appeared in the very edges of Twilight's vision, its appearance flickering violently between the figure of the then Commander Broad Sword, and a changeling. But both were deformed, and horrifying in appearance.
"They died BECAUSE OF YOU, Twilight."
"N-no. You killed them! But you're dead, mother killed you! How are you here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" the figure questioned, but didn't go any further into it. "How many more will die before you just let me kill you?"
"W-what?"
"How many more will die for you?" The figure repeated.
Twilight blinked, and when she opened her eyes again there were many, many more bodies. She could see her friends, family, and the princesses. All lying in pools of their own blood.
"No! What have you done?!"
"Finished the job. Queen-," The name, the one that had eluded Twilight's memory for so long, came as little more than static to Twilight's ears, "-sends her regards."
A knife flicked past Twilight, held in a putrid green aura. The changeling princess desperately tried to move, to call on her magic. To do something.
And yet all she could do was look on the knife as it slowly moved towards her heart.
"ENOUGH!" A blue beam of magic shot through the air, evaporating both the figure and the knife that was just inches from Twilight.
"P-princess Luna?" Twilight gasped as she found her motor functions return to her.
The guardian of dreams approached Twilight with a sympathetic smile. "Are you well, Twilight Sparkle?"
"I... think so?"
Luna nodded. "Good. It is early morning and my sister will soon raise the sun, so perhaps it will be best to leave this place and rise from your bed. Do not fear, I will ensure your dreams tonight are not as disturbing as this."
Before Twilight could say anything further, Luna placed her horn on Twilight and sent a jolt of blue magic through her.
Twilight awoke with a start. Breathing heavily she looked over at her surroundings. She was in her own bed, and a nearby clock on her desk displayed the time at being a little past four in the morning. With an annoyed groan at her memories of the nightmare, Twilight slumped back down onto her pillow.
"Sugarcube?" a groggy Applejack called from the sofa she slept on.
Twilight remembered the previous night. She had told her friends of their trip being cut short. They were disappointed, but understood. To make the most of the single night they had, they decided to have a slumber party in Twilight's room. Now they were all either crashed out on the sofas in the centre of the room, or on mattresses a few drones had brought in. Their snores reached Twilight's ears, and yet she found their mere presence comforting after what she had just experienced.
"Applejack? You're awake?"
"Am now," was the reply. "What time is it?"
"Four."
Applejack groaned. "Did ya have a nightmare or summit?"
"Yeah, about... you know, that day."
Applejack sighed. "Want to talk about it?"
"There is nothing to be said that hasn't been said before. I just wish I could remember the name. At least Luna saved me from the ending."
"Try not to think about it too much. So, we getting up or what? I'm used to rising before the Princess' sun."
"Nah, that's alright," Twilight said. "We should get away with a couple more hours."
"Well alright, jus' take it easy, ya hear."
"Don't worry AJ, I will."
Silence followed that, and soon Applejack was asleep once more.
Twilight however, laid awake for the remaining hours of darkness. |
Change | 37 - Departure | Crystal Empire
Soronis sat quietly in the cellar as she mentally prepared herself for what she had to do. Accessing and taking some of the stored love within the Crystal Heart was damn near impossible, but she had to try. For the sake of her beloved little sister, she had to try.
But she was scared, terrified even, and rightfully so. She had no idea what the ponies would do to her if she was discovered, but there was little doubt it would be something severe.
As much as she tried to hide it, Puellula could still tell something was bothering her sister, so she and slowly approached Soronis, gently nuzzling the teenage changeling.
"Soronis? What's wrong?" Puellula asked.
Soronis smiled lovingly at her sister. "Nothing, everything is going to be fine."
"I didn't do anything wrong, did I?" The puppy dog eyes came out.
"No!" Soronis exclaimed quickly, picking up her sister into a warm embrace. "You did nothing wrong. I'm just going out for a bit, OK?"
Puellula sniffled. "Do you have to, I don't like being alone."
"I know," Soronis nuzzled Puellula gently on the head. "I will only be gone a few hours. But whatever happens. And I mean whatever happens. You stay down here, understand? Do not risk yourself, just stay safe and I promise I will be back soon."
"O-Ok..." Her voice was slightly muffled, but Soronis felt her nod her head.
Soronis gently placed Puellula down onto the grimy floor, "Be a good girl for me?"
Puellula nodded again.
Soronis gave her sister one final nuzzle, before ascending the stairs up to the cellar door. Stopping in front of the hatch, she took a deep breath and then surrounded herself in green flames. The image of a random and completely ordinary crystal pony replaced the visage of a changeling, and then placed a hoof on the hatch and pushed it open. She clambered out into the alleyway behind the tavern, making sure to close up the cellar behind her.
Slowly, with nervous steps, she then began her journey towards the palace under which the Crystal Heart would be located.
The Badlands
The blistering heat pressed down onto the Badlands, searing its surface and keeping up with the area's hostile reputation.
Carduus grunted as he and a few other drones finished lifting the final boxes of supplies and equipment into one of two magically enchanted carriages sitting in the dried up landscape. Once they were lifted inside he gave a nod to two of the hive's strongest flyers, who immediately gave a salute and took their places in front of the carriage, morphing themselves into a Pegasus disguise as they did so.
The two carriages were set up just outside one of the hive's entrances. The drones that would be accompanying the royals to the council stood vigilant in full armor, weapons dangling by their sides. Spike, who would be going with them, was standing between the two vehicles, his usual checklist in his claws as he oversaw the final preparations. The young dragon offered a smile to Princess Twilight and her friends as they exited the hive and made their way over to the group.
"All set over here," Carduus reported to a nearby Queen Chrysalis.
"Secured and ready to go, your highness," a drone near the second carriage also reported.
"Very good," Chrysalis responded. "Ready for departure within five minutes, and shift into disguise. We don't want to give the griffons a scare."
With a salute, Carduus shifted into a black Pegasus with a silvery mane. A shield with his own favoured weapon striking over it was chosen to represent a cutie mark.
"Griffons?" asked Fluttershy questioningly, who was standing with Twilight along with the rest of the girls.
"We haven't really had much contact with them," Twilight explained. "So it is far less likely to catch much attention if we are seen as a group of nomad pegasi rather than a marauding changeling queen with a small army of drones."
"Oh, I suppose that makes sense," Fluttershy said.
"Well, do have a safe trip darling," Rarity said to her changeling friend. "It is an awful long journey, and flying for most of it will place quite the strain on those wings of yours."
"Don't worry Rarity," Twilight smiled. "I've been practicing."
"Been taking notes from the best?" Rainbow asked, doing a quick loop just to punctuate who exactly 'the best' was.
"Carduus has been giving me a few pointers," Twilight shot back with a smirk.
Rainbow just hung dumbly in the air for a few moments, before crossing her fore hooves in a huff.
Twilight shook her head slightly. "If it makes you feel any better, the next time I visit Ponyville I will allow my famous Wonderbolt friend teach me a few tricks."
Rainbow cheered up immediately. "Aw yeah! I've been waiting two years for you to ask me!"
Twilight chuckled. "I know."
"Yeah well, how long is the trip anyway? It's not like you guys can just rainboom over there."
"About two days, give or take," Twilight responded. "We should arrive just in time for the council."
"Well, just give me a heads up if you need any back up, a word to Spitfire I could have the Wonderbolts show up and kick some flank on a moment's notice," Rainbow offered, slightly dubious of the whole council affair.
"Thank you for the offer Rainbow Dash, but I don't think that will be necessary. No changeling would dream of starting anything at the council, it would violate traditions the changelings as a whole hold very dear."
"Ah don't know sugarcube," Applejack voiced her agreement with Rainbow. "With what you told us about this great aunt of yours, Crudelis was it? Something about this whole darn thing rubs me up the wrong apple tree. Ah know ah once said that that anypony of relation to y'all was practically family, but ah think she may be an exception."
"That makes two of us," Twilight muttered. "Please don't worry Applejack. Even if she has the largest hive, I don't think aggravating every other queen is high on her to do list."
"Enough of the doom and gloom," Pinkie butted, or, more accurately - bounced in. "Thanks for having us over Twilight, it was fun and we should do it again!"
"Sorry it was cut so short," Twilight apologised. "But yes, we should. And I think the others are certainly going to miss your parties."
"Don't you worry!" The pink party pony winked. "I have something awesome planned for the next one!"
"I dread to think," Chrysalis deadpanned as she approached the group.
"Aw don't be like that, Chryssi!" Pinkie suddenly appeared next to and leaned up against the Changeling Queen casually. "My next party involves you, and you will definitely enjoy yourself! Cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye!"
Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "One, stop leaning on me please. Two, we shall see. Three, never call me Chryssi ever, ever again."
"No can do, Chryssi!" Pinkie proclaimed happily.
Chrysalis could only groan.
Twilight chuckled behind a hoof. "Come on mother, would it really be so bad to join in? Believe it or not but I truly believe you are capable of enjoying yourself every now and then."
"Is that so?" Chrysalis deadpanned.
Twilight only smiled ever so innocently.
"Oh fine!" Chrysalis gave in. "Pinkamina Pie, I promise to join in on your next visit to the hive, happy?"
Pinkie shook her head. "You have to Pinkie promise."
"Seriously?"
"Do it..."
Twilight gave her mother a quick nudge, while the others all tried to hide grins behind their hooves.
Chrysalis mumbled something.
"Come on," Pinkie continued to pressure the queen. "Even Fluttershy can do better than that."
"Thanks... I think?" the yellow Pegasus in question said.
Chrysalis sighed, and then reluctantly began the motions. "Cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my- ow!" Chrysalis gently rubbed her eye after accidentally poking it.
The girls could no longer contain their laughter and burst into a fit of giggles, much to the changeling queen's expense.
"See? That wasn't so hard!" Pinkie gave Chrysalis a side hug.
"Right..." Chrysalis pried Pinkie off of her with her magic, and deposited her next to Rarity. "Well enough of this demeaning situation. Twilight, we must be going, unless you want to be tardy to your first queen's council?"
That spurred Twilight into action. "Um, of course not! Leaving, now, alright then!"
Twilight turned to her friends. "I'll be seeing you girls soon, alright?"
"You have safe travels now sugarcube, ya hear?" Applejack approached and hugged her friend.
"Will do Applejack, same goes to you on your trip back to Equestria."
"We'll be fine darling," Rarity assured. "Oh and do try to enjoy yourself. I know you do so enjoy delving into different aspects of various cultures."
The group all hugged and shared a few friendly nuzzles, saying their farewells as the group parted ways. As they split, the group of five ponies were escorted back into the hive to await transport back to Equestria while Twilight took her place by her mother's side, and together they began to approach the waiting changelings.
"You've never been so far from Equestria before, have you Twilight?" Chrysalis asked her daughter.
"No," Twilight confirmed. "The furthest I've been is a brief visit to a Griffon coastal city with Celestia once when I was a filly. She was there to set up some kind of trade with them."
"Well then, we shall be traveling through the Griffon mainland and right up to the Zebra border. It should be quite the experience, yes?"
Twilight happily nodded in return.
"Your highness!" The disguised Carduus approached. "Is it time?"
"We are ready, Captain."
"Very well, then we shall depart at once!" Carduus turned to address the gathered disguised changelings, "Changelings! I want this journey to be clean, swift and without incident. Stay in a tight formation around the carriages and be on constant alert for any sign of hostilities, understood?"
"Yes, Captain!" A chorus of voices confirmed at once.
"Very good. Now spreads your wings and move out!" The flock of 'pegasi' immediately spread their wings wide and took to the air, moving to cover the two carriages as the changeling pulling them got a run up and pulled the enchanted vehicles into the air with the others.
Green flames surrounded Chryaslis and her tall form was replaced with a black Pegasus mare with a teal mane and green cocoon cutie mark.
"Come then my daughter, let us be off," Chrysalis said as she took to the air after her drones.
Twilight nodded, and green flames surrounded her next. The visage of the pony Twilight Sparkle, the one the princess had worn for much of her life, returned to the world. The only difference was that instead of a unicorn horn, she had the wings of a Pegasus on either side of her barrel.
Briefly receiving a wave of nostalgia as she looked down on a lavender hoof, she spread her own wings and quickly got back into position next to her mother.
Rainbow Dash stood at the entrance to the hive, watching as the disguised changelings became mere shades far in the distance. She was alone in the entrance with the others, both pony and changeling, having already entered the underground structure.
At least until Pinkie Pie bounced up next to the cyan Pegasus.
"Sup Dashie?"
"Hey Pinks, why aren't you inside?"
"You were up here by yourself, so I came back up here too!" The pink pony answered, still pronking up and down.
"Ah," Rainbow simply said as she smiled. "Welp, I'm coming in now anyway. Come on."
Rainbow turned back to the hive, with Pinkie Pie following shortly after.
Once they entered the hive proper, the doorway closed behind them and the perception filter took effect once more. The two walked (or bounced if you're Pinkie Pie) down the large corridor, until they reached an intersection.
"Hold on Dashie, I'm just going to go down that hallway a moment, go on without me."
"Um... why?" Rainbow asked.
"It is a super-duper secret!" Pinkie exclaimed happily as she bounced her way down the adjacent corridor.
Rainbow watched her bounce away into the darkness, and simply rolled her eyes and continued on. A short way away Rainbow Dash almost bumped straight into a mare bouncing up the other way.
"Woah!" Rainbow screeched to a halt in order to avoid the collision, the other mare just stopped dead, momentum be damned.
"Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow looked at the pink mare in front of her.
"There you are Dashie! I thought you got lose or something!" Pinkie Pie smiled widely.
"But how did you get here first?" Rainbow asked in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean-" Rainbow paused with a sigh mid-sentence, "Never mind, just you being you."
Rainbow Dash simply walked past Pinkie Pie and continued walking down the hallway knowing the pink mare would most likely follow on.
Pinkie Pie sat motionless for a moment, looking on at her friend in genuine confusion.
A short distance away another Pinkie Pie grinned as green flames flickered around her body, extremely pleased that her spur of the moment plan to use the pink pony's strange abilities to her advantage had been such an extreme success.
And now she just had to wait for the royals to return. |
Change | 38 - Intruder | The Crystal Empire
Scarlet was shaking.
She was nervous. She was scared. She was excited. There were so many emotions that ran through her system as Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor got up to leave the dining room, leaving her and her husband alone.
They had just finished eating an exquisite lunch prepared by the palace's chief chef, a rather young, but enthusiastic crystal pony who had apparently been bouncing on the walls when the princess had offered him the position soon after King Sombra was defeated and killed. The dining room itself had the same crystal architecture as everything else in the empire, with two types of banners decorating the walls; the first banner type had Shining Armor's cutie mark and the other Princess Cadance's. A large chandelier hung above the table, and the table itself was decorated with several crystalline candle holders atop a blue and pink table cloth.
Vladimir hadn't attended lunch with them, as he was visiting a friend who had volunteered to join and train new members of the crystal guard when the empire returned. As for Cadance and Shining Armor, their meals were eaten and royal duties called out to them both. Broad Sword had finished his, but Scarlet Snow was being deliberately slow in eating her dessert.
Cadance paused halfway through the door, and turned to them. "We are sorry to leave you like this, but my court is to start soon," she apologised. "And Shining has to go and meet with some of the guard. Will you two be alright?"
"We'll be fine," Broad Sword assured. "Once Scarlet has finished her meal I'm sure we can think of something to do."
"Well, alright then," Cadance conceded. "If you need anything, I'm sure any of the palace guard or staff will be willing to help. Have fun you two." Nodding her head slightly, Cadance slipped from the room.
Scarlet sighed in relief as Cadance left the room. Now it was just her and Broad Sword left together. If there was ever a time to reveal the 'small' fact that she was pregnant with his child, now was the time.
"Out with it then," Broad Sword chuckled.
Scarlet gawked at her husband. "I'm sorry?"
"You're fighting, going slow with your food. You want to tell me something and wanted us to be alone to say it. I assume it has to do with what you tried to tell me yesterday?"
"Y-yes," Scarlet lowered her spoon next to her vanilla and chocolate ice cream dessert. "There is something I have wanted to tell you. I went to the doctors just before we left, I had a test done."
Broad Sword adopted a concerned expression. "Test? Is something wrong, you're not ill are you?"
"No!" Scarlet said quickly. "Nothing is wrong, the complete opposite in fact!"
Now that she had his undivided attention, and with nothing stopping her, no distraction, it was time. She breathed deeply in and out a few times to calm her growing nerves, and then opened her mouth.
"Honey, something wonderful has-"
Just then, because obviously some cruel outside force just loved to mess with them, the doors to the dining room flung open and slammed heavily against the wall, chipping the crystal. Moments later Shining Armor, Vladimir and another orange Pegasus guard came running in.
Scarlet's face slammed into the table from sheer exasperation.
"Scarlet, Broad Sword, we need you to come quickly!" Shining waved the two towards him.
The two ponies scrambled from the seats and headed towards the crystal prince, the urgency apparent in his posture.
"Shining? What happened?" Broad Sword asked hurriedly.
Shining gestured to the Pegasus and Thestral beside him. "Vladimir and Flash Sentry caught a changeling trying to take the crystal heart!"
"What?!" both ponies shouted at the news.
Shining turned to the Pegasus. "Sentry, go gather the rest of the guard. I want this changeling found!"
"Yes, your highness!" the Pegasus saluted, and then galloped off to carry out his orders.
"Vladimir, Broad Sword and Scarlet, you three are with me."
"Do we have any idea which hive the drone belongs to?" Broad Sword asked.
"No idea," Vladimir answered. "Shining, could your sister help with that?"
Shining Armor shook his head. "No, she and Chrysalis would have already departed for the Council and will be out of reach. We are on our own."
"Council?" Vladimir asked questioningly. "What council?"
"Queens' Council, long story," Shining dismissed. "Twily has only told me a bit in her letters."
"Well, she may have young Spike with her. Why not send a letter?"
"No, she's going to be under enough pressure. The last thing she need is to be worrying about us."
"What else can you tell us?" Scarlet interjected.
Vladimir shrugged. "Not much. There was one, couldn't tell the gender from a distance. The changeling ran as soon as Flash and I spotted it. But where there is one there could be more, and I could see an opportunistic queen trying to gain the heart for themselves. The amount of love in that thing would make a queen more powerful than any of our own princesses or even the other queens."
"Agreed," Shining said. "Which is why it must be defended. I will have the guard stay close to it while this threat is present, anypony who approaches will be subject to a scanning spell just to be safe. As for us, we are going to catch ourselves a changeling."
Earlier That Day
Soronis tried to stay calm as she walked down the pathway on the side of the grand highway leading directly to the palace. The giant gleaming jewel sprawled out before her, and her objective lay beneath it.
She kept her breathing steady as she passed all sorts of ponies. Families, young couples going on their first date, and one odd pegasus visitor to the empire who flew into a shop's sign and plonked down onto the path. The mare just didn't know what went wrong.
After several more minutes of walking, during which she passed by several establishments and she tried not to make eye contact with any of the city's many ponies. Soronis finally came up on her destination; in front of her the crystal palace itself sat what just seemed like mere metres away. She could even see the heart as it gently span on its pedestal.
Soronis began to move towards the heart, but stopped when she saw the four large archways that made up the palace's base were roped off with guards standing in front of them, keeping out trespassers.
She had guessed it wouldn't be as easy as just walking up to the thing.
Concealing herself in a nearby shadow covered alleyway, Soronis sat in darkness for a while, watching the guards as they patrolled around the city centre.
Eventually she came up with a plan, and reluctantly carried it out.
She waited for about an hour, and then she finally spotted a lone guard exiting the palace, still in his armour. However, his relaxed demeanour compared to the stone faces of his peers gave away that he had just come off duty, and was heading home for the day. The guard had a golden shimmering crystal coat and an orange mane, it contrasted slightly with the blue and purple colouration most crystal ponies had. The young changeling waited as the guard passed the checkpoint unopposed and walked across the street, and as luck would have it, right past the alleyway Soronis was hiding in.
She emerged as he passed.
"Help, please!" Soronis called out to the guard.
The guard stopped in his tracks and spun to spot the owner of the voice. "Ma'am?" He slipped back into his trained professionalism. "What is the matter?"
"It's my baby sister!" Soronis lied. "She is hurt really bad, and she needs help, please!"
"Oh shit," Soronis heard the guard mutter under his breath. "Hold on ma'am, I will get help."
"No!" she objected. "She needs help now, it can't wait."
The guard considered for a few moment, but then nodded. "Alright ma'am, it will be OK. Can you take me to her?"
Soronis nodded and turned back towards the alleyway, motioning the guard to follow.
The crystal pony guard quickly followed Soronis down an alleyway. Soronis kept slightly ahead of him, and then turned a sharp corner. When he also turned the corner he was met with the black shape of a changeling drone, a drone whose horn was glowing a bright green as she charged a spell.
"By crystals!" the guard shouted in surprise, quickly reaching for his holstered blade.
Only for a green bolt to shoot from the changeling's horn and impact the pony in the face. The guard slumped to the floor, unconscious.
Soronis stayed frozen for a few moment, before releasing the breath she had been holding in.
"Sorry," Soronis whispered apologetically as she removed the guard's armour and weapons, a green glow filling the alley a moment later as she took his form.
Soronis shuddered, not being a fan of taking a disguise of the opposite gender. But desperate times called for desperate measures. She lifted and put on his armour and armaments, before making sure the guard was OK, and placing a basic sleeping spell on him for good measure. Her time in her hive's library studying magical theory had paid off.
She missed that library.
She missed her family.
She missed it all.
Soronis fought back tears as she banished thoughts of her destroyed home from her mind. After regaining her composure, she made her way out of the alley and back towards the castle.
"Golden Flash," one of the guards greeted as the disguised Soronis approached the roped off area. "I though you went home for the day?"
"Yeah I...uh, forgot something in the barracks," Soronis lied. "I just need to quickly retrieve it and then be on my way."
The guard, a lieutenant judging by the pin on his armor, shook his head. "You really should keep a better eye on your stuff, Private. Go on then."
"Thank you sir," Soronis nodded, before passing by the guards and heading inwards, towards the doors leading into the palace at first.
Soronis stopped a short way in, and examined her surroundings. She could see the guards around the edges were all facing outwards, not inwards. And there were few civilians passing by at the present time, and those who did were not paying any particular attention to the heart.
Not knowing how long her luck would hold out, Soronis knew she had to act quickly. She turned away from the doors she was initially heading towards, and began to walk towards the heart at a brisk pace. She stopped just in front of the object, examining it in awe. She could feel the love energy it held just from proximity, and it was powerful. She was almost afraid of it, but something about it calmed her. And when she dropped her disguise and placed her horn on its surface it stopped spinning, and simply allowed her to extract some of the love stored within. She gently began to collect some of the love, promising mentally to only take as much as she needed, and not a drop more. The heart had, for whatever reason, placed its trust in her and she intended to keep that trust.
And then everything went wrong. ...
"-the crystal ponies have really come a long way in the past few years," Flash Sentry said to Vladimir as they walked down the staircase towards the entrance of the palace. "Credit where it was due, it wasn't easy for them. Being a thousand years out of time and all that."
"I know what you mean," Vladimir said. "You and the others did a good job training them and bringing them up to speed."
"They deserve the credit, not us," Flash disputed. "We only helped when necessary. The crystal ponies are a tough group, given all they have been through."
"What about all you have been through?" Vladimir smirked. "Hitting on the Prince's sister, for instance?"
Flash groaned. "I did no such thing, we bumped into each other a while back and she acted... odd. Almost like she knew me or something. Didn't stop Prince Armor from putting me on latrine duty for a month after the fact."
"Whatever happened to that mirror they were all fussing over anyway?" Vladimir asked. "Did you ever find out what that was all about?"
"I have no idea what happened to the mirror," Flash sighed. "As for why there was a big fuss over the thing, when I tried to look into it everything came back with a big red 'classified' stamp over everything. In the end we took the hint and left it well alone."
"Fair enough," Vladimir said as they reached the doorway at the bottom of the stairs.
Vladimir placed a hoof on one of the doors, and pulled it open. Flash Sentry exited the building first with Vladimir following behind and closing the large door as he went.
"It still is weird though," Vladimir said. "I wonder if that mirror- hey!" Vladimir suddenly shouted in panic.
The two ponies both caught sight of a changeling drone in crystal guard armor interacting with the Crystal Heart, drawing energy out of it.
"Stop that changeling!" Vladimir barked out as both he and Flash bolted towards it. ...
Soronis was nearly finished when she heard a voice from the palace entrance.
"Stop that changeling!"
Soronis instantly cut her connection and spun around. She spotted a Pegasus and thestral charging at her, the Pegasus had his sword drawn. Panic and dread immediately filled her being, and she quickly tore off her armour and flung it towards the two ponies with her magic, while simply dropping Golden Flash's sword to the ground.
The two ponies cursed as the armour collided with them, and Soronis took the opportunity to turn and dart in the opposite direction, giving a flap of her wings to boost her speed. Her panic only began to rise as all the other guards turned and also spotted her, a few arrows flew over her head as a few of those guards armed with crossbows opened fire. She flew towards the alleyway she had initially hid in, but had to go through a group of guards to get to it. One of the guards rushed forwards to meet her, sword raised. However, Soronis utilised some of the extraordinarily pure love energy from the heart to magically boost herself through the group, and those guards who did not jump out of the way were knocked to the ground in a heap.
She quickly entered the alleyway, hoping the pursuing guards would stop for the unconscious Golden Flash and thus let her gain some ground between her and them.
It partially worked, and those who didn't stop soon lost sight of their target as she bobbed and weaved through the various alleys and backstreets.
After what seemed like hours of flying through the empire, Soronis finally allowed herself to rest in the shadow of a large building. She tried to stop herself from hyperventilating as she processed what had just happened. The whole city would be on alert, every single pony would be looking for her. She had to get the love energy to Puellula, but she couldn't return to the cellar.
At least, not yet.
Soronis realised she would have to wait until things calmed down before she could return. Doing otherwise could put Puellula at risk of being discovered if she was spotted or followed. She would just have to lay low until things calmed down, and try not to get caught.
"Don't worry Puellula, I will be there soon. Just hold on." |
Change | 39 - The Other Queens | The Border of Zebrica, The First Changeling Hive
Twilight, who was still in her Pegasus form, looked down in awe at the sprawling structure jutting out the trees just as they passed through the perception filter. The large stone brick dome was in pristine condition, the drones sent to maintain it having performed their duties to an almost religious degree. On each side of the dome existed a large set of double doors, each of them entrances to the large hive. From each door extended a long path reaching all the way of to the treeline, and each path was lined with statues of armoured changeling guards standing at attention, forever guarding their home. At the very peak of the dome a large crystal was imbedded into the roof, not dissimilar to the one held in the grasp of Avia back in the Badlands Hive's atrium, keeping up the perception filter surrounding the structure.
And from her high vantage point Twilight could see changeling drones, and a lot of them. Drones from all the attending hives roamed the grounds. Guards in various armors patrolled around in joint security operations while the proceedings unfolded. Twilight could even spot a few queens around the place, some merely inspecting the decor, others in deep discussion with one another about various topics in the lead up to the council.
And then there was one queen standing directly where those from the Badlands were coming in to land, surrounded by changelings in red armour. The queen had the standard teal mane and green eyes of a queen, her mane being done up into a neat bun.
And Twilight noticed her mother visibly smile as she laid eyes on that queen.
As they came in for landing all of the drones began to shed their Pegasi disguises, with them taking point and landing before the royals or the carriages. Said carriages were next to landed, making contact onto the grassy ground and quickly coming to a halt, several drones immediately getting to work in unloading its contents.
Twilight and Chrysalis were the last to shed their disguises, and the last to land. As their black hooves made contact with the ground, the queen Twilight had spotted began to approach the pair, her guards taking position at a respectful distance. Several of Chrysalis' drones glanced at the approaching queen cautiously, but relaxed on her identification.
"Draco," Chrysalis greeted cheerfully. "It is a joy to see you again, my old friend."
"And I you, Chrysalis," Draco responded, accepting a quick, friendly embrace from the other queen. "I trust you are well?"
"As well as can be expected. How has everything been so far? Any trouble?" Chrysalis asked.
"No. Things have been quiet, and now that you're here the council can go ahead. The first session will likely be pinned to take place tomorrow morning. However, I would actively seek to avoid Crudelis if I were you."
"I wasn't exactly planning on saying 'hi'. Besides we are at the Council, what could she possible do here?"
Draco grimaced. "Hopefully nothing, but that doesn't mean you should let your guard down. My one brief encounter with that queen set off some alarm bells for me. I don't trust her."
"Neither do I, nor have I ever," Chrysalis bitterly responded. "But enough about that bitch, perhaps more pleasant forms of conversation would be better suited?"
Draco chuckled. "I'm sorry, you are right. It has been too long since I have seen one of my oldest friends, this should not be a somber occasion. Come my friend, I will show you to your prearranged accommodations."
Chrysalis held up a hoof to stop Queen Draco. "But a moment Draco, you have yet to meet my daughter."
Chrysalis stepped aside to reveal Twilight lingering slightly back, watching the two queens curiously. Draco nodded on seeing the young princess, and stepped towards her.
"Twilight Sparkle, we meet at last. I have heard much about you," Draco bowed her head slightly in greeting.
"Queen Draco, isn't it? Yes, mother has mentioned you fondly before. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Please, just call me Draco."
"Ah, right," Twilight scuffed the ground awkwardly with a hoof. "I've never actually met another Changeling Queen aside from mother before now so... I don't really know what the precedent is."
Draco chuckled. "Then how about the precedent of how to act among friends."
Twilight's face lit up. "Yes, I think I can do that. Friendship is my speciality after all!"
"So I hear. Element of Magic are you not? Pretty strange when you consider the fact that your mother, when I first met her, wasn't exactly master of the magical arts..." A mischievous grin appeared her face.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked out of curiosity.
Chrysalis' face somehow turned a bright red through the chitin. "No! Draco, don't you dare!"
Draco turned to the other queen. "You worry too much Chryssie! I would never dream of telling your daughter of how we first met. How, in our very first visit to this very hive that you tried to show off your recently learned ability to use portals, only to end up trapping yourself in a wall in the process of doing so."
Chrysalis looked absolutely mortified.
Twilight on the other hoof, tried very hard to keep in a bout of giggling. "Trapped in a wall? With that and what you did to the first crystal in the atrium, your accidents would give Derpy a run for her bits!" the Princess teased her mother.
Draco raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "First crystal? What is all this about?"
"That is enough of that!" Chrysalis stepped in between the two changelings. "My daughter and my best friend, how did I ever think this was going to be a good idea?" she muttered to herself.
Both Draco and Twilight couldn't help but titter at the expense of a rather bemused Queen Chrysalis. But when all was said and done, they relented.
"Very well then Chrysalis, we're done. Not that I doubt you will attempt to get me back at a later date."
"You know me too well," Chrysalis said with mirth.
A cough caught their attention. "If your majesties are finished, we have the carriages unloaded. Now we just need a place to put them. On top of that, those who aren't joining the security arrangements right away are keen to hit the hay," Carduus said to the three royals.
"Ah, my apologies. You all will be staying in the east wing of the hive along with myself and my drones, and that of Queens Xerox, Plastron and Cocoon."
"Understood," Carduus bowed his head. "We will make our way over there right away."
Draco turned to a few of her own guards. "You three, go with them. Help them bring in their things and point them out to their rooms if you will."
"Yes my Queen!" All three saluted before running off towards the carriage along with Carduus.
Chrysalis spoke as Draco turned back around towards them. "Xerox, Plastron and Cocoon are in the east wing with us?"
"Yes, that is correct," Draco confirmed.
"What about the others, who else is attending exactly?"
Draco stopped to think a moment before answering the question, "Queens Pupa, Carapace, Acadica, Tempora and Antannae are in the west wing. In the north wing we have Ingrica, Orbata, Pensylvanica, Vulgaris and Crudelis."
"And the south wing?" Chrysalis enquired.
"That would have been reserved for Arisana, Austriaca, Germanica, Nursei and Vespula. The former four couldn't be located. As for Vespula..." Draco trailed off.
"There are now only nineteen queens," Chrysalis realised.
"Vespula is dead," Draco said solemnly. "I don't know how or why. But it will almost certainly be a point of discussion in the Council."
"A queen is dead?" Twilight asked, eyes wide in horror. "How can you not know what happened?"
"As far as we can tell, there were no survivors," Draco shook her head sadly. "My scouts reported heavy signs of heavy fighting. They fought down to the last stallion, mare and nymph."
"What about bodies? Could you identify the attackers?" Chrysalis asked.
"When we arrived the other hives had already sent drones to perform clean up duties. They were burying the bodies, recovering anything useful and then scuttling what was left of the hive. It was in a cave system so it wasn't too hard to collapse it in."
"Then what about the first hives on the scene, did they identify them?" It was Twilight who asked this time around.
"If they did, we will find out tomorrow morning. Until then all we can do is make idle theories.
"You said they buried the bodies," Chrysalis recollected. "Where did they bury Vespula?"
Draco motioned towards the large dome before them. "Here. Along with a great many other queens throughout our history."
"Did you know Vespula, mother?" Twilight asked.
"No, at least not personally. But I had nothing against her either. She had a small hive, smaller than ours, and they mostly tried to keep to themselves. I can't imagine who would actively want her dead."
"Enough of that Chrysalis," Draco said. "Come, I will lead you inside. I made sure you were actually provided nice rooms, since Crudelis probably would have been more than happy to stick you in a cupboard somewhere."
"Appreciated," Chrysalis deadpanned.
Carduus directed a few of his changelings as they picked up the various crates and bags that had been unloaded and began to take them into the hive, the drones Draco provided at their head. Once everything had been taken indoors he directed a few drones to go and park the carriages with a few others near one of the entrances, and then started to head inside himself.
As he approached the door he spotted a drone in blue and red armour speaking to Queen Xerox, a checklist held in his green aura. Carduus realised the drone was part of Crudelis' hive, and simply tried to bypass him without making eye contact.
No luck there.
"Excuse me Queen Xerox, there is other business I must attend to for my Queen." The drone bowed in apology.
"I understand," Xerox bowed her head in return. "I must check in with my captain anyway. Farewell"
As the Queen turned and walked off in the opposite direction the drone intercepted Carduus and walked directly in his path.
"Captain Carduus? If you could hold a moment?"
"Sorry, no solicitors," Carduus budged past the drone.
The drone frowned. "Jokes are all well and good, Captain, but I order you to stop!"
Carduus halted in his tracks, and turned to the changeling threateningly. "You, order me? Who do you think you are, and on whose authority?"
"My Queen is organising this council, so on hers," the drone shot back. "Now, all I need to do is discuss your arrangements for your stay, who you have with you and other statistical information. I'm just doing my job, so make it easy will you?"
"What? I have been to one of these before, many years ago. I may have just been a rookie at the time, but I clearly remember no such information needing to be given."
"That was when Queen Germanica was arranging the council. Now it is us," the drone stated. "Honestly, and I thought Private Scorpion complained too much."
"Look, I can tell we are both busy changelings. So why don't you just let me go on my way... and shove that list up your ass!"
"The quicker you cooperate, the quicker I leave, Captain. I know you and your hive have a history of insolence-"
"Insolence?" Carduus growled.
"-but the other queens have already done it, even your little friend Draco. So you will cooperate!" the drone delivered his ultimatum.
"I..." Carduus groaned in frustration.
Deciding a quick ping to his Queen over the hive mind was the best solution he asked Chrysalis what he should do. But a few short moments later he received permission, albeit reluctant, to go along with the drone.
"Very well then, but make it quick."
"Splendid. This is just so we can keep track of everything better for organisational purposes. I'm sure your Princess would agree."
"Just get on with," Carduus said with little patience.
"Very well. Now, how many drones are with you?"
Twilight slumped down onto her bed, only now realising how exhausted she was from all the flying she had to do in the past couple of days. She and her mother would be sharing a room on the second floor of the east wing for the duration of the council. The room itself was decently large with various bookshelves, a fireplace with a few cushions, a work desk and a window looking down over the grounds. Twilight guessed the room had also previously been host to a double bed, but Draco had her drones swap it out for two singles in preparation for them. Their accompanying drone's rooms were all clustered together, adjacent to one another. And just a hallway away Draco and her changelings were staying. They had yet to encounter the other three queens or their drones in the east wing as they were on different floors, but that would likely soon change.
Chrysalis had a few more words with Draco before the latter left to attend to other matters, and with two of their guards taking position by the door Chrysalis walked in and laid down next to Twilight on the latter's bed.
"Are you well my daughter?"
"Tired," Twilight groaned. "Celestia will be lowering the sun soon, and I'm more than ready to sleep."
With a loving smile Chrysalis pulled Twilight towards her, draped over a gossamer wing and nuzzled her daughter on the head, "Well before you drift off to say hi to Princess Luna, I thought you would like to see the council chamber first."
"The council chamber, as in the chamber where all the most important decisions in changeling history have been made? As in the literal centre of our very society?!" Twilight's scholarly mind buzzed with excitement.
"Er... sure. That one." Chrysalis rolled her eyes.
Twilight pondered for a second, sleep vs satisfying the scholar within her. The latter easily won out, it wouldn't be the first time.
"Yes, I would like that."
"I thought you would," Chrysalis smiled, "Come then, the day grows short. And I too would like to retire to bed before long." |
Change | 40 - Stories | The war room within the first hive was seldom used. Any matters between queens were debated and sorted within the council chamber and thus the room had grown disused ever since the old hive was turned into the centre of changeling society rather than a conventional hive itself.
Not anymore however, as the room was now being utilised by Queen Crudelis and several of her top changeling drones. Maps of the surrounding area, Equestria and the Badlands were laid out on the table before them.
"Do you have everything?" Crudelis asked the drone holding the checklist.
"Everything is in order." The drone levitated the list towards his Queen. "That captain from the Badlands actually thought that it was part of some scheme instead of what it was, a list of statistics to help better organise this council. Their paranoia knows no bounds."
"And rightfully so," another chuckled, tapping a hoof on the map of the Badlands. "Reports tell me that our agent is inside. Soon enough everything will be ready; at least it will be once she acquires the device."
"When will these plans be placed into action my Queen?" the first drone asked.
"We can't rush this," Crudelis stated. "I have ordered our agent to lay low until Chrysalis and Twilight Sparkle are returning to the hive; that is when she shall acquire the device from their own storage. The moment those two return to the hive is when we strike."
"But what of Equestria?" the changeling asked.
"What of them?" Crudelis asked bluntly.
The changeling shuffled nervously. "With Princess Twilight's personal connection to both the Crystal Princess and the Sun Princess, I doubt her death will go unnoticed, or without consequence."
"Let me worry about those alicorn princesses and their little ponies. I have my own plans for them, but baby steps, Lieutenant. Chrysalis and her brat must die first."
"Yes, my Queen."
"Good. Now, the council takes place tomorrow morning and I want it to run smoothly. Keep hostility with other hives, even the Badlands, to a minimum. I will not have these hostilities spoiling our most sacred tradition. Is that clear?"
"Yes, your highness!" All the present drones saluted with the affirmative.
"Good, you know what happens to those who disappoint me, just as Vespula did. Dismissed."
All of the drones saluted one last time, gathered up their things and began to file out of the door. Crudelis herself gave a small hum of satisfaction as all her plans slowly but surely same together, before too exiting the room.
Twilight and her mother, Queen Chrysalis, walked through the hallways of the ancient changeling hive. Drones of various hives passed by them, as did the odd queen here and there. They were on their way to the council chamber of which Twilight Sparkle, as a long time scholar, was eager to lay eyes on for the first time.
"Who did this hive belong to originally?" the young princess asked her mother.
"Hmm?" Chrysalis was broken out of her own thoughts by her daughter's voice, having just missed her line of questioning.
"I asked, who did this hive belong to originally?" Twilight repeated.
"Ah, now that is the question..." Chrysalis half muttered.
"Huh? Does that mean you don't know?"
"Well, there are stories..." Chrysalis began to explain. "But none truly know what happened in this hive. The details have long been lost to time."
"What are the stories?" Twilight's curiosity only grew.
"There are several. Some say the hive was never actually a hive, but was purposely built for the council, or some other alternate purpose."
Twilight seemed wholly unconvinced by that theory. "That seems... unlikely. This place seems like it once held a permanent population of changelings from what, admittedly little, I have seen of this place."
"That is just one theory, though I do admit is one of the less likely options. The most likely is that it was just a hive to some changeling queen way back when. Perhaps that queen died, or moved on and left the place empty, only for it to be re-purposed later. Or perhaps it was home to the queen who founded the council in the first place, who knows?"
"That does seem far more plausible than the first theory. I can easily see that one being true," Twilight nodded, being far more convinced with that theory than the first one.
"It is the most likely," Chrysalis agreed. "But there is one other story..."
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "You trailing off there sounded rather ominous."
Queen Chrysalis chuckled. "Yes well, this is a rather fantastical story. One usually told to scare young nymphs just before bedtime."
"Now it sounds really ominous," Twilight remarked. "Used to scare foals you say?"
They stopped in the middle of the corridor just nearby to the hive's old war room, not far from the council chamber itself.
"Do you wish to hear it?"
Twilight gave an affirmative nod. "To do a good job researching you need to hear all sides of the story to some to a set of satisfactory conclusions."
Chrysalis smirked. "Spoken just like a princess' protege."
"Oh just tell me the story," Twilight said as she rolled her eyes.
Chrysalis giggled mischievously. "Are you sure? I did say it was used to scare young foals..."
"Mother!" Twilight fumed.
Chrysalis' giggles turned into laughter. "Oh you are too cute when you are flustered, daughter of mine."
Twilight gave her mother a deadpan look. "Finished?"
Chrysalis let her chuckles trail off. "Yes, I think I am quite done. Now... the story?"
"Yes, if you please."
Chrysalis took a moment to recollect the old story, but it quickly returned to her.
"It is said long ago, all of our kind was ruled over by a single changeling, a single unifying, and oppressing voice among a single hive mind."
"A single hive mind ruled by a single individual?" Twilight gasped. "How is that possible? If a drone tried to actively link with an entire hive as we do it would drive them insane. Only queens are able to handle that many voices at once over the Head‐based Internal Vocalisation Egregore, whereas most drones merely are able to sense most in the hive and are only actively able to speak over it to us, those in their class and family! And even we have our limits."
Her daughter's information dump over, Chrysalis deadpanned: "Yes Twilight, I am fully aware."
"I know but, if a queen tried to connect every changeling in existence at once it would tear them apart!"
"This changeling was anything but ordinary," Chrysalis continued on despite the ramblings of her daughter. "Her power was extraordinary, as was her ruthlessness. She ruled over all changelings with an iron hoof, effectively robbing all, even the queens of their free will. Our kind was completely bound to her will, we couldn't say no. We couldn't rebel. In short, we couldn't truly live."
Chrysalis gave her daughter a moment to process this information. "It is said this hive was her home. And that from here she ruled her empire with evil intent, destroying all that got in her way. This was an age when the sun and moon moved by their own accord, when nature was unregulated and the existence of alicorns were a simple myth. The zebras and griffons were closest, and were subjugated in their earliest history, history now lost to time. Ponykind however, would escape her brutality as her empire never reached the shores of what would become Equestria, never mind the original land where the three tribes lived in their founding days."
"So long ago, this planet was so chaotic back then, and I don't think even Discord was alive then to make it so!"
"Indeed. But that is the nature of evolution, and progression."
"I guess so," Twilight agreed. "So? What happened to her?"
"The same thing that happened to King Sombra, and other similar tyrants," Chrysalis stated like it was obvious. "Apparently one day a Changeling Queen got free of her control, and brought everything crumbling to the ground. She defeated the tyrant and likely killed her, creating the society we changelings have this very day."
"Wow... that does seem pretty fantastical," Twilight said. "The second theory seems more likely to be true."
"Perhaps." Chrysalis casually stated. "But so did Nightmare Moon once. As did the Crystal Empire, and the Elements of Harmony themselves. If you recall, even we were once relegated to mere myths and legends until the wedding a couple of years ago."
"Touche," Twilight conceded. "All that power for a single queen to hold..."
"Actually, according to the story the changeling in question wasn't quite a queen but something... more. And far worse."
"I see," Twilight hummed in contemplation. "Still, best to take it with a grain of salt. But if I can, I certainly will be putting research time into this!"
"I had a feeling you would, checklists are going to be involved I assume?"
"Of course!"
"Of course." Chrysalis repeated in a deadpan voice. "Anyway, enough stories. I believe we were heading towards the council chamber?"
"Ah, right. We should probably get on with that..." Twilight chuckled.
Chrysalis herself chuckled in return. "Come on, let's go."
Just as the two royal changeling turned to continue on down the corridor, the two froze in place as the door to the war room opened and several changelings in blue and red armor came piling on out. The drones eyed the queen and princess spitefully as they sauntered on past, but did no more than that.
But that was not the worst part.
The worst part came when Queen Crudelis followed them out.
"Oh buck my life," Chrysalis broadcasted over the entire hive.
When Crudelis spotted the two other royal changelings her blood red eyes locked on to their green and lavenders ones, an unnerving grin spreading across her face.
"Ah! There is my favourite niece!" Crudelis exclaimed in fake cheer.
"I am your only niece, Crudelis. What do you want?" Chrysalis snarled.
Crudelis rolled her eyes. "Oh please, do you have to act that way towards family? I have been dying to see you again, and to meet a certain other."
Twilight flinched as Crudelis' eyes locked solely onto the young princess. "Twilight Sparkle. You have no idea how pleased I am to finally meet the latest addition to our family. How are you my dear? Well I hope?"
"Fine, thank you." Twilight responded through gritted teeth, half tempted to bear her fangs, knowing it would likely do little to intimidate the much older Changeling Queen.
"Good, I heard about that nasty business with that dastardly assassin a while back, I hope the scar doesn't bother you too much?"
Twilight instinctively placed a hoof on the permanent mark on her chitin, while Chrysalis flashed her fangs angrily, eliciting little more than an amused smirk from Queen Crudelis.
"If you would excuse us, 'aunt' Crudelis. We have business to attend to."
"Come now Chrysalis," Crudelis smiled. "You can set all that aside for a while."
Crudelis turned back to Twilight, "Besides, I have heard so much about you Twilight. Defeating as many evils as you have, you certainly are quite the hero back in Equestria. If you were a pony you may have even ascended to an alicorn."
"That was the original plan, apparently..." Twilight admitted.
"I thought as much, Element of Magic."
Twilight glared at Crudelis. "Well I have heard much about you too, Crudelis."
"Oh?" Crudelis was all ears.
"Yes. Rather impressive how you convinced a dragon to murder a fellow queen!" Twilight accused
Crudelis snorted. "I see you are rather privy to rumours and speculation my dear, but yes my sister's death was terribly tragic. Honestly though, it wouldn't be that hard for any queen to convince a dragon commit such an act, a life debt is a very serious thing to their kind. Such a queen might even have a dragon like that in her service to this very day. Actually, don't you have a dragon yourself?"
"You aren't denying it," Twilight pointed out spitefully.
"Aren't I?" Crudelis smirked.
"Enough of this," Chrysalis stood in between Crudelis and her daughter. "Don't you have a council to run?"
Crudelis sighed. "Yes I suppose I do. But don't worry, we'll be seeing each other very soon."
Crudelis brushed past Chrysalis and began to walk down the corridor in the opposite direction of where Chrysalis and Twilight were heading, much to their relief.
"She is meant to be related to us?" Twilight asked.
"Come on, the council chamber is just down the hall."
Twilight examined the council chamber with great interest. The room was circular in shape with around thirty seats spanning the edges of the hall. The roof was made up of some kind of semi-transparent material Twilight couldn't identify. It allowed sunlight to enter but it wasn't transparent enough to clearly see out. In the centre of the roof the crystal keeping up the perception filter hummed away as it did its work, as it had done for thousands of years preceding that day. The floors were tiled with intricate patterns and shapes. Similar decorations adorned the walls and pillars of the structure which had all been masterfully crafted with gold and various other materials, and then well-kept over the hive's long history.
It wasn't a stretch of the imagination to visually replace all the council seating with one giant throne at the end of the room, as it would have looked back when it was still utilised as the hive's throne room. And when Twilight looked at the design of the room her thoughts were brought back to the story her mother had told her. She could certainly imagine some king or changeling empress running an empire from the room she now stood in.
Her scholar side was squealing like a little filly Twilight.
Fifteen guards lined the room, one from every hive attending the council. Each held the usual stoic expression on their faces. Spike was also present, speaking to a few other drones about the event the next day.
"Hey Twilight!" Spike called when he spotted the Princess.
"Hey Spike," Twilight replied back to the young dragon. "How are things coming along?"
"Nicely. Things are just about ready for tomorrow."
"Good to know. But... wow! Have you seen this place?"
"Yup. It is pretty impressive. Actually, I am surprised you haven't started excavating it already."
Twilight groaned. "I am not that bad!"
"Uh-huh." |
Change | 41 - Chase | The Crystal Empire
The wondrous glow of the moon weaved its way throughout the shimmering crystalline structures of the Crystal Empire, illuminating Luna's night sky. The stars twinkled down onto the planet's surface, the far away celestial bodies forming complex and fascinating patterns which ponies and changelings, like Twilight Sparkle, loved to discover and map.
And Princess Luna would have sworn all those stars laughed when Vladimir Vespertilio crashed head first into a large dumpster.
"It's getting away!" Vladimir shouted at his colleagues, grumpily swiping a banana peel off of his muzzle.
Shining Armor and Broad Sword shot past as Scarlet Snow briefly stopped to levitate the lunar captain out of his predicament.
"Thanks," he muttered.
"Don't mention it," Scarlet smirked as she took off after the others, Vladimir following closely behind.
All four ponies were armoured up in their usual gear, the three visitors to the empire having taken their armors with them. Shining was in his old purple and gold Guard Captain's armor, Broad Sword in his all golden Solar kit, Vladimir in his blue Night Guard armor and Scarlet in her silver standard issue EUP combat armor. Scarlet however, did not wear a helmet like the other three, having never particular used one due to it potentially obstructing her spell casting.
After ducking and weaving through several alleyways they managed to catch up with the Captain of the Solar Guard and the Crystal Prince, both of whom were mere metres behind the fleeing black figure of a changeling drone.
In desperation, Soronis lit up her horn and grabbed onto a slightly out of place, but well enough hidden in the alley, ventilation box. She tore the device off the wall and flung it at the pursuing ponies.
"Watch out!" Shining Armor shouted as he lit up his horn to form a protective shield around himself and Broad Sword who were right in the path of the falling ventilation box. The pink bubble blinked to life just as the box hit, shattering into a few dozens of pieces on contact.
As Vlad and Scarlet skidded to a halt to check on their friends, all four ponies saw the young changeling flick her wings to do a ninety degrees turn into yet another alley.
"Blast!" Broad Sword shouted, his wings ruffling in annoyance. "This is getting ridiculous!"
Panting slightly, Shining Armor examined the two ponies who just caught up with himself and his successor in the Solar Guard.
"Hey? Where are the others?"
Vladimir looked over his shoulder with a sheepish grin and a shrug. "I think they fell behind."
Shining groaned. "Extra drills for the lot of them! I swear it!"
"We need a plan," Broad Sword said.
"What we need, is divine alicorn intervention. Why isn't Cadance helping?" Vladimir asked.
"Um..." Shining Armor rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof. "Baby alicorn tantrums."
"Ah," Understanding showed on the Thestral's face. "In that case then I think her hooves are full already."
"Her sacrifice will be honoured!" Scarlet giggled.
"I hate to burst your bubble but... the changeling?" Broad Sword interrupted.
"Right!" Shining Armor exclaimed. "Vladimir and Broad Sword, you two skulk around the exits to the alleys. While you do that myself and Scarlet will try and flush it out, understood?"
"You got it boss!" Scarlet stood at Shining's side while Broad Sword and Vladimir nodded and took off to do their part.
Scarlet turned to Shining, "So... things usually this exciting around here?"
Shining chuckled, "Not usually. Don't tell Cady but... I kind of missed this."
"Love the thrill of danger huh?" Scarlet smirked.
"You're the EUP officer, you should know," Shining shot back.
"True enough."
Shining Armor's smile fell as he took on a far more serious expression. "In all seriousness though. I want you to take it easy. No overexerting yourself, that is an order."
"W-what do you mean?"
"You're with child are you not? It may not be showing yet but that is no reason to be reckless about things."
Scarlet gawped at the prince of the crystal empire. "How? How did you know that?"
"To be honest, it was Cadance. She saw the way you looked at Flurry, and how you were acting around your husband," Shining Armor smirked. "And when she told me about it she was practically squealing like a filly in a sweet shop. She really is a sucker for all things love and relationship related."
"I can imagine," Scarlet deadpanned.
Shining Armor laughed, and before he could stop himself he said. "You have no idea; she had an entire secret room dedicated to matching up individuals she would love to see as couples."
"Wait, what?"
Shining's eyes widened in slight panic. "I really shouldn't have told you that... oh she is going to kill me."
Now it was Scarlet's turn to laugh. "I promise not to tell a soul."
Shining sighed in relief. "Thanks. Anyway, have you told Broad Sword yet?"
Scarlet grimaced. "No. I've been trying, I swear! It's just... I always either get cold hooves or something interrupts!"
Shining Armor shot Scarlet a sympathetic smile. "I know what you mean. Cadance had the same problem trying to tell me. Something would always get in the way and in the end just blurted it out in the middle of court."
Scarlet raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes, really. And she was so nervous about telling Twilight that we ended up inviting my little sister for a get-together in Ponyville and then sent her on some elaborate treasure hunt. It is a good thing Pinkie Pie can keep a secret."
"Never a dull life in Equestria, huh?"
"Point is," Shining continued. "Just take your time. Tell him when you are ready."
"Or send him on some elaborate treasure hunt?" Scarlet grinned.
"Or send him on some elaborate treasure hunt," Shining jokingly agreed. "Speaking of a hunt, we really should get moving quicker.
"Right."
Vladimir and Broad Sword found themselves in one of the Crystal Empire's many streets. No other ponies were about and all was quiet.
"Where did that changeling get to?" Vladimir asked to nopony in particular.
"Keep sharp," Broad Sword said. "Stop anypony you spot looking shifty, it could disguise itself as a crystal pony."
"Or even one of us," Vladimir pointed out.
Broad Sword conceded his point, with a slight scowl on his face. "Don't remind me. Stick together."
"Understood, I suppose we better do the same with Scarlet and Shining if we see them?"
"Just to be safe."
"Then I hope you brought the stuff," Vladimir motioned towards a couple of pouches Broad Sword had attached to his gleaming golden armor.
Nodding, Broad Sword opened the pouch and conjured a small container of a green paste like substance.
Vladimir examined the container. "That paste is able to dispel a changeling's disguise, right?"
"Right," Broad Sword nodded in confirmation. "Given to us by Queen Chrysalis and the original formulae improved upon by a zebra shamaness living in the Everfree Forest. Any changeling that comes in contact with it is immediately identified as one."
"Improved by a shamaness? Improved how?" Vladimir asked.
"Apparently before it took up to two minutes to work. Now it is instantaneous."
"Well," Vladimir pointed to a nearby alleyway. "Seems we will get to put it to the test."
Two crystal pony guards came cantering out of the alley. One was a mare and the other a stallion, both spun around when they spotted the captains of both the lunar and solar guard regiments.
"Captains!" Both began to approach.
"Hold it there you two!" Broad Sword ordered. "Who are you?"
The two ponies stopped and looked at each other nervously.
The stallion spoke, "I'm Private Valiant Shield, and this is Private Crystal Strike. We were with you when the changeling fled."
Broad Sword handed Vladimir the container with a nod. "Hold for a moment, the group split and we need to verify you're who you say you are."
Vladimir opened up the container and placed some of the paste onto his hoof, which he in turn then placed onto the faces of both Valiant and Crystal, much to their chagrin."
They waited for a few moments, and when nothing happened the two crystal ponies were able to breathe a sigh of relief.
"They're clean," Vladimir called out to Broad Sword.
"Not anymore we're not, that stuff smells disgusting!" Cried Crystal strike.
"Hold on," Valiant interrupted. "What about you two, how do we know neither of you aren't the changeling?"
Vladimir smiled. "Good catch private," He praised the young crystal guard.
Vladimir took out more of the paste and placed an adequate bit on his own face before chucking the pot over to Broad Sword, who did the same.
Once they were all confirmed to be who they said they were, they could finally get back to business.
"What happened back there?" Broad Sword demanded to know. "Where did all of you go?"
Crystal and Valiant shared a glance. "We all got separated in the alleyways. We stuck together but I don't know where Flash Sentry and the others ended up."
Vladimir chuckled. "Well just to give you fair warning, Prince Armor is going to be having you do extra drills."
"Aw crap," Crystal muttered under her breath.
Soronis peaked gently over the edge of the alley where she was hiding. In the street just beyond four pony guards stood talking.
The changeling groaned to herself. She had been so close to getting back to her sister, she was nearly at the cellar when she stumbled right into a crystal pony who raised the alarm, and thus the chase began anew. The past couple of days had been spent diving in alley after alley with barely any sleep. She was starving too. She had stolen physical foods here and there but she absolutely refused to consume any of the love energy she was storing within her, despite what her instincts were screaming at her to do.
The energy was meant for Puellula.
And now she was trapped here, unable to return to her starving sister. At least there had been no sign the ponies had found her, which was about her only comfort at this point.
Soronis mentally weighed her options. She could go through the ponies in the street and into the other alleyway on the other side, though she couldn't disguise herself to get past as they had that accursed green paste that could reveal changeling infiltration. She could also just try to run right past them, though that meant starting the chase all over again. And she doubted she could keep getting chased and get away forever.
Her second option was to double back into the alleys. However, there was a good chance of running into Prince Armor and the other mare that had split off from the rest and had been searching for her.
Her choices weren't great.
But in the end she decided to go for door number two, deciding her chances at slipping by her two pursuers was still greater than the chances of escaping yet another chase with the city guards.
Luckily it turned out to be the correct choice. If she had tried option one and got past those in the street itself she would have run into Flash Sentry and two other guards coming down the very alley she was planning on slipping into, right into her own capture. On doubling back, despite a close call on an intersection she was just able to sneak past unscathed.
However, if one thing was certain it was that once again Soronis would be unable to head back to the cellar. And that Puellula would still be alone.
Fire.
Screaming.
That was all the young nymph could see and hear as her mother and older sister ushered her through the destroyed hallways of their hive. The hive mind was silent, dead along with their queen as she fell right before their very eyes. Now they ran.
Puellula didn't know where.
She didn't really understand why.
But they had to run.
Changelings in blue and red armor tried grabbing at them, only for her mother to lash out in desperation, stunning the changelings and allowing them a few seconds to continue running.
The exit was in sight. And they were the only three to make it there.
But it was not alright, as those changelings in red and blue were just behind them.
Puellula saw her mother and sister speak briefly. Soronis seemed distressed, tears fell down both their faces.
Puellula's mother picked up a weapon from a fallen changeling nearby.
"I love you," She uttered as she turned to bravely face their pursuers.
"Mama no!" Puellula screamed as Soronis levitated her up and flung her onto her back.
The clash of steel could be heard along with spellfire as Soronis ran out of the hive's exit and into the open day on the surface.
Soronis ran until her legs finally gave way, Puellula tumbling from her back and onto the grassy surface below.
And they were alone. ...
Puellula wakened with a scream, tears flowing out of her glowing blue eyes as she looked around desperately for her mother.
Only to see a decrepit old wine cellar.
Her thoughts remained on her family. She missed her mother and her father terribly.
'I even miss my brother. He was kinda mean, but I loved him. He was always there to protect me.'
Her stomach grumbled violently, and she weakly reached over to grab a few stale biscuits from a packet. She sniffled when she saw that she was almost out. That, combined with the near depleted love energy within her and the lack of a hive mind connection, was becoming unbearable. She knew she would have to leave soon, even if Soronis had asked her not to.
She began to cry. Soft sobs echoed throughout the cellar, and yet they went unheard.
She wanted her sister.
Where was she? |
Change | 42 - The Council | The First Hive
Twilight rolled erratically underneath the covers, as a tight grimace crossed her face. Chrysalis began to rouse from her own slumber as she heard her daughter's distress, and she blinked open a single eye to see what was going on.
Twilight was panting heavily as if she had been running. She also seemed to be locked in a death battle with her covers, and fear was evident on her features.
Chrysalis slipped out of her own bed and swiftly moved to her daughter's side, gently placing a hoof on her shoulder and softly shaking her awake.
"Twilight?" Chrysalis quietly cooed. "It is just a nightmare, you can wake up now."
Twilight slowly came to a halt as her eyelids fluttered open. The morning sun's rays nearly blinded her as they made contact with her eyes, causing her to blink rapidly as she wiped away the sleep with the back of her hoof. The young princess sat up in the bed and looked around in confusion, her sleep addled mind figuring out where and when she was. Eventually her gaze rested on her mother, who was providing Twilight with a comforting smile.
"Mother? Is it morning already?" Twilight sleepily asked.
"Yes," Chrysalis responded. "Though it seemed like the morning couldn't come quickly enough for you, my daughter."
Twilight chuckled sheepishly. "Y-yes. You could say that..."
"Another nightmare?"
Almost like she was a foal again, or rather nymph, Twilight simply gave a sheepish nod in confirmation. In this fact Chrysalis found some amusement, but naturally also created more motherly concern.
The Changeling Queen sighed, "Was it about... him again? Like the one Princess Luna halted before?"
"Yes," Twilight admitted. "Except this time it took place here, in this hive. Things started out as normal, we were getting ready for the council when I took a wrong turn and got lost. After that, that assassin showed up, and then things pretty much went the same as last time."
"Whereabouts in the sequence did I interrupt the dream?"
"Around where Luna did," Twilight said, though her face took on an extremely disturbed expression. "Though a little later... I actually felt his blade begin to... to..."
Twilight clutched tightly onto the scar on her chest, her hooves shaking.
Chrysalis gently brought Twilight into a motherly embrace, nuzzling her gently to allay her fears.
"Why now?" Twilight shakily asked.
"Why what?" Chrysalis asked in return, still holding into her daughter.
"These dreams are only now beginning again, two years later? I am not ready to deal with post-traumatic stress syndrome."
"Don't be silly Twilight, why would you develop such a thing so long after the event?"
Despite the current frailty Twilight was displaying, she still managed to enter lecture mode ever so slightly. "Actually, I have read extensively on the subject, particularly after Shining Armor's episode. My research states that symptoms first appear at least six months after the traumatic event. That could mean months, or even years later!"
"I think you are just overreacting... again," Chrysalis chuckled in an attempt to brighten the mood.
"But-"
"Twilight, what do you feel when you think on that dream?" Chrysalis looked her daughter in the eyes.
Twilight took a moment to answer. "Fear and... frustration."
"Frustration? And what about when you think about the actual attack?"
"Where are you going with this?" Twilight asked.
"Please Twilight, just answer the question.
"A-alright," Twilight conceded. "When I think back on that day I feel... resentment. He tried to kill me, to kill you, and he did kill Longshot!"
"Understandable," Chrysalis said. "Is that all?"
"I... think so? Why?" Twilight raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
Chrysalis grinned. "Why is it you feel no fear for the event, but only for the dream? And you also mentioned frustration. This is truly Princess Luna's area of expertise, but as you mother I must also get to the bottom of this. So, could there be another reason for your dreams?"
Twilight's eyes scrunched her muzzle as she thought back on the last two dreams. The chase and the bodies of her friends all terrified her beyond belief. Those images would stay locked away if Twilight had anything to say about it. But that wasn't what focused her attention on, there was something else.
Twilight's eyes widened.
'That Celestia damned name. The one the assassin said, but I cannot recall. With this council I have been pondering that far more lately, that must be it!'
"You might be right, I think there is something else."
"Oh?" Chrysalis said. "Care to share?"
"Not right now. Later, but not now," Twilight responded.
Chrysalis frowned. "Are you sure? I am here to talk whenever you need me, you know that right?
"Of course I do!" Twilight gave her mother a reassuring smile. "I just need to sort some things on my own. Whether I succeed or fail, I promise I will tell you when I am ready."
"Well, alright. Just go steady OK?" Chrysalis asked of her daughter with profound motherly concern radiating off of her.
"I will, but haven't we got a council meeting to get ready for?"
Chrysalis looked over to a clock on the desk, which read that it was eight forty, the alarm set to go off at nine.
"True," Chrysalis stated. "We only have twenty more minutes to sleep anyway, and the council starts at ten. We might as well get up and ready now."
Chrysalis moved away from Twilight's bed and with a flick of her jagged black horn green magic took hold of her own bed's sheets and straightened them out neatly. Twilight herself quickly vacated her own bed and did the same.
Twilight moved over to the desk and brought up a small mirror in her magic as she began to sort out her bed-head. Chrysalis looked on as her daughter did up her mane, while she herself simply flattened down a few loose strands and that was that, much to Twilight's bemusement.
"We are going into the most important event changeling's hold and you aren't even going to do up your mane?" Twilight deadpanned.
"Since when were you so fussed?"
"Normally I am not. But in this case it is like dining with Princess Celestia; just without exquisite silverware placement!"
Chrysalis rolled her eye. "Oh no, whatever would Celestia do without exquisite silverware placement?"
"It is the proper thing to do!" Twilight protested.
"This is the same mare that set up the Grand Galloping Gala, just so it could be ruined. Twice. Do you really think she cares for any of that, truly?" Chrysalis smirked knowingly.
"Well..."
"And do you ever go to such lengths with me?"
"What? No! Why would I?"
"Because I am Queen?" Chrysalis suggested.
"But you are my mother! Why would I-"
Chrysalis raised an eyebrow.
Twilight pouted. "Alright, point taken. Never mind me; the mare with the three mothers over here."
Chrysalis laughed heartily. "I do believe we have discovered the very title history will remember you by."
Twilight could only groan.
"The Mare with Three Mothers? Or the Three Mothered Mare?" Chrysalis mused behind a muzzle wide grin.
Twilight could only groan louder.
Chrysalis and Twilight were admitted entrance to the council chamber by the two changelings guarding the one and only doorway leading inside. One of the guards was in blue and red armor; the other wore all green armor. Carduus was talking to another guard nearby in cyan armor going over a few final security checks as the long awaited council finally was about to begin.
Seven of the queens were already sat in their respective seats. Queen Crudelis, being the event's organiser, sat in the seat at the 'head' of them all, examining all new arrivals intently.
Unlike the previous day, she barely spared Twilight and Chrysalis a glance as they walked into the chamber.
The other queens seated were Xerox, Plastron, Pupa, Tempora, Antannae and Queen Cocoon. Cocoon stood out to Twilight however, this was because there was a much smaller changeling royal stood by her side, to the left. Like her mother she had a teal coloured mane and green eyes, and also just like her mother her hair was cut short with a single braid hanging down.
"Who is that?" Twilight pointed at the unknown individual.
Chrysalis looked over to where Twilight was gesturing to, and shook her head. "I do not know. I was unaware Cocoon had birthed an heir. We will find out soon enough."
"You highnesses," a voice called to their right.
Both royals turned to see the drone in cyan armor that Carduus was conversing with approaching them.
"Yes, what can I do for you?" Chrysalis asked.
The drone levitated a list. "Your seats."
"Ah, I see," Chrysalis said. "Where are we located?"
"Four seats to Queen Crudelis' left, on Queen Cocoon's immediate left and Queen Draco's right.
"Thank you."
"Hold on," Twilight interrupted. "I thought Crudelis' drones were taking charge of organising all of this."
"If they had their way," the drone responded. "I am sure you are aware of Crudelis' mixed reputation. Queens like Vulgaris and Antannae may trust her, but others such as my Queen Xerox do not. I'm sure you can sympathise, your highness."
"Ah, I understand."
The drone gave a respectful nod, before going off to direct the newly arrived Queen Orbata.
"Come Twilight, we best take our seats." Chrysalis began to move forwards.
Nodding, Twilight followed. On reaching their assigned spot Chrysalis sat down in the chair while Twilight, being only a princess and not a queen, had to make do with standing to her mother's right. She saw Orbata take a seat directly across from them while Queens Carapace and Acadica entered together next, shortly followed by Queen Ingrica.
When Twilight eventually looked to her right, she saw she was standing right next to the other princess she had spotted earlier. Like Twilight had been, the princess was studying all the arriving queens. The princess seemed to be of Twilight's age and was but an inch taller, if even that.
This being the only other changeling princess Twilight had met by that point, there was only one thing to do.
Make friends.
"Hi, my name is-" Twilight began in a cheerful tone.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle," the Princess finished without looking her way. "Yes, I know who you are. That drama in Canterlot made you light up like a pony Hearth's Warming tree. I don't think there is a single changeling royal that doesn't know of you by this point."
"Oh... right," Twilight half-chuckled. "And you are?"
The Princess turned to face Twilight for the first time. "Princess Insecta."
"Well it is nice to meet you Insecta!" Twilight regained her cheery mannerisms.
Insecta seemed visibly uncomfortable. "Um... thanks?"
"So! Have you been to one of these before?"
"No," Insecta responded. "It is my first time here."
"It is? Are you nervous?"
"No," she replied bluntly.
"Oh, alright. So... are there any other princesses you know of?"
"I have heard there is another that is far older than either of us. I do not know more than that however."
"Vulgaris' daughter, Imperious," Draco said as she sat in her seat to Chrysalis' left.
"Draco, how are you?" Chrysalis asked.
"Well. Eager to get this over with."
"Agreed," Chrysalis said.
On cue the final two queens, Pensylvanica and Vulgaris, entered the council chamber. When they both sat down on the opposite side of the room Twilight could see a changeling royal the size of a fully grown Changeling Queen standing by Vulgaris' side.
"That would be Imperious then," Insecta stated.
All conversation suddenly died as a flash of red caught the attention of all those present. When Queen Crudelis was satisfied she had all of their attention, she let her horn simmer out and spoke.
"If all are present, could all guards leave the room and take your positions outside. This is not for your ears."
All of the guards, Carduus included, bowed to the gathered queens and left the chamber. The door was sealed shut behind them.
"Now that is taken care of," Crudelis continued. "I am pleased to announce this council is now in session. Before we start, we have two new royals to welcome. Princesses Twilight and Insecta are new to the council, and are the heirs to their respective hives."
All eyes turned to examine the two young princesses, and both couldn't help but shrink back slightly under the scrutiny, causing Princess Imperious to scoff.
"We shall now move onto the first topic of this council," Crudelis stated.
"Good," Queen Xerox spoke. "Because we can finally get some answers."
"Answers, dear Xerox?" Crudelis leaned casually in her chair. "Answers to what? The meaning of life?"
"Don't play coy, Crudelis. What happened to Queen Vespula, and why is she dead?"
Murmurs spread throughout the group, all of the queens had obviously too wanted answers to that question.
"I think I can shed some light," Draco spoke.
"Please then Draco, do tell," Crudelis urged.
"I will. On conversing with Queens Xerox and Cocoon last night, I discovered the latter was the first queens to have drones on the scene."
"It is true," Cocoon confirmed.
Draco carried on. "When her drones arrived, like my own they discovered heavy fighting had taken place, and Vespula's drones had fought to the last. Vespula herself was found in the throne room, beheaded."
"Where are you going with this, Draco?" Crudelis asked simply.
"It must have taken a being of incredible power to take down Queen Vespula in, what appears to be, single combat. Also, when Cocoon's drones arrived, there were no bodies of the attackers to be found."
"So they had been cleared up beforehoof?" Vulgaris noted.
"Indeed," Draco replied. "Except they left something behind," Draco nodded to Queen Coccoon.
Cocoon nodded back before turning to Insecta. "My daughter, if you would please?"
Insecta's horn lit up green as she brought around a bag from behind her mother's seat, which she flung into the centre of the council chamber.
There was a loud, metallic clang as the bag's contents came rolling out.
It was a charred helmet. A helmet coloured red and blue.
Voices erupted from the gathered queens as they all began to erratically shout over one another.
"Silence!" A red flashed emendated from Crudelis' horn once more, bringing to council back to order.
"Queen Crudelis!" Xerox snarled. "Care to explain this?"
Crudelis smirked. "It appears I have been caught red hoofed. I killed Queen Vespula."
Shock rolled through the assembled royalty.
"But why? Why kill her? She was no threat to you!" Queen Pensylvanica demanded to know.
Queen Crudelis sat at her full height. "I placed my trust in Vespula. A great amount of trust. Sadly, I was sorely disappointed with the results. She betrayed my trust, and she thus paid the price for it."
"But death!?" Queen Orbata exclaimed. "Did she truly deserve that?"
Queen Ingrica nodded in agreement. "Look around you Crudelis. There were once thirty queens. Now there are nineteen. How much more will our numbers fall?"
"We have been worse off," Vulgaris pointed out.
"Not by much," Xerox rebuked.
"When she betrayed my trust she became a threat, and I dealt with it. Would you not have done the same?" Crudelis asked innocently.
As Twilight listened to the murmurs going around the room following the statement, she could tell the reactions were mixed. Some, like Vulgaris and her daughter, approved. Others, like Xerox and Cocoon, did not.
"I for one agree with Queen Crudelis, she eliminated a threat, nothing more," Antannae said.
"Of course you would side with her, Antannae," Queen Draco growled.
"We have our answers, but that is past now whether we agree or not," Queen Carapace said. "What I wish to hear about is this little alliance between the Badlands Hive and Equestria.
"I agree," Crudelis grinned as all eyes turned to Chrysalis and Twilight.
Chrysalis and Twilight glanced at each other briefly.
"What do you want to know?" Chrysalis asked after a pause.
"How, and why? Our race valued secrecy above all, now the whole world knows of us. It makes our lives just that little bit more difficult," Queen Tempora spat.
"Why? I had to retrieve my daughter. And how? When assassins tried to kill Twilight the sun princesses assisted me in ending them, permanently."
Chrysalis' eyes narrowed. "The lead assassin was, by the way, a changeling."
The queens shared glances between one another, all seemed surprised. All except for Chrysalis, Draco, Crudelis and Queen Plastron.
"You mean, one of us tried to kill her through an agent?" Queen Pupa asked in surprise.
"Alright, that I didn't know," Insecta muttered.
"He is the one who did this," Twilight said to the other princess, gesturing to the scar.
"Yes," Chrysalis spoke again. "And I have my suspicions as to who is behind this."
"Do you have any proof as to whom?" Crudelis asked.
Chrysalis glared at her aunt. "No, which is why I won't mention names. For now."
"There is no need," Queen Plastron smirked. "I know who he was."
Chrysalis and Twilight stared. "You do?"
"I once had an... agent deep in Canterlot. He was almost caught about a year ago and had to pull out due to that damned green paste you provided them, Chrysalis," Plastron glared at the other queen. "But during his time there he saw the body, and recognised him."
"So, who was it?" Chrysalis asked impatiently.
"His name was Serpens. And he was an agent of Queen Vespula."
"What?" Chrysalis' eyes widened, as did almost every other queen's.
Crudelis could only watch on in delight.
"Are you certain?" Chrysalis nearly shouted.
"Fully," Plastron responded. "He was her main agent, one renowned for his lack of a conscience. A cold hearted killer to his core, caring for none. Well, except for his parents and sisters according to Vespula herself when we once spoke.
"Well then," Crudelis began. "It appears that she didn't only betray my trust, but yours as well my dearest niece. Aren't you glad I wiped out that snake and her hive?"
"You killed the children, not just the Queen!" Draco shouted.
"I had to be thorough." Crudelis brushed off Draco's accusation.
"Do you believe this?" Draco whispered over to Chrysalis.
"It didn't sound like a lie..." Twilight reluctantly admitted.
"No, it didn't. Plastron would have no motive to do so," Chrysalis sighed. "But there is still a missing piece to this endless damned puzzle."
"You still think Crudelis is involved?" Draco asked.
"I don't know!" Chrysalis hissed.
"Well now that that mystery is sorted, can we get back to the topic at hoof?" Queen Tempora deadpanned.
"Yes, please continue," Crudelis seconded.
"We know why. But you still revealed us Chrysalis, infiltration and gathering love is that much harder now," Queen Pupa said.
"You could try following our example!" Twilight blurted out.
"What was that?" Tempora stared daggers at Twilight.
Twilight stood firm. "If you could create an alliance with Equestria, make peace, collecting love could become so much easier."
"Why would they accept us? You are close to the sun princess' heart, we don't have that privilege," Orbata stated.
"Not all of us frolic in the fields with little ponies," Princess Imperious sneered. "Some of us live in the real world."
"My brother and sister-in-law preside over the Crystal Empire. If you are willing to negotiate I could help you gain access to some of the love held in the heart."
"Bullshit," Imperious dismissed.
"She is correct," Draco said. "My grandmother traded with Queen Amore."
"She what?!" Crudelis shouted in surprise.
"They traded various items for a regular supply of love, and Amore was kind enough to keep us hidden. It was a pretty good deal until King Sombra murdered Amore."
"Then perhaps this is something we can pursue?" Xerox asked.
Cocoon and Insecta whispered to each other briefly, before the former spoke. "We agree."
Vulgaris shook her head. "And cast off over a millennia of tradition? Our race is meant to remain in the shadows, it is as simple as that."
"This is likely a topic for another time, for now we should move on to more immediate matters." Queen Crudelis said.
The Crystal Empire
Two old cellar doors creaked open as a small muzzle sheepishly poked its way out. The sun was blinding to the nymph after being cooped up in the dark wine cellar for so long, but she could no longer stay.
Puellula was terrified. She was starving to death and in her mind only her sister could make it better.
She had to find her.
It would be difficult without a hive mind, but she was one determined changeling.
Securing her small saddlebags over her back she made sure her book, scavenged comics and what little physical food she had left were all present.
She then picked a direction, and began to walk. |
Change | 43 - Flashback: Fast Friends | The First Hive, Many Years Ago
"Chrysalis, stop staring," Queen Avia warned her young daughter, who was staring in awe at the various queens scattered around the place.
"But, I have never seen so many queens before! How can you not be excited about this!?" Princess Chrysalis exclaimed.
Avia could only give a light-hearted chuckle at her daughter's flustered features. "If you recall, I have been doing this a very long time. It is nothing new."
Chrysalis pouted. "But what about the deep history this place must have? Imagine the books it must contain!" She shouted gleefully.
Avia rolled her eyes. "Chrysalis, if someday you have a daughter of your own and she is as enamoured with books as you are then our hive is doomed."
"Oh hardy har," Chrysalis deadpanned.
An amused grin graced Avia's features. "I've also noticed you've started reading some of those pony romance novels?"
Chrysalis' eyes widened. "What? No! Why would I ever read something like that?"
"Of Love and Loss I believe, authored by some little pony whose initials are T.Z? What does that stand for anyway?"
"Why would I know? I. Do not. Read that stuff!"
"I found it hidden under your pillow," Avia grinned even wider.
Chrysalis just stood, unable to craft a response in a satisfactory manner.
Though she would not have to.
"Sister."
Avia's eyes widened at the new voice, and turned to see Queen Crudelis approaching.
"Sister..." Avia half-heartedly greeted back. "What do I owe the... pleasure?"
"This must be your daughter, Chrysalis is it?" Crudelis looked down onto the teenage changeling royal, who hid slightly behind her mother.
"You have no business with her," Avia spat.
"Oh please Avi." Crudelis rolled her eyes. "She is my niece."
"Don't call me Avi."
Crudelis was legitimately taken aback. "What? Why not?"
"You lost that right when you murdered mother."
Crudelis' eyes narrowed. "I did what I had to."
"Keep telling yourself that," Queen Avia mocked, before turning to her daughter. "Go on ahead Chrysalis, I will be along soon."
Nodding, albeit reluctantly, Chrysalis left her mother to speak with Crudelis while she went on inside.
She found herself in a long corridor, and after about a minute of walking realised she had no idea where she was actually going.
"Ah, damn it," Chrysalis muttered at the realisation.
She passed by a few more doors, but had yet to pass by another changeling. She was hoping to find a drone that could direct her out of the maze of a hive. Coming up on a T-junction in the corridor Chrysalis decided to take a right, and bumped head first into something.
"Owch!" Chrysalis shouted as she grabbed onto her throbbing horn, falling onto her rump in the process.
"Hey, are you alright?" another voice asked.
Chrysalis let go of her horn and looked up to see a changeling standing before her. The changeling had green draconic eyes and a teal mane done up in a neat bun, she also seemed to be about Chrysalis' age.
"Hey, who are you?" Chrysalis asked.
"My name is Draco, yours?" Princess Draco held out a hoof.
"Chrysalis," she responded as she accepted the hoofshake. "Could you help me? I might be a little lost."
Draco chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry Chrysalis, I think we might be in the same boat then."
"Oh, fantastic," Chrysalis deadpanned.
"So, is this your first visit to the castle?" Draco asked. "It is mine."
"Yes," Chrysalis confirmed. "This place is amazing, don't you think?"
"Um, I guess?" Draco shrugged.
"You guess?!" Chrysalis gawked. "Why can't others just appreciate the history behind sites like these? I wonder who built it originally."
"No idea. I never really thought about it."
"Hmm," Chrysalis tapped her chin with a hoof. "There must be a book on it somewhere."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "You really like books, huh?"
Chrysalis eyes glinted gleefully. "Are you kidding? What could be better than books and studying?"
"Anything," Draco deadpanned.
Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "One day I will show the world the value of a good book."
"I'm sure you will..." Draco smirked. "Say, since you seem to study a bunch, do you know any good spells?"
"One or two," Chrysalis smiled. "Magical theory is one of the many areas I like to research into when I can."
Draco's eyes narrowed. "Wait, theory? As in, you don't really know how to cast them?"
"Well..." Chrysalis twirled a hoof in the air. "Mother kind of has a strict policy against any unnecessary spellcasting that might blow up the hive. Or anything else that I might do to accidentally cause damage..."
"She seems kind of paranoid to me," Draco stated.
"Perhaps. But she might have a good reason to be."
Draco raised that eyebrow again. "What do you mean?
Chrysalis blushed in embarrassment. "Oh, there was an incident. It involved a statue, flying and one shattered crystal."
Draco seemed rather confused. "Wait what? What do you mean by any of that?"
"It doesn't matter!" Chrysalis quickly stated.
"Alright, are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"
"Anyway..." Chrysalis changed the subject. "I have been practicing this one spell."
"Oh? What is that then?"
"Portals."
"Oh! I know about that one!" Draco exclaimed. "I've seen my mother and a few drones do it. I myself do not know how, but it is on my to-do list."
"Well I can cast it!" Chrysalis stated with pride. "Want to see?"
"Sure," Draco nodded. "Let's see what you've got!"
With a happy grin Chrysalis lit up her horn a bright green. "Now, I'm only going to port myself a little to the left of us, it is just an example after all."
Draco nodded in agreement.
"Alright, here we go!" Chrysalis activated the spell.
A tear opened in the ground beneath Chrysalis, and she quickly sank into it. A short distance away another one opened and Chrysalis emerged again.
There was just one problem.
"Um... help?" Chrysalis squeaked in embarrassment.
The portal had opened up in a wall. The wall itself had morphed and disfigured around Chrysalis, but she was now so tightly packed in that she was very, very stuck.
Draco erupted into a fit of giggles that sent her falling to the floor.
"Yeah yeah laugh it up..." Chrysalis groaned.
Draco managed to bring her giggles under control and shot Chrysalis an apologetic smile. "Sorry, but that was too funny!"
Chrysalis glared at Draco.
"Alright! I will help you out."
Draco lit up her own horn and grabbed onto Chrysalis with a levitation spell. With both their efforts and after about a minute of trying Chrysalis popped from the wall and tumbled to the floor.
"T-thanks."
Chrysalis looked up to see a hoof outstretched to her, Draco was offering to help Chrysalis up. Chrysalis accepted the help gratefully.
"You're welcome," Draco smiled. "I like you Chrysalis. Do you want to hang out more?"
Chrysalis smiled back at Draco. "I would like that." |
Change | 44 - Revelations | The Crystal Empire
Night was falling once again, and Broad Sword stood with his wife at a blockade, located at the exit of one of the city's numerous alleyways. They had identified the area where the mysterious changeling was seemingly keeping to, and were lying in wait for Shining and Vladimir to do their part while the other Crystal Guards kept the changeling boxed in. Their blockade was on a T-junction; from one direction Shining Armor and Vladimir would herd the changeling, while the place they were guarding was a quick exit out onto the street. The other direction only led to a dead end where the only exit was to fly up and over the buildings. While the changeling was more than capable of doing just that, the trap would already have been triggered.
Now they just had to wait.
"Where are they?" Scarlet shuffled nervously. "Do you think they encountered trouble?"
"You worry too much," Broad Sword reassured. "They will do their job and then we can do ours. We just have to be patient."
"I hope this plan works. It would be nice to get some shore leave in this shore leave."
Broad Sword laughed. "Yes that would be nice. At least it doesn't lack for excitement."
Scarlet smiled. "True. Very true."
Broad Sword's face morphed into a scowl. "Since we have the time... why won't you be returning to the EUP?"
"Huh?" Scarlet looked over towards her husband.
"You told me when we arrived you wouldn't be returning to the EUP after this. I have yet to gain a definitive answer as to why from you," Broad Sword said. "I enquired with Shining and even Princess Cadance about it, but all I got in return was those damned knowing smirks. You know how much I hate being out of the loop, so honey, please tell me what is going on."
Scarlet sighed, but with a small smile formed, and Shining Armor's words rang in her ears again. "I suppose now is a good a time as any."
"For what!?" Broad Sword blurted out, a slight twitch in his eye.
"I..." Scarlet took a deep breath, and then let it out slowly. "Broad Sword, I love you. So much. So much so I just know you are going to be a great father to our foal."
Broad Sword froze as if he became victim to a wendigo.
"I'm pregnant," Scarlet told her husband. "I found out when we got back to Canterlot from our honeymoon. I've been trying to tell you but-"
She was cut off as Broad Sword pulled her into a passionate kiss, and the two remained there contently for what seemed like days.
"You are amazing, you know that?" Broad Sword whispered as their lips parted.
"You're not angry I took this long to tell you?" Scarlet asked nervously.
"Angry?" Broad Sword raised an eyebrow. "I'm going to be a father. How could I be angry with you?"
Scarlet breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, boy or girl?" Broad Sword asked enthusiastically.
Scarlet chuckled. "I don't know yet, I'm due back at the hospital when we get back."
Broad Sword took her hoof. "Well I will be there to-"
That was when the changeling nearly smacked right into them as it turned the corner, skidding to a halt mere inches away as the two ponies turned towards it, mouths agape at the surprise entrance.
The changeling stared at them for a few moments, being so close that Broad Sword and Scarlet Snow could see the changeling appeared to have a feminine build, finally cluing them in on the gender.
"Higottorunnowgobye!" the changeling blurted out as she turned tail to run in the opposite direction as fast as she could.
As she ran Shining and Vladimir skidded sharply around the corner in pursuit.
"Come on you two!" Vlad shouted as he chased the changeling drone.
Husband and wife both nodded as they fell into formation behind the Prince and Lunar Captain in pursuit of the fleeing drone.
After a few more twists and turns the alleyway opened up into a small box shaped plaza; there was a fountain in the middle and several benches spread around, the only exit that could be seen was a door leading into a building. A locked door.
Soronis looked around in panic. They just couldn't give her a break! Every time she believed herself safe, able to return to her sister, she was quickly proven wrong. They had been at it for days, and it seemed like she had run out of road.
The changeling looked up and saw only one option of escape as the ponies came up behind her and began to bear down upon Soronis. She opened her gossamer wings and buzzed into air, flying as fast as she could to the top of the buildings.
Sparing a glance behind her, Soronis was confused to see the thestral and Pegasus not giving chase while the other two's horns were silent.
She found out why however as she reached the top and smashed straight into a cyan magical barrier that sent her tumbling back down to the ground.
Princess Cadance landed on top of her barrier with her horn still glowing, looking down onto the crashed changeling.
"Nice one honey!" Shining Armor shouted up to his wife as he and the other began to approach the changeling.
Soronis looked up and her eyes widened fearfully as she saw them approach. She tried to get up but pain forced her back to the floor.
She was finished.
The ponies were surprised however when a small black missile shot past them from behind and took an aggressive stance in front of Soronis.
"Stay away from my sister!" Puellula screamed at the ponies.
"A child?" Broad Sword muttered.
"Puellula no!" Soronis shouted. "Run, get out of here! Please!"
The nymph didn't listen. "If you come any closer I will hurt you. Like, really bad!" Puellula bared her small fangs in an attempt to look threatening, instead just coming off as more adorable than anything.
The barrier dispelled and Cadance dropped to the ground just behind the two changelings, causing Soronis to grab Puellula and try and hide her under a wing in an attempt at protecting her beloved sister.
However, Cadance offered no hostility, instead giving them a kind smile. "What are your names? You can call me Cadance if you would like."
"Huh?" Soronis seemed incredibly confused.
"You're just a child and her teenage sister, as far as I can see. And from the looks of you, you two are starving siblings, struggling to survive."
"H-how can you tell?" Soronis stuttered.
"I am the Princess of Love. I can sense you are filled with love from the Crystal Heart, still undigested. Your sister however is starving! I can barely sense any within her."
Tears began to brim Soronis' eyes, and it wasn't long before she completely broke down and tears began to rapidly fall to the floor.
"Don't be sad sis, please?" Puellula pleaded as she gently nuzzled Soronis' chest.
"Please don't hurt us." Soronis sniffled. "You are right, we are starving. We have no home to go back to, no queen, not even a hive mind. We're dying!"
Shining Armor grimaced. "Twily told me not having a queen and hive mind is like losing a vital organ, a changeling's life span is greatly reduced."
"Who is Twily?" Puellula asked.
"My sister. She is a changeling herself. A princess."
Soronis looked up. "Wait, what? Who is her mother?"
"Queen Chrysalis. She was adopted by my family when she was extremely young due to... difficulties."
"So... you are not going to hurt us?" Soronis asked hopefully.
Vladimir smiled at the two changelings. "Kid, all you had to do was ask for help and we would have given it. Though I can't say I didn't enjoy such a good chase; I almost felt young again." His smile became a smirk.
Soronis stared at the ponies in disbelief. "I... I didn't know. I though you would do terrible things to us if you found us."
"What are we going to do with them?" Scarlet asked. "We can't leave them out here.
"We will take them back to the palace," Shining said with finality. "We will get them fed, provide them some real beds and then, when my sister returns from the council, I can send her a message. She would be more than happy to welcome you into her hive."
Soronis stared in disbelief. "A home? A hive? You are-"
"Yes," Shining responded. "No one, pony or otherwise, deserves what you two have endured. Your days on the streets are over."
The Prince grunted as he was glomped by the sisters. "Thank you! Thank you!" He was forced back onto his haunches.
Shining chuckled. "You're both welcome," he muttered as he gently pried the two off of him with his magic.
"Before we go," Cadance interrupted. "I would really like to know why you are here at all. What happened to your hive?"
Soronis' face fell. "We heard about this place from a small earth pony village, a place of love. After seeing our hive destroyed, it seemed the best option."
"Your hive was destroyed?" Vladimir gawped.
"Yes. A few months after our brother went missing."
"Your brother vanished?" Cadance gave them a look of sympathy.
"Yes," Soronis replied as Puellula sniffled sadly. "Serpens was always rather severe to others, but he always cared deeply for us, and promised to protect us."
"And you have no idea what happened to him?"
"No," was the reply.
"So what happened after that?" Cadance asked softly.
"She came."
Vespula's Hive, Two Years Ago
The whole hive rumbled as an explosions went off somewhere within. Soronis and Puellula cowered behind their mother and father as the throne room doors suffered under the impact of a magical blast, the enchantments holding it together failing quickly. Dozens of other drones lined the room under the protection of changeling guards dressed in all black armor.
Queen Vespula sat on the throne, a look of steel on her features. She didn't even flinch as the doors finally burst from the hinges and shattered into thousands of fragmented pieces.
Queen Crudelis casually strolled in, flanked by guards in red and blue armor. Vespula's guards bared their fangs threateningly, but stayed guarding the civilians.
"Queen Vespula, you disappoint me. Your agent has failed."
"I noticed," Vespula coolly stated. "And now you destroy everything I have built."
"You knew the consequences."
"I never had much of a choice, did I?"
Crudelis smirked. "No."
"Then let us do battle, Crudelis. And should I fall, you let my subjects leave."
"Without a hive they will suffer anyway," Crudelis pointed out.
"They will have a chance, that is enough," Vespula rebuked.
Crudelis smirked, and charged her horn a terrifying red.
Vespula leapt from her throne and just in time to meet Crudelis' red beam of magic with her own green, the two colours mixing as they collided and giving off terrific sparks and flames. The two queens struggled momentarily to one up the other as they pushed with all their might as the changelings looked on in anticipation.
However, Vepula's eyes could only widen in horror as Crudelis suddenly began to gain ground and push back on Vespula's own beam, and she could do nothing as her magic was exhausted and Crudelis' stream of magic reached her horn. Several of her watching drones shouted out in terror.
Vespula screamed in pain as her crooked horn shattered, the queen dropping to the floor clutching her head as blood began to pour down her face and create a sickening puddle on the floor.
Crudelis calmly walked to stand over the downed queen, who looked up and spat blood into her murderer's face.
"I hope Queen Chrysalis strikes you limb from limb for all you have done..." These were Vespula's final words of defiance.
Unfazed, Crudelis lit up her horn with a crazed, animalistic snarl and parted Vespula's head from her shoulders.
All of the deceased queen's drones clutched their heads in pain as the hive mind was destroyed, their connections to their peers lost in a second.
"Wipe them out, all of them," Crudelis declared.
Crudelis' drones launched into action, one of the first attacks striking down the father of Soronis and Puellula before they could even react.
"Run!" their mother screamed as she grabbed onto her daughters and began to run through the chaos and out of the throne room.
Several civilians and protecting guards followed them out, many more dying in that throne room, the guards barely being able to put up a defence with the disorientation all the drones now felt in the hive mind's absence.
One by one all fell to enemy blades and spellfire, until only three remained.
They ran and they ran until the hive's exit was in sight, and then they stopped, Soronis looking at her mother in confusion.
"Soronis," her mother addressed the young changeling. "Take Puellula and go."
"W-what?" Soronis stuttered as tears streamed down her face.
"You will never make it if one of us doesn't hold them off," her mother tearfully said as the sound of approaching hooves became louder and louder.
Soronis' mother placed a gently hoof onto her cheek. "Take care of each other, promise me that."
"I... I promise."
Her mother nodded as she picked up a nearby weapon from a fallen guard and began to walk back towards the approaching death.
"I love you."
"Mama no!" Puellula screamed as Soronis used her magic to lift her sister onto her back and ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
Present Day
"-and the rest you know," Soronis concluded her story to the gathered ponies.
"Queen Crudelis," Shining said. "I know that name."
"As do I," Cadance spoke. "I think we need to talk to Twilight.
"Agreed. Could you three take them back to the palace?" Shining asked of Broad Sword, Vladimir and Scarlet.
Vladimir nodded. "Come on you two. We'll get you settled in."
"One thing," Cadance stopped them. "What was your brother's occupation?"
"Infiltrator," was Soronis' reply.
Cadance nodded grimly. "You can go."
When all the others had gone, Shining turned to his wife.
"I know that face."
"What face?" Cadance asked.
"The foreboding 'everything is awful' face."
The Princess sighed. "Crudelis already has a history with Twilight's hive, and she destroyed the hive of this Queen Vespula, but there is something else."
"What?"
"Crudelis destroyed their hive because an agent failed in doing something. This was the same time their brother went missing." Shining' eyes widened as she saw where his wife was going with what she was saying. "The same time that Twilight was nearly murdered by an unidentified changeling infiltrator posing as Broad Sword."
"You think Serpens is the culprit?" Shining's eyes narrowed.
"It is only speculation, but yes."
"Which would mean Crudelis is behind all of this. And she is actively trying to kill Twily."
Cadance slowly nodded. "Yes."
"Well, we need to warn her!"
Cadance nodded, glowing her horn a bright cyan as she teleported herself and her husband directly to their study.
First Hive
Twilight recognised what was going on.
She was running down the exact same endless hallway as she had the previous night. She knew what would happen if she turned back, who she would meet.
"I need answers," Twilight said to herself to calm her nerves.
Then, just like the previous two times, she turned back around and walked through the dream emulating the First Hive.
Like before the walk back was far shorter than it should have been, and it led to a single wooden door. Slowly, she pushed the door open, cautiously making her way inside.
That was when she once again saw the bodies.
The changeling guards she had with them on the day she was injured along with the two Solar Guards she also had with her that day. And of course, the broken body of Sergeant Longshot, his battered crossbow laying just a few metres away with blood soaked into the frame.
"Back again?" a mocking voice enquired.
"I'm not afraid of you," Twilight defiantly stated.
A demonic chuckle echoed throughout the room in response. "Lying isn't good for the soul, Sparkle."
The bodies of Twilight's friends began to appear again, Twilight completely unable to move a single muscle. She was locked in place as she awaited the inevitable.
A knife flicked past Twilight, held in a putrid green aura. The face of the grotesque mixture of Broad Sword and a changeling was in her peripheral vision. The knife began to close in, nearing her chitin and her heart.
Only for it to stop as a lavender aura gripped the blade.
"What?" The creature tried to move the knife.
"I'm bored of this," Twilight growled.
The changeling princess pried the blade from the creatures own magical grip and tossed it to once side as she spun to face the creature head on.
Snarling, the abomination of Twilight's nightmare launched a green bolt of magic at her, only to be intercepted by a shield. Twilight lunged to the creature and pinned it to the floor, fangs glared threateningly. It tried squirming from her grip but found itself unable.
"Who sent the assassin two years ago?" Twilight demanded to know.
The thing smirked. "How should I know? I'm just a figment of your imagination."
"I heard the name, and somewhere in my mind that memory exists. And you are the key to unlocking it, so tell me!"
Twilight stared the creature in the eyes, all defiance fading away as it sighed in defeat.
"Queen Crudelis sends her regards," Broad Sword's voice spoke, sounding all around her.
"Queen Crudelis sends her regards," it repeated.
That one phrase repeated over, and over. The rage in Twilight built every time she heard it uttered.
"Finally," Twilight muttered.
Twilight looked down at the thing she had pinned to the floor and it looked back. She considered it for a moment in disgust, before sinking her fangs into the creature's neck and ending its life. |
Change | 45 - Change Of Plans | "What do you make of it?" Carduus asked.
"Make of what?" Queen Chrysalis asked in return.
Queen Chrysalis and Captain Carduus were situated in the room shared by the two royals from The Badlands Hive. Twilight was sound asleep in her bed while the other two talked in the centre of the room.
"This Serpens character. If he was the one to attack Princess Twilight..."
"I know, Captain. I know. Vespula sent the assassin, Crudelis killed Vespula."
"So... what do you make of that?" Carduus asked again. "Do you believe it?"
Chrysalis sighed. "I don't know. If what was said in the council is true, then Vespula was behind the assassination attempt, not Crudelis."
"But what did Vespula do to 'betray' Crudelis. I find it hard to believe she isn't involved."
Chrysalis only responded with a grim look.
"Not to question you, my Queen, but why didn't you press the issue?"
"Oh I would have loved to," Chrysalis snarled. "But too few queens cared, we would have just been overruled."
"Wouldn't have cared? An entire hive has been wiped out!" Carduus protested.
"A small hive, and insignificant to the majority. Had I tried to press further it would have likely been myself, Draco, Xerox and Cocoon versus eleven others. Guess who would win that vote. Some others may not have been particularly impressed by her actions, but they had little motivation to pursue it further when they were more interested in their own petty issues."
Carduus groaned. "That's politics for you..."
Chrysalis sighed. "Indeed."
Neither noticed as Twilight's eyes opened, waking from her revelation filled slumber. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and swivelled her head to see the other two occupants of the room.
Carduus tapped his chin as he thought to himself. "So we are back to square one. With no idea if your aunt is behind this."
"Unfortunately. And as much as I hate to admit it, perhaps she wasn't behind this one. Perhaps it was Vespula who went after Twilight after all."
"Objection!" Twilight shouted as she fluttered off of her bed and jumped between the other two startled changelings in the room. "Heh, sorry. I've always wanted to say that ever since I read that book with the spikey maned ace attorney. Either way, I KNOW Crudelis did it!"
"Hold on..." Carduus deadpanned. "Spikey maned ace attorney?"
"Quiet, Captain," Chrysalis shushed Carduus, eliciting an irritated groan of protest from him. "Twilight, what do you mean you know Crudelis is behind it?"
"What Serpens said to me two years ago, right before he attacked me, I have finally remembered!" Twilight quickly informed them.
Chrysalis' eyes widened. "You did, how?"
"I'll tell you later, but right now it isn't important. What is important is that he whispered 'Queen Crudelis sends her regards'. Queen Crudelis, not Vespula! Whether she was involved or not, it was she who instigated it all."
"So she is behind it!" Carduus raged. "And she set up this council directly afterwards... Oh, I have a bad feeling about this."
As Carduus and Twilight talked, Chrysalis just sat there, a dark expression dawning on her face as her hooves caused the flooring to crack beneath the pressure.
"Princess, you are in danger as long as you remain here."
Twilight subconsciously held onto her scar. "M-maybe. But here? At the council? If she were to try anything it would break so many tradition the queens hold most dear. They would rip her to shreds should she try. I doubt even she could handle the wrath of fourteen queens at once."
Now the adrenaline rush she had after discovering the truth was wearing off, Twilight couldn't help but begin to feel some nervousness and fear at the implications.
"She wouldn't have set this up without some kind of agenda, she must-"
"Twilight!" Spike shouted as he burst through the door, followed by the two guards usually standing outside of them. The door was left open ever so slightly as it swung mostly closed.
"Your highnesses," The two guards saluted. "I know you didn't want to be disturbed, but young Spike insisted he had to speak to you."
"Spike?" Twilight addressed the dragon. "What is it?"
"Here," he simply said as he handed over a scroll with the seal of Crystal Empire emblazoned onto it, a tag displaying the word 'URGENT' hung just off of it. "A letter came for you from Cadance and Shining Armor."
"What could be so urgent?" Twilight muttered to herself as she undid the seal and read the letter out loud.
Twilight,
We have recently had a situation here in the Crystal Empire, a situation that has now been resolved. However, we have encountered two young changelings who survived the horrific massacre of their hive; does the name Vespula ring any bells for you? Either way, they have seemingly confirmed two things. We know who attacked you, and who orchestrated it - Queen Crudelis is behind it all! You mother was right, and you are now in grave danger.
Please be careful, Twilight.
Your friend and sister,
Cadance.
Twilight looked up from the paper she had just been reading. "Well, as if we didn't need enough proof. "
"That traitorous, murdering, scheming little bitch!" Chrysalis shouted at the top of her lungs, startling all in the room. "I was right all along, and yet I did nothing!"
"Mother, it isn't your fault," Twilight said as she held onto her mother in a tight embrace. "You had no proof, you couldn't have-"
"Halt!" one of the guards suddenly shouted as he drew his weapon and pointed it towards the crack in the doorway.
All eyes moved to where the guard was threatening, and saw a single glowing blue eye peering through. As soon as the drone realised he had been spotted he opened his wings and bolted off down the hallway.
All those inside the room came running out, the guards had their weapons drawn and both royal's horns were alight. Even Spike had fire rising up his throat.
But the drone was already gone.
"Guards, I want this entire section locked down, no changeling gets in or out without my or the royals' permission!" Carduus ordered the two guards.
They both saluted, and ran off in opposite directions down the corridor to gather and coordinate the others.
Spike's wings shuffled nervously. "Who was that?"
"Trouble," Chrysalis muttered. "Captain Carduus, there has been a change of plans."
"Your highness?" Carduus tilted his head.
"Given what we have learnt, it is far too dangerous for us to be here."
"But can't we just take this to the council?" Twilight asked.
"Which Crudelis is currently running?" Chrysalis pointed out. "Besides, I'm not going to leave your safety in the hooves of a bunch of squabbling queens. We will discuss out next move in the safety of our own hive. We may need to have a discussion with Celestia and Luna on our return."
"I'll begin making arrangements," Carduus said.
"Make it quick Captain, we leave in a few hours. Try to keep it hushed for now as much as possible, recruit Draco's drones to help if you must, we can trust them."
"Spike, come with me. I'll need your organisational skills." Carduus motioned for the dragon to follow.
"On it," Spike replied as he moved to follow.
"My Queen!" a drone called out as he ran to catch up with Queen Crudelis in a mostly empty corridor.
"Yes, what is it?" Queen Crudelis turned her piercing gaze to the much smaller changeling.
"They know, your highness. I overheard a warning provided to them from the Crystal Princess."
"Did you now? And how did she know?" Crudelis asked without much worry.
"I- erm..." the drone stuttered.
"No matter," Crudelis dismissed. "If my niece is as predictable as I believe she is, she will run back to that little home of hers. It is time to finish this. Is everything in place?"
"Yes, my Queen."
"Good, have them all ready for my arrival. I will have our agent acquire the device. And once she has succeeded in her task, Chrysalis will fall."
The Badlands Hive
A lone female changeling drone quietly made her way through the corridors of Chrysalis' hive. The hive's storage was just ahead, and she had a good idea of where to look for her objective.
She had just received the go-ahead from her Queen, it was time.
She ducked into a little alcove as a couple of guards passed by, and once she was sure they were gone she scrambled from her position and through the doorway into the storage room.
She spent a good few minutes exploring the room, going through the vast spaces, passing all sorts of odds and ends from food to furniture all neatly organised into clearly defined sections. She was half tempted to enter a door which, according to the signage, led to the hive's love reservoir. However, she had a job to do.
Eventually she came upon what she was looking for. One section was blocked off with reinforced doorways leading into the area holding all of the hive's weaponry, and that was where her objective was held.
It was locked, and her magic would have a hard time breaking through the protective wards around it.
'Good thing they misplaced a key...' the drone scoffed as she brought out said key and placed it into the lock, the door opening without any sign of protest.
She passed by swords, shields, armor and a great many other pieces of hardware. But it was one particular thing that interested her.
She carefully picked out a square package with runes etched into the surface. The device pulsated with blue leylines and oozed with barely contained magical power.
A mana bomb. |
Change | 46 - Quae Est Finis: Part 1 | The Badlands
Drones began unloading the carriages and bringing them into the Badlands Hive as Queen Chrysalis and Princess Twilight watched on. Carduus stood with them, barking out orders and direction when necessary.
"Are you sure the other queens won't be too upset with us leaving the council so soon?" Twilight asked her mother.
"There will be questions as to why," Chrysalis responded. "But the answer should satisfy them enough. A queen leaving early is rare, but not unheard of."
"Now you have confirmation on Crudelis' scheming, what are you going to do?" Carduus asked.
"I don't know," Chrysalis sighed. "It is something I will be discussing with the equestrian princesses soon however. We can hide all we want, but she in tenacious. She will not stop until her goals are achieved."
"And we're all dead," Carduus noted with a groan.
"Precisely."
"But, with what Crudelis did to Vespula..." Twilight started. "Is that related?"
"Almost certainly," Chrysalis grimaced. "The assassin, we already know that his name was Serpens, and he was from her Hive. Crudelis used them as a proxy to keep herself from being implicated. Their failure would have displeased her greatly, and created a rather severe loose end."
"So she killed them," Carduus grimly said.
"Yes."
"That's horrible!" Twilight exclaimed. "How is a queen like that allowed to operate as she does?"
Chrysalis didn't answer, and only looked grimly on at the distant horizon. The silence seemed to last for hours, and in that time the carriages were fully unpacked and all the drones retreated back into the hive.
"Your highness," Carduus gently called. "I think it is time we too went inside."
The large queen looked down on the far smaller changeling guard captain. "Agreed. Take the rest of the day off Carduus, you've earned it."
"Thank you my queen but-"
"No buts," Chrysalis interrupted. "You've worked yourself to the bone the past few days, go and be with your family. Don't make me order you to do so."
Carduus sighed in defeat. "Very well my queen. It would be good to spend time with Panacea and Iuvenes."
Chrysalis nodded, and as Carduus made off towards the hive she turned to her daughter. "Twilight?"
Twilight looked up at her mother. "Hmm? What is it?"
"I know you're probably tired, but could we talk? Preferably in the privacy of our throne room."
"Of course," Twilight put a hoof on Chrysalis' shoulder. "I'm always here if you need to talk about anything."
Chrysalis smiled and gave her daughter a loving nuzzle on the head. "What did I ever do to deserve a daughter as wonderful as you?"
Twilight giggled. "Invaded Canterlot apparently."
Chrysalis rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but let a giggle of her own escape. "True enough I suppose. Come then, let us get out of this infernal heat."
And thus the two royal changelings entered the hive, and as always the door shimmered briefly as the perception filter masking it took effect and hid their home from all who would do it harm.
Canterlot
Princess Celestia hummed to herself as she flicked through various paperwork in her age old study. As a soft rendition of 'Winter Wrap Up' whisked its way around the room Celestia went through laws, various updates to treaties, many of which she herself sighed at various points in her life, and other day to day paperwork.
It was as tedious as always, but a thousand years of practiced patience helped her drive on through.
Not that she didn't always leap at the chance for a distraction, like the one that was currently knocking on the door.
"Come in," Celestia called.
As the door opened Celestia's smile widened at the sight of her little sister. A sight that only a few years ago was a distant, cherished memory of a bygone age.
No longer.
"Sister," Luna greeted. "I hope I am not interrupting anything."
"Nothing is more important to me than you Luna," Celestia got up and gave the blue alicorn a light nuzzle.
Luna chuckled at the sentiment, but accepted it. "Hmm, that is good to hear."
Celestia levitated a nearby teapot towards them while motioning towards some cushions set up by the fireplace. "Tea, Luna?"
Luna held up a hoof. "Nay sister. While I might normally relish the chance to chat over tea, something has come up that requires both of our attention."
"Oh?" Celestia raised an eyebrow. Luna was being far more serious than normal, she would have joked that she preferred coffee were she not. Intrigued, Celestia expanded; "Then please Luna, do tell."
"Our niece has just arrived at the castle, and is waiting in the throne room."
"Cadance? I didn't know she was due to visit anytime soon."
"She wasn't," Luna stated. "Something has happened in the Crystal Empire that may shed light on some past events."
Now Celestia was extremely curious. "Past events? Which events are you referring to?"
"Twilight's attempted assassination."
Cracks shot through the still levitating teapot, and the liquid inside heated up a few degrees. Breathing out slowly, Celestia placed the damaged pot back down onto the table before her horn glowed yellow.
Next thing Luna knew, they were both in the throne room, in front of a startled Cadance.
"What do we know about it?" Celestia forced out through clenched teeth.
Cadance was still stunned, partly by their sudden appearance, and furthermore by the anger she could feeling rolling off of Celestia. So Luna continued for her. "I believe we know the identity of the assassin. A changeling named Serpens."
Celestia's eyes narrowed dangerously, but her teeth remained clenched. "Serpens? How did you come across the name of our deceased 'friend'?"
Cadance finally broke out of her stupor, and was able to start filling in the details. "He has two sisters, and they were recently discovered in the crystal empire - Homeless. One is a teenager, the other is only a foal, or the changeling equivalent at least."
Celestia's features immediately softened on hearing this. "Individuals so young, homeless? How did this come to be?"
"Simple," Luna interjected. "The hive our assassin belonged to was a proxy, forced to do the dirty work of the true villain of this particular story. And when Serpens failed..."
"They were destroyed," Celestia realised.
"Wiped out, completely overnight," Cadance added solemnly, her head hanging low.
Luna nodded. "Apparently so. The two changelings, Soronis and Puellula?" Luna looked over to Cadance for confirmation. She nodded. "Soronis and Puellula, are the only known survivors."
The horror was evident on Celestia's face. "An entire hive wiped out? I may not hold any love for this Serpens, but all those innocent changelings that must have died... Who Luna? Who killed them? Who arranged for my beloved former student's death?"
"A queen by the name of Crudelis. She is the one who, according to the two young changelings, attacked and burned their hive to the ground. And thus it is likely her who arranged for Princess Twilight's demise also."
"Crudelis? I know that name..." Realisation dawned on the solar alicorn. "She is of relation to both Twilight and Chrysalis. Not to mention the queen holding the largest overall hive."
"She does? I was unaware," Luna stated. Cadance looked up in confusion too.
"Twilight confided in me all about her great aunt. She never did sound like a pleasant individual."
"And she has now proven herself to be ruthless," Luna said. "Not to mention extremely dangerous. Remember, she also tried to frame Equestria for what nearly was Twilight's death. She is targeting us as well."
"Not to mention Twilight's life may still be in danger," Celestia grimaced at the thought. "Take me to them, I need to know all the details."
Luna motioned towards the door. "Then follow us, dear sister. Vladimir, Shining Armor, Broad Sword and his wife Scarlet are waiting with the changelings."
"Very good. Cadance, what do you intend to do with Soronis and Puellula?" Celestia enquired.
"I plan to keep them in the empire near the Crystal Heart. Without a hive their lives are shortened considerably, but I have a theory that the Heart may be able to counteract that, at least until I can introduce them to Chrysalis and Twilight. Integrating them into another hive should be of little issue."
"I see. I know Twilight will be more than willing to take them. Come then sister, niece, let us go to the others. I wish to hear all about this Serpens, and just what Crudelis intended, and intends to do."
Badlands Hive
Carduus walked through familiar hallways of the hive, quickly approaching an even more familiar door. He saw fellow changelings going about their days with the odd nymph playing in the shrubbery right in the centre of the corridor. Several nodded to the captain as they passed, but none stopped to chat.
Looking back towards the door he took in a deep breath before knocking loudly. A few noises were heard inside as the inside changeling's ears shot up and she made her way to the home's front entrance. Carduus heard a key turning just before the door swung open.
And he was immediately tackled by an extremely excitable nymph.
Again.
"Daddy!" Iuvenes held tightly onto his barrel, his haunches hitting the floor and his captain's helmet flying off and clattering down the corridor.
"Hey sweety... do you really need to do that every time?" Carduus asked, in a wheezing voice, the air having been knocked out of him. He levitated his young daughter off of him.
In response Iuvenes simply gave a large grin before nodding her head furiously.
"It just shows she loves her daddy," Panacea giggled as she exited the home to greet her returning husband.
Carduus placed Iuvenes onto his back as he accepted a kiss from his wife.
"You're all back early. Get bored of all the politics?" Panacea laughed.
"Er... not exactly..." Carduus said before he quickly ushered Panacea inside, making sure to grab his helmet on the way.
Once the door was close he asked Iuvenes to jump off and quickly go and grab a few cookies from the kitchen as a 'treat'. The child predictably rushed right off to indulge herself, not picking up that her father didn't want her to hear what he had to say. And so Carduus told Panacea everything, from his shifty encounter with the clipboard wielding drone to the discovery that Crudelis was indeed behind everything, and the subsequent vacating of the council.
"But... that's horrible!" Panacea gasped. "How could any changeling do something like that to their own family?"
"She is evil, to put it bluntly. She seeks nothing but to expand her own power, and she is a disgrace to our species!" Carduus snarled as he angrily fumed.
Panacea flinched. "Carduus... please don't say such things. I know it is likely true but I don't like seeing you like this!"
Guilt flashed across the captain's face. "Oh, I'm sorry dear. I shouldn't snap like that."
Carduus pulled Panacea in and held her tight, nuzzling her neck gently as he did so.
"Mama? Papa? Are you alright?" A slightly timid sounding voice came from the entranceway to the kitchen.
Both adult changelings swivelled their heads to spot the concerned nymph standing in the doorway, half eaten cookie levitating next to her.
Carduus simply smiled, and motioned a hoof out to encourage Iuvenes to join in on the family group hug. The young nymph reacted immediately, running up to and squeezing herself into the middle of Carduus and Panacea.
"Don't worry Iuvenes, just guard things is all. Nothing is wrong," Carduus cooed into his daughter's ear.
Iuvenes remained unconvinced. "Are you sure?" She levitated the cookie up to her father. "You could have this cookie if it would help you feel better..."
Carduus stared at the cookie, glanced towards his wife, then Iuvenes, and then back to the cookie again.
He then promptly burst out laughing.
Iuvenes looked up at her father in confusion, and then to her mother as she began to giggle at the two of them.
"Oh Iuvenes," Carduus tried to calm his laughter. "You are too cute sometimes. Never change, alright?"
Iuvenes blushed, before trying to hide herself in her mother's chest.
Carduus shook his head in amusement, grabbing onto Iuvenes with his magic and levitating her so they looked at each other in the eyes.
"Now enough of that, little miss embarrassed. Since I am back and you have been a good girl, would you like a day out in the atrium? We can go to that place you like for some food."
The nymph's face lit up like a Hearth's Warming tree that also happened to be on fire. "YESYESYES! Can we please daddy? Pleasepleaseplease-"
"Whoa there! I already said we could, remember?"
"Yay!" Iuvenes shouted in excitement.
Chuckling, Carduus placed Iuvenes onto the ground before turning his magic onto his armor. He levitated the blue gear off of him and floated it quickly into the adjacent living room, simply depositing the armor onto the sofa and his sword into a nearby case out of the way of an all too curious nymph like Iuvenes.
"Honey, do you mind if while I get myself washed up that you sort out my armour?" Carduus asked.
"Well hurry up then," Panacea replied. "If we keep Iuvenes waiting too long she might explode."
Iuvenes pouted at that remark.
"I will be quick, just want to get some of this sand off of my chitin. Whose idea was it to put the hive in a desert again?"
Panacea giggled. "You can take it up with the royals next time you see them."
"I think I'll pass. This place is home after all..." Carduus said as he exited the room towards the bathroom for a nice warm shower.
Panacea got to work giving the armor a quick clean and placing it back on the stand in the bedroom, while Iuvenes willed the time away by finishing off her cookie.
And possibly even sneaking a couple more out of the jar.
Chrysalis stopped in the middle of the throne room, and promptly slumped to the floor.
"Mother?" Twilight called out in alarm as she swung the two large doors shut. "Are you alright?"
"No Twilight... I am not," Chrysalis admitted. "I am tired. Tired of Crudelis' games. Tired of her threats against you and the hive. It all just gets to you eventually."
Twilight gasped as she spotted the tears beginning to flow from Chrysalis' eyes. The young princess dropped to the floor next to her mother and curled up next to her, Chrysalis draping a wing over her beloved daughter.
"Mother..." Twilight nuzzled Chrysalis' neck. "Please don't be upset..."
"I'm sorry Twilight but... but she tried to kill you! And if she did indeed try that, then I can guarantee she is behind mother's death too! Everything I suspected up to this point is confirmed. Part of my own family is so determined to kill me. Why?"
"I don't know. What I do know is that you need a break."
Chrysalis glanced towards her daughter. "Huh?"
Chrysalis was surprised by the steely, determined expression her daughter was giving her. "You need a break. A holiday. When was the last time you took a day off?"
Chrysalis snorted. "Oh so very long ago Twilight. Before your grandmother's death."
"Exactly," Twilight stated. "Do you trust me?"
Chrysalis was caught off guard by Twilight question. "Excuse me?"
"Do you trust me?"
"O-of course! Of course I trust you, why would you even question that?"
"Then you know I can hold my own running the hive. Take a week or two, let me run this place while you clear your head."
"Twilight, I could never ask you to take on my burdo-"
"I will not take no for an answer," Twilight stamped a hoof to hammer in the point.
"I..." Chrysalis sighed. "Very well. I think you are right."
Twilight gave a sigh of relief. "Good. You deserve the rest."
Chrysalis wiped away the remaining tears from her eyes, before giving Twilight a mischievous smirk, "So... what do you intend to do now your coup has succeeded Queen Twilight."
Twilight Sparkle just rolled her eyes. "Oh no, my devious plot has been revealed..." She deadpanned.
Chrysalis chuckled lightheadedly. "Seriously though, any particular plans? Even if I'm going to be taking time off I want to know what is going on around my hive."
"Fair enough," Twilight shrugged. "Well, I'm first going to contact Celestia and Luna. They may be able to help with the 'Crudelis situation'. We'll see what happens from there."
Chrysalis nodded. "Alright then. Now, let us get off the floor before-"
A loud explosion rippled throughout the entire hive as the very foundations shook violently, a few shards from the ceiling detached and clattered to the floor around the two royals.
"What in Faust's name was that?!" Twilight shouted as both she and Chrysalis shot up to their hooves.
"My queen, princess?!" The voice of one of the guard shouted in both of their minds.
"Let us find out..." Chrysalis muttered.
"Guard, what is happening? What caused that loud bang?" Chrysalis shouted over the hive at the guard.
"Your highness... we have a serious problem..." Was his reply, with fear evident in his voice.
The Atrium, Moments Earlier
Carduus smiled over at his wife and daughter, the latter of which sat on Panacea's back with a happy smile on her face.
The atrium was bustling as Celestia's sun shone brightly in through the crevice above. They were on the very bottom floor right by the statue, heading towards an establishment just on the other side of the large stone changeling queen. There wasn't a miserable changeling about as they cheerfully went about their days going to and forth various restaurants, shops and other establishments. Panacea herself was half tempted to go to the spa one floor up, but as it was a family day out she decided to put it off until another day.
Ultimately the atmosphere around the atrium as upbeat and cheerful.
Which is why one changeling mare stuck out considerably.
The mare was shuffling her way towards the statue, hey eyes shifting around at all the other changelings passing her by. She had a brown saddlebag over her back as well. One side was empty, while the other had something visibly inside.
Something wasn't right.
And it wasn't just her demeanour, he felt that she wasn't meant to be there. That she wasn't one of them.
Even if drones of other classes couldn't communicate with one another, outside of biological family or those you had set up a specialised connection with like with Carduus and Panacea, you could still sense their presence if they were nearby and you concentrated on that individual in your mind.
And he couldn't sense that drone at all.
"Honey," he discreetly spoke to Panacea over the hive mind. "Can you talk to that drone there, or even sense her?"
Panacea looked over at the changeling Carduus was pointing out, and concentrated.
"No... there is nothing. Carduus, she's not part of our hive!"
He had heard enough.
Carduus approached the drone, despite the whimper of protest from Panacea as Iuvenes looked on in confusion.
"Ma'am?"
The changeling glanced over at Carduus, before picking up her pace towards the statue.
"Stop!" Carduus began to sprint towards the changeling.
The drone saw him coming and she launched a quick spell in his direction, causing him to jump to the side as Panacea screamed.
As all the other nearby changelings looked towards the commotion the drone opened the saddlebag, took out the mana bomb, and hurled it towards the statue.
It detonated on contact. Screams erupted from the various families in the area as the entire hive shook from the blast. The statue of Queen Avia was blasted into dust as the magical crystal it held shattered into a billion tiny fragments.
The beam the crystal produced ceased to be as the shield and perception filter covering the atrium's top dispersed into nothingness.
Before the offending drone could even smirk in victory Carduus tackled her to the ground. Any resistance she put up was immediately quashed by his superior strength.
"What have you done?!" Carduus shouted in a mixture of anger and fear.
The changeling simply laughed in his face. "Won."
The drone managed to point a hoof towards the sky. A sky which could now look back. Black dots began to appear in that sky, black dots that were increasing in number and approaching fast.
Changelings.
But moments later the inhabitants of the atrium began to scream anew as the first volleys of putrid green spellfire began impacting around them. Carduus saw several changelings be engulfed by the spells as more explosions rocked the structure.
"Crudelis sends her regards!" The female drone Carduus held shouted in defiance.
He promptly broke her neck.
"Guards, to me!" Carduus shouted as he retreated back to his terrified family.
Just as he reached them two drones in red and blue armor landed just metres away. Carduus reacted by immediately ending one with spellfire as the other swung a mace down onto Carduus. The captain used his magic to knock the weapon to the side just as the enemy drone tackled Carduus.
"Get off of him!" Panacea shouted as she bucked as hard as she could, sending the drone tumbling off of her husband.
"Captain!" An approaching guard threw a sword in Carduus' direction, which he quickly grabbed and used to finish the down drone.
As several more enemy changelings began to assault the atrium the guards looked to Carduus for direction.
"Captain, your orders?"
Carduus snarled as he saw the drones of Crudelis ransacking their home. "Evacuate the atrium, and block their access further into the hive. Get my family to safety!" Carduus shouted as he began to head towards a nearby exit.
"Carduus, where are you going?" Panacea squeaked as a terrified Iuvenes clung onto her back desperately.
"I need to link up with the royals and form a defence. Get out of here!"
Carduus sprinted away as his fellow guards dragged his family and any other nearby civilians to safety. And as he left he swore he caught the sight of a large shadow of a dragon passing overhead.
This battle had only just begun. |
Change | 47 - Quae Est Finis: Part 2 | Carduus ran through the tunnels of the Badlands Hive with two guards flanking him. The whole hive was in chaos as their soldiers evacuated any and all civilians from soon to be contested areas. The Captain just prayed silently that his family would be safe in that mess.
After dodging and weaving throughout many hallways, his destination, the throne room, came up quickly. Around the two massive doors his soldiers were already setting up defences as the closest civilians were gathered inside for their safety. Carduus and his companions were admitted entrance without delay as they cantered into the throne room, spotting Chrysalis and Twilight sitting on their respective thrones, determined looks of steel on their faces.
"The western entrances have been breached and there is heavy fighting," A drone reported to the two royals. "There are so many drones attacking us; with a force that size I don't know if we can hold the entrance for very long."
"Do your best, and take what soldiers you need to get it done," Chrysalis ordered.
"Yes, your highness!" The drone saluted before scampering off.
"Captain Carduus!" Chrysalis addressed him as he came into her view. "What is going on in the atrium? All hive communication from there is scattered and confused."
"Lost, your highness. That was the first place they hit, an infiltrator destroyed you mother's statue and the crystal it held with a mana bomb," Carduus reported.
"Mana bomb? The fact that there was an infiltrator here is by itself disturbing, not to add what possible weapons they seem to have access to," Chrysalis frowned.
"Yes, your highness. But she won't trouble us any longer," venom could almost be heard in his voice.
"Good."
Twilight looked deeply concerned. "Mother, the atrium was the centre of our hive, and the largest open space. If it is already lost..."
"I know, Twilight. Carduus, what of the guards stationed in the atrium?"
"Most got out. I split them into evacuating the civilians deeper inside, and the rest to make sure that none of those bastards gets any further in. However, I don't know how long they will hold out without reinforcements."
"We're going to be spread thin, but it is done."
Several changelings screamed as the structure shook and chunks of the ceiling clattered to the ground.
"Shit, what was that?!" Carduus shouted.
"I don't know, but it sounded big!" Twilight exclaimed.
Carduus' eyes widened remembered something he saw in the atrium. "Your highnesses. I believe they have a dragon with them."
"What?!" both royals shouted.
"A dragon. Possibly the one that killed Queen Avia six hundred years ago."
Chrysalis snarled. "And now it is here to finish the job! All my suspicions about my aunt are confirmed."
"Mother, what do we do? We have about seven thousand scared subjects and three thousand soldiers at our disposal, Crudelis is probably attacking with three times that amount of soldiers! Plus with a dragon..."
"We need help, badly," Carduus bluntly said.
"Agreed," Chrysalis said solemnly.
"Spike!" Twilight shouted to the dragon, who was busy trying to calm down a group of scared nymphs. "Come over here!"
The dragon said a few final words to the nymphs before making his way over. "Twilight, what do you need?"
"Send a message to Princess Celestia. We are going to need the help of her and the EUP."
"Got it!" he shouted as he set off to find some paper.
The hive shook again.
"Your highness! The southern entrance is breached, hostile drones are pouring in and we can't stop them! They have breached the residential districts, we still have thousands of civilians down here, and we're taking heavy casualties." A panicked voice spoke over the hive to the royal duo.
It was quickly followed by another. "My Queen! We have enemy drones at the east, and the western entrance is being overrun! There are so many of them!"
Chrysalis grimaced as other such reports flooded in. Her soldiers were being pushed back rapidly, things were not looking great.
"Twilight, can the princesses and their EUP make it in time with Crudelis' rate of progression?"
Twilight did the mental math in her head, a grim look on her face. "No. Not even close."
Chrysalis sighed. "Evacuate the hive. Abandon all other entrances and the atrium, coordinate our drones solely on the currently clear northern entrance. Twilight, you and Carduus see to it that as many of our subjects get out as possible. Make a break for Equestria, hopefully we'll meet up with EUP reinforcements on the way."
"Got it!" Twilight nodded. She got up and started moving, before she stopped and turned to face her mother. "What about you?"
Chrysalis stood up from her throne and examined the many scared faces of her subjects. "I will buy you as much time as I can. Do not worry, I will follow you out."
Twilight walked back up to her mother, and hugged her tightly. "Be careful, alright?"
"I promise," Chrysalis nuzzled her daughter's head. "Now go."
Twilight nodded as she stepped away from her mother. She took one last look at her throne, before broadcasting some orders over the hive.
"Alright, we are evacuating! I want all soldiers set on securing the northern entrance and assisting the evacuation efforts; keep the bitches drones away from the civilians at all costs!"
A round of affirmatives came back over the hive, and Twilight nodded to Carduus for him to follow her as all the drones in throne room began to depart.
"Twilight!" Spike shouted out as he fell into step with the two. "The message has been sent."
"Good. Spike, you stick with us."
Chrysalis watched her daughter leave with a proud smile on her face.
"Your majesty!" a voice called directly to her over the hive.
"What is it?"
"Queen Crudelis is waiting for you in the atrium."
Queen Crudelis watched the chaos from high in the air. Her drones swarmed her niece's hive with murderous intent, and all resistance was quickly being quashed under hoof.
Crudelis couldn't help but smile in self-satisfied glee as an event a thousand years in the making played out right before her very eyes.
Her eyes were drawn to the smouldering atrium floor as she saw a few of Chrysalis' drones, guards by the look of them, become trapped, forcing them to retreat inside into one of the atrium's establishments while managing to hold off several of her own drones that pursued them.
Crudelis flapped her wings and dived down towards the group of defending drones. She dropped to the floor right in front of the establishment, creating cracks in the floor as she landed.
"It's Queen Crudelis! Shoot her!" a drone from inside shouted.
Several arrows and magic bolts came flying out through the smashed windows; the magic she absorbed, the arrows she simply caught and hurled back at her attackers with deadly precision.
Shouts of pain and death arose from within as Crudelis casually strolled up to and through the front door. There had been seven guards holed up inside, and now four lay dead with arrows protruding from their bodies.
Of the remaining three, two launched more spells at her while another charged with his sword drawn. She deflected one spell back at its caster, killing him, while the other deflected bolt went wide. Crudelis then grabbed onto the drone with the sword with her magic, lifting him into the air by the neck while snatching away his weapon and flinging it towards the other spell caster. It caught the drone in the neck, impaling him and pinning him to the wall.
Crudelis turned her head to examine the last remaining guard she now held in her grasp.
"You. Contact your queen, tell her I will be here waiting for her."
"Not a chance."
Crudelis simply rolled her eyes and compressed her magic, he screamed as all the bones in his body began to break one by one.
"OK! OK! Please stop! I'll do it, I'll do it!"
"Your majesty!" the drone called out.
"What is it?"
"Queen Crudelis is waiting for you in the atrium."
"There, I did it!"
Crudelis studied him for signs of deceit, and found none.
"Thank you."
She then broke his neck with a sickening crack, and dropped his corpse at her hooves.
Canterlot
The castle's dining room was host to several individuals. These included Princesses Celestia, Luna and Cadance. There was also Shining Armor, Vladimir, Broad Sword, Scarlet and the two changeling siblings Soronis and Puellula.
"For everything you have been through," Celestia spoke to the two changelings. "You have my condolences."
"That... is greatly appreciated, Princess," Soronis said. "But unnecessary."
"On the contrary," Celestia said. "But to allay your fears, I have the utmost confidence that Princess Twilight will be more than happy to take you in."
"Thank you, for everything. All of you."
"Think nothing of it, young one," Luna said. "It is the least we can do given the recent misunderstanding."
"And while we are sharing sentiments, we must congratulate you too, Scarlet Snow," Celestia smiled. "Being a mother is a wonderful thing."
Vladimir did a double take. "Wait, what? Since when?"
Scarlet blushed. "I found out just after the honeymoon."
Vladimir laughed, standing up from his chair and standing between Scarlet and Broad Sword. "Well congratulations to the both of you. We will go out for drinks later to celebrate."
"Sounds good!" Broad Sword smiled.
"I think I will stick to water or something, I am pregnant after all," Scarlet grumbled something to herself.
"Good point," Vladimir conceded.
A green flash shot forth in front Celestia, and a scroll appeared in mid-air, before it dropped onto the table.
"What is that?" Shining Armor asked. "A letter from Twily?"
Celestia picked the scroll up and examined it. "I believe so. How timely."
Cadance stared at the scroll. "Well, it has been a few days so maybe the council just ended? She might be telling us how it went."
Celestia wanted to agree, but for some reason she had a really bad feeling about the letter.
"I don't think so," she said as she opened up the scroll and read it.
Only for the paper to burst into flames; immediately immolated in the sun's fury. Wisps of fire could be seen flickering at the edges of Celestia's mane and tail.
"Sister?" Luna asked in alarm.
"Organise the army - NOW! Send a detachment of the EUP to the Badlands Hive at once, Twilight is in danger!" Celestia ordered.
"What!?" Shining shot up from the table. "What happened?"
"Crudelis. She has found their hive. They are under attack at this very moment, and Spike says they won't survive without our help!" Celestia shouted as her motherly instincts went berserk. She slammed open the doors and shot up from her seat.
"Sister," Luna was quick to stop her. "Do you intend on accompanying them?"
Celestia looked at Luna as if she had gone momentarily mad. "Of course. Twilight is in danger, I will not stay idle here!" Celestia insisted.
"Then allow me to accompany you also," Luna said. "She saved me once, the least I can do is return the favour."
"And me, she is my sister. I'm coming too." Cadance motioned in.
Celestia looked towards Shining Armor, Vladimir and Broad Sword. "I take it I can count on all of you?"
"Of course!" Vladimir and Broad Sword stood to attention.
"We are your captains, where you go we go," Vladimir said.
"And I go where my husband goes," Scarlet piped up.
"No," Broad Sword stated.
"What?"
Broad Sword looked at her meaningfully. "Normally I would be happy for you to come my love, but with the baby..."
Scarlet looked towards the floor. "Damn it. Right."
Broad Sword gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. We'll be fine. Just make sure the kids are settled in until we send for you three." He gestured towards the startled Soronis and Puellula.
"I can do that."
"Which EUP fort is nearest to the Badlands?" Celestia hastily enquired.
"Fort Hurricane," Scarlet answered. "I was stationed there briefly a while back."
Celestia nodded. "We'll have them mobilise and head towards the Badlands without us, we'll catch up."
Celestia turned and briskly walked out the door. "I will not lose my daughter. Not again."
Princess Twilight Sparkle, Carduus and Spike were at the head of the group high tailing it towards the northern entrance of the hive. Masses of civilians followed behind through the hallways as the soldiers did their best to keep them organised and safe.
"Keep up!" Twilight shouted to those shortly behind them.
A door to their left burst open and several drones in red and blue armor came piling out. However, they were not expecting to be face to face with a princess, captain and dragon all at once.
They tried to head back the way they had come, but Twilight latched onto them with her magic and pulled them outwards. Carduus moved in with his blade to finish a few while Spike unleashed a torrent of fire on the rest.
Twilight looked in the doorway the drones had emerged from, before turning to the other soldiers at the head of the evacuees.
"Keep going, we will follow shortly," She ordered. "Carduus, Spike, follow me."
"Twilight, where are we going?" Spike asked as they moved off from the group and moved on down the corridor.
"Look at this," Twilight motioned to something on the wall at an interception at the end of the hallway. It was a large device pulsating with various runes.
"A mana bomb!" Carduus studied the device. "Far higher yield than the one used in the atrium to destroy the statue."
"How much higher?" Twilight asked.
Carduus sighed. "Enough to level this entire corridor and then some. With enough of these they could-"
"Princess?" a guard spoke over the hive.
"Hold on Carduus," Twilight stopped her captain mid-sentence.
"What is going on?" Twilight communed back.
"Something is going on down here, there is-"
A massive explosion rocketed the hive, causing Twilight, Carduus and Spike all to lose their balance and fall to the floor.
In that moment so many minds in the hive went silent.
"What was that?!" Twilight screamed generally over the hive mind.
"Your highness! They detonated several mana bombs at key intersection of the southern wing of the hive. It collapsed, all of it."
Twilight blinked, unable to comprehend what she had just been told. "The entire southern wing? They collapsed the entire southern wing of the hive?!" She spoke out loud.
"They what?!" Carduus' eyes widened, looking towards the bomb. "Now we know what these are for."
"Carduus, how many changelings were in that section?" Twilight shakily asked.
Carduus couldn't quite meet Twilight's eyes as he told her. "As you know, most of the residential districts were located in the south. That is where... where my home is located. Was, now I suppose."
"Carduus, I'm sorry..." Spike said sympathetically.
"Don't worry. A home is more than walls and possessions. My family will be among those moving towards the north entrance right now. Where ever we are together, that is home. We can rebuild anything else." He swallowed. "But, a great many civilians were down there. With its distance being the furthest from the north entrance, the shear amount of enemy drones and the collapsing rubble causing obstructions..."
"How many?" Twilight shakily demanded to know.
Carduus hesitated with his answer for a moment. "Thousands."
Twilight felt sick. She felt as if she had been stabbed and left for dead all over again, if not worse. All those changelings...
Twilight simply placed her magic on the bomb right by them, deactivated it and let it clatter to the floor.
Suddenly the hallway was filled with noise. "Twilight, more of them are coming!" Spike yelled, trying to shake Twilight out of her stupor. As if on que, more soldiers flooded in around the corner. Without looking up, Twilight picked up the mana bomb in her magic. She drained most of the charge out of it, before re-activating it, and hurling it at the new foes.
The drones had the time to change their expressions into looks of horror, before the bomb detonated, and engulfed them all. The resulting blast was just big enough to wipe them out, and cause the ceiling to bury them, sealing off that hallway.
The Princess looked at the others, who were staring at her wide eyed. "We need to get my subjects out of here."
Spike recovered first. "We can take a few side corridors, get back to the front quicker," he suggested.
"Good idea," Carduus nodded. "Come on, we need to get moving.
They trio moved off quickly towards the northern entrances. Down the smaller corridors they traversed they encountered several enemy changelings setting up more mana bombs. The changelings were swiftly dealt with before Twilight deactivated the bombs, stopping them before they could cause any more harm.
Before long they made it to the entrance, just as the front of the evacuating column also arrived.
"Princess!" One of the drones saluted on seeing them emerge. "Glad to see you are safe."
"You too. Any problems?"
"A few stragglers, but nothing we couldn't deal with."
Twilight nodded. "Good. Now, get these doors open!"
Several changeling soldiers in blue armor moved up and together managed to pull open the large reinforced double doors leading to the outside.
"Alright, move on up!" Twilight ordered.
Twilight took point with Carduus and Spike at her side as the line of changelings began to spill out into the open daylight. Twilight couldn't help but notice the sun seemed... angry, pulsing; now she knew Celestia had received her message.
Twilight stood to one side as the evacuating changelings moved on up and began to move away from the hive.
"Come on, hurry!" Carduus urged the changelings on forwards.
Twilight watched as her subjects began to pour out of the hive and into the open sky. For some of them it was their first ever time on the surface.
As Twilight briefly pondered this, she was knocked out of her thoughts as a green bolt of magic missed her by mere inches.
"Contacts above!" Carduus shouted in alarm as more bolts began to rain down.
All the soldiers immediately moved to defend the increasingly panicked civilians, firing back with their own magic. However, they were outnumbered, with most of their remaining soldiers still inside the hive with the majority of the evacuees.
Twilight took to the air and formed a huge shield to intercept a large number of bolts as they came in. They impacted the shield, and a moment later Twilight turned that shield into a magical pulse that she shot outwards in a move taught to her by her brother, causing many attacking drones to fall from the sky to their deaths. One drone struck at the princess with a spear, only for her to snatch it away and impale him on it before flinging him into another.
Carduus dodged as an enemy changeling dropped down next to him and struck. Carduus swivelled around and bucked the changeling as hard as he could, dropping him hard onto the ground where Spike pounced into him and sank his fangs into the drone's skull.
As Carduus clashed blades with another, more skilled combatant while Spike took to the air and unleashed a wave of fire to vaporise a group of changelings assaulting a family who had strayed away from the column.
"Keep going!" He shouted down at the grateful family, pointing north.
Spike's heart wretched however when he saw several green magical bolts fly in, striking into the group of evacuating changelings he had just saved. The blasts swallowed the whole family.
Twilight dodged a bolt of magic and shot a far more powerful beam of lavender back at her attacker, eviscerating the changeling in question. Twilight turned to see, to her horror, that several hostile drones had broken though and were moving on the northern entrance. Her own drones were trying to stop them but there were just too many.
Realising that with those enemy changelings converging on the entrance the exiting evacuees wouldn't stand chance, and they would all be slaughtered. Twilight tried to double back and deal with them herself. However, several other of Crudelis' drones spotted her and struck out, forcibly diverting her attention.
Carduus rolled out of the way to dodge his combatant's sword strike, painfully aware of the fact he wasn't wearing any armor, never having had the time to put some on since the battle started. He briefly saw Spike get stabbed just under the wing with a spear, forcing its way between two scales. But despite the injury, he used his maw to yank the spear out before unleashing fire upon its owner.
Carduus could do nothing to assist his draconic friend though as his adversary struck again, which Carduus barely deflected with his own blade.
"Scum!" the changeling sneered as he pressed the attack.
Carduus couldn't get a strike of his own in as his attacker made blow after blow. One particularly powerful strike made Carduus lose grip on his sword. He tried to compensate by charging his horn and firing a shot, but it went wide when his adversary hit him hard in the side of the head, knocking him to the floor. Carduus tried to get up, but the blow had dazed him. He only just saw his combatant raise his sword and strike it down to finish him, with Carduus powerless to stop it.
Only for said combatant to be decapitated by a bolt of green magic, his sword clattering down just next to the startled Carduus.
Looking to the side, Carduus saw the bolt had come from a changeling drone wearing all red armor, and in fact a large swarm of drones wearing that colour of armor were bearing down on Crudelis' changelings with deadly intent while others moved to protect the evacuees.
Twilight saw this too, and gawped as the new arrivals broke into the enemy lines and began to push the surprised rabble back.
"Your highness!" One of the new drones, a captain by the looks of him, approached the princess.
"W-what is this?"
"Queen Draco saw Queen Crudelis leave the council just after you, she sent us to tail them."
Despite everything, Twilight couldn't help but laugh. "Tell Queen Draco I am fond of her all the more! Your timing was certainly dramatic."
"We like to make an entrance!" The Captain smirked. "My Queen is on route with some more reinforcements."
"Tell her to meet us on the border of Equestria," Twilight commanded.
The drone nodded. "It will be done."
Twilight descended to the ground as she watched soldiers of both Chrysalis and Draco finish off the drones assaulting the group, the combined force greater than the local amount of invaders, and the evacuees successfully began to escape the hive again.
"Carduus?" Twilight landed next to the bruised captain.
"I'm good. That was too close."
Spike also approached. "There will be more hostile soldiers. This isn't over."
"No it isn't," Twilight agreed. "But the evacuees should be safe now. The other attackers will be busier dismantling the hive."
"So, what now?" Carduus asked.
Twilight glanced back towards the hive. "My mother is still in there. I won't leave her."
"The Queen?" A random drone overheard Twilight and stepped away from the group. "Your highness!" She bowed. "I might have some information you don't."
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.
"As I joined the evacuation, I overheard that the Queen was last seen heading to the atrium."
"The atrium?" Carduus asked to know changeling in particular. "Why is she going there?"
Twilight gave a grateful nod. "Thank you. Now get moving, it isn't safe here."
The drone arose from her bow and moved off to join the rest of the evacuees.
Twilight turned to the other two. "I'm heading to the atrium, you two don't have to come with me."
"Like Tartarus we don't!" Spike gave her a deadpan look. "Why would we ever let you to go alone?"
"We are with you, Twilight!" Carduus agreed.
Twilight smiled. "Thanks. Come on, it will be best we fly there above ground. The entrance is pretty clogged, so we can use the new one our guests have made."
Twilight opened her wings and took to the air, Carduus and Spike following shortly behind.
They encountered little resistance on their way over, most of Crudelis' forces now being within the hive itself.
However, about half way to the atrium they were stopped by an ear shattering roar that echoed for miles as a shadow crossed over them.
"Scatter!" Twilight shouted just as an unbelievable torrent of fire passed by them.
The group all moved out of the way with no injuries but a few singes to their bodies, all diving down to the ground where the massive form of a dragon landed just ahead of them.
The dragon was massive, making Spike look how a mouse would to an elephant. It had dark red scales and emerald draconic eyes that looked piercingly down onto them.
"I thought I smelled a fellow dragon," his voice boomed. "Why do you ally yourself with these pathetic whelps?" he asked Spike.
"They're my family!" Spike answered back.
The dragon huffed. "You have much to learn, young one."
"Who are you?" Twilight demanded to know.
The dragon stood at his full height. "I am Niadhogr, The Consumer of Queens."
"Niadhogr, draconic for hoarding if I recall correctly," Twilight said. "I take it you have a large gathering of gems.
"I do, a great and mighty hoard. Larger than the sum of Princess Celestia's personal vault."
"So why aren't you there? Why are you here, 'bowing' to Crudelis?"
The dragon snorted, black smoke briefly flowing from his nostrils. "I do not bow to any being no matter the power. But she saved my life long ago, when she could have easily left me to die. I now follow the code, forever entwined in a life debt."
"Oh you old fashioned idiot," Spike muttered to himself.
"I earned my name for killing the mighty Queen Avia; one who was a worthy adversary indeed!" Niadhogr bellowed. "I wonder how her granddaughter will hold up to her legacy..."
Niadhogr moved back his head as an orange glow could be seen at the very back of his open maw.
Twilight was barely able to put up a shield in time as flames came forth from the dragon.
Chrysalis tossed a dead changeling drone in red and blue to one side as she strolled casually into the atrium. Her face darkened as she saw all of her and her mother's achievements in ruins.
It darkened still as she saw Queen Crudelis, right where the statue of Queen Avia used to be, the remains of which she appeared to have used her magic on to construct a throne to sit in.
"Ah, there is my favourite niece; so nice of you to join us."
"Do you think the council will let you get away with this? Even if you kill me and win, they will see you as a threat and remove you!" Chrysalis shouted.
"Oh please," Crudelis dismissed. "Did you really think I wouldn't have a plan to control them?"
"Control?" Chrysalis asked in confusion,
"What if I told you those wild stories about a changeling able to control all others... were true?"
Chrysalis scoffed. "An old mare's tale. You have to be kidding yourself."
"I rarely joke," she retorted. "Did you think I spent the last two years setting up the council and that was it? No. I had my changelings do what no others had ever bothered to do before, search the First Hive for any little secrets left behind. After so long of finding nothing, we did find something. Ancient texts detailing the Empress of the Changelings, the one who controlled all our ancestors, making slaves out of them. One who ruled an empire from what now serves as the base for our council."
Crudelis chuckled. "She may be gone, but in those texts I found clues leading to the location to her regalia; regalia imbued with much of her power. If I were to access it..."
"I always thought you held the council's traditions in high regard..." Chrysalis said sarcastically.
"Oh I do, Chrysalis. But there is no tradition against... change."
"So, what happened to these texts?"
"Gone," Crudelis stated with a smile. "I didn't want any other sets of eyes ever seeing them. Now the regalia's location is only to be found up here..." Crudelis tapped on the front of her head.
"You're insane."
"No, just ambitious."
"If you know where the location is, why not just take it and control me as well?"
"Simple. I hate you. I hated your mother and I hate that pathetic little daughter of yours. I will not have you be part of my empire. Once the other queens are under my control, Equestria will be next. Then the Griffons, and then... well, you get the point."
"I will not let you do this," Chrysalis snarled. "Let our feud end today, Aunt Crudelis."
"So be it!" Crudelis stepped off of her throne.
The two locked eyes for a few moments, hateful snarls on both of their faces as they charged their horns, green and red illuminating each of them respectively.
And then they both fired. |
Change | 48 - Quae Est Finis: Part 3 | "I earned my name for killing the mighty Queen Avia; one who was a worthy adversary indeed!" Niadhogr bellowed. "I wonder how her granddaughter will hold up to her legacy..."
Niadhogr moved back his head as an orange glow could be seen at the very back of his open maw.
Twilight was barely able to put up a shield in time as flames came forth from the dragon.
The smouldering flames licked their way around the shield. Inside, Twilight's brow creased as she concentrated all her power on stopping the incoming torrent.
The flames flickered out as Niadhogr stopped to take in another deep breath of air. This gave Twilight and the others the opportunity they needed.
"Carduus, flank left! Spike, you take the right!" Twilight shouted as she took to the air and charged her horn dangerously.
The moment they heard the princess' commands they darted in their respective directions around the large dragon. Niadhogr moved his large draconic eyes, flicking between the three as he tried to choose his target. His mind was made up for him when the changeling princess unleased a lavender beam lance, striking down from her newly gained height. Niadhogr was forced to place a hand in the way of the beam to protect his face. He snarled viciously as he felt the beam slice into the limb and leave a nasty, deep cut where it had trailed across.
He homed in on the princess and another torrent of fire was unleashed in her direction, which forced Twilight to move with haste. She narrowly avoid the blast even as boiling embers landed on her chitin.
Niadhogr stopped his attack abruptly as he felt two far weaker bolts of magic impact his right shoulder as the changeling drone who fired them flew over. He snorted as another was shot his way, but like the previous two, it barely made a dent in his scales.
However, he couldn't help but flinch as he felt sharp fangs dig their way into his neck; a bite from the much smaller dragon whom had just landed there. While painful and annoying, Spike's teeth ultimately were able to do little to the dragon overall.
Niadhogr took a step back as two sets of spell fire came at him from the same direction; Twilight's magic pierced his scales, allowing Carduus' weaker shots direct access to the far softer flesh beneath.
The large red dragon gave out a deafening roar as he reached up and grabbed Spike. He wrenched the younger dragon off of his neck, and launched him towards the two changelings.
The two were forced to stop their spell casting as Spike obstructed their line of sight, instead using levitation to catch their friend in mid-air.
Only for a mountain of fire hotter than lava to engulf their position in its entirety.
Niadhogr ceased his flames as he looked to where he expected to see the charred remains of his three combatants fall to the ground. However, a sound caught his attention and caused him to complete a U-turn to find its source. It was there he saw lavender sparks deposit the two changelings and one dragon as Twilight's teleportation spell completed.
"You are all tenacious, but it can only save you for so long!" He bellowed as his spread out his wings and began to beat them in the air.
Sand and rock were thrown through the air by the air current produced by the dragon's massive wings, and Niadhogr took to the sky, flying up before darting downwards towards his prey.
Two highly lethal beams of magic impacted against one another in the ruined remains of the atrium. Crimson and green sparks fused together to form blinding flashes of light, smaller beams randomly splitting off from where the two beams coalesced; the two queens were locked in a fight for dominance over one another.
Seeing the fight going nowhere anytime soon, Crudelis opened her wings and suddenly took to the air, disengaging her magic flow as she did. Chrysalis' beam shot right through where Crudelis was less than a second earlier and smashed the latter's makeshift throne into mere dust.
Crudelis veered down over Chrysalis and released another beam right down onto her niece below. Chrysalis, with a boost from her wings was able to side step the attack as it smacked into the floor, where it left a small smoking crater in its wake.
Chrysalis retaliated with several short bursts of her magic in Crudelis' general direction, aiming for her wings, forcing Crudelis to evade the incoming strikes. With a series of aerial acrobatics, the Red Queen retreated past the ruined statue to the other end of the large space.
Chrysalis' slitted eyes narrowed towards her opponent, though her gaze was diverted with the sound of hooves galloping into the atrium through the entrance she herself had used. Three of Crudelis' armoured drones set their sights on her and raised their weapons, two holding swords and one a spear.
They never stood a chance.
The two drones with blades struck forwards towards Chrysalis while the third threw his spear in her direction. Chrysalis simply grabbed onto the spear in mid-air with her magic and proceeded to weaved it through all three drones like a knitting needle.
Immediately afterwards, Chrysalis saw something in the corner of her eye and quickly brought her spear around. She threw it forwards to meet the incoming queen.
Crudelis' eyes widened as she saw the weapon come hurtling in her direction, she tried to dodge to the side, but she wasn't quite quick enough. She let out a pained curse as the weapon scraped along her barrel, leaving a deep gash where it had sliced into and along her.
The spear impacted into the wall behind, snapping in two from the impact.
By no means done for, Crudelis bared her fangs in pure fury as she charged the other queen, their horns locking in a violent struggle. The two grappled and fought against the other for a few moments more, before Crudelis managed to lurch Chrysalis backwards and flick down with her horn, leaving a bloody cut on Chrysalis' right cheek.
Crudelis smirked as Chrysalis sent another bolt of magic her way, placing up a shield to protect herself.
"You know something?" Crudelis asked behind her barrier.
Crudelis pushed forwards with her magic and pushed Chrysalis back before taking to the air.
"Unlike Serpens, I do not need a magical rune to kill you."
"And I thought Longshot talked too much," Chrysalis sneered as she fired again, Crudelis flying higher to avoid it.
As Chrysalis moved to follow the two danced around each other through the air, firing shot after shot and impacting against each other using their magical shields as bettering rams.
Crudelis swirled to avoid a green beam as she swooped down to the bottom of the atrium, picking up the sharp end of the broken spear as she did so.
A single set of eyes peered on from one of the atrium's establishments, nodding to himself as he received orders from his queen.
Niadhogr made to grab Spike in his gigantic set of teeth, but the dragon just managed to avoid becoming the appetiser for Niadhogr's three course meal. Twilight flew past and fired another piercing beam of lavender at the dragon.
As Niadhogr gave a roar of pain, Carduus, having long given up on his inferior magic skills, landed on the dragon's head and began to stab into Niadhogr's scalp with his blade with desperate determination, trying to force the blade through the gaps in the scales.
The large dragon gave another roar as he violently shook his head from side to side, throwing Carduus into the air, but leaving his sword lodged in Niadhogr's thick skull. Niadhogr tried to bat Carduus with a set of claws, but was distracted by Twilight's next attack as she swooped by, gracefully spinning though the air in a display that would make Rainbow Dash leak liquid pride. Her corkscrew motion made the beam of magic harder to block.
As Carduus was forced to retreat back, Twilight spun around and dived down towards the dragon, avoiding another torrent of fire sent her way. She sent several smaller beams down onto the dragon's spine as she flew along his back, creating many deep wounds, with a lucky shot nearly severing his right wing; a few inches over and the wing would've become limp.
Niadhogr was getting tired of this.
As Twilight rounded for another run, she gave a surprised shriek as the dragon grabbed onto her and held her tightly in his palm. Twilight momentarily panicked as Niadhogr went to crush her, placing up a shield to hold off his brute strength. However, cracks started to appear around the shield as it failed under the stress.
Only for his grip on Twilight to lessen, accompanied by a pained roar.
Twilight looked up to see Spike. He had managed to get right up to Niadhogr's left eye, and had sunk all his teeth and claws in as deep as he could, blinding it.
"Don't. You. Touch. HER!" Spike shouted in anger as he jumped off and made for the right eye.
Niadhogr moved to knock Spike off but Twilight shot his hand as it raised, causing it to flinch back and fail to remove Spike before he had done equal damage to the second eye.
Spike was finally thrown off as the blinded beast began to whip around erratically, releasing a great many panicked bursts of fire.
This erratic behaviour would prove his end, as the constant volley of fire left him ragged for breath.
As Niadhogr slowed and tried to take deep gulps of air, he physically couldn't see Twilight fly up to his face and fire a single powerful bolt into Niadhogr's maw.
With great concentration she normally couldn't pull off in a fast paced fight like this, and wouldn't have been able to if Niadhogr had tried to stop her, she guided the bolt straight down Niadhogr's throat and into his lungs.
Niadhogr gave a choked scream as his lungs burst, the ignited air exploding inside of him. He began to bleed internally, and his lungs collapsed. His gasps for air were in vain as he couldn't fill his destroyed lungs. He thrashed around for a few more seconds, before his movements grew weak and little. Then, he began to fall rapidly from the sky, impacting hard into the ground.
As the dust kicked up by the impact began to clear, Twilight and Spike landed in front of the twitching Niadhogr. He was dead, though they weren't sure if it was the impact with the ground or the suffocation that had finally finished the ancient dragon.
"That... was exhausting..." Spike panted heavily.
"Yeah. Nice work with the eyes, never thought you could be that vicious, Spike," Twilight raised an eyebrow.
"He was going to kill you, Twilight..." Spike muttered.
Twilight gave him a small smile and pulled him in with a wing. "Thanks Spike."
Spike smiled back, if slightly sheepishly.
"Though, all this does make me wish for the old days, when our most pressing day-to-day threat was con-artists or show-off performers."
Spike chuckled. "Those were the good old days," Spike said as he looked around. "Hey. Where is Carduus?"
"Up here!" Carduus shouted up from the dragon, holding his sword. "Couldn't leave my weapon behind! My original is buried under tons of rubble after all."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Come on you two, let's get to mother."
Crudelis shouted in rage as a bolt of green magic shot by her, she could feel the heat of the arcane energy singe the edges of her chitin.
Crudelis fired several shots at Chrysalis as she dived straight for the queen, Chrysalis intercepted and stopped the magical bolts but the effort left her unable to stop Queen Crudelis from slamming into her. The two struggled in the air, trading punches and kicks as each tried in vain to knock the other to the ground.
Chrysalis bared her fangs in frustration and bit down into Crudelis' shoulder, eliciting a shout of pain from the latter. Chrysalis tasted the blood against her tongue as she opened her jaw and bit down even harder, this time into Crudelis' neck.
Crudelis, realising Chrysalis was moments away from breaking her neck, cast a panicked teleportation spell around herself.
The spell took Chrysalis with Crudelis due to the physical contact, but the force of suddenly appearing and being thrown to the floor of the atrium managed to dislodge Chrysalis from her opponent's neck.
As both injured queens fell to the floor a good couple of meters from one another, Crudelis created a portal on the ground around her, quickly sinking down into it before Chrysalis could get her bearings.
Chrysalis looked towards where Crudelis had just been, and gave a shout of anger.
"Crudelis?! Reveal yourself coward! Or perhaps the new 'empress' isn't all she is cracked up to be?"
A sinister laugh echoed throughout the large chamber, reverberating off the walls so Chrysalis couldn't pin point its location.
"Come and find me, dearest niece," Crudelis' magically projected voice called out among the broken atrium.
Chrysalis snarled as she did a quick scan of the area around her, seeing no sign of the queen. She opened her gossamer wings and took to the air, scanning the second level to similar results.
Chrysalis looked up into the air, her gaze softening as she looked up into the wonderful blue sky.
She couldn't help but notice the angry glare the sun had, and could easily guess the reason.
It comforted her that even if she were to fall, Twilight would still have others to turn to. Another mother to turn to. Velvet and Celestia both.
Her daughter wouldn't be left alone.
For that, she was grateful.
Focusing back on the here and now, Chrysalis began to scan each and every floor for any sign of Crudelis.
Just as she was nearing the top, a weak bolt of green magic impacted her, barely causing her to flinch.
Chrysalis spun around to view the cause of the bolt, and saw Crudelis standing on the same balcony where she had first revealed the atrium to Twilight two years prior.
Chrysalis shot forwards towards Crudelis, the latter's eyes widening as she looked for an escape.
Crudelis tried to take to the air but Chrysalis slammed into her full force, slamming her aunt into the ground.
Their eyes met, Crudelis' full of fear.
Chrysalis lit up her horn, and created a precision beam of magic that pierced into the front of Crudelis' skull, through her brain and out the other end.
Crudelis' body went limp as her blood red eyes rolled up into the back of her skull as all life faded away.
Chrysalis' victory was short lived however, when green flames whipped around Crudelis as her form shrunk down from a queen to a simple drone.
"What?" Chrysalis whispered.
A sharp scream filled the atrium as Chrysalis felt the tip of a spear embed itself in her back, the broken weapon held in the red aura of the ravenous Queen Crudelis.
Chryalis cursed herself for her stupidity. The bolt that hit her wasn't only exceptionally weak...
It had been green.
The spear was retracted from her back and Chrysalis spun around to try and intercept the next strike.
Only for her right foreleg to be violently blown off by a blast of magic, and for the spear to slice clean through her chest. Crudelis retracted the blade and stabbed Chrysalis again, and then again.
The ailing queen tried to fire off a magical bolt in retaliation, but her weakening body was unable to yield results.
Crudelis retracted the blade and stabbed it in one last time, this time leaving it there.
Chrysalis fell to the floor gasping for breath as her many open wounds bled heavily onto the floor. Chrysalis coughed up some blood as she struggled to look up to meet Crudelis' icy glare, showing no fear in her own.
"Defiant, and insolent, to the very end," Crudelis said, with the barest hint of respect.
Crudelis charged her horn and unleashed a beam of magic, trailing it across the balcony as she disconnected it from the atrium's wall. The victorious queen took to the air as the balcony buckled and fell into the deep depths below, shattering on impacting the atrium's ground floor and burying Chrysalis under the rubble.
When Twilight entered the atrium, everything was eerily quiet. She looked around frantically, having felt her mother's presence in the hive mind become weak, but it was still there.
The signs of battle were painfully apparent, but Crudelis was already long gone.
"Mother?!" Twilight shouted out.
"Mother, please!"
Silence greeted her desperate calls.
As the three looked around the destroyed atrium, Twilight's heart sunk when she spotted a severed limb laying near a pile of rubble.
A leg.
"No. NO!" Twilight shouted in deep pain as she landed onto the rubble pile and began to pull away at the many pieces.
After staring for a moment, stunned by the sight, Carduus and Spike got to work helping uncover where their queen lay.
After what seemed to be hours, Twilight finally uncovered her mother, quickly moving the final few pieces of rubble away and levitating her mother out and onto a clearer spot on the floor.
"M-mother?" Twilight shakily asked, horrified at her many deep wounds and missing leg.
A small, shallow breath could be heard as Chrysalis held on to what little life was left in her body.
"She's alive!" Spike shouted.
"Princess, we need to get your mother out of here! She won't survive without immediate medical attention!"
"I know!" Twilight snapped, using some healing spells to strengthen Chrysalis' ailing body.
Together, the three picked up Chrysalis and few her from the Badlands Hive, which as Twilight looked back, was encompassed in a ravenous fire. Black smoke blew high into the sky as the smell of death rippled through the air.
As Twilight, Spike, Carduus and the near dead Chrysalis began to make their journey to meet up with the others, on the edge of the Badlands the survivors finally reached safety.
Panacea and Iuvenes looked up as the sound of blades chopping through the air filled their ears, EUP helicopters came into view as they began to circle the changelings. Moments later, they began to land, medics jumping out as they began to treat the wounded and comfort the despondent families in any way they could.
Supplies were set out and makeshift shelters were set up as EUP ponies and guards of both Chrysalis and Draco set up a perimeter to watch for any lurking threats.
Medics rushed to greet Twilight and the others as they finally reached safety themselves. They looked over Chrysalis, a grim look was on the most senior doctor's face.
"We need to operate, now! Go!" he shouted as they took Chrysalis into a nearby tent to begin their work, guards positioned outside.
Everything had become just too much, the emptiness in Twilight's head was unbearable.
That morning there had been ten thousand changeling drones in the hive mind.
Now there were four thousand, at best.
Two thousand soldiers had died fighting Crudelis' forces; the other four thousand civilians had never managing to escape the doomed hive.
One thousand soldiers and three thousand changeling civilians were crammed into tight spaces with little supplies to go around. The ponies' relief efforts were doing their best, but things were still dire.
The world began to shift for Twilight, she barely noticed Carduus reunite with his family in a tearful embrace, or Spike receiving aid for his own wounds.
"Princess? You're hurt, you need to be checked out," a pony doctor asked as he approached.
"I'm... fine. I'm..." Twilight managed to say, before slipping in to unconsciousness. |
Change | 49 - All That Remains | Ruins of the Badlands Hive
The night's cools air seeped in through the hole, a hole burrowing up from the corridor all the way to the surface. Queen Crudelis stood, looking up through it to the stars above, momentarily contemplating the beautiful painting that is the night's sky.
She had always loved the stars.
Ever since she was a child they had fascinated her. She and her twin sister would spend hours sneaking out of the hive just to gaze up at the distant majestic orbs.
A pained grimace stretched across her face at the mere thought of Avia. But once the thought was there, it wouldn't go away. She could see her face, not when she was a queen but when they were both mere nymphs. They were inseparable then. They did everything together.
Why shouldn't have they? They were each other's only true friend.
Until Avia had betrayed her.
"Sis?" Crudelis reached out, only to have her hoof slapped away.
Crudelis looked away from the sky as she tried to blink away the tears rolling down her cheeks.
She had tried to make her sister see reason! But she wouldn't listen. She whispered lies into their mother's ears, forcing her to take action; and then in the centuries following she had pleaded with her sister to return to her. But it was not to be. In the end she had to enlist that foolish dragon to help safeguard the changeling race's future.
But yet her offspring lived. Perversions of the memories of her sister Crudelis held dear, memories before the rift between them opened, before the betrayal. They themselves were major threats to their race's survival. She hated Chrysalis and Twilight with a fiery zeal.
They had to go.
"My Queen?"
Knocked from her ruminations, Crudelis looked to the side, seeing one of her changelings standing there. She immediately removed what little tears remained and drew herself to full height, standing regally. If the drone had noticed her moment of weakness, he didn't show it.
"The southern section of the hive is completely collapsed. We made sure to get our drones clear before the blast, only Chrysalis' changelings were caught in the destruction."
"And what of the rest of the hive?" Crudelis enquired.
"Some other sections have also caved in, but nowhere near to the level of the southern reaches of this place."
"Survivors?"
"Any and all drones to survive us have already left. We are alone here."
"Keep constant watch, I don't want any nasty surprises."
"Of course. But..."
Crudelis raised an eyebrow. "But?"
The drone considered his next words, carefully. "When we went to find Chrysalis' body we... found nothing. We think some of her changelings may have retrieved her."
Crudelis sighed, starting to move down the corridor as the drone followed on. "I see."
The drone tilted his head. "Aren't you more worried about this? Chrysalis could very well be alive."
"You didn't see her wounds. Her survival, even with medical attention, is highly unlikely. Even if she does live, she will be so maimed she will wish she had died."
"What about Princess Twilight? She killed your dragon servant."
Crudelis' eyes narrowed. "I have heard. But I expected no less from the Element of Magic. She will be dealt with in due time."
"And the regalia?"
"Captain," she said patiently. "All questions can wait until later. I will explain our next step soon."
The drone nodded in compliance. "Yes, your highness," he said, his wings fluttering nervously.
Crudelis glanced over at him. "What's wrong? You seem concerned about something."
"It's nothing, your highness. Truly."
"Do you take me for a fool, Captain?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
The changeling's eyes widened. "N-no! Of course not!"
"Then I would rather you not lie to me."
"I-" the drone started to protest, before catching his tongue. "Are we doing the right thing?"
"What do you mean?" Crudelis' eyes narrowed further.
"All those changelings, dead. For what?"
"You know what for, survival," Crudelis said. "Pony culture continues to infect us. Because of it our race has stagnated, thirty queens are now nineteen; and it will continue to drop. Our race was prosperous under a strong empress, we had an empire spreading far and wide. We had no need to hide in the shadows and fear the alicorns. We need to go back to those times, Chrysalis was a great threat to that, one I couldn't let go on."
Crudelis stopped, and looked directly down onto the captain. "It is grim work, but it must be done for the good of our race."
"And what of the other queens?"
Crudelis rolled her eyes. "It's not like they will be mindless husks. They will have freedoms to oversee their hives, they will just answer to me. And if the stories are correct, then any queen who selfishly puts themselves before what is best for our race can be dealt with... by turning them into the very mindless subservient husks they will fear becoming. The Empress could control the actions of each and every changeling simultaneously without giving them free will, and she did so according to the legend, but it isn't necessary. I won't be as cruel as that."
The drone nodded. "I can only imagine her ruling style is what caused that queen to rebel in the first place. She must have been something special to overcome all the Empress' control and defeat her."
"Indeed. The Empress only did what she did for her own power and that was her downfall."
"While we do what we must for the survival of our race, no matter what others may perceive it to be," the drone noted.
"I'm glad we are on the same page, Captain. Sometimes an iron hoof is necessary, especially when it comes to culling back our enemies."
"I apologise my queen. I apologise for having doubts."
"It is only natural. Now leave me until I call for you all, I have things to do."
The drone saluted. "Yes, my Queen!"
Crudelis watched the drone march off, and only once he was gone did she allow a look of unease to cross her face.
'Am I doing the right thing?' She thought to herself. 'No! Don't get cold hooves now. I can be harsh, I know, but I do what I must...'
Crudelis' thoughts drifted back to the stars.
'Oh Avi... I wish you were here. Why did you have to betray me so?'
Refugee Camp
Twilight's muscles began to cooperate again as she found herself able to open her eyes. The world started off as all one singular colour, but over time things began to come into focus.
"Princess, glad to see you wake," the pony doctor attending her said with a welcoming smile.
"W-where am I?"
"Do you remember what happened?"
"Yes. Crudelis attacked us, I got mother out of there and-"
Twilight suddenly sat bolt upright. "Mother! Where is she?! Is she alright?"
"Calm yourself, Princess." The doctor placed a gentle hoof on her shoulder. "She is still being operated on. She is in the best possible hooves she can be in right now."
"Still being operated on?" Twilight blinked in surprise. "Just how long was I out?"
"Only a couple of hours. You were exhausted, you should really get some rest," he suggested.
"No time. With my mother unavailable my changelings will need a leader to look to!" Twilight moved to rise from her bed while looking around for the first time; she could see that she was in a sparse but spacious tent with a zipped up entrance. She could also feel the magical wards protecting it, and her.
"Princess, must I utter the words 'doctor's orders'?"
Twilight chuckled lightly. "All due respect, I'm changeling royalty, not Equestrian."
"You are my patient. It matters little who or what you are."
Twilight offered him a grateful smile. "Thank you, doctor. But I really need to go, you must understand after everything my subjects have been through they need me."
The doctor considered for a moment, before sighing in defeat. "Very well. Just take it easy."
"I appreciate it," Twilight thanked him, getting up and moving towards the exit.
Unzipping the tent she poked her head outside, seeing two of her guards stationed outside.
"Twilight," Carduus addressed as he saw her exit the tent. "It is good to see you're awake. How do you feel?"
"I'll live. Barely."
Despite everything, Carduus gave a good natured laugh. "I know the feeling," he said, before turning to the other guard. "I can take it from here, go get some rest."
The other guard have a grateful nod to the captain and a bow to Princess Twilight before tiredly sauntering off.
"You must admire their dedication," Carduus said. "Our remaining forces have been working tirelessly alongside both the EUP and Draco's changelings to secure this place."
"You included," Twilight noted. "I thought you would be with you family."
"They are helping distribute aid. We like to do our part."
Twilight smiled. "I know you do."
Twilight looked at her surroundings. There were makeshift shelters for miles around; Twilight's heart ached as she saw changeling families crammed into small spaces as medics tended to a great many of them. EUP ponies and changeling guards, some wearing red and some blue, patrolled through the camp helping where needed. The tent where Chrysalis was being treated was just across from her own.
"So much suffering... The hive mind is so quiet, we lost so many..."
Carduus only looked at the Princess sadly.
Twilight looked around again. "Hey, where is Spike?"
"Waiting for the princesses to arrive, they should be here soon."
"Princess Celestia and Luna?" Twilight perked up slightly.
"And Mi Amore Cadenza. Along with Prince Shining Armor and Captains Vladimir and Broad Sword I believe."
Twilight held a small smile on her face. "I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything less. When my friends find out they will likely come running too."
"They would probably barge their way to Crudelis and deal with her for us." He hummed for a second. "Maybe have Pinkie Pie build that dungeon?" Carduus suggested.
Twilight laughed behind a hoof. "OK, now that I would pay to see."
"We all would. Just strap her to a chair and make her listen to the Pony Pokey for all of eternity," Carduus shuddered. "I know that would do me in."
Twilight went to say something else, but noticed a slight commotion out the corner of her eye.
"What's going on?" Twilight asked.
A short distance away, Queen Draco and her escort landed by a large build-up of various supplies the EUP were providing. The helicopters that had escorted her in hovered above; as they did so Draco couldn't help but examine them. They were crude designs to say the least, and she doubted those blades would have enough power to keep it in the air if it wasn't for the magical crystals within the rotor helping keep it aloft. Draco could hear the crystals giving off a low hum, barely detectable to most ears beneath the chopping of the blades.
Satisfied of her intentions, the vehicles moved off to patrol the surrounding area as they had before her arrival.
"Queen Draco!" a familiar voice called out in surprise.
Draco turned her gaze from the sky to see Princess Twilight galloping up with Captain Carduus staying a little behind.
"Twilight! Are you well?"
"I... no. I'm not. Our home is-"
"Hey, it's going to be alright," Draco assured, offering Twilight a small smile. "I'm not going anywhere while my friends are out in the cold."
"Thank you..." Twilight sighed. "If your drones hadn't arrived when they did, a great many more of mine would have died."
"When I saw Crudelis leave the council after you, I knew something was going to happen. I'm glad I acted as I had, though I regret not leaving with the first group and helping you directly."
"You don't need to apologise, really. I'm just glad you're here now," Twilight said honestly.
Draco nodded, looking up over the crowd to the guarded tent. She quickly deduced that is where Chrysalis was.
"How is she?" Draco asked with worry.
"I don't know, she is still being operated on apparently."
Draco looked back from the tent over to then young princess. "Then go to her. Be by her side in this time of need."
Twilight looked unsure. "I want to, but I'm needed out here!"
Draco shook her head. "Anything you could do, I can also. I'll make sure things run smoothly, you go to Chrysalis."
"I couldn't possibly ask you to-"
"Twilight," Draco sternly addressed.
Twilight stopped mid-sentence, before sighing. She followed that up with a grateful smile towards Draco. "Thank you."
"You've thanked me enough, just go."
Twilight nodded, before spinning on the spot and cantering over towards the tent where Chrysalis lay.
Carduus watched Twilight go, turning to Draco afterwards. "So, what would you have me do?"
Draco looked down on the smaller changeling. "Go and wait for the Equestrian Princesses, and come tell me when they do finally arrive. I would very much like to go and make their acquaintance."
Twilight approached the tent, the two guards standing to attention as they saw her. She spared them a simple nod as she opened up the tent and walked inside, the magical wards scanning her as she entered.
Blood.
It was everywhere. The floor, walls, on the many doctors and various discarded bandages around the place. However, it was in the process of being cleared up by one unicorn as another packed away their medical apparatus.
"Princess," the latter doctor greeted as she saw Twilight.
As the unicorn's spell wiped away the remainder of the blood, Twilight's gaze rested on Chrysalis' shallowly breathing form lying on the bed, a stump where her right foreleg should have been and bandages covering over her many wounds.
"How is she?"
"Alive, for now."
"For now?" Twilight gawped.
The doctor sighed. "She took a battering, Princess. I'm not going to sugar-coat it. We have done all we can, now we just have to wait and see."
The pony and changeling doctors all began to pile out of the tent until only Twilight as left along in the now pristine room.
She turned back towards her mother, took a few steps forwards and sat gently down beside the bed.
Princess Celestia looked around the camp, her companions at her side, having all just arrived.
"By Faust. Look at all of this," Vladimir muttered in a shocked awe at the sight. "This isn't good."
"They are going to need a home," Luna noted.
"There are plenty of areas within Equestria that could serve as a hive," Celestia spoke. "We just have to figure out which would be best.
"Within Equestria?" Luna said questioningly.
Celestia narrowed her eyes as she looked directly forward at the refugee camp. "I'd prefer to keep my daughter close after this."
"I'm sure she would appreciate the sentiment," Luna nodded. "I'm sure something can be worked out."
"What of the kids back at Canterlot?" Broad Sword asked. "What is going to happen to them now?"
"I've already sent for them and Scarlet," Celestia said. "Things are clear and the danger had passed, so they should arrive in a few hours."
"What? Why now when all this is going on?"
"I don't intend to keep the changelings here long, Captain. I will speak with Chrysalis about resettlement and then do just that. I will not leave them out in the cold any longer than necessary."
"Well you're certainly a mare with a plan. This won't be easy though," Cadance joined in the conversation. "I'm sure the Empire could cough up some spare reserves of love energy from the heart if it would help."
"I'm sure they will be thankful for any contribution," Luna was the one to respond.
"Princess, shouldn't we look for Twily?" Shining finally spoke, itching to find his sister amidst the chaos of the camp."
"She's with Queen Chrysalis right now," Carduus said as he approached the group with Spike at his side. "The Queen was hurt, badly. Twilight wants to be with her until she recovers."
"I see," Celestia said with slight worry as she turned to meet the arrivals. "Spike and Carduus. It has been too long."
"Hiya Princess!" Spike grinned.
"Is Twilight alright?" Shining blurted as he moved forwards.
"She is fine, Shining." Carduus assured. "We only had to fight off an army and take down a centuries old dragon. No big deal."
Shining's eye twitched. Everypony else's eyes widened slightly.
"A dragon?" Cadance muttered.
"Yeah. The Princess and Spike did most the work," Carduus admitted.
"A fully grown dragon, huh? Not bad," Vladimir commented, punching Spike on the shoulder.
"Um, Carduus? Wasn't there something else?"
"Ah, yes. Princesses, Queen Draco wished to speak with you."
"Queen Draco?" Celestia didn't recognise the name. "Is she another Changeling Queen?"
"Yes. She's a personal friend of Queen Chrysalis, and she saved a lot of lives during the battle. She has essentially taken charge around here while the Queen and Princess Twilight are unavailable." Carduus explained.
"I see. Well then, before taking us to her I would very much like to hear exactly what happened at the hive."
All the others nodded in agreement.
Carduus slowly nodded, slightly reluctant to retell the event. "Right. Well, it started just after we returned from the council..."
Twilight had stayed sitting beside her mother for what had seemed to be months, or even years. Just sitting at her side and hoping for the best.
One particularly sharp intake of breath caught her attention, and looked towards her mother's face. Chrysalis' two eye lids opened weakly, just a crack. She groaned in pain as she spotted Twilight sitting beside her bed.
"How bad is it?" Chrysalis asked quietly.
Twilight gave her a small smile. "You look like shit."
Chrysalis went to laugh, but it came out as more of a weak cough than anything. "It is good to see you smile."
"You're going to be seeing a lot more of it when you're better. We have a lot of work to do."
"A whole new hive," Chrysalis hummed. "A lot of work indeed."
There was silence between them a moment.
"You know something, Twilight?" Chrysalis slightly raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"I could really use that holiday around about now..."
Now it was Twilight's turn to laugh. "Told you so."
Chrysalis smiled at Twilight, and despite the latter moving to protest Chrysalis managed to budge herself over to one side of the bed, motioning Twilight to hop up into the free space.
Relenting, Twilight did just that and curled up into her mother's chest, Chrysalis placing a slightly battered wing protectively over her daughter.
"I'm proud of you. So, so proud. You know that, right?" Chrysalis asked shakily.
Twilight nuzzled her mother gently. "I know. I love you."
"And I you. Always."
Twilight smiled at Chrysalis. "Come on, get some rest. I will be staying right here."
Chrysalis simply nodded, placing her head down onto the pillow and letting sleep take her.
Twilight did the same, only sleep did not take her. Instead she was just content to be in her mother's company, feeling each and every single breath she took.
Breaths which were more shallow than ever. |
Change | 50 - New Beginnings | Shining Armor, Vladimir and Broad Sword all stood by several large crates full of supplies at the centre of the refugee camp. All were grim faced as they watched on at the flurry of activity that continued to dominate the camp in the wake of the Badlands Hive's destruction.
It had been hours since they had arrived, and temporary accommodations for the homeless changelings were still being sorted out, medical attention given and a great many other chaotic activates.
The whole situation was a mess.
"Remember when Equestria was peaceful?" Vladimir deadpanned.
"Hmm?" Shining looked towards the Lunar Captain.
"I mean when our greatest task was standing around looking ceremonial and dealing with the occasional thief. Crime in Equestria has always been low. But now we have to deal with threats from a thousand years ago, increasing monster attacks and rampaging changelings tearing things up... life couldn't stay simple could it?"
"You know what it is, don't you?" Shining gave an amused smirk.
Vladimir raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"I cease to be Captain of the Solar Guard, and then this all happens," the Prince said. "I suppose I must be truly missed at the barracks."
Broad Sword snorted. "I object to that. I'm not exactly a slouch you know!" he groused.
Shining chuckled. "Calm down Broad Sword, you know I'm only kidding."
"You better be," Broad Sword retorted, his eyes narrowed.
Shining simply rolled his eyes, before they moved around to inspect the tent where Chrysalis was resting in the distance, and where his sister was currently located.
Vladimir followed Shining Armor's gaze and saw where he was looking towards. Smiling gently, he gave Shining a thump on the shoulder to gain his attention.
"She'll be fine," he said.
"Huh?" Shining responded. "Who will?"
"Twilight," Vladimir explained. "Chrysalis too, I'll wager. Those changeling royals are pretty much their equivalent of alicorns, ergo really tough stuff. They will be fine."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence. But for Twily's sake, I truly do hope for Chrysalis to recover."
"What do you mean?"
"Well... it's not like I don't care for Chrysalis wellbeing, but-"
"Really?" Vladimir said. "You didn't even invite her to your wedding."
"It's been two years, times change. Our ill will towards her has long faded. And since I'm the one saying that you better believe it."
Vladimir hummed in contemplation. "It can't have been easy, especially with what she did to you."
"We're going on a tangent," Shining groaned slightly. "Point is, Twilight has never lost anypony close to her before. Especially not that close. In these last two years I've never seen her so happy, she had her friends and a fully complete family for the first in her life. Both changeling and otherwise. And she has bonded with her mother, they spent a lot of time catching up on the time they lost due to the shortage. To lose her now..."
Vladimir and Broad Sword glanced at one another, before the former gave a nod of understanding. "I see. She really tells you a lot."
"Of course, I'm her BBBFF, we write all the time and visit when possible. That, and it's a big brother's job to notice these things."
Broad Sword smiled. "You remind me of my sister."
"I suppose all siblings are like that," Vladimir said.
Shining Armor solemnly shook his head, pointing towards the tent where Chrysalis lay. "Not all siblings. That Queen Crudelis killed Twilight's grandmother, her own sister. And now with what she did to Chrysalis..."
"Alright, not all siblings then," Vladimir conceded. "How could anypony do that to their own family?"
"Speaking of family..." Broad Sword allowed himself a smile as he saw a pony of white and red out the corner of his eye.
"There you are!" Scarlet shouted as she ran up to her husband and caught him in an embrace. "We've been looking everywhere!"
Soronis and Puellula were just behind Scarlet, greeting the group as they arrived, Puellula snugly sitting and her sister's back.
"How was your trip over?" Broad Sword asked his wife.
"As comfortable as one can be in a flying box," Scarlet giggled, her face falling a moment later. "Have you seen this place? I've served in the EUP for years and have never seen anything like it..."
"Mr Prince Pony?" Puellula called out to Shining Armor. "Why do all these changelings look sad?"
"Erm..." Shining scratched the back of his head as he considered how to answer the question.
"They're just... tired, Puellula," Soronis was the one to answer. "It has been a long day for all of them."
"Why?" the nymph asked innocently.
"You sure do like asking questions," Vladimir tried to change the subject. "Do you want to be an investigator when you grow up?"
Puellula puffed her cheeks up. "No! I want to be a princess!"
Vladimir rolled his eyes as chuckles rolled through the group. "Changeling or pony, little girls will always be little girls," he mumbled to himself.
"And what would you do as a princess?" Scarlet asked the nymph.
Puellula thought long and hard, before finally giving her answer. "Well... I always wanted a pony..."
"I... erm... what?"
"Anyway..." Soronis rolled her eyes dramatically. "What happens now?"
"Well, we'll sort you a place to stay until this mess is cleared up," Shining told her. And once Twilight is free and her mother up and about, we'll get you inducted into the hive, alright?"
Soronis gave a grateful smile. "I appreciate everything you've done for us... when out home was destroyed I thought we were finished."
"Nah!" Puellula dismissed. "I had my big sister to protect me!"
Vladimir stood next to Shining Armor as they watched Puellula and Soronis continue to converse with Scarlet Snow and Broad Sword.
"You know..." Vladimir started. "When I see you and Twilight, and then Soronis and Puellula, I see how siblings are meant to be."
Shining smiled. "Those two will be safe now, once we get the hive back on its hooves."
"We're not out of the storm yet, Shining," Vladimir noted.
"No, not yet." Shining responded with a hit of determination.
"Queen Draco, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Celestia bowed her head slightly as she and her fellow princesses approached the changeling queen.
"Princess Celestia," Draco returned the gesture, before looking towards the other two. "And you two must be Princesses Luna and Mi Amore Cadenza."
"It's just Cadance, please," Cadance said with a smile.
"Why? Part of your full name is given from your ancestor, Queen Amore."
Cadance blinked. "You know of Queen Amore?"
Draco nodded. "Of course, my mother often traded with the Crystal Empire before I was born. At least she did so before that king took over everything, taking advantage of the chaos the creature Discord had subjected Equestria to."
"In Discord's defence, he had improved immeasurably since that time," Celestia noted.
"So changelings did trade for love from the Crystal Heart?" Cadance asked.
"Indeed," Draco confirmed.
She furrowed her eyebrows in thought. "So the stories were true, interesting."
"A discussion for another time," Luna interrupted. "For now, I believe we have business?"
Celestia nodded in agreement. "My sister is correct. We need to discuss the immediate future of these changelings, and while Chrysalis and my former student are unavailable it is you, Draco, who we must discuss it with."
"I am running things right now," Draco said. "What is it exactly you want to discuss?"
"First off, may I inquire on the state of Queen Chrysalis?" Luna asked.
Draco simply shrugged. "I know just as much as you do. We will just have to wait."
"Then why don't we move straight onto the obvious, where the changelings will live," Cadance suggested.
"That does seem most prudent," Luna agreed. "We do already have a place in mind we have discussed while waiting to meet with you."
"You have a place in mind?" Draco inquired, while at the same time using her magic to move over a crate of supplies to be unloaded and given out.
The group watched the drones begin their work for a moment before Celestia answered. "Yes, we do."
"And where is this location?" Draco asked.
"A couple of miles inland, about halfway in-between here and Fort Hurricane there is a system of caves."
Luna continued where her sister left off. "These caves run deep and have plenty of room for constructing a hive far larger than the one needed for Chrysalis', so there is plenty of room to grow. On top of that, within these caves runs an underground river just like in the Badlands Hive, so there is plenty of water. With some work, agriculture could also work and food could be grown, but until that time Equestria will be willing to provide continued relief efforts."
"And love from the Crystal Heart too," Cadance added.
"Hmm..." Draco thought to herself for a moment. "I believe my friend, Queen Chrysalis, would find that acceptable. However, she will likely want to inspect the cave system first. It's better to make a decision based on first hoof experience, as opposed to second hoof knowledge."
"We understand," Celestia stated, nodding her head.
"Oh, and Princess Cadance," Draco addressed the youngest of the three.
"Yes?" Cadance looked up at the taller changeling queen.
"I would also very much like to reopen my hive's deal with the Crystal Empire, trading for love energy from the heart. Twilight did suggest as much during the council."
Cadance smiled. "I'm sure something can be worked out."
"Thank you," Draco nodded. "Many hives still believe isolationism is the way our race should live. But our numbers have dwindled. We're still not in immediate danger, yet; but given time that lifestyle will continue to kill us. It is high time we reintroduced ourselves to the world. No more hiding."
"I'm glad you feel that way, Queen Draco," Celestia said. "Perhaps your example will spur more queens to see the reasoning behind it?"
"Perhaps..." Draco hummed. "But then gain, perhaps not. About three thousand years of tradition isn't so easily wiped away."
"Three thousand years?" Luna said questioningly. "Just how much has your race dwindled in that time?"
"About a third," Draco replied. "The rate of which increased as time went along."
"I see," Luna said. "I must also bring up one concern, surrounding this Queen Crudelis.
"And what may that be?" Draco asked.
"What if she is to pursue Chrysalis and Twilight to Equestria, she does seem to be the ruthless type."
"Yes," Draco frowned darkly. "She has a strange hatred for them both. It is very possible helping them will put you in the firing line..."
"I see," Celestia sighed.
"Then again..." Draco started. "She doesn't exactly like you ponies either. It wouldn't surprise me if she has intentions of destroying you too."
"She did try to set up a war between us and Chrysalis," Luna pointed out.
"I don't understand," Cadance narrowed her eyes in annoyance. "What is her plan exactly? Even if she has the largest hive, Equestria is still far larger and better equipped. In an all-out war it would take the combined might of all changelings to overpower us, at least without any treachery on Crudelis' part."
"Neither would the council support such a brash action," Draco noted. "She is ruthless true, but she's not usually stupid. She must have some plan in place."
"Not 'usually'?" Luna raised an eyebrow as she noted Draco's choice of words.
Draco nodded with a small smirk. "I have noted that when she gets particularly angry about something, she does begin to make mistakes. Act brashly."
Celestia hummed in contemplation. "Interesting. Perhaps-"
Celestia was interrupted when another voice made itself known.
"Princess Celestia, a word please?" Carduus asked as he approached.
"Captain Carduus," Celestia greeted.
"Your Highness. I am not interrupting anything, am I?" Carduus asked, his expression cold and angry.
"Captain, what is wrong?" Draco enquired. "What has happened now?"
"The Queen requires the presence of Princess Celestia," he reported. "Immediately."
The group shared glances, but Celestia gave a nod. "Very well, take me to her."
"Follow me," he said.
"Wait," Luna placed a hoof on her sister's shoulder. "I'm coming too."
Celestia looked towards her younger sister in confusion. "Luna?"
"I just got a very bad feeling. I'm coming."
Celestia looked towards Carduus, who gave a nod to say it was alright.
"Very well, come then sister."
"I believe we can discuss that trade deal in the meantime?" Cadance suggested.
"That should do fine," Draco said. "Give Chrysalis my regards."
Celestia and Luna turned away from Draco and Cadance and followed closely behind the changeling. As they walked through the camp they began to notice something was... off. The drones seemed to be in a state of shock; some were in tears while others where fuming with barely contained rage.
Celestia and Luna shared a look as they observed this and saw both the EUP and Draco's changelings look around just as confused as the two princesses.
"Captain? Is there a problem here?" Celestia asked.
Carduus did not answer, instead he continued to walk. Soon enough, their destination was in sight.
A new tent had been set up, guards and magical wards covered the area. The tent was a large structure of black, green and blue on the outside, though as they were led inside they saw the interior was more of a brown colour and was brightly lit. A large war map was in the centre as a newly constructed throne sat at the very end.
When the Princesses saw the Queen that sat in that throne, they froze in place, shock evident on their faces.
It was a Queen that looked furious beyond all possible boundaries. A pain burning in her eyes, and a need for one thing.
Revenge.
"While we mourn the passing of Queen Chrysalis, today a new era begins. All hail Twilight Sparkle, Queen of the Changelings." |
Change | 51 - Act 2 Epilogue | Ruins of the Badlands Hive
The throne room was a mess. Rubble was strewn along the floor; the two thrones at the end were cracked and on the verge of collapse. Abandoned weapons and armour were scattered across the floor, dropped by the last foolish defenders to stay behind as the enemy swarmed in.
A large wooden table had been brought in, a map of Equestria opened up on top of it as a little over a dozen drones gathered around, Queen Crudelis at their head.
"Have our spies reported back to you over the hive mind?" Crudelis asked one drone.
"They did, but..."
"But?"
"I am afraid some of the sentries around the camp discovered them. They're gone."
Crudelis hummed in thought. "That place is too heavily defended for an attack, or for our spies. Recall any of our infiltrators still out there."
"At once," the drone bowed.
"What was their final report?" another changeling asked.
"They said that Chrysalis' drones seemed... agitated, while before they were beaten down low. Something has riled them up."
A vicious smirk appeared on Crudelis' face as she realised the implications. "Then, it would appear that my niece has finally passed away."
A buzz went around the table as the changelings all talked among themselves at what Chrysalis' death meant for them, only for a hoof to slam down and silence them.
"Silence," Crudelis ordered. "It would seem our assault here was a huge success. Their home is lost and they are now led by a far less experienced ruler. They are on the brink of collapse..."
Crudelis' smile suddenly morphed into a snarl, sending shivers down her drone's spines. "However, they are now under the protection of the ponies, along with Queen Draco. And despite being as young as she is, Twilight Sparkle is still an immediate threat. One that still must be erased."
"My Queen!" one drone objected. "Chrysalis is dead, her hive is broken. Why not just lead us to this regalia now?"
"Not while she still breathes."
"Stop right there!" the drone shouted. "Attacking this place was one thing, but Twilight Sparkle is in the borders of Equestria. If we go for her we will be at war before our plan can be acted out!"
"Your point, Commander?"
"My point being, your hatred for Twilight Sparkle has blinded you," he claimed. "You're being stupid!"
"Know you place!" the Queen bellowed. "Twilight Sparkle is a threat! Queen Avia's bloodline could ruin everything! Just as she ruined everything a thousand years ago!" Crudelis fumed.
"I once idolized my mother, she could have done so much more for our race! But then Avia had poisoned mother's mind with nonsense that would lead to destruction of our lives and who we are! Pony culture! Twilight will do the same. Besides, Celestia will already be wanting to burn us for what we did, so it is of little consequence there. That, and if you recall, she is the Element of Magic. If those elements are brought into play everything could unravel, so I have a plan to stop that from ever happening; once she and the elements are no longer a threat, then we can simply pull out from Equestria and collect our prize!"
Crudelis took in a deep breath, realising she had been shouting the entire time.
"My apologies," she uttered. "But, the key to our races future is so close. We just need to eliminate this last threat, and then our plans can proceed. We are in the end game."
One of her drones spoke up. "You said you had a plan, my Queen? There is no way we can attack the camp. Even though we can muster superior numbers than what is currently there, they are far too entrenched. Plus with the alicorns there..."
"I know," Crudelis said. "We won't be attacking the camp. But rather, drawing Twilight Sparkle out."
"And how exactly will we do that?" another asked.
Crudelis peered at the map, her eyes glaring down unto the town of Ponyville.
End of Act 2 |
Change | 52 - Intermission: A Grand Day Out | Crystal Express
Soronis pulled Puellula over and lifted her up so she could see out of the window. But, despite some original expectations, it wasn't the window to a jail cell. When she had been running for her life, and when she had been captured, Soronis feared the worst; imprisonment and death by starvation. What they received was almost the complete opposite.
Not only had the princess been kind to them, she had allowed them both to fill up with love, straight from the heart. Soronis had never felt so full, and little Puellula was almost in a food coma. It didn't help that the room they were in kept swaying from side to side, and the rhythmic 'clack clack' only made it harder to stay awake.
Neither of them had ever been on a train before, but it hadn't taken them long to get over the slight motion sickness. As Puellula stared wide eyed out of the window, front hooves on the glass, Soronis looked around the carriage they were in. To say the interior was opulent would be like saying the ocean was big, and apparently Cadance had three of these cars.
As her eyes wandered towards the rear end of the carriage, the inter-car doors opened revealing Princess Cadance and her husband, Prince Armor. Soronis pulled her sister back, and they sat waiting for the princess to say something. Even after everything they had been given so far, Soronis was still slightly sceptical, having never seen kindness on this scale before.
"How are you two doing?" Cadance inquired.
"Your moving house is pretty!" giggled Puellula.
Cadance couldn't help but giggle. "Thank you, little one. I'm glad to see you no longer need that," Cadance said as she pointed towards a bucket in the corner, and Soronis' face somehow flushed red despite the chitin.
Diverting the conversation, Soronis spoke up. "How much longer are we going to be on this train, your highness?"
Cadance frowned. "I told you, please, call me 'Cadance'. And I'm afraid this is an overnight train. I'd suggest you make use of the beds towards the front of this car. I intend to make use of mine soon."
Before she could stop her, Puellua jumped up, hugged the Princess on the legs, and bolted towards the sleeping section. Soronis was still unsure; this car felt like nothing more than a gilded cage, as the two were dragged off to face judgement before the Royal Pony Sisters.
Sensing her inner conflict, Cadance approached her, and quickly brought her into a wing hug. Soronis was stunned; never before had she felt love given so freely - even the Crystal Heart had taken some effort to draw from. Alongside the love, she could feel genuine concern. Looking into Cadance's eyes, and seeing the true care was the last thing she remembered before falling to sleep.
Soronis awoke slightly to feel a warm body pressed up against hers. It was smaller, and after taking a few moments to think about it, she could feel it was more chitin against her own - Puellula.
As she grew accustom to the light, she could also feel that they were still on the train. Shuffling to the side of the cabin, she drew back the curtains, only to have her breath taken away. She shook her sister awake.
"Soronis, what is it?" Puellula asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Soronis just pointed out of the window. She followed her sister's hoof, looking out, only to have her breath stolen as well. They had both heard the stories, but nothing could compare to actually seeing it. The city of Canterlot rose above everything else in view. It was beyond beautiful.
There was a light tapping on the cabin door, and a Crystal Guard stuck his head in. The girls turned round to stare at him, their faces still in shock. Confused at first, the guard noted the view from the window. "Got me first time too. Trust me, it's better up close. That said, we will be arriving in just over an hour, and the Princess wishes you to join her for a light breakfast." The guard nodded his head and withdrew.
After arriving about an hour later, the two changelings were taken to the castle through backstreets and tunnels, their arrival supressed. Under orders from Cadance, not even her Aunt Celestia knew anypony was coming, but she had sent a runner to find her aunt Luna.
The sisters soon found themselves in antechamber in the castle, though it looked more like a family lounge. They shared a large sofa, whilst Shining and Vlad sat opposite. Broad Sword and Scarlet sat in their own little 'loveseat' off to the side.
The four ponies talked amongst themselves. They seemed happy, almost content, but Soronis felt anything but. Right now, Princess Cadance and Princess Luna would be conversing with Princess Celestia about them. And if they were as smart as she thought they were, if they knew the truth, they would also likely divulge their connection to Serpens to the Princess Celestia. When he had done what he did, Queen Vespula had kept her deal with Crudelis quiet. After his death the only ones to know in the hive aside from Vespula was Serpens' family, the exception there being Puellula, who was far too young to understand. Soronis had lied to Princess Cadance before, saying she didn't know what happened to her brother out of fear. And now Soronis and her sister were awaiting whatever judgement the Solar Princess decided on, Puellula happily oblivious to the potential danger they were in.
She wasn't sure how long she sat there hugging her sister, but Puellula had picked up on her mood, and started hugging back. Then, all of a sudden, the door to the room opened, and in strode all three of Equestria's princesses. Soronis almost passed out from fear, until a pink wing settled over her back.
Over the course of the next hour, after a quick relocation to the dining room where some snacks and drinks were served, the princesses were filled in on everything the pair could remember. Throughout the entire exchange Serpens was only briefly brought up, Soronis could tell they knew, but they had yet to act against them in any way for it.
Soronis was relieved of course, but she still couldn't shake the feeling that she was going to get punished. She knew it was stupid, but something told her things would soon go wrong.
"For everything you have been through," Celestia spoke to the two changelings. "You have my condolences."
"That... is greatly appreciated, princess," Soronis said. "But unnecessary."
"On the contrary," Celestia said. "But to allay your fears, I have the utmost confidence that Princess Twilight will be more than happy to take you in."
"Thank you, for everything. All of you."
"Think nothing of it, young one," Luna said. "It is the least we can do given the recent misunderstanding."
Things progressed smoothly from there. Among other things, Broad Sword and Scarlet Snow's baby was discussed and the atmosphere was generally light and calm.
The all changed when the letter arrived.
The paper to burst into flames, immediately immolated in the sun's fury. Soronis could spy terrifying wisps of fire could be seen flickering at the edges of Celestia's mane and tail.
"Sister?" Luna asked in alarm.
"Organise the army - NOW! Send a detachment of the EUP to the Badlands Hive at once, Twilight is in danger!" Celestia ordered.
The next few minutes was a flurry of activity, an urgent exchange went between the royals as Celestia gave out commands. All of this was a blur for the two changelings as they tried to process what was happening. Moments later, they were alone in the room with Scarlet Snow.
Confused, Soronis sat up in her chair and looked around, looking towards Scarlet for an explanation.
"What's going on?"
Scarlet grimaced. "The Badlands hive is under attack. Queen Crudelis has managed to find them."
"W-what?" Soronis whimpered as she began to shed a few fresh tears, she soon found herself wrapped in both her sister's forelegs, and Scarlet's.
"Hey, don't worry; you are safe here. The princesses are getting ready to help - I'm sure that Crudelis will never get chance to hurt anypony ever again." |
Change | 53 - Act 3 Prologue | War is coming to what little remains of the Badlands hive. The vile changeling known as Queen Crudelis is ready to strike at her own family, and eliminate them once and for all.
Queen Twilight Sparkle must stand ready, and prepare to fight for the survival of her hive.
But can they win against such overwhelming force? What fate awaits Equestria, caught right in the middle?
And what, and who must be sacrificed in order for ultimate victory to be achieved?
Twilight Sparkle shall never be the same.
****
'Well then, I'm pretty much fucked,' a trembling drone thought to himself as a mana explosion sent dust and debris flying over his head. The drone hid behind a small jagged piece of rubble jutting out of the ground, right next to the battered town hall. EUP helicopters flew overhead, their door mounted heavy repeater crossbow turrets firing into a crowd of hostile changelings, the velocity of the arrows tearing many drones into bloody ribbons. One of the pony princesses also dove down from above and unleashed a devastating beam of scorching sun into the group, killing even more. And yet as each one fell it was as if two more took their place.
'This town has experienced many events, both odd and dangerous over the years, but I bet it's never seen anything like this.'
The clang of steel and the whoosh of arrows filled the air as an alliance of changelings and Equestrians fought against other, much more hostile changelings. Looking over the rubble, the drone fired a few crossbow bolts of his own at a few nearby hostiles, hitting a few; although before he confirmed those kills some spell fire forced him to once again duck for cover. A large explosion rocked the devastated town as Queen Crudelis was thrown violently through what was once somepony's home, though aside from a few scratches her shield protected her from the majority of the impact and flying debris. Crudelis was shortly thereafter pursued by her opponent, Queen Twilight Sparkle, who fired a few lavender coloured fireballs at the other queen. Crudelis promptly dodged the fireballs before violently snatching Twilight in her red aura, holding her in place.
The drone loaded up his crossbow and took aim at Crudelis, wanting to help his struggling queen. However, before he could act Crudelis chucked Twilight away straight into the still firing EUP helicopter, Twilight brought a shield up to protect herself, unfortunately that protection didn't extend to the helicopter itself. Twilight's momentum crashed her straight into and through the helicopters tail, sheering it off. The machine began to spin wildly as the pilots tried to wrestle for control, ultimately to no avail as both the blades and the levitation spells within failed to keep the damaged vehicle aloft. The drone locked in place in sheer terror as the out-of-control helicopter veered directly towards him, a scream could barely leave his lips as the doomed vehicle slammed down right on top of him, going up in a fiery explosion that cast a shade of orange and red across the battlefield, killing both the drone and all those on board the helicopter itself.
And yet the battle continued, for they were hardly be the first to die in this conflict, nor would they be the last.
Three days earlier
"While we mourn the passing of Queen Chrysalis, today a new era begins. All hail Twilight Sparkle, Queen of the Changelings."
Silence is what followed the unexpected declaration from Captain Carduus, and Princess Celestia couldn't tear her eyes away from her former student, who was sitting ramrod straight in her throne.
Queen Twilight's eyes were narrowed dangerously, her steely expression sending shivers down Celestia's spine. Eventually however, Celestia forced her composure back and was able to ask the single most prominent question on her mind at that moment.
"What happened?"
"Isn't it clear to you?" Twilight asked in a monotone. "My mother... is dead."
"How?" Luna asked in shock. "I thought she was recovering."
"The doctors did their best," Twilight responded. "But their best wasn't good enough. She died in her sleep, in my company."
Luna slowly nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry. But at least you were there to-"
Twilight suddenly held up a hoof to stop that line of conversation right there. "Don't... just don't. Besides, we have business to discuss."
"Twilight..." Celestia called out gently.
Twilight seemingly ignored her. "Right now I must think of my subjects. Before any plans are made of how to deal with Queen Crudelis we will need a home. Somewhere to rebuild our lives."
"What do you mean by 'deal' with Crudelis?" Luna asked. "Do you intend to hunt her?"
"When we are able," Twilight stated as if a simple fact. "She didn't stop at my grandmother, and neither will she stop now that my mother is dead. I will kill her before she kills any others I care for, or even myself."
Celestia and Luna shared a worried glance, only just catching Twilight when she spoke again.
"So, if you have any suggestions now would be the time."
"We... were discussing a potential location for a home with Queen Draco," Celestia said. "We were going to run it by Chrysalis first... but that job now falls to you, Twilight."
"Where is this location?"
"A system of caves; about halfway between here and Fort Hurricane there is a system of caves. It has room to grow, underground rivers that are safe to drink, you name it."
Twilight hummed to herself in thought. "Sounds promising. When things calm down around the camp we will have to discuss it more in depth, Draco being with us when we do. Until then, perhaps you could find some maps, geological surveys and anything else about the area. I want to know everything there is to know about that cave system."
"I'll see what I can do," Celestia said. "Is that all?"
Twilight turned towards Carduus, who was standing idly in the corner.
"Well Captain, anything I need to know?"
Carduus shook his head. "Nothing major. We've got the majority of the accommodations set up and the defensive perimeter is stable, the scouts Crudelis sent are dead and we getting some more supplies delivered by the EUP soon. Everything you already knew."
"Thank you Captain," Twilight nodded. "Then, Celestia, that is all for now."
Twilight arose from her throne, and made to leave the tent. However, as she passed by Princess Celestia a white hoof pressed firmly onto her shoulder, stopping Queen Twilight in her tracks.
"Twilight..." Celestia said softly. "I know you're hurting, and angry. But please don't let that drive your actions from here on."
"I know what I'm doing, Celestia," Twilight growled. "Now if you would please let me leave, I should be the one to tell Draco about the death of her best friend."
Celestia sighed. "You know I'm always available if you need to talk, right?"
Twilight looked away, unable to meet the Sun Princess' lavender eyes.
"I know," she said quietly, shaking off Celestia's hoof and proceeding out the door.
Celestia stared at where Twilight had just exited, a slightly numb sensation overcoming her.
"With our current situation, now it is more dangerous than ever for Twilight Sparkle to have such dark emotions," Luna reminded Celestia. "Believe me."
"Luna, Chrysalis is dead," Celestia stated. "She needs some time."
"I know," Luna sighed. "But if wounds aren't treated properly, they can become infected."
Celestia flinched, but nodded to acknowledge Luna's point. She closed her eyes as she entered deep thought, many of which were troubling.
"I'll leave you to your musings," Luna said gently, moving past her sister and exiting the large tent. |
Change | 54 - Scarred | Refugee Camp, three days to the battle
Queen Twilight Sparkle made her way through the refugee camp in earnest. Seeing the chaos and her subjects' suffering created a weight on her shoulders that seemed far greater now than ever before. She was their queen now, and she didn't have her mother to help, to give advice or direction. She was on her own.
Her mother's death remained on the forefront of her mind, and her current anger stemmed from it. She had fully expected her mother to recover, Chrysalis was strong in both body and will, and she always had been. But then came that moment, the moment Twilight felt Chrysalis' chest stop raising and the sound of her breathing cease. When that happened Twilight felt panic like she never had done before, and she immediately called for medical assistance. The doctors rushed in and with the then-princess' help they attempted to revive the changeling queen.
Ultimately, to no avail.
After several minutes of trying the lead doctor had called it in, and in a sombre tone had noted the time of death to be recorded.
Twilight didn't want to believe it. She had insisted they continue to try, had shouted and raged but ultimately no matter how hard she willed it reality came knocking.
Her mother, Queen Chrysalis, was dead. She died in that bed and Twilight could, in the end, do nothing to prevent it.
She had never felt so powerless.
'Never again.'
Eventually she spotted the exact individual she was looking for, Queen Draco. She was still assisting with the relief effort. Changelings and ponies alike ran around as she gave them all directions, Twilight's drones keeping an air of professionalism despite their own anger towards Chrysalis' death.
On spotting her fellow changeling queen, Twilight began to make her way through the crowd as they parted from her path. Draco held a smile when she saw the younger changeling approach.
"Princess Twilight," she greeted. "I trust Chrysalis is recovering nicely. I myself have just had a lovely conversation with Mi Amore Cadenza, you were right back at the council you know."
Draco's smile faltered when she saw the grim expression on Twilight's face, and the grimace she held when she heard Draco's dialogue towards her.
"Twilight?" she called out. "What's wrong?"
Twilight breathed in heavily, and then out again. "It's not Princess anymore. I am now queen of our hive."
A fearful expression presented itself on Queen Draco's features. "What do you mean? Chrysalis is stubborn and strong willed, and not one to pass on her title so easily. Was she maimed that badly?"
Twilight observed the changeling queen. Her expression said it all, Draco realised the likely scenario of what had happened, but didn't want to admit it. She was hoping for the best.
False hope.
"Draco..." Twilight began. "My mother has... passed away. Her injuries were too severe, we did all we could but..." Twilight trailed off, unable to complete her sentence.
Draco examined the younger queen, looking desperately for any sign of deception. Why Twilight would deceive her she didn't know, but she looked anyway.
And found nothing.
"I see..." Draco snarled, her narrow pupils dilating.
The elder queen's horn lit up as she lashed out at a nearby pile of empty crates, her green magic shattering them into billions of tiny atoms as she screamed furious obscenities.
As sawdust flew wildly through the air, many others around them made the wise decision of avoiding the enraged changeling queen, but Twilight for her part just stood there patiently as Draco vented her rage.
When all was said and done, Queen Draco stood over the remains of what had previously a group of wooden crates; her breaths were heavy and laboured and as she calmed, her anger sufficiently vented for now, she looked back over to the stone-faced Twilight.
"My apologies," Draco said. "I shouldn't have done that."
"Don't worry, I've already been there," Twilight responded. "She was your best friend."
"But she was your mother," Draco rebuked. "I'm so sorry, Twilight."
"So am I," Twilight said, crestfallen.
Draco sighed, sitting down on her haunches as her thoughts turned to her deceased friend.
"You know," Draco started. "When I was a nymph, I was rather secluded by my mother. I only ever saw her or servants, I never interacted with nymphs my age, and thus I never had much in the way of friends. Until my first trip to the council that is..."
Twilight couldn't meet Draco's gaze, but her perked up ears told Draco she was listening, so she continued.
"We were both lost, you know. We bumped into each other by complete accident. She began raving about the history of the hive, and books - where do you think you got that from?" Draco grinned. "We became fast friends though, and I would always look forward to each council so we could reunite. Of course when we were older we would also arrange our own meetings when possible. And then, a little over twenty years ago, she became pregnant with you."
Twilight looked up at Draco as she went forward with her tale.
"You have no idea how happy she was, your father too," Draco smiled at the memory. "And when she had to give you up, it almost destroyed her. She came to me, asking that my spies help to locate a suitable family for you in Equestria. Together we found Night Light and Twilight Velvet of course. And then when she went to deliver you I went with her, most of the way at least. When she came to the houses about one street away she insisted she go on ahead alone to say goodbye, and so I waited until she was finished and then departed with her."
"Wait," Twilight interrupted. "You were there that night?"
"Yes," Draco nodded. "She kept me informed on just about everything that was happening with you; with the sole exception being the invasion to retrieve you, she omitted that detail."
Draco placed a hoof on Twilight shoulder. "As long as I live I will be here for you, Twilight. As I always have been, as I always was for her. And I will pursue Crudelis until justice is done."
Twilight shot her a grateful smile. "Thank you."
"Now," Draco said. "What do you intend to do about Queen Crudelis?"
"What do you think?"
"I understand," Draco said with a nod.
"But before anything my changelings need a home," the younger queen stated. "We will be discussing it later, the princesses are sending for some maps and information on that cave."
"So it was mentioned to you then? And?"
"It seems promising so far," Twilight said. "But we shall see."
"We shall," Draco agreed. "What now?"
"For now, I need some sleep," Twilight supressed a tired yawn. "I'm no use to any of you if I fall asleep on the job."
"It is getting late," Draco noted, looking toward the falling sun. "I for one am not at all tired, so I will continue to keep things running until you feel up to things. After what you've been though I would think you need the rest."
"Agreed," Twilight said, moving off in the direction of her tent.
"Be well, Twilight Sparkle," Draco called after her as they parted ways.
After she had gone, Draco kept in a sigh of sadness. But there would be time for mourning her friend later, she had a job to do keeping the refugees fed and safe. Chrysalis would wish her to do as much.
However, it was but a couple of minutes later that Draco was yet again distracted from her work as the Princess of the Sun approached.
"Princess Celestia," she greeted. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm searching for Queen Twilight, have you seen her?" Celestia asked.
"I have, she has retired for what will soon be the night," Draco told her. "She has had a most trying day."
"I know," Celestia said sadly. "I take it she told you?"
"She did," Draco nodded. "I will mourn in my own time, I have a job to do."
Celestia nodded back. "Very well, for what it's worth I am sorry. Excuse me."
Celestia moved away from the changeling queen and off into the crowd, making her way towards where Twilight was located.
Draco sighed, but promptly got back to work.
Twilight moved past the guards at her tent's entrance and immediately collapsed into the bed at the other end, the same bed on which she had awoke in the early hours of that morning. A morning where Chrysalis had still been alive.
Tears began to flow freely, soaking into the pillow as she thought of what she had lost.
"Two years?" Twilight muttered to herself. "Was that all we had? Couldn't even quite make it to the third..."
She heard ruffling from the tent's entrance and then the sound of hooves approaching her.
Twilight knew who it was, who else would it be?
Celestia sat down by Twilight's side, casting her a look of sympathy and remorse. "Twilight, I'm so sorry. If I had been faster this might have been prevented."
"No," Twilight said with a shake of her head, shifting to look up at Celestia. "Only Queen Crudelis is to blame, and she will pay for what she has done!"
"Are you ready to talk about it?" Celestia asked.
"No, thank you but... no," Twilight dismissed.
"Twilight..." Celestia sighed. "I know you are angry. But don't let it control you."
"And what's that meant to mean?" Twilight suddenly shouted. "My mother is dead. Doesn't that give me the right to be angry?!"
"Of course," Celestia assured. "But it's also dangerous, especially for beings such as ourselves. Alicorns and changeling queens are similar in many ways, need I remind you what happened to my sister? Or even give the example of Crudelis herself, I hear she has quite the hatred for your family."
"You're... you're comparing me to her?!" Twilight snapped, jumping up to confront Celestia.
Celestia's eyes widened as Twilight glared at her angrily, fangs bared towards her.
"No! Of course not! You are nothing like her, Twilight. I was just making a point, anger can change us. And right now you are displaying a lot of it."
"You have no right to criticize me, Princess," Twilight growled.
"Twilight?" Celestia whispered.
"You're the one who decided to send six teenagers to deal with your mess. To redeem a sister who was only like she was because you neglected her! You sent those same teenagers to deal with Discord for you as well, and when it came down to it you didn't even realise your own 'niece' had been replaced by a changeling! Before I knew who she was, I was momentarily suspicious, had I acted on those suspicions and tried to expose her I doubt you, being as engrossed in the wedding as you were, would have believed me!"
"How could you say that? Of course I would have!"
"Really?" Twilight asked doubtfully. "It must be so nice being you, sitting so high up on your throne while sending others to do your dirty work, keeping your pristine image so nice and squeaky clean!"
"Twilight I..." Celestia started, trembling slightly at her words. "I'm sorry you feel that way."
Twilight growled, staring daggers at Princess Celestia as her rage drove her forward.
"That's all you have to say?" Twilight snorted. "You're 'sorry I feel that way'? Well I'm sorry too... sorry that you're too much of a coward to even address what I have just said!"
"Twilight, I have done what I believe right. I always have," Celestia said sternly. "But I am not perfect, or all powerful or some kind of goddess like others have made me out to be in the past. I'm just a pony. But let it never be said that I don't care, for you or any of my subjects. I love you, Twilight. I love you like any mother loves her daughter, just as Chrysalis and Twilight Velvet have done. You're lucky to have so many that care for you."
For a moment, Twilight seemed to relent. Her own eyes widening at Celestia's words.
But anger is not so easily extinguished.
"Get out," Twilight muttered.
"Twilight I-"
"GET OUT!" Twilight shouted, wings spread, horn sizzling and fangs glaring.
Celestia flinched backwards, before hastily retreating from the tent as requested.
Twilight flung herself onto the bed and cast sound proofing spells around herself as she began to sob hysterically into the sheets.
Celestia stepped outside into the fresh air, trying to get her trembling under control. Never had she heard Twilight talk to her as such, but she understood. Twilight was heartbroken, and all that pent up emotion needed an outlet.
Celestia was just unfortunate enough to be that said outlet.
And what Twilight accused her of, Celestia herself had long held guilt over. As she had stated to the raging changeling, at the end of the day she was just a pony like any other.
It was time for her most important duty, and as Celestia lit her horn the sun descended into the horizon, while elsewhere in the camp Luna raised the moon.
Night had fallen. |
Change | 55 - Motherly Concern | Refugee Camp, a little past midnight, two days before the battle
"So drones are born out of eggs laid by the mother, but queens are born like a pony baby?" Vladimir asked for clarification from the changeling he spoke to.
"Correct," Thorax nodded. "Though both enter pods shortly thereafter."
"It's true," Carduus confirmed, standing with them both by a group of crates they were sorting through.
Changelings and ponies continued to work hard delivering aid, even a full day after the battle things weren't exactly fine around camp. The relief effort would be ongoing for a while.
"Most drones are born in a nursery, though some parents prefer for their young to hatch in more private circumstances; but the nursery is more traditional," Thorax continued. "I myself was born in the nursery when Queen Chrysalis herself was present."
"Why did you never mention any of this, Carduus?" Vladimir asked.
"I have yet to give Iuvenes the 'birds and the bees' talk, why the hay would I give a fully grown thestral the talk?" Carduus deadpanned.
"Ah... point taken," Vladimir said sheepishly. "Anyway, Thorax was it? What did you do around the hive?"
"Oh, I was part of the guard at one point - I was even present during the wedding," Thorax stated.
"Was part of the guard? Why did you leave it?"
"The Wedding," he said simply. "It was my first full engagement and... I didn't enjoy it much. I prefer friendship over fighting. Hay, if Chrysalis had been evil I may have even run away to the Crystal Empire or something afterwards."
Thorax's face fell. "Though she wasn't evil, she was kind... a good ruler. Even if she was a bit over dramatic at times. She didn't deserve her fate."
"Agreed," Vladimir said apologetically.
"Anyway, I have things to do, please excuse me," Thorax made his leave.
"Yeah, nice talking to you," the thestral nodded as the changeling departed.
Once Thorax had left, Vladimir turned to Carduus. "Hey, did you notice the kid's magic colour."
"More blue than green," Carduus confirmed. "I know. Like Queen Twilight his aura deviates from the usual green most changelings hold."
"So I see," Vladimir said. "Though Thorax seems like a good kid."
"He is, though he made a good choice leaving the guard, he wasn't suited for it," Carduus noted. "Though saying that, you should see him when he gets hungry."
"Why? What happens?"
Carduus smirked. "Let's just say he gets all snarly and might bite."
Vladimir tilted his head. "Snarly?"
"Yup," was the simple response Carduus gave back, shooting him an amused grin.
"Alright then," Vladimir concluded, deciding to leave it at that. "Ah, here comes trouble."
Vladimir smiled as a small nymph came running up to the duo, followed closely by a second.
"Hiya Mr Bat! Hiya Mr Carduus!" Puellula waved enthusiastically as she skidded to a stop.
"Daddy!" Iuvenes shouted excitedly.
"Hi there girls," Carduus said, patting his daughter on the head affectionately. "You two playing nice?"
Both happily nodded.
"Good. Now, where is that sister of yours Puellula?" Carduus asked.
"Here," a tired Soronis gasped for breath as she ran to catch up with the mischievous duo. "They've been giving me the run-around."
"At least they're keeping you busy," Vladimir smirked.
"Yeah well," Soronis composed herself. "Puellula hasn't been this happy in a long time, so I can't complain. At least she now had a friend her own age."
"We're doomed," Vladimir stated dramatically.
"You're funny Mr Bat!" Iuvenes exclaimed as the two nymphs giggled.
Vladimir rolled his eyes. "Mr Bat, huh? Is that my name now?"
"Yup!" both grinned innocently.
"I mean, your mark is a bat so..." Soronis smirked.
For the second time in but a few moment, Vladimir rolled his eyes.
Suddenly, Puellula perked up and turned to her new friend. "Hey! Let's go find and help Queen Drago!"
"Isn't her name Draco?" Iuvenes asked.
Puellula shrugged. "Oh well, but we can be royal assistants!"
"You two shouldn't be bothering-" Soronis began, but then the two nymphs were already gone.
Soronis groaned, and then set off again to try and keep up before the two burned down the camp with their 'assistance'.
Vladimir chuckled lightly. "Well at least they're enjoying themselves."
"They're about the only ones," Carduus reminded his friend solemnly, pointing towards a nearby Shining Armor and Princess Cadance.
Shining Armor was pacing around restlessly as Cadance tried to calm him, they seemed to be in a heated discussion.
"He's worried for his sister is all," Vladimir said. "She didn't take Chrysalis' passing well."
"You don't need to tell me, I'm connected to her, remember?" Carduus tapped the side of his head in demonstration.
"Right... Are you able to tell how she's doing?"
"No," Carduus said regretfully. "She's blocked herself off, apparently there are even sound suppression wards around the tent that she herself placed. So I can take a good guess as to the queen's condition."
Vladimir sighed. "It's bullshit."
"What is?"
The Lunar Captain gestured to the camp with a hoof. "All of this. A short while ago I was on leave in the Crystal Empire and everypony was alive and happy. Now all of this is happening, none of us saw it coming."
"And perhaps that was our downfall," Carduus grimly stated. "Still, there is no way she will attack us here, the camp is far too heavily defended. Things should calm in a couple days when all the supplies are distributed and nerves aren't so frayed."
"We can hope," was the response. "Still, I'm going to keep my blade at hoof's reach. We can't be too careful."
"Very true," Carduus agreed. "I already lost one queen on my watch, not another."
"It's not your fault, you were protecting Twilight at the time, and fighting a dragon," Vladimir stated.
"I know that," Carduus said sternly. "Doesn't change the fact that she is dead, and there was nothing I could have done. Next time I will do something, even throw myself in front of a magic bolt intended for her if I must."
"Now you're just being dramatic," Vladimir protested.
"But I mean it," Carduus said genuinely. "It's my duty."
"Well, don't be so quick to sacrifice yourself, because after all this is done we're going for drinks."
Carduus sighed. "I suppose I can get behind that."
"Get behind what?" Broad Sword asked as he and Scarlet made their presence known.
"Drinking ourselves under the table," Vladimir smirked. "Putting our hooves up and relaxing without any of this nonsense."
"Let's do our jobs first," Broad Sword stated. "We miss much?"
"Just talk with a changeling named Thorax," Carduus said. "Where were you two?"
"Well we were actually quite fortunate. The doctor who Scarlet had an appointment with on our return to Canterlot was one of the ones shipped out here to assist, so he did the pregnancy check up here and now when he had a free moment," Broad Sword explained.
"Oh really? And?"
"The baby is doing fine," Scarlet smiled.
"That's good to hear," Vladimir congratulated. "I wish you both the best. Being a parent is a big responsibility, perhaps you should go to Shining for tips?"
"I think Cadance would be a better choice," Broad Sword joked. "Shining can be a bit of a drama queen sometimes."
Vladimir chuckled. "No kidding. You turning in for the night?"
"I am," Scarlet said. "Doctor insisted I get some rest. Broad is staying up though."
"There is still plenty to do," Broad Sword said, looking around the camp. "And let it never be said I skimped by in my duties."
"Oh my hero," Scarlet lightly mocked, before planting a kiss on the stallion's cheek. "And don't you forget your duties to me later on, captain," she giggled as she departed, leaving her husband extremely red in the face.
Broad Sword slowly turned towards Carduus and Vladimir, who both seemed very amused indeed.
"Just get back to work," Broad Sword mumbled in embarrassment.
Celestia walked with her sister on the outskirts of the camp, the hustle and bustle of activity within still viewable from the distance. The night was ultimately calm aside from that, and the only notable noise was the occasional owl coming out to hunt.
"I find it hard to see Twilight saying that to you," Luna said. "She isn't usually one to make cruel remarks."
"Is it cruel if she is right?" Celestia asked. "I have thought heavily on the very things she has described many times."
"We aren't perfect, and I don't believe Twilight truly hates you for that. She understands and cares for you as a mother, but what she's going through..."
"I was the outlet for her anger, I know," Celestia sighed. "I just feel helpless, I want to help her in any way I can."
"By just letting her vent, you may have. By tomorrow she will likely be overdramatically asking for your forgiveness as usual, old habits die hard."
"Perhaps," Celestia said. "I'm just worried for her. She's the queen now, and that is a lot of responsibility."
"Not to mention Crudelis. Their confrontation seems inevitable," Luna noted. "Though Crudelis shouldn't be too confident in their battle, others have made similar mistakes in the past. Myself included, I was so sure I would defeat the puny unicorn that was ready to charge at me when I returned. The next thing I knew I was depowered and at your mercy. Twilight will do fine."
"No," Celestia suddenly stated.
"What?" Luna asked in confusion.
"I will not let Crudelis close to Twilight, not again. First the assassin almost claimed her life, then the attack... when Crudelis makes her next move I will confront her personally."
"We are not always in charge of our own fates," Luna cautioned. "You may fight Crudelis, but I feel destiny calls the two queens to meet face-to-face, one last time."
"To Tartarus with fate!" Celestia shouted. "Fate will not keep me from protecting her, destinies are never set in stone."
"Is it true, there are many branches time can take," Luna conceded. "But nevertheless, the outcome will not always be ours to control. We're not gods."
"I know," Celestia assured. "There is no such thing, only god-like beings. But despite this I must try. I must try for her sake, and for my own. I will not lose her, sister. I won't."
"It is admirable you care so much, but I would expect nothing less," Luna said. "Still, whether Crudelis fights you or Twilight, I expect the end is coming soon. Crudelis has waited a long time to enact her plans, and she won't stop now."
"Do you expect an attack on the camp?" Celestia asked.
"Creatures like her can be blinded by anger, though I don't believe she is that much of a fool. She will try something else."
"Like what?"
"I don't know," Luna admitted. "A thousand years ago I attacked directly, when I should have just played innocent and poisoned your next meal."
"Thanks," Celestia muttered sarcastically.
"I'm glad I didn't though," Luna nuzzled her sister in reassurance. "But my attack as Nightmare Moon was on a whim, my final fall from grace. She had been planning this for a while and will not be so quick to do so. She will come for Twilight no doubt, and I am concerned for how she plans to gain access to her."
"Then all we can do is wait and keep an eye out, we must be ready," Celestia stated. "I want the EUP around camp to be on constant alert and ready for deployment. And I will send for some extra hooves from Fort Hurricane."
"Agreed," Luna nodded. "We should also have some agents try to root out any potential infiltrators."
"It's already done," Celestia said. "I ordered some discreet sweeps the moment I heard about the attack, just in case."
"Good to see you're on top of things. Now sister, if you would excuse me I have business to attend to."
"Business?" Celestia asked in non-understanding.
"The realm of dreams does not wait for anypony, and I have a long night ahead catching up."
"Ah, I see. Goodnight Lulu."
"Goodnight Tia, and don't worry about young Twilight. I have an idea."
Celestia raised an eyebrow. "An idea?"
"Yes," Luna nodded. "I will explain soon. For now I must get on."
"Alright, do be careful with her," Celestia asked of Luna, opening up her wings and flying off towards the refugee camp in the distance.
"Contrary to popular belief, I do know discretion!" Luna called after her.
Luna shook her head. "I am the Princess of the Night after all," she muttered.
Luna herself opened her wings and returned to camp, and after a short trip she found herself in the tent set up for her use, passing by some of her own guard on the way in. Luna disposed of her regalia before retiring into her own bed.
Luna closed her eyes and lit up her horn. When her eyes opened again her consciousness was drifting in a star filled realm filled with many doors into many dreams of the many ponies and other such species within the range of her ability.
But tonight, instead of scouting out the realm there was only one destination she had in mind, a friend who needed her help once more.
All the doors were swept away leaving only one, a seemingly plain door with the image of a lavender starburst painted meticulously on the front.
Grinning to herself, Luna opened the door more than ready for the inevitable nightmares swirling within the mind of Twilight Sparkle. |
Change | 56 - Flashback: Proposal | Canterlot, Several Months Before The Badland's Fall
Broad Sword was nervous.
Actually, that was a gross understatement.
It had been around about two years since the whole business with the changelings and his subsequent imprisonment. When that infiltrator had informed him of his old love's murder, regrets long buried returned tenfold. She had been on his mind the whole time until his rescue, and afterwards he didn't believe the new hole could ever be filled.
And then he met Scarlet Snow.
He would always keep a special place for his first love, taken from him. But where the changeling would have him believe he would never love again, Scarlet had proved otherwise.
Ever since that day in the hospital they had begun to see one another for the occasional drink. And then occasional became weekly, then damn near daily. They had begun to spend very little time apart, something that Vladimir and Shining Armor, who had since left for the newly returned Crystal Empire, loved to point out to him.
It was pretty obvious to all they were dating.
Broad Sword had fallen in love with her optimism and her caring attitude, along with her strength and ability as a soldier in the EUP. Her eyes and mane, her snowy white coloured coat, everything about her was... perfect.
He liked to believe the feeling was mutual, and there was one question that could confirm it.
A hoof to the back of his head brought him back to the here and now.
"Equus to Broad Sword, are you there?" Scarlet smirked as he rubbed the new sore spot on the back of his head. "What were you thinking about?"
"Oh... you know... stuff," was the rather awkward reply.
The Pegasus and unicorn were sitting on one of Canterlot Castle's many balconies, the early night's sky above them. They had a magnificent view of the land beyond Mount Canterhorn, the green fields rolling along for miles around. A table was set up for them, drinks sat on top.
"So, how many favours did you have to call in to get this little spot?" Scarlet grinned. "It's not every day you have a date on one of the castle's luxurious balconies."
"Call it a perk of being Captain of the Solar Guard," Broad Sword smirked. "All I had to do was ask."
"Celestia is having you pull a double shift tomorrow, isn't she?" Scarlet asked in amusement.
"I'm fairly sure she was joking..." Broad Sword hoped.
Scarlet laughed at her boyfriend's sheepish grin. "Time will tell!"
Broad Sword looked towards Scarlet, examining her beautiful features illustrated by the bright moonlight. Scarlet noticed his stares, and couldn't help but blush.
"What are you looking at?" she asked.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" he said.
The blush deepened. "OK... why are you being super romantic all of a sudden?"
"What do you mean?"
"The balcony, the things you are saying, the looks... what's going on?"
"I'm always romantic!" Broad Sword protested.
"Actually, I had you pinned as being slightly hopeless at it," Scarlet admitted. "It's part of your charm."
"I'll try not to take that personally," he deadpanned, though with slight amusement. "Alright, there was one thing..."
"I knew it," she muttered. "Alright, what happened?"
"Nothing, at least until you give an answer..."
Scarlet seemed confused. "Answer?"
Broad Sword gave a loud whistle, and with the signal given the moon seemed to shine brighter as the stars began to shift. Scarlet looked up in bewilderment as the distant balls of gas moved around to form letters, which in turn formed two words. Two very specific words.
Marry Me?
Scarlet sat there for a few moment, unable to form words. Slowly, her head spun until she faced her boyfriend, her mouth agape.
"How... what... when..."
"I asked Vladimir who then asked Princess Luna," Broad Sword smiled. "I believe her words were, 'If I said no, Cadenza would never forgive me'. So... answer?"
Scarlet's jaw remained on the floor as she tried to form her words, finally however, she was able to pull herself together enough to blurt it out.
"Yes! Of course it's a yes!" she shouted as she flung herself at him, the two locking into a passionate kiss.
Above them, discreetly sitting in the shadows, the Princess of the Night gave a satisfied sigh at the sight, before rearranging the stars back to their normal positions in space. However, as she spread her wings and took off away from the engaged couple, she kept the moon lit up bright, and would do so until the sun rose the next morning. |
Change | 57 - Ponyville | Ponyville, two days before the battle
Pinkie Pie, as usual, awoke at the crack of dawn. While other ponies such as Rainbow Dash would prefer to sleep in as long as possible, she had far too much work to do.
Firstly, she had to feed and have highly intellectual conversation with Gummy. Then she had to make several large batches of cupcakes before planning seven and a half parties for that particular day.
Oh, and she would also have a chase scene later on in the chapter, a busy day overall!
The sun was only just beginning to show itself over the horizon, and the sky was filled with a brilliant orange of the dawn. Pinkie Pie sung happily to herself as she flung the curtains open and picked up her pet from his basket.
"Morning Gummy!" Pinkie Pie sang happily. "Breakfast time!"
With Gummy on her back Pinkie trotted downstairs and into the kitchen while being careful not to wake either the cakes or their children. It was hard to believe they were coming up to three years old! Pinkie Pie was planning an extra special party, just like she planned an extra special party every year!
"I like parties, don't ya know?" Pinkie Pie smiled to nopony in particular.
On entering the kitchen, Pinkie Pie placed Gummy down onto the table and immediately got to work. She got out all the ingredients she would need and prepared them expertly while singing one of her favourite songs about cupcakes, before placing them in the oven. Soon enough the timer she had prepared dinged and she was able to extract the new batch of cupcakes she had baked.
Not even waiting for them to cool, Pinkie Pie picked one up and took a bite, just to make sure they were up to scratch.
"Perfect!" she proclaimed. "Gummy! Breakfast is ready!"
Pinkie Pie placed one cupcake onto a plate and slid it carefully next to Gummy while she took the rest and demolished them within moments.
Giving a satisfied sigh, she sat down and patted her stomach, glancing over toward Gummy where she noticed he just stared blankly at his own.
"Come on, eat up!" she encouraged.
Nothing.
"Don't back chat me Mr!" she scolded the alligator.
Gummy blinked, a rare sight indeed.
"Oh fine, eat it when you're ready."
Gummy's stare remained unchanged.
"I know time can take many paths, but it's just a cupcake!"
Gummy licked his own eyeball.
"Ohhhhh! So it's the butterfly effect?" Pinkie asked. "So if you ate the cupcake too soon or too late a big disaster could happen in the future?"
No answer.
Pinkie Pie winked. "I understand buddy! Just eat when it is the most convenient for reality's continued existence!"
A knock on the door caught Pinkie Pie's attention, and she tilted her head as she wondered who it could be at such an early hour.
"Huh? Sorry Gummy, I'll be back in a moment," Pinkie told her pet as she exited the room.
Gummy's blank gaze continued to be directed directly forward.
And then his maw suddenly opened to unnatural proportions as the cupcake was consumed.
And just like that, reality was saved.
Rainbow Dash knocked for a second time on the front door of Sugercube Corner, impatiently awaiting an answer.
The Pegasus heard the lock being undone just before the door swung open and Pinkie Pie skipped on out.
"Oh! Morning Dashie!" Pinkie grinned. "What are you doing up this early, you normally like to sleep in! Are the Wonderbolts in town? Is there a giant monster rampaging? Is it made out of cake? IsItAGiantCakeMonsterbeingFoughtByTheWonderbolts?!"
"Erm," Rainbow's eye twitched. "No, none of the above. AJ sent me."
"Oh?" Pinkie Pie said curiously. "And, what does she want?"
"Pinkie, you haven't seen anything... odd around here, have you?"
Pinkie Pie hummed in though.
"Well... Gummy did save reality with a cupcake, but that's just a normal morning really. So... no! Nothing out of the ordinary," Pinkie proclaimed.
"Are you sure?"
"Yup," Pinkie nodded. "Why, what's going on?"
"It may be nothing," Rainbow Dash admitted. "It's just that some of the townsponies claim to have seen some suspicious figures going around. And with what happened to Twilight being spread around town nerves are a little frayed in terms of, well... any possible changelings roaming about with not so nice intent."
"Huh?" Pinkie raised a confused eyebrow. "Why? What happened to Twilight?"
"You haven't heard?" Rainbow's eyes widened.
"No, nothing."
Rainbow gritted her teeth in anger, though it wasn't directed at Pinkie Pie.
"News came in last night, Twilight's hive is gone."
"What? What do you mean... gone? Did they go on a road trip?"
"No, Pinkie... it has been destroyed," Rainbow stated. "Some dumb bitch burned the thing down!"
Pinkie's mane deflated a little. "W-What? What about Twilight?"
"She's fine apparently, but we don't know much else."
"Well, what are we going to do?" Pinkie asked.
"We were going to go over there right away," Rainbow sighed. "But Mayor Mare asked that we stay a couple more days until nerves are less frayed around town, to reassure ponies. Though once that happens we will be straight over there! The egghead needs us and I'm not content to sit around here! I'm a Wonderbolt for Celestia's sake! I should be out teaching that queen a lesson for hurting our friend!" Rainbow loudly shouted in anger.
"Dashie..." Pinkie recoiled at the Pegasus' raised voice.
Rainbow calmed herself on seeing Pinkie Pie's reaction. "Sorry Pinks," Rainbow muttered. "I'm just a little on edge right now."
Pinkie nodded. "I know. What if, when we see Twilight I'll throw a party to cheer her up?!"
Rainbow looked up at her friend. "If she is any state for one that may not be such a bad idea. Hay, maybe we could get Chrysalis more involved this time."
"Yes! We could..." Pinkie's enthusiasm suddenly died down.
"Pinkie?"
"Sorry Dashie I just... felt really sad when I said that for some reason..."
Rainbow looked understandably worried. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah... fine," her mane was even more deflated. "Talk about a tonal shift..."
Rainbow looked over her shoulder at a few passing ponies, Lyra and Bon Bon, who both seemed to be on edge.
"Listen, Pinkie, I've got to go," Rainbow stated. "I promised the Mayor I would patrol the town with my weather ponies, let us know if you see anything suspicious, alright?"
Pinkie Pie nodded in confirmation.
"Good," Rainbow nodded back, before opening her wings and taking to the air.
Pinkie Pie watched as he cyan friend left, and continued to stare after she was gone. Pinkie couldn't help but feel a bit empty after the mention of Chrysalis, she didn't quite know why on this occasion, but she just knew something terrible had happened.
Then movement in the very corner of her eye caught her attention, and she turned to see an Earth Pony with a grey coat and green eyes bearing down on her.
Pinkie yelped in surprise and instinctively hit out with her hooves.
The pony shouted in pain as he dropped backward to the floor, blood seeping from his muzzle along with some green flames.
"Damn, so much for replacing you," the changeling muttered quietly, probably thinking Pinkie didn't hear it.
Unfortunately, she had excellent hearing.
"You were going to replace me?!" Pinkie recoiled.
"Damn it," the stallion snarled, turning tail and running in the opposite direction as attention was being drawn to the duo.
"Stop!" Pinkie shouted as she took off after him, quickly gaining ground.
Green flames enveloped the changeling and his wings buzzed to life, he swerved and took of through the air up onto a nearby roof a few streets away.
The changeling landed there to consider his options, only to find Pinkie waiting for him.
"What?! How?!" the changeling shouted in surprise.
"Stop meanie!" Pinkie made a grab for the changeling, only for him to open a portal beneath himself and sink away.
He appeared another few streets away, this time in an alleyway. However, like before Pinkie Pie was waiting already.
He didn't delay this time, instead bolting into the opposite direction. This routine rinsed and repeated for several more minutes as the changeling ducked and dived through the buildings, other ponies could only stare in amazement at the sight.
Finally things came to a head as the changeling turned to gallop headlong down a street with Pinkie directly behind him.
But he had finally had enough of the pink pony.
The changeling unexpectedly turned quickly around to face Pinkie Pie, and the mare's vision was suddenly filled with green as she was hit by a quickly fired spell.
Pinkie fell backwards to the floor, too stunned to even shout out in pain. As her vision swam in and out the mare tried to get to her hooves, only to fall back down. She could hear the changeling approach, his horn alight, and she was able to look up to see his snarling and hate filled face inches from her own.
Only for a rainbow coloured blur to smack right into him and knock the changeling to the ground.
"Stay away from my friend!" Rainbow shouted in anger, delivering a hoof to the changeling's muzzle, dazing him heavily.
"Pinkie darling, can you hear me?" a posh sounding voice came to Pinkie's ears as she felt several hooves roll her onto her back.
Rarity was there along with Fluttershy, who seemed to have brought a first aid kit just in case. Fluttershy dropped the kit from her mouth and started to inspect Pinkie, luckily her injuries were minor as the changeling didn't have time to charge anything too harmful.
Applejack was there too, and once she was sure Pinkie was safe she wandered over to stand next to Dash, and equally furious look on her face.
"Well what in tarnation is this?!" Applejack fumed. "What are ya doing here, changeling? Ya'll ain't from Twi's hive for sure."
The changeling snarled. "I'm not saying a thing."
"Wrong answer," Rainbow growled, grabbing onto the changelings right foreleg and applying some pressure."
"Hey hold on now, what are you doing sugarcube?" Applejack's eyes widened.
"This guy hurt Pinkie!" Rainbow shouted. "He might even be one of the ones who attacked Twilight!"
The changeling laughed sadistically. "Twilight Sparkle? Oh that was too easy to deal with the Badlands, just as we will deal with you ponies..."
Rainbow applied more pressure.
The changeling grunted in pain.
"You're bluffing, you're just a pony, element bearer or not."
"You've overlooked one thing," Rainbow growled.
"And that is?"
"I'm a Wonderbolt," Rainbow replied. "Ergo, military."
A loud snap filled the air along with a scream of agony as Rainbow broke his foreleg.
Fluttershy and Rarity both gasped in shock, Applejack too was quite uncomfortable with what Rainbow Dash just did, but none moved to stop the infuriated Pegasus.
"Now, what were you doing here?!" Rainbow shouted in a rage, applying pressure to the next foreleg.
"Please!" the changeling pleaded. "Stop!"
"Tell me!" was the only reply he received.
"I'm just a scout!" he claimed. "It's just me, and I'm only scouting out the area, honest!"
Rainbow Dash snarled at the whimpering changeling, studying him for a moment. After that moment passed however, she turned her head towards Applejack, not letting up pressure on the foreleg.
"So is he, AJ?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Applejack looked towards Rainbow, slightly bewildered. "W-What was that?"
"Is he telling the truth?" the Pegasus asked.
"Ah think... ah t-think so..." Applejack stuttered, before trying to get a hold of herself. "Sorry sugarcube, ah'm just a little shaken up."
Rainbow nodded in understanding, turning back to the changeling.
"So, it's just you, that's been established," she snarled. "But why did you attack Pinkie Pie?"
More pressure was added when he showed signs of defiance.
"I-I just thought I could do a better job with a better identity! I was going to replace her!"
"And what would have happened to Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow asked slowly, though they all knew the answer.
"I... I..." the changeling couldn't form an answer, fear evident on his face.
Pinkie Pie coughed in the background, trying to get up, and failing again.
"Please be still," Fluttershy asked. "You're hurt."
Rainbow heard her friend's struggles, and turned to see if she was alright. It was in this moment that she loosened her grip slightly on the changeling, and in this moment he saw his opportunity.
The changeling's head struck forwards, and his horn struck the side of Rainbow Dash's head.
Rainbow shouted in pain as a gash opened up and she was knocked away from the changeling.
His horn lit up before anypony could stop him and a portal formed, the next second there was nothing in the spot the changeling had inhabited previously.
"Where did he go?!" Applejack shouted as she looked around the area.
"Gah, he could be anywhere," Rainbow groaned as she got up to her hooves, slightly wobbly on them.
With Pinkie Pie still dazed, but otherwise fine, Fluttershy grabbed her kit and started work on bandaging the gash on the side of Rainbow Dash's face, the Pegasus wincing as she did so in pain.
Rarity looked over her friends, her mind processing exactly what it was she had just witnessed, the crowd around them doing the same.
"Applejack, darling?" Rarity spoke up.
"Yes?" Applejack responded, slightly quietly as she too observed the scene.
"I think we might want to send a message to Princess Celestia, I have a bad feeling about this. Those ruffians could come back."
Applejack considered this for a moment, before nodding. "Agreed. Ah'll get on it." |
Change | 58 - Old Friends | Refugee Camp, two days before the battle
Things were quiet when Twilight awoke from her restless sleep.
Too quiet.
Where the day before there had been filled with the hustle and bustle of ponies and changelings around the camp, now as Twilight laid there listening there wasn't a sound. No clatter of hooves, no voices... nothing.
Slowly, Queen Twilight used her magic it cast her sheets aside as she got up from the bed and to her hooves. She tried to rationalise the silence, but she was uneasy. She could still feel her subjects within her mind, but their voices were dulled, muffled. Standing around wasn't going to get her anywhere, so Twilight took a deep breath and stepped on out of her tent and into the camp proper.
There wasn't a soul.
A thick fog blanketed everything, Twilight had a tough time seeing through the shroud, but she could see no signs of life. There were no bodies or anything, everything just looked... empty. No signs of a struggle or evacuations, it was just like everypony had put down what they were doing and left.
"Carduus?" Twilight called out over the hive.
"Are any of you there?"
There was no answer.
Unnerved, Twilight braved the fog and headed in the direction of the command tent, where the war map was situated. The journey was done in complete silence, only the sound of Twilight's own breathing accompanied her during the trip. The fog covered everything, and only increased the nervousness the young queen was feeling throughout her being.
Her journey ended, however, when she successfully located the command tent via memory. It too, was silent. There wasn't a soul in site, just like around the rest of the camp.
'Where did they all go?'
"Hello?" Twilight called out verbally, hoping for an answer.
Nothing, again.
Twilight waited a moment, in case something would follow her call. But when nothing happened after a few minutes, she decided to enter the tent itself and look for clues. However, just as she approached the entrance, the sound of hooves got her attention.
Twilight spun around, looking over the area for any sign of whoever was moving about.
"Hello? I know you're there!" Twilight shouted, moving away from the tent and stopping by a pile of crates.
"I've always been here, your highness," a voice stated.
Twilight jumped backwards from the crates she was standing near with a shriek of surprise, looking up she could see a changeling sitting atop them smugly.
"Nervous, Twilight?" Serpens asked.
"You?" Twilight spat. "Serpens? Didn't I kill you?"
"No," Serpens stated. "In a dream maybe, but in reality your mother did. The real me is dead, I am just a figment of your imagination, slipped out through the cracks in your little broken mind. Like a cockroach I will keep coming back."
"So... what? Am I going crazy or something?" Twilight deadpanned.
Serpens chuckled. "Maybe. Who knows? I stabbed you; almost killed you, and then Crudelis killed your mother. Your home is gone along with most of your little changelings... How much more tragedy can you take?"
"I will stand firm," Twilight stated with determination. "As I always have. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Tirek... and Crudelis. All are the same."
"Except Crudelis is related to you," Serpens sneered. "How does it feel to be related to such a cruel being?"
"She's no family of mine," Twilight spat back.
"You can't change the blood in your veins, little queen," Serpens laughed. The blood of Imperatrix runs through you, and your anger is so great... you could become far more terrifying even than Crudelis."
"I would never be like her!" Twilight objected. "I could never be that cruel."
"It was cruel what you said to Celestia, was it not? She was only trying to help you, as any mother would," Serpens pointed out with a smirk.
"I... I..." Twilight stuttered. "I didn't mean what I said... I was angry."
"What you said must have come from somewhere," Seprens snorted. "And threatening her with your magic, dear Twilight you have quite the temper..."
"Shut up!" Twilight shouted.
Serpens' grin only widened. "See what I mean? You composure crumbles so quickly... are you really fit to rule as anything but a tyrant?"
"Says the assassin who kills without care or morality," Twilight growled.
"Morality is fickle," Serpens shrugged. "You can get so much done without it to get in the way. Imagine what changelings could accomplish under Crudelis' rule, the empire that could be built!"
"Destroying all who oppose them," Twilight stated, glaring at Serpens. "No thanks."
Serpens laughed sinisterly, before disappearing into shadow as a presence appeared behind Twilight.
"Are you sure about that?" Crudelis smirked.
Twilight spun around again, her horn lighting up... only to sputter out again.
"W-what?" Twilight stuttered as she tried to relight her horn.
"Your powers are useless here," Crudelis taunted. "Your mother could not stand against me, what hope do you have?"
"I..." Twilight backed up as Crudelis approached, terror written on her face.
"You could join me, my dearest Twilight. We are family, abandon the ponies and their filth," Crudelis stated. "Without you, one of their greatest defences will be rendered null, they will not be able to stand against us. We could accomplish so much together, our family could rule an empire that would make the Empress of Old envious. Your subjects could be safe under a protected and prosperous empire, you can protect them... isn't that what you want?"
"Yes... I do," Twilight muttered. "I want to protect them... from you!"
Crudelis snarled.
"You're evil, Crudelis! You've taken so much, and you won't stop. I will protect my subjects, and I will protect my friends and family in Equestria too. I am a changeling as much as I am a pony, Crudelis."
Crudelis' eyes narrowed dangerously. "Then it is as I thought, you are too far gone and have no place in my new empire."
"The other queens will never submit to you!" Twilight shouted.
Crudelis only chuckled, her horn glowing a bright red as she grabbed Twilight by the neck and lifted her into the air.
Twilight tried to struggle, but without her magic there was little she could do.
"Farewell," Crudelis said simply, a fang filled smirk on her face.
Twilight's vision began to darken as oxygen failed to reach her lungs. As her struggles lessened, her eyes glanced upwards towards the sky where, just for a moment, she swore she saw the moon high above with the image of the Mare of the Moon on its surface. But that was impossible, it was day, and the mare wasn't there anymore!
Before she could ponder it further, Crudelis gave a shout of pain as an arrow lodged itself into her chest, causing her to drop Twilight, who gasped desperately for breath.
After some sweet, sweet oxygen had thankfully filled her starved lungs, Twilight looked up towards Crudelis, the arrow's shaft protruding from her chitin as she held a look of shock on her face.
"Wha... Wha..." she tried to say something, when a blast of green magic joined the arrow and Queen Crudelis shattered into black glass, her fragments spilling all over the ground.
Twilight stared at the sight for a minute, surprise and confusion filling her mind, finally she traced back to where the arrow and magic blast had come from, and her eyes widened on seeing the two individuals there. One was a Changeling Queen, standing regally as she looked upon her fallen foe, and the other sat with a grin on the same crates Serpens had occupied minutes earlier.
"Damn, that was satisfying," Longshot grinned like a foal, his crossbow in his hooves. "Revenge is sweet, as they say in fillydelphia."
"I don't think that phrase comes from fillydelphia," Chrysalis gave him a confused glance.
"It does in my mind," Longshot stated. "Don't question it."
"Longshot? M-mother?!" Twilight couldn't believe her eyes. "How?"
"Dreams," Longshot shrugged. "You're sleeping, Twilight."
"Oh... I'm dreaming," Twilight sagged, full awareness of her situation emerging. "That that explains a lot."
"Hold on a moment," Chrysalis cooed as she approached her despondent daughter and embraced her. "Dream or not, I'm here."
"No, you're not," Twilight whispered. "You're in my head, nothing more."
"I'm more than that," Chrysalis stated. "I'm the part of Chrysalis that lives on..." Chrysalis pressed a hoof on Twilight's heart. "In here."
It was here Twilight leaned into the embrace, nuzzling Chrysalis' chest as she let some tears begin to fall, only for the moment to be interrupted.
"Cliche," Longshot chuckled.
Both Twilight and Chrysalis turned to glare at Longshot, who held up his hooves and backed off with a sheepish grin.
"Sorry about him," Chrysalis stated. "He followed me here like a lost puppy."
"It's alright," Twilight assured. "It's... nice to see him again. He died because I got hurt..."
Tears began to fall again.
"You died, because I couldn't get to you in time. You both died because of me..."
"No," Chrysalis shook her head. "You got me out of there, you gave me a fighting chance, for that I must thank you. You allowed me to die in a comfy bed, with the one who I love the most at my side. My beautiful girl..."
Chrysalis nuzzled the top of her head, tears of her own falling down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry, Twilight."
"I miss you," Twilight said. "I don't know what to do..."
"Yes, you do," Chrysalis said, smiling a little. "You will be a wonderful queen, I know it. You will protect our subjects, and strengthen them with our alliance with Equestria. You will spread these ideals of friendship and harmony among our species, and when you finally rest and come to join me, history will remember your name fondly. A great queen who led us to prosperity."
Twilight just closed her eyes in response, content to stay in the embrace for as long as possible.
"Chrysalis," Longshot called out gently. "It's almost time."
"One moment," Chrysalis called back, looking down onto her daughter. "Twilight?"
"Yes, I know," Twilight wiped her tears from her eyes. "It's time to wake. I'll do you proud, I promise."
Chrysalis smiled. "I never doubted it."
Twilight nodded, a small smiled of her own appearing on her face. "Wait for me? At the close?"
"Of course," Chrysalis responded. "I love you, my daughter."
"I love you, mother..." Twilight embraced her warmly one last time.
The world around them faded away, first the camp, then the ground until they were in a blank void. Then Longshot went with a final nod toward the young queen, leaving only Chrysalis and Twilight locked in their loving embrace.
Then Twilight woke up.
The day was in full swing as Luna walked on through the refugee camp. Things seemed to be looking up and morale had improved greatly among the changelings, likely due to the improved mood of their queen. Twilight's outlook had improved greatly, much to Luna's satisfaction, and she had got right into helping out around the camp.
She had noticed however, Twilight was avoiding Celestia with a guilty look about her, but their reconciliation would happen sooner rather than later.
Luna passed by Iuvenes and Puellula, who had seemingly become Queen Draco's personal assistants. They were helping Draco sort through various reports into different piles, and Draco seemed more than happy to accommodate the nymphs. Perhaps she was fond of children, or perhaps it just got her mind off the subject of Chrysalis by having them around. Either way, Iuvenes and Puellula were happy, and Draco herself seemed content.
All around camp things were looking up.
Princess Luna finally located her sister by the edges of the camp, a letter held in her aura as she read it. Her features were in stark contrast to the bright atmosphere around camp.
"Sister," Luna greeted cheerfully. "Why the long face?"
"Oh, Luna," Celestia greeted. "You appear in a good mood."
"Well, I did give a good friend the help she needed," Luna stated. "It was a good thing I arrived when I did."
"So you're the reason for Twilight's good mood," Celestia said, allowing herself a small smile. "I must thank you for that, I did not enjoy seeing her so distraught. What did you show her?"
"Closure," Luna said.
"I see..." Celestia's smile faded as she looked back towards the letter she held.
"Tia?" Luna looked at Celestia with concern. "What is it? What's the message you hold?"
"It's from Applejack, in Ponyville."
"And why does that place such a hamper on your spirits?" Luna asked.
"Read it," Celestia stated, handing the letter over.
Luna held the message before her as her eyes moved over it, a frown descending on her face and her own mood dropping.
"A changeling attacked Laughter?"
"Yes, and tried to replace her. It was one of Crudelis' drones."
"This... is bad news. If they are scouting that far into Equestria, and around where Twilight's friends and other bearers of harmony live..."
"They may be in danger," Celestia finished. "We need to prepare one of the EUP's helicopters to do some scouting of our own. If there is an attack in the pipeline, I want to know about it."
Luna nodded. "I'll see it done. Do you really think Queen Crudelis is preparing to strike out at Equestria?"
"It'll get Twilight's attention," Celestia noted. "I hope it was an isolated incident, but I cannot ignore this. I hope I'm wrong I really do, but I think we're about to be very busy indeed." |
Change | 59 - Scouting Mission | Refugee Camp, one day before the battle
It had been one day since Twilight had her dream, since she had finally said goodbye to her mother. In that time she had been actively avoiding Celestia, and the guilt of her harsh words had been eating away at her mind.
It was time to change that.
Twilight took in a deep breath, and then released it with a hoof held to her chest, just as Cadance had taught her many years prior.
"Isn't that my breathing technique?" a voice asked from behind.
'Speaking of...' Twilight thought to herself.
"Cadance!" she exclaimed happily, spinning around to greet the pink alicorn. "Good morning!"
"Good morning Twilight," Cadance said with a warm smile. "How is my favourite filly this morning?"
"Oh, um... good! Yes very good, brilliant in fact!" Twilight assured, her eye twitching slightly.
Cadance gave her a bemused look. "You can be an awful liar sometimes, I saw you doing the breathing technique I taught you."
Twilight groaned. "Yes, well... Do you know where Princess Celestia is?"
"Ah," Cadance nodded in understanding. "She was by the landing area last I saw, speaking to a group about to depart."
"She was?" Twilight asked questioningly. "What was that about?"
"I didn't stop to ask," Cadance stated. "Anyway, in all that has happened we haven't had time to catch up, so..."
"So... what?"
Cadance raised an eyebrow.
"What are you- oh! I got you!" Twilight lit up in understanding, a smile making its way to her face.
"Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!" the two chanted, giggling furiously moments afterwards.
"We haven't done that since before the baby was born," Twilight noted as her giggling calmed. "How is my niece, anyway?"
"Flurry Heart is fine," Cadance replied. "She's with Sunburst right now"
"Yeah, this is not place for a child," Twilight said solemnly. "And there are far too many here already..."
"Hey, come here," Cadance used her wing to pull Twilight gently into a hug, which Twilight gladly accepted. "You know I'm always here, right?"
"Yes, I know."
"You should also talk to Shining at some point, we've been worried sick about you."
Twilight looked up at her former foalsitter apologetically. "I'm sorry for worrying you, both of you, and I will talk to him... But first I really need to find Celestia."
"Well, I told you where you can go to look," Cadance stated.
"Yes, thanks Cadance," Twilight said, pulling away from the embrace. "Tell Shiny I'll meet with him in a little while, OK?"
"I promise I will," Cadance assured. "Now go on."
Twilight gave the Princess a grateful smile, before parting ways with her and moving into the crowd.
After a short walk through the various individuals populating the camp, she quickly came up upon the landing site. Here several of the aviation machines used by the EUP sat quietly as they had their magical reserves recharged, without which they wouldn't be able to fly.
Near one corner of the landing site was where the changeling queen spotted Celestia, seemingly lost deep in thought.
Part of Twilight's mind screamed at her to turn tail and run in the opposite direction, and she felt a panic attack incoming.
"Come on Twilight," Twilight muttered to herself. "You're being overdramatic... again. Nothing will happen, just talk to her..."
While she was muttering to herself, her hooves had gone on autopilot and taken her right up to the alicorn, and Twilight found herself wondering just how she had gotten there when she emerged from her deliberations.
"Twilight?" Celestia emerged from her thoughts and noticed her former student before Twilight could get cold hooves and run off again.
"Oh! Um... hiya... Princess..." Twilight scuffed the ground awkwardly.
Celestia rolled her eyes. "You're a queen... you technically outrank me and yet you still call me by my title!"
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
She was cut off by Celestia tittering behind a hoof, and despite her chitin she found herself very red faced.
"Oh Twilight, please never change," Celestia said with a bright smile. "You're too adorable."
"Adorable?" Twilight deadpanned. "I do believe you can go down in history as the first pony to call a changeling queen 'adorable'."
"I can add it to the list, then," Celestia commented.
Twilight grinned at that, but that grin quickly faltered. "So... you're not angry at me?"
"Angry? Whatever for?"
"Because of what I said to you!" Twilight shouted. "I was cruel, you were only trying to help and I verbally attacked you and even threatened you with violence! How are you not angry at all?!"
Celestia sighed, and looked Twilight directly in the eyes, noting how she would soon be at her eye level.
"Twilight, I was upset at what happened, but I can't blame you," Celestia stated. "You were angry at what happened, and rightly so. Combine that with some poor choices of words on my part and what happened, happened. I was worried, and I'm just glad you're alright."
Twilight stood there for a few moments, before approaching Celestia and gently pulling her into a hug.
"I'm sorry for what I said, Celestia. You're like a mother to me, and I don't want that to change."
Celestia smiled warmly as she hugged back. "And I promise it won't, because I love you as any mother does her daughter. I don't tell that to you enough, but I do and always have."
Twilight stepped away from Celestia, smiling. "After all this is done, I think I might spend time among my family for a bit. Shiny, Cadance and the baby, my pony parents and you. Luna too, and my friends."
Celestia nodded in agreement. "It's been too long since we were all in the same place, the crystalling was the last time as I recall."
"Mother was moaning about the snow and ice for weeks afterwards," Twilight chuckled. "If our agents hadn't discovered Sunburst and allowed us to utilise his knowledge, I don't know what we would have done."
"And yet it still took two alicorns and two changeling queens to fix it," Celestia noted.
"On the bright side, the following blast kept us fed for those following weeks. Best meal they ever had apparently," Twilight stated, before sighing. "It's hard to believe that was only around seven months ago. It feels like an eternity, and it feels like I had known my mother throughout my entire life rather than a little under three years."
"When you're an immortal such as myself, or long lived like yourself, time fragments. You could watch a foal's birth one day, and the next they are laying on their death bed as old age claims them," Celestia stated sadly. "You must always strive to enjoy the times you spend with one another, because all too quickly it is gone."
"I know," Twilight said softly. "Anyway, enough of that. What are you doing here anyway? Cadance mentioned you were talking to the crew of one of these helicopters or something."
"I was," Celestia confirmed. "I was requesting a scouting run around Ponyville."
"Ponyville?" Twilight's eyes widened. "Why? What happened?"
"A changeling attacked one of your friends, but they're all fine - do not worry."
"What? Who was it that got attacked?"
"Pinkie Pie," Celestia informed her. "Before Rainbow Dash got her hooves on the changeling, that is."
"Yes, I can see how that didn't end well for the changeling," Twilight noted. "Any word yet?"
"Not yet, but soon."
Skies above Equestria
One of the EUP's helicopters was on its way back from the area around Ponyville to the camp whence they came. They had been scouting since the early hours of that morning and not spotted a thing.
"But would we see anything though?" one of the crew asked. "They can change after all."
"A giant assault force would be harder to hide," the pilot shouted back over the noise of the blades and the magical inner working of the rotor.
"A large congregation that size would be difficult to disguise and not be completely suspicious," the third and final soldier aboard spoke. "An army of 'ponies' or a rocky outcropping that didn't exist before would be noticeable, the latter especially so with a detailed map like what we have."
"Wait, rocky outcropping?" the first soldier asked questioningly.
"Yeah, they can disguise as some inanimate objects," the third explained.
"Seriously? Damn, that's irritating."
The pilot was messing with some dials at the front, the two in the back simply rolled their eyes.
"Give it up, we're way too far from Ponyville now. No more music."
The pilot grumbled, and let go of the radio. "Having that Vinyl Scratch and Octavia on here was far more entertaining than listening to you two yapping on and on constantly."
"You mean DJ Pon-3? Isn't she a mute?" the third asked.
"Yeah, but she still plays good instrumental music," the pilot stated. "If you want vocals you listen to Octavia, though they often work together."
"I'm fairly certain we're not meant to be using it to pick up civilian radio stations anyhow," the first stated. "It's against regulations."
The pilot snorted. "Since when did you care that much?"
"Hey, as long as our superiors don't find out," he responded. "I'd rather not have latrine duty again."
"Agreed," the third stated. "He didn't stop bitching for ages afterwards."
"Your punishment for ratting me out, buddy," the first bumped the third on the shoulder. "We nearly there yet?"
"An hour, tops," the pilot responded. "Then we can finally kick back and... and..."
The ponies in the back shared a worried glance
"Pilot?" the first shouted out. "What's wrong?"
"You may want to look at this..." was the response.
The two in the back made their way of to the cockpit and looked out the front window, their eyes widening as they did.
A giant swarm of distant black dots were coming right for them; and as they rapidly closed in, what they were became apparent as the black chitin was joined by red and blue armour that came into view as they got closer.
"Changelings!" the pilot shouted. "Taking evasive action!"
The helicopter was forced to duck and weave through the horde of incoming changelings, though as the vehicle entered the maelstrom the changeling formed a tunnel around it and bypassed them completely, showing no interest. They came to a hover as they inspected the sight around them.
"They're ignoring us?" the first asked in shock.
The pilot picked up the radio and immediately began a transmission back to camp.
"Mayday, mayday. We've encountered a massive horde of changelings on a direct route to Ponyville, I repeat an invasion force is on its was to-"
All three froze in place as a figure descended down before them, looking directly at them through the window just as the last of the drone passed by. It was a changeling queen with blood red eyes and a mane to match, and she was smirking at them.
Then her horn charged.
"Evade!" one of them shouted at the pilot as the helicopter veered to the side to try and avoid the coming strike.
Magic lanced from Crudelis' horn and struck the rotor directly, sheering it and the blades off as the magical crystal within burst.
Without the blades and levitation spells to keep it up, the helicopter plummeted from the sky into a fiery demise below, leaving no survivors.
Crudelis smugly inspected her work, before resuming her journey to Ponyville, her next target.
Refugee Camp
The command tent was nearly empty, and would be if it weren't for the only two inhabitants sitting at the table in mid conversation.
"A day out for family and friends, huh?" Shining asked. "Sounds like a good idea. It will be nice to have a respite from this. Vladimir and Broad Sword are meant to be on shore leave right now."
"Things rarely go to plan for us, huh?" Twilight noted. "Some big crisis comes up, every time."
"Raging centaurs, long lost evils, the list goes on," Shining agreed. "But what can we do? We play the cards we are dealt."
"I just wish they weren't always terrible cards," Twilight smirked. "You always were bad at poker."
"I am not!" Shining protested.
"I would always beat you when we played any such card games," Twilight stated. "Whenever we would play games around the fire at Hearth's Warming, I would beat you every single time!"
"That's because you're so analytical about things, though your poker face was always terrible. Which is why dad always defeated you."
Twilight chuckled. "True. Dad is the master of cards for a reason..." Twilight sighed. "I wonder how my father, my changeling father I mean, would have been at cards."
"Virum, wasn't it?" Shining asked, getting a nod in return. "You have pictures of him, don't you?"
"Did," Twilight's face fell. "I left everything back at the hive. My books, the trinkets I picked up on the adventures my friends and I went on, and all the pictures I owned."
"Hey, your room wasn't in the main residential section, was it?"
"No, it wasn't caught in the collapse if that's what you're asking," Twilight stated in response.
"Well then, after all is said and done I'll have everything salvageable picked up from there. Not just for you, but your changelings."
Twilight offered her brother a grateful smile. "Thanks BBBFF."
Just then, Celestia burst through the tent's entrance, followed by Luna, both Royal Guard Captains, Carduus and Cadance.
"Celestia," Shining greeted as both got up from their seating. "What's happening?"
"One of our scouts has been taken out," Celestia stated. "Their last transmission stated that Crudelis and mobilised an invasion force."
"What?!" Twilight's eyes widened. "She's going to attack us, here?"
"No," Celestia stated, shaking her head. "Not here."
"Then... where?"
"Ponyville." |
Change | 60 - The Drums Of War | Equestrian Countryside, one day before the battle
An orange tint had begun to take over the sky as the Friendship Express made its way towards the town of Ponyville. The rumbling of the train on its tracks echoed along the vast countryside landscape surrounding it, and everypony on the trains was undergoing the usual experience of traveling by train. Most were ponies coming home from Canterlot, though some were from other locales coming to visit the town.
Overall, however, everything was proceeding as it usually did. The waning hours meant several foals fell asleep in their mothers' laps, and things were quiet and generally peaceful throughout the carriages from stem to stern.
Then, it all began at the gasp of surprise and awe from a single passenger, and throughout the train many more soon joined in as they peered out to see the cause of the commotion.
Until a black cloud forming in the distance is what had caught the passengers' attention. It was incoming fast, and the passengers gathered at the windows to view the incoming phenomenon. However, as it got closer and they were able to make out more details, it quickly became apparent that it was no cloud. Many, many black dots were swarming forwards, high in the sky.
Changelings.
No discretion, no subterfuge, this was an invasion. And a show of force.
Panic spread amongst the passengers when the swarm closed in, and a large amount of them split off and descended quickly towards the helpless train. The drones closed the gap quick, descending in uniform formation as they closed in towards their target, fangs glaring and horns charging.
The drones swarmed around the train, which began to pick up speed in a panicked attempt to flee, but it couldn't escape. Their horns charged a putrid green, and bolts of magic began to be launched. Volley after volley was fired at the tracks beneath the train's wheels. The ponies aboard screamed in terror as the whole thing shook, the tracks beneath disintegrating and the train itself coming free of them. Without any guidance, the train careened out of control, the front carriages being the first to flip over with the rest slamming into one another, many being crushed outright by the force of the impact like a tin can against a forehead. Dirt and dust were thrown into the air as the chaos unfolded, the odd tree in the train's path was uprooted and tossed aside like an unwanted ragdoll. By the time the train came to a halt, a path of devastation had been carved into the landscape from the tracks to the final resting place of the many carriages the train had been pulling along.
All that was left at the end was a pile of twisted wreckage, the engine catching alight as fire begun to consume what was left, the survivors scrambling to escape and free trapped loved ones as foals screamed and cried for their mothers and fathers, many of whom would never be able to answer.
The changelings responsible probably would have stayed to finish off the stragglers, but the swarm was already moving on, and their true target was now close at hoof.
Ponyville, was not their true target. In the end the town and its ponies were a means to an end, and completely expendable. No, their true target would, in typical fashion, rush to save the ponies whom she called her friends, but that would be her undoing...
Soon, Queen Twilight Sparkle would be dead.
Ponyville
Applejack walked on through the streets of the quiet town she called home, a cart of apples being pulled along behind her. Many had locked themselves away in their homes after the previous day's incident, but Applejack had a job to do, and would do it come rain or shine.
She was stubborn like that, a trait that runs in the family for the Apples.
Applejack stopped off at a few locations, delivering ponies' shipments of apples they had ordered from Sweet Apple Acres. Most were small groups delivered to individual homes, but a few big batches were delivered to establishments dealing in food, like Sugarcube Corner.
Pinkie Pie had been there ready to receive the shipment, almost as if her previous injury had never happened. It was difficult to keep the Party Pony down, something that Applejack had a deep respect for.
After delivering a bushel to Lyra and Bon Bon, Applejack began to head towards one of her lasts stops for the day. It was a house towards the edge of town atop a small hill, the design of the house was literally split right down the middle to represent the owners of said house. The owners were roommates, best friends and partners in all things musical, Vinyl Scratch and Octavia.
There was always idle gossip, especially from the florists, that the two were a couple like Lyra and Bon Bon, but Applejack had known them long enough to know that was not the case, but they were as close as friends could get without crossing that particular boundary.
Applejack lifted the cart from her back, and walked up to the door, knocking on it a moment later.
After a few moments, a grey mare with a black mane opened the door, a white mare with a blue mane and purple glasses was just behind her.
"Applejack, dear, so good to see you," Octavia greeted. "I take it you have our shipment?"
"Ah do," Applejack confirmed. "Though, your shipment seems larger than usual, any reason for that?"
"Oh, it's nothing really," Octavia started. "Somepony just seems to be craving them more than usual, and eating through them so quickly it's untrue!"
Vinyl gave Octavia a deadpan look, and then, being a mute, made some gestures stating something along the lines of: "Why are you looking at me? You're the one that's doing that!"
"Oh, details," Octavia dismissed.
Applejack smirked as she unloaded their order from the now nearly empty cart. As she did so however, she spotted something in the distance. Something that, if it was one of the ponies who survived the train wreck not far from the town, would seem far too familiar.
"What is that?" Applejack wondered out loud, Octavia and Vinyl also looking towards where Applejack was pointing towards.
Vinyl made some gestures. "Dude, looks like a storm cloud to me."
"One, we're not 'dudes'," Octavia stated. "Two, there are no storms scheduled for this week!"
Vinyl conceded the point, and gave the black mass in the distance a pointed frown as she studied it, trying to figure out what exactly it was; she lowered her glasses to the edge of her muzzle as peered over with her red eyes to try and get a better look with no obstructions.
"Is that... buzzing?" Octavia strained her ears, trying to pick up the distant sound.
"Wait a moment..." Applejack's eyes widened, also hearing the buzzing, and spotting some small black dots around the edges of the cloud. She squinted as she examined more closely the black dots seemed to make up the cloud.
It clicked in her mind as she put two and two together, and alarms blared within her being as she realised what exactly that cloud was.
"Changelings!" Applejack shouted.
"W-what!" Octavia did a double take. "Are you certain?"
"Positive," she responded. "And that there swarm is thicker than fruit bats attacking an apple tree."
"What do we do?"
"Listen you two," Applejack said seriously. "Y'all need to need to gather as many ponies as possible and tell them to head to the edges of the forest, hide in the shrubbery. Ah'll get the other bearers and inform the mayor, we've got to evacuate the town!"
"You can't be serious," Octavia's eyes widened in disbelief.
"We don't stand a chance against a swarm that size!" Applejack pointed out. "We need to go!"
Vinyl grabbed onto her frozen friend, and dragged her away to do as Applejack had asked.
Applejack looked back at the swarm, which was getting far too close for comfort. Then she spun and sprinted down the hill and into town, leaving her cart behind.
She had to get her friends and family out before those changeling arrived. She feared for any pony that didn't make it out, and prayed that Princess Celestia and Twilight would send help soon.
Refugee Camp
All of the most important changelings and ponies in the camp were spread out around the war map in the command tent. Queen Twilight sat in her throne, Princess Celestia standing to her left and Queen Draco to her right. Down the left side all the rest of the ponies, Shining Armor, Luna, Cadance, Vladimir and Broad Sword sat opposite to the changelings on the right, including Carduus, as they were briefed by Celestia.
"The swarm is being led by Queen Crudelis herself, and is heading directly towards Ponyville," she informed them. "Their forces are considerable, Ponyville will not stand a chance against it."
"This is a trap," Draco stated. "Crudelis is trying to draw Twilight out to finish her off, the rest of us too if she can."
"Are you suggesting we let them die?" Shining Armor growled. "Hundreds of innocent ponies and some other races living there are in the firing line!"
"Including the other element bearers," Luna added. "We must assume they are being targeted too, eliminating one of Equestria's greatest weapons."
"We could scramble to combat them at the town," Carduus began. "But the forces we could scramble will still be vastly outnumbered with what Crudelis has brought. It would take several days to get together a force of changelings and EUP to meet them on equal terms and numbers."
"Are you forgetting," Luna started with a shake of her head. "That our force includes us, three alicorns and two changeling queens makes up for a lot of that disadvantage."
"Not to mention that in a few days' time, there won't be anything left of Ponyville or its inhabitants," Broad Sword stated.
"We're all aware, thank you very much," Carduus deadpanned.
"We could route more EUP to act as reinforcement's mid-battle," Vladimir suggested. "Though they wouldn't arrive for a while after it would have already started.
"We need to do something!" Cadance urged. "We can't leave them to fend for themselves!"
"I think," Celestia said loudly, getting all of their attention. "That this is Queen Twilight's decision. This is a trap for her, and her hives future depends on the events of the foreseeable future."
All eyes turned expectantly towards the changeling queen, who had yet to say a word. She was sitting in her throne, her eyes trained directly onto the map where a small figurine of Crudelis as displayed near Ponyville.
Her cold gaze silently remained on the figurine for another minute, adding more apprehension to an already tense atmosphere.
Finally, she picked up the figurine with her magic and brought it towards her.
"She wants my attention so badly..." Twilight said in a monotone, the figurine being reduced to ash. "Then she's got it."
Twilight sat up regally in her seat, and for a moment she could almost be mistaken for Chrysalis.
"She killed my mother, destroyed my home and has tried to kill me. Now she attacks my friends, and a place that I still think of as a home. It ends now."
"So we're going in?" Carduus asked.
"There are no hostile changeling forces near the camp, so we can leave a token force to keep the peace here," she stated. "The rest of us head to meet Crudelis in battle, and as Vladimir suggested we route other forces to join us as it progresses."
"Twily, are you certain of this?" Shining asked.
"I thought you'd be in favour of this," Carduus noted.
"I am," he responded. "I'm just worrying for my little sister."
"I'm certain," Twilight stated. "No more running or hiding. The line must be drawn here, no further! And they will regret ever setting hoof into the Badlands Hive or Equestria!"
"Then it is decided," Celesita stated as nods were shared between those gathered. "We shall accompany you personally, my former student. This is an attack on Equestrian soil, and Crudelis has declared war on Equestria. It feels too soon to wear my old armour again, but I shall do so to protect my ponies, and you."
"I appreciate it," Twilight stated. "You have your directions, let's get to it."
Twilight stayed seated in her throne, wanting to talk to Carduus and her changeling commanders as the others all exited the tent.
Broad Sword was the last to exit, and was met with his wife and Spike waiting outside.
"Honey," Broad Sword embraced his pregnant wife.
"So, it's war then?" she muttered, holding him tight.
"Afraid so," he responded, slowly letting her go. "And you're staying here, with a certain somepony you are carrying."
Scarlet nodded. "I understand. I'll keep things coordinated with the EUP and changelings that stay behind."
"I'll be staying too," Spike spoke up. "And somehow I doubt Soronis will be coming along," he joked.
"She'll be too busy foalsitting her sister and little Iuvenes," Scarlet chuckled. "Oh well, I'm sure Panacea will lend her a hoof with that."
A commotion began around camp as the EUP and changeling forces were roused and organised. They would soon be leaving for Ponyville. The drums of war had been sounded, ponies and changelings alike preparing for the worst.
The end would be coming soon. |
Change | 61 - Change: Part 1 | Ponyville, the day of the battle
The town was silent as Queen Crudelis laid her blood red eyes on it. She could picture a tumbleweed just blowing right on down the street, the town was completely deserted. Her changelings had kicked down doors and ransacked all the houses in search of any remaining inhabitants stubbornly refusing to flee, and yet found nothing. Even as far out as Sweet Apple Acres was empty.
They most likely fled to the forest, and hunting them would be a simple task.
But that wasn't why they were there, they were getting Twilight Sparkle's attention and that was all. All those other ponies were irrelevant, and could go hide in Everfree and be Timberwolf snacks for all she cared.
Twilight Sparkle would come, all she had to do was wait patiently.
A defensive perimeter had been set around the town, Ponyville becoming something of a fortress for Crudelis and her changelings. A fortress that would soon be a warzone.
For now, Crudelis was standing outside the Golden Oaks Library. She momentarily considered how it was a good thing for the tree that Twilight moved out, lest it would have been destroyed by the multitude of enemies she had made over the years.
Crudelis herself momentarily considered setting it on fire, but it would honestly be a waste of magic.
Still...
Crudelis placed a hoof on the door and made her way inside. The interior was as dark and empty as the rest of the town, and yet signs of Twilight Sparkle were easily evident, even if she no longer was the librarian.
Just by a perch with the nameplate titled 'Owlicious' engraved onto it, was a picture frame on the wall. She didn't know why the current librarian had kept it there, but neither did she really care.
It was a photograph showing six mares, all seemed to be ponies, but Crudelis knew better.
The bearers of the Elements of Harmony in their earliest days together. Twilight Sparkle in her unicorn guise stood right in the centre of them, just behind the yellow Pegasus.
They all seemed... happy.
"Your highness," one of her drones spoke over the hive.
"Yes, what is it?"
"They're here..."
Twilight Sparkle was flying alongside Queen Draco, the alicorns and Captain Carduus on approach to Sweet Apple Acres. The vast farm spread out beneath them, apple trees littering the ground for many acres.
They were at the head of the force moving inwards quickly, and below them many groups of EUP ponies, including Broad Sword, Vladimir and Shining Armor, were moving up with Pegasi acting as eyes in the sky. Flying through the air not far behind them, several of the EUP's helicopters cut through the air flanked by Twilight and Draco's changelings.
"Crudelis' changelings, dead ahead!" Carduus shouted, directing their attention to the area near the farmhouse, where a group of changelings were gathering.
Not a moment later, green spellfire was thrown straight up in their directing, flying all around them.
"BEGIN THE ASSAULT!" Celestia ordered in her Royal Canterlot Voice, the EUP squads below drawing their weapons and engaging the closest hostile changeling they could see.
And these minor skirmishes were just the beginning.
Lightening cracked down onto the changelings near the farmhouse as directed by both Celestia and Luna, their eyes glowing a pure white with sheer power.
While Cadance fell back to provide defensive spells for their soldiers, Queen Draco landed directly onto a group of changelings and quickly got to work tearing them to pieces.
As the royal sisters continued their lightning strikes, Queen Twilight and Carduus veered back to meet up with their drones.
While the EUP ground forces pushed in from the front, the changelings and the EUP in the helicopters were going to drop right down onto the town itself.
Down below, Shining Armor bucked a charging changeling and watched as Broad Sword cut him down.
Vladimir used his wings to leap upwards and down on top of one changeling, crushing his skull in before picking off another with his blade.
The EUP with them made quick work of the others, and one last changeling attempted to flee, only to be dropped by a single spell launched by Prince Armor.
"That's one group down," Vladimir stated. "We've got more of them further in by the farm's entrance."
"Alright ponies," Shining Armor shouted out. "Move on up!"
The ponies gave an enthusiastic battle cry as they dashed on forwards, catching glimpses of their changeling allies swarming overhead towards the town.
Sentries within the town saw those several hundred drones incoming, hundreds more approaching from behind the first wave, nearly all one thousand of the surviving soldiers of the Badlands Hive were there, eager for payback.
Ponyville and much of the surrounding area was about to be set ablaze.
Twilight and Draco's drones shot directly down onto the town, many grappling with Crudelis' own changelings on arrival. Clangs of steel could be heard from many blades as spellfire was exchanged between the changelings on opposing sides.
Several bolts tore a group of changelings to bits from the crossbow turrets of the helicopters as they moved in to land. One was hit with a volley of green spellfire and went down in a spectacular ball of fire. Many more landed and unloaded the EUP held on board, one pony quickly crossing blades with a changeling as they exchanged strikes back and forth. Their cargo delivered, the helicopters took off again into the air to provide support where needed, two more being shot from the sky and crushing several homes, each quickly being set ablaze.
As the fire began to paint the sky with an orange glow, Twilight and Carduus landed right in the thick of the chaos the centre of town had quickly become. They were right by the town hall, and Twilight had her eyes peeled for any sign of Crudelis, but had yet to spot her.
"Twilight, look out!" Carduus warned as an arrow whipped on by.
Twilight caught the arrow with her magic, and flung it back at the changeling who shot it, killing them instantly.
Queen Twilight then spun on the spot and fired a quick group of lavender fireballs into a group of changelings in armour coloured both blue and red, reducing them to ashes. Several drones saw her and made a move to strike, but Twilight made quick work of each, downing most with her magic before they even reached her.
Carduus struck at the ones who got closer than most, his blade clanging off of theirs as they traded blows. Carduus' blade locked with his combatants again as they struck against one another, Carduus quickly stepping back to unbalance his opponent before decapitating him in a single strike. He turned and stunned another with a bolt of green magic, before quickly being launched into combat against another adversary.
"We need to find Crudelis!" Twilight shouted amidst the fighting.
Carduus punched a drone in the face before answering. "She'll be here!"
The fighting at Sweet Apple Acres was packed, dozens upon dozens kicked and stabbed as the full scale battle was truly underway.
Celestia swooped down, but she was too late to save a small group of EUP surrounded by changelings, and their dying screams assaulting her ears. Enraged, she landed directly on top of that group and lifted each one into the air simultaneously with a single levitation spell. As they struggled, each one was crushed under the applied pressure and before long nothing much left existed of them aside from a tiny ball of twisted armour covered in blood. Another brave fool was cut in half by the Princess' halberd, the single bolt of magic he let off before death pinging off her armour without leaving a scratch.
The very ground at Celestia's hooves burned and enemy changelings actively shied away from attacking her, the Princess of the Sun striking fear into their hearts.
That was when Celestia saw her.
Near the entrance to the farm Queen Crudelis picked up some poor pony. A red lance of magic sliced the ponies' chest and stomach open and gravity disembowelled them. Her red hued magic then trailed upwards into the sky; several Pegasi scrambled to avoid it, but not all of them succeeded, and a few fell to the ground, dead or dying.
Celestia's eyes trained in on Crudelis, and with one teleport she was standing directly in front of the changeling queen.
Crudelis' eyes momentarily widened in surprise at the alicorns appearance, before quickly placing a shield to block a golden lance.
"Princess Celestia," Crudelis smirked as she deflected the attack and burst out the shield to knock Celestia backwards. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"SILENCE FIEND!" Celestia shouted, striking forwards with her halberd.
Crudelis ducked to one side and took to the air, scrambling away from the furious alicorn. Celestia followed quickly, the two heading towards Ponyville itself. A short ways down the path, Crudelis decelerated and shot back past Celestia, who once again struck out with her weapon. The halberd missed Crudelis by an inch, and the Queen used her magic to pry it from Celestia and throw it far backwards and into the ongoing battle below.
"Watch out!" Cadance shouted in warning, placing up a shield to protect Shining Armor from the stray golden halberd flying at him.
The halberd shattered against the blue shield, and its pieces clattered to the floor.
"Thanks honey," Shining Armor said as he eye the broken weapon. "Isn't that Celestia's?"
"It was," Broad Sword managed to remark as he grappled a changeling.
Vladimir helped his friend out by grabbing the changeling by the neck and pulling him away, using his blade to slit his throat.
Broad Sword gave a nod of thanks, and took a moment to catch his breath.
"Looks like the battle here is moving towards the town, away from the farm," Vladimir noted. "Did we break their lines?"
"I don't think so," Cadance spoke up. "Looks like they're just regrouping."
"You are correct," Luna stated as she landed next to them. "Queen Crudelis is moving back while battling my sister, and thus so are they."
Luna looked unscathed, but her sword was dripping with changeling remains.
"Come," she gestured to the fight. "We have much work to do."
After getting nods of agreement all around, they all rushed back off to re-join the fight. As they went, they could see Queen Draco, flanked by two of her personal guard, lay waste to some of Crudelis' changelings as they tried to fall back.
Back in Ponyville, a chunk was taken out of the town hall by a blast of a small mana bomb. Several more houses were on fire now as the fighting continued, becoming fiercer every passing second. Twilight and Carduus had fought their way through the streets looking for Queen Crudelis, but still had yet to see her. Their search had taken them to the Golden Oaks Library, where barricades had been set up by some EUP ponies and the library turned into a battlefield triage centre, a place where they could take the wounded and get them medical attention.
Twilight and Carduus passed the ponies and changelings guarding the perimeter, dead changelings wearing red and blue armour, signifying them as being with Crudelis' force, were scattered around on the ground. They quickly entered the library where the wounded were being seen to by medics.
"Check downstairs," Twilight suggested to a nearby doctor. "There should be some medical supplies in the cabinets.
"Thanks," the doctor said. "The sergeant is upstairs if you want to talk to her."
Twilight nodded, and quickly headed up while Carduus went to help with the wounded.
On entering the bedroom Twilight saw a map of the town had been set up on a small table nearby, but her gaze was momentarily captured by her old bed, memories running through her mind of her time living in the very library in which she now stood.
From the first party Pinkie had thrown her the night Luna returned, all the way to the wedding that had forever changed her life. All those memories were written in the bark of the tree, and lived on through the very roots and leaves of the old Golden Oak.
"Sergeant?" she called out towards a grey mare with a black mane suited in silver EUP armour.
"Yes?" the mare turned to see the sound of the voice, looking up from the map. "Oh! Your highness, I wasn't expecting you."
"How are things going here?" Twilight asked.
"Better than expected," she admitted. "The area around this library has mostly been secured, the changelings are too busy elsewhere to give us much thought right now."
"What about Queen Crudelis?" Twilight asked, getting to the point of her visit. "Have any of you seen her as of yet?"
"Not yet," the sergeant shook her head. "But I would check towards the farm."
"I will," Twilight stated. "Stay safe, and keep the library intact if you can, it is still a home to me."
"Understood," the mare saluted as Twilight went to retrieve Carduus and head towards the farm.
But as Twilight left the library, Celestia was locked in a deadly battle with Queen Crudelis, their horns locked as they grappled each other in the air.
A golden pulse separated the two, and Celestia hit Crudelis directly with a golden beam of magic. Crudelis gave a shout of agony as she was pummelled backwards and into a Ponyville street. In a painful heap, Crudelis struggled to her hooves as Celestia landed a short distance from her, firing several bolts of magic.
Crudelis shot back, catching and deflecting several of Celestia's attacks but being hit by several more. Knocked to the ground again, she looked up to see Celestia charging a large spell within her horn aimed directly at her.
Quickly, Crudelis launched a small stun spell at Celestia, and it hit her directly in the chest. The spell had enough power to make a small hole in her chest armour and cause Celestia to fall to her knees as she lost balance. The spell she had been charging flickered out as she tried to stand again.
Crudelis was the first to stand, and she fired a beam of her own at Celestia, who rolled to one side as the beam streaked past and into a group of changeling from both sides.
Celestia stood up and her eyes glowed a dangerous white as she flared her wings, her horn crackled along with the clouds as lightning barraged around Crudelis, who placed a shield around herself for protection. The supercharged lightning struck a building next to Crudelis and brought the entire structure crumbling down towards the Queen, who released her shield and used her wings to propel herself backwards and away from the building.
Dirt and dust was kicked up into the air as the building impacted with the ground, turning into scattered piles of rubble. Celestia quickly flew up over the wreckage in search of Crudelis, landing on the other side and scanning for her.
To Celestia's rage, all she found was the remnants of a portal spell. Crudelis had fled from the Princess of the Sun.
Elsewhere, as Twilight approached the edge of town, something caught her eye. The very changeling she had been searching for sprang up from a portal and stumbled out.
"Carduus, go on ahead and meet with Shiny and the others," she said to her Captain, who hadn't spotted Crudelis.
"Why, what are you doing?" he asked.
"Just go!" she ordered. "I'll catch up."
He gave a reluctant nod, before heading off towards the fighting.
When Twilight turned back to Crudelis, she found that they had in fact spotted each other, and Crudelis was now glaring and Twilight expectantly.
"There you are," Crudelis stated casually, approaching her niece's daughter. "Here we are at last."
"Crudelis," Twilight spat. "You are looking worse for wear."
"I had a run in with Celestia," she stated. "Believe me, the damage she dealt is mostly cosmetic. But she had the upper hoof at the time, I do not fight when I know I cannot win."
"And you think you can win this," Twilight questioned in disgust, motioning to the chaos around them.
Crudelis too examined the scene, nodding in acknowledgment to Twilight's point. "My force far outnumbers yours, but with Draco and the princesses this might actually be a fair fight."
"A fair fight?"
Crudelis smirked. "This has been a long time coming, and either of us could ultimately come out on top, either both the Badlands Hive and Equestria will finally fall today, or I will. So, Queen Twilight Sparkle, let's have one last dance."
Crudelis' horn sparked dangerously as she launched a massive beam of red magic towards Twilight, who met it with a lavender one. The beams connected for a few moments, before Twilight rolled to her left and let it fly right by her. She proceeded to fire several bolts in quick succession as Crudelis took to the air and avoid them. Several more spells were shared back and forth, with none hitting their target.
Crudelis picked up a discarded spear and lunged at Twilight, who side stepped. Crudelis tried to bring the spear around, and Twilight grabbed onto the shaft. They began to struggle over the weapon, they eyes meeting, both casting hateful glares at one another.
"You know," Crudelis panted as she continued to struggle with Twilight. "It was with a spear tip that I ended your mother's life, I think it would be fitting for you to meet that same fate!"
Twilight gave a snarl of rage as she pushed against Crudelis and gained possession of the spear, which she quickly threw towards Crudelis.
Crudelis fired a spell at the spear which reduced it to splinters and twisted metal, before being jumped on and pinned by Twilight. Crudelis held Twilight back as she snapped at Crudelis with her razor sharp fangs. Crudelis fired a quick spell that sent Twilight flying off of her and into a nearby tree.
Crudelis launched another spell at Twilight, whose eyes widened at the sight of it as she came out of her daze. A quick teleport deposited her into the air and her wings buzzed to life, the tree catching on fire from the strike meant for her.
Crudelis took to the air after Twilight, who flew backwards while firing spells as she went. Crudelis placed up a shield and charged towards Twilight, who placed up her own. The two bubbles collided with each other several times before breaking off, Twilight unleashing flames towards Crudelis.
Crudelis avoided them, and retaliated, their fight continuing with one thing apparent.
By the end, one would most certainly die.
But as their fight continued, things weren't looking good around the farm. Crudelis' changelings were regaining lost ground and pushing back against the EUP.
"Stand steady!" Broad Sword shouted, he along with Vladimir and Shining having been separated from Cadance and Luna.
Shining Armor ducked down onto the ground to avoid the swing of one changeling's sword, before said changeling was dispatched by a EUP pony, who in turn was eviscerated by a spell.
"And this was going so well at first," Shining grumbled, being helped up by Broad Sword.
A shout from Vladimir caught their attention, and they found he had received a large gash along his side from a blade, having lost his own. They tried to rush to help, but were intercepted and distracted by some other changelings.
Broad Sword kicked the changeling assaulting him away, but before said changeling could come back he was taken out by a green bolt of magic.
"Broad Sword!" Carduus shouted on arrival. "What's going on?"
"The changelings are making push back at us, and succeeding!" he informed him.
They turned to try and reach Vladimir, but were once again blocked.
Vladimir dodged to the side with a well-timed strafe to avoid a death blow from the changeling he was fighting. He was in pain and without a weapon, things were not looking good.
The changeling struck again, and once more Vladimir dodged but this time moved to punch the drone. The changeling expected this, and caught his hoof in his magic, before hitting the thestral with the hilt of his blade. Vladimir fell to the floor, helpless as the blade was struck down onto him.
Only for a humungous bang to startle the drone and stumble him, saving Vladimir. This was accompanied by a prismatic blur landing directly onto the drone and reducing him to paste. Vladimir, laying on his back, saw a large rainbow explosion up in the sky right above where the drone had been. A cyan hoof reached out to him, and on accepting the help up he encountered none other than Rainbow Dash in full Wonderbolt uniform, a couple other bolts flanking her.
"Rainbow Dash!" Shining shouted as he and the others finally reached Vladimir. "What are you doing here?"
"Didn't feel right just staying put," she stated. "And Soarin and Fleetfoot here came in with the first wave of reinforcements, so I joined them."
"What about the rest of the town's inhabitants? And your friends?"
"Zecora's," Rainbow answered. "She's offered to house the town in the area, they've set up a perimeter to protect against the wildlife. They should be safe until this blows over."
"We've got a while to go yet!" Carduus shouted, gesturing to some incoming drones.
"Soarin, Fleetfoot, it's time to show these guys how awesome the Wonderbolts are!" Rainbow Dash shouted in her usual enthusiasm.
"You'd better," Carduus stated. "Because this is far from over."
To Be Concluded... |
Change | 62 - Change: Part 2 | Fire, blood and death.
That is what filled the previously peaceful town of Ponyville.
Sweet Apple Acres was taking the brunt of it, the farmhouse had been ripped and shredded in various places, but unlike the barn it was still standing. The fighting raged on fiercely as the changelings under the banner of Queen Crudelis surged forwards, pushing back those who would oppose them one step at a time.
"Take cover!" Carduus shouted over to a group of his fellow changelings following Queen Twilight, too late. They were besieged by green flames and melted into a substance not dissimilar to molten slag.
A hoof on the changeling captain's shoulder dragged him back behind a sheared off piece of the destroyed barn as spellfire whipped past where he had just been standing. Carduus panted heavily as he got his bearing, seeing Shining Armor poke his head out and fire some spells in retaliation, before being forced to duck down again.
"We're outnumbered!" Vladimir shouted. "We need more reinforcements!"
"They're coming, but not quick enough!" Broad Sword responded. "We need a plan."
"Right now the plan is staying alive," Shining stated. "Not much else we can do by this point."
Another explosion covered the group in muck and dirt, it getting into their eyes and mouths as they cursed loudly. Around them, their ponies and changelings were dying faster than they could keep track, while every time they killed a group of Crudelis' forces twice the amount seemed to take their place.
"Well this is fun," Broad Sword deadpanned as an arrow narrowly brushed his helmet.
The wooden debris they were hiding behind splintered and jolted as spells impacted violently against its surface.
"This thing isn't going to last long!" Vladimir stated in alarm. "A few more minutes and we'll be right in the open!"
A prismatic explosion spread out across the sky, signifying that the Element of Loyalty was still very much in the fight.
Rainbow Dash quickly took off again before the changelings could turn to attack her, leaving the decimated remains of one group in the small crater she had formed on impact. Several tried to follow, but they just ate her dust.
After a few ducks and turns she came across a group of rather high ranking looking changelings, who turned to glare at her as she stopped just before them.
"Huh, catch me if you can!" Rainbow taunted, taking off in a much slower pace than she normally would have to.
As expected, all the changelings she targeted followed her in a rage, and in their eagerness to be the one to eliminate an element bearer. She stayed ahead enough to be out of immediate harm's way, but close enough so they would continue to follow. She gave them the run around, taking pleasure in toying with the group as they took the scenic route to the edge of the Everfree Forest. On reaching the tree line, Dash stopped dead and dropped to the floor, turning to meet the pursuing changelings.
The group stopped and began preparing their weapons to finish the cyan Pegasus.
"Heh, I guess you cornered me," Rainbow Dash stated with a yawn, not worried in the slightest. "Too bad you bug brains fell right into our trap."
The changelings' eyes widened, only for each to be immediately struck by lightning, their charred corpses dropping to the floor.
"And that's how you do it!" Fleetfoot shouted from her cloud, Soarin sat in another just next to her.
Both had been hidden in the treeline, waiting for their targets to come right into their waiting hooves.
"Look!" Soarin pointed above them as the three princesses came streaking past, uniting their magic and taking out a large chunk out of the changeling force.
As the three princesses passed by, something caught Cadance's eye.
"Gah, it's going!" Carduus shouted as their cover disintegrated before their eyes.
The moment it went, Carduus and Shining Armor immediately released a volley of spells into the changeling lines, taking out those in the front but they were quickly replaced. Shining went to place a shield around them, but a green spell impacted with his horn. A shout of pain echoed through the battlefield as Shining dropped, clutching his forehead with his hooves where his horn was battered and charred.
"Shining!" Broad Sword shouted out, cutting away at a few changeling as he and the others rushed to his aid.
After they had hauled the Prince to his hooves, they looked around them desperately for a new source of cover, finding none. They were completely exposed with nowhere to run or hide.
Changelings at all sides, and with Shining's magic out of commission, they gathered into a circle with weapons drawn as the changelings converged around them.
An unbelievable volley of spellfire was launched in their direction, bearing down of them with extremely lethal intent. They braced themselves as their vision was filled with roaring green magical auras coming right at them.
Only for it to be replaced with a soft cyan, a cyan that caused the green spellfire to sputter and die on impact.
"Cadance!" Shining weakly called out to his wife as the shield she had formed around all five of them came under fire.
"Hang on!" she shouted, her eyes scrunching in concentration as her horn grew brighter.
The shield collapsed and the spellfire got through, only to be met with a blue flash before striking against one another in the now empty space.
Meanwhile, the Golden Oaks Library was greeted by the unexpected presence of the Princess of Love and her four companions as they popped into existence from the exit of a teleportation spell. The group that exited swayed lightly on their legs as they regained a sense of their surroundings, shaking off their sudden nausea.
"Thanks, Cadance," Vladimir stated, trying not to be sick from the emergency teleport.
"You're welcome," she responded. "Shining, honey are you alright?" she asked towards her husband, who didn't answer, only giving a blank look.
"Shining?"
Shining Armor suddenly collapsed to the floor, Cadance swiftly moving over and wrapping the now unconscious unicorn in her wings. Her horn scanned over his own, assessing the damage.
"His horn can be saved but he needs medical attention, now!" she commanded to a nearby group of medics, worry rampant in her voice.
"Yes, your highness!" the medics confirmed as they rushed to the Prince's side, lifting him up onto a stretcher nearby, and taking him downstairs.
"We've set all the wounded up downstairs," the one who stayed behind said to the Princess. "We're using the upper part of the library for deployment and restocking our mares and stallions.
"Is this place safe?" Broad Sword asked.
"This library has seen its fair share of trouble," Cadance stated. "My sister-in-law lived here after all."
"What about the actual hospital?" the Solar Captain asked.
"Not an option," the medic stated apologetically. "Too many hostile changelings around it. But we have sent a small team in to retrieve extra supplies."
Broad Sword sighed. "I see, I suppose it's a good thing the town managed to evacuate."
"It would have been a slaughter otherwise," Vladimir grimly noted. "What do we do now?"
"Things aren't going very well," Cadance admitted. "We've lost almost all ground we gained at the farm, and here in town we've essentially been pinned to various outposts we've set up, with a few pockets fighting here and there.
"I'll go join those guarding the entrance," Carduus informed, moving off. "Stay safe."
As they watched him exit the library, the two Captains of the Royal Guard turned back to Mi Amore Cadenza.
"Your highness, as Celestia and Luna's Guard Captains we should get to them," Broad Sword stated.
"I can get you there," Cadance said with a nod. "We've been mostly reinforcing our forces at the farm, keeping things from going from terrible to apocalyptic."
"Back into the fire then," Vladimir stated with a sigh. "What of reinforcements?"
"A couple of helicopters with supplies should be arriving any moment, after that a wave a pegasi with the rest of the Wonderbolts," Cadance explained, preparing the teleport to take them back to the fight.
"Will that even be close to enough?" Broad Sword asked, with face as if made of stone.
Cadance didn't answer for a moment, but when she did she put on her best smile.
"This isn't over yet. Have some faith in Twilight."
As they went to teleport back to the farm, Twilight Sparkle was locked in combat with one whom she hated with her very being. There would be no running. No backing down or surrendering. Whoever won the furious fight would decide the fate of all within the ruined town.
Crudelis kicked off of a rooftop and sped towards the airborne Twilight, who was thrown backwards by the impact, but managed to stay in the air. Their fight was moving back towards the centre of town, trees and homes being uprooted as the two powerful beings kicked, stabbed and shot all sorts of spells at one another. The ground shook as the furious changelings fought, one Queen versus another.
Twilight shot a beam of lavender magic at Crudelis, trailing it across the landscape as the red armoured changelings flew hastily out of the way. Wood splinted and ground was unearthed in its wake, and when it sputtered out Twilight made a short distance teleport to dodge much of the debris that Crudelis picked up and threw in her direction.
When Twilight reappeared she quickly located her opponent and charged towards her. Before Crudelis could respond Twilight grabbed hold of her and rammed through the wall of a building and out the other end, the building collapsing into rubble behind them. Both sprawled across the ground, quickly trying to beat the other to their hooves. Both fired a bolt of magic at one another that met and exploded between them.
Helicopters flew above them overhead, moving to drop of supplies a few extra troops to the entrenched ponies and changelings around town. One spotted Crudelis and the gunner opened fire, arrows raining down toward the Queen.
Twilight used the momentary distraction to her advantage, and as Crudelis caught the arrows with her magic she suddenly found Queen Twilight teleporting directly next to her and bucking her down the street. Crudelis recovered quickly however, and as before she quickly lifted a pile of rubble and used them as projectiles aimed at Twilight herself. Twilight ducked down, but several smaller pieces scratched her chitin, a few of the sharpest pieces even cutting through a little due to the velocity at which they were thrown. Twilight was fine however, but that was about to change as Crudelis took hold of the foundations of the battered home behind Twilight and began to rapidly break it apart. Twilight's eyes widened as the building came crashing towards her, and a fiery lavender portal formed around herself as she sank into the ground.
A short distance from Crudelis, Twilight was thrown into the air from the portal's exit, a few pieces of debris following her through. Spreading her gossamer wings, Twilight managed to remain in the air and look down with disgust at the snarling Crudelis.
Twilight hissed at Crudelis, bearing her fangs tauntingly. Enraged, Crudelis shot into the air right towards Twilight. The younger changeling dodged to the side and flew from one street to another. She quickly landed as she dropped to avoid a red fireball, landing by some corpses of various ponies and changelings not far from the town hall. Next to one of those corpses she spotted an undetonated mana bomb which, as Crudelis came over the building towards her, Twilight ignited and threw in the air.
Crudelis' eyes widened as she lashed out with her magic desperately, luckily for her managing to bat the bomb away right towards the diminished town hall.
'Well then, I'm pretty much fucked,' a trembling drone thought to himself as a mana explosion sent dust and debris flying over his head. The drone hid behind a small jagged piece of rubble jutting out of the ground, right next to the battered town hall. EUP helicopters flew overhead, their door mounted heavy repeater crossbow turrets firing into a crowd of hostile changelings, the velocity of the arrows tearing many drones into bloody ribbons. One of the pony princesses also dove down from above and unleashed a devastating beam of scorching sun into the group, killing even more. And yet as each one fell it was as if two more took their place.
'This town has experienced many events, both odd and dangerous over the years, but I bet it's never seen anything like this.'
The clang of steel and the whoosh of arrows filled the air as an alliance of changelings and Equestrians fought against other, much more hostile changelings. Looking over the rubble, the drone fired a few crossbow bolts of his own at a few nearby hostiles, hitting a few; although before he confirmed those kills some spell fire forced him to once again duck for cover. A large explosion rocked the devastated town as Queen Crudelis was thrown violently through what was once somepony's home, though aside from a few scratches her shield protected her from the majority of the impact and flying debris. Crudelis was shortly thereafter pursued by her opponent, Queen Twilight Sparkle, who fired a few lavender coloured fireballs at the other queen. Crudelis promptly dodged the fireballs before violently snatching Twilight in her red aura, holding her in place.
The drone loaded up his crossbow and took aim at Crudelis, wanting to help his struggling Queen. However, before he could act, Crudelis chucked Twilight away straight into the still firing EUP helicopter; Twilight brought a shield up to protect herself, but unfortunately that protection didn't extend to the helicopter itself. Twilight's momentum crashed her straight into and through the helicopters tail, sheering it off. The machine began to spin wildly as the pilots tried to wrestle for control, ultimately to no avail as both the blades and the levitation spells within failed to keep the damaged vehicle aloft. The drone locked in place in sheer terror as the out-of-control helicopter veered directly towards him, a scream could barely leave his lips as the doomed vehicle slammed down right on top of him, going up in a fiery explosion that cast a shade of orange and red across the battlefield, killing both the drone and all those on board the helicopter itself.
And yet the battle continued, for they were hardly the first to die in this conflict, nor would they be the last.
Twilight, who had momentarily been mesmerised by the explosion that levelled the town hall, found her shock being replaced once more with a fiery ire as she glared at Crudelis.
"Not Ponyville, you won't take another home," she growled, firing a beam of magic at Crudelis.
As their battle took them high above the town, Captain Carduus witnessed it carry on with his own astounded eyes. He watched with growing horror as, despite her efforts, Twilight began to be pushed back.
"Hold on, my Queen! Hold on, Twilight!" Carduus broadcasted to her over the hive, doubting she heard it over the fury of battle.
He ordered another of his changelings to his spot on the barricade in front of the Golden Oaks, and then quickly rushed off to assist his Queen and friend.
Twilight flinched as a small spell clipped her shoulder, narrowly avoiding a larger one that came after it. She dived down back towards the town, strafing to avoid the spellfire that followed her. However, one spell landed right between her wings and sent her spiralling directly into a square where many ruined building bordered.
Queen Twilight landed painfully, Crudelis veering down behind her. She picked up a nearby discarded sword and lashed out, swiping the tip across Crudelis' chest and drawing blood. Queen Crudelis shouted in pain as she strafed backwards and landed on her hooves a short distance away.
Twilight thrust the sword forwards, but a spell reduced it to small metal shards. They traded some spellfire which struck against one another, though Crudelis pushed on forwards as Twilight stumbled backwards. After several more blows, Crudelis released a pulse of magic that knocked Twilight off of her hooves. The red Queen then picked up the younger Queen and slammed her into a wall, and then again, and then again. She slammed Twilight to the ground for good measure, and watched with sadistic glee as she wheezed and struggled to rise to her hooves.
Twilight's eyes widened as she saw the Queen who took her mother away fire a single bolt of magic towards her, more than enough power placed behind it to burn through her chitin and part of the wall behind her too.
Twilight tried to move, but stumbled as her body was still recovering from being slammed into the wall and ground, Twilight was only able to watch as the spell closed in.
"Twilight!" Carduus shouted as he slammed into her side, pushing her away.
He gave a shout of pain as the spell clipped his side and sent him barrelling backwards into the wall, impacting with a horrific crack.
"NO!" Twilight screamed, renewed energy forcing her back onto her hooves as she rushed towards her slumped Captain.
She gently rolled him over, and after a moment Carduus' eyes opened a crack, just barely.
"Damn, that hurt..." Carduus mumbled as he coughed up some blood.
"Why?" Twilight asked. "Why did you do that?!"
He managed to give her a weak grin. "I said a long time ago that I would die for any of my friends, and you are my friend, Twilight..." Carduus coughed up some more blood, his injuries severe.
"Just hold on Carduus, you're going to be alright," Twilight tried to assure her Captain.
He only offered her a small sad smile, before closing his eyes and lowering his head to the ground.
Twilight stared at her fallen friend in horror, tears breaching her eyes. She closed her eyelids in an attempt to fight back those tears, and then when she opened them again they were gone.
Replaced with an infuriated, fiery determination.
Twilight spun around to face the smirking Queen Crudelis, a furious snarl on her face.
"Any more of your friends I can play with?" Crudelis sadistically joked.
"You're a monster..."
"I'm not monster. I do what I must for our race's survival. And you are a threat to that."
"A threat?! How in all of Equestria am I a threat to our species?!"
"We are dying. And pony culture is part of the problem. You are a pony, Twilight. At heart you are one of them. And thus you must be stamped out."
"You're pathetic Crudelis. A parasite, nothing more."
Crudelis' smirk curled into a snarl of her own. "Brave words from one who is about to die."
"No. I will not die here today," Twilight stated as a simple fact. "You draw your power, your love energy from unwilling hosts. It is impure. Tainted. Stolen. And it will be your doom."
"What are you talking about?" Crudelis asked through gritted teeth.
"You claim I am the problem for our race's decline, but you don't see that it is not changelings like me, but like you that is the problem. You didn't earn the power you use, the love you have absorbed," Twilight's furious expression fell away, replaced with a small, peaceful smile. "Mine however, comes from those I hold most dear. My friends, and my family. From my Ponyville friends to all my subjects, my power comes from their love, their friendship, freely given. And that magic is more powerful than any you could hope to wield, Queen Crudelis."
Crudelis simply snorted. "A nice sentiment, but enough talk."
Crudelis' horn glowed bright as she unleashed several bolts of lethal magic in Twilight's direction, only for a lavender shield to intercept each one.
Crudelis released another, and then another. Twilight intercepted and blocked each and every one, stepping closer and closer each time towards her adversary as the battle continued to rage violently around them, a serene smile still on her face.
As Twilight reached Crudelis, the latter gave a shout as she charged Twilight with her blade-like horn, only for Twilight to meet her with her own, the two locking together in combat.
As they locked horns, each pushed against the other, battling for domination over their opponent. Dangerous red and lavender sparks flickered off of each changeling queen as they gained and loss ground over one another. Several nearby combatants stopped their fighting and watched in awe as the end drew near.
Queen Twilight kicked out with a hoof to try and dislodge Crudelis, causing the sinister queen to jump back away from Twilight and fire another bolt.
This one just skimmed Twilight's left cheek, and she in turn fired a beam towards Crudelis. The red maned queen took to the skies in order to dodge the attack, lighting her horn again for a retaliation. However, she never got the chance as Twilight kicked off into the air and grappled with her, resulting in both tumbling back towards the ground. Crudelis kicked out and hit Twilight in the face, knocking the younger changeling to the side with a shout of pain.
Crudelis rolled and quickly got to her hooves, but Twilight was quicker.
Twilight fired a high energy bolt of lavender magic straight into Crudelis' chest. The ancient queen grunted as her legs almost gave way. However, she managed to regain her stance.
Only to be hit again.
Twilight fired one bolt after another, not giving Crudelis time to react to any of them. She tried shielding herself, dodging the attacks, but Twilight homed in on Crudelis every time as the latter quickly weakened.
Crudelis finally managed to block one as she picked up a piece of rubble and used it as a makeshift shield, the piece exploding on contact with Twilight's magic. Despite this, the overexertion left Crudelis panting desperately for breath, and was completely helpless as Twilight levitated the queen into the air and threw her across the clearing.
Crudelis landed in a painful heap, spiting blood from her mouth as she tried, and failed, to stand. Queen Crudelis glared at Twilight as she spotted the young queen standing over her, looking down on her great aunt with an emotionless mask.
"Queen Crudelis," Twilight spoke with a regal tone, with an almost echoing quality. "You have committed serious crimes against myself, my hive, and Equestria, amongst others... But I can help. Just as I helped Discord, Princess Luna and several others. This doesn't have to be your fate."
Crudelis looked at Twilight in shock. "I killed your mother. Tried to kill you. And you are offering me mercy?!"
"I am the Element of Magic, am I not? Besides, I'm not heartless. I am not you."
Twilight held out a hoof, offering Crudelis a chance to take it, and surrender herself.
"Please, take this chance."
Crudelis studied the hoof being offered to her, and then looked back up at Twilight. Around them time seemed to slow as the outcome of this endeavour was decided.
With a small smile forming on her face, Crudelis took Twilight's hoof gently.
"In another life, perhaps."
Crudelis' smile morphed into a snarl as she lunged towards Twilight, fangs bared as she darted for her exposed neck.
Twilight was ready for it.
Twilight sidestepped, grabbed onto Crudelis with her magic, and using her wings as propulsion, spun around and propelled Queen Crudelis through the clearing. A sickening crack was heard as Crudelis flew and landed straight into a pile of rubble that was once a house, and a sharp beam penetrated her back and erupted through a gushing wound in her chest, shattering the chitin around it and puncturing several internal organs.
Crudelis screamed in agony as she examined the beam in terror.
Crudelis' eyes narrowed at Twilight as she saw her approach once again.
Twilight glared at Crudelis in disgust. Nearby, she spotted a discarded crossbow that she levitated towards her, before holding it in her hoof. Examining the weapon, she couldn't help but be reminded of an old friend who had given his life fighting an agent of the dying Queen before her.
It was only fitting that the chosen weapon would end this in Longshot's memory, and the memory of all of Crudelis' other victims.
Including Chrysalis.
"So then," Crudelis began as Twilight raised the crossbow to Crudelis' head. "It has come to this. Don't do this, Twilight Sparkle, I must save our race!"
"Why not? I gave you a chance, offered you friendship. You made your position clear," Twilight stated in response.
"You're a pony at heart. You always have been, you won't be able to kill me. I know you can't!"
"You're wrong," Twilight said, pressing the tip of the arrow right into Crudelis' eye.
"I am a Changeling Queen."
Twilight fired the weapon, and Queen Crudelis was no more.
The effect was immediate, all drones adorned in blue and red armour instantly clutched their heads in pain as their hive mind was shattered. For some of the injured the shock was too much, and they dropped dead on the spot. The others felt fear like they had never done so before in their lives, and while some surrendered to the alliance of changelings and ponies, most fled into the wilderness as fast as their wings and hooves could carry them. In but a moment the entire course of the battle had turned, and then it had ended. One side lost all will to fight, and no substantial resistance was offered. In a blink of an eye, all of Queen Crudelis' plans and legacy came crashing down.
As Twilight stared down onto the still corpse of her enemy, the battle around town drew to a close. Medics arrived at the side of Captain Carduus, finding a pulse and lifting him onto a stretcher for immediate medical attention. EUP forces and changelings alike cheered as the battle was won, with helicopters above seeing the fleeing drones of Crudelis off.
"She's over here!" Rainbow Dash landed with Captain Spitfire in the middle of the clearing. Her Wonderbolt uniform was ripped and torn in various places, but she was otherwise intact.
Just behind them, Queen Draco and the royal sisters landed a short way from Queen Twilight. The three examined the destroyed surroundings of Ponyville, before settling their gaze on Twilight herself.
Twilight couldn't help but flinch as she felt an alabaster hoof touch her on the shoulder, and turned to see Celestia's kind and sympathetic motherly face looking down upon her.
"It's done, Twilight. You can stop now."
The dam broke, and Twilight buried her face in Celestia's chest as she began to cry yet unshed tears as the weight of everything caught up to her at once.
But it was over. The conflict that had begun as a feud between two sisters so long ago, was finally over... |
Change | 63 - The New Dawn | It had been six months since that fateful day in Ponyville, and the vast amount of repairs the town needed were coming along nicely.
The refugee camp had been moved near the town, and the changelings were assisting in the reconstruction while the details surrounding their new planned hive were sorted out. Queen Draco and her changelings had returned home, promising to be in contact with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza soon about renegotiating ancient trade deals with the Crystal Empire. The Princesses had also returned home, Celestia and Luna to Canterlot alongside their Captains, while Cadance with Shining Armor returned to the Crystal Empire. Slowly, but surely, a sense of normality was returning to the area.
Among those helping out were the sisters Soronis and Puellula, now officially inducted into Twilight's hive mind, along with about one hundred and ten thousand others waiting in what used to be Crudelis' hive. Knowing what would happen to so many innocent civilians within her enemy's hive without their leader, Queen Twilight had reached out to them, offering the chance for any changeling to join her hive instead. The majority of them had accepted, the remaining group that had refused left their hive and wandered out into the world looking for other options among other hives. Twilight had visited these changelings and brought them into the fold, but until the new hive was finished they were remaining in their old home, but once it was completed there were plans to move them from Crudelis' hive and collapse the abandoned structure.
Inducting these changelings had other benefits too. Whereas before, their hive was nowhere near amongst the largest of them, they were now the second biggest hive in the remaining eighteen. Thus, Twilight's standing among the other Changeling Queens had improved greatly, and her vanquishing of Crudelis had earned her their respect, even from the Red Queen's former allies.
The extra hooves at her disposal also allowed Twilight to recover her forces' lost number from both the fall of the Badlands Hive and the Battle of Ponyville. All of her forces had undergone a complete overhaul and, considering what happened to Carduus, she even had to select a new captain for her personal Royal Guard.
"Are you alright, honey?" Panacea gently asked her husband as he was lifted from his chair and to his hooves.
"I'm alright..." Carduus panted slightly. "I'm alright..."
"You really should be resting still," Panacea insisted. "Your injuries won't heal quickly if you keep exerting yourself."
"I'm crippled for life, remember? It won't make much difference," he sighed, limping as he took a free steps forwards.
Panacea looked towards the ground, dejected at her husband's injuries. Then, a hoof brought her chin up until she was looking Carduus in the eyes.
"Hey," he cooed as he gave her a gently hug. "I don't regret what happened, I did my duty. At least now I get to spend all my time with my lovely wife and daughter."
"True enough," Panacea conceded with a light chuckle. "Where is Iuvenes, anyway?"
"Playing with Puellula," Carduus responded. "They've met a few fillies from town, the... 'Cutie Mark Crusaders', or something. They've been stomping around causing trouble, as all children are want to do."
Panacea smiled. "It's nice that she can still play and laugh after everything that has happened recently."
"She's tough, like her father," Carduus stated with a smirk. "She took it all in stride."
"I suppose that's true..." Panacea rolled her eyes at her husband's grin. "Anyway, when do you think the Queen will be back?"
"Don't know," Carduus said with a shrug. "She and Princess Celestia are probably at the caves right now, and hopefully once she gets back the real work can begin."
"I take it things are going well?" Carduus pinged Twilight over the hive.
"We're not quite there yet, Carduus. Patience," his Queen responded.
"She says to be patient," Carduus conveyed.
"Six months in this place, patience is all we've had to work with," she commented. "It will be good to have a proper home again."
"That we can agree on," Carduus stated. "Then Iuvenes can get back to stealing cookies and whatever other trouble she can think of."
Panacea laughed. "That would be nice, though I suspect the novelty might wear off quick."
"Nah," Carduus dismissed. "I'm never taking the small things for granted again!"
"Maybe that's something your friends should keep in mind," Panacea said. "Scarlet's due any day, isn't she?"
"She is," Carduus confirmed. "We'll hear about it when she pops I'm sure.
Canterlot
"SON OF A BITCH!"
Broad Sword flinched as he heard his wife's shout come from inside the hospital room, while Vladimir and Shining Armor were sitting in the waiting room with him.
"Wow, sounds like she is having fun," Vladimir remarked. "How long has she been in there now?"
"Four hours," Broad Sword responded in a whisper, looking a little pale.
"Are you alright?"
"I-is this, um, normal?" he asked. "It's taking so long and she's shouting so much and-"
"Hey," Shining Armor interrupted. "Everything is fine. I mean, you should have seen Cadance when Flurry Heart was being born. I never knew my wife would summon that many eldritch abominations."
Vladimir blinked. "Wait... what?"
"Point is," Shining continued. "She and the foal will be fine. You just have to sit tight and wait."
"And the waiting is killing me!" Broad Sword stressed. "W-what if something goes wrong?!"
"Broad, I know you're freaked about becoming a dad," Shining Armor stated. "But things will be fine, I'm certain."
"What he said," Vladimir agreed.
Broad Sword took a deep breath in, and then out again. After he got his nerves under some semblance of control, he turned back to the other stallions.
"Thanks, I'm glad you're both here."
"Hey, what are friends for?" Vladimir shrugged. "We've got your back."
"It's just lucky I had business in Canterlot," Shining commented. "Otherwise you would have been stuck with only him."
"Why do you make that sound like a bad thing?" Vladimir frowned.
Before Shining could answer, Scarlet's cursing and shouting came to a halt, and instead the wails of a new born foal could be heard.
Broad Sword immediately locked up upon hearing the wails, his eyes widening and his pupils becoming pinpricks.
The door opened and the doctor exited the room, a small smile on his face.
"Captain Broad Sword?" he called out.
A nudge on the shoulder from Vladimir shook Broad Sword out of his stupor, or at least enough for him to answer.
"Uh-huh?" he answered.
"You can go in if you'd like, there is somepony waiting to meet you."
"T-there is? I mean... I-"
"Go on already," Vladimir encouraged. "You were tired of waiting after all."
"I suppose..."
"You've faced down and army of changelings without flinching and this gives you pause?" the thestral teased.
"This is completely different!"
Shining Armor shook his head. "Everything will be fine, go on. We'll wait out here."
After another moment of getting his head on straight, Broad Sword nodded and managed to get up from his seat. Taking one careful step at a time he managed to make his way into the hospital room, where Scarlet Snow was holding gently onto a small form cuddled up to her chest. Her already bright smile widened when she saw her husband and she wiped some tears of joy from her face.
"Broad..."
As the door closed behind him, Broad Sword made his way to the bedside and took his wife's hoof.
"Are you alright?"
"I couldn't be better," she responded, using her magic to gently the foal on her chest so he was facing Broad Sword.
"There you are," she cooed as she nuzzled the foal. "This is your daddy."
The small figure slowly blinked his eyes open, looking directly at the Solar Captain. The foal was a colt, he shared his mother's colour scheme with an alabaster coat and scarlet eyes along with his mane and tail. However, like his father, he was a Pegasus.
Broad Sword almost couldn't believe his eyes as he looked down on the tiny miracle staring back at him curiously. His son.
"He's perfect," he stated as he gave the colt a small nuzzle on the head, sending him back to sleep. "He looks a lot like you."
"Ah, but he will grow to be big and strong like his daddy," Scarlet stated with a small grin. "Perhaps a future Captain of the Royal Guard in the making?"
"Perhaps," Broad Sword chuckled. "Whatever he will be, he will be amazing at it."
For several minutes afterwards, they each sat there in a harmonious silence. Each was content just to be in their other half's company and in the company of their new foal. After these several minutes had gone by, however, it would be Broad Sword who broke the silence.
"Well, unless we just want to keep calling him 'the foal' or something, he needs a name," Broad Sword reminded Scarlet.
"Well, we didn't spend all those hours talking about it for nothing, did we?" she asked.
"True..." he conceded, looking down at his son.
"Valiant Snow," they uttered together.
Valiant stirred slightly, getting comfortable in the safety of his mother's embrace, both of the new parents looking down at him lovingly and with pride.
Their destination was coming up shortly as Twilight Sparkle looked at the landscape sprawling out below her. She was flying through the air above the vast Equestrian landscape alongside Princess Celestia. After six months of headaches they had finally secured Twilight's hive the rights to the cave system that was to become the location of their new hive. It was still in Equestrian territory, but was owned by Twilight.
Or at least, it was owned by Twilight's pony family. Some of the nobility had protested to having a hive within Equestria's borders and had brought up all sorts of old laws and agreements to try and stop it, and while Celestia could have easily overruled them she couldn't do so without an incident spawning from it. In the end they found a workaround with Night Light and Twilight Velvet purchasing the land, with extra funds to cover the costs mysteriously being delivered while at the same time the contents of the royal vault lessened just a tiny bit, and with them then gifting the land to their daughter.
In the end, all those nobles could do was grumble about it in their own time.
As the cave entrance came into view, the two royals came to a landing just outside the entrance. When they came to a stop, Twilight briefly looked towards Celestia. In the last six month Twilight had completed her growth and now stood equal in height to Princess Celestia as a fully matured Changeling Queen.
"This is it," Celestia stated. "And it's yours now, my former student."
Twilight gave a grateful nod. "It's going to take a while to get everything up and running, but my changelings are up to the task. I think we're all ready to put recent events behind us."
As the young Queen stared down into the cave that would soon be built up and become her home, Princess Celestia turned her head gently with a hoof and looked directly into her eyes,
"Your mother would be so proud of you," Celestia told her. "As proud as I am."
A small smile formed on Twilight's face. "I couldn't have made it this far without you... thank you."
Celestia didn't respond, instead she pulled Twilight under her wing and gently nuzzled the top of her head, a gesture Twilight returned gladly.
The two stood there for the longest time, simply enjoying the company of one another as Celestia's own sun smiled down upon them. Mentor and student, mother and daughter, it was a bond that would stand the test of time.
Too bad a sudden but awfully familiar white flash interrupted them.
"I'm back!" Discord shouted in glee with a pink flower wreath around his neck, sunglasses over his eyes and a suitcase in his eagle claw. "And what a sight to return to, Sun-Butt and the Bug Princess hugging it out, how precious!"
Celestia and Twilight both simply opted to stare daggers at Discord as he stood a short way from them.
Discord himself just looked at the two royals in confusion. "Why the stares? Did you not know I've been on a grand holiday! Oh it's been fun viewing the cosmos and the flux dimension, oh and that one bald captain. Now that was glorious! Messing with him reminds me of our days together Tia my dear..." ...
Discord looked between the two, the daggers still being glared right into the deepest depths of his soul.
"Um... did I miss something?" |
Change | 64 - Epilogue | "And that was, as they say, that," the Changeling Queen finished recounting the tale, looking down on the small form tucked comfortably into bed.
"Did all that really happen?" the royal nymph asked. "How long ago was it?"
"Only around thirty years," the Queen stated.
"Thirty years?!" the nymph exclaimed in shock. "That's, like, forever ago!"
"Oh Avia," the Queen chuckled, nuzzling her daughter's head. "You can be too cute sometimes."
Avia pouted at her mother's teasing, but decided to change the subject. There was one thing that weighed down onto her mind as her mother had told the story, and she was eagerly curious, she could do a whole research project on it!
She was certainly her mother's daughter.
"Mama?" the nymph called out questioningly.
"Yes, Avia?" the Queen called gently back, noticing the studious glint in her daughter's eye. "You have a question?"
Avia nodded eagerly.
"In the story, all the changelings had black coloured chitin. But..." Avia gestured to her mother's hoof, which was covered in light lavender coloured chitin. "But now changelings have just a much variation as ponies do. One of the few I know that still has black chitin is Uncle Carduus, why is that? How did all that happen?"
The Queen was taken back by her daughter's question, that event which occurred many years prior. An event set in motion by the rampage of Crudelis, and one that would bring great change to both the changelings and all of Equestria. The day changelings stepped out of the shadows and back into the light of Celestia's sun.
"It's... a long story," she stated. "It is true changelings once held a mostly universal colour scheme, with a few exceptions here and there, but that changed. Now changelings have as much variation as ponies do thanks to that magic; the original black colour is now just a part of those many variations, which is actually why Carduus stayed the same."
Avia had levitated a small notepad and quill from a nearby desk and was taking notes, causing her mother to raise an eyebrow in amusement.
"But that is a story for another day," the Queen gently took the notepad in her own magic, pulling it away from her daughter. "Luna's moon is high in the sky, and it is time for young nymphs to rest."
"I'm not young, I'm ten years old!" Avia protested. "I was even old enough to hear the first story!"
"And still young enough to need your sleep. You will come to regret all-nighters, believe me..."
"Please...?" Avia gave her best puppy dog eyes. "Pleeeeeeease?"
The Queen rolled her eyes and was about to say no, until she looked down at the notepad and skimmed what had been written. Avia was truly interested in the subject, and not just to delay bedtime. The notes she had written were detailed with her own theories jotted down the margins.
The Queen couldn't supress a smile as she levitated the pad back to the young Princess.
"Alright, you win..."
"Yay!" The nymph jumped from the bed and glomped her mother, giving her thanks over and over again.
"Alright, alright. Settle back down and I will tell. One last story and then it's definitely off to sleep, deal?"
"Deal!" she responded enthusiastically, quickly snuggling back under the covers while making sure to have her pad and quill ready.
"Are you ready?"
Avia nodded eagerly, waiting for the story to start.
"Alright then," the Queen nodded back. "It all started many years ago, far past the Crystal Empire, but not that far from the hive of Queen Draco..."
Many years before Avia's birth, about eight years after the death of Queen Crudelis
Far up north, past the frozen wasteland surrounding the Crystal Empire, sat a land of dirt, rocks and the odd volcano. It was a land hosting various dragons that made the volcanic caves their home, stashing away their hordes and sleeping atop of them for years at a time.
This was a land devoid of any pony, griffon, minotaur, or most other species. Aside from the aforementioned dragons, there was only one other group that called the land home.
A changeling hive sat right in the middle. Most of it stretched far underground but, with its location being so far removed from other civilisations, there were some buildings built on the surface. The hive had been built under what little fertile soil was in the area, and it was here that various farms had been set up with changelings tending their fields. They grew food and kept animals all for the usage of the hive below.
This was the hive of Queen Draco, a close friend of the late Queen Chrysalis and her daughter, Queen Twilight Sparkle. It was this hive that had traded with the Crystal Empire so long ago before Sombra came along, and it was here that these relations were beginning to flourish once more. Though the ponies never set hoof in the hive's borders, changeling couriers moving towards and back from the Crystal Empire were common, trading various items for a supply of the heart's love. Sadly, only Draco and Twilight had this arrangement, the other Changeling Queens still preferring a reclusive existence.
But despite the prosperity of the hive, there was something nearby that lay hidden, unknown to them; something the late Queen Crudelis had been desperate to get her hooves on.
Not far from the hive, a sealed doorway was cut into the mountain, largely hidden away by the rocky outcropping around it. Many wards surrounded the door, though four thousand years of neglect was causing them to slowly come undone, and soon the locations would likely cease to be a secret, and the locks broken.
For behind this doorway was a long hallway that stretched deep into the mountain, this hallway leading off to a vast chamber at the very end and nowhere else. This structure had been designed for a single purpose, to keep something hidden and safe.
The cavern was large, a single staircase leading on to a raised platform in the centre of the rounded chamber. If one was to walk up the stairs they would find a podium wherein the contents somepony had been so desperate to keep hidden was stored. Like the doorway, the object had many wards around it to keep the item inert and non-functional. However, like the doorway, the wards were coming undone. For four thousand years the object had sat inert, kept away from its master. That Queen would have freed it, but her death delayed things, but it mattered little. Others would soon discover it, it was inevitable.
For within this closed off chamber, a set of forgotten regalia began to glow. |
Want | pre | "Anyway," said Spitfire. "Dash."
Rainbow Dash couldn't contain herself. Her heart pounded against her throat.
"We've been discussing this for a while now. The Sonic Rainboom is like nothing I've ever seen in my life." She smiled and looked at the floor, apparently lost in thought. "and I've never felt the way I did when you did it." She looked back up at Dash. "I mean... think what would happen if a stadium full of ponies all witnessed it at the same time! Tickets for shows would be hotter than fire, our salaries would go through the roof, and-" She shook her head. "Ah, I'm sorry. I'm going off on a tangent." She took a deep breath. Dash tried desperately to hold back tears.
"Rainbow Dash, you're the only one to ever do the impossible, and well..." She paused for an eternity. It was as if she was purposefully drawing out the moment.
"...We want you."
Reality collapsed. Everything turned into a dream. The walls, the air, the floor; everything began to flow like a dream.
"W-w- wh-" Dash stuttered. She felt the tears building in her eyes.
"We want you. I hope you're still interested in being a Bolt."
Her breathing became erratic. Tears began to pour down her face.
Spitfire smiled. "You ok?"
Then, everything went black.
Rainbow Dash fainted. She lay on the floor, unconscious.
____________ |
Want | Chapter 3 | NOTE: Copy-pasting here doesn't keep the original formatting. I recommend visiting one of the following links instead.
Equestria Daily Post
"Want" Ch. 3 in Google Docs
Chapter 3
The endless sea of fans spanned the stadium stands before her. She took her goggles off and breathed in the immense quantities of awe and admiration that rose like steam from the crowd.
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
She quickly plotted a course in her head for the Buckaneer Blaze that involved a low fly-by over the stands. Taking another deep breath, she dove out of the sky and leveled out low enough to nearly touch somepony's hoof. She turned around, and a long, blinding trail of blue and white lightning had traced her path through the sky as the rest of the Wonderbolts followed closely behind in formation. The crowd erupted into a deafening roar.
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
The stadium faded away and she fell into a bed inside a dark room. Spitfire's voice came from nowhere.
"Your fans love you, Dash. You don't want to disappoint them."
Several TV cameras appeared, and all of them pointed at her. She could still hear the crowd.
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
Spitfire suddenly wrapped her forelegs around Dash from behind, and her warm body pressed up against hers. She put her lips to Dash's ear and whispered.
"I know what you want."
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
"I know what you really want."
A shiver went up Dash's spine as Spitfire caressed her wing.
"What are you waiting for? Take it."
"Ugh..."
Rainbow Dash slowly woke and rubbed her eyes, reaching for her alarm clock. All she felt was air.
The alarm hadn't even gone off. She then realized her alarm clock had gone, along with her nightstand. The bed she was asleep on wasn't even hers, let alone a bed. She opened her eyes, trying to focus on a yellow blob across from her. When she realized what it was, she jumped and nearly fell off the couch.
Spitfire was sitting in a recliner, looking at her.
"You faint in front of the press, they'll be all over you," she said.
Rainbow Dash's eyes shot wide open, her body frozen in place.
"Oh no." Spitfire smiled. "You're not about to again, are you?"
"But I- It-" She whispered to herself.
"Hmm? What?"
Dash patted her face and checked to make sure all of her body was still there. She looked around the room at the lavish decorum covering the walls, the suede material of the couch she had passed out on, and back up at Spitfire. "Am I... dreaming?"
Spitfire laughed. "Want me to pinch you?"
"I don't believe it."
"Believe it or not."
Dash felt a sudden throbbing of pain in the side of her head. Her attempt to hide the wince failed.
"You ok?" said Spitfire.
Dash waved her hoof. "Yeah yeah, I'm fine."
"You sure? You hit your head on the floor pretty hard when you passed out."
Dash looked around the room. "How long was I out?"
"About fifteen minutes."
"Where'd the Bolts go?"
"They went out to dinner, I think. I was gonna go too, but..." They made eye contact, and a silence fell between them. Spitfire looked away and cleared her throat. "I guess they figured you'd be fine... So listen. I want you in the act at the Manehatten show. I figured the Rainboom would be an ok finale."
A shiver traveled up Rainbow Dash's spine. "M- Manehatten? A- as in Mane Arena Manehatten?"
Spitfire nodded.
Dash's voice shook violently. "You mean like... I'm g- gonna fly with the sh- show team?" She gasped. "W- With my own flight suit?"
"Yep. Which also means I need you at the rehearsal tomorrow... You know, it seems like every other second, your mouth's hanging wide open."
Dash shook her head and straightened up. "Sorry... this is just happening really fast."
Spitfire bit her lip. "Yeah." She sat in silence for a moment, looking at the golden jungle of trophies along the wall. Dash noticed how they made the room glow the same color as Spitfire's coat. "Maybe it is." She looked back to Dash. "Can you be here in the morning?"
Dash nodded.
"Alright. Go home and get some real rest. You'll need it."
"Ok."
Rainbow Dash got off the couch and went to the door. She opened it and Spitfire said, "Wait, actually... can I fly you home?"
__________________
Rainbow Dash and Spitfire stepped out into the cool night. Spitfire sniffed the air, holding her nose high. She released a satisfied sigh.
Before Dash advanced any further, Spitfire stopped her.
"Wait." She turned her head left and right, obviously on the lookout for something. She flared her wings and prepped for takeoff. "Follow me and stay close."
"Why? What's going on?"
"I'll tell you later. I think they're already on to us." She launched into the air, leaving behind a swirl of cloud.
"Hey, wait!" Dash said as she took off.
She kept close enough to Spitfire so their wings wouldn't collide and tried to whisper loud enough for her to hear.
"What's going on? Why are we-"
"Stop!"
Spitfire yanked Dash by the neck, pulled her behind a house, and put a hoof over her mouth.
"Shh."
She slowly peeked around the corner, and suddenly jerked her head back.
"Yeah, they're on to us."
"Whof onfoo ufs?" Dash said from behind Spitfire's hoof.
"We gotta loose 'em. C'mon. Ready? GO!"
With a loud CRACK Spitfire was gone into the sky.
"WOAH! What the hay! SPITFIRE!"
Dash took off after her. Adrenaline surged through her veins. Dash caught up to her and tried to yell over the roaring wind.
"SPITFIRE! WHAT IN THE HAY IS GOING ON?"
"LOOK BEHIND YOU AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!"
Rainbow Dash turned her head as far as she could and looked from the corner of her eye. Three pegasi dressed in black, full-body suits with cameras strapped to their necks were hot on their trail.
"WHY ARE WE RUNNING FROM THEM? WHY CAN'T WE LET THEM TAKE PICTURES?"
"I'LL TELL YOU LATER, FOR NOW, SPEED UP!"
Dash and Spitfire dove and doubled their speed in an instant. Dash turned her head. Their chasers were now nothing but black dots in the sky, becoming further away each second.
"I THINK WE'RE LOSING THEM!" Dash yelled.
"THEN PULL UP!"
Spitfire grabbed Dash's hoof and pulled her into the air. She flared her wings and broke their speed, landing on the backside of another house. As they struggled to catch their breath, Spitfire's head swivled left and right.
"Stay- stay here for a- a second," Spitfire said as she flew up to the roof of the house. She peeked over the top, hovered motionless for a few seconds, and called down to Dash. "Ok, we lost 'em."
Dash breathed a sigh of relief and followed Spitfire over the top of the roof.
"Who the hay were those guys?"
"Freelance photographers. They work for the Equestria Daily, but they won't admit publically that they hired them. Usually they're not this quick."
"Why do they want pictures so bad?"
"Pictures of the Bolts are going for a lot of money lately. There's some rumors going around that we have a new... recruit."
"But why not just let them take pictures?"
Spitfire chuckled. "You've got a lot to learn. We're keeping you a secret until we announce the Manehatten show."
"Oh. Wait a minute," said Dash as she went to the edge of the roof and looked down. "This is-"
"-Your house."
Dash's expression turned skeptical. "How'd you know where I live?"
Spitfire scoffed. "Are you kidding? All that fan mail? I've got your address memorized." She smirked. "Involuntarily."
"...Oh. Heh. Well, um, thanks. For flying me home."
"No prob."
"Well. I guess I'll see ya tomorrow."
Dash took a step off the edge, and Spitfire stopped her. "Wait."
Dash's insides froze, and she turned around.
"You've got to understand something."
Dash found it difficult to maintain eye contact with Spitfire with her expression and tone so serious.
"Fame," she continued. "It's..." looked around for the right words. "It's not easy to deal with. At all. You've got to understand what you're getting into. It's hectic, it's stressful, you almost never get a break." She sighed. "I don't wanna make it sound like more trouble than it's worth. Because believe me, it's worth it. It's just..." She looked around for a moment, then back to Dash. "I've lost some people I really care about to fame. And I don't want you-" She closed her eyes and sighed again. "...I want you to know what you're getting into."
Warmth flooded Dash's chest. Spitfire cared about her. She cared about her to a point that she didn't mind hinting at it, however obvious, even when they had never had any real interaction before.
"You're good at what you do," Spitfire continued, "you're very good. Some of the stuff you showed us after the competition that day, I would never have thought anything up like that." She looked around for a moment again, lost in thought. "I'm sorry I'm being like this right now. It's just... You sorta saved my life. And risked your own. Nopony's ever done anything like that for me before." She smiled. "And a sonic rainboom at the same time? Major style points."
She was comfortable with her. The Spitfire was comfortable with her.
"Well I mean," Dash began. "It wasn't a big deal. I was trying to save my friend at first."
Spitfire laughed and her eyebrows rose. "Oh, really? So I shouldn't be so happy you saved my life, then."
Dash laughed. "No, that's not what I meant!"
Spitfire turned away from Dash and began walking into the yard. "Maybe I should forget the whole Wonderbolt thing and leave."
"No! I mean-"
Spitfire turned around with a huge smile on her face. "Be at the HQ at nine. Sleep well, eat plenty." She took off into the sky and was gone in an instant, leaving behind a long, amber trail.
"Woah."
Dash dropped down into her yard, opened her front door, walked inside, and the familiar air of her house hit her in the face. She closed the door and stood still. Reality failed to reach her. Her mind had entered an entirely different state of being.
"I'm a Wonderbolt."
She looked around at her home, at all her belongings and memories of her life. It suddenly seemed unreal, like none of it even happened. Everything she had ever done failed in comparison to what just happened to her.
"I'm a Wonderbolt..."
Her voice grew louder.
"I'm a Wonderbolt!"
She wished she could shout it from the top of the Canterlot mountains for all of Equestria to hear. She felt tears building in her eyes, but she didn't care at all. She could fill a bucket if she really wanted to.
She plopped down on the couch, exhausted beyond comprehension. She had not the energy nor the reason to hold back tears. They fell from her face like a waterfall.
There was a knock at the door.
"Rainbow Dash! Are you in there?" said Twilight Sparkle's voice.
Rarity's voice followed, "We saw a Sonic Rainboom earlier! Darling, everypony is buzzing madly about it!"
"And we mean everypony," said Applejack, "Yer on the front page of the Equestria Daily!"
The doorknob glowed purple for a moment, and the door opened.
"Rainbow Da- oh..." Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack all stood in the doorway, looking at a teary-eyed Rainbow Dash.
"Oh no," said Applejack. She took a first few tentative steps toward Dash, carrying a worried expression. She sat next to her and ran a hoof through Dash's mane.
"Sugarcube, what's eatin' ya?"
Dash didn't respond. She didn't feel that she needed to.
"What happened?" asked Twilight. "We heard that you flew off with Soarin' and Spitfire, but..." A look of sudden realization spread across her face. "Oh. So you did the Sonic Rainboom for them. What did they say? They didn't say... no, did they?"
"They must have been impressed!" said Rarity. "A Sonic Rainboom is one of the most thrilling sights a pony can witness!"
"Yeah, I should know!" squealed Pinkie.
"What's wrong? Something's going on." said Twilight.
Dash took a deep breath and released it slowly.
"I'm in."
A stunned silence fell over them.
"C- come again?" said Applejack.
"They want me. I..." She swallowed. "I'm a Wonderbolt."
Everypony's jaw dropped. Twilight put a hoof on her mouth. "Oh my."
As if on cue, Pinkie Pie and Rarity screamed in unison and pulled Dash into a tight embrace, knocking Applejack off the couch. They jumped up and down with Rainbow Dash in their arms.
"WOOHOO!" screamed Pinkie Pie, releasing Rainbow Dash. "I knew you could do it! I told you! I told her Rarity, I told her she could do it, and now look, she did it! And I told her! AH!"
"Darling, this is... this is stupendous news!" shrilled Rarity. "What else did they say? What do you do now?"
"They want me at a rehearsal tomorrow. I'm gonna perform in Manehatten next week."
Everypony gasped.
"We. Are. So. THERE!" said Pinkie Pie.
"Oh, definitely," concurred Rarity.
"Shoot," said Applejack. "Rainbow Dash, our Rainbow Dash, she's a Wonderbolt."
"Think of all of the references, all the clients!" screamed Rarity. "I mean, I don't mean to steal any from you, Rainbow dear, of course, but just think of the possibilities!"
"Woohoo," whispered Fluttershy.
"Dash, you ok?" asked Applejack. "I reckon ya'd be a bit more excited, ya know, about your dreams comin' true an' all."
"Yeah," said Twilight. "You seem a little... out of it."
"It's nothing," said Dash. "I..." She searched for a suitable excuse. "I'm just really tired. It's been a long day.
"Oh, of course," said Twilight. "We should probably let you sleep. Let's go, guys."
"Alright," said Applejack. "See ya later. And Dash?"
"Yeah?"
"We're proud o' ya. So, so proud o' ya." Applejack hugged her tight. The others followed, and they all clumped together in a group embrace. It was true. Her dreams had become reality. Yet, it still felt as if everything she really ever wanted was right here, hugging her close. She returned the embrace, trying to derive every bit of feeling from it she could. Tears began cascading down her face.
She knew it would all go away. She knew she would have to leave them behind.
_____________
Spitfire opened her eyes.
"Ugh..."
She sat up from her bed and stretched her forelegs with a yawn.
Spitfire's room was an absolute wreck. Fan mail lay scattered across the floor along with several dirty changes of flight suits.
"I'm not gonna tell them," she said to herself. "No pony has to know. Just leave it alone, and everypony'll be happy."
She got out of bed and looked in the bathroom mirror; her mane was much more disheveled than usual and she saw dark circles under her eyes. She could feel that she didn't sleep well.
Spitfire's morning routine consisted of a shower, breakfast, and a long flight around Cloudsdale; she had no problem with paparazzi because they just weren't fast enough. She finished showering and went downstairs to the dining room, where she found the main flight team already eating. The alternates were still in bed.
"Good morning, sunshine!" said Rapidfire, his tone dripping sacrcasm. "You look positively radient today!"
Spitfire rolled her eyes, sat next to Soarin', and clopped her hooves twice. "AL!" A butler dressed in a tuxedo and white apron burst through the double doors leading to the kitchen.
"What is your fancy this morning, m'lady?"
"I'll have an omelet. Extra crispy, extra bacon."
"Right away." The butler flew back into the kitchen, yelling at the cooks in a foreign language.
"Woah, somepony's feeling reckless with their stomach today," said Soarin'. "Did you sleep ok?"
"Ugh, no. I kept having this... dream. I kept waking up, and when I fell back asleep, I started having the same dream again."
"What was it about?"
She paused and stared at her coffee cup for a moment. "It's not important."
"Well you know," said Misty between bites of cereal, "we have that awesome psychiatrist, what's her name?"
"Synapse," said Rapidfire. "That's a good idea, you should go get your brain evaluated!" He chuckled.
"It's not that bad," said Spitfire. "I don't need a psychiatrist."
"First step to recovery is admitting you have a problem," said Misty, and everypony laughed.
"Anyway," said Spitfire. "Rainbow Dash will be here in a bit. We should start thinking about how we're gonna work her in next week." She reached under the table and pushed a button. "I had this idea." The lights dimmed, and a projector screen lowered from the ceiling. A picture showing a series of lines and X's in different patterns flashed on the screen. "This is the finale. Normal terminal-delta pattern, right?" She picked up a big red X and placed it in the middle of a circle of X's. "There's the Rainboom." Noises of approval came from the rest of the team. Spitfire laughed. "It's gonna be so bucking awesome."
"But," said Rapidfire. "Will she be able to do it horizontally like that?"
Spitfire shrugged. "Why not?"
"It's just... it seems like gravity helps her. Without it, can she still do it?"
"Probably. I mean, I've seen some of the stuff she can do. I'd be surprised."
A low voice came out of the intercom.
"Ma'am? That, uh... Dashin'... Rain, uh-"
"Rainbow Dash," said Spitfire.
"Yeah, that. She's here."
____________
Dash nudged the door open with her nose.
"Hello?"
The room was just the way she had left it. Despite its thorough decoration, the rec room was empty. It was a big house, and the Bolts could be anywhere. She went inside and took a seat on the suede couch, wondering how big the Wonderbolts headquarters really was.
A picture on the wall caught her eye. It was a pegasus enclosed by a giant oval cone, very close to breaking the sound barrier. Dash got up to get a closer look. It was Spitfire, who was no more than a tiny yellow dot in the sky. The cone around her was very well defined.
"Woah," said Dash.
A very casual, softspoken voice came from behind her.
"That was the closest I ever got."
Dash spun around. Spitfire stood in the doorway with a slight smirk on her face.
"After I heard that you did it at the BYFC, I kept trying and trying for weeks. That picture was the closest I got."
Dash's eyebrows rose. "Really?"
Spitfire nodded. "I have no clue how you do it."
Dash felt a bubbling of pride inside her. She had done what the best flier in Equestria couldn't do.
"Well, yeah," said Dash with a pleased grin. "Once you start doing it, you know. It gets pretty easy."
"Really," Spitfire said sarcastically.
Dash shut her eyes and held her head high. "Yeah. I guess you could say that for all the moves I do."
"Then dodge this."
"Wha-"
Rainbow Dash had just enough time to avoid a couch pillow coming straight to her face at an alarming rate.
"WOAH! Whatdya do th-"
A second pillow made contact.
"Aw, come on!" said Spitfire. "I thought you said you got better the more you did it!"
Spitfire continued pitching pillows at Rainbow Dash, knocking over trophies and pictures from the wall. Dash flew into the air to get away from the feathery onslaught.
"I didn't mean- AH! Why're you- WOAH Stop it! Spitf- GAH- WHERE ARE YOU GETTING ALL THESE PILLOWS?!"
Spitfire was in hysterics. She stopped and doubled over in laughter. Rainbow Dash had no clue what to make of this.
"What the hay was that for?" Dash said as Spitfire fell over laughing.
"If- If you can dodge a- a pillow-"
"YO!" yelled Soarin's voice. He poked his head through the door and his eyes met the scene. His expression glossed over with confusion. "What in the... am I interrupting something?"
"No, no," said Spitfire as she struggled to catch her breath. "We- we were j- just... I'll tell you later."
"Uhh... M'kay. Well we're starting."
"Ok, ok." Spitfire stood up, turned to Dash, and pointed a hoof at her neck. "Watch your back. I know every pillow in this mansion."
Dash stood, utterly bewildered. She couldn't think straight. No matter what way she tried, she couldn't piece together what was happening. None of the unexplainable events of her life could compare to this.
Spitfire chuckled. "Lighten up, dude! You're part of the most famous group of ponies in Equestria! You gotta learn to be crazy. You can ask Soarin' all about it."
Soarin's eyes narrowed. "The hay is that supposed to mean?"
Spitfire gave Soarin' a playful punch on the forehead, which produced a resonant echo. "All muscle, no brains. Ya learn to love him." Dash could no longer hold back a smile.
Soarin' scoffed. "Really? In front of Rainbow Dash?"
Spitfire smirked. "Go to the field, we'll catch up."
Soarin' turned with an annoyed sigh and started down the hallway. Rainbow Dash waited until he was out of earshot.
"Spitfire?"
"Yeah?"
"I've always wondered... were you and Soarin' ever-"
"-in a relationship?" She sighed. "Yeah. Big mistake."
"What happened?"
"Nothing at all. With something like that, you have to keep it from the press. Otherwise, they'll have a field day with it. We didn't have time... for each other."
Dash's stomach dropped. She didn't know why.
Spitfire's voice altered dynamic quite dramatically. "Anyway! Topic for another time. I take it you've already memorized every Bolt routine there is."
Dash lifted her head high. "Backwards and forwards."
"How are you on number seven?"
Dash gasped. "You mean the Canterlot Arena show routine from three years ago?"
Spitfire nodded. "The very same."
"That's... my... favorite... one!"
"Good, cause that's the Manehatten routine for Saturday." Spitfire went to the door and opened it. "Let's go! Your fans are waiting."
"F- fans?"
Spitfire laughed. "You're gonna love this."
____________ |
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Chapter 4
They reached the exit at the end of the hallway and stopped. Two large, husky pegasi dressed in black suits emerged from the darkness and stomped up to their side. Rainbow Dash looked up at the one towering over her. Huge teeth poked out of his closed mouth, his brutish face adorned by a clean-cut scar stretching over his cheek and eye.
"Woah."
She wasn't sure what was more startling, his impossibly low and silk-smooth voice, or the fact that he actually spoke.
"You enjoyin' the view?"
She glanced quickly away at the ground. The guard chuckled lightly. He sounded like a radio star.
"Don't worry, I ain't gonna hurt you. My job is to do the exact opposite, in fact."
She looked back up at him from the corner of her eye.
"Dash, this is Silvertongue," said Spitfire. "He and I go way back."
"Further back than I care to admit," chuckled Silvertongue. "I knew Spitfire before she could even fly."
"He'll be your main guy," said Spitfire. "If you ever have problems with a crowd, he'll be there to handle it."
"Well, I'm not famous yet," said Dash. "What are we waiting for?"
Spitfire chuckled. "Alright, miss showoff. Here." Spitfire handed Rainbow Dash a black cloth big enough to be a blanket. "Put this over yourself. And quick, we're running late already."
"What? What for?"
"Just do it."
Dash grabbed the blanket with her teeth and flung it over her head. She couldn't see anything.
"Make sure it's completely covering your face."
"What the hay is this f-"
"Later. Now, when I tell you to go, walk forward slowly. Ok?"
"Ok."
"I'll guide you with a hoof as we walk, but when I tell you to stop, stop as quickly as you can and hold completely still. Got it?"
"I- I guess."
"We'll be getting into a jet. I'll tell you when we're there, but you have to stay covered the entire way. Ready?"
"Y- yeah. Wait, a jet?"
"Alright, guys. Barricade em'."
Dash heard the doors open, and suddenly, thousands of camera shutters and screaming fans. Her heart shot up into her throat.
"Oh horseapples."
"Alright," said Spitfire. "GO!"
Dash started forwards, completely blind to anything in front of her. She walked as close to half her normal pace as possible. But why did Spitfire have to hide her? Everypony needed to see the brand new, athletic, incredibly good-looking Rainbow Dash!
"BACK AWAY, MAKE ROOM! QUESTIONS WILL NOT BE ANSWERED!" yelled the bodyguards as the endless shutter of cameras came like the sound of torrential rain. Dash heard the crowd trying to yell over each other.
"WHERE'S THE NEXT SHOW GONNA BE?"
"SPITFIRE! WHO'S UNDER THE BLANKET?"
"WHO IS THAT?"
"COULD YOU TAKE A MINUTE FOR WING WEEKLY?"
"Keep going, we're doing good," Spitfire said in Dash's ear. She despised hiding herself from the world. If she was to become famous all over Equestria, what better place than to start right here?
The guards grunted and yelled as they pushed the crowd backwards. They began to slow down, until finally, Spitfire yelled, "Ok, stop!"
Dash froze in place, keeping every muscle as still as possible.
"There's a set of stairs in front of you," said Spitfire. "Keep the blanket covering you."
Spitfire guided Dash up the stairs. A door opened.
"Ok, it's open! Go in!" yelled Spitfire. Dash entered, feeling her way through the hole. The door shut, and Spitfire sighed. "K, you can take it off now."
"Thank Celestia," said Dash as she grabbed the cloth and pulled it off. Her eyes were met with a mob of ponies outside the door with cameras as they pushed and shoved to get a glimpse inside the window. Dash leaned away. "Woah."
"As you can see, rumors spread at the speed of sound. First lesson in fame, never say something publicly that our staff hasn't approved."
"But can't they see in here?"
"Nope. The windows are blacked out from the outside."
Dash looked around. Whatever vehicle she had entered could only be bought by ponies with innumerable amounts of money. Beige-colored recliners and furniture lined the cabin. Marble and oak-wood counter tops adorned a kitchen, just under a flat-screen TV built into the wall. A large hot tub sat in the corner, already hot and bubbling.
"Woah," said Dash.
Spitfire chuckled. "Welcome to the JON! Also known as, the Jet of Necessity. We use this if we need to get places secretly."
"Secret?" said Dash, half-scoffing at Spitfire. "There's nothing secret about this thing!"
"Yeah, well. We're working on that."
Suddenly, the jet lurched up into the air and hovered above the crowd in the hedge garden below.
Spitfire jumped into one of the recliners and hit the side of the cabin twice. "You might wanna hang on."
"What-"
The engines roared, and the jet shot forward. Dash flailed backward into the couch and yelled at the top of her lungs, holding on to whatever she could. Spitfire laughed and threw her hooves in the air. The jet leveled out and Dash looked out the window to see Ponyville speeding past them and out of sight.
"Why in Equestira do we need a jet?" She demanded. "I mean, I understand the secrecy and everything, but we do have wings. Couldn't I have just kept the blanket on?"
"That's why we named it the Jet of Necessity. Because it's not actually necessary. Besides, wouldn't it be kinda hard to fly with a blanket on?"
"Well. I guess."
Spitfire shrugged. "I kinda like the jet. She laid back in the seat and propped her legs up on a nearby table. In an attempt to keep up the cool status quo, Dash copied Spitfire and propped her legs on the same table. Spitfire chuckled at this.
"What?" said Dash.
"Nothing."
Their eyes met. Once again, they looked at each other for much longer than Dash would have liked. She looked away and tried to find something else to focus on, but Spitfire hadn't stopped.
"You know," Spitfire began, her dynamic dropping ten levels. "When I said that nopony had done anything like that for me before, saving my life and everything..."
Surprised at the sudden change in conversation, Dash looked back at Spitfire.
"...I sorta lied," she finished.
"What do you mean?" Dash said, her curiosity piqued.
Spitfire bit her lip and broke her stare. "My parents. They died trying to save me and my brother."
Silence filled the room. The jet engines dulled to nothing but a whisper. Dash didn't know what to say. She felt like she should say something, but nothing came to mind.
"I- I'm-" She stuttered.
Spitfire groaned and put her face in her hooves. "Oh. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"It's fine, It-"
"I shouldn't just randomly bring up stuff like that. It's totally inappropriate." Dash saw Spitfire's face turn dark orange behind her hooves.
"It's really no big deal," said Dash.
Spitfire looked back at Dash, a mix of uncertainty and joy etched into her expression.
"What happened to them?" asked Dash.
Spitfire paused. "Ah, let's not talk about it. Somber is my least favorite mood." She smiled.
Dash had great difficulty figuring out why this topic of conversation had come up. Past family members were the last thing she had expected to discuss with the most famous pony in Equestria.
"But when you did the rainboom-" Spitfire continued, deep in thought. "I don't even know how to describe it. It changes you. I've been doing and saying things lately that I never would otherwise. Like just randomly blurting things out about my dead parents."
Again, Rainbow Dash had nothing to say. Her mouth opened as she tried to form words, but only stutters came out.
"But at the same time," Spitfire continued, "I'm just really happy." She laughed. "It's so weird, I feel all confident and optimistic about everything all the time, and Soarin's been acting weird too. It's like it has this effect on ponies who see it..." She stopped in thoughtful silence. "Just imagine when you do it in Manehatten."
Dash's head began to fill with millions of outlandish scenarios. Effect? What did Spitfire mean by feeling "optimistic and happy?" Was this why the Wonderbolts' personalities were nothing like she imagined they would be?
What would happen if she did it in Mane Arena?
The jet began to slow down. Spitfire looked out the window. "Ah, we're here!"
Dash looked out her window. They had come to a flat plain that stretched out to the horizon, as far as the eye could see. Several lines and circles were painted on the surface in a pattern, making a large bulls-eye. The jet slowed to a halt in midair and slowly lowered to the ground.
"Welcome to the middle of nowhere!" said Spitfire as she got up and flipped a switch that opened the door. "C'mon."
"But-" Dash took a few hesitant glances out the windows. "What if somepony sees me?"
Spitfire smirked. "Good, you're thinking like a famous pony. Don't worry, we have teams of unicorns stationed around the field with visibility enchantments. Don't ask me how it works, I have no clue."
"Awesome." Dash followed Spitfire out of the jet and adjusted her eyes from the ambient lighting inside the cabin to the blinding sun.
"Jeez, what the hay took you guys? We've already got the lines painted!" said Soarin', as he the Wonderbolts walked up to them.
"Can it," said Spitfire, shooting him a look. "Alright guys, take five miles around the field, half-speed."
The Wonderbolts took off, and to her own surprise, Dash took off immediately after them.
After going to entire day without flying, the wind blowing through Dash's mane felt incredibly refreshing. As far as she could see, this truly was the middle of nowhere. The brown ground met the blue sky in every direction.
She then found herself flying next to a yellow stallion with a long, firey mane and bright, amber eyes.
"Hey," he said, extending a hoof to Dash. She was amazed at how alike he and Spitfire sounded. "I'm Rapidfire. I'm Spitfire's brother."
"I know," she said, taking his hoof and shaking it. Either she had finally come to terms with reality or she was still stuck in a very long dream, but she managed to suppress any outward showing of excitement. "Name's Rainbow Dash."
"I know." They laughed. "So. I hear that Sonic Rainboom of yours is quite the sight."
"Hay yeah," she said, smirking with pride. "It has this weird effect on you when you see it, so I'd be careful."
He laughed. "Oh, really? And what kind of effect is this?"
"You start feeling all optimistic and happy about everything."
"Yeah, I've noticed Soarin' acting a little... giddy lately."
"Really?"
"Yeah, he's been going on and on about it all day. It got pretty annoying. But he's pretty annoying in general, so it's normal."
Dash laughed. She had never thought the Wonderbolts to be real, actual ponies, they had only been deities and idols to her.
"But listen," said Rapidfire. "If you have any questions about anything, or you just want somepony to talk to, I'm always here. I know how it is, being new and all."
She smiled at him. "Cool. Thanks."
He winked at Dash, then returned to flying.
____________________ |
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Chapter 5
Spitfire walked over to her big brother and sat down.
"Hey," she said. Her gaze became lost in the flurry of activity in the sky as Rainbow Dash rehearsed a section of the show with the team.
"Hey," he replied. "What's up?"
She didn't say anything. There was so much she could say, yet none of it came out. The dazzling colors and explosions in the sky held her eyes in place. Rapidfire read her like an open book.
"Something's wrong," he said as he turned towards her. "What's wrong?"
A warm breeze casually and carelessly drifted through her mane. She sniffled.
"Nothing."
Rapidfire scoffed. "You know I know you better than that."
Spitfire suddenly dove for her brother and pulled him into a desperate hug.
"Woah! What is it?" he said.
Spitfire took in a deep breath, and slowly released it.
"I miss them so much."
At a loss for words, Rapidfire tentatively returned the embrace "Hey. It's ok."
They stood in each other's grasp for what seemed like an hour. To Spitfire's surprise, her eyes stayed dry. Finally, Rapidfire spoke up.
"I'm curious." He released her. "Why are you bringing this up now?"
She had wondered if she should tell him. He is her big brother, after all.
"It's Rainbow Dash."
"What about Rainbow Dash?"
"She's just..."
A rainbow-colored bolt of lightning streaked across the sky and exploded in a shower of blue sparks as Rainbow Dash flew overhead.
"...amazing."
"Soo..." Rapidfire began, trying to make light and humor of the situation. "Dash reminds you of mom and dad?"
"No, it's what she does that reminds me."
Rapidfire's expression turned incredulous.
"I mean, all of her moves and tricks she does, her style."
"I don't follow."
"The sonic rainboom! It does something to you. I don't know how to explain it... it's like nostalgia. Like really, really strong nostalgia."
Rapidfire had begun to look worried. "Interesting. So Dash's sonic rainboom makes you nostalgic for mom and dad?"
Spitfire sighed and returned her attention to the scene in the sky. She spoke as if speaking to herself. "And I just blurted it out, too."
"Huh?"
"On the way over here, we were having a perfectly normal conversation, and I went all loopy, and just randomly brought up the fact that our parents died saving our lives."
"Uh. You did?"
"I have no idea what the hay I was thinking. It was so random. Nothing made me do it, it sort of just happened. Even being around her makes me feel... strange."
Rapidfire silently pondered his sister for a moment. "Do you need to go see somepony? That whole therapist thing doesn't seem like such a bad idea now."
She laughed. At least he was taking it lightly. "The rainboom made me cry, you know."
Rapidfire turned and looked at Spitfire as if she had just punched him square in the face. "You cried?" He looked up as Dash sky-wrote her name in cursive. "Wow. I've gotta see this."
Suddenly, Silvertongue's silvery voice boomed out from behind them.
"SPITFIRE!"
He flared his giant wings and shook the ground as he landed next to her holding a rolled-up newspaper.
"I think we have a bit of a problem." She took the newspaper from him, unrolled it, and came face to face with a huge headshot of Rainbow Dash, under a line of giant bold-print text.
A NEW WONDERBOLT
"Oh, great."
_________________
The day before the Manehatten show, Rainbow Dash was on top of the world. She felt like she could do anything. She had perfected the show routines into virtuosic displays of limitless talent and ability. She moved with the Wonderbolts in perfect synchronization through the sky. She reached a level of visual excellence that she herself never thought possible.
It was no longer a sport. It was art.
Spitfire sat with a hoof on her chin in thought. "This is going to be the best show we've ever done."
The Wonderbolts sat in a circle, water bottles in hoof, all eyes on their fearless leader.
"No, seriously," she continued. "You have no idea how awesome it looks."
"Splendid," said Tyco, his Trottingham accent thick as ever. "At least somepony believes so. If it's a complete disaster, we will have your opinion, dear Spitfire, to un-depress ourselves. As it were."
"Hey!" piped up Fleetfoot. "That crash in Saddlesburg wasn't totally my fault.
Tyco put a hoof over his forehead in dramatic fashion. "Oh, the tragic end to the performance! In this act, dear Fleetfoot once again denies any and all responsibility to everything!"
Fleetfoot smiled. "You wanna take this outside?"
"We are outside, dear Fleetfoot. And spare me the quarrel, I can win over you in no more than one bout."
"Oh really? Let's see then!" yelled Fleetfoot as she dove for Tyco.
Dash sat and watched the altercation from the sidelines. They were just kids. The public figures she had idolized and adored, the ponies who had everything, and they seemed only about as mature as she.
Fleetfoot and Tyco wrestled to the ground, the others laughing and cheering them on.
"Alright, alright, knock it off," said Spitfire. "We should actually accomplish something today."
Fleetfoot released Tyco from a headlock and punched him on the shoulder before returning to her spot in the circle.
"So we haven't practiced the finale yet," said Spitfire. "I think that's a good place to start."
"Le piece de resistance," added Soarin', and he bumped Dash on the shoulder. "Miss impossible over here."
Dash smiled as Rapidfire whooped in response to Soarin'.
"Oh, we get to see it now?" said Fleetfoot. "The rainboom?"
"Alright, Dash. Ready to amaze us?" said Spitfire.
Dash smirked. "I dunno. If I'm feeling like it, maybe."
Spitfire rolled her eyes. "Alright then, you're with me. Everypony else, terminal-delta. Start the grouping at dead-center."
The rest of the Wonderbolts took off into the sky and gathered in a group.
"I'll be with them," said Spitfire. "You'll need to start a few miles out of the stadium, so leave yourself plenty of time to get away."
"Ok."
Spitfire signaled to the group. They began flying in a tight circle, a point of red light growing brighter and brighter at the center.
"That light is your cue. You'll have all the time you need to get there, but you're gonna time the rainboom so that you break the barrier right through the center."
"Easy peasy."
"Awesome, let's try it. Oh, and do it horizontally instead of vertically."
"Sure. Wait- what do you mean?"
"Go sideways instead of towards the ground."
Dash's stomach shrunk to half its size.
"Ho- horizontal?"
"Yeah, we want the shockwave to expand perpendicular to the ground. Is that a problem?"
She had never considered this before. How could she have missed it? Could she do the rainboom horizontally? Gravity had always aided her in gaining speed, but was it enough? She had never tried it. Her mind suddenly in a maelstrom of questions and scenarios, Dash could only stutter.
"I- I- I think- I mean- well, if-"
Spitfire raised an eyebrow. "You can do it horizontally, right?"
"Y- yeah, of course!"
"Alright, then. Give yourself some range, and when you see the light, punch it." She flew off to join the rest of the team. Dash took off in the opposite direction, sweat beginning to accumulate on the back of her neck.
"How the hay have I never tried this before?" she told herself as she flew away. "I mean, if I can do the sonic rainboom plus hundreds of other amazing moves nopony else can do, theres no way I can't do it horizontally."
She flew for several minutes, racking her brain for any time in the thousands of attempts at the sonic rainboom that she had done horizontally. Finally she turned around, and the Wonderbolts were a barely visible, tiny dot in the distance.
"It's fine, it's fine." She wiped the sweat from her forehead. "There's nothing I can't do. I can do everything. I'm Rainbow Dash."
The red light began to shine. Dash took in a deep breath and exhaled. With all of her might she shot forward, clawing at every bit of air in front of her. Immediately, it became clear. She wouldn't even come close.
"COME ON!" she grunted through gritted teeth. The cone began to form around her as she rocketed toward the field. The wind ripped past her face. The ground became nothing but a light-brown blur. Her eyes watered as she squinted harder and harder. Every ounce of strength she could muster propelled her toward the target.
"COME ON, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" she yelled as she pushed harder and harder against the sound barrier. The bright, silvery cone around her had begun to move further and further away from her grasp. Lost in her stressed thoughts, she almost forgot to look up. The target was practically in front of her. She timed the jump, made a last push through the barrier, and time stopped.
Everything went completely still. Sound became non-existent. Dash un-squinted one eye. She had stopped moving completely.
"Oh horseapp-" She shot into the opposite direction, flailing around without control. Her face ate the dirt as she went head over hooves into the ground.
"Ugghh.."
"Dash! Are you ok?" said Soarin' as he and the Wonderbolts landed next to her.
She snapped back up to her hooves, trying her absolute best to act as if nothing had gone wrong.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."
Everypony stared at her with nondescript expressions. Such an expression on Spitfire's face was almost unbearable. Dash looked away as she made eye contact.
"Um," Spitfire began. "You can do it. Right?"
She couldn't let Spitfire down. She wouldn't do it. Nor would she sap her own pride. She could do the sonic rainboom sideways. She had to.
"Of- of course! I was just, you know. Messin' around."
Spitfire raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Kind of a weird way to mess around. We kinda wanted to see it."
Dash held her breath, her heart about to blast through her chest.
"Well, as long as you do it tomorrow," Spitfire finished.
"It- It'll happen," said Dash. She had signed her own death warrant, and there was no taking it back.
"Teasing us, eh?" said Tyco. He cracked a grin. "I like your style."
Spitfire sighed, subtly yet obviously disappointed. "Alright then, we'll wing it." She looked up at the setting sun as it rested on the horizon. "I think we'll call practice. Go home, get a lot of sleep. We have a hay of a show tomorrow." She flew up into the air. "We'll take the jet to Manehatten, so be at the HQ at noon."
Dash's insides squirmed around. She felt like puking. She took long, heavy breaths.
"Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no."
"You sure you're ok, Dash?" said Soarin' as he took off after Spitfire. "You're whiter than a ghost."
"YES!" she suddenly yelled as she cracked a ridiculous smile. "I'M FINE!"
Soarin' chuckled. "Kid, you really are a gem. See you tomorrow! Don't party too hard."
"Actually," said Spitfire. "You guys go ahead, I want to talk to her."
"Mkay," said Soarin'. "See you later." He flew away and the Wonderbolts followed.
Dash looked at Spitfire and her legs froze in place. She wished she could fly far away.
"Hey," she said, her voice cracking.
Spitfire smirked. "Listen. About earlier, what I told you about my parents."
"Y- yeah?"
"I'm really sorry. It was totally uncool, I have no idea what I was thinking." She took a few steps toward Dash.
"No, it's- it's fine."
"I hate to put you in this position, but that's something that's not supposed to get out. Even Soarin' doesn't know." She took a few steps closer.
"Wow, r- really?"
"Yeah... yeah." Her voice trailed off. She came even closer. She looked at Dash as if desperately searching for something, and expecting to find it in the most peculiar of places. She stopped in front of her, just on the edge of comfortable conversation distance.
Silence befell them. Dash felt the urge to speak, but something else matched it.
After an eternity, Spitfire looked away and finally spoke.
"You have no idea. What this means to me. What you do means to me. What..." she trailed off into silence for several seconds.
"...What you mean to me."
She turned to face the orange setting sun and let out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry. I'm doing it again. I'm doing it again!" She turned back to Dash. "Ok, I've got to leave before I do something really drastic. I am having some serious issues right now." She chuckled in an obvious attempt to laugh it off. "Can you get home ok?"
"Um. I guess."
"Remember, the secret is out. Everypony in the world will know who you are by now."
"O- ok."
"Sleep like a rock. I'll see you at noon tomorrow, no later." She took off into the sky, becoming lost in the orange sky.
Dash's rump hit the ground.
"Oh buck."
____________________
Mane Arena: a worthy testament to the age of modern unicorn engineering. Visible for miles in every direction, its giant, concrete walls towered above the Manehatten skyline and spanned nearly half its width. Titanic, golden pylons extended out from the walls and curved into the sky, meeting at a single point above the field where a golden crest hovered in mid-air, shining bright in the sunlight. Rows upon rows of seats lined the inside walls, many of which were already filled. Crowds stood around the entrances, waiting and hoping for their chance to witness history.
Dash stared out of her airplane window. The sheer size of the structure crushed every bit of feeling inside her. She had only seen it on TV. In person, it seemed much larger.
"Quite a sight, huh?" said Soarin'. "Biggest field in the world. Quarter mile in diameter, capacity five hundred thousand."
Dash shrunk into her seat as a shiver ran up her spine.
"Soarin' would of course like to think of it in numbers," said Tyco. "I find Mane Arena to be a stunning example of modern art."
Soarin' rolled his eyes. "Here we go."
"The golden pylons," said Tyco as he shot Soarin' a look. "Represent the marvelous wonder of magic and the infinite possibilities it holds, extending upward into the sky with indefinite end. Princess Celestia herself placed the spell keeping the crest suspended in mid-air."
"I hear she might even be at the show," added Soarin'.
"Great," said Dash. "Awesome."
"'Awesome?' You mean fan-freakin-tastic! If your rainboom can do what it did to me and Spitfire, just think how that crowd is gonna react."
Soarin' continued explaining to Dash everything there was to know about performing to "ultra-large" audiences, each little fact and detail smashing her confidence to pieces. Scenario after scenario ran through her head, each one ending with apocalyptic circumstances. There was no escaping. There was no turning back.
They reached the side of the arena, where two large doors began to open. The jet slowed to a hover and slowly drifted inside. A crowd of camera-flashing ponies stood outside the entrance, taking as many pictures as possible before the doors closed.
Out of the total darkness and silence inside the cabin came Spitfire's voice.
"Well. We're here."
Then came Soarin's voice, much louder and much more enthusiastic.
"GAME TIME!"
The Wonderbolts yelled and hollered in response.
"Grab your bags," said Spitfire. "Let's go be famous."
Rainbow Dash followed the Wonderbolts out of the jet and into a cavernous aircraft hangar lined with steel walls. The doors closed behind them and several overhead lights flashed on. A group of pegasi wearing suits and sunglasses stood next to a doorway in the corner. One of them stepped up and checked his watch.
"Half an hour." He looked at Dash from behind his sunglasses and pondered her for an uncomfortably long period of time. "If you would, fillies and gentlecolts, follow me this way."
The Wonderbolts followed as he turned on the spot and trotted towards the doorway in the corner. Dash's saddlebag carrying her flight suit hung around her like a lead weight.
They moved through a long, steel corridor through which several pegasi flew back and forth, frantically making preparations for the show. Every few seconds, one of them would stop and stare at the Wonderbolts in awe as they walked by. The further they walked, the more Dash began to realize that they were staring at her.
"Is that... that's... Rainbow Dash!"
"It's her, the new Bolt!"
"DO A SONIC RAINBOOM!"
Soarin' nudged her and grinned. Dash attempted a smile back. She never thought being famous would be so awful.
"The locker room is just around here," said the escort.
They turned a final corner, and Dash's legs froze. A bright light led out into the field at the end of the tunnel, and the sound of a half-million fans as they cheered over the filler rock music.
This was it. She was going to die.
"You coming?" said Spitfire from a nearby doorway. "Or are you too excited to move? I know that feeling."
Dash slowly followed Spitfire through the door, no longer making any attempt to hide her distressed demeanor.
"You ok?" said Spifire. "You seem a bit... anxious."
Dash waved her hoof. "I- I'm fine. Just a little- uh- nervous."
Spitfire laughed. "You'll be fine. Just have fun!"
They walked into a small, square room lined with lockers. Misty, Rapidfire, and the other Wonderbolts slipped into their flight suits without hesitation while Dash struggled to stretch the fabric over herself, her forelegs trembling profusely. She made occasional glances at the others as they talked to each other, laughing and joking without a care in the world.
Dash pulled the mask over her head and looked in the mirror. She didn't deserve to wear this.
"Dash, are you ok?" said Spitfire.
Dash jumped. "NO! YES! I mean- yes, I'm fine! Why?"
Spitfire recoiled slightly. "Well... it's just your ears have been flopped for the last two hours. You're sure you're ok?"
Dash scoffed with small, maniacal chuckles.
Spitfire shrugged. "Ok then."
Suddenly, an extremely animated voice came over the loudspeakers in the stadium. Dash jumped a few feet off the ground.
"FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS!"
An impossibly loud roar echoed the voice. The floor shook, the lights flickered, and the ceiling tiles rattled in their sockets. Dash clenched her head in her hooves.
"Oh no. Oh no no no no no."
"Woohoo!" yelled Soarin', barely audible over the roaring and trembling stadium. "Listen to that!"
Dash looked up at Spitfire as dust began to fall from the ceiling. They made eye contact. Spitfire just smiled at her. She smiled as if nothing at all was wrong. The entire world could have been falling apart, and she wouldn't have cared at all.
Then, the crowd began chanting. Each word shook the stadium like a giant bass drum.
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
"That's you, kid," said Soarin'.
The escort opened the door. "Three minutes."
"HERE TO PERFORM DAZZLING, GRAVITY-DEFYING ACTS OF AEROBATICS...!"
_______________________ |
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Rainbow Dash stepped up to her place in the formation.
"LED BY THE BLAZING WONDER, SPITFIRE!"
The Wonderbolts walked down the tunnel in their trademark delta-formation. Dash's legs became weaker with each step. Her flight suit squeezed her chest and tightened around her neck. Ahead stood the exit: a bright, white light from which the screams of thousands of expectant fans rang out like the trumpets of the apocalypse.
As they neared the overhang, Dash's jaw slowly dropped. Night had arrived, and the stadium lights lit up the field in a bright green fluorescence under the black sky. Ponies leaned over the railing above, jumping and pushing one another to get a glimpse at the Wonderbolts. Dash tilted back her head to look at the opposite side of the stadium as it towered above everything, a sea of color blanketing its surface. She whimpered.
"You know the pre-show verse, right Dash?" Fleetfoot yelled over the crowd.
"The what?" Dash yelled back.
"Thirty seconds!" yelled the escort.
"We do this chant before we fly out!" Fleetfoot yelled again. "It's really fun, you should try it!
Of course she knew the pre-show verse. She recited it practically every night before she went to bed.
"Alright guys!" yelled Spitfire. "This is the opener, first impressions are everything! Keep it close, keep it tight! GOGGLES!"
Each of the Wonderbolts snapped their goggles to their eyes.
"IT'S TIME TO FLY!" Soarin' suddenly screamed at the top of his lungs. "FLY OVER DREAMS! FLY WITH ANGELS! BEAUTY WILL SCORCH THE SKY! FOR WE ARE THE SKY KEEPERS, OUR WINGS WILL SPREAD FOR THE HONOR, THE GLORY, OF EQUESTRIA!"
"Twenty seconds!"
The rest of the Wonderbolts joined in: "IT'S TIME TO FLY! FLY OVER DREAMS! FLY WITH ANGELS! BEAUTY WILL SCORCH THE SKY!" Dash mumbled along with them. The crowd began to drown them out.
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
"FOR WE ARE THE SKY KEEPERS, OUR WINGS WILL SPREAD FOR THE HONOR, THE GLORY, OF EQUESTRIA!"
Dash couldn't handle it any longer.
"I CAN'T DO IT!"
Everypony stopped and looked at her.
"I CAN'T-"
Spitfire rushed up to her. "Dash, look at me. Now is definitely not the time for a nervous breakdown. You'll do fine."
"No, I mean I can't do it! Th- the rainboom."
Spitfire's expression faded. "W- what do you mean you can't do it?"
"I can't do it horizontally! I've never done it before. I've never tried it before."
"W- what?"
"Ten seconds!" yelled the escort.
"ALL THE WAY FROM CLOUDSDALE..."
Spitfire's face froze. "Please tell me you're kidding. Please."
Dash looked at the ground and shook her head. Spitfire retreated a few steps. Everypony looked at her.
now!"
She spun around and bounded back to her place in the formation.
"SET!" screamed Soarin', and the Wonderbolts flared their wings in perfect synchronization.
"MARK!"
With an earsplitting CRACK they shot into the sky. The crowd exploded. A maelstrom of camera flashes sparkled across the stadium like a heavily sequined sheet of fabric. They reached the peak of their ascent, then dove hard at the ground. Dash kept as close as she could to the Bolts around her, matching their speed and every move. They pulled up sharply, producing a chest-rattling rumble that echoed through the stadium. The air twisted and contorted into several effervescent rings that rose into the sky.
"FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS, INTRODUCING THE LIGHTNING FAST RAAAAAINBOOOW DAAASH!"
Dash broke off from the group, flew towards the rising rings, and accelerated. Aiming at the dead center, she punched a hole straight through the middle. An arc of lightning appeared and connected to several points around them for a split second before climbing into the sky and expanding. The crowd roared as the rings exploded into a shower of water and mist. From the bright stadium lights, a vivid rainbow appeared. She dove toward the stands and flew a low pass around the arena, trailing behind her a thunderstorm that soaked the audience.
Dash's introductory solo went by like a blur. Before any thought entered her mind, she found herself flying over the top edge of the stands and out of sight where she caught her first break. Landing on a flat area of concrete, she heard the high pitched screams from thousands of fillies as Soarin' and Rapidfire began their duet.
Out of nowhere, Spitfire landed in front of her. Chunks of cracked concrete went flying.
"WHAT THE HAY. WHAT IN THE HAY!!"
Her demented expression perfectly matched the furious way she walked as she grabbed her goggles and threw them off. Dash retreated several steps.
"You SAID you could do it! This whole time I believed you! YOU LIED TO ME!"
"I- I-"
"What do we do now, Dash? WHAT THE HAY DO WE DO NOW? Maybe we should just let YOU decide everything from now on!" She began pacing, biting her lip, and ruffling her wings all at the same time. Her tail flicked around like it was trying to escape. Her breathing became heavy and erratic. "It HAS to happen, there's no way it CAN'T happen! Why Dash? Why would you do this? To THINK I even let you JOIN!"
"SORRY DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING!" Tears began to fall from her eyes. "I wanted this for you! And you just threw it away!" She turned away.
Dash stared at the back of Spitfire's stuck-up mane as the wind began to blow it back into place. Spitfire's flight suit turned a deep shade of blue against the night sky. She occasionally brought up a hoof to wipe her face.
Dash thought of nothing to say. But she had to try something.
"Spitfire," she began. Spitfire responded with a sniffle. "I never knew my rainboom would make ponies feel like this. Like you do, I mean."
Spitfire scoffed.
"When you asked me to do it sideways, I panicked. I didn't want to let you down."
Spitfire's voice dropped several dynamic levels. "Well you sure didn't, did you?"
Dash gulped. It felt like Spitfire had just shoved a sword through her stomach. "I mean," Dash continued. "There's always next time! Can't I just not do it? Couldn't I do it vertically at another show?"
Spitfire turned around. She walked up to Dash and put both forehooves on her shoulders.
"Please."
Her expression became unbearable. Tears streamed down her face as if she pleaded for her own life, amplifying the unidentifiable pain inside Dash's stomach.
"Please do it. There won't be another chance like this." Her wet, fiery eyes pierced Dash's soul. "You don't know how much-"
Her mouth hung on the end of the sentence. Slowly, she began to back away. Dash suppressed the urge to question her.
Suddenly, she shot back into the sky and over the stadium wall. The crowd met her return with a thunderous roar. Dash stared at the concrete crater she left behind.
_________________________
"What the hay is wrong with you, Spitfire? WHAT THE HAY IS WRONG WITH YOU!?"
Her rage coming from nowhere and her mind slowly turning into scrambled eggs, Spitfire took her anger out on her duet with her brother.
"Hey!" Rapidfire yelled over the wind and ecstatic crowd. "You think you could tone it down a bit? You're scorching the field!"
Spitfire turned her head, and her fire trail had grown nearly ten times larger than her brother's. Hot magma waterfalls fell to the ground as the pegasi fire crew rushed back and forth to extinguish the blaze. She rolled her eyes and continued on. Twisting and twirling around each other, Rapidfire dodged the huge chunks of hot lava flowing from his sister's trail.
"Spit- WOAH- Spitfire! Hey! Knock it off!"
"Shut up!" she yelled.
"What! Did you just tell me to shut up? You never tell me to shut up!"
"SHUT UP!"
They reached the finale of their duet, a move called the "Heat Wave." They went to opposite ends of the arena and flew straight toward each other at extreme speed. Just before colliding, they turned sideways and banked in opposite directions, missing each other by inches and causing a fiery shockwave. The crowd roared as they rejoined each other in the air and flew out of sight.
Suddenly, something grabbed Spitfire's back leg and yanked her to the ground.
"What is with you?" said Rapidfire in a scolding tone as Spitfire got back to her hooves. "I know you're upset about the rainboom, but you nearly cooked me alive back there!" His eyes narrowed. "Wait, where are your goggles?"
Forget about it? No! We need to fly this show! You've got to slow down before you kill somepony!"
"I said forget it."
"Spitfire, you have to focus while you're performing, you can't just fly off the handle like that."
"Who's the captain of the Wonderbolts, you or me?"
"Who's bigger and older, you or me?"
Spitfire stamped the ground with a grunt. "Can't you just come off it?"
"What is the matter with you? You're never like this. And come to think of it, you've been acting like you've gone insane for the past two weeks."
Spitfire began pacing. Her tail flicked around as her ears gave nervous twitches. Rapidfire studied her intently.
"I keep thinking about her," she said finally. "I keep thinking about her, and the rainboom. And I can't stop. I wanna stop, but I can't. It's so stupid! I mean, how hard can it be to stop thinking about somepony? Obviously pretty hard."
"Wait. Rainbow Dash?"
"Yes Rainbow Dash, who the hay else? And she's not going to do it. She has to do it! If she doesn't do it, then no pony will see it. And if no pony sees it, then that's going to be bad. Very. Bad. Everypony needs to see it. They've got-"
"Hey. Calm down. It's fine."
"'It's fine?' How? How in Equestria is this fine?"
Rapidfire had no answer.
Spitfire sighed. "Something's happening to me." She continued pacing with worry. "Something's happening to me, and I don't know why." She turned to her brother. "You don't understand. I need this to happen tonight. I've got to see it again."
Rapidfire looked at her sister's imploring expression. He shrugged. "If she doesn't do it," he resisted the urge to laugh at the ridiculous situation, "She doesn't do it."
At that moment, a loud CRACK echoed overhead as Dash's rainbow trail rocketed out of the stadium and into the night horizon.
"That's our cue," said Rapidfire. "Finale time. Ready?"
"No," Spitfire muttered as she took off.
Rapidfire looked out towards the dark, moonlit ocean as Dash's trail grew fainter.
"C'mon Dash," he said to himself. "You got this."
_____________________
The bright moon over the soft waves of the ocean below her offered no condolence as Rainbow Dash turned to face the luminous city lights of Manehatten. Her heart pounded against her chest. Her legs trembled. A large lump had formed in her throat, causing her to breathe heavily and erratically. Trying to snap out of her panicked stupor, she hit herself on the forehead a few times.
"C'mon, C'mon, C'MON!" She hovered back and forth, as if the air running through her head could clear her mind. "Just you and the sky Dash, you and the sky. No pony else, just you."
She stared at the massive concrete structure on the distant shore, waiting for the signal. Thoughts flying through her brain, she quickly devised an exit strategy for when she would humiliate herself in front of Equestria.
"The mountains aren't too far away," she said to herself. "I could camp out in the clouds there for a while until everypony stops looking for me, then make the trip across the ocean to Canterburry... but what would I eat? I could swipe some stuff from a convenience store or something on my way out, half of Manehatten is deserted right now anyway... Ah, who am I kidding? I'm doomed! RUINED!"
Then, a flash of bright red light on the coast.
Dash giggled maniacally to herself. "You know what? I don't even care what happens. I don't even care!"
She accelerated. Leveling herself horizontally to the ground, she bit her lip as she pushed herself forward with all her might. "I DON'T EVEN CARE!"
The wind began to claw at her face. Her exposed snout numbed as the insides of her cheeks flared out like parachutes. Less-than-pleasant noises escaped her mouth through her gritted teeth.
Suddenly, Dash burst into song, screaming at the top of her lungs.
"I DON'T EVEN CARE, I DON'T EVEN CARE!
LA LA DA BE DAH DO BA LAAAAA!"
Her mind had gone. She went faster and faster, unaware of thought and feeling. Again, she let out a maniacal laugh. "SPITFIRE! I CAN'T LET YOU DOWN! BUT I'M GOING TO!"
"It's beautiful here..."
A faint cone faded into existence around her. She scoffed. "DOESN'T EVEN MATTER!" In an attempt to imitate Soarin', she began yelling out of an imaginary adrenaline rush.
Dash struggled to stay conscious. Little by little, the dark night rushing past her began to fade to black.
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be..."
"IT'S TIME TO FLYYYYYYY! FLY OVER DREEEEAMS! RAINBOWS WILL SCORCH THE SKY!"
Before she could continue the next verse, the world left her. Everything turned to black...
"Nowhere else..."
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes to a blue-filled sky. Spring dominated the day and the Cloudsdale weather factory ran at full speed, streaming rainbows in several directions and exhausting the puffiest clouds Equestria had ever seen. A light shimmer hung around the air as drizzles blew in the wind.
Suddenly, something heavy landed on her shoulder. Startled, Dash jumped up to her hooves. It wasn't something, but somepony. It was Spitfire's head.
Spitfire immediately blushed and jumped up as well. "Ah- I- I'm- I'm sorry-"
Not used to having her mane brushed, Spitfire struggled to keep its neatness out of her face.
"Are you-" Dash began.
Her mind blanking, Spitfire tried to come up with something to say as her mouth froze with the rest of her body.
"Am- am I-" Spitfire stuttered.
A silence fell over the space between them as it seemed to contort.
"Am I what?" Spitfire finally said.
Without reason and without a thought, Dash took a step towards her. "I- I think-"
A chill ran from Spitfire's head to her hooves. "...What?"
A thought entered Spitfire's head. A thought that had just become completely outlandish and ridiculous. However, something about this thought made it peculiar. And it seemed very reminiscent of the mare standing in front of her.
Without reason and with this thought, Spitfire took a step towards Dash.
"I think I think, too," said Spitfire, her voice resolving into trembles. Dash shivered as if Spitfire had just dove into her mind and read it.
The bright blue scenery around them began to fade as they neared each other. Bright colors began to swell and surge like a raging ocean. A low, rumbling noise rattled Dash's chest, growing louder and louder. Their faces right in front of each other, Spitfire closed her eyes, but she began to fade away behind the swirling rainbows.
The colors seemed to drain like water from a bathtub. The noise had become unbearable...
Dash opened her eyes, the Manehatten skyline suddenly right in front of her. The skyscrapers reflected the blinding rainbow inferno behind her, and Dash shielded her eyes.
She slowed to a stop and turned around. The shockwave hurdled towards her at the speed of sound. It blasted her back against the glass, accompanied by the same impossibly low rumble. The roar subsided and gave way to the erupting crowd.
Dash's head swam. She felt light. Her eyes drooped as if she hadn't slept in days. As she slowly made her way back to the field to join the Wonderbolts in the bows, the magnitude of what she had just done became increasingly apparent.
She crossed over the wall into the field, and the crowd erupted. The screams of five hundred thousand ponies hit her in the chest like a ton of bricks. A rainbow haze filled the arena in wake of the explosion.
Dash couldn't tell what was going on. Things started to run together. She needed a nap. A nice, long nap on a big, puffy cumulonimbus. Right under the sun where she could bask in its yellow glory.
She continued to the center where the Wonderbolts waited. Taking her place on the left end next to Tyco, they locked forearms. Dash could feel him shaking.
She glanced up at him. Tears were pouring down his face, his expression forward and unchanging.
"Heh," she said groggily. "Was it really that good?"
"Dear Rainbow Dash," said Tyco. "You have no idea."
Each Wonderbolt took their turn bowing to the stadium, Soarin' and Rapidfire receiving higher pitched cheers.
Dash's turn came. She hovered forward, and the crowd exploded once again. At first she took her time, soaking up every bit of it she could. Then, she began to slowly raise her forearms out from her side, conducting the crowd into a deafening crescendo. Chills and shivers ran up and down her body. Her arms stretched into the air, she closed her eyes. The sound went on forever. Endless admiration. It was all for her. Everypony screamed just for her.
The Wonderbolts took one last bow together before gathering in a circle. Soarin' had to yell louder than Dash had ever heard him. "ONE PONY PER TUNNEL! READY? THREE... TWO... ONE... MARK!"
The Bolts shot off in different directions, leaving fire and smoke explosions behind them. Dash entered her dark, empty tunnel. She took off her goggles, fell against the wall, and slid to the floor. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. That nap seemed like a very good idea. She wondered if she could nod off for a second right here.
"DASH!"
A voice she thought she would never hear so hysterically. She snapped up to her hooves. Spitfire flew into the tunnel like a madmare, coming to a stop right in front of Dash. Goggle imprints looped around her eyes, her face soaked from crying, and a beaming smile stretching from ear to ear.
Time stopped. Spitfire looked at Dash as if she had seen her for the first time.
"I think I'm..." Spitfire breathed.
Suddenly, she threw her forelegs around Rainbow Dash's neck and pulled her into a deep kiss. Dash's body froze. Her eyes shot open. Surges of feeling swam up through her limbs and met in the center of her chest. She tried to push away, but she remained paralyzed. Tears began to run down Spitfire's face and roll off Dash's cheeks. Her brain shut down as her thoughts once again stopped processing themselves.
Finally, she gathered the strength to push Spitfire off. Spitfire began to back away as if Dash had turned into a horrific monster. A shocked expression slowly glossed over her face.
"I'm sorry," she said. She backed further away, and her rump hit the opposite wall. "I'm sorry..."
"Sp- Spitfire-"
"I'm sorry..."
She took off down the tunnel and rounded the corner out of sight.
_____________________________
<Chapter 5|Chapter 7 Coming Soon! |
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Chapter 7
Spitfire flew as fast as she could. Wind ripping through her mane, she crossed Manehatten in record time to arrive at her penthouse suite. Landing on the patio, she flung open the sliding glass door and slammed it behind her, diving for the pull string and snapping the blinds closed.
In total darkness, she held her breath as she slowly backed away from the door. Her rump hit the wall behind her, and she slid to the floor. Every sound in the room became amplified. Flashes of rainboom echoed in her vision, as well as the faint silhouettes of her mother and father.
What had she just done? She couldn't have. She knew exactly what she did, but there was no way. She brought her hooves to her mouth, the feeling of another mare's lips on her own forever embedded into her mind. She pressed down, puckered them, smacked them, and twisted them into every shape possible. She then buried her entire face into her hooves.
"Oh no."
Her own voice echoed through her brain: WHAT THE HAY DO WE DO NOW, DASH? WHAT THE HAY DO WE DO NOW?
"What the hay, Spitfire?" she whispered to herself. She pounded the floor with a hoof, producing a rather satisfying echo. She did it a few more times, punctuating each word. "What- the- hay- Spit-"
Suddenly, the door slid open. Spitfire's heart exploded into her throat as she shot up to her hooves. The dark silhouette of a pegasus with a Wonderbolts flight suit stood in the doorway.
Spitfire stood against the wall, breath held and legs shaking.
"You know, you should really lock this door," said Rapidfire's chuckling voice.
The light switched on, revealing her big brother with a goofy grin plastered across his face. She sighed in deep relief and slid back to the floor.
"SHE DID IT!" He yelled. "She did it and I STILL can't believe it!" He began jumping around the room. "I never doubted her! Never, ever doubted her! Ok, maybe a little, but STILL! She did it and I've never seen anything like it! I feel so... alive! I feel like I can do anything! I could even-" He stopped as he caught sight of his sister's face. "What's the matter with you?" said Rapidfire. "You look like you just saw a ghost."
Staring at the ground, Spitfire simply shook her head.
"Dude! Come on! You just randomly took off, and I had to follow you all the way here! The most amazing thing in the world just happened, and you're not even excited about it? We need to celebrate! Let's go!"
Spitfire remained silent.
"Hey," said Rapidfire as he walked over to her. "What's up?"
"Not amazing," she mumbled. Her voice rose, " Everything's ruined, out the window, gone!"
Rapidfire chuckled. "Quit messing around. What are you talking about?"
"I'm not messing around."
"You know, sooner or later you're going to realize that I can practically read your mind."
" I'm not messing around. I'm not."
"Ok then, what is it?"
Spitfire looked up at her brother. His care-free and expectant smile made her cringe. She looked away. There was no denying the inevitable. She could never keep it secret, especially from Rapidfire.
"C'mon," he said. "Tell me."
"I did something weird," said Spitfire. "Something bad. Really bad."
Rapidfire laughed. "Really? And what is this 'weird, bad thing' that you did?"
"I-" Spitfire began. She sighed and hit her head against the wall a few times.
Rapidfire raised his eyebrows. "Hmm?"
Spitfire looked at him, then buried her face in her hooves.
"I- I kissed Rainbow Dash."
A thick silence fell over them. Spitfire could feel the air as it solidified around her.
"Like..." Rapidfire began. "Kissed kissed? Like mouth to mouth kiss?"
Spitfire sat in silence. After a moment, Rapidfire began snorting with laughter.
"Ok, wait," he said. "Let's back up. Say what you just said again," his voice grew into chuckles, "because it sounded like you said that you-" He stopped and put a hoof to his mouth, stifling laughter with obvious difficulty. "That you- you kissed Rainbow Dash."
Spitfire stood up and confronted her brother, planting a hoof on his chest. "Don't tell any pony, or I'll kill you. You hear me? I will get a knife, go into your room while you're sleeping, and stab you. Ok?"
Rapidfire's grin widened. "Oh, no no, don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." He broke down into laughter again.
Spitfire groaned loudly in frustration. "Will you listen to me! This is serious! My career, my life, maybe even yours could be in danger!"
"So how did the rainbow taste?" He said between laughs. "Would you say it was... spicy?" He lost it again.
"RAPIDFIRE!" Spitfire yelled.
"H- Hey," he said, trying to catch his breath. "Come on. Lighten up. Listen, we're heading down to Hoofbeat. DJ-Pon3's playing tonight, and the place is supposed to be packed. It should help you relax and take your mind off things. Sounds like you've had a pretty long day."
Spitfire sighed. Hoofbeat, the most famous nightclub in all of Equestria, was one of Spitfire's favorite places to relax. The hypnotic bass rhythm constantly beating her body, the packed floor full of other ponies where she danced among them as one; it was the only time she truly felt normal, as if her life had more meaning than just being famous.
"Is Dash going?" she asked.
"Of course. Why? You looking for some more face time?" He chuckled.
She opened her mouth to raise her voice at him, but stopped herself and sighed.
"Nevermind."
They made eye contact, just enough for Rapidfire to break into fits again. He held his stomach as he gasped despreately for air.
"K- kissed Rainbow Dash!"
Spitfire looked at her brother with a blank expression. He finally caught his breath and stood up.
"C- c'mon! Vinyl's already started her set! We're waiting for the captain of the
Wonderbolts!" He went to the door and opened it. Spitfire's rump hit the floor as she watched her brother fly off into the moon, his laughter echoing off the neighboring buildings.
_____________________________
Through the cool quiet of the deserted streets in downtown Manehatten, a low, pulsating rumble resounded through the air. Hoofbeat stood just off to the side of a high-end shopping mall, a line of ponies from the entrance stretching down the street, around the corner, and out of sight. Its simple, cubic shape and monochrome facade heavily contradicted the party of epic proportions that took place inside.
Comprised of a lower and upper level, the circular dance floor sat in the dead center. The balcony railing overlooked the packed floor full of ponies under the strobing, color and laser-ridden air above them. The DJ's booth towered over the floor, where Vinyl Scratch herself bobbed her head back and forth to the chest-punching bass, holding an earphone to the side of her head as she magicked around several switches and knobs.
Rainbow Dash stood against the wall with her forelegs crossed, hidden away in the dark corner. She stared with a blank expression into the hypnotic mass of dancing ponies as they lost themselves in the music.
"There you are," said a familiar voice.
Dash turned and saw Rapidfire walking up to her.
"Hey," she said.
"Come join the party! Why are you sitting back here all alone?"
"I'm not much of a partier," she lied.
"Are you kidding? You should be the life of the party right now! Everypony's ecstatic over you!"
Just then, the dance floor erupted in cheers as Soarin' climbed to the top of the DJ booth and dove into the crowd.
"Where's Spitfire?" said Dash.
"Oh, she's around." He laughed. "Your rainboom gave her a total hallucination earlier."
"What?"
"She said that she kissed you."
Dash's insides froze.
"Rainbows do some weird stuff to you," said Rapidfire.
"Heh, yeah. I guess."
An awkward silence fell over them as Rapidfire looked at her for an uncomfortably long period of time. Dash tried to distract him by looking into the crowd inquiringly.
"I want you to know something," he finally said. Dash met his eyes, the same dark-amber color as Spitfire's. His mouth formed into a heartfelt smile.
"You are the most amazing pegasus I've ever had the pleasure of knowing."
Startled, Dash nearly slid off the wall. "Oh, uh- um-"
"The rainboom was the most incredible, indescribable thing I've ever seen. You're extremely talented and smart." He paused for effect. "And beautiful."
Dash knew where this was going. She desperately looked for a way to escape, but Rapidfire had her cornered.
He put a hoof on Dash's cheek. "And I want you to know," he said at a barely audible whisper, "You mean more to me than just a co-flier. I want you to know that-"
"WHATDYA MEAN WE NEED A PASS?! NO PONY GETS BETWEEN ME AND A PARTY!"
Dash's ears perked up at the shrill sound of Pinkie Pie's voice as it cut through the air like a diamond knife. Dash shoved Rapidfire aside while he was still distracted, left the ground, and glided over the dance floor, drawing cheers from the crowd below. She landed at the entrance, where Silvertongue held a struggling Pinkie Pie in his huge forelegs.
"Dashie!" She squealed. "Tell this- guy- to- let us- IN!"
Dash peeked over SIlvertongue's shoulder and saw all five of her friends standing at the front of the long line.
"Rainbow Dash!" they said in unison.
_________________________
"I'm not going up there!"
"Why the hay not?"
"Because."
"Because why?"
Spitfire stared at Soarin's inquiring expression. "Just because."
Soarin' and Spitfire stood at the base of the DJ tower, just off to the side from the dance floor. Their argument drew several curious eyes.
"You have to say something. You're the captain of the Wonderbolts."
"Well why can't you do it?"
"Because I'm not the captain of the Wonderbolts!"
Spitfire rolled her eyes.
"What the hay is wrong with you?" said Soarin'. "You always talk in front of ponies! Why can't you do it now?"
"I just don't want to."
Soarin' sighed heavily and grabbed her. "This is ridiculous."
"Hey- NO! Stop! What are you-"
He dragged her through the air to the top of the DJ tower. The crowd caught sight of her and erupted into a loud cheer. She smiled nervously and waved a hoof. Vinyl Scratch stopped the music and picked up a microphone.
"Fillies and gentlecolts, I give you, Spitfire."
As Vinyl gave her the microphone, her eyes darted around the crowd for Rainbow Dash. She was here, and she was watching. Her mind in a flurry of activity, she gave no thought to the first words from her mouth.
"Rainbow D- uh-"
Her mouth clamped. Her stomach turned to ice. The crowd cheered at the sound of Dash's name as blood rushed to Spitfire's face and darkened to a very impressive shade of scarlet.
"I- uh- I'd like to thank the crew from Mane Arena for coordinating the show." The crowd applauded. "The entourage, Jetstream, Silvertongue, um-" Her mind blanked as she tried to block Rainbow Dash out of her mind. "Uh, yeah. Thanks everypony for coming out tonight, and yeah. Party it up!" She made a hoof-pumping motion in the air and handed the microphone back to Vinyl. The audience slowly began to applaud.
Soarin' gave her an incredulous look as she gave the microphone back to a now befuddled Vinyl Scratch.
"And let's not forget the most awesome of awesome fliers around, Rainbow Dash!"
The crowd roared. Several pegasi lept into the air in a very extreme form of standing ovation.
"What was that?" said Soarin' as he and Spitfire landed.
"What was what?"
"That. What you just did."
Spitfire turned to walk away. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Soarin's hoof met her shoulder. "No, wait. You're gonna tell me what's going on."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"I don't have to tell you anything." She turned away again.
Soarin' reached for her shoulder. "What is the matter w-"
Spitfire slapped away his forearm and her voice rose several dynamic levels. "Just lay off me, alright?!"
Soarin' stared completely bewildered at Spitfire as she walked away.
_____________________________
"Rainbow, why do you keep glancing over your shoulder?"
Dash turned back to the table. "Huh? Oh, uh... nothing." She turned her head the other direction.
Rainbow Dash sat with her five friends in a booth recessed into the wall. Paranoid that Spitfire might find her, she jerked her head around each time she thought she heard her name.
"Well, the suite we had was incredible," said Rarity, continuing the conversation. "We were above the Manehatten skyline and had the most dazzling view of the arena!"
"Yeah," said Twilight. "That stadium is gigantic! We could see for miles. I've always wondered how magical engineering and architecture works, especially on huge buildings like that one."
"I didn't like it," said Fluttershy from behind her mane.
"Oh, come now Fluttershy," said Rarity. "You're a pegasus! Pegasi aren't supposed to be afraid of heights!"
Fluttershy took a side glance at Pinkie Pie, who was giggling uncontrollably at the pictures of famous DJs and electronic artists along the wall, all dressed in ridiculous outfits and large amounts of makeup.
"It was weird when we walked out though," said Applejack. "Everypony was cryin', jumpin' up and down, actin' all happy." She winced. "An' makin' out in broad daylight."
"Yes, I thought that was rather... odd," added Rarity. "Well, Rainbow Dash, that show of yours must have-" Rarity made eye contact with the back of Dash's head. "Rainbow, my dear, are you alright?"
"Yeah," said Applejack. "You're actin' kinda-"
Dash suddenly zipped back around. "Have you guys been noticing anything weird about everypony lately?"
"Uhh-" Twilight started.
"Because everypony, and I mean everypony is acting weird."
"Dash, that's what we were just talking about," said Twilight. "Everypony just seems... really happy."
"It's the rainboom," said Dash. "I think it does something to you. Remember when we were all fillies and you all saw it happen? Remember how we all got our cutie marks at the same time?"
"Interesting," said Twilight. "It would explain a lot. But I'm curious as to how polychromatic magic would have an effect on psychological-
A random voice suddenly yelled out over the music, "RAINBOW DASH!"
Dash jumped ten feet in the air.
"I LOVE YOU, RAINBOW DASH!"
"Darling, relax!" said Rarity. "It's only one of your fans! I mean really, what in Equestria has gotten into you?"
"So yer rainboom makes everypony happy and love ya," said Applejack. "What's the problem?"
Dash sighed. "Ok, if I tell you, do you promise not to tell anypony else?"
"Yes," they said in unison.
"Ok. So after the show, Spitfire-"
"Yo Dash!"
Instead of reacting suddenly to Soarin's voice behind her, she froze. Wherever Soarin' was, Spitfire was bound to be with him.
His blue hoof landed on her shoulder. "Hey kid, wanna come hang with us for a bit?"
She slowly turned around. To her palpable relief, Soarin' was with only Tyco and Misty. And to her slight surprise, Tyco had his foreleg around Misty's neck.
"Well," said Dash. "I'm kinda hanging with my friends right now-"
"Oh, Rainbow, It's alright," said Rarity. "You must go and enjoy yourself."
"Yeah, we'll still be here," added Twilight. "We can chat some more later."
"But- are you sure?"
"Go on, sugarcube," said Applejack. "Live it up."
"Well, I-"
"C'mon Dash," said Soarin'. "Party's waitin' for ya."
Dash looked back to her friends. "Ok- I guess."
Shocked at her friends' willingness to let her leave, she got up from the table and followed Soarin'. She had not expected it at all. It seemed like her friends would have wanted to hang out all the time, just as she did. Had they already come to terms with her newfound fame? Had they disowned her?
Ponies ogled them as they walked through the crowd, hurling cheers and praise toward them every other second. They came to a circular booth where a few other ponies were already sitting, and Dash's stomach turned to ice.
She had made eye contact with the one pegasus she had hoped to avoid.
Soarin' motioned Dash to the booth's opening. "You first."
No pony sat next to Spitfire, which meant Dash would have to if she went first. Panicked, her mind went blank.
"Uh-"
"Something wrong?" said Soarin'.
Dash could feel everypony's eyes as they questioned her silently. She was back at the Wonderbolts headquarters, back in the chair as everypony stared her down. Whatever she did, she had to do it now.
"N- no- nothing." Slowly and awkwardly, she climbed into the booth, forearms trembling and sweat trickling down her neck. She slid over to allow the other the other three Wonderbolts to follow and sat down, inches from Spitfire. Soarin' slid in behind her, followed by Misty and Tyco. Dash looked up and made eye contact with Rapidfire. He winked, and she looked away. Spitfire seemed to emanate pure cold from her body.
"So!" Soarin' began rather enthusiastically. "What are we doing?"
"You mean we don't have a plan?" said Rapidfire.
Soarin' shrugged his shoulders. "I don't have a plan, do you have a plan?"
Rapidfire shrugged his shoulders back.
"Well what the hay are we gonna do?"
Dash heard giggles coming from her other side. She took a glance, and Tyco had his arm around Misty and his snout buried in her neck.
"Let's get some shots, we'll figure it out later," said Rapidfire. "WAITER!"
A black-maned unicorn rushed up to the table with a pen and pad of paper floating next to him.
"Six shots, and bring the bottle."
"Yes sir!" he said as he shot off into the crowd.
"Um," said Dash. "'Shots?'"
"Don't worry about it," said Soarin'.
A split second later, the waiter returned with a tray of tiny water glasses and a dark-amber bottle.
"Thank you, sir," said Soarin' as he took the tray, uncorked the bottle, and began pouring a light-tan liquid into the glasses.
"Uh," Spitfire said suddenly, and Dash jumped. "That's probably not such a good id-"
"To Rainbow Dash," said Soarin' as he raised a glass. "The baddest most awesomest flier in Equestria."
Rapidfire, Misty, and Tyco followed suit. Spitfire hesitated.
"Oh, come on Spitty," said Rapidfire. "It's a party."
She sighed and reached for a glass. Dash now had no choice but to follow.
They clinged glasses. Dash watched as Soarin' downed his in one gulp, then sighed with his mouth wide open. The others did the same, as well as Spitfire, who seemed to melt into her seat. Dash looked down at her glass.
"Go on," said Rapidfire. "Once it's down, you'll forget you even drank it."
Dash sighed, threw caution to the wind, and took a gulp. The entire world around her burned away in warm serenity. |
Want | Chapter 8 | Chapter 8
Dash's skull pounded and throbbed against the softness it lay on. She tried to move, but her body roared in painful protest. Her mind filled with an unprecedented feeling of despair, she opened her eyes in a desperate attempt to find happiness in one of her other senses, only to be met with bright, blurry visions of yellow and orange. Continuing her search, she closed her eyes and sniffed the air. Surprisingly, it carried pleasant hints of shampoo and fresh linen. Each inhale she took blew a sweet flurry of fruity elation through her mind, yet the bubble of pain inside continued to fight back.
Another peculiar presence came to her attention. It seemed to encompass everything, as if it filled her from head to hoof. Serene and fluttering, like the same presence she felt when basking in the warm glory of the sun. Suddenly, a deep surge of desire for this presence bubbled up inside her. The throbbing in her head didn't matter now. Nothing else at all mattered, as long as this warmth stayed with her. With her forelegs, chest, stomach, and legs wrapped around it, she pulled it in closer. She squeezed vast quantities of heat and happiness from its soft, plush surface. She began questioning the reality of the situation, as this sort of thing only happened in the weird dreams she had. Trying to derive every bit of warm euphoria from the dream she could for as long as she could, she nuzzled her head into the back of its neck. Then, much to her delight, it pulled her in closer. It wrapped its own forelegs around Dash's and hugged them tightly to its chest. Then, something happened that exploded joy into Dash's heart: It made a noise, a sort of soft, content sighing noise - a simple yet cacophonic symphony of sweet sonority.
It enjoyed her company, just as she enjoyed it. Despite the pulsating pain in her head and inability to move, it seemed like the only thing in the world she really wanted.
Then, a different noise came from behind her. She couldn't tell exactly what it was, but it sounded like... snickering. Curious as to who had made the sound, she released the warmth next to her and sat up. She rubbed her sore eyes and opened them to the morning sun shining bright through a balcony window. Squinting, she looked around and saw Soarin' standing just in front of a doorway with a very surprised look on his face.
"Uhh- what- Hi, Soarin'," she gurgled.
He remained silent, frozen in an amused state of disbelief. Dash had never seen him with such an expression.
"Soarin'? A- are you ok?"
Slowly, through her blurred stupor, two and two began to come together. She looked around at the lavishly adorned room, decorated with granite, marble, golden chandeliers, microfiber carpet, and silk-white curtains. She made eye contact with Soarin' again, then looked at the yellow mass lying on the bed next to her.
Her eyes slowly widened, and her mouth unhinged.
"AAAAAAHH!" She jumped out of the bed and shot into the ceiling corner with her back against the marble-columned wall.
Spitfire sat up, mane a disheveled catastrophe, and looked around with squinted eyes for the source of the commotion. She found Soarin' and sighed.
"Soarin'? What-" Suddenly, she brought her hooves to her temples as she winced in pain. "Soarin', what's going on? Where are-" Her eyes found Dash's ghost-like expression against the ceiling. She looked at Soarin', his eyes flitting back and forth between the two mares. Then, she looked down and found Dash's imprint in the feather-top sheets. Her eyes widened, and her face flared with the brightest orange Dash had ever seen. She silently muttered a rather harsh expletive.
The silence screamed in their ears. No pony moved or made a sound. Dash glanced at the doorway to the balcony outside. Her brain yelled at her body to move, but it refused. Spitfire began to feel around the lines of the imprint, as if trying to make reality out of the situation.
"WELP!" Soarin' suddenly yelled, giving Dash and Spitfire a start. "This is sufficiently awkward, so I think I'm just gonna leave you two alo-"
"You're not going anywhere," Spitfire said suddenly. She raised her head and looked at Soarin' with an expression that hid an extreme and almost demented fervor, of which Dash was relieved not to be on the receiving end. Spitfire's lips parted, and she spoke with a calm, disturbed composure.
"What happened last night?"
"What- I- I don't-"
"What. Happened."
Baffled by her sudden change in demeanor, Soarin' threw his hooves in the air. "How the hay should I know? I woke up in the hallway with a bunch of mares I don't even remember meeting, and I've been knocking on doors all morning looking for you, and well..." He took a side glance at Dash. "I found you."
"Soarin'?" called a smooth, deep voice from the hallway. Silvertongue's large, brutish face peeked around the corner of the doorway. "I've been looking all over fo- Oh, are the young lovebirds awake?"
"Lovebirds?" said Soarin'.
"Silver!" squealed Spitfire. She jumped out of the bed and grabbed Silvertongue's shoulders. "What happened last night? What happened? Who was there? Who saw us? Where was the p-"
He held a hoof over her mouth. "Woah, throw some breaks on the carriage kid, there's nothing to worry about. As soon as Soarin' ordered that bottle, we practically quarantined five city blocks. Nothing got in or out."
"What about press? What about Paparazzi?!"
"We erased memories, destroyed cameras, the whole shebang, I even wiped the other bodyguards. As of now, I am the only witness to the events of last night inside Hoofbeat. Figured it was worth it, you know, with the celebrating and all."
Spitfire let out a palpable sigh of relief. "But- what happened? I don't remember anything!"
Silvertongue glanced at Rainbow Dash, who had now landed on the piece of carpet furthest from Spitfire. "Do you really wanna know?"
"Why? Is it bad?"
"I kinda wanna know," said Soarin'.
"Well, see, I may have accidentally erased your memories along with everypony else's."
"W- what?" said Spitfire.
"Wait," said Soarin'. "Are you sure they aren't just hung over? Because I feel hung over."
"Well," said Silvertongue. "That's the thing, I'm not entirely sure. The symptoms of memory deletion are pretty similar to hangovers. Depends on the unicorn that does the magic..." Silvertongue looked at Spitfire, her face a white tone of pleading and desperation. He sighed. "I don't know what happened."
Thoughts began running through Spitfire's brain at a million miles an hour. Last night, the one segment of time she needed to remember, and it had escaped her completely. Something had happened, something amazing. She could feel the euphoric broken record replay in her memory over and over again.
"But look," Silvertongue continued. "All I know is this. Last night was the most epic party I've ever seen. Everypony was so excited. The way they danced, how they acted with each other was very... sensual. And passionate. I've never seen anything like it."
"Wait," said Dash. "You said you were the one that erased everypony's memories, right?"
"Right."
"So you do know what happened last night. Right?"
The color returned to Spitfire's face. She looked at Silvertongue with the same inquirous expression. He looked back, apparently deep in thought. "Soarin', wanna get breakfast?" he said. "These two need time to themselves. I'll tell you all about it."
"I'm down," Soarin' said as he followed Silvertongue into the hallway.
"Hey! HEY!" shouted Spitfire. Soarin' turned and winked as the door slammed shut behind him, and the silence deadpanned the room once again. Spitfire fell on her rump as she exhaled a frustrated sigh.
The white, silk curtain ruffled in the crisp, morning wind, embellishing the open balcony that led to a world of millions of newly-acquired Manehatten fans that would shower Rainbow Dash with unconditional love and attention. Every part of her being wanted to go, to leave Spitfire alone in the lavish hotel suite and get away to the center of attention.
Then, as if she had read Dash's mind, Spitfire broke the silence.
"If you left," she said, her voice hushed and nervous. "I wouldn't blame you."
Noises from the bustling street below had made their way through the window on a golden ray of morning sunshine, casting a brilliant mosaic of rainbow on the wall as it passed through the crystal chandelier. The smell of freshly baked croissant and espresso wafted in with the breeze. Dash sat, staring at the back of Spitfire's ruffled mane as she faced the closed door.
"I-" Dash managed to say. One of Spitfire's ears twitched. "I can't just leave."
Spitfire slowly stood up. She turned around and met Dash's eyes. Her expression unchanging, she began walking toward her. Dash's brain desperately tried to make sense of this. She had been here before. She couldn't handle another kiss. She would lose herself entirely.
Spitfire stopped directly in front of her. She stared at Rainbow Dash the same desperate and confused way she always had. The curtain around the window continued to ruffle silently as the breeze carried in more scents of baked pastries.
"I don't know-" Spitfire began. She swallowed and took a deep breath. "I don't what's happening. And I don't understand it. I wish I knew."
Something underneath her hooves caught her attention, and she looked down. Two Wonderbolts flight suits lay on the soft carpet, entwined in a pointless struggle for each other. Dash looked down as well, still trying to retrieve her memory. The incessant hustle-and-bustle of downtown Manehatten continued to deliver fresh breakfast smells through the window. Dash expected Spitfire to say something.
Then, Spitfire laughed through her nose. She began chuckling. Dash looked up at her with a quizzical expression. Spitfire took a breath and laughed out loud.
"Dash," she began. She looked up with the goofiest grin Dash had ever seen. "I think we slept with each other."
As Spitfire fell into fits, Dash could only stare, completely befuddled.
"How is this funny?"
"I don't- I don't know," Spitfire squealed.
A smile tried to make its way across Dash's face. "Are you ok? Should I... you know... get help?"
Spitfire fell over clutching her stomach. "I'm sorry- I don't- I'm trying-"
She had officially snapped. Dash could do nothing for her. And peculiarly enough, she found this fact quite amusing. Suddenly, she broke out in laughter as well. Spitfire noticed this, and she began laughing even harder. Tears streaming down her face, she struggled for breaths as she lost control of her abdominal muscles. Dash began laughing simply for the sake of laughing. She didn't know why or how, but she simply stopped caring, as if her worry blew away in the breeze coming through the window.
A few moments later, Spitfire caught her breath. "Sweet Celestia, I needed that," she said as she stood up.
Dash tried to stand up while catching her own breath. "I- I still don't understand- how this is- so funny."
Spitfire looked at Dash. She had never really appreciated the way her dark-rose violet eyes complimented her cyan coat.
"You know what I need?" she said.
"What?"
"Breakfast. That smell through the window is really getting at me."
Dash sniffed, and her stomach grumbled in response. "Well where can we go? There's gotta be hundreds of ponies down there. We'll get mobbed!"
Spitfire smiled. "A natural celebrity, Dash. Always assuming the worst." She glanced out the window. "Don't worry. I've got it taken care of."
Dash had learned to trust Spitfire, no matter how vague she may be. "Well, my head's still killing me. I hope this place has caffeine," she said as she followed Spitfire to the door.
Spitfire smiled. "More than you can ever want."
____________________________________
Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, and two huge pegasi dressed in black suits stepped through the double doors into the biggest room Dash had ever seen. Gigantic crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Golden murals of pony mythology cascaded down the walls like a waterfall, sparkling with gems and rubies. Huge red pillars connected the floor to the thirty-something story high ceiling, encircling the check-in counter at the dead center of the lobby. The plain, black marble floor reflected the ceiling like a mirror. Mail pegasi flew in and out of the windows in well-organized chaos. Above the doors to the Manehatten streets, "Hôtel Cheval" was printed in large, cursive letters.
"Welcome to the most expensive room in Equestria," said Spitfire.
To Dash's surprise, no pony had immediately mobbed them. She wondered how Spitfire knew where they were going. They seemed to be walking towards a separate part of the room where a large group of ponies stood waiting to get in. Spitfire walked up to them and tapped one on the shoulder.
"Excuse us."
The brown earth-pony turned around. His eyes shot wide open as he let out a sharp gasp. This caused the pony behind him to do the same. He stepped aside, letting the giant bodyguards and two Wonderbolts fliers pass, ogling them as they walked by. In a perfect chain reaction, the group of waiting ponies parted as they realized who had appeared in their midst. Dumbfounded murmurs and whispers echoed around as they walked through. Dash watched as Spitfire smiled and acknowledged random ponies in the crowd.
They walked up to a check-in counter where a blue pegasus dressed in a tuxedo was scribbling away at a long piece of paper.
"Si vous avez une reservation, s'il vous plaît, attendre à-" He made eye contact with Spitfire. His eyes began flitting nervously between Dash and the bodyguards. "Ah," he said. "Mademoiselle Spitfire. And ze amazing Rainbow Dash. My apologies, please follow me." Spitfire raised her eyebrows at Dash.
They walked into a room full of ponies that, given the attire of the wait staff, seemed very plain and cafe-like. The furniture consisted of nothing more than wooden chairs and tables. The bright morning sun shined through the glass storefront as hundreds of ponies went about their daily lives in the downtown streets. They walked through the dining proper and the noise dulled to a light murmur as they drew stares from every corner of the room.
The host stopped at a small table next to the glass window with two chairs facing opposite each other. A small, glass vase sat in the center with a purple tulip casually hung over the edge.
"My sinzerest apologies, zis is ze only open table. I can kick somepony out madame, if you like."
"Nah, this is fine," said Spitfire.
As Dash and Spitfire sat down, the host took a deep breath and wiped his brow with a handkerchief. He took a side glance at the two towering bodyguards on either side of him.
"So, eh, mademoiselles, may I interest you in zome of our fine espressos?"
"I'll have a latte," Spitfire began. She squinted and rubbed her temples. "And gimme a couple extra shots. I need it."
"Ah, I see." Dash noticed his hoof shaking as he scribbled on the pad of paper. "And eh, for you, mademoiselle Rainbow Dash?"
"A mocha's fine," said Dash.
"Ah, oui. Bon selectionnes mademoiselles, I shall return shortly." He took to the air and darted to another end of the restaurant.
"Mocha, huh?" said Spitfire. "You don't strike me as a chocolatey kind of mare."
Dash laughed. "I'm sorry, was I supposed to?"
Spitfire shrugged. "If you'd like."
Dash began looking around at the not-so-lavish decorum of the cafe. "I don't get it. If the waiters here are so fancy, then why isn't the cafe fancy?"
"Because they have the greatest pastry chefs and baristas in the world in here."
"So?"
"So they cut back on costs by not having a golden statue in the middle of the lobby spitting outrageous amounts of water every day."
"How do you know so much about this place?"
Spitfire smiled. "I always stay here whenever we have a show in Mane Arena, which is rare in itself. It's some pretty good alone time. I always come to this cafe and sit by the window. Watch all the normal ponies doing normal things."
A flash went off in the corner of Dash's eye. She looked out into the cafe and saw every eye facing her direction. A few ponies had taken out cameras, dodging back and forth to take as many different angles as possible. She turned back to Spitfire, who now had a huge smirk on her face.
"What?" said Dash.
"Oh nothing. You just remind me of... me."
A small crowd had begun to form outside the window. Some of them had cameras as well. Dash tried her best to pay no attention.
"Spitfire," she began.
Spitfire scoffed. "Please. Just 'Spit.' 'Spitfire' takes way too much effort."
Dash laughed. "Ok. Spit."
"Yes, Dash?"
More and more cameras began flashing as the crowd became larger.
"What happens when I do the rainboom?"
Spitfire's smile faded. "What do you mean?"
"Like... what do you see? What does it look like?"
Spitfire looked out at the crowd. "Well. There's the huge epic explosion, which basically turns into a rainbow and covers the entire sky. And when the shockwave hits you, you start feeling all warm and relaxed. And stuff starts happening that makes you really happy."
"Like what stuff?" said Dash.
"What do you mean?"
"What happy stuff happens to you?"
Spitfire pondered for a moment. "Why do you wanna know?"
"Just... curious."
Spitfire looked back out the window. "Well. I see my parents. And I'm back with them. I remember it so vividly, but when it's from the rainboom, it's actually happening."
"...Oh."
Just then, an earth-pony broke through the front of the crowd outside. "Rainbow Dash? RAINBOW DASH? RAINBOW DASH!" He ran up to the window and began pounding the glass, his voice muffled and barely audible. "RAINBOW DASH! I LOVE YOU, RAINBOW DASH!"
Dash didn't dare look nor acknowledge it. She snuck a glance at Spitfire, who seemed to have lost it.
"RAINBOW DASH!" He fell to his knees with his face and body pressed against the window, producing a rather unattractive screeching sound. "Please, Rainbow Dash please, have my foals... have my foals Rainbow Dash! HAVE MY FOALS!" He began bawling against the glass, coating it in a pitiful mixture of tears, saliva, and mucus. Several ponies in the crowd had already begun filming.
The host burst through the kitchen doors, carrying two tall coffee mugs. "Ok mademoiselles, zis will be-" he stopped dead as his eyes met the scene.
Dash firmly planted her hoof on her face.
______________________________________
Silvertongue walked down the long, golden hallway as a pungent air of exhaustion and regret formed in his wake. He caught glimpses of himself in the mirrors that hung along the wall at ten-or-so foot intervals. His bloodshot and droopy eyes decreased the effect of his cut, brutish face he was so proud of, yet it seemed all too natural. Hypnotized by the incessant images of himself, he had nearly forgotten about his unicorn assistant he had brought with him.
"I don't understand," she said. "If they're already as wasted as everypony was saying, then why do we need to bother with erasing their memories?"
"They aren't wasted," said Silvertongue. "They're completely sober."
"But... how? I've never seen Spitfire act like that with anypony. Ever."
"To tell you the truth, I don't know either."
They rounded a corner and came to a dead end, where a door outlined with marble and granite murals heavily contrasted the other plain, red doors they had passed in the hallway.
"Ok. Everything from when they opened the bottle and drank, up until now."
"That's a pretty long time frame," she said. "They're gonna wake up with a heck of a headache."
"Just do it."
"If you insist."
She backed away from the door and pointed her horn directly at the knob. Her eyes squinted as she began silently glowing an almost blinding pink. A white beam quietly leaped from her horn to the door. Silvertongue sat and watched as he felt the warmth from the room quickly rush past him, leaving a cold stillness in the air. The assistant's horn dimmed. She jumped back as she breathed in a heavy lungful of air. She looked at Silvertongue as if he had just tortured a small animal. A tear ran down her cheek.
"Why?" she breathed. "Why them?"
Silvertongue remained silent as he stared at the door. The assistant started down the hallway without him. He heard sobs as she rounded the corner, and out of earshot.
He sighed. "Sorry kids."
< Chapter 7 | Chapter 9 Coming Soon! > |
Nightmares Aren't Just For Nightmare Moon | pre | "After everything he did to you, you didn't give in to the darkness in your heart. I'm very proud of you, my faithful student."
The unicorn's face was engulfed in a beaming smile and the princess mirrored it as her magic pushed at the surface of the water behind the unsuspecting mare, and a tidal wave crashed over her much to the alicorn's delight.
"Why you," the mare playfully teased and used her hooves and magic to splash back. The air was filled with her mentor's ringing laughter and her student's jovial tones as they engaged in a splash battle, chasing each other around the lake as hooves and magic pummeled them both with water. Twilight's heart was light as a filly as she playfully romped with her friend, feeling all worry and anxiety vanish. Nothing had changed between them, all that worry was for naught.
The moon had shifted in the sky by the time their energy waned and the two swam to shore. Celestia climbed out first, gracefully stepping onto shore and with a brief shake, her body was free of water, and her ethereal mane and tail flowed freely once again. She stood still a moment, savoring the beautiful night sky above them. Luna should be proud of the artistry she created tonight, she thought. "Beautiful night, isn't it?"
"Absolutely," the unicorn replied, staring up at her mentor's regal face. Even in the moonlight, the sun goddess beamed with radiance, the very embodiment of grace and perfection.
"I wasn't myself for quite some time," the princess repeated, her tone suggesting she didn't want to continue, but Twilight pushed anyway.
"You hated me for protecting Discord, didn't you?" She asked cautiously, fear and trepidation in her voice. She felt Celestia's body stiffen in response and noticed her eyes dart to the side. Twilight flinched as if she had been struck and slipped out from the embrace.
"You've always taught me love and tolerance, to respect life; that nopony deserved death as punishment, no matter how dangerous. You never allowed for any exceptions in our discussions, no matter what the situation. You always taught me to think for myself, to never blindly obey another if I knew in my heart it was wrong, yet you can't forgive me for doing as you wanted? You honestly expected me to just go against morals I hold so dearly? Was everything a sham then? Am I not supposed to act as you expect me? What other lies do you want me to believe, alicorn?"
Twilight's eyes widened as she clamped a hoof over her mouth, appalled and disgusted with herself for showing such disrespect to the pony she saw as a second mother. With a sob, she ran away, her sorrow and tears blinding her to where she was headed, and stumbled into the lake, landing face first in the muddy bottom. How fitting for such an idiot, she thought grimly, convinced Equestria itself was laughing at her naivete. She didn't fight the magic that surrounded her, levitating her back to shore, lying like a rag doll on the ground. She didn't bother to move when she felt a strange weight on her head, nor reacted when magic gently wiped her face clean of mud, feeling like a stupid, helpless filly that needed a mother to take care of her.
"Dear Twilight Sparkle," Celestia began, snapping the mare from her depressed state. She turned to face her mentor, a thousand questions on the tip of her tongue, all silenced with a bare hoof to her lips and a soft, teary-eyed smile from the princess. "No one is perfect, not even a mighty alicorn, and even a teacher can learn from a student. I let the darkness in my heart consume me, going against everything I had believed and taught for centuries. I came so close to hating a pony I love more than anything, causing me great physical and mental pain, when I should have applauded her efforts to stick to her beliefs no matter how hard it was. I trusted her, which is why I allowed Discord to live, but it started a war inside of me. Was she right, or was I? How long would it be before Discord came after Equestria again? I wanted him dead; I would not feel at ease until I saw his corpse. Not even imprisonment would put my fears to rest, and here he was running free with only his word to keep us all safe. I should have had more faith in her judgment. She would never lead others astray just to prove a point. I taught her far too well; perhaps I have unconsciously trained my successor. Your faithful mentor, Princess Celestia."
Twilight stared dumbfounded at the princess, her head reeling with the alicorn's words. She had lofty expectations of what she could accomplish with her magical ability, but never had she allowed herself to believe she had the ability to rule over Equestria. She thought a shelf named after her in the Canterlot Library was the highest honor she could ever receive in her life. "You're not serious, are you?" She asked hesitantly, afraid of what she might hear.
Silently, Celestia motioned to the lake behind Twilight, and the mare looked into the still water. Her breath was caught in her throat and she staggered backward, disbelieving her eyes. She crept forward once more, surprised to see that it had not been an illusion. "I...I..." a hesitant hoof reached up and she gasped at the feel of cold metal. "I'm wearing the royal tiara."
"The only pony to ever do so besides me," the princess informed her with pride. "The tiaras Luna and I wear were designed and forged solely for us, gifts from the great council to show how sincere they were in their request that we become the new monarchs."
"Celestia, you're not--you're not considering abdicating the throne, are you? Or Princess Luna?" Her mind immediately conjured images of the nobility rising up against her, claiming their right to rule by blood alone, and the common ponies rioting against a sudden change in leadership. She wasn't ready to rule an entire country!
The alicorn chuckled warmly as she shook her head. "No, Equestria is our home and our subjects are our family. We could never possibly consider leaving, but all the same, I have complete faith that you would be a wonderful monarch, Princess Twilight Sparkle."
"I prefer being your most faithful student," the lavender unicorn modestly replied, tears of joy filling her eyes.
"As do I," Celestia said as her own tears fell, kissing her student's forehead. "I want nothing more than just that."
Twilight lunged at her mentor, wrapping her forelegs around the mare's neck as the tears fell freely. She had hoped tonight would reestablish their friendship, but it instead grew to levels that the young mare never thought possible.
The alicorn eased them both to the ground, wrapping a foreleg around the unicorn's body and holding her close. "Let it out, don't hold back," she advised.
"I love you so much, Celestia," Twilight sniffled, looking up into her mentor's eyes. "Please don't ever leave me again."
"I'll always be there for you, my most faithful student. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," she said as she mimed the motions.
"You remembered," the mare said softly, touched that her mentor would care enough.
"Of course I did. I could never forget something so important to you and your friends. Applejack told me what happens when you break a Pinkie Promise and I do not wish to be at the receiving end of such backlash."
"No, you don't," Twilight agreed with a smile, wiping her face dry with her hoof. Her head bobbed as she felt sleep creep over her body but she quickly shook it off. The whirlwind of emotions she went through tonight drained what energy remained but she refused to give into sleep's embrace. Maximizing her time with the princess was much more important, but her head grew heavy and her eyelids dropped and she curled up against her mentor, smiling as she heard the heartbeat of the great alicorn. "Love you, Celestia," she mumbled as sleep suddenly claimed her, granting her peace with no dreams, only a deep feeling of satisfaction and contentment.
"I love you more then you will ever know," the princess softly replied, her voice breaking with emotion. "Despite everything you know, everything you've seen, you're still an innocent filly at heart. Stay that way, Twilight Sparkle. Don't ever let yourself be hardened. Don't ever end up like me." |
Boss Macintosh and Just Twilight | pre | "That's ...right. I often forget I'm the only one really new here."
"The point is, you are going nowhere from where you stand. I'm fine here, but you should move out. Quickly."
"But how!?"
"Oh dear, we are so behind the start line! As I said, any premature major advancement on him is a romantic suicide. I would suggest starting with giving subtle signs to give him clues and present yourself as a potential marefriend, but doing that after you said to him that you saw him as a big brother is... creepy. Come to think of it, it's really so considering you have a real big brother and he has little sisters, and he may think you are kind of..."
"STOP! I get it!"
"Excuse me." Rarity calmed herself with a sip of tea. "Anyway, we have to be creative here and stop complaining. It's not that we can cancel that siblinghood."
"...Huh?" Suddenly, Twilight's bloodshot eyes flew open. "What did you say?"
"Again, we have to be creative."
"No, the next."
"...We can't cancel that siblinghood."
"Yes!" Twilight abruptly climb over the table and victoriously raised a hoof. "That's it! I can cancel it!"
"WHAT?!" Rarity's jaw hit the table. "Wait, dear, please calm down. I know I said you have to move out of this predicament, but that doesn't mean..."
"It's okay Rarity, I know how to do it safely!" Invigorated Twilight was already on the way to the outside. "Thanks for the advice! See you later!"
Not even bothering listening to whatever Rarity was saying, Twilight galloped to the castle. She rushed into her new library, and without a hitch she singled out a book she was looking and magically held it in front of her.
She skimmed pages until she found what she was looking for.
"Yes... yes! I can do this! This will work!"
Twilight closed the book, and through the window looked up the stars with disarranged pupils and evil grin.
"I can erase his memory with this spell! I will make him forget we'd ever had that conversation on that night! This way I won't be stuck as his honorary sister and start all over again as a purely potential romantic interest! Mwahahahahahahaha..."
In next morning, Twilight reached Sweet Apple Acres ten minutes earlier than she normally did. She found her target inside the barn as usual. It appeared Big Macintosh was reinforcing the giant wagon.
"Good morning, Big Macintosh."
"Mornin', Twilight. Yer early today."
"Yes, because I need your time. Can we have a talk?"
"Eeyup."
Big Macintosh dropped a hammer and looked at Twilight curiously, who was wearing unfamiliar smug grin.
Without a word Twilight's horn begun to simmer. Perfect. Look at my eyes! This spell isn't easy, but when he is not mentally alerted at all, I can erase his memory at any... wait!
The glow quickly died down.
I'm going to erase his memory of my choice. So before that, I can ask him very personal question to help me gain his affection! Normally this is too risky and awkward move, but, thank Celestia, he's not going to remember that.
Twilight cleared her throat and glanced at Big Macintosh in a way she thought sultry. Big Macintosh's pupils shrunk in confusion.
"Big Macintosh. This is going to be a little bit personal, but I need honest opinion of stallion, like you. Is it okay?"
"Ee...yup."
"Great. Ahem. So, It's while since I came to Ponyville, and, things have been great, with all friends and lessons. However, I think I'm ready to step up farther in my life now. That is, to put it simply, I'm considering having a coltfriend!"
"...Uh-huh." Macintosh nodded. Twilight tried to read his emotion, but seeing nothing other than confusion, she continued.
"Well, I talked this about one of my friends, and looks like the best course of action is getting stallions ask me out, but before that, I need to do some research on what kind of mares are popular among stallions. And I thought, why not ask them! So..."
"...So?"
"So, what do you think, Big Macintosh? What kind of mare you want to go out with?" Whoa I'm on fire, Twilight! I never knew being vulgar feels so good... If I know he's going forget all of this, of course.
Clearly Big Macintosh was shocked by her sudden and unexpected forwardness. Somehow seeing him visibly nervous made Twilight comfortable and confident.
"Eh... wait. Why are ya asking this? I thought this is about ya, not me."
"Well, eh, sure it is, but I'm trying to build stallions' general point of view, so any opinion from any stallion helps."
"But this is about ya getting asked out, so what Ah say doesn't matter. Actually what anypony says doesn't matter."
"What? Why?"
"Let's face it, nopony's gonna ask ya out."
It took seconds for his words to sink in her mind. When it did, Twilight's smug attitude was instantly vanished. She begun to quiver as her eyes became watered.
"Wait!" Macintosh hastily added. "Sorry, Ah didn't mean ta sound like that! It's not that yer unattractive or anything, but ya know, yer a princess."
Twilight violently flinched and glared him, almost angrily.
Not that from you...!
"Does that have to do with anything?"
"Eeyup. Common ponies don't run after a princess. If yer looking for Canterlot highborn or something it's a different story, but in Ponyville? Yer too much. Ah don't think anything could happen if ya just wait. That's meh opinion."
"Thanks." Twilight immediately responded. Her voice was level and expression was invisible behind her mane with lowered head. "I'll begin transforming trees."
Without a glance toward the boss Twilight excused herself from the barn and headed to the now all familiar fallen trees patch. As she moved on the way, her walk changed to trot, and trot became canter, and it soon accelerated to full gallop.
When she reached the patch, Twilight immediately begun transforming without catching breath. Wheezing and gasping, she recklessly made three not-so-straight logs.
Noponies gonna ask ya out.
Yer a princess.
Too much.
Twilight screamed as she lifted a dead tree and violently slammed it against the ground, breaking it in half. Throwing the wasted wood away towards wherever she didn't care, Twilight laid prone burying her face in her hooves, and wailed.
I thought he wasn't the one of them! I thought he would always make me feel special, not different!
What truly broke her heart was the fact that she couldn't blame Big Macintosh. He was just being honest as she asked, and what he said made sense. She is princess. She is untouchable. And if he thinks she is too much, at least that's exactly what she is to him. If his opinion was clearly wrong or biased, she could just disagree and maybe correct him, but, it wasn't.
Twilight wept in misery for about a minute, but after she rose, she resumed her choir in steady and mechanical manner. She quickly learned that doing anything which keeps her mind away from what just happened was much better than moping about it. |
Boss Macintosh and Just Twilight | Unexpected Bonus | Considering her extremely disturbed mind state, Twilight fared well working in Sweet Apple Acres for the rest of the term. Given Big Macintosh's taciturn nature, it was not difficult to keep communicating with him at minimum level.
Twilight gradually come to see the futility of denying her princesshood. She is a princess. Nothing can change it. So only logical conclusion she could come up was live with it as best as she could.
It didn't mean the pain was bearable, though. So, when Big Macintosh stopped Twilight from walking home after her last dinner at her workplace, she had to take seconds to swallow the overwhelming bitterness before looking back to him.
"Yes, Big Macintosh?"
The former boss was waving a familiar little poach. "Ya forgot the money. Again."
"Oh." Twilight barely remembered bits were the reason she was going through all the troubles. She already earned much more than she initially hoped, and after the relief that she doesn't have to see Big Macintosh anymore regularly until she will become mentally stable, that coins didn't have any major place in her mind.
"Thanks." Twilight magically grabbed the poach and put it down in her saddlebag, and begun trotting towards the castle again.
"Wait."
Twilight span around again and venomously responded. "What!?"
Twilight was inwardly both horrified at and satisfied with the hostility of her attitude, which was much stronger than she intended. Big Macintosh clearly got the message and was taken aback. She considered apologizing , but quickly crushed the thought. How could she? He hurt her feeling more than anypony ever done in her life.
She knew it was shameful, but she begun to hate him.
If Big Macintosh was aware of this intense atmosphere, he seemed to ignore it.
"...Just Ah'd like to say thanks again. Ah knew yer the one to get things done, but ya really did good. If ya ever need a job again, ask me again."
"You are welcome." Don't think so.
"One more thing." Before Twilight could try leaving, Big Macintosh insistently continued. "Ah wanted to say this earlier, but Ah had to wait until when Ah'm not yer boss anymore."
Twilight raised one of eyebrows as a response.
Big Macintosh lifted his hoof. Twilight noticed it held two... scrap of papers? Noting her confusion, Big Macintosh deeply inhaled, exhaled, less deeply inhaled again, and opened his mouth.
"Tomorrow, four o'clock, in front of the theater. After the movie, we take dinner. Whatcha say?"
"...Huh?!" Twilight finally managed to utter after good ten seconds of standing like a statue. Then she realized what Big Macintosh was holding were indeed two theater tickets.
"Wha, what!? Is this like a da, da, date?"
"Eeyup."
Swirl of unidentifiable emotions destroyed Twilight's self control, and before she knew she was screaming at the top of her lungs.
"YOU! You are the one who said nopony's going to ask me out!"
"Ah regret it. Sorry Ah said that but... Ah realized Ah could change that."
"Sorry?" Twilight narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Are you doing this just because you are sorry?!"
"No!" Big Macintosh's voice was uncharacteristically forceful. "That was why Ah decided to do this, not why Ah wanted to do this."
"What... do you mean by that?"
"Ah always wanted to... get to know ya more, if Ah had a chance. Ah knew Ah didn't have any. Especially after ya became a princess."
Twilight glared Big Macintosh as he uttered the taboo word. However, when she did so, with relatively calmed composure, she discovered an obvious but precious phenomenon she overlooked.
Big Macintosh was blushing and sweating furiously.
"...But when Ah said things like yer too much for anypony, it felt wrong. It was honest, but sounded like a pathetic excuse of me being a coward. And, it doesn't do you any good. Yer... beautiful, smart, trustworthy, diligent, and everything that shouldn't make ya a wallflower. Ah know this is ridiculous... but... Ah think you deserve somepony wooing ya, whatever the outcome is."
Big Macintosh was unable to set his eyes on his crush during his confession, so he was completely unprepared when Twilight crash into his chest and hugged his neck with all her might. Physically, the action hardly budged Macintosh, but it send his mind into complete blankness.
They stayed like that for a while.
"Um..." Finally Big Macintosh found his voice. "So, about the date..."
"YES!" Twilight abruptly screamed. "YESYESYES! I'll be definitely there!"
"Really? Ah was ready for nothing more than 'thanks, sorry'."
"Oh, Big Macintosh, seriously. Do you have any idea what you are to me?" Twilight hesitantly made a space between them, so they could look each other face to face. "This is too wonderful to be real. I was the one going crazy thinking how to win... your..."
Twilight's words trailed off as she realized they were not alone. Rest of the Apple family was blatantly watching through the windows of their respective rooms. They were not even trying to be covert.
"You know what." Twilight swiftly made a natural distance between Big Macintosh, snatching one of the tickets in the process. "We really have a lot to talk about, but let's save them for tomorrow."
"Eeyup."
Big Macintosh made the biggest smile Twilight had ever seen, and she couldn't resist doing the same.
"See you!"
Careful not to eye towards the peeping Apples, Twilight turned and skipped towards her castle. She was grinning so madly that it would disturb Pinkie Pie.
"The ticket, check. Brush teeth, check. Brush tongue, check. Concealing bags under eyes, check. Going over this checklist for five times... this is the third time, so 2 more to go. Bath, check. Brush mane and tail, check. Saddlebag not smelling weird, check. Perfume, check. Not too much perfume, check. Hooves..."
"GAH!!" Spike screamed out of frustration and throw a bloom over his head. "You are driving me mad, Twilight! Would you quit already and get going?!"
"NO!" Twilight adamantly refused. "This must be perfect! Now, where was I? Hm, practice greeting. Ahem. Hello Big Macintosh! Nice weather today! ...this will do. Next..."
"How about being on the time?"
As if she just broke a trance, Twilight opened her eyes wide, realizing she had totally lost track of time. She followed where Spike's claw was pointing to. She saw the clock, reading 3:58 p.m.
"AHHHHHHHH!!" was the only thing she could say before bolting outside, not even caring to close the door.
"Not drenched in sweat and out of breath, unchecked." Spike mockingly muttered.
Indeed Twilight was drenched in sweat and out of breath when she reached the Ponyville Theater. She easily spotted calmly waiting Big Macintosh, and approached with poise she could muster in such state.
"Hello *cough* Big Macintosh! Nice... weather today!"
"Eeyup."
Big Macintosh cleverly avoided asking if something wrong with his date. They just entered the theater together and took seats placed back of the room, so Big Macintosh's large figure wouldn't get in the view of others.
The theater was crowded. Twilight was too excited by the idea of having date with her crush to pay any real attention to what they were going to watch, but this one was the most anticipated blockbuster of the season. Twilight felt her heart warmed realizing Big Macintosh acquired hard-to-get tickets, even though he didn't believe she would go with him.
The movie was good, both objectively and subjectively. It was a straight-forward action & romantic comedy, a story about a self-willed girl from very minor pony tribe called Bat Ponies joining the Royal Guards. She battles against cultural difference and prejudice with her wit and courage and causes all the troubles. But soon she meets a stoic but understanding (and absurdly handsome) pegasus guard and... eventually they fall in love with each other, the end. The movie director knew what she was doing and audiences had to be entertained at some point. Twilight would have enjoyed this even if this had nothing to do with Big Macintosh.
After the movie was over, Big Macintosh led Twilight to the small restaurant she'd never visited. It appeared slightly classier than the cafe. Big Macintosh already reserved a table in the second floor, from where they could see nice view of Ponyville in the end of sunset.
Then they ordered their menu.
"All right." Suddenly Twilight broke their lingering silence with energetic smile. "The movie was great, and dinner seems nice, but I was dying to get to this part. We have to talk."
"Well... yup."
"Do you even know what we are going to talk about?"
"...The movie?"
Twilight grinned wickedly. "Ohoho, no. Yesterday, you told me you always wanted to know me more. Tell me about it! Everything!"
"Ow." All of sudden Big Macintosh became interested in the outside view. "...Do Ah have to?"
Twilight inwardly squealed like a foal when she could see her date's cheek becoming redder, even through his crimson coat and burning sunset. She couldn't remember times she felt so flattered.
"Yes. This is a date and you are supposed to make me happy, right? Please?"
Big Macintosh sighed in defeat. He didn't look thrilled at all, but he let out small smile to prove he knew what he was supposed to do.
"All right, Ah'll do it. But Ah can't promise nothing about making ya feel good."
"By Celestia I won't complain. So now, go, spit it out!" Twilight rubbed her hooves in anticipation.
"Well... hope this doesn't creep ya out. To tell the truth, yer kinda special to me from the start."
Twilight tilted her head. "What is 'the start'?"
"When ya came to Ponyville for the first time. Ah was there when yer golden flying carriage hit the street, with Royal Guards and a baby dragon. Ah knew the new comer was some important figure from Canterlot but didn't imagine to be a girl as young as AJ."
"Huh? You knew I was coming?"
"Eeyup. Ah was wondering who was gonna be living in Golden Oak Library when Ah was hollowing it out."
"What!?" Twilight's outburst gathered all eyes (in addition to already prying eyes) in the restaurant, but she cared none of them. "You are the one who built the library?!"
"Nnope. Ah just took a part of the project, just a one of those odd jobs. Ah only did rough digging inside and carrying that telescope."
"Wow...I had no idea." Twilight longingly eyed the castle through the window, imagining how Golden Oak Library would look from this angle.
Well isn't that fateful? Of all the time I lived there, I was being enveloped by his handiwork...
Twilight blushed at such a maudlin thought, and decided not to word it aloud.
"...I must say thank you, Big Macintosh. I really loved it as my home from day one."
"Don't mention it. Shame it's gone."
A waiter served glasses of water. Big Macintosh immediately grabbed one and gulped it.
"Buh, Ah'm talking too much..."
Twilight giggled. "We are far from done! So... you liked me from the beginning."
"Wait, Ah said ya were special, but didn't mean Ah liked ya. Honestly, Ah didn't like ya back then."
Even with him reassuring smile, Twilight's smile varnished as if she was slapped on her face.
"Aw... really? Why?"
"First, I felt yer putting AJ in danger. Just day one yer here, she became Element of Honesty, and started to follow ya wherever whenever Ah thought she didn't have to. That worried me. Ah came to admit AJ was much more than just mah little sis, but it wasn't easy."
A reflexive objection choked in Twilight's throat. She held it there.
"But one of the worst was when ya girls helped AJ when Ah was injured and she was totally beat. Ah wasn't there, but heard from AJ that you grabbed apples from like hundred trees in just one go. She was really embarrassed and upset, and Ah was like, darn, what a show off..."
"Wait wait wait!" This time, Twilight was unable to contain. "I remember that incident but what are you talkin... Applejack was upset? She never said that!"
"AJ can keep secret if no one ask about it. And we were grateful to you, really. But that doesn't mean she wasn't bitter that she couldn't meet her goal and some Canterlot noble unicorn girl with no farming experience could've done better."
"You guys are totally mistaken!" Twilight barked with the face mixture of indignation and horror. "I did NOT do better than Applejack! She must have been too tired to see things correctly. There was no way it was hundred trees, it was like forty at most. And it was not 'just one go'! It was 'Mass Telekinesis on Uniform Objects'! This spell needs preparation and elaboration and rest afterwards, you know, not something I can keep casting continually. You should already know that magic spells can be powerful but almost never meant to be for long term uses and that's why unicorns could never replace Earth ponies. It's historically proven over and over and If you are not convinced I can show you books on..."
Twilight's rant slowly died down as she saw her date laughing.
"...What's so funny?"
"Ah thought we've done this already."
Twilight chuckled and blushed and coughed. "Right, sorry again."
"Don't ya worry again, that's just back then and we have nothing to hold against ya now."
"But you were not fond of me. What have I done to change your mind?"
"Ah don't know."
Silence remained for several seconds. Twilight deliberately made a face which screamed "Annoyed!".
"Sorry, but it's true. Ah don't think one big event snapped how Ah felt about ya. It was more like, a lot of small things moved me, bit by bit."
Twilight leaned forward over the table. "Give me the every details, please."
"All right, but where to start... okay, Ah start with yer eyes."
"My eyes?"
"Eeyup. Ah couldn't help but notice how yer eyes shine whenever something positive happens. Like, when ya learn something new, when ya help yer friends or yer friends help ya, when ya eat something delicious... Ah saw sparkles in yer eyes. Ah see why yer parents named ya so. It's very beautiful and captivating."
"...Woooow. That's so... sweet. No one ever told me such things... just... wow..."
"Another things... oh, do ya remember when Pinkie Pie got... multiplied and we had to seal the way to the pond with a rock?"
Twilight giggled. "How could I not! I was impressed how you pulled it like nothing."
"It was really nothing. By the way, at that time Ah saw yer knees were shaking. Ah heard what ya did to send those clone Pinkies back to the pond, and that scared ya. Right?"
"...Yes." Twilight nodded solemnly. "I knew what I was doing and I trusted Pinkie, but there was a chance I may send the real Pinkie away. That was... ugh, still a thing I don't want to recall even now."
"There. Ponies say ya have nothing to afraid 'cause ya can figure things out for anything. But there are actually things scare you, but you still face it and beat it. Sure yer powerful and smart, like everypony can tell, but Ah think yer brave, and that's the part I respect."
Twilight awkwardly returned shy smile, fidgeting around. At this rate I'm going to die of being too flattered. Don't regret a thing though.
"Speaking of scare..." Big Macintosh again gulped water. "Ah found it cute that yer afraid of snakes."
Twilight frozen for a couple of seconds before she could response. "Wait, how did you--did Spike told you?"
"Eeyup."
"Agh, Spike, technically it wasn't a secret but still..." Twilight fumed, but soon smiled as she saw Big Macintosh again nervously consuming water. The fact that he was doing so much uncomfortable talking for her warmed her heart.
"Okay..." Big Macintosh sighed. "Aren't ya bored yet?"
"Nonsense. I can keep listening to this until end of the week. Go on, go on please."
"Next one is kinda shallow. Ah like looks of yer long tail..."
They continued their conversation until their dinner was delivered. Big Macintosh found it as a good excuse to rest his throat and ate his cooked carrots and asparagus way slower than he usually does in home. On the contrary, Twilight hastily finished her salad as fast as possible without looking indecent, in order to restart the talk she immensely enjoyed. In addition to that, Big Macintosh's dish had much more volume. As a result, Twilight finished her dish before her date consumed half of his.
Big Macintosh snickered at this.
"Well, Ah think it's yer turn to talk now."
"Aww... okay, it's fair." Twilight pouted playfully. "Is there anything you want to hear from me?"
"Absolutely. Ah was wondering... why did you agree to come?"
"You mean, this date?"
"Eeyup."
Twilight considered making this casual by just saying "why not?", but quickly mashed the idea realizing how Macintosh opened up his heart and how hers was warmed by that. She knew only right thing to do now was to return the favor.
"Well... for starters... I didn't have any reason not to. I admit I didn't... no, I still don't know you very well privately, but I've never heard anything bad about you from anypony, never witnessed anything bad myself. And sometimes I got glimpse of you helping around..."
Twilight's voice trailed off, as she couldn't help but feel her version of tale was bland compared to the one Big Macintosh gave her.
She thought hard to find the better way to tell her feeling, but nothing came up,
But just before disappointment and panic overtake her, she remembered one important lesson from their earlier communication: be yourself and let the heart speak, and he will always understand.
So Twilight did so.
"I love you."
Wow this is hilarious.
Twilight inwardly snickered at her date's totally dumbfounded expression, feeling surge of confidence and contentment coming from nowhere.
"I already did when you asked me for this date, so there was no reason to say no."
Big Macintosh was still speechless. Twilight enjoyed this precious, awkward moment for a while, then continued.
"I already had a positive opinion on you before I begun working for the Acres, but when you gently calmed down me and carried me on your back, I felt you were special. After I told you I saw you as an another guardian figure, well, it's still true, but soon I realized I wanted you to be more than that. Does this answer your question?"
Big Macintosh mumbled something unintelligible, and Twilight just smiled back.
The rest of the dinner continued in awkward silence, which was at least satisfactory for Twilight.
And it ended like so. Big Macintosh briefly offered to walk Twilight home. They walked to the castle, side by side, still not exchanging any meaningful words.
Twilight was not sure about this situation anymore. At first she felt relieved when she laid her heart blatantly, and found Macintosh's bewilderment cute. However, as time goes on, she begun to doubt her action. Had she gone too far? Doesn't he feel the same way? Wait. First of all, did this date mean to be romantic? What if this was just a casual friendly thing? She'd never read about how to classify date!
When they reached the castle, Twilight's smug smiling face was completely overwritten by fear and despondency. Seconds after they stopped front of the door, Twilight jerked her head towards her date.
"Big Macintosh, I--"
And their lips met. The kiss remained about three seconds, and Macintosh withdrew, with his face showing no less nervousness than Twilight's.
"Well... Ah knew Ah shouldn't do this in the first date, but... Ah thought ya don't mind." Big Macintosh quickly turned around and walked to the Acre. "G'night."
Twilight froze in space for she felt like eternity. But as the night's chill sunk in the body, Twilight mindlessly walked into her castle.
Then she startled every soul in Ponyville by giving them her victory cry from top of the castle. |
From Rookie to Adventurer | pre | "That's very sweet!"
"I was very happy that we managed to get the hall and gardens to hold the celebrations." The silver Pegasus bowed to the royal pony. "Thank you for allowing us to use it."
Celestia stood and returned the bow. "No one else had requested it. Truly, No one has requested to use it on Hearth's Warming for a few years."
"Well, I'm glad we asked."
"As far as the invitation to join you." Celestia looked to the gardens for a moment and then back to Taneuma, "Would it not cause a disruption if a royal were to attend the festivities?"
"Ah, I see." He stroked his chin, silently hovering near the balcony. "If you so wish, a royal pony doesn't have to attend, but a pony who would like to enjoy the company of a surrogate family on this fine holiday evening?"
"I think that would be lovely."
"Then let us join," Taneuma gave a kind smile to the alicorn, "our family below." Celestia returned his smile and took to the air. She followed the silver pegasus down to the celebration below. As they neared the hall, the celebrating ponies paused in their activities to watch as the pegasus and alicorn landed. They began to walk into the building and the old stallion called out in the ensuing silence, "Everyone! We happen to be joined by a late arrival this Hearth's Warming Eve. Let us welcome our honorary family member!"
Celestia looked around as the pegasus finished and was pleasantly surprised to hear a cheer come from the most of those in attendance, with only the guards who joined the celebration being a bit confused. As the ponies turned back to their activities, the sun marked mare smiled broadly as ponies approached her and began to introduce themselves, none of them bowing or addressing her as your highness, or majesty. Instead, they greeted her as if she were a member of the family who they hadn't seen in a long time and only needed a reminder of who they were and a warm hug. Soon Celestia found herself pulled into conversations that ran the gamut from dresses to food, not a single bit of hurtful gossip or drama was spoken of.
The shared laughter and joy were almost a physical force to the alicorn, wrapping her in a feeling that she hadn't really experienced in a long time. With every embrace from her surrogate family, every bump of a hoof, and shared laugh, her spirit was filled with warmth.
After a time, Celestia found herself at the buffet table trying to decide on which delectable treat to load her plate up with. As she pondered, a dark purple earth pony mare with a long, slightly wild, dark aqua blue mane trotted up.
"What do you think I should get?" Celestia asked absentmindedly.
"Granma Marachino's cherry pie!" Replied the mare, as she picked up a plate and levitated a slice of the afore mentioned pie to it, causing the alicorn to do a double take. "And some hot cider," She pauses for a moment, thinking. "I think Lily Frond got it from Apple Acres in Ponyville."
Celestia blinked as the purple pony ladled some of the hot cider from the pot to her mug. "I thought you were an earth pony." She said softly. "OH! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean..." Celestia stammered, covering her mouth with her hoof.
The mare gave an amused laugh, "It's okay." She lifted her mane with a hoof, revealing a tiny nub of a horn, "My horn never really came in, so almost everyone thinks I'm an earth pony." Letting her hair fall back down, covering her little horn, she extends her hoof to Celestia, "I'm Shadow Star." Shadow said with a smile.
Celestia returned the smile and shook the offered hoof, "So you're the one that just joined the guard."
"Yup, that's me!" Shadow moved a bit out of the way, allowing other ponies to get to the table. "I just transferred in from the Vanhoover police department about a month ago."
The alicorn lifted a large slice of the cherry pie with her magic and set it on a plate along with a large slice of chocolate cake. She moved to a little table nearby and gestured for Shadow Star to join her. The purple coated mare trotted over with her own plate and mug of cider.
"So, how are you enjoying the party?" Shadow inquired as she set down her plate.
Celestia smiled warmly at the purple pony, "It's been wonderful!" She took a quick bite of pie and then continued, "I'm treated like a family member and not a princess," the mare looked around the great hall and her smile grew. "No drama, court gossip, fawning praises, or attempts to sway policy! I LOVE it!"
Shadow furrowed her brow at the alicorn's words. "There are ponies that do that to you?"
"Yes,"Celestia stated flatly. "Doesn't even need to be a party or function." She lifted a fork full of cherry pie. "I will get accosted almost anywhere, even at Donut Joes!" the alicorn exclaimed just before taking a bite.
"Well, you don't have to worry about that here," Shadow stated with a wave of her off as Celestia took another bite of the cherry pie. "We were told that you're family, so you're family!" She said with large grin.
"And I'm than-," Celestia started to say but was cut off as two foals, a soft blue pegasus colt and a light green pegasus filly, flew up to the two mares.
"Auntie Shady!!" The colt grabbed the purple mare's foreleg, "Ya gotta come see our snowponies!!" He started trying to pull Shadow away from the table towards the garden.
"You too, Miss Cel'stia!" The young filly added, trying to push the large alicorn, causing Celestia to giggle.
"Okay, Okay!" Shadow laughed as she stood up, "You don't have to pull, Cloudhopper. And Leafbright," she said, looking to the little filly pushing on Celestia's flank. "No need to push."
Celestia stood up, giving a playful grin to the little filly, "I'm up! I'll go!"
"Yay!" Leafbright and Cloudhopper shouted in unison as the two mares started to walk out to the gardens. The young foals darted outside and flew circles around a couple of snowponies.
Shadow looked over at Celestia as they made their way outside. "Still happy about being treated as family?" She asked with a smile.
"Oh, Definitely!" Came Celestia's happy reply.
Out in the garden, the mares were pulled to several different snow creations, with foals rapidly telling all about them. Time slipped away from Celestia as she listened to the stories of the various snowponies, and about the snow castle and the princesses that reside inside.
"Oh! This looks fun!" A voice called out, causing the noise of the Hearth's Warming celebration to cease. All eyes turned to newcomer, Princess Cadence. "Princess Celestia, what are you doing?" She asked Celestia, who was levitating a small flag to put on a snow tower that had just been finished.
"I'm not a princess here," Celestia replied, giving her niece a smile, "I'm an honorary Silverhoof, and I'm helping put the finishing touches on a snow tower for a pretty princess to live in." She turned back to the tower, lifting the flag towards the top.
"Well in that case," Cadence said as the festivities started to resume. "Since you aren't a princess..."
The sun marked alicorn finished placing the flag and began to turn back towards the princess. "What was tha-*" Celestia's question was cut off by a snowball smacking her in the side of the head.
The entire area went silent. Everypony waiting to see Celestia's reaction.
"How DARE you!!" Shouted Celestia, "I shall NOT allow this insult to stand!" Several large snowballs rose up next to the mare as she ducked down with a mischievous grin.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!" Cadence shrieked as Celestia launched the snowballs at the young princess who brought her wing up to shield herself, but there was a flash of movement as Shadow Star leaped to the princess's defense.
Using her skills in martial arts, Shadow struck the snowy projectiles, reducing each one to a fine powder, keeping her charge from getting touched by a single snowflake.
"You may be family," Shadow called out, her voice carrying over the gardens. "But, due to my vows as a guard, I cannot allow anyone, even a family member, to strike at the princess."
Princess Cadence lowered her wing and looked around as all the ponies watched the exchange while gathering up snow and forming their own snowballs.
"ROYAL GUARD, FORM UP ON ME!" Shadow commanded, causing the guards that had joined the celebration to gallop over and surround the grinning alicorn princess.
Up above, along the walkways, some of the patrolling guards had to stop themselves from answering the call and jumping down.
"GET 'EM!" Leafbright shouted, awkwardly throwing a snowball at the princess but falling a bit short. With the call from the little filly, the Silverhoofs launched into a full snowball assault on Princess Cadence and the guards. Shadow threw few snowballs, concentrating on keeping the princess protected as much as she was able too. Celestia found herself being given snowballs to launch since she was able to launch them quicker and more accurately than the older Silverhoofs that had dropped down next to her.
It wasn't long before the snowball war devolved into chaos, becoming everypony for themselves.
The great snowball war of Canterlot ended with the announcement of hot coco and promises of marshmallows. Everypony headed into the great hall as the coco began to be served.
Princess Cadence walked into the hall next to Celestia, with both alicorns grinning broadly. "That was SOOOO much FUN!!!" the young princess pranced a little as she spoke. "How did you get pulled into this?"
"Since you went to Silver Chalice's party, I was going to have a quiet evening." Celestia replied to the princess's question. "I didn't want to deal with any of the aristocrats. I was going to wait for you to get back and share the rest of the evening with you." She looked down at Cadence. "And it seems you left early."
"Oh, by the stars!" Princess Cadence exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "Now I understand why you didn't want to go!"
"Seen more substance in whipped cream?" Shadow Star playfully asked as she approached the alicorns carrying 3 mugs of hot chocolate, with generous amounts of marshmallows.
Celestia smiled as she, and the princess, took a mug from the purple mare. "Thank you, Shadow. This is my niece, Cadence."
"Nice to meet you," Shadow started to extend her hoof to the alicorn. She stopped as she noticed Cadence's confused expression. The purple coated mare lifted her dark, aqua blue mane, revealing her tiny horn, "I'm a unicorn, but my horn stayed small."
Cadence's eyes went wide, and she giggled, "Oh, it's so CUTE!!" she squealed as she reached over and tapped Shadow's horn. Realizing what she had just done, Cadence pulled her hoof back, "I'm sorry! I should have asked before doing that."
"It's okay," Shadow said, "Some of my family like to rub my horn for luck."
"Does it work?" Celestia inquired.
"I'd like to think so."
"Thank you for the cocoa by the way." Cadence commented, after taking a sip.
"You're welcome." Shadow smiled, "And do you want to set aside your crown for the evening and join with our family?"
"I would love to!" Cadence gave a happy bounce.
The purple pony raised her voice and called out, ""Everyone! We have a late addition to our Hearth's Warming Eve. Let us welcome our honorary family member!" A cheer erupted from all the ponies around and soon, Cadence found herself being greeted by a large number of ponies, each one treating her as a family member that they haven't seen in a long while, with a reminder of who they are and a warm hug. Soon the family members were pulled back into conversations ranging from food to decor.
After a time, Taneuma, flying above the gardens, called out, "It's time to say goodnight, refill your drinks, and let's move outside again." All the ponies in hall moved out to the gardens after refilling their mugs of cocoa. The elder stallion landed next to the two alicorns, "I just want you to know, you are welcome to join us at anytime you want or need to." He said with a bow.
"Thank you, Taneuma." Celestia replied, "We appreciate that." Cadence nodded in agreement.
He inclined his head to the two mares, and then walked a short distance away, where the ponies had left a clearing. The silver coated pegasus waved for Shadow Star to join him. Once she had, he called out, "Everypony, Shadow will be leading the song to close out the night." Turning to the mare, Taneuma smiled. "Whenever you're ready."
Shadow nodded and closed her eyes. After a moment, she raised her voice in song, "When family cannot be here, having journeyed far and wide. We sing a song to honor them, to remember days gone by."
All of the others joined their voices to hers, raising their mugs, "So, take your cup and raise it high, just as surely I'll do mine. And laugh we will at stories told as we smile at days gone by."
Celestia wrapped a wing around Cadence, pulling the young alicorn close, and joined her voice to the song.
"For family not here, my dears, having journeyed far and wide. For loyalty and kindness both, we smile at days gone by."
Cadence looked around at those in the garden. Ponies leaning on one another with wings wrapped around each other, holding their drinks in hoof, raised to mare marked winter moon. She looked back to Celestia and saw tears running down the mare's cheeks.
"Our paths will cross again one day, in time to reunite. For family is always near, even when the seas are wide."
The young alicorn wrapped a foreleg around Celestia's front leg and squeezed tight, causing the older mare to look down and softly smile.
"So, take your cup and raise it high, just as surely I'll do mine. And make a toast for family and the tales of days gone by."
Taneuma pulled Celestia and Cadence to the center, joining Shadow. As the final verse of the song began, the only voices that remained were the purple mare's and the sun marked alicorn's.
"For family not here, my dears, having journeyed far and wide. For loyalty and kindness both, take joy at days gone by. For loyalty and kindness both, we smile at days gone by..."
As the final verse echoed throughout the castle, the ponies embraced one another and bid each other good night. After drowning in a sea of warm embraces, the alicorns flew up to Celestia's balcony.
"Can I stay the night with you?" Cadence asked softly.
Celestia smiled and nodded. "I would love for you to." They moved into the chambers and Celestia pulled her blanket over to in front of the Hearth's Warming tree standing near her fireplace as Cadence kindled a fire. They placed their Hearth's Warming dolls on the mantle and settled down under the blanket. Celestia wrapped a wing around the young alicorn once more, pulling her close.
"This is the best Hearth's Warming Eve." Cadence stated with a smile that seemed to go from ear to ear as she settled her head on Celestia's foreleg.
"I agree." Celestia laid her head down on a pillow.
"Happy Hearth's Warming," Cadence closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth and comfort of being under her aunt's wing.
Celestia softly smiled as her eyes drifted closed, "Happy Hearth's Warming." |
From Rookie to Adventurer | Confrontation - Canterlot Royal Guard | "YOUR MAJESTY!" shouted an armored, gold coated unicorn as he ran into the throne room, slamming open the doors. "I HAVE IMPORTANT NEWS FOR YOU!" A large black binder held in silvery magic floated next to him.
"Yes, Lieutenant Chalice?" Princess Celestia asked, sitting upon the throne. At the base of the dais stood Captain Steel Thunder, his head tilted, and an eyebrow raised.
The unicorn looked to the captain. "Good, you are here as well."
"Why is that, lieutenant?" asked the grey pegasus.
Chalice took a moment to adjust his armor. "Because you need to explain," he stated, opening the binder. "Why you have allowed a KILLER into the Royal Guard?"
"A killer?" inquired the princess.
"Yes, your majesty," the officer haughtily replied. "A cold-blooded killer." He flipped a page in the binder. "The guardpony named Shadow Star."
The guard captain scowled, "That's a heck of an accusation, lieutenant. What proof do you have?"
The gold unicorn held up the binder, "In this file are numerous instances where the pony known as Shadow Star used lethal force!" he pulled several pictures out of a pocket in the binder. "Just look at the destruction, the, the, the..." Chalice stuttered, holding out the pictures for Steel to see. "Horror that this pony is capable of!" He gestured at a picture. "She pinned a griffon to a tree with a unicorn twenty-five feet off the ground!!"
"Twenty-seven feet and four and a quarter inches to the point of impact with the tree," Thunder muttered, causing the unicorn to pause. "To be precise."
"They hurt her..."
Princess Celestia looked upward for a moment, then returned her gaze to the lieutenant.
"Lieutenant," Captain Thunder spoke softly, concern etched on his face. "Why do you have these?" He held a wing over the pictures that were being held up to him.
"I wanted to know more about this..." Chalice paused, as if looking for the proper word. "Monster, that you are wanting to promote to sergeant." He adjusted his stance and leaned his head back a bit, looking down his nose at the captain. "And what I found is DISTRUBING!" Gesturing towards the princess, the unicorn continued. "How could you let this THING near our dear sovereign?"
The princess stood up from the throne, her eyes riveted on the black binder.
The captain glanced up at Princess Celestia and then sighed. "Lieutenant, this is a sealed file, sealed by court order," stated Steel. "What gave you the authority to break this seal?"
"I am an officer of the Royal Guard!" Lieutenant Chalice called out, straightening up more. "And I have a duty to know who is under my command!"
"Shadow Star is NOT under your command!" snarled Captain Thunder, anger in his eyes. "She is under Bonfire's command!"
"That doesn't matter!" the unicorn snorted. "I am an officer and I have the authority to look into any personnel file that I see fit." He jabbed a hoof at the pegasus, shaking the binder. "And with you allowing a MURDERER-!"
"ENOUGH!" Celestia called out, her golden magic ripping the binder from Chalice's mystical grasp, pictures following close behind. "Platinum Chalice, you had no right, no cause, and no authority to break the seal on this file!" She placed the pictures back in the pocket they came from. "You are relieved of duty."
"But your majesty!" cried Chalice, stepping towards the throne.
The ringing sound of steel echoed through the throne room, as a dark shape slammed down in front of the unicorn. Platinum Chalice found himself facing a dark purple mare, dressed in smoky grey armor, six swords floating next to her, three to each side, and a spear held in her front hooves. The mare was already taller than most ponies, but standing on her hind hooves, she towered over the unicorn.
Shadow Star stood between him and the princess.
Even with tears streaming down her cheeks, the dark pony's brilliant green eyes bored into the stallion with an intensity that cause him to shrink back. The golden unicorn took a couple of extra steps away from the guardpony, swallowing hard. "I... I... I knew you... couldn't be trusted..." stammered Chalice as he tried to push down the fear that gripped him. "You would even threaten a superior officer!" He looked up at the princess. "This MONST-"
"BE SILENT!"
The powerful Royal Canterlot Voice echoed throughout the throne room and beyond, causing all the ponies in the castle to jump. Princess Celestia stood at the edge of the dais, her wings spread and anger clearly visible on her face. "Platinum Chalice," the majestic alicorn stared down at the wide-eyed unicorn. "You have been relieved of duty. You are no longer an officer in the Royal Guard. You have broken the oaths you took when you donned the uniform."
"I recommend you remain silent." Captain Thunder whispered to the stallion as he opened his mouth.
"Captain, escort Mr. Chalice out of the castle, and see to it that the guard is notified of the change in command."
"Yes, your majesty!" stated the pegasus, snapping a salute with his wing. He turned to Platinum and gestured to the door. "Let's go!"
"One thing, Chalice, before you leave," Celestia called to the unicorn. "Remove that armor. You are no longer worthy of wearing it."
The gold stallion looked between the royal pony and the captain, then began to remove his armor. "But, princess..." He started to say but stopped as the princess glared at him. Platinum looked at the guard who stood between him and the alicorn and scowled.
Shadow watched as the unicorn removed his armor, never relaxing her stance, staying between him and her charge.
It didn't take long for Platinum Chalice to remove the armor, tossing it to the side. "I'll make yo-" he started snarling at the mare, but was cut off by the captain pushing him.
"Quiet!" barked Steel as he started to direct the unicorn towards the great doors to the throne room. "Let's go!" He commanded, marching Platinum towards the exit. "OPEN THE DOORS!" called the captain as the pair approached. The massive doors swung open and the disgraced unicorn was escorted out of the room, the doors closing once they had passed beyond.
Shadow stared for a moment after the doors had closed and then dropped to her front hooves. Her spear floated to her side and the swords returned to their scabbards. She pulled off her helmet and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hoof. "My apologies, your majesty."
"Whatever for?" Celestia gently inquired, walking down the steps towards the purple mare.
"I spoke out of turn earlier," responded Shadow, her words shaky. She sat down, continuing to wipe at her eyes, attempting to calm her breathing. "And a guard shouldn't breakdown while on duty."
"You didn't breakdown," the princess calmly pointed out. "You performed your duties admirably." She moved in front of the guardpony. "And you didn't speak out of turn, I barely heard your whisper, and it was quieter than what usually goes on in court." The elder alicorn sat down facing Shadow and used her wing to wipe away a tear on the mare's cheek. "I'm heartbroken that you had to experience the things in this file." She nodded at the black binder being held in her golden magic.
Shadow took a shaky breath and looked over at the binder. "Better that I took those actions," she stated, drawing herself up again. "Than let others suffer a worse fate." Closing her eyes, Shadow took another breath, beginning to force her emotions back down.
Celestia pulled the guardpony to her, wrapping her forelegs and wings around the mare startling the pony. "No, child." She squeezed Shadow with her embrace. "Holding it in will only have it build up until you break."
For a moment, Shadow sat stunned. Then the tears started to flow again, and sobs echoed in the throne room. "I am a monster!" She buried her face in Celestia's chest. "I ended lives!" Shadow held onto the alicorn, years of pent up emotions flowing out. Celestia allowed the young pony to cry, holding her in a warm embrace.
After what seemed like hours to Shadow, Celestia spoke softly to the mare she cradled, "You are no monster." She pointed to the binder that now rested on the floor. "I've seen the reports for all of the incidents."
Shadow looked up at the princess, her eyes red.
"You acted in defense of others," Celestia helped the mare sit back up straight. "and those are not the actions of a monster." Using her magic, the princess picked up the black binder and set it upon her throne. "You are a kind soul, Shadow. Protecting and caring for others." She tilted her head and asked, "How have you been handling this?"
"Meditation, reciting my oaths, and performing my duties," was Shadow's response.
"Oh, my stars," said the sun-marked alicorn softly. "Have you been having nightmares?"
"Yes, often."
"There are some ponies that I want you to speak with," stated Celestia as she released Shadow from her embrace. "They will help you with what has happened." She stood and gave the purple mare a warm smile. "I will speak with the captain and he will help get you scheduled to meet with them."
Shadow nodded, then opened her mouth to speak.
"It is not weakness to get help," Celestia stopped the guard from speaking. "Everypony needs help sometimes. I don't want you to lose yourself."
"I was going to say thank you, your majesty," Shadow softly chuckled, sniffing.
"Oh!" the princess chuckled as well. "I'm used to warriors like you not wanting to ask or receive help." She smiled. "I'm happy that you are different. You are not a monster, or a horrible pony."
"I know that," Shadow said, tapping her temple with a hoof. "Up here." She moved her hoof to her chest. "But my heart, is another story."
Celestia placed a hoof on Shadow's. "Your heart won't listen to me, but the councilors will be able to convince it."
"Thank you, princess."
"Let's go get some cake and ice cream, that always makes me feel better when I'm feeling a bit down." The princess stood and offered a hoof to the purple mare.
Shadow smiled as she accepted the offered hoof and stood. "By your leave, your majesty." |
Sol Don Him | pre | "Well, odds are y'all won't get any if'n Applejack's got anythin' ta say 'bout it," Apple Bloom said with a frown and crossed fore legs.
"Apple Bloom!" Applejack shouted condescendingly.
"What's this 'bout not gettin' any Zap Apple cider?" Granny Smith asked.
The two Apple sisters were too busy glowering at each other to answer, so Sol Do did so herself. "Apple Bloom wanted to bring Zap Apple cider to this picnic, but Applejack said there wasn't enough time to properly ferment it and told her sister to return the barrel she brought up back to your apple cellar."
"Ah see," Granny Smith replied with a nod. She turned to her youngest grandchild. "Well, little'un, it's true that we wouldn't of had time ta properly ferment the cider in time fer this 'ere picnic, but there's always tomorrow if'n y'all want ta help whip up some fer our guest."
Apple Bloom ceased her glowering and turned to her grandmother. "Sounds fine by me," she replied with a small smile.
Applejack just sighed in exasperation and continued eating her food. She was interrupted, however, by a whoosh of air followed by a pink blur which zipped beside her before coming to a stop in the middle of the blanket.
"Pinkie Pie," Applejack groaned. "What is it y'all want?"
"Silly Applejack," Pinkie playfully chided, "Sol Do has to attend her 'Welcome to Ponyville' party. I mean, sure she isn't staying here permanently, but regardless I made a promise to throw every, and I mean every, pony that comes to Ponyville for the first time a party to let them know how welcome they are and that we're oh-so-super-duper excited to have them here even if it's just temporary." She inhaled a large breath to give reprieve to her aching lungs before exhaling and continuing with her rambling. "So, c'mon everypony, it's time for the party! Everypony else is waiting at Sugarcube Corner for you!"
Everypony stared blankly at the hyperactive party pony while she bounced up and down excitedly as she talked. Eventually, Sol Do cleared her throat and spoke softly to the pink mare.
"I'm very grateful for how welcoming you are, Pinkie Pie, and I do appreciate having a party thrown in my honor." She pursed her lips. "However, now is a very inconvenient time, for we need to eat up the rest of this food so it doesn't go to waste."
Pinkie stopped bouncing. She stared blankly for a second before tapping her chin in thought. After a few moments, she brightened and, as quickly as she arrived, zipped off into the distance towards Ponyville.
Sol Do turned to her cousin with a concerned frown. "What's she up to, Rarity?"
Rarity looked skywards as she contemplated all of what her pink friend could be planning. It didn't take long for her to make a sound conclusion.
"Pinkie's bringing the party here to Sweet Apple Acres," she said with conviction. She stood up and gestured towards the house. "I don't suppose you've got a fold-able table we can use for our unfinished food? It'll become naught but refreshments for the party guests in but a few moments, and it simply wouldn't do to have it scattered about on this picnic blanket where it's sure to get kicked around and make a huge mess."
Applejack nodded. "Yeah, we've got a few refreshment tables inside." She stood up and stretched briefly before heading toward the house. "C'mon, Apple Bloom, let's bring 'em out."
"Fine," Apple Bloom grumbled, still sour over their earlier exchange, and began following her sister.
"Ah'm comin' too," Big Macintosh said as he began following after them, smiling. "Y'all could use a little help haulin' those tables, can't ya?"
Sol Do snickered while Applejack, unbeknownst to anypony else, blushed profusely in response. "Shut up," she muttered under her breath.
"Well, looks like Ah'd better hit the hay then," Granny Smith announced, and started following her granddaughters. "Ya young'uns wouldn't want an old fusspot crampin' yer style, Ah reckon." She laughed and shook her head.
Rarity briefly watched them depart, then turned her attention to Sol Do who wore a dopey, love-filled expression as she stared at Big Macintosh's backside while he walked down the hill with his family.
Well, fate's dealt the cards; I suppose all I can do now is wait and see who ultimately wins, she thought as the sound of Pinkie's party mob began fast approaching from off in the distance. |
Sol Don Him | Refined or Reckless? | The scents of fresh dew and crisp morning air permeated Ponyville as the sun peeked over the horizon. A gentle wind blew around the buildings, sending a wave of motion across the lush, green grass which coated the ground. But the grass wasn't the only green object affected, as Sol Do's mane and tail flailed lightly in response, prompting her to blow it out of her eyes as she walked through Ponyville toward Sweet Apple Acres.
Sol Do was the only pony outside then, but she barely noticed, since her mind was fixated on reaching the farm so she could begin learning the Apple family lifestyle from Big Macintosh. As per his instruction, she donned no clothes, choosing only to wear her straw hat. She hadn't bothered showering either, to which she smelled rather vulgar, and underneath her hat was a very jarring bedhead. She held the retracted form of her Pogo-axe in her mouth, having decided to bring it in case it proved to be useful.
The wind, blowing from behind Sol Do, sent her filthy scent up front and into her nostrils, to which she instinctively held a hoof over her muzzle.
Maybe I should've taken a shower after all, she thought. Sol Do waited until the wind passed before bringing down her hoof and resuming her trot. Or, maybe, I can use this to get us in the shower together. Oh yeah, that'd be swell.
A saucy grin formed on Sol Do's muzzle around the Pogo-axe as she continued fantasizing about intimate scenarios she could get herself and Big Macintosh into during their time together. This eventually shifted to more serious thoughts, specifically, how she'd go about winning Big Mac's heart by the end of her visit.
Okay, first things first, I need to get to know Big Macintosh, and determine whether he prefers the down n' dirty, country bumpkin type of mare, or the high-brow, refined Canterlotian type. Whichever he prefers, I'll just learn to stick to it from now on.
Then there's the matter of showing my affection for him. I know he's the quiet type, so I'd best not be too upfront with it, lest he get scared away. I'll just observe his behavior today and, depending on what he responds better to, I'll treat him to a date tailored for his interests. Yes, that should work nicely.
Sol Do continued pondering her romantic course of action all along her trip to Sweet Apple Acres. Upon reaching the Apple family's homestead, she knocked lightly on the front door, mindful in case any of them were still asleep. The sound of hoofsteps approached the door from inside, and it opened to reveal the tired, heavy-lidded face of Apple Bloom.
"Oh, hiya Miss Do," she mumbled.
Sol Do took hold of the Pogo-axe in her hoof and smiled. "Good morning, Apple Bloom," she said enthusiastically. "Glad to see you're up and at'em!"
Apple Bloom snorted. "Yeah, sure." She pointed behind Sol Do at the fields. "My brother's out in the orchard, said somethin' 'bout 'clearing the trees of meddlesome fruit bats'."
"Fruit bats, huh?" Sol Do turned to look at the orchard behind her. "Is that a common problem for your family?"
Apple Bloom let out a little yawn before replying. "Applejack said somethin' 'bout a sanctuary fer them bats the other day, and how it was 'posed ta keep 'em outta our orchard from now on." She shrugged. "Ah guess it ain't workin' after all."
Sol Do smiled confidently. "We shall see about that." She turned back to Apple Bloom. "Before I go assist your big brother, precisely where is your sister at this time?"
Apple Bloom gestured behind her into the house. "She was up really late last night cleanin' up after Pinkie's party, so she's still sleepin'."
A sinister smirk crossed Sol Do's muzzle. "Perfect," she whispered.
"What?"
"Off I go!"
Sol Do put the Pogo-axe back in her mouth and began galloping toward the orchard. Apple Bloom just stood there, watching her retreating figure with a tired, uncaring stare.
"How can anypony be that energetic in the morning?" she asked aloud, before closing the door and making her way back to bed.
Sol Do spent the next few minutes searching the apple orchard for Big Macintosh, eventually finding him in the west fields. He was scowling in irritation up at one particular tree which was filled to the brim with fruit bats. Not a single apple remained on the tree, at least from what Sol Do could make out; the bats were so numerous they covered almost every inch of the tree's bark.
"No good varmints, y'all are," Big Mac whispered.
"I take it these pesky little vermin are not welcome here?"
Big Mac turned to see Sol Do approaching, her gaze fixated on the infested tree, while her Pogo-axe was suspended in her magic.
"Howdy Miss Do," Big Mac replied. "And no, they're not." He looked back up at the fruit bats. "They know perfectly well there's a sanctuary fer them now, but this bunch ain't too good at listenin', apparently."
Sol Do stepped beside Big Mac, keeping her Pogo-axe held aloft alongside her, as she cast a concerned gaze at him. "I sincerely hope this won't impede our time together, will it?"
Big Mac sighed, and looked to her with an apologetic gaze. "Ah'm sorry to say, yeah, but if'n y'all wanna help shoo them varmints away, by all means go right ahead. Celestia knows Ah've tried all I can."
Sol Do nodded in understanding. Alright, time to learn where his general interests lay.
"Well, Big Mac, I do have a few ideas for how to make them leave," she said. "However, since this is an Apple family problem, it's only fair that I abide by the Apple family's methods in dealing with parasitic creatures such as these fruit bats." Stepping in front of Big Mac, Sol Do brought her Pogo-axe in front of her and, giving it a light twirl with her magic, pointed it at the tree. "I can use my Pogo-axe to force those vermin out of the tree, or, if your family doesn't take too kind to animal cruelty, I am confident that I can sweet talk them into leaving. Which would you prefer?"
Big Mac just shrugged. "Whichever suits yer fancy better," he replied. "So long as y'all get them varmints outta the tree, without killing either, then that's all that matters."
Sol Do stared blankly in response. Then she blinked. Well, that was certainly an unexpected response, but no matter, I'll learn more as we spend more time together.
"Okay then," Sol Do said as she turned to face the tree. Bringing her Pogo-axe out in front of her, she used her magic to extend the metal tips on either side, bringing the tool to its maximum efficiency as both a pickaxe and a pogo-stick. "This shouldn't take too long."
Sol Do approached the tree with careful steps, not wanting the bats to startle. Upon reaching the tree's base, Sol Do set the Pogo-axe on the ground, metal end down, and pushed the spring attachment firmly into the dirt. Gripping the other end with her front hooves, she set one of her hind hooves on the metal end. After taking a moment to balance herself, she gazed up at the fruit bats in the tree above her with a determined gaze.
"Alright, here I go," she said.
Pushing against the metal with her body weight, the spring dug deep into the dirt before launching her into the air. Sol Do felt the wind rush through her mane, before stopping right in front of the tree's center. During her fall back to the ground, Sol Do put her other hoof on the other metal tip, and used it for extra strength when she bounced off the ground again. All while she did this, Big Macintosh watched Sol Do with a quirked eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
Once Sol Do got into a steady rhythm of balanced bouncing, she turned her attention to the bat swarm currently sleeping in the tree. Sticking her tongue out to the side in concentration, she waited until her ascent peaked before striking. In a second's time she shoved the metal end of her Pogo-axe into the bat swarm, instantly setting off a chain reaction of agitated screeches as, one by one, each and every bat shot wide awake. They quickly began fluttering rapidly en masse, making the tree shake wildly, as Sol Do re-positioned the Pogo-axe under her for a safe descent.
"It may be a little ear-grating!" she shouted over the multitude of screeches, her ears desperately digging themselves against her skin. "But, rest assured, darlin', it's all accordin' ta plan!"
"What!?" Big Macintosh shouted back, his own ears trying to block out the sound, to limited avail.
Sol Do proceeded to repeatedly strike the bat swarm with her Pogo-axe with every bounce. With each strike, the fruit bats' confusion gave way to rage, and before long they'd stopped fluttering wildly, instead drawing their attention to Sol Do.
"C'mon, ya filthy varmints!" Sol Do shouted at them, in a playfully condescending tone. "Y'all ain't gonna let a pretty little pony like moi poke an' prod y'all 'round, now are ya!?"
The fruit bats gave a collective screech of rage as they locked their fruity, hate-filled gazes onto her.
"Which way to the sanctuary, dear!" Sol Do asked Big Mac.
"Over yonder!" he shouted, pointing eastward.
"Alrighty then, here Ah go!"
Sol Do ceased her bouncing and began galloping toward the sanctuary, Pogo-axe held firmly in mouth as the fruit bat swarm immediately gave chase, hundreds of raging shrieks accompanying them.
Big Mac watched as Sol Do led the fruit bats across the orchard, eventually disappearing from view, all the while with a shocked expression. He stood there for a few minutes, at a loss for words to describe what had just happened, but his stupor was eventually interrupted by a familiar voice calling out to him.
"Big Macintosh!"
Big Mac turned to see Applejack galloping toward him with a panicked look in her eyes. She also had a tired look about her, definitely the result of having just got out of bed. Her stetson was tilted sideways, and only just barely managed to cling to her head with how fast she was galloping.
Applejack skidded to a stop in front of her brother and, after a moment of heavy panting, gave him a relieved smile.
"Thank Celestia yer all right!" she said. "Ah was 'fraid you'd be a quiverin' mess when I found you."
Big Mac scrunched his face up in confusion. "They're just fruit bats, sis," he said. "They ain't nothin' dangerous."
Applejack's relieved expression gave way to her own look of confusion. "What about fruit bats, now?"
Before either could say another word, a distant voice sing-songed, "Yoohoo, Big Macintosh, come quickly please!"
Big Mac turned in the voice's direction. "Sounds like Sol Do's finished leadin' them bats back to the sanctuary." He began heading toward the sanctuary.
"Wait fer me!" Applejack said, and followed after him.
The two siblings quickly traversed the orchard, reaching the fruit bat sanctuary in a minute's time. They found Sol Do standing with her back turned to them, holding her Pogo-axe in her mouth again, staring up at a group of trees, in which hung a cluster of battered, bruised and, in some cases, whimpering, fruit bats. Sol Do didn't look any better herself, as she had scratch and bite marks covering a good portion of her flanks, as well as her backside.
Sol Do kept staring up at the bat swarm until she heard the Apple siblings approach, at which point she turned around to greet them, in turn affording them a view of her face which looked like the victim of a dozen, tiny rakes. She let the Pogo-axe fall to the ground, and spoke to them.
"Well, it took a bit of roughhousin', but Ah managed ta convince 'em to stay." She looked to Applejack with a sly smirk. "Not too shabby fer one'a Rarity's kin, eh?"
"Sol Do, y'all look like ya got in a skirmish with a gryphon," Applejack replied, ignoring her question. "Are y'all okay? Ya wanna see a doctor or somethin?"
"Oh, believe me, Applejack darling," Sol Do cooed, sending a slight shiver down the other mare's spine, "I'm not at all like my cousin in that regard. I'm sure I look positively horrid to you two, but believe me when I say Ah'm feelin' better'n a cat in a yarn factory!" She capped off her statement with a laugh.
The two Apple siblings only stared back blankly in response while Sol Do glanced back to the now-placid fruit bat swarm, which had taken to sleeping once again. Sol Do gave them a once-over and, with a nod of satisfaction, turned back to Big Macintosh. A glimmer of hope shined in her eyes as she said, "So, Big Mac, whadd'ya think?"
Big Mac gave the bats a once-over himself before giving her a gracious smile. "Thanks fer yer help, Miss Do," he said. "Ah appreciate it."
A small blush crossed Sol Do's cheeks, and she waved a dismissive hoof. "Oh, it was nothing, really, I just wanted to help you."
"Well, ya sure did," Big Macintosh said. He then began trotting back to the barn. "So, what say we get on with the day's chores?"
Sol Do tilted her head in curiosity. "Beg pardon?"
"Y'all said ya wanted ta be tutored in the Apple family's ways," Big Macintosh said. "Chores is just one part of it, but you'll need resolve ta see it through." He gave Sol Do a challenging smile. "Now, if'n y'all wanna back out, go ahead and say so."
Sol Do gave a frown in response. "Oh, no, I don't think so," she scoffed. "If it's chores I must do, then it's chores I shall do, darling."
"Good ta hear," Big Mac replied, and continued trotting back to the barn. "Let's get goin', then."
"Actually, Big Mac," Applejack spoke up, earning his attention. "Do ya mind if Ah talk with Sol Do, just fer a minute?"
Sol Do just rolled her eyes while Big Mac nodded and replied, "Nnope," before once again continuing on his way.
Once Applejack was sure he was out of earshot she turned to Sol Do, who was leveling an exasperated glare at her, and spoke, as calm and collectively as she could.
"Listen, Sol Do, Ah get y'all have the hots fer my brother--" she suppressed a shudder at the thought, "--but, please, respect his personal space, and don't go crazy if it turns out he don't share yer feelings."
Sol Do snorted. "In case you haven't noticed, Applejack, I'm very different from my cousin when it comes to pursuing stallions." She continued talking while using a hoof to massage her scratched-up flanks. "For one, I actively seek them out myself, rather than wait to be swept up and carried into the sunset." She sighed in content, her gaze half-lidded amorously. "Yer brother's the finest stallion Ah've ever seen, Applejack. So dashing. So strong. So patient and wise. So much better than any of my coworkers back in Hiddenite." She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again in a determined smile. "Believe me, Applejack, when I say I'll succeed where Rarity has failed, time and again."
Sol Do picked up her Pogo-axe in her magic. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Ah've got some chores ta do!" She began galloping after Big Mac, a giant smile crossing her features.
Applejack watched her go with a furrowed gaze. A low, annoyed growl escaped through her lips as thoughts of giving Sol Do a good thrashing swirled through her mind. Eventually, she just sighed and followed after her, needing to help with the chores herself.
Big Mac was already showing Sol Do around the barnyard by the time Applejack made it there. The Apple mare couldn't help but scowl every time she saw Sol Do giving her brother's backside a lecherous grin. She wanted desperately to go up to Sol Do, grab her by the withers, and shake her vigorously while shouting "Y'ALL CAN'T HAVE HIM!" in her face. The only two things keeping her from doing so were her agreement with Rarity to hold back, and the guilt she'd feel if it turned out Big Macintosh returned Sol Do's feelings.
"Well, at least as long as Ah'm around, things can't get outta hoof," she mused, and went to join them.
Upon waking up and spending the next hour going through her morning routine, Granny Smith headed down to the kitchen to begin cooking breakfast for her grandchildren. She was also aware of Sol Do's presence on the farm, despite her sometimes-shoddy memory, and decided to cook her something as well.
"Hmm, what might that young whippersnapper like ta eat?" she mused while rummaging through the fridge.
"Mornin', Granny!"
Granny Smith glanced behind her to see Apple Bloom enter the kitchen, looking fully awake and energetic with a beaming smile on her face.
"Howdy, Apple Bloom," Granny Smith replied, chipper herself. "Sleep well?"
"You bet!" Apple Bloom replied. "Hey, Granny, when can we make that Zap Apple Cider?"
Granny Smith continued rummaging in the fridge as she replied. "Maybe later little'un, 'cause right now Ah've gotta make breakfast for y'all. Wanna help?"
"Yes ma'am!" Apple Bloom cheered.
"Then could ya ask Miss Do what she'd like ta eat?"
"Ah'm on it!"
Apple Bloom rushed out the front door like a sugar-rushed coyote, returning a minute later, while Granny Smith prepared to make pancakes.
"Miss Do says she'll happily eat whatever ya serve her," she reported.
"Hope she likes apple cinnamon pancakes than," Granny Smith said, setting a bowl atop the counter.
"Sol Do's a cool mare," Apple Bloom chirped. "If she an' Big Mac get hitched, Ah wanna be the flower girl at their wedding too!"
"Heh heh heh."
"Somethin' funny, Granny?"
"Oh, it's nothing," she replied, grabbing a pitcher of milk. "Say, Apple Bloom, wanna help me cook breakfast?"
Apple Bloom stared blankly for a moment, then shrugged and went to join her grandmother. |
Sol Don Him | Titanic Forthcoming | "♪Piece by piece, snip by snip⋯♪"
Rarity sang softly to herself as she worked in her sewing room. She'd spent the better half of the day working on some dress commissions after escorting Sweetie Belle to school. On her way back, she'd thought about stopping by Sweet Apple Acres to see how Sol Do was doing with the Apples. She decided against it in the end, partly because she really wanted to work on her commissions, but mostly out of respect for her cousin's intentions, ridiculous as they were.
Rarity had just finished working on a matching yellow sundress and hat combo when she heard her front door's chime go off, followed by her cousin's voice calling out to her.
"Are y'all home, Rarity!? Ah'm back!"
"Be right there, Sol Do!" Rarity called.
Setting down her sewing supplies, Rarity trotted into the hallway and made her way toward the staircase. Along the way, she spared a glance at her hallway clock, and noted the time was three in the afternoon.
"Goodness gracious, I missed lunchtime," she muttered.
"Hey, uh, Rarity!?"
"I'm coming!" she replied, beginning her descent downstairs.
"Y'all might wanna cover yer nostrils 'fore ya come down here!"
"Now why would you say tha--" Rarity reached the stairs' landing, only to freeze as a smell, more retching and horrid than anything she'd ever smelt before, invaded her nostrils. She quickly threw both hooves over them and glanced around the main lobby, quickly spying her cousin by the front door.
Sol Do looked, in Rarity's opinion, like she'd gotten into a fight with a gryphon. She had bloody scratches covering the better part of her face, flanks, and legs. Her coat, once as white as Rarity's own, was caked with dry mud stains from head to hoof. Her tail was a tangled mess of green hair, more akin to seaweed, and Rarity assumed the same was true of her mane underneath her straw hat.
Rarity almost gasped in response to seeing Sol Do in such a filthy state, until the scent which permeated from her began invading her mouth, letting Rarity taste its putridness, before quickly shutting it again.
Sol Do chuckled sheepishly. "That's about how I thought you'd react," she said. "Is it alright if I use yer shower?"
Rarity quietly nodded, and stepped out of the way so Sol Do could pass. Her cousin obliged, quickly heading upstairs for the bathroom, to which Rarity uncovered her nostrils and breathed in some fresh air.
The sound of running water emanated from upstairs for the next few minutes, during which time Rarity proceeded to fetch a bottle of air-disinfectant from her supply closet and give the area around the door a few sprays. She also began preparing lunch for the two of them, putting together a couple of petal salads and milk glasses. She finished setting the table just as Sol Do entered the kitchen, looking much cleaner, but the bloody scratches remained.
"I say, Rarity, there's nothing quite like a cool shower after a day of sweaty labor!" she said, excited.
"Depends on who you ask," Rarity muttered.
"What's that?"
"I was just wondering what you could've possibly had to go through to wind up in such a horrid state." Rarity turned to face Sol Do and gestured for her to sit down. "Please, tell me what happened at Sweet Apple Acres while we eat."
"I'd be glad to," Sol Do said, smiling.
Both mares took a seat and began digging into their salads. No conversation passed between them for a minute at first, them focusing instead on appeasing their hungry bellies. While they ate, Rarity's attention kept shifting back to her cousin and how happy she was, which Rarity was confident had nothing to do with her salad's quality.
Once she finished chewing her latest mouthful and swallowed, Rarity took the initiative.
"Tell me, Sol Do, how were things at the farm?"
Sol Do finished chewing her own mouthful and, after washing it down with some milk, gave her reply.
"Well, Ah'll admit it was a lot more gruelin' than I thought it'd be, but Ah managed all the same." Setting her fork down, she levitated her napkin up to wipe away some milk from her upper lip before continuing. "I will say, however, that Applejack's continued animosity toward me was very uncalled for."
"Yes, she is famous for being quite stubborn," Rarity said, a frown crossing her muzzle. "I do hope you understand, of course, that she's only looking out for her family."
"Still, it's rude of her to treat me like a ruffian." Sol Do proceeded to grab another forkful of salad, and stuffed it into her mouth. "Ah would'a fawt we' gel lahk feanut butta' an' jelleh."
"Yes, so would I," Rarity said with a grimace.
Sol Do swallowed her food. "Anyway, I s'pose yer wonderin' what the deal is now with Big Mac an' I."
"The thought occurred several times today," Rarity replied, taking a sip of her milk.
Sol Do chuckled. "Well, you may or may not be happy to know this, but the Apples agreed to let me help out on the farm whenever I'm visiting Ponyville in the future, which means Big Macintosh and I can spend that much more time together." She smiled, and a pink blush adorned her cheeks as she finished with, "It'll be a happy time when I finally purchase my second house here."
Rarity couldn't help but smile herself at seeing Sol Do so happy, but it only lasted a moment before being replaced by a concerned frown.
"Believe me, Sol Do, when I say I'm happy for you," she said, earning half of Sol Do's divided attention. "However, unless Big Mac declared his undying love for you today, I'm still concerned that you're only setting yourself up for heartbreak." Rarity looked downcast as she continued. "I know what it feels like to find out the pony you've pined to be with for so long doesn't share your feelings; it's something I wish I didn't have to learn the hard way."
Sol Do shrugged. "All we did was work around the farm, him showing me the ropes and whatnot, while I gauged his general character." She subconsciously waved her fork around in the air while scrunching her face up in thought. "I'll admit, he didn't give me a whole lot to work with, since he was more content to let me do things my way than to give instructions, so long as I didn't screw anything up."
"And did you find out anything of use?" Rarity asked, in a carefully neutral tone of voice.
Sol Do smiled. "Indeed I did, cousin." She closed her eyes, and began speaking in a matter-of-fact tone. "Big Macintosh is the sort of stallion that just wants a respectful, reliable, and useful mare at his side, caring nothing about background or behavior." She opened her eyes and adopted a sly smirk. "Dare I say it, if Applejack wasn't his sister, I bet he'd-"
"Please refrain from continuing that sentence," Rarity interrupted, holding up a hoof. "I'd like to keep my salad in my stomach to digest properly, thank you very much."
Sol Do snickered, and continued. "Anyway, what I'm saying is, Big Macintosh would want a mare that he can view as more than just a lover, but a partner as well. Somepony to be the hammer to his nail, as well as the chocolate to his peanut butter, essentially."
"And do you believe that you qualify to be that hammer?" Rarity asked.
"You'd better believe it as well, cousin," Sol Do said, grinning. "I was raised to treat stallions with respect, which, coupled with both my strong work ethic and gorgeous body, makes me nothing if not suited to be not just Big Mac's, but any stallion's marefriend."
Rarity resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Sol Do's self-praise, though, she couldn't deny she held a similar opinion of herself.
"I suppose you do have a point," she replied, taking another bite of salad, which she finished chewing before continuing. "And just as well, if things don't work out between you and Big Macintosh, you shouldn't have any trouble finding some other stallion who shares your feelings."
"Unlike a certain cousin of mine," Sol Do said, a coy smile forming on her lips. "Perhaps you'd like some pointers from moi?"
Rarity almost did a spit take with her salad in response. "I beg your pardon!?"
"Oh, come on, Rares," Sol Do said, rolling her eyes. "Yer a hopeless romantic through and through; there ain't no use in trying to deny it."
"Hopeless romantic--" Rarity stood up in her chair and slammed both her hooves on the table, rattling her silverware a bit, "--I'll have you know that my love life is nothing of the sort. I may be having trouble finding a good-natured stallion that shares my affection, but to essentially say that I'm akin to one of those crazy cat ladies is a massive overstatement."
"Well, you do have a cat yourself," Sol Do pointed out.
"Only one!" Rarity practically shouted.
"You also read some pretty kinky romance novels," Sol Do stated. She shrugged. "Not many ponies even bother with those unless they're really that desperate."
Rarity blushed. "I don't read them that much," she muttered, just barely loud enough for Sol Do to hear.
"Not that I blame you for liking them, of course; they are pretty hot." She perked up a bit. "Did you know the original creator of Colthulu made his beard tentacled to satirize the rising prevalence of beard fetishes among mares at the time?"
Rarity said nothing in response. She merely slunk in her seat, looking downcast, very clearly not paying any attention to Sol Do's random trivia. Sol Do's smile slowly fell into a frown as the realization that she'd said too much sank in. She got out of her seat and trudged around the table to Rarity, placing a comforting hoof on her shoulder once she reached her.
"Look, Rares, I'm mighty sorry; I shouldn't have said what I said." She looked at Rarity with pleading eyes. "Can you forgive me?"
Rarity was silent for a few seconds, her eyes closed, wearing an expression of severe disappointment. Sol Do could only guess what was going on in her head at the moment, but she figured her cousin was feeling at least some amount of jealousy over her.
Eventually, Rarity sighed and turned to Sol Do with a pensive smile. "I forgive you, Sol Do."
The miner smiled herself. "Thanks cuz."
"I guess it just goes to show how well you know me that you can pick apart my romantic shortcomings," Rarity continued. She sighed again and began twirling her fork around on the table, absentmindedly. "I suppose some pointers for how to pick up stallions wouldn't be so bad."
"Don't be too down on yourself, Rares," Sol Do said, patting her cousin's back. "You've definitely got what it takes to find a good stallion. It's just a matter of getting to know them before you really commit yourself to pursuing a relationship with them." Her smile turned sheepish. "I heard about what happened with you and Blueblood at the Gala."
"I'd much rather not hear about the events of that dreaded night again, thank you very much," Rarity said with conviction.
Sol Do chuckled. "I understand wholeheartedly," she replied. "Anyway, if'n you want pointers on how to pick up stallions, why don't y'all come with Big Mac an' me on our date tomorrow?"
Rarity shot up in her seat and turned to Sol Do with wide eyes. 'You have a date with Big Macintosh!?" she asked.
Sol Do made a 'more or less' gesture with her hoof. "Really, it's more of an activity than a date," she explained. "While we were doing the chores today, Big Mac asked me some questions 'bout what bein' a gem miner is like; it's amazing, of course."
Rarity chuckled. "Oh really?" she cooed.
"Y'all bet yer tri-diamond flanks it is!" Sol Do beamed. "Anyway, by the end of it all, we decided it'd be fun to go out and dig up some gems in the fields outside of Ponyville. I'm planning on using the time there to get closer to him, but a little company would be okay to have. Heck, y'all could get some more gems fer yer dresses while we're there." Sol Do retracted her hoof from Rarity's back. "So, ya up fer it?"
Rarity sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. "I don't know if I want to go out there, to be honest, not after my little run-in with the diamond dogs."
"I heard about that too," Sol Do replied, frowning. "It's unfortunate that you came across such an awful pack of them. The ones back in Hiddenite, while far from friendly, are still respectful of ponies."
"I shudder to think what might happen if they all decided to go rogue," Rarity said, actually visibly shuddering at the thought.
"Don't worry, if that ever did happen, we'd be alright," Sol Do assured. "Anyway, if you're scared of running into those dogs again, remember that Big Mac and I'll both be there to keep you out of trouble." A sly smirk formed over her muzzle. "Plus, I'm pretty sure I can sweet talk those dogs if they do come looking for trouble."
Rarity looked at her dubiously for a moment before tapping her chin in thought.
"I'd have to finish all of my commissions today in order to have free time tomorrow," she muttered under her breath. "Perhaps you could help me finish them? I need somepony to model them for me, and most of them would look positively stunning on you."
"Most of them?" Sol Do repeated, a cheeky air to her words.
"Oh, don't you start with that, cousin," Rarity deadpanned. "You're no more fabulous than moi, which is still a compliment."
Sol Do shrugged. "Whatever," she replied. "And yeah, I'll model for ya."
"Excellent," Rarity said. She levitated her fork. "But let us finish lunch first, hmm?"
Sol Do nodded, and went back to take her seat, after which the two continued eating in silence.
Granny Smith sat in her rocker, head leaned back against some pillows, enjoying the quiet serenity afforded to her with Applejack and Big Macintosh still working outside, and Apple Bloom at school. She'd been relaxing since after breakfast, and thoughts of Sol Do's added presence brought a smile to her lips as she remembered the country unicorn's compliments over her cooking.
"I must say, Granny Smith, these pancakes are truly a cut above all others I've tasted in my life."
"Why thank ya, young'un."
"Perhaps I could get the recipe, no?"
"I don't just pass it out all willy-nilly to every pony I meet; why should I give it to you?"
"Oh, no reason in particular . . ."
Sorry, but it ain't gonna happen, young'un.
Sighing in content, Granny Smith relaxed further into her seat, enjoying the pillows' softness, enough that she didn't hear when the front door opened, or when a series of light hoofsteps approached, or when a soft thud emanated from her left
"Hey, Granny Smith," a young voice whispered.
Granny Smith felt a soft poke in her withers, and silently lamented her lost tranquility before cracking one eye open. Apple Bloom stood on the rocker's arm, giving her a cautious stare. This quickly changed into an expression of joy, and she bounced once in excitement.
"Good ta see yer awake, Granny!" she chirped.
Granny Smith tiredly rubbed her muzzle. "That makes one of us," she grumbled.
"So, can we make that Zap Apple Cider now?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Ain't ya s'posed ta be in school today?" Granny Smith asked in response.
"Ah jus' got back," Apple Bloom replied. She hopped onto the floor and turned back up to her grandmother with wide, pleading eyes. "So, can we make it now, huh?"
Granny Smith stood up. "Make what now?" she asked, taking a moment to stretch.
"You know, the Zap Apple Cider," Apple Bloom answered. "Sol Do said she'd like ta try some, an' Ah do too!"
"Right, Ah remember now." Granny Smith finished popping her joints into place and softly patted the filly's head. "And sorry, litte'un, but yer much too young ta stomach Zap Apple Cider."
"What-- aw, no fair!" Apple Bloom whined in response, pouting her lip.
"Cool yer caboose, Bloom, Ah never said y'all couldn't help me make it." Granny Smith pointed toward the basement cellar. "Fetch me a barrel o' the stuff an' we'll get started, alright?"
Apple Bloom beamed again. "Yes ma'am!" She shot off toward the cellar door, quickly disappearing inside, and reappearing a few minutes later with the same barrel of unfermented Zap Apple Cider she brought up the previous day.
"Alright, what do we do now?" she asked, bouncing with excitement.
How does she have so much energy after lugging that thing up the stairs? Granny wondered before replying.
"Patience now, youngster." She stepped forward and placed a hoof on Apple Bloom's withers, calming her down, and gave the filly a sharp gaze. "Like Zap Apple Jam, makin' Cider means followin' a specific process to the letter, no exceptions." She increased the intensity of her gaze. "Are ya willin' to follow through with it, whippersnapper?"
"You betcha!"
"Then let's make some Zap Apple Cider fer pete's sake!"
"Ah can't wait!" Apple Bloom cheered.
"Can't wait fer what?"
"Ta make the Zap Apple Cider!"
Granny Smith looked confused. "We're makin' Zap Apple Cider?"
Apple Bloom looked shocked at her grandmother. "But-bu-"
Granny Smith chuckled. "Ah'm just kiddin' around, young'un." She ruffled Apple Bloom's mane.
Apple Bloom weakly chuckled. "Good one, Granny."
"Darn tootin'," Granny Smith said. "Ah ain't that old." She began marching toward the front door. "Now let's get ta makin' that Cider!"
Apple Bloom nodded, and followed behind her while rolling the barrel along with her muzzle. |
Sol Don Him | Titanic Inbound | Sol Do, Big Macintosh, Rarity, and Applejack set off for the gem-laden dirt plains outside of Ponyville after breakfast, the orange mare deciding to tag along to 'help in case the diamond dogs showed up', but it was clear to Sol Do that Applejack was still distrustful of her, a fact that made itself all the more clear along their walk.
Sol Do and Big Macintosh pulled the wagon they would use to gather their acquired gems, while Applejack and Rarity walked alongside their respective relatives. Every other second, Applejack would shoot Sol Do a suspicious glance, which the miner would politely ignore. Meanwhile, Sol Do would occasionally shoot a sultry smile to Big Macintosh, further infuriating Applejack. While Big Mac seemed more or less clueless to this silent activity, or at least didn't react to it, Rarity resolved to talk with Applejack as soon as they reached their destination.
The sun indicated it was about mid-morning when the quartet crested a small hill which overlooked the rocky lands containing more gems than could be accounted for. No sign of the diamond dogs could be seen, which helped put Rarity somewhat at ease.
Sol Do inhaled deeply through her nostrils, then exhaled in content. "Nothin' quite like the smell of dry dirt in the mornin'," she said.
Rarity looked aside to her cousin, confused. "Pardon me, but how do you smell dry dirt?"
"Spend a few months diggin' in a mine and you'll see." Sol Do unhitched herself from the wagon before levitating her pogo-axe out. "Well then, shall we?"
"You and Big Macintosh go on ahead," Rarity said, earning a confused, and slightly horrified gaze from Applejack, which she returned with one of conviction. "I'd like to speak with Applejack in private for a while."
Sol Do beamed in response. "If you say so." She turned to Big Mac. "C'mon, let's go find us a big lunker of a diamond!"
With a smile and nod, Big Mac unhitched himself from the wagon and grabbed a shovel from the wagon. Applejack watched as they descended the hill, suspicion plainly evident in her features, before turning to Rarity with a hardened gaze. "What'cha need, Rare?'
"Listen, Applejack, while we may not be particularly in favor of my cousin and your brother becoming an item, that doesn't mean we should treat the prospect with open hostility." A soft smile crossed her muzzle. "I truly believe it won't happen in the end, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be happy for Sol Do."
"That ain't what has me so riled up." Applejack shook her head. "It's only natural ta be leery of a pony who uses death threats on anythin' that don't follow their orders."
"Death threats, what are you⋯ oh, the gopher from the other day." Rarity narrowed her eyes. "Far be it from my cousin to actually follow through with such a course of action. I'm appalled you would even consider Sol Do is capable of doing such a thing."
Applejack threw her fore hooves up exasperatedly. "Well, what am Ah s'posed ta think?"
"Maybe trust that my cousin isn't a psychopathic criminal?" Rarity quirked an eyebrow, regarding her friend with an expression of accusatory curiosity. "You don't think my family is full of nutcases, do you?"
Applejack relaxed her body as a small blush crept across her features as she looked downcast. Rarity sighed and laid a hoof over her friend's withers. "Listen, Applejack, I understand if you're concerned for your brother's well-being, but the notion that my cousin will turn aggressive to make him her special somepony is absurd. Sol Do may be determined, but she does have limits."
Applejack took a few moments to respond. "Yeah, I guess yer right," she said, apologetically. "Sorry for acting so rotten."
"You should apologize to Sol Do," Rarity stated.
"Yeah, I guess." Applejack turned down the hill. "Better do that now, Ah reckon."
"Oh, you don't have to do that now, darling." Rarity smiled. "Right now, let's at least give Sol Do a chance to win your brother's heart."
"Fine then, but Ah'm still gonna keep a close watch on the two of 'em."
"As will I, whenever I'm not looking at all the new gems we find, that is."
Applejack laughed at that, and the two of them set off down the hill to join their relatives.
"Remind me why we had to leave the Zap Apple Cider fur-man-tin' all night?" Apple Bloom asked, staring at the boiling cauldron over the outdoor firepit in mixed awe and curiosity.
"Is yer memory goin' south too, young'un?" Granny Smith replied jokingly, lightly bopping the filly on the head with the branch she was holding. "It takes a while ta properly ferment even regular Apple Cider, longer still for the Zap Apple kind."
"Well, when's it gonna be ready?"
"Maybe by tomorrow afternoon, but only if we keep this 'ere fire goin' strong." Granny Smith turned to her granddaughter. "Speaking of which, how's about ya fetch some more wood?"
Apple Bloom tilted her head in confusion. "What about that branch yer holdin'?"
"Oh no, we need it later on."
"Really? What for?"
"Questions, questions, questions, that's all I get from you young'uns." Granny Smith tsked and shook her head. "What have I been telling y'all 'bout patience?"
Apple Bloom scrunched her face up in thought for a moment. "We need more of it?"
"Good to see yer memory ain't failin' after all." Granny Smith chuckled. "Now go get some more firewood, and be quick about it!"
Apple Bloom smiled. "Sure thing, ma'am!" she said, and ran off.
"Are y'all sure you've never been gem-diggin' before?" Sol Do asked Big Mac, striking her pogo-axe into the dry, cracked dirt. "'Cause you're doin' a very splendid job at it."
"Eeyup," Big Mac answered, giving his shovel a good shove into the ground. He scooped out a large section of dirt and piled it atop an already monstrous pile of dirt and rocks, next to which sat a small pile of gems of various colors and rarities. "Never been one ta bother with gems, but diggin's somethin' Ah can do well."
"Mmm, I don't doubt it." Sol Do licked her lips at the sight of Big Mac's strong, muscular body not more than a meter away, feeling her belly start to tingle with excitement. Don't lose yourself Sol, take it slow and steady, and keep up the small talk.
"Sooo⋯" Sol Do briefly trailed off while trying to think of something else to say. Her gaze wandered before settling on her cousin and Applejack some distance away, also working together to locate and dig up gems. "⋯What do you think of your sister?'
Big Mac looked to her with a confused frown. "Beg yer pardon?'
"I mean, what do you think of them bein' heroes an' all?"
"Oh! Well, Ah'm mighty proud'a my little sister," Big Mac replied, a fittingly proud air to his words. "Can't say Ah would'a ever thought she'd be a hero, though, but she's stubborn enough that it makes sense."
Sol Do nodded. "When I first heard about Nightmare Moon's return, and how Rarity and her friends stopped her, I was beyond shocked. I never would've thought Rarity would put her life on the line, no matter the stakes, so to hear that she helped stop the coming of eternal night left my mind reeling for days afterward."
"Mine too." Big Mac scooped another shovelful of dirt into the pile. "What about you?" he asked. "How do y'all feel 'bout Rarity bein' a hero?"
Sol Do paused her striking for a moment, pursing her lips, before letting out a long-winded breath and turning to face him. "Can y'all promise not to tell anyone my answer?"
Big Mac nodded once. "Eeyup."
Sol Do looked downcast as she resumed striking at the ground, but her hits were noticeably weaker. "To be perfectly honest, Ah'm a might bit jealous of her."
Big Mac cocked his head. "Jealous?"
Sol Do sighed in exasperation. "Those mares are still a very hot topic back in Hiddenite, even more so after the DELOS incident. Every other day I overhear a conversation about 'those brave mares' or 'the valiant Elements' and even 'I wish I could be a hero like Twilight'. It really gets tiring after a while, but what makes it especially bothersome is how some ponies will come up to me asking to get in contact with Rarity. Of course I tell them to skedaddle, but only because I figured she was getting enough attention already."
A frown creased her lips, and Sol Do ceased striking, leaving the tool suspended in her magic. "But from what I've seen during my time here, she hasn't, nor have any of her friends or your sister." She slumped a bit, her features becoming withered. "And here I thought Rarity would have her own personal harem of buff stallions when I greeted her at the train station."
Big Mac failed to hold back a snort of amusement. "Did you really!?"
Sol Do looked up to him with a small smile. "Something to that effect, at least."
Big Mac laughed and shook his head. "No, they ain't got anythin' of the sort, but there was a pretty big celebration in their honor after they returned from defeatin' Nightmare Moon." He shrugged. "They did hound my sister an' her friends fer a while afterward, but now everypony's kinda just gotten used ta havin' them around."
"Good for them, I suppose." Sol Do resumed striking the ground. She carved out a large section of dirt and used her magic to dig it out. She resumed talking while sorting through the dirt for gems. "Getting back to my question, what do you think of them? I would assume you're not jealous like I am?"
"Ah ain't jealous," Big Mac confirmed, smiling large. "Like Ah said, I'm mighty proud to be able ta say my little sister is a hero."
"And you never feel undercut because of that?" Sol Do picked out a sparkling blue gem from the dirt load and set it down beside her. "I can't imagine you're any less qualified to be a Bearer of Harmony than your sister."
"Ah'm sure I could'a been just as good of an Element Bearer as Applejack," Big Mac replied. He took a moment to dig up another load of dirt. "All that matters is Equestria was saved, an' Ah'm fine with not bein' a part of it." He gave her a frown. "Do y'all feel undercut?"
Sol Do set aside another gem, shrugging. "A little bit."
"Well, Ah can't change how ya feel, but I'll tell ya one thing; deeds of heroism are what get y'all remembered, true, but don't think y'all have ta save Equestria from eternal night to be a hero. There's all kinds of things a pony can do that'd be considered heroic, even if it's something as simple as being a good person to those around them." He smiled again. "Ah know for a fact that yer that much from what little time we've spent together. Yer a hero to me, Sol Do."
Sol Do went rigid in response to those last words. Her heart went aflutter and a small blush crept across her cheeks, which she quickly realized would stand out prominently against her white coat and turned away from Big Mac.
"Hey, Sol Do?" Big Mac said, frowning again. "Are y'all okay?"
"I-I'm fine, Big Mac," she replied. Oh my gosh, he really just said that! "Just⋯give me a second to⋯to⋯" C'mon, think up an excuse! "⋯Wait, where'd my gems go!?"
Big Mac trotted up alongside her. Looking over her shoulder, he saw that, indeed, the gems she'd already found were missing. In their place, to his horror, was a small hole.
"It's the diamond dogs," Big Mac whispered. "They're here."
"Really?" Sol Do's blush disappeared, replaced by an astonished expression. "Wait, what about your--" She turned around, only to stop upon seeing Big Mac's pile of gems had disappeared as well, replaced by another, even bigger, hole. "Sonuva--!"
"Let go you brutes!"
Sol Do and Big Mac turned to see their relatives engaged in a struggle over their amassed gem horde with a couple of diamond dogs. Both sides pulled at the wagon with great force, neither willing to surrender, but the advantage of having more dexterous paws instead of hooves saw to it that the canines were slowly winning the impromptu tug-of-war. Nevertheless, Applejack and Rarity refused to give up, holding determined expressions along with the wagon.
"Hang on y'all!" Sol Do called. Levitating her pogo-axe alongside herself, she shot off toward them. "Imma comin'!"
She'd only made it halfway when she suddenly tripped, falling flat on her face and receiving a bloody muzzle as a consequence. She quickly shook herself off and glanced back to find a canine paw coming out of the ground and grabbing her fetlock. The dirt around it rose up and fell away as the dog it belonged to stood up, looking down at her with a sinister grin.
"You'll make a great worker for us!" it said in a scratchy voice.
Sol Do didn't reply, instead choosing to levitate her pogo-axe around to attempt to hook around the canine's neck. Her effort proved unsuccessful, for the mutt grabbed it out of the air with his free paw before it could connect with his neck. With a firm jolt, he slammed it into the ground between them, wedging it well and good into a crack in a show of great strength.
Sol Do gulped in response, but continued to struggle to break free regardless. The Dog didn't let up, keeping his strong hold on her, almost effortlessly. He sniggered in glee, and moved to drag her into the ground when a tall shadow fell across him, to which he spun around in shock. The last thing he saw before unconsciousness took hold was a brief flash of red and orange.
"Are y'all okay Sol Do?" Big Mac asked, reaching a hoof down to help her up.
"Y-Yeah, I'm okay," she stuttered, accepting his hoof and righting herself. She pulled her pogo-axe out of the ground and brought it to her side. "Thanks a bunch fer savin' me."
"No problem," he replied with a smile. "Now let's help out Rares and my sister."
Sol Do was about to agree, but paused as a sudden thought came to her mind. An eager smile stretched over her muzzle as she realized she now had another chance to impress Big Macintosh.
"Y'all just leave it ta me!" she said with great enthusiasm.
Big Mac watched with confusion as Sol Do stepped onto her pogo-axe and turned to face the remaining two diamond dogs. Sol Do's eager smile turned mischievous as she picked up some momentum and began bouncing her way across the ground toward them, Big Mac remaining speechless all the while, merely watching with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
Meanwhile, Rarity, Applejack, and the dogs were too busy pulling with declining strength to notice Sol Do approaching.
"Why can't you uncouth ruffians just get your own gems?" Rarity said in between grunts of exertion. "There's enough here for all of us!"
"Gems belong to dog packs," one of the canines answered, straining to keep his paws firmly secured on the wagon. "Only dog packs may keep gems."
"Quit bein' greedy hogs and go away for goodness sake!" Applejack yelled.
"Never!" the dogs replied in unison.
"Ah beg ta differ!"
Before anyone could so much as locate the voice's origin, the dog straight across from Applejack suddenly let go of the wagon in response to Sol Do's Pogo-axe slamming on his head from above. The dog fell to the ground, rasping at the sharp pain lancing through his head, while the other dog fell forward on his stomach, his lone strength outmatched by the two mares as they pulled the wagon away from him.
Sol Do bounced off the first dog's head and landed next to Rarity and Applejack with a series of soft bounces, eventually coming to a stop and retracting her Pogo-axe. "Are y'all okay?" she asked them.
"Yeah, Ah'm good," Applejack answered, panting lightly.
"And I as well," Rarity followed, panting heavily.
Sol Do nodded her affirmative, then turned to the last conscious diamond dog as he rose to his feet. "Y'all wanna go another round?' she asked cockily, twirling her pogo-axe around with her magic.
The Dog shook his head frantically. "No, no, we'll leave," he said.
"Good ta hear," Sol Do replied. She waved a hoof dismissively. "Now skedaddle."
"Yes ma'am!" The dog quickly dived back into the hole, but resurfaced a few moments later with a sheepish smile. "Could you um, help with my--"
"Already on it," Big Macintosh said as he approached. Draped across his back was the dog that he'd knocked unconscious earlier. He stepped up to the hole and gently lowered the unconscious canine to his friend, who let him slide down the hole without so much as touching him. A distant thud was heard a moment later down the hole.
"Y'all better think twice 'fore pullin' something like this again," Sol Do said as she levitated the remaining dog to the hole. It too fell down without any help from its brethren. "Am Ah makin' myself clear, now?"
The dog nodded, its expression comparable to that of a foal caught making mischief by their parents.
"Good, we'll be on our way as well." Sol Do turned and walked up to the wagon. Hitching it to herself, she called back to the others, "C'mon now, y'all, Ah think we've got enough fer today, don't 'cha think!?"
The other three ponies shared a glance before following after Sol Do, giving the dog a few over-the-shoulder glares as they caught up to her.
"Thanks for helping us, Sol Do," Rarity said, giving her cousin an earnest smile.
"Don't mention it, cuz," Sol Do replied, returning her smile. "But Ah wouldn't've been able to if'n Big Mac didn't save me." She turned to him with a thankful, yet sultry expression. "Y'all walloped him real good."
"Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "No canine varmints are gonna foalnap any of my friends while Ah'm around."
So he considers me a friend, huh? Sol Do nodded slightly in affirmation of her progress. Good, now to further my objective.
"Yer brother's a real dependable stallion, AJ," she said, turning to Applejack. The orange mare regarded her with an expression of disinterest, which Sol Do returned with one of cheekiness. "Does that run in the family, or is he just special like that?"
Applejack's lips curled up into a smile. "Wouldn't you like ta know?" she teased.
"I would, indeed," Sol Do replied, complimenting her cheeky expression with a quirked eyebrow. "In fact--" She returned her gaze to Big Macintosh, her cheeky grin changing to a friendly smile, "--why don't we spend some more time together, just the two of us? I had a grand time today with you, and I'd be perfectly happy to join you for whatever activities that you may appreciate my company."
Big Mac regarded her with a blank expression for a moment, followed by a friendly smile of his own. "That depends; are y'all up fer more chores?"
"Indeed I am," Sol Do replied, while thinking to herself, Well, nopony ever said courting was easy.
"Good, cause Ah've got an order ta deliver to a Cajun swamp village a ways from Ponyville, and it's nestled in what's probably the only place that can rival the Everfree for the most hazardous section of land in Equestria. After seein' ya take out them dogs, Ah think y'all would make a pretty decent bodyguard."
Sol Do's eyes lit up as she struggled to contain an excited yelp. Her heartbeat began hammering in her chest, and her mind went abuzz with all the possibilities if this would entail them being alone together.
"Why, I'd be honored to act as your bodyguard," she drawled out after a momentary silence.
"Good ta hear," Big Mac said.
A flutter in her heart, Sol Do turned to Applejack, surprised the orange mare hadn't reacted to her brother's offer. "No objection from you?" she whispered to her, cocking an eyebrow.
Applejack looked downcast before whispering back, "Ah'm mighty sorry, Sol Do."
Sol Do cocked her other brow. "Pardon?"
Applejack sighed and turned to her brother and Rarity. "You two go on ahead, I wanna talk with Sol Do privately for a bit."
Rarity and Big Mac nodded, the former winking at Applejack, before continuing toward Ponyville.
Sol Do gave Applejack a curious stare. "Y'all seem a might bit different in yer approach this time, Applejack," she mused.
"That's because Ah wanna apologize for how I've been treatin' ya." Applejack looked downcast again. "Ah treated y'all pretty bad over the past few days, which was wrong through and through, 'specially since you're related to Rarity." She gave Sol Do a pleading stare. "Can y'all forgive me?"
Sol Do was taken aback by the unexpected apology, evidenced by the surprised expression she wore in response. She let Applejack's words sink in before replying with a confused, "What made y'all change yer mind?"
Applejack gave a small smile. "Rarity," she answered.
Sol Do tilted her head. "What'd she do?"
"She gave me a right proper talkin' to is what she did," Applejack said with a snort.
"Well, that's all well and good, and I forgive you," Sol Do replied.
"Thanks," Applejack said, relief evident in her tone.
"But why've ya been so vehemently against my crush on yer brother." Sol Do resumed her curious stare. "Bein' protective is one thing, but y'all've been acting like Ah'm a crazed lunatic straight out of an insane asylum or somethin'."
A sheepish grin formed over Applejack's muzzle and she chuckled softly. Sol Do merely frowned at the reaction before rolling her eyes.
"Well, no matter," she said, and resumed walking. Applejack followed alongside, keeping a few paces of distance between them out of respect. "Long as yer done treatin' me like a crook, we'll get along jus' fine from here on out."
"Ah don't plan on doing so anymore," Applejack said. "In return, can Ah just get some reassurance from ya that you'll drop this crush stuff if'n my brother ain't interested?"
"Sure, sure, I'll drop it," Sol Do promised, then flashed Applejack a shit-eating grin. "But don't expect me to give it merely one hundred percent. Oh no, I'll be operating at three hundred percent romantic capacity by the time I finally throw in the towel. Mark. My. Words." And with that, she turned ahead.
Applejack had to physically shake herself to break from the stupor Sol Do's words put her into.
Are all the mares in Rarity's family this plum stir crazy!? she wondered, feeling a discomforting dread creep upon her. As she crested a hill which overlooked Ponyville, the rest of the group having begun their descent down, a sudden, frightening thought crossed her mind, making her shudder. And ta think, she's gonna buy a second house here. |
Sol Don Him | "It's gonna hit!" | "Hoowee, y'all sure weren't kiddin' 'bout this place bein' downright deadly!" Sol Do exclaimed, eyeing the surrounding swampland, wide-eyed with shock.
"Eeyup," Big Mac replied, shifting the straw in his mouth. He glanced over at Sol Do with a raised brow. "Y'all got yer boots strapped on nice an' tight?"
Sol Do lifted her legs up one by one for him to see, each one covered by a black, flame-retardant boot. "Y'all wanna check an' see fer yourself?" she asked, her eyes going half-lidded.
"Nah, Ah trust ya," Big Mac replied with a smile. "Now let's get goin'."
The two set off into the swamp, Big Macintosh pulling the delivery cart while Sol Do kept to his side, twirling her pogo-axe in her magic and keeping her eyes peeled for danger.
To Sol Do, the swamp looked like something from an end-of-world scenario. Every tree in sight was either dead or twisted and dead, with branches that looked ready to reach out and grab her. The whole environment was tinted a burnt orange, a direct result of all the fire geysers strewn throughout the swamp. The scent of burning peat kept invading Sol Do's nostrils as she walked, eventually forcing her to limp along at a three-legged gait while she held a fore leg over her muzzle in disgust, bringing her to the same speed as Big Mac, who kept his gaze straight ahead while only occasionally sparing Sol Do an aside glance to make sure she was alright. He smiled cheekily upon noticing her discomfort.
"This place..." Sol Do trailed off. She turned to Big Mac, who quickly cast his eyes upward to look innocent. "How many times did you have to go through here to get used to the smell?"
"Never bothered ta count," Big Mac replied with a shrug. "But yeah, it was a lot."
"If only I was as used to it as you..." Sol Do briefly trailed off before lifting her hoof away from her muzzle. The swamp's awful smell immediately assaulted her nostrils, but she resisted the temptation to cover her muzzle again. She took a deep breath, the horrid swamp air making her gag slightly, and held her mouth closed. You can get through this, Sol Do, just be diligent and it'll all come to pass before you know it.
The two followed the designated path for about an hour. Every now and then a fire geyser spewed up nearby their position, including one instance where it came right underneath Sol Do's hind legs, startling her and making her drop her pogo-axe.
"Are y'all okay!?" Big Mac said with worry.
"Y-Yeah, I-I-I'm fine," Sol Do stuttered. Her entire body trembled while the sudden burst of adrenaline subsided, and she let out a long-winded sigh before picking her pogo-axe back up. "Just a little spooked is all."
Big Mac took a moment to inspect Sol Do's person for burns. Finding none, he gave her an appreciative smile. "Good thing y'all were wearin' them boots, otherwise you'd have been burned to a crisp," he said.
"Yeah, thanks fer givin' them ta me," Sol Do said with a blush before they resumed their journey.
The farther they traveled into the swamp, the more Sol Do became increasingly curious and concerned about one particular detail about their surroundings. Namely, how they hadn't seen a single form of fauna all throughout their journey. Granted, she couldn't think of anything that would want to live in such a foul swamp, but she still found it strange that they hadn't seen a single animal, even dangerous ones like a timberwolf or a manticore, creatures she would've expected to see in such a foreboding place.
"Big Mac?" she said suddenly.
He turned to her. "Yes?"
"In all the times you've come through here, did y'all ever see any wildlife?" Sol Do looked all around them. "Cause Ah haven't seen a single critter since we entered, and, quite frankly, it's a little... no, it's very unsettling."
Big Mac looked up in thought. "...Ya know, come ta think of it, Ah don't recall ever seein' any critters here," he said, then looked on either side of them, as well as behind, before giving Sol Do a curious stare. "Y'all think that means somethin'?"
"I've heard that smaller animals will vacate an area in which bigger predators are known to hunt." Sol Do looked worriedly around them while subconsciously holding her pogo-axe up a bit higher. "I don't know what kind of animal might live in such a wretched place, but it's still unnerving that we haven't seen even a small trace of other wildlife..." Her eyes roamed their surroundings, attempting to pick out any oddities amongst the nightmarish landscape that could indicate a predator's presence. "...You don't think we're being stalked, do you Big Mac?"
Big Mac opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted when a sudden, faint noise reached their ears, which perked up in response.
"What was that?" Big Mac asked, suddenly alarmed.
"I don't know," Sol Do replied with a shake of her head, eyes wide with fear. "And, maybe it's just my paranoia speaking, but did it sound like someone... whispering?"
"They're on to us!"
Both ponies jumped at the sudden exclamation from behind them. They whirled around in a flash, and what they saw made their eyes shrink to pinpricks. Emerging from a brush they'd passed only a few seconds ago, was a creature that both ponies could only describe as being unnatural. It was made up of three distinctly different animal bodies: a tiger, a goat, and a snake, all mish-mashed together in a textbook display of asymmetry. The former two made up the main body, while the snake was a very literal tail that curled around to join the other two in staring at the two ponies with hungry, predatory eyes as the tri-beast ripped through the brush with its front tiger claws.
"What the hay is that thing?" Sol Do whispered to Big Mac through her mouth's corner once she snapped back to her senses.
"Don't know," he whispered back, then gulped. "But whatever it is, it don't look like it's hungry fer apple pie."
The hybrid creature stopped within a few yards' length of them, switching their three separate gazes between the two ponies, sizing them up. They paid particular attention to Sol Do's pogo-axe, but they seemed more curious about it than actually concerned. Sol Do and Big Mac could only tense under their collective gaze, the hairs on their necks standing up with fright.
"I'd stay where you are," the tiger head finally said. "This is the only safe spot around here."
Sol Do and Big Mac gave each other an aside glance before briefly looking around at the nightmarish swampland surrounding them. A slight tinge of confusion mixed with their fright at the monster's words.
"How is this spot safe?" Sol Do managed to croak out.
"Oh, we just mean from the flames," the tiger head clarified, giving her a smug, toothy grin.
"Yeah, not from us," the goat head added with its own grin.
"Better ussss than the flamessss," the snake tail put in, narrowing its eyes at the two ponies.
"Well, we're good against the flames," Sol Do said with an uneasy smile as she wiggled one of her boot-clad hooves for emphasis. "A-And we're just passin' through ta make a delivery, so we'll be gone 'fore ya know it." She took a few hesitant steps backward, to which Big Mac followed, an uneasy smile creasing his own muzzle. The cart dragged along with him, becoming an obstacle between them and the monster. "Really, there's no need fer trouble. Right?"
Her words proved fruitless as the monster began following them, heads low and teeth bared as low growls emanated from the tiger and goat heads and a soft hiss from the snake tail.
"We haven't eaten in days," the tiger head growled.
"We'll eat anything," the goat head added. "That much we agree on."
"We've never tassssted pony hide before," the snake tail finished. "But it ssssoundssss delicioussss."
Sol Do and Big Mac gulped in unison as they increased their backward pace. The monster just picked up its own pace in response, the look of hunger in each pair of its eyes growing more pronounced and terrifying to the ponies.
"Y'all think ya can take it on?" Big Mac whispered to Sol Do.
"No, quite frankly, I do not think that I can take it on," she replied with frightened conviction. "Taking on a diamond dog is one thing, but taking on a hybrid freak of nature as big as that thing is above my limits." Sol Do briefed a glance behind her to make sure they weren't backing into an obstacle. Seeing none, she turned to Big Mac. "Here's an idea; give them the pies."
Big Mac turned to her with a befuddled expression. "Pardon?"
"You heard me, give them the pies." Sol Do glanced at the cart separating them from the hybrid creature. "They said they're hungry enough that they'll eat anything; better the pies than us."
Big Mac briefly stared at her before looking at the cart with a forlorn gaze. Sol Do noticed his eyes slightly water up before he scrunched them closed, a look of distress coming over his face. Knowing how much the Apple family prided itself in being dependable providers, Sol Do stopped and laid a comforting hoof on his withers. Big Mac stopped as well and turned to regard her with a look akin to that of somepony attending a loved one's funeral. Sol Do gave him a sympathetic smile before turning to the monster with a resolute gaze.
"If y'all are so hungry," she said, trying her best to sound confident despite the fear coursing through her veins, "why don't ya help yourself to the delicious apple pies in there." She gestured with her head to the cart.
The monster's three parts stopped and stared blankly for a moment before turning to give the cart a scrutinizing gaze.
"Apple... pies?" the tiger half intoned.
"We've never heard of those," the goat half followed up.
"Are they delicioussss?" the snake tail finished.
"Oh, are they ever!" Sol Do exclaimed, proceeding toward the cart. "The Apple family, of which that dashing stallion belongs to--" she gestured with her head to Big Mac while giving him a wink which the stallion could only smile nervously at, "--makes the best Apple foods in all of Equestria. If'n ya love apples, then you'll definitely love anythin' and everythin' that comes outta their kitchen." She clutched the cloth wrapped over the cart with her teeth and pulled it off with a few good tugs, revealing the white boxes carrying Apple family apple pies stacked underneath. She then set down her pogo-axe, freeing her magic to levitate one of the boxes over to the monster, and opened it.
All three of the monster's heads crowded around to look at the warm pastry placed inside. The pie's scent was quick to invade their nostrils, and their eyes widened in response to its savory aroma. Their tongues fell out almost comically, little bits of saliva running out and dropping to the ground.
"That smell..." the tiger head drawled.
"So good..." the goat head followed.
"Musssst have..." the snake tail hissed.
"Help yourselves," Big Mac said with a sigh as he unhitched the cart from himself.
What followed was a cacophony of shredded cardboard, vicious chomps, and arguing as the three parts tore the box apart and fought to claim the apple pie within for themselves. Cardboard scraps, crust pieces, and apple bits flew everywhere as their ravenous assault saw to the pie's demise in less than five seconds.
"Mmm-mmm! That was delicious!" the tiger head said, licking its lips clean.
"I concur," the goat head followed with a brilliant gleam in its eyes.
"Quit talking!" the snake tail shouted. "There'ssss more piessss to devour!"
Sol Do and Big Mac leapt aside as the monster jumped atop the cart and resumed its assault on the remaining pies it contained. With the monster's attention fully on the pies, the ponies took off running back the way they'd come, sparing a few glances back in case the monster began chasing them.
They continued running all the way out of the swamp, coming out onto a beautiful green pasture overlooking the east side of Ponyville. Sweet Apple Acres could be seen in the distance, just over a few hills at the end of a dirt path leading to Ponyville. The distant figures of Apple Bloom and Granny Smith with a thin wisp of smoke rising from a pot in between them could be seen next to the barn. Both ponies briefly paused to catch their breath upon crossing the border, after which Sol Do glanced back into the swamp, feeling relieved upon seeing nothing was following them.
"I think we're safe now," she said, only to get no reply. Turning to him, Sol Do frowned at the despair in Big Mac's features as he looked sullenly at the ground. She placed a comforting hoof on his withers and gave him a sympathetic gaze. "I'm sorry about the pies, Big Mac."
Big Mac said nothing as he looked up at the distant form of his family's property with a sad gleam in his eyes. Sol Do noticed this, and upon realizing what he was thinking, stepped in front of him so he could see the sympathy in her own eyes. She lifted a hoof to caress his cheek, giving it a light stroke as she continued speaking.
"I'm terribly sorry I couldn't get us safely through. When I agreed to be your bodyguard, I hadn't thought I'd actually need to fight something, but I was prepared to nonetheless should the need arise." Letting out a heavy sigh, she cast her gaze downward. "That is, assuming whatever we encountered wasn't the size of a wagon, or had three heads. I wish I could say taking on creatures that big are within my capability to fight, but I know my limits, and such creatures aren't included in them."
Big Mac looked down at her just as Sol Do finished. "I really am sorry Big Mac, and I hope you'll believe me when I say I want to make it up to you."
A few moments of silence passed between them, during which time Sol Do couldn't bring herself to look up out of uncertainty as to Big Mac's reaction. Only when she felt a hoof on her withers did she look up to see him giving her a soft smile, making Sol Do blush slightly and look aside in response.
"Let's just get back and break the news to my family," he said plainly. "If'n y'all wanna make it up ta me, you can start by helpin' me with that at least."
A quick nod of affirmation from Sol Do and the two set off toward Sweet Apple Acres.
"So, Granny Smith, are we almost done?" Apple Bloom said, looking into the boiling cauldron with a curious, yet excited gaze.
"Cool yer caboose, whipper-snapper!" Granny Smith said, nudging her granddaughter away from the cauldron. "We've still gotta stir the darned thing 'fore servin' it!"
"Oh yeah, can I do that part?"
"Course ya can!" Granny Smith said gleefully. "Long as ya don't mind usin' a timberwolf's femur ta do it!"
Apple Bloom bounced. "You betcha Ah ca--wait, what's a 'fee-mur'?"
Granny Smith chuckled and gave her the branch she was holding. "Never you mind that, young'un. Jus' stir the pot in spirals while singin' "The Apple Tree's Shadow" to it."
Apple Bloom stared blankly for a moment before shrugging and taking the branch in her mouth. She walked up to the pot and dipped the branch inside, then began stirring exactly as Granny Smith had instructed. She quickly noticed that everywhere the branch went, the cider surrounding it would turn a sparkling shade of dark green.
Zap apples are weird, she mused internally.
"Hey y'all!"
Granny Smith and Apple Bloom turned to see Applejack heading their way from the front gate, pulling an empty cart behind her.
"Hey'a shere zis!" Apple Bloom called around the branch. Setting it aside the pot for a second, she followed up with, "Back from the market already!?"
"Uh-huh!" Applejack called back. "An' boy howdy, the townsfolk sure were eager ta buy our apples today!"
"Land's sakes Applejack!" Granny Smith called. "Didja sell off every single apple in stock!?"
"Ah sure did, Granny," Applejack replied. She walked over to the barn's side and unhitched the cart before heading over to her family while carrying a small, bulging manilla sack in her mouth, soft jingling sounds emanating from it all the while. She dropped the sack at Granny's hooves, freeing her mouth for a smug grin. "Easy as apple pie, it was."
"You young'uns and yer egos," Granny Smith said, giving Applejack a playful nudge with her hoof. "Well, all's good s'long as ya made the bits fair and square."
"Don't worry, I did," Applejack replied, then glanced around the farm a few times. "So, Big Mac an' Sol Do back yet?"
"Nope, they ain't back yet," Granny Smith said as she reached down to grab the bit sack with her teeth, "but my gut says they'll be back soon." She was about to clutch the sack when a slight movement in the distance caught her attention. Squinting to see it better, she smiled. "Good ta know my gut ain't failin' me yet."
Applejack raised an eyebrow as she turned around, only for her face to light upon seeing the distant forms of her older brother and Rarity's cousin following the dirt path toward the farm. Their cart was empty, as expected, but as they grew closer Applejack noticed saddened expressions on their faces, and their descent seemed to grow increasingly sluggish, almost even hesitant, to Applejack's eyes.
Granny Smith noticed this too. "Wonder what's eatin' them?" she whispered to Applejack.
"Ah don't know, Granny," Applejack replied, shaking her head. "But we'll know in a minute, I guess."
They watched as Sol Do and Big Mac finished descending the hill and approached the gate, Sol Do opening it with her magic to let Big Mac through. He appeared to say 'thanks', but continued to hold his gloomy expression, as did she. They appeared to share another moment of discussion before trodding toward the barn, with Big Mac making a brief detour to drop off his cart alongside Applejack's before re-joining Sol Do. Neither of them once met either Granny or Applejack's gaze as they slowly, sullenly, approached them.
"Uh... are you two, like... okay?" Applejack asked, her rising sense of awkwardness mixed with concern for them making itself obvious in her tone.
They remained silent for a moment before Sol Do turned to Big Mac and asked him, "Y'all wanna let me spill it ta them?", to which he simply nodded in response.
"Spill what to us?" Granny Smith asked, suspicion evident in her tone.
Sol Do gave Apple Bloom, who was still stirring the cauldron while singing the instructed song, a brief glance before beckoning Applejack and Granny Smith a bit farther away from the little filly. Once she was sure they were outside of Apple Bloom's hearing range, Sol Do continued.
"I'm terribly sorry, both of you," she said, looking between Granny and AJ, "but the truth is... we didn't deliver the apple pies. Or, I should say, couldn't deliver them."
"'Couldn't'?" Applejack parroted, raising a curious brow. "Why not? An' iff'n y'all didn't deliver 'em, where'd they go?"
"We ran into a monster in the swamp just before the village," Sol Do explained. "Freakish thing, too. Part tiger, part goat and part snake, and each one could talk all on its own. They admitted to stalking us with the intent of making us their next meal. We only escaped by letting them have the pies instead."
"Wait, seriously!?" Applejack said, eyes wide with shock as she turned to Big Macintosh. "Is that true, Big Mac?"
"Eeyup," he replied with a sigh.
"Good gravy, ain't never there been monsters in that swamp in all my years livin' 'round here," Granny Smith said with as much amazement as could be conveyed in her brittle old voice, "much less freaky hybrid ones. Back in my day, monsters, no matter how weird they were, had the decency ta stick to one identity. What kind'a creature has three separate heads like that anyway!?"
Applejack tilted her head in thought. "... Ah think Twilight might'a said somethin' about creatures made up of different animals bein' called--what was it... chimeras?"
"Whatever they're called, we had to feed it the pies to keep from being eaten ourselves." Sol Do looked down with her eyes closed in a show of admittance as she continued. "Well, actually, it was my idea to give'em the pies. If either of you's mad, don't blame Big Mac for this. It was all my fault, honestly."
All was silent for a few moments, broken only by Apple Bloom's singing a few yards away. Sol Do could feel everyone else's collective gaze on her, but didn't know whether they were filled with anger or sympathy. She felt too ashamed to even look up and check. She'd been tasked with protecting not just Big Mac, but the pies as well along the journey, and failed out of cowardice. She knew that monster, or 'chimera' if Applejack was correct, was beyond her capacity to fight, but the sting of failure hurt in spite of that truth.
Finally, Applejack broke the silence. "Sol Do, look at me, please."
Hesitantly, she complied, and was relieved to see that Applejack looked none too pissed off at her. In fact, Sol Do thought she could see the beginning of a tear in Applejack's eyes as she continued.
"Don't you dare blame yourself fer losin' the pies. Iff'n what y'all say is true, an' Ah can tell that it is, I know I would've done the same thin'. Am I upset? Heck yeah, but not one bit at you. No siree, the only thing I'm mad at is that now Ah've gotta find a way to get across that swamp with both myself and them Cajun ponies' order intact. But at least Ah made 'nough bits today ta make up fer that loss."
Applejack paused for a moment as she laid a hoof over Sol Do's withers. "Ah don't know if I can ever give ya enough thanks fer savin' my brother, so I'll just say it to ya straight." A warm, genuine smile crossed her muzzle, and the tear in her eyes dropped to the ground. "Thank you for saving my brother, Sol Do."
"Same here," Granny Smith added as she joined in on the hug, followed by Big Mac.
Sol Do felt some mixed emotions swell up inside her in response. She felt excited that Big Mac was making physical contact with her, but also surprised and a little relieved that the Apple family held no ill will towards her for what happened. Another part of her still felt concerned for Applejack in response to her statement about making the trip through the swamp herself and facing down the chimera. In the end, she decided to return the hug with a smile, intentionally snuggling closer into Big Mac's grip.
The hug lasted for a few moments before Apple Bloom's voice called out to them.
"Hey'a, Granny Smith! What's it mean when the cider's givin' off bolts like this!?"
Granny Smith pulled out of the hug and made way towards her granddaughter. "Sounds like it's ready fer servin', then!" she answered.
"What's happenin' now?" Sol Do asked.
"Y'all wanted a taste of Zap Apple Cider, remember, Miss Sol Do?" Apple Bloom asked, running up to her while Granny Smith inspected the pot. "Granny Smith an' I've been makin' some since the day before yesterday!"
"Oh yeah, I remember." Sol Do gave the pot a cursory glance before turning to Big Macintosh. "How's about another picnic, jus' the two of us?" she asked, then gave him a challenging stare. "Think y'all can drink me under a table, big guy?"
Big Mac's eyes widened with surprise for a moment at Sol Do's sudden challenge before settling into a determined grin as he locked gazes with her, the air between them ripe with intensity.
"Eeyup," he finally replied.
"Now hold on there you two," Applejack said, stepping between them and giving Big Mac a furrowed gaze. "Y'all know our rule 'bout drinkin' Zap Apple Cider; sips only."
"And why might that be?" Sol Do asked, puzzled.
"'Cause this stuff's stronger 'n a pack of oxen buffed up on protein shakes!" Granny Smith said, looking up from the pot. She gestured for them to come over, which they did, Sol Do looking at the pot with a skeptical eye all the while. "How tolerant would ya say you are, Miss Do?"
Sol Do gave a dismissive wave. "Ah've drank more'n I can remember without losin' my head." She peered into the pot, scrutinizing the boiling cider within, unmindful of the electric zaps arcing across the bubbly surface. "Ah'm pretty sure I can take this 'ere cider like the tolerant mare that Ah am."
"Suit yourself, young'un," Granny Smith said with a shrug. "Don't say Ah didn't warn ya, though."
Sol Do rolled her eyes. "Sure." She turned to Big Mac. "So, ya down fer tonight? Maybe around seven o'clockish?"
Big Mac lowered himself so he was eye to eye with Sol Do, his challenging gaze never wavering. "Bring. It. On."
Apple Bloom blinked, then whispered to Applejack. "Is this a normal thing fer grown-ups?"
Applejack sighed, letting a wistful smile, directed to no one in particular, stretch across her muzzle before replying, "Only among our friends 'n family." |
Sol Don Him | The Inevitable Sinking | Dusk was rapidly approaching as Sol Do and Big Macintosh walked across the Apple orchard en route to a hill for their drinking picnic. Sol Do had decided to leave her pogo-axe back at Rarity's boutique and instead used her magic to carry the picnic basket packed with two cider bottles, the clanging sounds of glass against glass they made being interspersed with small, barely perceptible electric zaps. Big Mac walked alongside her, carrying the picnic blanket on his back, in which a pair of rubber hoof mits was stuffed.
"My, the nighttime sky sure is lovely here in Ponyville," Sol Do noted, gazing upwards in awe at the twinkling stars.
"Eeyup," Big Mac said, turning to look at her. "But don't y'all see it back home?"
"The Cresentine mountains make that rather difficult," Sol Do explained. She absently fell into step just behind Big Mac, to which he glanced back with an amused smile as she continued. "All the more reason I'm glad to be purchasing a second house here."
"Ah suppose y'all are gonna be spendin' more time 'round the farm when that happens?" Big Mac inquired.
"Count on it, handsome," Sol Do replied absentmindedly. She quickly realized what she'd said and nervously shot her gaze toward Big Mac, thankful upon seeing he wasn't off-put by her statement. Mental note; keep a tighter lip.
The two continued on their trek through the orchard until they reached the hill. The sun was on the cusp of setting as they climbed up and settled down for their picnic. Sol Do opened the basket and levitated the cider bottles out, passing one to Big Mac.
"So, how many times have y'all drank this stuff?' Sol Do asked, giving her bottle a cursory examination. A few arcs of electricity shot across the surface inside, sending a slight tingle through her horn. She smiled at the pleasant feeling it gave her.
"Couple'a times," Big Mac replied. He used his teeth to pry off the bottle cap and spit it into the picnic basket. "We normally don't bother since plain Apple Cider is just as tasty. Only when we wanna get smashed do we bring this 'ere stuff out."
"Speakin' of which," Sol Do said as she popped the cap off of her own bottle, also tossing it into the basket, "how 'bout we have a little drinkin' game?"
"Ain't that what we were gonna do anyway?" Big Mac asked with a playful smirk.
"I mean we should add another element to it," Sol Do clarified, a smirk crossing her own mouth. "Something to make this a little more interesting than just 'drink til we drop'."
Big Mac thought for a moment, then nodded. "Whaddya have in mind?"
"Here, I'll show you through example," Sol Do said. "Ask me a question about anything. Just make sure it concerns me and can be answered with either a simple 'yes' or 'no'."
Big Mac stared for a moment before scrunching up his face as he pondered what to ask. "Have you ever been injured on the job?" he asked eventually.
"Indeed I have," Sol Do replied, and raised the bottle to her mouth. "And because of that, I'm now required to take a shot." She pressed the bottle to her mouth and allowed a sip of the electrical liquid to pour down her gullet. It sent another, stronger, tingly feeling down her throat and into her stomach where it turned into a strange, but still welcome, warm and fuzzy sensation. "Oh wow, this stuff really is that strong," she murmured.
"So, we have ta drink only if we can answer 'yes'?" Big Mac asked.
"Yuh huh."
"Well... what's ta stop either of us from givin' a false answer?"
Sol Do raised a brow while leveling a curious, yet playfully challenging, stare at him. "I seem to recall a certain big red stallion claiming he could've been an acceptable Bearer of Honesty just yesterday." She smiled at the slightly sheepish look Big Mac gave her in return while continuing. "As for me, I just took a shot of this stuff willingly, but if you still doubt I'll be wholly truthful, feel free to ask about stuff that's extremely likely to have happened to me."
Big Mac considered this before nodding and settling down onto the blanket, grasping his cider bottle with a hoof and pulling it closer. "Alright then, let's do it," he said plainly.
"Splendid!" Sol Do exclaimed, smiling wide as her eyes lit with excitement. "Now, how's about Ah go first, since I jus' took a shot?"
Big Mac nodded, letting a small, challenging smirk cross his lips. "Shoot."
"Oh, I plan to."
With that, the two raised their bottles and clinked them against each other, a small electrical zap lancing through the air between them as they did.
Sol Do took a moment to ponder her first question. "Have you ever hit somepony out of impulse?"
Big Mac looked downcast for a moment, then sighed and put the bottle to his lips, taking a small sip. He waited until the tingly feeling passed before asking, "Ah don't have ta tell ya the story, do I?"
"No no," Sol Do said with a shake of her head. "Everything we imply can, and probably should, remain strictly confidential. I won't pressure you to reveal the stories behind your answers if you don't want to."
"Good to know." Big Mac set the bottle down and returned Sol Do's stare. "My turn then... have you ever said something embarrassing while drunk?"
Sol Do barked out a laugh at that. "Maybe if we keep at this long enough!" She settled down and shook her head. "No I haven't, believe it or not. Much as I've gotten drunk in the past, never once have I let my tongue slip."
"Impressive," Big Mac said with a smile.
Oh, you'd better believe it, handsome.
"Alright, next question..."
Unknown to Sol Do and Big Mac, a certain trio of little fillies had followed them through the orchard. They were currently hiding out in some bushes about halfway up the hill, taking turns staring at the two adults through a pair of binoculars.
"We're gonna get in sooooo much trouble if they find us here," Sweetie said, nervously darting her eyes between the adults and her friends.
"And that's why we aren't gonna let that happen," Scootaloo replied without tearing her eyes from the binoculars. "Besides, why should we get in trouble for just watching them?"
"Yeah, why're ya so afraid, Sweetie?" Apple Bloom asked, giving her a concerned stare.
Sweetie gulped, let her eyes rest on the ground for a second, and then returned Apple Bloom's concerned gaze. "Rarity says that ponies who spy on mares and stallions when they're together are bad," she said with a shaky edge to her voice, "... and that they're perverts."
Apple Bloom tilted her head in confusion. "Pur-vurts? What's that mean?"
"I don't know." Sweetie shuddered. "But we're being perverts by watching Miss Do and your brother, and if we're being perverts, that means we're being bad ponies." She capped off her statement by curling up into a feeble position and rocking back and forth while muttering something incoherent to herself.
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, the latter having set down the binoculars in light of the others' conversation, shared a perplexed look before the former shrugged and knelt down to comfort Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom lightly stroked her friend's mane with a hoof as she said, "Don't worry Sweetie Belle, we're not bein' bad ponies."
Sweetie stopped rocking and turned to look up at her in confusion. "We're not?" she asked.
"'Course not!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. She helped Sweetie get back up on her hooves before continuing. "We ain't doin' anythin' bad just by watchin' them. Remember that whole crisis with Cheerilee and Big Mac? We were watching them from inside a bush too, but we didn't get into any trouble by doin' that, did we?'
"No, we didn't," Sweetie muttered. She scuffed the ground with her hoof. "But we did get into trouble for trying to make them fall in love with each other."
"Yeah, but not for just watching them," Scootaloo said, waving her hoof dismissively. "And hey, it's not like we can get in trouble if they don't find us, so all we gotta do is stay hidden and everything's gonna be A OK."
"I guess..." Sweetie muttered. She was still unsure about what they were doing, but her friends did make a valid point, so she decided to take them at their word.
"Oooh, maybe that's our special talent!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, eyes lit with excitement. "Bein' perverts!"
"Yeah, maybe it is," Scootaloo said with her own smile.
Sweetie Belle looked unsure. "... I guess?"
"Cutie Mark Crusader perverts! Yay!"
"Oh, wow," Sol Do said, swaying a little as she spoke. Her bottle lay upright on the blanket in front of her, having been set down when she'd become too intoxicated to hold it aloft with her magic. "Y'all weren't kiddin' 'bout this stuff bein' so damn strong."
"Eeyup," Big Mac replied. He wasn't nearly as woozy as Sol Do, but he did feel a little light-headed. "Us Apples don't do anythin' soft... 'cept applesauce."
Sol Do giggled at that. "Yeah, Ah'd imagine that. Can't have hard applesauce, now can ya?"
"Nnope." Big Mac set his own bottle down in front of him before returning his gaze to Sol Do. "Your turn."
Sol Do nodded, then spent the next few moments thinking up a question while trying to keep herself sitting upright. "... Have y'all ever groped a mare 'fore?"
All the color drained from Big Mac's face. "W-w-what?" he stammered.
"You know, 'groped'--" Sol Do turned around so her left flank was on full display, to which Big Mac felt a sudden warmth rush through his cheeks, "--have y'all ever rubbed up against a mare's flank, or nuzzled 'em in a large crowd?"
Big Mac wasted no time in shaking his head vigorously. "No. No, I haven't," he almost shouted. "Well... least not on purpose."
Sol Do harked out a laugh. "It's all fine, then," she said before turning back around. After nearly a dozen shots of Zap Apple Cider, her brain was cloudier than a scheduled rain day. Her eyelids felt extra heavy, making it hard to keep her focus straight forward. The alcohol steadily chipped away at her brain's nerves, as alcohol has a habit of doing, and it took all of her willpower to keep from spilling her amorous desire to Big Mac.
And that willpower was quickly reaching its limit.
"Your turn," Sol Do said, one eyelid going droopy as she spoke.
Big Mac tapped his chin thoughtfully as he pondered his next question.
"... Have y'all ever had a secret crush?"
A heavy silence stretched between the two after that. Sol Do just blankly stared, her gaze seeming to go straight through Big Mac while he waited for her to either say no or take another shot. When she didn't do either right away, he raised a confused brow and made a 'go on' hoof gesture. When this still elicited no response from her, Big Mac sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.
After a few moments of silence, Big Mac was about to ask if Sol Do was okay, when at last she gave a response in the form of a soft giggle. Which turned into a chuckle. Which then turned into a good laugh before Sol Do finally let loose loud hysterics as she clutched her sides and began rolling on the ground like some sort of maniac. Big Mac, for his part, could only watch in a mix of both confusion and fascination.
Finally, Sol Do settled down. She moved back into her original position and, with great effort, used her magic to lift the bottle to her lips. She took another sip of cider, letting it pass down her throat and join its comrades coursing through her bloodstream.
She tore the bottle away with a sharp intake of breath, and gingerly set it back onto the blanket where it proceeded to tip slightly, almost spilling the remaining cider.
"Indeed I have," she answered, woozily. "Still do, actually."
"Must be a real nice guy," Big Mac said with a small smile. "But, uh... why'd ya freak out like that jus' now?"
Sol Do tried to form a coherent response that wouldn't reveal anything to Big Mac, but her last shot of cider had broken through the last of her willpower. "Because... I...I..." Oh, screw this! "It's you!"
Big Mac raised a brow in confusion. "Ah beg yer pardon?"
Sol Do stood up and, wobbling as she walked, closed the distance between them before sitting on her haunches in front of him. Her features boasted an odd mix of both drunken stupor and heartfelt emotion as she stared into Big Mac's eyes while he stared back with equal parts confusion and surprise.
"I thought you were the most gorgeous stallion I'd ever seen when we first met the other day," Sol Do slurred. "And then we got to know each other better, and I knew I wanted you. You're strong, smart, patient, all in addition to being so damn fiiiine." Her head began to feel increasingly light as the alcohol began taking full effect, but she didn't care.
Big Mac, having remained passively silent throughout Sol Do's entire confession, could only watch in shock as she reached up with both hooves and placed one each on his withers, using what little strength she had left to hoist herself up so she was eye level with him, allowing him sight of the glimmer in her eyes. Then she closed her eyes and puckered her lips before leaning forward toward Big Mac's own.
Through Sol Do's alcohol-hazed mind, a small inkling of thought that she was stepping way out of bounds surfaced, only to be drowned beneath a sea of pleasure as the thought of finally getting to kiss her crush gained both dominance and appeal.
If I kiss him real good, maybe he'll return it, then we can make out up here all night long. That'd be nice. Just the two of us, alone, lip-locked under the stars. That's the perfect... first... date...
Big Mac watched as Sol Do stopped just an inch from his lips and passed out onto the blanket, her head making a light thud against the fabric.
All was silent on the hill for a while while Big Mac's brain attempted to restart from its stupor following Sol Do's proclamation. When he eventually regained awareness, he could only sigh in exasperation.
What a pickle...
Big Mac stood up and lifted Sol Do's sleeping form onto his back, surprised at how heavy she was given her lithe figure. After adjusting her straw hat so it wouldn't fall off, and briefing a glance down at the picnic supplies, he turned around and began heading down the hill back towards Ponyville, Sol Do's soft snores emanating behind him as he walked.
Poor gal... how am Ah gonna explain all this ta Rarity?
Suddenly, Big Mac's ears twitched in response to a rustling sound coming from his right. Turning, through the night air, he spotted a faint white outline within a bush. One that was strangely pony shaped.
Curious, he approached the bush and parted the leaves, only to find himself face to face with three familiar little fillies, all of whom wearing the most sheepish grins he'd ever seen.
Apple Bloom gulped. "Y'all aren't mad at us fer bein' perverts, right?" she asked shakily.
Big Mac just rubbed the bridge of his muzzle in agitation before giving Apple Bloom a stern gaze. "We'll talk about this later, sis, 'cause Ah'm a bit busy with somethin' else right now." He looked at each one of them as he continued. "There's a bunch of picnic supplies back up the hill; can Ah rely on y'all ta carry them back ta the farm?"
The Crusaders' eye lit up. "Of course we can!" Scootaloo cheered.
Big Mac nodded, and stepped aside so the three fillies could exit the bush.
"Hey, Big Mac," Sweetie said, having noticed her sleeping cousin on his back, "what happened to Sol Do? Is she hurt?"
Big Mac sighed. "No Sweetie." A frown creased his features as he turned to look back at the sleeping mare. "She's just really, really smashed." |
Sol Don Him | Salvation and Aspirations | The first thing Sol Do felt upon regaining consciousness was the lovely touch of silky smooth bed sheets under her person. The pleasant sensation brought a smile to her lips and she shifted a little to the left, feeling the unmistakable fluffiness of a pillow under her head, and settled deeper into what she recognized as Rarity's guest bed.
She slowly lifted her eyelids open, revealing a white roof and a hint of purple in her eye's right corner. Turning in that direction, she saw a set of purple curtains with tri-diamond marks draped over a window, confirming this to be Rarity's guest room.
Rares might be a Prissy Pete, but she sure knows real hospitality. Sol Do snuggled deeper into the bed. "... Wait a second!" She bolted upright, only to wince as a sharp lance of pain shot through her head, sending her sprawling backward onto the bed. She let loose a loud whinny of agony as the pain churned in her head, leaving Sol Do a shuddering pile under the sheets. "Ooooh," she groaned, clutching her head.
A flurry of hoofsteps sounded out in the hall before stopping at the guest room's door, followed by a series of light knocks and a familiar voice filled with concern. "Sol Do! Darling, are you okay!?"
Sol Do just moaned and shifted in the bed again, unable to form a coherent response through the pain.
"I'm coming in then!" Rarity called.
The door opened, and Sol Do heard her cousin's hoofsteps approach the bed. She felt a warm fetlock drape across her body and turn her so she was making eye contact with Rarity, whose lips were pursed.
"How are you feeling?' Rarity asked.
Sol Do sat up extra carefully. "Like horseapples," she replied, letting out another low moan while pressing a hoof to her forehead. "What happened ta me? Last thing Ah 'member was drinkin' with Big Mac an'..."
"You passed out drunk, darling," Rarity answered. She got up on the bed and gently stroked her cousin through the sheets. "Not before you spilled the beans, however."
Sol Do made a passable attempt at cocking her head to the side in confusion before her eyes widened like saucers in realization. "You don't mean...?"
Rarity nodded once.
Sol Do let out something like a cross between a whimper and a squeal before collapsing back onto the bed, ignoring the new pain spike which shot through her head in response. Her lips trembled as she brought both hooves over her eyes, stalling any further responses for several seconds, all while Rarity never ceased stroking.
"I could just die now," Sol Do finally said, letting her hooves drop a little, allowing Rarity to see how puffy and tear-ridden they'd become. "Really, just let me get struck by lightning so I don't die of embarrassment first."
"Yes, I know that feeling quite well," Rarity soothed, "but the pegasi haven't scheduled a thunderstorm today." She stopped stroking and gave Sol Do a warm smile. "Besides, wouldn't the better solution be to talk it over with Big Mac?"
Sol Do gave her cousin a pointedly deadpan stare. "Do you want me to die?" she asked, her tone only laced with a small hint of sarcasm.
"Oh come now, dear cousin, surely you can't feel that humiliated!?" Rarity returned her cousin's deadpan stare with one of her own. "What happened to the rambunctious, free-spirited miner that's always gung-ho on achieving her dreams? People make mistakes all the time, and Big Mac isn't a stallion who'd give anypony the cold shoulder over even something as major as somepony saying they have a crush on him." Her gaze softened as she continued. "He even said he'd be willing to talk it over when he brought you here last night, and if you really do 'like like' him then you'll trust he won't disrespect your feelings."
Sol Do just sank further under her covers, her eyes downcast. "But... what if he doesn't return my feelings?'
"Then you'll have to stop chasing after his heart," Rarity stated matter-of-factly. "That is what you agreed to do, remember?'
"But how's it fair if he knows how Ah feel 'bout him now?" Sol Do gave Rarity a worried glance. "My whole plan was ta let 'im grow attracted to me over time so he'd eventually reciprocate my feelings. But now that he knows I have my heart set on him, he's probably gonna tell me he ain't interested, even if he might'a been if Ah didn't screw up."
Rarity pondered over her cousin's words for a moment before smiling wistfully at her. "That may be the case, or it may not be; I can't know." She got up off the bed and headed for the door. "What I do know, however, is that avoiding Big Mac isn't going to solve anything. Better to talk with him and get this weight off your chest, even if it means learning he can't reciprocate your feelings for him."
Sol Do sighed. "Yeah, I s'pose y'all are right." She sheepishly scuffed a hoof across the bedspread, again looking downcast. "Doesn't make it any easier, though..."
"I know you can do it, dear cousin," Rarity assured. "Just as you can save Big Mac from a chimera, you can talk with him over this little... awkward situation, let's call it." She opened the door and stepped out into the hall. "But first, how about some breakfast, hmm?"
Sol Do made to get out of bed, only to be reminded of her hangover by another sudden pain spike. "I'll be down when Ah'm feelin' up ta snuff," she said, and laid back down.
Rarity snickered. "You really drank yourself stupid, huh?" she teased, and closed the door.
Sol Do huffed. Mental note: avoid Zap Apple Cider from now on.
At Sweet Apple Acres, up in a two story window sat Apple Bloom, misery clearly present in her features as she looked at the surrounding countryside. It was a bright and beautiful day out, and she couldn't enjoy it at all.
Being grounded sucks, she thought with a sigh.
Suddenly, a sliver of movement in the distance caught her attention. Looking toward it, she could make out a pony coming along the road towards the farm, one with a familiar straw hat and green mane.
Apple Bloom smiled and waved once Sol Do reached the front gate. "Heya Miss Do!" she called. "Up here!"
Sol Do turned to face Apple Bloom, allowing the filly a brief glimpse of her frown before it lifted into a small smile. "Hello Apple Bloom," she replied with a small wave.
Apple Bloom pointed towards the orchard. "If y'all are here fer my brother, he told me ta tell you he's out in the western fields."
Sol Do's eyes seemed to gain a distant look to them before settling into a downcast expression. Apple Bloom noticed this and frowned in confusion. "Everythin' alright, Miss Do?" she asked.
Sol Do looked up. "It's nothin'." She turned halfway toward the orchard. "Thanks for tellin' me where he is." She started walking away, only to stop when Apple Bloom spoke up again.
"What happened last night, Miss Do?"
Sol Do did and said nothing for several seconds, just standing where she was like a statue, only her mane and tail moving in response to a light breeze. When she eventually turned around, Apple Bloom found herself surprised, and a little disturbed, by the hard stare Sol Do gave her.
"A word of advice, Apple Bloom," she said in a stern tone, "when you get old enough to drink, make sure you never do so in the presence of friends or family, or else you'll risk doing something you'll heavily regret."
Apple Bloom tilted her head in confusion. "Uh, sure thing. Thanks," she said, and retreated back inside.
Sol Do let out a long winded sigh and resumed her trek into the orchard. It only took a few minutes of searching before she found Big Mac inspecting some trees that looked a little deader than the rest, their husks slightly shriveled and with fewer leaves along their branches. From what Sol Do could see, he didn't look particularly annoyed or disgruntled or anything that indicated he was upset in any way over what happened the previous night. And yet, she found herself still hesitant to approach him.
C'mon, Sol Do, you can do this. Rarity's right, you're a courageous sort. Gotta get this over with.
Sol Do began approaching Big Mac. Her steps would seem normal at a distance, but closer inspection would reveal her legs to be trembling slightly. Her mouth set in an uncomfortable frown while her lips twitched every other step and a bead of sweat ran down her forehead. Over and over in her mind she kept telling herself to just keep walking forward, doing her absolute damnedest to silence the voice in her mind's recesses telling her to book it.
Big Mac didn't notice her until she was within a few meters' distance away, but didn't say anything until she'd reached him.
"Hello," he said in a perfectly neutral voice.
"H-H-Hello," Sol Do stuttered, then both mentally and physically slapped herself for it.
"Y'all feelin 'kay?"
Sol Do nodded, rubbing the spot where she'd slapped herself. "I had quite a nasty hangover, but yes, I'm feeling fine now."
Big Mac nodded himself and smiled. "Good ta hear."
An awkward silence stretched between the two afterward. Sol Do looked sheepishly down at the ground, unable to bring herself to speak. She could feel Big Mac's eyes boring into her skull like two critical drills, judging her resolve. She only relaxed when Big Mac gave a small cough and gestured with his head down the line of trees.
"Let's walk an' talk," he said, neutrally.
Sol Do visibly relaxed and nodded. "Yes, of course," she said, and stepped up to his side.
The two began walking deeper into the orchard. The trees on either side of them, Sol Do noticed, were visibly less lively than what she'd seen throughout most of the orchard. Fitting, actually, given how uncomfortable she was feeling. She managed to work up the courage to face Big Mac, but actually speaking with him about what happened was another issue entirely. She decided to stall for time until she could do so.
"So, what's up with all these trees?" she asked, avoiding Big Mac's gaze.
"They're really old, and haven't been gettin' much water lately," he replied, plainly. "Might have ta chop 'em down iff'n they can't grow some apples."
"Oh, that's too bad," Sol Do said softly. She smiled and looked around them at all the greenery. "It's such a lovely orchard."
"Thank you," came Big Mac's reply.
"... I'm sorry."
Big Mac stopped. He turned around to face Sol Do, who was looking down at the ground, straw hat covering her eyes. "Hmm, what's that?" he asked.
Sol Do let out a heavy sigh and finally looked up to face him. Big Mac was surprised to see her eyes were threatening to burst with tears; a few trickled down her face and fell to the ground. Her legs visibly shook, almost enough that it looked like they were going to buckle.
Sol Do let out a slight scowl and wiped her eyes free of tears, silently cursing her waning constitution. "I'm sorry for what happened last night," she repeated. "I cannot believe I let that cider get the better of my judgement and let loose such a paramount secret."
"So..." Big Mac tilted his head, "...all that stuff y'all said was true, then?"
Sol Do sighed again and furrowed her brows, closing her eyes. "Yes, everything I said was one hundred percent true." She returned his gaze, her own softening a little as she continued. "I was infatuated with you from the moment we first met. That infatuation grew into proper love as we spent more time together, until I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted your hoof in marriage." She chuckled sheepishly. "Feels even weirder admitting all of this sober than drunk."
Big Mac said nothing for a long while, retaining his curious gaze while a look of contemplation steadily crossed his face. Sol Do suddenly decided that the trees were more interesting than she'd initially believed and turned to look around at them all, and yet, much as she wanted it not to, her gaze kept returning to Big Mac.
Sol Do felt conflicted. On one hoof, she was glad that Big Mac wasn't outright shunning her and actually seemed to be considerate of her feelings. On the other, not knowing what exactly he was thinking about, and whether he would still want to be at least friends afterwards, unnerved her.
At last, Big Mac returned his full attention to Sol Do. "What d'ya see in me?" he asked.
Sol Do turned to him with a small frown, her cheeks a slight shade of red. "Did I not say so last night during my little... confession?"
Big Mac shrugged. "Honestly, Ah was too caught up in my surprise ta really be listenin'."
Sol Do let out a sheepish chuckle. "Yes, I suppose you would." She straightened her posture and put on her best winning smile. "Big Mac, let me go on record as saying that I'm genuinely surprised you aren't already hitched." She chuckled again, more heartily, at Big Mac's abashed expression, and continued. "You're strong, kind, patient, very smart despite what those snobs up in Canterlot might say about a country pony like yourself, and not too bad on the eyes if you catch my meaning," she finished with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
Big Mac smiled and rolled his eyes. "How flattering..."
"But really, there's so many admirable things about you that it's simply impossible to not want you." Sol Do closed a bit of distance between them, hesitating for a second before firmly planting her hoof forward, brows furrowed in resolution. "I had hoped that, by spending lots of time together, eventually you'd return my feelings and we could actually become lovers." She let out a sigh. "But now that plan's shot."
"But why me specifically?" Big Mac asked. "Ain't there anypony back in Hiddenite y'all have an interest in?"
Sol Do shook her head. "No, sadly," she said with a frown. "My coworkers are quite a dashing bunch, but their work ethic is rather lackluster. There's times I feel I might as well be mining by my lonesome, because they're just that lazy."
"Sorry ta hear that," Big Mac said, frowning himself.
"Oh, it's nothing bad at all. Truth be told, I probably could run the mine all by my lonesome and nothing would change, but I digress." She smiled earnestly and took a few more steps toward Big Mac, leaving little more than a meter or two between them, as she continued. "But I'm looking for a stallion who can help me shoulder the workload of living as both a lover and a partner. You're the first stallion I've ever met that I can honestly envision adhering to that ideal. At least, I'd like to think you are. Maybe I'm being a bit too presumptuous?"
Big Mac laughed and shook his head. "Ah think it's reasonable. Heck, Ah can't imagine myself gettin' hitched to a mare that's anything but a hard worker. Them bein' pretty would just be a nice bonus."
Sol Do's smile fell into a small frown and she glanced down at the ground. "I'm sure she would be."
She scuffed the ground with a hoof, only to look back up when Big Mac closed the remaining distance between them. His face was wholly neutral, but the way he stared down at Sol Do ignited a very strong feeling of nervous excitement within her. A sliver of hope that maybe Big Mac wouldn't turn her down after all filled her heart.
For a few seconds he just stood there, silently staring without so much as a whisper or a blink. Then he bent down towards her face, and Sol Do's heart suddenly went into overdrive while her cheeks turned crimson. Small, ragged breaths escaped from her mouth as Big Mac's lips closed in on her forehead, whereupon he laid a gentle kiss just underneath her horn.
The world seemed to go still as Sol Do's mind locked up in that brief moment in which Big Mac had kissed her. A flurry of emotions and questions swelled up inside her, swirling throughout her head like a hurricane while fighting each other for dominance. Why is he kissing me!? Why on the forehead and not the mouth or cheek? Why no tongue action!? Could this mean he'll agree to marry me? Oh Celestia there'd better be nopony watching!
But every single one of her questions was ignored and stowed away for later use as Sol Do closed her eyes and relished in the soft warmth coursing through her in response to Big Mac's sudden advance. Never before had she experienced a real, full contact kiss from a stallion, and the way Big Mac expertly puckered his lips against her forehead in that brief second made her thirst for more, prolonged contact.
Eventually he broke the kiss, brought his gaze back down on her and smirked slightly at the blush adorning her cheeks. "Felt good, did it?" he asked, playfully.
Sol Do snapped from her shock and coughed into her hoof, trying, and failing, to appear unfazed. "Yes, I suppose it did," she replied, looking aside slightly for a moment before returning his gaze. "I'm honestly surprised you had the gall to do that just now."
Big Mac's smirk grew twice as large. "Y'all wanted a kiss, an' that's what ya got." He laughed at Sol Do's abashed expression.
"To be fair, I wasn't in my right state of mind when I asked for it," she replied sheepishly, her blush returning a little.
"True, but y'all wouldn't've had it on yer mind iff'n ya didn't want it to begin with."
Sol Do let out a defeated sigh and nodded once slightly. "I guess you're right." She looked down at the ground again, only to return her attention onto Big Mac when he laid a hoof on her withers and resumed speaking.
"Listen, Sol Do, lemme talk serious fer a moment 'bout what happens from here on out. 'Kay?"
She nodded.
"Good. Now, lemme start things off by sayin' Ah think you're a wonderful mare. Not many gals out there love bein' covered in mud and workin' up a good sweat, at least outside of my family. If Ah'd been told y'all were Rarity's cousin after the fact, I would've told them ta pull the other one and quit screwin' with me."
Sol Do chuckled. "Sometimes I wonder that myself," she said.
"Ah don't doubt that we'd be a happy couple. You're everythin' Ah'd want in a potential wife, but Ah'm just not ready fer that kind'a commitment right now." He frowned. "My family has it hard enough tryin' ta provide fer just us; addin' one more'd be too much, even if you're a hard worker. Not ta mention, if foals come about..."
Sol Do tensed up as another blush crept across her cheeks. "Yes, that would be rather problematic, I suppose."
Big Mac nodded. "But don't think Ah'm sayin' we'll never be an item," he continued, "just not right now. Maybe in a few years when Apple Bloom's moved out an' Granny's laid to rest it'll happen, but that's still a big maybe."
Sol Do nodded solemnly. "It depends on whether or not you can return my feelings, yes?" she asked.
"That's right."
Sol Do looked downcast. "What're the chances of that happening?" she asked, more to herself than to Big Mac.
Big Mac smiled. "Well, iff'n y'all're gonna be spendin' more time in Ponyville from now on, maybe they're greater than ya think?"
"... I suppose that's true." Sol Do looked to him with her own smile. "You wouldn't mind if we spent more time together, then?'
"Not at all," Big Mac replied with a shake of his head. "Truth be told, Ah was gonna suggest we do so 'fore ya beat me to the punch."
Sol Do giggled.
Big Mac gestured with his head around them. "So, wanna help me check out the rest of these 'ere trees?' he asked.
"Y'all better believe I will!" Sol Do said with a grin. "But only iff'n we can stay together the whole time?"
Big Mac smiled. "Fine by me." He turned around and began heading for the nearest tree, beckoning Sol Do to follow.
She did so, with a smile on her face and spring in her step, her previous depression completely forgotten.
The platform was crowded with ponies and their baggage as they all waited for the train to arrive. The sun was high and many ponies took to fanning themselves with whatever suitable objects they had on person. Expressions ranging from impatient frustration to tired exhaustion adorned everypony's faces as they waited for the train to arrive, now five minutes late from its expected arrival time of 1:00 p.m.
At the far end of the platform, Sol Do stood with her blue luggage bag at her side. Rarity and the other former Element Bearers, along with the Apple family, Sweetie Belle, and Spike all stood in a group with her.
"Ah swear that train needs a new firebox iff'n it's gonna be slow as molasses," Granny Smith groaned, lightly stamping the platform with her hoof. "Darn young'uns can't keep ta schedules nowadays."
"Oh, I assure you it's perfectly alright, Granny Smith," Sol Do replied with a casual flip of her mane, before flashing Big Macintosh a saucy grin. "A little delay 's a'ight with me."
Big Mac snorted out a laugh and rolled his eyes.
"I do hope you enjoyed your stay, dear cousin," Rarity said after flashing Sol Do and Big Mac a playful smirk. "Even aside from all the shenanigans we ended up partaking in."
"Honestly, I'm surprised Ponyville was completely unaffected," Spike said, only to earn a cross look from Twilight. "What?"
"It was awesome havin' ya around Miss Do!" Apple Bloom exclaimed with a short hop. "Ah can't wait fer you ta come back."
"Me too," Sweetie Belle agreed. "You're the bestest cousin ever!"
"I might not have gotten to see you too much this time," Fluttershy spoke up next, "but I enjoyed having you around very much."
"I second that!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed from overhead. "When you get your second house here, I've gotta show you around Cloudsdale!"
"And I still need to introduce you to the Cakes and my own family!" Pinkie chirped.
Applejack nodded. "And y'all were a mighty big help 'round the farm, so consider yourself welcome there anytime."
"Golden Oaks too," Twilight said with a smile.
Sol Do let out a hearty laugh. "Good to see y'all enjoyed my company." She looked askance to Big Mac again, giving him a more genuine smile before saying, "An' Ah enjoyed yours' as well."
Big Mac smiled back. "Eeyup."
"Finally, it's coming!" came a voice from the crowd.
Everypony turned first towards the voice, then down the line where, indeed, the Friendship Express was approaching the platform. Everypony immediately lifted their bags and waited.
"Well, looks like this is goodbye," Sol Do said as she levitated her luggage up next to her. "I should be back within the next few months, after I've finalized the deal on my new house."
"Have a safe trip, dear cousin," Rarity said.
"Thanks cuz," Sol Do replied as the train pulled into the station. "An' y'all be safe too. With all the crazy stuff that happens here, y'all oughta have a contingency plan if things get ugly."
"We'll manage just fine," Twilight said. "We always have."
The train pulled into the station, slowing down until it stopped perfectly aligned with the platform. The doors opened, and ponies quickly began filing in, taking care not to drop their luggage in the crowd or lose sight of their loved ones.
"Well, see ya," Sol Do said as she fell last into line, making way toward the last coach. Before she stepped hoof in the door, she turned around and said, "One last thing; Big Mac?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
Sol Do gave him a stern look, like a mother would give their child for swiping cookies from the jar. "Don't you dare get hitched while I'm gone."
Big Mac chuckled while everyone else stared wide-eyed in shock before he smiled and placed a hoof against his forehead in a mock salutation. "Sure thing."
With a smile and a nod, Sol Do entered the coach, the doors closing behind her.
"Why'd she say that, big bro?" Apple Bloom asked Big Mac. "What's 'gettin' hitched' mean?"
"Ah'll tell ya later, little sis," he replied, and turned toward the coach that Sol Do had entered, quickly locating the country unicorn. He waved a hoof goodbye as the train started to move back along the track, everyone else following suit once they'd recomposed themselves.
Sol Do waved back as well in the few seconds she had before the train moved beyond the platform, even blowing Big Mac a kiss through the window. Once the platform was no longer in sight, she settled into her seat and began imagining what possible future she and Big Mac would end up sharing.
One day, we will be partners... |
Railroad Seven-Three | pre | "Some weather pegasi operating out of Baltimore just told Railroad Seven-Two that an HLF technical is roadblocking this bridge. They saw it from the air."
"What's the worse news?" asked Sugar Spoon.
"This fog we're in? Those ponies put it down to keep the technical from being able to shoot at any air-carriages. The carriages have been diverted north, though, so now they've been ordered to lift the fog again."
"A technical?" said Balthazar. "You think they've got a fifty, then?"
"We're already a mile onto the bridge," said Melchior. "If they're on the bridge too, then they wouldn't even need a fifty to hit us once this fog is up. And if they do have a fifty..." She shook her head.
Balthazar nodded. "...then we're gonna get melted." He picked up his rifle and hopped over the side of the pickup bed.
"Melted?" said Sugar Spoon, her eyes growing large. "That doesn't sound good." She looked to her fellow ponies.
Melchior got out of the truck as well and shut the door quietly. "It isn't good," she said. "Gaspar was tellin' me in the truck that he and the Cordon guys dug several fifty-caliber bullets out of the carriage's hull while we were patching folks up. That means a heavy machine gun, which is serious hardware this close to the Barrier."
Balthazar nodded. "These're probably the boys who shot down the carriage," he said. "We don't have enough fuel to turn around and swing up through Baltimore and then make it the rest of the way; we'll have to go through them."
Sugar Spoon felt her heart start to beat harder. "Wait... w-wait. 'Through' them? You mean fighting, right? Combat?"
The man smiled a little. "Sure do, Equestria."
"Just stay behind the truck, and keep low," said Melchior as she lowered the tailgate. "I already told you that nobody's gonna be shooting at you. Us, maybe, but not you. This ain't our first time to the rodeo." She winked and pulled her own rifle out through the open window of the truck.
At that, the three ponies hopped down from the truck bed and tucked themselves under the tailgate.
"Wait," said Melody, "if you have a radio, just call and ask the pegasi not to remove the fog!"
Melchior shook her head. "They've already taken off from Baltimore, and they don't exactly use radios themselves," she said.
Balthazar knelt down by the pickup, looking Melody in the eyes. "You're a pegasus," he said. "Can you fly?"
"I..." She shook her head slowly. "I can't."
"Have you tried?"
Melody's mouth moved, but she said nothing.
Balthazar set his rifle down on the asphalt and put a hand on her shoulder. "Melody, listen to me," he said. "You've got to try and get above the fog and stop those pegasi from pulling it away. No time like the present to learn."
"I can't!" she blurted.
The man spoke slowly and calmly. "I know you're scared, but you can really help us out. All of us." He gestured to Sugar Spoon and Gavel. "They're your friends, right? You'd be helping them too. You'd be making it a lot safer for us. We know they're here, but they don't know we're here, and as long as we have this fog, we have the advantage."
"Y-yeah, I get it, but--"
"Give it a try, Mel," whispered Gavel.
"Yeah," said Sugar Spoon. "I believe in you!"
"I don't know how easy or hard it is to fly," said Balthazar, still keeping her gaze, "but I've seen pegasi do some crazy shit in the air, so there has to be some natural ability in that body of yours. Just... do what feels right. Or natural, or whatever."
Melody let out a nervous giggle and nodded. "If I don't, we're all dead anyway, right?"
"Hey now!" said Balthazar, picking his rifle back up and standing. "Don't sell us short over here!"
Melody moved out from under the tailgate and looked up into the gray, extending her wings. She closed her eyes and felt the thickness of the air, the mist on her feathers, and the very mild currents of the salty bay breeze in her mane. They caressed her wings, driving a thrill into her, melting the claustrophobia from her mind. Every minute shift in the air registered with her sensitive wings, and as she began to flap, she could almost feel the sky bending to her will. She felt lighter, and lighter, and lighter still, and when she opened her eyes, her hooves were free of the bridge.
"You did it!" cried Gavel, and Melchior promptly shushed him.
"That's great, but we don't know how close we are to the bad guys," she said.
"You're doing great, just keep it up!" hissed Sugar Spoon.
Elated, Melody flapped harder, finding climbing to be easier when she did so rhythmically, like talking a walk and having her steps match the beat of a song on her MP3 player. Crazily, at that thought, "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees began to play in her head, and her wingbeats changed tempo to match. She giggled quietly to herself. In a way, she really was trying to stay alive.
The afternoon sun struck her face, glorious and warm. Her eyelids fluttered, and when the little red pegasus looked down, there was just a white cottony floor beneath her. She had climbed through the fog without even realizing it!
She tried to rein in her glee and keep her wits about her. She had to find those other pegasi, she reminded herself. She began looking around, shielding her eyes with a hoof.
Three dark specks were coming out of the horizon, and as they neared, she could see they were flying in formation. It was them! It looked, however, as though they wouldn't be passing by close to her, so she started waving all four hooves as she flapped, calling out to them once she was able to make out their colors.
"Hey!" she shouted. "Hey, ponies! Over here! Hello!"
One of the pegasi peeled off from the formation and shot towards her, seemingly too fast to stop. Melody could think to do nothing but hover there and curl up into a ball, waiting for impact.
A whoosh of wind buffeted her about, but there was no impact. She uncurled and looked up, surprised to see a pegasus stallion in a flight suit hovering there just a couple of feet away from her.
"A newfoal!" he said in a surprised tone. "What're you doing up here? There's HLF down on the bridge an--"
"I know!" she said. "There's two other ponies and three humans down there on the bridge right below me! You need to let the fog stay! Hurry and tell the others!"
The stallion blinked, then whirled around in time to see the other two pegasi start to drag the misty fog in their wake a hundred meters away. Putting a hoof into his mouth, he whistled sharply twice, signaling them to abort. The two pegasi broke off, releasing the trail of fog, which settled into its new position.
As the other two weather-pegasi joined them, Melody let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you so much."
"You should take this opportunity to turn back," said the stallion, pulling his flight goggles up off his eyes. "We can't do too much to help you against HLF fighters as we are right now."
"That's fine, that's..." she thought about the humans down below and decided not to go into details. "You've done plenty. Thank you."
The stallion nodded once, then turned to his wingponies. "Come on," he said. "We're RTB." He gave Melody a crisp salute and then banked hard, the other two falling in behind him in a V formation.
As they disappeared back behind the sun's rays, Melody realized how hard she was breathing. Her wings began to slow, and she started to sink. Panic set in, and she set to flailing, unable to keep herself aloft.
She slipped down through the clouds (wasn't she supposed to be able to perch on them? she wondered), her descent becoming more rapid. She let out a keening wail of terror as her fatigued new wings gave out completely, causing her to plummet, disoriented and fear-stricken, through the uncaring gray shroud.
She landed roughly, but not roughly enough for it to have been asphalt. She opened an eye and saw Gavel and Sugar Spoon staring agog at her a couple of feet below. She then turned in the other direction to see Balthazar's cold-eyed stare right next to her nose.
He had caught her.
Melchior leaned over. "Fog's still here, so I guess you did it!" she said.
She was set down gently, quickly sidling away from Balthazar, not looking at him. She slowly folded her sore wings up against her sides.
"I... it was such a lucky break!" she said, breathless. "I was up there, and I was just lookin' around, and then suddenly I see these--"
Three muted cracks slid through the air like the sound of two hands clapping far away. Balthazar and Melchior instantly turned and ran up to the pickup, opening both doors to the cab and taking cover behind them. Melchior looked over her shoulder and gestured for the ponies to get back behind the truck.
"That's gunfire," hissed Balthazar. "Stay covered."
Gaspar's huge silhouette appeared in the mist ahead. He was running. He slid to a stop behind Balthazar on the driver's side and tossed his satchel back into the extended area of the cab behind the seats.
"Clays are up," he said, "but they saw me. Some of the fog got pulled off the bridge up ahead. There's three of 'em, and yeah, one's on a fifty-cal."
Melody winced as she heard it. She gritted her teeth. Damn it, she hadn't been fast enough! If only she hadn't been such a scaredy-pony, they wouldn't have lost the element of surprise!
She felt a hoof on her back. Gavel was there, giving her a reassuring smile. Somehow, ponies knew.
"So they're coming," said Melchior.
Gaspar nodded. "Ears on, high ready," he said.
The three humans took the headsets from around their necks and fit them over their ears. Once they were in place, Balthazar and Melchior brought their rifles up and rested them in the windows of the open doors. Gaspar moved to the back of the pickup, and the ponies could see he had his own weapon ready.
"There's gonna be shooting, and gunshots are loud sons-of-bitches," he said grimly. "Cover your ears and wait for instructions."
Sugar Spoon swallowed hard and tried to bury herself in the asphalt, pinning her ears down against her head with her hooves. "Oh Celestia, Luna, Celestia, Luna, Sun and Moon, Sun and Moon..." she chanted in a whisper.
More claps and pops. Weird, miniscule thumps could be felt in the pavement from the force of the gunfire. Gavel wept a tear. Sugar Spoon kept on chanting.
"Vault of the sky, vault of the sky, show us your grace, show us your grace..."
The Railroad was shouting. Melody couldn't make it out with her ears covered. More shooting. Gavel could feel the vibrations of the gunfire in his teeth.
"Horn and wing, hoof and mane, horn and wing, hoof and mane..."
Other voices now. Angry voices. Huge booms kicked up road-dust even in the moist air of the fog. The truck above them shuddered rhythmically, the tires burping out tiny screeches of pain as they moved.
"Beseech thee now to end this pain, beseech thee now to end this pain."
All went quiet. The tangy, smoky smell of spent cordite filled the air. Sugar Spoon gagged on it a bit. Gavel felt a rough hand tap his head, and he craned his neck around to see Balthazar's face, his headset back down around his neck.
"Gaspar's dead," he said. "He was manning the clays. I need you to step up."
Melody's jaw dropped. "Dead?" she whispered.
He snapped his head up to bore a hole in her with his eyes. "No time for mourning, we're not out of this yet," he said. Not waiting for a response, he looked back to Gavel and held out a small, simple-looking device made of green plastic.
"Okay, senator," he said. "This here's the clacker to the Claymore mines Gaspar set up ahead of the truck. The fog's still ahead of us a ways, but we couldn't get them to advance into the mines. Come to the front with me and keep that clacker ready. The mine's hidden behind a light post on the left side of the road. When you see them reach the light post, step down twice--rapidly--on this thing and it'll make the bad men go away."
Gavel stood there, frozen. Balthazar shook him firmly.
"Hey, snap out of it!" he said. "Do you copy me, senator?"
"I... I..."
"Good enough. Come on. You two stay here."
Balthazar jogged back to the front of the pickup, leaving Gavel to look at the green thing on the ground in front of him. He gingerly picked it up in his mouth and stumbled after the human.
Gaspar's corpse lay on the shoulder of the road, belly down, his face mercifully turned away from the ponies. Gavel felt several new tears slide down his cheeks.
"Right here," whispered Balthazar, kneeling and waving Gavel to a spot directly behind him. "Stay behind me. If the HLF boys even see the silhouette of a pony they'll go apeshit."
Gavel looked across the front of the truck to see Melchior there, her rifle trained ahead, her face set and determined.
"C'mon, let's talk this out!" came a gruff male voice from behind the curtain ahead. "We got no beef with brothers and sisters."
Balthazar, still kneeling, lowered his rifle slowly. "We're not with your cause, we were just trying to pass through," he said. "Then you had to go and open up on us. I think you can appreciate our caution now."
"Just a little jumpy, you know?" said the voice. "Nerves is all."
"We get any of your guys?" asked Melchior.
Gavel swallowed. Was he going nuts? Were the humans really talking about this?
"One," came the voice.
"So we're even," said Balthazar. "You gonna let us by if we play ball?"
A pause. "Absolutely, brother."
"Get ready," whispered Balthazar to the earth-pony. The young man set his rifle down on the road and stood up, putting his hands behind his head.
"I'm unarmed," he said. "I'm moving forward so you can see me," he said. "You do the same."
"Comin' up," came the voice again. Seconds seemed to tick by over minutes. Gavel was certain his breathing could be heard out across the bay. Blood thundered in his ears. The clacker waited patiently by his right forehoof.
A human outline took form on the periphery of visible space, then another. Two stood there in silhouette, shifting dark-gray shapes of men holding what were quite easily firearms.
They were standing by the slim vertical line denoting the lamppost. Balthazar cocked his head slightly, catching Gavel's attention.
"Hit it," he whispered.
Gavel lifted his hoof over the clacker, and it froze there. He couldn't. He knew the fact as simply as his date of birth and the name of his wife. He would not be able to step down. He could not kill those men.
"I can't!" he hissed.
Balthazar stalled for time. "Hey, gents, that's not very sporting! I know you can see me, what's with the heaters over there?"
Gavel looked to Melchior, pleading with his eyes. She wouldn't meet his gaze.
"We're just makin' sure you're not trying to pull a fast one on us, calm down," said one of the shapes. They shifted their weight, about to take a step forward.
Balthazar slid to one side, exposing the pony to the men directly, and Gavel's eyes widened.
"What the shit!" shouted one of the man-shapes.
"They're fuckin' pony-lovers!" shouted the others. The rifles went to their shoulders. Even then, Gavel couldn't snuff out their lives. It was beyond the pale to even consider if he could.
Balthazar spun and lifted Gavel easily, carrying him back through the concealing gray wall. The shapes disappeared again.
"Son of a bitch! When we find you, pony-lover, we're gonna--"
An earsplitting pow sounded out across the bridge, and oily white smoke billowed into the space in front of the pickup. Melchior withdrew and rendezvoused with the others at the back of the truck.
"Everyone okay?" she asked. "Everyone got their fingers and toes?"
"Not funny," wheezed Sugar Spoon. Melchior gave a devilish grin and ran ahead again, disappearing.
"H-how did that happen?" asked Gavel. "I-I didn't... I never even touched the--"
"Tripwire," said Balthazar, kneeling by the ponies. The clays were set to go off from a tripwire all along. The clacker isn't a remote control; it has to be wired straight to the mines. You could have stepped on that thing all day and the mines wouldn't have gone off."
The earth-pony looked at the lean man, horrified. "Then why did you--"
"I had to see, all right?" Balthazar snapped. "I had to see if what they say is true."
"What they say?" asked Melody.
The man turned to her. "That ponies can't kill," he said. "That they can't willingly hurt others, not even if inaction would cost them their lives. I had to pressure the senator here, I had to make him think only he could protect us."
He sighed. "I fucked with you, senator, and for that, I really am sorry. But I just kept hearing it, and... and I had to see for myself."
Gavel was trying to work up some anger, but he was still just too confused. "What does it matter?" he cried. "I'm going to Equestria, son, a place that doesn't have HLF or whatchamacallit mines or fifty-cals or anything like that! Why in the world would it matter if a pony could kill or not?"
Balthazar shot to his feet, towering over them. "Because it's what we do!" he shouted. He lifted his rifle, holding it out with one hand. "Do you know what this is? It's a Galil, model AR, manufactured in Israel. It fires the five-five-six by forty-five millimeter cartridge, also known as five-five-six NATO. Its detachable box magazine holds thirty-five rounds and it operates via a long-stroke gas piston design adapted from the Kalashnikov family of rifles, of which my dead friend Gaspar here used to use.
"What in the good goddamn is any of that knowledge going to do me over in Equestria? Huh?"
The ponies shrank away from him, their ears against their necks. Melchior came jogging up.
"The one that Gaspar tagged is still alive," she said.
Balthazar looked up at her. "You sure about that?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah, he was laying still, but he was moaning a bit and had--"
"Might wanna check again," said Balthazar, even quieter. Melchior let out a breath, nodded slowly, and walked back into the fog.
Balthazar looked back to the ponies. "Let's take a field trip," he said. "I want to show you guys something." A gunshot rang out from the grayness. He didn't even acknowledge it.
The young man walked ahead, to where the carnage had taken place. Now rather frightened of him, the ponies tried to resist, but theirs was a herd, and the herd leader had started to move. To Melody and Gavel, it was strange, but also unnervingly right to do it. Guidance, direction, confidence: it was infectious.
He stopped at one of the bodies that had been caught in the Claymore, now a shredded mess of red flesh and flayed clothing. Balthazar turned the body over with a foot and pulled the man's wallet from the back pocket of his jeans. He flipped the wallet open, looked at it for a moment, flashed a joyless smile at it, and then showed it to the ponies.
"I should hope you know what this is, senator," he said to Gavel.
Gavel looked at the slain human's photo ID. "It's a CAC card," he said, "a military ID."
"Ferris Gartner, United States Marine Corps," said Balthazar, letting the wallet drop from his hand. "Once upon a time, he and I were on the same side. That was before Equestria came along, of course."
"You knew this man?"
"Of course not! But we were comrades in arms. I was 82nd Airborne, senator. Gaspar was a Marine, and Melchior was a Navy Seabee. Are you seeing a pattern here? Are you wondering how I'd know that a perfect stranger would have DoD plastic on him?"
Gavel lowered his head a bit. Melody and Sugar Spoon looked at the earth-pony curiously.
"We're prior-service!" he shouted. "All of us out here are! All of us! HLF, PER moles, Railroad, Cordon, good guys, bad guys, we were all military, and do you know why? Because we're the only bastards crazy enough, dedicated enough, to do what we do in the shadow of that god-damned fucking Barrier! The jagged edge, where people who actually give a damn about their lives don't tread! Two years ago, I would have laid down my life for this man, and now he's the one who has to give me the red mist! You're alive because he's dead, and the hell of it is that you can't even fucking appreciate it. Especially you, Equestria."
Sugar Spoon moved her head from side to side, trying to think of something to say. Melchior slipped back in, having heard the outburst, hugging her elbows to herself.
"Why... didn't you become HLF, then, if you hate ponies so much?" she asked at last.
"There but for the grace of God go I," said Balthazar. "If only one or two things in my life had been different, I could very easily see myself as having gone HLF. I didn't, though."
"So what are we supposed to do, huh? I was out! I was a year into college on the GI Bill, but then all... all this shit... happened, and suddenly we don't need systems analysts, we don't need park rangers, we don't need cops or airline pilots or fucking ditch-diggers because hey! A new life awaits in Equestria, come one come all, except for one very specific kind of person, that is. There's only one thing I know how to do, my little ponies, only one fucking thing I'm good at, and since the good senator here was so kind as to confirm the rumors, there's apparently no place for it in your happy-scrappy storybook world."
His shoulders slumped, and he caught his breath. "There's nothing else for us," he said. "That's the long and short of it. We're getting left behind. We are servicemembers." He gestured to Melchior. "Us. We're serving you. But eventually all of 'you' will be gone, and there'll be nobody left to serve, nobody left to fight. Queen Rania is making truffles and Queen Elizabeth is thinking up crosswords? Then what the hell would someone like me be doing? Painting birdhouses? Shoveling manure? Uh uh. No thanks. I'd rather die. I'm not ashamed of who I am as a human, and I'm not afraid to die, either."
Melchior patted him on the shoulder. "We should get going," she said.
"Yeah, you're right," said Balthazar. He then looked to the ponies. "But there's some cleanup to do first, and I don't think you folks want to see it."
As they ambled back up into the truck bed, Balthazar lifted and locked the tailgate, fixing Sugar Spoon with a look. "Think about your princess, Equestria," he said. "Once you're settled in nice and snug back home, try and remember the people her perfect world can't cater to."
"You can yell at me all you want, if it helps you feel better," said Sugar Spoon, "but I'm not giving up on you. You aren't HLF, but you also didn't deny hating ponies. Why are you helping us?"
Balthazar smiled bitterly. "Simple," he said, "because it's the right thing to do." |
Railroad Seven-Three | 4. Salisbury | You can run with us
We've got everything you need
Run with us
We are free
Come with us
I see passion in your eyes
Run with us
-Lisa Lougheed, "Run with Us"
The two humans and three ponies were now southbound, still following 50 through Easton and out of the fog. There, away from the major city centers of DC and Baltimore, the battered champagne-colored pickup was finally able to get up to respectable road speeds. Balthazar, now taking his turn driving, still kept it slow enough for the benefit of the others in the back, however.
Sugar Spoon wasn't feeling well. Balthazar's rant, coupled with what he and Melchior had done immediately afterward, was making her wary of sharing space with the humans. She had rolled it over and over in her mind again. Sure, she'd been warned not to look, but in her innocence, she thought that there would be no more horrors now that the fighting was over.
It was becoming evident to the others in the bed with her. Melchior looked to Gavel and Melody, who shrugged. They rode along in silence for another mile or so before she asked, nudging the unicorn with a foot.
"Spoon, what's wrong?"
The Equestrian mare sighed. It wasn't good to keep things bottled up, but her interest in engaging with humans directly was also severely diminished. "When you and Balthazar did your 'cleanup'... I was watching."
Melchior sighed as well, keeping her voice gentle. "Oh. Well, I'm sorry for what you saw."
"You stabbed them!" she said, her voice cracking, already beginning to cry. "You took knives and you stabbed them all twice in the chest. Even Gaspar!" Her eyes were huge, shining with tears in the afternoon light. "Wasn't he your friend?"
This was news to Gavel and Melody. They both blinked, joining Sugar Spoon in searching the woman's face for answers. Melchior put her rifle down on the crate and held up a hand.
"It was to puncture the lungs and the thoracic cavity," she said. "The throat closes when you die. If we just dumped the bodies off the bridge straight away, then they'd float, and nobody wants to see that. The stab wounds are to let water into the torso and allow the bodies to sink."
"That's horrible!" cried the unicorn, resting her chin on the bed. "Do you enjoy this? Killing other humans and stabbing them so that their bodies can sink in water? You're staying out of Equestria to do stuff like that?"
Melchior shook her head sadly. "It's not about killing," she said. "If we just wanted to kill people, then we wouldn't be bringing ponies along for the ride. We know you don't like seeing it, but if it's what it takes to keep you safe, then that's what we do. The HLF guys operating here at the Barrier, they're true believers. The real deal. The hard core of the movement. They're not the soccer moms and religious folks out west holding signs and defacing pictures of Celestia. They weren't going to capture you, or yell at you, or lecture you, or throw rocks at you--they were going to kill you.
"I'm staying out of Equestria to make sure they can't. So is Balthazar, and so was Gaspar. We all wanted to be useful in our own way. That's what Balth was talking about, back there on the bridge. That's who's left here: the warrior caste. The soldiers. The only difference is the side they're choosing. Forces gather to oppose ponies, and so other forces gather to keep them in check."
Sugar Spoon wiped her cheeks with a foreleg. Her rich gold mane fell over her eyes. "I wish I'd stayed at the Bureau and waited for a carriage," she sobbed. "This place is just so terrible, I--"
"Do you hate humans?" asked Melchior.
"No!" said the green mare immediately. "I made tons of human friends while I was working at the Bureau! They always said such nice things about my food, and they'd joke and laugh with me and everything. Then they would go on to become ponies, and they were still my friends, so it was like nothing had really changed. I didn't care if they were on two legs or four, it didn't matter to me, but out here... it's... I don't know. I don't hate you, I just... feel sorry for you."
"Lots of ponies have told us that, you know," said Melchior. A smile crept onto her face. "Pitying someone can make them push back. It's part of the reason Balthazar can't stand Celestia: he thinks her attitude towards humans is condescending." She chuckled and rested her head on the back of the cab. "Man, what I wouldn't give to listen to those two have a chat."
"If Princess Celestia ever wants to speak with him, she will," said Sugar Spoon. "There's no red tape to seeing her. She can be anywhere she likes--even everywhere, if it suits her. If impression is needed, she will appear in her full glory. If discretion is needed, she will enter your dreams. She will speak to ten, or a hundred, or a thousand at a time, and they will all receive her full attention. Humans may know she's powerful, but you don't know just how powerful."
The unicorn pleaded with her eyes. "Become a pony, Melchior. Convince Balthazar to become a pony. Ask my friends here, if you don't believe me!"
She shook her head. "Every human you'd meet out here has their own reasons why they haven't. Gaspar's was revenge. Balthazar's is fear. I'd bet most stories would be similar to theirs."
"Is yours?" asked Melody.
Melchior picked her rifle back up and laid it across her lap. "It's actually a lot simpler than that, " she said. "I don't deserve to go."
"Not this again!" said Sugar Spoon, exasperated. "What is it with humans and this need to make martyrs of themselves? It's like a... a cult of pain! Hay, it's almost like you enjoy the idea of dying!"
Melody leaned her head over the side of the truck to let the wind cut through her mane. "From one Mel to another, let me just say that when I got converted, and I met Princess Celestia and Princess Luna in my dream or whatever it was, I almost cried with happiness. The only thing that could make me happier is if everyone else shared that bliss with me." She brought her head back in and looked squarely at Melchior. "That means you too."
"Is it pride?" asked Gavel. "I had a lot of that when I was a man. It was enough to keep me from going to get converted with my family. Balthazar had even read up on me. He told me about my own history on the way to the bridge, like a judge naming charges. But all that had been washed away when I woke up. I can't even describe how it felt, it was like this huge weight was lifted from me. Now all I have to worry about is how I'm going to be able to hug my wife and kids at the same time when I get to Equestria. Don't you want to have problems like that, rather than eating old MREs and getting shot at and having to find running water to bathe in?"
Melchior looked down at her hands. "We wouldn't have that problem anyway. We never shared too much about our personal lives before the Barrier, but I do know that nobody here in Railroad Seven-Three has anyone waiting for us in Equestria."
"That doesn't mean you'll be alone if you go!" said Sugar Spoon. "You'll make friends, Melchior, more friends than you ever thought possible! And you'll find a special somepony, and you can start a family! Anything you want, you can pursue it there!"
The unicorn stood, carefully making her way over to the woman on hooves unsteady with the swaying truck bed. She set her head down on Melchior's knee, scowling at the rifle next to her face.
"All you have to do," she said, "is give up the gun. Give up your stubborn pride, and forgive yourself for whatever it is that's keeping you here. That's all Princess Celestia asks for."
Melchior bit her lip and looked away, out at the empty road.
* * *
Balthazar whistled as he stepped out of the truck to survey the road ahead. He pulled his cap off and wiped his brow, his eyes wide.
"Ho-lee shit," he breathed.
"I've never heard of anything like this before," said Sugar Spoon.
"How is this even possible?" said Gavel.
Before them stretched Route 50, which split off to Salisbury and to the municipal bypass which took through-traffic around the town. The two lanes leading into town were coated with potion as far ahead as the eye could see, a ribbon of shimmering purple leading into Salisbury.
"PER's got some serious resources to throw around," said Melchior. "Where could it have all come from?"
"Doesn't matter," said Balthazar, walking back to the truck. "We're fording it."
Melody spun around. "Huh? Why?"
"It's a very basic area-denial strategy," said the man. "You've got multiple avenues of approach to cover, but not enough manpower to watch all of them. So, you mine up a road or avenue of approach in a very obvious, visible way, which will funnel enemy forces down another avenue, where you ambush them. The PER must have potion-bombers waiting along the bypass." He leaned into the cab and tossed something to Melchior, who caught it.
Balthazar pulled something else out from behind the driver's side seat and then knocked on the doorframe. "Mount up," he said.
"Can we stop and eat?" asked Melody. "Snacks on the road are fine, but eating meals while moving is bad for the digestion."
Melchior chuckled and herded the ponies back to the truck. "After we're through town, we'll have a nice picnic lunch on the other side somewhere. We could be ambushed too easily if we just stop here, where the PER's obviously been."
"Yeah, that would be a shame," said the unicorn under her breath as the ponies got back into the bed. Instead of getting into the bed with the ponies, however, Melchior got into the cab with Balthazar and they both rolled their windows up, sealing them inside.
Once everyone was in, Balthazar took the road into Salisbury.
Melody leaned over the side of the bed, watching the fragrant purple mixture coat the tire treads and mud flaps. Balthazar had slowed once more, and she guessed it was to keep potion from spraying up onto the body too much with the rotation of the tires. She looked ahead, and the potion-road just kept on going.
"I've never actually seen PER ponies before," said Gavel.
"If you had, you'd have become a pony a lot sooner than you did," replied Sugar Spoon. Her ears twitched, and she looked over at the tinted glass of the back window. The sliding window was closed.
"Hey," she lowered her voice. "The PER: have you ever heard of them actually hurting humans? Like, shooting them or beating them up or anything?"
The two newfoals shook their heads. "That'd be rather counterproductive, I think," said Melody. She looked out at the town. They were passing from a residential area into a commercial district, and the road was rather deliberately clear. There were restaurants and big-box stores, all abandoned, all with vast, empty parking lots. She shivered.
"Also, they're almost entirely ponies, and ponies don't do stuff like that," added Gavel.
"So the most that they'd do is just ponify them. Balthazar and Melchior, I mean. If they were to get their hooves on them."
Gavel shrugged. "I guess, but they're not going to--" he froze, then turned his head to look at the native Equestrian with one eye. "Spoon, what are you thinking?"
"We can save them!" she said, trying to keep her voice quiet just in case. "We can save them from themselves, just like Princess Celestia wants to do! All we have to do is figure out how to expose them to potion before they can react."
"Princess Celestia doesn't want that!" hissed Melody. "She's denounced the PER publically, many times! They're labeled an extremist group, just like the HLF! She's been very clear that ponification should always be a personal choice."
"They can come to Equestria with us! They can be happy, beyond their wildest dreams! All of Balthazar's anger and all of Melchior's regret? We can free them from that! From all that pain!" She looked from one pony to the other, trying to build some enthusiasm for the idea. "Look: with all of the fighting and all the bloodshed, I know they're trying to help ponies in their own... distinctly human... way. Their hearts are in the right place, I get that. They're prolonging their own suffering to keep ponies safe from other humans. Why don't we return the favor? Why don't we help them?"
"Mel's right," said Gavel. "It's not how Princess Celestia would want it. The first thing she and Princess Luna would have to do in their conversion-dream is apologize on our behalf, and how would that make us look? We might as well have gotten our own PER legbands for doing it."
Sugar Spoon gritted her teeth and looked over her shoulder at the flat black window. Empty strip malls and used-car lots ambled past on either side, and after a moment the potion coating the road came to an end. The truck's purple tire-prints soon faded away as the tires shed the potion covering them.
"I want them to convert more than anything myself," said Gavel, "and I want to see them shed all that pain too. All we can do, though, is have faith in them and be their friend. That's what the princesses are doing; I think we should follow their example."
Melody stepped up and nuzzled the unicorn. "Me too. You know what gives me comfort? I wouldn't bring it up while they're around, but... I've been trying to picture them as ponies. What they'd look like, where they'd choose to go, what they'd end up doing with their lives... try as I might, I can't picture them not being happy."
Sugar Spoon tried not to smile, and failed. She chuckled once and shook her head. "So you meant it when you said you think Balthazar'd make a handsome stallion?"
Melody giggled and nodded. "Take it from a former human; I know a handsome fellow when I see it. And Melchior would be a pretty mare, I bet."
"A shame about Gaspar, though," sighed Gavel.
At that, Sugar Spoon gave a small, mysterious smile.
"I wouldn't worry too much about him," she said.
* * *
Inside the cab, Balthazar was fuming.
"We're going to need a new Gaspar," he grumbled. "Fucking wonderful. I just know we're going to get some jagoff from Pennsylvania or the Carolinas who got his team wiped and needed to be offloaded on someone else."
"Yeah, yeah, glass half empty, I know," said Melchior. "We're gonna have to work on your charm a bit, aren't we?"
"Goddamn HLF," said Balthazar. "You know, these ponies get all up on Celestia's jock every chance they get, but if she's so great then why doesn't she do something about the people trying to kill her little yes-men, you know? It'd make our jobs a hell of a lot easier, if nothing else."
Melchior shrugged. "She moves in mysterious ways?" she offered.
Balthazar checked the mirrors--all three of them--for the tenth time in as many minutes. Salisbury was deserted, and even with the lawns around the office parks growing wild and the blue sky above, it seemed gray and decayed from the lack of people around.
"Only because she likes to see us twist in the wind. Humans, I mean. And humans killing humans? Hell, if she'd been watching us on the bridge she probably would've started stroking herself."
Melchior stuck out her tongue. "Don't be gross, Balth," she said. After a moment, she sighed and picked up the CB handset from the radio bolted to the side of the center console. "Guess we should check in, just in case shit goes bad here."
"It won't go bad," said Balthazar, taking his eyes off the road to give her a meaningful look.
Melchior just shrugged again and keyed the handset. "Dispatch, Dispatch, Railroad Seven-Three, come in, over."
A female voice from Railroad headquarters crackled over the pickup's door speakers. "Seven-Three, this is Dispatch, go ahead, over."
"Dispatch, please advise teams on the eastern shore that Salisbury is believed to have a strong PER presence along the bypass, how copy, over?"
"Seven-Three, Dispatch copies PER presence in Salisbury. Is that your twenty? Over."
"Sure is. We'll call once we're clear. Seven-Three out."
"It's bugging me," said Balthazar. "PER shouldn't be out this far east."
"Why not?" asked Melchior.
"'Cause there're no humans here anymore," he said. "The HLF, sure, they're trying to play goalie for all these ponies making a run for the border, but if you're looking for humans to po--"
There was a loud thunk and the entire windshield went purple.
"Shit!"
Balthazar startled, but accelerated, keeping the wheel steady. He turned on the windshield wipers and managed to clear enough of the stuff off of the glass to see again. Through the thin streaks of potion left by the wipers, he saw two pegasi flying ahead of the pickup, a vial of potion in each of their mouths.
Melchior pulled off her watch cap, unbuckled her seatbelt, and twisted around to fish behind her seat. Her hand finally closed around the gas mask she was looking for and she brought it into her lap. She started to loosen the straps, keeping an eye on the side window.
"Are we shooting?" she asked.
"Brandish, then shoot if they don't disengage," said Balthazar. The rhythmic, frantic flicking of the windshield wipers was the only sound in the cab for a couple of moments as she pulled the mask on and sealed it to her face.
"Just keep it steady," she said, her voice sounding hollow and detached through the respirator. Balthazar nodded and Melchior rolled down the window. She brought up her rifle from its resting place between the seat and the door and leaned out of the window, unfolding the buttstock and shouldering the weapon. She aimed directly at the right-hand pegasus.
"Stand down!" she shouted over the rush of wind past her ears. "Stand down or be fired upon. We're not stopping."
The yellow pegasus flipped onto his back and spit out the vial, which was dashed against the windshield. The wipers quickly cleared it out of the way.
"We advise you to stop, Railroad," the pegasus shouted back. "We have a spike strip up ahead."
"Bullshit!" cried Melchior. "You couldn't have set up that fast."
"We have feelers; we've known you were coming since you passed through Easton," replied the pegasus evenly, adding "We really would hate to see your vehicle flip over."
Melchior considered their options for a moment. "Make some distance now and tell your friends to do the same," she said. "If we see any potion, we're shooting. We see more than one pony within three hundred meters, we're shooting. If I so much as think I'm going to sneeze, we're shooting."
The pegasus nodded once, then tapped his comrade on the shoulder. The two flew off in formation, and Melchior lowered her weapon.
"Was that PER?" asked Melody's voice from the back. Melchior ignored her and slid back down into her seat, rolling the window back up.
"They said they have a spike strip deployed," she said to Balthazar.
"Son of a bitch. So we're stopping?"
"They're already watching us, and besides, what're we gonna do? Change a tire twenty feet from a PER blockade?"
"All right, but the second it looks like we're gonna lose control of the situation, start putting them down. Don't hesitate." He pressed on the brakes, hard, and three solid thumps were heard on the back window of the cab. The pickup came to a stop. Leaving the engine running, Balthazar brought the pickup into neutral and fetched his own gas mask from behind the seat, putting it on and sealing it as Melchior had done.
The two humans put on their protective-hearing headsets. Balthazar closed his left hand around his Galil and looked to Melchior, who had a hand on her door handle. His heart was beating so hard he could feel it in his tongue.
They flung the doors open simultaneously and stepped down onto the road, staying next to the truck and behind the doors. Melchior began scanning for pony-colors among the drab gray backdrop, her rifle up and ready. Balthazar listened silently for a moment. All was quiet. He knocked twice on the body of the truck.
"Senator, Equestria, you're up," came his tinny voice. "Get over here. Melody, you stay put."
"That hurt, you know," grumbled Gavel as he and Sugar Spoon hopped out of the truck and walked over to the man.
"You two wanna save lives so bad, well here's your chance," said Balthazar, taking a moment to look up in the sky. "The PER's here, in town. They had some folks watching the through-road after all."
"They're not going to hurt you," said Sugar Spoon.
"It's not our lives I'm talking about--it's theirs," said the man, his voice growing cold. "Mel and I are ready to fight if we have to, but you can keep it from coming to that."
"What do you want us to do?" asked Gavel. A gentle, warm breeze picked up and blew through his mane. It felt good.
"You two are the diplomats here, so talk to them. Go to the intersection up ahead and stand there in the open. They'll get the message. Get them to pull the spike strip up ahead and let us go through. If they do--and if they don't try to make a move on us--then we can keep this from getting bloody."
"Humans are one thing, but you would kill ponies?" asked Sugar Spoon.
"Oh, I see!" said the man, his face hidden behind the gas mask and smoked glass of the eyepieces. "Killing humans is fine and dandy, but when we draw down on ponies, ohh, that's too far!" His sigh was amplified by the respirator. "Look, we don't have time for this. They're PER. They're zealots, just like the guys on the bridge. If there's a snowball's chance in hell of them listening to reason, you'll have to find it. It's more than what we gave the HLF, Equestria."
Balthazar waved them along with his rifle, taking up a defensive stance once they'd cleared the door. Gavel and Sugar Spoon walked out ahead of the truck, down the center of the road.
The gray earth-pony looked over at Sugar Spoon. The green unicorn had a smile on her face.
"What're you so happy about?" he asked.
"This is our chance!" she said. "We can get them ponified."
Gavel's ears flattened. "If the talks go bad, or if the truck gets rushed, they'll open fire and kill ponies first," he hissed. "You don't want that, do you?"
"Of course not!" she said. "Besides, I never said anything about them getting ponified right now."
"Huh? What're you talking about?"
The idling engine of the pickup faded from earshot, and there was only the clopping of their hooves on the pavement. The two ponies stopped.
"You'll see," she said quietly.
It was a T intersection, with a boarded-up strip mall running along one side and the side road opposite. Gavel and Sugar Spoon saw a midnight-blue earth-pony mare approach them from a mattress store across the street. Through the plate-glass windows of the place, they could see three or four other ponies of various colors looking on, but making no move to join her.
She stopped in front of them, bowing her head. "Hello," she said. "My name is Cool Shade, with the Ponification for Earth's Rebirth. Happy to meet you!"
Sugar Spoon grinned. "Hi there, Cool Shade! I'm Sugar Spoon, Equestrian-born, and this is Gavel, a newfoal."
Gavel looked down and saw a band of fabric the exact color of potion around her leg, with the initials "PER" carefully stenciled onto it in white block letters. "We're here to negotiate you letting the humans through with us," said Gavel.
"Oh, of course!" said Cool Shade with a bright smile. "We can get them ponified and then all of you can be on your way!"
"Er, no, you don't understand," he said. "They don't want to be ponified. They're helping us get to the Barrier, and--"
"We know that, silly! They're Railroad, right? The HLF certainly wouldn't be tooling around here with ponies in tow! Well, we don't really have a problem with the Railroad as an organization, since they help ponies and all, but... well... you know! We have our principles to consider."
"You can let them by, can't you?" asked Gavel. "Just this once? If you don't yield, they're going to attack."
"Besides, they'll have to come back this way somewhere around here to get back to DC, maybe you can tag 'em then," offered Sugar Spoon, earning her a jab in the ribs from Gavel. The unicorn giggled.
"What team are they?" asked the PER pony.
"Huh?
"Which Railroad team are they?"
"Seven-Three," said Sugar Spoon.
Cool Shade's eyebrows lifted. "Ooh, what an honor for them to be making a trip this far south! Though I guess humans have pretty much given up the ghost on Delaware at this point. Oh well!" She giggled, and Gavel gave her a stern look.
"I don't think they're bluffing," he said. "They have very strong convictions."
"Well so do we!" she said. "And while I'm quite sure they're not above shooting innocent ponies who are only trying to help--they are humans, after all--it would be remiss of us not to spread the gift of ponification to all of the princesses' future subjects!"
Cool Shade then tapped a hoof to her chin and looked up at the sky. "Besides," she said, "if word got out that my chapter's gone soft on humans, we might get reassigned to conversion duty in the middle of nowhere!"
"I figured there would be an impasse here," said Sugar Spoon, "and you know, I've been giving it some thought. Let me know how this sounds..."
* * *
Melchior and Balthazar kept scanning the area for ponies trying to sneak up on them, paying careful attention to the sky. Fortunately, in the wake of the fog the sky had opened up to a deep, cloudless blue.
"What're they doing up there?" muttered Balthazar, peeking over the top of the pickup's door. "What's taking so long?"
"Dunno," said Melchior. "Don't get sidetracked in watching them, though. Keep your head on a swivel."
The young man scoffed, smiling under his mask. "And just who are you tellin' that to again?"
They both chuckled, keeping their rifles raised as they scanned.
* * *
The spike strip at the culvert bridge was barely out of the way before Railroad 7-3 barreled past, leaving the PER checkpoint and Salisbury in their dust.
In the back of the truck, Gavel glared silently at Sugar Spoon, who said nothing and only smiled back. Melody looked from one pair of eyes to the other and back again.
"Well?" she asked, stretching her wings a bit. "What happened? How'd you do it? Don't keep me in suspense!"
She could see that Gavel was rather unpleased. "Let's just say Spoon has a knack for what the PER likes to hear," he said.
Sugar Spoon took it as a compliment and closed her eyes, nodding her head sagely.
A gust of wind tousled Melody's mane, and she folded her wings quickly to prevent catching a drift of air. "We seem to be going rather fast," she said.
"I bet the humans want to get as far away from this place as possible," said Gavel.
Civilization receded from the roadsides, giving way to trees and overgrown fields of weed-choked crops. After several miles, Melody's stomach began to growl. She gingerly tapped on the back window with a hoof. The window slid open, and Melchior leaned into view.
"We haven't forgotten," she said. "We're stopping."
Railroad 7-3 pulled off the road onto a rather lush green field. The ponies hopped down from the truck and the humans got out of the cab, but they had their weapons with them. Their gas masks and hearing protection were also still on. Melody asked if anything was wrong.
"Just stay where you are," said Balthazar quietly. "All of you." He stopped several paces away from them, his rifle in his hands. Melchior pointed to Sugar Spoon, her other hand on her own weapon.
"Open your mouth," she ordered.
Sugar Spoon gave a confused look to her fellow ponies, then sat down on her haunches and opened her mouth.
"Wider."
Sugar Spoon stretched her mouth open as far as it would go.
"Lift your tongue."
The unicorn hesitated.
Melchior's voice grew threatening through the respirator. "Stop trying to think of a way out of this and lift your tongue!"
Sugar Spoon visibly hemmed and hawed with herself before spitting out a vial onto the grass. The vial was corked, and contained a familiar-looking purple fluid.
Melchior shouldered her rifle. "Get clear. Cover your ears."
The three ponies scrambled out of the way and brought their forelegs up over their heads just in time to muffle the sound of Melchior blasting open the vial with a single shot. The potion slid harmlessly down the blades of grass and into the soil.
The woman exhaled and safetied her rifle, slinging it and pulling off her earmuffs and gas mask. Balthazar did the same behind her.
Melchior waited until Sugar Spoon had worked up the nerve to make eye contact with her again. The other two ponies sidled away from the unicorn quietly, averting their eyes.
The woman knelt by the unicorn and brought her chin up with a finger.
"This wasn't our first dance with the PER," she said gently. "We've been able to make eight deliveries for a reason."
"Are you mad?" asked Sugar Spoon quietly, her eyes huge and fearful.
Melchior shook her head. "We used to get mad," she said, "but now we can sympathize. Ponies care, and they show it in many ways. Tough love, right?" She gave a small smile. "Humans care too, though; it's why the Railroad exists." Gavel and Melody relaxed a bit, and came to sit down by Sugar Spoon while Melchior spoke and Balthazar brought over the three sacks and two MREs.
"If we became ponies, what then?" she continued. "What about all of the others who would have come after, who now get hurt trying to make it to the barrier on their own? For us, who have this... unique skillset, getting ponified seems rather selfish, don't you think? There's still fighting to be done, fighting for a good cause, on the behalf of good people. I know you think it's horrible and all, but playing by Equestria's rules on Earth can get you killed. There are very few people who actually want to shoulder this burden, so please, let them do it."
Balthazar remained quiet, and returned once more with a rolled-up green army blanket, which he unfurled in the warm afternoon breeze and let settle on the ground. Everyone sat down on the blanket and began to eat.
"I mean, take Balth for example," said Melchior, jerking a thumb at her comrade. "Sure, he's surly, and he's afraid to be happy, but when it comes to a throwdown, he's definitely someone you want on your side."
The young man grumbled while everyone else had a laugh in the sunlight. |
Railroad Seven-Three | 5. Assateague | And the songs that I have sung
Echo in the distance
Like the sound
Of a windmill goin' 'round
Guess I'll always be a soldier of fortune
-Deep Purple, "Soldier of Fortune"
The two remaining members of Railroad 7-3 had another shift change after lunch, with Melchior taking the wheel for the first time that trip while Balthazar climbed into the back with the ponies. It was turning into a lovely afternoon, and cirrus clouds materializing on the highest vaults of sky promised a cool, pleasant sunset.
Both of the humans were more relaxed, and that in turn helped the ponies be at ease. No longer seating himself on the ammunition crate, Balthazar instead chose to sit on the truckbed itself, down with the ponies and more out of the way of the numbing wind flying over the roof of the cab.
The scenery was trees and grass and open fields now, no more shopping centers or office parks. Gavel in particular found himself invigorated by his surroundings. His legs wanted to stretch out and run. He wanted to see how fast and how far he could go, to just run and run and run until he collapsed, exhausted and happy, to take a nap wherever it was he fell. He thought about the scenes of Equestria that were shown on Princess Celestia's TV broadcasts, picturing them, and his heart leapt with anticipation. Oh, to run there, with his wife and his two sons, over an impossibly green hill made of stuff he could now eat! He grinned at the thought of it.
It was only an hour or so away, he reminded himself. It was so close now. He looked over his two friends, and could see the excitement written on their faces as well. It would be a homecoming for all of them.
Balthazar was making conversation to pass the time, a bit of his gruff edge gone. Sugar Spoon was glad to see it, and more glad to see he was incorporating ponification into the discussion now. She hoped the seed of curiosity had been planted, the first vestiges of interest. After having heard Melchior mention it, she too found herself wishing she could be a fly on the wall of his conversion dream.
"What were you doing, Melody, before you got ponified?"
The pink-maned pegasus looked down at her red hooves, embarrassed. "I was a senior in college."
"Where'd you go?"
"...Georgetown."
"Huh, no kidding! What was your major?"
Melody looked up at him and cocked her head. His features seemed softer than they had before. "Wh-what does it matter now?" she asked. "I'm leaving."
Balthazar smiled just a little and leaned his rifle up against his shoulder. "I was a freshman at Georgetown before taking on my... current position. I was just wondering if maybe I'd seen you before."
Melody let her mane fall over her eyes, ashamed for having questioned him. "Foreign Service in Culture and Politics," she said quietly.
"Oh, so you were the diplomat after all!" he said. "And this whole time I thought it was the senator over here. Maybe you can land a job talking to griffins or whatever."
Gavel snorted. Sugar Spoon giggled.
"What were you going there for?" asked Melody.
The man's eyebrows raised. "Me?"
"Yeah, you!" she said with a laugh. "I told you my major, now you tell me yours."
Balthazar looked over to Gavel and Sugar Spoon, who were smiling at him. "Well, you don't have to declare until your junior year, but I was thinking anthropology. Talk about a program with no future now, huh?"
He chuckled, but did so alone. The ponies looked on sadly at him, a young man with a rifle, black gloves on his hands, kneepads on his legs, and a headset around his neck. Dried brown streaks of blood were on his forearms and smudges of black road-dirt were on his face. He was the strife of humanity given form, anger and resolve and fatigue, the deadliest creature to have ever existed, so fearless and resentful that they even used their own deaths as a statement of defiance.
He saw their looks and let out a breath. "Well, it's true enough, ain't it?" he said with a shrug. "No future. Man, Tasmania's gonna be interesting times. I wonder if ponies will line up along their side of the last bits of the Barrier to see what happens."
Sugar Spoon grimaced in distaste and stuck out her tongue. Balthazar threw up his hands.
"Oh, what, do ponies not even have morbid curiosity now? I'm not saying it'll be a day of streamers and party hats--though the way some ponies have looked at me in the past, who knows--but when there's a car accident, you slow down to look at it. You can't not... right?"
The road hummed by beneath them for a time. Balthazar frowned and looked away to study his rifle.
"Stop looking at me like that," he said quietly.
Three taps came on the back window. Balthazar set his weapon aside and swiveled around to slide open the window.
"Dispatch called," said Melchior from inside the cab. "Sounds like the pegasi are looking out for us on this run. Apparently HLF pickets have been spotted along the entrances to Ocean City. We'll be diverting south. We should be able to drop the ponies off on Assateague."
Balthazar nodded and closed the window, turning back around and leaning back once more.
"More HLF?" asked Gavel.
The young man nodded. "We're not out of the woods yet," he said. "In fact, we'll be entering the woods rather shortly."
"More fighting?" Sugar Spoon's ears drooped.
Balthazar shook his head. "Not this time. On the bridge we didn't have much of a choice; this time we got advance warning." He sighed. "They took Ocean City, though... that was a major ferry point for ponies. I guess after Delaware became uninhabitable the fellas at Rehoboth just shimmied south a ways."
Melody craned her neck up to look over the roof of the truck. The very top of the Barrier was just starting to come into view, seeming to shift out of the stuff of a sky like a mirage, an orange-pink dome with the oily iridescent shimmer of a soap bubble. A rush of excitement shot through her.
"Well, fuck it, let 'em," he continued. "Pretty soon there'll be too much land for them to cov--"
"I see it!" cried Melody, pointing a hoof ahead.
Gavel and Sugar Spoon jumped to their hooves, rushing past Balthazar to stand up on the ammunition crate and look past the truck's off-road lights.
"Wow, it's huge!" said Gavel. "We're still miles from the coast."
"It's a sight for sore eyes, that's for sure," added Sugar Spoon.
Balthazar didn't bother looking; he'd seen it eight times before.
* * *
Railroad 7-3 exited Route 50 and moved south towards Berlin. The ponies in the back were fit to be tied. Melody even risked dancing about on the truck bed.
"Whee, Equestria, Equestria, here we come!" she chanted in a singsong voice.
"It's a little early to be jumping for joy," said Balthazar, his rifle now down in his lap. "The job's not done yet."
"Gavel, get on up and bust a move! You're gonna see your family soon! Doesn't that make you wanna dance?"
Balthazar frowned. "Hey, are you listening to me?"
"Woo! You go, pony! Shake your groove th--"
Her vision suddenly filled with Balthazar's face. His brown eyes flashed dangerously.
"Sit down and be quiet," he said through clenched teeth.
The pegasus's ears drooped and her hind legs gave out from under her, dropping her butt onto the bed. The mood had been effectively killed.
"I'm not gonna have you flying out of the back of this truck this close to the end." he muttered, moving back to his spot on top of the crate. "HLF everywhere and we lose a pony to a broken neck delivered via pothole. Yeah, that'd look great for our track record."
Melody stuck her tongue out at Balthazar. "You're mean."
"No, I'm careful. This is dangerous stuff we're doing, and you ponies are far from invincible. Reputation is--"
"Yeah yeah, reputation is everything." Melody lied down and rested her chin on a foreleg.
Balthazar snorted and shook his head with a smile. "And you're my age? Listen to you."
"Relax, Balth," said Sugar Spoon, taking on a satisfied smirk to see the young man bristle at the nickname. "Things have a way of working out. You just have to have faith in Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They'll take care of us. All of us! Even you."
He fixed her with a glare. "Yeah, it was a great job they did keeping Gaspar from getting his ticket punched."
Sugar Spoon took on an authoritative air, crossing her forehooves in front of her where she lay and holding her head up high. "If only you knew," she said with a sigh. After a moment, she tempered it with a smile, thinking a private thought.
Balthazar looked at her sourly, but said nothing. The pickup rocked a bit on the uneven road.
A pristine cornfield flew by the shoulderless road in a blur, the mighty stalks in full bloom with plump ears peeking out from silky husks. Melody felt her mouth water. They were almost close enough to touch. The young man, too, gazed at the field while he thought to himself.
"I guess he's just going on ahead of us," he said at last. "It's not much of a choice, when you really get down to it. Either you go pony or you die."
Sugar Spoon shrugged. "What can I say? Princess Celestia isn't in the habit of losing." She then gave him a pointed look. "Besides, choosing death is not completely unprecedented, it would seem."
Balthazar held his rifle up to his chest. "Some just ain't cut out for it," he said. "Nothing more to say."
The unicorn's golden eyes twinkled.
"We'll see," she said.
* * *
Berlin came and went without incident, and soon Railroad 7-3 was eastbound once more. Now directly ahead of them, the Barrier grew and grew, seeming to rise like a massive, dim second sun from the horizon. Balthazar had stiffened up again, casting off his relaxed posture and occupying his time more with scanning the road ahead than with conversation. The other ponies chattered excitedly behind him, but none of them could help but marvel at the Barrier's overwhelming presence. Even Melchior, down in the cab, had to keep reminding herself to keep her eyes on the road.
The sight of the Barrier had sapped something vital from the humans. Melchior had slowed the truck, as if to delay their arrival, and Balthazar was grim and taciturn, slouched against the cab, the roof supporting most of his weight.
Gavel sensed it more than anyone else. He took a step toward the young man. "You all right, son?"
The man was breathing slower. "It doesn't care, does it?" he asked, trying to keep his focus on the sides of the road. "It just eats everything up. It's eating up the whole world. Everything will be gone, and it just doesn't care. It's just a big shiny tumor." He laughed once. "And ponies love to say that we're the monsters, even as that Barrier pushes us into extinction. At least the HLF is showing them what loss feels like. Maybe they'll even take a lesson from it."
Sugar Spoon opened her mouth to speak, but she was stayed by Melody's hoof on her shoulder.
"The HLF are fighting a war they can't win, Balthazar," said Melody. "The only thing they're doing is spreading more pain."
"You think they don't know that?" he said, his tone starting to cut once more. "Fucking civilians. You just don't get it. Never did. I thought I explained all this on the bridge. This ain't about winning or losing--for them or for us."
The ponies stared at him blankly. Melody lowered her head and scraped her hoof along the padding beneath her.
"Let's say we could beat back the Barrier. Let's say we could push it back into nothingness and cut Equestria off from Earth completely. Let's say we managed to do this. What then? Do you think the fighting would stop?"
Gavel shook his head. "Of course it wouldn't," he said.
"Exactly! This is what we do. The fighting is the thing, not the winning or the losing. There's only satisfaction in victory if you fight for it. A victory handed to you isn't a victory at all, and that's what ponies are doing: just giving humans an out, a way to duck their responsibilities, no muss, no fuss. Senator? Melody? You're not winning anything, you're escaping, and there's a world of difference. You're refugees, off to live soft lives as soft creatures because it suits you. Well, you're welcome to it, but it doesn't suit everyone. If there's no fighting to be done in Equestria, then we fighters will have to have it out here."
They looked at his back quietly. Sugar Spoon was scowling, and Balthazar seemed to sense it.
"I've been in shitholes, Equestria. Real ones. You think this place is hell? The eastern coast of the United States?" The corners of his mouth tugged up in a smirk, and he shook his head. "Oh no. This place is goddamn paradise, trust me. Live a year or two as a human in a real shithole and these cute concepts of winning and losing you have will start to seem really fucking silly, I guarantee it. You don't know victory and defeat."
The unicorn bit her lip and tried to keep her temper under control. "Then how would I know it, O mighty human soldier?"
"I know you're just being sarcastic, but my suggestion? If you really wanted to know? Get some pony buddies together and go do what we do. Kill some HLF, keep some humans from getting ponified by the PER, turn away a raid by scavengers and looters. Get bloody by stabbing an enemy or closing the wound of a friend. See people live and die by the actions you take. See gratitude in the eyes of those you've helped. Feel the bond formed with people you've fought alongside and lost along the way. You can't pretend or play at it; there must be risk, and you must fight. It's fulfillment unlike anything else, and if it's not to be found in Equestria, then Equestria doesn't have anything for me. Once you've tasted it, that's you. You're done. The white picket fence and the minivan and all the rest of it will be ruined for you forever. You would mourn the loss of Earth like I do."
Balthazar's head dipped for a moment, and they saw his shoulders raise in a deep breath. He lifted his head and stared down the looming wall of magic up ahead.
"I don't care if ponies think I'm a monster," he says. "I do right by them, even as that fucking Barrier takes everything from me and Equestria renders me obsolete. I'm never going to pretend to be someone else just to keep on living. That's what a coward would do."
* * *
The magical radiation from the Barrier had done strange and wondrous things to Assateague Island.
The beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean were gone, replaced by a thriving forest, a maze of conifer and evergreen trees to rival the size of trees primeval, all standing over a carpet of soft rust-colored pine needles. The close canopy blocked the sun, shading the passage of the pickup truck as it ambled between the trees, throwing dust trails into the shafts of light. There, so close to Equestria's wall, and shielded by the sun, everything was instead lit by that warm, otherworldly radiance of pink-orange. Melchior felt as though she were in Equestria already.
At his own insistence, Balthazar had taken the wheel just before crossing the Sinepuxet. Melchior, perplexed, didn't protest, but it still worried her. His eyes had been sunken and bloodshot, and the ponies were ill at ease. Things must have been said; that was the only explanation for it. Usually Balthazar didn't talk much with ponies for that exact reason. They must have gotten to him somehow.
Still, he was alert and professional in his work as always, moving them carefully along through the forest, the roads of men now behind them. After the bridge, they had swing north to meet the curvature of the Barrier where it met the shore, and even as it got closer, both Melchior and Balthazar could start to feel that eerie probing presence of the magic coming off of the Barrier.
The ponies offered no conversation to her there in the bed of the truck, a combination of awe and moroseness taking their chattiness from them. They were already thinking of Equestria, she could tell. They had neither eyes nor ears for anything else. Ponies always got this way at the end of a delivery, especially the newfoals. It was real, it was happening, they were about to leave the place of their birth and never return.
She looked down at her rifle. She wanted to put it down to help the ponies relax, but at the same time the weight of it was a comfort to her, like it was an anchor that would keep her from drifting away. It also helped her center: the magical radiation of the Barrier did strange things to humans, and none of it was for the better. Aside from the mild itching and painless throbbing in the fingers and toes, there could also be hallucinations and imagined sounds, which was usually the signal not to go any further. To approach any closer would result in permanent damage, and less than a couple of minutes in close proximity was invariably fatal. She had to keep her concentration, just in case Balthazar wasn't keeping his.
The itching was already starting up. Melchior tried not to scratch in front of the ponies because it worried them and made them want to part company while still too far away. They were so thoughtful and innocent; every delivery they tried it, just so she could have relief from the Barrier sooner, she and Balthazar and, once upon a time, Gaspar.
Now Railroad 7-3 was close enough for the Barrier's light to fill in directly from the border. There was no horizon anymore, just a wall of shifting, beautiful, glowing iridescence, backlighting the trees and throwing them into silhouette. Her fingertips began to throb. It felt like nighttime.
Just a bit further, and the ponies would be delivered. Another job would be done. Then they would go back and have to do it all over again.
Melchior's shoulders slumped. The thought of it made her tired. She tried not to make eye contact with any of the ponies; she imagined she probably didn't look much better than Balthazar at this point.
Finally, the truck came to a stop. The ponies were quick to dismount with their sacks, but the humans were not. Melchior slowly stepped down from the tailgate rather than jumping off, and Balthazar did not leave the cab at all.
The young woman let out a breath. "Well, this is it," she said. "No ferries, no air-carriages. You can just walk into Equestria from here. I think you know the way." It took some effort to smile, but she managed it. The throbbing was pretty bad--she could feel it in her knuckles, like a strange twinge of arthritis that forgot to bring along the pain.
All three ponies hugged her at once, and Melchior had to fight back tears as she knelt down to receive them.
"Stay safe," said Gavel. "I, uh... I know I'm not in the Senate anymore, but if it means anything to you, I'd like to thank you for your service on its behalf, both to the United States and to the Conversion Bureaus."
"Take care, Gavel," said the woman. "I just hope ponies don't have the same taste for bureaucracy that we did."
The older pony laughed. "Whether they do or not, I'm done with it. I'm going to live a simple life."
It was Sugar Spoon's turn. "Goodbye, Melchior," she said quietly. "I couldn't do what you do. I couldn't stay here and see ponies hurt and humans killed over and over again, so whatever strength you have that allows you to endure it, I hope it holds out for as long as you need it to."
"Me too," said Melchior. "'If not me, then who?' That's what I keep telling myself."
"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna never asked for nor assumed there would be humans willing to do this," said the unicorn. "You have their gratitude, and that is not a guess on my part. I know you do, and if I could only tell you..."
"It's okay. Just don't run that line by Balth, yeah?"
The two of them giggled. "But seriously," whispered Sugar Spoon, leaning in towards her, "Do not feel bad for Gaspar. If anything, he's feeling bad for you. Just keep that in mind."
"I... don't understand."
Sugar Spoon smiled, but said nothing more.
"Goodbye, fellow Mel," said Melody. "You're welcome to come help me and Laura paint the town red when you finally join us."
Melchior gave a noncommittal chuckle and patted the pegasus's head. Melody closed her eyes to the pleasant sensation.
"There's one last thing to give you all before you go," said the woman. Three pairs of ears perked up in curiosity.
"What's that?" asked Gavel.
"My name," she said with a warm smile. "My real name. It's kind of a tradition the Railroad has. Where you're going, you don't have any need for code names or radio lingo--nor for keeping secrets from the HLF--so what's the harm, right?"
Sugar Spoon and Gavel both grinned while Melody hopped up and down. "Oh, yeah, tell us tell us tell us!" squealed the pegasus.
"My name is Melissa."
"Melissa!" laughed Melody. "So you're still a Mel even now, after all this!"
Melchior laughed with her. "Yep! Sure am! I'm still a fellow Mel--at least until you figure out your own new name."
Gavel looked over at the pickup. The windows were rolled up, and through them, he could see Balthazar sitting completely motionless, looking ahead, his hands still on the wheel.
"What about him?" he asked. "What's Balthazar's real name?"
Melchior looked sadly over her shoulder. "That's... something he'd have to tell you himself," she said. "I wouldn't take that away from him. The best I can do is give him one last shot at it."
She stood back up and rapped a knuckle on the pickup's window. Balthazar cracked open the door and leaned his head towards her.
"I gotta pee," she said. "Why not take a walk and say your goodbyes, Balth?"
Surprisingly, Balthazar made no protest, instead quietly getting out of the truck and taking his rifle with him. He shouldered past Melchior and nodded once to the ponies. "Let's go," he said, not sounding very enthused, "I'm curious to see how close I can get anyway."
Melchior smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder, then walked behind the nearest pine tree to tend to her business.
The young man led the way east, the glowing getting stronger as they moved closer. His skin was bathed in the orange-pink radiance, his brown eyes looking hazel under its intensity. Balthazar was itching terribly, but, like Melchior, he didn't indulge it with a scratch. He kept his head high, and walked on in silence.
"Anything you want to say to us?" asked Sugar Spoon.
"I'm a soldier, not an ambassador," said Balthazar with a sigh. "I'm not like Melody here." He cracked a brief smile. "Once we're all gone, I just hope that... humans, on the whole, will be remembered fondly. I want to believe that some good comes out of all of this, that's all."
He never looked down at them while he spoke--he only looked ahead, challenging the Barrier with his eyes. Sugar Spoon's ears drooped.
"The newfoals will remember, I'm sure," said the unicorn, "and they will probably pass their heritage on to their own foals. Beyond that... we'll have to find out together." She smiled up at the man, even though he wouldn't see it.
A hollow ping caromed off the trees and met Balthazar's ears. He nodded once. "This is as far as I go," he said. "I'm starting to hear things."
Gavel's brow knit. "Wait, you heard it too? I just heard a little metal-type sound."
"Yeah, so did I," said Melody. "That wasn't a hallucination."
Balthazar's eyes widened and he spun around to look back at the truck.
Melchior leaned over to look past the tree she was crouched behind. She hadn't thought she was close enough to imagine sounds. Balthazar was waving frantically to her, though she couldn't quite hear wh--
There was an earsplitting boom, and Balthazar saw Melchior disappear in a fountain of dirt, wood chips, and dead pine needles. The tree she had been next to began to topple, groaning and crackling as it fell to earth.
"Mortar!" he shouted. He looked back at the ponies, who were frozen in place. The young man gritted his teeth and flailed his arms towards the Barrier, waving them on.
"Go! Go! Run!" he screamed, and from there they ran in separate directions: the ponies towards the Barrier, the man away from it.
Another mortar shell landed, this one nearer the ponies as they galloped for the safety of the Barrier. Balthazar slid to a stop next to the champagne-colored, bullet-riddled pickup, threw open the door, and leapt in, starting the engine and throwing it into reverse.
He looked at the steering column, his hand still on the shifter, the red needle hovering over the "R." A third mortar shell whistled down around the ponies, nearly knocking Melody off her hooves.
"Aw, fuck it," he whispered, and shifted the column down into drive instead. Without even bothering to close the door, he mashed down on the gas pedal, launching the pickup forward, straight for the Barrier.
Sugar Spoon panted, dropping her Conversion Bureau sack to lighten herself and make the mad dash for the Barrier easier. It had seemed so close just a few moments ago, and now it only seemed to be getting farther away...
The horn of Railroad 7-3 blared out in rapid bursts, Balthazar coming up quickly behind them, then overtaking them, skidding to a stop in front of them, cutting deep gashes in the carpet of pine needles.
"Get in, get in!" he shouted, pinwheeling his free hand out the open door. The three ponies leapt into the back, and Melody had barely touched her hooves down onto the truck's bed before Balthazar sped off again, a mortar tearing up the soil where they had been a fraction of a second ago.
The shockwave of it threw the ponies against the cab. Fighting to his hooves, Gavel pawed at the window latch until it finally depressed and the window slid open. Balthazar was headed straight for the Barrier, trees whipping by at hairline distances, and he was still accelerating.
"What are you doing?" shouted Gavel through the window.
"Those are mortars!" Balthazar shouted back, not taking his eyes off his path. "Those sons of bitches had us dialed in. They must've had an FO. They must be some right crazy bastards to be operating this close to the Barr--"
"But what are you doing?" asked the earth-pony again.
Balthazar turned to look at him. The man's left eye had gone milky white, and the iris of the other one had turned orange. The Barrier was starting to undo him.
"I'm doing my job," he said simply, a wild look coming over his face.
Four more mortars tried to find their mark on Railroad 7-3 during its last desperate sprint to the finish line. The ponies willed the truck to go faster. It was hard to judge distances with the Barrier; they were finding it had actually been quite a bit further to go. Balthazar finally stopped the truck thirty feet in front of Equestria's front door. The ponies leapt out, but Balthazar fell limply from the cab, getting to his hands and knees in the soft earth.
Balthazar coughed, hard and wet, and thin tendrils of something pink flew from his mouth. He brought up a hand; blood was collecting around the edges of each fingernails.
"It hurts so much, hah, holy shit, this really hurts bad." He laughed, which only caused another fit of coughing and pink discharge. Hairs fell from his head in a steady shower. He crawled to the rear wheel of the truck and sat up, resting his back against the tire.
The ponies gathered around him, oblivious to the mortars exploding nearby at regular intervals.
Balthazar's voice deepened as his throat began to swell shut. "What're you all doing?" he asked, "The Barrier's right there. Go on, it's what you wanted, right?" His breathing grew rapid. "Don't make us... fail our jobs... like this..." He swatted weakly at Sugar Spoon--or rather, in her general vicinity.
"Nice... dodge," he murmured, his voice now growing truly garbled. A couple of teeth flopped out of his mouth, bloody and whole. One fell, and one stuck to his bottom lip.
Sugar Spoon danced in place in a panic. "Gah, if only I still had the potion with me..."
It was taking Balthazar real effort to both speak and breathe now. "You think... I'd let... you do me... after Mel and Gas... went out like they did?" The right side of his face smiled while the left side hung limp. "I'd never hear... the end of it from 'em."
There was another metallic report from the mortar team hidden somewhere in the trees.
"HLF fuckers! I'll hold 'em off!" he gurgled, his hands closing around a rifle that wasn't there. "I'm gon..." the rest of the sentence was incoherent. Balthazar's head drooped, his chin on his chest.
"Balthazar..." said Melody.
"Josh," breathed the man. "My name's Josh."
"Josh, why did you--"
"Fade to white? What kin' bullsh't is this? I allus thought it'd be a fade t'bl--"
Balthazar's hands relaxed, and he didn't move any more. A mortar exploded so close by that it caused the truck to rock on its springs, jarring the human's body into slumping over onto its side on the ground. Clumps of dirt and fragments of upturned tree-roots fell in a shower on them.
Sugar Spoon hopped away. "Come on, we have to get out of here!" she shouted, and together, she and the two newfoals galloped the last few feet from Earth to Equestria. |
Railroad Seven-Three | 6. Canterlot | She could take it back
She might take it back
Some day
-Pink Floyd, "Take It Back"
A brown earth-pony was awakened by a hoof on his shoulder, plucking him from strange places in his mind. He grunted and dug his snout further into the soft down pillow. It wasn't fair, he decided: pillows always seemed to feel best when you had to leave them behind.
The hoof shook him again, rougher this time.
"Rockheart, wake up!" whispered a gruff voice.
The pony rolled onto his back and cracked open his eyes. The few candles at either end of the room were barely enough to give him something by which to see. Opening them further seemed a feat of will beyond measure.
When he realized that the voice belonged to Sergeant Wheatgrass, it got a lot easier.
The young stallion startled and threw himself out of bed, standing at parade rest with his dark-brown mane down over his eyes. Sergeant Wheatgrass's steel shoes made nary a sound on the carpeted floor as the senior guardspony--himself with brown coat and dark-brown mane--moved around the bed to eye him from head to hock.
"Her Royal Highness Princess Luna has asked for you," said Wheatgrass quietly, so as not to disturb the rest of the row of sleeping ponies in the open-bay barrack room. "Police that mane and tail, armor up, and report to the antechamber of the throne room."
Rockheart cleared his throat. "Yes, sergeant," he said simply. With that, Wheatgrass turned and strode powerfully out of the room.
Rockheart flipped his mane back down along his neck and shook out the tangles in his tail. He then got busy making his bed, pulling the sheets and blanket tight with his teeth and smoothing out the wrinkles with his broad hooves. His thoughts drifted to his dream, and the stallion just gazed blankly at the bare stone wall of the barracks room while muscle memory did the work. He could barely remember it now, but boy did he have the impression that it had been a weird one.
His armor was in his hooflocker at the foot of the bed. Taking care to be as quiet as possible, Rockheart opened the latch and pulled out his cuirass, helmet, and shoes. He liked his armor, and the weight of it on his body. It had been two months since he'd joined up, and he still felt proud to wear it every day. He hoped that pride wouldn't diminish with time.
He donned the armor with practiced ease, stepping into his shoes and letting the segmented shroud at the back of the cuirass fall down onto his tail, the plates on the flank concealing the cutie mark that had given him his name. Rockheart was working in private on a trick where he flipped the helmet onto his own head by tossing it into the air with his teeth; he was sure it'd impress the other guardsponies once he'd mastered his eye-mouth coordination. After laying the helmet upside-down on the bed and lowering his head into it, he shook off the last remnants of sleep and walked out of the bay.
The royal palace of Canterlot was a massive, labyrinthine complex, and when Rockheart had first arrived he'd thought he'd never internalize the layout of it. Everypony had been quite understanding and helpful, however, especially when they were assaulted by the stallion's enthusiasm for the job. To his initial shock, even Their Royal Highnesses had come to know him, though as he came to learn more about them in turn, it only seemed natural. They knew everypony in the palace: their names, their families' names, their jobs, their families' jobs, where they lived, birthdays, anniversaries, everything. They were goddesses, he figured, so it'd be a trifle for them to remember such things. What was more important to him is that they, in their incredible power, took the time and care to remember at all.
He now walked the marbled, bannered corridors with confidence, though, a proper member of the Palace Watch. The floors and walls in the public areas of the palace were made of marble and the ceilings were vaulted in granite, so red runner carpets covered the center of the corridors. This keep the clopping and clacking of countless hooves and shoes from making it impossible to have conversations in the hallways.
There were three other ponies waiting in the antechamber when Rockheart arrived, guardsponies each. Two were slate-gray unicorns from the Sanctum Watch, one stallion and one mare, and the third, another stallion, was one of the white pegasi of the Sky Watch. Holding mostly ceremonial posts in close proximity to the princesses and their daily haunts, the Sanctum Watch wore gleaming silver armor, nice to look at but not much use otherwise. The Sky Watch, being the branch of the Royal Guard with the biggest public presence, had armor of thin polished brass, providing all of the brilliance of gold for a fraction of the weight, which was an important consideration for pegasi. The brown-coated earth-ponies of the Palace Watch--ponies like Rockheart--wore armor of matte brushed steel, thicker and heaver than the armor of their counterparts. It was functional and no-nonsense, bearing no jeweled accents or plumed brush along the helmet. Rockheart was rather proud of this fact; it felt like an acknowledgement of the physical strength and sensibility his kind had.
The Sanctum-Watch stallion had a rose-colored star on his chest piece, denoting his rank as a captain. Rockheart marched up to the unicorn and saluted smartly.
"Guardspony Rockheart reporting as ordered, sir."
The unicorn returned the salute. "Glad you're here, son. I'm Captain Moonwave." He gestured to the other two with a hoof. "This here is Guardspony Updraft and Guardspony Giving Grace," he said, indicating the pegasus and other unicorn respectively. "Now follow me, all of you."
To their mild surprise, instead of walking through the throne room, Captain Moonwave marched past them and started down the corridor which ran around the outside of the throne room's walls. The three junior guardsponies fell into step behind him, naturally falling into single-file progression.
Moonwave led them through the quiet stillness of the palace at night. All of the servants were home asleep, and most of the night-shift Palace Watch were manning the ramparts or the outer grounds. Soon, the marble of the floor beneath their hooves shifted in color from salmon to white. This denoted entry into the Sanctum, a place of study-rooms, arcane laboratories, compartmentalized libraries, and the personal living spaces of the Sun and the Moon. Strict noise discipline was observed even during daylight hours to assist studious ponies visiting the Sanctum.
After a bit of travel through the Sanctum, the four of them approached a nondescript arched wooden door with wrought-iron banding and a simple ring handle at mouth level. Two Sanctum-Watch unicorns stood at attention on either side of the door. The guard on the right saluted as they drew nearer.
Captain Moonwave returned the salute. Rockheart idly wondered if officers ever got sick of having to constantly do that. It hadn't been the first time.
"Is Her Royal Highness ready for them?" asked Moonwave.
"She said to send them in as soon as they got here, sir," replied the unicorn.
Moonwave shrugged. "Good enough for me," he said, and cocked his chin at the door. "Well, don't keep her waiting, ponies! I dunno what she wants with you, but once she's done with you, you can consider yourselves as you were." He nodded once to his collected subordinates, and then resumed his making his rounds through the Sanctum corridors.
The unicorn on the left used her magic to open the door, and the three visitors filed in. The door closed behind them, giving a nearly inaudible click.
The walls of Princess Luna's study were nothing but bookshelf, and each shelf was full to capacity. In the center of the room was a low mahogany writing desk with a stack of paper, a quill, and an inkwell, and seated on a cushion at the desk was Luna, Goddess of the Moon. A cheery fire crackled in the fireplace at her back, haloing her in warm, flickering light. Her mane seemed to be made of stardust, and her coat shimmered between dusky purple and near black as she moved.
She looked up at the three ponies before her, and in the instant those eyes lifted, all three ponies fell into a deep bow, bending a foreleg and dipping their heads low.
Rockheart intensely studied the fibers of the elaborate carpet next to his eyes, suddenly quite nervous, his heart pounding. What would the Night herself want with three low-ranking guardsponies? Where they in trouble? That was it, wasn't it? There had been something he'd missed in training! If only he'd studied the Royal Guard Hoofbook more closely, and had done a better job of acclimating to the whole--
"Please rise, guardsponies!" came Luna's soft voice. Rockheart had heard that Luna once used to be able to nearly knock ponies over with the power of her voice; he was glad she'd worked on toning that down.
The three of them came up to attention, locking their legs and lifting their heads in unison. Rockheart looked out of the corner of his eyes to the two others on his left. That had gone well, almost like they'd practiced together.
The princess tittered quietly, holding up a hoof to hide her mouth. "Oh, come now, be at ease," she said. "None of your officers are watching, nor are we at court; there is no need to keep up appearances here."
Rockheart relaxed, but not too much. Princess Luna was acting friendly enough, but his heart was still hopping around his ribcage. He was staying silent, and thankfully, none of the other two had spoken either. It was always a good idea to keep one's mouth shut when in doubt. That had been drilled into him way back when--
"Now then," said the alicorn, bringing a paper to the center of the desk with a hoof and looking down at it, "I have before me... Giving Grace, Rockheart, and... Updraft, is that correct?" She looked up at them, eyebrows lifted.
"I am Giving Grace, Your Royal Highness," said the unicorn mare, taking a step forward.
Rockheart took his cue from her. Uniformity was always good. "I am Rockheart, Your Royal Highness," he said, stepping forward as well.
The pegasus then stepped forward too. "I am Updraft, Your Royal Highness."
Princess Luna giggled again, looking less like a ruler of the night and more like a young mare after a night of bar-hopping. "How adorable you three are!" she laughed. "Please, please, we are all friends here; there is no need for the theatrics of parade in my humble little study. Call me Luna for tonight. It'll save us all some time." She gave a warm, disarming wink to them.
The brown earth-pony relaxed a bit more. She certainly seemed in a good enough mood, so that was a good sign.
Luna looked back down at her paper. "Now, on to the next question: all three of you were humans once, correct?"
The three guardsponies exchanged a quick look, nodding a little to each other, then Updraft said "Yes, Your--er, yes, Luna."
"Splendid! So we come to the final question before we get down to business: you three were all... warriors, back in your human lives? Soldiers?"
Again, the answer for all of them was yes.
Luna shifted the paper aside with a hoof and leaned forward a bit. "Now, this isn't a question I need answered--merely curiosity on my part--but I would be pleased to know your human names and where you served."
Giving Grace was only too happy to answer. "My name was Petra Eliopoulos," she said. "I was a truck driver in the Hellenic Army, 31st Mechanized Infantry Brigade."
Updraft cleared his throat, holding a hoof to his mouth, then said "Dhanesh Sawardekar, my beautiful princess. I was a radioman in the 26th Infantry Division, 9th Corps, Indian Army."
Rockheart hesistated before answering, trying to get his pulse under control. "I was... Kyle Webster, Third Infantry Division, United States Army. Eleven bravo."
"Hm!" exclaimed Luna. "Interesting. I suppose you are the one, then, who for a time worked on something called a..." she snuck a look back at the paper she'd slid to one side. "... a 'Railroad'?"
A deluge of rapid-fire memories flashed through Rockheart's head. Maintaining his composure, he nodded once. "That is correct, Luna."
"Outstanding. We will get to that later, but for now, I need the help of all three of you. Please, make yourselves comfortable."
Luna's long horn began to glow, and then Rockheart felt something soft bump up against his back hooves. He craned his neck back to see cushions being set down behind each of them. Needing no second bidding, the three of them sat, once again in accidental unison. Luna gave another amused smile at that.
"How does it feel to serve in Equestria?" she asked conversationally. "Tia and I are certainly honored that it was us you chose to serve."
"I do not regret it at all, my princess," said Updraft. Rockheart and Giving Grace both nodded at that.
"I don't think there was a better choice I could have made," said Giving Grace with a smile.
"Heh, fits me like a glove!" added Rockheart. "Er, well, so to speak."
Princess Luna giggled again. "So indeed! Were the magical alterations to your coats and manes and eyes rather odd? I've been rather curious for a human perspective on what it feels like having that first spell cast on them."
"It was..." Rockheart looked to the other two. "...tingly. Strange. It didn't feel bad, though! Brown probably suits me better than orange anyway." The other two ponies just chuckled and nodded.
"Good to hear," said Luna with a smile. "To business, then! The sooner we finish, the sooner you can get back to your beds, right?" She got up from the desk and began to pace along the edge of the room as she spoke. "My sister had visitors at court today who had come straight from the Barrier. They related a rather unfortunate ordeal that they had gone through involving the loss of an air-carriage and a gauntlet of dangers as put forth by the Human Liberation Front. There was an encounter with Ponification for the Earth's Rebirth as well, I understand. The three humans escorting them were members of what is known colloquially as the Railroad, a militia of sorts, given to taking ponies and Bureau supplies safely across inhospitable terrain. The three humans lost their lives. All of this happened across a stretch of road roughly one hundred miles long. One hundred miles from a Conversion Bureau to the Barrier, and all this takes place. It is worrying, as you may imagine."
The guardsponies remained silent. Luna gazed blankly at the bookshelf by her side for a moment before continuing.
"Tia and I have no jurisdiction in the human world. We cannot dictate how humans act and we cannot involve ourselves in, support, nor sanction any human-created organizations, whether they be for the benefit of newfoals or not." She sighed. "Would that we could, but we cannot take sides, even if the sides we would take are obvious to all.
"The ponies who visited us mentioned that the areas directly in front of the border are a sort of war zone, a hotbed of conflict for humans who feel that they have no place in Equestria, or that there is nothing for them here. Soldiers." She regarded them with sad eyes. As Rockheart looked into them, his heart truly settled. Kindness and regret were there, deep and smooth.
Luna gently stomped a hoof on the carpet. "But soldiers have come to Equestria, many of them, I am certain, and you three are proof of it! Even former members of this selfsame Railroad serving right here in the palace! Tia and I have determined that we must try to reach out to these souls, to find what keeps them there, or what repels them from here. When all is said and done, it must still be their decision and theirs alone to accept our offer, but if we can assuage the reservations even one human harbors, then it will have been worth it.
"We need your help, my stalwart guardsponies, to think as they think, to speak what they need to hear. Tia and I wish for you to recall your time as a human under arms and to give us insight into the warrior's mind. From this, we will fashion a new broadcast and provide it to all of the public-address media that have opened their resources up to Equestria. For your assistance, we can offer no reward beyond the satisfaction that you have helped potentially deliver some former comrades into the safety and fellowship of Equestria, and to ease this fear of peace that we ponies find so baffling."
The goddess's ears drooped, and her head lowered a bit. "I wish we could do more, believe me, but this is a matter for humans alone. We can only provide them the choice and the facts, as we ever have."
The moon goddess lifted her head, and a small smile played across her lips. "And the main fact is the same: we would like for them to choose Equestria."
Rockheart smiled and nodded at that. The other ponies did as well.
* * *
Elsewhere in the palace, Sugar Spoon and the two newfoals slept soundly in beds of silkbird down. They had thought it would be days, or perhaps weeks, before they could gain audience with either princess, but to their surprise they had been given some time to speak at the very next morning's court. In the meantime, Gavel, Melody, and Sugar Spoon had been put up as royal guests for the night. It had been quite an exhausting day, and nopony had trouble falling asleep, though the mood among them was somber over what they had witnessed.
Even as Princess Luna consulted the formerly-human guardsponies, Sugar Spoon awoke to find her coat and her bedspread awash in gentle pastel-blue light. As her eyes opened and focused, she beheld Her Royal Highness Princess Celestia, Goddess of the Sun and co-ruler of all Equestria, standing at her bedside, the light emanating from her restless, lambent mane.
The unicorn made to hastily bow, but some intuition stayed her. No, that would not be necessary. She tore her eyes away from the deity to look over at Gavel and Melody, both asleep in beds of their own in the guest room. She looked back to Celestia. Her normally radiant smile was tempered with sadness.
"Good evening, Your Royal Highness," whispered Sugar Spoon. She figured that, if Celestia wished for the newfoals to be awake, she would have had them awaken as well.
"Good evening to you too, Sugar Spoon of Fetlock," replied Celestia, also in a whisper.
"There... won't be any need for us at court tomorrow, will there?"
Celestia shook her head. "There was never a need; I just wanted you three to stay close for the night. We visited your dreams and the dreams of your companions. Luna and I have learned all we need to know. We are taking steps to mitigate the problem even now, as we speak."
Sugar Spoon looked down at the blanket, the colored light on it shifting and coalescing as Celestia's mane rippled slowly in the still air of the room.
"You almost told them," said Celestia. It was a statement, not a question.
The unicorn's gold eyes watered and she shut them tight. She struggled to keep her voice quiet. "I wanted to, princess! I wanted to so badly! I didn't want it to come to death for them, I wanted to see them as ponies, I wanted to see how happy and relieved they would be, I wanted them to visit me in Fetlock and... and thank me for setting them on the right path. If they had just asked... I... I-I tried to get them to bite, to ask, just so I would have the excuse. I'm sorry, princess!"
"You have nothing to be sorry for," said Celestia. "I know of that yearning well, my little pony, because I have it too. With all my heart I want to tell them, to just cast my voice over all of Earth and remove all doubt, but it would be overstepping our bounds for either of us to tell even one soul. Even though the Barrier is unmaking their world, to come here can never be less than a choice freely made."
Sugar Spoon couldn't bear to look at Celestia's face, beautiful as it was. Her hooves pressed into the blanket, which was sprouting dark spots from her tears. "They think even death will keep them from having to choose," she said. "Why would it be so terrible to tell them it won't? Why not tell them that running from the Barrier is only a delay to having to answer, not an answer in itself?"
"It is a matter of faith, Sugar Spoon," said Celestia. The alicorn brought her head down to the unicorn's cheek and nuzzled her gently, as a mother might comfort her filly. "We must have faith that humans will seek Equestria on their own, that they will say 'yes' when the time comes, and hopefully that time comes while they are still alive. In turn, the humans must have faith that we are not misleading them, that we offer this gift with no ulterior motive or strings, and that they will own the final decision to be made."
Celestia's nose was dainty and soft, but through it Sugar Spoon could feel the heartbeat of the cosmos. She felt very small in the goddess's presence. "Three humans died to get us here," she said. "I could have saved them so much pain. The pain of dying, of having to--" Her voice gave out, her throat catching on a sob.
"Would they have believed you," asked Celestia, "or would they have thought you were feeding them some kind of feel-good fantasy, and only grown more distant? Humans, from what I've seen, are not used to being delivered from their woes by others. In the human mind, some burdens are to be borne alone, and shrugging them off is seen as weakness. They are unused to truly good news."
The princess's voice was lifted from its funereal matter-of-factness and into warmth, prompting the unicorn to look up at her with wide, tear-filled eyes. "You must have faith too, Sugar Spoon," she said, "faith that, in the end, all three of them chose to come to Equestria."
Sugar Spoon sniffed once, venturing a smile. "Did they?" she asked.
"A human can only choose Equestria if they have hope," said Celestia, smiling back. "Do you feel as though you gave hope to them during your time together?"
Sugar Spoon looked back down at the blanket. She supposed she wasn't getting the answer she really wanted. "I... I hope I did," she murmured.
Princess Celestia's laugh was quiet and innocently joyful, like the sound of bells being rung enthusiastically by a very young foal. "Hope breeds hope!" she said. "If you presented yourself as a true and faithful daughter of Equestria, then nopony could have asked more of you. Your part in this is over, my little pony, and even I do not get all of the answers when I would have them. Rest now, and let your mind turn to happier times ahead, both for you and the newfoals who have come back with you. When your thoughts turn to them again, take comfort in hope."
Sugar Spoon was already asleep, the light on her bed already faded away.
* * *
Cool Shade brought her dark-navy-blue hooves to her mouth and called up to the pegasus fiddling with the loudspeaker at the top of the telephone pole.
"Come on, Fleetfeather, get that doohickey unbucked! We're missing it!"
"Hold'ur horhesh, I almoaf go' it!" said the teal pegasus around a roll of duct tape. It was hard to use tape with just hooves--definitely a thing for humans and unicorns only--but Fleetfeather was the only newfoal in Salisbury who'd had experience as an electrician prior to conversion.
As he brought the last two ends of unconnected wires together, Princess Celestia's voice suddenly blared from the loudspeaker, filling the air and making Fleetfeather's ears ring. The pegasus very nearly dropped his tape.
Cool Shade whooped and bucked the air in celebration, then whistled over the other PER members, who all gathered around the loudspeaker to hear Her Royal Highness's latest broadcast.
There in Salisbury, and also on the television sets, radios, and CBs in DC, the US eastern seaboard, and all over the world, Celestia spoke, in languages uncountable:
"I am Celestia, Princess of Equestria and Goddess of the Sun. I am speaking on my own behalf, as well as on the behalf of my sister, Luna, Princess of Equestria and Goddess of the Moon. I wish to address the humans in service of arms, whoever you might be, wherever you might be, and for whatever you fight.
"To come to Equestria is not capitulation. It is not a victory for fear, nor is it the invalidation of what you hold precious. It is nothing more of the continuation of the life owed to you, the life regrettably altered by events beyond anyone's control, my own included.
"Consider your responsibilities as a parent, or a spouse, or a sibling. If you have family here, you can come to them. If you have family with you, they will be safe here. You fight, but do they? Would they have you fight out the rest of your lives, or theirs? Don't they want something better for you? If you have no family, then know that you needn't be alone if you do not wish it. There is a family for you here. You can find love, fellowship, community; all you want--and perhaps need--is here in Equestria. We know a thing or two about friendship here; it is a subject of intense personal interest!
"It is true that, in Equestria, there is almost no knowledge of armed conflict. It is true that you will not do in Equestria what you do now on Earth. However, it is also true that Equestria has need of you nevertheless. We value your perseverance, your perspective, your valor, and your sense of duty and service to an ideal. We recognize these as virtues to be cultivated, not flaws to be expunged. All of what makes you who you are can be manifested anew with us, here, in ways that may surprise you but will be no less fulfilling.
"Some will hear this as propaganda, a tool of war you, as fighters, are no doubt are wise to. But just as we have no need of war in Equestria, so too have we no need of propaganda. The stakes are known by all, including you. You know what is ahead; I need say nothing to that. All I need to say is that you are not forgotten, and you are not abandoned. You are welcomed, as you have always been.
"There is time yet, and will be for a few years to come. I have hope that you--each of you--will join us."
THE END |
Candy | pre | And a picture of the cow jumping over the moon.
And there were three little bears sitting on chairs.
And two little kittens and a pair of mittens.
And a little toy house and a young mouse.
And a comb and a brush.
And a bowl full of mush.
And a quiet old mare who was whispering, "Hush."
Good night, room.
Good night, moon.
Good night, cow jumping over the moon.
Good night, light and the red balloon.
Good night, bears.
Good night, chairs.
Good night, kittens.
Good night, mittens.
Good night, clocks.
Good night, socks.
Good night, little house.
Good night, mouse.
Good night, comb.
Good night, brush.
Good night, nobody.
Good night, mush.
Good night to the old mare whispering, "Hush."
Good night, stars.
Good night, air.
Good night, noises everywhere."
"Did you enjoy that Dinks?" Rush asked,and after a moment he looked down to notice his little listener was fast asleep. He smiled softly and a sense of joy coursed through him as he tucked her in and gently kissed her cheek. He stood up and slowly walked out of the room, turning the light off and shutting the door behind himself. |
Candy | Movie and a Meal | "Did you get her to sleep?" Derpy asked.
"Yeah. She's sleeping peacefully." Rush smiled and nodded."Awww...did she get you to read "Goodnight, Moon?" She asked.
"Yeah."
"Rush, you really do make a good father figure for her, y'know that?" She said, smiling up at him.
"I don't think I'm that good of a father figure..." Derpy took his hand, pulling him back onto the couch, saying,"Bah. If you won't let me insult myself, I'll do the same for you. You make a GREAT father figure to her. You're smart, kind, caring, you never insult her unnecessarily, and you're(almost) always eager to help her with whatever she needs." She ended her minilogue by giving him a kiss, smiling. He smiled back and gently placed his hand on her cheek.
Derpy pulled back from the kiss, still smiling, and asked, "So, weren't we going to watch a movie?"
Rush thought for a moment before saying, "Alien."
She jerked her head back, shocked. "D-did you say...A-Alien? That's the movie we're going to watch?" He nodded.
"I've never seen it before, and I thought it'd be a good movie to watch." He shrugged. Derpy nervously said, "W-well, I mean, I n-never, uh, never watch scary movies, b-but I can try and w-watch this one, I guess..."
Rush hugged her closer and comfortingly nuzzled her cheek, saying, "You aren't going to be watching it alone." She looked up at him, smiling once again, before tackling him to the couch, nuzzling her cheek into his fluffy chest fur. "Mmm, so I get to watch this scary movie with a big, strong zebra holding me all the while?"
"Mmhm." He smiled as he squeezed her close.
"Well, then, I think I can manage."
[Two hours later]
Derpy squeezed Rush, her eyes wide, her breathing heavy. "Why...did...we...watch...that?"
"It wasn't so bad..." Rush said softly as he squeezed her, gently kissing her forehead. She looked down at him, saying, "I don't know about you, but that was terrifying for me..."
"Well, you were here, so I had nothing to worry about." He smiled widely.
"Ugh...I need to do something after that...something mundane and safe..." Derpy said.
"How about dinner?" Rush offered as he nuzzled her. "Or we can sit here for a while." Derpy smiled at his suggestions, saying, "Dinner sounds great! What should we make?"
Rush shrugged, "I dunno. Hmm... Why don't we start with something simple like a salad?" Derpy thought for a moment, and said, "What about spaghetti? That's simple, right?"
"Sure! Let's make that!" Derpy giggled, saying, "Well, aren't you eager? Let's go, then!" Rush smiled up at Derpy.
"Oh? So that means you're going to get up right?" He asked. She smiled back at him and said, "Maybe...maybe not! You'll just have to carry me, unless you can make me get up." He chuckled as he leaned up and kissed her, pulling her closer while swinging his legs down off the couch and standing up with her in his arms, holding her to his chest.
Derpy's eyes grew wide, a blush growing across her face. She then wrapped her legs around his waist, so as to get a better grip on him, putting her arms around his neck at the same time.
"There we g-." Rush smiled and tried to say. Before he could, however, Derpy grabbed him and pulled him back into the kiss, moaning into his mouth. Rush closed his eyes and held her even tighter as he gently pressed his tongue against her soft lips.
She blushed even harder, opening her lips so their tongues could clash. He playfully wrestled his tongue against hers and started licking around her mouth. As she started taste him on her mouth, she stuck her hand up his shirt, feeling around the contours of his muscles. He tenderly caressed her rump and gently kneaded it as he further felt her soft skin against his stomach.
Derpy gasped, suddenly pulling back from the kiss, a line of saliva connecting their mouths. "W-we...uh...we have sp-spaghetti to m-make...r-right?" She asked.
"Um... yeah, right." Rush nodded quickly as his face reddened slightly.
"Y-you can put me down now...I-I mean, if you want to, that is. You don't have to. I...I like it here..." Derpy said, squeaking a bit.
"How... how about I carry you into the kitchen before I set you down?"
"I-I'd like that..."
Rush nodded and slowly (almost purposefully slow) carried her into the kitchen. As they made it into the kitchen, he set her down on the counter top, where she hesitantly unwrapped her legs from his waist and got down. "S-so, spaghetti, right? Should w-we only make, that, or should we make something to go with it?"
"Just the spaghetti." Rush said quickly, it sounded almost like he wanted to get it over with quickly, so he could go back to holding her.
"Well, first we have to get the water boiling..."
"Aaaaand...there!" Derpy said, Rush plating the spaghetti and sitting down.
"It looks really good!" Rush smiled as he sat down right beside her. Derpy blushed, saying, "Oh...it's...it's not that special, it's just regular old spaghetti..."
Rush grabbed her hand gently while saying, "Hey... Don't talk like that, It is special. You made it." Derpy fidgeted, replying, "W-well...you made it too!" She said. He smiled and shook his head.
"L-let's just eat, why don't w-...huh? W-why's there only one plate? Are you not gonna eat?" Rush's smile grew and he suddenly pulled her onto his lap and nuzzled her cheek. "R-Rush? What's- I- what are you doing?" She asked, confusion filling her face. He remained silent as he gently twirled some spaghetti onto a fork and slowly brought it to her mouth.
She ate the spaghetti, still confused, and tried to ask again, "What are you do-" He slowly twirled another bite and ate it himself before getting her another forkful. "You just relax and let me do the work." He said softly as he fed her another bite of spaghetti.
Finally understanding what was going on, Derpy leaned back onto Rush, her head in the crook of his neck. "What did I ever do to deserve you, hmm?"
"Being you, for one." Rush smiled as he fed both of them another bite. "And two... for being so beautiful." Derpy stiffened, blushed, and said, "Stop iiiit...you know I hate it when you do that..."
"But it's the truth." Rush whispered. |
Candy | Teddy Bear | "Mmm...that was some good spaghetti, Rush. We must be master chefs or something..." Derpy said, her stomach full.
"I know." Rush chuckled as he gently turned her around in his lap and nuzzled her neck. Derpy sighed, saying, "It's getting late...we should probably go to bed, no?" He smiled a little and picked her up. He gently kissed her on the lips, slowly carrying her back towards the bedroom.
She smiled into the kiss, happy to be pampered like she was. He sat down on the bed with her and laid back as he gently tickled her lips with his tongue.
Derpy grabbed his collar, pulling him down onto the bed with her. He smiled a little and ran his hands down her back before squeezing her close. Derpy shivered, her wings extending inside of her shirt. He pulled back and smiled down at her. "Let's get ready for bed." He suggested, his hands leaving her back and gently running up her sides.
Derpy giggled, the tickling on her sides causing her to laugh. "R-Rush! If you want us to get ready, y-you have to stop tickling m-m-me!" He laughed quietly and pushed out of her grasp, taking a step back shortly after and smiling even wider as he started to remove his shirt.
Derpy stopped giggling, the sight of Rush taking off his shirt more investing than mere tickles. Rush threw his shirt onto the floor, his hands shifting down to his pants, slowly pushing them onto the floor, leaving nothing but his boxers. He slowly got back into bed right beside Derpy, gently hugging her against his now almost-naked, yet comfortingly warm, body.
However, before he could get completely comfortable with her, she broke out of his hold. "You know...you aren't the only one who has to get dressed for sleeping..."
"I knew that..." He said quickly. "I just..." He slowly trailed off as he really focused on Derpy. The mare had already slipped her shirt off, and was already working on her pants. She had turned around, tantalizingly wiggling her bubbly(In multiple ways) butt. Her pants finally meeting the ground, she turned back to Rush, her muffin-laden unmentionables coming into vision for a brief moment before she laid down next to him. Rush was at a complete loss for words but his next action spoke louder than any words ever could have, as he gently pulled her close again and softly kissed her on the lips.
Derpy stopped him soon, however, and said, "Not that I don't love kissing you, because I do...but are we just going to lay here and make out, or are we going to do something meaningful?"
Rush scratched his chin in thought, while mumbling, "Hmm... Well we can talk or cuddle if you want to." He offered after a moment of thought. Derpy sighed, snuggling in closer to Rush, saying, "I'm pretty tired...could we just cuddle?" He smiled and tenderly nuzzled her cheek.
HEY. EXPLICIT LANGUAGE STARTS IN THIS CHAPTER. WE'LL KEEP USING IT FOR THE REST OF THE STORY.
"Of course." He nodded as he squeezed her close, her breasts rubbing against his chest, causing his eyes to widen as he felt her pointed nipples through her bra. His body responded in turn, blood rushing to his length, causing it to stiffen, his freshly hardened boner now poking through his boxers and tapping her crotch.
"I-I....ah...y-your...c-c-c...." Derpy spluttered, her face turning beet red. Rush quickly let go of her and scooted away, forcing himself to avoid looking her in the eyes. "W-wait! I-I mean, don't go...maybe we could j-just...spoon?" Derpy suggested.
"S-sure..." Rush nodded slowly, moving closer to her once again.
"Um...I-I guess...I'll b-be the...the...little...spoon?" Derpy squeaked out, blushing so hard she seemed to be on fire. "If... if you want to..." He said in an attempt to be reassuring, but even the white stripes on his own face were a blazing red now.Derpy flipped over and scooted back, her progress slowed down(but not stopped by) Rush's erection, which slowly slid between her thighs.
Derpy gasped, the feeling of his erection rubbing her marehood like nothing she had ever felt before. (It's so...w-warm! I don't...why does it feel so good?) Derpy thought. Rush shakily wrapped his arms around her stomach, and after a moment Derpy began feeling his warm breath running across her neck.
(Why does she have to be so soft? I... I can't get enough of it... With her here I feel like I'm in heaven...) Rush thought, after only a second he squeezed her a little closer and nuzzled her warm neck.
"G-goodnight, Ru...Rush..." Derpy said breathily.
"Y-yeah... goodnight to... you too Derpy..." Rush said in a quiet voice, his hand shakily and tenderly grabbed one of hers.
Somehow, they managed to fall asleep, even with all of the embarrassment.
Rush nuzzled against Derpy as he woke up. He stretched and was hit with the feeling of the soft grey pegasus in his arms. Every part of his body felt comfortably warm and he was a little sad that he had woken up so soon. He laid his head back down and tenderly squeezed Derpy, trying his best to avoid waking her up. (She looks so peaceful.) He smiled at the thought.
(1 hour later)
Slowly, and immeasurably cutely, Derpy woke up. She yawned, stretching her arms as wide as she could, before they were stopped by something holding her in place. "Good morning." Rush whispered softly. She squeaked, slightly, before she remembered where she was, and sleepily replied, "Good morning, Rush."
"How'd you sl-" Rush tried to say. Before he could finish his sentence, though, Derpy squirmed in his grip. After lifting his arms from her slightly, she suddenly flipped over, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Let's sleep a bit more, It's only..." she looked at the clock, "6:30. We still have a few hours before we have to get Dinky up and ready. *YAWN* Now snuggle better, you big teddy bear." Rush smiled and squeezed her close again before nuzzling her cheek softly. He gently kissed her on the lips before laying his head back down. |
Candy | Icing on the cake | [About 6 hours later]
"Who did you say was going to be watching Dinky today?" Rush asked.
Derpy thought for a second before snapping her fingers, saying, "Rarity! They're all having a sleepover, the Crusaders and Muffin, at Rarity's tonight."
"That sounds like fun." He chuckled.
"Well, she has been asking to hang out with them quite a lot recently. I figured, why not let them?" Derpy reasoned.
Rush nodded while saying, "That's a good plan. Why don't we go drop her off?"
Derpy smiled. "Sounds good." She turned around and raised her voice, saying, "Muffin! Do you have your stuff packed for the sleepover?"
"Yes, mommy!" Dinky said as she came running in.
Her mother turned to her, slightly glaring(as much as she could, her eyes being how they were), and said, "Are you sure? I didn't see you going into the bathroom to get your toothbrush and tooth paste!" Rush covered his mouth and laughed a little.
"Buuuut Moooooommyyyy! I'm not even gonna be there for l-"
"A bup-bup!"
"It's one ni-"
"Toothbrush!"
"But-"
Derpy went into full-on mom-mode. "Dinky, I'm going to count to three, and by the time I get to three, if you aren't in the bathroom, getting your toothbrush, so help me Celestia, I don't know what I'm gonna do!" She raised her fist on front of her face, starting to count.
"Oooonnnneeee...."
"Uhhh...M-Mr. Rush! Help me!" Dinky said desperately. Rush smiled and quickly lifted Dinky up and carried her into the bathroom.
"There. I don't know where you keep your toothbrush though..." He started.
"Behind the mirror! Quick, mommy is still counting!" Dinky said.
"Ttttwwwwooooooo...."
Rush opened up the mirror and grabbed Dinky's toothbrush and toothpaste, handing it to her.
"Quick! If we hurry, we can get back before she gets to three!" Dinky said. From her position atop Rush's shoulders, she pointed back out of the bathroom, to where Derpy still stood. Rush nodded and quickly walked back to Derpy.
"Thrrrr- oh. There you are. You guys ready to walk to Rarity's?"
"Yes mommy!" Dinky said excitedly. "But...instead of walking, can I stay up here?"
"Don't ask me, ask Rush. It's his head you're sitting on top of." Derpy reasoned.
"I don't mind." Rush smiled up at Dinky as he tickled her sides.
"Then let's be off!" Derpy said as they left the house. However, just as they left, the little portable radio Derpy owned started to play a song. "Ooooh! I love this song! One second, you two, lemme just grab it so I can bring it with us..." She ran in, grabbing the radio, and quickly came back out.
They walked in silence(save for the radio, of course) for a while, just enjoying each other's company. As they walked, there was a slight nodding of their heads, synchronized to the beat of the music.
After the song had ended Rush spoke, "I forgot to mention last night, I met Rarity at the movie store."
Derpy turned to him, asking, "Oh? What'd you two talk about?"
"She gave me her business card and said she'd be willing to hire me."
Dinky interrupted from atop his head, shouting, "Oh wow! Is that true, Mr. Rush?"
Rush laughed a little and smiled widely as he spoke, "Yep, it is!"
"So, does that mean you've finally gotten over your little...fear of women?" Derpy asked.
Rush mumbled out, "I... um... it's something a little different than that..."
Derpy smiled, and slowly sidled closer to him, keeping an eye on Dinky- who was looking down the street- to make sure she didn't notice what was happening. "Are you sure? You really seemed...comfortable...last night," She whispered into Rush's ear.
"I was..." He said, "It's just... um talking with her was, well business related..."
"Hey Mr. Rush! Why's your face all red 'n stuff?" Dinky asked out of nowhere.
Rush quickly responded with, "N-no reason!"
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
"Oh? Who could that b- Rush! Derpy! Oh, do come in and make yourselves comfortable, I'll put some tea on," Rarity said as she opened the door.
"Thank you." Rush smiled as he walked in with Dinky still hanging onto his neck.
"Hi Mrs. Rarity! Is Sweetie Belle here?"
Rarity tittered, saying, "Hello, dear. But please, call me Miss Rarity, not Mrs. As for Sweetie, she's upstairs. I presume you would like to see her?"
"Yeah! Mr. Rush, can I get down now?" Dinky excitedly asked. Rush smiled and kneeled down so she could get off, making sure she didn't fall. As soon as she reached the floor, she ran over to the stairs, only to suddenly stop. She then turned around, running back so as to hug Derpy and Rush before going back to the stairs.
Rush waved, "Have fun!"
At the same time, Derpy said, "See you tomorrow, Muffin!"
"Well, dears, would you like some tea? I have some chamomile on the stovetop right now, if you do." Rarity asked.
"That sounds great... But do you mind if I use the bathroom first?" Rush asked.
"Of course not, darling! Just...please, wash your hands, of course." Rarity replied. Rush nodded, standing there for a solid moment.
"Ah...where exactly is the bathroom?"
Rarity tittered...pointing down the hallway and motioning left. Rush walked down the hallway and vanished from sight.
"Hey Rarity? Can we talk while Rush is doing his business?" Derpy asked.
"Sure, darling." Rarity smiled as she turned to Derpy.
"Ah...well, he doesn't know this, but I'm taking him on a date to..." Derpy whispered to Rarity.
"How?" Rarity gasped loudly.
Derpy blushed, explaining, "Well...a while back, the Post office gave me an award for perfect attendance, and with it came an anytime-you-want, anypony-you-want, reservation there...and I decided that I would use it tonight! Anyway, I was wondering, could you try and convince Rush to get a tuxedo, or something along those lines? I already have a dress, It's the one I got from you a while back."
"I'm sure I can get him to agree to wearing one." Rarity nodded.
"Oh, Rarity! Thank you so much!" Derpy said, hugging her in a death-like grip. "Do I owe you anything?"
"Not... at... all." Rarity grunted as she smiled a little.
"Really? Wow, Rarity, you really are generous..." Derpy said. As soon as she finished praising Rarity, though, Rush walked in, a bit confused at what he saw.
"Did... I miss something important?" He asked.
"O-of course not, darling! Now, on another note, can I get you anything to wear? A shirt, pants, tuxedo, bowtie, anything?" Rarity nervously asked.
"Um... Sure?" Rush shrugged. "But... why a tuxedo?"
Rarity gulped, before getting a little lightbulb moment, as you do. Walking up to Rush's ear, she whispered, "You never know when you'll want to take Derpy on a date someplace fancy, and you don't want to be without a tux then, do you?"
"Yeah, that'd be great!" He nodded quickly.
"Well, then, let's get you fitted! Just one moment, if you would head into the dressing room?" Rarity asked.
"Okay!" Rush nodded as he quickly walked into the dressing room.
"Oooh, Rarity, thank you so much! I really, really appreciate this!" Derpy said, hugging her tight. Rarity stood there awkwardly, patting Derpy's back.
"Ehh...yes, darling, I suppose my generosity knows no bounds...now, in order for me to make his suit, I do need to be there. And, in my opinion, you shouldn't be there, just so it's a surprise." Rarity informed Derpy.
"Hmm...well, you are the seamstress, so I'll follow your orders. Happy sewing!" Derpy said, happily walking out.
"Goodbye, dear! Now, a tuxedo for Rush...shouldn't be too hard, hmm?" Rarity said, the last part to herself. Walking into the dressing room, she said to Rush, "Now, dearie, I can't very well measure you with all of your clothes on, now can I? You'll need to undress before we can begin."
"Um... wh... what?" Rush stammered as his entire face turned red.
"In order to measure you correctly, I can't have things like clothes in the way, not if I want an accurate measurement, now do I? You can keep your unmentionables on, but that's all." Rarity said, waving her hand. "Go on, now. Chop chop!"
Rush nodded slowly and began to shakily pull his clothing off.
"Darling, really. It's nothing I've not seen before, trust me. And we will be working together soon-I assume so, at least- so we will need to be comfortable when we're alone." Rarity said, turning to her materials.
"Al... alright." He mumbled as he finished pulling his clothing off, nervously chewing on his lip and looking away from her.
"Hmm...what color should this be..." Rarity wondered out loud.
"Gray." Rush said quickly.
"Grey, hmmm... yes, that would work! Good idea, darling! Now we just need to m-measure...you..."Rarity trailed off, finally noticing Rush. Staring down at Rush's... package, Rarity realized just how lucky Derpy had gotten, and thought [I wonder...would Derpy share him? I've never thought of being in a herd before...but now...].
"Rarity?" Rush asked quietly. "Is everything... a-alright?"
"Uhhm...oh! Y-yes, of course, darling, I just...eh...lost my train of thought...now, let's get to measuring you for your tux, shall we?" Rarity stammered out.
"Yeah... let's." He nodded.
"Well, that seems to be all of the measurements...So I suppose we're done! You can put your clothes back on now...even if I don't want you to..." Rarity said, the last part a low mumble.
"Huh?" Rush asked, looking at her with a curious look.
"Nothing! Just...thinking out loud..."Rarity said with a blush.
"Okay." He shrugged slightly, hurriedly putting his clothes back on.
"Now, I'm going to put all of my effort into this, so it should be finished in a few hours, maybe by seven o'clock...just come by and pick it up by about six forty-five, alright?" Rarity asked.
"Alright, I'll be back for it then." Rush said with a nod. "Thank you for this."
"It's no problem, darling, anything for a friend. Now, shoo! I've work to do, hmm?" Rarity said, magically pushing Rush out of the room.
Rush walked back out of the building and out onto the street.Glancing around, he looked for Derpy.
Out of nowhere, a weight draped across his back, hands coming around to cover his eyes. "Guess whoooo!"
"Oh I don't know..." Rush started contemplatively his hands moving back and grabbing her legs as he spoke. "No... no it couldn't be..." He grinned.
"Eeep! R-Rush..." The voice said.
He squeezed her legs. "Missed you."
Derpy blushed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I missed you too... did you get what you needed?" She asked.
"Yep, I sure did." Rush smiled up at her. His smile grew as a thought came to his mind. "You know what..." He started.
"Hmmm?"
Rush remained silent as he lifted her up onto his shoulders.
"W-what're you doing?" Derpy asked, wiggling a bit.
"Putting you on my shoulders."
"W-why? I'm too heavy for you to carry for any p-practical amount of time, anyway." Derpy said.
"You aren't heavy at all," Rush smiled up at her. "Stop putting yourself down."
"Heh... I'd say the same, but you w-wouldn't listen..." Derpy said, blushing even harder.
"If you don't want me to, then I won't." He laughed.
"N-no! I just..." Derpy sighed. "...I guess I just can't help but do that...you can keep holding me if you want to, I won't stop you. I...I like it when you hold me, a-anyway."
"That's good. I'm going to keep doing this then!"
Derpy leaned down a bit, kissing Rush's head. "Well, you have fun, then."
Rush quickly turned his head up, kissing the end of her nose. Derpy squeaked.
Several Hours Later:
Rush walked slowly into Rarity's store, "I'm here for my tux, Rarity! Can't wait to see it!" He said.
"Ah! It's good to see you, darling. I only just finished it, so you must have excellent timing. Here you go!" She said, presenting the tux, "Is it what you expected, dear?"
Rush smiled widely and nodded as he said, "Yes! It is!" His eyes darting over the grey colored tuxedo, the slightly darker tie attached to it perfectly accenting it. He then looked at the dark grey overcoat and his smile grew, everything blended seamlessly together. "It's perfect, Rarity!"
"Heh heh... you flatter me, Rush. I'm not that good..." Rarity said, her face turning red.
"Yeah, you are." Rush nodded.
"Hmm... whatever you say, darling. Now, you take that and go have a wonderful dat-" Rarity started to say, stopping before she could ruin the secret.
"What was that?" Rush asked, snapping back to attention.
"A....wonderful...night. I meant to say night."
"Oh, you too!" Rush smiled wider and waved as he nearly bounced out of the house, fully prepared to show Derpy his new tux.
"That was...stressful..." Rarity said.
Rush burst into Derpy's house and ran back into the bedroom. "Derpy, check out my new tuxedo!" He yelled loudly. "I got the tuuuu..." He said, trailing off as he finally saw Derpy.
"You got a new tux, did you? Well, get ready to make use of it...we have a date at The Fancy Saddle at 7:30." Derpy said. She stood in the doorway to the bathroom, one hand on the doorjamb and one on her hip. But the most noticeable feature Rush noticed was the dress Derpy wore.
From her armpits to her ankles, Derpy was covered in a shimmering red fabric. Her dress was strapless, and had a rather large V down her chest, advertising her cleavage. On the lower half of her dress, one side was split, showing off her legs all the way up to her thighs. Other than the dress, she had on high heels, and an emerald necklace. The only other thing different about her was her hair, which was in a tight bun. Rush's mouth just fell open, his voice completely lost to him.
Walking over to him, hips swaying exaggeratingly the whole way, Derpy reached up to his chin and closed his mouth, saying, "While I'm extremely pleased about your reaction, we do need to be somewhere soon, so please get ready." Giving him a passionate kiss, Derpy walked back into the bathroom, closing the door with a flap of her wings.
Rush remained motionless for a short time until he quickly got undressed and into his new tux. He quickly rushed into the other bathroom in the house and started to brush his teeth and put on deodorant, before he pulled a spray vial out of his bag and sprayed what he thought was some cologne on. The smell that hit his nose made it twitch and he instantly looked at the vial, "Oh... oh my..." He muttered as he read the name, 'L.G.P'. "Oh that's... oh. Mom must have given me this." He sighed with a small smile. Setting the vial back in his bag, he walked out of the room.
[15 minutes later]
After walking out of the bathroom, Derpy found Rush standing at the door, fidgeting, messing with his collar. Silently walking up behind him, she wrapped her arms around his neck, breathing in his smell. "You ready to go, Rush?"
"Yeah." Rush smiled as he turned around and lifted her up.
Wrapping her legs around his waist, she leaned her face into his neck. "Would you mind carrying me there? I do love being here in your strong, warm grip..."
"I'd love to carry you there." He smiled down at her as he walked out into the night air.
"Wonderful..." Derpy breathily said. Squeezing her zebra tightly, she laid in his embrace, relishing his strength, warmth... and his smell... which seemed to keep getting better and better as time went on. "What's th-"
"We're here." Rush said softly as he looked down at her.
"What? It's...it's only been a minute, not even that..." Derpy said, a look of disbelief across her face.
"It's been more like twenty... but you know the saying, time flies when you're having fun." He laughed.
Derpy sighed. "I suppose that's how it goes...sadly, you have to put me down so I can give them the reservation tickets."
Rush sighed and reluctantly set her down.
Walking over to the stand, Derpy reached into her dress, her fingers reaching between her breasts and pulling out the tickets. "Two under...Hooves, seven thirty?" She said, giving the maitre d' the tickets.
"Ahhh, yes. Follow me to your table, please," The headwaiter said, walking a bit and waiting for them to follow.
Rush picked Derpy back up and carried her as he followed the headwaiter.
Blushing, Derpy said, "Rush... w-while we both like it when you carry me, you can't do it everywhere..."
Before he could respond, however, the maitre d' stopped, turning to them before saying, "And here is your table," Before he walked off, he handed them a small bell, saying, "Please just ring this bell when you need a waiter."
Rush set Derpy down and took a seat across from her. "Why can't I carry you everywhere?" He asked with a grin.
"Because...I...because you just can't! People are gonna stare...and...I don't like attention..." Derpy said, blushing.
"Oh, they'll just be jealous of you." He teased as he took her hand and gently squeezed it.
"Ohhh...you...you're t-too sweet...now c'mon, we gotta eat, y'know?" Derpy said, smiling up at him.
"Yeah, we do..." Rush said as his smile widened as he picked the bell up and rang it.
"So, how are your hayburgers?" Derpy asked.
"Great." Rush smiled, "How about your salad?"
"Delicious."
"That's wonderful!" Rush said, his smile growing. "Did you think about what you wanted for dessert?"
"Hmm...I was thinking we don't get it here, but instead go over to Sugarcube Corner and split a milkshake. How does that sound?" Derpy asked.
"That sounds great, I've never had a milkshake from there." He said.
Derpy smiled, winking at Rush. Rush raised an eyebrow but smiled a little more. Before he could ask her anything, he felt a brushing on his pant leg. Looking down under the table, he saw that Derpy had taken her shoes off, and was stroking him with her pantyhose-laden foot. Rush grinned even more and playfully grabbed her foot.
Bringing her other foot up, she began to tickle his knee, using her toes. He grabbed both her feet and gave them a gentle squeeze.
Derpy cooed, saying, "K-keep that up...it feels very...nice..."
He gently rubbed and squeezed her feet as a larger smile grew on his face. "I'm really happy you're enjoying this."
Derpy giggled. "Well, I'm really happy you're doing this for me..."
"Anytime you want one, I'll be happy to give you one." He emphasized by gently massaging her right foot with both hands, slowly moving up her leg.
Derpy shivered, a blush spreading across her face. "Rush...if you go a-any farther, the other p-patrons are gonna notice..."
Rush moved to her other leg, just below her knee and with the same skill moved slowly back down to her foot. Shuddering, Derpy squeaked, her toes curling up. Slowly, she lowered her eyelids, until the were half-lidded, looking Rush in the eyes as she brought her other foot up to his leg. Before he could grab her foot, she started to rub his inner thigh, trailing her foot back and forth. Rush's mouth opened slowly and let out a soft groan.
Derpy smiled. "Now who's teasing who, hmm?" She said, bringing her foot ever closer to his crotch. He remained utterly silent as his face reddened. She finally reached it, her foot stroking the bulge in his pants. He shivered and closed his eyes. A soft sigh escaped his lips and she felt the bulge grow a little more.
"Mmm...if I have my way, I'll be having some vanilla soon..." Derpy said, stroking slower.
"If... you..." He let out another sigh.
"If I what? You'll need to be a bit more specific..." Derpy sultrily said.
"I'm... yours... a... all of me..." Rush mumbled.
"That's right...you're all mine." She said, stroking harder, faster. Rush grabbed her foot and pushed it back down.
He panted quietly, "That's... that's enough..."
Derpy blinked, realizing where they were and what she was doing. "Oh...my..uh, maybe we should just... skip dessert..." Derpy suggested.
"Sounds... good." Rush nodded quickly.
"Rush...I-I'm sorry about that...I don't know what came over me..." Derpy said, nuzzling his chest.
"It's fine..." Rush assured her.
"I know...but I still feel so bad...I m-mean, I could've been caught, WE could've been caught..." Derpy said, starting to panic.
"Hey, it wasn't that bad." Rush said, squeezing her gently. "Just please calm down..."
"Alright...I-I just...I dunno...I'm sorry for ruining our nice date. I didn't mean for it to turn out like that..." Derpy said
"You didn't ruin it." Rush smiled, leaning his head down and nuzzling her cheek, "If anything, you made it better." He said, finishing with a gentle kiss on her cheek.
Derpy cooed, happy to be treated so nicely. "Mmm... you're too good to me, you big teddy zebra."
"Perfection doesn't deserve anything less." He smiled widely as he pushed the door open, "And you know what... tonight I'm going to treat you like the princess you are... my sunshine."
"Eeep! Wh-what do you mean?" Derpy asked, blushing furiously.
"You'll find out soon enough." Rush said softly.
Rush nuzzled against Derpy, squeezing her close as he laid down right beside her. "You're so warm." He sighed softly.
"Mmm...well, you smell good. Like, really good." Derpy said, taking a deep breath of Rush's scent.
"Um... thanks." Rush smiled a little. "Well... you always look really good." He gently squeezed her again, before kissing the end of her nose. Before he could leave her space completely, though, Derpy reached her head up and caught his lip, nibbling it while looking into his eyes. His smile widened and he licked her lips.
Moaning lightly at the feel of his tongue, she leaned in closer, bringing their mouths together. He pushed just a little bit deeper and hugged her even tighter, their bodies pressing against each others. Sliding her hands down his body, Derpy reached down to Rush's ass, relishing in the feel of the tight muscles. Shivering at her touch, Rush gently slid his hands down her back and caressed her own soft body. His tongue pushed gently against her lips, requesting her permission to go even deeper with the kiss.
"Mmmm..." Derpy moaned, opening her lips and wrestling with Rush's tongue. He groaned quietly and gave her kneadable ass a soft squeeze, genuinely attempting to pull her closer then was physically possible. Bringing her hands back up her body, she ran her hands through his hair, blushing as her breasts pressed up against his chest.
Rush pulled back to speak, "Derpy..." He breathed.
"Y...yes?" Derpy panted out. He silently nuzzled her neck and gave it an affectionate nip. Shivering, she pressed his face further into her neck, loving the feeling of his mouth on her body. He gingerly peppered her neck with kisses and more gentle nips as he closed his eyes. Gently sliding his hands up her back, he caressed her body once more.
She groaned, her wings spreading at the touch of his hands. Putting her hands on top of his head, she began to slowly push his head down, bringing him ever closer to her breasts. As his head moved down his kisses and nipping trailed down with him. His eyes moved up to lock with hers as a small smile came over his face.
Smiling back down at him, she took her hands down from his head. Watching her bring them behind her back, Rush heard a small *click*.
"Huh?" Rush asked.
Lowering her eyelids, Derpy brought her hands around to her front, pointing to her bra, acknowledging how loose it now seemed. Rush's eyes moved down and he gently pulled on her bra, slowly taking it off of her body.
After Rush had taken her bra off, Derpy moved her hands back to his head, moving him down into the valley of her cleavage. Gently kissing her teats, Rush slowly slid his hands up to her shoulders. He pressured her shoulders, gently nipping the soft flesh of her breasts.
"Aaahnn..." Derpy moaned.
He kissed her teat, gently squeezing her other one, his rough fingers gently pressing into her flesh, his warm breath rolled over her exposed body as he continued his affectionate advances. Moaning ever harder, Derpy moved her hands again, this time to her breasts, squishing Rush's face into them. He smiled, hugging her tightly as he pulled himself back up to give her another lingering kiss. Thrusting her tongue into his mouth, Derpy started to slide her hands down his body, caressing his abdomen, slowly getting lower all the while.
He shivered slightly and closed his eyes tightly. Noticing this, she smiled, finally reaching the prize below. He groaned quietly into her mouth as he pulled back from the kiss, a small trail of saliva still connecting them as he stared at her.
"Mmm...is that a map in your pants, or are you just really happy to see me?" Derpy asked, running a finger down his boxers.
"I... ah..." He moaned quietly. Licking her lips, Derpy brought her hand slightly up, stretching the waistband on his underwear before reaching her hand in, making Rush groan a little more and close his eyes even further. Blushing at the sounds Rush made, Derpy kissed him again, finally wrapping her hand around the base of his cock. He shivered at her touch and moaned softly into her mouth, his hearting beating faster immediately. He pushed slightly deeper into the kiss, his cock growing harder by the second, only taking him a few moments in her warm grasp to reach full mast.
Derpy pulled out of the kiss, looking into his eyes seductively, saying, "Do you like that? Do you like it when I stroke you, when I can't even wrap my hand around you, jerking you off into your underwear, making you cum all over yourself?"
Rush panted heavily and slowly nodded, saying, "Yes... I... I do..."
Kissing him again, she leaned up to his ear, whispering, "Tell me. Tell me how much you like it," as she stroked him faster, harder.
He managed to mumble, "I... ah... love it..."
"More, tell me more..." She said, rubbing her thumb along the underside of his glans.
He visibly shook and his mouth fell open, "A...h... I... so..." Shuddering, realized just how soft her skin was, sliding over the skin of his penis. Sliding her hand up even further, Derpy brought a finger up to the cum-slit on the top of his dick, pressing down on it slightly. Rush stiffened up for a moment before quaking as an orgasm crashed through him, his sticky cum splattered out around her finger, coating her hand and covering his underwear in sticky horse-spunk.
"Mmm... icing. My favorite," Derpy said. Bringing her hand up, she licked the smen off of it, relishing the salty taste of Rush's cum.
Rush's face was bright red as he watched her. Heaving, he looked down at himself, his boxers covered in spunk. "I...I think I'll need to change..." He said, getting up.
However, before he could get another pair of pants, Derpy piped up, saying, "Don't. I-I mean, take off your boxers, and clean up a bit, but don't worry about putting anything else on. I think I'm comfortable with that, if you are."
He said in a quiet voice, "Oh... um, sure. If you're comfortable with that..." He shakily took his boxers off, grabbing a tissue to clean himself up.
"But..."
Rush looked back at Derpy, his concentration shattered.
"I think I need some help... I seem to have too much clothing on." She said, drawing attention to her muffin panties.
Rush remained motionless for a moment before nodding slowly. He got back onto the bed and slowly slid his hands up her legs and onto her waist, followed by fingers individually slipping under the straps to her panties. After a few moments of eternity he carefully slid them down her legs, his breathing growing heavier the further down they got. After the panties were off, brought them up to his eyes, studying the rather large wet spot on the front, covering the muffin. Lowering them to the ground, he slowly slid back into bed next to Derpy, trying his hardest not to brush up against her marehood.
Derpy noticed this, and, looking back up to Rush's face, saw that he was looking at the wall, avoiding looking at her. "R-Rush? Is something wrong? You... do you not want to do this? Wh-why aren't you looking at me? What'd I do wrong?" She said, panicking more with every second.
"N... no, that's not it!" Rush said quickly, hugging her tightly. "I just... don't want to stare... I feel like I'm doing something wrong if I do..."
"R-Rush, you big silly zebra, my marehood is my most intimate part. I would be ecstatic if you stared at it, it would be a compliment of the highest regard. In fact, I want you to look at it. Now." Derpy said, growing forceful quickly.
"Oh... okay..." Rush said softly as he looked down, his eyes slowly trailing over every curve her body had before falling onto her slightly glistening pink marehood, which stood out completely from it's gray surrounding. "I-it's beautiful..." He said, just as he looked back up at her almost as if he was asking for permission to do something.
Derpy blushed, saying, "Go on..."
He gently kissed her with a lot more force than before, almost melting into her as he entwined his arms around her. Moaning into the kiss, Derpy nuzzled him, the both of them falling asleep in a fit of passion. |
Candy | What becomes dirty as it cleans? | [The next morning]
Rush yawned and stretched, moments before he wrapped his arms around the soft gray pegasus atop his chest, smiling widely and gently nuzzling her neck. Shortly after, Derpy woke up to a confining prison of soft zebra, nuzzling his chest and saying, "Mmm... g'morning, teddy zebra."
Rush softly whispered, "Good morning to you too, my ray of sunshine. How did you sleep?"
"Me? I slept great, since I had such a comfortable bed to sleep on..." She said, yawning cutely. His smile grew as he gently pecked her on the lips.
"I'm happy I could help with that."
Derpy smiled, looking up at him. "Well, since you made such a great bed, did I make a good blanket?"
Rush nuzzled her cheek, saying, "You made a perfect blanket. I can't ever remember being this warm before." Derpy blushed, wiggling to get a bit more comfortable before suddenly stopping.
"Uh... Rush? There's a... something..." She trailed off.
"What is i..." Rush paused as a new feeling hit him, "Oh... um... I uh... always wake up with... t... that..." He stammered quietly.
Derpy blushed, lowering her eyelids at Rush. Before Rush could do anything, she started to wiggle her plot, her cheeks moving up and down Rush's length. He shivered, letting out a soft groan.
He managed to barely squeak out, "W... what are yaaah..."
"What am I doing? Oh, just... taking advantage of a situation..." Derpy said, moving her plot side to side for a moment. His head fell back and he closed his eyes, groaning at the pleasure.
He mumbled quietly, "That feels... so... good..."
Derpy giggled, kissing his nose. "You got that right. Sadly," She said, suddenly stopping, "it IS a work day, so we'll have to continue this later..."
Giving him one more kiss-this time on the lips- she got up from the bed, sashaying towards the bathroom in a seductive manner. Rush laid there for a moment before rolling out of bed and quietly following her. As he walked into the bathroom, he heard the shower turn on, seeing that she was already inside of it. Rush carefully stepped in behind her, softly closing the door, and gently wrapped his arms around her.
"AAAaaahhh... Rush, you scared me!" Derpy said, her scream quickly tapering off. "What are you doing here? W-we have to get ready fo-" Rush silenced her with his finger.
"I know, but we also both need a shower." He breathed softly, gently squeezing her stomach with his free hand, his other hand gently covering her mouth, slowly moving down her cheek and onto her shoulder.
"Haaahnn... w-well, I guess if we b-both shower, it will take up less time..." Derpy reasoned. Leaning her head up, she locked lips with Rush, passionately kissing him.
Rush pushed a little deeper in the kiss as his hands slid back onto her soft stomach. After another gentle squeeze, however, his hands slid up her body and gently caressed her breasts.
Blushing into the kiss, Derpy moaned, shuddering in Rush's grip. He roughly squeezed her breasts just as his tongue started wrestling with hers.He pushed even deeper in the kiss, his fingers digging into her breasts, kneading and pulling on them.
"Oooh... you're s-so rough, Rush...I-I love it..." Derpy said, her legs squishing together from the pleasure, moments before going back into the kiss.
Rush's hands had trailed down her body, and rubbing against her plot. Breaking from the kiss for a moment, Derpy reached towards the knob, turning up the heat until it started to fog up the mirror.
Rush started nipping and teasing her neck with his teeth as one of his fingers trailed around her lower lips, gently flicking her bud.
Her eyes shooting open, Derpy looked up at Rush, seeing the small smile on his lips. "R-Rush? Are yo-" she tried to say, cut off as she felt his finger press into her marehood. He teased her inner walls, slowly fingering her.
Melting into his embrace, Derpy panted, her face turning redder by the second. Quivering, she felt Rush's finger get deeper inside of her, nearly falling as he squeezed another finger into her pussy. Rush planted kisses up her neck, his fingering getting rougher all the while.
"RuUUUush..." Derpy moaned, "Puh...put one...in my ass..."
"Wha... what?" Rush asked sounding surprised.
"Put...one of y-your fingers...in my plothole...please..." Derpy said.
"A... are you sure you want that?"
Derpy nodded. He slowly did as she had asked, a finger sliding right into her ass, starting to grind and finger both of her lower holes at once.
"Haah! I'm...Rush! I'm c-cumming, oh Celestia I'm cumming!" Derpy shrieked, shoving her tongue into his mouth. Rush continued to finger her in an attempt to peak her pleasure, his tongue gently wrapping around hers.
Taking her head from his, Derpy shakily pulled his hand from her holes, bringing it up to her mouth. Turning and looking at Rush, she put his fingers in her mouth, licking her juices from them while looking him in the eyes. Rush stared silently at her, completely awestruck by her action.
Lazily closing her eyes, Derpy took his hand from her mouth, kissing him. Immediately, Rush noticed that she hadn't swallowed anything, her taste flooding his mouth as she shared it with him.Melting into her and snapping his eyes shut, his tongue slowly dancing with hers in-between their mouths.
Slowly breaking the kiss, Derpy looked up at him, saying, "Well, I can easily say... that that was the best shower I've ever had." She sighed. "But, like I said earlier, we do go about our daily lives... so I suppose it's time we actually showered, instead of just getting dirtier."
Finally done getting ready, Derpy finished buttoning up her mailmare outfit. Looking in the mirror, she said to herself, "Alright, Derpy. Today is gonna be amazing, you're a million dollEEP!"
Rush lifted her up with a large hug, saying, "Yes, you are."
She blushed and nuzzled his face, saying, "Y-you weren't supposed to hear that..."
His smile grew and he nuzzled her back, whispering, "Well, I love hearing you say things like that." She cooed, hugging him tightly.
After a few moments, she let go of him, saying, "Well, I have to start my mail route, and today is your first day working with Rarity, so you can't make a bad impression, alright?"
"Right." Rush nodded.
Derpy smiled. "Since we've gotten that out of the way, it's time for me to leave. Don't forget, you're picking Dinky up when you leave work!" She kissed him on the nose, leaving the house. |
Candy | A Day in the Slice of Life, Part 1 | Pushing open the door to the post office, Derpy was greeted with a chorus of "Hey, Derpy!"s, as was the norm for the gray mail-pegasus. However, along with the warm greetings, there was one less-than-polite comment.
"Oh look who it is, Mrs. Crashalot herself." A snide voice belted out.
Not even turning towards the source of the rudeness, Derpy tiredly said, "Good morning to you too, Emerald Circlet." Continuing on her way, she grabbed her mailbag, quickly starting on her way out of the building.
"Heard about your date last night." Emerald said, blocking Derpy's exit from the building.
The whole room quieted down, but the mares were too invested in their conversation to notice. "Did you?" Derpy asked, "Because it was amazing."
"Uh-huh, I'm sure it was. You know, it surprised me even more to find out anyone would even attempt to go out with the likes of you." Emerald sneered. "Did he just leave right after, too? I mean really, who would even think about staying with you?"
"Oh, I don't know, probably everypony who's ever slept with you, you bitchy little slut!" Derpy yelled, getting up in Emerald's face. "I've seen you go home with a different stallion-or mare- every night! In fact, just last week, I saw you with the flower triplets! How were they, hmm? Did they taste as good as they smell?"
Emerald glared at Derpy, her eyes widening. "You... little..." She choked out, "As if anyone could love you! He's just sleeping with you to get some, you... you cross-eyed freak!"
Derpy gasped, her eyes welling up with tears. Just before she ran off crying, however, she closed her eyes, remembering the things Rush had said to her (My princess...I love hearing the things you say...ray of sunshine...), the things he's done with her(I love carrying you around...show you how much I love you tonight...), the things he'd done... to her, even(I-it's beautiful...In th-there? Are you sure?...).
All of these feeling coalesced into a greater feeling, one of self-worth, confidence, love. Opening her eyes and looking at Emerald, she raised her hand, slapping the mare across the face.
Emerald reeled back in shock as she stared, wide eyed, at Derpy. "You... you..." She stammered weakly. "How dare yo-"
She was cut off by another slap, this one ringing throughout the room. "I don't care what you say about me, but don't you dare talk about Rush like that, you cunt!" Derpy said in an icy tone.
Emerald took a few steps back from Derpy, her eyes still wide with fear. "You... you're going t... to pay for doing that!" She threatened as best she could, her eyes tearing up. Turning, she ran out of the building.
"Woah..." Somepony nearby mumbled.
Quickly shifting her gaze in the direction of that pony, Derpy said, "What? You got something to say?"
"N-No!" The pony quickly shook his head, stepping back from her.
"That's right you don't..." Derpy mumbled.
Adjusting her mailbag, she stormed out of the door, quickly starting on her mail route.
"Thanks!" The stallion said, Derpy having just handed a package to him. She waved as she flew off, turning towards her next destination.
"Let's see...next up iiis...Lyra! Ooh, and since I've been a bit faster than usual, I can stop by for a few to hang out!" Flying a bit faster, Derpy speedily made her way to Lyra's house, landing at her door in moments.
After only a moment or two, the door opened up and Derpy was greeted by another familiar face, Bon Bon, who said with a smile, "Derpy! It's great to see you!"
"Thanks, Bon Bon! You guys were next on my route, and I'm a bit early, so I decided I'd stop in for a bit." Derpy explained, giving Bon Bon a warm hug.
"Then come on in! Lyra will be ecstatic that you're here." Bon Bon said, pulling Derpy into the house.
Just inside the house sat a lime-green mare, who was reading a book. "Bonnie? Who was at- Derpy! Oh, it's great to see you, Derpy! Where've you been lately?" Lyra asked, quickly getting up to grab Derpy, crushing her into a hug.
"Hrrk...Lyra...air...fading..." Derpy said.
"Oh! Right, yeah." Letting go of Derpy, Lyra sat the three of them down, nuzzling Bon Bon for a moment before turning back to Derpy. "Well?"
"Hooh...well, before I tell you anything, Lyra, you have to promise not to freak out. Pinkie promise, in fact."
Lyra smiled a little more as she said, "I swear, I won't freak out." There was only a moment's pause, before she sighed. "Cross my heart, hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye."
Derpy eyed Bon Bon for a moment before looking at Lyra, saying, "I've been spending the week... with my coltfriend, Rush."
"Oh my gosh! That's awesome!" Bon Bon squeed happily, starting to bounce up and down. "When can we meet him!?!"
Lyra was silent for a few moments before she smiled, saying, "It's wonderful to hear that you have a coltfriend, Derpy."
"Lyra, you said you'd- what? I-I...that's it? No anger, no, no rampage to destroy him?" Derpy asked, disbelief in her voice.
Lyra's smile grew a little as she said, "I said I wouldn't freak out. And I trust you wouldn't be dating anyone unless you knew they weren't some ass."
Derpy blinked, the reason for Lyra's calmness making sense. "Well...I suppose that's a good reason. And, to answer your question Bon Bon, I guess we could all have lunch at some point, and you could all be introduced to one another."
"I can't wait to meet him!" Bon Bon cheered.
"What have you two been doing together?" Lyra asked, leaning back into her seat.
"Well... that depends. Do you just mean regular things, or are you asking for more... personal... details?" Derpy asked, nervously smiling.
Lyra's gaze hardened slightly. "Everything."
"Ehrrm...well, the other night, we went and had a date at The Fancy Saddle, and-"
Bon Bon cut Derpy off, asking, "You two went to the Fancy Saddle!? Wow, that's a really huge step for you after only a week!"
Laughing a small bit, Derpy continued, saying, "A while before that, we watched a movie together! It was called... Alien, I think. Scary movie, that one. That's uh... all we've done together..that was children appropriate, at least...." Derpy mumbled that last part, looking away from the two mares in the room.
Lyra raised an eyebrow, asking, "What was that?"
Blushing, Derpy said, "That's all that we've done...that was child-appropriate."
"Well, we aren't children." Lyra chuckled, "So please, give us the juicy details." |
Candy | A Day in the Slice of Life, Part 2 | Rush walked up to Rarity's door, knocking on it. "Hello?"
"The door is open, darling! I'm a bit busy at the moment, so please let yourself in." A voice came from within the shop.
Opening the door, Rush walked inside. He looked around the tidey shop, noticing the various beautifully made dresses and suits. "Wow..." He said quietly, his eyes widening a little. Hearing noises come from the back, he made his way through the door separating the two halves of the shop.
"Ah! There you are, darling. I need your help rather drastically. If you would please undress yourself?" Rarity asked, rifling through a chest.
Rush stared at her for a moment, before finally stammering, "Uh... s... sure." He shakily undressed, making sure to keep his underwear on. "D-done."
"Wonderful! Now, try this on," Rarity said, tossing a bundle of folded clothes at Rush. He nodded, quickly putting the suit on.
A few minutes later, he was finished. "Got it." He said, fiddling with the tie.
Turning from her latest project, Rarity looked him up and down, blushing at how well it defined his figure. "Excellent, darling. Now, would you kindly take that off-and please fold them back- so as to try these on?" Rarity asked, holding out a pair of overalls.
"Alright." Rush nodded once more as he carefully took the suit off, after a few minutes he handed the folded bundle back to her and took the overalls, bending over slightly as he put the on.
Unbeknownst to him, Rarity had yet to turn back to her chest of clothes, instead using her time to take in the view, ogling Rush's firm behind through his thin pair of boxers. Just before he finished putting on his overalls, Rush glanced back at Rarity, catching her in the act of staring.
Noticing that she had been caught, Rarity coughed, her face turning as red as a tomato. "Ehm...d-darling there w-was something on the bottoms, and I was thinking of how to get it off!" She said.
"Oh... well thank you then." Rush smiled.
Her eyes widening, Rarity said, "You bought that? I-I mean! Ehm...no problem! Just...being generous and all that."
Rolling his eyes while she couldn't see, Rush turned back around to show her how the overalls looked.
"Oh...oh my Celestia..." Rarity said, trailing off at the sight of Rush's chest. The suspender straps of the overalls covered his nipples, but other than that, all of his chest was revealed. In the brief seconds she had to look, Rarity noticed that his chest hair was a mite fluffier than most others she had seen. "It looks amazing, Rush. Now, take those off, too, I've a few more you need to try on."
Rush looked behind her, his eyes falling on the large pile of folded clothing just to her side.
He sighed. It was going to be a long first day.
"Well, that seems to be all. The only thing left on the agenda seems to be an errand I need completed. Would you be a dear and complete it for me?" Rarity asked, handing Rush a slip of paper.
Rush nodded, saying, "Sure, I'd love to."
"Thank goodness. I'd do this myself, but I'm terribly busy today. Now, head down to Barnyard Bargains. I've placed an order for silk there, and that slip of paper is the receipt for it. Just hand it to the clerk, and they should hand you a roll of pure white silk. Then, walk it back here and set it down on that plastic tarp over there-she pointed to an area of the floor covered in clear plastic-, and that'll be the end of your first day here! Seems simple enough, yes?"
He nodded again, "Yeah, it does." He took the paper from her, walking to the door.
"Rush?"
Rush turned around and looked at her, "Yes?"
Walking up to him, Rarity draped her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. "Be safe. We've come a long way, but some ponies are still bigots, and some of them work there." She hugged him before letting go, walking back to her sewing machine with a small sway in her hips. Rush stood there silently for a moment before quickly turning back around before she could notice his face turning red.
"I'll... be back soon." He said quickly. Just as quickly, he walked out of the store.
Rush slowly walked into Barnyard Bargains and approached the main counter.Spotting the mare manning it, he said, "Hello? I'm here to pick up a roll of white silk."
The cashier took the receipt from his hand, looking at it for a brief moment before saying, "This is supposed to be handled by the assistant manager, sorry. He should be over in the office to your left." The mare handed him back his receipt.
Rush waved as he walked towards the office, "Alright, thank you for your time anyway."
"No problem!"
Rush walked up to the door to the office, knocking on it.
After a moment, the door opened, and Rush saw a smiling stallion open the door. However, as soon as the stallion saw Rush, his smile disappeared. "Hello, sir, and welcome to Barnyard Bargains, where our deal is making you one. How can I help you?" He said in a bored tone of voice.
"I'm here to pick up a roll of white silk." Rush explained, holding out the receipt.
Looking down at the receipt, the stallion quickly said, "Nice try, zebra. Who'd you steal this from, hmm?"
Rush was taken aback by the stallion's behaviour, it was even more clear as he spoke, "What? I didn't steal this from anypo-"
Cutting off the zebra, the stallion said, "Don't even try to convince me that you didn't. I hand all of these out myself, and I've never given one to one of...your kind. Now, if you tell me who you stole it from, maybe, just maybe, I won't call security on you."
"I'm telling the truth! I'm running an errand for my boss, Rarity! She's a seamstress, that's why I'm picking up silk!" Rush said defensively.
"A likely story, better than most I hear. But I know for a fact that Rarity doesn't have any other workers, she never has." The stallion said, slowly smirking.
"She just hired me!" Rush retorted. "This is my first day!"
A well dressed stallion approached, almost angrily questioning, "What's going on over here?"
"Ah, thank you for coming over, sir. I was just stopping this thief from stealing somepony's receipt. He walked in, saying he was doing an errand for somepony, Rarity I think, as if she would ever hire help fro-"
"Just stop." The second stallion said as he glared at the other. He then turned to Rush, "I'm completely sorry about this colt's behaviour. You must be Rush, I'm Filthy Rich." He stuck his hand out.
Rush smiled and shook Filthy's hand, saying, "I am, and it's fine just as long as I can finally get the silk."
Filthy Rich smiled, "That you will." He turned back to the other stallion, "And I'll want to see YOU in my office for your final paycheck right after I'm done."
"Wh-what? That's completely unreason-"
"Unless you don't want that paycheck."
Closing his mouth, the ex-assistant manager fumed, walking back into the office and slamming the door.
Turning back to Rush, Filthy smiled, saying, "Again, I'm terribly sorry that you had to deal with that. My sincerest apologies."
Rush shrugged, saying, "It's fine... I just don't understand why anyone would be accusing someone of being a thief... It really doesn't make any sense."
"It's...it's complicated. Some ponies are still rather... unaccepting of other species, per se. Sadly, he seemed to be one of them. Now, what was it that he was so callous about?" Filthy said, leading Rush to his own office- the head manager's.
"This." Rush said as he handed Filthy the receipt. "I need to pick up a roll of white silk."
Looking over it for a moment, Filthy smiled. "Oh! Rarity and I were just talking about this the other day! She said she was sending someone to pick it up- I presume it was you?"
Rush nodded. "Yeah. That would be me."
Filthy chuckled. "But of course. Now, all that's left to do is get the silk itself. Rarity told you it was pure white, yes? Well, being that it is, she wants it to stay pure white, so she's paid extra to get a spell put around it that temporarily keeps all dirt, liquids, anything really, to be repelled from the surface of the silk. However, this spell does have its limits, one of which is quantity. I must urge you not to let the roll of silk touch the ground. The spell would recognize the whole of Equus itself as a mass, and try to repel it! Instantly failing, of course. Now,anything else that happens to it should be fine, short of a tidal wave of mud and the likes. The only other thing worth mentioning about the order is that the roll of silk is rather heavy. Would you like a wagon?" Filthy said, quickly becoming serious.
"No, I'll be fine." Rush assured.
Looking at him warily, Filthy said, 'If you're sure. Now, let's head over to the back and get you this silk, alright?"
Sitting at her sewing machine, Rarity hummed a tuneless song, merely making noise to occupy herself."Hmmm dum dummm...stitch by sti- oh? What was- Rush! Oh my Celestia, are you alright?" Rarity said. Walking through the door was Rush, his mane dripping with sweat, all over his shirt(which was thoroughly soaked with it already).
Rush panted quietly, "I'm... fine... Just a little... tired now..." He walked over to the tarp, shakily setting the silk down on it.
"Oh dear! Rush, darling, please sit down! And, before you do, please take that disgusting shirt off...I'll run and grab you a glass of cold lemonade, okay?" Rarity said, quickly heading into the kitchen.
Rush nearly collapsed into a chair, barely managing to get out, "Sounds... nice." He managed to pull his shirt off and continued to take in deep and heavy breaths.
Rushing back out to the living room, Rarity was nearly floored by the smell of sweaty zebra, the musk assaulting her nostrils with the strangely delicious smell of sweaty zebra. "Ah...R-Rush, did you carry that roll of silk all the way here? That must be a hundred pounds, and the walk is half a mile, at least!"
Rush chuckled, "Seemed... a lot... longer." He let out a sigh, "Next time though... I'm definitely taking a wagon..."
"Yes, that seems li-" Interrupted by a knock at the door, Rarity glanced back at Rush before opening it, finding one little unicorn standing there, another on its back.
"Hi Rarity!" Sweetie Belle said, "The rest of the CMC got picked up from Sugarcube Corner, so we decided to wait here until Mr. Rush came home. Dinky got really tired on the way here, though, so I told her I'd carry her here." Walking inside, Sweetie screwed up her face in determination, slowly levitating Dinky over to the couch so as to not wake her up.
Rush stood up, preparing to take her home. Before he could get very far, though, Rarity ran up to him, putting her hands on his chest to stop him for a moment. "Now, I know you need to take her home, and while it may not be the end of the normal workday, I'll let you go home to stay. Her bag is just by the door, and...here is your pay!" She said, levitating a hefty bag of bits into his pocket.
"Thanks." Rush smiled as he slowly picked Dinky up, cradling her sleeping form. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
Making sure Sweetie was out of the room, Rarity quickly walked up to Rush, gently pressing her lips to his nose for a brief moment. "Thank you for being so nice," she gave him another small peck on his cheek, "patient," the other cheek, "and so very helpful." And with a final kiss, this one to his lips, Rarity walking to the kitchen, getting ready for dinner. Rush was motionless for a second time today, his mouth hanging open slightly as his mind reeled back into place.
"Th..anks...?" He mumbled uncertainly as he stepped back. He slowly turned around and carried Dinky to the door, scooping up her bag moments before leaving the store and walking back home. After a few minutes he arrived at the house and opened the door as best he could and silently carried Dinky back to her room before walking back out to the living room to await Derpy. As he sat down he pulled the bag of bits out and set it down on the table in front of the couch. He just stared at it, still thinking about what had happened just a few minutes prior.
The front door opened, and the next thing he knew, Rush was enveloped in soft, warm, pegasus teat. "Oh, I missed you so much, Rush!" Derpy said, unknowingly smushing Rush's face in her cleavage.
"MMPH!" Rush's voice was entirely muffled by the breasts surrounding his entire head.
"Rush? Didn't you miss me t-...oh." Finally realizing what had happened, Derpy leaned back, pulling Rush's face from her tits, then pulling him back up into a passionate kiss. Rush relaxed and hugged her, though she noticed his grip was a little weaker than usual.
Breaking the kiss, Derpy managed to pant out, "R-Rush? You seem a... bit more... tired than usual. Is somthing... wrong?"
"Just tired. Nothing's wrong beyond that." Rush assured her with a soft smile. "Never thought I'd be carrying a massive roll of silk on my first day."
Derpy giggled, "Well, you're day sounded excited... and exhausting." Thinking for a moment, she smiled, saying, "You know what? Why don't you go take a nap, hmm? You deserve it. Don't worry, I'll wake you up for dinner. Sound good?"
"Sounds good... but, um, first... I think Rarity was acting a little strange." Rush started to explain.
After he was done, Derpy sat there with a crease on her brow, thoughts racing through her mind. "Huh...well, I'll just have to talk to her, then. But before anything else happens, I want you to go to our room and take a nap. MY big, strong teddy zebra worked hard today, and he needs his rest," She said, kissing his nose. Rush kissed her back, gently nuzzling her.
"I can't wait to have my beam of sunshine right beside me." He smiled as he got up from the couch, reluctantly letting go of her to walk back to the bedroom. As he stumbled into the room he nearly tripped over his bag, catching his balance he saw a spray bottle sitting in plain view. "Huh?"Reaching down, he picked it up. He read the label on it, "L.G.P..." He paused for a moment and his eyes widened as something clicked in his head. "Oh... my... " He mumbled. "That's... what caused... oh... oh sweet Celestia... " He quickly reached down into his bag, pulling out a slip of paper. His eyes darted over it, reading, 'From mom, I hope you find some of these useful, though there are some I wish your father hadn't decided to send along.' Attached directly to the note was a small list with various acronyms in his native language, though two were written in Equish and both clearly his dad's handwriting, 'L.G.P- Low Grade Pheromone, used to entice the opposite sex into more meaningful and close contact.' "No... no... no no..." Rush mumbled. Right below it on the list it said, 'H.G.P- High Grade Pheromone, this is a VERY powerful aphrodisiac, only use when you need to increase sex drive in the other partner(s).'
Rush took in a few deep breaths. "Okay... n... no harm done... just... tell her tomorrow..." He put both the note and the bottle back into the bag and closed it, shakily climbing into bed and laying back. "Right... t... tomorrow." He repeated as he felt his entire body grow heavy, "Tomor..." He trailed off as his eyes closed and he passed out. |
Candy | Tears of Forgiveness | Something shifted in the bed. Responding to it, Derpy snuffled, stretching her arms and yawning. Opening her eyes, she slowly came to notice a tray of delicious looking french toast and all of it's sides, various fruits, and a glass of orange juice, all atop the lap of an even more delicious looking zebra.
"R-Rush? What's aaaaall this?" She asked, still yawning.
Rush smiled, saying, "Breakfast in bed."
Derpy blushed. "Oh... w-wow. Eh, thank you, Rush. I-I don't even know what to say..." Reaching for the tray, Derpy was stopped mere centimeters from it by the zebra's hand.
"Allow me." He said, gently pushing her hand back down. He started to cut apart the french toast for her, generously lathering on butter, syrup, and powdered sugar.
"Rush... you d-don't haaaave to do that. I can eat on my own." Derpy, still being a mite tired, continued to cutely yawn.
"I don't mind. In fact, I love the idea of even doing this for you." Rush softly said.
Derpy thought for a moment, saying, "Well, if I can't stop you, I can at least make it easier for you." Leaning up in the bed, she placed a few pillows behind herself, leaning on Rush for some support. Rush smiled even more, slowly bringing the first bite up to her lips.
Rush nuzzled Derpy's neck, laying the now empty tray down on the bed, asking, "How was it?"
Gulping down the last bite, Derpy said, "Delicious, love. Why, did you not have any for yourself?"
"Well... I'm already used to my own cooking. I wanted to know what you thought." He grinned, hugging her a little more.
Derpy giggled. "Well, I can safely say it's the best I've ever had. It definitely earns you a reward."
Rush's head tilted curiously, "Oh? And what would could be a better reward than this?" He emphasized his last word with another gentle squeeze.
"Mmm... how about... this?" She said, giving him a passionate, syrupy kiss. Rush's eyes closed, nearly falling into the kiss.
After a few moments, he pulled back, saying "Okay... that is definitely a reward." A smile stretching across his face.
Grabbing his neck, Derpy said, "Well, it's not over yet," and pulled him back into the kiss. His arms tightened around her as he hauled her onto his lap, forcing him to lean back against the headboard to further support her.
Leaning further over onto the zebra, Derpy broke the kiss smiling. Straddling his hips, she sat up and began to take her shirt off, eager to continue. Rush's eyes widened.
"I... um... before... I-I... need to tell... you something..." He stammered meekly.
"Oh? W-what is it?" Derpy asked, a confused look flashing across her face.
"I f-found something out last night... I swore I'd tell you today." He started. "I think... it's part of why you were acting like you were during our date... and why you thought I smelled so good..."
Derpy looked at him, silently urging him to continue.
"I... accidentally put on a weak aphrodisiac that my dad put in my bag... I-I was in such a hurry because I really wanted to get the date started... I didn't think about what it said... Please... please don't hate me... I-I made a mistake when I put it on..." He said quietly, tears welling up in his eyes, running down his face, "I only used it that once... a-and I don't plan on using it again... i-it's wrong to mess with anyone like that... y-you mean everything to me... I... I'm... sorry... "
"Oh... Rush..." Derpy said, seeing his fear. She leaned down, wiping the tears off his face. She leaned in, giving him a tender, loving kiss, saying, "Rush, I could never hate you. Ever. No matter what you do. And honestly, you've only made things better by telling me. And... you know... I never said I didn't like it. It really just made me more attracted to you than I already was, and I don't mind that. If anything, I... loved it."
Rush looked up at her, saying, "Y... you did?"
Derpy smiled. "Yes, I did. In fact, I wouldn't mind if you wore it again, but that's just me, so other mares may have other opinions. All it really did was make me a bit more...affectionate, really."
"O-oh... but... I s-sti-"
"Shush. Teddies aren't allowed to be sad." Derpy said, laying back down on Rush and snuggling him. He nuzzled against her, a small smile returning to his face.
He quietly said, "O-okay." |
Candy | Lunch Date | Rush pressed his nose to Derpy's with a wide smile, saying, "This is absolutely perfect."
"Oh? Why is this exact moment perfect, hmm? Is every moment with me not enough?" Derpy asked, a fake haughty tone entering her voice.
He chewed on his lip in a moment of thought before saying, "Of course they are... It's just... I really... love holding you."
Opening her eyes back up, Derpy saw the sincerity on his face, her heart melting at the sight of it. "Oh, Rush, you big silly zebra. I know you love holding me. I love being held by you, too! It's so fluffy, and warm..." She said, burying her face in the crook of his neck. He kissed her cheek and squeezed her.
He whispered softly, "I wish I could hold you forever."
"And I wish I could be held by you forever," she said.
Rush grinned and kissed the end of her nose. Giggling, Derpy kissed Rush back, ever so softly. He pulled back and nuzzled her neck, relishing in the soft feeling of her fur. "I also wish we could stay like this all day... but I have to work on the map I was commissioned to make." He sighed.
Derpy whined, grabbing on to Rush even harder. "Nooo... you can't leave me...I won't let you."
"I don't want to leave either... but this will get us quite a lot of bits." He said.
"Us?" Derpy asked, opening one eye.
His smile grew and he nodded, saying, "Yes, us. You, Dinky, and I."
"O-oooh...DInky? Are you up?" Derpy asked, a tear glinting in her eye.
Somewhere in the house, a small, high-pitched voice rang out, saying, "Yes, Mommy! D'ya need me?"
"Could...could you come here, Muffin?" There was no answer, but there was a slowly growing set of *thuds* coming their way.
Walking into the room, Dinky asked, "What's wrong, Mommy?"
"Oh, Dinks, there's nothing wrong...I was just wondering if... if before you went to school, you would like to sit here and snuggle with us? We're having a bit of a family moment, and we wanted to involve you." Derpy asked, opening her arms.
"Yeah! I love getting snuggled by you, Mommy, and Mr. Rush is all warm and floofy, so he's a good snuggler, too!" Dinky said, climbing up onto the bed. As soon as she was up there, she laid back in Derpy's arms, the gray pegasus surrounding her in arms and feathers. Rush quickly hugged the two and pulled them both against his chest.
"Mmph... Mr. Rush, Momma, you's squishin' me." Dinky said, her voice muffled by the amount of pony around her.
Rush loosened up and smiled at the two of them, saying, "If only the rest of my family didn't live so far away..."
Derpy looked up at him, asking, "The rest? Does that mean we're your family, Rush?" He smiled silently at her.
"Yeah, Mr. Rush, does that make you my daddy? Because you would make a good daddy. You make mommy happy, and that's what makes a good daddy, right?" Dinky asked, looking up at Rush.
"Yeah, it does make me your daddy. And I'm more than happy to take that part." Rush nodded.
"...does this mean I can just call you Rush from now on if I want to? Or...or d-daddy?" Dinky asked, her eyes watering slightly.
"You can call me whatever makes you happy." Rush smiled as he hugged Dinky.
During all of this, Derpy said nothing. She just leaned her head on Rush, crying tears of joy at what was taking place.
Ten minutes later:
Rush kneeled down and smiled at Dinky, asking, "You ready for school?"
"Yeah! Can you carry me there, Rush? I always like it when you carry me, it makes me feel like a giant! Rawwr!" Dinky said, giving a cute growl at the end.
"O' course I can." Rush nodded, lifting her right up onto his shoulders.
"Hehehe... onward!" Dinky said, pointing towards the school.Immediately, Rush dashed off in that direction, making sure not to jostle Dinky too much.
"See you later!" Rush waved back at Derpy.
"Bye, Mommy!"
"Seeya, Rush! Have a good day at school, Muffin!" Derpy shouted back, waving them off.
A few minutes later:
Rarity heard the bell over the front door ring and turned around, smiling and speaking as she saw the familiar gray pegasus. "Why, hello there, Derpy!"
"Hey, Rarity! How are you doing today?" Derpy asked, walking into the building.
"Quite alright darling, and yourself?"
Derpy blushed, saying, "Actually, I'm doing amazing! Rush and I... well, we connected really well today. Dinky too!"
Rarity smiled a little more, saying, "What happened?"
"Ehm...well, we were snuggling on the bed, and we just talked. Some of the things we said to each other... just... clicked. Then, Dinky came over, and sh-she... she called Rush her daddy, Rarity! Her Daddy! It was so sweet, I just couldn't do anything but watch..." Said Derpy, tearing up a bit. For a single moment, Derpy noticed a twinge of pain on Rarity's face, but that was instantly replaced with an even brighter, and happier smile.
"That's absolutely amazing!" Rarity exclaimed as she walked up to and hugged Derpy. "I'm so happy, for both you and Dinky!"
Derpy sniffed,enjoying the hug for a few moments before she pulled back, asking, "While this is nice, you called me here for a reason, right Rarity?"
Rarity nodded and pulled back as well, saying, "Yes, darling, I wanted to ask if you would like to go to lunch with me."
"Of course I'd like to go with you, Rarity! Where do you want to go, just to the cafe down the street?"
"That sounds like an excellent place." Rarity nodded. "Shall we?" She motioned to the door.
Derpy nodded, offering an arm out to Rarity, who smiled a little more and took it, both of them walking out onto the street.
"...Hmm. I think I'll just have a daisy sandwich and a glass of lemonade, with a sundae later on. What about you, Rarity?" Derpy asked, closing her menu.
"I think I'll take the house salad and a glass of water." Rarity said. Turning to the waiter, the mares handed him their menus.
After a few minutes, both of them got their drinks. After taking a sip of her beverage, Derpy asked, "Rarity?"
"Yes, darling?"
"Rush... Rush said that you've been acting strange, lately. Is that true?"
"What have I been doing that was strange?"
Derpy glanced away for a moment, before looking back at Rarity with determination. "He said...He said that you were acting very... seductive. That you even kissed him. Is that t-true, Rarity?" Derpy asked, a small tremble in her voice.
Rarity was silent for a few moments, before finally speaking, "Yes... and I'm ashamed of my behaviour... I'm sorry."
Derpy paused for a moment. "W-well... why would you do that, Rarity? You know that he's my zebrafriend, so... so why would you do that to him?"
Rarity sighed, "He's so nice... and he's handsome... I wasn't thinking about what could happen if I did it... "
"Rarity... since we're friends, I'll let you off. Just this once. But I won't be so nice next time, alright? Please don't... don't do this again, alright?" Derpy asked, a pleading look on her face.
"I swear, it won't happen again." Rarity said, tearing up a bit, "Like I said... it was wrong of me to do that... and... and I really do feel horrible about it."
Stretching her hands across the table, Derpy held Rarity's hands, and said, "Rarity... I forgive you, alright? Please don't cry, or else I'm gonna start crying, and then it's gonna just spiral off from there..."
"Alright..." Rarity said, a small smile returning to her face.
"Ladies? I'm sorry if I'm interrupting, but your meals are here... do you, uh, want me to come back?" The waiter said, appearing out of nowhere.
"No! Err... no, we're good. Thank you." Derpy said. "Here you go Rarity, you got the salad, right?"
Derpy leaned back and patted her stomach, saying, "Mmm-mm... do you want the last bit of my sundae, Rarity? I can't eat another bite..."
Rarity smiled and shook her head, saying, "I really shouldn't..."
"C'mon, Rares, live a little!" Derpy said.
"Well... alright, if you insist." Rarity sighed. Reaching across the table, she grabbed the glass. After taking a bite of the sundae, her eyes widened, and she said, "Oh my Celestia! That is delicious, Derpy, thank you so much!"
"Oh, it's nothing, Rarity. Here, you enjoy that... I'll go pay for our lunch!" She said, getting up from her seat and rushing to the counter.
Rarity paused for a moment as she watched Derpy, a small twinge of guilt hitting her again. [She's just so... nice. I just can't believe it... I... just feel even worse about what happened now...]
Coming back to the table, Derpy hugged Rarity, saying, "This was fun, Rarity! We should do this again sometime, huh?"
"Of course, darling, any time you want to." Rarity nodded, a sincere and warm smile on her face.
"Wonderful!" Checking the time, Derpy sighed. "Well, I'd love to stay and talk some more, but duty calls y'know? Either way, enjoy the sundae, Rarity! Bye!"
"Bye." Rarity waved, "I can't wait for our next date." |
Candy | (White)Chocolate Dreams | "Ruuush! I'm hooome!" Derpy said, walking into the cozy house. After a few moments with no response she looked around, noticing a very large sack of bits on the table. "Woah! Is this the money he got for the map? This is... this... this is more than I make in a month!" She gasped out, unable to believe the amount of money she was holding.
After a few moments, the front door opened and Rush walked in, carrying a few overstuffed bags of groceries. "Hi Derpy." He smiled. Walking in beside him was Dinky, carrying a bag of her own into the house.
"Hi Mommy! How was your day?"
Derpy smiled, grabbing the bag and setting it on the counter before picking up her daughter, saying, "My day was great, muffin! And how about you, hmm? Did Rush get you to school alright?"
"He sure did, Mommy! After school, he picked me up, and we went grocery shopping, and guess what? Rush got me some gummi bears, and he got you some mmph!" Dinky tried to say before Rush softly covered her mouth.
Rush leaned down and whispered into Dinky's ear, "It's a surprise remember?"
"What's a surprise?" Derpy asked, looking at the two.
Rush smiled widely, saying, "Nothing." Looking down at Dinky, he winked.
"Uhhh... yeah! Is'sa secret, mommy!" Dinky said, giggling.
Scrunching up her face, Derpy *hmmphed*. "Well, I guess I'll just have to get the information from you... with Tickle Torture!" Derpy said, quickly tickling her muffin's little armpits.
"Ha Ha! N-nuh no! Sa-have me, Ruush!" Dinky squeaked out, wriggling in Derpy's grip. Rush set the bags he was holding down, only to reach for Derpy, trying to pull her off of Dinky.
"You'll never escape the clutches of the Tickle Momster!" Derpy said, laughing evilly.
"Oh really?" Rush said, starting to tickle Derpy.
"Nuh-no! Ha Ha heh he...stahahahaaap..." Derpy cried out, rolling off of Dinky.
"Yaay! Tickle fight!" Dinky said, starting to tickle Derpy along with Rush. "Get her feet, Daddy! That's her most ticklish spot!"
"Got it!" Rush said, grabbing both of Derpy's feet, taking her shoes off and tickling them rapidly.
"Ahuh... hahahHahaaa!*snort*" Derpy laughed out, letting out a cute little snort from laughing so hard.
Rush laughed a little and his smile grew. "So cute..." He said.
Derpy squirmed, her face growing red from how hard she was laughing, snorting constantly. "R-Rush *snort* quiiiit i-*snort*-it...." Her wings shot out, catching him in a fluffy hug of feathers. Rush smiled down at her.
"I think she's had enough." He laughed. Grabbing Dinky, he pulled her into the fluffy hug, all of them staying in the soft embrace for a few moments.
"So..." Derpy began, looking at Rush. "What is it?"
Rush shook his head, poking her in the nose as he said, "Boop."
Derpy pouted again.
Rush hugged Derpy, saying, "You're so warm."
"And you're soft." Derpy retorted.
"You're cute." He stated.
"You're handsome."
"You're also beautiful."
"Well... you're...uh... " Derpy blushed, and mumbled, "I ran out of appropriate things to say..." Rush chuckled and kissed the end of her nose.
"That's fine... oh, and I have something to give you!" He said, getting out of the bed.
"Aww... well, if you have to leave, at least you're getting something for me... you're too sweet." Derpy said, already missing his warmth.
Rush moved quickly from the room and only after a minute he came back inside, both his hands now behind his back. "Close your eyes." He said.
"Fiiine..." She said, obeying his commands. Rush climbed back into bed and pulled Derpy up onto his lap, leaning her into his chest. "So... what is it?" She asked, getting a bit miffed from the wait.
"Open your mouth up." He said.
A bit skeptical, the mare slowly obeyed him.
She felt his hand come near her face, and something was put into her mouth. Something sweet, cream- chocolate! White chocolate, to be specific. "Mmm! Oh my gosh, how did you know I loved white chocolate, Rush?" Derpy said, nomming on the sweet candy in her mouth.
"Dinky told me." Rush said, gently feeding her another piece.
"Oooh... now I feel bad, because you got Dinky and I things, but we didn't get you anything..." She said, getting a bit sad.
"You didn't need to get me anything... I have everything I'd ever need with just you two." He assured, gently nuzzling her neck.
Holding the next piece of chocolate between her teeth, Derpy turned her head towards Rush, sharing the chocolate with him. Rush bit down and put his lips to hers. Pushing her tongue into Rush's mouth, Derpy relished the taste of his mouth, mixed with the sweetness of the chocolate. He playfully wrestled his tongue against hers, gently caressing her wings at the same time. After a few more moments he pulled back from the kiss, saying, "Derpy..."
"Yes, Rush?" Derpy asked, her eyes half-lidded from the passion of the moment.
"I know now... I..." He started, his voice becoming a mumble, "I love you..."
"I... what? You... you l-love me? When did... when d-did you start to think... that?" Derpy asked, blushing profusely.
"I... I don't really know... I just know... that I do." He said.
"Wh-why? I don't... I'm nopony special, you could find better mares..." Derpy said, her ears drooping.
"Well... they can just move aside then. Because to me there's nopony else I'd rather love." Rush said.
"Wait... are you s-saying that you don't like anypony else?" Derpy asked. "Do you want to stay monogamous, then? That you don't want to herd?"
"Ehm...what's a herd?" Rush asked.
"What?"
"I don't know what a herd is." He repeated.
"Ho- wait...wait, you've not lived here all your life! Okay, I get it. Well... A herd is when a stallion has not one, but multiple mares that he's married to. The reason for this is because the gender ratio here in Equestria is abouuut... three, four mares to every stallion, I think? That way, there's still a plentiful number of available stallions, instead of everypony being with only one partner." She explained.
"Oooh." Rush nodded. "I never really thought about that... um... I'd only do that if they got along really well with you. Otherwise, nopony but you."
"Aww... really? You'd be comfortable with that?" Derpy asked, snuggling closer to him.
"If you are, then I am too." He smiled, hugging her even more.
"Hmm... well, we have plans tomorrow, so let's get comfortable here, so we're able to do what we want tomorrow, yes?" Derpy asked giving him a kiss.
"Alright, good night." Rush returned the kiss, nuzzling against her. Opening her wings, Derpy surrounded them both, the warmth quickly putting them to sleep. |
Candy | Heat of the moment | "So, we're going out with your friends?" Rush asked.
"Yeah! Their names are Lyra and Bon Bon, and they're marefriends. They've always been there for me in a pinch... especially Lyra... as you k-know." Derpy said, her ears drooping a bit near the end of her explanation.
"I know." Rush said softly, hugging her tightly. "Come on, I'd love to meet them."
"W-well... before we get there, I have to tell you something about Lyra. Ever since... that... happened, she's been kind of... well, overprotective of me." Derpy said.
"How so?" Rush asked curiously.
"W-well... it was kinda funny... there was this one time where a stallion was hitting on me at the bar, and Lyra brought out a walnut, staring him in the eyes as she crushed it between her fingers. He balked, and nobody ever bothered me at the bar again."
Rush nodded slowly, saying, "Oh... that's... yeah that's protective."
"Yeah, it was, but don't worry! She and I talked the other day, and now she knows everything about us, so she won't be mad at you!" Derpy said, smiling up at Rush.
"E-everything?" Rush asked.
"Yeah! She asked about us, and asked for all of the... juicy... deta- oops..." Derpy said, blushing profusely.
"Oh... oh this..." Rush mumbled, his own face turning a tinge bit of red.
"Don't worry! Lyra, Bon Bon and I have been best friends for years... they w-wouldn't tell anypony else." She reassured him. "Let's just... got to lunch, yes?"
"S-sure..." Rush said, his voice now a little shaky.
'Yoohoo! Lyra 'n Bon Bon!" Derpy yelled out, walking towards the couple. Bon Bon was instantly on her feet and ran at Derpy, embracing her in a tight hug.
"Ooooh, I'm so happy to see you!" Bon Bon said giddily. "Oh, and you must be Rush." She grinned, looking over at Derpy's tall zebrafriend.
"Yes, I am." Rush nodded, smiling a little back.
"So, this is the zebra I've been hearing all about, hmm?" Lyra called out, slowly walking up to Rush. "I assume Derpy has told you about me?"
"She has." Rush nodded slowly. "And I know she told you about me, and what we've done."
Lyra smirked. "Yes, she did say that... and while I'm sorry for intruding on your personal details, I hope you know that it was for a good reason."
Rush nodded, "I know, and I really don't mind."
"Well, that's too- what? Wait, you don't... alright...that's not what I was expecting." Lyra said, her eyes widening.
"Lyra, can you stop trying to psych him out, and just come eat lunch, please?" Derpy asked.
Jerking herself out of her stupor, Lyra glanced from Derpy to Bob Bon, the latter staring at her disapprovingly. "Ehrm... yeah. C-c'mon, Rush, we'll all talk more inside. And don't worry, we got a private booth, so everything we do can be confidential.
After taking a sip of her Popsi®, Derpy ended the silence around the table, saying, "So... what do you two want to talk about?"
"You two." Bon Bon smiled.
"I agree," Lyra said, smiled along with her marefriend.
"Well, there isn't really anything to talk about, so I don't... wait. No, there is something to talk about. Rush?" Derpy said, turning to him.
"Well, something really big came up last night..." Rush grinned as he grabbed Derpy's hand, giving it a soft squeeze.
Derpy blushed, asking him, "Do you want to tell them?"
"Well... we both said it..." Rush said, scooting closer to Derpy.
"True... I guess we could just show them, right?" Derpy said, wrapping her arms around Rush.
"Yeah, we can." Rush sighed softly as his arms wrapped back around her.
"Hmmm... Rush, I love you." Derpy said, giving him a passionate kiss.
Rush pulled back for only a moment, saying, "I love you too, Derpy," Before falling back into the kiss.
"Oh. That was not what I was expecting... It's a lot better!" Bon Bon smiled, hopping with joy.
"And that's not all! We talked over it, and we decided that if we could find a mare that Rush likes, that also treats me nicely, we'll open up to herding!" Derpy said, grinning widely.'
"Really?" Bon Bon asked.
"Yeah." Rush nodded.
"Hmm. Interesting..." Lyra trailed off, her eyes still on Rush.
"Lyraaaa..." Derpy started, "Be nice to Rush, he's done nothing wrong!"
"Who, me? I wasn't doing anything, Derpy. Oh no, nothing being done here, nuh-uh." Lyra said, feigning innocence.
"Lyra..." Bon Bon said.
Lyra huffed. "Fine. I might be a tad suspicious of you, Rush, because I've never known a stallion to be as nice as you. Having one just spring up out of nowhere? Even you would have to admit it's strange."
"Yeah... sounding like that it does seem strange." Rush nodded slowly. "But... I was in town working on a commission... so I didn't come out of nowhere." He paused for a moment, "And why is it strange to be nice to everypony?"
"It's not... it's not that it's strange for ponies to be nice, it's strange for ponies to be nice to... well, to Derpy." Lyra admitted.
"Then they're just jealous of her." Rush stated.
Blushing, Derpy snuggled even further into Rush's chest, cooing at the feeling of his soft fur through his shirt. "You're too nice, Rush..."
"Aww..." Bon Bon sighed. "Hey... why don't YOU ever treat me like that anymore?" She questioned as she turned to Lyra.
"Wh-what? I do too treat you like that, Sweet Cheeks! Why, every night when we get home, I lay you down on the bed an-" Lyra started to say, smiling evilly.
"You stop right there." Bon Bon stated.
"Oh, but said that I don't treat you good, and I was just stating my case! I've further evidence, if necessary, like how after I kiss you I slowly reach my hand down, grabbing a handful of y-" She was cut off again.
"I said stop." Bon Bon repeated.
"Admit I treat you nicely, then." Lyra said.
"I'm not talking about in bed Lyra." Bon Bon said.
"Neither am I, Bonnie." Lyra said, her horn lighting up. She smiled devilishly, and if one were to look hard enough, they would see the faint glow of her magic below the table, focused around Bon Bon.
"Whaah... aaaahnn..." Bon Bon mumbled as she started to squirm a little bit.
Across the table, Derpy turned to Rush, her mouth opened in disbelief. Whispering, she asked him "Is Lyra doing... that ... to Bon Bon? Here?"
Rush whispered back, in equal disbelief, "I... I think she is..."
"Nn... p... please... staahhh..." Bon Bon groaned quietly.
"Maybe... we should... go." Rush suggested quietly.
"No... let's stay, I want to watch..." Derpy said, her wings spreading slowly behind her.
"Go on... you know how to end it, Sweet Cheeks... just say the phrase, and it'll all be over..." Lyra said, her smile widening.
"Um... a-alright." Rush mumbled softly, quietly reacting in his own way.
"C'mon... obey your Mistress, Sweet, and you'll be rewarded... unless you want to be punished..." Lyra said, sidling over to her incapacitated marefriend.
Noticing something in the corner of her eye, Derpy looked at Rush; specifically, a certain part of him. "Rush? Are you...oh. Oh."
"Uh... huh..." Rush nodded slowly.
"Nnaah... st..." Bon Bon moaned shakily.
Rush looked down at Derpy, silently chewing on his lip.
Getting right next to her marefriend, Lyra looked over at the other couple and nodded, whispering into Bon Bon's ear, "Open your eyes, Sweet. Look at them, just watching you sit here, being pleasured by your Mistress, not even able to talk." Raising a hand in front of Bon Bon's face, Lyra let her look at it for a moment, before sliding it down her body and under the table.
Imitating Lyra, Derpy slid over to Rush. "You like this, hmm? You like watching Bonnie being dominated like this, Rush?"
Rush's face grew hot, mumbling, "I... don't... kn... I just..."
Bon Bon quaked and her eyes closed tightly, squeaking out, "Lyraaa... I... aaaahhhh!"
Her eyes widening, Lyra brought her hand hand back up, holding it up in front of her Sweet's face. "You came already, hmm? I don't remember saying you could, but since you've been so good lately, I'll let you off with a small punishment...lick me clean."
Bon Bon sat there panting for a few moments before licking Lyra's fingers off, the sticky fluids coating her tongue.
Rush was now staring down at Derpy, his breathing having gotten a lot heavier. Derpy then felt his hands gently pressing against her back, pulling her closer to his chest, and nearly onto his lap. He softly spoke, "Derpy..."
"Y-yes, Rush?" She asked, staring up at him. Rush kissed her, wrapping his hands around the base of her wings, causing her to immediately lean into his grip.
"How do you taste, Sweet?" Lyra said, interrupting their ministrations.
"G... good..." Bon Bon mumbled.
Rush pulled Derpy onto his lap, all but forcing her to feel the bulge in his pants which was now rubbing in-between her legs.
Lyra glanced back over to them, saying, "More. Tell me- tell them- more."
"I-it's so sweet..." Bon Bon said shakily.
"R-Rush!" Derpy moaned out, squeezing her thighs together.
"More! Give us details, Sweet! Or do you want to continue your punishment?" Lyra said, shoving her hand back down Bon Bon's skirt.
"It's... s... so sticky... a... and it tastes like sugar..." Bon Bon squeaked. "It's... s-so... good... I-I want... m-more..."
Bringing her wings around to her front, Derpy slowly stroked the bulge in Rush's pants, the soft, feathery feeling of her wingtips causing him to groan out, "Ooh... my..." His hands slid down her back and gently onto her plot, giving it a squeeze with his strong hands.
"You want more? Well, I don't think is should be the one giving you permission... ask them." Lyra said, turning her head towards the other two. "Go ahead... ask."
"C... can I have... some m-more?" Bon Bon squeaked out.
"Haah... y-yes..." Derpy said, briefly looking into the other mare's eyes.
Lyra pressed in on Bon Bon harder, saying, "Now thank her, Sweet."
"Th... thank you..." Bon Bon mumbled.
Rush kissed Derpy's neck as he began to knead her soft plot. After a few moments he slid his hands up and right into her pants, now full on massaging her cheeks, he whispered, "You're so nice..."
Cooing at the feel of his hands, Derpy stroked the bulge harder, leaning her head back to kiss him. As their lips touched, Rush squeezed her plot harder, moaning quietly into her mouth, caressing her tongue with his.
"Gooooood girl..." Lyra said, "Look as them, Sweet, getting off on watching you... " Shakily, Bon Bon watched the other two lovers, her eyes barely staying open.
"It's... so... g-good..." Bon Bon babbled quietly.
Rush pulled back from the kiss, mumbling, "I-I... n..."
Putting a finger over Rush's lips, Derpy said, "Sshhh... just sit there, and relax..." Getting off of his lap, she went to the side of the table, turning him with her, kneeling down in front of him. Rush watched her with a curious intent, slowly realizing what was about to happen. Smiling, she started to unbutton his pants, the bulge getting bigger as the barrier concealing it was taken away. Getting down to his boxers, she slowly ran a finger over the head of it, staring up into his eyes as she did so.
"Look at it, Sweet... don't you wish you could have that?" Lyra asked, speeding up her ministrations on Bon Bon, "Don't you wish you could have that hard, thick zebra cock in you needy little cunt?"
"Y-yes... I... I do..." Bon Bon moaned. Switching hands, Lyra brought her juice-covered one back up to Bon Bon's mouth, stuffing the other back inside of her. Bon Bon sucked her own fingers clean, groaning and closing her eyes at the taste.
Rush was shaking a little bit in anticipation, his eyes now locked onto Derpy's. Staring back up at him, she slowly brought down the waistband of his boxers, finally giving his cock some freedom. He shivered and closed his eyes, "C-cold..." He said quietly, his eyes slowly opened up as he realized Derpy hadn't said anything. "D-Derpy?"
"Good... C-Celestia..." Derpy said, her jaw dropping at the sight of him. His cock was the biggest she'd ever seen(not that she'd seen many, mind you), a good foot and a quarter of length, nearly three thick. {How did I even wrap my hand around that... that monster?} She thought, bringing her head up near the tip.
"My, my..." Lyra said, "Look at that, Sweet... look at how big it is, just dribbling out pre... doesn't it look delicious?"
"Mm-mmhm..." Bon Bon mumbled quietly through her fingers and lips.
"D... Derpy... I... I..." Rush stammered quietly, "Wh-"
Before he could finish, Derpy gave a small peck to the head of his cock, her tongue zipping out to dab up the bubble of precum on his tip. Pulling back, she looked up at him, licking her lips. "Tasty..." Rush's mouth remained partially opened as he continued to stare at her.
"Y... you're going to do..." He started.
Once again cutting him off, Derpy surrounded his tip with her mouth, the fat head filling it up until she could barely move her tongue around. She shuddered at the taste of it, the saltiness overpowering her senses.
"Oh... C..." Rush barely managed to mumble, his entire body quivering at the wet and warm feeling now surrounding his most sensitive part.
Across the table from them, Lyra and her Sweet sat, silent in fascination at what was happening. Whispering to Bon Bon, Lyra said, "Keep quiet, and I'll reward you later... I'd like to see where this goes..." Lighting her horn, Lyra grabbed one of her Sweet's hands, bringing it down to her own lower pair. "Now, return the favor, and give me some pleasure..."
Back on the original side of the table, Derpy slowly bobbed her head up and down on Rush's cock, every bob getting her a bit lower down. Rush let out a quiet groan as he slowly relaxed back into the booth. "Oh... oh my..." Because of her position, Derpy couldn't get very far down on it(not for lack of trying), but she made up for it by caressing the rest of it with her hands, the silky fur moving over it causing Rush to gasp. "Nnnah..."
Suddenly, she pulled herself from him with a *pop*, the portion of him that she had held inside of her still glistening with saliva. "Hmmm..." she mumbled. "I can't fit it all in, and I've already used my hands on you..." With a bit of a jump, she had an idea, quickly taking off her shirt and bra, letting her teats hang out for all of the room to see.
"Oh... oh my y... yes..." Rush mumbled, eyes widening and his face growing red.
Surprised by the sight of Derpy's tits, Lyra said, "Somepony's eager..."
Derpy smiled at Lyra for a moment, before turning back to Rush, kneeling closer to him. Taking hold of her mounds, she softly ran them up and down the tip of his cock, spreading the saliva into her cleavage until it was well-lubricated, moving back a moment before surrounding him at the base.
Rush audibly shivered as her warm breasts engulfed part of his shaft, mumbling, "It's... aah..."
Taking a page from Lyra's book, Derpy asked, "How is it?"
"Warm..." Rush said. "S-so soft."
Slowly, she ran them up and down his cock, licking the tip of it with every bob. Rush shivered again and a profuse amount of pre started drooling from his tip, which Derpy immediately slurped up. "Delicious..." She said. "But not as good as your real cream..."
Rush mumbled, "A-at... this rate... that won't be t-too long..."
"Mmm... well, give me it, love." Derpy said, going back down onto Rush's cock.
Rush groaned loudly, his eyes closing tightly. His cock spasmed, coating the grey pegasus's top half in his thick and sticky spunk.
Smiling, Derpy gave the cock one last lick, before she pulled back, beginning to wipe the spooge up into her mouth. At the edge of her vision, she saw a red-faced Lyra whisper something into Bon Bon's ear, gesturing towards her. Bon Bon slowly got up, walking over towards the pegasus, who was still on her knees.
Looking up at her, Derpy grinned wider, asking, "Yes?"
Bon Bon stammered out, "C-can I have some?" Derpy's eyes widened, and she glanced over at Lyra, who nodded and pointed at her mouth.
Looking back at Bon Bon, she said, "Yes, but... you have to use your mouth to get it..."
Bon Bon nodded and started to lick Derpy's tits clean, the second the first bit of cum touched her tongue she moaned at the salty flavor that flooded her mouth. She soon found herself unable to stop as she throughly licked every inch of Derpy's mounds clean.
Closing her eyes, Derpy pushed Bon Bon's head into her chest, the feeling overpowering her senses. Eventually, she saw that Bonnie had finished with her mounds, moving up to her collarbone and neck, sucking on her throat. Bon Bon was nearly about to lick up every bit of cum but, pulled back to save some for Lyra.
"Oh... oh my Celestia... it's sooo good!" Bon Bon moaned quietly.
"It is... now, give me some..." Derpy said, pulling Bon Bon into a heated kiss. Bon Bon wasted no time in giving Derpy some of the thick substance, their tongues trailing over each other. Having her fill, Derpy pulled back, panting, a thin string of saliva connecting the two mare's mouths.
"Woah..." Rush mumbled.
"Here, Sweet." Lyra softly ordered. Bon Bon was instantly in front of Lyra. "Now, be a good filly and share..." Leaning forward, Bon Bon immediately started to push the remaining cum into her mouth, moaning at the feel of it. After she was finished, Lyra looked over at Rush and licked her lips, saying, "Nice and salty... I can see why you like it so much, Derpy."
"H... hey, Derpy..." Rush said quietly.
Turning towards him, Derpy asked, "Yes, love?"
"I'm... getting a little hungry." He said while licking his lips, his eyes never leaving her. "And in fact... I could really go for a muffin..."
Confused for a moment, Derpy almost asked what he meant, before she got it. "O-oh... I... you... you want t-to do... that?"
Rush nodded, saying, "I do." He gently grabbed her hands and pulled her to her feet, saying, "Before I start..." His hands ran down the sides of her body, stopping at the hem of her skirt. His fingers moved under the waistband of her skirt, slowly pulling them down and revealing her panties.
Interrupting the moment, Lyra said, "Oh, Derpy, those panties are so cute! Where'd you get them?"
"Ehm... Rarity. I asked her for a pair of... undergarments... and she made bras and panties with muffins on them for me." Derpy said. Turning back down to Rush, she noticed that he had stopped, simply smiling up at her.
"They look amazing on you." He said softly.
Derpy blushed. "Oh... stop it, you..."
"How can I?" Rush smiled as he ran his hands over her plump plot.
"Just...nnn..." She groaned out.
Rush slowly pulled her panties down, revealing her slightly leaking pegasus snatch. He placed a small kiss just above her clit, before giving a playful lick directly to it.
"Haahn..." Derpy squeaked out, nearly falling over. Rush grinned and picked her up only to set her down on the table a moment later. After she was on the table, he leaned down and ran his rough tongue right up her lower lips.
"Hmmm... Sweet. Sit on the table, just next to Derpy.And don't forget to remove your clothing. I have a wonderful idea..." Lyra said, a twinkle in her eye.
"Yes, Mistress." Bon Bon nodded as she sat down on the table.
"Goooood girl... now, spread 'em."
Bon Bon instantly spread her legs apart, a small blush covering her face. Smiling, Lyra grabbed her Sweet's plush rump, slowly bringing her mouth closer to Bonnie's marehood. Bonnie bit down on her lip as her face continued to get redder, her hands twitching. Pulling one up, she brought it up to Derpy's face, running it down her cheek.
Turning towards Bon Bon, Derpy leaned forward, locking lips with the mare, moaning into her mouth. Bon Bon pressed her tongue to Derpy's lips, seemingly at the same time Rush pushed his tongue past Derpy's lower lips. Opening her mouth, Derpy once again went into a gentle tongue dance with Bonnie, bringing one of her hands up to lightly stroke her neck. Bon Bon gently stroked Derpy's cheek as her eyes shut tightly, shivering as Lyra ate her out.
Her one hand busy with Bonnie, Derpy put the other on the back of Rush's head, pushing him further into her cunt.
Rush began to slowly eat out the treat, his tongue taking its' time in exploring her depths, the sweet juices coating his tongue. He moaned at the flavor and started getting more vigorous, slurping up every drop he could find.
Derpy squeezed her thighs tightly around Rush's head, the pleasure making her body quake. Rush groaned and squeezed her plot tightly as he pushed his face further against her marehood.
Beside him, Lyra greedily ate out her aptly-named Sweet, her tongue running up and down her folds, catching all of her juices. Bon Bon moaned loudly into Derpy's mouth, her hand going down to Lyra's head and stroking her horn.
Pulling of of her Sweet for a moment, Lyra smiled up at her Sweet. "Hmmm... good filly, always thinking of h-her Mistress... good fillies get treats, you know." Lyra said, diving back into her snatch. Bon Bon shivered violently and a huge flow of juices ran all over Lyra's face.
Rush gently suckled on Derpy's clit, roughly running his tongue across it.
"Hmmm!" Derpy moaned into Bon Bon's mouth. Pulling her hands back up, she roughly groped Bonnie's tits, pinching and twisting the nipples of her large mounds. Bon Bon groaned and grabbed Derpy's breasts, giving them an equally rough squeeze.
Pulling back for a moment, Lyra said, "Cum for me, Sweet."
Bonnie shivered and put a little more force into the kiss with Derpy.
Rush was now all but making out with Derpy's marehood, his tongue now roughly darting and twisting around her inner walls.
Breaking the kiss with Bonnie for a moment, Derpy said, "R-Rush... I... I'm about to cuuuuum!" Rush gave one final lick to her nub as he prepared for her orgasm. Squeezing his head between her thighs, Derpy came, grabbing Bon Bon's head and passionately making out with her. Rush drank her juices down, the sweet liquid practically pouring down his throat.
Bon Bon moaned into the kiss one last time as she came all over Lyra's face, the green mare relishing in the feeling of being covered in her mate's cum.
Rush pulled back from Derpy's marehood and smiled widely up at her. Giving Bon Bon one last passionate kiss, Derpy leaned down, relishing in the taste of her juices from Rush's mouth. Rush pulled Derpy off of the table and down into his lap as he held the kiss, his tongue softly battling hers.
Near them, Lyra had crawled up onto the table with Bon Bon, laying her down and passionately kissing her. Bon Bon wrapped her arms around Lyra and moaned quietly into the kiss, squeezing her close.
Rush pulled back from the kiss, and looked over at the others. "I'm not complaining, but... why exactly are you two acting like this?" He asked.
"Rush... they're in heat, you silly!" Derpy explained.
Giggling, Lyra continued for her. "Yeah, we're in heat. Part of that is the reason you were so... amorous. The pheromones we were putting off lowered your inhibitions, which explains all of... this." She said, motioning to all of the collective mess. "Honestly, I'm... quite sorry for doing this. It won't happen again."
"Why are you so sorry?" Rush asked.
"Well... for one, I don't have feelings for you or Derpy -at least, not beyond sisterly love and friendship- and Bon Bon here..." She looked down at her Sweet, who shook her head. "She doesn't either. And for another, I get the feeling that neither of you feel that way about us, either." Lyra reasoned.
"She's right...as of now, I only have feelings for you, Rush." Derpy said.
"Yeah, she is." Rush nodded as he hugged Derpy against his body. Looking around, he said, "Now, what're we going to do about this room?" |
Candy | TorchWood | "Shoot... so, we split the bill in half, or by quarters?" Derpy asked.
"How about... in half?" Rush suggested.
"Yeah, that seems reasonable." Lyra said. Getting her wallet out, she asked, "How much was it again, Bonnie?"
"Um... Two hundred aaand fifty bits. Plus tip." Bon Bon said after looking at the receipt.
"Huh." Rush said. "Didn't think it'd be that much."
"Well, we did have sex in here. Bon Bon and I do that every once in a while, and every time we do, we notice that the bill is higher than the cost of what we ordered by about seventy-five bits. It's probably cleaning costs, y'know?" Lyra explained.
"Huh. That does makes sense." Rush nodded.
"So hundred twenty five each, plus twenty or so bits for tip?" Bon Bon said.
"Sounds reasonable." Derpy said.
Rush pulled out his bag and started moving the bits out and onto the table. After a few moments he finished up and closed his bag up, "There we go." He smiled.
Walking in, the server counted out the money, smiling at the tip. "Thank you for eating here at The Rose Petal. Please, come again!" She said, walking out.
"I think we will." Rush smiled, wrapping an arm around Derpy's shoulders.
"I know we certainly will..." Lyra purred out, looking seductively at Bon Bon.
"Of c-course." Bon Bon smiled, her cheeks reddening a little bit.
"Well...this was nice. I can't wait for our next lunch... though I hope it doesn't go exactly the same." Derpy said.
"Yeah." Rush nodded slightly. He paused and his face lit up like some idea had just come to him.
"Well... we sh-should get going." Bon Bon said.
"Yeah, I can't wait to get home." Lyra said. "Be safe, you two!"
"We will!" Rush waved. "You two do the same!"
"Bye, Lyra, Bonnie!" Derpy said, watching the couple walk off. Rush looked at Derpy with a large smile on his face, almost too large. "Huh... what's got you so happy, Rush?"
"Nnnnothing," He said, tapping the end of her nose, "That you need to know... yet."
Scrunching up her face, Derpy *hmmphed*, crossing her arms.
"I know you'll just love it." He whispered softly, kissing her on the cheek.
Her expression softened, and Derpy spread her wings, wrapping them-and her arms- around Rush, in a soft hug. "If you're sure, love."
Rush hugged her back and nuzzled her neck, saying, "Let's head home, shall we?"
"Yeah... you think Dinky is doing alright, with her babysitter?" Derpy asked.
"I'm sure they're just fine." Rush said.
"So... what is it that you do, again?" Dinky asked the stallion.
""Well... I go around, and I stop bad peo- ponies from doing bad things! Or, at least, I try... sometimes, I even take other ponies with me!" He said.
"Wow! Can I go with you one day?" Dinky gasped out.
"Maybe, when you're older, of course." He said.
"Awesome! But... how're you gonna find me?" Dinky asked.
"Don't you worry about that." He chuckled. "Trust me, if I come back, you'll know."
"Alright... hey, is that mommy and Rush out there?" Dinky said, pointing to the outside of the window. The stallion turned and looked out side.
"It sure does look like them." He said.
Opening the door, Derpy peeked inside, smiling when she saw her daughter. "Dinky!"
"Mommy!" Dinky squealed, running up to her mother and jumping into a hug.
On the other side of the room, the baby sitter stood there next to Rush, both of them looking at the cute scene in front of them. "Really makes you think, doesn't it?" The stallion asked.
"About what?" Rush asked.
The stallion looked down, murmuring, "About what could've been..."
"Huh?" Rush asked.
Clearing his throat, the stallion said, "Nothing. Just talking about the possibility of past lives, and such." Looking down at his watch, he mumbled something out, before catching Derpy's attention. "It's about time I leave. I hope to see you again, Derpy!"
"Aww, time already? You always seem to disappear right after I see you, everytime... well, goodbye, Sword Hove! Have a good night!" Derpy said, waving goodbye to the stallion.
Bye bye!" Dinky squeaked out from the tight pegasus hug.
"Have a good night, Mr. Sword Hove." Rush waved.
"Goodbye, Derpy, Dinky, and Rush." He said, walking out into the night. Derpy could see him look back one more time, a strange look on his face, before he walked off into the night.
"Momma?" Dinky asked.
"Yes, muffin?" Derpy said, turning back to her daughter.
"Who was that man?"
Derpy sighed. "I'm... not really sure... every once in a while, he shows up, and does me a favor... and then he disappears..." |
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